Page 54 of Across the Crimson Sands

“Four days?” I yelped, shocked. No wonder he looked so haggard.

Rokan nodded, his expression grim. “If I had known the claiming bite would affect you so severely, I never would have done it. I’m sorry, Arilee. I should have researched more, should have-”

I cut him off, placing my hand on his cheek. The touch sent a jolt through me - every nerve ending hypersensitive. “Rokan, stop. This isn’t your fault.”

He leaned into my touch, his eyes closing briefly. When he opened them again, I saw a swirl of emotions there - guilt, relief, and something deeper that made my breath catch.

“How do you feel?” he asked, his voice careful.

I paused, taking stock of my body. Despite the lingering weakness, I felt... different. Alive in a way I’d never experienced before. “I feel... amazing,” I said, wonderment creeping into my voice.

I looked around the room, marveling at how crisp and clear everything appeared. I could make out individual dust motes dancing in the sunbeams, hear the faint hum of the environmental controls that I’d never noticed before.

My gaze fell on my left arm, and I gasped. Swirling markings, identical to Rokan’s, now adorned my skin from shoulder to wrist. I traced them with my fingertips, shivering at the heightened sensitivity.

“My mate,” he murmured, as he kissed the tracery. “My Arilee.”

I smiled up at him, feeling the bond between us pulse with shared emotion. “Yours,” I whispered. “Always.”

Rokan leaned in to kiss me, eyes blazing with intensity, but I placed a hand on his chest, gently pushing him back. His brow furrowed.

“Wait,” I said, my voice husky. “We could both use a shower first.”

Without a whoop of joy, he scooped me up in his arms, cradling me against his chest. I let out a surprised yelp that quickly turned into laughter.

“Your wish is my command, mate,” he growled playfully, carrying me towards the bathroom.

The smooth motion of his stride made me acutely aware of every point where our bodies touched.

As we entered the bathroom, the lights automatically flickered on. Rokan set me down gently, his hands lingering on my waist.

“You’re still a bit wobbly,” he said, concern evident in his voice. “Let me help you.”

I nodded, suddenly shy as he undressed me. His touch was reverent, each brush of his fingers against my skin sending jolts through my body. When he finished, he stood back, his gaze roaming over me with such intensity that I felt my cheeks flush.

“Now I want more,” I managed.

Rokan stood perfectly still as I removed his clothes, letting me explore his body at my own pace. I marveled at the play of muscles beneath his gray skin, the stark contrast of the scarlet markings that now adorned my arm as well.

Once we were both bare, Rokan activated the shower. A warm mist enveloped us, and I closed my eyes, savoring the sensation. When I opened them again, I found Rokan watching me, a soft smile on his face.

“What?” I asked, suddenly feeling oddly shy.

The smile only grew as he reached out to cup my cheek. “I just can’t believe you’re really mine.”

The raw emotion in his voice made my heart swell. I leaned into his touch, turning my head to press a kiss to his palm. “I am. And you’re mine.”

Rokan pulled me close, wrapping his arms around me as the water cascaded over us. I rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady thrum of his heartbeat. We simply stood there, basking in each other’s presence.

Finally, Rokan reached for a bottle of soap, squeezing some into his hand. “Let me wash you,” he murmured.

I nodded, closing my eyes as his hands began to glide over my skin. He was thorough but gentle, his touch both soothing and arousing. When he reached my hair, massaging my scalp with strong fingers, I couldn’t hold back a moan of pleasure.

“Feel good?” he asked, amusement coloring his tone.

I opened my eyes to find him smirking down at me. “You know it does,” I retorted, sticking out my tongue.

Rokan’s eyes darkened, and before I could react, he captured my mouth, devouring me. I melted into him, my arms wrapping around his neck as I pressed myself closer.

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