Page 32 of Compile (Project: Adapt #6)
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Selena
I hated secrets—and hated decisions made without my consent—but I wasn’t going to take my frustrations out on those around me.
Once again, the sires of my children had made plans without me. I couldn’t wait to hear their explanation…if they had one.
The cubs were sleeping nearby. They lay nestled together in the corner of the tent, surrounded by a mismatched collection of pillows and blankets. The gentle rise and fall of their chests signaled their deep sleep. They were completely spent from the day’s adventures.
A sense of contentment washed over me at the tranquil sight, filling me with a surge of love and protectiveness over them.
It was unbelievable how much they’d grown since I’d left. So much time had been stolen, not only from me, but from them as well. While they’d had their aunt and uncle, and the rest of their support staff—it wasn’t the same.
My clan and I had missed a lot of their firsts, and none of us could get those back.
I was grateful that they understood why I’d had to stay away—and that I never wanted to be apart from them for so long. Hopefully, never again.
My desire was to form memories with them while they were cared for by the clan, before they grew into adults and left to make their mark on the universe in whatever career they chose.
If I could grant them time—time to do what they wanted with their lives—before they were called to rule over the empire, I would do anything in my power to do so.
They deserved the freedom I’d never been allowed—until my clan rescued me.
Tori and her clan sat close by, enjoying refreshments with Ryzen and Zyxel. The low murmur of their conversation blended with the soft rustle of the tent fabric as the desert breeze gently passed through.
It was a moment of calm, yet my thoughts kept circling back to the two missing presences. Xylo and Odelm had hung up. It was getting late for them and I didn’t want to make them stay up out of guilt. It was sad seeing them go, but they’d assured me they were only a call away.
I could still feel their bondthreads, the connection between us pulsing softly with their presence—reassuring, but muted. The vidtablet bridged the gap for us, allowing communication, but it wasn’t the same as feeling them beside me.
I could still feel them.
Now I knew how they felt whenever I covered their thread bases in my mental shield. It was a brief, temporary veil that provided me with a moment of privacy, especially when I was alone with one of my clanmates. It wasn’t pleasant, but it was necessary—and a feeling I needed to become used to if I was going to continue traveling the stars.
I couldn’t wait to bring my cubs home and unite our clan once again.
Tori shifted on the couch next to me, her eyes darting between me and Celyze. His calm expression seemed to give her courage as she gripped her robe. “Selena,” she said tentatively, biting her bottom lip. “Can I ask you something? If it’s too personal, you don’t have to answer, of course.”
Closing my eyes, I internally groaned. While I understood Tori’s endless curiosity—everything was still new even for me, and this was her first time traveling free in the galaxy—I knew how invasive and far-fetched her questions became, especially when she was overly excited.
Celyze hushed her with a soft chuckle. “Calm down, Tori. We’re all friends here.”
I nodded, offering a small smile, appreciating her hesitance. “It’s okay. I’m used to people asking questions.” I shot a sly smirk at Ryzen, reminding him of what his twin brother had done to me. “Sometimes even taking the answers they want without permission.”
Tori’s cheeks flushed and she leaned closer, her long hair in shades of rainbow cascading around her face like a veil. “I have to know,” she whispered. “How do you do it?”
I blinked as dread set in. “Do what?”
“Be the leader of a powerful territory, a mother of three non-human children…and a mate to six males,” she said, the last part tumbling out in a rush as she used her fingers to display how many clanmates I had. “It took me a while to balance three mates, and you have twice as many. How do you make sure you keep them all content and satisfied?”
Her sudden inquiry caught me off guard, causing me to jolt upright and face her. My brow furrowed as I frantically tried to formulate a response without lashing out at her.
She had warned me it would be personal, but this wasn’t what I’d thought she was going to ask.
“Love is an infinite resource. That’s what my clan has taught me.” My voice was soft but steady as I peered directly into her eyes, hoping she would understand. “Xylo showed me that it was okay to desire someone. It turns out, just kissing a Circuli starts a courting bond, and my swift kiss of gratitude to him for rescuing and caring for me accidentally started our relationship. After my mistake during our initial meeting rapidly grew into something more. Odelm gave me the courage to love again after heartbreak by teaching him that he deserved to be loved. The three of us were kindred spirits, strange among our own species but perfect together. It was almost effortless, how our small clan blossomed and grew together. My Favored are the reason why I was confident enough to face my cubs’ sire.
“Zirene and I have known each other the longest out of my clanmates—even though Kaede was the one who was sent to find and protect me. While our relationship is complicated, and we’ve gone through many tribulations since our initial meeting, I’ve learned grace and forgiveness with him. He meant well. His Aldawi culture and the turbulent state of the empire put pressure on him to produce heirs. He thought making me his Seedbearer was the best option. Now, as reigning Sovereign and Beacon, we’re still working on separating our personal and clan relationships from the pressures of ruling the empire.
“And then there’s my Circuli princes.” I glanced at each of them and smiled warmly as I sent a wave of love across our mental threads. “It started as an arranged mating—a reward for saving me. All I could offer in return was a nestqueen who would accept their unique bondbrother connection and a place for their crew to live on Destima. We’ve built a friendship that has developed into something more, and now I can say that I’m in love with them both.”
“We love you too.” Z’fir wrapped two vines around my waist. “And we’re honored that you bravely followed your heart and took us in as members of your clan.”
“Honestly, we’ve always felt a pull to you, ever since you allowed us in,” V’dim added, nodding to Z’fir as he placed a tentacle on my thigh. “We never expected you would take us in. We were prepared to serve separate nestqueens and produce new Queens for the new colony we planned to establish. You took us in without question and asked for nothing but our friendship and respect for your clan.”
“Why would you create such an intimate, permanent connection for nothing in return?” Ryzen asked, studying the three of us. The way his emerald eyes bounced between us and then up toward the sky, I wondered if he could see my clan’s mental threads.
“Because it was the right thing to do.” I placed a fisted hand over my heart, feeling the words resonate in my chest. “Circuli instincts force the males to seek a female. They can’t survive without a nestqueen for long. I didn’t want them to suffer when they were the co-captains of the colony ship that discovered me. That was enough reason for me to take them in. I mean, it’s not as if I didn’t feel a pull toward them. It just wasn’t as strong as my other mates.”
“Like Kaede?” Zyxel let out a half-hearted laugh.
Frowning, I eyed the male whom I had once mistaken as my assassin. This wasn’t the first time he’d expressed jealousy toward my newest mate.
I couldn’t deny there was something about Zyxel that called to me.
After what had happened to me in less than a year, I fully believed in the Cosmic Order. The Stars lead us down the path that the Fates willed for us.
Even though I had found and collected six mates—six stars in my constellation—I wondered whether the design was complete. While I felt satisfied and content with my clan, every time I glanced at Zyxel and Ryzen, I pondered what reason the Stars had for putting them in my path.
And why did I feel something there?
Zyxel claimed that I was his and reminded me frequently that he wanted to court me and become one of my clan mates.
But I was not the same person as when I was first discovered—or when I first set foot on the CEG Space Station. I had a large, loving, supportive clan, three cubs who’d missed their parents very much, and now an empire to rule alongside my Shadow.
Was there room for another—or two?
“Most of you were nearby when Kaede and I finally gave in to our attraction aboard the Abyss , so there’s no need for me to explain that.” I cocked an eyebrow at the serpent before turning my attention back to Tori, the source of all these queries. “My love for one mate doesn’t deplete my love for any other.”
I glanced over at the cubs, their forms curled up together, still soundlessly sleeping. “If I can love my children equally and unconditionally, why can’t I love multiple mates? It’s not about dividing my love but multiplying it. Which you should know, since you have three mates of your own.
“Each has brought something unique, something irreplaceable, into my life—and each holds a piece of my heart. We’re all a part of the same constellation, and they’ve found their place in our formation. Each of them is a star in my sky, and connected together, we form something beautiful.”
As I let my gaze drift over the others, I took in warm smiles and inquisitive gazes. My heart swelled as I looked at each of them, new friends and clanmates, along with my sleeping cubs. Less than a year ago, I didn’t have anyone but myself and my dreamscape with Zirene.
It wasn’t easy, this life I had chosen—or perhaps it was a life that had chosen me. But every challenge, every hardship was worth it because it made the love that bound us all together that much stronger.
I had made mistakes, like everyone did. It was how responded to those mistakes that determined who I was—and whether I could learn to be better.
My gaze lingered on Z’fir and V’dim, my two Circuli princes, who had stepped up and proven themselves in my Favored’s absence with their quiet strength. Their unwavering support had been a constant in the chaos that surrounded us at this Harvest Festival.
Leaning back into V’dim’s embrace, I re-settled my legs on Z’fir’s lap, feeling their warmth through our connections. I reached out, grabbing V’dim’s tentacle and Z’fir’s vine, holding them together on my lap. The simple gesture grounded me, reminding me of the strength that came from our bond.
“Love is infinite,” I repeated, my voice steady. “My clan’s love has guided me through the darkest times. It always has and always will guide me, no matter what our future holds.”
Tori blurted out her next question without hesitation. “But how do you keep them all…pleased?” Her eyes widened in shock at her own words, and she quickly covered her mouth with her hands. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she realized the boldness of her question.
Celyze wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close, trailing his glowing icy blue eyes over her form. “I’m sorry about my StarPyre’s rudeness,” he said with a sheepish grin, gesturing to his mate. “Sometimes her mouth opens before her mind knows what she’s saying.”
A smile spread across my face, and my chest shook with a chuckle. The tension dissipated in the wake of my genuine, lighthearted laughter.
How could I explain it? I wished Xylo were here; he would have been better suited for this discussion. Our Master Scholar and medic had a way of breaking down complex matters into easily digestible words and could have easily explained the dynamics of our clan.
Z’fir took it upon himself to answer. “As you know, most of the clan are Circuli, so there isn’t a problem in that regard.”
Tori’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What does that mean?”
“Our species follow a strict reproductive cycle, with a biological need to reproduce only during the nestqueen’s heat cycle,” V’dim explained matter-of-factly. “A period of a few days every three to five years. Other than that, we have no sexual drive, only the instinct to care for the nestqueen and clan.”
“Three to five years?!” Tori gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief. “I thought a dry spell of a few months was bad.”
Z’fir nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Even when the nestqueen is in heat, we have no guarantee we’ll be picked. The larger the clan, the less likely you’ll ever have the chance to sire her offspring. Usually, only her Favored are chosen.”
Zyxel leaned closer, his eyes narrowing as they locked on mine. “I don’t understand,” he said slowly with furrowed brows. “Why would any male want to join a clan like that?”
“Like Selena stated, Circuli males have a biological need to serve a nestqueen. We have no choice,” V’dim explained, grabbing Z’fir’s hand and placing their joined hands on top of mine. “The only way Z’fir and I survived so long without a clan was because we instinctively sought each other out and formed a bondbrother connection before we left the hatchery. Once we gave her our mating spores, she became it for us. Our bodies will always seek hers out and stay attuned to her every need.”
Tori bit her bottom lip and glanced down at our entangled limbs. “Are you two…together?”
Z’fir’s jade eyes, usually sharp and intense, softened as he gazed at V’dim, and they both squeezed my hand. “Not in the way you’re thinking,” Z’fir murmured. “Our bond goes beyond the physical. It’s a connection of our minds and spirits, as platonic as most clanmates are with their nestqueens.”
“We formed the bond as a means of survival,” V’dim added. “We supported each other to keep our instincts in check and stay strong while we searched for a nestqueen. It allowed us to command the Circuli fleet in the Yarrkins War without decaying—both mentally and physically.”
“Like you did while Selena was gone,” Ryzen muttered, concern etched in his voice. By the way his eyes and runes dimmed, as his gaze fell to mine. “I now understand how my brother almost took four lives in exchange for mine.”
“More than four,” I corrected as I glanced at my sleeping cubs soundlessly. “My whole clan would slowly crumble if one of us died. Leaving no one behind to raise our children. As it is, I’ve depended on others too often to care for them. If I have to take something away from what happened, it’s that it’s about time for me to play a more active role in their lives.”
“And you will,” V’dim soothed, squeezing my hand as he sent a wave of calm through our bond. “Don’t punish yourself for something you couldn’t control.”
“The Fates’ Will.” I grinned at him and sighed softly. “Gotta follow the Stars’ path.”
“My connection to V’dim allowed us to stave off the madness that afflicts Circuli males without a clan, until the Stars guided us to Selena.” Z’fir’s voice carried a note of reverence. He kissed my forehead. “She completed our bond, made us whole, and brought us a peace we’d only dreamed of. While we will always be bondbrothers, she’s ours to share and love until the Stars claim us.”
Z’fir’s words echoed through our bond, which had only grown stronger since my return. Both of theirs had. Already, our trip had shown me that we belonged together. Even though they were warriors, my princes were kind, gentle, and calm—something I needed to balance out my more stubborn and aggressive mates.
Zyxel tilted his head and crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on Z’fir and V’dim. “Do you ever feel left out because of your biological…limits?”
V’dim exchanged a glance with Z’fir, and then met his gaze calmly, his demeanor ever composed. “As stated, the Circuli are what most would consider asexual by nature. The desire we experience is mental and spiritual—a need to be a part of something greater than oneself—tied to a nestqueen and her clan. Once a female triggers a courting bond and fully accepts us, our appendages instinctively reach out to her whenever she’s near, but it’s for comfort, to feel connected. We only mate to procreate. But with Selena…it’s different.”
“How so?” Zyxel’s fingers danced over his vidtablet, ready to record every word.
“Due to her unique biology, there is a specific window of time each month where her body goes into a fertile heat-like state similar to a Circuli female’s,” he explained. “Which means we’re technically capable of mating with her once a month if she desires.”
Shifting slightly, I found myself frowning. “Unless I bite them and give them my mating venom. Then we could be together anytime.” The words came out heavier than I intended, my concern seeping through. “I don’t like using my venom because I don’t know if it will cause any long-term damage…and I haven’t had much time to test it out with everything that’s happened.”
Ryzen stood against the tent pole, his muscular arms crossed tightly over his defined chest. His muscles were visible even under his violet sleeveless vest. “How does it make you feel, Selena?” he asked with his brow furrowed. “Having two mates so close to each other, who have spent all their lives connected to one another. How can you compete against that?”
His question hit me like a cold wind, unexpected and biting. The conversation had started light, even playful. But now…now it felt like we were wading into territory that was too personal, too raw. I felt a defensive snarl rise in my throat.
“It’s not a competition!” The words were out before I could temper them, sharp and low, edged with my irritation. I glared at Ryzen. “And whatever goes on between myself and my clanmates belongs between us.”
The atmosphere in the tent grew heavy—thick and suffocating—the playful banter replaced by a tense silence as the weight of my own emotions pressed down on me.
A low growl rumbled from behind us, and I didn’t need to follow my mental thread to know that my assassin had made an appearance. Twisting in my clanmates’ embrace, I found Kaede with his psydagger drawn, the bright purple blade glinting menacingly in the low light.
“Enough.” His voice was a snarl, cutting through the silence like the blade his held. He stepped forward, his eyes narrowing at those not part of our clan, and swiped his psydagger in the air, pointing at each one of them before landing on Ryzen. “You have no right to question our clan and the relationships we have. What goes on in our minds, our bedroom, our nestbed is none of your ishing business. Our clan dynamic works for us, and that’s all that matters. You can reflect on that while carving something out of those spirit weapons of yours. Leave my star alone.”
His gaze locked onto Zyxel, his eyes blazing with a fury that made the crimson serpent flinch. “Learn your place, Zyxel. Selena is the Aldawi Beacon, not a research subject to be studied—not anymore. While you might be used to swinging your tail around to get your way on that space dust base of yours, that’s not how things will fly here. I suggest you focus on our agreement rather than upsetting your enax with any more probing questions.”
Zyxel’s face paled, his hands trembling slightly as he hurriedly closed his vidtablet. He bowed deeply, his voice laced with genuine regret. “My deepest apologies, Beacon Selena. I meant no disrespect.”
The rest of the group followed suit, bowing in unison, their voices a murmur of apologies. The tension in the room began to ease as Kaede, satisfied with their submission, disabled his psydagger and returned it to its sheath.
He turned to me, his expression softening as he extended a hand.
“I’m here to let you know that dinner is almost ready,” Kaede said, his tone gentle but firm, as if the previous display of dominance had never happened.
“Kaede…” Closing my eyes, I sighed, hating how the afternoon had spiraled out of control. “Please…”
“They may be your friends, Selena, but they need to learn respect,” he clipped out, bouncing his hand. “You’re the ruler of this land, on her maiden voyage to meet her people and be welcomed home. Don’t forget your place.”
V’dim and Z’fir, sensing the shift in mood, withdrew their hands and appendages from me, their actions seamless and unspoken. I reached for Kaede’s hand. His grip was steady as he pulled me to my feet.
“And don’t forget yours.”
“I know my place.” He turned to the Circuli princes and nodded. “Wake the cubs and lead everyone back to the villa. We’ll join you shortly.”
“No problem,” Z’fir replied, glancing at his bondbrother. “The two of us will take care of everything.”
Kaede’s gaze returned to me, his expression unreadable. “You’re coming with me.”
I barely had time to react as he shadowstepped with me in his arms. The sudden displacement made my head spin and my heart race. Before I could regain my balance, he gripped my arms and held me in place.
When the world stopped spinning, I realized we were alone in my chambers.
With a fierce push, I sent him sprawling onto the couch. My throat rumbled with an animalistic growl as I flung the robe my children had gifted me onto the table and commanded my living suit to deactivate. The material disintegrated, leaving me standing bare except for the glowing disk at my center and the Oetsae bracelets adorning my wrists.
“You’re in trouble,” I growled, straddling him, my voice low and dangerous.
The screen of his visor fell away, revealing those darkening neon-green eyes that always seemed to see right through me. Kaede’s lips curled into a sly grin, his hands finding their place on my hips, gripping me with a possessive strength that made my pulse quicken. “I like trouble.”
I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed a handful of his hair, yanking his head back so that he was forced to look directly into my eyes. My glare was fierce, my teeth bared as I hissed at him, letting the tip of my tongue trace the edge of my fangs. “I don’t like being caught off guard, Kaede. And I don’t like you making decisions without me. Again.”
Kaede’s grin only widened, his eyes darkening further with desire. “Then make your own decisions, Beacon . Show me what happens when you take control.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “How can I when you enjoy teaming up with my Sovereign to hide things from me!” I spat, my jaw clenching in frustration.
He tilted his head, seemingly unperturbed by my anger. “How do you know I’m not just following orders?” His lips curved into a half-smile, a blend of challenge and amusement in his gaze.
I narrowed my eyes, not letting his charm deflect my anger. “You’ve cut me off and shielded yourself from me ever since we arrived. Is it because you don’t want me to hear what you’re planning? Or because you don’t want to hear me?”
For a moment, something raw and unguarded flickered in his eyes. He met my gaze, the half-smile fading, replaced with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.
“It’s because you’re a distraction, Selena,” he said, his voice low, weighted with emotion. “If I had it my way, I’d be by your side at all times, not just in the shadows. Always touching you, feeling you close. Even though I’m not in heat, you still make my pulse race. I still crave your touch, your taste. And it drives me insane that I can’t always be the reason for your smiles and laughter.” He paused, his grip on my hips tightening. “I know it’s foolish. I’m more than content with my place as your mate and the sire of our unborn daughter. But for you to make the best impression at the Aldawi Festival, I had to put my focus on protecting you, our clan, and our cubs. We have time, Selena—once we return to Destima, I’ll have you to myself. But for now, I need to make sure you make the best impression and that everything is safe for you.”
His words struck deep, his honesty disarming. I could feel the sincerity in every word, the passion behind them, the longing and frustration he kept so carefully hidden—the love that drove every decision he made.
But there was something else, something that tugged at the corners of my heart, and I couldn’t ignore it. “We promised there wouldn’t be any secrets between us,” I reminded him, my voice softer now, but still firm.
Kaede’s eyes softened, his thumb brushing my hip in a soothing motion. “There won’t be,” he promised, his gaze intense and unwavering. “Z granted Zyxel permission to study your files and the cubs’ files to ease your heart. I don’t want that foolish serpent to fill your heart with false hopes, but I can set aside my feelings about him courting you if it means we get the answers we’ve been searching for. He comes from the same galaxy as the Yarrkins. He’s fought them longer than we have. I’d be foolish to get rid of him purely out of jealousy.”
His answer, though laced with possessiveness, held reason. He was always thinking five steps ahead. But that didn’t lessen the ache that had settled in my chest. I thought about what he’d said, about the jealousy and the drive to protect me at all costs, and I knew he wasn’t wrong.
But that didn’t mean I’d let him off the hook so easily. I yanked his hair once more, a sharp tug that brought a low chuckle from his throat. “You’re forgiven this once, Kaede,” I warned, my voice low and firm, “but just know, no one will ever replace you.”
A chuckle rumbled from deep in his chest, the sound vibrating through his skin as he leaned closer, his lips brushing against mine. “No one could ever compare to me,” he teased, his grin returning. “It would be foolish to even try.”
Rolling my eyes, I let his words slide and pressed my lips to his.
He pulled me closer, and I melted into him, the frustration in my chest giving way to consuming need for him.
Our tongues danced together, his teasing and exploring, sending shivers down my spine, setting my skin on fire. The sensation was electrifying. Every nerve ending lit with the need for more of him. His hands began to wander, tracing the curve of my waist, the swell of my hips, teasing me with each brush of his fingers. I arched into his touch, craving the friction, the connection, the heat that only he could provide.
The soft, intoxicating moan that escaped me seemed to ignite something in him, something primal.
His grip on my hips tightened, possessive and commanding, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. The hardness of his arousal pressed against me, and I could feel the urgency in his body, the hard length of him straining against the fabric of his pants. I ached to feel him inside me.
It thrilled me, this raw, unfiltered desire, and I moaned into his mouth, desperate for more.
His hands, those skilled, lethal hands, slid up my sides, fingers tracing the sensitive skin beneath my breasts, sending jolts of pleasure through me. My nipples hardened under his touch, and I ground against him, needing more.
He groaned, a deep, guttural sound that vibrated through my chest, as his hands found my breasts. The heat of his palms seared my skin, and I arched into his touch, desperate for contact. He knew exactly how to touch me, how to drive me to the brink of madness with a simple caress. His fingers found my nipples, rolling them between his thumb and forefinger, and I gasped, the pleasure almost too much to bear. My body responded instinctively, dampening at the thought of what was to come, the anticipation heightening every sensation.
His rich, masculine scent surrounded me, mingling with the heady aroma of our shared desire. With a growl, he lifted me effortlessly, his strength both a comfort and a thrill. I felt the heat of his body. The living suit disintegrated beneath me, leaving us skin to skin.
Our lips never broke contact, the kiss deepening, becoming more urgent, more demanding.
He spun us around with a smooth, practiced motion, laying me down on the couch with care, his body covering mine. The weight of him was delicious, grounding me, even as the passion between us threatened to consume me whole. His erection pressed insistently against my thigh and I reached down, my fingers wrapping around his length. He shuddered at the contact, his breath hitching as he grew even harder in my hand.
My body ached for him, a deep, primal need that pulsed through every vein. I wanted to feel him, to be filled by him, to lose myself in the ecstasy with him.
His hand found its way between my thighs, his fingers parting me, stroking my clit with just enough pressure to make me cry out against his lips. My body jerked beneath him, my hips lifting off the couch, seeking more.
He teased me mercilessly, slipping a finger inside me before pulling it out again, leaving me writhing, desperate for him to end the torment.
Kaede opened his mind to mine. A rush of arousal and love flowed to me, like a leak in a dam—a trickle that swiftly morphed into a flood.
“Have you forgiven me yet?”
I writhed beneath him, desperate for more. He chuckled darkly at my eagerness, and I could feel him smiling against my lips.
But I was beyond caring—I needed him, and I needed him now.
“I won’t if you keep prolonging this!”
“Yes, Beacon.”
With one swift motion, he entered me, filling me completely, and I cried out as my body stretched to accommodate him. The sensation was overwhelming, a perfect blend of pleasure and pain, and I clung to him, nails digging into his shoulders as he began to move.
Each thrust was a revelation, sending shockwaves of pleasure through me, building the tension in my core tighter and tighter. His pace was relentless, and I matched him, meeting each thrust with a roll of my hips, the pleasure intensifying with every movement.
His long, blue, almost-black hair cascaded around us, creating a veil from the rest of the world, moving with each thrust.
His hand found my clit again, stroking it in time with his thrusts, and I knew I was close, so close.
“You’re mine,” he swore. “And I am yours. Until the Stars take me.”
I exploded around him, the climax crashing over me, pulling me under.
My body convulsed around him, pleasure tearing through me in waves, leaving me gasping, trembling. He followed soon after, a final deep thrust sending him over the edge, his release spilling into me, claiming me as his once more.
We collapsed together. He spun us around so I lay on top of him, a welcome comfort as we caught our breath, the aftershocks of pleasure still rippling through our bodies.
“Yours.” I sighed. “Always.”