I set her down softly and held her to me.
“I love you,” she whispered.
My chest grew tight. Love was never something I’d considered, never something I had thought possible beyond familial bonds that were more duty than feeling. But with Astra, I couldn’t imagine a life without her and I didn’t want to.
She made me vulnerable and stronger at the same time. I searched her face and I could see the adoration that mirrored my own feelings for her. “I love you, too.”
I touched my lips to hers. Nothing had changed between us, yet everything had. Her body melded to mine. She was soft where I was hard, she was strong when I was weak, and she was everything.
Her mouth moved over mine, her tongue exploring.
She was my spark, a force of light and life in an otherwise cold and sterile existence. She was my reason.
I brushed her tongue with mine, moved my lips with hers. Our kiss was a thousand promises, a dance in silence.
Astra was my earth and sky, she was my heart. I would give her everything I had, everything I was.
The sound of fake coughing grounded me, pulling me from the high that was kissing my mate. There was no other way to describe our connection, she was my forever.
Astra stepped back, her cheeks and ears red with a head to toe blush. “Hey.”
Her father and friend were standing there. Mr. Rhodes held out his hands as if shielding himself, while Polly openly stared.
“Put that away,” her father said.
“I don’t know,” Polly said. “I say leave it out.”
I wasn’t sure what they were referring to.
“Can you grab one of those cloths out of your pocket?” Astra asked, a small smile playing on her lips.
“You need pants to have pockets,” Polly said.
I did as Astra had suggested and tied a cloth around my hips.
Remembering that the humans weren’t accustomed to nakedness would take getting used to. Astra was more than worth the effort.
Mr. Rhodes put his hands down. “You caused a hell of a lot of destruction down here,” he said.
I looked over the village. “We should help the villagers.”
“Yeah,” her father said. “We were already trying to do that. No one is there. The village is empty.”
“You went in when the rocks were falling?” Astra put her hands on her hips. “After they held you prisoner? You could have died.”
“They aren’t all soldiers,” Mr. Rhodes said. “Most were innocent. Women and children, men who had nothing to do with what happened to us. It didn’t matter, though, they’re all gone.”
I was glad no one was injured. But it made me question, had Herrik known my father was going to appear? Was Aldrych the master Herrik had called for? And had Herrik had the presence of mind to send his people away before all of this?
“Gone where?” I asked.
Mr. Rhodes’s frown deepened. “How the hell am I supposed to know?”
“They probably saw dragons and ran,” Astra said.
It was a sound theory, more so than Herrik having something to do with it. Which reminded me, what had become of the coyote alpha?
“Excuse me a moment,” I said, and shot up into the air.
I checked the cliff and the valley below. I scanned the abandoned village, and the damaged huts within. No one was there. Herrik was gone, just like my father.
Repercussions of what happened today would be felt throughout the island. The reappearance and continued existence of Aldrych the Creator would affect the domains of all of my brothers. Not only that, but their personal lives. They deserved to know their father was alive.
I would tell them soon. But there were other more pressing matters to deal with first. Duty had always come first. Now, perhaps duty came second—only to Astra.
Chapter 21
Astra
On the walk back to the wolf village, my father was quiet. I’d thought he and Polly would enjoy riding on the back of a dragon more now than before. But like the first time, Polly was game. My father wasn’t. He walked apart from the group, a few steps behind. I gave Celedon’s arm a squeeze and slipped back beside my dad.
We had almost reached the crumbled wall of the village.
Dad looked at me, his blue eyes the only soft part of his grizzled exterior.
“You don’t have to do that,” he said.
“Do what?”
“Worry about me,” he said. “Be with your friends. I’m fine.”
I ignored him.
“Is this about the dragon?” he asked. “I like knowing my legs are the ones carrying me, and that I won’t get dropped fifty feet.”
“You like control.”
“Always have, always will.”
I sighed. “That’s what I’m worried about.”
“Don’t.”
“Easier said than done.”
“Look, Astra, I see the way you look at that dragon man.”
“Celedon.”
He nodded. “And I see the way he looks at you. “Stop thinking about me, and go be happy. You deserve that.”
“Thanks, Dad.” His approval meant more to me than I’d realized. Like him, I was going to do what I wanted. I didn’t need anyone’s permission or approval, but it was nice. “You deserve to be happy, too,” I said.
“I’m not thrilled about being told I can’t leave,” Dad said. “But if there was anywhere to be trapped for the rest of my life, this place isn’t half bad. There’s magic, with relics beyond anything I ever imagined. I’m just going to live here on my terms.”
“What’s that mean?” I asked.
He stopped walking. “It means finding my own place.”
“You don’t want to stay with the wolves. So a different village?” I knew that wasn’t what he meant.
“I’ll make a place. It’s not like I haven’t done it before.”
I nodded. He’d lived off the land before, with the military and later during his archaeological work for the museum.
“How will I find you?” I asked.
He clasped my shoulder. “I’ll find you. Maybe we’ll even make green beans and mac and cheese.”
I threw my arms around his chest and hugged him. It felt final, a goodbye, even though I knew it wouldn’t be long before he kept his word and showed me some secluded cabin he built for himself.
“Take care of yourself,” I said into his chest.
“You do the same,” he said. “Let yourself be happy.”
Dad walked away, and I stood there watching him. The thing was, I already was happy. Being with Celedon made me happy.
Speaking of—I could feel his presence behind me, both familiar and exciting. Though he wasn’t touching me, my skin prickled like his hands were there, lighting up every nerve.
I turned and found him farther away than I expected. He was a few feet back, standing by the village wall waiting for me. His dirty-blond hair was tousled, his green eyes soft in the way they were only when he was looking at me.
“Ready?” Celedon asked.
I nodded and walked up beside him. “Where’s Polly?”
“She went in.”
Celedon laced his fingers in mine. It was such a simple gesture, yet it felt like so much more. We headed around to the front gate of the wolf village.
“Your father will remain under my protection,” Celedon said. “The wolves will respect his wish for independence and look after him.”
I smiled. “Thank you.”
Dad would handle himself just fine, but it was nice to hear all the same. Another small gesture that meant so much.
I stopped walking just outside the gate. Celedon turned to me, his eyes searching my expression.
“You’re tired,” he said. “Would you prefer to return to the cave?”
“We should help Thorn and—”
“Astra, you are my first priority. Always.”
He ran his hands over my arms, sparking awareness through my body. For so lo
ng I’d craved more of his touch. I’d craved more of him.
“Before you,” he said, “I did not realize it was possible for a Guardian to fall in love, to find a mate he wished to share everything with. I want that with you, the mate bond and everything that goes with it.”
My heart was full. I never thought I’d be happy to stay in one place, to make roots, but Celedon changed everything. He changed me. “I’d like that, too.”
“Thorn will be fine,” he said. “Let me take you home.”
“No,” I said.
He tilted his head to the side as if he didn’t understand.
“Don’t take me back to the cave, take me to the field. With the flowers. For the date that we missed.”
He pulled me to his chest, spread his wings, and we shot up into the sky.
I curled against his him, spreading my fingers over his firm muscles. I liked the touch of hair that trailed down his chest, and the thick bulge of his biceps. I liked the way he held me tight enough to know that I was safe, yet gentle like I was precious.
I liked the hard lines of his jaw and his forest-like scent. I liked the way his intense green eyes softened when he looked at me, and the way his voice lowered when we were alone.
I liked everything about him. I loved him.
The idea of staying forever in one place, with one man, didn’t seem so scary with him.
Celedon landed on a hill overlooking the field of flowers and lowered me to my feet. I looked over the blue grass with the orange blooms and watched the blades sway like waves in the sea. Not far from here were the cliffs where I’d almost lost him. The memory didn’t take away from this moment, and instead reminded me of how precious our time together was. Forever could be over in the blink of an eye, and I wasn’t willing to waste a single moment more.
I turned to Celedon and ran my hands over his chest, down his abs, to the loin cloth I was always putting over him. This time I pulled the string to let it go.
I tilted my chin and touched my lips to his, soft at first. He kissed me back, the two of us moving together like we were one. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close. Warmth spread over my body, radiating from his touch, and pooled in my middle.
So long I’d been waiting for this. I took his cock in my hand, exploring the feel of him. He was so big, velvety soft over his firm length.
He unbuttoned my shirt, brushing his knuckles over the tender skin of my stomach. My body sparked to life under his touch.
I stroked my hand up and down his length, imagining how it would feel inside of me. So big, so good.
My shirt fell back from my shoulders and the fabric gathered on my wrist. I let go, allowing it to fall to the ground. I pulled on the waistband of my pants and dropped them, too.
We were both naked, basking in the firelight of the setting sun, heated by each other’s touch. He ran his hands up my ribs, exploring my sides, my back, my breasts. I arched into his palm.
“Do you like that?” he asked, brushing a finger over my nipple. It hardened to a pebble under his soft touch.
I nodded my head. “Harder.”
He kneaded my breast and squeezed my nipple. Jolts of desire coiled through me. It was so good, too slow.
A bed of soft plants snaked across the ground, creating a blanket just like the one in my cavern bed.
I shoved my tongue into his mouth, setting the pace the way I needed. And I tackled him. He let me, and with a smile he lowered us down. He flipped me onto my back, pinning my wrists.
Hot and soft, he kissed down my neck. Every so often, a kiss was accentuated by a scrape of his teeth. I moaned my appreciation and wiggled to free my trapped hands. I wanted to touch him everywhere, just as he touched me. I pulled free and ran my hands over his arms. He lingered over my breasts, teasing his tongue on my nipple. Then he switched, giving the other attention.
Then lower and lower still, he trailed kisses down my stomach to my hip. I closed my eyes, letting everything wash away but the sensations of his mouth and his hands.
His tongue found my clit. “Yes,” I whispered.
He licked up and down, flicking the sensitive nub softly at first, then harder and faster. It was like he could read my mind, or maybe he was just fluent in the language of my body. However he knew how to do that, I was grateful.
He licked over my opening, and I moaned my appreciation.
“You like that.” This time it wasn’t a question.
“Yes.” My voice was breathy and desperate.
Cool air washed over me, chilling my skin everywhere his mouth had touched. He dipped his tongue inside and I knew I wouldn’t last long. In and out, lapping me up like I was as sweet as a coulu fruit.
My muscles tightened and my breathing hitched. “I’m going to come,” I gasped, digging my fingers into the soft leafy blanket.
He sucked on my clit and a wave of pleasure washed over me, my muscles clenching as he brought me to climax. I looked down at him, and he had a lazy smile across his face, as if it was him who’d just come.
“I like the way you taste,” he said. “We should do that again.”
I nodded. “We should do that again.” But if I didn’t get his cock inside of me soon, I might just combust.
Watching my face, he plunged a finger into my pussy. I rocked my hips into him. He slid in and out, and I knew at this rate I was going to come again. I sat up, not wanting to wait another minute more, and I climbed onto his lap, lowering myself onto him.
I watched his expression darken as I took his tip.
“Astra.” His voice was deep and he wrapped his arms around me.
I lifted and lowered myself over him, taking him deeper each time.
“You are so tight, and so wet.” His chest muscles flexed and he closed his eyes. “There is no better feeling.”
He rocked us both, pressing in hard. He put his hands on my hips and drove deeper and deeper. When I didn’t think it was possible for him to give me more, he did. My body was fire, hot and tingling with need and sensation.
I teetered on the edge of another orgasm, riding the euphoria of his movements and our connection.
I held on, waiting for him, watching his face, the tightening of his muscles.
“Astra, you feel so good.” He looked me in the eyes, straight to my soul, and he whispered, “Come with me.”
I let go, my muscles tightening and squeezing around him. I felt him pulse, watched his face as he tipped over the edge with me.
When we were done, we lay together on the leafy blanket, and he held me. We watched the sun set and the colors fade from the sky. When darkness fell, the field lit up like a thousand tiny blue bulbs swaying in the breeze.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered.
“You’re beautiful.” Celedon kissed the top of my head and nuzzled my neck. “You’re my light and my life. You’re my forever.”
Chapter 22
Celedon
Thorn’s posture softened as a pair of children ran past us down the cobblestone street. His eyes lingered after they rounded a corner and were out of sight.
“The cells appear to be secure,” I said, placing a hand on the metal door to the new holding facility. With Herrik on the loose, and no way to trust the coyote warriors, there was no other option than to jail those who had surrendered.
“Yes,” Thorn replied, turning his attention to me. “The underground location of the cells should act as a deterrent for escape attempts.”
His eyes were distant, a thousand miles away.
“What is bothering you?” I asked.
His attention snapped to me. “Nothing.”
He knew I could hear the lie in his words.
“Nothing of importance,” he clarified.
Whatever occupied Thorn’s thoughts, he believed it wasn’t of concern to me. In the past, I wouldn’t have cared. Given the time I had spent with him over the last few weeks, and the very humanizing connection I had made with Astra, I had changed.
“Ve
ry well,” I said. “If you require assistance, you have my ear.”
A quizzical look crossed his face and the corner of his lips lifted in a hint of a smile.
“Thank you, my lord.”
I nodded. “Celedon.”
“Right,” he said. “This way.”
I followed him through the empty streets.
“Reconstruction is complete on the wall.” He showed me the site where the coyotes had broken into the village. The stones were many shades lighter where repairs had been made.
“And the homes?” I asked.
Thorn gestured to the surrounding buildings. “Fire consumed many of the huts that you can see, some entirely, some only in part.”
“All appear to be rebuilt.”
“Yes,” Thorn agreed. “We’re well. No concerns to report.”
This was the first occasion I’d taken the time to visit for the sake of visiting, to make certain all was well in the village when there was no emergency. It wouldn’t be the last time, even if Thorn did not need my assistance. I intended to move forward as a more grounded guardian, cognizant of my people’s plight.
Thorn began walking once more. I followed, looking over the restored huts as we went. Joyous sounds of celebration carried from the square ahead.
We rejoined the festival. Two women pulled on Thorn’s arms, dragging him toward a group of dancing villagers.
I scanned the crowd and found Polly waving with enthusiasm in my direction. Beside her was Astra’s father, a sour expression on his face.
The scent of wildflowers and sea hit me, and my muscles relaxed in response. I closed my eyes and breathed her in. Soft hands traced over my bicep, and across my chest.
I opened my eyes to the sight of the most beautiful creature in all the world. Dark waves of hair fell over her shoulders, topped with a crown of woven wood. A dress of pale green linen clung to her lush curves. Astra’s blue eyes sparkled as she met my gaze. In her eyes, I could see a mirror of what I felt—love.
“Hey.” Her voice was soft, her cheeks pink, and as she looked at me, a smile spread across her lips.
“Hi.”
“Done with your tour?” she asked.
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