Page 163 of Daughter of the Serpent

His mouth claimed hers with such stunning ferocity she staggered.

It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t soft. It was raw and aching, as if he had spent a lifetime starved, and she was the only thing that could satisfy him.

A broken sound left her throat, her fingers tangling into his hair as he tipped her head back further, consuming her, claiming her, demanding all of her,without relent.Delicious fire thrummed through her body, curling along her veins, her insides, setting every part of her aflame as his roaming hands gripped into her yearning flesh, pulling her closer, tighter against him.

Gods.

This wasn’t like it was in the fairy pool, this wasn’t like the gentle coaxing touches he had pressed upon her there - this was something so strong it threatened to drown them both - and she would happily let it. She fully surrendered to the way his fingers curled into her, to the fire his lips scorched across her skin. Every touch, every kiss, seared into her bones. Branded into her heart. Need, relentless and unforgiving, shuddered through her as his hands moved swiftly, the laces of her robes giving wayunder his urgent touch. The fabric fell from her shoulders, the cool air meeting her heated skin, and he didn’t hesitate. He worshiped every inch, gliding his lips, swirling his tongue over each space of her, leaving her breathless. Every stroke, every caress, every ragged breath, consumed. Her chest heaved, her body arched, her skin burned where his lips devoured - seeking, pleading for more.

She felt his control shattering, slipping away like grains of sand. Her name tore from his lips - a low, whispered plea.

As if saying it might stop her. Might stop him.

His fingers brushed her lips, then pressed gently against them, the last fragile thread of hesitation. The only barrier left as his forehead met hers, their world collapsing into this single, fragile moment.

“Are you sure you want this?” His voice was thick with yearning.

Without hesitation, she met his gaze. Her hands slid up his chest, fingers trembling as they gripped the back of his neck, pulling him closer. Her lips brushed against his, a soft, but real promise.

“I want you.”

And she had never been more certain.

"Sylvie, I’m wrong for you."

The words spilled into her mind, a fractured whisper through the bond.

"You're not wrong for me." Her voice was barely more than a breath against his mouth, but she felt the truth, the power of it thrumming in her very bones. "You're perfectlyright."

His groan rumbled through his chest, and for the first time, she felt it - the power she had over him.

The very same he had over her.

He was just as helpless, caught in the pull of something greater, something stronger, something bigger than either of them could name.

Something that could break them.

Or make them whole.

A desperate sound tore from him as he yanked her closer, crushed her against him. Then his mouth was on hers.

The kiss was wild. Ravenous. Savage.

And gods, she wanted more.

Ashes, sheneededmore.

Her hands tangled in his hair, fisting, pulling - demanding. He met her with equal ferocity, his grip firm, his touch branding. There was no space left, no breath, no thought - only heat, only hunger, onlyhim.

Before she knew it they were moving.

Her back hit rough bark, her gasp swallowed by his lips. His hands were everywhere - spreading fire, claiming, possessing.

And then, he dragged the fabric up her thighs.

His fingers spanned her bare skin, scorching everywherehe touched. His teeth grazed her lower lip, his growl reverberating through her. Her pulse thundered, wild and reckless, as he moved between her legs, pressing, wanting - demanding.

More.

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