His lips danced with mine, slowly, deeply. When he released me, his chrome eyes glimmered with moonlight.
My fingers nestled in the fabric of his robe. They slid overhis chest as it rose with every ragged breath. I studied the angles of his jaw, his eyes, the lines in his skin.
This dance between us was dangerous.
It was reckless.
It was his. It was mine.
The smell of him wasn’t enough. The taste of him wasn’t enough.
I needed all of him.
He exhaled sharply. “You’re shaking.” His eyes narrowed on mine. “We should stop.”
“No.” I led his hands down my curves. “Don’t stop.”
My back arched as he traced his fingers along my spine. “I am yours,” I said as I leaned into him.
“I’ll never understand the stars, but just for this moment. I won’t question them. They led me to you.” Lioran gripped my waist, bringing me closer until I felt his body settle against mine.
I lifted his hand in mine, backing toward the bed.
“Aelira…” He waited. I guided his hands to my robe. He gently unwrapped the fabric. It fell to the floor.
I watched him remove his.
His fingers ran through my hair, his lips leaned desperately into mine. Heat engulfed me as he leaned into me. I let myself drown in him—each sensation pulsing through me.
I ached for him.
I watched each measured breath he took. My heart was a shell of what it once was. He would always hold the rest. I nestled my head against his chest—his heartbeat lulled me back to sleep.
When my eyes opened again, he sat in his armchair, watching me. The sunlight highlighted his loose curls. It danced on the silver flecks that shone in his eyes.
He smiled—slow and deliberate.
“You didn’t wake me.”
“You looked so peaceful. I wanted to keep this moment.” He rose from the chair and laid down on the bed beside me. His hand ran down my back, he pressed his lips to mine—a shiver ran through me.
My muscles ached—a quiet reminder of what I freely gave him.
Of everything we risked.
I gripped the covers tightly.
“Lioran.” My jaw clenched.
“What’s wrong?”
“I wasn’t thinking…” I exhaled a rigid breath. “About what we just risked…about what could happen.”
Nothing had prepared me for this moment. In Bailoc no one made this choice. If they did it was never spoken of.
“Aelira,” he whispered, fully understanding my spiral. “You’ll be fine. I have something to prevent life from taking hold. After the Verdant Alignment, I retrieved a vial from Rowena’s supplies. In case you chose this.”
The cabinet creaked as he pried open the door. A vial of glowing violet liquid sat on the shelf. He carefully lifted it and brought it to me.
