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That cry. Pure, uninhibited pleasure.

He rose, crawling up her shuddering body, caught her half-hooded eyes, and thrust his burning cock deep inside her tight body.

“Goddess!” she gasped, clawing at the comforter beneath her head. Her legs whipped around his waist once more, gaining leverage to meet each piston of his hips with her own.

“Greedy, sweetheart,” he rumbled, capturing her hands and pinning them hard above her head. Lowering his head, he whispered, “But so am I.”

Her lips parted, maybe to speak, but he crushed his mouth to hers, kissing her mercilessly. She fed him life and he reciprocated. Her body clenched down around his cock, tighter, harder, and he swallowed down her screams as he broke her again, shattered her world into a fit of writhing tremors that pulled him deeper, squeezed him harder, brightened the gold, pulsing light that ignited in his chest and tethered him to his lovely Rihanna when they renewed their bond.

God he wanted this to last. Wanted to completely and entirely ruin her in the best of ways.

Bryce threw back his head and roared, unable to control the burn that rushed down through his cock. His world splintered, his mind nothing more than an essence, a beamingbright light that beat in tandem with the heart of his little bird. The true essence of their souls, forever entwined in an intricate bond that nothing, no one, could sever again.

As the light dulled and cleared away, revealing his bedroom, revealing Rihanna panting beneath him, his arms buckled and he rolled to his side, gathering his Fae queen tight to his chest. He worked to catch his breath, listening to the drum of his heart beating in his head, pounding against his sternum. He feathered kisses over the top of her silky head, absorbing the warmth of her breaths as they broke over his neck.

As he relaxed, he traced her spine with the tips of his fingers, up and down, until her muscles eased and she melted against him. A touch, he recalled, that calmed her into a near sleep.

“This is only the beginning, sweet Rihanna.” His lips lingered against her head. “The beginning of our long-awaited forever.”

19

Naught could put a damper on her mood. Naught could quell the joy that soared wild and free once more in her heart. Naught would destroy this new, stronger bond she and Bryce created.

Rihanna walked into Shaye’s townhouse, her head in the clouds and her thoughts floating back to the eve she’d spent with her belovedanam cara. These next few hours as he worked would be a challenge, but—

“Ceard sa diabhal?”

She dropped her keys and rushed into the living room, reaching Moira before her sister could get to her feet. With gentle hands on her shoulders easing her back onto the sofa, Rihanna took the seat beside her, brows pinched.

“Chroi, what are you doing here?” She pressed a hand to Moira’s belly, feeling for any signs of distress in mother or baby. A small dose of relief eased her tension, but it didn’t keep her from worrying. Moira dared a sift at her late stage of pregnancy.

Without Shaye.

Moira rolled her eyes and dropped back with a groan,hands falling to either side of her legs. “Shaye’s at Court, or doing something with the Court. Again. Always away lately, ever since the potion was stolen.”

Every spark of joy from the eve before vanished on a wave of fear. “What did you say?”

“Potion.” Moira blinked, and realized what she’d said. “Oh, you didn’t know! Damn.”

Rihanna shook her head. “Nay. What do you mean a potion was stolen? What’s Shaye doing?”

“Apparently, someone stole a vial of Fae potion from Dagda and it’s been missing for days.” She waved her hands in careless circles. “In all their worry about it falling into the wrong hands, Shaye’s been called away more than ever. I haven’t seen him for days. Haven’t heard a word. Horano and Thierry can’t give me any idea as to when he’ll return or where he might be and honestly?” Moira sighed, a frown tugging her mouth as she looked down at her lap, knotting her fingers together. “I’m lonely and I’m scared.”

Rihanna grabbed her hands and held them in Moira’s lap. “Who stole the potion, Moira? Does Dagda know?”

“Shaye said they have an idea where it’s headed, but he wouldn’t disclose it for sure. I don’t think he wants me to worry more than necessary, but how is that possible when we all know the one person who wants her immortality back?”

“Knowing this, you still risked sifting here? Moira, Shaye will besickwith worry if he ever learns of this,” Rihanna said sternly. “Not only because of the potential danger, but for risking the safety of you and Terrek by sifting. You’re still mortal,chroi. You can’t risk your well-being to come here, lonely or not. What of Chase?”

Moira lowered her head. “I know, but no one else understands how I’m feeling. I figured you would. You always do.” She rubbed the heel of her palm on her forehead and sighed. “Chase is safe. I know he’s safe. Daeanna’s focus was never on my son, but on me because of Shaye. I worry more for Terrek because of that.” Moira hugged her belly protectively, her cheeks flushing as a dreamy grin pulled at her mouth. “Because I have here what she never could have. I have Shaye’s son growing inside me. I haveShaye.”

The urge to sift her back to their home in Faery dwindled. Rihanna understood her sister’s pain, her battle. It didn’t make her appearance here in the mortal world any less disconcerting. Even so, Rihanna understood, and with understanding came leniency.

She laid a soft hand over Moira’s belly, surprised when she felt Terrek’s tiny body swim and kick. “Oh!”

“He misses his aunt, but I keep telling him that you’ve found something worthy of your absence.”

“My little nephew. I can’t wait to meet you.” She kissed Moira’s belly and straightened up, turning serious. “How do you feel,chroi? Are you weak? Ill? Should I call Thierry here?”