I can’t! Not until she trusted Abyssian more. She would have to trust him with her life.

A shadow passed over them. She craned her head up. Five dragons soared above! They were much smaller than Uthyr and had black scales. To her delight, one shot a stream of fire, then flew into the flames. “Why did he do that?”

“Warming up for the night’s hunt. This is my favorite time of the day. The dragons set out from their roosts. Creatures rouse in the wilds. Soon the hounds will howl.”

“You must’ve missed this place when you were in the Elserealms.” The dragons continued on, one of them trailing a wing tip across the water’s surface. “Will you have to return there?”

“If I do, you’ll be coming with me.” With an inscrutable expression, he said, “We will never live apart.”

“Never?” That was a word immortals didn’t throw around lightly.

“Ever. As I said, a demon doesn’t like to be away from his mate.”

Sian was reminded of that last dance with Kari when he’d told her, You will be mine, Kari. For all time. I will never be separated from you.

But he had been. “Do you have a problem with a male keeping his wife by his side?”

Picking up on his change in demeanor, she glared. “Depends on if the male is a surly demon who gives his wife whiplash with his moods. Such a wife would wonder if such a husband recalled that they were skinny-dipping on a gorgeous day.”

Fair point. Just enjoy this, Sian. . . .

A couple of dragon stragglers glided overhead. With her attention distracted, Sian decided on a prank to reclaim her good mood. He reached a wing around under the water and skimmed her calf.

Eyes darting, she eased closer. “What was that?”

Keeping his expression blank, he said, “What was what?”

“I felt something against my leg.”

“Hmm. Could be a school of hatchlings.”

“A school? Of baby serpents?”

“They’re even more poisonous than the larger ones. Good thing you’re immortal now.” Unable to resist, he moved his wing again—

She screeched and leapt for him. Climbing him like a tree, she wrapped her arms around his head just below his horns. Her breasts pressed against his face, her legs locked around him. “T-trace us to the shore, Abyssian!”

He coiled his arms around her and turned his head, which put one of her nipples just out of his tongue’s reach. So close, yet so far. The prank’s on me. In a muffled voice, he said, “Or it could be your husband’s wing touching you underwater.”

“Oh, you dick!” she cried, releasing her grip on him. “You will pay for that one. Now put me down.”

“Of course.” He let her slowly inch down his body, her nipples raking his chest.

She sucked in a breath.

Already he could scent how aroused she was. His shaft throbbed for that honey. But he had to behave—somewhat—until she invited him to claim her. And right now, Sian felt a hot, aching hope that an invitation would be forthcoming soon.

Halfway down his body, she gasped, parting her glossy lips.

He was helpless to resist them. He cupped her ass, holding her aloft, then leaned down. She must know he was about to take her mouth, to kiss her tongue with his pointed one.

Her lids went heavy, and she raised her face.

She wants my kiss! Sian hesitated, savoring that he was about to take her lips.

After lifetimes of waiting, he’d wondered if his mind had exaggerated how intense their one kiss had been.

He eased toward her mouth . . . an inch closer. He could feel her exhalations. Closer . . . Their lips met.

When his tongue touched hers, pinpoints of light exploded behind his lids. Heat and need erupted inside him. His mind had not exaggerated.

Kissing my mate. Lightning and balance. The rightness.

She moaned against his lips, wrapping her legs around his waist. Lusty female!

He squeezed her closer, kissing with all his longing, his ages-old yearning. If his first taste of his mate’s lips had ruined him, this resurrected him.

Was she just as affected? He needed to see her ethereal face, to behold her reaction and commit it to memory. He drew back.

“Abyssian?” Her teal eyes were hooded and locked on his lips as she licked her own.

Between breaths, he said, “That was—”

“More, demon.” She tugged on his hair to yank him back.

And all of a sudden, Abyssian Infernas comprehended the meaning of joy. . . .

THIRTY-SEVEN

Here are my fireworks! Lila returned the demon’s blazing kiss.

Their tongues tangled, their breaths mingling. She fed on his groans, shivering when the tip of his pointed tongue teased her. She rubbed her body against his, undulating right as he thrust—

The tip of his dick met her entrance. They both froze.

She broke the kiss with a gasp. “Demon!” The crown lodged against her.

His eyes had flooded black, his horns shooting straight. With a shudder, he clamped his hands around her hips, holding her in place.

She didn’t think he’d meant to hit the bull’s-eye, but he wasn’t in any hurry to right the situation either.

Was she? That pressure felt incredible. Even tempting.

Voice harsh, he bit out, “Closest I’ve ever been . . . to spending. Need—to—thrust. To fuck.” He rocked his hips a touch, just as his hands pressed down. “Ahh! My mate’s so tight.”

She gasped at the new sensation: unbelievably good—laced with a definite twinge. Reminded of her overdue-volcano analogy, she said, “Abyssian, not here. Not now.” Logic told her she would need a vat of wine, a lot of preparation, and a somewhat calm partner when losing her virginity.

“Then you must get . . . away. From me.” Gnashing his fangs, he lifted her off him, setting her down. “Or I’ll claim you . . . right here . . . wedge my cock so deep inside you.”

Her body ached with loss, but she gave him a shaky nod and hurried through the currents.

As she climbed out of the water, his groan sounded over the waves.

On shore, she could feel the heat of his gaze on her, the first time he’d ever really seen her naked from the back. She might have slowed her steps to give him a good look at her ass. Evaluate this, demon.

He yelled, “Stop.”

She froze. Had he spotted some danger? A heartbeat later, he traced directly behind her, then dropped to his knees.