Page 117 of Shadow Kissed

‘It was all for you, Terror. You must know this. I’d reshape the world for you.’

I jerk back in shock when I realise he said those words directly into my mind, clutching at the pendant at my neck for something to ground me.

‘Did you just?’I ask in my head, doubting that he will hear my words.

He nods at me from across the stage and I gasp again. It is true. He really is my true mate. Moryen ushers us off the stage and instructs the orchestra to start up the music again. I stumble through some balcony doors to get some fresh air.

I turn the instant I feel his presence and stride over to him, then reach up on my tiptoes to kiss him with every ounce of my being. He wraps a hand around my waist while his other goes to the base of my neck as he holds me in place.

“Thank you,” I whisper against his lips.

“I did what was right. You were right, Terror. We expect so much of you all and just expect you to walk away from those you love and care for. You helped me see things clearly and for that I thank you for opening my eyes to what I was blind to.”

“Raegal?”

“Yes, Terror.”

“Take me to your room,” I command as I reach for him again and press my lips against his. I feel his shadows whip around our feet, and they caress my skin as they take us away to the privacy of his room. We fall onto the bed; a tangle of limbs and I pull at his clothes, eager for them to be off.

“Patience, Terror. We have all night.” He smirks as he tugs off his jacket, his lips barely leaving mine.

“I want you now,” I tell him, tugging roughly at the fastenings on his shirt, and moaning when my hands find his bare skin. His shadows pull at the hooks on the back of my dress, and I feel each one pop open. He climbs off me and pulls me to my feet as his shadows pull my dress down to pool at my feet. Raegal growls deeply as he drinks me in standing in nothing but my birthday suit.

“You are breathtaking. The gods gifted me the most beautiful woman in all the realms,” he says in awe, his eyes savouring me. I watch with bated breath as his shadows make fast work of his clothes. My eyes take a slow appreciation of his body. He is impossibly perfect. The ultimate masculine form, almost God-like. “Come here, Terror,” he commands, beckoning me forward with his fingers. I walk slowly to him, and he reaches for me, cupping the back of my neck, running his lips like a whisper over mine and I chase after them. “Patience, Terror. I plan to kiss and worship every inch of you. You are the goddess I bow to now.” He pushes me gently back onto the bed and I lie with my feet dangling over the edge. Raegal drops to his knees and parts my thighs and then he smirks at me as he lowers his mouth to my core. I arch up off the bed as his tongue caresses me. I grasp for his hair, and he growls deeply in approval when I tug on it. Mother Goddess, what is this magic? I buck and grind and moan as he tastes me, working me up to a euphoric high. I tug on his hair, pushing him closer.

“Raegal,” I whisper, my eyes rolling into the back of my head as I come apart, shattering into a thousand pieces, as his only focus is on giving me pleasure.

“You are never more beautiful, Terror, than when you are coming undone and moaning my name like I’m your saviour,” he tells me, as he brushes the hair off my face and peppers my neck with soft, delicious kisses. “I need to be inside of you, my little Asen,” he confesses as he encourages me further up the bed, stalking after me like a lion hunting its prey. He settles between my legs and, not taking his eyes off me, lines himself up with my centre.

He enters me slowly, and I arch my back as he fills me. There is nowhere I’d rather be than here with this man. I grip onto his shoulders, and we stare into each other’s eyes as he moves with a slow and purposeful pace. He leans his face closer and kisses me tenderly and I reach up to cup his face with my hands. His body surrounds me, his shadows cocooning us in our own world. I could stay here like this forever. This feels different. This doesn’t feel like fucking. It feels like something more. He takes my hands and places them above my head, then places his in mine, controlling the pace. I writhe beneath him, lost in the feel of him. His shadows caress my breasts and stroke up the back of my neck, leaving a ripple of pleasure behind. I feel him everywhere, surrounding me, filling me, loving me. I arch my back as I reach my climax and moan his name, and Raegal watches me, enraptured, whispering how beautiful I look when I come for him. His hips move with hurried purpose as he builds to his climax, and he utters my name as he spills his seed inside me. It’s perfect. We kiss each other softly as we catch our breath and recover.

“I can’t wait to make you mine and to take you to my home,” he confesses, brushing my hair from my face and smiling downat me. “You make me believe in the possibility of happiness for the first time in a long time.”

“You deserve every happiness, Raegal.”

In this moment I realise I can’t be a part of the rebellions plans. I can’t betray him. He has done nothing but prove to me that he isn’t the man I accused him of being. I let my prejudice and my mother’s hatred blind me. He makes me feel alive and safe.

“I’ll prove to you I’m worthy of you, Eretreya,” he vows before we both drift off into a blissful sleep.

Iwake hours later to find him sleeping soundly beside me. I study him, drinking him in and memorising this moment. A tear falls as I think of walking away from him. Of never seeing him again and I realise, in the night's quiet, that I am falling in love with him. I don’t know when it happened. From the minute we first met, I was drawn to him, but I started falling for him with every gesture of kindness he showed me and every act he did to make things better for me and my fellow shadow kissed. I don’t want to turn away from my destiny anymore. I want to run headfirst into its embrace and trust that this is meant for me. But will he still want me when he finds out I’ve plotted and schemed against him and betrayed his trust?

45

REYA

Iwake in the morning to find him gone. I call out for him, hoping he’s just in the bathroom, but he has gone for the day, returning to his duties. I will find Arkynn today and tell him I’ve changed my mind; that I can’t be a part of their plans anymore. I sit up in bed and notice a small posy of purple flowers waiting for me. Smiling, I pick it up and lift it to my nose. I spring out of bed, still holding the posy of flowers in my hand, and pull the curtains open and drink in the bright sunlight.

Orna knocks twice on my door and then enters, carrying a bundle of fresh linens in her arms.

“Good morning, Reya. I believe congratulations are in order. Top five.”

“Good morning, Orna. Isn’t it a beautiful day?” I exclaim, leaning my face into the sunlight.

She eyes me with a curious smile. “Someone’s very bright and happy for early morning.”

I nod my head and turn to face her. “Will you put these in water? I think I’ll wear a dress today. Something bright and cheerful.”

Orna arches a brow as she takes the flowers from me. “I won’t ask who they are from. Although I suspect I know.”

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