Burning Closer
902 Words
The castle was quiet after the alliance meeting, but the air felt thick, alive. The flame inside me had been restless all day, humming in time with the bond, answering every time Thorne's gaze lingered on me a second too long.
We walked back to my chamber in silence. He closed the door behind us. The lock clicked softly, the sound louder than it should have been.
He turned to me.
"You were incredible today," he said, voice low. "Standing there with Riven, sealing the pact. The flame lit the stone like a sunrise."
I smiled, suddenly shy. "I was terrified."
"You did not show it." He stepped closer. "You never do."
The space between us shrank. The bond thrummed, warm and insistent. The necklace at my throat glowed faintly, mirroring the heat in my chest.
"Thorne," I whispered.
He stopped just short of touching me. "Tell me what you want, Elara."
I looked up at him. The silver eyes were dark, pupils blown wide. His breathing was shallow, controlled but barely.
"I want..." My voice faltered. "I want to stop being afraid of this. Of us."
He exhaled slowly. "Then let me show you there is nothing to fear."
He reached out, fingers brushing my jaw, tilting my face up. The touch was gentle, reverent. Then he leaned down and kissed me.
It started soft with lips brushing, testing, sweet. But the bond had other ideas. The moment our mouths met fully, the flame inside me flared. Heat surged through me, pooling low in my belly. I gasped against his lips.
He deepened the kiss, slow and deliberate, tongue tracing the seam of my mouth until I opened for him. The taste of him like pine, smoke, something darker flooded my senses. My hands slid up his chest, fingers curling into his shirt.
He groaned low in his throat, the sound vibrating through me. One arm banded around my waist, pulling me flush against him. The hard planes of his body pressed into mine, hot, solid, unyielding. I felt every inch of him, every shudder, every beat of his heart.
The kiss turned hungry. His hand slid into my hair, tilting my head to take more. I matched him, nipping at his bottom lip, drawing another rough sound from him. The flame flared brighter, golden light leaking from between us, wrapping around our bodies like a second skin.
He broke the kiss just long enough to trail his mouth down my jaw, my neck. When his teeth grazed the spot where my pulse hammered, I whimpered. The sound seemed to unravel him.
"Elara," he breathed against my skin. "You are burning me alive."
"Good," I whispered. "I want to."
His hands slid under my tunic, tracing the curve of my waist, skimming the underside of my breasts. Everywhere he touched, the flame followed, very warm and tingling, making me arch into him.
I tugged at his shirt. He helped me pull it over his head. The sight of his broad chest, scarred skin, muscles shifting under smooth golden skin stole my breath. I ran my hands over him, memorizing every line, every ridge.
He shuddered under my touch. "Elara..."
I kissed the hollow of his throat, tasting salt and heat. "I want to feel all of you."
He groaned. "You will."
He backed me toward the bed. I sat on the edge. He knelt between my legs, hands on my thighs, sliding upward slowly. His thumbs brushed the sensitive skin just under the hem of my tunic. I shivered.
He looked up at me, eyes dark and reverent. "Tell me to stop if it is too much."
I shook my head. "Do not stop."
He leaned in, kissing the inside of my knee, then higher. His mouth was hot against my skin. I threaded my fingers through his hair, holding him there. He kissed higher, teasing, never quite reaching where I ached most.
The flame surged, golden light pulsing in time with my heartbeat. I was trembling, needy, completely undone by the slow worship of his mouth.
He rose, capturing my lips again. His hand slipped between us, fingers brushing the sensitive bundle of nerves through fabric. I gasped into his mouth.
"Thorne"
He stroked slowly, deliberately, learning every gasp, every shudder. The pleasure built fast, overwhelming. I clung to him, nails digging into his shoulders.
Just as I teetered on the edge, a sharp knock came at the door.
We froze.
Seraphina's voice came through. "Thorne. Elara. The scouts are back. They have news."
Thorne closed his eyes, breathing hard. "Damn it."
I laughed shakily. "Bad timing."
He pressed his forehead to mine. "We are not finished."
I kissed him softly. "Promise?"
"I promise."
He stood, pulling his shirt back on. I straightened my clothes, heart still racing.
He opened the door. Seraphina stood there, face serious.
"The packs are moving faster than we thought," she said. "They will attack tomorrow."
Thorne looked at me.
I touched the necklace. The flame burned steady.
"Then tomorrow we fight," I said.
He nodded. "Together."
Seraphina left. Thorne turned back to me.
"Rest," he said. "You will need your strength."
I smiled. "So will you."
He kissed me once more, very quick, fierce, full of promise.
"Goodnight, Elara."
"Goodnight, Thorne."
He left.
I leaned against the door, heart pounding.
The flame inside me glowed, warm and waiting.
Tomorrow we would face the storm.
- Writer
