The room was drenched in shadows and silver moonlight, flickering from the high arched windows of Lucian's chamber. A fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting amber light over their tangled forms.
Sophia's breath came in shallow gasps as she lay beneath Lucian, her skin flushed, her eyes wide and burning with anticipation. His mark already glowed faintly against her neck from where his lips had lingered, claiming her with each teasing kiss—but the final bond, the full mark, had yet to be sealed.
Lucian hovered over her, trembling with restraint. His pupils were fully dilated, glowing faintly red. His fangs had descended, brushing lightly against her throat. "You're sure?" he asked, his voice rough, guttural—one word away from losing all control.
She nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I want this. I want you."
A guttural growl rumbled in his chest.
With a deep, reverent kiss, he lowered his head to her chest, tracing his tongue along the curve of her breast, making her shiver. "You're my everything," he whispered. "Mine to protect. Mine to pleasure. Mine to love."
His mouth moved lower, kissing and licking her stomach, tasting the heat of her skin. Sophia arched into him, gasping, her fingers threading into his thick black hair.
He kissed her thighs, worshipping every inch of her before parting them gently. "I need to taste you, goddess."
And he did.
His tongue was fire and silk, licking long, slow strokes that made her cry out. Her thighs trembled, her hands tangled in the sheets, and Lucian growled, devouring her like he couldn't get enough. She came undone against his mouth, her moans echoing in the chamber, her core pulsing with raw magic.
But he didn't stop.
He kissed his way back up her body until his face was buried against her neck, breathing in her scent. "Your virginity… your power… I'll take it with care, but once I start, there's no stopping me."
"I don't want you to stop," she whispered, her voice laced with need.
With a primal snarl, he positioned himself at her entrance. Their eyes locked—and he entered her slowly, deeply, claiming her inch by aching inch. Her walls stretched around him, tight, perfect. Her breath caught at the sting, but she didn't look away. Neither did he.
Lucian groaned. "Sophia…"
He held still, letting her adjust to the fullness of him, kissing her tears of pain and pleasure away. And then he began to move—slow at first, then harder, deeper, each thrust drawing moans from her throat. Her nails scratched down his back, pulling him closer.
Their bond flared.
Golden light burst from her skin as her powers reacted to his, swirling in the air, crackling with heat. His fangs sank into her neck gently, sealing the bond. The pain was exquisite—sharp, then warm, then euphoric.
A flood of power surged between them.
Her wings burst free from her back, golden and shimmering, stretching wide across the bed. Lucian roared against her neck as he spilled into her, the final mark searing into her soul.
She clung to him, trembling, glowing with goddess energy.
And for a moment… time stopped.
They were no longer just vampire and fae.
They were mated. Eternally bound. Flesh, soul, and power fused as one.
Lucian rolled them gently so she lay on his chest, wings still glowing faintly.
"You're mine now," he whispered against her lips, "and I'll burn kingdoms to keep you."