Page 265 of The Lands Defying
Gods he hasn’t stopped.
“How long has it been?” I sigh into his skin, feeling so content, feeling so cared for.
His hand rubs at my back as I look at all the marks I have left on him. “Four days.”
Four days! It has never lasted that long.
“I didn’t realize I was about to have my heat, usually I know.”
“Your heat came early last time, and you didn’t know then,” he reminds me.
“I still don’t know why that happened.”
“Because your Vihnarn was near.” I lift my head at that.
“Really?”
He curls a piece of hair around his fingers and he kisses me softly, like he can’t help himself. “Yes. I suspect it’s also why you didn’t know this time either, but I knew it was coming. I am meant to soothe your heat, and make it as comfortable for youas possible, less painful. Maybe that is why you didn’t realize.” There is a silent question in his eyes at that.
“You soothed everything,” I tell him, leaning forward and giving him a gentle kiss, and his body relaxes at that.
Was he worried?
“Good,” he says, pulling me back into his neck, his cock twitching inside of me but neither of us do anything about it, just relaxing in the subtle pleasure of it. “Now rest, I got you.”
I fully believe he does this time.
Seventy Four
Rhea
“Hello, um, Rhea?” I pause, the axe held high as I turn and spot Deedrie, the female from The Drylands.
I drop the axe down and wipe my dirty hands on my pants. “Hey, everything okay?”
She swallows roughly and nods. “I just.” She shakes her head. “We wanted to thank you?”
“We?” I question, looking at her and then at the tree line behind her. At first, I don’t see anyone, but then a female comes through, and then a child. Then more and more come through, walking hesitantly but determined as they come toward Deedrie.
I pick at my fingers, swallowing over the lump in my throat as they all come toward me, small smiles on their faces.
“Breathe, little wolf,”Darius says in my mind and I take a breath.
I hear paws behind me, and Runa comes from my back, stepping up beside me. The woman and children eye her warily, but they have seen her walking around Eridian enough to know she won’t hurt them.
“Hi,” I say to everyone, lifting a hand and stroking Runa’s side as she nuzzles my neck in greeting. She has no doubt been off in the forest with Drax as usual.
“We wanted to thank you, for all that you have done for us.”
“Oh, there is no need.” I wave a hand in the air.
“There is every need,” Mivera says, coming through the crowd toward me. “You saved us all when we thought all was lost.”
I shake my head. “I was just there at the right time.”
“Do not sell yourself short,”Darius murmurs, and my eyes go to the trees, seeing him leaning up against one with Drax at his side.
“You knew of this?”
