Something sweet and sharp pierced Elon at her request, just as the fire within him blazed into an inferno.

When he didn't immediately react, she turned away, muttering something about "a wife's needs" and how he should be the one begging her.

A laugh burst from Elon as he turned her back toward him and kissed her with all the pent-up affection and desire he'd been containing since he first met her. No, since he first knew she could be his.

She wound herself around him, each of her gasps and moans thrilling him as his lips and hands wandered more boldly. When he bonded with her, she clung to him, quivering slightly.

He began to fear that he'd gone too quickly this time, that he'd hurt or frightened her, until she twined her fingers behind his neck, pulled his face closer to hers, and said, "I love you."

Those words from her lips stirred him in a way that little else could. He showered her silken skin in kisses. She tasted like sweat, rain, and something that was uniquely Carissa. When he drew back, they were both breathing loud and hard—much more so than they had during their previous bondings. Elon's heat settled to a steady warmth, making him flush with pleasure and satisfaction.

Carissa finally sat up, her chest still heaving. She flashed him a grin. "Let's do that again."

Her words startled another laugh from his. As heavily as he was breathing, the sound came out rather breathy and faint.. "But rest—"

"—is overrated." She leaned over him, stealing another kiss. "And besides, I'm not tired anymore."

Elon chuckled, running his hands through her hair. Sometimes he forgot how much shorter it was. But it was plenty long enough to suit his purposes. He grasped her locks and urged her closer before kissing her—this one given rather than stolen. "You'll be tired tomorrow."

"I'm not thinking about tomorrow; I'm think about tonight. And this night I would bond with you." She set her lips against his ear. "I remember the ball at the palace, when it was you whispering to me. Do you remember what you said?"

He remembered quite well—and wasn't soon to forget.

"You said you would be more than happy to make love to me just as I am, over and over and over again." She pressed her body against his. "If you meant that, then do so now. Tonight, here, with me."

His body was already satisfied; it seemed hers was less so. "As you wish, love." She startled against him, likely surprised he hadn't needed more coaxing, and he suppressed a chuckle. "But I'll need to rest for a moment."

"Are you tired?"

"Well, I—" He cleared his throat. "Perhaps a bit." He drew his hand along her side. The sensation still evoked pleasure, but somehow in a softer way than it had before.

"But you'll still bond with me again?"

He grinned. "Yes, I promise." Tonight, he could deny her nothing.

He kissed her until she was breathless and caressed her until she shivered with pleasure. And when his body was ready for hers, they bonded—over and over and over again.

Once when they parted, she drifted off to sleep, the darkness beneath her eyes suggesting she was truly fatigued. Elon's eyelids lowered, his limbs heavy with exhaustion. It seemed only minutes later that he felt the hot press of her lips against his, her fingers digging into his back and leaving trails of fire in their wake.

Elon wasn't certain how late—or early—it was when they finally collapsed against one another in a heap. Carissa glanced up at him, a sleepy, triumphant smile spilling across her lips.

Though their night had given her pleasure, he knew it wasn't without pain. But she'd paid the price for the sake of intimacy within him. And there was never a gift he would cherish more than that.

His lids were growing heavier with each passing second, but the emotions that tugged and yanked at his heart wouldn't so easily be put to rest. Carissa's eyes were beginning to close as well, though her lids jerked up occasionally, as though she were fighting sleep.

Elon wound his arms around her and touched his forehead to hers. He hoped she would never forget how much he loved her. An ache pinched his throat, tears blurring his vision. Grief and longing tore through him, and he tucked her head beneath his, lest she see him weep. Tonight he wanted his wife to experience nothing but joy.

He loved her, and he would spend the rest of his life showing her just how much. He would make any sacrifice on her behalf, even if it one day costed his life.

***

So this was what it felt like to be one with your husband.

Carissa clung to the last vestiges of her consciousness as slumber tugged at her. She smiled against Elon as she remembered what their bonding felt like. He had perfectly expressed with his body what he had said hundreds of times with his mouth: that he loved her. And she had never felt so cherished as she had this night.

True, there were moments where she had been tempted back to darker places. But she always returned to Elon, the brush of his hands against her skin, the taste of his lips on hers, the feel of becoming one with him.

She had experienced almost too much joy to contain. Yes, bonding had been exquisite, but the truly amazing part was Elon and being reminded with each touch and caress how much he loved her. The thought made her heart ache fiercely, as if it were going to burst from sheer love.

Elon tucked her head beneath his, and she was glad for it as tears began to stream down her cheeks. They were tears of joy, but she didn't want to concern him, didn't want him to feel like he had to remain awake and inquire after her. He was obviously exhausted, as was she.

Eventually, her eyes ached from being open so long, and she relaxed within the safety of Elon's arms. She loved him. And she would strive to spend the rest of her life loving him like he loved her.

She smiled at the thought. It would be a lifetime well-spent—her days spent trying to trust him and be a better queen, her nights spent bonding with him and trying to be a better wife. Her smile widened, remaining even when her eyes drifted shut.

***

Author's Note: Sneak peek is up! But with the foreshadowing, you might not want to look at it... Or maybe you do.