Page 50 of Favored By the Stars

When we finally broke apart, we were both breathless, our chests heaving as we stared into each other's eyes. Thorn's gaze filled with a mix of desire and something deeper, something that spoke of a bond that went beyond mere physical attraction. Our soul bond. It was right there, shimmering in his gaze like I could reach out and touch the connection that had forged between us.

I leaned into Thorn, my fingers tracing the firm line of his jaw, feeling the heat of his skin beneath my touch. His eyes, fierce and intense, held mine with a depth that sent a shiver of anticipation down my spine. The world around us faded, leaving only the two of us, our breaths mingling, our hearts pounding in sync.

Thorn's arms tightened around me as he kissed me again, his tongue meeting mine in a dance that was both fierce and tender. I clung to him, my fingers tangling in his hair, my breath hitching as our bodies pressed together. His hands roamed over my back, down to my hips, pulling me against him. I could feel the hard length of him, the evidence of his desire, and it sent a surge of heat through me, pooling low in my belly.

"Senara," he murmured against my lips, his voice rough with need. His hands moved to the hem of my shirt, sliding underneath to caress the bare skin of my back. I shivered at his touch, my body aching for more, wishing we had more time, more privacy, but we both knew that this would be hot and quick.

His mouth moved from my lips to my neck, kissing and nipping at the sensitive skin. I gasped, my hips grinding against his, seeking more friction. He groaned, one hand moving to the front of my pants, deftly unfastening them and slipping inside.

His fingers found my heat, stroking and teasing until I was writhing against him. "Thorn," I breathed, my voice a plea. He captured my mouth again, his tongue mimicking the movements of his fingers.

I reached between us, fumbling with the fastenings of his pants. He helped me, pushing them down just enough to free himself. I wrapped my hand around him, marveling again at the silken heat, the rigid strength. He growled into my mouth, his hips jerking forward.

He pushed my own pants down just enough that when he grabbed me and lifted me, pressing me against a nearby tree, I was exposed to him. My wet heat aching for one thing and one thing only. Him.

"Now, Thorn," I urged.

He didn't hesitate, pushing into me with a single, powerful thrust. I cried out, muffling the sound in his shoulder as my nails dug into his back as he filled me completely.

He stilled for a moment, his forehead resting against mine, our breaths mingling. Then he moved, his hips driving into me with a fierce intensity. I met each thrust as best as I could, given the restriction of my pants and our position. Our bodies moved in a desperate, passionate rhythm, one that I would never tire of.

The pleasure built quickly, a coiling heat in my core that threatened to consume me. Thorn's grip on me tightened, his movements becoming more urgent. "Senara," he groaned, his voice a low rumble that sent vibrations through my chest.

"Bite down when you come," he panted in my ear. "We aren't alone, remember?"

I could feel the edge approaching, the precipice of release. My body tensed, my breath coming in quick gasps. Thorn's thrusts became faster, harder, pushing me closer and closer to the edge.

"Thorn, I'm, I'm going to," I couldn't finish the sentence, the words lost in a moan as the pleasure crested and I did as he asked, biting down on his shoulder as my body surrendered to his completely. Thorn followed me over the edge, his body shuddering against mine as he found his own release.

We stayed like that for a moment, our bodies still joined, our breaths slowly returning to normal. Thorn's lips found mine again, this time in a soft, gentle kiss. I smiled against his mouth, feeling a sense of completeness, of rightness, that I hadn't felt in a long time.

In those few moments of us being together, everything else had faded away. The fears, the doubts, the looming darkness, none of it mattered. There was only Thorn and me, our love, a beacon of light amid the storm.

"I love you, Senara," he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. "No matter what happens, no matter what we have to face or what we have to do, I love you."

I felt a lump form in my throat, tears stinging my eyes as relief washed through me at his words. Why, how had I ever doubted him?

"I love you too, Thorn," I whispered as I looked up at him. "More than anything." But the moment was shattered by a sudden, sharp crack echoing through the gardens. Thorn tensed, his head whipping around to scan our surroundings. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest as I listened for any further signs of danger.

"What was that?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. Thorn didn't answer, his eyes narrowing as he focused on something in the distance. I followed his gaze, my heart sinking as I saw what had caught his attention.

A figure was moving through the gardens, their form shadowy and indistinct. Thorn withdrew from me as gently and quickly as he could before he stepped back, fastening his pants, and shielding me as I did the same and found my stability once more. His face was a mask of determination, all traces of our shared passion replaced by a fierce, protective intensity.

I held my breath, heart racing as I strained to catch any sound that would reveal the identity of the approaching figure. Thorn stood tense beside me, his protective presence a shield against whatever danger lurked in the shadows.

Then, to my horror, Van stumbled into view. His eyes widened as he took in the scene before him, Thorn and me, still catching our breath from a moment of intimacy that had felt both exhilarating and grounding.

"Uh... wow," Van stammered, his cheeks flushing a deep crimson. "I-I'll just, uh, let you two be." He turned abruptly, taking a few awkward steps back before quickly heading down the path he had come from.

I felt a rush of embarrassment wash over me, but Thorn's hand found mine again, squeezing it gently. "He didn't see anything important," he reassured me quietly, though his eyes still flickered with amusement.

"Maybe not important to him," I muttered, my cheeks burning. "But it certainly was for us."

"One that we've been neglecting a little too much for my liking," Thorn said, as his lips curved into a teasing smile.

I wanted to ask him to stay, to put off returning to the others, but the moment of reprieve had passed and the ritual awaited us. Time pressed against our shoulders like an invisible weight.

Before any words made it past my lips, Thorn spoke again, his tone shifting to one of determination. "Let's get back. We can't keep them waiting."

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