Shadows of Fire (The Shadow Realms, Book 1) by Brenda Davies (free e books to read .TXT) 📕

room. He watched the flashesas he cradled her and suppressed the pacing, irate lycan denied itsfull claim and the famished fae stirring to life.

He’d never come so hard in his life, but hewasn’t completely fulfilled. He hadn’t claimed his mate, and hewouldn’t until he discussed it with her. She was not a lycan; shewouldn’t feel the call of the mate bond like he did.

However, she was part vampire, and they hadfated consorts. She might feel the call of that, but he couldn’tconsider that while he was grappling to control his darkernature.

Keeping himself restrained was easier to dowhen her naked body was flush against his. It didn’t matter that hewanted more; she was with him, which was enough for now.

Laying her back on the bed, he gazed down ather exquisite body as he kissed her again and slowly withdrew fromher. He’d already started to harden again when he pulled out; shewasn’t ready for that.

There would be plenty of other nights wherehe would take her over and over again; he would make sure of it.This would not be one of those nights as she needed time toheal.

She groaned in disappointment when he pulledout of her, and he kissed her again.

CHAPTER 47

Cole held her closer as Lexi nestled against hischest. Thunder continued to roll, but he no longer heard the soundsof battle.

Instead, all he felt was a sense of peace asthe rain plastered the windows and the wind howled across the land.This peace was something he’d never experienced before in his life.For the first time, he felt content and settled, and so happy hecouldn’t stop grinning.

His entire life, the dark fae had dominatedthe lycan part of him, but now that Lexi was in his arms, herealized the lycan was making itself known more than herealized.

The dark fae had dominated power-wise, but hehadn’t realized the incessant, churning emptiness within him couldbe silenced. He’d always assumed that was what drove the dark faefrom one partner to the next, but now, it was gone, and he now knewit had been coming from the lycan part of him.

She’d calmed that loneliness.

It was not completely silenced; the lycanstill clamored to claim her to be completely pacified, but it wasquieter and more content, and it would stop completely once heofficially made her his.

But that could wait. She was just learningthe ways of a man and woman; he would not tell her about hisintentions to claim her for all eternity yet. He would do it soon,but for now, he intended for her to enjoy what was developingbetween them without any added pressure.

As he held her, he recalled watching as shewandered into the moon room. The luna flowers had reacted to her asif she were part lycan; they must have sensed she was his matebefore he did. They’d been seeking to welcome her because they’dknown she would become an integral part of his life.

He held her closer as he kissed the top ofher head. The sweet scent of strawberries filled his nose andfurther calmed the lycan. The dark fae was still hungry, but itcould also wait.

He wouldn’t feed on her without herpermission, and even if she didn’t give it, there wouldn’t be anyother women for him.

• • •

Lexi floated on a haze of euphoria as she remainedcradled safely in his arms. She’d never felt so protected orcherished before. She wasn’t sure how long this feeling would lastas he would eventually move on, but she was completely content toenjoy it for now.

The solid beat of his heart beneath her earcaused her to smile. She caressed the wall of muscle as she ran herfingers across his chest. She’d never dreamed of experiencing sucha rush of pleasure or such wondrous contentment afterward.

She never wanted to leave this bed or hisarms.

But reality was returning, and so was therealization she was wading into dangerous territory. She’d toldherself not to develop feelings for him, but it was already toolate. Even if it resulted in a shattered heart, she would ride thisadventure to the end.

Was this what it was like to be shadowkissed? The possibility made her mouth go dry. She couldn’tbecome like one of them.

“Cole?” she whispered.

“Yes?” he asked as he twirled a strand of herhair around his finger.

“Will I become one of the shadow kissed?”

His hand stilled on her hair. “No.”

“Are you sure?” She lifted her head so shecould look up at him. “I don’t want to be one of them. I know….”She gulped. “I know it's what the dark fae sometimes do, and I… I…can’t be one of them.”

“Then you won’t be. The shadow kissed arelike that because it’s what they crave. Yes, the dark faehelp guide them there, but the choice is theirs to make. Some letthe dark fae feed on them and go on with their lives, and othersseek more. Instead of shutting those cravings down, they search outmore and more until it consumes them.”

She pondered this as she tapped her fingerson his chest. “So, it's like some humans with their drugs?”

“Yes.”

After what she’d experienced with him, shecould see how easy it would be to become consumed by the need formore. She’d hate to walk away from him, but she would choose thatover being shadow kissed.

“So, I won’t become one of them?”

“Not unless you allow it,” he murmured as henuzzled her temple with his lips. “The shadow kissed have to let uscorrupt them. As long as you don’t allow it, you’ll be fine.”

He could be lying to her and playing one ofthe dark fae games, but she didn’t think so. She wouldn’t foolherself into believing he was a kind, compassionate man, but hewasn’t a liar.

“Okay,” she said.

She stifled a yawn and her eyes closed. Shewas starting to doze when she recalled what happened earlier. Theyflew open again. She felt safe in his arms, but he was awakenow.

What would happen if he fell asleepagain?

That dose of cold reality smothered some ofher happiness, but she refused to let it ruin the joy she’ddiscovered in him. The rain ticked against the glass as it peltedthe windows.

He shifted to pull the blankets more securelyaround her. “You should sleep.”

“I’m okay,”