“Want to summon us some Light, gorgeous?” Kieran prompted, his voice a low purr in the dark.
“Oh, right. Yes, of course.”
I swirled two of my fingers around in the air above my palm, the motion so familiar I could form it in my sleep.
Glimmering orbs of Light aether winked into existence, suspended in the air, scattered like stars across the night sky. The tiny, glowing spheres cast this smaller interior cavern with a haunting luminescence, chasing Shadows until they crept back to their corners.
As my aether illuminated the chamber, I released the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. While the ethereal beauty of this space certainly left my emotions heightened, I wasn’t marveling at nature in that moment, but rather…the fact that Kieran knew me well enough to bring me here.
Everything about this place spoke to my soul, stirring something equally dark and wild and powerful within me. I had never been here before, and yet something about the atmosphere made me feel like I was coming home. Like I had returned to some strange wellspring of ancient energy and primordial power that knew me by name.
“Thank you, Kier,” I whispered, the tip of my nose starting to tingle as phantom tears prickled behind my eyes.
“Thankyou,” he said, pressing a kiss to my temple.
“For what?” I asked, attempting to be subtle as I brushed my knuckles against my lash line, praying I wouldn’t embarrass myself by crying overwater,for Fates’ sake.
“For giving me an excuse to come back here,” he said simply. “It’s been a long time, and it’s so much more beautiful than my memories could recall. Inspiring, really.”
I loved that this man, ten times more dangerous and unforgiving than the violent, rushing waters beside us, could still find himself moved by the beauty of the natural world.
“I’m so glad you did,” I confessed. “This has got to be one of the most stunning sights I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“Yeah,” he said quietly. “Me too.”
I’d expected him to be taking in the same mystical surroundings as I had. But no…Kieran had been staring atmewhen he echoed that sentiment.
Abyss take me.
As Kieran reached out and drew me toward him, I found myself oddly grateful for the fact that we weren’t wearing clothes. Despite the chill, I didn’t think I could bear any form of barrier between us right now—the only warmth I required was from his skin against mine.
One of his arms looped around my waist and picked me up when our lips met, and I squeaked in surprise against his mouth as he proceeded to carry me a few strides deeper into this small stone chamber before setting me back on my feet again.
“Now then,” he murmured, flashing me a wicked little grin. “I do believe I have promises to keep.”
Oh, thank the gods.
“Yes, I believe you do,” I whispered, heat immediately pooling in my lower belly.
“Unless, of course, you still want to race me back across the lake…” he mused, the tension between us crackling through the air like an incoming aetherstorm. Tendrils of Shadow aetherbegan to creep up his fingers, his wrists, and halfway up his forearms, darkening his skin as if it had been dipped in ink.
My breath quickened. “Later.”
“Mmm, no,” he replied. “I don’t think so. If you can still race me later, Asher, I haven’t done my job.”
I made no attempt to hide the shiver of anticipation that jolted down my spine, and he chuckled softly beneath his breath.
Kieran cradled the back of my neck with a firm hand, using the strength of the arm wrapped around my waist to dip me down low, as if we were dancing gracefully together in some elegant ballroom. Bending a knee, he continued to lower me down gently, tenderly, until my back met the flat stone beneath us. In the same fluid motion, his bare body covered mine, though he kept himself propped up by his elbows.
As he gazed down at me, I could have sworn there was something more, something deeper than lust swimming through those eyes of his, all milky and crystalline. There was something softer than desire tugging at his features, something that felt closer to devotion…or maybe it was just a trick of the Light.
“You ready, pretty girl?” he whispered
“Always,” I breathed back.
A low noise of approval rumbled at the back of Kieran’s throat as he reached down to notch himself at my entrance. The sound deepened as he discovered the slick arousal awaiting him there, allowing him to stretch and fill me with ease in one long, torturous thrust.
Oh, sweet Hel.