n

n

nRETH

nEyes still locked on him, she went back to stretching under the water, sliding her hands through her own hair and shivering under the stream.

nWhen he was only a few feet away he stopped to take her in and she let her hands trail down, over her wet breasts.

"I'm cold, Reth,

" she said, her voice rough and tight.

n

"I'll see what I can do,

" he said hoarsely, covering the last few steps between them in a flash and taking her into his arms, bending her backwards so he could taste her throat, letting the water bounce off his shoulders and back to shelter her from the chill of it.

nShe laughed, but it quickly became a sigh as he held her against him and let his hands rove. His breath was already heavy when she took his face in her hands and kissed him, open mouthed, but then he slid one hand to her breast, letting his fingertips trail over the fierce point of her nipple.

nShe gasped and her knees wobbled.

nHe swept her up, lifting her so they were face to face, guiding her to wrap her legs around his waist. Arms around his neck, she pulled back to smile at him as he started walking her back to the warm pool.

n

"I wish I could take you back to my old life,

" she whispered, combing the hair off his face with one hand.

nReth frowned.

"You don't like Anima?

"

n

"No, it isn't that! I just meant… all my friends would be so jealous. You're smoking hot. They wouldn't believe me unless they saw you in the flesh.

"

nReth dropped his head back and laughed, and she took the opportunity to kiss his throat again, which turned his laughter into a groan.

nOne hand supporting her weight the other sliding up her back, under her hair, he stopped walking to kiss her properly, his breath rasping, getting faster. Hers did too, thundering in his ear as she gasped and kissed and whispered his name, beginning to roll her hips against him in a way that threatened to bring him to his limit far too quickly.

nHe'd intended to take her back to the bedroom after she'd soaked, but her urgency matched his, so as she kissed her way along his jaw, he considered and dismissed several options. She was too new to this for him to get too adventurous. They had plenty of time for that.

n

"What are you doing?

" she whispered in his ear when he hesitated.

n

"Making a list,

" he muttered and she laughed. Then he spied the pile of towels he'd thrown alongside the pools, intending to wrap her and dry her so he could watch her skin blush.

"Hold on,

" he grunted, then hissed when she nipped his earlobe.

"If you want this to last, you'll keep your teeth to yourself,

" he growled, holding her chin as he kissed her deeply, the call pressing out of his throat again.

n

"Reth…

"

n

"I've got you, kitten,

" he whispered, lowering himself to the thick towels until she sat in his lap and clung to him, arching her chest into his so her nipples were teased. She groaned and buried her fingers in his hair to pull him in as he opened his mouth on her shoulder, kissing and sucking the skin at her collarbone.

nShe writhed against him, her body seeking the mating again and Reth gritted his teeth, stunned by how urgent she was—how desperate he felt for her.

nDetermined to make this less of a frantic coupling, he cupped his hand over her head, kissing her deeply, slowing the pace of both the kiss, and their rolling. At first she fought him, whimpering, but he sighed her name over and over until she dropped her head back, leaning away, bringing herself in deeper contact with him.

nThey both groaned.

nShe'd found the spot and her mouth dropped open as she rolled her hips again, slowly, pressing herself against him.

nYanking his own leash tight, Reth splayed his hand at her back to give her some resistance and her breath stuttered as she climbed towards release.

n

"That's my girl,

" he whispered. He let his teeth drag down the line of her throat as he brought his other hand between them. At first the shift made her whimper, but when he added his thumb, sliding from her deepest core, up to the point of her pleasure, she cried out.

n

"Don't stop!

" her voice was high and desperate.

n

"I won't, kitten, I won't. Creator's Light, you're beautiful.

"

n

"Reth!

"

n

"I'm here. I'll always be here.

"

nShe went rigid, arched back, mouth open in a silent scream as her fingers dug into his shoulders. She sobbed her release and Reth growled his approval, his own breath rasping. He was so close, so close, and he hadn't even taken her yet.

nThen she jerked back into him, her face in his neck, gasping, kissing him, her hands everywhere, her body rippling and liquid under his palms.

nWhen she opened her eyes and sat up, her cheeks were flushed.

nShe was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. He stared at her in awe, even as his body tensed, sensing what was to come.

n

"That's wonderful,

" she said breathlessly, her hands stroking his neck as they continued to roll together and she twitched at each peak from the added sensitivity of her climax.

"But it isn't enough. I want you, Reth. I want you inside me. Please.

"

nWith a heated snarl, he leaned her back, laying her down on the towel, covering her with his body.

"I'm not going to last long,

" he warned her, positioning himself with a shaking hand.

n

"I don't care.

"

nHe took her mouth and invaded with his tongue in the same moment he took her body. She cried his name, already shivering, climbing towards her next peak as he thrust again, and again, and again.

nShe clung to him, holding tight, crying her love for him, and her need, every word out of her mouth only pressing him further, closer to his own climax, until he threw his head back and roared his love and claiming of her. Her—his perfect mate.

nThe roar echoed up through the cavernous mountainside toward the sky that was now beginning to pink.

nAnd far away, across the city, voices rose—howls, calls, screeches, and brays broke through the dawn light in answer to their King.

nOh, **, Reth thought as he sagged over her, his breath still coming in gasps.

nCompletely unaware of their audience, Elia took his face in her hands and kissed him, her breath still coming short and sharp.

n

"Shit. Shit, **, **,

" Reth muttered hoarsely, cursing himself over and over for forgetting where they were, that his roar would be heard by the people.

n

"What's wrong?

" she asked, suddenly still.

n

"Oh, nothing, sweetheart,

" he sighed, stroking her arm as he leaned his temple on his fist to take his own weight.

"Just stupid, alpha-male bull**,

" he grinned.

n

"Well, if this is a part of that, I've decided I'm a fan,

" she said breathlessly.

nReth kissed her again, then led her back to the pools for another soak.

n