Page 105 of Claimed By the Fae Lord

He tried to pull out and I locked my legs around his hips to hold him in place. “Don’t leave me.”

The look he gave me broke my heart. “Never,” he hissed. “I willneverleave you.”

His fingers brushed away the moisture on my face even as more tears threatened to fall. “But please tell me what’s wrong.”

My voice caught in my throat. "These are h-happy tears."

His nonplussed look made me giggle. I was sure I looked like I’d gone mad, half crying, half laughing.

"Are you sure?" he pressed, his brow furrowing, the warrior in him needing to protect, to fix whatever pain he thought he'd caused.

“Positive.”

His neck bent forward in relief. “Thank fuck.”

I smiled through my tear-streaked visage, a deeper laugh bubbling up despite the overwhelming swell of emotions. It was absurd, really, how much he could affect me, how he always had.

"Liam.”

“Yes, flower?”

“I'm sorry I didn't fight for you. I let go too easily because I thought it was what I had to do. I own my mistake, that I never gave you a reason to think I was affected when, in truth, I was devastated."

“Raina.” Liam's hands traced the curves of my body with reverence.

Our bodies began moving, sliding together. There was no rush, no urgency, only profound need for connection.

In our private cocoon, he held me. Worshiped me. Loved me.

"Honor me, Raina. Marry me.”

“Yes.”

Our eyes locked, a kaleidoscope of emotions swirling within their depths. The last remnant of the barrier we had built between us crumbled into nothingness.

A surge of pleasure began to build, coiling tighter with each gentle thrust, each tender caress. We crested the wave at the same moment, a shared climax more powerful than any before.

Afterward, Liam wrapped his arms around me from behind, spooning me close. His chest pressed against my back, enveloping me in warmth.

Wrapped in the safety of his embrace, I found the courage I needed. “I love you.”

He nuzzled his face into my hair, his breath tickling my neck. “I love you, too, flower. Always.”

Drifting off, I heard him whisper something about big plans tomorrow. Too spent to question what he meant, I let myself be lulled by the steady cadence of his breathing.

I slept peacefully, finally knowing what it felt like to be well and truly ravished … and loved.

Twenty-Two

Liam

The weight of Raina's small hand in mine felt like the most natural thing in the world as we strolled down the winding path. Her grip was firm, the chill of her skin a stark yet comforting contrast to my own warmth.

The forest was thick with mystical power, the kind that whispered of ancient vows and unbreakable bonds. This area, deep in the heart of Ephandor, was sacred to the clan.

The closer we got to the Sanctum Annexus, the stronger the magic felt. Memories surged through me, snapshots of earlier in the day when anticipation for this journey had thrummed violently under my skin.

My mother had sensed it. And had taken advantage.

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