Page 75 of Dark's Savior

Ryziel's eyes flickered down her body. With one hand, he took hold of her suit and slowly peeled it from her. His eyes darkened as he looked at her. Though the room was cold, Aly felt far from it.

"You were right," Ryziel said in a low voice. He bent his head down and nuzzled her chest, the slick heat of his tongue grazing against one breast then he nipped her. "Some deeper part of me did reveal itself while in my Drega's hold. And it's been killing me." He nipped her again, his tongue swirling, and Aly threw back her head and moaned. "I don't think I can stand it any longer. I don't want to fight anymore either. I thought I lost you." He raised his head slightly then, as if readying himself, he tugged down the rest of her suit, dropping it beside her, and let out a shaky breath. He took hold of her wrists in one hand, placing them over her head. "I think I can control it now because I know what it wants. Because...it is what I want."

Aly gazed up at him, knowing he was waiting for her to tell him no, to tell him to get off her, but she wasn't going to say it. Instead, she licked her lips and said, "Then take what you want."

Ryziel shuddered, his free hand stroking her ribs and down the side of her thigh. "You aren't afraid?"

Aly shivered at his touch. "I'm still here."

He shut his eyes and growled low. He lifted her leg up, placing it around his waist, lifting her body slightly so that it fit perfectly against his. Carefully, he dropped his hand between her legs and stroked his fingers along her, exploring. Fire rose in her lower belly and a terrible ache with it. Aly moaned, lifting her head once more as his fingers slipped inside once than drew out.

"I don't want to hurt you," he said suddenly.

Aly dropped her head and looked back at him, pressing her hips into him, watching him bare his fangs in a groan. "You won't."

With that, he tugged down his suit just enough so that she saw a glimpse of his male sex, not so unlike a human’s except for the pointed tip and curved shaft. He bent his legs slightly, and Aly felt him pierce her. They each gasped as he slowly slipped inside and was buried deep.

He didn't move at first, and it took all her will not to arch against him. He steadied himself then thrust into her, letting out a sharp hiss as Aly felt him throb inside her. Heat rose up her neck, and Aly flushed, feeling the thick heat of him fill her so suddenly. But he didn't falter or stop. He gripped her leg and stroked deep again.

He moved on her slow, trying to master his self-control, and Aly squirmed against him, wanting him to go faster. She could feel herself tightening, like a spring ready to be let go.

He breathed hard as he watched her rise and fall before him, his eyes sharp, never leaving her. Then, he let go of her, slipping out of her and releasing her from the rock to bring her down beneath him on the ground.

He pinned her below him, and Aly bent her legs up as he pierced her again, this time with one hard thrust of his hips. He began to move faster, more urgently, and Aly clung to him so as not to slide against the floor. He was heavy and huge on top of her, his hard, bestial movement bringing her to the peak of orgasm until she finally cried out, making him almost pause as if afraid he had suddenly harmed her. When he saw he hadn't, he continued on, faster, until his release came, this time with a loud groan.

Breathless, Aly dropped her shaking legs and turned her head to the side, feeling sweat drip down her back. Ryziel lay on top of her, with his head buried in her neck, and there they stayed for a long moment, with just their breathing and the drip of water nearby the only sounds in the room.

"Ryziel..." she breathed. He rose slightly to face her. He looked so calm, too calm, but inside, he was as revved up as she was. His hands, warm and gentle, moved across her body, kneading at her. She licked her lips, ready to speak again, but he bent down and gave her another one of his nuzzle-kisses. She smiled and wrapped her arms around him, returning his kiss. "I think," she said as he lifted his head, "there was no stopping this, was there?"

Ryziel looked down at her, his eyes still bright. "No," he said, his fingers once more brushing the side of her face. "No, there wasn't."

And she could see he meant it. His expression was that of a man no longer willing to fight nor wanting to. She'd never seen him look so calm.

"And you’re feeling...all right?" she asked timidly.

Ryziel peered down at her, and she thought she saw his mouth widen. "More than all right." He actually grinned at her, and she gazed up at him, almost alarmed. His smile, along with his relaxed features, almost made him look like a stranger.

Aly stared as if seeing him for the first time. Then, slowly, she smiled back. She laughed and pulled herself to him, feeling him grunt as she smacked her body against his. He drew his arms around her, and they stayed that way for a long while, until his techband went off.

"I should get it. It's Nar, likely, wondering here I am." He released her gently and pulled up his suit then answered the call. Aly took the moment to stand and pick up her own suit. Heat rose in her face as she glanced down at herself, realizing she needed a shower and her suit a good wash. She put it on anyway, with a tight grimace, just as Ryziel ended his call.

"They know you’re safe now. Let's get back to the lair." He rose and pulled the rest of his suit on, turning back to her, eyeing her, still with that eerie calmness and smug grin. He stretched out his arm, offering his hand to her. Aly glanced down at it, a warm feeling swelling in her chest. She took it gladly, his large hand wrapping fully around hers.

He didn't move right away, as if wanting to just feel her hand in his, and Aly didn't say a word, letting him enjoy her touch. He pulled her once more to him and nuzzled her head then turned for the door and led her away.

Chapter Twenty-six

Ryziel woke to the smell of flowers and thought for one odd second that he was back in the First House. Yet, as he opened his eyes, he found instead that he was lying in his bed within the lair on Lethe Maws, with golden red locks of hair brushing against his face and chest. He gazed at the top of Aly's head, wondering if he was awake or dreaming. By the solid warmth of her body against his, he knew it to be real. With a deep sigh, he pulled her closer, his arm wrapped protectively across her.

The room was dark and chilly, the only sound that of Aly's soft breath as she slept soundly beside him. It was likely still early enough that he didn't need to wake her yet, but soon, he would be forced to. He took a great risk to have her stay.

He hadn't cared last night, and he didn't care now, though he should. If someone realized she wasn't in her unit and found out her techband had been compromised, it could create serious trouble. But they had made it this far, and damn if he would let her go now.

Aly stirred but did not wake as a low grumble sounded in his chest. Ryziel closed his eyes and lay silent until she was still once more. He thought again about last night, his mind wandering through the events, still shocked by how everything had come to be. And the blissful relief afterwards. It was like a weight had come off him, but in reality, it was something even greater:

His Drega had been quelled.

And, by Nihl, that was some kind of miracle. He had been afraid at first, though he had been prepared for when it lifted its head at Aly's touch. It hadn't risen much more than that, and, though his desire drove him, he had kept his control, and at the end, the beast had calmed as if satisfied. He had let go and given in, and she hadn't been hurt. She, who was so brave. She, who was worthy. He could almost hear his brother laughing, saying "I told you so," and he grimaced at the thought.

---