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Alexei stood on the highest balcony of his family’s retreat, the mountain air brisk and chilly with a hint of incoming rain. LA and city life seemed a world away from the quiet solitude here. Spring had melted most of the snow this far down and topped the trees in every shade of green. The setting sun painted dazzling golds, reds, and oranges over the valley below, almost coloring it with the shades of his magic. A wind swept off the nearest lake, bringing scents of pine and earth. Perfect for a twilight flight with his mate.
From the master bedroom within, Joelle blinked at him with sleepy eyes, his star goddess waking from an afternoon nap after they’d spent hours in bed together. A few days without work or family meant he could devote this stay to his mate and mind-blowing sex.
She stretched in a long, lazy movement that crumpled the sheets and sent his shirt riding up over her thighs. Her magic had dimmed for now, leaving behind the natural glow of her skin. While her long hair had remained a silver that no celebrity stylist could replicate—though many in LA had tried—and her powers pulsed in chessboard myriads of white and black these days, her eyes shone the rich blue of the cloud-dotted sky that stretched above him.
Stunning. His mate’s beauty stole his breath and captivated him every time he saw her, no matter how her magic changed her appearance. As she reminded him often, her powers could always manifest to transform her into yet another version of his Lady of Stars if it chose.
He’d raided every Order facility they could find and still uncovered no signs of Noxx’s sister, the siphon, or more mutated supernaturals. But his people would keep searching while he was here with his mate. They’d needed this time away.
He’d had his security tested with a new threat these last few months—those who came to worship his goddess, those who wanted to kneel before the phenomenon that had been revealed the night of the Order’s defeat. She’d found her calling in healing supernaturals and their allies, and as a couple, they navigated the balance in having time to themselves between their busy schedules. He ran most of his father’s kingdom. She ruled as a princess and a living deity. Carving this needed vacation from the combined pressures had been a priority for them both.
His mate padded toward him on bare feet, a slow and satisfied smile curving her lips even as chill bumps rushed over her arms. As much as he enjoyed the view of so much skin on display, he didn’t need her to freeze. “You’ll catch cold,” he protested.
“Nah, you’ll keep me warm.” Her shy assurance had him hard in an instant.
He couldn’t argue with that when she slid her curvy body against his and claimed his mouth in a possessive kiss that had him fighting a groan. They’d played the day away in bed, and now he wanted nothing more than to carry her inside, stretch her over the sheets, and start all over again with what they’d finished before her nap. To taste and touch every inch of her. But he had promised her a flight out here in the open on Maronov land where no one would see. Limiting those gorgeous wings of hers to the warehouse’s space or desert darkness had stifled her abilities. He couldn’t deny her a true flight.
She snuggled against him and sighed, the sound tugging at something deep within him.
“Happy?” he asked, needing to know for sure.
“Ecstatic.” Her voice came out sleepy and sated. “Look at that gorgeous view.”
He didn’t have to. He had everything he needed right here with her.
Tipping her face up to his, she said, “Still up for a flight later?”
“Whenever you want.” He’d had security clear the valley earlier so they could safely take to the skies anytime.
“A celebration flight.” She made the act sound monumental, a decree of his goddess.
“What are we celebrating?”
“Family, since your goblin queen cousin gave birth to twins, my meeting your parents went well, and my dragon brother didn’t breathe fire at you.”
“Not that it would’ve worked considering my magic makes me immune to flame.”
She hummed her sunny version of his grumpy growl that she swore she’d picked up from him. “It would’ve been nice to know that before I worried you’d burned alive at the malting factory.”
“Yes, you’ve told me that.” And he’d apologized with his body a thousand ways since his woman didn’t want any gifts. “Your brother will come around, and my parents adore you.” His mother had wept at having a new daughter to spoil. “Foryou, not just the political power you’ll bring the dynasty.”
“Speaking of politics, what do twin goblins mean to the royal court?”
He didn’t hesitate. “Trouble, but their parents deserve the happiness.”
She cuddled closer to his bare chest. “As much as we do.”
“True.”
“Any difficulties with the neighboring royals if we happen to cruise over their territory?”
“We won’t, but no. Since you rescued Tai and with whatever bargain you negotiated that night with Yulia, the two kingdoms finally have the first peace and alliance in decades. Yet another reason my parents love you. You’re the shining hero to my villain, a perfect mating.”
“I prefer us both a little bit monster.” She unleashed her beautiful wings, the silver and black shimmering in the fading sunlight. The starshine tips glittered like diamonds, and he could feel the buzz of magic they radiated on his skin, taste it on his tongue. The slits in the back of his shirt gave around her feathers, pulling the fabric tighter over her breasts. “I love you.”
“Yeah?” He needed to taste her powers, to drink them down. One kiss led to two, then to her wrapping her legs around his waist as her wings beat a slow, languid stroke. Desire and need spiraled through him, his want of worshipping his goddess a heavy weight in his chest that had his pulse pounding.
Pulling away, she pressed a finger to his lips. “You promised me a flight. We can’t…” She wiggled the same finger between the two of them. “You know…in mid-air.”
