A Soul to Embrace (Duskwalker Brides #8)

Chapter 19

Simmering just beneath his flesh, chaotic magic sparked all throughout Jabez’s body. His muscles flooded with strength, with an energy that continued to build and weave through his long-deadened system. His mind was melting in euphoria, while his blood boiled with restrained aggression that finally needed an outlet.

Like his entire system was exposed to everything, every sensation bombarded him at once.

The smell of water, dirt, and tree roots had sharpened his mind, only for Zylah’s jasmine-and-violet scent to overshadow them with dizzying sweetness. The coldness in the air gave way to the heat of her body, while her claws tickled down the sides of his back, only to elicit a sharp sting when they dug deeper. The sound of trickling water was replaced with high-pitched feminine hitches of breath, and quiet, needy whimpers – each one making his hardened cock pulse.

Even the taste of her blood was sweet, and the drips slipping down his throat flooded him with more strength, more aggression, more... stupidity. Suddenly he couldn’t get closer, no matter how hard he shoved his erection against her, no matter how deep he sunk his fangs as he let loose a vicious, desirous growl.

He wanted more warmth, more touch, more scent and taste, his body and mind shifting into a singular focus.

And the longer he lay over her, the more fixated he became on her.

He didn’t know when he’d shoved his hand under her dress, but he registered utter softness in his palm. He brushed his thumb over a hardened nipple, his hand kneading her small but firm breast, while his other hand already gripped her plump backside tightly. Fur tickled his fingers and palm, and the sensation was welcome.

Her breath brushing over his drooping ear had his body growing lax, despite how her noises made it twitch. Although his muscles continued to swell with desire, the cuteness in her sounds, her little breaths, and how she trembled with need softened his grip. Even his fangs released, and with blood-covered lips, he gently licked at the wound to see how she’d react.

She produced the sweetest little cry, her body shuddering beneath him, and feverish humour crinkled his dazed eyes.

He liked that she didn’t seem to mind the harshness of his bite, and instead of pulling away from it, had eventually leaned into it. But his softer affection gave him a more exciting reaction.

Instead of biting her again, he scraped his sharp fangs down her chest. She gripped one of his horns, and her claws deliciously cut into his scalp, sending a twinge down his spine. He licked upwards with the points of his fangs following his trail, and she shivered in reaction.

Her claws were surprisingly gentle, and she caressed his skin like a woman with long nails. For a moment, he’d almost forgotten he had one of the most dangerous creatures in his arms. He didn’t need to rein back his strength, didn’t need to be considerate of buttery-soft skin.

That lack of restriction, funnily enough, tempered his desire to bite and claw. The fact that he could... tease with them instead, made him want to be gentler – just so he could trick her when he did cut deep and offer different sensations.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such freedom.

In the back of his mind, he knew he should be concerned about what he was doing with this female. He’d been holding back for a multitude of reasons, none of which had gone away simply because he was bombarded by energetic magic. They lingered, whispering in his ears, telling him to stop, yet... the deeper they both fell under this spell, the less he cared.

She smelt wonderful right then. Her pretty scent mixed with her strong arousal had him huffing for more, and they didn’t have to be fully intimate for him to do so.

There remained a line that he couldn’t cross, but surely a little pleasure shared between them wasn’t too terrible. Or perhaps that was just his engorged cock and denied lust muddling his usually perceptive thoughts. The ache in his balls needed release, telling him everything about this right now was a grand fucking idea.

I want to touch her. What he truly wanted right then was to shove his cock into her, but touching was as far as his mind would allow. I wonder what she’s like when she comes.

Just the idea had his cock jerking hard until he released a drop of precum. And seeing this sweet, innocent female all pent up had him grinding between her thighs harder.

She’d asked for this. Her scent was rich with deep arousal, and his conscience was satisfied she understood what it was she sought. Or rather, he allowed that to eliminate any misgivings he had regarding his actions, and he knew, without a doubt, that she wasn’t going to stop him, nor did she want to.

Especially when she produced an adorable moan when he pulled the top of her dress down and brought her dark-grey nipple into his mouth. Finally giving into that damn urge, he grazed his tongue against it with a harsh lick.

Her head tipped back and to the side, and she cupped the end of her snout as if she wanted to hide her pants.

Lust-filled purple orbs glowed, but it was obvious they weren’t looking upon him. Her shoulders flinched and her grip on his horn tightened when he sucked the little bud hard, and her trembling only worsened when he constantly lashed it with his tongue.

Since his body had slipped lower, he felt no reason to grind his cock against the air now that his waist was between her thighs. She refused to release her legs wrapped around him, even when he attempted to pry one off. Her strength was commendable, and no matter how hard he yanked, her locked ankles refused to relent.

Only when he raked his nails down over what he could reach of the inside of her thigh did it let go so it could twitch, shudder, and kick. Her back bowed when he clawed his way back up to her knee, while he gave a harder suck at her breast.

Her reactions were sweet, but she was overly sensitive to each touch. It was a reminder that she was new to all this. I must be slow. He had no damn clue how she’d react, and her claws could gouge his skin far too dangerously.

Thank fuck I can teleport if that happens. He knew her desire wouldn’t outweigh a strong scent of blood, and if this female turned vicious with blood-lust, then he had an easy escape.

Another idea came to him – one that had mischief curling his lips.

Tingles caressed his skin as he made his own scent stronger, hiding any traces of blood in the air. He tried not to make it too strong, as he’d been told it could be unsettling to those with a sensitive nose. But I already know she is fond of the way I smell.

Satisfied that he’d dealt with the potential danger, he lifted his hand so he could watch as he used magic to trim down the claws on his middle and ring fingers so they wouldn’t score her. Unlike most Demons, Jabez was unable to retract them. He brushed his palm along her thigh with one destination in mind, and the fur covering her shoulders and chest waved like a prickle of goosebumps assaulted her as he neared her centre.

Her fur is really soft, he thought, pressing kisses across her exposed sternum bone before using his nose to nuzzle the rest of her dress down so he could get to her other breast. He latched onto her nipple just as his hand cupped between her thighs. Dripping wetness instantly saturated his fingers, and he was relieved to find that her pussy was where it usually was on a female.

Pussy lips and folds greeted his exploring fingers, as did a sensitive clit. Jabez kept his gaze on Zylah’s skull to make sure he didn’t do anything wrong. Given that she let out a cute whine and bucked against his fingers when he grazed the little bud, she had no complaints.

Despite being a Mavka, she essentially felt like any other woman, except for one minor detail. He noticed little nodules on the inside of her lips, and she shivered whenever he touched them directly – as if she liked the contact. He had no doubt she’d be purple like with female Demons, rather than a variation of pink or mauve.

Her skull tilted to look down at his face past her own snout as he released her nipple so he could draw the full length of his tongue over it. Her maw parted to let out a cute squeak when he pinched her clit between the lengths of his fingers.

“How’s that?” he asked, trying to stir her into giving him responses since he couldn’t gauge the expressions of a bony face. He rolled his fingers from side to side to tease her.

“It feels really nice,” she whispered around airy, hot pants, her voice dripping with needy desire.

Just the sound of her voice, all raspy and broken, had him stifling a groan, and he playfully nipped the side of her breast without breaking skin. He licked the fur there as he made her legs and abdomen twitch with each foray, while removing his hand from her backside so he could better hold himself up.

“Can I go lower?” he asked, requiring her to voice that he was allowed to explore deeper.

Zylah whimpered in answer, while nodding her head. Once more, she cupped the end of her snout, and he wondered if she was doing it because she felt shy. If so, he found that rather fucking cute.

His fingers slipped through her slick, before the tips of them found the source. He slowly pushed in his middle finger and a little pool of inferno greeted him in a nice fit. She caved in beneath him, her hips dipping while her thighs spread in welcome of the intrusion.

She feels like any other female. Perhaps a little warmer, from what he could tell, but her channel was soft and textured.

Considering he was able to add his ring finger so quickly, and only then did she stretch for him, humour lit up in his gaze. “Did you touch yourself at Fayren’s?” Why else would she have accepted two fingers so easily?

To his surprise, she shook her head.

She was snug, but he could tell she could accept more with little effort. Which was fine with Jabez. The size of his cock was impressive, and he would rather have an easy entrance than fight through intense tightness.

Except he had no intention of penetrating her with his cock.

At that reminder, he hooked his fingers to see if Zylah had a sweet spot he could reach. It only took a few thrusts for him to find it. She shook as she held onto his horn, gripped his opposing shoulder, and ground against his fingertips.

Anywhere her juices touched began to tingle his skin, but he put that down to the overly wet sensation and his heightened awareness.

When he dug at her G-spot hard, he paused when she arched her back and let out a shallow cry.

“D-don’t stop!” she moaned, her pussy clenching around him.

In the next instant, something... strange happened within. Something wrapped around his fingers, clamping them together and trying to keep him still. His brows drew down in confusion as he began to pull his fingers out, but only made it about halfway before something tightened and yanked him back in!

“What the fuck?” he muttered under his breath, shifting to his knees so he could see.

As he’d thought, her pussy was a moderate purple, and everything was swollen and puffy – no longer appearing like a hidden slit. Just as he was about to pull his fingers from her, he saw what had gripped him.

Little tentacle-like tendrils held on firm, although it was difficult to count how many as they criss-crossed over both his fingers. They refused to relent, even when he pulled a little harder. Now that he figured out what they were, warmth and mirth crinkled his eyes, as he found the feature quite unique.

I’ve seen stranger things, he thought with humour, before shoving his fingers deep.

He attacked her G-spot with strength, thrusting his fingers as he wiggled them. Her hands released him so she could claw at the ground when her back arched, her maw parted, and a loud moan escaped her. Her hips followed his movements, trying to match his thrusting, before one of her feet came off the ground.

The little tendrils released their grips at different intervals, like they wanted to constantly re-position their hold when his movements almost made them slip off. He figured his fingers were too small and tapered to hold properly, and he wondered what they’d feel like wrapping around his cock.

The idea of them playing around the rim of his cock head and his ridges had a shudder rippling through him. He’d bet that would feel amazing.

His lips pulled into a grin, his eyes wild as he watched her body twist and gyrate while his fingers plunged. He could see the moment she was about to come by how she dipped her skull back and to the side to evade her antlers. By how her claws gouged at the solidified dirt until she managed to leave marks behind. By how her cute little toes curled and she spread her thighs even further.

The tendrils gripped hard, giving him little room to move, as her core clamped up so tight it was like she was trying to crush his fingers. Zylah let out a screaming cry when her inner walls spasmed and liquid heat squelched around his thrusts.

Trying to see if he could draw it out, he kept his fingers deep and wiggled them, while placing his thumb over her exposed clit to press and tease it as well. Her cry quivered, and she grabbed his right biceps in tension – incidentally clawing it a little in the process.

Only when everything loosened – both her core and those tendrils – did Jabez stop. He slipped his fingers from her slowly when she grew lax beneath him, and noticeable liquid dripped from his fingertips to the floor.

He eyed her panting form before bringing his gaze to his fingers. How far do I want to go? he wondered, but licked his lips at the wicked scent of her arousal and feminine slick in the air.

It was so thick and tantalising it was making his mouth flood with drool.

His cock pulsed, leaking precum at everything he’d just done, and just witnessed. His eyes crinkled in anguish, while his nose wrinkled when he let out a desperate groan. He licked her juices from his palm, before he shoved his Zylah-coated fingers into his mouth.

The sound that fell from him was more like a pathetic moan as heaven touched his tongue, and lust blasted through him more fiercely than before. I fucking knew she’d taste good. And he wasn’t the kind of man to waste an opportunity when it was deliciously splayed before him.

He shuffled his knees back, curled his arms around her thighs, and shoved his face against her pussy without warning. His vision grew clouded when he licked from her opening all the way to her saturated clit.

He was probably going too fast for her, but he just hadn’t been able to deny himself a taste.

She let out a surprised gasp, and her thighs came up to cushion the sides of his head. Her skull tilted down to him, and he saw it from the corner of his eye as he licked sideways across her clit. He was very careful as he brought the sensitive bud into his mouth, hoping her stronger exterior meant he wouldn’t harm her with his fangs.

His fangs were usually a beloved trait of his, considering they were a perfect tool for brutality, but they often got in the way of this. Females were sensitive, and although they were jagged fangs, he hoped they were blunt enough for her when usually they were too much.

He watched as he cautiously sucked, ready to release at any indication that it hurt.

She gave a full-body shudder, just as one of her feet slipped over his shoulder and caressed down his back. Her right hand shoved into his hair and gripped hard as she tugged the long strands with a tight fist. At the same time, her foot between his shoulder blades pulled up like she was trying to draw him closer with both.

“J-Jabez,” she rasped as she ground her hips against his face.

Seeing she wanted more, and seemed to be enjoying this, his heart raced a little faster when he sucked harder. Her thighs squeezed as she produced a sweet moan and tried to pull him closer. He lashed her clit with his tongue repeatedly, and she twitched each time.

He noticed that, like his fingers, his mouth began to tingle. Oddly enough, his cock hardened even further, as if a compound or enzyme in her feminine slick had some kind of stimulant effect. Or, perhaps, even some kind of mild aphrodisiac – not enough to make him crazed, but absolutely making him want more of her. Suddenly he was ravenous, the desire to feast nibbling away at him.

How can she taste this fucking good? Even the way her little nodules tickled his lips felt amazing, and he drew his tongue up them constantly.

The longer he observed the acceptance of his encompassing lips, tongue, and fangs, the deeper he fell into his teasing. Closing his eyes, he savoured her moans, the taste of her, and the way her clit and folds felt against his mouth. He lay down so he could get a better angle and pressed his engorged cock against the ground.

He released her clit so he could lick at the pool of her entrance, groaning as he shoved his hips against the ground again. I’m so hard. The need for release hammered at him, and if he wasn’t too busy holding her thighs in place, he may have shoved a hand into his trousers and begun stroking himself.

He slipped his lengthy tongue inside her, swirling it just enough to collect her taste. Even then, she didn’t seem to mind his fangs pressing against her as he delved as deep as he could, and he was enamoured at finally being able to pleasure a female with his mouth. He pulled away just so he could playfully nip at one of her lips before he lashed his tongue across her clit as a reward.

He sucked on it again, stronger than before, and her back arched as she threw her thighs open. He released it so he could nuzzle his closed lips against it, before licking from the pool of her entrance back up to it. He circled it, then wiggled his tongue side to side, trying anything to get her to tip over the edge again. It felt good to let out a bit of his playful self he’d been keeping hidden from her.

When he gave her clit another flat lick, her fistful of his hair tightened once more, and she ground against his tongue. She yanked hard enough to delightfully sting his scalp.

Fuck. That’s naughty. His mind practically groaned out the thought when it felt like she was trying to fuck his face herself. You act all innocent, but just look at what you’re doing to me.

He stuck his tongue forward for her and stilled it, making sure his jaw was unhinged completely so her messy thrusts didn’t catch his fangs. Then he worked with her movements, using firm pressure and going in the opposite direction so each lash would be stronger.

He peeked open his eyes to look up at her. Her fur was puffed, her snout tilted towards him as if she was watching him between her thighs. Her maw had parted on hitching breaths.

The moment she realised their gazes were locked, she whimpered. She trembled constantly, and that only deepened when her muscles visibly locked up. The moment she started to orgasm, Jabez did nothing but let her thrust her pussy against his mouth in the way she needed to ensure it was more blissful for her.

Her orbs turned black, and she threw her head to the side as she let out a cute cry. Her shoulders turned inwards, while her thighs clamped around his head in a crushing hold.

Only when she softened did Jabez take his reward. He dipped lower and shoved his tongue inside her to drink her orgasm, feeling the last of her core’s shudders and quivers before he pulled away. He licked at his lips, her slick clinging to his cheeks and chin, as he raised himself up to kneel.

Panting deeply, finally able to take proper breaths, he stared down at her pussy with his hands on her thighs.

His eyes crinkled as his balls gave an uncomfortable throb.

Right now, what he wanted more than anything was to shove into her until their hips were flush. If she could handle his hands and mouth, then she’d be able to handle a completely wild and feral Jabez pounding into her. And he knew he’d be wild after experiencing all this, especially with the taste of her lingering in his mouth.

To finally let go of his strength...

I can’t. He couldn’t do that. He couldn’t cross that line with her, not when he was still harbouring the secrets he did. He’d give anything to throw his conscience to the wind, but he knew it’d weigh too heavily in the future.

But he needed to fucking come, and the wet spot on his pants was a good indication that he’d be fast and sensitive.

He loosened the tie at his waistband, then grabbed her thigh and pulled her closer. She chittered in surprise before letting out a gasp when he shoved his lips around her left breast. He tongued her nipple as he slipped his hand into his pants, grasped his cock, and stroked it.

The backs of his knuckles brushed against her abdomen through the material, and he stifled his groan when the ring of his fingers squeezed over the rim of his girth.

She obviously felt it, since she turned her skull down to him and asked, “Jabez?”

“I’m very horny right now,” he grated with a husky voice, as his lips purposefully brushed over her saliva-coated nipple. “I’m going to jerk off.”

Hopefully she wouldn’t mind him playing with her tits while he did. It was exciting him and would absolutely ensure he reached his own release much faster. He couldn’t help grazing the little bud with one of his fangs in appreciation, which made her twitch and let out a rasp.

Shit, he thought, as he stroked faster. I really like that she enjoys my fangs.

“But I want to see you,” she whispered, lifting up slightly to get her elbows beneath her.

“You want to watch me?” he asked, pulling away to lean on a straightened arm above her.

He wasn’t actually against that, considering they’d just done much worse. I probably shouldn’t encourage her, though.

She licked across her snout, her skull twisting like she wanted a better view of his groin. With her purple orbs clearly upon him, she reached out to slip her claws into the waistband of his pants.

He almost chuckled. For a female new to all this, she’s rather bold.

Giddiness thrummed through Zylah as she tugged on his pants and he didn’t stop her. Short white hair came into view before the base of his shaft was revealed. She felt the need to go slow in case he spooked, and she licked the inside of her mouth when she’d brought the fabric most of the way down.

Although his hand covered part of him, ridges on both sides were visible. She twisted her head in surprise, since they hadn’t been there before when she’d seen him soft. Then, finally, his cock came free. Jabez pulled his hand away so he could shuffle the waistline of his pants lower until he revealed his hair-dusted ball sac, as if he found that more comfortable.

He gripped his length once more, his fingertips having at least an inch of space between them like he couldn’t completely encompass it.

“Oh wow,” Zylah rasped, her gaze fixated as she noted the exposed mauve head. “It’s not little anymore.”

A singular snort of laughter came from him. “It’s not nice to call a man’s cock small, even when it’s soft.”

“Oh.” She chittered nervously. “Sorry, I didn’t mean–”

Her words died when he brought the ring of his fingers up until his thumb flicked over the wet rim of the head. “It’s fine,” he grated lowly, before a small pant came from him.

Any self-consciousness dissipated as she watched Jabez stroke himself, his fingers waving as he ran over the ridges.

It’s so much bigger than before. It looked hard, thick, and long enough that she’d require two hands to fully cover it from head to base – and her hands were rather big.

The head was also exposed, when before it’d been sheltered. A pearly white bead formed at the slitted hole on the tip, and Zylah shivered at the naughty hint of salt in the air. None of the books she’d read detailed males having an arousal scent, but it was hard to miss now that his cock was free.

Still throbbing with need and curious about it, about him, she reached out without thinking. She wrapped her hand around the head and thumbed that bead of liquid.

He released a groan as his shaft thickened momentarily in her grasp. “I guess you don’t want to just watch,” he rasped out, letting go as if he didn’t mind her taking over.

Which had not been her intention! Zylah didn’t know what to do, and momentarily panicked as she tried to mimic his stroking. She found it awkward, so she shifted her palm a little to hold it similarly to how he had.

“Fuck!” he choked out as a shudder racked him. “Careful of your claws. Don’t tickle it.”

He said this, yet another heavy drop of precum spilled from the tip of his cock.

“Also,” he started, before pulling her hand to the side to expose the top of his shaft. Then, a line of saliva spilled from his lips and onto it, before he let her hand go. “It’ll be easier and feel better if it’s wet.”

“I’m wet,” Zylah stated, wondering why he hadn’t just collected the liquid dripping from her.

“That’s true.”

Zylah squeaked when two fingers shoved inside her. Her knees tried to close, but his body between her thighs prevented her from doing so. She moaned when he wriggled them around in her juices, only for him to remove them and slap his now drenched fingers over his cock.

“Better?” he stated with a pant.

Zylah nodded and attempted to stroke him with a shaking hand. She hadn’t realised having her own slick on his cock while she touched it would be so erotic, and wondered if that’s why he hadn’t done it in the first place.

“Tighter, Zylah,” he demanded softly. “You don’t have to be so gentle.”

As much as she felt like she was fumbling through this, she was thankful for his direction. She could wield a lot of strength and was worried about hurting him. She squeezed until the hard muscle pushed back.

A groan rasped past his lips as he jerked forward into her hold, and she took that as a good sign. Especially when his slightly wet hand came forward and cupped her left breast.

She hadn’t expected him to touch her while she stroked him, and she finally looked away in awe from his cock to his face. He leaned over her on a straightened arm, and Zylah instantly melted under his expression.

Although his gaze was locked to her chest, she’d never seen it look so... soft before. His features were relaxed, his lips parted to release quiet pants. His eyes no longer held the cold, callous, or indifferent iciness in them, but looked heated and dazed. His long eyelashes dipped as he blinked lazily.

Half of his long white hair had fallen to rest down his bare chest, while loops of it curled beneath his pointed left ear. She watched as his naked pectoral muscles clenched and rippled whenever she ran her fingers over the head of his cock and the ridges going down the side of him.

As much as she wanted to observe how his bulging abdomen muscles twitched to her movements, she couldn’t stray away from his mesmerising face. She soaked in the way his features creased – especially his nose – as she touched him, and she watched with rapt attention as his soft lips parted to moan lightly.

Her breath was nearly stolen when his eyes flickered up to her orbs, and she wondered if he could feel her gaze upon him.

He looks beautiful like this.

The lustfulness in his eyes made their red irises almost appear like fire. Having them so strongly on her, knowing it was because of her, had her pussy walls fluttering.

Her arousal was still strong, her clit pounding for more attention. Each pinch or thumb pad brushing against her nipple only deepened her need.

“Inside?” she rasped, surprised to find her voice so shaky and croaked.

She wanted his cock in her. His fingers felt so good, especially when he’d stretched her a little. She imagined it would feel even better if something much, much bigger was inside her.

His lips closed and tightened, while his eyes crinkled as if in anguish. A muffled, yet loud groan came from him, and his cock pulsed in her palm, seeming to harden even more.

He shook his head. “No. Just this.”

“But...” She paused when she didn’t know how to convince him.

“We can only do this,” he stated, while bringing his hand away from her breast.

Panic shot through her when she thought he was taking his touch away, but it quickly settled when he caressed his hand down her side.

“Is this better?” Two fingers slipped into the folds around her clit, then he rubbed back up to graze it with the tips of them.

Zylah moaned as her trembling thighs spread in welcome but shook her head. “Deeper,” she pleaded.

A cry ripped from her when he shoved his fingers inside her and thrust them deep. Her toes curled, and her grip on him strengthened as she stroked faster.

“ Nhnn .” He quaked above her as he picked up speed. “You can be a rather needy thing, can’t you?”

Unable to speak, Zylah just nodded as her hips tilted back and forth, while she attempted to maintain the momentum of her own hand. She tried to keep her gaze on his handsome face as he looked down to watch what they were doing to each other, but her sight darkened into such a deep purple it was threatening to turn black.

His hips began to thrust into her hold, his huffs quickening and growing even more shallow.

Her entire body radiated with bliss as she momentarily switched her focus to his fingers moving within her. She felt so hot, swollen, and wet within, and the sound of it rang in her ears. Her chest constantly bucked upwards, her breasts wanting more attention as her nipples tightened in the cool air.

“J-Jabez,” she whimpered when her pussy spasmed and grew tingly. She felt herself trying to latch onto his fingers, her inner walls clamping rhythmically and growing hotter with each thrust.

As if he could sense what was about to happen, he hooked his fingertips and dug deep. Her maw parted when she let loose a sharp cry just as she came, while her muscles clenched and trembled.

He didn’t stop, even when she stopped stroking him, unable to do anything but ride the wave of her orgasm. Her feet arched, her knees coming up, and she squirmed beneath him.

I want more... She wanted something bigger, deeper. She wanted to feel him holding her as she came, her heart aching for him tenfold and making her orbs waver in need of him.

This felt amazing, but there seemed to be something missing, and all her mind could grasp was that it was missing more of him.

The moment her body went lax, he spread her slick over his cock and gripped her loose hand. He tightened it himself and made her stroke him as he thrust into their combined hold.

She was too relaxed to truly help. Her clit pounded in satisfaction, and a pleasurable pang radiated in her chest before bolting down her body as she took in his features.

His eyes had sharpened, aggressive and yet needy, while his lips had pulled back to reveal his fangs.

He quaked as he grated, “I’m about to come.”

His jagged fangs parted as his jaw dropped, just as he gave a full-body shudder, all his muscles dancing when they leapt and contorted. A loud, deep, and haunting groan came from him, as pearly white liquid burst from the tip of his cock in a heavy rope of seed.

She gasped when it landed across her sternum, then the second release shot onto her right breast. As he came over her body, Jabez placed his other hand against the ground to grind into their combined fists. His hips continued to jerk, and his groan morphed into a subtle rumble the longer it went on.

Oh wow! So much is coming out! It smelt salty and mingled with his earthy scent.

After the last rope came from him, he let out quick, shallow huffs above her. His eyes and lips closed momentarily as he gave a last muffled groan and a lock of his hair fell across his brow. His head dipped forward, and Zylah removed her hand when his cock softened in her grasp.

For a few seconds, all she could sense was his warmth, his pretty scent, and his racing heartbeat pounding loudly while he released short breaths. All the places he’d touched throbbed in awareness of him; her hard nipples, her swollen clit, and her pussy all thrummed for more.

She wanted to watch what happened now, wondering if it would go small again. Already she could see the stiffened ridges fading, as if they were only visible when it was fully erect. She thought his cock was kind of cute flopping down, since it had been a long and thick jutting rod between his hips when they first pulled it out.

Still thrumming with want, Zylah watched as more of his hair slipped forward. Her heart squeezed as she recalled clutching at it with his face between her thighs, or how she’d grasped one of his black horns. Considering touch between them had been very limited before this, she was surprised by how much he’d allowed.

He’d never let her touch his silky hair before.

She reached up to caress his cheek and push a few strands back to see his cruelly handsome face.

Jabez lifted his head, and his eyes still appeared soft and languid. However, the longer he looked upon her face, the more a shadow crept over his expression. His brows drew together, and her chest tightened in reaction as she slid her hand away.

He almost appeared anguished... or regretful. Especially with how his cheeks crinkled around his eyes.

Hoping she was misreading him, Zylah lifted her head up and licked the corner of his lips deliberately and slowly. “More?” she pleaded around little pants.

His lips parted in surprise, and his expression gentled before his mouth twisted for another reason. Humour lit up his face, and he shook his head.

“No. This is enough for now,” he answered, finally lifting to kneel between her legs. He pushed his shaft back inside his pants, and she wanted to pout that he was hiding it away again.

He grabbed the bottom of her dress to tug it up, and she lifted her hips to give him access. Although disappointed he’d rejected the idea of continuing, she couldn’t help being confused about why he was stripping her.

“Why are you taking this off?” she asked, as she lifted her arms for him willingly.

“Because I came all over it,” he stated with a quiet chuckle. “If we don’t clean it before it dries, it’ll stain.”

He moved to kneel beside her and slipped his arms behind her back and knees. Zylah let out a surprised squeak when he lifted her into a cradle as he stood, then walked her towards the pool in the middle of this underground pocket of earth.

Even though he took her to something that could drown her, she had full trust in him and didn’t feel the need to question what he was doing. He wouldn’t hurt her.

He carefully placed her backside on the ground with her knees together and to one side. Then he dropped into the water and began rubbing the material of her grey dress together to clean it. He did the same to his pants without removing them.

He offered her his side the entire time. His lips had lost their usual hard press, but his brows were furrowed once more. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, then he averted his gaze with his ears drooping further than ever before.

She had no idea what any of that meant.

He appeared relaxed and sated, but as usual, his hidden thoughts remained guarded, even upon his face. She wished she could decipher them, and that he was easier to read.

Purple still lingered in her sight, but she scratched at the fur around her neck when shyness crept around her heart. She had questions after what just transpired between them.

Would they be able to do this again? She wanted it more than anything, especially with the way a fluffy feeling had sprouted in her chest. She liked the physical contact, and she was still in awe he could touch in so many different ways.

His lips drew her attention, and she shivered at the memory of his sharp fangs scraping against her. She doubted she’d be able to look at his face the same way now, especially when recalling the image of his head between her thighs instantly had her body pulsing. She squished them together.

I wanted his dick inside me, but he said no. Why? She didn’t understand what the issue was. But he touched me. The yearning she’d felt before had now grown claws, and they tore into her stomach with need and with uncertainty.

After what he said in the forest, it was like he’d been planning on letting another male gain her attention. Like... he didn’t care for her.

“Does...” Zylah started, before having to stifle the urge to chitter in nervousness. Part of her wanted to cover her exposed and tingling chest, but she also didn’t find her nudity that much of an issue. It was only because he’d touched her breasts with his hands and mouth that she was suddenly bashful about them. “Does this mean you like me?”

He paused what he was doing, and staring down at her garment with both hands, he fisted it tighter. He never looked at her as he said, “I’m attracted to you, yes.”

Hope swelled behind her sternum, as did tenderness and a mess of other emotions. She tilted her head at him, as bright yellow flickered in her sight.

“I’m surprised you answered that.”

“Kind of hard to hide it now,” he answered with a dull chuckle, before turning to her.

She wished humour was present in his handsome features as he laughed, but it was missing. He waded towards where she was, and once more, she noted he was avoiding meeting her orbs.

Her tone was coy as she tried to soften her next question. “Why were you hiding it?”

He cupped handfuls of water to her chest, and the coldness of it shocked her. It didn’t take long for her to realise that he was washing away the seed that had collected on her chest. He seemed to be extra attentive to anywhere his release clung to her fur, lightly scratching to clean it.

She liked that he was caring for her in this way when she’d never considered this issue. Now that he was doing it, she knew her fur being unclean would have bothered her in the future, especially if it grew clumpy.

He is very considerate .

“There is much you still don’t know about me,” Jabez finally answered after a short bout of silence. “There are secrets I keep that I know I must share with you. Any affection you hold towards me could subside at learning them, and I thought it best to refrain from any intimacy.”

“Oh,” Zylah muttered, her orbs sinking back to their normal teal. She fidgeted under the weight of his words as uncertainty clutched her stomach and knotted it. “So they are not pleasant?”

His lips hardened into a flat line before gentling. “No.”

He threw her dress over his shoulder and hopped out of the water. She noticed it steaming, as if he was using some kind of magic to dry it like he had done to his pants earlier. Just as she went to get up on her own, he held his hand out to her and she flinched in surprise. She gingerly took it.

“I’m not the kind of person who shares my thoughts easily,” Jabez said as he helped Zylah to her feet. “I’m also very calculating when it comes to what I disclose, and when. My intention has always been to speak with you on such matters, but it was difficult in the beginning.”

Her orbs shifted to a reddish pink. “Because I wouldn’t have understood what you were saying?”

His lips quirked at that. “Yes. Now, lift your arms.”

Zylah did as she was told, and he helped her redress. The material was dry, warm, and felt silkier than before – like it always did when it was cleaned.

“Why not tell me now?”

She wished she hadn’t pushed him with her question when his gaze immediately darkened.

“I ask that you wait. There is a beginning and an end, and I must wade through where to start.” He brushed off his pants, which he’d also dried. “A lot of my sense of security has returned now that I have my power back. I will be more at ease.”

“You did say much would change between us if you got your magic back,” Zylah conceded with a forced laugh.

She didn’t know how to truly respond. She didn’t like that he was openly admitting to hiding dark things from her. Now she worried what they could be, while she thought about all she’d learned of him so far.

As if he could read her mind, he cocked a brow. Then the strangest grin curled his lips until it flashed his fangs, and a mischievous light glinted in his eyes.

“Perhaps I want to show you other things about me in order to soften what I do reveal about my past.”

Attempting to play with him, her tone was light and humour filled. “Wouldn’t that be considered manipulation?”

“Absolutely it would be,” he answered without a hint of guilt. “But that’s what getting to know someone means. If you share all the bad first, you scare people off.”

“But I don’t have any bad qualities,” she answered without thinking. Her orbs deepened in their embarrassed hue, and she brushed the fur around her neck bashfully. “At least, I don’t think I do.”

“None that I’ve found so far,” he replied, surprising her.

Her head reared back, and she chittered under the compliment. She absolutely hadn’t expected him to agree with her, at least not openly.

Her knees knocked inwards, her heart leaping with affection while her tender pussy pulsated. Both were such strange things to feel at the same time, new and exciting.

“So, Zylah. How would you like to walk through Spiral Haven?”

The question was so sudden and shocking, it made her momentarily cease dwelling on what just transpired between them.

“Really?” she asked, her voice turning higher pitched in joy.

He lifted a hand to shrug while walking over to their bags and his shirt, so he could slip it over his muscled body. “I can already tell you’re curious, and there’s no harm in us doing so now.”

Zylah’s feet couldn’t move fast enough when he picked up his cloak and threw it around his shoulders. She sprinted to her bag, her feet bouncing with giddiness as she slung it across her torso.

I can’t believe I get to see the village!