Knock Knock

Ilaugh as Tris carries me upstairs to my bedroom, where he kicks open the door and throws me onto the bed with a grin that sends tingles rushing through my body.

I prop myself up on my elbows. "Okay, you've caught me. Now, what are you going to do with me?"

"You have no idea." He leans down to kiss me deeply, stealing my giggles and sending my heart racing.

He pulls back to stare at me. "I've been so patient while you and Haut had fun."

"Tris…" I breathe, stroking his sandy-blond hair. "You've been amazing, taking care of everyone."

His golden-brown eyes heat as he slowly pushes up my sweater. With each new inch of skin exposed, he presses soft kisses against me, making me shiver with anticipation. When he reaches my sternum, blue sparks of magic dance around us like tiny fireflies.

Fingers tangling in his hair, I watch the sparks rise toward the ceiling, their existence proof that we were always meant to be together.

Tris peels off the last of my clothes and smooths his hands over my bare thighs. "You're so beautiful, my spark."

My breath catches, and I arch my back into his touch. "I want you naked, too."

"Your wish is my command." Rising over me, Tris strips off his shirt, unveiling his lean, tan body.

I sit up and press my lips against his abdomen, and his muscles contract into firm ridges. "I'm sorry I ever made fun of your six-pack."

"As you should be." He pinches his side. "Not an inch of fat here, sparky."

"So I see." I help him take off his pants and gasp loudly. "Oh my gosh, is that an eight-pack coming in?"

He chuckles. "Okay, now you're pushing it."

Despite the joking, his hard cock nudges my chin, glistening with need.

Before I can take him into my mouth, though, he scoops me up and tosses me higher onto the bed. "As much as I'd love to see where that apology is going, I can't wait a second longer to taste you."

"But I wanted to taste you," I protest, desire slicking my thighs. "And I'm the one apologizing here."

"I'm the one who's been cock-blocked since the day we set out on our adventure." His gaze drops to my hips. "Gimme what I want."

"Compromise." I push Tris onto his back, turn around, and swing a leg over his body.

"Oh, hell yes." He shoves pillows behind his back to prop himself up, then grabs my hips to pull me in front of his face. "I love compromises."

Pulse racing, I spread my legs wider, positioning myself just right so we can pleasure each other at the same time. Gripping his cock, I take him into my mouth, savoring the salty flavor and the velvety heat of him.

The sensation of his mouth on me sends shivers through my body, and his hum of satisfaction travels through me. I return the favor, swirling my tongue around his head before moving further down, his moans pulling more from me.

His musky scent fills my nose as my head bobs up and down his length. Then he sucks and nibbles on my clit, making me gasp and squirm, and my rhythm falters as my thoughts turn fuzzy. Blue sparks flicker between us, heightening our senses, every touch electric.

Long fingers slide into me as his tongue works its magic, and my orgasm hits first, my nerves lighting up as I completely lose focus on pleasuring Tris.

He doesn't seem to mind, though, as he gently moves me to the mattress and maneuvers me onto my hands and knees. Gripping my hips, he positions himself behind me and thrusts deep, causing me to gasp again.

"So worth the wait," Tris groans, swirling his pelvis before pulling out and slamming home.

All I can do is moan in response, too consumed with the sensation of him inside me to form words. He fucks me hard and fast, with the desperation of a week of pent-up desire, our bodies coming together in a primal dance that leaves us both breathless.

As another orgasm rips through me, I clutch at the sheets, reveling in this intimate connection with Tris. Moments later, he follows, his release pulsing into me as we collapse on the bed, our hearts racing in sync.

Magic still crackles around us as we lie gasping, and Tris kisses the back of my neck. "You should know that I'm not leaving your side for at least a week. I don't care how much Haut huffs and puffs."

"I'll do more than huff and puff if you two don't get into the shower!" Haut yells, making us jump. "Dinner is almost ready!"

Tris rises onto one elbow and turns toward the open door. "Stop being a creepy, perverted eavesdropper!"

"Hard to ignore the headboard knocking against the wall for…what was that, Tris? Five minutes?" Haut taunts.

"Don't be mean," Owen says.

"Thanks, Owen, that's why you're my favorite!" Tris calls back.

"It was at least five and a half minutes," Owen adds, and his laughter rings through the house.

I giggle, and after a moment, Tris joins in.

It's good to be home.

Flames crackle in the fireplace as we gather in the living room after dinner. Ros sits behind me, his nimble fingers braiding my detangled hair while Haut and Tris recount our adventures in Silver Hollow. A sense of contentment spreads through me, warmer than the cup of cocoa I cradle, my heart full to be back with my family.

"You should've seen Aspen hobbling around the entire time, using this stick that Levi got for him out of the woods!" Tris laughs, wiping tears from his eyes. "The big and powerful mentor, taken down on day one!"

"He did figure out the solution for their barrier." Haut tries to look stern while his eyes twinkle. "And Elana would have been more of a handful without his second circle status intimidating her."

"I'm taking bets on how long she remains the leader of that coven." I sip my hot chocolate. "Now that they know more options are out there, her days are numbered."

"We should go back in a year and see what's happened to her," Tris says.

"No!" Haut, Owen, and I yell at the same time.

Amid our laughter, a knock sounds at the door, and everyone freezes, the cozy atmosphere evaporating in an instant, replaced by tension.

"Who could that be?" I peer toward the door, my heart pounding.

"Probably just someone who missed the blessing." Tris's brow furrows. "I say we ignore it."

"Agreed." Owen settles deeper into the couch. "No more opening the door to uninvited guests."

The knock comes again, more frantic this time, and Ros's eyes widen as he rises to his feet. "The heartbeat outside is familiar."

Curiosity piqued, I follow him to the door, despite Tris and Haut's protests.

When Ros opens it, a disheveled figure stumbles into the foyer, and it takes a moment to recognize Zane with blood matting his red hair.

Panic surges through me as he grabs my arms, desperate and pleading. "Rowe, I need sanctuary. The council is after me… and my mate."

My gaze shifts past him to the porch, where a woman stands on the threshold, her face pale and blood splattering her clothes. A familiar black squiggle on her arm catches my eyes. The sign of a witch who has killed with magic.

As I struggle to process what's happening, my heart races and my limbs tingle with a sense of change in the air.

"Zane, what did you do?" I ask, my voice shaky.

"Nothing! I swear." Desperation etches his features. "I'm calling in my favor, Rowe. Save my mate and our unborn child."

"Child?" I repeat, stunned.

I teeter on the edge of something big, but there's no real choice to make here.

"Okay." Stepping back, I motion for the woman to enter. "We'll do everything we can to help."

The end…for now.