The Silent: Irin Chronicles Book Five(70)

Leo nodded and stripped down without another word. She tugged her dress over her head and pulled him over her, hugging his chest to hers as her legs tangled with his, and he held himself carefully over her so he didn’t crush her under the weight of his body.

Kyra wanted to be crushed. She ached with it. She wanted the pressure of his body over her. Wanted his weight and the solid mass of him pushing her down. She felt like she might fly out of her own skin if he didn’t anchor her.

Leo rolled to the side and wrapped her up, legs twisted around hers, arms binding her body to his. His hands were in her hair, and he guided her mouth to his. They were pressed together, every inch of her to every inch of him.

Kyra let out a breath she felt she’d been holding her whole life.

There.

There you are.

You are me and I am you.

We are home.

Leo released her lips and kissed all over her face, tasting every inch of her while Kyra’s hands explored his arms, back, and shoulders. Her foot slid up and down the back of his leg, and he shivered when her toes passed over the soft skin behind his knee. She lifted her leg and wrapped it around the back of his thigh, opening to him.

Leo groaned and closed his eyes. “Kyra.”

“Whatever you’re going to ask for, the answer is yes.”

“I want everything.”

“Yes. And yes again. And yes to more.”

He let out a breathless laugh. “Wait.”

“I’m ready.” She took his hand and placed it where his erection met her heat. She was more than ready. She burned for him.

Leo made a hungry sound in his throat and rubbed over the sensitive spot he’d teased so mercilessly a few nights before. Kyra’s arms tightened around his neck a second before she came violently against his hand.

“Please, Leo.”

“I love you.” He waited until she met his eyes. “You are my reshon.”

“I am your reshon,” she whispered.

He took himself in hand and guided his rock-hard erection into her, inching in even as she urged him to go faster. The pressure was intense, but the ache was driving her to madness. She felt a void where none had been before.

And then she was full.

Kyra cried out and wrapped both legs fully around his hips, drawing him in closer and deeper until he cried out and bucked his hips against hers.

“Coming,” he said, his voice hoarse. “Kyra, I’m—”

“I feel you.” She sank her teeth into his shoulder. It felt so good. Everything about him amazed her. He surrounded her and filled her.

He was still hard. Leo pushed up and rocked deeper into her. “Does it hurt?”

She couldn’t speak, but she shook her head. Nothing hurt. A small voice in the back of her mind told her it might hurt in the morning, but in that moment, she felt no pain. Her skin was exquisitely sensitive. She felt every inch of him. Felt the fine hairs on his legs and the quiver of his abdominal muscles as he moved carefully in her. She ran her hands up his arms and slipped her fingers over the corded muscles, tracing the dark lines that glowed brighter than the candles. She closed her eyes and let herself drift in sensation, shutting off her mind because she knew she was safe.

With Leo, she was always safe.

He came again after a few moments, lowering his chest to hers and capturing her mouth in a long kiss that made her toes curl. He remained snug in her, gathering her up as he rolled to the side.

“A few minutes,” he said. “Then again.”

“Yes.”

“I love you.

“I love you too.”

“How do you feel?”

“Amazing.” She kissed his collarbone. “I feel amazing.”



She must have fallen asleep, because she woke up as he was lowering her into a warm bath. The air smelled of frangipani and incense, and steam filled the small room.

“Come in with me,” she said. “I don’t want to be alone.”

“I will.” He took off the linen wrapped around his waist and slipped in behind her. As always, she was surprised and delighted by the way he moved. It would be natural for a large man to walk heavily, to move with purpose. But Leo moved with purpose and grace. He slid behind her and lifted her onto his lap. She could feel his arousal pressed against her back, but he didn’t seem to notice it, pouring warm water over her from the pitcher he filled from the tub.

“Are you sore?” he asked.

She shook her head. Her energy had smoothed out, but she still felt euphoric.

Leo poured the water over her head and smoothed her hair back, brushing it to the side and kissing her spine.

“When we have time,” he whispered, “when we are safe, I’m going to find the softest sable brush and mark your back with my vows. Pour my magic onto your skin and bind you to me forever.”

She smiled. “Greedy.”

“So greedy.” He drew over her shoulders with his fingers, and she could feel the brush of his magic even without the ritual. “And when you are ready, when you’ve found your voice, you’ll sing to me. And I’ll carve your vow over my heart and keep it with me forever.”

She shook her head. “Leo, I don’t know if that will ever be possible. I don’t know if anyone will ever trust me enough—”

“I know it is possible,” he said. “I’ve seen it. I know you’ll find your voice, Kyra. I’m going to help you find it.”