Page 103 of Back In the Shadows

Ella’s eyes misted over as she looked up at me.

I lowered my mouth to her ear and whispered. “Little lamb, you’re the flicker of light in my dark, dark world. The color in my grayscale existence. I yearn for you like the night yearns for the stars.”

As we were pronounced husband and wife, a chilling realization crept over me. She was now entwined with me not just in love but in sin. A twisted smile tugged at the corners of my lips before I leaned in and kissed her. In that instant, I realized that she was mine in every sense of the word, bound to me not just by love but by the darkness that stained my soul.

As the last rays of sunlight painted the sky in deep crimsons and golds, I felt myself beginning to recede, letting Sebastian emerge fully to share the experience. In that space between, where our consciousness merged, we were united in a single thought. She was ours, and we were hers, in all our broken, beautiful imperfection.

Ella’s fingers intertwined with ours, and I caught her secret smile. The one that said she knew exactly who she was looking at in this moment of transition. She’d once told us that loving uswas like watching the sun and moon share the same sky, each essential, each beautiful in their own right.

As Sebastian took control, his love flowing alongside mine, I carried this truth with me into our shared depths. Some people spend their whole lives searching for someone to accept their darkness. We’d found someone who not only accepted it but saw it as an essential part of who we were—guardian and protected, darkness and light, Sebastian and Death.

In the end, that’s what love really was. Not the absence of shadows but having someone who would walk with you through them, hand in hand, unafraid.

53

DEATH

“In the valley of the shadows, the lost lamb learns that darkness too can be a kind of belonging.” ~ Anonymous

My queen had been breathtaking during our wedding, and now I couldn’t wait to present her with my wedding gift in Washington state near the San Juan Islands.

“Where are we going?” she asked as the truck crept down the narrow dirt lane. The dense foliage of trees hid the road so well that I’d almost missed it myself. But it was perfect for what I needed.

“You’ll see.” I arched a brow at her, my gaze running up and down her gorgeous body.

I turned left, driving off the path and into a secluded area where we wouldn’t be found. Turning off the engine, I looked over at her, unbuckled our seat belts, and then opened my door, ignoring her questioning gaze. Reaching behind the seat, I retrieved a bag I’d hidden before our trip.

I flashed her a wicked grin as I set the bag on the floorboard near the brake and gas pedal.

“Face me and spread your legs, little lamb.”

Once Ella was situated, I tugged on her ankles and pulled her across the bench seat and towards me, sending a rush of desire through my entire being. With each pull, her dress rode higher and higher on her thighs, revealing more of her black satin thong that taunted me. My fingers hooked onto the sides of the material, and I slowly eased it down her legs.

I glanced up at her, then I buried my face in her pussy and ran my tongue along her clit.

Her moans of pleasure filled the car as I teased her nice and slow.

“You always know how to make me feel good.” She grabbed my hair and lifted her hips off the seat.

I nipped and licked until I brought her to the edge, then sat up and wiped her juices off my chin. Locating the bag, I opened it and removed the remote-control mini vibrator. I chuckled as I inserted it into her slick cunt, then I fumbled with the remote and turned it on.

“Oh.” Her eyes widened as I played with the speeds before deciding to leave it on low.

“You’ll keep that in until I tell you otherwise. Understand?”

“Yeah.” Her response was breathy, and her pupils dilated with desire.

I held my hand out to her as she climbed out of the car on my side.

As I knelt, her palm rested on my shoulder while I assisted her by putting her thong back on. After she was situated, I rose and gazed down at my stunning wife. “Are you ready for your wedding gift?”

She placed her palms on my chest and beamed up at me. “You are my wedding gift. I don’t need anything else.”

I ran my knuckles along her soft cheek. “I made a promise I was unable to keep, but I think this will make up for it.”

She tilted her head into my touch. “If you insist.” Ella flashed me a sweet smile.

“Follow me.” I grasped her hand firmly and guided us along the trail, the sun shining down and illuminating our path as we made our way deeper into the forest. The abandoned building was barely visible, hidden amongst the overgrown trees and bushes. Even when we were close to the entrance, it was hard to spot. I reached into my pocket and retrieved the key, swiftly unlocking the padlock.

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