Again, as if he were testing the waters, he gradually wrapped his wings around her, enfolding them both completely. His pulselines were lighting like crazy. Her poor Vrekener must be a bewildered mix of nerves and anticipation. “Thronos, when we’re like this, we tell each other secrets. Do you want to know some?”
He nodded.
“We were best friends as children,” she told him. “Just as we are now.”
“Friends?”
“Yes,” she murmured. “But we’re so much more. You love me. And I love you.”
“You? Love me?”
“Wildly. Madly.” Maybe a kiss would remind him. Maybe she needed to spur his body as much as his mind. She rose on her toes, cupping his face between her glowing hands, drawing him to her. Within his wings, her iridescent sorcery lit his eyes, joining his surreal pulselines. “Can I kiss you?”
His brows drew tight. “By all the gods, yes.”
Just as he had kissed her after those time loops—so she would kiss him.
A claiming kiss.
A no-going-back kiss.
He went motionless as she brushed her lips over his, once and again. When she slanted her mouth across his, he parted his lips.
She deepened the contact, slipping in her tongue to tease his. He met her with a groan, and she grew encouraged—as if he’d conceded far more than a kiss.
He began one of his slow-build love affairs with her mouth, sensuously licking her until her eyes slid shut.
Her hands shook on his face as their tongues slowly twined. His arms wrapped around her. He palmed the back of her head with one hand, his other dipping toward her ass, as if he couldn’t help himself. His wings tightened around her back even more, squeezing her closer.
Once they were sharing breaths, she drew back to whisper against his lips, “Remember me, love.” The ground tremors intensified, until even the immense trees shuddered. She felt like a sorcery reactor, stronger than she’d ever been.
Because I’ve never wanted anything like I want him.
“Remember”—she commanded between seeking kisses—“Thronos, please, remember me. I’m waiting for you. Remember, remember, REMEMBER!” Sorcery blasted from her to him.
Breathless, she drew back.
His eyes were heavy-lidded, vivid silver. Flickering remnants of blue light sparked around them.
“Anything?”
He shook his head. “Though I’d like to repeat this process to be sure.” He tenderly brushed the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip. “Shall we try again, lamb?”
He frowned; she beamed.
Voice roughened, he murmured, “I . . . smell magics on you?”
Her eyes misted again. “Those were the first words you ever said to me.”
His brow creased as he clearly recollected. “I remember you!” Recognition flared in his gaze. “My Lanthe.” As they had so long ago, his eyes told her, I’ve been pretty much lost without you.
“Um, there’s a part in the middle. . . .”
“I’ve already skipped past it,” he told her. “We don’t dwell on things that have no consequence, and I’m not one to squander my golden”—he kissed her forehead—“coins.”
She grinned up at him. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you! I never would’ve given up.”
“I love you, Lanthe. I knew it before, was going to tell you that night . . .” He trailed off. “And you love me too?”