Page 139 of The Oracle of Dusk

Theron’s kiss became rougher, more demanding, his hips rising to meet her strokes. And yet his touch on her remained feather-light and maddeningly close to the ecstasy she needed. Aurora returned his kiss as punishingly as she was able. She needed and he was denying her. As she crested the peak of desire, she squeezed him harder. Bucking in her hold, he growled as he spent in her hands. He pressed hard on her soaked underclothes and she broke off their kiss to cry out as she joined him. Breathing ragged, she rode his palm until the pleasurable shocks faded.

It was unfortunate their first time had needed to be rushed like this. Their eyes met as they caught their breaths.

Aurora gasped.

Fire raced down her spine, her nerves set alight with unexpected pleasure, as strong as the orgasm she’d just experienced. Her mind felt foggy with lust and need, the world taking on a haze of red. A need so overwhelming, so voracious, crept up and over her, until she was shaking. Theron stiffened, his eyes wide as the gold was replaced by fiery red.

What was happening? Fear and arousal rode her in equal measure.

“Theron?”

“It’s alright. It’s alright,” he groaned, a shiver racing down his spine.

The heat concentrated on her core, building and building until Aurora was a panting, shaky mess. She’d never felt such need before. It trampled every other thought in her mind, every other sensation, until she was nothing but overwhelming lust trapped inside the flesh of a woman. Seeking the pressure of his hand, her body demanded another release.

Theron wrapped his hand around hers, pumping it along his hard length as he gave her what she sought with the heel of his other hand. Without finesse or control, they used each other for pleasure, overcome. Their lips met, each fighting for dominance. Everywhere he touched, her skin felt scorched, and she yearned for the burn more than her next breath. Aurora sank the nails of her free hand into the flesh of his chest, drawing blood, a savage need to claim him, to mark him riding her hard. He repaid the pain with his own, kissing the column of her neck until he could mark her with his teeth. She mewled as pain mingled with and then was overtaken by pleasure. She was close again, his rough handling only sending her further over the edge. When at last he gave her what she sought, she screamed, stars bursting behind her eyes, her body alight with a pleasure so intense she felt it down to her toes. She pressed her forehead to his chest and whimpered in the aftermath, kissing the marks she’d left on him in apology. Theron swore, releasing a second time.

When it was done, the haze lifted and her mind returned to her. The animalistic desire ebbed from her body until she felt herself again. Aurora shivered. She dared look up to find Theron’s eyes were gold once again.

They collapsed on the bed, faces flushed and eyes wide.

“It’s done,” Theron panted. “We’re bound by Passion.”

Thatwas the sacred binding ceremony?

A laugh bubbled up inside her. If people knew the goddess Herself gave Her couples an extra, mind-numbingly good orgasm when they were wed, how many more would have signed up for a lifetime binding ritual? Aurora giggled.

“Do you think that happens every time?”

Theron’s face lit in a smile. Her heart stuttered. He winked.

“Give me a few minutes and we’ll test it out.”

She grinned, feeling playful.

“It’s an understudied aspect of temple rituals. We’ll have to do it several times. For the sake of scholarship,” she said, tracing circles on his chest and fluttering her lashes at him.

“Oh of course. Purely for academic reasons,” he replied nobly, even though his gaze devoured her.

“Never doubt the rigour of my scholarly pursuits. I take these things very seriously,” Aurora added, sidling closer.

“Do you, now? In that case, we should test it out in all of Passion’s temples from here to Altanus. You know, to be thorough,” he purred.

“I knew you’d see it my way.”

“Was there any doubt?” he asked.

She leaned in to kiss him as happiness fizzed through her veins. He obliged, their kiss soft and playful. Her worries eased in her chest. It had been so long since she’d felt even a little bit mischievous. They could be silly together. Her heart pumped something warm and full of light through her body. Fate had taken so much from her, made her feel like she might never get even a slice of her former self back. But here she felt a tiny spark of her old self. Aurora could have wept with the magnitude of her relief, of her gratitude, of her hope. They’d made the right choice in each other.

Shouting in the temple halls interrupted them. They stood, Theron urging Aurora to stand behind him. The palace had discovered them.

Chapter 23

Aurora’sheartthunderedinher ears. What would Flora do to her now that she’d so openly defied her?

“They risk Passion’s wrath if they commit violence here. Remember that,” Theron said.

But only if a priestess or the high priestess were attacked. The guards could certainly drag them from the temple and commit violence once they were free of sacred ground. Aurora pressed closer to Theron. Would the paladins intervene a second time? Aurora’s gut clenched, and she was suddenly grateful they’d remained clothed. The shouting became more distinct. Flora. The queen tore open the door to their room, eyes glittering with rage.

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