Chapter 21

CHAPTER21

Rhys

Moonlight streamedthrough the open window, dancing across Seraphina’s sleeping face in gossamer ribbons. The sight stole my breath, even now. Tomorrow was our wedding day—soon, we would be bound irrevocably, two souls entwined through endless lifetimes. But tonight still stretched ahead, a final gift to savor privately before time’s sand fully ran out.

I drank in the sight of my goddess-given flesh, vulnerable and tranquil amidst silvery dreams. Her serene beauty soothed my ragged spirit, even as anticipation sent my pulse galloping wildly. After endless trials, our joyful union was so near at hand. Yet still, the hours until daylight seemed to crawl.

I could scarcely believe this vision of loveliness would soon vow herself to a cursed creature like me before the eyes of the realms.

I moved silently to her bedside, drinking in the beloved features I knew better than my own. Her silvery hair streamed across the pillows, lips curved gently even in repose. Seraphina’s ethereal beauty had entranced me since our first star-crossed meeting. But her luminous heart and dauntless spirit had worked far greater magic, bringing light and hope to pierce my lonely dark. Each moment in her orbit was a blessing.

Unable to resist, I leaned down, brushing feather-light lips across her brow. Seraphina stirred sluggishly, a soft hum escaping her throat. I smiled against her skin, peace cascading through me. No finer music existed than her voice shaped in contentment.

“Wake up, my darling,” I whispered. “Your Romeo awaits to worship you properly.”

At my murmur, her eyes fluttered open, gray irises drowsy and unfocused. Gradually, awareness kindled to life, her gaze finding mine in startled joy.

“Rhys!” She sat up swiftly, throwing her arms about my neck in reckless abandon. “Gods, you shouldn’t be here.” Disbelieving wonder etched her exquisite features. “We’re getting married tomorrow. It’s bad luck to see each other... or something like that.” She rubbed her eyes.

I pulled her closer, savoring the press of her lithe frame to mine, her rapid pulse beneath my seeking hand. “I could not bear another night deprived of you, sweet bride of mine.” I sealed the daring vow against her lips, glorying in the soft gasp my fervor elicited.

Seraphina melted into my devouring kiss for several heartbeats before gently breaking away, eyes dancing. “Such sacrilege, Mr. Greystone. Sneaking into a lady’s quarters unmarried?” Despite her scolding tone, undisguised longing smoldered in her stormcloud gaze. “Whatever shall the gossips say?”

I trailed kisses slowly down her elegant neck, careless of propriety. “Let them wag their tongues. I intend to make you my wife in full before this night passes.” To emphasize my intent, I nipped delicately at her fluttering pulse. Her breathless laugh was sweet victory. No force could part us now.

Before ardor overwhelmed reason entirely, I leaned back, taking both her hands in mine. “I bring a gift to mark this night, my star.” From a hidden pocket, I drew two gleaming rings, a polished silver set with swirling opal.

Seraphina’s eyes widened beautifully. “They’re gorgeous, Rhys.” Awe softened her voice. “Is it tradition to exchange them this early?”

I stroked her knuckles, heart full to bursting. “You are my life entire, traditions be damned. I wish to swear myself to you tonight, with only the two of us present in intimate union.” Nerves plucked at me unexpectedly. “That is... if my lady consents?”

Joyful tears brimmed over me as Seraphina flung her arms about me once more. “Yes, a thousand times!” Her watery laugh was ambrosia. “There’s nothing on heaven or earth I desire more.”

My eyes prickled traitorously. That this beautiful creature had selected me as her counterpart still defied my comprehension. But I would spend eternity striving to be worthy of her preciously placed trust.

Taking her hand, I drew Seraphina to the rug before the softly crackling hearth. No mortal witness could sanction this midnight ritual except the watching stars. But our love blazed bright enough without priestly verse or watered wine. This was a vow between souls, not earthly pageantry.

I knelt facing my radiant bride, her beauty stealing rational thought. For a moment, words failed me. I could only stare helplessly, struggling to convey the force of emotion threatening to burst from my mortal frame. Seraphina watched me steadily through her own sheen of tears, her smile radiant with understanding. Speaking vows proved unnecessary; our spirits recognized one another beyond doubt. But still, I must try to shape some piece of the profound gift lying undeserved in my monstrous hands this night.

“Seraphina, my goddess divine. You alone illuminated the twisted path I blindly walked, called me back from the edge of unending dark. Your light guides me safely home, anchoring this foundering ship, no matter how the tempests rage.” My voice shook with sincerity’s force. “You ask for nothing, though I would lay the heavens themselves at your feet. Your grace humbles and exalts me.” I pressed an ardent kiss to her hands, blinking back hot tears. “With you, I need not walk in solitude. My fate is joyfully entwined with yours, come what may.”

I picked up her wedding ring, hands trembling. “Therefore, I take you as my wife, binding myself to you eternal. Not even mortality can sunder us.” I slid the band gently into place, magic subtly thrumming between us as her oath took shape.

Seraphina gazed at the shimmering silver circlet on her elegant finger. Then she lifted luminous eyes back to mine, infinite love and trust shining forth. “Oh, my darling dark angel,” she whispered raggedly, taking up the matching band meant for my hand. “My heart recognized you as home the moment we first met. You see me not as an accursed outcast, but cherished partner. Together, we build a future denied to us apart.” She slid the ring slowly onto my knuckle, her voice thick with fervor. “By this token, I take you as my husband beyond death’s dominion. Our souls are forever melded through joy and trial.”

As the last syllable died away, the opal stones flared brightly, sealing our fates in mingled fire. The light seemed to resonate between us, binding our hearts and destinies irrevocably together. When it finally dimmed, we clung tight, overcome by the forces we had awakened that night.

At long last, I found my voice again. “Then, by my life’s blood, you are now my wife beyond all reckoning.” I crushed her fiercely close, half mad with dizzying euphoria and stark longing. “No power under heaven can break us apart.”

Seraphina gripped me firmly, overflowing with joy and desire. “We will walk our own path together now,” she said confidently, a wolfish grin playing across her lips, inflaming my spirit. She was no submissive, blushing bride; rather, we were two fiery spirits, burned together by the heat of passion to an unbreakable bond.

Our vows spoken, the moon shone down on us as if offering a divine blessing. I laid Seraphina gently down before the hearth’s smoldering embers, her hair spilling over the plush rug in silvery threads. For an endless moment, I simply drank in her supernatural beauty, this precious gift freely given into my monstrous keeping. Then I joined her on the woven threads, determined to honor that staggering trust.

Our clothes were shed. My tail snaked around her thigh, its ridged tip teasing molten paths along her skin. Seraphina gasped and arched into the unique sensation.

Some primal part of me recognized this night as a critical rite—the pact sealed that bound us irrevocably now as mates. I poured my devotion into each reverent caress, worshipping my bride’s peerless form and noble spirit. And she returned every rapturous gift tenfold, guiding me into love’s most sacred mysteries.

With gentle flicks, my tail tip stroked her most sensitive pearl, kindling her passion higher. Her pleasured moans spurred my tail to delve deeper between her slick folds.

“Gods, Rhys...” she moaned. “I need you.”

“Do you want me inside of you, my beautiful wife?” I purred, my tail flicking and teasing at her entrance.

“Please!” she cried, her hips grinding against me.

In answer, I slid fully and deeply inside of her, my tail curling around her waist like a protective embrace. As I moved, my tail roved up and down the length of her body, deepening our souls’ bond and amplifying our pleasure. In that moment, we were one, the space between us so pure and tender it threatened to undo us both.

Lost in rapture, I drove harder, faster, until at last we clung to each other, crying out as our ecstasy rose to its pinnacle.

We moved together in moonlit silhouette, soft cries echoing the dance of desire binding our souls ever tighter. No barriers remained, intimacy both fierce and tender unfolding between us like gossamer wings.

Rising ecstasy crested again and again, pursuing the very stars in their slow wheeling journey overhead. Seraphina clung fast to me, gasps urging us higher yet, fearing no precipice.

My knot glided deep into her until we were fully joined, our bodies merging into a single entity. Seraphina arched her back, her eyes closed in ecstasy as she surrendered to the overwhelming pleasure flooding through her. I felt her muscles tighten around me; her nails digging into my back as she rode out the waves of sensation.

But this was only the beginning. Locked in our primal embrace, I worshipped every inch of her.

“Oh, gods,” she moaned, her sensual curves writhing against the hard planes of my body. “Rhys, I’m so full... I’m going to come!” Overwhelmed in this ecstasy, my bride threw her head back and shuddered, her body trembling and contracting around me, almost bringing me to my release.

“That’s it,” I purred against her ear. “Come for me once more.” I thrust my knot deeper, and Seraphina stifled a low moan as she adjusted to fit me.

We moved together in perfect harmony, our bodies boiling with pleasure. Every touch elicited a new sensation, every deep thrust bringing us closer to each other. The pleasure grew until it was almost too much to bear.

As her body tensed, preparing for another wave of bliss, I reached out my hand and brought it to her cheek. Our eyes locked, desire in mine and adoration in hers.

“I love you, Seraphina,” I whispered. “Now and forever.”

Before she could answer, her body tightened around me and my own climax built up. My tail tensed around her thigh for support as we climbed higher, our bodies undulating as one.

“Oh… gods,” she begged, clinging to me with untamed desire. “Rhys!”

And then it happened. The world fell away, and we were consumed by a blinding burst of light that filled our beings with pure, unadulterated joy. This was it, the culmination of all that we were, the ultimate expression of our love.

We soared on the wings of purest joy, and then slowly descended to gentle bliss. Our entwined embrace was still and serene. No words could do justice to our tempestuous feelings. Seraphina’s contented smile mirrored my own, as we knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, nothing could break our bond.

At long last, I gathered her gently in my arms, marveling as always at her voluptuous form against my own craggy vastness. Some benevolent god had smiled upon me the day fate allowed our crossing paths.

My tail coiled loosely around her waist in a final caress as we basked in the afterglow. Seraphina’s head came to rest over my still-racing heart, silvery strands trailing lovely across my heaving chest. I curled a possessive claw through her tousled tresses, silently vowing never to lose this treasure from my grasp again. The rest of eternity stretched ahead through star and shadow. I would walk it beside her gladly.

We lay together, panting and spent, our bodies entwined in an eternal embrace. Seraphina looked up at me, her eyes glinting with unshed tears.

“Forever,” she whispered, interlacing our fingers.

“Forever,” I echoed, knowing that nothing could ever tear us apart. We had walked our own path together, rules be damned, and now we were united as one for all eternity.

Nothing would sunder us. Nothing.