34. Sybil

Chapter 34

Sybil

W e climb down another flight of steps, only to end up on a quiet landing filled with more rows of shelves. My brow creases as I mentally retrace our steps from the infirmary.

"I'm sorry," I say as I face Aramis. "I thought this was the way to the–"

"It's okay," he says, grabbing my hand. His voice is a deep caress as I turn to face him. He presses a soft kiss to my knuckles. "You're tired, and it's been a long time since you've been here."

A warm fluttering sensation like a hundred of Nero's flame butterflies settles in my stomach as he pulls me into his arms.

"I can't believe it's the middle of spring," I say, heartbeat racing as I meet his eyes.

Silence stretches between us, broken only by the sound of our breathing.

"Sybil." His eyes are almost silver as they stare at me, and I feel a wave of power through the bond.

"Aramis?" The way he looks at me sets my skin on fire. I dart my tongue out to moisten my suddenly parched lips.

"Fuck, I love the sound of my name on your lips." He drops the towels and clothes to the ground and closes the distance between us, crushing his lips against mine in a kiss that's both demanding and hungry.

He pulls away, my body flushed and jolting with pent up energy. "We should–I mean," I nervously mumble. Heat creeps into my cheeks as I look around us. The mage lights flicker above. The rows are still quiet. No other being seems to be on this floor.

"Shh," he whispers, holding my faceand pulling my attention back as his blue eyes rage like storm clouds. His hands glide down my body to my hips, pulling me flush against him before claiming my lips, slow and thorough. My heart begins to race in my chest, heat pooling in my core.

I moan, arching into his touch as our tongues dance together. I run my fingers through his hair, down the stubble of his cheek, and across the smooth planes of his chest. His muscles flex taut under my touch. My fingers grip the fabric of his tunic,and I know I'll never get tired of this male. My mate. I should have trusted my gut from the beginning and never let doubt push us apart.

His fingers comb through my braid until it hangs around me like a curtain. He breaks away, both of us panting, breathless as he pulls me tight against his chest.

"I'm sorry," he whispers against the shell of my ear, sending warmth flooding into my core. "I couldn't go one moment more without kissing you, without holding you. Knowing that you're real and this isn't just some sleepless delirium dream while I'm still stuck in that cell, powerless to save you."

I nuzzle against his cheek, the scruff alighting my senses. I deeply inhale his rich scent and melt into his embrace. I let my magic flow, my skin glowing as I reach for the thread between us pouring all my love and feelings through it. "I am real, this is real." I find his hand, entwining our fingers and bringing it between us where I can feel his heart pounding.

"The path ahead will not be easy, but I refuse to let Tricella or anyone else get between us. You're my mate." I feel the rush of power along the bond a moment before a gust of wind whips through the room, billowing my skirt and hair. He stares down at me, eyes hungry and heated.

"Truly?" His eyes search my face. "I thought–in the mountains–" He hesitates, and a muscle in his jaw ticks as he clenches his teeth together. "I thought I was going to lose you. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life without you by my side, not only as my mate but as my wife."

"Wife?" My heart beats wildly in my chest as he kneels before me and pulls a small carved silver wooden rose on a chain from his pocket. Every detail is intricate, from the blossoming petals down to the tiny thorns peaking around leaves. "It's not much. You deserve all the jewels and treasures in the world but–"

"It's beautiful." I run my finger along the edge of the rose. "Is it–"

"Yes, it's from the pomme d'argent woods from when we traveled together." He runs his hands through his unruly blond hair and stares up at me. "Be mine, Sybil Vandeleur. Will you stay by my side for the rest of time until the stars fall burning from the sky and the sea swallows the earth?"

"Yes." Tears prick the corner of my eyes as I smile down at him. "I want you. I want to be your mate, your wife." As soon as the words leave my mouth, he pushes to his feet and clasps the chain around my neck before pulling me into his arms burying his face into my neck.

"I want you more than anything, Sybil darling, and I vow I will spend my whole life showing you just how much I mean that."

My back hits the flat edge of a shelf, sending dust flying. I wrap my legs around his waist, my skirts pushing up as I arch against him. He trails a firefly line of kisses down my exposed neck and collarbone. His hand grips my exposed thigh, the other wrapping around my back. His touch sets my skin on fire, contrasting with the cool breeze of his magic stroking my skin, an inferno of heat and ice building inside me.

"Aramis," I gasp, writhing in his grasp. "Please."

"You don't have to beg for me, Sybil darling. I'm fucking yours." He nips at my neck, his hand roaming higher up my thigh in tantalizing circles. His touch is featherlight and followed by the breathy caress of his wind magic. My skin ignites into an inferno at his touch.

"As I am yours." My hands roam up the taunt muscles of his strong arms to encircle his neck and tangle in his short hair. I tighten my legs, seeking the friction I so desperately need. "I want you, only you, forever."

"You will be my undoing," he growls before taking my mouth in a kiss that melts away any coherent thought. I cry out against him as his hand roves higher, thumb circling my sensitive center.

"Please," I moan, my body arching of its own accord, seeking release. I lean my head back, cushioned by the soft moss. My eyes closing as delicious tension builds inside me.

"So demanding, my pomme sucre," he whispers as he increases his pace.

"Aramis–" I cling to him as my body explodes into a thousand pieces. I feel as though I will burn up from the inside out. Magic floods my veins pulsing in time with the throb in my core.

"Look at me," he commands, and I open my eyes, meeting his gaze. There is something like awe laced with feral hunger in his icy blue eyes.

A gust of wind blows against my wet core like a phantom hand and a hunger and lusty moan escapes me. Aramis lowers us both to the ground. He grabs the edge of my undergarments and rips them in two as he eyes me like a man starved. He leans forward, pressing a kiss to the side of my neck that sends a trail of tingles past my breast down to my core.

He slips a finger deep as he frees my breasts pulling a nipple into his mouth. I can't think—can't breathe—lost in the sensations his mouth, magic, and touch are causing.

"You are the most delightful, beautiful creature I have ever met," he growls against my flesh, slipping another finger inside me.

"And you are driving me crazy," I reply as every muscle in my body clenches, white hot heat searing me from the inside out. My release rips through me like a thunderstorm and he captures my lips against his as I cry out.

He gently withdraws his fingers, and I whimper at the sudden absence.

"Patience," he says with a smirk as he makes quick work undoing the fastenings on his pants and freeing himself. His hands grip my thighs, spreading them wide as he rubs the head of his cock against my wet, pulsing entrance. "You made me wait how long for an answer?"

"You're ruthless," I whisper feverishly. Something within me calls to him, craves him.

"I'm yours," he replies as he pushes into me.

My heart pounds in my chest, matching the rhythm of our bodies moving as one. Every thrust sends a surge of heat coursing through my veins, igniting a fire within me that I never knew existed. The pressure of his grip on my face intensifies, his thumb caressing my cheek, leaving a trail of electrifying sensations in its wake.

"So beautiful," he murmurs, nipping at my neck.

I can't get enough of his touch. I hook my legs around his waist and he takes me deeper. The change in pressure and friction provokes a moan from my lips. I grip onto his shoulders, my nails digging into his skin, but it's not out of pain or desperation. It's a raw expression of desire, an instinctual need to hold onto him, to feel his strength and presence.

I lose myself in the depths of his gaze, my eyes locking with his as if they were the only lifelines in this sea of ecstasy. The molten adoration reflected in his eyes melts away any doubts or insecurities, leaving only an unyielding connection between our souls. It's a love so fierce and intense, it leaves me gasping for air.

The waves of pleasure ripple through my body, building and cresting with each deliberate movement. I am lost in a sea of sensations, each touch and thrust a symphony of pleasure that pushes me closer to the edge. Time loses meaning as we surrender to the intoxicating dance of our bodies.

"Aramis," I whimper, moving to match his pace. Every fiber of my body goes tight and tingly. He lets out a roar of pleasure, hand tightening in my hair as he throbs deep inside me. We fall panting beside one another and he kisses the corner of my mouth.

It's then I realize my skin is glowing as though I've rolled in luminescent lichen. He chuckles, kissing my surprised brow before lowering me to the ground. "You're glowing like a star, Sybil darling."

"I–" I stutter, staring at my hands gripping the front of his tunic. "This has never happened to me before."

"We will have to make sure we have curtains, lest everyone know what we're up to. You are shining brighter than any star shining in the sky."

I glance down at my glowing skin and chuckle before pressing my head against his chest, listening to the rhythmic beat of his heart.

"Let's go get you cleaned up," he says, kissing the top of my head and pulling me into his arms. I can't help but smile.