Page 177 of His Darkest Desire

Vex chuckled, brought his lips to Kinsley’s ear, and spoke in a deep, sensual whisper. “I do intend to fuck my mate this night.”

She sucked in a sharp breath, and her core clenched. Fuck had been a foreign word to Vex, but whenever he used it…

I’m so done for.

Aiden turned Hope toward them and, gently holding one of her wrists, made her wave. “Say goodbye to mommy and daddy.”

Moving to her daughter, Kinsley pressed several kisses on her cheeks and head. “We’ll be back, love. We promise.”

Though she knew they were right, and though she really, really wanted some time alone with Vex, it was still hard to let go, even for one night.

Emily shooed her. “Go on. Away with you both.”

Before Kinsley could respond, Vex scooped her off her feet, cradling her against his chest. She threw her arm around his neck, and he whisked her out through the front door into the night.

He clutched her close as he leapt into the sky and soared toward the stone circle. In contrast to the biting winter wind, he was solid and warm, and his eyes were filled with fiery desire and wicked promise. She was certain that the glen was beautiful, especially after yesterday’s snow, but she didn’t look away from him.

Kinsley’s heart sped, and her mind raced. What had he prepared? She caught her lip between her teeth, forcing her imagination to still, or else the anticipation would only fill her with restlessness.

His feet had barely touched the ground within the circle of standing stones before the world around them changed. The once disorienting journey now only roused a flutter of excitement in Kinsley—even more so than usual under the circumstances.

The ritual chamber was the same as always. Dark, mystical, thrumming with power. Vex carried her to the doors and up into the foyer. But he didn’t bring her deeper into the house from there, didn’t go to their bedroom or the library, didn’t go to the kitchen to surprise her with a fancy dinner for two.

The cottage’s front door swung open ahead of them, and when Kinsley gazed through it, her breath hitched. “Oh, Vex…”

He carried her out into a winter landscape unlike any she’d ever seen. Pure white snow covered the ground and the branches of the trees, with tiny ice crystals sparkling upon its surface like multifaceted diamonds. The trees were adorned with red and white poinsettias, and little lights, resembling countless twinkling stars, shone amidst the foliage.

And there wasn’t even the slightest hint of a chill in the air.

“This is…magical.” Kinsley looked up at Vex. “So this is what you were doing while we decorated our little Christmas tree? You were decorating an entire forest?”

“I suppose shaping an illusion is not unlike decorating,” he replied. “This is for you, my moonlight. You alone.”

Vex walked along a short path paved with carved stones, at the end of which lay a bed of ferns and moss, framed by more of those red poinsettias. It was backed by a small rock wall which was free of snow. Dozens of lit candles atop the stone created a warm, welcoming, intimate glow.

When he reached the bed, he knelt and sat her atop it. The soft ferns gave beneath her weight. She smiled at him as he drew away and sat back on his heels, tucking his wings against his back. A warm breeze lifted the strands of his hair, and as Kinsley took in his regal features, she was again reminded of just how otherworldly he was. How breathtakingly beautiful he was.

And he was hers. Her mate, the other half of her soul.

Kinsely reached out to tuck wayward strands of his long hair behind his ear before brushing the backs of her fingers down his cheek. “I love you.”

He caught her hand and turned his face toward her palm, kissing its center. “And I you.” His lips moved to her wrist, trailing small, tender kisses. “It has been too long since last I worshipped you as you deserve, my Kinsley.”

She shivered as magic tingled across her skin just ahead of Vex’s lips, making the sleeve of her dress disappear. He kissed along her forearm, each brush of his mouth so soft and teasing, so arousing.

“It has been too long since I’ve shown you what you are to me. My queen.” He pressed his lips to the inside of her elbow. “My goddess.” His mouth moved faster, up over her shoulder to her neck, where he rasped, “My everything.”

Kinsley’s breath and heart quickened with his kisses, and she closed her eyes, tilting her head to grant him access. That soothing breeze flowed over her skin, making her nipples harden, as the rest of her dress disappeared with a whisper of magic. Raising her hand, she slipped her fingers into his hair to cradle his head. “As you are mine.”

Vex released her arm, and the fern bedding dipped as he planted his hand beside her and leaned closer, his knee nudging her thighs farther apart. He slipped his other arm around her, bringing his heated skin into contact with her now bared flesh, and braced her back as he trailed his lips up her throat, her jaw, and finally to her mouth, which he captured in a deep, claiming kiss.

She clenched his hair and gave over to that kiss just like she had to all the previous ones, just as she would for all the kisses to come for the eternity they would share. He was her breath, the beat of her heart, the blood in her veins. He was the force that had brought her back to life in every way imaginable.

And every kiss, every touch, every word and every glance, no matter how small, would always make her belly flutter, her chest warm, and her soul sing. With adoration, with desire, with love.

Breath ragged, Vex caught her jaw, forcing her eyes to meet his. “My mate, my heart, my love.” He touched his forehead to hers. “You are all the magic I will ever need.”