Page 25 of Veiled By Smoke (The Nature Hunters Academy #5)

He pulled her closer, his arms circling her waist, grounding himself in the familiar curve of her body.

She smelled of lavender and sunlight, of hope and home.

He pressed kisses to her forehead, her temples, her eyelids, each one a silent vow: I will come back.

I will fight for you. Even if the world burns, I will find my way home.

Shelly’s hands traced his shoulders, his back, as if she was memorizing every muscle and scar.

She tugged at his shirt, her touch gentle but insistent, and he let her pull it over his head.

The cool cave air brushed his skin, but it was nothing compared to the warmth of her touch as she slid her hands over his chest, her palms resting above his heart.

Ra cupped her face again, searching her gaze. “You are everything good in me, Mery. Everything I never thought I’d get to have. If I could, I’d choose you in every life, every world. I will always be yours—no curse, no king, no darkness can change that.”

Her breath caught, eyes shining with unshed tears, but she smiled, fierce and bright. “Then show me.”

He did.

He kissed her again, deeper this time, pouring all the things he couldn’t say into the gentle press of his lips, the way his hands roamed her back and sides, reverent and aching.

He tasted salt–her tears, his tears, he didn’t know.

He didn’t care. All that mattered was the way she fit against him, the way her body curved into his, the way she trusted him to hold her heart even when his own was breaking.

They moved together, shedding clothes and worries, until nothing stood between them but skin and longing.

He carried her to their bed and laid her down.

The blankets were soft beneath them, the stone cold but forgotten in the heat they made together.

Ra trailed kisses down her neck, across her collarbone, pausing over the steady drum of her pulse.

He lingered there, feeling her heartbeat against his lips, letting it remind him that he was alive, that he was hers.

He whispered against her skin, each word a prayer, a promise, a plea. “You are my heart, Mery. My reason. My home. I love you more than I have ever loved anything, more than I ever thought I could.”

Her hands framed his face, drawing him up so she could look into his eyes. “Then let me be your home tonight, Ra. If you need to fall apart, let me hold you together.”

He captured her lips in a slow, thorough kiss, as if he could memorize every taste, every sigh, every shiver.

His hands found hers, their fingers interlacing, grounding him.

He entered her with a reverence that bordered on worship, moving with a tenderness that belied the power coiled in his body.

Their breaths mingled, their hearts pounding in shared rhythm, each movement a conversation, a confession.

He felt his elemental magic press against his flesh, fighting to get closer to Shelly.

Ra’s body heated up, and he felt Shelly’s do the same.

Small flames erupted around their bodies, outlining them, making them burn together, though it didn’t hurt them, or cause any damage to anything near them.

This was how it was meant to be between soul-bonded elementals.

Their hearts beat for each other, and their souls longed to be one.

He brushed her hair from her face, his thumb tracing her cheek as he whispered, “You are my only light in the dark, my strong, stubborn, Shelly. I will always find you, no matter how far I wander. I promise.”

She arched into him, her body answering his words with the kind of passion that set his soul alight.

They moved together, slow and deep, savoring every touch, every gasp, every whispered endearment.

He pressed his forehead to hers, eyes closed, letting their magic swirl around them, familiar, golden, unbreakable.

Outside, the cave was silent but for the distant drip of water and the hush of dragon wings far above.

Inside their alcove, the world narrowed to the slide of skin, the press of lips, the tangle of limbs and hearts.

Ra lost himself in Shelly, in the way she held him, in the way she called his name, in the fierce, unyielding love that poured from her into him.

When the world finally shattered around them, when pleasure crested and broke and left them trembling in each other’s arms, Ra buried his face in her neck, breathing her in, letting her scent fill his lungs and settle his soul.

They lay together in the aftermath, her head on his chest, their fingers entwined. He stroked her hair, pressing a kiss to her crown, whispering words meant only for her.

“I will come back to you, Mery. I sw?—”

She quickly covered his mouth with her hand. “You don’t need to make me any such promises, Ra. I take you at your word. And I’ll be here, waiting. No matter how long it takes.” She pressed a kiss over his heart.

He held her tighter, memorizing the feel of her, the sound of her breathing, the steady comfort of her presence. For a while, the darkness receded, beaten back by the warmth and love they shared.

But even as she drifted toward sleep, Ra knew the shadows would come for him again. He would face Viscious soon, and whatever waited on the other side of that meeting. But for now, in this golden space, wrapped in the arms of his soul bonded, Ra let himself hope.

Let himself believe.

Let himself love, as if it might be enough to protect them all from what was coming.

Ra moved slowly, careful not to disturb Shelly’s sleep. She was curled around him, one hand splayed over his heart, her breathing soft and even. He pressed a gentle kiss to her temple, memorizing her warmth, and slipped from the bed, easing her hand to the pillow in his place.

The chill in the cave was sharper now, the crystals in the walls casting pale blue shadows as he dressed.

He moved quietly, the hush amplifying every soft step, every sigh of stone beneath his feet.

He drew in a breath of air tinged with snow and dragon fire, letting it clear his head.

He wouldn’t open a portal here; Shelly would sense it, would wake, and he couldn’t bear the weight in her eyes as he left.

He dressed quietly and gave her one last look. Then headed from their quiet retreat.

He crossed the winding corridors, past the stillness of his found family—Liam’s soft, muddled snore, Gabby’s half-spoken dreams, Tara’s blankets ruffling as she shifted in her sleep.

At the mouth of the cave, winter’s breath swept over him, crisp and wild, the stars bright and cold above the sleeping realm.

Ra stood for a moment, letting the cold bite him, the ache in his chest swelling. He summoned his magic, flame and blood and memory, and a portal cracked open before him, its sickly light flickering on the snow.

He was about to step through when a familiar voice, dry as good gin, reached his ear.

“Oi, Ra. Sneaking out for a midnight stroll, or just fancy a bit of interdimensional peril?” Elias strolled out of the shadows, hands shoved into his coat pockets, mouth in a straight line agross his chisled face.

His accent, always a touch sardonic, softened the question but didn’t conceal the worry in his eyes.

Ra exhaled, breath turning to mist. “Didn’t want to wake Shelly.”

Elias raised an eyebrow. “You’re quieter than a church mouse with a hangover, mate. But you forget, I know you. I saw your face earlier this evening before you slipped away. I knew something was wrong.”

Ra managed a wry smile. “You always did have the timing of a bad penny.”

Elias shrugged. “It’s a gift. And someone’s got to keep you out of trouble. You’re not exactly subtle, standing out here brooding like a gothic novel.”

Ra huffed a quiet laugh, but the tension didn’t leave his shoulders. “Viscious has a bargain for me. As you remember, he threatened to kill me if I didn’t accept the last one. I’m meeting him. I don’t have a choice.”

Elias’s face sobered, but his wit didn’t waver. “You want backup? Or just someone to hold your coat while you wrestle with the devil?”

Ra shook his head. “He asked for me alone. I won’t put the rest of you in danger.”

Elias stepped closer, clapping Ra on the shoulder—a solid, grounding touch. “Doesn’t matter what you promise, mate. You’re not alone. Not now, not ever. Don’t get all noble and self-sacrificing. You come back. We’re a team. Even if you do have a flair for the dramatic.”

Ra looked away, then back, his voice softer. “I know. Doesn’t make it easier.”

Elias’s grip tightened. “If anyone can outfox a fire king, it’s you. But if you need me, just whistle. I’ll bring the cavalry. Well, maybe not Liam. He’s a wanker and would just piss someone off, then you and I would have to clean up his mess.”

Ra’s smile was small, but genuine. “You do know how to make a bloke feel loved.”

Elias grinned, something he usually only did with Tara. “Don’t get soppy on me, mate. I’ve a reputation to uphold.”

They stood together, two friends forged by fire and choice, brothers in every way that mattered. The silence between them was comfortable, full of history and trust.

Ra let out a breath, the weight in his chest a little lighter for hearing it. “Tell the others—no, never mind. I’ll tell them myself. When I come back.”

Elias nodded, his smile crooked but fierce. “That’s the spirit. Go on, then. Go do your hero thing. I’ll keep an eye on Shelly. And Ra? Don’t let him get in your head.”

Too late, Ra thought as he turned to the portal, feeling Elias’s faith in him like an invisible shield. He stepped forward, letting the magic draw him in.

The last thing he heard before the world twisted was Elias’s voice, crisp and certain,“No matter what he asks of you, it doesn’t change who we know you are. So, come home, Ra. Even if you don’t feel like you can. We need you, mate.”

With that, Ra stepped into the unknown—carrying the memory of love and the promise of a brother who’d walk through hell for him.