"Aurelian," I breathed, my voice trembling as I clung to him, fingers digging into the firm planes of his shoulders. His body pressed firmly between my thighs, grounding me, consuming me.
"For years… centuries," he murmured, his voice husky, rough with truth. "I never believed the Moon Goddess would gift me a mate." His lips brushed against my temple, reverent. "But then you came, and suddenly I have everything I didn’t know I needed—you’re my solace, my storm, my sovereign... my queen."
He cupped my face, thumb caressing the edge of my jaw as if I was something fragile and divine. His eyes burned into mine, rich pools of gold flecked with darkness, full of longing and something deeper—devotion.
"My heart," he whispered with aching sincerity.
Then he kissed me.
Not with urgency, but w
