Page 228 of Monsters in Love

“Please! Please,” I whine.

I grind against him, the pain and pleasure so much that my body cranes forward against his chest. He pounds into me harder, clutching me to him.

Every single time he bottoms out, I whimper, but he doesn’t stop. Instead, now that I’m near his mouth, he groans into my ear, “That’s it; take all of me.”

My orgasm crashes over me at the gust of his breath over my skin. I scream so loudly that one of his hands comes up and covers my mouth as he continues to thrust up into me.

I’m so sensitive that I can’t keep quiet, and drool starts to pool between his fingers. Xakiras licks the side of my ear. “I am going to paint your insides, sweetotoki.”

He grunts, speeding up his thrusts until I hear him groan and twitch inside me. The jet of his spend hits me in hot ropes, and I sigh into him as the tingle begins to take over.

Its numbing agent quickly overtakes me, and I sigh a breath of relief as he pulls himself out.

“Beautiful,” he says, brushing my sweaty hair from my face.

I breathe in, trying to catch my breath, smiling at him, perfectly sated. “Holy shit…that was amazing.”

Xakiras smiles back at me, letting my body go limp against him. We fall into an easy silence after that, watching as the forest once again seems to come to life.

I could really get used to this.

My body feels lighter than I can ever dare describe. Echo’s body is still lying on top of mine; her breathing has evened out into a slumber. I wanted to take her several more times over, but she is so tired that I dare not wake her.

My fingers brush through her hair, loving the way the silky strands move and the little happy noises she makes when I do it. A snapping twig brings me back to awareness, and I glance toward the sound. We should not be so unsheltered, but I do not move. I wait.

My breathing halts in my chest, and as another twig snaps, I grab hold of Echo as the sound of an arrow zings through the air. I scoop her into my arms. My sword is no longer sheathed at my side; instead I left it inside the cabin.

“Vittar!” I have no choice. I will need to grab it.

Another arrow hurls at us both, and Echo screams a blood-curdling sound. I take off running, holding her closely, but behind me I can hear the sounds of screaming.

“Sagath are here. Echo, stay close; do you understand?” I shove open the door just in time for another arrow to whiz by our heads, but it grazes the side of her arm.

“Fuck!” she screams, and the metallic scent of her blood permeates the small cabin room.

There’s no time to look at it as I grab my scabbard on the ground and her shirt, tossing it to her. I curse being anArcanilbecause in this moment I could use the added protection of magick—though I have never needed it. Being alone in theAmae’silforest is something that is never done. I should have never attempted it.

I curse under my breath, whirling around until we face the door once more. “Echo, I do not have time to tend to your wound. The Sagath are bloodthirsty creatures that will tear your limbs from your body to consume while violating you in every possible way. Do not scream; do you hear me? Stay silent and cling to me.”

Echo’s crying has grown, but I feel the small nod of her head. “I’ll try.”

“There is no trying,otoki; you must.”

I brandish my sword and hold steadfast at the door, knowing they will be waiting. Just how many will have come?

We have to leave the cabin. Leaving through the front door is risky, and, though there are windows, it’s much tougher to get through them with my size. But Echo would fit. I hesitate before swallowing down my fear. We will do what we must.

I kick the door open and bolt for the nearest limb. The Sagath are standing on a large tree just across from us with their weapons drawn. I make it just in time to dive but a slew of arrows follows.

The high-pitched shriek of their battle cries follows behind us as I zip through the air. My heart rackets in my chest, but I pray I can find us safety. I fly as hard as I possibly can, zig-zagging through the trees. We are one hundred clicks away from the safety of the livingAmae’sil,and I still have yet to rest. The fatigue of my body burns as I zip upward into the tree line.

I feel them encroaching behind us, pressing me further into the wood. They are faster and more agile than I am. Swiveling my head around, I try to count their numbers. I see three following, which means there must be others who are trying to cut us off.

I turn my head just in time to see the other two I knew were waiting. They aim an arrow, pulling it back just in time for me to dive. I zigzag through the trees, and just when I fear I’ll be overrun, I hear yelling.

Clicks in front of us is my hunting party. Red flames lick beside us, and I barrel roll to the side.

“Xakiras, there you are!” I hear one of them yell.

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