Page 37 of Taken By the Fae King

I nod.

“As I mentioned before, there are some among my kind who are able to link with the minds of others through touch, and I am one of them. It takes a great deal of concentration,” he says. “My mother had this ability as well. She would often use it to help us sleep.”

“How?”

“May I show you?” he asks, holding his hand out to me.

If he had asked me this when we first met, the answer would have been no. Even though we haven’t known each other long, I trust him. Completely.

I slip my palm into his, and he entwines our fingers. The featherlight touch of his skin against my own, pulses with a light tingling energy that seeps into my very soul. Closing my eyes, my head falls against his shoulder as warmth suffuses my entire body, as if wrapped up in layers of soothing comfort.

I open my eyes, and I’m standing in a garden. I tip up my chin, reveling in the warmth of the sun upon my face as my gaze travels over the beautiful landscape before me. Flowers grow in wild clusters, their colors blending together in vibrant hues of red, blue, and orange.

Streams weave through the garden, their crystal-clear waters cascading over small waterfalls. They follow along winding pathways, lined with trees with beautiful heart-shaped purple leaves. The ground is covered with green moss with tiny white flowers interspersed throughout.

Kyven stands beside me and takes my hand in his. “Is this a dream?”

“It is a recollection,” he whispers, and I observe in wonder as day turns into night and the garden lights up with vibrant, glowing colors.

In awe of the rich and vivid detail, I turn to him as understanding dawns. “You are sharing your memory with me.”

He nods. “I thought it might help sooth your fears.”

The image changes and we’re in the gardens of my home. My mind drifts back to our conversation and then to the memory of our wedding night. Warmth pools low in my belly.

Tentatively, I reach up and trace my fingers across his full, perfect lips as they part slightly beneath my touch.

Heavy-lidded eyes meet mine. “I wanted to kiss you from the first moment I saw you,” he whispers. “I had never seen anyone more beautiful.”

Warmth fills my heart.

“Close your eyes,” he murmurs.

“Why?” I whisper, a smile tugging at my lips.

“Because it is already morning, my beautiful mate.”

When I open them again, we are back in my room at Corduin Fortress. A light thrumming sound in my ear. Kyven’s tr’llyn. I lift my head, and he gives me a sleepy smile. “Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

As my mind fully awakens, I realize that we are completely entwined with each other. My head is on his shoulder. His left arm and wing are wrapped tightly around me. My hand is on his chest, with his free one resting atop it.

My heart pounds as I realize that my leg is draped over his hip, and his length is a hard bar against my inner thigh. My gaze drops to his mouth, and I bite my lower lip, remembering the taste of his kiss.

He cups my face, and his eyes search mine, tracing the pad of his thumb lightly across my cheek, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. Slowly, he leans in. His lips brush against mine in a featherlight touch, before he pulls back just enough to study me, gauging my reaction.

I reach out and trace my fingers lightly across his cheek, studying him in return. He is so handsome it almost hurts to look at him. “May I kiss you again,” he whispers.

“Yes,” I breathe out the word and then his lips are on mine, soft and gentle.

A small sigh escapes me as his tongue begins to stroke gently against my own.

I grip his shoulder, urging him onto his side, and he groans into my mouth as our bodies align. His hard length presses insistently against my entrance, through our clothing, and desire coils tight in my core.

He dips his hand beneath the hem of my sleep gown. Anticipation races through my veins as he traces his fingers along my outer thigh before splaying his hand across the small of my back. Kyven rolls his hips against mine, and I moan into his mouth as delicious friction builds between us.

His sharp claws dig lightly into my already sensitive flesh as he grips my thigh and pulls me closer. And my heart stutters, not from fear, but from need so intense it is a maelstrom within me.

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