Page 58 of Lady of Cinders (Kingdom of Shadow and Ruin #2)

58

Lore

M y blink flitted us to the bathing chamber and a sweep of my hand made Reyla’s clothing disappear, leaving her beautifully naked. She gasped, her eyes widening with excitement. I scooped her up into my arms and spun her around. I’d never get used to the wonderful feeling I got from being with her. Her laughter filled the room, a sound that would ignite me until my dying day.

“What are you doing?” she squealed, though the grin on her face told me she knew exactly what I was doing.

“Sometimes I enjoy peeling off your clothing piece by piece, but other times, I want you like this right away. Time to get clean, love.” I also removed my own clothing with magic and carried her over to the tub. Steam drifted across the water, and I couldn't wait to let the warmth seep into my bones. I was tired. Unbelievably sad. But I wanted—no needed—this time with my wildfire.

I stepped into the tub and lowered us both into the water.

Reyla sighed and nestled into my chest. Grabbing a cloth, I dipped it into the water. I began to wash my love, my queen, my wife, starting with her shoulders and moving down her arms in slow, sensual strokes.

She moaned and tipped her head back, watching my face.

I kept the cloth gliding over her skin, taking my time, trailing it along her sides as I moved lower. Her breath hitched, and I couldn't resist teasing her further. “I do enjoy washing you, Wildfire. Consider me your personal bath attendant.” I kissed her temple, and my voice rasped out of me. “It’s so much fun getting my hands dirty.”

Her laughter danced in the air. “And I love how dirty you can be. But what if I said that you washing me is only half the fun?”

“Is that a challenge?” I dragged the cloth down across her belly and slipped it between her legs. “I'm ready when you are. Rising to the occasion, in fact.”

She wiggled on my lap, and my cock sprang free, thrusting against my abs. “I can tell.”

Taking the cup sitting on the table beside the tub, she filled it and dumped it over my head, laughing when I sputtered and shot her a pretend glare.

“Impertinent, aren't you?” I growled. “I will seek my revenge.”

“I'm only washing your hair.” Pure innocence came through in her voice. I'd believe it if her eyes didn't sparkle with mischief. I adored that look and the way pink filled her cheeks. Which I kissed, one after the other until her lips pursed.

“You've stopped washing,” she pointed out.

“How remiss of me.” I tossed the cloth aside and replaced it with my fingers, drawing out her moan when I circled her clit .

“My hair,” she said, all breathy. “ Your hair.”

“Let me love you, and then we'll wash.”

“You're corrupting me.”

“And you adore me for that fact.”

“I do,” she sighed, turning to face me, spreading her legs wide around my waist. “Show me your special skills, bath attendant.”

I swept everything off the table and lifted her, laying her on the surface.

Then I climbed over her, kissing her, staking my claim while she did the same with me.

I was hungry for this woman all the time. Starving. I would be until I drew in my last breath.

I gently traced my fingertips across her throat, then my palm, feeling her swallow hard. Her eyes widened, but she leaned into the touch, trusting me. Something inside me stirred, a feral part of me that craved to be unleashed.

Leaning down, I captured her mouth with mine. It wasn’t a soft kiss but fierce, demanding. My longing for her was a desperate, primal need clawing at my soul. My wildfire answered with the same intensity, her mouth opening, inviting me in. Our tongues clashed, tangled.

I broke the kiss only to trail my lips down her neck, nipping, tasting the sweetness of her skin. Her breath caught, her gasp echoing in the room.

Sliding my hand down her side, I eased it across her belly and between her spread legs. A groan ripped up my throat. So wet. So needy. Desire shocked to my core, making my cock throb.

I trailed my fingers up the sweet, inner part of her thigh, feeling her goosebumps rise under my touch. When I reached her heat, I stroked my thumb through her wetness, groaning at her slick warmth. She was ready, so ready, and it would’ve been easy to drive myself deeply inside her. But I wanted to delay this as long as I could, to bring out the heat of her passion. I would not rush this, not with this woman I'd adore forever.

“Eyes on me,” I whispered, my voice raspy with need. “I want to see you fall apart, hear you scream, Wildfire.”

“I’m too loud.”

I grinned, leaning down to kiss her again. “I’ll capture your screams in my mouth.”

“Don’t look away,” I said, locking my gaze on hers again.

I circled her clit, and that beast inside me roared when she shivered beneath me. Her breath came in short gasps, her cheeks flushing a beautiful shade of pink. I increased the pressure, rubbing in tight circles, watching as her eyes widened and her lips parted.

“Lore,” she groaned. I loved hearing my true name on her lips, loved knowing that I was the one dragging it from deep inside her chest.

I slid one finger inside her, and her body tightened around me. She was hot, wet, and pure joy. I groaned, knowing how amazing it would feel to have her respond in the same way to my cock.

“More,” she cried out, bucking her hips up to meet my hand. I added another finger, filling her, stretching her. Her eyes fluttered closed, and I stilled my movements.

“Eyes on me,” I barked, my voice gentle but firm. She opened her eyes, her hazy gaze meeting mine.

I drove my fingers inside her again, pumping them, adding another all while circling her clit with my thumb. Her soft whimpers echoed in the room, and I could tell by how she clenched down on my hand that she was close.

Not close enough.

“You’re beautiful,” I said, my eyes never leaving hers. “So fucking beautiful, wife.”

Her face flushed even darker, her body writhing beneath me. I loved the way she tightened around my fingers, the way her breath came in short, sharp cries.

I moved my hand faster, pumping harder. She lifted her hips, meeting my thrusts, her gaze never leaving mine.

Cupping my other hand around her throat, I leaned close only long enough to whisper before pulling back to meet her eyes. “Come for me, Wildfire. Show me you're mine.”

And she did. Her body spasmed around my fingers, her hips bucking wildly as she found bliss.

My cock exploded as expected. There was no way I wouldn't come along with this woman.

Sinking back into the tub, I pulled Reyla with me, her back resting against my chest. I reached for the soap, lathering it in my hands before massaging it into her hair. Her soft moan as she relaxed into my touch made my cock twitch with renewed interest.

She wiggled and shot me a smile over her shoulder. “Still eager to play, my king?”

I curled forward to kiss her cheek. “Always, Wildfire. Always.” I finished rinsing her hair and urged her forward on my thighs so I could massage her back. She leaned into my touch, her soft groans echoing in the steamy room.

“I want to be with you, but if you keep doing that, you're going to make me fall asleep,” she said in a languid voice.

“Sleep if that’s what you need. I’m here to hold you.”

“Let me help you.” She turned to face me, taking the soap and mimicking my actions, her fingers working magic on my scalp. I closed my eyes, savoring the sensation. When she made me turn and stroked my back, digging her fingertips into my sore muscles, I was the one filling the room with growls and groans.

I shifted around and held her face with my palms, staring into her eyes. “My love for you, Wildfire, isn't bound by flesh or bone. It surpasses all that. ”

“Lore,” she croaked, her eyes shimmering with tears. But these were tears of joy. I had and I would still bring tears of sorrow to her eyes, but I took happiness in knowing I could please her now.

“My love runs deeper than the roots grip the soil,” I said. “Farther than stars scatter across the sky. You're every breath I've ever taken, every one I will ever take, and when this world crumbles to dust, I will still love you—even in its ashes. You’re my reason, Reyla. My always.”

Her trembling hand brushed against my cheek, her fingertip gliding over the jagged scar like it was something sacred. Her eyes locked on mine, unflinching, like she saw the broken pieces inside me and didn’t just understand them, she claimed them. “You call me your wildfire, but you’re the one who sparked this flame inside me, Lore. You seared your name into my soul, so deep and so permanent that even if I forget myself, I'd still know you. When shadows fall, I will find you, because you’re my light, my guide, my home. Wherever you are, I will be too.”

I kissed her, slow and deep and full of all the emotions surging through my heart, then pulled away.

With her in my arms, I stepped from the tub, water cascading down our bodies to puddle on the floor. I snagged a cloth and wrapped it around her, patting her dry. She did the same for me, her touch lingering, igniting my skin. My heart. My soul.

Without a word, I scooped her up into my arms and carried her to our bed. I laid her down gently, following her, my body covering hers. Our lips met in a soft, lingering kiss that deepened into something more urgent.

Reyla’s hands tangled in my hair, pulling me closer, her lips parting against mine. Every touch from her made something primal roar within me, a hunger that couldn't be sated with a kiss.

“I want you,” she whispered against my mouth, her voice a mixture of need and desperation that mirrored my own .

I trailed kisses down her neck, feeling her pulse quicken beneath my lips. Her chest heaved, each breath drawing me in deeper. I kissed every bit of her skin, finally moving back to her breasts. I took one hardened peak into my mouth, sucking gently, drawing out a soft moan from deep within her.

“Lore…” My name was a plea, a call that echoed through my bones.

I moved lower, my hands and mouth exploring every curve, every dip of her exquisite body. Her skin was smooth and incredibly soft, and I reveled in the sensation of having her beneath me. When I reached her heat, I nipped at her inner thigh, causing her to jolt and gasp.

Her gaze sought mine, and in that moment, we were connected by a bond deeper than any magic, more powerful than any curse. My mate. My incredible wife.

I lowered my head, pressing a soft kiss on her clit before sliding my tongue through her wetness. Her body arched off the bed, and a cry escaped her lips. I licked and sucked, circling her clit with my tongue, feeling her muscles tense beneath me.

“By the fates…” Her voice trembled, her fingers digging into the blankets.

I slid a finger inside her, feeling her clench around me, her hips moving in rhythm with my strokes. I added another. Her moans grew louder, her body writhing, her lungs raging.

I could tell she was close, but I didn't want her to come yet. I wanted to be inside her when she shattered, to feel her fall apart around me. Pulling back, I rose above her. Reyla’s eyes fluttered open, her gaze meeting mine with a mixture of surprise and desperate need. A soft whimper escaped her lips. “Lore, please.”

Her plea was my undoing. Rising over her, I positioned myself at her entrance, feeling her wet heat against the tip of my cock. Her legs wrapped around my waist, pulling me down, urging me to take everything.

“Mine,” I growled, the word escaping from deep within me. It was a declaration, a claim. She was mine, but I was equally hers , bound together by something far greater than ourselves.

I sank into her slowly, feeling every inch of her as she enveloped me. Her eyes never left mine, and in them, I saw everything I'd ever wanted, everything I'd ever need. Her body arched, meeting my thrusts, her breaths coming in short, sharp gasps.

“You feel incredible,” I rasped, my voice barely recognizable. Every sensation was heightened, every touch electrified.

Her nails dug into my back, urging me to thrust deeper, harder. I leaned down, capturing her mouth with mine, our tongues clashing together. I could taste her need, her desire, and it drove me wild.

“More,” she whispered against my lips, her body trembling beneath me. I increased the pace, driving into her with all the intensity coursing through me. I loved her more than life itself, and I wanted her to feel it, to know it, to be as consumed as me by what we could give each other.

Her eyes glazed over, her body tensing as her climax neared. Her muscles tightened around me, pushing me to the edge. But I held back, waiting, watching.

“Lore,” she cried out, her body convulsing around me.

Her orgasm ripped through her, and I captured her screams with my mouth, swallowing them whole. The sensation of her coming undone around me was enough to send me higher than the constellations I loved.

I came hard, my body shuddering with the force of it. Waves of pleasure coursed through me, and I felt every part of my soul responding .

I collapsed on her, breathing heavy as she stroked my back and murmured words of love in my ear.

Finally, I rolled, taking her with me.

She slept.

I did not.

I held her and watched over her, keeping my precious love, my mate, safe for as long as I could.