Page 88 of Cherished By the Gargoyle
As my body begins to relax around him, I urge him to continue. He advances slowly, until he’s seated to the hilt, deep inside me. The initial stretch is overwhelming, bordering on pain but quickly transforming into pure, breathtaking pleasure as he rolls his hips against mine and sinks impossibly deeper.
I watch the tension in his powerful jaw, the careful restraint in his eyes as he pauses, fully sheathed inside me. “Gods, Aurora,” he whispers hoarsely. “You feel so good… so perfect.”
Lifting my hips, I tighten my body around his. “I need more, Thalric. Please don’t stop.”
He groans and nuzzles against my neck. “I’ve wanted you for so long, Auri. I’ve dreamed of this moment so many times. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted.”
His eyes swirl with black as he begins moving within me, slow and deep, each careful thrust sending ripples of pleasure through my core.
I trail my hands down his back, my fingers tracing the muscles along the length of his spine, feeling the flex of his hips as he pumps into me.
Need coils tightly within as desire builds deep in my core. My entire body goes taut and then I’m crying out his name as I shatter in his arms. Waves of pleasure wash over and through me, and I’m lost in blissful oblivion.
As I come down from my climax, I realize he’s stopped moving, his gaze fierce but controlled. “Thalric, you didn’t…”
He kisses me tenderly. “If I don’t stop now, Aurora, my knot will swell and lock us together. You were in pain earlier, and I don’t want to hurt you again.”
I touch his face. “I want everything with you. All of you. I don’t want you holding back anything.”
His eyes flare molten gold, fierce with desire and devotion. “I won’t knot you this night.” He brushes a thumb over my cheek, his voice thick with emotion. “It’s our first time, and I want this to be gentle and perfect for you.” He cups my cheek. “When I knot you, I’ll give you my claiming mark, and I cannot claim you fully until our mating flight after our wedding. That night will be ours, Aurora, and I’ll hold nothing back. My vow.”
My heart pounds as the anticipation of our mating flight stirs a thrill deep within me. I love him more than anything. And I long to be his entirely… just as he is mine.
Just the thought makes intense need rise within me again. I tighten my arms and legs around him and crush my mouth to his.
He curls his tongue around mine in a searing kiss, as he moves inside me again. Each thrust is measured and controlled as he makes sure to keep his knot just outside my entrance. The spongy bulge at the base of his stav rubs tantalizingly against my most sensitive spot, heightening every sensation until pleasure coils unbearably tight once more.
My entire body goes tense, clenching around him a moment before my climax crests, sending delicious waves of pleasure through me.
My release triggers his own and Thalric pulls out of me, gripping his stav firmly in hand, he erupts with a primal roar. “Mine!”
The heat of his release splashes across my body as he covers my abdomen and pelvis with the thick, viscous ropes of his seed.
He stares down at me, his gaze full of possession as he takes his hand and spreads his essence over my belly and up to my breasts before reaching down and smoothing it through my already slick folds, marking me with his scent.
My heart clenches as he curls himself protectively around me, enfolding me in his arms and wings. A purr vibrates in hischest, and his voice is a deep and soothing rumble as he tightens his arms around me. “I cherish you, Aurora. Every breath, every beat of my heart is yours, now and always.”
CHAPTER 59
AURORA
The night stretches wide and endless above us, a sea of stars glittering against black velvet. From the rooftop terrace, the world feels still, like even the heavens are holding their breath. Below, the castle glows faintly with the warm gold of lanterns, their light spilling across the courtyards and gardens.
The cool breeze brushes my skin, carrying the scent of stone and night-blooming flowers. Thalric steps behind me, and slips his arms around my waist, drawing me back against the solid warmth of his chest. My heart flutters as he curls his wings around me, holding me close.
“Tomorrow.” I smile. “We’ll be husband and wife.”
His breath stirs my hair. “Tomorrow,” he echoes quietly, though something in his tone carries a shadow of unease.
“What is it?” I tilt my head back to look up at him. “Is something wrong?”
He hesitates, his hands tightening slightly at my waist. “There’s something you should know before you vow yourself to me,” he says in a low voice. “There are no records of anyGargoyle and human pairings that Fiora and the others could find. So, there is no record of what might come from such a bond. And I don’t know if we can… have children.”
He swallows hard. “And I want to give you everything, Auri.” Sadness reflects in his eyes. “But that may be beyond what fate allows us.”
For a heartbeat, I just look at him. This fierce, loyal, beautiful man who’s carried me through every danger and shadow, who’s fought monsters for me—and now looks almost afraid of losing me to something beyond his control.
“Thalric,” I turn in his arms to face him. “You’ve already given me everything that matters. Your heart. Your life. Your love. That’s all I’ll ever need.”
