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But then her grip loosened slightly, just enough to reassure him that he was not in danger of losing consciousness.

“Gods,” he gasped. And then one of her hands released him to reach down and stroke his cock firmly. He groaned with relief.“Gods.”

“Is it that good?”she said, with surprising gentleness considering that one of her arms was still choking him.

“Yes,” he breathed. Her hand was steadily stroking him, bringing him closer to an inevitable explosive climax. “Oh gods, yes. Please.”

“Goddess,”she corrected him.

“Goddess,” he said. Whatever. Whatever she wanted.

“I will take care of you, if you let me.”

“Yes. I know,” he said breathlessly. Was he imagining it, or did her voice sound almost as breathy and aroused as his?

“If you don’t resist.”

“I know. I won’t. I’m yours.” In that moment, he meant it. He was hers, in body, mind, and spirit. Her claws were deep in him, and there was no escape.

“Come for me, then,”she said in his ear, tightening her arm around his neck. Her hand slipped over the sensitive head of his cock and plunged back down again. He groaned, heaving against her. Bursts of sensation radiated from his cock as he finished. He felt her struggling to keep her hold on him as his body arched and flexed.

“Goddess, you’re so beautiful,”she murmured as she let go of him.“You’re so perfect.”

He shoved the blindfold away and tossed it aside. Zara was staring at him with a look of something like awe, as if she’d just had a religious experience and not simply had a bland, awkward man come into her hand.

In a rush, he tipped her backward. As soon as he’d pulled her leggings off and thrown them to the side of the bed, he dove between her legs and sucked.

He was vaguely aware of her gasping and vocalizing. He felt her thighs clenching around him, her knees bending and spreading wider for him. His hands hooked around her thighs to hold her still as he dragged his tongue over her. She was already dripping wet—because of him? Because of what she’d just done to him? Because she’d so enjoyed looking at him?

As he stroked his tongue rhythmically over her, her gasps came louder and faster, and her legs shook. She’d already been close. Suddenly she cried out, arching her back and murmuringoh goddesses, and when the waves of her climax had dissipated and her legs went slack on either side of him, he climbed up to take her face in his hands and kiss her.

He had kissed her many times, but not like this. He could tell he was desperate, sloppy, too enthusiastic. But if she thought it was too much, she didn’t say so. Her hands came up and shakily settled on the back of his head and neck.

He would have happily remained joined to her lips all night, but eventually he had to come up for air.

He pulled back to brace himself above her, his arms on either side of her. Zara looked as stunned as he felt.

“Are you… all right?” he asked.

She took another few breaths before answering, as if it had taken her time to process the question. “Yes. I am all right. Are you?”

“Of course.”

They looked at each other for another long moment. Nero felt like it should have been uncomfortable staring at someone like that, because it felt like she was looking deeper into him than anyone else ever had, but somehow, it wasn’t.

This was… good. All of it was good. He wasn’t used to things going well.

He lay down beside her and she put her head on his shoulder, her arm draped over him. They stayed that way for a long time. Nero thought she must have fallen asleep after a while, but then she spoke.

“What do we do now?” she asked, her tone making it clear that it was an existential sort of question.

He worked up the courage to stroke her hair. It felt nice. As soft as it looked. “Nothing. There’s nothing you have to do. Just rest. Enjoy being safe and free.”

“Until the Paladins come for us.”

He hugged her a little tighter, smiling bitterly. He had felt alone for a long time. But he didn’t feel alone when he was with her. “Welcome to life as a Varai in Ardani. It’s not so bad once you get used to it.”

Chapter 27