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I jolted violently. The only reason I didn’t fling myself off the roll was the fact that Fenris’s arms were around me as he cradled me against his chest, rocking back and forth. I groaned, aware that I was shaking like a leaf as I crumpled back against him, my eyes wide as I stared blankly at the panel of our tent. Fenris murmured to me wordlessly, dropping little kisses against my hair as my trembling quieted.
Was that another nightmare? Or was that a premonition?
I’d dreamed of the eclipse twice now, and though both dreams had started the same, the ending of this most recent one was entirely different. Neither option was exactly desirable, though I refused to kill Fenris.
Even if the cost was burning alive.
I took another shaky breath as the surge of adrenaline receded again, the taste of fear becoming more of a memory as the dream kept fading away. Fenris kissed me again, and I twisted in his arms, pulling myself more upright as I tangled my hands in his dark hair, anchoring him closer. This might be the last time I could do this—to kiss him. To hold him. To see him, raw and caring and—
I pressed our mouths together to stop my racing thoughts, or I knew I’d begin to cry. And I couldn’t waste this moment on tears.
That was the last thing he let me say for a long, long while, kissing the tears from my cheeks as if we had all the time in the world. He rolled on top of me, bracing himself on his hands and knees as he continued to press gentle kisses to my exposed skin. I didn’t try to hurry him. Instead, I savored every touch, breathing through each tremble so I’d relax back into the cot. I kept my hand at his elbow as though he were my anchor point, and to keep it from wandering any further.
This was not so unusual. Sometimes, lately, he would growl at me to hold still, insisting that he make me feel good. I wouldfeel the threat of teeth against my throat, and oh, I ached for the moment he could bite me there.
I must’ve gotten lost in my head, because Fenris grabbed me by my wrists and slowly repositioned my hands over the muscled planes of his chest. It took a second for my brain to catch up with the rest of my body, and I slowly slid my arms over his shoulders, curling my fingers carefully against the nape of his neck. I suddenly felt shy, like we’d never done this before.
Fenris’s amber eyes gleamed, and his muscles tensed beneath my arms. A protective expression came over his face as he towered over me. He must have found some restraint somewhere, though, and the tension slowly drained again as he leaned down to give me one last kiss upon my lips.
Moving one hand, he gently stroked my dark hair, tucking a loose strand behind my ear. Then he traced the line of a tendon down my neck, finding that sensitive spot where neck and shoulder met. I gasped, and the corner of his mouth hitched up. Generally, our lovemaking was more frantic, more passionate, but this felt different. This wasn’t the product of Fenris’s absence or a return to safety after a run-in with one of his enemies.
This could be the end.
Fenris still hadn’t said anything, but I could tell he was determined to be thorough. He kissed my skin inch by inch, and I remembered how to move again, sliding my hands up to cup his cheeks and drag his face back toward mine, kissing his lips fiercely before I released him, sliding my hands back down his torso. I reached for the hem of the pants he was sleeping in.
“Fenris,” I whispered, watching his face.
He hummed some affirmative as he reached for the hem of my t-shirt, pushing it up. He didn’t pull it all the way off, instead pausing as he revealed my breasts. After a moment, he leaned in, kissing the space between them like it was a direct connection to my heart. I shivered, momentarily forgetting what I was doinguntil I brushed my knuckles against his bare hipbone. He gave a shiver in return, pressing his eager length against my thigh, only two thin layers of fabric between them.
Somehow, I laughed, unable to stop myself from beaming at him. Even now, he warmed me from the inside out.
“I love you, my Celeste,” he murmured as I laid back against the cot, releasing my hold on the hem of his pants. He rearranged himself, sliding one arm beneath me as if to cradle me close while the other supported us both. He mouthed at my breasts, nipping and kissing and licking creamy skin and tender, pebbled nipples. I whimpered and writhed, as powerless as if he’d cast a spell over me.
He lapped at me with his tongue, nipped with sharp teeth, and explored with eager fingers. I felt like I’d forgotten what to do entirely, settling on tangling my fingers in his dark hair as he worshipped my skin. He tugged down my panties, leaving them at my knees as he continued to kiss and touch until the white heat of pleasure suddenly flashed through me. I gasped, choking on the intensity as my entire body went rigid.
I was still whimpering as he stopped and glanced up at me. I could barely meet his twinkling eyes. “Did you just…?”
“Ah…” I cleared my throat and bit my lower lip. “Yes.”
“Good,” Fenris said, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
I laughed, feeling as light as I did sheepish, but the noise died off when he returned to his work, dragging his fingers over my skin. I felt warm all over, and he threw the remnants of our blanket off to the floor of our tent, kicking articles of clothing away while he was at it. He moved lower, pulling away from my grasp as he repositioned himself. Trailing his hands down my thighs, he rearranged my legs, bending my knees and smoothing his hands over my calves.
He paused for a moment, tracing the lines of my limbs in wonder as I propped myself up on my elbows, watching him as he worked. I tipped my head to look at him as he glanced back up at me.
“You are radiant.”
“Fenris,” I said, failing not to blush.
“Lovely.” He slid his hand back up my leg and lifted it over one of his shoulders. I found it hard to focus on what he was saying, just watched him as he turned to kiss one ankle. One calf. “You must know I love you.”
“I…” Suddenly, I found myself choked up. I couldn’t meet his eyes, instead looking up at the tent’s fabric, still dark in the night.
“Celeste. Mykhuya.”
“Yes?”
“I love you.”
