Well, I assumed they were both asleep, anyway, because I could sense Zeph resting contentedly. He and Zakkai had beenin charge of most of Aflora’s physical training, leaving both males more exhausted than me and Shade.
I’d led more of the open dialogue on what Constantine might plan, providing as much background and detail of my own trials as possible. I’d also instructed her on how to listen to the source, something she seemed to be doing more and more. Today’s episode was certainly proof of that—or at least, it’d been the first time I’d seen her accept power directly from the source itself.
Shade had assisted her in other ways, mostly teaching her escape mechanisms and helping her to master shadowing.
He kissed her cheek as she moved off his lap to sit between us. Then she sighed as her head fell back. “This bathtub is better than spritemead.”
I chuckled at her drunk-like comment.
Shade merely smiled. “Glad you approve, little rose.”
“Definitely approve,” she murmured, her legs lifting to kick slightly. “This has to be a Water Fae’s wet dream.” She snorted a laugh at her own joke, then covered her mouth as she giggled.
“I’ll have to send Cyrus notes,” I drawled. The Water Fae King would certainly enjoy playing in a tub like this. Although, I suspected he already had one.
Aflora giggled again, then slipped off her bench with a true laugh. Shade grabbed her arm to pull her back up onto the seat between us, and she shook out her wet hair with a happy sound that made my lips curl.
“You’re quite fun while drunk on sex,” I informed her, my palm going to her thigh to hold her in place beside me.
She stilled. Then her hand went to mine to draw it higher. I glanced sideways at her, grinning when I found her peeking at me through a curtain of dark, damp strands. Her pupils were blown wide, her plump lips begging to be kissed.
Even after all that she’d been through with Zakkai and Zeph, she still craved more.
That was what the dark source could do—it revitalized and recharged, providing ample energy to the one wielding the direct link. And she had the earth source inside her, too.
I cupped her tenderly between her legs, watching her expression as I drew my finger through her slit. She rested against me in response, her eyes closing.
Is she swollen?Shade asked, his icy gaze locked on her face.
I dipped a finger inside her and shook my head.No, she feels like she always does. Wet and ready.I leaned in to kiss her mouth, wanting to taste her. She opened for me, her tongue dancing with mine as I stroked her beneath the water.
Her hand rested on my wrist, her nails digging into my skin to encourage my movements. Then she released me and reached for Shade, pulling him to her and kissing him thoroughly.
He languidly indulged her, his palm on her thigh in a similar location to mine moments ago.
I nibbled her neck, my tongue skimming her pulse. It was steady and slow, her movements relaxed.
After her fevered experience with Zakkai and Zeph, it was clear she wanted something a little less hectic. Something more tender and sensual, and Shade and I were more than willing to give her that.
Whatever she wanted or needed, we’d provide.
Even if it was just holding her while she slept.
She shifted away from me to straddle Shade, her arms circling his neck as she continued to engage him in a tender kiss. Not hot or intense, just filled with emotion and love. I felt the emotions thriving through our bond, her contentment to just exist and hold him, her gratitude over everything he’d sacrificed, and her desire to worship him the way he always worshipped her.
She angled her hips to take him inside her, a soft moan parting her full lips as he filled her to the hilt. Then she pulled her mouth from his and focused on me.
“Kols,” she whispered, begging me to come closer with her passion-filled gaze. She held out her hand for me as well, ensuring I understood what she wanted.
I drifted toward them in the water, my lips finding hers on impulse as I pressed my palm to her lower back to push her back into Shade. She gasped against me, his hips sliding up at the same time, filling her once more. The water made us all buoyant, creating a languorous rhythm between them.
Her lips left mine to travel down my neck, where she nibbled my pulse.
Then I locked gazes with Shade, his irises smoldering as she rocked against him. His arousal touched our bond, his need an icy kiss to my senses.
I’d never really felt his desire.
He’d always hidden it from me before.
