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Wait. I’m crying? I never cry. I didn’t even cry when my mother died. I came close when my father told me he was done fighting and ready for his Elevation, but even then, the tears never came. Yet here I am with salty tears rolling down my face.
Kem’s fingers brush against my cheek as he lays down next to me, scooting close to press little kisses to my nose, between my eyes, my forehead. “Tell me. Did I hurt you?”
I’m quick to shake my head. “No! It was w … wonderful. Beau … tiful. Maybe a b … bit overwhelming, but no. I do … don’t know what’s go … going on.” My face presses harder into the pillow before I shove it away and plant my face into the sheets, breathing deep.
“Ah, I see.”
The bed shifts as Kem gets up, and the tears fall faster. What the fuck is going on with me? The bed sinks again, then Kem grabs the pillow over my head. I peel my face away from the sheets, and my brows furrow as he takes the cover off the pillow and puts the old one back on. He holds it out, pressing it to my chest, and my arms wrap around it.
Immediately, the tears stop, and I sigh into the pillow. With my next inhale, I sit up, nearly knocking Kem in the nose with my head. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
His laugh is deep and rich, but my shoulders pinch, and my back goes tense. I clutch the pillow, and Kem reaches around it, cupping my face. “I’m not laughing at you, gorgeous. My dragon is just so happy. I’m happy. We’re newly Mated, and your dragon needs my scent to be calm—as I need yours. Our bodies will always search for the other, but I suspect the intensity will fade as our bond solidifies. We can talk to Syphe and her Mate about it if you'd like.”
My breathing has slowed down, and my body is once again relaxed. “Well, this is … embarrassing.”
“No, Tatha. It’s a beautiful miracle.”
I flop onto my side, curling around the pillow. I try to let it go, but my arms literally won’t release it. The pillow muffles my words. “I’m not used to needing … anything or anyone.”
His fingers comb through my hair, the half-dry strands spilling around his dark skin. “This isn’t a weakness. It’s a strength, my love. But I understand. Being pulled so emphatically toward someone, like a compulsion, is unsettling. But we will figure it out. Together.”
His eyes travel over every inch of my face, and all I see in them is adoration and awe. I’m not sure I’m worthy of such a look, but I suspect I’m looking at him in much the same way. He climbs over me, his still erect cock brushing against my hip and then pressing to my ass as he pulls me close, my back to his chest.
I press into him, but his hand grips my hip, holding me still. I tilt my face back to look at him, whispering, “Kem, you’re …”
His lips press to my shoulder. “It’ll subside. Or maybe not.” The kiss turns to a little nip of teeth as he chuckles. “I suspect I’ll always want you, and with our bond so new … but it’s fine. You’re tired.”
I roll over, able to let go of the pillow to inhale his scent right from the source. “What’s your favorite flower?”
He chuckles, rubbing his hand down my back. “I’ve never had one. I collect flora from all over the universe, but have never had a favorite … until now.”
I peer up at him, lips parted, waiting for his answer. He ducks his head, stealing a little kiss before whispering, “The Allium.”
My brows furrow, and his finger smooths between my eyes. “It’s a flower from the world of Sycame. When they bloom, the pointed petals span larger than my hand. Their pistils glow with brilliant blue iridescence.”
“Sounds beautiful.”
“They are. I have two in the south solarium. I’ll show you sometime.”
My jaw cracks with a yawn. “So, why that flower? Why now?”
“Because it smells like earthy cinnamon … like you.”
Scooting up his body, I press my lips against his before snuggling into his chest. “If there was a flower that smelled like you, it would be my new favorite too.”
He squeezes me, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “Go to sleep, Tatha.”
Like his words are a command, my body floats into the gray space of sleep, and Kem’s burning ember eyes are there to greet me in my dreams.
* * *
The late morning sun shines brightly behind my eyelids, and after I peel my face from the pillow, I slip from Kem’s arms and into one of his shirts. He rolls over, his eyes trailing from my head to my toes and back again. He licks his lips with a wicked smile. “Good morning, Mate.”
I press my thighs together to keep the sudden wetness from dipping down my legs. His deep chuckle almost buckles my knees, but then a loud knock on the door makes me nearly jump out of my skin. I’m so startled, scales erupt across my skin, and I barely manage to melt them away before Kem calls out. “One moment.”
Crossing to me, he bends down and presses a kiss to my temple, then pulls a shirt over his head. My mouth waters as his hips rock side-to-side while he pulls his pants over his naked ass.
Mmmm. No underwear. Easy access.
