Page 74 of House of Serpents and Slaves

"When I was a child," she said softly, her eyes distant with memory, "I used to dream of being a dragon rider in the Imperial Dragon Elites. I'd watch them fly overhead during festivals, their armor gleaming in the sun, and imagine myself up there among them."

"Livia," I said gently, "that's a child's dream. The more you see of blood and death in the arena, the more you'll understand the appeal of a simpler life. A peaceful life." I took her hands in mine, willing her to understand. "I can give you that. A home, safety, love..."

My voice cracked slightly on the last word, and I had to take a breath before continuing. "I want you with me. I can't... I can't imagine my life without you in it anymore. I just want to keep you safe, to love you." The words tumbled out, weighted with everything I felt for her, everything I feared losing.

"Marcus..." she said softly, but I could see the hesitation in her eyes.

"You love me too," I insisted, pulling her closer, pressing my forehead to hers. "I know you do. Don't you feel this? What's between us?"

She answered by kissing me, fierce and deep, her fingers tangling in my hair as she pressed herself against me. When she finally pulled back, her eyes were bright with unshed tears.

"A part of me died with my brother in that village," she whispered, her voice rough with emotion. "My heart... it's damaged. Permanently. But whatever is left..." She touched my face gently. "Whatever is left loves you too. I just... I don't want to disappoint you."

"Disappoint me?" I pulled her closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You could never disappoint me. Never."

I kissed along her cheekbone, then down her jaw, loving the softness of her skin beneath my lips.

She tilted her head back, giving me better access to her neck. I trailed kisses down the column of her throat, relishing the small gasp she let out when I found a sensitive spot. Her fingers tightened in my hair, urging me on.

"Marcus," she breathed, and the way she said my name sent fire racing through my veins.

I captured her lips again, pouring all my longing and desire into the kiss. She matched my passion, her body melting against mine as she shifted to straddle my lap. The new position brought our bodies flush together, and I groaned at the contact. My hands slid down her back, tracing the lean muscles I knew sowell from our training sessions before settling on her hips. She rocked against me, drawing another low sound from my throat.

"Livia," I murmured against her lips. "My Livia."

Her fingers fumbled with the ties of my tunic, pushing the fabric aside to run her hands over my chest. I shivered at her touch, my skin burning everywhere her fingers trailed.

I tugged at the hem of her own tunic, breaking our kiss just long enough to pull it over her head. The cooling night air raised goosebumps on her skin, and I ran my hands over her arms to warm her. She was beautiful in the fading golden light, all lean muscle and soft curves.

"You're perfect," I breathed, drinking in the sight of her.

A blush spread across her cheeks, but she didn't look away. Her eyes locked with mine, dark and intense. Slowly, deliberately, she took my hands and guided them to her breasts. I cupped them reverently, marveling at their softness. When I brushed my thumbs over her nipples, she arched into my touch with a soft moan.

I lowered my head, replacing my hands with my mouth. She gasped as I swirled my tongue around one peak, then the other. Her fingers tangled in my hair, holding me close as I lavished attention on her breasts.

"Marcus," she breathed, rocking her hips against mine. The friction sent sparks of pleasure through me, and I groaned against her skin.

Gently, I lowered her onto the blankets, covering her body with my own. The feel of her skin against mine was intoxicating. I trailed kisses down her neck, across her collarbone, relishing the little gasps and moans she made.

"Marcus," she breathed, arching into me. "Please..."

I looked up, meeting her eyes. They were dark with desire, but there was vulnerability there too. I cupped her face in my hand.

"Are you sure?" I asked softly. "I want this to be your choice, not my demand. You don't have to-"

She silenced me with a kiss, deep and passionate. "I'm sure," she whispered against my lips. "I want this. I want you."

I wasn’t about to ask twice. I leaned down, capturing one of her nipples in my mouth and she sighed, sliding her hands over my head and cupping my neck as I sucked hard. I ran my tongue over the stiff peak, before moving to the other to give it similar treatment. Tiny sighs escaped her, but I wanted more from her tonight. I wanted her to scream my name from the top of the arena for the world to hear, and I didn’t care what came of it. I moved slowly downwards, taking my time to worship every inch of her body, but when I finally settled between her thighs and dipped my tongue into the sweet slickness waiting for me, it was me who moaned the loudest. She tasted incredible… sweet, salty, and completely intoxicating. I savoured the taste of her, exploring her over and over again as I found her most sensitive spots to tease. Her hands gripped the blankets below us as she gasped my name.

I focused my attention on the sensitive bundle of nerves at her center. I circled it slowly, teasingly, before flicking my tongue across it in quick, firm strokes.

Livia's breath came in ragged gasps, her hips rocking against my mouth as I brought her closer to the edge. I slipped two fingers inside her, curling them to hit that spot that made her cry out. Her walls clenched around my fingers as I pumped them in and out, matching the rhythm of my tongue.

"Marcus," she moaned, her voice breathy and desperate. "Oh gods, Marcus..."

I doubled my efforts, determined to make her fall apart for me. Her thighs trembled on either side of my head as she climbed higher and higher. When I sucked hard on her clit, she shattered with a cry that echoed off the arena walls. I worked her throughher release, easing off as the aftershocks rolled through her body.

When I finally lifted my head, she was flushed and panting, her hair a wild tangle around her face. She had never looked more beautiful.

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