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I feel the tension building within me, the delicious ache growing with each thrust, each touch. Cirdox’s eyes never leave mine, his gaze filled with love and desire. His hands roam over my body, touching me, caressing me, driving me higher and higher until I’m on the brink.

“Cirdox,” I gasp, my voice filled with urgency. He knows what I need, and he gives it to me. His fingers find the sensitive bundle of nerves at my core, circling and pressing until I’m spiraling over the edge. My climax hits me like a wave, crashing over me, leaving me shaking and gasping for breath.

He follows me over the edge, his body tensing as he spills himself inside me. Our bond flares with a brilliance that outshines even the glow of the luminore. We are one, in body, in spirit, in love. The future stretches before us, filled with promise and possibility, and we stand ready to face it together.

In the aftermath, we lie entwined, our bodies still glowing with the remnants of our passion. Cirdox’s wings envelop us, a protective shield against the world, a symbol of our unity and love. Through the walls, I can hear the growing sounds of celebration—Zara’s distinctive laugh, Grig’s melodic voice raised in what sounds suspiciously like a traditional Muspel victory song.

“I love you, Cirdox,” I whisper, my voice filled with a profound sense of peace and contentment.

“I love you, Lyra,” he replies, his voice echoing with the same deep, unwavering emotion. His tribal markings pulse softly as another burst of laughter filters through from the common area. “Though it seems our crew is rather impatient to celebrate our return.”

“Can you blame them?” I trace the glowing patterns on his chest, smiling as they brighten under my touch. “We did just help take down a major Eclipse operation.”

“Plus, I hear someone threatened to sedate half the medical staff when they tried to keep him away from me.”

His wings tighten around me playfully. “Only half?” He presses a kiss to my temple as the sounds of celebration grow louder—the crew toasting our successful luminore delivery to the outer colonies. “The Brotherhood’s reputation is improving now that we’re officially sanctioned to transport luminore supplies to medical facilities.”

“Look at us, becoming almost respectable,” I tease, tracing one of his tribal markings.

He laughs, a deep rumble that vibrates through his chest. “We’re still pirates, little hacker,” he says with a wink that makes my heart skip. “Luminore isn’t the only valuable cargo we salvage. Though perhaps we’re more selective these days about whose ships we target.”

“Five more minutes won’t hurt,” Cirdox rumbles, his wings tightening around me as his tribal markings pulse with contentment. “We should probably make an appearance before they come looking for us. I hear Zara’s breaking out her private reserve to celebrate our first official sanctioned run.”

I snuggle closer, savoring one more moment of perfect peace. “Five more minutes,” I murmur against his chest. “They can wait that long to see their captain.”

His answering chuckle rumbles through me like distant thunder. “As my mate commands.”