Page 108 of The Mating Quest

Standing up, she began to pace, looking miserable. “I’ve given so many people over the past seven hundred years so many chances. I felt I had no more chances left togive.”

Ethan snapped to his feet and caught her wrist in his hand. “It’s never going to change unless you make it change. Giving up solvesnothing.”

“Do you understand why I asked the goddess to let me die, Ethan? Do you know what it’s like to try to make a difference, fight evil in this crazy world, and nothing resolves itself? I’m bubble gum on a leaky Hoover Dam and I’m weary of trying to hold back theflood.”

“So that’s it. You don’t trust me to help you hold it back? You can’t save the world by yourself, Ilana, so you want it to end. But damn, I thought I was enough.” He gave a short, bitter laugh and released her wrist. “What a fucking fool I am, to think I was enough for the great Ilana Simmons, the superwoman who is pissed off because she can't doeverything."

He swept her a low bow. “Excuse me your majesty, I apologize for being in yourpresence.”

“Ethan, no, it’s not likethat.”

Incredibly weary, he turned back. “Then what is it like? Whatever it is, it clearly isn’t enough foryou.”

“Will you listen!” sheshouted.

He folded his arms across his chest. She drew in a breath. “I told you, I wanted to die. For years, decades, I was tired of this world. It was an awful place. A damn awful place… until you camealong.”

Ilana shook her head. “This is so hard… I feel like I’m stepping out on a ledge, ready to fall and I don’t know if I will have anyone to catch me. I’m taking a chance here. Because what is life without chances? I’ve taken so many, but never with my heart. Untilnow.”

Ethanwaited.

“With you in it, I’ve decided the world can be a good place. I don’t want to die anymore. I’ve met you. I love you. You gave me a reason to go on. You gave me a reason to live. I only ask onething.”

“What?” he askedsoftly.

“Don’t do something stupid and get yourself killed. I don’t think I could bearit.”

His mouth quirked in a smile even as his heart beat harder with joy. “I have no intention of doing so. Now will you be quiet? I’m going to kissyou.”

As if to seal his promise, he brought his face close to hers and kissed her. Softly, almost as reassurance. Ilana did not resist. Encouraged, he deepened the kiss, skimming his mouth over hers, his tongue lightly licking the seam of hermouth.

“Ethan, my body… the scars…” she murmured against hismouth.

Pulling away, he regarded her solemn face, the big blue eyes and the uncertaintythere.

“I want to see you exactly how you are. The real you. The woman I love. The woman who doesn’t hesitate to tell me exactly what she needs.” He caressed her hair. “Ilana, don’t glamour yourselfanymore.”

They removed their clothing and she stood before him, naked andshivering.

He walked in back of her, placed a warm palm upon the scars Cormac had placed there with his whip. Damn that Dark Fae that hurt her. He would tear Cormac apart with his bare hands for daring to injureIlana.

All he could do now was chase away the horrific memory with pleasure. Ethan began feathering light, sweet kisses upon her markedflesh.

“How the hell you survived with that monster… you’re strong, Mage. So strong. But if he were alive, I’d tear himapart.”

Ilana turned suddenly, drawing in a deep breath. “Forget him and my past. You’re all that mattersnow.”

Suddenly she wrapped her arms around him and began kissing him back as if she were drowning and drawing breath from him. They went to the ground, the soft green moss their bed. Groaning, he kissed her and rolled her over onto her back. Ilana writhed against him, wrapping her legs aroundhim.

“Fuck. I have to get inside you. Now,” he growled, fumbling for the zipper on hisjeans.

Naked they rolled together on the ground, still kissing, Ilana wriggling, urging him closer. He guided his penis inside her wet, welcoming warmth. A gasp fled her, and she sighed withpleasure.

It was all the invitation he needed. Damn she was so tight and hot, like wet satin wrapped around his thrusting cock. Ethan’s wolf howled. He couldn’t be gentle and slow. Not now. His heavy thrusts pounded hard, but she met each one, pumping upward as her long legs wrapped around hiships.

Ethan threw back his head, howling, as Ilana raked her nails down his back and screamed his name as she climaxed. He followed, shuddering and calling hername.

After, they lay spent and naked, curled up in each other’s arms. Ethan raised his head, sweat slicking his back and tunneling into the slight grooves she’d carved there with her nails. He loved it. She’d marked him in the flesh, just as he had from the moment he’d takenher.