Page 116 of Monsters in Love

She couldn’t wait another minute.

As if she stood on the mountainside watching a storm approach on the horizon, the crackle of lightning seemed to build within her core. Talos increased his pace and her movements grew frenetic. She trembled with need, hovering on the edge of release.

Talos thrust within her and reared up, sinking his teeth into her neck.

The storm broke within her.

Her body snapped tight. Sensation crashed over her, shaking her with the force of thunder and leaving her ears ringing. Breath ragged from his own release, he still held her against him, his hips continuing to roll beneath her, drawing out her bliss with each thrust.

Perfectly spent, she collapsed against his chest.

“Rest, love.” He kissed the top of her head and his massive leathery wings wrapped around her. Balanced on a beam high in the ceiling, and yet she felt utterly safe nestled against him.

Warm and satisfied, she let herself drift into slumber.

“Belle.” A deep voice penetrated her dreams. “Wake up, my love.”

“Wha…” Isabelle woke to find herself in Talos’ arms. She rubbed her eyes and looked around. No longer on the ceiling, he stood on the ground, once more in the halo of the window’s glow.

He nuzzled her cheek, and then placed her carefully down, holding her until her feet had steadied. “Belle. Tarn is about to return,” he said, picking up her pile of dresses from the floor. “If you wish to be clothed—”

“Oh, Gods.” Her eyes widened.

She snatched the wrinkled clothing out of his hands and stared at the layers of cotton and linen. There was nothing quick about lacing herself into a chemise and two underskirts. “This will take me a few minutes.” She glanced from the door, to Talos. “Stall him?”

“Of course.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead before slipping out the portal.

Gods of gold and scale.

Why were women’s clothes such a trial? She yanked the chemise over her head and cursed the short stays as she pulled it overtop. Gripping one of the laces with her teeth, she fought with the other. It should be illegal for any garment to be this difficult to don.

As she struggled into the second underskirt, she heard low voices through the door.

A soft knock sounded. “Belle. Are you… uh.”

“I’m decent,” she said, unable to keep herself from smiling. A snort of laughter from the other side of the door had her smile widening. Her sister was going to tease her mercilessly about her interlude with Talos, and Isabelle would enjoy every moment.

Especially as those moments would involve Talos and her ability to kiss him whenever she wanted.

The door swung open and she brushed dust from her skirts. It was time to greet this smaller demon properly—and give her love a proper kiss. She grinned at the door, delighting in how Talos’ ears were suspiciously pink when he re-entered.

His expression, however, was tight with worry. “You must wake Emmi and prepare yourselves to leave this place at once.”

“Leave?” She jerked with shock. “But we…no!”

“Yes.” He caught her shoulders and squeezed gently. “Tarn has been scouting the tunnels, looking for the exit my father and I couldn’t find in time. He’s seen what we’ve been dreading: the rest of the creatures gather beneath the grate.”

“They're…” Her jaw opened with horror. “They’re going to force their way through it?”

Mouth a grim line, he nodded.

“When the sun disappears tonight,” the smaller creature said, joining them, “we fear they’ll force their way through into the town.”

“Gods have mercy,” she breathed. “Wait—”

She frowned at the smaller demon, recognition tickling the back of her mind. That voice was familiar. But where had she heard it? Not in the bakery but… on the fields. Could it be?

Her eyes widened. “Toby?”

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