A Shield of Glass (A Shade of Vampire #49)(58)

“I never thought I’d feel this way,” he whispered in my ear.

I felt my lips stretch into a lazy smile as I moved slowly against him. His fingers traced lines down my hip, igniting fires beneath my skin with his touch. His voice was a cure for everything, plucking at the strings that animated my spirit like an expert guitar player.

“I love you, Serena.”

I purred at the sound of those words. We’d said them over and over last night, yet couldn’t get tired of letting them roll off our tongues. He gently bit my shoulder and swiftly turned me around to face him, making me giggle at his tickling fingers moving up and down my spine.

“I love you, Draven.” I looked deep into his gray eyes, flickering black. “And I’ll never stop saying it…”

My body was still bare against his, wrapped in crisp sheets while the morning breeze swept through the room. The ocean crashed against the shore outside, and I could hear voices in the distance. It sounded like our allies were preparing for the first day of our campaign, but I was busy examining this perfect connection between Draven and me.

I could feel him resonating inside me with crystal-clear precision. Every thought, every emotion, everything he was experiencing was being transmitted into my nervous system. The feel of my own skin on his fingers. My breath warm against his broad chest. My core throbbing and aching for him. He could feel it all. And I could feel him.

“You can feel it too,” I said.

“Everything, darling.”

He gave me a warm and seductive smile, then kissed me, and I felt his love, his feral need to hold me close and never let me go. In return, he felt me. His skin on mine, his golden energy pouring through me, the perfection of every second spent loving him.

“I want you to know…” He paused to look at me with hooded eyes. “Everything that happens from here on out. Everything I will do. It will all be to keep you safe. To treat you like the single most important thing in my existence. Because that is what you are, Serena. I’ve found all I’ve ever wanted, and all I didn’t even know I wanted, in you.”

I cupped his face, unable to say much in return. But I knew he sensed everything going on in my head. He could feel my heart beating frantically in my chest. So I said nothing at all, just caught his lips in mine and drew us both under the sheets for a long, slow kiss.

A knock at the door broke us out of our dream state.

“The succubi are getting ready to sail out.” I heard Hansa’s voice beyond the door.

I glanced at the door over my shoulder, then turned to look at Draven. He smiled, amusement glimmering in his eyes at the sight of my cheeks flushing.

“We’ll be ready shortly,” he said, loud enough for Hansa to hear.

It took her a few seconds to respond. I realized then that we were in my room, and Draven had responded to Hansa for me. His voice was so raw and sensual, I had a feeling that “shortly” had a different meaning to him. The look he gave me was downright scorching. I felt like an incandescent lightbulb, burning under his gaze.

“I’ll… I’ll wait for you in the grand hall with the others, then,” came her awkward reply.

Yeah, she knew exactly what was going on.

He drew me closer and pulled the sheets back over our heads... Indeed, “shortly” had been a little white lie.





Serena





It took all the strength I could gather to get myself out of bed. Draven had a hard time, too. We showered quickly, the cool water grounding us back into reality.

I watched him carefully as we finished dressing. “I don’t notice anything yet that might suggest you’re becoming a sentry,” I commented.

“I doubt your nature will affect me that way, as I said… But if I do attain sentry abilities, it will only be a good thing, Serena,” he said reassuringly, before he took my hand and led me to the door.

We reached the grand hall, where all the allies had gathered one last time.

The Dearghs, the Imps, Grezzi’s incubi, the united rogue succubi tribes, the Tritones, the Bajangs, and the Lamias were all ready to depart to their assigned locations. Generals and lieutenants were appointed to lead the troops and surround Luceria. Their orders were to settle in key points around the castle and wait for Field to give them the signal over the next few days.

“I’ve designated one of my wards to prepare the Maras,” Jax said, eyeing both Draven and me. I had a feeling he could tell something had happened between us. It was the same look Hansa had on her face, smiling eyes and all. “They’re currently stationed on the southwest side and are waiting for updates from the alliance.”

Draven nodded promptly, and Thorn stepped forward, leaving his sister a couple of feet behind, next to Hansa and Anjani. The shifters waited patiently behind, watching all the creatures around them with curious violet eyes.

“I’m taking my warriors out to cover the east side of the castle,” he said. “Rebel wishes to keep the elders and cubs safe, along with her security detail.”

I looked over my shoulder and noticed Rebel’s security detail—an entire garrison of well-built, muscular Bajangs, their expressions harsh and cool.

“We’ll see you soon.” Draven looked at the alliance. “We’re connected now, so I’ll be able to keep track of each of you, and you will be able to do the same with me and Serena.”