23. Rhea

23

RHEA

T he scent of victory mingles with the metallic tang of blood throughout the dark elf manor. It's a potent reminder of the lives we've taken and the freedom we've claimed. Valen sweeps me off my feet, eliciting a startled laugh from me as he carries me over the threshold, away from the stains of battle. My heart flutters with a mixture of adrenaline and the newfound joy that has blossomed amidst our struggle. His arms are steadfast bands around my waist as he weaves through the carnage.

As we reach the grand suite of the dark elf noble master, Valen kicks the door open with a flourish, revealing a room of opulent decadence that stands in stark contrast to the chaos we've left behind. He sets me down gently, and I can't help but notice the care he takes to avoid the pools of blood that mar the intricate mosaic floors.

Inside the bedroom, the air is thick with the remnants of exotic incense and the ghosts of past indiscretions. Valen leads me over to the plush bed. Its silk coverlets are cool against my skin as I sit down. He looks at me with those crimson eyes, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Is this human tradition when mating officially?" he asks, his voice a low rumble that sends a shiver down my spine.

I can't help but laugh, the sound light and airy in the heavy silence of the room. "You mean like after a wedding?" I ask, my fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from his face. "Are you saying that you want to marry me? Do you want to be my husband?"

His smile broadens, the sight of it heartbreakingly beautiful. "Yes, Rhea, I want to be with you in every way that matters. Forever. Will you marry me?" he proposes.

My breath hitches in my throat, his words settling over me like a warm, comforting blanket. I had never dared to dream of such a moment, yet here it is, unfolding in the most unlikely of places.

"Yes," I whisper, the word barely louder than a breath. "Yes, Valen, I will be your wife."

His lips find mine in a kiss that is both a promise and a declaration of the life we will build together. It is gentle and fierce, a reflection of the delicate balance of our existence.

When we pull apart, he starts exploring my body with his powerful hands. His touch is electric, each caress igniting a trail of fire across my newly empowered body. I revel in the strength that courses through my veins, a gift from the man who now gazes at me with a mixture of hunger and adoration.

"You are magnificent," Valen murmurs, his fingers tracing the contours of my shoulders, down my arms, exploring the terrain of my newfound power.

I smile, a surge of confidence welling up within me. "And you," I say, my voice steady and sure, "are about to discover just how magnificent I can be."

With a playful shove, I push him back onto the bed, his surprised laughter music to my ears. I straddle him, my hands pinning his wrists to the mattress, and lean down to claim his lips in a searing kiss. Our tongues dance together, a sensual duel that leaves us both breathless.

I break away, trailing kisses down his jawline, nipping at his ear before continuing my descent. His breath hitches as I reach the column of his throat, his pulse pounding beneath my lips. I can feel the vibration of his groan as I release his wrists and continue my exploration, my hands sliding over the firm planes of his chest, the taut muscles of his abdomen.

Valen's hands find their way into my hair, guiding me lower, an unspoken request hanging in the air between us. I meet his gaze, a sultry smile playing on my lips as I inch my way down his body, my intentions clear.

"Rhea," he breathes, his voice a low thrum that resonates in the very core of me.

I reach the apex of his thighs, my fingers deftly undoing the clasp of his trousers. His member springs free, thick and hard, the tip glistening with anticipation. I wrap my hand around the base, delighting in the way his body responds to my touch, the sharp intake of breath, the subtle arch of his back.

"I want to taste you," I whisper, my breath ghosting over his sensitive flesh.

His only response is a guttural moan as I lower my head, my tongue darting out to tease the slit at the top of his shaft. I take him into my mouth, slowly at first, savoring the salty-sweet taste of him.

Valen's fingers tighten in my hair, his hips bucking slightly as I increase my pace, my hand twisting and pumping in rhythm with my mouth. I can feel the tension building in him, the coiled energy ready to snap, and I relish in the power I hold over him in this moment.

Suddenly, he sits up, his hands gently but firmly pulling me away from his throbbing member. "Enough," he growls, his eyes dark with desire. "I need to taste you as well."

Before I can protest, he's flipped us over, his body looming above mine, a predatory gleam in his eyes. He kisses his way down my stomach, his hands parting my thighs as he settles between them. I gasp as his tongue finds my center, the first flick of his tongue against my clit sending shockwaves of pleasure through me.

I squirm beneath him, my hands grasping at the sheets, but he holds me in place, his grip firm yet gentle, his mouth working magic on my most sensitive areas. The sensation is overwhelming, and I can feel the pressure building within me, a tide of ecstasy ready to crash over me.

"Valen," I pant, my voice barely more than a whimper. "I'm so close."

He redoubles his efforts, his tongue moving faster, his fingers joining in, slipping inside me, curling in just the right way to send me spiraling over the edge. My orgasm hits me like a tidal wave, my body convulsing with the force of it, my cries echoing off the stone walls of the suite.

As the aftershocks subside, Valen crawls back up my body, his lips finding mine in a deep, passionate kiss. I can taste myself on his lips, a heady mixture of us both, and it only serves to stoke the fire within me once more.

His voice, a low rumble filled with desire, instructs me to stand. "On your feet, my love," he says, his crimson eyes ablaze with a fiery intensity.

I rise, feeling the cool air of the room brush against my bare skin, my heart pounding with the thrill of anticipation. He guides me closer to him on the edge of the bed, positioning me so that I straddle him, our bodies aligning in a way that sends a shiver of excitement coursing through me.

I can feel the hard length of him pressing against the outside of my most sensitive area, a tangible reminder of his desire, of our shared need for one another.

As he enters me, I gasp at the sheer intensity of the sensation. He fills me completely, our bodies joined in the most intimate of ways. I move against him, setting a pace that is both frenzied and deliberate, each thrust eliciting a moan of pleasure from deep within my throat.

His hands move to my breasts, cupping them, his thumbs brushing over my sensitive nipples. He dips his head, capturing one peak between his teeth, his tongue swirling around the hardened bud as I arch my back, lost in the overwhelming pleasure of his touch.

The feel of his mouth on me, combined with the relentless rhythm of his hips, sends waves of ecstasy crashing over me. I am lost in a sea of sensation, every nerve ending alight with fiery passion.

"Look at me, Rhea," Valen commands, his voice ragged with need.

My eyes lock onto his, and in that moment, I am utterly and completely his.

I can feel the tension coiling within me, an impending climax that threatens to sweep me away. Valen's movements become more urgent, his own release imminent.

"I love you, Valen," I declare, my voice loud and clear.

"And I love you, Rhea," he responds, his voice filled with conviction. "Now and forever."

With those words, we both succumb to the overwhelming tide of our shared climax, our bodies shuddering in ecstatic unison. The world around us fades as we ride the waves of our passion.

As the aftershocks subside, we cling to one another, our bodies slick with sweat, our hearts beating in sync. I rest my forehead against his, our breaths mingling in the quiet aftermath of our lovemaking.

Valen's arms wrap around me, holding me close. We have both come so far, endured so much, and yet, here we are—stronger, together.