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Tears trickled out from the corners of my eyes. Guilt swirled with utter bliss.How could I want more?I bunched the bedsheets under my cheek.

His cold palm slid down my back, raising the shirt over my breasts as he petted my spine. One arm slipped under my waist, and he pulled me flush to his torso, keeping me mounted on him. I reclined back, and the tip of his wings stretched out and fluttered as he cuddled me against his front. Settling into the comfort of his embrace, I exhaled, shivering.

His large thighs corralled my legs. He wasn’t wearing anything, so I had a clear view of his skin. Feathers covered the sides of his thighs, leading all the way down to what I could see of his legs.

I ran my fingers along the top of his thigh. The flesh looked so smooth it could have been fake. As it felt every time I touched his skin, it was cold, and the more I rested my skin against his, the more it warmed, like it sucked heat from me.

“Relax, Little Mortal.” He rubbed the back of his hand down my arm. With each swipe of his hand, I gave in to the lull. He nuzzled my temple. My eyes became droopy as I settled against him. The pressure in my sex loosened, and the release of hisbarbs inside me caused a euphoric sensation. I moaned, sinking back into him. His tongue slid across my temple.

“Did you just lick me?”

A vibration began to shake his midsection, and in effect, me. The coaxing rumble soothed my shock, and I drooped, wiggling my hips, reveling in the pulse of his shaft inside me. His hips gyrated up, and he groaned.

“Your soul has been worth the wait,” he murmured. “How it hums.”

“My soul hums?” I rolled my head against his chest to peek up at him. He continued to pet me, and the sensation calmed me.

“Mysoul.”

My thoughts struggled to make sense of what that truly meant.

“No,mysoul,” I retorted, hoping it’d incite anger from him.

“Mine.” His arms banded around my torso. “It was given to me.”

“Given? No one can give away my soul,” I scoffed.

“A bargain was struck. Your soul was mine before the day you were birthed.”

Finally,answers.

“Who gave you my soul?”

“Shh, shh,” he murmured, rubbing my side. “Do not worry, you will not be around much longer.”

The woman’s words floated to the forefront. She’d made a comment about something called Novareth.

I licked my lips.

“Because Novareth is coming?” I asked.

His body jerked like he’d been electrocuted. So suddenly, he shoved me onto the bed, pinning me. The quick motion made the room spin, and I tried to catch my breath from being abruptly pushed onto my back. He loomed overhead, his eyes wide and so frighteningly black.

“Who has said this to you?” he hissed. “Speak!”

“What happens on Novareth?” I whispered.

My throat closed up, and I could only blink up at him as I trembled. His head twisted. He stared so long that it began to freak me out.

“Please,” I croaked. “Answer me.”

He didn’t even twitch. Finally, after what felt like hours, he stretched his wings behind him.

“Novareth marks your death.”

With those ominous words, an unnatural calm settled over my heart. I was going to die. My bottom lip trembled.

“I will have you until the time comes, Little Mortal.” His palm smoothed down the side of my head, frantically petting me like that would do anything to calm me.