Page 100 of Whisper Woods

Skin is bared, caressed, devoured, our lips exploring until we find each other's mouths once again. Our kisses are frenzied. He tastes of him and me. Smoke and the wild. Blood and honey. Forever and home.

Mine.

We make a symphony together. Seff’s whimpers. My guttural groans. The slick sounds of our bodies joining. The rapid, staccato rhythm of our breaths. The words we’ve never been able to speak are an invocation to the Gods.

Together. Forever.Mine.

Our claiming is an act of worship. Like a storm all consuming, ravaging us as we ravage each other. Deep inside him, I do not know if I will survive the moment. The connection that has always laid between us, strengthened in every encounter, embeds itself in the very depths of our beings until we are no longer two separate spirits.

Only one. Only us.

The energy in us, entwining us, culminates in explosive ecstasy. Forever irrevocably changed.

Our union blessed and consecrated, we collapse together in the dirt.

Dawn breaks as it always has. The monotonous rhythm of the universe is a stark contrast to the deep and irrevocable way my world has changed. Seff lies wrapped all around me, his body protecting me from the icy morning. And yet, he is also deep inside me. I can feel him within my chest—the place he has always been. Now, only more.

His dark lashes flutter as he slowly wakes until they part to reveal the amber pools of his eyes. Crushing me to his chest more tightly, he inhales deeply. Rolling onto his back with a stretch, he takes me with him until I am sprawled over his large body. From his satisfied sighs, I think he’s going to fall back asleep, but he doesn’t. He strokes my back in a sweeping caress.

“Hey.”

The monosyllabic greeting elicits a huffing laugh from me. I can feel thecontentment rolling through him.

“Good morning, my sweet kushinavya.”

I’m gifted with a swift kiss to my crown and a beaming smile, complete with my dimple.

“Good morning, mymate.”

Gods, it feels as though I’ve waited a thousand lifetimes to hear that. I crush my lips to his, my tongue invading his mouth. Strong arms form steel bands around me. The kiss is slow, sensual. Unlike last night.

I can barely remember it. Only impressions left in my memories, the aches in my body and our bond to know it was real.

“Shall we head home?”

Seff shakes his head, decorating my collarbone with fluttering kisses. “Not yet.” He breathes against my skin. Humming in agreement, I cave to his touch.

Not yet. He’s right. Because there is no rush. Not any longer.

No more goodbyes, no more endless waiting, no more looking at the stars, praying to the Gods for one more glimpse of him.

When we leave, we will leave together. As one.

As we will be for the rest of our days.

In this life and the next, in the ether and beyond.

His. Mine.Ours.

Epilogue - Seff

Autumn - Three Years Later

“Seff! Seff!” Cringing atthe sound of my name being screamed down the halls of the palace, I consider, just for a teeny, tiny moment, whether I’ll be able to escape down one of the secret passages Elianora showed me. But really, it’s just a pipe dream.

Like the responsible being I am now, I take a nice deep breath and remind myself that this is my job now. And I love my job.

Because I do. Really.

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