I take him deeper, my throat working around him, and he lets out a ragged breath. His free hand grips the edge of thewindow frame, the stone cracking under his strength. I can feel the power in him, barely restrained, and it only makes me want to push harder. I speed up, my tongue circling the tip before I take him to the hilt again, my nose brushing against the trail of dark hair at his base.
“Eva—” His voice is rough, strained, and it sends a thrill through me. His hips buck forward, but I don’t pull away. Instead, I press my palms against his thighs, steadying myself as I work him, my mouth and hand moving in perfect sync. His wings twitch again, and I know I’ve got him right where I want him - fully, completely undone.
His release floods my mouth, hot and salty, and I swallow him down, my tongue working along his length until he jerks away, breathing ragged. Before I can even think to move, he’s hauling me up, his hands rough and urgent. My back hits the cold stone of the window frame, the sharp edge biting into my skin. His eyes burn with a predatory intensity that makes my stomach tighten.
He doesn’t bother with patience. One hand fists in the fabric of my dress, and with a sharp tug, it tears down the middle, the sound of ripping fabric echoing in the room. Cool air hits my skin, but I barely feel it - his body is already pressing against mine, his heat overwhelming. His mouth crashes into mine, teeth scraping, tongue demanding. I bite back a moan, but it’s useless. He’s everywhere, his hands on my waist, his chest against mine, his wings curving around us like we’re the only two people in the world.
One of his hands grips my thigh, lifting it to wrap around his hip. I’m pinned, my back arching against the window, but I don’t fight it. I don’t want to. His other hand slides between us, fingers rough and sure as they slip inside me. I gasp, my nails digging into his shoulders, but he doesn’t stop. His fingers curl, findingthe spot that makes my knees weak, and I can’t stop the cry that escapes my lips.
“Ridwan—” His name comes out broken, and he pulls his fingers away, replacing them with the head of his cock. He doesn’t wait, doesn’t tease. He pushes into me in one smooth, brutal thrust, and the force of it nearly knocks the air from my lungs. My head falls back against the window, the glass cool against my scalp, but I don’t care. All I feel is him, filling me, stretching me, claiming me.
His hands grip my hips, holding me in place as he fucks me hard and fast, each thrust driving me harder against the window. His wings beat the air, creating a rush of wind that tangles in my hair. His golden eyes lock onto mine, and there’s something feral in them, something that makes my blood sing.
“Mine,” he growls, his voice low and rough, and I can’t argue. Not when he’s like this, when every stroke burns through me, leaving fire in its wake. My fingers claw at his back, and he grunts, his pace becoming even more relentless. The window rattles with every thrust, and I’m sure it’ll shatter, but I don’t care. Let it break. Let the whole city see. Let them know I’m his.
My body tightens, pleasure building like a storm, and I can feel him close too, his movements growing more erratic, his breathing harsh against my neck. His hand slips between us, fingers finding my clit, and that’s all it takes. My back arches, my body shuddering as I come, the intensity of it stealing my breath. He follows with a guttural groan, his hips stilling as he spills inside me, his forehead pressed against mine.
For a moment, we stay like that, breathing hard, tangled together in the aftermath. His wings droop, curling around us like a shield, and I can feel the thud of his heart against my chest. He doesn’t say anything - he doesn’t need to. The way he holds me, the way his eyes linger on my face, tells me everything I need to know.
Still trembling, I lean into Ridwan as he lifts me from the window. His wings fold back, and the cool night air raises goosebumps across my skin. He cradles me against his chest, his steps steady as he carries me to our bath chamber.
Steam rises from the sunken pool, the water shimmering with golden light from the enchanted crystals embedded in the walls. He steps down into the warm water, still holding me close. The heat seeps into my muscles, and I let out a contented sigh as he settles us both onto one of the carved stone benches.
Water laps at my breasts as I turn to face him. The scar on his cheek catches the light, and I trace it with my fingertips. His golden eyes soften at my touch, that fierce intensity from before mellowing into something deeper.
"I love you." The words spill from my lips, quiet but certain. "I want this binding. I want you, for however many centuries we have." My thumb brushes over his bottom lip. "I've never wanted anything more."
His hand covers mine, pressing it against his face. There's vulnerability in his expression now, raw and open in a way he rarely allows himself to be. "I'll give you anything you desire." His voice is rough, like he's fighting to get the words out. "Everything I am, everything I have - it's yours."
A smile tugs at my lips. Even now, after everything, he struggles to say the words directly. But I understand. I see it in the way his wings curl forward, creating that protective golden cocoon. I feel it in the gentle way he holds me, like I'm something precious he's afraid might slip away.
Water droplets catch in his dark hair, and I lean forward to press my lips against his forehead. His arms tighten around me, and for a moment, we just breathe together, letting the warm water wash away everything but this.
32
RIDWAN
The morning light filters through the temple windows, casting golden rays across the polished stone floor. My heart pounds against my ribs as I stand before the altar, watching Eva walk toward me in a flowing white dress that catches the light like fresh snow. The silk rustles with each step, and her smile - gods, that smile could bring armies to their knees.
"You look terrified." Eva's whisper breaks through my thoughts as she takes her place beside me.
I force my shoulders to relax. "Not terrified. Just..." The words catch in my throat. How do I tell her that after all these years of holding myself apart, the thought of being completely open to another person shakes me to my core?
Annalise sits in the front row, practically vibrating with excitement. She clutches a bouquet of silver moonflowers to her chest, her wings twitching with barely contained joy. Behind her, the handful of witnesses - my closest advisors and Eva's chosen family - fill only the first few rows of the vast temple.
The Nashai approaches, her ceremonial robes trailing behind her in shades of deep blue and gold. Her weathered face carriesthe wisdom of centuries as she raises her hands. "We gather today to witness the binding of two souls."
Eva's fingers find mine, warm and steady. The contact sends a jolt through my body, and my wings shift, adjusting to accommodate her presence at my side.
"Are you prepared to join your souls for eternity?" The Nashai's voice echoes through the chamber. "To share not just your lives, but your very essence?"
"Yes," Eva's voice rings clear and strong.
My throat tightens. The last time I stood here... No. This isn't the same. Eva squeezes my hand, and I squeeze back. "Yes."
The Nashai's hands begin to glow, tendrils of golden light weaving between her fingers. The magic pulses, alive and ancient, reaching toward us like curious fingers. As it touches my chest, warmth spreads through my body, and I feel Eva's presence - not just beside me, but inside me. Her emotions wash over me: love, certainty, a trace of nervousness that mirrors my own.
The magical tether between us solidifies, sinking beneath our skin. Over my heart, a mark burns into existence—a pattern unique to us, marking me as irrevocably hers as she is mine.