Page 428 of Eternal
“Then I’m glad.”
A tear slips down her cheek and I catch it with my lips. She exhales like it broke something in her. “Azra,” I whisper.
The tremble in her thighs eases, the tension in her arms softens, and I feel her body start to let go beneath mine, not from exhaustion, not from surrender, but from being held.
Still inside her, still wrapped up in everything, I reach up to her wrists.
The silk is loose now, damp with sweat and warmth. I untie her gently, letting the fabric slip free, and bring her wrists to my lips, kissing each one, soft, slow. She watches me with those pretty eyes, lids heavy, mouth slightly open like she’s trying to form words but can’t find any that are enough.
“You okay?” I whisper against her skin.
She nods, breath catching again, not from lust now, but something quieter.
She’s curled against me now, all bare skin, flushed cheeks, sweat-damp curls stuck to her neck. My arms are wrapped around her, one hand stroking slowly up her spine, fingers tracing lazy lines down the slope of her back. Her breath has evened out, but I can feel the little shivers that still run through her every few seconds.
I press a kiss to her temple again, then another to the corner of her mouth, watching her glow. She looks soft. Spent. Happy.
“Feeling spoiled yet?” I murmur.
She lets out a tired little laugh against my chest. “You’re lucky I’m still conscious.”
I grin, brushing a knuckle over her cheekbone. “That was just the warm-up,partner.”
She tilts her head up, eyes narrowing, suspicious, but still smiling. “What do you meanjust?”
I lean in, mouth grazing hers, voice low and easy. “I’ve got the best part saved for later.”
Her breath hitches. “Later?” she echoes, half-stressed, half-thrilled.
I nod, lips brushing her jaw. “After you rest. Hydrate. Regret trusting me.”
She laughs, but it’s breathless and pretty, “You’re the worst.”
I pull her closer, burying my face in her messy hair. “Nah,” I whisper against her skin. “I’m the best.”
Her legs are tangled with mine, her skin still warm and damp, pressed against my chest like she’s trying to disappear into me. I haven’t let go of her, she’s tracing lazy circles on my shoulder now, eyes half-closed, voice soft as breath.
“After tonight…” she starts, but pauses.
I tilt my head, looking down at her. “Hm?”
She swallows, then finishes. “After tonight, I’ll probably be free from all this.”
My chest tightens.
I don’t ask what this means, because I already know. The noise. The chaos. The weight she’s been carrying too long.
“And what do you wanna do then?” I ask, brushing her hair from her face.
“Go somewhere,” she says, blinking up at me, tired but clear. “I want to see the northern lights.”
My hand stills on her back. “Yeah?”
She nods once. “With you. I want to rest there for a few months.”
I kiss her forehead. “Then we’ll go. The little surprise I have will be completely done in two months. After that, I’ll take you to see the northern lights.”
“Okay. In two months then.”
