Page 72 of Prisoner of Darkness and Dreams
She smirks. “You’re only like five years older than me in fae years. It takes your people, what,four decadesto reach adulthood?”
“Insolent princess,” I say, tilting her chin upward and silencing her with a kiss. Her body softens against me as she leans into it, a delicious little moan coming from her when I run my tongue along her lower lip.
“Those extra years count for something, you know,” I murmur against her mouth before pulling back, enjoying the way she frowns at the loss of my touch.
Joking aside, it’s easy to forget how quickly the world has forced her to adapt, and how masterfully she’s risen to the occasion.
“You’ve grown so much, Ana,” I say, cradling her face. “I can hardly believe it at times, the things I’ve seen you do, when just a year ago you were still locked up in Gallawing.” I think about her words that day in the Miravow, about how losing her magic felt like being back there again. “That new inner strength and resolve of yours is still there, you know, regardless of whether you have your power.”
She nods, laying her hand over mine. “I’m seeing that now. Not having my magic leaves me more vulnerable in some ways, but…I can still be strong in others. I didn’t need my power to convince Diomi to speak to the council again.”
“And in the meantime, it’s my job to protect you from everything else,” I say. I’m still angry with myself, remembering her scream as she fell—the awful sound as she hit the ground. I wasn’t quick enough, but next time, I will be. I won’t let her get hurt again.
“It’s okay, Leon,” she says, clearly guessing the direction of my thoughts. “I’m alive and healed. To be honest, if I was going to break a leg, a building full of dryads is the place to do it.” Her expression grows thoughtful. “You know, it’s funny. Once the mortifus was dead, I wasn’t afraid anymore, but I knew you’d be. I couldfeelthat you were and then?—”
“I don’t want to talk about that right now,” I say, gently cutting her off. “I’m already sure I’ll be having nightmares about watching you fall.” It’s the truth, and her eyes soften with sympathy. “Let’s focus on happier things right now,” I say. “Let’s concentrate on being together.”
I kiss her again, longer and slower this time, getting lost in her scent. I start to guide her back toward the bed, her smile of anticipation against my lips.
“Lie down,” I order, and she obeys, settling down on the mattress with a gleam of desire in her eyes.
For a moment, I just stand there, watching her. Taking the time to feel the fierce fires that burn inside me every time I look at her. It’s strange to think there was once a time when I wouldn’t have done anything for this woman.
A flush creeps up her pretty neck. “What are you doing?” she asks.
“Just planning how I’m going to go about this,” I say, crawling across the bed until I’m leaning over her. My hands go to her tunic, tugging open the lacing at the front, then removing the shirt underneath.
“And what have you decided?” she asks, a little more breathlessly.
“I’m going to inspect every inch of you to make sure those dryads didn’t miss anything,” I say, pressing my groin between her legs so she can feel my hardening cock. Her eyes darken as she helps me remove her shirt, allowing me to lean down and lick a line across her bare breasts.
“I hope it’ll be a verythoroughinspection,” she gasps, then pulls a corresponding groan from me as she slips her hand beneath my waistband and wraps her fingers around my cock. I thrust into her hand, nipping lightly at her delicate skin with my teeth.
“Very,” I reply roughly. “For starters, I’m going to perform the whole thing with my mouth.”
I suck her nipple into a peak, having to stop myself from grinding against her palm as the sound she makes threatens to send me over the edge.
But when her moan trails off, I look up to see her bright eyes pinning me in place. She slips her hand free of my pants, hurrying to unfasten them and release my cock fully.
“Fuck me first, taste me later,” she orders in a voice both so demandingandneedy I nearly come right there.
I strip off her pants and remove my own, enjoying the hungry expression on her face as she reaches for me.
“Leon,” she sighs, sliding her palm along my shoulders, my back, my ass, pulling me into her, clutching me close. “I need you, so badly.”
“Since you asked nicely…” I growl, then catch her by surprise by pulling her up on to her knees and turning her around.
“Grab hold,” I say, placing her hands against the headboard. She shivers with excitement as she understands, obediently wrapping her fingers around the top of the headboard.
I pull her hips back, getting the right angle, and lick my fingers, using themto tease her entrance. She keens as she starts to lift her hands to touch me in response.
“Ah-ah,” I say. “Remember my instructions?”
“So bossy,” she grumbles but places her hands down again.
I reward her by sliding my thumb across her clit, marveling at how soft and slick she is beneath my touch. It’s like nothing else on this earth. My cock twitches as she shamelessly rubs herself against my fingers, a wanton thing desperate for release. I know I won’t be able to hold back for long, already imagining the feeling of sinking into her.
I lean forward enough for my cock to brush against her, making her shiver as I place my mouth beside her ear.
