Page 38 of To Forge a Hollow Crown

I panted, my shivers running through me. “Did you--”

He shook his head before thrusting into me again, showing me he was still hard. “No rush, love. We’re going to be here all night.”

I groaned as heat rose again, just as urgent as if I hadn’t just come harder than I ever had in my life.

“Atar, help me.”

The sun shone down on us from above, providing comforting heat to our tired bodies as I rode Theron slowly. I’d only been able to sleep in the brief moments after I’d come throughout the night, Theron’s cock still buried deep inside me. It had been a full day of constant arousal, my need rising again and again. I’d lost count of the times I’d climaxed, or how many times Theron had healed my swollen sex, doing his best to prevent me from injuring myself. I understood now why Raenisa had needed multiple males to satisfy her. Theron was exhausted. He doted on me every second, feeding me as he pleasured me—trying to keep up my energy for the change he’d said—or attempting to bathe me with a cloth in between fucking me as if his life depended on it. It was a lot to expect of one person, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Theron was it for me, everything. I never wanted another man to touch me. It wasn’t the transition as Xadrian had said; it was him. He was a part of me, as I was a part of him.

“Kael,” he groaned as I dropped onto him harder than before, taking him deep. “Gods.”

Theron looked up at me with a questioning glance as I shifted, pulling his cock from my wetness and positioning it at my tight asshole.

“Are you sure?” He asked, his voice full of want.

I nodded, already feeling the anticipation in my body for what was to come.

“Yes,” I breathed, easing down onto his length. I groaned as the burn spread through me, matching the arousal that pulsed within me. The head of his cock popped past the ring of muscle and I shuddered, my nipples hardening even further. I eased down lower, letting out a guttural moan as he stretched me.

He stilled for a moment as if savoring how tight I was around him, before beginning to thrust into me. His hands came up to cup my breasts, teasing my nipples as he increased his pace. Each stroke was pure pleasure, and I gasped for breath as the sensation overwhelmed me.

“I love when you fuck me like this,” I breathed, my voice barely audible.

He groaned, pushing himself up to kiss my neck as he drove harder into me. “I could do this forever.”

I leaned back, allowing him deeper access to that forbidden part of myself. His thrusts became wilder and faster as we both pushed towards climax. I grabbed onto his shoulders as he rubbed circles over my clit with one hand while the other gripped my hip, guiding me faster, back and forth onto his cock.

The pressure built inside of me until it exploded and I screamed out his name in ecstasy, barely aware of the tears that were trickling down my face. Theron kept going, pushing me higher and higher until I came a second time in one final shuddering wave that left us both panting in its wake. His cock jerked deep in my ass, his seed as hot as my burning muscles as he shuddered, holding me tight against his chest as he filled me.

We lay there for what felt like hours, not moving as the pleasure faded away into a warm contentment. I could feel Theron’s heartbeat against my chest, his breath slowing from quick gasps as he caught it. I closed my eyes, letting the afterglow spread through me, every muscle in my body relaxing. My breathing slowed and something shifted inside me, the sensation of becoming whole coursing through me. It was over. I could feel it in my body. I was changed.

But there was something else there.

It was more than just my enhanced body. Something connected us. A tether that ran deep, linking us like an invisible string. A bond between two souls meant to be together always.

I opened my eyes and met Theron’s gaze, the tenderness in his expression sending a wave of warmth through me. But it wasn’t only my emotion. I could feel hints of him. Not words or thoughts, just anawarenessthat had never been there before. My eyes widened as a word flashed into my mind.

Mate.

“Kael?” His eyes were worried, searching my face. “What is it?”

“I—I think you’re my mate.”

Chapter 15

Theron

Mate.

The word reverberated through me, settling into my soul.My mate. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt an answering tug, a flash of joy and surprise that was outside of myself. It overcame me as I leaned closer to her and took her face in my hands. I stroked my thumbs over her cheekbones, the warmth of our connection coursing through me like liquid fire.

“From the moment I laid eyes on you, something deep within told me you were mine.”

“Really?” She shifted beside me, her pale locks cascading over her shoulder, framing her face in a silver halo as the sun’s rays filtered through the gaps in the trees. She met my gaze, her eyes searching mine.

“Yes,” I whispered, pulling her closer, cherishing the warmth of her body. Mate. “And as I learned more about you, that certainty only grew.” I leaned forward, brushing kisses over her eyelids. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted in this world, everything that I’ve ever wished I could be. I don’t know what I did to deserve to have you as my mate, but I’ll do anything to keep you, Kaella. You’re my world.”

Her gaze softened, affection and longing filling our bond. “I love you, Theron. Always.”

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