She’s a fucking goddess, strong and powerful, yet soft and graceful. I’m definitely not complaining about the view. Skin gleaming, breasts swaying, pelvis rocking. The sight of her slick cunt swallowing my cock again and again is deviance in motion, living fucking art. Then something behind her snags my attention, and the air gets trapped in my chest when I realize what it is.
Her wings.
Streams of sparkling lights in deep purples and dark greens swirl in the air, then magically solidify into diaphanous, iridescent wings. The flame-shaped tips stretch six inches above her head with the bottoms lightly brushing the tops of my thighs every time she lowers herself.
Bracing her hands on my pecs for support as she picks up the pace, they open and close like a butterfly’s when it rests on a flower. They’re mesmerizing, delicate with thread-like veins that begin to glow and pulse with her magic in time with her movements.
Each time she impales herself on my cock brings me closer to the edge, her moans spurring me on. Losing the last vestiges of my control I grab her waist and hold her still as I thrust my hips up, going harder and faster, and harder still.
I’m fucking lost in her, in the feeling of her body wrapped around mine, the drugging scents of her sweat and arousal, the symphonic sounds of her consumed by pleasure filling the air. The pressure builds, a coil winding tighter and tighter in the base of my spine until I can’t hold it back any longer.
“Come for me, solnyshko,” I growl. “I need to feel you. Come for me now.”
She throws her head back and screams my name as it hits her, and the feel of her sex convulsing around me like a fist triggers my own release. With a final, powerful thrust, I spill into her as it crashes over me like a tsunami.
As Taryn’s body shakes with aftershocks, I slowly lift her up and down on my shaft, guiding her through the ebbing waves of ecstasy until she collapses on top of me, drained and utterly replete. We’re a tangle of limbs and sweat-slicked skin, both of us struggling to catch our breath. I press a kiss to her temple then settle back with one of my arms folded under my head.
“If I had my way, this is how I would keep you,” I say in a low voice. “Sated and in my bed forever.”
“I’m too tired to think of a snarky feminist retort right now. I’ll have to get back to you on that one.”
Chuckling, I tip her chin up and press a kiss to her love-swollen lips. “Looking forward to it, solnyshko.”
Unable to help myself, I trail the fingers of my free hand along the edge of an ethereal wing. It’s petal soft, and I can feel the hum of magic, almost like touching an electric wire with really low voltage. She shivers in response. “Sorry, does that bother you?” I ask, realizing I should’ve gotten permission first.
She props her chin on top of her hands to meet my gaze. “Not at all,” she says with a shy smile. “It’s been so long since anyone’s touched them, I’d almost forgotten how nice it feels.”
Stroking over the edge again, I watch as her lids grow heavy with contentment, like a purring kitten. “They’re stunning, Taryn. Just like the rest of you.”
“Thank you, Finnian,” she whispers, a light blush tinting the apples of her cheeks.
Glancing down, she traces over the puckered scar on my chest. I know she’s curious about it—she’s seen it multiple times by now—but still doesn’t ask, so I offer the information.
“Edevane went after Bryn with an iron dagger,” I say solemnly, remembering that day. “He almost killed her and Caiden with a single blow.”
“Because of the blood curse,” she says, understanding. “If a king’s mate dies, so does he.”
“Yeah. Tiernan warmed up to Bryn right away, but I kept my distance. I hated that a stranger’s life was tied to my brother’s. Even when it was obvious they were starting to fall for each other, I didn’t fully trust her. She was patient with me and never forced the issue, though.
“I didn’t realize I’d started thinking of her as a sister until the moment I saw that blade going for her heart and knew I would lose them both. I’d never been more scared in my life.”
She tips her face up to look at me. “So you stepped in to save them, and then she saved you in return. That’s what you were talking about back at Abhaile when she was trying to heal my father.”
I nod. “I wouldn’t be here right now if she hadn’t tapped into her Darklight powers that night.”
“Neither of us would be here right now if she and the baby hadn’t found us in that cavern and blown us out of there,” she adds.
“Very true.” Wanting to lighten the mood, I say, “We should get her something to say thanks. Double points if it annoys Caiden. Let’s see, I don’t think he’s gotten her the cats he promised her yet.”
“If he made the promise, then he should be the one to deliver.”
“Excellent point. Oh, I know.” I laugh just thinking about the ridiculous idea. “You wouldn’t have any dragons around here, would you? She’s a huge GOT fan. Caiden would shit a brick.”
“Dragons? Not last I checked, but we’ll keep an eye out,” she says, laughing with me. “Now get up and get dressed or it’ll be an uncomfortable reunion when the others get back.”
Her wings turn back into streams of light that disappear into her back. I’m both awed at the display and disappointed they’re gone. Seeing it on my face, she offers a half-shrug. “I’ve kept them hidden for so long, I feel too exposed leaving them out. Even here.”
“I understand.” I tuck a curl behind her ear and press a kiss to her lips.
There’s a beat where I can tell we’re both considering starting things all over again, but the sound of an Ember Pixie bouncing off the shield brings our situation back into focus. Chuckling at the pissed off pixie, we reluctantly gather our discarded clothes and get dressed.
We settle back into our makeshift bed and stare up at the stars dotting the midnight purple sky while I trace lazy circles on her arm. It isn’t long before Taryn tucks her face into the spot she’s claimed between my shoulder and chin, and seconds later falls fast asleep.
This is how I want to end every day for the rest of my life, with this incredible female wrapped in my arms and in my bed. Pressing a kiss to the top of her head, I whisper, “Sweet dreams, moy tsarina.”
Most people would say it’s not possible to feel this strongly for someone I only just met. But my heart can’t comprehend time. It doesn’t know the difference between three days or three years. It only knows its very first beat after seeing Taryn Emory, and every beat since, has been for her.
Despite our invisible shield that should keep us safe from unwanted guests or tricks, I still won’t sleep until the guys make it back to camp. I’ll feel better knowing we have more muscle and more ears around Taryn. I know she can handle herself as well as any warrior, but I can’t help my innate protective streak that needs to keep her safe at all costs. I’m just not telling her that, because I like my balls where they are.
Hopefully they won’t be too much longer, and we can all get some sleep before our big day meeting with the fae queen who fucked my people over long before I was born. Should be good times.
Deciding I can still rely on my heightened sense of hearing to listen for anything suspicious, I allow myself to close my eyes and relax…
Taryn stands in the middle of a battlefield, wind whipping at her curls with streaks of ash on her face and neck. Her lavender eyes have brightened to a neon purple that spark with power. Jaw set in determination, her lips peeled back from clenched teeth, she throws her arms out wide and magic begins to crackle in the air around her.
She’s magnificent, a force of pure reckoning to all who threaten those she loves. Lifting her face to the sky, she screams in rage, preparing to deliver the ultimate retribution.
So she doesn’t see the golden Spear of Assal flying straight for her, the arrowhead slicing through everything in its path. Terror strikes me like a bolt of lightning. I run toward her, shouting her name so loud and so long my vocal cords bleed, but it’s no use. She can’t hear me above the fray.
The weapon strikes home, burying itself deep in her chest. Her hands instinctively grab at the protruding rod, a crimson river flowing from the wound. She looks over at me, a pained expression on her beautiful face, knowing I won’t make it to her in time. The violet light in her eyes flickers and dims just before they slide closed and she falls lifeless to the ground.
My eyes fly open with a jolt, my heart racing beneath Taryn’s warm palm on my chest. Willing my pulse to slow, I take deep breaths and tell myself it was only a nightmare. Except, it felt more like…a vision.
Fuck that, no way. I refuse to believe that was anything more than a bad dream brought on by fear of the unknown. Regardless, I’d rather not close my eyes again tonight. Sleeping is overrated, anyway. Reaching into the pack next to me, I take out Moira’s journal and begin to read under the glow of the Ember Pixies above.
Dearest Finnian,
I am leaving this treatise behind for you. Within its pages is my true accounting of the events leading up to our banishment and the ensuing bad blood between the Celestial Courts.
The truths as you were told have been woven with fabrics of omission and false perception. Read my words well, grandson, and you will see what was and was not, and how we came to arrive at the same place in a different era…
THIRTY-THREETARYN
Waking up in a field of flame lilies with the white sun peeking over the horizon and Finn’s arm draped over me is surreal. Dreaming about his eyes aside, I never saw this amazing male coming, nor did I ever expect to love anyone as fiercely as I do him. And as much as I trust my feelings for him, I can also admit that it’s fucking scary to be this vulnerable with someone.
Allowing my wings to unfurl with him was a huge step for me. Since leaving Faerie, the only person I’ve intentionally revealed them to is Dmitri, and even that was just the one time. It was too dangerous otherwise. But I know I’m safe with Finn, and I was ready for him to see all of me. It’s been ages since I felt this free to be who I truly am, and I owe it all to the giant prince curled around me.
My body feels sore in the best of ways, a lovely reminder of how we spent our time alone last night. Anxious to see him this morning, I roll over only to find he’s already awake. A quick glance shows the Woulfe brothers still sleeping and Dmitri’s bag already packed with him gone. I’m not surprised by that; vampires require very little sleep and he’s likely off hunting for his breakfast.
