Loved by a Beast - Miranda Bridges Page 0,44
over mine. But I take in his growl, that primal, animalistic sound of complete and total satisfaction. Together we slowly come down from the intense high, his hold on me loosening and me going limp against him.
We stay like this for a long time, listening to each other’s breaths and hearts as the melody of love returns and then sings for us. The sweet serenade reminds me of my devotion and adoration for my husband and his for me. Our song may have been muffled, no longer easily heard, but it has not been forgotten. Now it rings loud and clear, an anthem that will only grow stronger from now on.
“I love you, Jaxar.” My whisper skims his throat, and I kiss it when he swallows.
“Kital almar rae, Massela. Then, now, and always.”
Chapter 15
With a small kiss to my temple, Jaxar leaves early the next morning.
I smile, keeping my eyes closed, and snuggle deeper into the furs. Last night was incredible and not just the sex. Although, that was on point. However, it was the emotional connection with my husband that has my heart feeling full and my soul light. The things he said to me were words that I needed, but there were also some that I didn’t know I craved until I heard them out loud. All in all, I’m whole in both body and spirit with the birth of my child, adopting Tika, and having the love of my husband.
When Yania brings my daughter to me later on, I swear my heart will burst.
“From your expression, I assume all is well?” Yania asks, taking my son in her arms.
After I kiss and hug Tika, I give my friend a pointed stare. “If you must know, it is.”
My friend slides her gaze to me and smirks. “As if I didn’t hear you two reconcile last night.”
Even with my face burning, I huff and roll my eyes. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”
“No, it would not.”
“So how’s Iraxion today?” I ask, wanting to give her a taste of her own medicine. Much to my surprise, her skin turns a deeper shade of plum.
“He is just as stubborn as ever.” She presses her forehead to my son’s and sighs. “But Iraxion’s persistence has finally worn me down. He says I must accept fate, and so I have.”
I grin at her. “Trazak.”
Yania laughs, a delightful but gruff sound. “I suppose.” She tilts her head and squints in concentration. “Someone comes this way.”
Not more than thirty seconds later, Jeanine requests to come inside. The Massela of the northern tribe enters, clutching the ever-present crossbow to her chest, her gaze darting between me and Yania before she smiles in greeting.
When I catch the trembling of her lips, I frown. “Is everything okay?”
Jeanine opens her mouth and then shuts it, choosing to shake her head instead of speak. It’s never hard to guess when something’s bothering her because she counts and her fingers twitch, but today her knuckles are ghostly pale from her death grip on the weapon, and her breaths are uneven.
“I will take the younglings,” Yania says, rising.
“Thank you,” I say, giving her a grateful smile. Then I wait until the Boraq woman and children are gone and pat an empty space on my bed. “Why don’t you sit for a minute? And please put down the weapon so you don’t accidentally hurt yourself.”
Jeanine nods, her lips giving voice to tiny mutterings while she settles herself. Only, her hands never stop moving, even when she speaks. “Draal, Sunok, and Rozak’s brother, Velrin, came home last night.”
“I’m so relieved,” I say, exhaling deep. “Do you know if they were able to contact the Dravians?”
She nods. “From what I heard, they should be here soon. Honestly, the elves can’t come fast enough.” My friend glances away, and a flicker of alarm streaks through me. “You should know that Sunok was wounded, but Brannick and Anwa are with him. Belvaire told me that he should be fine, which is good news.”
I place a hand on her shoulder in a show of comfort. “Then what’s bothering you?”
“They brought a Boraq woman back with them.”
I scrunch my face in confusion. “What? Who?”
Jeanine looks over her shoulder as if someone is there listening but then brings her gaze back to me. “It’s a Boraq woman named Nyota. Charlotte’s face was redder than her hair when she found out, and now Scarlett is doing her best to calm her twin.”
“Charlotte told me about her, and trust me when I