The prince took my hands in his. “Only if you want it, Ember.”
“Let’s see how we feel after I do this.” I remembered what it had been like with Nic. Each time we’d shared energy, the desire had gotten stronger.
My stomach was tightening in anticipation already. It could be different with Dio, but I doubted it.
I pushed tendrils of energy into him. He sucked in his breath, grabbed around my waist, and pulled me against him. His arousal heightened mine, and I was glad I was wearing dream clothing instead of my conscious realm stuff. I could shed it fast, not to mention make a blanket out of it for us to lay on.
Not wanting to rush, and needing to make sure he had all the energy he needed to become whole, I kept my clothing firmly in place.
Energy flowed between us as I poured more into my wounded prince. I felt the weak spots in the flow of his own energy and tried to direct the essence to fill it up and repair the tears he’d made when he separated himself.
I wasn’t sure how long I worked on him, but finally it was as if everything clicked into place and Dio became as whole as I could make him.
He groaned, fingers digging into my back, and his erection pressing into my front. I tilted my head back and met his eyes.
“Thank you, princess.” His voice was breathless, and he trembled. “I don’t know that I’ve ever felt a need like this.”
“Kiss me, Dio.”
He met my lips with his, gently at first, as if amazed he was actually kissing me. He grew confident after a few gentle presses of his lips. Dio’s hands moved to cup my ass, and I threaded my fingers through his curls.
“You’re amazing, princess,” he breathed between kisses. “I’m so grateful Nic convinced Mary to take us through that arch all those years ago.”
“Mmm, me too,” I murmured. “Never expected anything like this, but I certainly don’t want to give it up.”
Dio’s hands slid up under my shirt and kneaded my back.
“So, we’re both wearing dream clothing,” I said, “and we need a blanket.”
He grinned at me as I let my clothing melt into a puddle at my feet, then commanded it to spread out into a blanket. After a quick hesitation, Dio’s joined mine, and I got my first look at my primal prince. Lean, with long, powerful, cat-like muscles, a delicious V that led down to—
“Dio?”
“Ahh, um, barbed for your pleasure.” He winked. “Also, I believe there may be some locking involved.”
“Uh.”
“Feline, remember. I think you’ll like it. Unlike real cats, this shouldn’t actually hurt you.”
“Oh.” I paused. “Oh! Shit, yeah, let’s do this.”
He chuckled at my enthusiasm. “I wish to explore you, my princess, before you get impaled on my cock and can’t get away.”
“I don’t want to get away.”
“Good.” He gently lowered me to the ground. “I’m going to take you from behind, and I’m going to mark you, and there will be no question to anyone that you are mine.”
“Mark me?”
“Mmm, yes, my teeth in your shoulder. Might hurt, will heal quickly when we share our essence. It will leave a mark.”
“All right,” I agreed. “Nic didn’t mark me.”
“Oh, he did, just not with his teeth. Anyone who can see or sense essence can feel his shadows around you all the time. It’s subtle, just like him.”
Knowing that I already bore Nic’s mark, and that I would soon have Dio’s warmed me. It felt right, like I would be a little more complete. Maybe Geraint and I could come up with something for us, so I could have a mark from all of them.
“But first, I want you screaming my name.” He walked around me, inspecting his prize.