Chapter 22

KIRA

Our bodies were tangled together, our tongues refusing to part. Our hands hungrily explored each other, as if we couldn’t get enough.

It felt like our bodies were made for each other. Like from the first touch, we were bound together in a way that defies explanation.

This wasn’t about ownership or property—it was so much more than that. After everything we’d been through, I knew I was not just Cerion’s possession.

I was his queen, his partner, his equal. I was his weakness, and he was mine.

It’s funny how things change. He went from the man who terrified me to the man I love.

I was sure it was just as strange for him—watching me transform from a figurehead into his mate. His equal in every way.

I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the present. My fingertips traced every inch of his body, committing it to memory.

~God, he’s beautiful~. Everything about him screamed perfection. I’d seen it all before, but he still took my breath away.

His body seemed even more perfect than I remembered. His muscles were well-defined, especially when we were together.

~Did I really just think that~? I couldn’t help but giggle. But it was true—he was at his most magnificent when we joined as one.

My eyes roamed over his biceps, admiring the tanned, carved muscles. Then they drifted down to his abdomen, lean and sculpted.

Finally, my gaze settled on the center of my fixation: his cock. It was impressive, to say the least.

Pink, thick, and mouthwatering. I squirmed every time he entered me, and even when he wasn’t inside me, I could still feel him.

I licked my lips, unable to look away. A chuckle erupted from Cerion’s seductive mouth.

I met his eyes, realizing he had been watching me. He looked just as transfixed as I felt, but he was focused on my face, not my body.

I felt a blush threatening to creep across my cheeks. But my dragon, Kalathe, soothed the embarrassment away.

~“Have pride,”~ she told me. ~“He’s your mate, just as you are his. You deserve to admire him.”~

Cerion closed the distance between us, placing his rough palm on my cheek. He massaged my cheekbone with his fingertips, drawing a soft moan from my lips.

A smirk played on his mouth as he pressed our bodies together. My breasts squished against his firm chest, my nipples hardening at the contact.

His fingers trailed down to my breasts, cupping them, teasing my nipples. I moaned louder, my body aching for more.

Without warning, he knelt before me, his gaze fixed on my lower half. I could feel his hot breath on my folds, making me even wetter.

His tongue found my clit, and I cried out in pleasure. I tangled my fingers in his thick brown hair, pulling gently as he lapped at me.

I felt my orgasm building, and then it crashed over me without warning. I gushed around his tongue, my legs shaking.

Cerion gripped my backside, his rough palms kneading my flesh. He pulled me down to the cold stone floor with him.

The dirt smudged my ivory skin, but I couldn’t care less. All I could think about was having him inside me.

His cock was throbbing, even harder now after tasting me—after sucking me dry.

He moved toward me, ready to push inside, but I stopped him. His brow furrowed in confusion.

Instead of explaining, I pressed my palm to his chiseled chest, pushing him onto his back. I hovered over him, a plan forming in my mind.

A devious smile spread across his face, highlighting his sharp cheekbones. His eyes were wild with temptation, matching the desire I felt.

He held out his arms, inviting me closer. I lowered myself onto him, a gasp of pleasure escaping my lips as we connected.

His hands found their way to my waist, gripping me tightly as he guided my movements. Up and down, our bodies moved in sync—each motion sending waves of ecstasy through me.

I whimpered softly, feeling another climax building inside. His muscles flexed beneath me, his body working tirelessly to bring us both to the edge.

The pace quickened, our breathing becoming more ragged with each passing second. Sweat glistened on his skin—a testament to the intensity of our connection.

I felt his body tense, his grip on my hips tightening as he reached his peak. His jaw clenched, and I felt the warmth of his release deep inside me.

Within seconds, I was at my peak, spilling my release around him too.

Gently, he lifted me off him and settled me by his side. His arm wrapped around me, pulling me close against his chest.

“That was quite a different throne than you’re used to, wasn’t it, my queen?” he murmured, a hint of amusement in his voice.

I couldn’t help but laugh, snuggling closer to him as sleep overtook me. In that moment, the scars on my back no longer mattered.

I wasn’t ashamed or scared anymore. I was just…happy.

CERION

I cradled her sleeping form against my chest, her bare skin warm against mine as we lay on the cold stone floor of the Dragon’s Entrance. The contrast of temperatures sent a shiver down my spine, but I didn’t want to move.

Eventually, I scooped her up and carried her back to our room, gently laying her on the satin sheets. Her eyes fluttered, threatening to open, but she remained asleep, her blonde hair spilling across the pillow like liquid gold.

I couldn’t help but study her face, tracing the delicate curve of her nose with my finger. ~She’s so beautiful~, I thought, my heart swelling with an emotion I wasn’t quite ready to name.

Sliding into bed beside her, I rested my head on the pillow and closed my eyes, letting her steady breathing lull me to sleep. It felt like only moments had passed when Verion’s excited voice pierced through our peaceful slumber.

Kira was already up, wrapping herself in a red satin robe as she padded across the wooden floor. She turned to me with a soft smile, wisps of blonde hair falling across her eyes in a way that made my heart skip a beat.

~God, she’s irresistible~, I thought, images of our bodies intertwined flashing through my mind. But Verion’s persistent knocking dragged me back to reality.

With an irritated sigh, I tugged on a robe and cracked open the door. “Yes, Verion?” I muttered, trying not to let my annoyance show.

The poor guy looked desperate, stumbling over his words. “My king, I’m sorry to disturb you, but there’s an issue near the border. Barbarians are attacking villages—they’ve killed at least ten villagers!”

I couldn’t help the groan that escaped me. ~Just what I needed today~, I thought sarcastically.

“Instruct Arion to watch the castle while I’m away,” I said, ready to close the door. But then a thought struck me. “Where is he, anyway?”

Verion hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor. “He’s with Lady Raya, my king. He has been over the last few days.”

I turned to Kira, surprised to see a twinkle in her eye. “And you? You knew?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

She shrugged, a smile playing on her lips. “Yes. I think it’s lovely. They’re both happy and distracted. Wouldn’t it be nice if they ended up together?”

As she walked to the bathroom, my eyes couldn’t help but follow her figure. ~Focus, Cerion~, I scolded myself, turning back to Verion.

“Fine, but make sure Arion watches the castle while I’m gone,” I said, my gaze drifting back to Kira as she changed into a formfitting black outfit. ~Damn, she looks incredible~.

Once we were alone again, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. “I thought you had somewhere to go,” she teased, tucking her hair behind her ears.

I closed the distance between us, my fingers grazing her cheek. “I can be a few minutes late,” I suggested.

She giggled, the sound making my heart race. “It’s never just a few minutes with you.”

“Well then, an hour,” I said, my fingers trailing down to the soft material of her bodysuit. But she caught my hand, a knowing smirk on her face.

“I’m going with you,” she said, heading for the door. My mood instantly shifted.

“No…no, you are not,” I said sternly, fire licking at the edges of my voice. I couldn’t risk her safety, dragon or no dragon.

“Cerion,” she started, but I cut her off. “The answer is no, and that’s final!”

Her eyes flashed dangerously as she stepped closer. “You can’t stop me!” she said, her gaze piercing mine.

~Oh boy~, I thought. ~This is going to be one hell of an argument~.

“I’m not some fragile little girl anymore, Cerion!” she shouted, her words cutting through the tension between us.

~She’s right~, I thought to myself. She wasn’t that fragile girl who needed my protection anymore—she had her own dragon, for crying out loud.

But the idea of her joining me in battle still made my stomach churn with worry. There was no telling what could happen out there, and I couldn’t bear the thought of her getting hurt.

“I know, Kira,” I said, softening my voice. “But I’m still not thrilled about the idea.”

A small chuckle escaped her lips, her eyes lightening for a moment. “What are you thrilled about, then?”

I couldn’t help but smirk. “You, for one thing.”

Kira’s expression turned serious again. “Please, Cerion. I’m tired of feeling weak,” she said, gesturing to herself. “I’m not weak anymore, as you can see.”

I let out a heavy sigh, knowing she was right. ~Damn it, why does she have to be so stubborn~?

“You were never weak, Kira,” I said, taking her hand in mine. “You were only made to feel that way by people who didn’t know any better.”

I pressed a kiss to the back of her palm, my heart aching with worry. “I still want to protect you, even if you can protect yourself. But if you really want to come with me, you can—just promise me you’ll leave if things get too crazy.”

Kira nodded, a light dancing in her eyes. It wasn’t just happiness I saw there—it was shades of fire, demanding to be seen and refusing to be ignored.

This type of love felt undefinable. The love between humans was just as fervent as the love between dragons.