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"You're staring," he said, that dimple appearing as he smiled down at me.

"And you're still wearing too many clothes." My fingers found the fastenings of his leathers.

His laugh was low and rich as he caught my hands in his. "You're going to have to be quicker than that." He pressed a kiss to my palm. "Because I have plans for you tonight."

"Plans?" I raised an eyebrow, trying to ignore how my pulse quickened at his tone.

"Mhmm." He lowered himself over me, careful to keep most of his weight on his forearms. "I made a vow, remember? Now I must worship you properly."

Heat flooded my face. "Aether..."

"Starting here," he murmured, pressing his lips to my throat. "And here." Another kiss at my collarbone. His mouth traced a path lower as his fingers worked at the buttons on my shirt. Before I knew it, he was pulling it back, exposing me to him.

"Divine," he breathed, his hands moving to the clasp on my trousers. Soon enough, I was rid of those too.

My back pressed into the fabric, completely bare as he drank in the sight of me. He gently lifted my foot before kissing my ankle, making me squirm. “You're certainly taking your time,” I whispered.

“Patience.” Aether’s teeth grazed the skin at my calf. “How else can I prove that I’m devout?” He raised an eyebrow, his lips already twitching at the corners.

I rolled my eyes as a laugh escaped me, but it didn’t stop my arms from reaching for him again. I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face—preferably with my mouth. He merely smiled down at me shaking his head, continuing his maddeningly slow ascent up my legs.

When his lips finally reached my hip, I couldn't help the small sound that escaped me. His eyes found mine, dark with desire. That look should be illegal. The way it made me feel certainly was.

“People worship at altars, correct?”

I nodded, feeling almost dizzy.

“Your hips can be mine.” I could feel his wicked grin as the words vibrated against my inner thigh. My legs fell open willingly.

His teasing had my body nearly vibrating for more. I tried arching my hips towards his wandering mouth but he tsked, arm pressing me firmly into the mattress, keeping me in place. His teeth bit into my inner thigh, causing me to whimper before moving to my other leg, leaving a trail of heat in his wake.

I was going to lose it.

“Aether,” I breathed, my voice ragged with desperation.

"Yes?" His breath ghosted across my skin, making me shiver. "Tell me what you want."

I could barely think straight, every nerve ending alive with anticipation. The way he held me down, the control in his movements despite the hunger in his eyes—it was maddening. This was so different from our first time when desperation and need had driven us. Now he seemed determined to take his time, to reduce me to nothing but want.

I'd spent my life running from power, from desire, from anything that threatened to consume me. But the way he touched me now made me want to burn.

"I..." The words caught in my throat as his lips brushed the sensitive skin of my inner thigh again.

"You what?" That damned dimple appeared as he smiled against my skin. "Use your words, Princess."

The title that had once been a taunt now held something else entirely—reverence, maybe. Or possession. My fingers tangled in his hair as he continued his torturously slow path.

"You're enjoying this far too much," I managed, though the accusation lost its bite when it came out as more of a whimper.

His low laugh vibrated against me. "Of course I am." His teeth grazed my skin. "I love seeing you like this, flushed and writhing beneath me."

I wanted to respond with something clever, but then his mouth was moving higher, and all coherent thought fled my mind. His breath whispered over my clit, sending shivers across my skin.

“Is this where you want me?” His lips brushed over my center. He took my answering moan as confirmation and his tongue finally pressed against me.

My body had been wrung so tightly in anticipation that the sudden movement had my eyes rolling back. Another sweep of his tongue and I was on fire. It was almost too much. My thighs began to close and he pushed them open again with a force.

Aether seemed to be memorizing my every move and reaction, noting each gasp and shiver, learning exactly what made me cry out for him. His hands held me firmly in place as his mouth worked against me, refusing to let me squirm away.