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Vladik bent down and licked over her come soaked pussy. Zori groaned, her body on fire. He stroked his fingers through his mess and then over her lips. Zori opened her mouth and sucked, the taste of both of them together making her want to come all over again.
"You're so fucking perfect," he groaned before kissing her roughly. He tasted of them, and something that was pure Vladik. Zori's tongue tangled with his, wanting to drown in that taste. When he finally pulled back, her muscles had turned to warm jelly.
"Stay here, puppy. I'll get something to clean you up," he said, stroking her hair softly.
Zori couldn't move even if she wanted to. She was dozing when Vladik returned and gently ran a warm, wet cloth over her. When he was done, he climbed into bed beside her and pulled the blanket over them. He curled his massive body around to spoon hers and buried his nose in her hair.
"Sleep, Zoria. I've got you now," he whispered, and she let the sweet exhaustion drag her under.
17
Vladik didn't sleep. He held onto Zori like the treasure she was. He could still smell his scent on her skin. Every gargoyle in Kitezh would be able to as well. Inside of him, his beast purred with happiness at the thought.
Vladik had never wanted to be inside of someone so much. He had to hold back though because he didn't trust himself not to claim her.
Vladik had never been self-conscious before, but Zori had options—whether she realized it or not. She was a princess of their people, and he was a grunt warrior at best.
There wasn't much of a class system in Kitezh, but one thing was absolute law—swan wives picked their mates and not the other way around. It had to be Zori's choice, and he wouldn't take it away from her because she didn't know any better. Her entire life had been dictated by a man, and he wouldn't be another one.
It didn't matter how much a part of him yearned to make her his as soon as possible. If he was a better male, he would have resisted her entirely. He wasn't. He wanted to be with her in the ways he could, for as long as he could.
He only had two days to get her to Kitezh before he would have to share her with Irina and everyone else. They would be so pleased to see the lost princess, and a chosen of Morana to boot.
Vladik kissed Zori's head before slipping out from under the covers. He had to make sure he had everything ready for when she woke.
He had an itching between his shoulder blades, warning him of trouble. Maxim would have returned to Moscow by now. Who knew how much of Zori's blood he had, and Irina's warning about Maxim being able to use it had made Vladik doubly paranoid.
Vladik went through the gear that Kaspian had brought and packed it into a leather pack. It was made especially for gargoyles to carry things as they flew. Kaspian had also packed him a harness to tie Zori into so he wouldn't have to hold onto her the whole flight. He had to give the big gargoyle credit; he'd thought of everything.
The sun was setting when Zori stumbled out of the bedroom, her braid a mess and eyes sleepy.
"Hey," she said, giving him a shy smile. It was so fucking adorable.
"Hey, yourself. Ready for a night of being strapped to a handsome gargoyle?" he asked, opening his arms to her. She went into his embrace without hesitation, and his ridiculous heart soared. He had wondered how she would respond to affection after a lifetime of not having any. Instead of shying away, Zori soaked it up like a sponge.
Gargoyles and swan wives were affectionate and physical by nature. To have denied Zori that part of herself made Vladik want to wring Maxim's selfish, weaselly neck.
"I can be ready soon. I like the idea of flying with you," she said, rubbing her face against his chest. "How will no one see us?"
"We have glamors for that. We are going to be using one the whole trip. I won't risk anyone or anything being able to see us. Some of the priests of Chernobog can warg. They can use the eyes of animals to spy," Vladik tried to explain for her benefit.
Zori's grip on him tightened a little. "He would be back in Moscow by now. Maxim."
Vladik stroked her soft hair. "I won't ever let him hurt you again, Zori."
"I know. I just want to be as far away from him as possible. There's still a part of me that believes none of this real. I don't think I'm really going to able to believe it until I see Kitezh and my grandmother for myself," she replied, pulling back from him.
"I'll get you there, puppy," he said and kissed her forehead.
"I know you will. My swan brought me to you because it knows I'm meant to be with you. It trusts you," she replied, making his beast preen.
"It has good instincts. I have wrapped up your cape for you and stored it in the pack. I don't want you to fear what you are. Irina will help you learn to control the shift, and it won't be frightening for you." Vladik picked up the pile of cold weather gear and held it out to her. "In the meantime, you're flying with me, gorgeous."
Zori took the gear with a smile. "This is going to be interesting."
* * *
An hour later,they were on the roof of the warehouse. Zori looked adorable in the heavy gear, her hair in braids and hidden under a thermal beanie.
