But she didn't mind ceding control over to him as he quickened his deep, penetrating strokes. Each one went through her, hot and bittersweet. She leaned forward onto her arms, letting her hair fall over them as her body throbbed and ached for more of him.
Her pleasure built until she cried out from sweet release.
Vane watched her face as she climaxed in his arms. Joy tore through him at the sight of her, at the warm sweetness of her body cradling his. He claimed her lips and moved even faster, wanting his own moment of perfection.
Closing his eyes, he found it. He pulled back from her lips to growl deep in his throat as his body exploded into bliss.
Still joined with her, he pulled her down onto his chest and held her quietly while their hearts pounded in time and his body continued to orgasm for several minutes. He ran his hands over her back, delighting in the tranquility of this moment.
It was the only peace his violent life had ever known. There was no fear here with her. No terror that she had the powers to unmask his human heart and kill him for it.
There was only them.
Bride didn't move for the longest time. She lay on his chest, savoring the strength of his arms holding her.
She nuzzled her face against his chest, then kissed his nipple before she pulled away.
As she started to move from the bed, he tugged lightly at her arm to stop her.
"Where are you going?"
"I was going to clean up."
"Why? I'm far from finished with you."
She laughed until she realized he wasn't kidding. He quickly pulled his shirt off and tossed it toward his jacket. His pants, shoes, and socks quickly followed.
Before she could protest, he had picked her up and placed her back on the bed. He nudged her legs apart with his knees, then slid his hips and groin between them.
Bride groaned at the sensation of him lying on top of her. He was already growing hard again.
He took his time exploring her mouth, nibbling her lips, and tasting her, until she thought she would pass out from his gentle exploration.
They stayed like that for the rest of the night. Skin to skin, body to body. Bride had never experienced anything like it. Vane had more stamina than anyone she'd ever heard of. By dawn, she was exhausted and fell asleep nestled in his arms.
He slept quietly spooned up behind her with one leg nestled between her thighs.
This was heaven. And for the first time in a long while, she felt a sense of belonging. Of acceptance. Vane didn't care that she wasn't skinny. He didn't mind that they were on a rickety old bed in a tiny apartment.
He seemed happy just to be with her.
And that was the nicest part of all this.
Vane lay there quietly, listening to Bride's soft snore as she slept in his arms. Her scent permeated his head. There was nothing he treasured more than her scent mingled with his. Than the feeling of her in his arms.
He was sore and exhausted. And he loved every bit of it. He looked down at her hand and withdrew his magic so that his mark was visible, too.
Mates.
He pressed his markings to hers and laced their fingers together. They would have to make love with their hands joined in this fashion in order to complete their mating ritual.
Bride would have to accept him.
And he would have to open himself up to her.
In the early light of dawn, that wasn't as frightening to him as it should have been.
Closing his eyes, he let sleep wash over him, and for the first time in months he wasn't racked with nightmares. He only felt the peace of his mate nestled up against him.