Embers to Flames (Fates Entwined #1)

Chapter Thirty-Five

Ruvyn’s enraged screams still echo faintly in my mind. He will not rest until he finds us again. But for now, we are free.

I gaze out at the sweeping vistas passing rapidly beneath us. Lush forests, glimmering lakes, and rolling farmland stretch as far as the eye can see. This must be the kingdom of Paeris.

“It’s so beautiful,” I marvel down the destinara to Theo’s mind.

“Yes, my homeland is quite lovely,” Theo agrees. “We will be at my family’s estate before long. There we can rest and recover our strength.”

I smile and pat his scaly neck affectionately. He twists his long neck to gaze back at me, his large golden eyes filled with warmth.

Mikyl’s eyes flutter open and meet mine. Despite his gaunt appearance, they shine with resolve. “Thank you,” he mouths, too weak for full speech. I manage to smile in return. After weeks in Ruvyn’s clutches, freedom must be overwhelming for him.

Theo angles into a slow descent, great wings beating powerfully to control our landing. The sprawling manor style house is surrounded by lush gardens, graceful archways, and spiraling towers which only speak to the wealth and history of this place.

Theo circles lower, powerful wings stirring the treetops as we descend. With a rush of wind, he lands gracefully on the sweeping lawn, talons sinking into the manicured grass of an interior courtyard. Liveried servants rush forward, their eyes widening at the sight of Theo in his Dragon form. He lowers his shoulder and extends a wing to ease our dismount before shimmering back to his elven form.

“Welcome to my home,” he says. “Let’s get you inside and tended to.”

We make our way up the grand staircase to the massive oak doors. As Theo pushes them open, Lord Ailwin hurries to greet us.

“Father, we need the healers right away.” Theo pleads .

“Of course. Bring the boy this way.” He leads us down a vaulted hallway to a sunlit room furnished with a large, canopied bed. We ease Mikyl onto the soft mattress. His face is drawn with pain, but he attempts a weak smile.

“You’re safe now, thanks to your friends,” Lord Ailwin says, patting Mikyl’s hand warmly. “We’ll have you back on your feet in no time.”

Mikyl manages a weak nod as the healers enter the room. I step back to give them space, exhaustion suddenly crashing over me. Theo wraps a steadying arm around my shoulders.

“Come, you need to rest as well,” he murmurs.

I let him guide me from the room down another long hallway, this one lined with arched windows overlooking the gardens. Everything here speaks of elegance and old money, a world away from the dark fortress we had just narrowly escaped.

Theo leads me into an ornate bedroom suite and gently presses me down to sit on a velvet chaise lounge. “I know you’re worried, but everyone is in good hands now,” Theo says softly, kneeling to remove my leather mud-caked boots.

I sigh, the adrenaline of our escape finally fading. “I know. It’s just been so long since any of us have known comfort or safety.”

Theo squeezes my hand. “You’re safe here. My father and I will never let anyone penetrate our home.”

I glanced up sharply. “You can’t know that for sure. His powers have grown beyond anything we could have imagined. And now he is going to be even more determined for revenge.”

Theo’s jaw tightens, his eyes flashing with anger. “I will die before I let him take any of you again.”

I reached up to stroke his cheek. “I know you will protect us, my love. But Ruvyn has allies everywhere. Nowhere may be safe for long.” Theo takes my hands and looks at me, his expression solemn.

“I need to speak to The King,” I say. “I need to speak to my father.”

Sleep claims me quickly, but my dreams are troubled. I see Ruvyn’s twisted smile, hear his taunts ringing in my ears, feel the shock of his magic coursing through me. I jerk awake with a gasp. Theo is at my side in an instant.

“It was just a dream, my sweet. You’re safe.” I cling to him, waiting for my racing heart to slow. His presence is comforting, his body warm and solid against mine.

Theo and I are alone in the opulence of the room, my heavy breath permeating the quiet. He looks into my eyes, a spark of desire flickering in his gaze. His hand moves up to cup my cheek gently, his thumb tracing over my parted lips. As I lay exposed under Theo’s gaze, he begins to trace patterns across my bare chest. Moans slip past my lips as his touch ignites a spark along my nerve endings, sensations that dance dangerously close to pleasure’s precipice.

He murmurs against my neck, “Allow me to ease your troubled mind,” and then traces his lips along my skin. Each press of his mouth is tantalizingly slow and deliberate, building an unbearable amount of tension within me. My body arches into his touch, my nipples hardening under his ministrations.

With a low moan, I tangle my fingers in his hair, guiding his mouth lower. Heat pools in my core at the thought of what is to come. Theo’s strong hands slide down my sides, pausing briefly at my hips before slipping underneath the covers to find the true prize that lay beneath. My breath catches in anticipation as his digits dance along the sensitive skin of my thighs, teasing but never quite touching where I need him most. The contrast between his cool fingers and my fevered flesh sends shivers coursing through me. A shuddering moan escapes my lips as he finally frees me from the constraints of my garments, leaving me bare before him.

Theo’s eyes darken with desire as he gazes upon my naked form. His hands caress my inner thighs, inching closer and closer to my aching center. My breath comes in short pants, my skin flushes with anticipation.

“Please,” I whimper, arching my back in invitation.

Theo’s finger finally finds my wet slit, parting my folds to circle my throbbing bundle of nerves. I cry out at the contact, my hips flinching against his hand. He strokes me slowly at first, building an exquisite tension that has me writhing beneath him.

“More,” I beg, consumed by desire and love for this wonderfully amazing person. My destinara. My mate.

Theo responds by quickening his pace, his fingers working me into a frenzy. My moans echo through the chamber as he expertly plays my body. Just when I think I can take no more, his head dips between my thighs.

I let out a sharp gasp as his mouth closes over my sensitive bud, sucking gently as his tongue flicks back and forth. My hands fist in his hair, holding him against me as waves of pleasure radiate through my core. He laps at my slick folds, then stiffens his tongue to probe my entrance.

I am utterly lost in ecstasy, my hips bucking wildly against his mouth. With a few more clever flicks of his tongue, he sends me hurtling over the edge. I cry out his name, “Oh Gods, Oh Gods, Oh Gods!” My back arches off the bed as a powerful climax seizes my body.

“Tell me what you want,” he growls, his voice rough with desire. “Tell me what you need, Rose.”

I sucked in a sharp breath, my body burning with desire as I looked into Theo’s fiery eyes. My cheeks turned a deep shade of red under his intense gaze.

“I need you more than I need my next breath,” I gasped, my voice barely audible.

Theo positions himself at my entrance, then slides into me in one smooth stroke. We both cry out at the exquisite sensation. He begins to move, strong and deep, fanning the flames of my passion ever higher. I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him even closer. Our hearts pounding in unison as we drive each other higher and higher. The tension between us escalates with each powerful thrust until it threatens to consume us both.

His breath is hot against my ear, his words a low growl, “Do you feel it, my love?” he asks. “Do you feel how good this is?”

I moan in response, my body trembling beneath him. I can feel the tension building, the pressure growing, and I know that I am on the edge of something incredible.

“I love you, Theo” I cry out, my body trembling on the edge of release. “I’ve always loved you.” Those three little words seem to unleash something within him. It is then I realize… I’d never said them before. His control disintegrates as he slams into me with renewed ferocity. His movements become erratic, desperate as he chases his own release.

With a primal roar, he buries himself deep inside me and shudders violently as he climaxes. Wave after wave of pleasure washes over me too, as our orgasms crash over us wave after wave, leaving us spent and breathless in each other’s arms.

As we catch our breath, entangled in the sheets, Theo stares into my eyes and brushes a lock of hair from my face before kissing me tenderly. He pulls away with ease .

“From the first moment I saw you, I knew you were my destinara, my one true mate. You fill my heart and soul with such joy. I cannot imagine my life without you.” He pauses, his gorgeous golden eyes never leaving mine.

“Be my wife?”