“No, you can’t. I’m your mate.”
“I know.” Striking right, she is.
“No, you don’t understand.” Her voice takes on a hard edge. “I’m your mate mate. Fated, Kirian.”
She’s forging ahead, dragging me by the hand, but I have to stop to process her words. I plant my feet on the ground. “What?”
Quinn reaches up and links her hands behind my neck. “It’s me, Kirian. My face—my hyperpigmentation—it’s the night realm sky. Every star. Every constellation. It’s here.” Taking my fingers, she presses them to her cheeks. “I’m marked by the night sky, and I’ve loved you since I laid eyes on you when I pulled you out of the creek.”
This is… incomprehensible.
But suddenly, the facts click into place. The way her scent lured me. My inability to resist coming back. How disgruntled I became when I couldn’t see her.
Being away from her always felt wrong. If I had to go years at a time without seeing her, I became irritable and sometimes violent.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was experiencing mate withdrawal.
“How did I not know?” I rasp.
“I don’t think you were supposed to,” Quinn answers wryly. “Those witches are tricky bitches.”
“It makes sense now…”
Every time she’s made me come, sparks detonated in my vision. Was it a sign that the curse was being weakened?
Happiness, unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, rushes from my heart to every extremity in my body.
I lunge for Quinn, scooping her up and spinning her around. “I told you you’re mine.”
“I think our hearts knew it the whole time.” She places a slow, sensual kiss on my lips. “Now make me yours all the way.”
Quinn
Hundreds. That’s how many times Kirian and I have climbed this ladder together. But this is completely new.
My pulse hammers as Kirian pushes up on the trap door and lends a hand to help me in.
We haven’t even started having sex, but I feel like I could get off any second. Just the thought of Kirian’s cock pushing into me makes my clit throb.
I’m shaking as I slide my shoes off, and I realize I’m not wearing much. I’d gone to bed in a tank top and underwear, and I was in such a hurry to get to Kirian, I forgot to put shorts on.
Wanting to set the mood, I light a few votive candles and spread the comforter out on the floor. The air in here is stiflingly hot, so I open the shudders to let the breeze in.
The highest part of the ceiling is just tall enough for Kirian to stand while slightly hunched over. The sound of him undoing his belt is like an electric shock to my libido.
I glance over my shoulder, and I like the way his strong, masculine fingers pull at the leather strap.
I know what it feels like to have those fingers inside me.
I’m about to know what it’s like to have a whole lot more inside me, too.
I swallow hard when Kirian pushes his black pants down and his cock springs free. It bobs there, large and swollen. Ready.
Wetness and warmth spreads through my center, and I figure I better get rid of my panties before they get too damp. They join Kirian’s pants on the floor.
Next, he peels off his shirt.
All the air whooshes out of me, and I whip my tank top over my head. “I’ll never get tired of seeing you naked.”
“I can’t wait to see you,” Kirian responds, his breath hitching, his face serious.
This is a big deal. Not just because we’re having sex for the first time, but because our lives are about to change in a drastic way.
We’ll be bonded forever, and the curse will be broken.
I lie on my back, getting as comfortable as possible.
“Guess we better get this show on the road.” I try to keep the nervous quiver out of my voice, but I fail.
Getting down on his knees, Kirian puts himself between my open legs. “I don’t want to rush it too much.”
He flattens a hand next to my head and leans down to give me an unhurried kiss. He nips at my top lip, my bottom lip, and scrapes his teeth over my jaw.
Lowering his mouth to my breast, he sucks on my nipple. Pleasure zings up my spine, and my back arches.
He blows on the dampened flesh before going over to the other side. Once Kirian’s had his fill of both breasts, his large body covers mine as he braces himself on his elbows.
Pressing another sweet kiss to my lips, he whispers, “From dawn ‘til dusk, from dusk ‘til dawn, I’ll never love another.” He lets out a reverent sigh. “That’s the vow fated mates say during the ceremony, but I couldn’t wait. Now you’re mine forever.”
Tears blur my vision. It’s such a beautiful promise, and I know he’s been saving these words for me.
“From dawn ‘til dusk, from dusk ‘til dawn, I’ll never love another,” I repeat as a tear slips down my right temple.
We seal it with a scorching kiss. Kirian’s tongue plunges into my mouth, and I push back in a stroking rhythm.
His hand slips between us, and he groans when he discovers how soaked I am. His fingers easily glide through my folds, sliding down to my entrance. He inserts two fingers, stretching my tight channel. Making me wetter. Priming me for his cock.
As he massages my g-spot, his thumb draws circles on my clit.
My breathing picks up, my lower belly tightens, and my inner walls spasm, warning us of how close I am to climax.
Kirian withdraws his fingers and replaces them with his erection. I spread my thighs wider, surrendering my body as the large head presses into me.
At first, it’s just an intense stretching sensation, but then Kirian thrusts, surging forward.
I cry out when it feels like fire ignites deep inside me. It takes my breath away, and I gasp out a pained sob.
Kirian freezes.
“Quinn, I’m sorry.” He kisses me. “So sorry, love. It’s not supposed to hurt with fated mates, or so I’ve heard.”
“Does that mean we’re not?” I ask, doubt replacing my confidence.
He shakes his head. “I think it’s because you’re human. You don’t heal as quickly as faeries do. Plus, we’re in your world—magic isn’t as strong here. I’ll make it better for you.”
Snaking an arm between us, his fingers go to my clit. He rubs me the way I like. Just the right speed, exactly the perfect amount of pressure.
Little by little, my muscles relax, allowing Kirian to work himself into me with shallow strokes.
Once he’s buried deep, he rests his sweaty forehead on mine. “You okay?”
Surprisingly, I am. The temporary pain has faded, and the burning from before has morphed into a sensation of urgent need.
“Yeah,” I breathe out, wiggling to encourage him to move.
My sigh turns into a gasp when Kirian jerks his hips, driving himself impossibly deeper.
“I can’t—I can’t stop.” His entire body is trembling with the effort to stay still, but it’s like he’s being driven by a force out of his control. His muscles ripple as he fights against the urge to move. He has a pained expression on his face when he adds, “I’m trying to hold back, Quinn. I really am.”
“Don’t.” I caress his cheek. “I’ve wanted this for so long. Just let it happen.”
Groaning, he gives into a power that’s beyond us. His hips begin pumping into me. Our ragged breathing is loud as our bodies slap together. Every time he thrusts, the sensation of being so full makes me whimper, but it doesn’t hurt.
In fact, it starts to feel really fucking good.
Kirian’s hand goes to my face. “My queen. My mate. You’re the best thing I’ve ever felt.”
“Anything yet?” I ask, studying his unfocused lavender eyes. He’s not showing any signs of vision.
“Let’s not think about that right now. This isn’t about the curse. It’s just about you and me.”
He’s right. After everything we’ve been through, we deserve this mom
ent.
Sliding a hand around his back, I cling to him and moan, “You and me.”
Kirian
I’m so lost in the pleasure, I forget about the curse. My eyes are closed, because all I can focus on is Quinn’s impossibly snug pussy. Her slick walls are like velvet around my cock, and every time I push into her, there’s a gush of liquid, making the glide smoother.
I love the feeling of her soft body pinned beneath mine. The sweet scent of her sweat mixed with arousal. The wet sounds coming from where we’re joined.
I want to do this every day, all day. I’ll take up residence inside Quinn’s body. She’ll be my palace, my fortress, my home.
I must be insane with lust, because I even consider making her sit on my cock during dinners and meetings.
Opening my eyes, I expect to get nothing but darkness, but there’s a faint glow.
I blink. Once. Twice.
My vision is fuzzy, but I can see.
I grunt, unable to stop ramming my cock into Quinn. I can’t—it feels too good, and it’s like my motions are being driven by something more than just physical need.
Calling on all my willpower, I force my body to slow. The best I’m able to accomplish is a languid thrust. It’s so difficult to do, I’m shaking from exertion, but I want to be able to look at Quinn.
Her face—the one I’ve memorized by touch—is scrunched up in ecstasy. There’s a cute wrinkle on the bridge of her nose. Her pink lips are parted, and her eyes are slammed shut. For a second, I think my sight is spotty because there are a bunch of shadows on her skin.
But what I’m seeing is her freckles. The Night Realm sky. It’s all there on her face.
“Why’re you stopping?” Keeping her eyes closed, Quinn rolls her hips, pushing me deep. “It’s so good.”
“It’s working. The curse… it’s lifting.”
“It is?” Peeking through her dark lashes, Quinn gazes up at me.
The second our eyes connect, my view sharpens.
I gasp.
My soul realigns. Before, it was disjointed. Untethered.
But as I see my love’s chocolate brown eyes for the first time, I feel my essence click into place. I’m whole now.
Quinn’s my purpose. This beautiful, kind-hearted girl is my reason for existing.
“Kirian?” She places a hand on my cheek. “You see me?”
“I do.” Grinning, a triumphant laugh bursts from me.
I fight the pull of the bond long enough to go still for a few seconds. I want to admire Quinn. Caressing her face, like I’ve done so many times before, I trace the dots on her smooth skin.
She watches me as I memorize her. My finger trails over her forehead, down her nose, across her cheek. It’s familiar and new at the same time.
I travel down to her neck. Her collarbone.
Pushing up with one arm, I cup her breast in my other hand. I like the way the flesh moves when I squeeze the round globe. Her dusky pink nipple is hardened into a tight bud, and I enjoy watching her back arch when I pinch it.
As much fun as it is to ogle her tits, I can’t resist completion much longer. The bond is demanding it, and the visual stimulation is overwhelming.
Against my will, my hips jerk, burying my cock as far as it can go.
Quinn moans, but her face screws up in pleasure, not pain. She already gave me permission to let go.
So I do.
Grasping her waist, I anchor her to the floor as I pound into her pussy. My motions are fast, hard, and frantic.
My balls draw up tight to my body, and I know I won’t last much longer. The closer I get to coming, the more I’m driven by instinct.
I’ve never needed anything this much. Not air, not food, not flight.
This is something primal.
It’s a good thing we’re so far away from anyone. Every time I sink into Quinn, she cries out. Between her sounds, my grunts, and our bodies smacking together, we’re not being quiet.
“Quinn,” I say through gritted teeth. “My Quinn.”
She looks at me, mouth parted, panting. Candlelight casts a warm glow over her beautiful face, and I love every single mark on her skin.
Our eyes stay locked as I shimmy a hand between us.
Rubbing Quinn’s clit with the pad of my middle finger, I wring an orgasm out of her in less than a minute.
Her thighs shake, her head tilts back, and a guttural scream echoes through the night as her inner muscles clench around my cock.
Quinn’s heels dig into the blanket, propelling her away from me, but I follow.
I don’t let up as I chase my own release. Hooking my arms under her back, I hold onto the top of her shoulders so I can get more leverage.
“Fuck. So good.” My eyes are heavy, threatening to close.
Something big is happening. I can feel it in my soul.
As the pressure builds, there’s a sizzle and a pop somewhere above us. Sparks burst, causing flashes of bright light over Quinn’s surprised face.
Right there is proof that we’re meant for each other—it’s the bond detonating.
I’d love to watch, but there isn’t time to look around to see what’s happening.
Because I’m about to come.
Roaring, I bury my face by Quinn’s neck.
My cock swells even more, and I come hard, my muscles tensing as my seed shoots into her tight channel. The powerful jets fill her to the brim, and my thrusts make wet sounds as blinding pleasure races through every cell of my body.
Rutting as far into her pussy as I can go, the last of my orgasm tapers off. I’m breathing hard as my hips buck one more time.
Spent, I collapse, bracing myself on my elbows so I don’t crush Quinn. I run my nose along her temple, breathing in her sweetness and the scent of our mating.
I wonder if she’ll get pregnant.
I wonder when she’ll be ready to do it again.
Giddy anticipation overwhelms me at the thought of both.
I imagine Quinn’s belly round with my baby, and I want it so badly I physically ache. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get to have a child, but the picture of a chubby-cheeked baby with lavender eyes fills my mind. However, I don’t mind if it takes us several tries. Or hundreds. We’ll keep at it until we’ve succeeded.
A strange sensation takes up residence inside my chest. The bond, I realize. My heart is so full.
“You missed the fireworks.” There’s a teasing lilt to Quinn’s voice, and I lift my head to see her smile.
Her lips are puffy and red from my kisses, and I love the way the corners of her mouth curl up with a hint of mischief. The way her skin creases with the laugh lines framing that grin. The way her right incisor is slightly crooked compared to the rest of the straight teeth.
I’ll never get tired of looking at her.
“I was a little too busy to pay attention to the show.” Keeping my eyes open, I kiss her. It’s closed-mouthed and gentle, which is a sharp contrast to how rough I’d just been with her.
I’m about to apologize for my lack of self-control when she asks, “Is it always like that? With fated mates and the fireworks, I mean.”
The tip of my nose brushes against hers when I nod. “I’ve heard sparks literally fly when mates make love for the first time.”
Something catches her attention to the left, and she gasps. “Kirian, look.”
I follow her gaze to the open window. Outside, hundreds of fireflies have gathered around the treehouse. They’re swirling in the air, surrounding us. I hear the humming of the cicadas and crickets. They’re playing our song—the one I made up for her so long ago.
“Are you doing that on purpose?” Quinn asks, full of awe.
“I hadn’t meant to, no.” I glance back at her. “Fae abilities tend to increase when mates bond. Now that our souls are fully connected, I’m more powerful. It’s about proximity—the closer I am to you, the better.” Looking down at our joined bodies, I grin. “And we’re about as close as we can get.”
<
br /> “So, you really do need me.”
From her light tone, I can tell she means it as a joke, but it’s no laughing matter. “More than you know. That’s one reason mates can’t be separated for long. I’m a more complete person with you than without you.”
“That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. I hope—” Her eyes get misty. “—I hope you always feel that way.”
Blinking, Quinn reaches up to wipe a tear away.
I catch her hand midair. “Allow me.”
Dragging my fingertip over her dampened skin, I gather the wet drop. I angle my hand toward the flickering candle, watching the way the light dances in the moisture.
Fascinating.
My intrigue quickly turns to concern as I look down at Quinn’s leaking eyes. “Are you sad?”
She shakes her head. “No.”
Slowly, I pull my cock out of her, noticing the way she winces. “Did I hurt you?”
“No.”
“Are you… happy?”
“No. I mean, yes.” She sniffles. “But that’s not why I’m crying.”
Impatient, I frown. “Well, out with it, woman.”
She half laughs, half sobs. “You can see me now. I’m afraid you’ll change your mind or feel differently.”
“Why would I do that?” I’m baffled. How could she think such a thing?
“This doesn’t bother you?” She spins a finger around her face. “Not even a little? You got stuck with me.”
“Stuck with you?” I ask incredulously. Her freckles are the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen. “Quinn, you’re a gift. A gift from the stars. The Night Realm used to be my favorite sight in the whole kingdom. Now, anytime I want to see it, I can just look at you. I could stare at you for days. In fact, when we get back home, I intend to do just that.”
Satisfied with my answer, she grins. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go home.”
Quinn
“Astrid!” Before I can think better of it, I run over and hug the witch. “I’m so happy to see you.”
Chuckling, she awkwardly pats my back before pointing a skinny finger at Kirian. “Your portal’s stinking up my house. But it’s good to see your sight restored.”
The Fae King's Curse Page 21
