Page 24 of Taken By the Storm King

“Come for me,” he commanded, and I did, falling apart around him, crying out for him as waves of pleasure crashed through me.

He followed a moment later, burying his face in my neck as he pulsed inside me.

We lay tangled together after, his weight pressing me into the silk sheets. My fingers traced idle patterns on his scaled back as our breathing slowly returned to normal.

“Stay with me,” he murmured against my skin.

I pressed a kiss to his shoulder. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He raised his head to look at me, and the emotion in his black eyes took my breath away. “I mean it, Lucy Stewart. Stay. Not just tonight.”

A surge of emotion bloomed within me. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying I want you. Here. With me. Always.” He brushed my hair back from my face. “I know it’s fast. I know there are a thousand reasons this is complicated. But I don’t care.”

I caught his hand, pressing a kiss to his palm. “I want that too.”

His smile was brilliant. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I pulled him down for a kiss. “Now show me again how much you want me to stay.”

He growled playfully and rolled us so I straddled his hips. “As my lady commands.”

Outside, the palace hummed with life. Inside, there was only us, learning each other’s bodies in the pearl-light of his chambers. And for now, that was enough.

THALASSAR

Iwoke gradually, a rare sense of contentment settling deep in my bones. Lucy lay curled against my side, her dark hair spread across my chest, one hand resting over my heart. Each breath stirred her hair, carrying her scent, her taste.

Mine.

The thought burned through me with unexpected force. I wanted to wrap myself around her, keep her safe, protected. Hide her away from the world.

But she wasn’t some treasure to hoard. She was fierce and strong and determined. And somehow, impossibly, she’d chosen me.

My hand drifted down her bare back, savoring the silken feel of her skin. So different from my scales, yet perfect. A quiet sigh escaped her lips as she curled closer.

Protective instincts surged. I’d spent decades guarding my people, my waters. But this... this was different. Personal. Open in a way I’d never allowed myself to be before.

Maris would laugh herself sick if she could see me now.

Speaking of Maris...

I glanced at the water clock. The meeting. I needed to go, but leaving Lucy felt wrong on a bone-deep level.

Still. Duty called.

With utmost care, I extracted myself from the bed. Lucy made a disgruntled noise and rolled into the warm spot I’d left, but didn’t wake.

I dressed quickly in formal robes, though my mind kept drifting back to the bed. To Lucy’s curved form among my sheets. To last night...

Focus.

The walk to my study helped clear my head. Somewhat. Guards nodded as I passed, and I caught more than a few knowing smiles.

News traveled fast in the palace.

Maris waited in my study with Korus, my trade minister. They both rose at my entrance.

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