Page 59 of Embers to Flames

His eyes are wild with desire as he tugs the thin fabric of my nightgown over my head, leaving me bare before him. I gasp as the cool air brushes against my heated skin, sending a shiver through to my core. Theo’s gaze roams over my body appreciatively, and I blush under his scrutiny.

“Gods, you are beautiful,” he murmurs, pulling me closer to him. He captures my lips in another searing kiss, his hands roaming wildly over every inch of my bare skin.

I melt into him as our bodies move together in the rhythm of our deepening kisses. His fingers trace a blazing trail down the small of my back, causing me to arch into him. Our bodies flush against one another’s, entwining as though we are two parts of a singular whole.

A low moan escapes Theo’s lips, and he grips me tighter—as if he’s afraid I might disappear. But I’m not going anywhere—not right now. His arousal presses against my wetness, eliciting a sharp moan from me.

I bury my face in the crook of his neck, breathing in his familiar scent.

“You feel so good, Rose. I want all of you,” Theo murmurs into me through bated breath.

My heart jumps at his words and I tense slightly before succumbing to the pulsating heat building between us once more. It is all-consuming; a warmth unlike any other that binds us together.

“Rose,” Theo groans into my ear, pressing harder against me. Then he’s flipping us over so that I’m spread out beneath him on the bed.

I shudder at the sudden change of position, feeling his hardness against my inner thigh. He’s hard as steel and I’m wet with desire. Tossing a challenging glance Theo’s way, I move my hand between our bodies, wrapping my fingers around his throbbing length.

He grinds his hips into my palm, biting his lip to silence a growl. His breath hitches as I guide him to my waiting entrance, teasing us both with the promise of what’s to come.

We collapse onto the bed in a sweaty heap, our breathing ragged and hearts pounding against each other. Theo pulls me closer to him, pressing soft kisses onto my forehead as we bask in the afterglow.

“That was…” Theo starts, his voice trailing off as he tried to find words to describe the experience.

“Amazing?” I finish for him, turning around to look into his golden eyes. They hold a softness and warmth that sends a rush of love through my veins.

“Yes,” Theo confirms, bringing his lips down onto mine once more. “There’s no experience quite like the ecstasy of being with you.”

“Not even being a Dragon?” I ask playfully.

“Not even that. There is nothing greater than you.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Do you honestly believe Mikyl is being held on Mt. Ero?” Theo asks as he thoughtlessly dresses for the day. I’m not sure why he bothers, knowing he will shred those clothes when he shifts into his Dragon form.

“I have a strong feeling about it. When you piece together everything we already know about Ruvyn and add in the clues from the raven Witches; the Fortress of Silence seems like the most logical location.” I plead with him to trust my instincts.

Theo pauses in his movements, looking at me with a mixture of uncertainty and concern. “But what if we’re wrong? What if we’re blindly walking straight into a trap?”

I can’t blame him for his worry. Over the past few weeks, we’ve witnessed firsthand the cruelty of those who oppose us. The thought of Mikyl being trapped in the hands of our adversaries is formidable. “I know, Theo. But Mt. Ero is the one place Ruvyn would never expect us to go. And if he truly is responsible for capturing Mikyl…” I can’t bring myself to finish my sentence.

Theo’s brows knit together in thought. “Okay, you’re right. But I swear to the Gods, any sign of trouble and we are flying right out of there.”

I give a smirk and shrug my shoulders slightly, holding my index finger and thumb barely a hair’s width apart, “I’d expect a small amount of trouble.”

Theo releases a long-suffering sigh and looks at me unamused at my attempt to be funny. I stand on my tiptoes and plant a quick kiss on his lips. “Alright, I swear too. First sign of trouble, we’ll hightail it out of there faster than you can say ‘Dragon breath.’”

He doesn’t know my fingers are crossed.

Lord Phirel escorts us outside, leading us down the winding snow dusted cobblestone streets. Theo’s eyes are scanning the crystalline structure skyline of the winter city, searching for any signs of life or chaos. I can tell his Dragon senses are weighing every sound and movement around us.

As we reach the gates of the city, Phirel turns to us, his eyes shadowed with concern. “This is where I must leave you, my friends. The path ahead is fraught with danger. Tread carefully and trust in your strength and wisdom.”

“Thank you, Lord Phirel,” I say, grasping his arm and giving it a squeeze. “You’ve been an invaluable friend.”

“It has been my honor, Princess.” He says with a smile and bow.

Theo’s body shifts and contorts into his formidable Dragon form with a powerful and fluid motion. His muscles ripple beneath shimmering scales as he spreads his expansive wings, ready for flight. He exhales a gust of hot air from his nostrils, the fire within him already burning bright.

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