Page 29 of Fury of Affliction

Fucking hell.

His mate waspregnant.

Disbelief ravaged him. Elation elbowed it out of the way. Her scent didn’t lie. Neither did her bio-energy. A quick exploration of her lifeforce provided clear evidence. His dragon half sensed it. Smelled it. Accepted it in as true as Hamersveld palmed her hips. Natalie gasped as he flipped her over. The exterior walls of the airlock undulated, sending blue light tumbling across the ocean floor.

A school of fish switched direction. Two hammerhead sharks banked hard, powerful tails pushing saltwater in his direction. Dirt swirled. Pebbles bounced off the bubble as he flattened his hand against her abdomen.

A pulse throbbed deep inside her womb.

Wonder struck. Joy joined the parade, stealing his breath, pushing tears into his eyes. Unable to hold himself upright, Hamersveld folded forward. Cheek pressed to her belly, he nestled in, listening to his child’s heartbeat.

Proof of life.

The most beautiful thing he’d ever heard.

A battered sound left his throat. “Shaleima…a baby.”

Sliding her hands into his hair, she held him to her. “Yeah, honey…a baby.”

“You came back to gift me with a child. To make me a sire.”

“I came back because I love you,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “Sharing a baby with you is a bonus.”

His breath hitched.

“Look at me.” Putting on pressure, she tried to pull him away from her belly. “Please, handsome…look at me.”

Tears in his eyes, he nuzzled her belly. Kissing her softly, he resisted her pull, lingering in wonderment. So precious. On her own, Natalie was more than he deserved. Carrying his child, shebecame everything.Gave him everything.Her love and trust. His purpose and future. She tugged again. He lifted his head, but kept his hand on her skin, claiming the space between her hipbones.

As his gaze met hers, he dropped his guard and let her in. Let her see everything he felt for her.

Her face softened. “Happy?”

“Thank you,” he said, his chest so tight it ached. “Thank you.”

“Love me?” she asked, teasing him to lighten the mood.

“More than you’ll ever know,” he said, embracing heavy emotion, staying in the moment. It was too beautiful to do otherwise. Too important. Too much of everything he’d ever wanted, but believed he’d never have. A female to love. A child to nurture. A family to build. A life to share with those he cared most about in the world. “I love you, Natalie.”

A tear fell from the corner of her eye. “No more talk of me leaving, then.”

He shook his head. “You’re here to stay.”

“I am, so time to take me home.”

“The cabin?”

“Home is wherever you are, Sveld.” Tracing his cheekbone with her fingertips, she nourished him, replenished him, feeding him with her touch. “As long as I’m with you, I’m good.”

He’d make sure of it. Kill and maim, battle his demons and threats from others to ensure she stayed safe, happy, and healthy.

Dipping his head, he kissed her belly, then drifted up her body. A gentle touch to each hipbone. One pressed to the spot between her breasts. Worshiping her. Loving her. Showing her how much as his mouth moved on her. She shifted in welcome beneath him. Humming, he licked over her nipple, sucked on the pebbled peak, then turned his head to bathe the other.

She made a needy sound.

He nipped her gently. Kissed her softly, licking the small sting away. She moaned. Hamersveld growled and increased the pressure. As she arched, he slid his hand between her thighs and played in her slick folds, deepening her pleasure, feeding his own.

“Sveld.”

“Round two,shaleima.” Stroking her clit, he sucked harder. “Gonna love you slow and sweet before I take you home.”

Chasing an orgasm, she cupped the back of his head. “Perfect.”

Wasn’t it, though?

Perfect in every way. The absolute best. More than he ever hoped for, a dream come true, made even better by the fact it was right. Right time. Right place. Right female. Finally. At last. After decades spent alone in the dark, he’d found heaven…and its name, surprising as it seemed, was Natalie.