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nRETH

nAs soon as she was out of the furs, he took her hand to lead her through the dark.

"I didn't think to check if anyone had shown you this,

" he said, smiling,

"but I'll admit, I'm kind of glad I get to do it.

"

nShe was still in the sleep shirt she'd found. It was sleeveless and hung almost to her knees. But the laces at the front had come untied during the night and she hadn't noticed. Reth turned away and made himself focus on… something other than the view.

nHe led her out of bedroom and through the great room, but in the opposite direction from the front door. Behind the space he used for cooking, there was another natural curve in the wall. He kept a door on it because the wind howled through in the winter.

nPushing the door open, he prayed the moon was out enough that she could see and he wouldn't have to light the lanterns.

nHer gasp of surprise was answer enough, as he led her through to the oval-shaped space that was entirely private, circled by rock walls, with a thin, but very tall waterfall bubbling and splashing at the other end. He'd always loved the bathing pools, but suddenly realized they were going to be a lot more fun with a mate.

nSteam rose in the air over the two pools, so close together their edges lapped and made them look like a figure eight, though in truth, one was as dark and deep as the sea—and much cooler because the aboveground waterfall emptied into it—and the other was only waist deep, with slick mud that squished between your toes, and hot from the volcanic vents underneath.

nHis father had taken the time to have benches carved out of the rocks under the surface of each, and he prayed a blessing over the man as he led Elia towards the hot pool first.

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"My advice,

" he said, picking his way across the slick rocks, and holding her hand to make sure she didn't fall,

"is to start in the hot water. And when you start to sweat, jump into the cooler pool and rinse off. It's a shock, but it wakes your whole body up. And Aymora said it has some good health properties, though I couldn't tell you what that would be—

"

nHer tug on his hand stopped him and he turned quickly. But she was smiling, staring straight up where the moon and stars were visible at the top of the hundred-foot drop to where they stood. Reth looked up and smiled too. Then back down to her.

"One of my favorite views,

" he said, staring at her wide smile.

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"Reth, it's beautiful.

" She looked down at him then.

"Thank you. You're right. This is much better than… than rushing… things.

"

nHe couldn't deny his disappointment that things would not be rushed. But he nodded, happy that her tears were gone, replaced with that beaming smile.

"We have as much time as you need, my love,

" he said, then swept a hand towards the pools.

"And in the meantime, we'll get you very clean!

"

nShe laughed and followed him towards the warm mineral pool.

n*****

nReth waded to the other side of the pool and kept his back turned so she could take off her sleep shirt and get into the water without his eyes on her, though his body tightened just knowing what was going on behind him while he waited.

nWhen he heard the ripple of the water as she stepped in and imagined the water swallowing up her thighs, her stomach, her breasts… he groaned.

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"Are you okay?

" she asked, her voice echoing in the rocky chamber.

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"I'm fine.

"

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"You can turn around now.

"

nHe turned with his eyes just above water level, intending to find her face, expecting her to be sitting.

nInstead, he found her thighs, deliciously white in the moonlight. He blinked, then yanked his eyes up to her face.

nShe was blushing—he could smell the blood pooling under her cheeks—but her smile was bright and she didn't cover herself.

"I need to get used to this, right?

" she said, then ruined the effect by swallowing and looking down at herself.

nReth waded across, not taking his eyes off of hers, though dear Creator above, he could see every curve and dimple. She stood on the bench so the water only covered her knees, and he was on the silt floor of the mineral pool, so he lifted her at her ribs, sliding her down his body until she stood with him, the water covering her well above her waist.

nThen he cupped her face with both his hands, and kissed her long, and slow, dipping and tasting, trying desperately to keep her focus on him and his touch, nothing else.

nWhen they finally broke apart, her hands were splayed on his back, and they were both breathing quickly.

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"You're so beautiful,

" he murmured against her jaw. She tipped her head back to give him access to her neck again, and he growled his approval.

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"Reth,

" she whispered as he kissed his way down the column of her neck,

"I think of the two of us, you're the one who qualifies for 'beautiful,' oh!

" she gasped as he nipped the skin under her ear, then kissed it to soothe. Goosebumps rose under his tongue and her nipples hardened against his stomach.

nHis breath began to rasp. He let one hand slide down finally, finally to her breast, palming the weight of it, then sliding his thumb over the tender point so her breath caught.

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"Elia,

" he groaned, kissing her deeper, pulling her in.

nShe came willingly, one hand cupping his neck to pull him down for her kiss, the other sliding up his side, her fingers playing along his muscles like the keys on a piano.

nThen she dropped her chin to kiss his chest, right in the center, over his heart.

"You're mine,

" she whispered against his skin.

"I don't care what they say, or what they think. You belong to me.

"

nReth roared his agreement.

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