Chapter 9

At first there were only shapes and patterns, complex and beautiful, filling my field of vision. Intricate red and gold embroidered fabric was all around me, covering me and enveloping me. It was a bedspread of some kind, but more luxurious than anything I'd ever had in Greatfalls. I slowly grew aware of my surroundings. The fabrics felt lovely against my skin: the pillows, the blanket, everything was incredibly soft.

The sweet, even breathing next to me was also soft.

I squinted, trying to re-engage my vision past the bedspread. That's when I saw him. Cyrus. He lay there, his chest exposed, his pale skin in contrast to the colorful bedspread. The obsidian circlet still sat on his head even in sleep, and his face was...peaceful. Maybe for the first time since I met him. The lines in his face had softened, the furrow in his brow had smoothed away.

And I felt at peace. The knots in my shoulders had loosened, and the ball of tension that had lived in my chest for days now had released. I breathed in the cool air of the bedroom.

It was a bedroom. Whose bedroom was it? I pulled myself to sitting. The room was lush, but not ostentatiously so. Cyrus and I lay in a four poster bed, painstakingly carved with complex and beautiful designs. The stone walls were covered in bright tapestries. There was a cushioned armchair in the same fabric as the bedspread, and against one wall was a simple wooden desk and chair. An enormous mahogany armoire loomed over everything, and a fire burned low in the fireplace.

"Do you like it?"

I turned to see Cyrus now awake, flipped on his side, his eyes open, questioning. His tone was quiet and tentative, as if he was worried I might reject him.

"I do. It's very foreign to me. We don't build from stone in Greatfalls."

"I hope it's foreign in an enticing way." He smiled, and it was as though someone had punched me in the chest. How did this man's smile have such an effect on me? So much had changed in the last week. He was no longer the symbol of evil and aggression to me. Now he was a man, and in the short time I'd been with him, he'd demonstrated a deep level of compassion for his people. Even if he could still be absolutely infuriating.

I lowered myself back down to be close to him, keeping a little distance between us. I didn't touch him. I wasn't sure if he wanted that. Hell, I wasn't sure I wanted that.

"It's very intriguing. Is this your room?"

"Yes. I don't sleep much, so most of my time here is spent working at the desk, or reading." Confusion flashed across his face. "I can't remember the last time I slept so well."

I nodded, not saying anything. I was uncharacteristically refreshed, revitalized in a way that was whole and complete.

"Should we...get someone?" I scanned the empty room.

Cyrus chuckled, a low warm sound. Warmth rushed to my face, and the tips of my ears grew hot as well. It was honestly annoying how easily he could make me react.

"I've already been awake once already," he answered. "Manod said that we should take it easy, but we are fully healed. All of the people at the cabins are fine."

Cyrus stretched and yawned, his hand coming to his head as he did so. It brushed against the black circlet, and he froze for the smallest of moments. Then, after making some internal decision, he pulled it off his head, and reached over to rest it on the nearby desk.

Shocks of nervousness ran down my body, bringing me back to my purpose here. He trusted me enough to take off the Crown of Seeing in my presence. I pushed down the guilt that sprang up as he continued speaking.

"The retinue is settled into the palace here at Ashfuror, including your friend Jelenna. In fact, she put away your luggage in the dresser and armoire."

My mind immediately flashed to the dagger, the artifact from Grandmother. Had Jelenna put that in there as well? Would she expect me to use it today? I forced myself to pull my gaze away from the carved patterns of the obsidian circlet.

With the two of us here together, a split opened in my understanding of Cyrus between the man I'd seen risk his life for his people, and the tyrant I'd been sent to sabotage. I owed Grandmother and the people of Greatfalls this, to remove the source of their oppressor's power. But a small part of me wanted to leave my promise behind. And all of me wanted Cyrus to touch me.

"Where did you go?" Cyrus reached out and put his hand to my face, and I was jolted back into my body at the feeling of it. His palm was soft and warm. I instinctively pushed my cheek against it.

"Nowhere," I said. "Just thinking about all that's happened in the last week."

"It was quite the journey."

"A week ago I was Commander of the Archers of Greatfalls. And now I'm...about to marry the Dark Lord of Ashfuror."

Cyrus rolled his eyes. "I really don't love that title."

"It's what we always called you. Before I understood how you were."

He squinted at me. "And how am I?"

"I…I'm not sure. I don't know everything. But you are strong, and committed to your people. I didn't expect that." I swallowed. My mouth was dry, but I continued anyway. "And handsome."

Cyrus brushed my hair away from my face, tucking it behind my ear. It was astounding to me that the great enemy of Greatfalls could be so gentle. He was stubborn as hell, sure, but right now he was like a kitten. The same man who had stood next to me and saved his people from a raging wildfire.

"Can I kiss you, Skye?"

I froze. My inexperience threatened to take my words away, but I fought through it. I needed him to understand what I wanted.

"Yes. Please."

With that, his lips were on mine, soft and pillowy against my own. He slid closer and wrapped his arm around my waist as we kissed. I couldn't keep my own hands from exploring his skin. I ran my fingers down his back, stopping at the small of his back. I paused for a moment, uncertain, but the feel of him growing hard against my stomach gave me a jolt of courage. I slipped my hand under the band of his undergarments and grabbed his ass. It was firm and round, with the lightest covering of fur, and felt perfect under my touch.

He must have taken my boldness as a sign, and deepened the kiss. The tip of his tongue traced the outline of my lips, and I opened my mouth, allowing him in. I moaned as he entered me, and I sucked gently at his invading tongue. My whole body shook at the barrage of new sensations.

This was bad. There was no way I was ever going to be able to live without this, now that I'd had a taste.

He broke the kiss, and I whined at the absence of his lips.

"You are incredible." Cyrus' eyes were filled with wonder. "You've got the hardened body of a soldier, but you respond to me like you've never been touched."

I blushed. "I..." I hated this.. I was so confident in everything else, but here I was utterly lost. I couldn't finish my sentence, but he deserved to know.

"Are you a virgin, Skye?" I nodded, and he took in a quick breath. "We don't have to—"

"No. I want to." I pushed the words out before my doubt could stop them.

"Are you sure?" Cyrus looked deep into my eyes, care and concern on his face.

"Yes." I slid in closer and wrapped myself around him, my head resting on his toned chest. "We're going to be married. I want us to share this."

He kissed my forehead and brought his lips to my ear. "I'll make it so good for you."

My whole body trembled at his words. He rolled us over, putting me on my back, and kissed my neck. I squirmed underneath him. It was all so intense. His sweet mouth made its way kiss by kiss down my chest, stopping at my nipples. He sucked lightly at one, tugging on the other with his fingers at the same time.

My body jerked in response, and I let out a guttural moan.

"So responsive, my sweet warrior." He sucked harder at my nipple, and a sob slipped out from my lips.

"Cyrus, please..."

"Oh, we've just started, my love."

He left my chest behind, trailing kisses through the furry patch below my belly button, and stopping when he reached my underpants. He mouthed at my erection through the fabric, which made me swell even more. He slipped off the shorts, and I sprang to attention, painfully hard.

"Your cock is so pretty, Skye." Cyrus ran his tongue up the underside of my shaft, flicking the tip of his tongue against the head. My breath hitched at his teasing, and my hands went to his upper arms, squeezing his muscles as the sensations rolled over me.

With one fluid motion, he took my dick into his mouth, and I was enveloped in wet heat. I shouted as the tip settled onto the back of his tongue. His nose rested against my pelvic bone, and he rocked the head of my dick in and out of his throat.

It was too much.

"Please, I'll never last."

He hummed, sending a shiver down my whole body, and my dick twitched in his mouth. Then he began to move, setting a pace that could only mean he was trying to kill me.

"Fuck, Cyrus, you feel so good."

His tongue swirled around me, and my torso came up from the bed as I vainly tried to push farther into his mouth. Up and down he went. My balls tightened, and I knew I wouldn't last much longer. I shuddered.

He slid off of me with a pop, and the cool air of the room calmed my incipient orgasm. He gave my dick one more lick, his lips red and swollen, and then pushed himself up to a sitting position.

"I want you inside of me."

I didn't say anything. I wanted to give him pleasure so badly, but I was clueless. I didn't want to ruin our first time together.

"Cyrus, I don't…"

"Just watch, sweet Skye."

He jumped up, grabbing a bottle from the dresser, and straddled me, facing away. Pouring some oil on his fingers, he got on all fours over me. He was putting on a show.

"Go ahead. You can touch."

I reached out and spread his ass cheeks. It was like an undiscovered continent to me as I explored him for the first time. His pretty hole was puckered and tight. He slid his own index finger into himself and I gasped. It was so warm and inviting. He moaned as he moved his fingertip in and out.

I couldn't resist. I grabbed the oil that he'd rested on the bed, and slicked up my finger. I moved his hand away and pushed my own finger in. It was so warm inside, and he squeezed his muscles around me. The little whimpers and moans he let out were pure heaven.

"Your fingers are thicker than mine." Cyrus pushed his ass back against my hand, my finger slipping farther into the snug warmth. "That feels so fucking good."

I ran my finger around the ring of his hole, stretching it out. The thought of my dick being inside of him was almost too much to bear.

"I can take another one. Fuck...please." I added a finger, and his moans grew louder. He was so perfect, in control and yet at my mercy. I went faster, moving in and out, and he shook with the sensation.

"Enough, Skye." He flipped around to face me, and now his beautiful dick rested on my chest. It was long and a little narrower than mine. I wrapped my hand around it, giving it a tug, and he closed his eyes, letting out a grunt as I pulled gently on his cock.

His eyes snapped open. "Are you ready?"

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. He reached behind him and slicked my shaft with oil, his hand gripping and teasing. He locked his eyes to mine, and with a quick motion, moved down, taking me into himself.

He was so tight around me, I had to fight my orgasm back. He gasped as he bottomed out, and I felt his weight against my pelvis. Our connection was complete. He looked down at me, and I clutched at his lean, muscular thighs. This was amazing.

"I love how you stretch me." Cyrus bent down and kissed me, and I pushed up into him as he did. I felt his breath catch through the kiss. I wanted to always have this effect on him.

He broke off the kiss and lifted up, putting a hand on my chest. "No, I told you I'd make you feel good."

With that he was off, pushing up and settling down on me, squeezing and milking me with his ass. My cock disappeared inside of him and then reappeared, over and over. It was hypnotic. Eventually my gaze drifted up to his face. Cyrus' eyes were closed, his face beatific as the pleasure rolled through him.

His pace was punishing. I knew I wouldn't last long. As he moved, I reached for the oil and slicked up my hand. I jerked him off, slow at first, and his whimpering made my cock jump and twitch.

"Please, Skye, faster please." I slid my hand up and down his cock, matching his quickening pace. My balls tightened, and I knew I wasn't far from my release. Cyrus wouldn't let up.

His breath quickened and his face turned red. He was close. I was too, I just needed a little more friction, a little more control. I put both hands on his hips, and ensuring that I was lodged deep inside of him, I flipped us over.

He yelped in surprise, but I didn't give him time to adjust. I drove into him, chasing my need, pulling all the way out and slamming back into him. I was right on the edge.

Cyrus began to wail, his eyes squeezed shut, and his release spurted against the muscles of my stomach. The sounds he made, and the thought of him coming without touching himself pushed me past the point of no return.

"Cyrus!" I yelled as I emptied myself into him, my whole body shuddering as I filled him. He squeezed around me.

"Yes, I want all of you, Skye."

His words intensified my orgasm, and I bottomed out inside of him, wanting to feel him around me, fully engulfed. As my cock jerked inside of him, I kissed him like I was devouring him, like I couldn't live if I didn't have this connection.

I collapsed on top of him, breathing hard into his neck. My cock slipped out of him, and I heard him sigh at the loss.

"That was incredible." His voice tickled my ear as he spoke. "It's never been like that."

"Thank you."

Cyrus ran his fingers down my spine to the small of my back. "For what?"

"For being my first. For making it perfect."

He wrapped his arms around me, squeezing me tight to him. He held me there for a long time, but eventually I felt his grip loosen around me and his breathing slow. I let myself drift off, feeling him under me as sleep took us both.