Page 197 of Crowned In Venom

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ANYA

The temple doors close behind us with a soft, final thud, sealing us into the night. The air is cool, but it does nothing to quell the fire burning beneath my skin.

The bond between us hums like a live wire, electric and alive, threading through every part of me. I can feel him—Varkos—his presence a steady, grounding force in my mind, his emotions brushing against mine like a caress.

Joy. Awe. Desire.

A desire that mirrors my own, growing with each shared breath.

His hand is warm in mine, his fingers laced tightly through my own. I squeeze back, anchoring myself to him, needing his touch like air.

We walk in silence, the twin moons casting their silver light over the ancient stones. The world feels heightened, every sense amplified.

The soft, sweet scent of night-blooming jasmine hangs heavy in the air, mingling with the lingering incense, creating an intoxicating perfume.

I glance at him, and his eyes are already on me, burning with an intensity that makes my heart race.

“Where are we going?” I ask, my voice a breathless whisper.

He stops, turning to face me fully. His free hand reaches up, his fingers tracing the curve of my cheekbone, sending a shiver down my spine. “Somewhere we can be alone,” he murmurs, his voice low and husky. “Somewhere no one can find us.”

The anticipation coils tight in my stomach. The bond pulses between us, like a rhythm of longing. I nod, unable to speak past the sudden lump in my throat.

He leads me deeper into the temple grounds, the path winding through crumbling arches and overgrown foliage. The air grows warmer, thicker, the relaxing scent of earth and moss rising to meet us.

Finally, we reach a small, secluded courtyard, bathed in moonlight. A natural spring bubbles up from the ground, its waters shimmering like liquid silver, surrounded by lush greenery.

Flowers bloom around us, and the smell is intoxicating. It’s paradise in here.

How did he find this? This place is beautiful. I never expected that this temple, not only provided us sanctuary during the war, but also gave me a chance to witness something this beautiful.

Varkos turns to me, his eyes dark with longing. “This is ours,” he whispers. “Just for tonight.”

I step closer to him, drawn in by an invisible force. The bond flares, a wave of heat washing over me.

“Varkos,” I breathe, my voice trembling.

He reaches for me, his hands sliding around my waist, pulling me flush against him. I can feel the hard planes of his chest against my breasts, the heat of his body searing through the thin fabric of my gown.

“Anya,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my ear. “You’re mine now. Forever.”

A thrill shoots through me at his words. “And you’re mine,” I whisper back, my hands sliding up his chest, feeling the muscles bunch beneath my touch.

He groans low in his throat, the sound vibrating against me. His hands tighten on my waist, pulling me even closer until there’s no space left between us. “I’ve waited so long for this,” he rasps, his voice thick with need. “So long to have you like this.”

I tilt my head back, meeting his gaze.

“Then take me,” I whisper, the words barely audible.

His lips crash down on mine, hot and demanding. I moan into his mouth, my hands tangling in his hair. The kiss deepens, becoming a desperate tangle of tongues and soft bites.

He lifts me into his arms, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist.

He carries me to the edge of the pool, his lips never leaving mine. The cool water laps against my skin as he steps into the pool, a delicious contrast to the burning heat between us.

He sets me down gently, the water swirling around our waists.

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