Page 40 of Lich's Mate

“Kavian...” My voice comes out as a broken whisper, drowned out by the night's silence.

He doesn't respond verbally but I can feel him smirk against my skin before he increases the pressure, driving me closer to the edge. I squirm in his hold but he keeps me still, firmly anchored to him.

Suddenly, there’s a flash of pain as his teeth graze my inner thigh, replaced quickly by the warmth of his mouth soothing the spot. I yelp in surprise and look down at him.

I see something savage and feral lurking in his eyes that sends a thrill of fear and excitement through me. He grins before returning to his ministrations with renewed fervor.

Pleasure washes over me in an overpowering wave as I climax, Kavian’s name ripped from my throat in a raspy shout. He waits till I ride out the high before pulling away, my body shuddering with aftershocks.

He lifts me to cradle against his chest, peppering gentle kisses along my collarbone. “You’re magnificent, Meera,” he murmurs into my skin with reverence that has me blushing again.

I give him a shy smile. He mirrors my expression before leaning in to kiss me deeply while his hands work on removing the rest of his clothes.

Kavian then positions himself between my legs, the hardness of him nudging against my entrance. He pauses one last time, looking into my eyes. I respond by wrapping my legs around his waist, urging him closer.

He enters me slowly, allowing me to adjust to his size. Once he’s fully inside, he stops moving again, savoring the moment. Then slowly, inch by inch, he pulls out before thrusting back in.

Each movement is deliberate and controlled as he builds a rhythm. My heart flutters as I watch his face contort with pleasure—each grunt and groan from him makes me clench around him even tighter.

In this moment, everything else falls away—the mansion, our duties, the looming threat from Vex. All that matters is Kavian and me under the moonlit sky. The pleasure builds steadily again until we’re both teetering on the brink of another climax.

Kavian leans down to capture my lips in a heated kiss as he quickens the pace. The pressure building within me intensifies with every thrust, every glance exchanged between us. His lips upon mine serve as an anchor in the storm of pleasure that threatens to consume me.

His movements become less controlled, more frantic as he also nears his release. With a final deep thrust and a throaty groan, he collapses on top of me, his breath ragged and hot against my skin. I follow soon after, my body convulsing as waves of pleasure wash over me.

In the aftermath, Kavian's weight on top of me is comforting. The feeling of his heart pounding against my own makes me feel tethered to him in a way I've never experienced before. He kisses my forehead softly before lazily moving to lie next to me on the stone bench.

We lay there for what feels like an eternity, bodies entwined under the sky, letting the sounds of the night lull us into tranquility. Neither of us speaks—words seem insignificant after what we have shared.

After a while, Kavian gently lifts himself off the bench and reaches for his discarded clothes on the ground nearby. He dresses in silence, then extends a hand towards me to help me up.

I take it gratefully and together we dress ourselves again amidst soft smiles and lingering stares. Kavian wraps an arm around my waist as we head back toward the mansion together. Soon enough, the alcohol and the exhaustion make my knees buckle under my own weight.

My eyes drift close as my head lolls to the side. In the darkness, something elevates me and brings me a warmth I’ve never known.

16

KAVIAN

“Sleep easy now.”

I set her down gently on the bed, feeling a slight struggle as her weight unnaturally works against me. She should not be a challenge for me, but carrying her this far has felt unnatural.

I am strong, but contorting my back through winding passages and up flights of stairs while she snored in my arms has not been easy.

A candle flickers, casting deep shadows against the bedroom walls. In some fantastic world, perhaps I’m a shadow, enveloping her with a black, wispy blanket while water drips into the cavern around us.

Sometimes, I wonder if that’s how she sees me—if I’m a strange monster who’s lured her further into a dark and unfamiliar world.

We have a dangerous task ahead of us.

I turn away from her sleeping form, then pause to turn back toward it. Outside, a light rain has started, droplets forming on my bedroom window.

She could have easily left the tavern without blinking an eye, abandoning all concepts of revenge. Maybe she would not have had peace of mind from watching women like her suffer in silence, but at least she would be safe.

At least she could have a chance at rebuilding a life in peace.

But instead, she chose me, settling on an uncertain path that could lead to her demise. Had she taken my merciful offer and run far away from the tavern, her mission would have been finished.

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