Page 128 of Fated

“Look at me, Areya,” he whispered, his voice both commanding and tender, “You don’t have to hide from me. I want to see all of you. I want all of you.”

His words were like a lifeline, pulling me back into the moment. I met his gaze again, and this time, I held it, unable to look away. The fire in his eyes consumed me, kept me captive, as he thrust harder, deeper, the connection between us obliterating everything else.

Ash’s hand slid between us, finding that most sensitive spot. His fingers moved in slow, teasing circles, and the sensation sent me spiraling. The pleasure became unbearable, a force too powerful to resist, and moments later, it slammed into me with devastating intensity. My body convulsed beneath him as waves of ecstasy ripped through me. I cried out his name as the overwhelming release swept over me.

The sound of my cries seemed to unravel him completely. His body jerked in response, my name tearing from his lips. Iclenched around him instinctively, drawing every drop from him as our bodies moved together in perfect harmony, sealing the bond that tethered us in ways I couldn’t fully comprehend.

The last wisps of magic flowed between us, weaving through every part of our beings, electrifying the air around us. Time seemed to slow, the world around us alive with energy. When the last tendrils of power settled, reality resumed its normal pace, yet everything felt irrevocably changed.

Ash’s gaze lingered on me, his eyes filled with an adoration so deep it made my heart ache.

“My queen,” he whispered, his words laced with reverence and love as his hand brushed tenderly against my cheek. The depth of his emotions stole my breath, and I couldn’t help but smile back at him, feeling more complete in that moment than ever before.

He lay down, pulling me into his arms, my cheek resting against his chest. Ash looked as if about to speak when suddenly, a sharp, searing pain shot through the top of my forearm. I gasped, grabbing my arm with my other hand.

My eyes shot to Ash, who was also staring down at his own arm.

A white line began to form on my skin, intricate flowers blooming along it as it curved from the center of my forearm, headed down and around toward the top of my inner wrist.

Then, as if guided by an unseen hand, the nameSebastian Augustineslowly etched itself into my wrist.

The burning slowly subsided, leaving behind the mark of the fated on my arm. I glanced up at Ash, and he turned his wrist to show me my own name—Areya Silverton—engraved into his skin.

My heart stilled as I stared at the name.Silverton. It feltvaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place it. “Does that name mean anything to you?” I asked Ash.

He hesitated, his expression cautious.

“What is it?”

“It may be just a coincidence,” he began slowly, “but do you remember hearing about the King of Titan?”

I strained my mind, searching for the name, coming up blank. I shook my head.

“King Aldo Silverton,” Ash said, watching for my reaction.

I blinked, stunned. “Do you think my father was a descendent of King Aldo?”

He nodded thoughtfully. “It wouldn’t be much of a leap. Powerful princes and princesses were often married off to strengthen alliances.”

Ash paused, his eyes widening as a realization seemed to dawn on him. “Do you know what this means?”

I had no idea.

“Not only are you the Queen of Ambrosia …” My heart skipped a beat at the weight of my new title. “But you’re also a blood heir and princess to the Kingdom of Astern—and possibly Titan. That makes you a very powerful person, Areya.”

A sudden thought shot through me. “Do you think my father may still be alive?”

“Of course, it’s possible,” Ash said.

The idea I could have a father out there somewhere, a link to my past, ignited a spark of hope.

“And if I’m really a descendent of King Aldo, does that mean I could wield some of the power of Titan?”

Ash considered it for a moment. “We won’t know the fullextent of what you’re capable of until you start training, but yes, you should be able to tap into that power.”

“What happened when our magic was floating around the room while we were, um …”

Ash chuckled.

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