Page 54 of Wings of Shadow
And now, I understand. Everything has shifted. The darkness within me, the sacrifices I’ve made, and the ones yet to come—none of it matters.
Because what’s between us isn’t just heat or desire. It’s deeper, rawer. A meeting of souls, a recognition of something true and untamed. As if the universe itself, in all its chaos, conspired to bring us together—two fractured halves of a whole, finally locking into place.
I claim her lips again, the kiss urgent, reckless. My hands explore her, memorizing all her curves, every tremor of delight, worship woven into every touch. And she succumbs, like waves crashing against rocky shores, unstoppable and relentless.
Clarissa is my fate, my greatest temptation, the missing piece I never knew I was searching for. And as I lose myself in her, as the fire between us consumes everything else, I know one thing with certainty.
I will chase this feeling—chase her—for the rest of my days.
26
KAISNER
Our lips collide in a fevered dance, tongues tangling, breaths coming in sharp, desperate gasps. Clarissa’s hands roam my chest, shoulders, back—each touch branding me, leaving trails of fire. I grip her waist, pulling her flush against me, reveling in the intoxicating blend of silk and softness, the way she fits against me as if made for this.
But as much as I want to lose myself in her, I know I can’t. Not yet.
With a groan of restraint, I tear my lips from her, resting my forehead against hers as we struggle to catch our breath. My pulse thunders in my ears, my control hanging by a thread.
“Kaisner,” she murmurs, voice husky with need. “Please. I want this. I want you.”
Her words slam into me, a lightning strike straight to my core, and for a moment, I falter. My fingers tighten on her hips, possessiveness and hunger warring with restraint. I close my eyes, exhaling sharply.
“Liebes,” I whisper, my voice raw. “You have no idea how much I want that. How much I want to claim you, to make you mine.”
I trail my fingers along the curve of her face, my touch reverent. “I’ll teach you pleasure... and pain,” I murmur against her ear, feeling her shudder. “But you’re not ready for me. Not yet.”
It’s the truth, agonizing as it is. Clarissa is light, pure and untainted by the darkness that haunts my world. To give herself to me, fully... it would change her, irrevocably. And though I long to possess her, body and soul, I can’t bear to dim her radiance.
She looks up, eyes dark with defiance. “I’m not afraid,” she says, steady and sure. “I know what I want, Kaisner. And I want you.”
A wry smile tugs at my lips. “I know you do. Believe me, the feeling is more than mutual.” I brush a strand of hair from her face, letting my fingers linger. “But there are parts of me, parts of my world, you’re not ready to face yet.”
I kiss her, slow and deliberate, savoring her taste, the way she melts into me. When I pull back, I let my lips graze her ear. “When the time is right, when you’re ready to accept all of me—the light and the dark—then, I’ll make you mine.”
I let the words settle, pressing a kiss to her neck. “Fully.” Another to her brow. “Completely.” My lips brush her mouth, a vow sealed in fire. “Irrevocably.”
She shivers, eyes fluttering closed as she leans into me. “Why wait?” she whispers.
I cup her chin, tilting her face to mine, my expression grave with meaning. “Because, baby girl,” I murmur, my thumb brushing over her parted lips. “My desires run deep. Dark.” I pause, watching the flicker of intrigue in her gaze. “And once you step into my world, there’s no going back.”
She doesn’t flinch, doesn’t waver. “I don’t care,” she breathes.
A slow, wicked smile spreads across my lips. “Are you sure?”
Her grip tightens on my hand. “I am.”
And just like that, my restraint shatters.
I claim her lips in a searing kiss, one hand tangling in her hair, the other branding her waist. The world ceases to exist—no music, no prying eyes, just the undeniable pull between us. But in the distance, I hear the hush of the VIP room. My business partners—the most powerful men in both mortal and supernatural circles—are watching. Assessing. Calculating the shifts in alliances and power dynamics.
But none of it matters. Yes, they’re savvy enough to recognize Clarissa as the Draken heiress, to understand the significance of this moment. But they’re also wise enough to know that whatever transpires in this room stays here, sealed by unspoken agreements and the fear of retribution.
With a growl, I break the kiss, my breathing ragged. Clarissa stares up at me, lips swollen, pupils blown wide with desire. And I know—she feels it too. The need for more.
Wordlessly, I take her hand, our fingers interlocking. Then, without a backward glance, I lead her away from the booth, away from the flashing lights and deafening bass, toward the hidden staircase leading to the most secret part of the club.
The journey to my office becomes a trail of barely restrained hunger. We stumble through dimly lit corridors, my mouth claiming hers against every wall, every doorframe. Her dress rides higher with each stolen kiss, my hands mapping territory I’m desperate to conquer. Behind us, I hear the distant crash of something falling—a painting knocked askew by her reaching hands, a decorative vase toppled by my elbow. The staff will find chaos in our wake, evidence of desire that couldn’t wait for privacy.
