Emory tilted her head back slightly, her eyes searching his with a smile on her lips. After he told her not to bow to the gods and whispered “good girl” to her the way he did, she’d been dying to do that.

He cleared his throat, lost in the depth of her gaze for a moment. “Yes, first things first,” he said, squinting with a confused look that made her chuckle. “I lost my head there for a minute.”

The confusion on his face gave way to a bemused smile that made her heart flutter as she watched him regain his composure. “It’s okay, you’re allowed to lose your head every now and then, Lord Odreil,” she teased lightly, caressing his cheek. The rough texture of his beard poked at her fingertips.

His deep chuckle filled the room. “Only with you,” he whispered softly.

Her eyes wandered around the throne room again, and she couldn’t get around how different it had become from when she was here with Rahl. Besides the black floors, the walls, chairs, and fixtures were all gold. With the mysterious sigils, which seemed to pulse with magic, it looked and felt completely different. She liked it.

Kane adjusted their position on the throne slightly, making sure she was comfortable as his arm remained securely around her.

“It’s easy to let go around you,” she confessed, turning back to look at him. “To lose myself completely in you.”

He leaned in, his lips brushing her cheek, and she closed her eyes, a contented sigh escaping her lips. He drew back slightly, kissing her softly on the lips. “I suppose I should get back to what I was saying about our traditions,” he suggested, though his lingering gaze suggested his mind was elsewhere.

“If you wish,” she replied nonchalantly, her intuition confirmed by the desire darkening his eyes. “What’s on your mind, Lord Odreil?” she asked, fingers threading through his silver locks.

Her attention was diverted by the whirling doorway materializing beside her. Kane rose, lifting her effortlessly into his arms, and stepped through the portal into his lair, only this time it was different.

He placed her gently in the centre of his lair, which had transformed into a visual echo of her essence. The vibrant green and red colours reflected the colours that made her stand out. “I thought you might like a more personalized touch,” he said.

She spun slowly, taking it all in. Now the walls shimmered in greens and reds, making the room feel both magical and familiar at once. “This is incredible,” she breathed out.

He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder. “Only the best for my queen,” he whispered, kissing the nape of her neck. She leaned back into his embrace, feeling his strength ground her.

There it was again, “my queen”, and the way he said it made her heart pound unnaturally.

“I wanted to create a place that felt like us,” he continued, tracing the lines of her arms with his fingers.

Turning within his embrace, she faced him, her hands resting on his chest. “You’ve made it feel like home,” she said. The thoughtfulness of his gesture, transforming his lair to include her really deepened her feelings for him.

He smiled, a genuine, heart-stopping smile that made her knees weak. “That was the intention,” he said, leaning in to kiss her forehead gently. “But there’s more. I want you to be comfortable with all aspects of our life together no matter how different our worlds are.”

Kane took her hand and led her to a part of the lair she hadn’t noticed before. As they walked through the corridor, he began to explain more about dragon customs. More importantly, he explained the ceremonies and delegations that would soon be part of her life.

They stopped in front of a massive wall that displayed the dragon folk’s history. Kane pointed out various symbols and images, each representing significant moments in dragon lore. “These are our stories and reminders of our duty to our people and to each other.”

She reached out, tracing the detailed markings with her fingers, feeling the pulse of ancient magic under her touch.

“My duty to you is another thing,” he said in a way that made her turn around just in time to see him shed his jacket.

Her eyes swept across his naked torso. She liked how his glyphs flowed across his body and disappeared down his black pants. Her eyes shot up to his and she felt a blush creep up her neck as she realized what he was implying. She took a deep breath and said, “What exactly is this duty?”

Watching her reaction, he smiled and his eyes twinkled mischievously. “My duty, Eilir, is to connect with you on every level—mind, body, and soul,” he explained, his voice dropping to a huskier tone as he stepped closer to her. “Though, I suspect you’re particularly interested in the physical aspects,” he teased, placing a hand on her lower back and threading his other hand through her hair.

“You make it hard to resist,” she murmured, a thrill running down her spine as she leaned into his touch.

Kane’s lips curved up in a confident smirk. “Well, I excel in that area. You’ll see,” he whispered, his breath warm against her ear.

She let out a half chuckle at his confidence, but considering he had centuries of experience behind it, it was justified. She glanced down, catching the golden glow from the glyphs across his chest.

The heat from his body felt like an open flame, making the corridor feel as intimate as a whispered secret. “My glyphs,” Kane continued, guiding her hand to trace the lines that flowed over his skin like liquid fire. “They are connections to my ancestors, our traditions, and now” to you.”

As she followed the path of the glyphs with her fingertips, each line pulsed with life. “So these connect us?” she asked, wondering how they felt on him.

“After our unification, you will share them with me, as queen,,” he replied, holding her hand and pressing it against his chest, right over his heart. “Feel that? That’s the beat of the dragon heart, strong and enduring. And now, it beats for you.”

With a big grin, she said. “You’re just trying to get in my pants, huh?”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “No, I’m serious. The strength of a dragon’s heart is legendary, and I’m offering mine to you. Will you accept it?”

“Maybe,” she teased, tracing a glowing glyph that ran tantalizingly down his abdomen. “But I might need a little more” persuasion.”

He smiled, his lips pressing into a thin line. “Then a demonstration is in order,” he said, his hands beginning to roam with a promise of more to come.

Emory laughed with anticipation as his touch sparked flames along her skin. “You’re quite sure of yourself,” she said, her fingers lingering on the glowing glyph that pulsed like live wire under her touch.

His hands, strong and sure, slid to her waist, lifting her effortlessly, so her legs wrapped around his waist. With her now almost at eye level, his gaze was mind-blowing. The closeness of his body, the rich, wild scent of him—it was intoxicating.

Using her fingers, she traced the dragon-shaped crown on his forehead, marvelling at how it resembled him in his dragon form. Giggling, she brushed back his hair, her fingers grazing his crown’s scale-like ridges. Cupping his face, she whispered affectionately, “My magnificent dragon.”

Sweeping into another whirling doorway, they entered his bedroom. Plush, velvet curtains in deep shades of crimson cast a warm, romantic glow over the room. Soft candlelight flickered on ornate bedside tables, accentuating the dragon motifs carved into the walls.

“Now, who’s trying to seduce whom?” he asked.

Caught between laughter and desire, Emory found herself completely seduced by the dragon lord—not just by his charm or strength, but by the genuine connection between them. There was no tension about being herself with him. The way he made her feel was so beautiful, majestic, and safe.

He placed her on a round bed, an unusual shape that she thought wasn’t quite bad. She fell into the deep crimson sheets, sinking into its embrace as the deep crimson sheets embraced her. He kissed her, letting his tender, exploratory kisses stir her senses, as he explored deeper, tasting every inch of her mouth. As her heart pounded, anticipation built like a silent storm inside her. The deliberate, knowing touch of his hands awaken every nerve, coaxing a soft moan from her lips.

With each progressive movement, his hands moved lower, skilfully undressing her while maintaining an electrifying eye contact that thrilled her to the core. When he took off her boots, then her pants and shirt, a chill ran down her spine. His gaze wandered over her nakedness with a hunger that made her shiver. His lips found her stomach, tracing his way up to her lips with delicate kisses, while his hands, ever so gentle, explored the contours of her hips and thighs, eliciting another shiver from her receptive body.

Now he nibbled gently on her lips, smiling into her eyes as his lips now trailed down her throat. His descent continued, lips grazing the sensitive skin of her neck and chest. His fingers traced lines around her nipples, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her. She responded, her body awaiting each touch with a growing ardour. His hands continued their excursion, now caressing her inner thighs with such finesse that she spread her legs in invitation.

As his fingers explored her more intimately, stroking her wet, sensitive folds, he drew a sharp gasp from her lips, unleashing pleasure that rippled through her like wildfire. With precision, his tongue flickered around her now tender nipples as her body moved instinctively to his rhythm. Clutching his hair, she moaned deeply as his lips and tongue skilfully teased her, pushing her steadily toward the brink of ecstasy.

When she climaxed, it was with a wrenching release that left her trembling, her breaths coming in short gasps. He watched her with satisfaction, then kissed her gently, an expression of tender conquest.

“You’re” how do I put this delicately?” he murmured against her lips in a soft whisper.

Confused, she met his eyes, finding them sparkling with mischief.

“You’re untouched,” he whispered, a grin playing at the corners of his mouth.

She averted her gaze, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “Don’t look so surprised,” she smirked.

“That’s fortunate,” he continued, his smile widening. “It means I have the pleasure of teaching you many things. It’s a privilege to be your first. One might think you’d have had suitors and gods alike vying for such favour, given your celestial beauty.”

She laughed and covered her face with her hands in a playful gesture of modesty. When he positioned himself on top of her, his weight and warmth pressed down. With a small gasp, she spread her legs for him. As he kissed her deeply, her arms found their way around his shoulders, pulling him closer. She felt the hard, insistent press of him against her thigh, sending a moan vibrating through their connected lips.

Gently, his hands glided under her back, securing her to him as he entered her swiftly—a sharp intake of breath, a brief flicker of discomfort, quickly melting into overwhelming pleasure. Emory’s fingers clenched around his shoulders, anchoring her to the sensation that completely filled her.

With deliberate care, he began to move, setting a rhythm that was at first measured and tender, then gradually building to a ferocious pace. His hands, once supporting her back, now gripped her hips, guiding them into a dance as old as time. Her legs wrapped around him, drawing him even closer, their movements syncing in passionate cadence.

“No,” she gasped as he pulled away from her embrace. The sparkle in his gold, mesmerizing eyes making her heart skip. His hair, silver and untamed, framed his face in a wild halo over her. “Get back here,” she said, stretching her arms.

With a soft chuckle, he returned to her embrace, his body pressing down into hers once more, smothering her in his warmth. He captured her hands now, gently guiding them above her head to lock in a firm hold. He nuzzled her neck, breathing in her scent. His lips grazed her ear, sending delicious shivers down her spine.

She arched into him, her body responding to every caress. His hands roamed, exploring her curves with reverence and desire. Each touch ignited a spark, each kiss a promise of the passion. Her legs pulled him closer, deeper, needing more of him. He responded with a renewed strength, his movements growing more urgent, their breaths mingling.

“Say it,” she breathed, her voice both a plea and a command. He paused, meeting her gaze, his eyes glowing gold and breathtakingly intense.

“Good girl,” he murmured in a low, reverent whisper.

The words washed over her, amplifying the pleasure, and she didn’t care how he knew what she meant. Her body trembled beneath him, and she tightened her legs around him, their rhythm building to a crescendo.

Everything else faded away, leaving only the pure, unadulterated bliss between them.