Page 23

Dernin

The fireplace in the parlor room crackled, casting a warm glow over Alaysia’s features.

Dernin’s eyes locked with hers, a silent exchange of desire passing between them.

The energy in the room was palpable, a testament to the bond they shared, one that had grown despite the chaos that surrounded them.

Dernin’s gaze drifted to her lips, slightly parted in anticipation. His hand reached out, gently cradling her neck as he leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to the hollow of her throat. She let out a soft sigh, her body leaning into his touch, seeking more.

“Is this okay?” Dernin asked.

“Yes,” Alaysia breathed out.

His fingers deftly found the ties of her black satin dress, loosening them with reverence. The fabric slipped from her waist, pooling at her feet, revealing the curves of her body in the firelight. Her naked breasts rose and fell with each breath, her nipples hardening under his intense gaze.

Dernin’s control was a thin veil, threatening to tear at any moment, but he held it together for her. He lowered his head, his lips and tongue exploring the soft mounds of her breasts, lavishing attention on each peak until her breath hitched and a moan escaped her lips.

The mate bond surged between them, a current of electricity that needed no words. Alaysia’s fingers threaded through his hair, pulling him closer, her body arching into his touch. He felt her arousal, a mirror of his own, a tangible force that bound them together.

His hands trailed lower, tracing the contours of her stomach before his fingers hooked into the waistband of her panties. He looked up at her, seeking permission with his eyes. At her nod, he slowly drew them down her legs, leaving her completely exposed to his gaze.

With a gentleness that belied his warrior’s strength, Dernin guided Alaysia down to the plush carpet beside the fire.

The heat from the flames licked at their skin, adding to the warmth that blossomed within them.

He settled between her thighs, his eyes drinking in the sight of her, laid bare before him.

He began a slow descent, his lips leaving a trail of fire down her stomach. When he reached the apex of her thighs, he paused, looking up to meet her gaze once more. The anticipation hung heavily in the air, a silent question lingering between them.

“Please,” Alaysia whispered, her voice laced with need, giving him the final encouragement he needed.

Dernin’s mouth found her center, his tongue delving into her folds with deliberate slowness. He explored her with a singular focus, each lick and kiss designed to stoke the flames of her desire higher and higher.

Alaysia’s responses were like music to his ears, her soft cries and gasps guiding his movements. He felt the tension building within her, the mate bond amplifying every sensation that coursed through her body.

As her orgasm approached, her fingers gripped his hair tighter, her body tensing beneath him. And then, with a final flick of his tongue, she shattered.

Dernin’s eyes darkened with desire as he watched Alaysia’s body shudder and quake.

Her orgasm was a symphony, each moan and gasp a note that resonated within him, stirring his own desire.

He felt the coil of need tightening in his lower abdomen, his throbbing member aching for release, but his focus remained solely on her pleasure.

With gentleness, Dernin slid his hands beneath her and lifted her hips to meet his descending mouth once more. His tongue danced over her sensitive nub, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from her. He reveled in her reactions, each one spurring him on and driving him to new heights of need.

His fingers teased the slick entrance of her core, gently probing and seeking entrance. As he eased two fingers inside her, Alaysia’s body welcomed him with a fresh wave of moisture, her inner walls clenching around his digits in a desperate embrace.

“Dernin,” she breathed out his name.

He moved his fingers, stroking the bundle of nerves within her, each thrust in sync with the movements of his tongue. The dual assault was relentless, pushing her closer and closer to the edge once more.

Alaysia’s hands found his hair again, her fingers tugging at the strands as she writhed beneath him. “I’m... I’m going to—”

Her words were cut off as another orgasm ripped through her, her body arching off the floor as she cried out her release.

Dernin’s gaze remained locked on her face, the sight of her ecstasy fueling his own arousal to near-unbearable heights.

His member throbbed painfully beneath his garment, demanding to be set free, to claim what was his.

As her tremors subsided, Dernin withdrew his fingers, watching as she collapsed back onto the carpet, her chest heaving with exertion.

He moved up to lie beside her, propping himself up on one elbow, his other hand tracing lazy circles on her stomach. Her skin was flushed, a soft sheen of perspiration making it glow in the firelight.

Alaysia turned her head to look at him, a small, sated smile playing on her lips. “I’ve never felt like this before,” she admitted, her hand reaching up to touch his cheek.

Dernin captured her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. “I will always provide for you,” he vowed.

She reached for him then, her fingers deftly working the ties of his garment, and he knew that the time for words had passed. With a groan of surrender, Dernin allowed her to undress him, revealing the full extent of his desire.

Her eyes widened at the sight of him, and for a moment, he felt a flicker of vulnerability. But then she reached out, her hand encircling his girth, and any doubt he might have harbored was incinerated by the heat of her touch.

“I want you, Dernin,” Alaysia said, her voice steady and sure. “All of you.”

With a low growl of need, Dernin positioned himself over her, the blunt head of his large member nudging against her slick entrance.

He entered her slowly, giving her body time to adjust to his size.

The mate bond between them flared to life, a tangible connection that bound their souls together as closely as their bodies.

As he moved within her, each thrust punctuated by the soft cries that escaped her lips, Dernin knew he was exactly where he was meant to be. With every stroke, he claimed her as his mate, a fierce possessiveness mingling with the tender emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.

They moved together, each rhythmic thrust bringing them closer to the brink. And when Alaysia’s body clenched around him, her orgasm triggering his own, Dernin knew he would do whatever it took to keep her by his side for all the days of his life.

As their bodies cooled and their breathing evened out, Dernin gathered Alaysia into his arms, her head resting against his chest. He felt the steady thrum of her heartbeat, a perfect counterpoint to the low purr of contentment that rumbled through his own chest.

Dernin soon helped Alaysia lace up her dress, his fingers lingering on each tie. The satin whispered against her skin as he worked, and he fought the urge to pull her back into his arms. Her scent, mixed with his own, marked her as his mate, sending a primal surge of satisfaction through him.

“Your hair’s a mess,” he murmured, running his fingers through the tangled red waves.

“And whose fault is that?” Alaysia shot back, a playful gleam in her eyes as she attempted to smooth it down.

They crept through the carpeted hallways, Dernin’s keen senses alert for any approach. His tail moved silently across the soft floor as he guided Alaysia past ornate tapestries and gilded mirrors. The sounds of the celebration grew louder as they neared the main hall.

At the entrance to the celebration hall, Alaysia straightened her dress one final time. Dernin’s eyes tracked a bead of sweat trailing down her neck, disappearing beneath the neckline of her gown. He growled low in his throat.

“Behave,” she whispered, though her pupils dilated at the sound. “We can’t give ourselves away.”

“I don’t care. Let them see,” Dernin replied, his voice rough with possession. But he knew she was right. They couldn’t risk discovery right now, not with their freedom so close at hand.

They reluctantly separated, entering the celebration hall from different directions. Dernin watched as she gracefully rejoined the crowd like nothing ever happened.