Page 139 of Prince of the Phantom Sky

A growl tore from his throat, his primal beast taking over as he cradled Kora across his lap, a possessive part of him wanting her to be completely his. Her eyes flared as he kissed her feverishly, his hands pulling at the shirt she wore.

Fuck. Her hands toyed with his hair, her nails delightfully scraping his skin as they wound down the back of his neck, whilst her legs hooked around his waist, bringing him closer. Damn shirt buttons. Raiden tore the shirt down the centre, and Kora jolted as his magic joined the fray, his essence practically clawing its way out of him to connect with her.

Phantom hands delicately pulled the shirt off her, baring her naked body to him. His cock throbbed so hard he thought he could see stars. Kora’s gaze dipped to below his waist, and when he expected nervousness, that he’d pushed her too far, Kora gods-damned fucking smiled.

He tugged his own shirt over his head, tossing it onto the tattered heap of the one she’d worn. Kora instantly grabbed hold of his shoulders, bringing him closer as she matched his intensity, before biting down on his lower lip. Wild need spiked up his torso, nearly choking him as her hips rocked onto his, a thin layer of fabric separating them.

Don’t push it. A small voice of reason broke through the haze, telling him to slow down, to be gentle with her. Kora’s teeth nipped his ear, and he cursed, his cheeks flushing at her boldness.

“Kora,” Raiden swallowed. “Wait—”

She reared back, his flesh prickling at the sudden space between their chests. With one brow arched, that light in her eyes dimmed a little.

“I’m sorry, we need to slow down. We can’t, not yet.” That light darkened, and Kora blinked three times. Whatever he said, it threw a cold bucket of water over them as Kora untangled herself from him, standing up in one swift moment.

“Oh,” was all she said.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Casting her stare down, she paced to the fire, picking up his still intact shirt. What was happening? Gods, his body, his essence screamed at him to touch her. To be near her. To fix what he’d somehow broken within a second.

“What is it? Kora,” Raiden tentatively asked, pushing up from the bed. “Where are you going?” She tugged the shirt around her furiously, before biting her cheek so hard it dimpled.

“Is it because I’m broken? Because I’m not her? Because of this?” She pointed to her scar.

The question was a slap in the face. Raiden winced, her hurt clear in her rounded eyes. She thought he was rejecting her. Taking a deep breath, he approached slowly, letting her watch every movement he made with obvious deliberation.

One hand cupped her scarred cheek, his thumb gliding over the textured skin, before following it with the lightest of kisses. Her gaze shuttered, her lips trembling.

“You are not broken,” he affirmed, his voice catching as his other hand trailed up the side of her body, memorising every curve. “You never need to compare yourself to the past again. Because you are so much better, in so many ways that I could spend my eternal life counting them.”

She gasped.

“But . . . you don’t . . .” Kora glanced away, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of the shirt. Raiden gripped her chin, turning her face to look at him.

“Listen to me now, Kora.” Every time he spoke her name, she shivered. And damn wasn’t that fucking delightful. “I’ve never wanted anything more in my eighty-four years than I want you right now. But I’m not risking it when we have no tonics here.”

It took her a moment. She frowned and Raiden ached to press his thumb between her brows to soothe her mind.

“Do you understand?” he prompted, her lack of answer concerning.

“I . . . I wouldn’t . . . I haven’t . . .” The words died as she met his gaze.

“You never did with him?” He needed to know.

Her head shook. “You would be my first . . . to my knowledge. I know that it’s different for you. But for me . . . we never did much. Just mostly—”

“I don’t need to know the details.”

Gods, he never wanted to think about Kora and that mutt together ever again. She paused, her lips quirking.

“I didn’t think about protection tonics . . . I’ve never had to.”

Raiden’s world tilted. Blake Marwood still hadn’t gotten his way. Thank you, Haizea.

A million thoughts raced behind those perfect eyes. Kora placed one hand on his cheek, and Raiden gently kissed her palm, his heart thundering so hard it was audible.

“You make me feel whole again. When I’m with you, I’m alive, free, and unafraid. I trust you, Raiden.”