Page 108 of Stars in Aura

‘Naam. My father’s condition is worsening, and he is losing more shards of his essence every day to the soul stone.’

‘What will you do?’ he murmured into her hair.

She swallowed hard. ‘I don’t know yet. Father suggested I return the jar of souls and let come what may. It might stop the Ssigis venators coming after me, but will it further his demise? Sulfiqar is a vengeful god, and I fear it might only drive him to kill father regardless.’

A pause and a long, heavy silence fell.

‘There’s one thing, though,’ she admitted.

Ki’Remi tilted his head, listening.

Her fingers traced the ridges of his forearm, the glowing ink of his metanoids shifting under her touch.

‘Since I’ve been with you, mySsignakhtpower hasn’t even come near to imploding.’

His brows furrowed. ‘What now?’

She turned in his arms, her eyes still red-rimmed but tinged with amusement, a ghost of a smirk touching her lips.

‘Having so many orgasms,’ she said, deadpan, ‘I’ve been draining enough energy that I’m not even close to my counter.’

Ki’Remi stared at her and exhaled, shaking his head.

Her face was grave.

She wasn’t mocking him. She was freakin’ for real.

Fokk.

A timbred, grumbling huff of disbelief rumbled from his chest.

He cupped her chin, tilting her face to his, his gaze flickering with something unreadable.

‘Then it’s time,’ he rasped, in a rough, dark promise, ‘to drain you again.’

The smirk faded from her lips, her breath hitching as his eyes darkened, heavy with intent.

His hand slid down, gripping the back of her thigh, lifting her with ease to him.

She wrapped herself around him without hesitation.

‘Make me forget,’ she whispered into his ear, holding on tight.

As he carried her back inside, the city lights glowing behind them, he hid his concern, which was the only way he understood.

By worshiping her body, taking her apart, piece by piece, until nothing remained between them but scorching heat and flames.

19

Paladian Ghosts

ISSA

Three days.

A glorious, indulgent, sinfully perfect escapade before duty called them back to the Perseus Prime.

In their precious time, Issa did something she hadn’t done in years.

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