36. Tahlia

The chambers that had once been Marius’s alone now belonged to them both, allowing Fara to remain in the room in the riders’ wing on her own as she worked toward becoming a Healer. Off the main living area, a balcony overlooked the pine forest to the west and the peaks that flanked Dragon Tail.

Stars lit the sky and Tahlia leaned back against Marius’s chest as they finished their bottle of wine. Tahlia’s stomach tangled into knots. She was glad she hadn’t eaten too much during the feasting and games that had run all day after the ceremony.

Marius took her empty cup. “What’s troubling you, my perfect mate?”

He set his and hers on the small round table beside the railing before turning and pulling her close. His scent of cloves and stormy skies enveloped her as surely as his arms.

“Honestly? I’m nervous.” A laugh escaped her. She felt whole and loved with him, but this was an entirely new level of attachment. “I’m worried you’ll come to regret asking me to be your mate.” Her cheeks went hot and she shook her head at herself for being silly.

He hugged her tightly and pressed his lips to the top of her head. He was just so very tall. “I’m anxious too, love.”

“You are?”

“Of course. We both want this night to be special. It’s more than simply having some fun.”

That was true. She did feel that pressure to make this night wonderful in every way.

“Plus,” he continued, “we have made the most serious commitment possible, outside of our vows to the order. Neither one of us is being flippant about our relationship. That gives this night a certain gravity.”

Smiling into his chest, she toyed with the edges of his vest. He was right about all of it. “But we have a lifetime of nights spread out before us.”

“Exactly. So we need not put too much pressure on this evening. In fact,” he said, pulling away to look into her eyes, “if you would rather wait to consummate our bond, I can?—”

“No, no, no.” She curled her hands over his shoulders, then stood on tiptoe to kiss the underside of his jaw.

He hummed in appreciation. “Whatever pleases you, I will do it. Just say the word. Give the order.”

She let her head fall back and he took the hint to kiss his way down her throat. Warmth shot down her body, coiling low. His fingers dug into her hips, a delightfully rough grip that sent her blood racing through her veins. While one hand slid low to ruck up her skirts, his lips claimed hers in a kiss that was in no way gentle but insistent instead. His hand found the warmth beneath her skirts, and she gasped. Letting out another hum of approval, Marius kneaded her with his knuckles. Bolts of pleasure branched through her like lightning.

A growl rumbled from his chest into hers and she linked her arms around his neck. He lifted her and carried her to the bedchamber off the living area. A fire crackled and snapped in the bedroom’s hearth and shadows rippled across the curtains draping the bed. Standing beside the bed, they tugged off their leathers, then took turns undressing one another, a layer at a time.

Once they were stripped bare, he laid her on the voluminous blankets and pillows. He crawled on top of her and drew his lips across her cheek and forehead. His body pressed against hers. She peered down between them as he nibbled the sensitive tip of her ear. His stomach muscles pulled tight and the sight of him fully bared to her in all his masculine beauty had her gasping. Heat rose between her thighs. He moved down her body, mouth grazing her breasts, navel, and hips as he traveled.

“You’re exquisite, stunning, completely and utterly breathtaking,” he whispered over her skin, his breath tickling and teasing.

She couldn’t do anything more than moan and twist her fingers in his long hair.

With slow flicks of his tongue, he stroked her center until she was trembling. He spread his hands over her lower stomach to hold her in place, and she writhed, unable to remain still. Delight shivered inside her, ready to unfurl.

“Marius, please.”

“Yes?”

“I want you. Here,” she said, tugging handfuls of his hair.

He chuckled, the sound deep and gravelly. In a rush of movement, he lay on top of her again, his body poised perfectly. Impatience had her bucking against his cock. The feel of his heat on hers was unlike anything else in the world. She latched onto his shoulders and tried to urge him to enter, but he held back, grinning like a dragon about to blaze an enemy.

With one hand, he took hold of both her wrists. He pinned them on the smooth wood of the headboard and began to roll his hips, still refusing to give her what she truly wanted. She let out a groan, the desire overcoming any nervous feeling left inside her. She needed him. Now.

“Marius. Take me. Stop torturing me.”

“I think you quite like this punishment.”

Pleasure scattered across her torso, peaking her breasts, then traveling down the backs of her legs to pebble her skin in waves.

Two could play this game. She bit her lip, stared into his eyes, and wrapped her legs around him in one swift maneuver.

His lips parted in a gasp and he winced, hissing, his fangs showing and the veins in his neck growing prominent.

“Be still,” he growled, going still himself as well.

She grinned. “Why?” She rocked herself against the length of him.

Snarling, he suddenly dropped his hips and thrust into her. He drove forward again and again and again.

“You are mine, Tahlia.” His voice was the storm-tossed forest. “Mine. All mine.”

The bed shook beneath the fervor of his pace, and pure pleasure whipped through her body, the heat inside her unfurling and snapping, making her cry out.

Dropping to the bed, he wrapped his arms around her and tucked her up beside him. Sweat made their skin stick here and there, but everything was perfection because this love was real and it was forever.