Page 32 of Dragons Of Shadow and Sea

"Walk with me," Malik invites me. He extends his hand and tips his head toward the shore, and I am utterly enchanted.

I've lost any will I might have had to resist.

I place my hand in his, and he folds our fingers together. It doesn't matter that we've held hands all day. There's a new crackle of energy between our palms. Heat flows up my arm, and anticipation bubbles like a raging river, deep in my core.

We walk along the soft, wet sand, the clear, blue water of the ocean licking at our feet. I breathe in the salt spray scent of the sea and the delicious scent of Malik, and desire is a rising tide within me.

Unconsciously, I lean further into him. Magic seems to swirl around us; I don't know if it's the power of our bond or the presence of the vast ocean beside us, but it's intoxicating. Intimate, even though we're in this public place.

Or at least that's what I assume. Furrowing my brows, I glance around.

"I can't believe we have this entire beach to ourselves," I marvel.

Malik chuckles and gestures at a grand, glass-faced building a few hundred yards up the shore. "That's my mother's house."

"Oh." That's awfully convenient, but it also sours the experience, somehow. "Is no one else allowed here?"

He strokes his thumb against mine and points our joined hands toward a rocky bit of coast ahead. "There's a tunnel under the water where the sacred pools mix with the ocean. This stretch of beach needs to be protected."

"Oh," I repeat. "That makes sense."

"We do open it up sometimes, for festivals and events. The rest of the time, access is restricted."

"But that doesn't prevent a member of the royal family from taking his mate on a sunset stroll."

He shrugs, a half-smile flirting with his lips. "The crown comes with many responsibilities. But there are some perks."

"I'll say."

"There are many other lovely beaches on the far side of the island," he reassures me. "My people are not wanting for access to the sea."

"I'm glad." Coming to a stop, I glance toward the queen's home again. Self-consciousness creeps into my voice. "You don't think she's watching us, do you?"

His laugh, this time, is full-throated and free. Releasing my hand, he wraps his arm around me and pulls me into his body. "She is having dinner with a close political ally on the other side of town tonight. Believe me." A warm hint of innuendo roughens his tone. "I checked."

A shiver rolls through me. We're really alone out here on this gorgeous stretch of beach. He skates a hand up my side, and tingles dance their way along my spine, leaving me breathless.

"Why ever would you check?" I ask, suddenly coy. My gaze drifts down his broad chest. Over his chiseled arms and swirling tattoos, brought to life in the reflected glow of the sunset on the water.

He places a finger beneath my chin and tips my head up. His brilliant blue eyes stare directly into mine, and they're burning with heat. "You know why."

Inevitability swirls around me, only to crash into my chest. He dips his face toward mine, and I rise onto my toes.

We meet in the middle in a kiss so warm it turns me molten inside. My knees wobble, my spine going to liquid as he enfolds me in his arms. I'm pressed against his chest, my nipples hard and aching, and between my legs I'm as wet as the sea. I open my mouth for him, and he sweeps forward with his tongue. His quiet command steals my breath.

"Malik," I gasp.

"Ember." His hands are everywhere, big and broad and hot. "Ember, love--"

How can he be so open? I'm so in love with Jianyu and Rafe, and I know they love me, too, but we haven't spoken it aloud.

Malik just puts it all out there, not even hesitating. I remember the freedom of holding his hand in public today, and now there's this. The freedom of him saying things like "love" without shame or fear or reservation.

With a soft murmur of assent, I press myself against him even more fully. His hard cock digs into my lower abdomen, sending the pangs of wanting roaring through me to a whole new level.

How have we resisted this so long? Somewhere in the back of my mind, I remember that it was important to hold off. I needed time to get to know him; I needed to figure out a way to trust this man when he refused to trust my attachment to my other mates.

I've had that time. He's opened himself up to me. He's shown me the most beautiful, secret, magical parts of his kingdom. He's fought for my mates, and soon, we'll figure out a way to free them.

---