Pretty Painful - K.A Knight Page 0,36

with nothing but you and me under these stars,” I implore, needing to feel him in me, needing to feel him alive. Some people might think that crazy after what just almost happened, but it’s how I know we are alive and safe, and I won’t calm down until I feel him between my thighs, holding my body to his as he marks me all over again, proving to everyone we are here and safe. We are mates.

“Please, Mishal,” I plead.

“You never beg for anything, little one. I am yours, as is my body. Whatever you need,” he vows, sealing it with a soft kiss, and wiping away the taste of them and that foul blood with sin, fire, and smoke, until I’m groaning in his arms.

“Yes, always. You’re mine.” I nod, my head dropping back to look at the sky as he kisses along my throat.

“Yours,” he agrees against my skin. “Let me show you how much.”

Mishal

My mate’s eyes blow wide with desire as she licks her lips still stained with my blood. I can’t begin to explain to her the utter panic and heartbreak I felt when she stood up to those guards or when I saw her fall.

Grief like I’ve never known before had coursed through me when Nyre had picked up her broken body, and her chest barely rose and fell. I had hardly felt the touch of her mind. It had killed a part of me and now if I lose her, I will tear this world apart for hurting her before I join in her death. I haven’t spent nearly long enough with my mate, and when faced with her almost dying, I had decided not even three lifetimes would be enough with her.

Watching her grow in confidence, in strength, watching her become the woman I see every day, sharing our love and passion, soaring with her through the skies and watching her grow with our child, our family, growing old together—I want it all and I refuse to let that not happen. I had seen it, the life we might have had, in that second, as we flew from the facility Nyre torched as we flew away. I had watched the love die in her eyes and I knew…nothing in this world, no crown, no worshippers, family, life, money…it could never compare to her. I would rather spend my days in chains in that cell with her by my side than face a life of freedom without her.

She watches me and I let her see my thoughts, not being able to say it with words, my throat is so clogged. She cried for both of us, she shared her pain, and I wish I could offer her the pretty words to tell her how relieved I am. She deserves it, she deserves the world, but I won’t give her up.

You did just tell me. Her laughter bubbles in my head, her eyes sparkling as she leans in and kisses me softly. “I love you too. I don’t need any of that. Just you, my love,” she whispers against my lips, her body so small and soft in my arms, her eyes filled with trust and need. She brings me to my knees before her.

I was a god, I never begged or bowed to anyone, but as I place her on her feet, I break that now. I press my face to the dirt, bowing to my queen. “Forgive me for not protecting you earlier, little one,” I offer, giving her the only thing I can in the moment…my respect, loyalty, and yes, love.

“I don’t want you on your knees unless it’s to bury your head in my pussy. I want you on your feet, my god, I want you by my side. There is nothing to forgive, now get up before I take a bite out of you,” she warns, making me smile. So bloodthirsty is our mate.

When I don’t move quickly enough for her, she drops to her knees before me and I sit back as she grabs my hair, yanking me to her though I go willingly. “Never go to your knees again, you are a fucking god, and the only time I want to see it is in the bedroom.” She wiggles her eyebrows, but her words are serious.

“As my queen bids.” I grin, kissing her to stop her next train of thought. I groan at the taste of her, she tastes like heaven and hell all put together, and