Page 48 of Dark Fate

"I'm right here," I affirm, catching his hand and pressing it against my cheek to anchor the reality of this moment for both of us. "I'm right here with you."

Rhyland's eyes bore into mine, probing for truths I might still be grappling with myself. "Fuck…" he looks down at my bleeding neck, his features contorting with sudden alarm. "Did I hurt you?"

I nod one more time, quelling a sob as it climbs up my throat. "But it doesn’t matter," I assert with all the resolve I can muster, drawing him closer into my space and soul. "What matters is this moment—you’re here now, and we're together."

His body trembles against mine as he confesses with anguish in his voice, "Fuck... I'm-I'm so sorry," he rasps. "I hurt you…"

But despite his admission of guilt, all I can feel is love for this broken man in my arms. "It's okay," I whisper. Without hesitation, I crush my lips to his, pouring all my love and forgiveness into the kiss.

He doesn’t hold back, ravaging my lips with a primal hunger. His moans reverberate through my body as I pull him closer, desperation consuming me.

"Rhyland... I need you now. Please…"

He breaks the kiss, his ice-blue eyes blazing with insatiable desire. "I need you too, Angel."

That devilish smirk I love so much crosses his chiseled features, igniting a fire within me that only he can quench.

Rhyland's hand slides between my thighs, igniting flames hotter than the stars above. I pray to the gods for this flimsy dress; its thin fabric is no match for his rough touch.

He cups my pulsing core with his calloused hand, and I writhe against him, desperate for more. "Gods, I've missed you," he growls as he rips the thin layer of material separating us, leaving me gasping for air. "So wet and ready for me," he taunts, sending shivers down my spine as he plunges two fingers inside me without warning.

I gasp at the sudden intrusion, my inner muscles clenching around his fingers, desperate for more. And Rhyland is more than happy to oblige, pumping his fingers in and out of my aching core, his thumb teasing my clit.

"Yes." I cry out, my body coiling, desperate for release. "Please..." I pant.

"You're mine, Angel," he growls, his fingers and thumb continuing their relentless assault on my core. "Tell me."

"Yes," escapes from my lips, a fervent cry as the wave builds, pulling me toward the edge. "I'm yours!" I proclaim, my body arching, surrendering to the force about to crest.

"Good girl." His thumb leaves my clit, and his fingers curl, hitting that magical spot inside me as he continues his assault on my senses.

One more stroke, one more nudge—I scream as my orgasm crashes over me, shuddering and trembling beneath his touch as he continues to pump his fingers inside me. My hands grip his hair, and I pull him down into a brutal kiss. Our teeth clash, and I taste the coppery tang of my blood in his mouth.

I need more. I need all of him.

My gaze catches on the strange engraved band circling Rhyland's throat. Anger sparks hotly. "What is this damn thing? Take it off!"

He grimaces, fingering the rune-etched collar. "A damn muzzle from the Shadow Queen. It cut off our connection and killed our magic, too." Rage burns in his cold stare. "Her way of making sure I stay her loyal bloodsucking hound."

I grab the offensive torque, outrage lending me brute strength. "Like hell! Let's rip this crap off right now and shove it up her—"

"It resists removal by force, Angel," Rhyland interrupts gently, stilling my hands. "The queen's magic secured it beyond even my strength."

Frustrated tears threaten me as I stare at the symbolic shackle stealing precious time together. Then sparks flicker unexpectedly at my fingertips, where they grasp the etched silver. I gasp as raw power surges down my arms, responding to my fierce emotion. "Stay still," I command, aiming a sharp look at Rhyland.

A mystical warmth envelops my hands, distilling into a focused beam of pure intensity. Every session—every moment of honing my abilities converges here. I channel all my power into the curse-laden collar, eyes shut, mind painting a vivid picture of the metal yielding, dissolving beneath a blinding surge of heavenly flames.

The sound of liberation is a resonant crack. The metal shatters and comes apart, its silver essence melting away, dropping to the moss-covered ground with a final clink. Our eyes are wide with awe as the magic recedes from my hands, still suffused with the fading glow of victory and release.

"I gotta remember never to piss you off," Rhyland murmurs before crushing his lips to mine.

I laugh wetly, joyful and overwhelmed. Rhyland nips my lip in retribution, and joy's brilliant fire burns away all lingering darkness, rekindled never to dim again.

"Thank you." His voice is like a whisper through the ether, caressing the inner workings of my mind. The connection—the missing piece—is restored. In this instant, I am engulfed by a sense of wholeness and profound completeness that only our rekindled bond could provide.

I nip back at his lip. "More...Rhyland. I need—"

Rhyland scorches me with a kiss, silencing my pleas. Without hesitation, he reaches down between us, unzipping his pants. His eyes hold the promise of pleasure.

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