Page 44 of Embers to Flames

“Take me,” I beg, my voice barely above a whisper. “Make love to me, Theo. I need you inside me.”

His smile is wolfish as he deftly rolls me onto my stomach as his hand supports my back. I push myself up onto my knees while he moves into position behind me. He teases me for moment, rubbing the head of his member against my wetness before finally pushing inside.

I gasp as he fills me to the brim, my walls stretching to accommodate his size. He begins to move, thrusting slowly atfirst before building a steady rhythm. I push back against him, meeting him stroke for stroke.

Theo reaches around and begins to play with my sex, using his fingers to rub circles around the sensitive bundle of nerves. I moan as my pleasure builds higher and higher. He increases his pace, pounding me harder and faster as we both chase our release. I can feel myself getting closer, my muscles tensing as I approach the edge.

Theo’s firm hand connects with the soft flesh of my ass, the sound echoing through the room. I cry out in surprise, my body jolting forward before he swiftly pulls me back against him. His fingers dig into my hips as he smacks me again, the sting sending a jolt of pleasure straight to my core.

I moan, pleading with him to do it again. “Please, Theo. Harder.”

He obliges, the sound of his hand meeting my flesh fills my ears. I can feel the heat radiating off my skin, the sensation building with each smack.

With one final strike to my ass, I fall over the edge. My body convulses, my muscles contracting around Theo’s hard length as I release an intense and powerful orgasm that tears through me like a storm. Theo continues to pump in and out of me, prolonging my orgasm until I’m exactly as he wanted me— a trembling, quivering mess.

Theo is insatiable, his primal desire taking over as he grips my long, red hair, pulling me back against his muscular chest as he thrusts into me. His fingers tangle in my curls, tuggingsharply as he groans in satisfaction. He wraps his other hand softly around my throat, holding me in place as he goes deeper and deeper. My breath hitches, but I revel in the feeling of being dominated by him.

Suddenly, he pulls out and flips me onto my back, hovering over me. He enters me again, his movements more urgent now. I feel his organ twitch and swell within me as he lets out a low groan, his body shaking as he reaches the peak of his pleasure. With one last, powerful thrust, he buries himself to the hilt and releases. His hot, thick seed filling me as my muscles continue to spasm and contract around him, milking every last drop, as I cry out in pleasure, completely spent.

He collapses next to me, his chest heaving as he tries to catch his breath. “Holy Gods, that was intense,” he says, his voice still husky with pleasure.

I can only nod in agreement, completely overwhelmed by the intensity of our lovemaking. My body still tingles from head to toe, and I can feel the wetness between my legs as a reminder of our passion.

Theo’s fingers trace gentle patterns across my skin, mapping out the contours of my body as though he’s memorizing every inch of me. “I meant what I said… you are mine,” he whispers, his words carrying a promise of protection and devotion. I feel a warmth wash over me as I realize that for the first time in my life, I’m truly wanted… truly loved.

“And you are mine,” I say in return.

Darkness envelops me as I drift into a restless sleep, my mind conjuring images that blur the line between reality and nightmare.

I find myself in a shadowy forest, the air thick with an oppressive silence. The trees loom tall and menacing, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers.

In the distance, a figure emerges from the shadows—Prince Ruvyn. His eyes gleam with a sinister light as he drags a bound and struggling Mikyl through the underbrush. Mikyl’s face contorts with pain and fear, his muffled cries echoing through the stillness. Ruvyn’s grip is unyielding, his expression cold and calculating.

They reach a secluded clearing, where Ruvyn forces Mikyl to his knees. From his cloak, he produces a vial of liquid—Auraroot—its contents glowing with malevolent energy. He begins to mix the root with other dark substances, his movements precise and deliberate. Mikyl’s eyes widen with terror.

With a low, mocking whisper, Ruvyn forces the potion down Mikyl’s throat. “Let’s see how you fare with this,” he sneers. Mikyl convulses, his body wracked with pain as the lethal mixture takes hold. The darkness around them seems to pulse with a life of its own, feeding off Mikyl’s suffering.

I try to scream, to reach out and stop this horror, but my voice is trapped in my throat. The scene shifts once more, and I findmyself standing in a pitch-black room. Mikyl is there, bound and broken, his eyes pleading for help. The shadows close in on him, suffocating and relentless.

I wake with a gasp, my heart pounding in my chest, drenched in sweat. The room is bathed in the soft glow of morning sunlight, but Theo is nowhere to be seen. Panic grips me, my breath coming in short, ragged bursts as the remnants of the nightmare cling to my mind.

I sit up abruptly, my eyes darting around the room, searching for any sign of him. The bathroom door swings open, bringing with it a waft of steam and Theo’s familiar scent. He appears wrapped only in a towel slung low around his hips, his skin glowing from the shower. Relief floods through me, and my breath catches in my throat as my eyes drink him in.

“Are you alright?” he asks, concern replacing his initial smile when he sees my furrowed brows.

I shake my head, unable to hide the turmoil within me. “I… had a nightmare,” I admit, my voice trembling. “It felt so real. Ruvyn… he was hurting Mikyl. I couldn’t do anything to stop it.”

Theo’s expression softens, and he steps closer, wrapping his arms around me. I bury my face in his chest, seeking comfort in his warmth and strength. “Before we head back to thecapital, we should speak with Lord Erhorn,” I suggest, my voice muffled against his skin. “My intuition tells me that Prince Ruvyn may have played a role in Mikyl’s disappearance. I have a strong feeling about it.”

Theo nods in agreement. “I trust you, but we’ll need to be cautious.” he warns. “Ruvyn is cunning and unpredictable.”

“I’m counting on it,” I reply.

We descend the stairs to the main floor of the temple, where we are greeted by the sight of the four lords gathered in the large dining hall. They are quietly eating their breakfast, and we join them at the table. As I take my seat, a plate of freshly cut fruit appears before me on the table.

“I don’t think I will ever get used to that.”I soulspeak into Theo’s mind and he gives me a pleasant grin.

“There is still much to learn, my sweet.”I look over and he winks at me as a warm tingling sensation flows down along the nape of my neck, as if Theo were kissing me there. My body inadvertently quivers.

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