Page 87 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

I spread my legs out more. “Maybe.” I licked his mouth, wanting to do to him what he was doing to me.

Sliding in a little bit more, he connected,I need an answer, or this is all you get. I want you to be my wife more than anything in this realm.

His warmth and vulnerability flashed through our bond, and I realized our game was over. I leaned back so I could stare into his eyes. “Yes, Tavish. I want to be your wife.”

He beamed. “Right answer.” He then thrust deep inside me.

I moaned as his mouth devoured mine and our bodies moved together. Each time he entered me, he somehow went deeper, and the friction took hold once more.

Fate, I love you,I linked and pushed my love toward him. My chest felt so full that I wasn’t sure that I could stay this happy for long.

He opened to me, our emotions melding together. We felt the same for each other, and one day soon, we’d be husband and wife.

The orgasms ripped through both of us, the high more intense than ever before. Our bodies were slick with sweat as we continued to ravish each other, and after Fate knew how long, the pleasure subsided.

Scooping me into his arms, he carried me to one of the bedrooms we shared the last time, where we cuddled with each other. Soon, sleep took us both.

This was it. The moment we’d been dreading. Even though I felt no hesitation in handing myself over, uncertainty about what would happen next set in.

Tavish and I’d had sex one more time after waking before returning to Dunscaith and meeting with everyone. The little bit of time we’d had was sweet and desperate, both of us wanting tonight to be over but afraid of what could happen once it was. I had no intention of remaining with the dragons, but the plan wasn’t without risks.

Now Tìr na Dràgon lay in front of us with the moon high in the sky. We had to make sure that Tavish’s darkness magic couldn’t be detected.

We planned to split into four groups that had already been assigned. Both sets of my parents would fly with me to the dragon land. Once the dragons gave Eiric back, my parents would notify them that we knew the vow was not valid and thatI wasn’t obligated to hand myself over. Then, if the dragons insisted, there would be war, and the fifteen hundred guards we’d brought would attack.

It was a simple plan but one that should be extremely effective.

Tavish was adamant that he be with us, but everyone had agreed it would make the dragons suspicious. No fated mate would willingly hand over half their soul to another.

Tavish’s emotions were volatile through the bond, and the world seemed to close in around us. I had to believe that Fate wouldn’t have put us together only to force us apart.

Even Finnian was quiet, which seemed abnormal.

From the front, next to my parents, Finola raised a hand. Tìr na Dràgon would come into view in moments, which meant it was time for us to split apart.

Tavish took my hand and pulled me against his body. Then his mouth was on mine, his desperation slamming inside our bond.

Sprite, I swear to Fate, if something happens—

I hadn’t realized how hard this moment would be for us. If everything went wrong, this would be the last time we got to see, touch, and smell each other.I have to believe we’ll be fine.I cupped his face, pressing my forehead to his.After all, I agreed to be your wife. That’s a vow that can’t be broken.

He smiled, but it didn’t meet his eyes.I swear to you, I will kill anyone who stands in the way of us being together. You have to come back to me, or I won’t survive.

I won’t tolerate being apart from you either.I opened myself to him so he could feel my resolve.We’ll both eliminate any threat to our relationship.

“Come on, Lira.” Father placed a hand on my shoulder. “We need to go before a dragon flies by and sees us.”

Right. Tavish couldn’t cloak all of us, or he wouldn’t have any magic for the attack.

Youarecoming back to me.Tavish’s eyes flashed with determination.

I nodded, unable to say anything mentally or physically, as my eyes burned.

Turning my back to him was the hardest thing I’d ever had to do, but I swallowed and envisioned Eiric’s face, which strengthened me.

Mom and Dad flanked me, flying ahead of Mother and Father. I needed to be in front to make it clear that I was leading the charge—thatIwas handing myself over.

Tavish’s magic thrummed through our connection, indicating that he was cloaking the five hundred guards he was staying with a hundred yards behind us. The other two groups had moved so that they were out of sight but could hear the cry of battle and attack the other two villages if the time came. We didn’t want to expend too much fae magic at one time.

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