Page 59 of Fire's Storm
His teeth scrape the sensitive skin at my throat, sending shivers down my spine. A wordless sound escapes him—primal, possessive, ancient.
"Yours," I agree without hesitation, arching into his touch. "And you're mine."
Together we move in perfect synchronization, physical harmony expressing a deeper connection. Electricity dances where our bodies join, visible energy expressing pleasure intensification.
Pleasure loops between us—his enjoyment enhancing my satisfaction, his fulfillment increasing my gratification, his ecstasy amplifying my bliss in an escalating cycle despite outside interference attempts.
The storm builds within us both—internal tempest gathering momentum, personal maelstrom accumulating intensity, private hurricane collecting force with each movement, each touch, each shared breath despite recent disruption.
Release comes simultaneously—shared culmination expressing perfect synchronization, mutual completion demonstrating fundamental connection, joint fulfillment revealing essential bond strengthened rather than weakened by opposition attempt.
Electricity flares throughout the room—power surge accompanying emotional release, energy spike following physical culmination, current eruption succeeding shared fulfillment with controlled intensity despite recent disruption.
As our breathing slows and hearts gradually return to normal rhythm, Vulcan gathers me against his chest—protective instinct expressed through physical shelter despite his injury.
Contentment flows between us—his satisfaction merging with my fulfillment in peaceful harmony despite recent turbulence.
"They can't break what evolves stronger through challenge," he murmurs against my hair, his breath warm against my scalp.
I trace patterns across his chest where blue-silver scales shimmer beneath his skin, feeling our bond humming with renewed strength.
"Then let them keep trying," I answer, feeling strangely calm despite the violence of the day. "Every attack makes us stronger. Every challenge improves our bond."
His agreement washes over me—acceptance and recognition despite the pain still radiating from his wound.
Together we face whatever comes next—partnership rather than individuals, unit instead of components, team rather than separate entities strengthened rather than weakened by opposition, improved rather than damaged by challenge, enhanced rather than diminished by adversity.
The storm outside may continue to gather, but within our bond, we've found the eye—the calm center of perfect balance, the quiet heart of complete harmony, the peaceful core of absolute synchronization that no external force can disrupt now that we've adapted, evolved, and grown stronger through the very challenge meant to destroy us.
TEN
VULCAN
Ipace outside the council chamber, rage and anxiety making my scales itch beneath my human skin. The massive crystal doors loom before us, ancient and imposing. My reflection distorts across their polished surface—a man barely containing the beast within.
Three. Fucking. Weeks. Of controlled demonstrations. Weekly tests proving my stability. Daily exercises demonstrating my restraint. Hourly reminders to contain the power surging beneath my skin.
Not enough, apparently.
My temperature spikes. The air around me shimmers with heat. The guard stationed at the entryway shifts uncomfortably, sweat beading on his forehead from my proximity.
Phoenix stands a few feet away, studying a mosaic depicting the first Tempest Bond. Her copper hair catches the light, glinting with hints of red-gold. Even in borrowed sanctuary clothing—a simple blue tunic and fitted pants—she exudes strength. Authority. The unmistakable presence of a leader.
Her scent hits me—honey, cinnamon, and female. My female. The sweet-spicy aroma of her skin cuts through my anxiety, replacing it with a different kind of tension. My bodyresponds instantly, cock hardening despite the situation. Her steady presence anchors me, pulls me back from the edge of rage.
I inhale deeply, drawing her scent into my lungs. The guard's eyes widen as he notices the subtle shift in my pupils, the momentary flash of blue as my dragon half responds to her proximity.
"This summons feels like a setup," I growl, nostrils flaring. The words emerge rougher than intended, gravelly with the effort of maintaining human form when my dragon half wants to emerge, to claim, to protect.
Phoenix abandons her study of the mosaic and moves toward me. Each step deliberate. Confident. The grace of a predator in human skin. She stops close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from her body, close enough that my scales ripple beneath my skin in response.
Her eyes meet mine. Hazel with flecks of electric blue—a sign of her awakening dragon half. The blue has intensified over the past weeks, spreading like frost across glass. Beautiful. Dangerous.
"Then we'll be ready," she says simply. No wasted words. No false reassurance. Just quiet confidence and the unspoken promise that whatever comes, we face it together.
A growl rumbles in my chest.Mine. The word echoes through my mind with primal certainty. The protective urge to shield her from whatever awaits nearly overwhelms me. I want to wrap my body around hers, to shelter her from the political machinations waiting beyond those doors.
Instead, I clench my fists until my knuckles whiten. Control. Always fucking control.
