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Esmyra’s talons traced along his back, sinking in just enough to cause a bit of pleasurable pain as he moved in her. She bit his shoulder, her pussy tightening around his length, and a sound escaped him that was equal parts moan and growl.

He stood and lifted her from the bed, all in the same motion, and her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist in tandem. Their rhythm never faltered as he stood, lifting her by her thighs so her pussy slid up and down on his cock while he held her in the air.

His mouth was on the nape of her neck, and her head fell backward, her long hair brushing the small of her back as she moaned from the pleasure of him.

“You feel so fucking good, Wildfire.” Hearing him speak those words while he fucked her mid-air had her nearly finding release.

He must’ve sensed it, because suddenly, he slowed. Her head snapped back to face him as he leisurely slid his cock in torturous movements while he held her.

“Drae…” His name left her in a breathy moan.

“What’s that, baby?”

Esmyra’s eyes shifted repeatedly, talons extending and retracting without her being able to help it as her body became overwhelmed with pleasure. They dug into his shoulders, and he hissed.

He was walking then, toward the door .

Her eyes flared. “Draevyn, what are y?—”

Esmyra’s words were cut off as he slammed her back against the door, pressing his body against hers as he laced their fingers together and pinned her hands to the wall—still thrusting into her.

She shivered at the warmth of his breath on her ear. “I don’t care if the entire godsdamn castle hears you screaming for me, Wildfire.” Esmyra shuddered in his grasp. “Do you know how they all look at you? Every male and female here? The desire in their eyes comes close to rivaling my own…”

His confession had her release building and building until she thought she may do just that—scream.

“Let this be an announcement to the realm that their chance has come and gone, and they will never receive one again.” A moan burst from her lips as he continued to fuck her against the door. His next words were a whisper against her flesh. “And if they try, I will burn them alive.”

Esmyra couldn’t help the bellowing scream of pleasure as it burst from her—the sound erupting from somewhere deep in her soul.

Suddenly, every lit torch in the room burst—their flames licking at the high ceiling as Draevyn followed her over the edge. His cock spilled into her as he reclaimed her mouth in a desperate need.

It was like nothing she ever felt.

It was primal.

It was feral.

It was soul-consuming .

And when he pulled away, his gaze locked on hers.

Holding her captive between himself and the door, his eyes burned with an adoration that felt both dangerous and intoxicating, consuming her completely.

Silence fell as they stared at each other while Esmyra trembled in his arms. They both smirked, chests heaving as what they just did settled into them.

“Holy gods,” she said, trying to catch her breath.

Draevyn’s eyes swept over her. “And you’re the most beautiful of them all.”

Heat rushed to her cheeks, and he pulled her away from the wall, carrying her back to the bed as he remained inside her. Once he placed her down, he reached for his pants, and Esmyra watched as he put himself back together while she lay there bare.

His cheeks reddened, averting his gaze from hers as he scratched the back of his neck. “I…I don’t know what came over me.”

Esmyra stood from the bed, noting the hunger flooding his eyes again as they fell to her breasts with the movement. She took a step into him as he finished zipping his pants.

Standing on her tiptoes, she whispered teasingly in his ear, “I’m sure that’s what you say to all your lovers.”

Draevyn scoffed, as if what she said was the most absurd thing he’d ever heard.

“What?” she said with a laugh.

He shook his head as he stared down at her, reaching to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. The gesture was obnoxiously sweet, and she hated how much it affected her.

“I swear to you. I don’t know what came over me. I just…” His words trailed off.

“Well,” she started, “it’s not as if that’s not believable for a prince and Lephyrin’s infamous Phoenix.”

Sadness settled into his expression, but it was there and gone in only a moment. “I’ve never been one to take lovers, Wildfire.”

Esmyra’s lips parted as her eyes darted back and forth between his. “Then what do you consider me?”

Draevyn took her chin between his fingers, his eyes boring into hers. “My damnation.”

Before she could say anything, he pressed his lips softly to hers. It was the most gentle kiss—nothing like how they had just ravaged each other.

A feeling she’d never known before bloomed in her chest, a warm flutter of hope, realizing that the man before her desired her for who she was—knowing all that she was.

Only the desire felt different, and all-consuming. She sensed no lies in his words, and that should’ve terrified her, but all she felt was exhilaration.

When Draevyn broke the kiss, he smiled before reaching for his half-shredded shirt that was hanging off the edge of the bed. She stiffened as he moved to wrap it around her, covering her body as she stood naked in the center of the room.

“Keep this warm for me, would you?” He winked. “I’ll see you in the morning, Your Majesty.”

Esmyra’s cheeks flushed. She watched him as he turned from her and left, closing her chamber’s door quietly behind him.

And for the first time in her very long life, Esmyra allowed her walls to crumble, trusting that Draevyn wouldn’t let her fall.