Page 17 of A Sun Scorched Bloom

"Azalea," Gray whispered as he pressed his forehead against hers, his rhythm increasing as sweat beaded beneath Lea’s hands. Bark dug into Lea’s skin with every thrust, but she didn’t care.Couldn’tcare as she felt magic surrounding them, tingling across her skin and wrapping them in a bubble of sparkling, glowing light. "I–" Lea hushed him with a kiss, rocking her hips to meet his every thrust as she silenced what she knew he was going to say, what she felt through the bond. That he needed her forgiveness. That he was sorry—for the lies and the pain he had caused her. For her mother… But there was no room for any of that now.

"I love you," she whispered again against his lips. "There's nothing to forgive."

Gray moaned as she pushed her feelings through the magic around them and the bond between them, soaring as her absolution washed over them. His pace quickened as he pushed her toward the release building inside her again. Thrusting once more, Gray growled out a final word.

"Mine," he said as he pushed into her so deeply, it forced the breath from her lungs. Lea shattered around him, collapsing against the tree as an earth-shattering orgasm pulsed through her. She felt Gray stiffen, spilling into her as he panted her name. "Azalea. Oh, Azalea," he cried over and over, caressing every inch of her body as they came as one, wringing out every ounce of pleasure and joy and love that they could.

"I love you," Lea whispered again as her muscles relaxed, and Gray pulled them to the ground, kissing her deeply.

"And I love you," Gray whispered, his deep timbre rumbling across Lea’s skin as he wiped her soaking wet hair away from her eyes. "My mate. My love. My life."

Chapter 10

Gray

Aboltofpainshot through Gray’s chest as he looked at Lea’s clear, unmarked breast. There was no mark below her collarbone, no symbol above her heart. He’d known there wouldn’t be, not with his storms and clouds blocking the moon and stars from seeing their joining. It had been necessary to hide them from the army searching for them, from the soldiers who were likely scouring the woods at this very moment in their mission to find and kill them. It had been an intentional decision, one made to keep her safe.

Even without the need to hide them, linking their lives together as a war approached wasn’t something Gray could allow himself to do. But it didn’t stop the way his magic writhed uncomfortably in his chest at its inability to join hers fully. To bind itself to the other half of his soul.

They hadn’t spoken for several minutes—didn’t need to—as Gray held Lea securely against him. Her acceptance of his love had somehow made their bond grow stronger, even without sealing it beneath the elements. He couldalmosthear her thoughts—could feel the contentment radiating off her, the love and relief. Gray swore he might glow with pride, knowing that he had finally made her happy. That there were no longer secrets between them.

Lea shivered, their bodies still soaking wet from the rain that had soaked them to the bone as they'd raced toward safety. It made him restless, uncomfortable in his own skin knowing she was cold, and despite every fiber of his being urging him to wrap himself around her and never let go, he couldn’t deny that she would be far warmer if he added a pile of furs and blankets to their body heat. Lea protested as he rose, reaching toward him to pull him back down, but the ease of unraveling her arms from his neck caused reality to crash down on him.

Lea’s wrist bones moved beneath his fingers as he wrapped his hands around her forearms and placed them back in her lap. While his bones were as strong as the trunk of a tree, hers reminded him of the long, flimsy branches of a willow. She was so small. So frail. So…human.But despite how weak her body was compared to his, the strength of her grip on his heart was staggering. He wouldn’t let anything happen to her. It was a duty he was soul-bound to. But in order to protect her, she needed strength for their journey ahead, needed warmth and rest.

"I’m just getting our bedroll. Three seconds, that’s all I need. Surely you’ll survive without me for that long." He raised an eyebrow with a smirk as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"But canyou?" Lea shot back, reaching her arms out in a stretch that showcased the beautiful peaked curves of her breasts. Gray felt himself grow hard again, cursing under his breath at his rational mind forcing him to get blankets rather than warm her in a far more satisfying way. He stood and hurried toward Obsidian, untying his worn canvas bag from the magnificent black horse’s side and unburdening him from his heavy load.

Obsidian whinnied, pressing his nose against Gray’s chest before walking to the food and water Gray had readied days prior in hopes that they would make it here safely. It was one of many safe places he’d set up for their journey, not sure which direction they'd be able to flee once his plan was set into action.

"Good boy." Gray patted Obsidian’s glossy mane. "Let me know if you sense danger," he instructed him with a scratch under his chin. The horse nickered as if laughing. "You’re right," Gray replied, intuitively understanding what his favorite horse was saying. He was already on alert. If he sensed anything, he would let them know regardless of whether Gray had told him to.

Returning to his mate, Gray quickly set up their pallet, along with several thick blankets and furs that he’d packed for Lea’s comfort. Tucking her snugly inside, he retrieved his sword from near the tree and placed it next to the bedroll. Always prepared. Always vigilant.

"I’ll be right back," Gray said. He wanted to patrol the area once, quickly, just to make sure that his magic had held through the day since he had enchanted their hideaway.

"Join me." Lea begged, pulling back the covers. "I’m still freezing." She gave him a small, sly smile as he took in her bare skin, watching as goosebumps bloomed along her arms and belly.

He couldn’t deny her warmth, or anything else. Her chest was splotchy and red, and Gray longed to kiss it, wondering if he had been too rough with her while he’d taken his fill of touching and squeezing her breasts as they’d ridden here. Longing to kiss away any sting that might still be lingering, he crawled in next to her, but Lea stopped him, trailing a finger across his collarbone.

"Where's the mark?" she asked. Lea’s eyebrows scrunched together, her thick blonde hair falling across her bluebell eyes as she tried to hide the sorrow brimming there.

Gray settled next to her, a vise tightening painfully around his heart. Every fiber of his body hated the fact that he’d had to prevent sealing the bond. "We’re still mates, my love. It’s not what you’re thinking." He could sense Lea’s worry inside his own chest, a restless anxiety that caused his breath to quicken. "It’s the clouds. The storm I cast to hide us from Alaric." Gray bent down, brushing a soft kiss where her mate mark would appear someday if they both survived the war. "There can be nothing between us and the moon and sun. Not a branch swaying overhead, nor a bird flying through the sky."

Lea sighed and Gray felt her panic ease, but disappointment remained in the back of his throat, thick and heavy. "We have time. When you’re safe. I promise, there is nothing in this world that could keep me from claiming you as mine in every way possible. Someday. But you should know that I won’t risk your safety for anything, not even the need burning in my blood to mark you for everyone to see." He pressed a long, lingering kiss to her lips—a pleasure he’d never been afforded before.

Cradling Lea against his chest, Gray listened to her heartbeat gradually slowing as it returned to normal from their… activities. Who the hell was he kidding? It was the most life-changing, soul-moving, primal sex he’d ever had.

Gray felt a tug on the bond. Not an intentional one, he didn’t think, but an awareness that his mate needed something. Pulling back to look at her, he found Lea’s large blue eyes full of unasked questions.

Gray felt a pinch of pain in his heart at her hesitation to ask whatever was swirling in her mind. Tucking her hair behind her ear, he pulled Lea back down onto his chest, her head fitting perfectly in the groove of his shoulder. "We're away from the castle now. You can ask whatever you'd like. No more secrets."

Lea pressed her lips together, her shoulders finally relaxing. "How long have you been planning for tonight? And did you know we’d be escaping when you asked me to marry you?"

Gray couldn’t quite place the bitter taste that spread from their bond to coat his tongue. "I moved up the escape to give you a choice, Little Flower," he said calmly, beginning to run his fingers up and down her arms beneath the thick, soft blankets. "I’ll marry you the second we’re back in Bearswillow, if that’s what you want. But I didn't want to force you into becoming my wife."

"Thank you," Lea breathed.

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