Page 171 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

I’m between tears and another surge when I feel the edge of my release, and his relentless thrusting is pushing me forward. Before I reach that edge, he pulls out, lifting me into his arms before pinning me against the balcony wall.

“This is what you wanted,” he groans, thrusting harder as my legs wrap around him. “To be worshiped like this.”

The soft mist settles on my heated skin, blending with the layer of sweat.

“Yes! Gods, Ry, please don’t stop.” My fingers tighten in his hair, the stone at my back pressing in. I’m nothing more than sensation and heat when his mouth settles on my neck. He doesn’t ask, doesn’t give me a moment to think before I feel his canines pierce the skin before sinking in.

I shatter into a million pieces, the pain and pleasure sending me off the edge and soaring while I clamp down around him. My orgasm tears me apart only to remake me.

“Look at you,” he purrs as he thrusts and sucks, my back scraping the cold stone. “Such a good girl coming for me.”

My head swims like I’m drunk, and my vision blurs. In a heartbeat, my back burns, that familiar sensation of a new rune being branded on my spine.

Ryker pulls his mouth away, roaring as he comes, drawing out my own release. I hold onto him, knowing I couldn’t stand if he let me go. As his own release subsides, he licks up the blood on my shoulder, the wounds already healing over, before brushing my hair back.

He walks us to the sofa, where he settles me before disappearing only to return a moment later with some water. I gulp it down greedily, my sated body already pulling me under. I’ll have to look at the new rune later.

“Sleep, Soraea. We still have some untouched surfaces.”

Chapter 63

Raea

I wake before sunrise to Ryker kissing his way down my spine. I’m so tired, but in that delicious, thoroughly shattered way. I groan, rolling over to face him.

“Any more fantasies you have before we leave this room? There are still a few surfaces untouched, and I believe that tub will provide some excellent angles.”

I chuckle sleepily, kissing him. “I have another idea,” I whisper against his mouth. “I want to watch the sunrise with you. It’s been too long. There’s a trail that takes us to the top of the waterfall.”

He smiles against my mouth. “That would require clothes.”

I hum, nodding as I roll on top of him. His cock twitches against my thigh. I lean down, kissing him deeply, my hair creating a curtain around us. The scent of the waterfall mixed with the lingering scent of our mingled desires fills me with contentment. Ryker attempts to adjust me over him when I pull away, hopping off the bed with a giggle.

“Get dressed and stop distracting me.”

He lifts to his elbows, the sheet draped across his shins, leaving his whole body on display as his lips pull into a smirk. “I believe you were the one doing the distracting, Princess. Insatiable, are we?”

I roll my eyes but don’t bother to hide my smile. “Don’t make me miss the sunrise, Prince.”

The halls are silent save for a few servants preparing for the day ahead. We remain silent, Ryker tense and alert beside me until we leave the estate.

He looks around, studying the grounds, his concentration on something. His emotions ripple with unease, sharp and restless, and I don’t know why. Maybe he’s worried we shouldn’t be sneaking out?

“What’s wrong?” I ask, leading him through the gardens.

Lush green plants and flowering bushes that I don’t have names for are thoughtfully planted in a design I can’t make out, though I’m sure if I were to stand on one of the balconies overhead, I’d be able to see it.

Ryker wraps a protective arm around my waist. “Where are all the guards?”

I look around, back toward the estate, then around the small village center where life happens. I shrug. It’s not like there were many here to begin with. Maybe one or two. I assumed they were for Lady Serathiel. “Why would she need guards at night? Maybe they’re sleeping.”

Ryker shakes his head. “Every place we’ve visited has at least two guards stationed.”

I run a hand across his back. “We’ll be okay, Ryker. It’s not a big deal.”

Dawn is quickly approaching, so I hurry my steps, taking his hand in mine as I lead the way to that trail I spotted yesterday. I had seen someone hiking up it, so I know it’s doable.

Letting my Elven instincts and smaller magic take over, I’m able to find the path easily enough and then summon a small flame to hover in front of us to light the way. I smile at how easy it feels to use these smaller, basic instincts.