Page 29 of Grounded (Convergence #1)

The Aethari may have been aggravated over Liria's relationship with Thax, but the Medeans were delighted.

Even more so when they saw how upset the Aethari were.

Liria and Thax quickly became a symbol of what the world could become if the Aethari weren't so fucking elitist. They were proof that there could be more than lust and blood between the races.

Maybe one day, the sky cities would open their gates to the surface dwellers.

Liria didn't think so, but she wouldn't ruin the fantasies of her fellow soldiers.

By the end of the week, it was clear that Thax and Liria were welcome in one wing of the fortress but not the other. It was so clear, in fact, that Liria found Thaxvarien waiting for her in her room on the evening of their eighth day together. And he had a large bag with him.

Liria paused in the doorway.

“I know.” Thax stood up from his seat at her desk.

“It's too soon to be living together. It's a lot to ask.” His face twitched.

“But it's . . . shit, I'm going to sound like a coward.

I promise you that's not the case. I will gladly endure anything for you.

I just, well, I'd rather be here. If you're all right with it.”

Liria closed the door, locked it, and went to him. “Come here.”

They stood in the center of the room, just hugging for a few minutes. Thax sighed and folded his wings around her. Liria was getting accustomed to this type of embrace. A hug without a cocoon of feathers would feel odd now.

“Is that a yes?” Thax whispered.

“Of course. As far as I know, there aren't any rules against it. As an officer, my quarters are mine for as long as I work here. I can share them with whomever I wish.”

“Yes, that's correct. At least, that's what Branseri said.”

“He put you up to this?”

“I think he was trying to be kind. He's seen what's been going on. He suggested I might be more comfortable here.”

“What has he seen?” She stepped back to hold his hands. “What's been going on, Thax?”

“Aethari being assholes. You know, the usual.” He shrugged. But then his lips parted to bare his teeth. “Fuck, Liri. I knew they could be cruel, but this is . . . I just can't believe how it's escalated. I've never felt so alone. Even when I was a protester, they didn't ostracize me like this.”

“I'm so sorry, Thax. This is exactly what I worried about.”

“It doesn't matter. You're worth it.”

“It does matter. They're your people. This must hurt.”

“It does. It horrifies me.” He stepped back and ran a hand through his dark hair. “They're being underhanded too. In addition to insulting me, they push me when I walk by. Or trip me. Or hide my things. Now, they've taken to leaving glass shards in my bunk.”

“What?” Liria gasped. “Are you alright? Did you get hurt?”

“I'm fine. Luckily, I pulled back my blanket before I got into bed and saw the glitter over my sheet.”

“Great convergence. You should have told me sooner.”

“I didn't think it would go this far. To be honest, Liria, I don't think it's safe for me to sleep there anymore.

I don't have a private room like you. I share one with three other men.

One of them is my friend Ader, and he's been loyal, but if I stay any longer, he's going to get persecuted along with me. I don't want that to happen.”

“Thax, it's not too late to change your mind.”

“About us?” Thax scowled. “There's nothing to change, Liri. It's done. Decided.”

“Are you sure?” Her chest shivered. This was the moment most men would end things. And if things were that bad, she wouldn't blame Thax for being like most men this once. But it would break her heart. Because . . . oh, wow. Yeah.

“Liri, I've been edging around this because we haven't been together for long. I know you think I'm moving too fast. But I have to be honest with you—you're it for me. The magic in me knows you're my future. I feel it.”

“I feel that way too,” Liria whispered.

“Thank Source. If you had said anything else, it would have destroyed me.” He pulled her into a kiss.

The kiss quickly became more, and Liria couldn't find an excuse to slow down this time. As Thax said, it was done. They might as well enjoy themselves. She'd waited over a week. That was long enough, wasn't it? And she knew him. She trusted him. It was time.

“Liria,” Thax whispered against her lips.

Liria stepped back and removed her jacket.

Watching her, comprehension lit his face.

His hands went to the ties that bound his shirt.

It was gone in a few heartbeats. Boots were kicked off, underwear slid down their legs, and then they were pressed together again, this time with nothing between them. And it felt completely natural.

With Liria's past lovers, the first time was a bit awkward.

It wasn't like that with Thax. This was like coming home—comfortable but exciting.

Every touch a thrill and a relief. Liria wasn't worried about how she looked or whether she should have showered first. Those things seemed silly when Thax picked her up and carried her to bed.

They seemed ridiculous when his hips eased her thighs apart, and he settled his erection against her core.

A course had been set with their first touch. Now, everything was falling into place. As it should be. Fate.

Maybe there really was some sentience in the Source of Magic.

Had it drawn them together? Did it want Medeans and Aethari to mix—converge like magic and technology?

And if it was sentient, did that mean the Source of Technology had sentience too?

But all of that was too much for Liria's mind to process while Thax settled over her.

It spun away under his roaming kisses and worshipful hands.

When his mouth found her breast, she lost all thought completely.

There was only passion. Only feeling. Emotions bubbled under the rising pleasure. Oh, sweet convergence. This was better than anything she'd ever felt before, and he hadn't even been inside her yet.

“Thax,” Liria moaned, pulling him closer and lifting her hips to cradle his hard length. She was ready for him. So ready that she slicked the friction of them coming together.

“Not yet, Liri.” Thax kissed his way over her belly. “Let me have a little more first.”

Nibbles on her hips. A flicking tongue in her navel. Lower. His hand replaced his cock, and he split her before stroking.

“Oh, fuck.” Liria writhed. Her skin ran hot. Her core ran liquid. “Thax, hurry!”

Dark wings whooshed open to form a canopy above, and then they slowly flapped. Liria stared at the display, utterly hypnotized by it. She was so enraptured that when his tongue replaced his fingers, a shock ran through her that emerged from her mouth.

“Thax!”

“Mmm, Liri, you taste like the sky.” He licked deeper. Faster. Sucked at her. Made delicious sounds. Then he slipped into her. In and out with that hot, wet muscle.

“Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck!” Her knees bent, and Liria pushed herself up into his kiss. “No more. Thax, enough!”

With a movement too fast for her to track, Thax pushed up and forward, impaling her.

Liria shrieked in delight at the sudden invasion, but then his lips were at hers, eating her cries.

Feasting. While below, he pumped in and out, gaining slickness and depth from her desire until he was completely sheathed.

He filled her perfectly, her channel stretched so that she could feel herself pulsing around him.

Or was that him pulsing in her? Maybe both.

Their heartbeats aligned—felt not just there but everywhere their skin met.

It was the most sublime moment of unity.

And then her sweet lover turned into a wild thing.

With a savage cry, Thax rose from Liria's mouth to brace himself on his forearms. He slammed forward.

Thrust faster and faster. The bed creaked.

His wings flapped, a counterbalance to his hips.

The breeze they made cooled her cheeks, but it wasn't enough.

A storm couldn't quench her fire. Liria gripped Thax's shoulders and held on. It was all she could do.

The unrelenting stretch and slide inside Liria stirred up primal instincts in her as well. She rose to meet Thax's thrusts, bucking and writhing as rapture rode her. Sounds came from her that she had never made before. Liria clawed at Thax. Arched her back. And then she grabbed a wing.

“Liria!” Thax arched into her and locked up.

Liria had never felt a lover release inside her.

Sure, afterward, she felt it there. Or rather, felt it come forth.

But not during. Not the act itself. With Thax, she felt it.

The heat. The liquid lash of his climax.

The completion. It sent her over the edge as surely as if he had grabbed her and yanked her down with him.

Yes, of course, they came together. That made perfect sense to Liria.

Because that was how they would face everything from that moment on.

Together. Falling or rising. They'd do it as one.