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Rhea

A s Zephyros circles over the peak, I see a leveled clearing and lower myself to it using Vortex Drop. Even though I’ve practiced the maneuver a dozen times, it’s still scary, though not as much as when Zephyros did it for me the night we visited my father.

—Why are we here, little one? Zephyros asks as he circles above.

I kept the reason hidden from him, barring him from my thoughts and excitement.

—I’m sure you can guess .

—You are making a grave mistake, he grunts.

—That’s exactly the point. I glance around the clearing, finding no trace of Vaylen. We didn’t see Fragor on our way here either, so maybe I’m the first to arrive.

—Humans! Zephyros huffs. —Always driven by such basic instincts.

—Oh, don’t tell me you wouldn’t lose your mind if you saw a beautiful dragoness flying toward you.

It’s a terrible attempt to be funny. In fact, it’s tactless, considering the only female dragon to ever live was Heratrix. I expect him to bite my head off. I would deserve it. Instead, he gives me a sad look, his silver eyes shining as if lined with tears. My heart breaks at the sight, and I want to take the words back, but he allows no time for an apology as he flies away and shuts me from his mind.

“Zephyros, please.” I reach out a hand, as if I could grab his long tail and pull him back down, as if I could force him to listen to my apology. “Dammit!”

There’s a sound behind me. I whirl, heart pounding.

Vaylen appears from behind a massive rock, padding on bare feet. “You came.” He sounds surprised and glad at the same time.

“Hi,” I manage like an idiot.

A crooked smile graces his chiseled lips. He strides in my direction with confidence, moving like a predator onto his prey. When he reaches me, his strong hands wrap around my waist and pull me roughly against him. Without pause, he lowers his head and claims my mouth. His kiss is passionate and possessive. His tongue enters my mouth, and I’m lost in the feel of it. His breath is hot and rapid against mine. His scent, a heady mix of musk, wind, and leather oil fills my nose, overwhelming my senses. Our heavy breaths mingle together as our kiss grows more passionate. I respond in kind, my fingers exploring his chest. His strong arms wrap around me, pulling me closer, and our bodies mold perfectly together.

He pulls away abruptly, biting his lower lip. “Can’t get ahead of myself.”

That crooked smile returns as he takes my hand, interlacing our fingers. That rare dimple appears on his right cheek. He is so serious all the time, so it rarely has the opportunity to come to life—and I say come to life because the damn thing must be sentient. It’s too perfect and present not to be.

“Come with me.” He pulls me along toward the boulder, then guides me around it. On the other side, there is a cave, a soft glow emanating from its interior.

“Um,” I pull on his arm, refusing to follow him in. “Is this where I discover you’re one of those serial murderers the news sheets talk about?”

He frowns at me over his shoulder. “If that’s meant to be a joke, it’s not funny.”

“Sorry. My sense of humor seems to be off tonight.”

Letting go of my hand, he turns to face me, his solid frame silhouetted against the glow from the cave. Slowly, he walks backward into the tunnel.

“Are you coming?” he asks, his blue eyes roving the length of my body.

I roll my eyes and follow. “What is this place?”

“Only one of my favorite spots in the entire realm. I found it when I was first training.”

“ You found it?”

He nods, still moving backward, one of his hands brushing the wall.

“Does anyone else know about it?”

“No.” He steps out of the narrow tunnel into an open area and gestures toward the ground. “I hope you’re hungry.”

I walk into a concave chamber about the size of my room. A blanket and furs are spread over the ground, topped with a bottle of wine, bread, cheese, sausage, and fruit. Two gas lamps hang from hooks on the wall. At first, I’m surprised, then a thought occurs to me, and I frown.

“You don’t like it,” he says.

“Are you sure no one else knows about this place?”

It takes him a moment to catch my meaning, then his eyebrows go up. “I assure you, Rhealyn. I’ve never brought anyone else here.”

I met Vaylen only a week ago. For all I know, he’s lying. He might be the Sky Order’s top rake, an expert at seducing every star-eyed Skyrider who finds it impossible to resist that dimple of his. But if he is that kind of man, wouldn’t that be preferable? Easier even? We could enjoy each other for one night, exhaust this desire simmering between us, then forget it ever happened.

Shrugging, I say, “I wouldn’t be mad if you had.”

His expression tightens, as if he doesn’t like my comment. I think he’s going to protest, but instead his features relax again, and he says, “Let’s eat.”

He sits on the blanket and pours wine into two small metal cups. I sit across from him and stretch my legs, so they rest on the naked ground. The wine is chilled and tastes wonderful.

“Very nice.” I moan, closing my eyes to enjoy the taste and decipher every note.

“Some of the benefits of being the High Prime.”

“I see.”

He prepares a plate with a bit of everything and hands it over. The food is delicious.

“What made you decide to become a rider?” he asks, before popping a grape in his mouth.

I think to offer him the nondescript answer I always use… that, as a child, I was obsessed with dragons and wanted one of my own. It’s a common enough response for most Academy students and gets people off my back. Instead, I find myself saying something entirely different.

“After my mother died, I felt… helpless.” It’s the truth, and all I want to say, because expanding on it would mean lying again. I’m afraid he’ll press me for more, but he doesn’t.

“I understand the sentiment, and it’s, in a way, the same reason that drove me to enlist.” He pauses, seems to consider whether or not to continue, then he does. “I grew up in Ashen House.”

I let out a small gasp of surprise. Ashen House is an orphanage, the largest in all of Embernia. It houses children who have lost their families due to the war. I’d heard Vaylen didn’t come from money, but I never knew he was destitute.

“I didn’t know,” I manage.

He sets down his plate and dusts his hands. “I don’t like talking about it.”

“You… you don’t have to.”

“I do. I… want to.” He runs stiff fingers through his sun-kissed hair, loosening several strands from their perfect arrangement. “I know about your mother, so I feel it’s fair you know about mine. I never met my father, so I can’t tell you anything about him, but my mother… she was special. We lived in Onyx Crossing by the border, didn’t have much. The town was poor even before the devastating attack from the Screechclaws. When they came, I was nine. I was in school, and she was working. She made pottery, from utilitarian water pots to beautiful vases. She was proud of her talent. She dropped me off that morning, and I never saw her again. The area of town where she worked was…”

He stops and rubs his jaw, clearly upset by the memories of that day. The way his eyes shine and seem to fill with a mixture of anger, frustration, and anguish feels all too familiar. I had no idea we shared a similar kind of pain.

“Vaylen… I’m sorry.” I reach out and take his hand.

His thumb absently caresses my knuckles. “I thought you should know we share the same reason for wanting to destroy those screech bitches.” He smiles sheepishly.

Not exactly. My mother’s loss wasn’t the only thing that drove me to the Academy, so I can’t repay his honesty with my own. Of course, I’ll have no trouble obliterating those monsters for him, for his mother, and anyone else in the same situation. Too many children have been made orphans by our enemies. Though they’re not the only ones hurting children. Our own institutions do that, and perhaps even more than I ever suspected, considering what Zephyros said about all we’ve lost due to the lack of Weavers and Duals.

His head cocks to one side as his mesmerizing eyes rove over my face. “You’re beautiful.”

Moving closer, he lifts his free hand and caresses my cheek.

“I’m about to make your scales rattle, woman.”

“Is that so?”

“It is so. I intend to make sure that from this day forward, only I will suffice for you. I told you… I don’t do anything in half measures, Rhealyn. I’m certainly not about to start with you.”

Slowly, he leans closer and kisses me.

My heart races as his hand cups my face and his lips gently brush against mine. I close my eyes, savoring the warmth and softness of his touch. Our kiss deepens. He pulls me closer, his other hand winding around my waist as he presses me against him. I feel the heat radiating from his body, igniting a fire within me. I run my hands through his hair, tangling my fingers in the silky strands as our tongues dance together in a perfect rhythm.

He breaks apart, his forehead against mine, and whispers, “I’ve wanted you since the first time I saw you.”

I smile up at him. “Me too.”

We gaze into each other’s eyes for a long moment, then he shifts positions, crouches by my feet, and begins unlacing my boots.

“What are you doing?” For some reason, the action makes me feel uncomfortable. It’s too… intimate.

“I want every inch of you bare to me, Rhealyn.”

His fingers loosen the laces with dexterous ease. I watch him, mesmerized by his movements as he removes my boots and tosses them aside. Then, he stands and pulls me to my feet. He leans down to kiss me again, his lips trailing down my jawline and neck. Moaning softly, I tilt my head back as he dispenses kisses along my collarbone. His hands roam over my body, leaving a path of fire in their wake. He proceeds to unbuckle my leather jacket, peeling it away and leaving me in my white camisole. Lifting it over my head, he tosses it aside and his eyes hungrily rake over my exposed skin. I shiver under his intense gaze, feeling vulnerable yet incredibly turned on. His hands run up my sides, causing goosebumps to erupt all over my skin. He reaches behind me, unclasping my bra and letting it fall to the ground. I stand before him, exposed and vulnerable. But at that moment, I feel nothing but desire.

His hands cup my breasts, his thumbs circling my hardened nipples. A gasp escapes my lips as he leans down and takes one of them into his mouth, sucking and teasing it with his tongue. My body arches towards him, craving more of his touch.

He switches to my other breast, giving it the same attention as his hands continue to explore the rest of me. One hand travels down to the waistband of my trousers, slowly unbuttoning them while the other squeezes and caresses my breast.

“Why are you still wearing these?” he asks, tugging at the waistband.

I grin mischievously. “Maybe I like the way I look in them.”

His lips twitch into a smirk as he leans in to whisper in my ear, “Trust me, my little mistake, you look even better without them.”

With that, he moves his lips to mine again, kissing me deeply as his hands work to rid me of my trousers and undergarment. I moan softly against his mouth as he pulls them down slowly. His breath hitches at the sight, and he takes a step back to admire me fully. My cheeks flush with embarrassment and arousal under his intense gaze.

“Beautiful, like I said.” His timbre is husky, as he cups my face and leans in for another kiss.

I push him away. “This isn’t fair. You’re still dressed.”

“Who said anything about fairness?”

He tries to pull me close, but I slap his hand away and start working on his jacket’s buckles, eager to explore the toned muscles I feasted my eyes on the last time. As I peel it off, my fingers skim over his chest, tracing the wings of his tattoo and eliciting a growl. His hands move to the back of my neck, and he pulls me in for a heated kiss, his tongue dominating mine. My breasts press against his heated skin, and we both sigh at the contact. I feel his arousal pressing against me, and I can’t resist rubbing myself against him, eliciting a groan.

“Why are you still wearing this ?” I tug at his trousers.

“The fuck if I know.”

We both laugh, as I undo the buttons. He steps out of them, and I discover he’s wearing no underwear. His cock springs free, and I can’t help but gasp at the sight.

Oh, Goddess! He’s absolutely lovely. Straight and large.

He grins smugly before continuing to kiss and nibble at my skin. My hands roam freely across his muscular back before coming around to reach lower. I grasp him firmly in one hand and begin slowly stroking him, relishing his impressive length and girth.

I take a step back, releasing his cock from my grasp. He looks at me with shock and desire in his blue gaze before I drop to my knees in front of him. His eyes widen as he realizes what I’m about to do.

“Fuck,” he breathes out as I lick a long line up the underside of his length.

I continue to tease him with my tongue, circling around the head before taking him fully into my mouth. He groans and threads his fingers through my hair, guiding me as I suck and bob my head along his length. His hips start thrusting, and I reach up to hold them still so I can control the pace.

“Shit,” he moans as I swirl my tongue around the sensitive tip of his cock.

I continue to pleasure him with my mouth, using my hands to stroke and massage his balls. His breathing becomes more erratic. He feels like clay in my hands, and I think I’ve undone him when he pulls back and shakes his head.

“No, Rhealyn. This is not how tonight is going to work.” Without another word, he scoops me in his arms, kneels, then lays me gently on top of the furs and crawls on top of me. His weight is comforting and arousing at the same time. I feel his length between my thighs, soft as velvet. Our lips meet again, and we continue our passionate kissing as his hands roam my body.

Every inch of him presses against me, and I’m desperate for more. I run my hands down his back, feeling his muscles tense under my touch. He groans into my mouth before breaking away to kiss along my jawline, down to my neck. He sucks and nips at the sensitive skin, causing shivers to run through me. I arch my back, craving it all. His hands make their way to my breasts, gently squeezing them before teasing my nipples between his fingers, his favorite pastime, it seems.

“Please,” I moan as he continues to pleasure me with his mouth and hands.

He pulls away long enough to grin smugly. A surge of desire washes over me as he gazes at me hungrily.

“You’re delicious. I’ve been craving another taste of your sweet nectar. One taste, and I’ve become addicted,” he whispers before dipping his head between my legs.

His tongue explores every inch of me as he brings waves of pleasure crashing through my body. I grip onto the furs beneath us as he brings me closer and closer to release.

But just as I think I can’t take it anymore, he pulls away, leaving me panting and needy on the furs. He really does love to tease.

I open my eyes to see him staring down at me, his eyes wild with desire. He wastes no time in positioning himself between my legs and pressing his cock to my entrance. I moan as he slowly inches forward, sinking his length into me. He fills me completely, and I can’t help but throw my head back in pleasure. He starts to move in a slow rhythm, each thrust bringing waves of pleasure through me. I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him closer until there’s no space between us.

Our bodies move together in perfect harmony, and we lose ourselves in the moment. He leans down to capture my lips again as our movements become more urgent and desperate. His hands roam over my body, teasing and pleasuring me in all the right ways. My nails dig into his back as I feel myself getting closer and closer to release.

He pulls away from the kiss to look down at me.

“You look so free when you give yourself over to pleasure,” he whispers before leaning down to kiss along my neck again.

“I can say the same about you,” I say breathlessly.

“Then we need to make these kinds of mistakes over and over again.”

His words send another wave of desire through me. His slow, deliberate thrusts soon turn into a passionate rhythm that has us both moaning and moving in perfect sync once more. The way he fills me to the brim makes me gasp and cling to his strong arms.

We become one, our bodies connected on an intimate level I’ve never experienced before. Our hands roam over each other’s bodies, tracing every curve and dip as we chase our pleasure.

I can feel myself building towards climax again, and he senses it without fail. This time, he doesn’t stop, and instead, leans down to kiss me deeply, his movements becoming faster, more urgent.

When I finally reach my peak, I call out his name as ecstasy crashes into me like a Wind Blast. He follows soon after, burying his face into the crook of my neck as he lets out a low groan and shudders.

We lie tangled together on the furs for a few moments, catching our breaths and coming back down from our highs. He pulls out of me gently and rolls onto his back beside me.

“That was...” I trail off, unable to find the words to describe what we just shared.

“Amazing,” he finishes for me with a smirk. “You’re amazing.”

I blush at his praise, not sure how to respond. We lie there in comfortable silence for a long while, until my eyes close and I have the best sleep I’ve had in a long time.