Page 64 of Unravelled

They reached Mira’s quarters, the corridor hushed save for the hurried rhythm of their footsteps echoing off the stone.

Candlelight flickered wildly along the high walls, shadows leaping with every breath.

Ren’s hand pressed at the small of her back, his touch firm, grounding her, but beneath it pulsed something deeper, something hot, reckless.

Mira didn’t hesitate. Her fingers closed around the handle, shoving the door open with a sharp click, and they stumbled inside.

The room was warm, thick with the scent of tahla and sandalwood.

The steam from the untouched bath still hung in the air.

But the heat that licked at her spine wasn’t from the room.

The Emberbane curled through her blood like smoke, coaxing, daring, demanding.

She didn’t step away. She couldn’t. The fire in her veins begged for more.

“Ren... ” she whispered, his name a fragile plea, breathless and raw.

Mira turned and pulled him down to her. Their mouths collided, in a searing kiss. A kiss that left no space for breath, only hunger. His lips broke from hers just long enough to whisper, voice rough with need.

“I need to hear you,” he murmured, voice rough with restraint. “Say it again.” Her throat tightened, the heat rising fast, flushing her skin as she leaned in, lips close enough to brush his.

“Ren please” she begged, steadier this time, but no less aching.

His eyes shut, his forehead dropping to hers, their breath tangled.

He slowly pressed her back against the door, caging her in, his body flush with hers, his breath ragged, his eyes dark with need.

But even through the haze, he stilled, just enough to meet her gaze.

Pressed against him, she could feel the hard, unmistakable proof of his desire through the thin barrier of her dress.

His voice was rough, low, almost reverent. “Tell me you want this. Not the Emberbane. Not the magic. You.”

Mira’s breath hitched. The fire in her veins burned, the Emberbane a constant thrum beneath her skin, but this.

.. It wasn't the powder or smoke guiding her, it was her choice.

She saw the boat of stars, the tangled threads of fate Danlea had shown her.

The choice waiting beneath the surface, glowing and golden, pulsing with possibility.

And this wasn't a mistake. Not a stolen moment. This was her choice.

Ren’s gaze searched hers, something almost broken in the way he waited, braced for rejection. But she didn’t pull away.

“I choose this,” Mira said, voice sure, even as the heat licked at her spine. “I choose you.”

He let out a shaky breath, a sound of relief. Ren’s mouth crashed against hers, hot and demanding, a collision of hunger and restraint unraveling all at once. Mira melted into him, her fingers curling into his hair, nails dragging lightly along his scalp as she tilted her head, deepening the kiss.

He groaned, the sound raw and guttural, his hands gripping her waist before sliding up, tracing the curve of her spine, the dip of her lower back.

His touch was everywhere, roaming without hesitation, like he needed to feel every inch of her at once.

Her hips pressed flush against the door as he pinned her there.

His tongue flicked against hers, teasing, consuming, and a soft moan escaped her lips.

Ren shuddered against her, his breath ragged as he pulled back just enough to let his lips brush down her jaw, to the curve of her throat.

He lingered there, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses along her skin, teeth grazing lightly before soothing the spot with his tongue.

Her fingers fisted in his shirt, pulling at the fabric, needing more.

“Off,” she murmured against his lips, her voice thick, breathless. He smirked against her skin.

“Impatient?” Mira let her nails scrape down his chest, feeling the ridges of muscle beneath.

“I know what I want.” she breathed.

In one swift motion, he grabbed the back of his shirt and tugged it over his head, tossing it aside.

Mira barely had a moment to take him in before his mouth was on hers again, desperate, consuming, as if he couldn’t stand the distance for even a second.

Ren braced his hands on either side of her head, caging her against the door, his bare chest rising and falling in uneven breaths.

He pulled back, His eyes burned into hers, dark, searching, waiting.

His voice, thick with restraint, dropped to a husky whisper. “Tell me what you need, Mira.”

She arched against him, her breath catching as the Emberbane thrummed beneath her skin, its pulse quickening with every touch.

Her fingers skimmed over Ren’s shoulders, tracing the hard lines of him. “I want you inside me.”

Ren groaned, his head dipping forward, his lips just brushing hers. His hands clenched against the door like it was the only thing keeping him from losing himself completely. His voice was rough, hoarse, edged with restraint.

“When I’m inside you, Mira, we won’t have the Emberbane.” His forehead rested against her shoulder, his breath ragged. His words sent a shudder through her, not a warning, a vow. The Emberbane pulsed in her blood, “I’ll give you anything else you want.”

Mira writhed beneath him, her fingers tightening on his shoulders. “That’s all I can think about.”

Ren stood, and a slow, smoldering recognition sparked in Ren’s eyes, deep and deliberate. He hummed, slow and deep, his lips curling into a smirk that sent heat spiraling low in her stomach.

“I have an idea...” he murmured, voice dripping with promise.

Mira’s pulse pounded wildly in her throat as anticipation licked up her spine.

Her body leaned toward him instinctively, drawn by the tease in his tone that made her ache with need.

The Emberbane pulsed through her like liquid fire, stoking the hunger already coiled tight in her belly.

Her lips parted, a soft sound escaping, half gasp, half invitation.

Mira wanted every word, every touch, every wicked thought that danced behind those eyes.

His hands left the door, skimming down her sides, slow, deliberate. Mira sucked in a breath as his grip tightened on her thighs. Carefully, he gathered the layers of her dress, pulling them up, exposing her skin. He pressed her hand to the fabric, an invitation to hold it in place.

Slowly, he sank to his knees before her, eyes never leaving hers as he eased her underlace down her legs.

The soft brush of his breath against her bare skin sent a shudder through her.

Ren's lips traced her thigh, slow and deliberate as he placed her leg on his shoulder. Her heart hammering in anticipation.

“Stay with me,” he breathed into her skin. A whisper meant as much for himself as for her, fragile with need. Then, his mouth was on her.

Mira gasped, her head thudding back against the door as his tongue teased, slow and agonizing.

He savored every second, slow and unhurried dragging out every moment with a patience that had her trembling.

She cursed, her fingers winding into his hair.

Ren groaned, the sound vibrating against her, making her whimper.

His voice was dark, sinful, drenched in satisfaction. “Let me hear you.” Mira couldn't help herself. She moved against him, her hips finding a faster rhythm

He laughed softly against her, "Tell me what you need." His finger tips drifted up her thigh, hot, deliberate, teasing.

“More,” Mira breathed, the word slipping out before she could temper it. Ren stilled, just for a moment. His gaze lifted to hers.

“That,” he murmured, voice like silk over flame, “I can do.” Before easing into her in a way that had her entire body clenching around him. Mira cried out, her hips jerking. Ren exhaled a growl, deep and husky, before burying his face in her.

Her fingers dug into Ren’s head, anchoring herself as waves of pleasure crested and broke through her, relentless and consuming. The world narrowed to heat and pleasure and the ragged rhythm of her breath.

Ren groaned, deep and low, his tongue flicking, curling, pressing against her. His other hand gripped her thigh tighter, encouraging, demanding more. The pressure inside her built, unbearable, relentless.

Pleasure crashed through her, white-hot and blinding, her body trembling, her breath coming in sharp, broken gasps, his tongue and fingers never relenting, dragging it out until she was shaking, barely able to stand.

Ren sat back on his heels, his hands a brand against her thighs, his breath ragged, his lips slick from her. Tension rippled through him, his body coiled tight, like he was fighting every instinct not to lose himself in her.

Mira dropped to her knees, eyes locked on his, and pushed him onto his back.Her hands skimmed his chest as she climbed over him,her thighs sliding over his hips as she straddled him.

The shift in control was immediate, intentional. Something in Mira craved the feel of him beneath her.Wanted to guide him, to savor him, to own him for this moment.

His eyes widened, just for a blink, before that spark turned molten, dark with restraint and want.

It wasn’t fear. It was surrender. Willing.

Eager. The Emberbane still pulsed beneath her skin, a warm, electric current that sang through her blood, but it wasn’t clouding her.

It was clarifying. Amplifying what She already felt.

Ren's hands gripped her hips, steadying but not guiding, his body taut beneath her, his restraint visible in every corded muscle and ragged breath. But he didn’t take control back. He waited. Let her lead.

“Mira,” His voice was rough, pleading. “You don’t have to.”