Page 69 of Crown of Flame
"Cinis," I murmur again, softer this time but no less profound. He grunts in response, the sound muffled against the crook of my neck where he's buried his face.
His breath, hot and ragged against my skin, gradually slows to a languid rhythm matching the stillness of the room. Feeling him come down from his high is as intimate as the act itself, and I find myself clinging tighter to him as he goes limp in my arms.
Regaining his senses, he slowly pulls out of me with a shudder, each movement stirring up remnants of our shared ecstasy. He lowers himself next to me.
Are you okay?" I whisper, my voice barely audible amidst the night's stillness.
For a moment, he says nothing. But then there's a slight nod and he mutters a low response that makes me chuckle. "Better than okay," he says, his voice husky with spent desire.
His hand reaches up to brush a few stray strands of hair from my face, his fiery tendrils lingering on my cheek for a moment before tracing down to my lips. A soft smile tugs at my lips at the intimate gesture.
His other hand snakes its way around my waist, pulling me even closer until our bodies are pressed tightly against each other. I can feel his heart beating against my chest - a rhythmic thump that sends a comforting warmth through me.
Suddenly, there's something in his eyes - an unfamiliar intensity that makes my heartbeat quicken. He palms my face, thumb brushing over my bottom lip as he lets out an exhale that's almost a sigh. "I've never felt like this before," he admits quietly.
His admission holds the room in silence as it sinks in. It rings with honesty and something else... Vulnerability.
"Me neither," I echo, meeting his gaze unwaveringly. The world outside our little cocoon seems so far away now.
He tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear before tracing the shell of it with his touch, causing a shiver to roll down my spine. His eyes are full of something akin to awe as they move over my face.
"Now what?" I ask, breaking the silence but not the spell we seem to be under.
His laugh is quiet and muffled against the curve of my shoulder as he pulls me closer. "Now," he says, voice heavy with sleep and something warmer, "we rest."
As sleep threatens to pull me under, I feel Cinis' arm tighten around me protectively, as if trying to keep the world at bay just a little longer.
25
CINIS
This is perfect. For the first time, I think I am experiencing true warmth.
Serena and I lay in the aftermath of our lovemaking, surrounded by the remains of the destroyed hovel.
I think she is asleep, until she stirs in my arms, and groans sleepily.
“This isn’t very comfortable.” She says, though there is a smile in her voice.
Serena sits up and looks around, and I do not miss the way she shivers slightly. Prazh is still frigid, and the cold seems to seep into Serena’s skin, despite the warmth that comes from me.
I place my hand lightly on the middle of her back and stroke the soft, supple skin there with my thumb.
It is dark, with only the moonlight, and the low burn of my fire to light up what is left of the hovel.
Serena’s skin, pale and smooth, seems to glow almost translucently in the darkness.
“We should rebuild.” I drag my attention away from Serena’s shape and focus on her words instead.
“Are you sure?” I ask her quietly before I sit up.
“Do you want to stay here? Maybe we can find something else, somewhere else. Somewhere more sheltered, somewhere safer?”
I am not thinking of my own safety in this case. But in the case that Serena is ever alone, I do not want to leave her vulnerable.
Serena cocks her head to the side, and bites her lip, frowning slightly.
After a moment, she shakes her head decisively and speaks with a firm tone to her voice.