Page 93 of Path of the Dark
To her fury, Ryana trembled under his touch.
“But it will soon be.” His fingers reached her chin, before the pad of his thumb slid gently over her lower lip. “I’ll not go to my death leaving things unsaid. I’ll not let pride stop me from saying this.” His voice lowered. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, Ryana … a beacon of warmth and light in an otherwise soulless life. Meeting you made everything I’ve ever done seem pointless. Before the end, I want you to know that.”
Tears leaked from Ryana’s eyes, trickling down her cheeks. Her chest now ached. The wound of his betrayal, which had barely started to scab over, ripped open once more. Only this time it wasn’t rage that swept over her but grief.
She hadn’t known he felt that way—but would it have mattered if she had? They were from different worlds and were now on opposing sides. And yet the past few days could have been spent differently if she’d been open to hearing the truth from him, or if he’d had the courage to admit it.
But time was running out now.
“Don’t cry,” he whispered, brushing away her tears with his thumb. “It wasn’t my intention to upset you.”
Ryana drew in a trembling breath, fighting the urge to break down completely. “Life is so hard,” she finally managed. “It’s as if we’re constantly fighting the tide. I’m so tired of it all.”
“Then maybe it’s time we stopped fighting,” he replied, his gaze shining. “Give in to it. Give me tonight to show you what you mean to me.”
Ryana sucked in a deep breath. She ached for him now. Her skin tingled where his fingertips traced. Longing rushed through her veins like wildfire. She couldn’t fight this anymore. All her rage sloughed away, leaving naked want in its place. With a soft sigh she nodded.
Elias pulled her into his arms, his mouth claiming hers.
The kiss was gentle at first, but as his tongue parted her lips and he deepened it, heat started to pulse between them. Ryana groaned into his mouth. Then she reached up and linked her arms around his neck. How she’d missed this: the taste of him, the feel of his stubble dragging across her cheek, the spicy male scent of his skin, and the feel of his hands on her body.
The longing burned like a fever now. But she was done fighting it.
Elias drank Ryana in, feasted on her soft, sweet mouth. She tasted of berry wine. His heart was beating so fast, it made him feel sick—ill with want. He’d never desired anything like he wanted Ryana. His fingers coiled into her thick blonde hair, pulling her head back. Tearing his mouth from hers, he let his lips trail down her neck.
He breathed in the scent of her skin. Fumbling in his eagerness to touch her, he unlaced her shirt and the leather vest beneath. Then he bent over and buried his face in the softness of her breasts.
Heart thundering, he sank to his knees before her and traced his lips over the satiny skin. He adored her full, ripe breasts. The silk shirt she’d worn over the past few days showed them off in a way her enchanter robes never had. During the journey south, he’d caught himself staring at their outline, jiggling as she rode.
He’d been longing to suck on them. And when his mouth closed over a small, pink nipple, she gave a soft whimper.
The sound made desire arrow through his groin. His shaft ached, pressed against the confines of his breeches. Yet he ignored it, focusing instead on drawing the nipple deep into his mouth, suckling gently at first and then increasing the pressure so that Ryana groaned and writhed against him. Her fingers dug into his scalp, urging him on.
Elias shifted to the other breast, catching its nipple between his teeth and biting gently.
Ryana gave a cry, shuddering against him.
Breathing hard, Elias rose to his feet and pushed her back against the table. He was surprised to see that his hands trembled slightly as he stripped off Ryana’s shirt and vest, and started to unlace her leggings.
All the while, she watched him under long lashes, her grey-blue eyes burning.
Stripping the leggings off her, he spread her pale thighs, his fingers brushing over the dark blonde curls between them. Ryana caught his hand and brought it up to her mouth, kissing his palm gently as she reached out with the other hand and started to unlace his shirt. “I want to touch you,” she whispered.
Elias stepped closer, between her spread thighs, his breath coming in short gasps as she leisurely undid his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders. Her hands explored his chest, before she bent her head to him, her lips and tongue exploring his skin. When her teeth nipped at his nipples, it was his turn to gasp.
She slid off the table and lowered herself to her knees as she made her way down his torso. And when her fingers slid across the heavy rod in his breeches, Elias sucked in a breath.
Just the slightest touch from her undid him.
Ryana unfastened his breeches and slid them down.
His shaft sprang out to meet her. It was swollen, its end slick with need. And when she closed her mouth over it, he groaned, nearly losing control then and there.
Elias growled out a curse, closing his eyes and letting his head fall back. Her mouth, her tongue, were almost too much.
Moments later he couldn’t stand it any longer. He had to be inside her. Now, or he’d explode in her mouth. Hauling her up, he pushed Ryana back on the table, his mouth slanting over hers. She kissed him back hungrily, spreading her legs wide for him as he rubbed his shaft against her.
Body trembling in anticipation, he slid inside Ryana, sheathing himself completely with the first thrust. Shadows, she was so wet, tight, and hot. He didn’t want this to be over fast, but it was taking everything he had to maintain control.
