Page 62 of Crowned In Venom

The temple doors close behind us with a soft, final thud, sealing us into the night. The air is cool, but it does nothing to quell the fire burning beneath my skin.

The bond between us hums like a live wire, electric and alive, threading through every part of me. I can feel him—Varkos—his presence a steady, grounding force in my mind, his emotions brushing against mine like a caress.

Joy. Awe. Desire.

A desire that mirrors my own, growing with each shared breath.

His hand is warm in mine, his fingers laced tightly through my own. I squeeze back, anchoring myself to him, needing his touch like air.

We walk in silence, the twin moons casting their silver light over the ancient stones. The world feels heightened, every sense amplified.

The soft, sweet scent of night-blooming jasmine hangs heavy in the air, mingling with the lingering incense, creating an intoxicating perfume.

I glance at him, and his eyes are already on me, burning with an intensity that makes my heart race.

“Where are we going?” I ask, my voice a breathless whisper.

He stops, turning to face me fully. His free hand reaches up, his fingers tracing the curve of my cheekbone, sending a shiver down my spine. “Somewhere we can be alone,” he murmurs, his voice low and husky. “Somewhere no one can find us.”

The anticipation coils tight in my stomach. The bond pulses between us, like a rhythm of longing. I nod, unable to speak past the sudden lump in my throat.

He leads me deeper into the temple grounds, the path winding through crumbling arches and overgrown foliage. The air grows warmer, thicker, the relaxing scent of earth and moss rising to meet us.

Finally, we reach a small, secluded courtyard, bathed in moonlight. A natural spring bubbles up from the ground, its waters shimmering like liquid silver, surrounded by lush greenery.

Flowers bloom around us, and the smell is intoxicating. It’s paradise in here.

How did he find this? This place is beautiful. I never expected that this temple, not only provided us sanctuary during the war, but also gave me a chance to witness something this beautiful.

Varkos turns to me, his eyes dark with longing. “This is ours,” he whispers. “Just for tonight.”

I step closer to him, drawn in by an invisible force. The bond flares, a wave of heat washing over me.

“Varkos,” I breathe, my voice trembling.

He reaches for me, his hands sliding around my waist, pulling me flush against him. I can feel the hard planes of his chest against my breasts, the heat of his body searing through the thin fabric of my gown.

“Anya,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my ear. “You’re mine now. Forever.”

A thrill shoots through me at his words. “And you’re mine,” I whisper back, my hands sliding up his chest, feeling the muscles bunch beneath my touch.

He groans low in his throat, the sound vibrating against me. His hands tighten on my waist, pulling me even closer until there’s no space left between us. “I’ve waited so long for this,” he rasps, his voice thick with need. “So long to have you like this.”

I tilt my head back, meeting his gaze.

“Then take me,” I whisper, the words barely audible.

His lips crash down on mine, hot and demanding. I moan into his mouth, my hands tangling in his hair. The kiss deepens, becoming a desperate tangle of tongues and soft bites.

He lifts me into his arms, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist.

He carries me to the edge of the pool, his lips never leaving mine. The cool water laps against my skin as he steps into the pool, a delicious contrast to the burning heat between us.

He sets me down gently, the water swirling around our waists.

His hands slide up my arms, pushing my gown away. I shiver as the cool air kisses my bare skin, but the heat of his gaze quickly warms me. “You’re beautiful,” he murmurs, his eyes dark with desire.

I reach for him, my fingers fumbling with the ties of his robes, my heart pounding in my chest. His chest is bare beneath, smooth and warm. I trace the lines of his muscles, my touch lingering over the scars that tell a story of battles fought and won.

“Varkos,” I whisper, my voice thick with longing.

He captures my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. “I’m here,” he says, his voice raw with emotion. “I’m yours.”

I step closer, our bodies pressing together. The water swirls around us, a cool caress against the burning heat that consumes us.

His hands slide down my back, pulling me closer. He nuzzles my neck, his lips trailing hot kisses along my sensitive skin. “I love you,” he murmurs against my skin.

“I love you too,” I whisper back, my fingers threading through his hair.

He lifts his head, his eyes locking with mine. The love in his gaze steals my breath.

“Forever,” he says, his voice firm.

“Forever,” I echo, my voice trembling.

He kisses me again, slow and deep, a kiss that speaks of promises and forever. The bond flares, a surge of heat that leaves me dizzy.

I can feel him, his emotions, his thoughts, his love, all blending with my own. There’s no separation between us.

Only him.

Only us.

His hands grip my hips, lifting me up as he enters me. His cock hits the deepest part of me. And the mating bond makes it so much more intense.

I shiver, moaning and clutching him tightly as if afraid the waves of ecstasy will take me away.

A gasp escapes my lips, a mixture of pleasure and surprise. The water swirls around us, a cool counterpoint to the fire burning within.

“Anya,” he groans, his voice rough with need.

“Varkos,” I whisper back, my body arching against his.

He begins to move, slow and steady at first, then building in intensity.

Each thrust sends waves of pleasure crashing over me. I moan his name over and over, my fingers digging into his shoulders. He groans in response, his movements becoming faster, harder.

The pleasure climbs, building, building, until it’s almost unbearable. My nails dig into his skin and my back arches. He grabs onto my hair, burying himself on the crook of my neck, panting like an animal in heat.

"Varkos," I cry out, my voice laced with passion.

He thrusts deep one last time, and we shatter together, rushing to the zenith. The world fades away, leaving only the sensation of him inside me, the sound of our mingled breaths, and the echoing whispers of forever.

We gaze into each other’s eyes and he lays me down into the water slowly, carefully.

“You’re my light, Anya. My world,” he says so solemnly my heart aches.

“And you’re my everything, Varkos,” I choke, trying to contain my emotions.

We kiss again, our hearts melding into one.

Forever.