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Desperation seized him—or maybe he just let go. Let go of restraint, let go of reason, let go of everything but her as he pounded into her until—

Bracing a hand on the headboard, he slammed into her one last time, coming with a shout. The bed hit the wall, splintering down the middle with a sharp crack.

Then silence.

For a long moment, neither of them moved. The bond still thrummed between them, alive and electric. And when it settled, she knew she was not the same. The shape of her had changed to make room for him. And somehow, that new piece made the rest of her fit together better.

Skye was the first to shift. Arms shaking, he dragged himself out of her and heaved his body, managing to collapse to the side.

“That was…” he breathed into the pillow. “Taly, I…”

Eyes closed, she smiled lazily. “So, that’s what all the fuss is about.”

Eventually, she figured out how to turn her head, only to find Skye watching her. She took a shaky breath. The depth of love there, the desire, only half-sated, it—

“Well,” he said, sitting up with a stretch, “I got what I wanted.”

And just like that, he may as well have pushed her off a cliff.

He made to leave. “I should probably—”

Taly punched his shoulder, growling as he laughed and tackled her back to the bed. “That’s not funny,” she muttered. “You’re not funny.”

He kissed her deeply. “As if you don’t already know you own me, body and soul.”

Maybe she knew that. Maybe…

A sigh slipped out of her as he pressed hot, open-mouthed kisses down her throat, her eyes lifting to— “Oh.”

Skye paused, following her stare as they both took stock of the damage.

The headboard was cracked, the living vines that made up her bed split down the center. Skye had managed to rip out a decent chunk that had fallen somewhere on the floor. They’d even dented the wall.

“You broke my bed,” Taly said.

Skye grimaced. “Sorry. Usually, I’m a bit better at controlling my magic during… you know.”

Leaning up, she kissed his neck. “Another achievement.”

“What?”

“Nothing.” Lifting a hand, she reminded him of the utility of her magic, reversing time and smoothing away the damage.

His brows lifted, admiration flickering through his gaze—right before it turned downright sinful. “Nice.”

And then she found herself flipped over, lying face down on the bed.

“Again,” he said and bit her shoulder. “I need you again.”

“But I thought…” Taly had to grab the headboard to brace herself when he slid a hand between her legs from behind. His fingers dabbed the wetness there before moving to circle her nub. “That is, don’t men, you know, need to recharge?”

Aether sparked against her sex, and her entire body bowed off the bed, hips lifting for him.

Skye gave a dark chuckle, already hard against her backside, as he used a knee to nudge her legs wider. “Allow me to demonstrate just one of the many reasons shadow mages are such highly sought-after lovers.”

And for the rest of the night, that’s exactly what he did.

Chapter 26