Page 113 of Feathers and Thorns

“Yes?” he replied. The word was honey, sticky and sweet, seeping into her skin, warming her from the inside out.

“Make me forget,” she replied, and he did.

She gasped as he lifted her into his arms. Then she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist and deepened the kiss. His tongue explored her mouth, tasting of sweet citrus from the orange he’d had earlier.

Her hands fisted in his hair, and she moaned against his mouth, his hardness pressing into her through the fabric of his trousers. He growled as the friction sent waves of pleasure to his groin and turned to sit in the wingback chair, Soren planted firmly in his lap.

She ground against him, their mouths devouring each other’s, only pausing for a moment for Rook to shrug his tunic off his shoulders.

Soren reached down, fumbling with the button on his trousers, but he stilled her hands.

“Patience, little bird.” His eyes glinted lustfully in the firelight. He had stoked the embers while she had brought water in from the well, and the flames danced playfully at her back.

“I want you—now,” she ordered, and he obliged.

“Anything for you, little bird.” He lifted her from his lap, leaving her to stand on unsteady feet. Then he stood, towering over her, and removed her shirt before kneeling in front of her to slide her trousers down. He tossed the pants aside and pressed his tongue to her core, his thumb circling her clit as her hands found his hair again. His fingers grasped her backside as he devoured her, and she panted as his tongue dipped in and out of her.

“Rook … please,” was all she could manage.

“Oh, not yet, little bird,” he admonished before reaching a hand up to her mouth. “Suck,” he growled.

She grasped his hand in hers and sucked hard, coating his fingers in her saliva.

“Good girl,” he praised as she released his wrist. He inserted one finger, then a second, curling them in the way she favored.

“Maker, Rook,” she moaned breathlessly. “I’m going to?—”

“Ah, ah, ah,” Rook said, stopping his ministrations. “Not yet, dirty bird. Today, I will take your pleasure with mine.”

He stood quickly, and before she could complain, his lips were crashing against hers once more as he lifted her then slowly laid her down on the rug before the fire. His hands traced the lines of her body, and she writhed under his touch. She was wet and wanting, and her core ached so badly she could not stand it anymore.

“Rook,” she ground out, “you’re killing me.”

He loosed a laugh that promised he was about to and lined up with her entrance. He impaled her with one swift thrust, and she cried out.

“Yes, little bird, scream for me,” he groaned before taking her lips once more. His forearms rested on either side of her head, the veins straining against his skin as he ground into her. Her moans turned to whimpers as his pace quickened, her breaths coming in shallow pants.

“Rook, I’m so close. Don’t stop.” Her words came out broken, as the pieces of her orgasm came together. It was the first time they had coupled since their mating bond had clicked into place, and the feeling of it was overwhelming. Everything was hotter, heavier. Rook’s skin buzzed against hers, every touch and thrust shooting jolts of electricity up her spine.

Her back arched, and she cried out as he moved his hips in just the right way to make her toes tingle and her breath catch, the final piece of her climax falling into place. She detonated, and he swore as her inner walls tightened around him.

“Fuck, little bird, that’s it. Come for me.”

Her calves ached as pleasure pulsed through her. Euphoria washed over her, wave after wave, and she cried out once more as he spilled into her.

They stayed like that for a moment, chests heaving, kissing each other lazily as the fire warmed their skin. Then Rook slid out of her and used his tunic to clean them both off before grabbing a woven blanket from the couch and stretching out beside her.

Soren turned over, pressing her cheek to his chest and wrapping her free arm up over his shoulders. “What happens now?” she asked quietly. So much had occurred since they’d met. So many secrets and lies, and healing and heartbreak, that she wasn’t sure where their trauma ended and they began.

His response was so simple, and it was exactly what she needed to hear. What everyone needed to hear.

“We live.”

* * *

It had been three months since they had returned from the war, and Soren had checked in on Enara nearly every day. Meanwhile, Rook had returned to Thorncrest to tie up some loose ends. He had gifted the manor to Meena and Evelyn, explaining how it was their home just as much as it was his. They had refused, of course. So, ultimately, Thorncrest had been sold to the highest bidder. The final tie connecting Rook to his father was severed.

Rook used some of the funds to purchase a home for Meena and Evelyn, refusing to take no for an answer. He had taken Soren to Eldrin to see the tree cottage he had purchased for the girls.

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