Page 31 of Hunted By the Fae Warden

I need him. I want him.

Gods, I am burning up just thinking about sharing his bed.

He lands in a clearing in the forest that contains three small steaming bodies of water. Hot springs, I realize. But my gaze is soon drawn to the forest itself. In the twilight, it’s glowing and glittering. I recall the way the very first vines I summoned at the castle glittered in the sunlight. It’s similar but so muchmore.

Ussha. Instinctively, I know this area contains a high concentration of ussha, the lifeforce of fae magic. It’s why the apples on the nearby trees are glowing red, and it’s why the berries on a large bush to my right are gleaming dark purple. Many of the leaves on the trees and other vegetation also emit light in varying shades.

Kaiden sets me on my feet, and there’s a sudden flash as he vanishes his wings.

I turn in his arms and gaze up at him in astonishment. “Ussha. This is ussha, isn’t it?”

He caresses a hand through my hair. “There are high levels of ussha in this area, yes.” He steps back and gestures around the clearing. “Ussha is the energy and the spirit that fills all living things in the fae lands. Plants, animals, andus.” He sets my pack down beside one of the springs.

“It’s so beautiful.” I give him a strange look. “I just realized you don’t have any belongings. Did you leave Trevos without any supplies at all? Aren’t you starving?” Guilt hits me. Perhaps we should’ve stayed at the cottage for a little longer. Long enough to make a meal at least.

He gives me a wry smile. “I might not be able to make plants grow and produce fruit, but I can live off the forest just as easily. I’m also fast and have no trouble catching prey with my bare hands.”

I flush at the double meaning. Though I tried my best to outrun him, he caught me in the end. Not that there was ever any doubt. I think, deep down, I always knew he would find me. I always knew he would find me and keep me as his forever.

Thankfully, I want to belong to him.

Just as I want him to belong to me.

Longing sweeps through me, a wave of desire so strong I start to feel feverish. I also struggle to breathe as I hold Kaiden’s dark gaze.

“Well? What happens now?” I lift my chin and try to summon bravery. But I can’t help the nervousness that mounts alongside my budding excitement. I’ve never been with a male before, and Kaiden is so much larger than me.

He steps closer and starts to unfasten my cloak. The familiar sounds of a summer night swirl around us, and I’m not certainwhether it’s coming from my soon-to-be mate or the actual forest itself. Perhaps a combination of both.

After he finishes removing my cloak, his fingers move to the clasp of my pants. His eyes flare with lust. “What happens now, indeed.” His cocky demeanor only excites me more. “You do realize I’m going to rut you until you’re sore and dripping with my seed tonight, don’t you? Over and fucking over.”

My breath catches and the ache in my core deepens.

“But first, sweet Mira, we’re going to enjoy a long soak in the hot springs together.”

The sun dips further behind the mountains, and the forest darkens even as the plant life becomes more illuminated around us. I stand trembling before Kaiden as he unclasps my pants. His fingers skim my bare stomach.

Naked. He’s going to see me naked.

My nervousness increases when he kneels at my feet and unbuckles my boots. He slips them off one at a time, then rises to finish removing my pants.

Shame heats my face because I’m wearing a pair of old, threadbare underwear. Fine clothing is a luxury I haven’t been able to afford in quite a while, and I’m grateful for the deepening twilight. But he doesn’t seem to notice or care. His expression turns reverent as his gaze drifts up and down my body, though I’m still very much covered. In addition to undergarments, I’m wearing tall socks and two sweaters with a thinner shirt beneath, plus a chemise. Showing him my bare legs shouldn’t feel so scandalous, but it does, and I can’t help the new flush that climbs up my neck.

“You are lovely, Mira, and I can’t wait to see more. I can’t wait to strip every last vestige of clothing from your body and gaze upon your beauty. My sweet little nymph.” He proceeds to remove my three upper layers at once, and it’s all I can do to remain in place and keep breathing. He tosses the items towardmy pants and boots, then his attention goes to the tight chemise that hugs my breasts.

“Maybe you should take some clothes off too,” I blurt. “I-I think you should at least get down to your underwear before you remove mine. It only seems fair.”

He grins, revealing his sharp, pointed teeth. “I’m not wearing any underwear, my nervous little mate.” He takes a step back and starts unfastening his leather jacket. “However, I would be happy to strip for you.”

He removes every bit of clothing, as well as his boots, in what I imagine is record time. His movements are fast and eager, though not clumsy. Perhaps it’s weird to call him graceful as he gets naked, but he is. His movements are rapid but smooth.

The vibrant plant life baths him in multicolored lights, accentuating his massive muscles. He’s truly remarkable. A work of masculine art.

My gaze lands on his cock and I gasp. He’s huge. Impossibly huge. So long and intimidatingly thick.

His shaft swells larger as I stare at it, and a drop of liquid glistens on the bulbous tip. I can’t stop flushing or pressing my thighs together as the ache in my center deepens. He’s fully erect, and while I might be inexperienced, I know that means he wants me. My pulse thunders in my ears as my heart races faster.

He crooks a finger at me. “Be an obedient little mate and come here, Mira.”

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