18. Zain

EIGHTEEN

zain

L una's blush spread down her neck as I watched my release trickle out of her body, a sight that had me half-hard again already. I willed myself to calm down, satiated enough to just share in this moment of contentment together.

Running my fingers through her blonde strands, I admired her naked form draped across mine. It finally felt like I could breathe again after days . Avoiding her had been hard, but it was necessary. I wanted to give her time to acclimate, to make sure that this was what she wanted. Still, keeping my distance meant I missed her, even when she was only a room away.

"You're constantly surprising me, you know," I murmured, playing with the ends of her hair.

She hummed in response. "How so?"

Where did I begin? "Coming with me. Agreeing to all of this." Her lips formed a little o, and I chuckled. "You could have said no, you know. Refused me. Stayed in Pleasant Grove."

Luna's only response was to nuzzle closer to my chest. "Maybe it just felt right. Being with you. "

An amused sound slipped out of my throat. "Indeed." I so badly wanted to tell her why, but it was too soon.

She brought her hand up to my torso, tracing my abdomen like she was trying to commit it to memory. "You know, there's something I've been wondering…"

"Yes?"

"Maybe it's silly, but…" She crossed her arms over my chest and rested her chin on top of them, keeping her eyes focused on me. "What's your last name?"

I frowned. "I don't have one."

"What?"

"Demons have no need for last names."

"So, when I marry you, I'll be…" Her voice trailed off at the end in a question.

I kissed her forehead. "You'll be Luna, Crown Princess of the Demon Realm . And someday, my Queen."

She snuggled against me further. "Mm. That's going to take some getting used to."

I rested a hand on her lower back, rubbing slowly up and down her spine.

"Everything's about to change," Luna murmured.

Yes.

"I liked how it was in my apartment. Everything was so much simpler back then." Her eyes fluttered shut. "But it's never going to be just you and me again."

"No," I agreed. "It's not."

Luna let out a deep sigh.

"What?" I traced a finger over her brow, smoothing the wrinkle there.

"I know it hasn't even been a week, but… I guess I just miss it."

"The human realm?" I asked before she could elaborate. I'd taken her from her home, and asshole that I was, I'd barely even spent any time with her this past week. Her seeking me out had been proof of that.

"No." She laughed, tilting her head up to look at me. "I mean, miss parts of home, don't get me wrong. It's the only one I've ever known. I miss my coven. My cousin. My sister always being around. But what I really miss is… baking."

"The bakery?" I frowned, smoothing a hand over her bare shoulder. "What can I do?"

Because I'd build her one here if she wanted, let her bake to her heart's content, feeding the demons the delicious treats I'd been lucky enough to sneak upstairs occasionally.

"Nothing," she murmured, burrowing deeper into my side. "I just miss being in the kitchen. The satisfaction I felt finishing a batch of cookies. The way people's faces would light up when they tried something new for the first time." Her shoulders drooped, and I knew she was trying to appear casual about it. "I don't miss the bakery itself , though. It's strange, but…" She looked up at me. "Maybe it was time."

"Time?" I repeated, the question apparent.

"For something new."

"Mmm." Leaning down, I rubbed my nose against hers. "I can think of a better way to spend your time." I pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder, brushing my teeth against her skin.

"Zain!" Luna blushed, batting at my chest to push me away. "You're so…"

"Irresistible?" I flashed my teeth at her.

Rolling off of me, she rested her chin on her arms, leaving the bare skin of her back exposed as she adjusted in the sheets. "I was thinking of a different word."

I laughed, flicking at her nose and placing a kiss on her shoulder. "Tell me."

" Different . When it's just us, you're just…" She hummed, the sound filling a void in my chest. "It 's different."

Everything was different with her—but admitting that was like laying my heart out on a platter. And that was something I didn't need. Had promised myself I didn't want.

This wasn't about love. That's what I'd said before. Except…

"I've never wanted anyone the way I want you," I admitted.

"So don't shut me out. Tell me what you're feeling. Let me in."

But could I promise her that? Could I tell her everything and trust that she wouldn't leave me? Because I wasn't a good man. I wasn't the gentleman she'd thought me to be.

Despite all of that, she was still here in my arms.

I rested my forehead against hers. "I'll try."

Maybe she would stay if I laid my soul bare to her. If I gave her all of my truths. If I let myself care for her the way I knew this was heading—words I'd given no one, not in my entire life.

But suddenly, I wanted to.

She stretched out her arms, her back arching from the motion, a little wince slipping out from her lips.

"Sore?" I asked with a wince. Maybe I'd taken her too hard. "Was I too rough?" Running a hand down her spine, I rubbed soothing circles against her skin.

"Yes, but…" Her cheeks went pink. "I liked it."

"Mmm, you did, did you?" A wicked smile covered my face.

"I'm not fragile. I told you I won't break."

No . Luna was brave, and that was her strength . Even when she'd been scared or mad, she hadn't shut down. She'd persevered. It was something I admired about her. How she'd agreed, with no hesitation.

"Come on," I murmured, scooping her up into my arms.

"Where are we going?" Luna asked, a sleepy lilt to her voice .

"I'm going to make it better," I said as I headed towards the bathing pools. Take care of you the way you deserve.

The baths were heated by an underwater hot spring, which was absolutely delightful, especially for sore muscles. Though I was usually sore from training and fighting, washing blood off my skin. Either way, I didn't want her to be hurt tomorrow.

Not when we'd be married within the week.

She gave a few sleepy grumbles of protest before I stepped into the warm water, submerging us deeper with each stair I took down into the pool. Those protesting noises quickly turned into little sighs of pleasure as I settled onto the bench, still keeping her in my arms.

"Better?" I asked, getting a nod in return. Her silky hair brushed up against my torso. I wanted to wash it for her. To take care of her, do things for her I'd never done for anyone else. It wasn't just a want, though. I longed for it.

I wondered if the man I'd been a month ago would even recognize me now, with all the sweet things I was doing for this woman. Part of me felt repulsed by my actions, even if I didn't understand them. I'd never wanted to do any of them before, not until her. Now, I wanted to take care of her, to make her feel worshipped .

She looked up at me with those big, captivating eyes, and I was lost.

Luna shifted, sitting up and resting her head against my chest like she was using me as her own personal chair. My fingers rested on her hip, helping to keep her in place with my grip as she relaxed.

"Open your legs for me, Moonbeam," I instructed, reaching behind me with the hand that wasn't holding her to grab the soap. "Let me clean you up."

She separated her thighs, draping a knee over each of mine, and I trailed my hand down her stomach, inching slowly over her bare skin.

"Zain," she breathed, sucking in a quick breath as I lathered up my hand.

"Shhh," I soothed. "I'll take care of you."

I held my hand there, only a featherlight touch as I cupped her sex. Bringing my other hand down into the water, I used the soap to rub gentle circles on her thighs, cleaning up the sticky mess we'd made earlier. When I'd been bare inside of her. Fates, nothing would beat that feeling. Of her accepting me into her body. Of painting her womb with my seed.

I pressed the tip of my middle finger inside of her just an inch, my cock stiffening between us as I slowly explored her body.

My teeth ached, and I leaned down, pressing my nose into the crook of her neck, placing open-mouthed kisses to her soft skin.

It'd be so easy. One bite, and she'd be tethered to me. She wouldn't even know. I ran my sharp canines over that point, desire pulsing through me to puncture her skin.

Luna shifted, leaning back to press against me more, even as she wiggled like she was trying to get closer.

Closer. Closer. Clicking my tongue in warning, I brought my lips to her ear. " Careful ."

She turned her head, brushing her lips across mine. "What if I don't want to be careful?" Bright green eyes shined up at me, and one corner of my mouth tilted up.

"Tell me what you want," I instructed, moving my fingers slowly over her skin.

Squirming against me, she finally gasped out, "Touch me. Please."

I hummed into her skin, finally pushing my finger all the way in as a reward.

Thank the fates that no one would interrupt us here. That these were our private rooms, and the servants would only come when called for.

Because I didn't want anyone to see my bride like this. Unabashedly riding my hand, her head tipped back onto my shoulder as she let out a series of small, breathy noises that only spurred me on, encouraging me to continue as I coaxed her body into another orgasm. I slipped a second finger inside of her, pumping into her as my other hand moved to rub at her clit.

"That's it," I said as she let out a long moan. "So good for me."

Her body slumped against my chest as her muscles relaxed, her wet heat clenching around my fingers, still inside her.

"Better?" I asked, kissing the top of her head.

"Mmm," was her only response as she nestled against my skin, content and sated. "That was—" She tilted up her head to look at me, her eyelids fluttering. "How am I ever going to leave when you do that to me?"

"You won't," I said, leaning down to suck the skin of her neck into my mouth. "That's the idea."

Because, selfishly, I wanted to keep her—forever.

Tie her to me, mark her, make it so she could never leave me. Fuck, I was an asshole. That I'd do it all and not regret a single moment of it, as long as it gave me her .

Luna twisted around, pressing her bare breasts to my chest as she straddled my lap, arms winding around my neck.

Her lips met mine as she kissed me—sloppily, hungrily, before one hand wandered down my body, tracing down my chest and abdomen before wrapping around my cock.

"Luna—" I protested as she moved her hand up and down.

She moved her lips down my neck, kissing towards my pecs. "It's your turn," she said, flicking her tongue over my nipple. "I want to take care of you, too."

Wrapping my hand over hers, I stilled her hand, gritting my teeth from the sensation, how good it felt to have her touching me.

"That was just for you," I protested, raising an eyebrow. "I don't need you to reciprocate."

"But—" she protested, and I clicked my tongue.

"We're not trading favors, Moonbeam. If I want to fuck you with my tongue, then you don't have to give me anything back." Because I was desperate to have her taste on my tongue again, to bury myself in her sweet cunt every day, but I had to rein myself in. I wasn't a beast in heat. I could practice some control.

"You…" She looked away. Her face was red, and I wondered what combination it was from—her orgasm, the heat of the pools, or the adorable blush she often got when talking about this. "But what if I want to taste you?"

Fuck. She was going to ruin me. "You do, hm?" I let her hand resume its motion, both of us working my length in tandem. My voice was a rasp when I choked out, "Next time." I'd let her do whatever she wanted to me as long as she kept touching me like that.

She hummed, her eyelids drooping as I got closer, feeling myself harden further in her grasp, my balls tightening.

"Luna." My teeth clashed together as I forced out the words in warning, but she didn't stop. " Fuck," I groaned, grabbing her by the hips and lifting her out of the pool.

"What?" She frowned. "Was it not?—"

I kissed her forehead. "You're perfect." Grabbing a towel, I kneeled in front of her, taking the time to dry her legs, moving up and treating each inch of her body with the same attention. A light moan slipped from her lips as I moved the fabric over her nipples, and she pressed against me, only the towel keeping our skin apart.

"We're just going to get dirty again," Luna whispered in my ear, tracing a finger up my abs.

Her damp hair spilled down over her skin, drawing my attention to the little freckles dotting her shoulders.

"You're going to be the death of me," I groaned, trying to focus on my current mission.

Once she was sufficiently dry, I moved to repeat the process on me, but she stole the towel from my hands.

"That looks painful," she continued, her eyes narrowed in on my weeping cock. "Why don't you let me take care of it?"

"Luna," I clicked my tongue, letting her drop the towel to the floor between us.

And then I hefted her into my arms, carrying us back to bed, eager to finish what we'd started.

She'd finally fallen asleep after I'd lost count of how many orgasms I had given her. With my tongue, my fingers, my cock. After I'd filled her up with my seed, coated her skin with my scent, so there would be no question whose she was.

Good. I felt smug, like a preening peacock. I had to make up for lost time, the nights I'd spent apart from her. Now, my girl was in my arms, and it was everything.

And in a few more nights, she'd be my wife.

Her leg was thrown over mine, our naked bodies intertwined, when she let out a whimper. I frowned, smoothing over the skin on her forehead. I knew I should sleep, but I couldn't help but feel like the moment I did, I'd wake up and find out this had all been a dream .

"Zain," she groaned, hand clutching around my biceps. Her nails dug in, slicing tiny half-circles into my skin.

Her body spasmed, thrashing back and forth with her eyes open wide—like she was seeing. Whatever it was, it was more like a nightmare.

"Luna." I rested my hand on her forehead. "Wake up, Moonbeam."

Her skin was cold, and I scooped her up in my arms, cradling her to my body as she shook, silent tears spilling from her eyes.

"No, no, no," she sobbed, curling her hands against my chest. "I'm no one. Please."

"Luna." I pressed a kiss to her forehead. "It's just a nightmare. I'm here."

Was she seeing the demons who'd tried to attack her that night?

"I need?—"

Shaking her shoulder, I tried my best to wake her up, but whatever vision she was seeing seemed to have her in a vise.

"Zain." More tears came from her eyes. "I can't lose you."

"You won't," I promised her, kissing her tears away. "It wasn't easy to find you. I'm never letting you go again."

She whimpered slightly, her hands clutching onto my shirt.

"You're mine, Luna."

It was a promise I'd never break.

"Well?" Talon raised an eyebrow, perched against my office door as he watched me work. If he was here, it meant that Thorn was with Luna, who I'd left sleepily curled up in the sheets of her bed.

I resisted raising one right back. "What? "

He just grinned. "How's it going with your…" He trailed off. "Witch?"

"Fine." Though I couldn't help but think about Luna's trembling body as she'd cried for me. What had she seen? I wanted to take her fears away. Ease her worries. Prove to her I'd never leave her. That no one would take her from me.

The other parts of last night, however… I didn't want to share those details with anyone else. The way my body heated just thinking about what we'd been up to. That she'd taken me bare. How it had been after, in the bath together.

I'd never been one for cuddling after sex. It hadn't appealed to me but with Luna… I couldn't stand to be parted from her after our couplings. Though I wouldn't dig too deep into why that might be.

Everything was… amazing. Until her nightmare.

Running my thumb across my lip, the skin caught on one of my canine teeth.

"You haven't claimed her yet."

"No." My eyes squeezed shut. It was taking everything in me not to.

"Why not?" He crossed his arms. "Her scent is all over you."

A statement that made me feel like a possessive animal. If she smelled like me, no one would dare to harm her.

"It's too soon." Leaning back in my chair, I crossed my arms over my chest. "She's not ready for that."

"Are you sure?" He whistled, like he knew something I didn't. "Do you know what your future wife has been doing every day?"

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Ever since you put Thorn and I on babysitting duty?—"

" Guard duty," I corrected. Someone had to keep her safe on the off-chance someone tried to hurt her .

"Yes, yes. That." He waved a hand in dismissal, and I scowled. "She's been in the library."

I blinked. "So?" I knew Luna loved books—she had a stack of them on her nightstand in her apartment, a color-coded stack that somehow just looked like it belonged—but we'd never specifically discussed her reading habits.

"Do you know what books she's been reading?"

I shook my head. "No." A bookcase sat in her living room of her apartment—what were the contents? Did she miss having those things here? Maybe I should take another trip to the human realm. I could ask Willow what things would make her feel more at home here.

A smirked curled over his face, red eyes shining with mischief. "You should ask her."

"Alright."

I put down the stack of papers I was working on.

They could wait.

Checking on my bride could not.