Page 46 of Maleen

Ravina sobs, covering her mouth. The shirt has fallen, hiding the scars once again. But before the others can move, I have her in my arms, whispering the words she gave me when she saw my scars. A as much as I want to storm from the room with Killian to work through my anger at what was done to my mate, I know she needs me more. Killian would be no use to her right now, and a part of me is glad she has multiple mates.

“He just needs a moment. He will come back for you when he calms down,” I whisper against her temple. “You’re so brave for everything you’ve gone through, but mark my words Princess: we will hunt that fucking bastard down and we will make him wish he never lived.” The words end up coming out as a snarl as I finally lose control over my emotions, the male instincts to kill and protect riding me hard.

My mate is hurt. Someone fucking hurt her.

I ball my fists against her as I hold her close, my body shaking with rage, and I’m not sure how long I can hold it back as the sight of her back and wrists flash to the forefront of my mind.

I’m not sure how long I stay there with her in my arms and, at this point, I’m not sure if the embrace is for her any longer, or if it’s for me.

She shifts and I pull back to look at her. Her sapphire-blue eyes are rimmed red and wide as she reaches up to cup my face. “Thank you,” she whispers.

“You never need to thank me. For anything. Whatever I can give you, it’s yours,” I promise. “If you ask for the skin off my back, I would carve it off with a smile. You deserve everything good in this realm, and I will do whatever I can to give it to you.”

My hands shake as I cup her face, and I’m keenly aware of Aemon blinking Jesper and himself out of the room, giving us some privacy.

“Let me kiss you, please,” my voice shakes. “Let me show you that your scars don’t define you, just like you did for me.”

She shakes her head. “Only if you mate me. I want to tie you to my soul, Talyn. I need to feel you here.” She places her hand on her heart.

I freeze. “Ravina…” I breathe.

“Please, Talyn. I need you just as much as I need the others. I want Killian too, but now I’m afraid he won’t look at me the same.”

I shake my head. “That male has been scarred more times than any of us combined. He’s pissed that what was done to you was even possible. Give him time and he will come to you. As for us… are you sure?”

She pulls my face down and her tongue slowly swipes against the seam of my lips, I part them, tasting her. I groan, deeply. Fuck, nothing is better than this.

“Please,” she whispers and my heart clenches.

“No one should be begging but me,” I growl, dropping to my knees in front of her. My fingers trace along the seam of her leathers as I slowly inch toward her laces. “Please let me taste you, Princess. Let me show you that my mouth can be used for more than just spilling vile words.”

Her breath hitches and she nods, her face flushing a delicious shade of pink.

I don’t bother with the laces—instead I grip where the seams would be the weakest and the sound of ripping stitches tears through the room as I remove the leather from her silky skin completely. Fates, I don’t deserve her, but even with those thoughts, I know I’m not male enough to resist her bewitching spell she somehow casts on me. My fingertips gently wrap around her ankle, lifting her foot off the ground. Right above where her boot meets her skin, I press my lips, kissing a trail up her leg, finding a small bit of patience before I can finally taste my mate. Fuck. I don’t think I’ve wanted anything so badly in my life.

As I reach the top of her thigh, I place it on my shoulder, staring up at her, watching for any sign of discomfort. When all I see is desire, desire for me and what I’m about to do to her, I dive in, my eyes never leaving hers as I plunge my tongue between her legs.

A primal growl escapes me as her essence explodes on my tongue. Mine.

Her breath hitches and she grinds her hips against my face. Yes, use me, Princess. Take what you need from me.

I slip my tongue inside of her. Her fingers thread through my hair, locking my face in place, and I can’t help the moan that escapes me. Fuck, I never dreamed anything could be so fucking beautiful. She throws her head back and her legs begin to shake, so I find her clit and circle it with my tongue before enclosing it with my lips and sucking.

She gasps and then explodes. Her body convulses with pleasure, and I hold her up where she stands as I help her ride out her orgasm.

“Talyn,” she murmurs. “Take me to bed.”

“Of course,” I mutter as I stand, lifting her relaxed body into my arms and carrying her over to the massive canopy bed in the center of the room. “Do you want me to get one of the others?” I ask as I place her down, pulling down the sheets for her. I don’t deserve to bed her yet, and she was probably just giving me a taste. Something to take the edge off of our heightened emotions.

She giggles, grabbing me by the front of my tunic. “No, what I need is for you to strip and get into this bed with me so I can make you mine.”

My heart stutters as I take her in. She’s practically glowing. “Are you sure? I feel like I could do a lot more apologizing first.”

She sighs, getting on her knees so she can grab the collar of my tunic. “You have our entire lives to devour me on your knees. This will be the last time I tell you, Talyn Craven. Mate. Me—”

My mouth is on hers before she finishes. Her magick pulses, and next thing I know, she’s ripping off my tunic and fumbling with the laces of my leathers. I should wait. A good male would wait; but I could never say no to her. If this is what she wants, then this is what she will get.

I quickly assist by stepping out of my pants as she pulls her tunic off, and for the first time, we are completely bare before each other. I can’t look away. She’s magnificent. Absolutely stunning. Every dip and curve of her body. Every scar tells a story, no matter how much I wish they didn’t mar her skin.