He smirks. “It is, but I was talking about holding you—funny how perfectly you fit despite being so small.”

My breath catches, and tears prick my eyes at his poignancy. All I can do is nod because I’ll miss it, too.

“Don’t cry, soyam. I didn’t mean to make you sad.”

“It’s ok.”

“Let me make it up to you.”

“How?”

“With more orgasms.”

My body tingles in remembrance of all the past pleasure he’s brought me. “How can I turn down that—but wasn’t I promised living out one of my fantasies first?”

Ilian strokes the spike that angles out of his jaw.

“I don’t see why the two shouldn’t be mutually exclusive.”

Fuck, how am I going to say goodbye to this man when all this is said and done?

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Ilian

Zhuliya trembles with excitement, the scent of it nearly overwhelming me, as I cinch the belt around her waist.

I adjust my horn so that the spur slips between her legs and then step back to admire my handwork.

My mate looks pretty with a stoyuk.

She looks down, assessing the toy before frowning. Through our bond, some of her enthusiasm wanes and worry creeps in.

“Are you alright, soyam?” Instead of answering, she pinches at the flesh pushed up by the belt in disgust. “Is it too tight? Does it hurt?”

“No, but it’s kinda hard to feel sexy with a strap-on muffin top.”

“Do you want to know what I was just thinking?”

“What?”

“How absolutely breathtaking you are with my horn stoyuk. I’m quite certain you would still be stunning if you were covered in warts.”

“But—”

I sigh. “Soyam, your beauty for me is not based on the size of your body, but the size of your heart.

Never have I met a more gorgeous creature than you. I promise you’re perfect to me, inside and out.”

Sensing her hesitation, I send all my admiration, lust, and sincerity through our bond. The self-loathing melts from her features, and her expression softens.

“You know, it’s funny that you don’t think you’re good enough for me because when you say things like that, I don’t feel good enough for you.”

I cup her face, peering into the dark brown depths of her gaze. “Maybe that’s why Aisyth let me imprint on you—so we could prove to one another our worth.”

She beams, a glittering showcase of her white teeth. “I think you might be right, Ilian. I’ve never felt more alive than in the short time I’ve spent with you.”

“Good, but I’m not stopping until you know that you’re a queen.”

My queen.

Zhuliya kisses me again. “And I’m not stopping until you realize that ‘monster’ is just a word and not who you are. Besides, I love when you get wild and rough will me.”

“As do I, but tonight, it’s your turn.” I gesture at my horn. “Will you fuck me until we both come?”

She blushes, biting her lip in that way that drives me crazy, and nods. “I’m a little nervous. I’ve never done something like that. We don’t have any lube—what if I hurt you?”

“You’re wet enough I can use that.” Her cheeks burn brighter. “And don’t worry about hurting me. As long as we communicate, we’ll be fine. Now, come closer and spread your legs.”

Zhuliya immediately complies, and her obedience makes me all the harder. Ducking under the horned strap-on, I lick at the moisture pooling between her thighs, scooping it up with my tongue.

When I have enough, I scrape it over the length of my horn until it’s glistening with both my mate’s arousal and my saliva.

“There. I’m going to lie on my back and help direct you since my fur covers your view—all fours might be difficult because you’re so much smaller than me.

This way, I can reach up and grab your hips to help you fuck me as well as watch your expression, too.”

She whimpers again, and I tamp back the beast my mate swears she doesn’t mind. Lying down once more, I slip off my pants completely.

From the waist down, I’m covered in pale gray fur, except at my feet, which are bare, like my chest.

Spreading my legs and bending my knees, I beckon Zhuliya forward while arching off the ground.

My mate takes the hand I offer, and I tug her down until the strap-on aligns with my ass. I wait while she gets her bearings, and then I guide her to my entrance.

The sensation is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. A foreign pressure that overwhelms me a bit as she surges forward.

I grunt, staying her hips, and she rushes to apologize. “It’s ok, soyam, I’m getting used to the feeling.”

“Are you sure—”

“Yes. Go a little deeper.”

She does. Centimeter by centimeter until her smooth stomach brushes against my fur and her breasts hover over my stoyuk.

When she bottoms out, Zhuliya groans, the loud sound echoing into the night. I realize my bone spur has fully penetrated her as well.