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His body. His beautiful, powerful body was on top of hers, but despite his apparent desire, Rion pulled back and pushed the hair from her face. Uncertainty lingered in his gaze and Eoghan’s words came back to her then. About a mate. About his curse. About a male the world had deemed unfit to love.

And yet here they were, alone, away from civilization and the monster was denying himself for her sake.

Arianna didn’t know what her future would hold. She didn’t know how hard it would be to keep Rion in her life, but she knew one thing with utmost certainty. No matter what challenges they’d have to face, she wanted this male at her side.

“I want you.”

His tongue slid over the pulse in her throat. “I need you to be more specific.” He kissed her again. “I don’t want you to regret this.” His hand slid down her abdomen and around her back, pulling her body tighter against him.

“I want you,” she repeated. “I want everything.”

He paused. “Have you ever—”

“No,” she breathed. “You?”

A breathless laugh. “No.”

She tilted her head to look at him. The firelight glinted from wary eyes. “Really?”

“You think I’ve ever let anyone this close?” He kissed her again. “You’re the only one, Arianna. And I don’t want you to resent me. I don’t want—”

“I won’t.” He nipped the tender skin in the hollow of her neck, and she found herself hoping he’d sink his fangs into her skin to claim her completely. He paused when she spoke again. “I don’t want to look back and regret never knowing what it felt like to love you. So yes, Rion. I want this. I want you.”

A satisfied, male growl vibrated through his chest and though their lower clothes remained, he positioned himself over her, pressing into her body in ways that had her magic flaring.

His magic moved against her skin, soft and delicate, like his touch, and only after worshiping her upper body again, did Rion reach to remove the rest. He pulled the furs up to cover them, meeting her gaze for a final yes.

They sat bare before one another, their bodies close, both ready, willing, and wanting.

“I didn’t bring you here for this,” he said, voice trembling. “I don’t want you to think—”

“I know.”

“You’ll tell me.” He kissed her. “If you want to stop?” She nodded, her entire body quivering with desire and fear. His brow furrowed. “Say it again.”

Arianna let out a shuttering breath. “I want this.”

He moved her legs, wrapped his arms around her back, and pulled her close. Rion took his time, kissed away her tears, paused when she hissed in pain, always checking it was what she wanted.

And it was. She lost herself in his eyes, in every movement of their bodies until she could think of nothing else. All she’d ever wanted was to be loved and accepted by another. But becoming one with that person—she was whole. Safe. Home.

Breathless and reeling, the pair basked in the aftermath. His magic still danced along her body, cascading over her skin in slow, even strokes. Rion kissed her cheek, then buried his face in her neck and squeezed her body tight.

“Rion?”

His body shuddered and a strangled sob escaped his lips. Arianna heart fractured and she held him close. She ran her fingers through his hair, imagining all the pain he’d suffered. All the loneliness he’d endured for so many years. And she cried with him.

Cried and held him.

His body shook, over and over, as if it were shedding years upon years of pain and suffering.

When the fire had shifted to embers and the crickets sang. When the stars came out to play and all thoughts of daylight vanished, Rion stilled. His chest heaved as he struggled to catch his breath and calm himself. He rested his head on her chest, refusing to look at her. Arianna stroked his hair, slow and methodical.

“Thank you,” he whispered, his voice hoarse.

Her hand stilled. “For what?”

“For loving me. For allowing me what you did.”