Page 47 of Claimed By Stone
Thavros's fingers tightened slightly around mine, a silent encouragement.
“I don’t remember what happened exactly. It’s like there is a veil of smoke over that time. But there was pain. Cages. Screaming that didn’t always come from me.” My breath hitched. “I think they did something to me, Thavros. I think they tried to turn me into something I’m not.”
His whole body stilled, but his presence never wavered. I couldn’t bear to look at him, not while saying this.
“I remember being told I had a purpose. That I was important, but it didn’t feel… right. Whatever I was supposed to do—it felt wrong.”
The dam finally broke.
“I don’t know what they did to me!” The words burst out as hot tears streamed down my face. “I don’t know what I was supposed to do, or why I was put here. And I’m terrified that whatever it is—it’s still inside me.”
Thavros caught me as I collapsed against him, sobbing. His arms wrapped around me like armor, like sanctuary. I buried my face in his chest, shaking.
“I don’t want to hurt anyone,” I whispered. “I just want to be myself again. If I even know who that is anymore.”
His grip never loosened. His heartbeat was steady beneath my cheek. And when he finally spoke, his voice was quiet but steady.
“You are not alone in this.”
Thavros shifted, turning so we were face to face, his hand rising to cradle my cheek. “Seraphina,” he said, his voice like stone warmed by fire. “Whatever they did, whatever purpose they tried to force on you, it is not who you are now. And it doesn’t get to define you.”
Tears blurred my vision again, but in time they came slower, steadier.
“You are not their weapon,” he said, firmer now, as his hands stroked my back. “You’re mine. Mine to protect. Mine to cherish. My heart, my purpose—Gods, Seraphina, I don’t care what brought you to the mountain. I only care that you’re here. With me.”
He leaned in, pressing his forehead gently to mine. “As long as I breathe, you’ll never face anything alone again.”
With those words, the fear began to ease. Not entirely vanish, but retreat, quieted by the certainty.
When I looked back up into his rich brown eyes, I felt a stirring in my soul I couldn't name. He was mine as much as I was his. Somehow, whatever was happening between us was theonly real thing in this world of smoke and mirrors. I knew deep down that while I felt full of deception and chaos, Thavros felt real and safe.
I turn to him, cupping his face. My hands looked so dainty cupping his orc face. "I love you," I said, because it was the truest thing I knew to say.
His entire body sags in relief as he wraps his arms around, resting his head on my chest.
"I love you from the depths of my soul," he said as he held me close.
I ran my hands through his dark hair that was usually pulled back in a neat braid. I clung to him just as fiercely as he clung to me.
I needed him. With that acknowledgment, desire began to pool in my core.
I pulled his face up to mine, and I kissed him. This wasn't a tentative kiss or a playful kiss. No, this was a claiming kiss. I needed him. All of him.
I finally pulled back, "I need you," I said. My voice was filled with such desperation that I should be embarrassed, but I couldn't help myself. "I need all of you."
Thavros’s breath hitched the moment I said it, and then he surged forward, kissing me with a tenderness that belied his size and strength. My hands found the warm expanse of his chest, and I sighed against his lips, feeling the heat of him, the safety.
“Seraphina,” he whispered reverently. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” I said, and I meant it. “I have never been more certain of anything in my life.”
As he helped me lie back, my body shivered in anticipation. His touch was slow and sure as he kissed a path down my neck, my shoulder, the curve of my breast. Every inch of me felt like it was waking up, coming alive under his mouth and hands.
He took his time. Worshipped me. Made me feel real and loved in a way nothing else ever had.
When his fingers slid between my legs, I gasped, already aching for him. But he didn’t rush.
He worked me slowly, first inserting only one thick finger as he slid his other finger around my clit. My release was already building inside of me. He was opening me with careful attention. I broke on his hand with my first release as his deep, rumbling voice soothingly whispered how perfect I was, how soft, how beautiful.
