Page 66 of A Lost Light

Hasumi's beautiful face shone with an approving smile that was half joy, half lust. “Lovely,” they purred. Then they stepped closer, their hands coming to rest on my hips, their willowy bodybrushing up against mine. “Now kiss me, necromancer. And none of that self-doubt nonsense. I want to taste you.”

Letting the last of my doubts fall away, I did as I was told. I cupped their face, glorying in the feel of their warm, soft skin, the beautiful angles of their sharp jaw, and the sparkle in those turquoise eyes. And, up this close, I saw the faint opal glint of the fine scales that swept across their cheekbones and along the side of their neck. My fingers ghosted over the soft scales along base of Hasumi’s throat, exploring, and their eyes grew heavy-lidded with pleasure.

I had never stopped to really think about it, but… Hasumi did have an almost serpentine quality sometimes, in the way they moved, those mesmerizing eyes…. I dipped my head without conscious thought, drawn in even as my mind whirled, trying to take in the beauty and wonder before me, pressed up against me, warm and waiting beneath my hands.

Hasumi's lips were soft, but sure, and they tasted like drinking from a cool, fresh stream. Those sweet lips parted, and I moaned softly as a forked tongue flicked against my mine. The kiss grew heated, as Hasumi pressed closer, letting me tilt their head further and deepen my exploration.

I pulled back when something sharp pricked my tongue.

The water weaver stared up at me, one pale brow raised in question. I shook my head. “I… is there somethingsharpin your mouth?” I tasted the faint tang of blood. Probably from a small nick, since it didn't seem to be flooding my mouth.

Hasumi huffed. “I apologize.”

Andy and Niamh had appeared behind the water weaver at some point. Andy laughed, shaking her head. “You really need to warn people about the fangs, if you're going to go making out with them,” she said as she leaned in to press a kiss to the side of Hasumi's neck. Then her teasing gray eyes met mine, and I was floored by the warmth there. She wasn't upset, she wasn'tjealous or anything like that. She seemed genuinely happy for me. For us. “Don't worry,” she said with a wry look. “I've been told the venom isn't an issue unless Hasumi wants it to be.”

Venom?I looked into Hasumi's mesmerizing eyes. “You'revenomous?”

The water weaver shook their head, then sighed and opened their mouth. Niamh sidled up beside me and we both watched in surprise as a pair of thin, viper-like fangs flicked forward and down, unfolding from the roof of Hasumi's mouth. “I have complete control of the venom,” they informed us easily, with a tiny hint of a lisp. “But I do tend to forget that others are unaware of the risk of injury.”

I laughed. I couldn't help it. The whole situation was just so unreal. “Are you a snake then?” I asked, running my thumb along their soft bottom lip, where the fangs slightly dented the flesh. “An aquatic serpent?”

Hasumi shook their head. “More… dragonish, perhaps? Not the same as the dragon shifters that used to roam the realms. But I can take on a rather serpentine water form. I suppose the eastern ideas of a water dragon might be the closest description?”

We all stared at them in awe. Even Andy. Hasumi was asea monster?

Then Niamh put an end to the distraction. Inserting an arm between me and Hasumi, she cupped the water weaver's cheek and turned their head toward hers, her green eyes flashing with curiosity and want as she stole Hasumi from my arms.

I might not feel any attraction to Niamh, but I could definitely appreciate how well the two of them fit together, how pretty they were, all wrapped up in each other. I sighed as Niamh slid her hands into the water weaver's silvery hair and kissed them, pausing to run her tongue along one dangerous fang.

Andy's warm hands slid up my chest, drawing my attention to her. There was just so much to wonder at here, it was hard to focus. Her amazing breasts pressed against my chest, warm and heavy against my cool skin. My hands fell to her lush hips, and I only then realized that I was the only one still completely clothed.

I felt Sunshine's impatience in the back of my mind. I knew how he felt about Andy. And I heartily agreed. We needed to be inside her.Now.

Chapter 40

Niamh

Hasumi tasted like a cool, clear spring on a hot day in the deep forests of my clan lands.

I slid my hands downward, trailing my fingers over their graceful neck, across the faint scales dusting their collarbones, and lower, to the soft swell of their small breasts. The water weaver sighed happily, leaning into my touch, and I was struck by the fluidity of this amazing creature. How one moment they were soft and calm, the next instant firmly giving orders and controlling the situation, and a moment after that… melting in my arms. Perfection.

I trailed kisses along the arch of their neck, pausing to bite down teasingly. Hasumi's hands were at my hips, but they moved back further, cupping my ass and fitting me closer to them. I felt the hard bulge through the thin fabric of their pants, and a moment of uncertainty flitted through me.

I hadn't been lying when I said I was attracted to this amazing creature whether they fit the mold of my typical female partners or not. And yet… I'd never had a lover with a cock.

Hasumi, of course, sensed my moment of doubt, pulling back to look up into my eyes with that calm, endless patience of theirs. “Would you prefer that I stay clothed?” they asked simply. “We could turn our focus to Andy if you wish. Or… I could simply pleasure you, without any other expectations.”

I swallowed around the lump in my throat. How could they always be so calm? So unaffected. Never offended. Never wounded by the feelings of those around them. “No. I… it's not like that. I just.” I ran a hand through my hair and over one antler, frustrated at my inability to express myself as clearly as Hasumi. They were as honest and straightforward as Andy. A trait I admired in both of them, and which IthoughtI possessed myself. Until this moment.

“You are unsettled by the unknown in this situation,” Hasumi said gently, brushing graceful fingers along my cheek, drawing their hand downward so their palm rested over my heart. I felt a gentle pulse of magic from them, and a wave of peace that eased the tension in my shoulders. “I understand.”

I covered their hand with my own, keeping it pressed to my heart as I leaned in and kissed their forehead. Then I pulled back to meet their eyes again. “I know you're different than my other partners,” I said honestly. “That doesn't bother me. But I don't know the first thing about… cocks. And I don't want you to be offended if I have a bad reaction or something.” I grimaced. “That sounds stupid, now that I hear it out loud. Can we just forget this conversation ever happened? Go back to getting you out of those pants? And maybe you just try not to notice my emotions for a while? I promise it’s nothing personal.”

Hasumi chuckled, the sound musical and light. “Oh, Niamh, you are wonderful. Come here.” I let myself be led closer to the fainting couch, where Andy was splayed out like a goddess with Dyre between her legs, her fingers tangled in his long red hair. I stumbled a bit, distracted by my reaction to the sight.

Dyre certainly wasn't my cup of tea. But watching Andy enjoy her boys was always hot as hell.

I pulled my gaze away from them as Hasumi stopped us on the plush rug next to Andy and Dyre's little display. “I'll attend to your discomfort,” the water weaver whispered against my throat. “But only as a guide. If you want to stop, you'll have to tell me so directly. Yes?”

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