Page 64 of Dragon's Revenge

Delton raised his head and pressed a soft kiss on Adar’s cheek. “That makes it even better.”

Could life get any more perfect than this?

Nah.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Rhene awoke slowly, slumbering for a while before fully waking and letting the morning settle over him. He lay still as he simply breathed, watching the sun inch across the ceiling, throwing beams of light like golden ropes across the room. Each exhale was a silent whisper of gratitude for his safe return, for the mate who lay beside him, for the pack that had thrived without him. There was a profound satisfaction in knowing his pack had fared so well without him. The vulnerability that had threatened them had transformed into a strength unimagined.

Erwan was all dark lashes and tousled hair next to him, still deeply asleep, his lips parting ever so slightly with each breath. It felt like a lifetime since they had woken beside one another in this way, both whole and healed. Together. Thank the gods, they were together again.

With every rise and fall of Erwan’s chest, Rhene counted his blessings. Two weeks after his return, they had both returned to their full health, nothing remaining of the ordeal they’d been through. Their skin was glowing again, their appetites ferocious, and they’d gained back most of the weight they’d lost.

And Rhene had been reunited with his son. The thought of Ainle’s gurgling laughter swelled his heart, a reminder of the family he had fought so hard to protect. Life was fragile. Gods, it was fragile. Not that he’d needed the reminder, but he’d take it to heart anyway.

He could still feel the sharp sting of separation, but now it served as a foil to his joy, a reminder of what they’d endured to reach this peace. A sigh escaped him, holding both relief and an unyielding determination. He would not let this happiness slip through his fingers. The moon had favored him once, and he begged for its favor again as he staked his hope on Duff, a gamble that whispered of potential ruin and redemption.

Had he done the right thing, bringing Duff Bás to his home? He’d followed his gut on that one. Only time would tell if he’d made a mistake, but he’d had no choice. Knowing something was wrong at home, it had been the only way to get out of Sweden, to persuade Duff to release him. Now, all he could do was trust himself and the pack that it would work out.

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown, Shakespeare had famously written, referring to King Henry IV, and he wasn’t wrong. Rarely had Rhene felt the burden of leadership more than he did now. If he’d misjudged Duff, if he’d miscalculated, the entire pack could be at risk.

Erwan shifted slightly, murmuring in his sleep, and Rhene’s eyes lingered on the strong lines of his face. He was so damn beautiful, so gorgeous. Every time he looked at his mate, his heart filled to the brim with love all over again. How blessed he was to have Erwan by his side.

Erwan’s eyes fluttered open, soft and warm, pulling Rhene back from the future’s uncertain paths to the only certainty he needed.

“You’re awake,” Erwan murmured, his voice a low, drowsy rumble.

“I love watching you sleep.”

Erwan smiled, reaching to touch Rhene’s face. “It’s such a nice sight to wake up to.”

Their lips met, a tender exchange that spoke of all the words they couldn’t fit between their hearts. Each touch was an affirmation, a declaration that they were here, they were alive, and the world had not succeeded in pulling them apart. Rhene kissed him deeper, whispering an “I love you” into the softness of Erwan’s mouth.

He rolled on top of him, and Erwan made room for him, spreading his legs to let Rhene in as they kissed and kissed and kissed. Their tongues danced, chased, and slid against each other in a sensual duel that knew no losers. Their bare chests rubbed against each other, nipples hardening and heat pooling in his belly. Their cocks leaked, meeting each other as Rhene deliberately pressed down.

It was perfection. It was everything he’d dreamed of all those weeks he’d been gone, everything he’d fought to return to, everything he wanted for the rest of his life.

“Rhene…” Erwan whispered.

“I know, darling. I feel it too.”

Without even looking, he reached for the lube he’d left on the nightstand the night before. They’d made love every day, more than once a day, as if their bodies needed to make up for the lost time.

“I’m still slick,” Erwan said.

Maybe, but Rhene would make sure. The last thing he wanted was to hurt his mate. But when he sank two fingers inside Erwan’s ass—his mate helpfully spreading his legs wide for Rhene and canting his hips in an eager invitation—he found Erwan was right. Still, he slicked a third finger to make sure Erwan was prepared, marveling at the tight heat that gripped him. Erwan’s body welcomed his touch, sucking his fingers deeper as if hungry for more.

“Please, Rhene,” Erwan begged breathlessly between kisses. “Need you inside me.”

Rhene groaned at the plea, his cock throbbing with desire. Fuck, he loved it when Erwan got so needy for him. “Shh, I’ve got you, my love.”

He withdrew his fingers and positioned himself, the blunt head of his cock pressing against Erwan’s slick entrance. With excruciating slowness, he pushed forward, sinking into that perfect hole inch by delicious inch.

Erwan’s back arched as Rhene filled him, a gasp of pleasure escaping his lips. “Yes, oh gods, yes…”

Fully seated, Rhene paused, reveling in the sensation of being one with his mate again. This never got old, this overwhelming feeling of rightness, of completion. He could fuck him every day and still never get used to this.

Erwan’s channel fluttered around him, urging him to move. And move he did, establishing a languid pace, pulling out almost all the way before gliding back in to the hilt.

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