The Warrior King (Inferno Rising #3) - Abigail Owen Page 0,124
proof lately to not believe. Two things have convinced me the most. One”—she held up a finger—“in the middle of when you were trying your hardest to sacrifice your life in that idiotic plan, our bond solidified, saving us both. Because I would have died without you, bond or no.”
The strongest man she knew trembled against her. “Hell, Meira…I don’t deserve you.”
“And yet I love you anyway—”
She gasped as Samael surged forward, taking her lips in a kiss that was both wild and tender, lips seeking lips, tongue seeking tongue, speaking of forgiveness and love, faith and trust, and a need too long denied. His emotions buffeted her both through her gift and through the unique link that connected them now. Relief and grief and elation and forgiveness all swirling together. Underneath that intensity, a surging need to claim, to bask in the fact that they were mates, now and always. No matter what came next.
Gods, she loved this protective, self-sacrificing man with emotions that ran deeply inside him, an underground river that only she knew.
Shoving aside the blankets, he joined her in the bed, his weight pressing into her in the most delicious way, the hard length of his cock jutting into the soft skin of her belly. Hands turned frantic, and for a second, she hoped… But then, on a long groan, he pulled away, burying his face in her neck and breathing hard.
“Don’t stop,” she begged.
He groaned again. “I don’t want to, but we’re not done talking.” He lifted his head, and finally…finally she could see hope surging through the depths of grief and self-blame in his eyes.
“You said two?” he pressed.
She smiled, that urgency from her dream surging forward. “I think I’ve had a vision.”
Samael blinked, and she chuckled. He probably wasn’t expecting that. “A vision?” he asked slowly.
She nodded. Then, unable to contain herself, she pushed forward to kiss him again. “I’ve seen our child, Sam,” she whispered against his lips. “A son.”
Her mate went rigid with shock against her. “I didn’t know you had visions.”
She tipped her forehead against his. “I didn’t, either, but I saw him. He has your hair and beautiful coloring, but my eyes. He’s tall and strong and smart, and he’ll sit on the throne of the Black Clan one day.”
“Gods above,” he choked, then gathered her closer in his arms. “When?”
Her body lit up from within, and she smiled. “Put a baby inside me tonight, Samael Veles. My heart chose you the first time I saw you in that mirror. You looked through my magic and saw me when no one else did. But I wouldn’t let myself believe.”
His erection swelled and pressed against her, but still he shook his head. “To bring a child into this world…now…”
They both had to choose this. One of the few fair things about dragon shifters—both partners had to choose to create a child as they made love.
Meira lifted a hand and gently traced her lover’s lips, his eyes. “I don’t know how we get there. I don’t even know if you and I survive his war, but our child will rule this clan. But only if we choose him now.”
Samael searched her face. Almost unconsciously, his hips started to pump, and she opened her legs wider, pressing into the slow, driving pressure.
“You want this?” he asked, voice shaking, dropping low.
“I want this.” She’d seen her child’s face. Had given him the part of her heart a mother reserved for her children.
“Gods forgive me, I want it, too. To see your belly swell with my child. To start a new life with you. A new future for our people.”
An incandescent happiness swirled through their bond, coming from both of them, to twine and merge, followed by a rush of superheated need that sensitized every part of her.
Samael took her lips, no hesitation in him this time, no need to back away.
…
My mate.
After everything he’d done to fuck it up, he could hardly believe the woman in his arms was giving herself to him so beautifully.
She moaned against his lips, tasting of Meira and smelling of jasmine and flame.
How on earth was he going to survive this woman, who’d made her his with a single look in a mirror? Whose quiet intelligence and gentle patience won over a lowborn boy from a rough life who’d grown into an agent of death and destruction.
“I’ll keep you safe, Meira. Always.” Protect this precious gift the fates had graced him with. He whispered the promise even as