Page 46 of The Sovereign, Part One (The Sovereign Saga #1)

I wrapped my fingers around his wrist, drawing his hand to my lips as I traced my tongue over his fingertips.

His brows knitted, his gaze darkening with a blend of curiosity and desire.

Slowly, I guided his hand beneath the comforter, past the edge of my panties, a soft sigh escaping when the warmth of his fingertips met my skin.

“I’ve heard an accordant’s touch surpasses anything else,” I breathed out. “Show me.”

Maxim’s mouth possessed mine, his fingers gliding with intent—patient, practiced, devastating.

A moan slipped free, my back arching as my body responded to each motion.

It had been years since I’d felt anything beyond my own hand.

Years of careful restraint, never daring to push Joss past his limits, and then, by mandate, untouched, celibate, sealed within the confines of the Veritas Protocol.

But this… this was not simply touch. Not even foreplay.

It was artistry. Every stroke a masterpiece, each caress painting pleasure across my skin with aching, exquisite detail.

My hands found the sharp lines of his face, fingers pressing into the strength of his jaw as I turned, my cheek grazing his.

I was lost, drowning in sensation, in the dizzying contrast of skill and softness, of focus and need.

I had only ever given myself this before—but never like this. Never this.

“Is that what you want?” Maxim whispered in my ear.

I nodded, biting my lip.

With a single, fluid motion, he slid the delicate fabric of my panties away, his hand finding me again in the next breath.

I moved instinctively, pressing closer, my knee hooking at his hip as my hand drifted between his legs in silent reciprocation.

But before I could reach him, he pulled back, his touch retreating just enough to make me meet his gaze.

His olive-green eyes held mine as he shook his head slowly.

“This is about you,” he murmured. “Only you.”

I breathed out a laugh, a grin teasing my lips before I kissed him again, savoring the slow glide of his tongue against mine.

As I melted back into the mattress, he followed, pressing languid kisses from my collarbone to the tender skin just behind my ear.

A shiver coursed through me as his fingers traced gentle, knowing circles, and then—he eased one inside.

I gasped, my thighs tensing, and he groaned in response, the sound rough, almost primal. Something electric pulsed through me as he curled his finger, too easily finding that perfect spot, the heel of his hand delivering slow friction that sent heat spiraling through my core.

“I can’t wait to be here,” he murmured, his voice thick with longing. “Inside you,” he breathed. “Every night.”

My fingers dug into his skin as tension coiled deep, winding tighter with every pulse of pleasure.

Heat unfurled, igniting every nerve in a slow, consuming burn.

A final tremor crashed through me, waves cresting, breaking, leaving me trembling beneath the force of it.

He groaned, his cheek flush against mine, the heat of his breath ghosting over my skin.

For a moment, neither of us moved, lingering in the aftershocks, breaths mingling, hearts pounding in unison. Then, as the intensity ebbed, I melted into him, boneless and replete, a slow, satisfied smile curving my lips.

Maxim looked down at me with adoration, yet there was a trace of surprise, amusement—as if he hadn’t anticipated this any more than I had.

“I’m sorry,” I said, still catching my breath. “I know you wanted to wait.”

His lips quirked, equal parts knowing and tender. “We’re still waiting,” he murmured. “That was just… testing a theory.”

I muffled a giggle behind my hand as he wrapped both arms around me, pulling my back flush against his chest. His lips brushed my cheek in a few featherlight kisses before he exhaled, the sound contemplative.

“What is it like for you,” I asked, “when we finally…”

His voice was smooth, unbothered by the question. “By design, I can’t finish unless you do. The sensation you experience transfers to me, and that translates to my climax. Though, technically, none of that is possible until the night before the Oathbond during the biological tethering ceremony.”

I pulled back slightly, turning just enough to meet his gaze. “Did you or did you not just…?”

A flicker of amusement crossed his face. “A version of it, I’m sure. It was intense.”

I hesitated, curiosity threading through me. “Consummation isn’t necessary for you?”

He chuckled. “It’s preferable, trust me. An entirely different and more intense sensation… but no. When you climax, it’s just as satisfying for me.”

“Interesting,” I said, melting into his embrace and the mattress beneath me.

“Isara?”

“Yes?”

“I might never wash this hand again.”

I burst into laughter. As I tilted my chin up, I leaned back into his shoulder, drawing his arms tighter around me. I couldn’t say what love had been like in the old world, but with Maxim, I felt a joy so pure it was almost overwhelming. Hyperion had its flaws, but this? This, they had perfected.

Maxim turned me to face him, pulling me close until my cheek was against his chest. A sigh escaped as my body melted into his, his embrace a sanctuary of warmth, the soothing thrum of his heartbeat a lullaby against my ear.

With slow, soothing strokes, his fingers traced along my spine, each pass soothing me into absolute serenity.

My breath slowed, my limbs grew heavy, and the world blurred at the edges.

Safe in his arms, I surrendered to sleep.

****

I surfaced gradually, the world a hazy blur as I drifted from deep sleep to consciousness. My body felt swathed, the kind of warmth that invites you to stay, to linger in the embrace of a perfect dream. It wasn’t until I heard Maxim’s voice that I truly roused.

“Isara.” His voice was a low murmur, gentle but insistent. “Good morning, my love.”

I blinked, squinting against the gentle morning light filtering through the curtains. For a moment, I simply lay still, gazing at the ceiling, letting the room’s warmth settle over me. Then, I turned, finding Maxim’s silhouette next to me.

A drowsy yet contented smile curved my lips, the kind born from waking in a world where the first sight is the one person who makes everything feel right.

Maxim held me close, the crisp scent of fresh linen lingering on his skin.

He had changed into a clean set of clothes, his suit jacket draped neatly over the chair in the corner.

His embrace was patient, his presence constant, as if he’d been perfectly at ease staying like this for hours, waiting for me to stir.

But then, in a blink, the world shifted.

My eyes widened as my heart lurched, the tranquility shattering in an instant.

A sharp spike of panic surged through me, chasing away any lingering euphoria.

My gaze flicked around the room, reality slamming into focus as I pushed myself upright.

“Maxim,” I said, my voice hoarse, still thick with sleep. “Did you spend the night?”

He met my eyes, his expression calm. He reached for my hand, and for a moment, I felt the reassurance of his touch.

“I held you until you drifted off,” he said softly. “Spent a few hours at The Crèche, completed an assessment, searched the archives for anything of interest. Gave you time to rest, changed. But I couldn’t stay away any longer, so I drove back. Tell me that’s all right.”

I scrambled from the bed as Maxim sat up and relaxed against the headboard. “Calyx,” I called out. “Anything from The Citadel?”

Calyx’s voice filled the silence with gentle clarity. “ Good morning, Isara. No new notifications. All systems are operating within normal parameters. Would you like the morning report?”

“No… no, thank you.” I heaved out a breath, relief washing over me in waves. There was no word from The Citadel, no warning, no infraction. I glanced at Maxim, and we shared a knowing smile.

“It appears your theory was correct.”

I breathed out a laugh, raking my fingers through my hair. “Please don’t misinterpret this. I’m glad. I just don’t understand it.”

“Maybe we could keep your blood pressure in check by not tempting fate every other day? Just a suggestion.” He arched an eyebrow, waiting for a response.

I attempted to stifle a grin. “Funny.”

“Since we’re discussing it, after our Oathbond, I’d like to propose a new morning ritual—one where you grant us a few extra minutes before bolting from the bed in a panic just because I’m still in it.”

A laugh escaped me as I crawled across the mattress, settling into his lap. My arms wound around his neck, legs curling around his waist, drawing him in. “I’m sorry,” I said with a grin, my lips grazing the sharp edge of his jaw.

“Forgiven,” he said immediately.

We held each other for a few lingering moments, our grins refusing to fade, until my eyes drifted to the clock.

I groaned, reluctant to leave the warmth of the bed.

Maxim pressed a slow kiss to my bare shoulder before I finally forced myself to rise, a shiver chasing up my legs as the cool floor met my feet.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been up before Calyx adjusted the climate.”

He frowned. “That’s my fault. I didn’t expect you to wake up so suddenly.”

“That actually makes it my fault,” I teased.

He rose with me, his movements unhurried, watching as I stretched before reaching for the robe hanging from a hook next to the threshold.

As I slipped into it, he remained nearby, his gaze steady as I selected my clothes and dressed.

There was something about the way he watched me—not intrusive, not expectant, his presence notably patient and content.