Page 48 of Elysian

I did not want this mind-seizing pleasure to end.

His knot loosened, and a wave of moisture trickled from my entrance. A shiver climbed up my spine.

‘I am not done with you.’

My channel flexed around his invasion. What I had experienced was beyond pleasure. It was something in its purest form. And I wanted more of him, of everything. This between us was beyond sex. It was visceral and needy, a physical show between two Awakened bondmates. His touch remade me in a manner I did not understand—and that could not be undone.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Invasion

“She is beginning to wake.” The muffled voice reached inside and dragged me the rest of the way to consciousness. Hester hovered over my face, and her gaze softened with relief.

I readjusted my shoulders. The uncomfortable dip of Al’s cot pressed against my spine. Gripping the pole of the cot, I pushed myself upright and immediately stopped. I let out a shaking breath. Soreness radiated from my limbs. They felt as if lead pressed down on them.

“Lie back down,” Hester encouraged.

I gave in and fell on my back, then winced. My mind worked to connect the reasoning for my aches.

Cassiel.

All Cassiel, and for once, the ache came from pleasure.

“You two continued mating for an entire dawnlight, young lady,” Al commented from a few paces away. He had rolled a smaller table close by and tapped the vial of red blood in his hand before placing it on the iron holder.

A blanket lay across my breasts, covering me to my feet. Faint sounds reached my ears. I looked around, but it didn’t come again.

“Very well. Now, Hester.” Al held out clamps with a rounded cloth at the end. “Collect a sample as I directed.”

“Yes, my lord,” she murmured and took the metal pincers. She met my eyes with apology in hers. She stood near the end of the cot. “Would you please raise your knees and widen your legs?” Her face turned red.

“Excuse me?” I shook my head, not understanding.

“I must take a sample of your . . .” Her throat bobbed, and she waved a hand over my lower half.

“Absolutely not!” I exclaimed, squeezing the fur in my hands, and kept my thighs securely locked together. Hester’s eyes widened, and she shook her head the barest bit.

“I am happy to do it instead,” Al said, smiling.

My insides went cold. Either Hester did it or Al would.

“Ah, very kind,” I stuttered over my words, mind racing. “Hester is more than equipped.”

Al gave me a knowing look. As distracted as he was, he was not stupid.

“Now lie back.” Al patted my shoulder.

Hester raised the edge of the fur blanket. She nudged my legs, and I raised them so she settled the bunched fabric on my knees. Cold air touched my sensitive womanly flesh. Heat spread across my cheeks.

Hester maneuvered the clamps into position.

A sound came through again. I focused on the faint noise. The bookshelves were shut to the hidden entrance, and still I could hear his shout. If I could hear him through the sealed bookshelf, he must be bellowing.

Hester pressed that cloth to my sex.

“I must insert it.” Her brow furrowed.

I clenched my legs together.