Chapter 16

KIRA

I watched his eyes change color, from warm brown to a fiery orange. I knew he was battling his primal urges.

He lifted me off him quickly, turning me around and pushing me to my knees. His grip on my ass was firm at first, then softened as his fingers traced my lower back.

That was when I knew he saw them. ~My scars~.

I tried to turn around, to meet his gaze, but he pressed his hand against me. “No. Stay there!”

He was quiet for a moment, examining my scars. Then he spoke, his voice tight with anger. “Who did this to you?”

I didn’t respond. “Who did this to you!” he yelled, his voice echoing around us.

“My father,” I whispered, shame washing over me. ~I am ruined, and now he knows it~.

“That fucking bastard!” he spat, his fingers leaving my skin. I turned to face him, hugging my knees to my chest.

The rage on his face was palpable, his eyes now a deep red. He grabbed a blanket and stormed to the door, yelling for Verion.

I curled into a ball, letting the tears fall freely. When he came back, I felt his presence looming over me.

He grabbed my wrist, pulling me toward him. I kept my eyes closed, not wanting to see his anger.

“Open your eyes!” he demanded, his voice softening as he repeated, “Kira, open your eyes.”

I hesitantly looked up, focusing on his chest instead of his face. He gripped my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

“He’ll be dealt with,” he said firmly. “And he’ll never hurt you again.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He wasn’t angry at me—he was furious at my father.

“Really?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“He’ll pay for this, I promise you.” He pulled me close, wrapping his strong arms around me and cradling my head against his chest.

His fingers ran through my hair, soothing me in a way I’d never experienced before.

“You’re not mad at me?” I asked, still in disbelief.

“I’m fucking livid, but not at you. How could I be?” His voice was soft, despite the anger I could feel radiating from him. “You didn’t ask for any of this—the whipping, the pain, none of it.”

I took a shaky breath, trying to process his words. “I thought…I thought you’d be disgusted. That I’m ruined now.”

He let out a low chuckle, but there was no humor in it. “You’re not ruined, Kira. If anything, we’re more alike now—I have scars too.”

His lips brushed against the top of my head, sending a shiver down my spine. “You’re a warrior. What you’ve been through—it’s unimaginable. But you survived it. You’re still here.”

I couldn’t find the words to respond, so I just sighed, letting myself melt into his embrace.

“Come on,” he murmured, gently pulling me down onto the bed with him. “Let’s rest for a bit. We can figure everything else out later.”

As he curled his body around mine, I felt a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with his body heat. ~Safe~, I thought as I drifted off to sleep. ~I finally feel safe~.

I woke up nestled against his warm skin, the night still dark around us. It hit me that our ceremony wasn’t over yet—we still had to greet the dawn together.

I met his intense gaze, feeling his eyes on me already. Those sepia-colored eyes seemed to drink me in, devouring me with just a look.

I let out a soft breath, studying him as he studied me. He leaned in slowly, pressing his warm skin against mine, our bodies melding together as if we were one.

~Finally~, I thought.

His skin glowed against mine, making my pale complexion seem even lighter in comparison. He was breathtakingly beautiful, a stark contrast to my fragile appearance.

His rough fingers traced the sides of my body, savoring the softness of my skin. Then, without warning, he gripped my waist with his rugged hands.

A wild look flashed in his eyes as he effortlessly lifted me, positioning me on all fours. My knees and palms sank into the blanket as I felt his body press against my ass.

He tenderly traced my lower back, studying my scars. I flinched at his touch, but he soothed me by running his fingertips over my back again while gently pressing his other hand against my hair.

“You’re beautiful, Kira,” he murmured. “Beautiful,” he whispered again.

I felt his lower half press against my ass as his chest grazed my back. He continued to tease me with his caresses—his fingertips on my naked skin, his manhood against my ass, his hot breath on my body.

His touch was deadly, and so was he. ~The Dragon of Ruin~. I was already ruined by him, and I knew it.

I’m sure he knew it too.

I could feel him inside me, even though he wasn’t there yet. He had shaped my insides, just as he said he would.

I knew I’d feel him with every step I took.

I also knew he had gone easy on me before. He had made love to me with his slow pace, warm embrace, and gentle touch.

~Now, he will fuck me~.

He pressed into me again, rubbing himself along my ass, near my opening. My folds dampened further, slickness gathering around my entrance.

Without warning, he drew his cock along my opening, then thrust into me completely. I gasped at the sudden entry, feeling his length pound into me.

I twitched around him, hearing his grunt as he embraced my tightness. He moved with precision, inserting himself speedily with each thrust.

His hot breath tickled the side of my face as he whispered, “Are you ready for me to fuck you?” It was a rough whisper, the true embodiment of him.

“Yes!” I hastily responded, ready to explode along with him.

I heard a faint laugh escape his lips before he quickened his pace, driving himself deeper inside me. He plunged his cock into me, forcing himself into my depths, squeezing into every inch.

Pleasure exploded inside me from our encounter. He continued to thrust mercilessly, grunting as I screamed out in fulfillment.

I was satisfied beyond belief, and he kept filling me with every ounce of force his muscular body possessed. He cradled his hands along the sides of my stomach, curling his fingertips gently into my skin to keep me in place as he inserted himself roughly once more.

“I’m going to cum,” he groaned, pressing his cock into me violently one last time.

I whined in response, unable to speak from the intensity of his movements.

Suddenly, I felt his release inside me as he filled my depths with his emission. I felt liberated—by our act, by his release, by all of it.

The dawn seeped into the entryway, lighting our bodies with its arrival. I knew I was his, now and forever.

He patted my hair as he slowly pulled out of me. I immediately missed the feeling of his cock inside me—the sensation of him filling me completely.

My insides ached for him. He was right—after he was done with me, I’d feel him with every move I made.