Page 32 of Queen of Serpents and Shadows

As we left the study, I didn’t hear a sound. It was as if everyone behind me was already saying their goodbyes.

12

Ara

The door wasn’t even closedbefore we started tearing at each other’s clothes. I gripped Ryvin tightly, digging my fingers into his strong arms while I desperately clung to him. His kiss was hot and fiery and everything I needed.

We were moving, my legs wrapping around his waist as I refused to take my mouth from his. He held me tight, his hands sprawled on my back, supporting me as he carried me toward the bed.

His trousers were undone, but still around his hips. I pushed them down, then pulled him on top of me. Words weren’t needed; this was pure desperation. I knew if we spoke, we’d have to address the possibility that this was goodbye. I pushed the thought from my mind and focused on the feel of Ryvin’s skin under my fingertips, the taste ofhis kiss, the feel of the stubble rubbing on my cheeks, the ache of my swollen lips, the growing need low in my belly… So many sensations, so many distractions.

He nuzzled into my neck, kissing down to my shoulder, then up again until his nose was against my ear. His mouth returned to mine and this time, our kiss was heartbreakingly gentle.

It was the type of kiss I could never share with anyone but him. I could feel everything between us in that kiss. The obsession, passion, and adoration I knew he carried with him since the day he met me. My tongue darted into his mouth and he massaged it with his own. The kiss deepened, growing so intense I had to break away.

Staring at him with wide eyes, I reached for his face, pressing my palm against his cheek. “This isn’t goodbye.”

He kissed my forehead and when he looked at me again, I could see the pain in the depth of his swirling gray eyes.

“Don’t do that,” I warned.

“I don’t want you to go,” he confessed.

“You don’t get to make that choice,” I replied.

“I know,” he said.

“You know I have to do this.” I reached for his other cheek with my free hand, holding his face between my palms. He was stunningly handsome. His face was carved for me in my dreams, I was certain of it.

He dipped his head, resting his forehead on mine. “I love you, Asteri.”

My throat was tight, making the words difficult to saywithout crying, but I managed to get them out, my heart nearly shattering as I said them, “I love you, too.”

All I wanted was the time to love him and be loved by him, but the gods themselves were working against us.

He sat on his knees, then stared down at me, his brow furrowed. I propped myself up on my elbows. “What is it?”

“I want you to know something.”

My pulse raced and my mouth went dry. I couldn’t speak, so I waited.

“I once told you that Athos meant nothing to me. That I didn’t care what happened to the humans who lived there—let me finish—” He forced a smile, and I closed my mouth. “But it matters to you. Which means, it matters to me.”

I smiled and sat up more and reached for his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“That means that if something happens to you, I will not abandon Athos. I will fight for your sisters, and your home, as if it were my own.”

I didn’t think it was possible to love him any more than I already did, but my heart felt like it was going to explode. Tears rolled down my face and I threw my arms around him. He caught me, pulling me into an impossibly tight embrace.

He eased up, then wiped the tears from my cheeks. “So you go and you focus on staying alive. I promise you; I will do everything in my power to save your home. You don’t spend even a single second worrying about us here, you got that?”

I nodded. “Thank you.”

He kissed me softly, his thumbs brushing against my cheekbones as he moved his hands behind my head. We held each other, living in the moment of the sweetest kiss.

Gently, he guided me to my back. His hand slid between my breasts, skimming my stomach until it reached lower. I parted for him and he adjusted so he could dip between my thighs. I gasped as his fingers began to tease.

The fear of what morning brought faded until all I could think about was the way I felt under his expert touch.

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