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“That’s new,” she said, fascinated by it.

“Like I said, I’ve had a long time to plan this.” His hands and mouth roamed over her body, and he left those prints everywhere, marking her as his in that moment. They seemed to be illuminated under the moonlight.

“Oh gods.” She arched against his touch. “That feels good.”

Across her belly his fingertip slowly caressed her, and she found he wrote:Mine.

“You’ve branded me,” she said with a giggle. “I almost wish it would stay.”

He smiled deviously and then said, “I could arrange that. But for now, I want to taste you. I want to hear you say my name.” His tongue slid against her, and she closed her eyes, getting lost in bliss. That mouth of his was magic of its own. She melted into the sheets, gripping the ribbons. Until he pulled away. “Those noises… I can’t hold back anymore,” he breathed. “Hold onto those ribbons, love.” Her stomach fluttered with excitement and trepidation.

His pants vanished, leaving him completely naked and she bit her lower lip at the sight. He was every bit a god in every way. He lowered himself into her, bare flesh met bare flesh and they both sighed at the connection. At long last. He gave her only a moment to adjust to him and then there was nothing gentle about the way he took her. It was need driving him, exactly what she desired.

“Valeen,” he moaned. “I’ve needed you for so long. Fuck, you feel better than my memory could ever do justice.”

Her moans grew louder with each breath; his hands gripped hers, with their fingers intertwined. The bedframe creaked along with the trees in the breeze surrounding the property.

I need to touch you. Let me touch you.She tugged against the silk ribbons holding her arms up. His body was perfection, and every muscle, all his luscious skin needed to be praised by her hands.

Then break free, love. If you can,he taunted.

She jerked on the soft fabric hard. They held fast. Until she turned her hands and wrists to shadow and slipped free of both his grip and the ribbons. Her nails scraped his back, then her teeth nipped his neck, marking him as hers. He hissed lightly but she knew he loved it.

“I love it when you get feisty.”AndI love every curve, every freckle, every sound you make.

The breeze moved across damp skin. The full moons shining down from the heavens made her feel stronger. The dim light illuminated his face and created shadows at once. Revealing the two sides of him; the one she knew and the other he gave the world.

Then he slowed his rhythm, deepening it.You’re mine, he whispered in her mind.Never forget again that you’re mine.

I’m yours.

My wife.

Your wife.

He kept his intense, deeper rhythm until she wanted to beg him to go faster,but reveled in every touch, every kiss, every brush of his fingers across her skin that left his magic on her, and every sound he made.

Say you’re my wife again.

She smiled, wrapping her arms around the back of his neck and kissed his lips softly. “I’m your wife, Hel.” You’re my husband.

He shuddered and goosebumps rose along his skin. Then he hooked his arm around her back and rolled her on top. She licked the salt from his skin off her lips. Magic slithered along her like his hands everywhere. It was enough to drive her to the edge.

“I love you, Hel,” she said, gazing down into his eyes. Shadows began to roll off her, and he moved quicker with her. “Gods, I love you. I love you inside of me. I love you touching me, and the way you say my name.”

Valeen.“You’re close,” he murmured. “Come for me, love.” He already knew what those shadows meant. “Don’t hold back.”

Her breathing came faster. She rocked harder, and he moved himself rapidly against her. She gripped the top of his hands resting on her thighs, and let the pleasure overwhelm her. She didn’t look away from his piercing gaze as she lost herself in him. Her moans grew louder; anyone nearby would hear. “Hel,” she crooned. A glittering shimmer, like a thousand falling stars rippled across her skin from her core down to her toes and up her chest.

“You’re so beautiful like that. If you could only see what I do.” And with a deep groan, he gripped her thighs, holding on like he might disappear if he didn’t, and gave in too. Every one of his runes lit up with a glowing amber outline that lasted a few seconds before they faded to flat black once again.

She rolled into bed beside him, breathing heavily. Being next to him was like locking in a lost piece of a puzzle. One that had fallen and been lost for so long and to find it was like coming home. He curled one arm beneath her and pulled her flush against him. “I want to see you do that again. But I need a minute.”

She laughed and folded into him, nuzzling her nose into his neck. “Mmmmhmm.”

* * *

While she layher head on his stomach, she lightly trailed her fingers over every tattoo, and every rune on his torso. “The one good thing about all this is I got to fall in love with you all over again.”