#sappylines

“Truly?”His heart was on his voice, open and yearning. His eyes trembled under hergaze, “Please, don’t tease me, love. Don’t pity me. I don’t need your pity.”

Shescrambled close to him, her hands aching to touch him so badly they trembled,“It’s not pity. I really, truly, love you…”

Warnerseemed to be in pain for a moment that stretched on and on. Then he cursedunder his breath, “Oh God…” and pulled her down.

His lipsmet hers and time stood still.

Warner… AaronWarner was kissing her. And it wasn’t just another kiss, it wasn’t just anothertouch or just another press. It was a kiss worth dying for. It held promisesand prayers and laughter and tears and love, so much love. His lips movedagainst hers with precision and clumsiness, a paradox so perfect that only thiswonderful boy could offer her. He was so eager and still so surprise, everybreath they took in unison was a miracle on its own.

Juliette’shands dived into his hair, ruining the perfectly combed look, and she let himpull moan after moan out of her. His own hands seemed unsure were to hold her,as though he wanted to hold all of her and couldn’t and it frustrated him.Fingertips teased the line of skin that peeked between her shirt and her jeans.“I want to feel you, love.” He rasped and rolled them over. His lips chartedher neck with precision, marking all the hills and valleys where her voice waspurer and louder. His fingertips dug deeper under her shirt and her skin lit up,“I want to taste you.” He continued, his husky voice turning her mind to mush.“I want to know you like no one else will ever be able to.” He pulled away hershirt and kissed her heaving chest, right where bra met skin, “I want you toknow me like no one else will ever know, Juliette.” His lips were hungry anddesperate and thirsty, taking bites and deep breaths of her skin and her gaspsand her goose bumps, “I want to be your best friend in the whole world…” Hekissed her belly and a whole world of butterflies burst to life within her. Agasp pulled her strings and her back arched in tune with his kiss, “I love youso much, Juliette… So much…”

“Yes… Yes,Aaron…” She nodded and agreed and begged. Words had failed, words were weak andmeaningless when compared to Warner and his words and his touch and his kisses.Oh, his kisses. His lips and his eyes and his heartbeat. She loved him. Sheloved him. She loved him.

“Lift yourhips for me, love.” He said slowly, her pants unzipped already. She did.Clothes disappeared and freedom ran through her veins. She could fly.

Her legswere parted. And Warner kissed her right where she ached the most. His tonguespoke to her in a new language, a whole new world opening up to her as the tipof that clever tongue discovered things about her body that not even Juliette herselfhad ever guessed to exist. He played her, he teased her, he whispered secretsinto her and carved out new ones out of her. And then, at last, his name was onher lips, a loud cry echoing in the clear and starry night, the first shootingstar falling before due time just to witness that sound.

“You arethe most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen, love.” He rasped against her lipsafter a moment, easing into her in one slick movement.

A smilebloomed deep within her as she held him close and wrapped her legs around hisbody, savouring how right they fit. Every curve and valley and bit of skin,everything fitted to perfection. “So are you, Aaron.” She said, and pulled himdown for a soft kiss.

And then,before he could do anything, she rolled them over again. A gasp of stunnedsurprise left his body and she flashed a playful smile down at him. “I thoughtyou wanted to watch the shooting stars, love.” He let out, his voice rough withemotion, a little smile playing around the edges of his mouth.

She placedher hands on his chest and moved a little, the two letting out a moan in turn,“You’re the only one I want to look at, Aaron.” His eyes fluttered closed atthe sound of his name. He smiled. Dimples. Those wonderful dimples that alwaysturned her world upside down.

Dimples. Dimples.Dimples.

“God…” Hiseyes were shut, his expression of pure happiness, “I love you so much,Juliette.” He let out between moans, as she moved with him, her hands neverstill, aching to memorize through touch alone every little line and curve andpause and rhyme of his body.

She leaneddown and pressed her temple to his, their rhythm growing little by little. Asmile grew on her lips when she felt his hands on her back, caressing her skinwith a tenderness that was simply… Divine. “Can you hear my heart, Aaron?” Shebreathed, “I swear it sings because of you, it sings.”

He smiledand kissed her, “Mine too, Juliette. Mine too…” He groaned and bucked his hips.

A loudermoan escaped her control with that and her whole body began to unravel. Threadby thread, bit by bit, it wasn’t long before it all exploded, every link andcell and connection and thought. His name echoed in the night, loud and trueand Juliette was certain she had just become a shooting star like the onessurely falling through the night sky in that very moment. How happy they surelyfelt in their race to meet the earth. She knew now that feeling. So very well.

-

“To thinkat first I considered you a pure and harmless creature…” Warner let out with achuckle a while after, as the last few stars illuminated the sky with theirfalls.

She turnedto him, “I am harmless. And pure.”

Hislaughter boomed, vibrating through her body and soul and igniting to life herwhole being once more, “Oh no, love. Harmless? Not a chance. Pure? No purecreature would have lured me out here to the rooftop just for all that we’vedone tonight. But you are a good person, if that’s what you’re worried about.”He cupped her cheek and brushed a thumb over her flushed skin, “Far better thanI am worthy of, yet here we are.”

Her bodytingled and she looked down, “I’m not that good of a person, Aaron. And youhave done more than enough to be…” she rolled her eyes, “‘Worthy’ of me.”

“Agree todisagree?” He conceded, his eyes a little droopy. He was sleepy.

And so wasshe. A yawn. “Fine. I love you, Aaron.”

--

Miss Holdo’sdesk was empty. A message was blinking in her signboard, the neon lightstaunting the two of them. “Your uniforms are ready. Call your name and code number.I’ll be back in two hours. Holdo.”

Leia sighed,“She’s been seeing that pilot a lot lately. I bet that’s who’s keeping her awayright now.” She leaned into Holdo’s intercom and stated her name and codenumber.

“PrincessLeia, honorary member, changing room number 4.” The machine announced.

She sighed,“Why haven’t they changed that honorary thing yet? Just because I’m theprincess it doesn’t change my place in the Rebellion system.”

Hanchuckled, “Actually, your worshipness, it does.”

“Oh, stopcalling me that.” She pointed at the intercom, “Go ahead, and call for yours.”

He did.

As hefollowed Leia into yet another changing room, Han couldn’t help but think theuniverse was taunting him. Probably a result of not believing Luke’s beliefs onthe Force or something. It wasn’t his fault, he just had never been provenwrong on his own beliefs. But hey, if the universe gave him an opening withLeia… Maybe he’d begin to change his mind.

A handcaught his as he passed by Leia’s changing room. Before he could do anything,Leia was pulling him into the cubicle. Han’s heart fled the scene, not readyfor this kind of opening happening so fast. But then, “Han, help me out withthis zipper. It won’t go down no matter what.” Leia huffed, back to him.

Ashamed forthinking such things, his heart returned home, tiny and pale with disappointment.Han nodded and pulled down the zipper, “I don’t understand your obsession withthese dresses and these zippers. I thought you preferred the practicality ofyour suits.” He let out, fighting a little with the zipper. He bit his tongueto stop himself from saying the rest. He didn’t understand her obsession withwearing dresses for five minutes, but they always looked fantastic on her. So,he kept his teasing to rare moments. Like now.

“I likethem. Feels good to change once in a while, Han.” She gasped then, when thezipper gave in and the back of Han’s hand brushed her skin.

A smirkdanced on his lips, “Something the matter, Leia?”

“No, no!”She shook her head, though her voice trembled hard enough to give away hownervous she was. Han’s heart began to glow, perhaps…

“Leia…” Herasped and leaned in to brush his lips over the back of her neck, hand softlypushing aside the locks of hair that’d fallen from her grip.

A shudderwent through her, “Han…”

“What arewe doing, Leia?” He continued, his lips still on that patch of skin, both dyingto explore at once and waiting for her word.

“Han… Whymust you make everything difficult?” She said, even though she didn’t moveaway.

“I makeeverything difficult, don’t I? It’s because of you. You drive me crazy. Youlike my scoundrel side. You love to snap at me for the littlest of things justfor the sake of snapping at me…” He said, a hand now gingerly on the curve ofher waist, fingers drumming against the fabric, aching to throw it away and totouch her skin.

“I don’tlike your scoundrel, side. I happen to like nice men, Han…” She counteredthrough a shudder and Han felt a smirk curve his lips. Witty Leia, alwaysmeeting every word of his, now only managed to counter one of this arguments,and quite meekly at that…

“I am anice man.” He rasped, lips traveling to her pulse as Leia leaned her head away,beckoning him closer and closer.

“Oh… Han…”She moaned at the first brush of lips against her pulse. Her back arched andher whole body leaned into his in a silent request for more and more and more. “Holdowon’t be back for two hours…” She let out, finally voicing her permission,finally admitting to wanting more than the little games they’ve been playing upuntil now.

His hands travelledto the exposed skin, fingers digging under the fabric and climbing up her back,peeling away the dress with a patience Han never knew he even had. The softsound of fabric hitting the ground drove him mad with anticipation, and beforehe could control himself, her bra was snapped off and gone in a heartbeat. Agroan climbed up his throat when her hands touched him and Leia began toblindly undress him. “Leia… Your worshipness…” He chuckled, fully aware of howmuch she hated and loved that little nickname, “Do you want to do the honours?”

“Icertainly am not going to stand here practically naked while you kiss me andremain fully dressed.” She snapped back.

Han droppedhis hands and stood back as she turned on the spot and he finally took a goodlook of her expression. Leia was… aroused. As much and as badly as he was. Hercheeks were flushed red, her lips were parted and had a little pout that beggedto be kissed and her chest heaved fast, thirsty, demanding.

Somewherebetween that moment of quiet and the next heartbeat he took, Han’s clothes weregone and Leia’s lips were on his. At last. It had been too long since theirfirst kiss, far too long. And it had changed since then. While the first wasquick and shy at the same time, this one was a slow burn and needy. As if bothwould die should they ever stop kissing, as if each other’s air was the onlyway of breathing, as if time was theirs to bend and stretch and play with. Leia’slips tasted of caramel and her moans smelled of coffee. Her breakfast, herfavourite breakfast. They glided over his with haste, yet he was certain shewas making sure she remembered all the curves and tilts his mouth made. Histongue traced her mouth and with a moan, Leia welcomed him in, meeting himhalfway as the kiss was deepened.

“Leia… Oh,Leia…” He rasped when the kiss was broken, his mouth tracing her jaw and neckas he tasted her endlessly.

A loud moanescaped her lips when he found a sweet spot and played with it, “Han…! Oh stars…Oh stars…! Han…” She passed her hands through his hair over and over again,playing with it before dragging her nails down is back. Down, down, down. Shecupped his backside and squeezed, a giggle following suit when he groaned atthe tease.

“I’vewanted this for so long…” He rasped, echoing those harmless words of hers backinto her mouth.

Leiachuckled, arms back around his neck as he hoisted her up and eased into her, “Sothat is why you were so red when I said that. Your mind was somewhere else…”She breathed and licked her lips, savouring the sensation of having Han insideher. He fitted her almost too perfectly. “Oh… You feel so good, Han.”

Han pressedhis forehead to hers and said, “You too, your worshipness.”

“You reallylove calling me that, don’t you?”

“It rilesyou up, and I love it when you’re so riled up.” He said as he rolled his hipsslowly. In and out, so slowly it drew new sounds out of Leia that Han had neverheard. And how lovely those sounds were. She locked her legs around his waistand brought him closer with a cried moan as his sudden thrust hit all the rightbuttons.

“Oh…!” Hermoans grew louder and less coherent, Han’s thrusts growing in speed.

His heartwas so full right now, his whole body focused on nothing but Leia and her bodyand her moans and cries and how fantastic they sounded to him. Leia demandedspeed and he moved faster. Leia demanded more and he thrust harder. Whatevershe asked for, Han gave without hesitation, wishing nothing more than to climaxin the arms of the only woman that had ever made him feel the so-called “fuzzyfeelings”.

“Leia… Leia…Leia…” Her name was a permanent presence on his lips. His head was nested onthe crook of her neck as Leia pulled his hair and demanded more and more andmore.

“Kiss me,Han… Kiss me…” She begged.

He lookedup and his gaze met hers. They hadn’t stopped yet, not yet, though the edge wasdrawing closer by the heartbeat. Her eyes shined so bright, in spite of beinghooded in the heat of the moment. She was absolutely and without a doubt themost beautiful creature he had ever seen in all his years in space. Nothing hadever gotten close to her beauty, even before they had ever crossed paths. Hiseyes fell to her lips. Her mouth was open in a round ‘O’, lips swollen fromkissing and biting, and soft moans kept pouring out of her. His name, yesses,his name again. “I love you, Leia…” He rasped before bringing his lips to hers,before capturing her cry of pleasure, before swallowing down that beautifulsound that would follow him forever.

--

“I’m back!”Holdo called from the entrance and Han quickly finished putting on his shirt.

Leiacoughed and pushed him out of her booth, whispering something about not beingcaught together.

“Too latefor that, Leia.” He whispered as he came face to face with Holdo.

Her brightpink hair was fashioned into a high bun today, her bright blue eyes clashingwith it in a way that felt almost too fantastic to be real. Yet her eyes werereally that blue. But not innocent blue, oh no. A knowing smirk spread on herface, “Oh, you two? At last. I was starting to think I’d have to force you intoone booth one of these days. Ah, Leia! You look lovely, that after-sex glowlooks amazing on you.”

Leia blinkedat her friend as she exited the booth and a bright blush exploded to life onher face, “What? After what?”

Holdoscoffed and turned to their uniforms, “I trust they fit you to perfection, soyou don’t have to go back in and try them for real this time. Did good use of thefree time? I hope so.” She walked away, ignoring their embarrassed faces, “Idemand gossip tonight, Leia!”

“She set usup?” Han croaked after a moment.

Leia hidher face in her hands and groaned, “She has been for a while now. And I realisedit only now… Oh stars…”

“Well,” Hecleared his throat, “It was a lovely afternoon, still.”

A smilefought through her pained expression, “It was. Oh!” She froze and turned tohim, an expression of pure horror distorting her face, “You said… And I didn’t…!”She buried her face in her hands once more, “I’m so sorry, Han.”

“Aboutwhat?” He was confused. What was she sorry about? “For not saying it backthere?”

“Yes. Thatwas uncalled for.”

“I don’tknow what you mean. You may not have worded it,” His voice dropped a notch andhe pulled her into his embrace, “But the way you looked at me and cried my nameand kissed me back… It said enough.”

Her eyesfluttered a little, “Oh?”

“Yes. Iknow, Leia. I know.”

“You’re notgoing to stop me from saying it, are you?”

He shookhis head, “Go ahead, your worshipness.”

She rolledher eyes and placed her hands on his chest, where his heart seemed to stutter, “Ilove you too, Han.”

Arin tookhis things and locked himself in the bathroom, leaving Kestrel breathless andangry at the universe’s sense of irony. Arin had become her rival in the bandcontest, when all she wanted was to sing and play with him. And then Arin hadbecome the target of her moods after her poor little heart hadn’t been able tohandle his rejection. Foolish Kestrel! Why did she have to go and fall for the Herranisinger? The young man that refused to mingle more than necessary, and yet hadsomehow wormed his way into her heart. Long nights spent playing Bite and Stingwith him, sharing thoughts and opinions, and then it just… happened. One dayshe looked at him across the university lawn and her heart had simply… ran tohis. It didn’t go well though, as Arin was quick to refuse her heartfeltrequest.

“I supposethe staff can afford mixing up keys but they can’t forget the hot water, huh?”Arin said, his joke breaking through her thoughts as he stepped out of thebathroom. A cloud of steam followed him, partially covering his frame for amoment. Kestrel wished it away, and then she wished it back.

He hadn’tgotten dressed, he’d just put on a towel. Damn him, damn him to whichever sortof hell he believed in.

Arin caughther eye and a crooked grin played on his lips, “See something you like?”

Cheeksburning, Kestrel looked away and back at the fireplace, “Shut up and getdressed.”

“Or…?” Histeasing tone took her back to their midnight sessions, when he would tease herabout her droopy eyes and her long yawns. When he would try to get her to slipup and give up her game. When it was just her and Arin and nothing else existedor mattered.

“You’llsleep on the floor.” It was an empty threat and both knew it.

Arin’schuckle lasted only for a moment before it died out and his voice turned roughand serious, “I’m sorry, Kestrel.”

She didn’treply. He sighed. And then she heard his footfalls, approaching, walking toher.

“Kestrel…”He reached for her but then dropped his hand.

“You saidyou didn’t sing. You wouldn’t sing.Public stuff and that. And then…” Her voice shook with anger and heartbreak,“You get your own music act!” She turned to him and saw with wicked pleasurehow her words hit him like a slap, “If you didn’t want to sing with me, youcould have said so. Not lie! I thought… I thought there were no lies betweenus, Arin.”

This timehe did reach for her, catching her face between both hands in a hold that wasso gentle Kestrel almost thought she was dreaming it, “I’m sorry, Kestrel. Ireally am, but… I couldn’t sing with you.”

“Why?”

Arin lookedaway for a moment, fighting with something inside him. Then, “Because… Becauseyour father threatened me at the time.”

“What?” Shehissed, angry flames licking her insides. How dare he? How?! He cut ties withher and still had the nerve to decide who she could... hang with?!

He shookhis head, “It was more of an excuse than anything else, Kestrel. I… I didn’tfight him, I didn’t fight his threat because… If I stayed, if I said yes… Iwouldn’t have become just your band mate. I wouldn’t be able to be just that.”

She shookher head, or tried to, his strong hands still holding her close, “I don’tunderstand…”

“I can’tstay away from you, Kestrel. I wouldn’t have been able to do it if we spentevery moment together for the band.”

A waterysmile played on her lips, “You’re an idiot, Arin…”

He frowned,“What?”

“You saidno because you were afraid of getting involved with me?” She took a bold step,“Afraid of what could happen?”

“I wasafraid of hurting you, Kestrel.”

“How wouldyou have done it? When I too can’t stay away from you!” She made to grab himbut her hands stopped a breath away from his chest as she remembered he had noclothes on. But then, she threw caution to the wind and placed them on hisskin, carefully memorizing the way his deep golden skin felt so right under herpalms. Arin shuddered at her touch, but made no move to stop her. She said, “Whyare you so brilliant with everything but when it comes to us you just run awaylike a scared little kid?”

A sheepishsmile grew on his lips, joining that little blush that darkened his cheeks, “Iguess you throw me off. With your cunning mind and your beautiful self…”

“Arin…” Shebreathed.

“Yes,Kestrel?”

“Kiss me,Arin. Kiss me and I’ll forget how much of an idiot you have been these past fewmonths. Kiss me. Kiss me…” She begged, fingertips grazing his skin and the hardmuscle right underneath. Her body went into a dizzy dance just like that, hersenses dying to drown in Arin. Arin, Arin, Arin. Everything in her whisperedand screamed and rasped his name. She was so drunk in him already, and allthey’d done was gingerly touch each other.

“Kestrel…”His was thick and desperate, her name hanging in the air between them for onebrief moment that seemed to last forever. Forever and ever. Until… Until shefinally felt his lips touch hers.

A breath.

One longand deep breath.

As if she’dbeen drowning until this very moment, as if Arin’s lips, Arin’s air was theonly thing she could really survive on. Arin. Arin. Arin. Oh stars and all ofhis gods help her, this was even better than anything she had ever dreamed of.And it was just one small, chaste kiss.

Her handsmoved on their own accord, first down his torso, feeling every hard muscle ofhis and drawing soft groans out of him. Sweet, sweet sounds Kestrel had neverthought to be so sweet. Then she moved up, palms pressing and fingers searchinguntil her hands locked on his shoulders for a moment. All along, Arin kissedher softly, his lips massaging hers into a slow and tender kiss that seemed tohold so much fire within and yet it refused to ignite. Not yet, it seemed towhisper, not yet. Her hands moved up again and into his thick, dark locks. Sheplayed with those curls, a smile forming on her mouth when Arin sighed intoher. He liked this, she realised, safely storing this knowledge in the depthsof her heart.

And thensomething snapped.

A deep andalmost primal hunger that seemed to grow inside this kiss. Arin rasped her nameinto the kiss and she opened her mouth, welcoming him, welcoming his tongue.With each press of lips and groan and moan, Kestrel felt her world tip. Arinwas leaning into her, arms holding her close, so close, so close. And shepulled him in, careless about such trivial things like gravity and hard floors.It didn’t matter, nothing mattered. Not when Arin was here with her and kissingher and waking up every piece of hers that had been dormant until this verymoment. The kiss was catching fire and it tasted to good.

“Kestrel…”Her name was a hot breath against her cheek as Arin pressed his face to hersand began a blazing trail of kisses down her throat. Down, down, down. Herpulse, her collarbone, her shoulder… Her robe was barely covering her now,having fallen open in the process of their kisses. Kestrel didn’t even thinkabout what it meant, only what it allowed to happen. Arin kissing her, Arintouching her. Arin, Arin, Arin.

“Arin…” Hepressed a kiss right over her heart and she swore it pulsed anew. Like a freshoff the nest little bird, ready for the world, ready to spread its winds andfind home. Home. Arin. “I want… I want you, Arin…” She said, or tried to, hervoice lost in the moment.

Arin pausedhis kisses with a start. His breathing was laboured and surprised when he spokeagain, “Are you… Are you sure?”

She nodded,partially annoyed he’d stopped his kisses. Why? She was dying without them,dying. “I’m sure, Arin. I’ve been for a long time now. I can’t stop thinkingabout you, even when I try to be angry, I can’t. Not really.” She leaned intohim and eased off of her robe. A violent blush coloured his cheeks as he tookin her naked form, “I love you, Arin. I love you…”

His silvereyes, always so beautiful and brilliant, turned to her, “Kestrel…” A silly gringrew on his lips, “I love you too.”

Her eyesclosed for a moment as she savoured those words. “Then kiss me, Arin.”

And he did.He really did.

Happinessbloomed deep in her chest, just like what must rush through a bird’s heart upontheir first flight, and she laughed. Kestrel laughed and smiled and giggled,Arin’s own laughter joining hers between kisses and more kisses. His towel fellaway, by his hand or hers, neither really knew. And then he laid her down bythe fire, on a lush carpet that felt like fluffy clouds under Kestrel.

His eyesshined, happiness and surprise and love bright and alive, and Arin leaned downto nuzzle his nose against her flushed skin. Kestrel laughed, unable to containthe sound as he played with her skin. Nuzzle, kiss, nuzzle, kiss and blow, thatlast one drawing even louder cackles out of her. She couldn’t breathe, thelaughter and the anticipation taking over her. Arin’s mouth moved upwards,slowing down his playful rhythm.

When he wasclose enough, Kestrel caught his face between her hands and pressed theirforeheads together, locking her gaze on his, “You make me so happy, Arin. Sohappy…”

He seemedto hold his breath, surprised with her words, “I could say the same, Kestrel.Little fists…” A smile danced on his lips as he uttered that nickname and shesmiled too. A month into knowing each other she had accidentally decked him.Arin had commented how someone with fists so small could be able to knock himout so well. She’d laughed the whole day through. She almost laughed right now.But then she felt his touch between her thighs and all laughter and rationalthoughts were gone.

Anotherbrush, soft and tender yet making her moan and gasp in reply. Arin whisperedher name as he touched her again and again, his voice strained and in pain, asif he was the one being touched like that, as if it was Kestrel who was drivinghim blind with just her hands. A louder gasp erupted and Kestrel swore shealmost fell apart then. So close, she was so close to coming undone. Heavingchest, blushed cheeks, Kestrel held onto him as if her very life depended onhim. In a way, it did. It did.

“Arin… Oh,Arin… Please…”

“Yes,Kestrel… Yes…” He rasped and eased into her, slowly.

A blissfulsmile grew on her lips as he moved, rolling his hips with that patience he’dbuilt during their games of Bite and Sting. Slow, slow, slow. She moved withhim, hands wrapped around his shoulders, spread over the hard muscles as theytensed and relaxed with his movements. Arin leaned on his forearms, easing intoa better position as he continued moving with her, his hips slow and seductiveand slick against hers. Kestrel had always heard of quickies and whatnot, butshe was certain the reason they were so overrated was because no one had evertasted this. Arin’s slow and clever rhythm. Patient and delicious, each roll ofthe hips perfected to draw the softest and rawest of moans out of her.

Her heartwas so full and beating so fast. Full of love and happiness and Arin. Arin.Arin. How could someone fill someone else’s heart so perfectly? His words, hisbeauty, his mind, his body. His pace picked up ever so slightly and a shudderedgasp escaped both of them.

Aringroaned. “Kestrel… Kestrel…” He whispered her name, over and over again. Voicestrained, eyebrows drawn, Arin was lost in her just as she was lost in him. Solost. But a good lost, a good lost. Because he was home. Home.

Anotherroll of the hips. Just another. Another…

He cursedunder his breath and shuddered as a hard thrust rocked her body and threwKestrel over the edge, together with Arin. Together. His name was a soft cry onher lips, her heart exploding to pieces, so full of love and happiness as itwas. Her body was nothing, Arin had set fire to it with his kisses and histouch and now Kestrel was nothing but an ethereal thing. Bound to the earth onlyby her love for Arin.

--

She dancedwith her fingers over his open hand, tracing the lines of his palm back andforth. Arin took in a shaky breath and she giggled, “So sensitive.”

“You’retickling me, Kestrel. I can’t resist that.” He rasped, his voice still a mess.

“Are yougoing to sing with me now?” She asked after a while, looking up from his chest.

Arinsighed, “Do I have a choice?”

She smackedhim, “Of course you do. But I’d very much like it if you said yes.”

“What ofRoshar? And Risha?” He asked, remembering his manager and Kestrel’s vocalist.

Alwaysready for this, Kestrel didn’t even stop to think of her answer, “You knowRoshar won’t mind it one bit, so long he continues to be the manager. And Risha…Risha wants to go to Broadway. She wants to sing in musicals, to be where Verexis.”

Arinchuckled, “You have everything worked out already. Of course you do.”

She hummed,“Yes. I’ve thought about this for a while already. Say yes, Arin. Stay with me.”

“I’ll staywith you no matter what.” He said, his voice softer and stripped of any jokes.

“I’m glad.But I still want to play with you.”

“You don’tgive up, do you?”

“No. Plus,you said my father was the other reason why you refused me. Considering he isout of my life for good and everything we did tonight, I don’t see any reasonwhy we can’t play together.”

“What aboutthe contest?”

“I’m goingto withdraw.”

“And so Ishould do the same?” He offered with a raised eyebrow.

Kestrelpaused, “Well, you don’t have to. But I am withdrawing.”

Arin huffedand passed a hand through his hair, “And so am I, since I only entered thisbecause of you.”

Laughterbloomed out of her, surprised and light, “How come?”

“Youchallenged me. It would be a sign of weakness to not rise to it.” He replied,his tone as a matter of fact.

“I daredyou. And I was angry at the time, I said some stupid things.”

“Oh, so sheadmits!” Arin joked, the sound quickly replaced by a yelp as Kestrel poked him.

“I saystupid things sometimes, I never denied it.”

“Yes, butyou never admitted it either. I have an idea.”

“You do?”

“Yes. Weboth withdraw, let our friends know of it and stay here for the rest of theweekend.”

Her cheeksheated up, “In this room?”

Arinnodded, “In this room. Just us. Making up for lost time. What do you say?”

His heartdanced, “Oh yes, indeed it was a nice surprise.” He paused, “But… I thought…Alina, you left with him. For good. You said… You said you were happy there.”

“I was. Butnot anymore.”

Shesqueezed her hands, twisting and squeezing until her knuckles were white.Nikolai’s gaze went back to hers, “What happened?”

A shadowcrossed her face and in a moment the need to avenge her took over part of him.She shrugged and shook her head, white curls glistening in the fireplace light,“Nothing to worry about. It just happened.”

“Are youall right?” Saints, he wanted to cross the room and take her in his arms, holdher close until all hurt was nothing but a faint memory.

“I’m fine.Better than ever, actually.”

He frowned,“I don’t understand… I… Alina. Please tell me… Why did you come here?” He couldunderstand everything else, but her presence in his room, so late in the nightand without a word? It made his heart come up with all sorts of crazy scenariosand he didn’t need that. He’d fantasied enough about her already. He couldn’ttake one more incredibly romantic scenario. His heart would shatter.

Exasperationhad her opening her arms and saying, rather loud, four words that he wouldforever keep tucked in a safe room deep in his heart, “Because I love you!”

Timestopped.

It just…stopped.

“…What?”Had he spoken or was it just a gush of air leaving his lungs? He wasn’t sure,not of that nor what he’d heard. It couldn’t be… Could it?

Alina tooka step forward but then stopped, her eyes flickering between his and the fire,“I love you, Nikolai! That’s why I came back! In fact I’ve been in love withyou for quite a while now, I just…” She let out a breath, “I just didn’t noticeit. Or didn’t want to. I thought things with Mal were just going through a badpatch, that it was why I was thinking so much about you, about us…” Her voicegrew softer, shakier with nerves, “But the more time he spent away from me, theless it hurt. The more I… The more I found myself taking out that emerald ofyours just to gaze at it and think about what ifs…. Until I started to wear itaround my neck, until Mal and I realised we were through. Until…” Her voicetrembled, “Until you cancelled one visit and I realised how much my heartcracked over your absence.”

His bodywas frozen, stuck in those words of hers. “Alina…”

“So Igathered my things, left Anya in charge of the orphanage and came back. BecauseI couldn’t wait for your next visit, because I couldn’t wait for the moment I’dregret this and go back to something safe. Because I realised I loved you and Ineeded…” she wrung her hands, “I needed to know.”

“Knowwhat?” His voice shook with how much his heart seemed to be beating.

Panicsparked in her eyes and Alina quickly turned on the spot, her attention now onthe fire, “If you don’t know what I’m talking about then this was all aridiculous idea. I’m such an idiot!” Her voice broke, her body shakingcompletely, “I thought… I hoped…”

Shaken outof his stupor, Nikolai crossed the room and took her in his arms, “If anyone’san idiot here it’s me, Alina.” He said, holding her as close as he allowedhimself.

Her deepbrown eyes stared at him, her mouth parted, her long white hair framing herbeautiful face in an ethereal glow. Saints, she was so beautiful… The way herhair glowed in the firelight… “Nikolai…” she breathed his name and he swore newlife was being breathed into him.

A sheepishsmile tugged on his lips and he caressed her hair, “You kept the ring?” Shenodded, head tilting into his touch, “And… And you love me…”

She took ina shaky breath, “Yes…”

“Am I dreaming?”He breathed, feeling as though he had probably fallen asleep on his desk andstarted to dream yet again about Alina’s return. About Alina returning hisfeelings.

Alina shookher head and a tiny smile crossed her lips for a moment, “I don’t think so.”

“So… You’rereally here. You really… You really love me.”

A chucklebubbled out of her lips and he dropped his hand to cup her cheek, “Yes, youidiot. Will you…” She pressed her lips, “Will you say something about thatalready? Because if you won’t… I’d gladly take my leave now.”

“How doesone reply to such a confession?” He reached up with his other hand and cuppedthe nape of her neck. “How… How does one… Saints… You always do that. You lookat me and see right through and say something that strips me completely off ofany tricks and easy lines and… And I’m left speechless. Unable to walk straightafter you.” His smile turned wicked, “Well, metaphorically speaking.”

She rolledher eyes, “You’re staling.”

He nodded,“I know, I am. I just… Saints, it feels like a dream!”

“And what…What do you usually do then?”

“Oh… Forstarters, I don’t falter. I simply…” He leaned in and his gaze fell on herlips. So lovely, so sweet, so dangerous for his ego yet so perfect as well… “Isay… I love you too…” She gasped, cheeks turning red, “And then I…” He brushedhis lips over hers once and a shudder went through all of her. His next wordswere ready to be uttered, ready to come out and become real at last. But then…Then his heart took charge, the damned thing no longer waiting any second more.No words were uttered as his lips met hers at last.

Strawberries.She tasted of strawberries. That thought echoed in his mind, as Nikolai movedhis lips slowly at first, tasting her, making sure this was really happening.But then a gasp was let out, a shuddered sigh, and soon the kiss was deepenedas Alina’s tongue darted out at the same time her arms circled his neck andpulled him closer.

His lipsglided over hers, pulling and teasing, his hands spread over the small of herback. He kissed her, he tasted her, he memorized every move and tug and glidethat earned him all those sweet, sweet sounds Alina kept making throughout thekiss. He would write them down on a mental list, a list he would take out laterto remember this kiss, should one never happen again. And if it happened again…This list would be his map to Alina’s sighs and moans.

With afinal moan Alina broke the kiss into a tiny million others, and began to peck hislips again and again before her mouth travelled along his jaw and down his neckuntil she found the collar of his shirt and a disgruntled sound formed in herthroat. “Please, I need this gone.” She rasped. And that was when Nikolairemembered them. The scars. The hiding. The gloves.

And she wasasking for permission. Saints… No one else but him ever saw those scars. Butnow Alina was here… Alina…

Anxietytrickled down the back of his neck before he nodded and groaned, “It’s yours totake, sunshine…”

A pause.

A breath.

Her hands trembledas she undid button after button, their breaths held in a moment of stasis.Shirt unbuttoned, Alina reached with a hand. Nikolai closed his eyes and waitedfor her touch. Fingertips… A shudder shook him and Alina stopped. He shook hishead, “Don’t stop, Alina… Don’t…” He wanted this, he… needed this. Her touch.He needed it.

Her palmwas pressed against his heart, her soft skin brushing over the map of scarsthat charred his otherwise perfect body. He heard a breath being taken in andthen… Her lips, on his chest. “You’re so beautiful…” She whispered beforepressing another kiss to his chest, “I’m sorry…” She kissed the scars again,“This is my fault… I’m sorry, Nikolai…” Her words echoed as she kissed hischest again and again, hands slowly moving up his shoulders and down his backuntil the sound of fabric hitting the floor announced his shirt was gone.

Nikolaishuddered, “No, it’s not, Alina… It really isn’t… Don’t…” He sucked in abreath. She was right over his heart, kissing and kissing, as if she couldjust… Kiss the scars away, kiss the bad memories away. “It’s his fault and onlyhis, sunshine… You did what you could…” Words were his again as her handsbrushed over his shoulders and down his arms, fingers tightening where hismuscles were hardened.

Gloves.

Gone.

Heswallowed down, waiting for her. Waiting, waiting, waiting.

Alina tookboth his hands and pressed her lips on the scars. Again and again and again andagain. Until Nikolai could feel nothing but the ghost of her lips, the ghostsof her kisses. Until he couldn’t remember what his scars even felt like. Untilall he knew of was what her lips felt like when pressed onto his skin.

She movedaway and he was forced to pry his eyes open. Alina’s hands were on the belt ofher dress. She didn’t speak. She just… smiled. A smile that was shy and nervousand anxious. Nikolai frowned, unsure about why she was so nervous. And then thebelt fell away and her hands moved to the buttons of her dress. And he knew. Heknew why she was so nervous, why she was so quiet.

Her dresspooled around her feet. An undershirt was left behind. Panties, shoes andsocks. Nikolai swore his heart was near combustion when she began to remove therest. Everything but her panties…

She lickedher lips. Her gaze flickered down and a teasing smirk danced on those lips. Nikolaididn’t need to see where she was looking. He was very much aware of it. Of howtight his pants were, how much he wanted her in that moment.

A momentpassed, a heartbeat hanged between them. And then, they reached for each other again,as if no time had passed since that very first press of lips. Rush took over astwo quickly removed the rest of their clothes, their mouths always on eachother, always gasping and moaning and laughing. Oh, how much they laughed.Nikolai swore his heart was singing with happiness over this surprise. Alinawas here, Alina loved him, Alina was back.

And Alinawanted him, completely.

“You are…Without a doubt… The most beautiful woman I have ever seen, Alina.” Hewhispered and nuzzled his nose over hers before taking her hands within his andlacing them tight over her head, “No one and nothing can or will ever compareto you, sunshine.”

Alina’seyes fluttered for a moment. He eased into her, slowly, letting her decide howfar he could go. Alina took him in, sighing and smiling and nodding until hewas completely inside her. “That word… You keep calling me that… Oh, you feelso good…” She breathed, torn between two lines of thought, “Why do you call methat, Nikolai?”

He watchedthe lines of her face, the curves of her lips and whispered, “Because it’s whatyou are. Your smile, your presence in a room, your sense of humour.” He put histemple on hers, “You enter a room and everything just… illuminates.” He rolledhis hips slowly and a moan was on her lips.

She bit herlip, momentarily lost in the way he moved inside her. Then, “You’reexaggerating, Nikolai. I’m grumpy, not…” Her hold tightened on his when hemoved again, “Not illuminating.”

Hechuckled, “I’d say you’re both, sunshine.” He let go of her and began tracingher body. Fingertips moved over her curves and dips as he slowly memorized howsoft her skin felt against his, how sweet her scent was, how perfectly theyseemed to fit no matter what. He cupped her knee and lifted it up and Alinaquickly hooked her leg around him, rolling her hips with his.

“Oh…Nikolai…” A soft moan was pressed to his cheek as she circled his neck with herarms.

He bracedhimself and leaned away just a little. He wanted to see her, he needed to see her. She opened her eyesand smiled. White hair like a halo around her, Alina looked like a dream if hewas being honest with himself. And when it came to her… Nikolai couldn’t notbe.

“Hey…” Herasped, keeping his pace steady for a moment.

“Hey…” Herfingers played with his hair, “You’re rather…” A moan interrupted her, “Good atthis.”

A harderthrust was the initial reply, quickly followed by a smirk that was all kinds ofmischievous, “Thank you. You’re very good too, sunshine…” He furrowed hiseyebrows, and picked up the pace. Alina kept making all these wonderful sounds…He couldn’t wait much longer, not really.

Words werequickly replaced by moans, their eyes locked on each other’s as their rhythmgrew and grew. Alina dragged her nails down his back, her mouth open as yessescame and came and came. He could see it in the way her moans grew, he couldfeel it in the way their bodies just urged for speed. It was just a matter ofmoments, a matter of yet another thrust…

Alina criedout his name, the sound filling his heart to the very brim. She seemed to glow,her body shaken by her climax, her lips in a blissful smile. And then it came,his release. And Nikolai held nothing back, nothing. Her name, his love, thatfinal thrust. Nothing.

His arms shookhard and he leaned in to rest for a moment. Breathless as he was, Nikolai stillmanaged to call her, “Hey, sunshine…”

She playedwith his hair, though her touch was so feather-light she probably preferred tojust lie down and rest, “Hey, Nikolai…”

“I loveyou, Alina. Always have, in one way or another…” He said, his lips twitching ina shy smile.

Alina’sbreathing seemed to stop for a moment. “I love you too. Though I’m not sure ifI have always, always loved you. But you did grow on me, pretty early in ourrelationship.” Her voice grew fainter with each word, her eyes drooping withsleep.

He too wastired, worn to the very last drop after making love with Alina for what feltlike a lifetime. He sat up, carefully easing out of her. Alina complained alittle but she let go of him nevertheless, her strength just enough for someverbal bites. He kept her legs around his waist and pulled her up gently, “Holdon to me, sunshine. We’re going to bed now.”

She moanedin complaint, “No, I want to stay here. Let’s live here forever.”

“Thefireplace is quite nice and making love by it has probably been the mostromantic thing I’ve done, but the floor isn’t the best place to sleep on. Evenif,” He chuckled when she tried to shut him up with a kiss. Her lips justbrushed over his before she dropped her head on the crook of his neck andcalled him an insufferable git. “Like I was saying, even if the rug is fluffy,my bed is a much better place to sleep on.” He got up with effort but managedto do it in the end, “And maybe, once we’re fully rested… I suppose we could…Kiss some more.”

Alinahummed, “Kissing sounds good.”

“It does,it does…”

Alina’sbreathing began to slow down and Nikolai knew conversations were to be heldsometime later. Now… Now it was time to lie down and sleep. With Alina in hisarms, in his bed… Saints. It still felt like a dream. Even if he felt in everycell of his body that this was real, that everything that had happened since hewalked in and saw her standing there… That every little thing was real.

“I have toconfess this, sunshine…” He whispered once they were settled in and Alina’sbreathing was a deep and steady rise of her chest, “I might look dazed in themorning. I still… I still don’t quite believe this is really happening…”

Alinasnuggled up to him and a long sigh left her. “It’s real, Nikolai… I feel itvery much.” She moaned, still battling sleep somehow. “Both in every part of mybody and my heart…”

Nikolaichuckled, not really surprised she’d heard it all, “I will sleep better now, mylove. Goodnight, Alina.” He pressed a soft kiss to her crown, “I love you.”

She mumbledwhat was very likely “I love you too” but sounded like “I wub you’oo.”

The king ofRavka smiled as he settled down and pulled the covers over them. Dreams.Reality… Sometimes they seemed to walk hand in hand, huh? He felt the weight ofhis heart, full as it was with love and happiness. Alina had walked out of hisdreams, gotten a hold of his heart and settled in forever.

“Yes!” Shebeamed and honestly, looked like a million bucks. “Why weren’t you at theceremony?”

He sighed,his mood shifting a little, “I’m not allowed, Miss Darnel. You got away withone crime, I still have to pay for my few too many ones.”

A pout, avery lovely pout, “Still, it was just a ceremony, not a trip to space.” Shepaused, “Can I join?”

Bad ideaswere his favourite hobby. Just because of how attractive they were, not becauseof how they always got him in not-so-fun-spaces. And Cress Darnel joining himright now was… a terrible idea. But she looked so hopeful and beautiful today…“Sure.” He watched as she left the office and entered the ante-chamber. Throughthe small round window that separated that room from his, Thorne noticed shewore a lovely sundress. The off-white fabric was decorated all over with starsand constellations, all in lovely golden and navy threads. He remembered thatdress very well. She had it the first day of classes. It was his favourite.

Cressdropped her shoes and pressed the button, giggling with excitement as theante-chamber began to lose gravity. The door opened and she floated inside,going straight at him.

Her tinyframe collided with his in one surprising impact, emptying his lungs of allair, “Stars, Miss Darnel! A whole room and you make an attempt on my life?” Hesaid, trying to hold her a little away from him. He was… Well, he really didn’twant her to feel how happy his bodywas with the “attack”.

Cressflashed a playful smirk, “Please… that was hardly an attack. And call me Cress.You used to…” Her voice dimmed a little. Guilt tugged at his heartstrings.

“Hum, yesbut… We can’t.”

Deflatedand with an embarrassed blush on her cheeks, Cress let go of him and floatedaway, “I thought… Now that I’m not your student anymore…” Was that a sniff?Stars above, not even five minutes had passed and he had already made her cry.“I’ll leave if that’s what you want…”

“What? No!I’m sorry, Cress. I didn’t meant to…” He felt pathetic, swimming in nothing butair, as he tried his best to get to her before his stupidity did any moredamage, “I just… You just graduated. And I’m still working.” He reached her,cupped her chin and searched for her eyes, “You understand, right?” She nodded,“Look Cress, you’re too good for me. Us together during your training would beseen as unprofessional and me trying to distract you from a better life.”

Shesniffed, “Yeah, but I’m not a trainee anymore. I’m a graduated astronaut. I’mjust like you now.”

“Yes but…You graduated less than an hour ago. How would that look?”

“Like wewaited for the right time? Carswell…” He shuddered, his name a wonderfulwhisper on her lips, “I can’t stay away from you… Not anymore.”

-

Why was hebeing so stubborn now? Cress watched as his face went through many differentemotions, his blue eyes dark and secretive. The attraction had been mutual fromthe start, Cress having developed a tiny fangirl crush on him since two yearsbefore the actual meeting. World famous Carswell Thorne, best pilot NASA had.And also the best at breaking the law. Visiting forbidden areas, “borrowing” ashuttle for a quick trip to the stars, three different times. And the mostbeautiful man she had ever seen. Not only that, her hacking skills had shownher more than the public knew. Thorne wasn’t just NASA’s bad boy. Many of hisunsanctioned trips included taking meds and food to places in need of them. Hedidn’t know she knew that. To Thorne, Cress just knew what everyone else knew.It only made her feelings for him grow deeper, knowing this side of him that hekept so well hidden.

And then,they kissed.

After along day of classes, the two had somehow been unable to stay away from eachother and wound up in his room, making out for hours. To Cress’ eternalhappiness, the kissing continued for a month, until Thorne decided to breakthings off. “I’m your instructor, Cress. We can’t do this.”

“Yes, wecan. We just have to keep it secret!” She hadn’t understood why he wanted tobreak it off like that, it didn’t fit with him. Until he admitted the truth.

“I’m notgood enough for you, Cress. I’m a criminal. And far too old for you.”

“Fouryears. How’s that ‘far too old’?”

Thornehadn’t answered her, simply saying sorry again before leaving. Cress refused tolook his way for weeks after that. His reasoning, while in part making sense,was also ridiculous. But not long had passed until she’d stopped being mad athim. This was all because of their status here at the training facility. Shewould wait, she could wait.

-

“Thorne?”She called, noticing how he still hadn’t answered her confession.

He seemedto have been stuck a in a daydream, most likely in one similar to hers. “Yes?”Voice thick, eyes dark, Cress found it really hard to breathe normally in thatmoment.

“You… Youhaven’t…”

He cursedunder his breath and she felt his hands tightening around her waist, “I can’tstay away from you anymore either, Cress…” And then, before she could evenblink, he kissed her.

It was afierce kiss, a desperate press of the lips, mouth gliding over hers and goadinga moan out of her. Cress held fast to him, hands buried deep in his wonderfulhair, as she kissed him back and pulled his body closer and closer. It was as thoughthey were both dying for each other’s touch, each other’s kiss, each other’sbreath. Thorne pulled and teased her lower lip, tongue sliding in just as Cressbegan to tease him the same way.

Her headwas spinning so fast. One moment they were close to arguing, the next they werelike this, back to their wonderful make out routine. Except Cress wanted more,she had been aching for more for a very, very long time. “Thorne…” She moaned,head dropping back as he showered her neck and chest with hundreds offeather-light kisses. “I need you… Please…” Her heart thundered fast in herchest, beating to a rhythm she had yet to name. No, not really. She knew whatto name it… She was just… Stars, she needed to be sure. So sure.

“Oh Cress…Don’t do that to me, not here…” He seemed to be in pain, aching just as much asshe was.

“Why not?”She breathed, back against the padded wall.

Thorne’sfingers dug hard on her waist, never daring to wander lower, “Someone mightsee…” He groaned when she kissed his neck, “And I care too much about you to doit so soon… Stars, Cress…!” She tugged on the waistband of his pants andwatched delighted as Thorne tried his best to not give in to her.

She broughthis face back to hers and whispered into his lips, “I care about you just as much,Carswell… That’s exactly why I want to be with you right now.”

“Cress…” Herasped, unable to say anything else anymore.

“I loveyou, Carswell Thorne. And I want to be with you, right here, right now.” Wherehad she gotten all this gumption? In all honesty, she didn’t know, but itwasn’t important. What mattered was how she felt and how Carswell felt. Nothingelse.

“I love youtoo, Cress… Being apart has nearly… Killed me…” He rasped, words coming out inshort breaths, the young captain barely able to control himself.

“Thorne…”She pressed her lip to a corner of his lips, “Carswell…” She kissed his lowerlip, “My captain…” She breathed in his ear, daring him to not move.

Just oncue, Carswell cursed under his breath and dropped his hands to cup her backside.Cress gasped, surprised with the movement but happy nevertheless. “Everyonethinks you’re such a saint…” His hands moved lower, “So pure of heart…” Herdress was gone, “Clearly not one to seduce unsuspecting men in the middle of azero gravity chamber…” He tugged her panties down and Cress put both her handsunder his t-shirt, a moan on her lips as she slowly pulled it up, her centrepounding hard with anticipation, “Yet here we are, Cress…”

“I don’t goaround seducing unsuspecting men, Thorne…” She rasped, always loving the way heshuddered when she said his last name, “Only you… And… Oh…” Her thoughts brokewhen he dropped he head and planted kiss after kiss over her now exposedbreasts, her bra having disappeared somewhere with her dress, “I only did it becauseyou’re so… stubborn…” She dragged her hands up his toned torso, mind tornbetween savouring the hard muscle and enjoying his kisses.

With hist-shirt gone, Cress did quick work on his pants and boxers, eyes half-hooded asThorne let go of all his inhibitions and became once more that sensual lovershe knew he was. A loud gasp escaped her control when he brushed his thumb overher clit and groaned, “Stars, Cress… You’re so… Wet…” The words came out withdifficulty, as if he was holding something back, holding himself back.

“Please,Carswell… Please…” She begged, her body dying for his.

He partedher legs, “Right away, my wonderful Cress…” And eased into her, pulling herhips against his in one slow and torturous movement. The two lovers sighed, templeto temple, finally… Finally…

Cress movedfirst, rolling her hips against his slowly, savouring the way he fitted her soright, savouring the way his touch seemed to ignite her skin so easily,savouring the way his kisses were so tender and perfect and maddening. “Oh…Thorne… Yes, yes…” Moan after moan, Cress drowned in this moment, finallytasting what it was like to be this close to her Thorne, to her love. Oh, howshe loved him. So much! So much…!

Thorne heldher close, his body moving with hers as if this wasn’t their first timetogether, as if they’d spent their whole lives like this. Her name was a raspybreath, poured onto her skin between kisses and playful teases of the tongue,between thrusts that had her gasping loud and brushes of the nose. This wasmessy and cute and sexy and perfect and no one could ever convince Cress thatthere was another way to make love with the person you love with all yourheart. No other way. This, this was it, this silly dance, this sensual seriesof teases and thrusts, this wordless promise to one another.

“Cress…!”Thorne shuddered, her name a growl in the back of his throat.

That growlwas enough to have her tipping off the edge as well, her blood boiling tonothing, her body burning to cinders, her very soul burning brighter andbrighter with love and lust and completeness. “Thorne… Oh… Thorne… I love you…”She uttered, trying to catch her breath, head on the crook of his neck.

“I love youtoo, Cress… So much…” He answered, his voice just as raw and breathless ashers. A hand moved up and down her back, caressing her skin with just thefingertips, sending tiny shivers trickling up and down her spine, up and down,up and down.

The zerogravity made their embrace last much longer, but before long, Cress found herselfbeing drawn away from her captain. She pouted, a tiny whimper making her liptremble, “Please, no.”

Thornechuckled and passed a hand through her hair, tugging away blonde curls thatinsisted on falling to her eyes, “We should leave now, someone might come inand see us.”

“We didnothing wrong.” She said, not really believing her own words.

His smirkwas all kinds of mischievous, which only made it harder for her to get backinto her floating clothes, “Oh, but I think others will disagree, Miss Darnel.We just had hot sex in a zero gravity chamber that is used for classes. Withthe intercom probably still on.” He pulled his t-shirt back on and winked ather, “Plus, as fun as this is, I enjoy my bed much more. For one, it hassheets.”

Begrudginglyshe agreed, “You’re right…”

“And I’llmake you my wonderful hot cocoa.” He promised as they stepped through theante-chamber, their feet now safely on the ground.

Cresssnorted, “The only thing you can make!”

Thornestopped, hand to his chest in mock offense, “I… Take that back, Cress. I assureyou, my cooking is very good!”

“Right,burned to a crisp?”

He pushed abutton and the door opened, “I’ll have you know, that during this year we’vebeen in a solely professional relationship, I have learned how to cook… and bake!”

Cressstopped by the monitoring office door and shot him a look, “Are you serious?”

Thornestepped closer and pulled her into his embrace, “I swore I’d be a better manfor you, Cress. The process has included learning how to be on my own withouttake-away food.”

She bitback a smile, remembering how he’d promised to use all of his criminalmastermind skills to become a man worthy of her, “Only that?”

He rolledhis eyes, “I have also joined a special program to see if I can reduce mygrounded sentence.”

“So we cango see the stars together?” She couldn’t help it, the most earnest smile shehad bloomed forth.

He nodded,“If all goes to plan, I might be able to join you in six months.”

“You’llhave to follow the rules a lot this time. You hate that.”

A groan, “Iknow… But if that’s what it takes to be where I belong and with who I belong…So be it.”

Cressbeamed, “I love you, oh criminal mastermind.”

“But… Yousaid you couldn’t be any sooner than tomorrow.” She said, eyebrows drawn inconfusion.

His smileturned a little mischievous, “Well, I said that in case my plan failed. As youcan see, it didn’t.”

Her eyesgrew twice their size, “You lied?!”

“So I couldsurprise you, Scarlet.” He offered a sheepish smile before pecking her lipswith a (hopefully) placating kiss.

She didn’tkiss back. Instead, she pulled back and glared at him, “Surprise?”

He nodded,“Yes, I know you wanted to come so I thought… I’d return sooner than plan andsurprise you. You… You didn’t like the surprise?” His voice turned meek.

Scarletinstantly regretted her lack of positive reaction on the surprise, “No! I didlike it! I loved it! I just… Well, I didn’t expect this kind of surprise,that’s all.”

Reliefwashed over him, “I missed you so much.”

“I missedyou too.”

She leanedin and kissed him. The rough touch of his stubble grazed her skin, surpriseover it making her stumble through the kiss. Ze’ev mumbled an apology which shequickly drank as she deepened the kiss. Hands lost in his hair, legs tightaround his body, Scarlet made sure all of her was all over him. She’d missedhim, so much her heart had dulled out. Pale colour, slow blood, lazy beating.His absence had been overwhelming and she hadn’t even noticed until now, untilher body was pressed hard against his and she was becoming surer and surer thather husband was back home, back to her.

“Stars…” Hegroaned when she drew a line of kisses down his neck and back up again, “Imissed you… Scar… Oh, Scar…!” She rolled her hips, a warmth she knew very wellpooling between her thighs as she felt how much Ze’ev had missed her.

“I wantyou, right now. I need…” She took a shuddered breath, “I need to be sure you’rereally back.”

Ze’evnodded, his voice lost amidst all her kisses and touches. It didn’t take himlong before finding a lovely grassy patch, where he laid her down with infinitegentleness and began to peel her clothes off. “I’m here, Scarlet… Always…” Hispromise was a hot whisper against her skin as he kissed every bit he couldkiss.

He touchedher centre and she arched her back, a moaned yes on her gasping lips. A caress,a soft touch to her clit and Scarlet was gasping loud, moan after moan aftermoan. Past lovers had needed to do plenty to get her like this, but Ze’ev… HerZe’ev… His gentle touch, his soft caresses… That was all he needed. That wasall she needed.

“I’m gladthis botanic garden is ours, Scar…” He rasped between kisses, his lips teasinghers with tiny feather-like pecks, “Complaints will be thrown right at us.” Hesaid, a hearty chuckle breaking his speech.

“That jokeis very bad, Ze’ev.” She breathed, yet her chuckle betrayed her words.

He touchedher once. Her body took him. A shudder went through his body and he easedcompletely into her. “It’s the best I could do when staring at the mostbeautiful woman in this universe.” He said, his voice full of love and wonder.

Her eyesfluttered closed as she savoured the sensation of having him inside her oncemore. And then, her heart fluttered as his words lit her up from within. Whileshe wasn’t ashamed of her curves, plenty of past lovers had pointed them out inless than wonderful ways. Ze’ev, however… He’d always looked at her as if shewas a goddess walking the Earth. “I love you, Wolf.”

He began tomove, “I love you too, Red.” And then all words died out, quickly replaced bymoans and gasps and groans as they moved together. Ze’ev rolled his hips slowlyat first, making sure Scarlet didn’t miss any second of it, but soon theirrhythm picked up.

Scarletcaught his lips in a fierce kiss, her hands wrapped around his muscular back ashe rocked his hips harder and harder. Her tongue was hungry, having missed himjust as much as Scarlet had, and played with his. Moans where traded, gaspswere let out, and their rhythm grew and grew and grew…

SoonScarlet had to break the kiss, if only just so she could cry out a string ofyesses and mores. She was close, so close to coming undone. One more thrust,one more and she would be done for. Done for, yes.

Yes.

Yes!

YES!

Her screamechoed throughout the garden, scaring off birds that hanged close by. And thenZe’ev joined her, screaming her name once before dropping his head on the crookof her neck.

Breathlessand exhausted, Scarlet played with his hair, “That was… Incredible.”

Ze’evchuckled and nodded, “Yes, great welcome home… party.”

She laughedthen, as much as she could when every part of her body was dead with herclimax’s strength, “Now that… That was a good joke.”

A sheepish smile tugged on his lips, “Sex in the shower is very unsafe, Leia.”

As if to counter his words, she slid down the wall and settled on the farthest corner of her shower, “Better?”

Han’s eyes twinkled with desire and humour, “Clever.” He stepped into the shower and joined her on the floor. His hand brushed lightly her skin, tracing the outer lines of her thigh and waist before settling on her cheek, “You are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” He whispered against her lips, his breath teasing her with an ungiven kiss.

“You’re just saying that because were naked and in the shower.” She rasped, fully aware he said that every other moment. Dating Han had certainly been an unexpected experience. She’d expected a smooth talker and lover, but Han Solo had been nothing but a goofy boyfriend that yearned to do nothing but make her roll her eyes and smile at his silly jokes. Of course, there was the sex too, but she was sure that was just the added bonus.

Han shook his head and reached for the shower controls to rinse the shampoo off of her hair, “No, I think that about you always. Especially,” His hands weaved through her hair in long and slow strokes, massaging her scalp with an overwhelming tenderness, “When you’re up there, at the Senate, battling your way through mindless senators that still think with their wallets instead of their brains or hearts.”

“I didn’t know that turned you on.” She moaned, deep in the sensation of his hands on her body.

“When you call me nerf-herder also turns me on, just so you know.”

“Should I call you that now?”

“That depends…” His voice trailed off and the shower was turned off. “Will calling me that turn you on?”

She rolled her eyes and leaned in for a kiss, “If you kiss me, it will.”

“Then maybe you can call me nerf-herder once or twice.” He said and kissed her.

Cupping her nape, Han pulled her into his embrace with a groan that was quick to turn on every bit of Leia’s body that wasn’t turned on already. Her body seemed to coil up in anticipation, already listing down every moan and gasp it had to produce just to live up to how Han made her feel. Blindly, but with care, Han eased her onto him, a hand cupping her backside during her descent.

Leia’s hands explored his muscled torso as her eyes drooped with lust and her head dropped back. She moved her hips with a moan and smiled hard when Han’s groan came out to meet her. “You feel so good, Han… So… good…” She said, rolling her hips against his, savouring the way his hard length seemed to hit all the right buttons.

Han cursed under his breath and leaned into her, a hand rushing forward as he scrambled for something to hold onto. Water dripped on them and laughter broke through her moans. Han groaned, though this time the sound was more of annoyance and of pleasure, “I seemed to have turned on the stream… Oh, Leia…” His annoyance was quickly washed away when she traced his jaw with long and burning kisses.

She picked up the pace with a louder moan and rested her forehead against his, already a little too lost in their embrace to be able to focus on more than the movements of their hips. “That’s all right, Han… Yes, yes… So good… I like it, the stream that is.” She chuckled and clawed at his back when a particular thrust almost sent her flying off the edge. Oh stars, if they kept this up she would cry his name so loud everyone in the building would know exactly what she had done before breakfast. For some reason, she didn’t really mind that.

“Holy… Leia…!” His hold on hers tightened for a brief moment.

She smirked, making sure he felt it against his skin, “Thank you, Han.”

“Oh you…” Han started to counter her joke, but then, in that moment, she rolled her hips with perfect timing and the world melted away to nothing, her body clenching around his.

She cried out his name.

He cried out hers.

And she swore everyone in the whole city had heard them.

–

Han brushed her hair off her face and pulled it into a simple braid, his eyes still shining with the after-glow of their morning routine.

Leia hummed and closed her eyes, savouring the way his rough hands felt so perfect against her scalp. No one else ever touched her hair, not after she’d found out how good it felt when Han did it for her. He wasn’t as skilled as her appointed handmaiden, but when she had no patience for intricate hairstyles, she knew Han wouldn’t fail her.

“Do you want me to go as well?” He said after a long and comfortable silence.

She opened her eyes and looked at his reflection, “No, you can go tinker with the Falcon while I’m there.”

“Sure you don’t want your rogue-looking husband to help sending hate at those idiots at the Senate?” He said, his playful smirk seeping into his words.

“No, because I might just kiss you in front of them just to spite them.”

This time his laughed, “That might be a good idea, actually.”

“Shut up, Han.” She watched her finished braid and pulled it into a low bun. Han watched in silence until she got up and put on her coat. She pulled him in for a quick kiss. That quickly grew into something slow and capable of burning off her clothes. She smacked him lightly, a blush colouring her cheeks, “I really have to go now.”

“Of course, your worshipness. I’ll see you at lunch?”

Her gaze flickered to his pants and she smiled, “Only if you have lunch ready.”

“Of course I will.”

“I thoughtyou didn’t want me, solnishka…” His voice, though hard and cold, betrayed hurtand longing. A deep longing, a kind of longing she knew very well.

Her handfound his, “I thought so too. But I was wrong, and even if I’m not… Denyingmyself this, you… us… It would killme faster than this stupid war.” Her confession was barely a raspy breath. Butit was the truth, the honest and most raw truth she had to give him.

“Are youhere for a moment or…?” He asked, his voice having grown thick and shaky at theedges. Her words had thrown him off balance, a surprise the Darkling had neverseen coming.

“I wantyou, to be with you…”

His posturehardened, “But you won’t.”

“I can’t.” she corrected, “Not while thiswar lasts, anyway.” She turned in his embrace and placed both hands on hischest, feeling the hardened muscle hot beneath the silk shirt he wore, “Promiseme this, Aleksander; that we’ll find a way to be together, without needing toplay this war any longer.”

“We’re notthe only ones playing this war, Alina. Just wishing it away won’t solve theproblems that run deep in this land.”

A desperatesound formed in her throat, “But together! Together we can make a change! Yousaid so, Aleksander. We are two sides of the same coin, we belong together. Andtogether we could do anything.” Herbreaths were laboured loud gasps as urgency took over her. She took a breath,“I love you, Aleksander.”

He froze.And with reason, after all… Hadn’t she always made sure he knew theirrelationship was purely physical? A tumble in the haystack, to let out somesteam, to satisfy their needs. Didn’t she always leave shortly after the deedwas done? The only times she stayed were always when they had worked each otherto exhaustion. Or when she needed more than one time.

“What areyou saying, Alina?” He rasped.

“My kingdomand yours. Our forces combined… We can outnumber the King.”

“Betray myally? The only one to answer my people’s plight?”

“You saidso yourself, you do not believe in him anymore. The soldiers have lost faith,he’s grown too unstable. His alliance doesn’t bring much to your peopleanymore. Didn’t this war start because of a whim of his? Weren’t you pulledinto this because of a shady debt?” She took a breath, ready for the lastoffer, the thing he wanted the most, “And you’ll have my land. Wasn’t that whatyou always wanted? A kingdom blooming with life, for your people to thrive in?It’s a far better offer than the rationed supplies your ‘ally’ offers you.”

Aleksanderremained silent. Aching to see him, to see his face and read whatever was goingon inside his head, Alina summoned a wink of light, tiny but enough toilluminate his face. What she saw took away her breath. His eyes, so silver, sobright… They burned with pain. Utter and raw pain. “Aleksander…?”

“I wantedmy land to be alive again. And then… I wanted you, Alina. I still want you.Don’t you ever dare to say all I want is to conquer someone’s land.” He shookhis head, “I love you, Alina. You areall I want.”

Her lipsparted but no words came out. This wasn’t exactly what she had expected to hearfrom him. This… refusal? It sure sounded that much and it threw her off. Sheblinked, still tuck in silence.

Aleksanderseemed to take this as the answer he wanted, because the next moment he waspulling her in for a kiss. It began just like all their other kisses began. Aviolent press of the lips, mouth against mouth, fighting for dominance. Lipsparted, his tongue quickly explored hers and a moan grew on her throat. Fast,loud, borderline obscene.

But unlike alltheir other kisses that quickly led to sex, this one slowed down. Where therewere fast and hard pulls of her lip, now Aleksander massaged her swollen skininto a slower kiss, a tender touch. A soft groan, a sound she had never reallyheard before, was out of him when she answered his plea. Hand buried in hishair, the other holding onto his chest, time seemed to hold still and allowAlina to notice all the nuances to this kiss.

Aleksanderleaned into her, not for a full feel of her body but to deepen the kiss itself,to taste her breath, to savour her moans. His hands held her close, palmsspread across her lower back. The heat of his body seemed enough to ignite allof her being, lighting her up in a way that no one else could ever. His lipsmoved against hers in a slow dance, goading her into replying in kind, time andtime again. Soft gasps and moans were drawn out of her, none quite like theloud cries she always let out during their heated sessions.

When hebroke the kiss and Alina took a gulp of fresh air – did she really need it?When she had his? – Aleksander spoke for the first time since the kiss hadbegun, “Saints, Alina… Are you sure of this? Do you really think it will work?”His voice was just a rasp, his breath hot on her cheek as he brushed his noseover her cheek and sent tingles spreading through her skin, “If you do… You canhave my armies, my allegiance. You can have me forever. I’m yours to keep,yours to do whatever you wish. So long…” He took a shuddering breath, “So longas I’m yours…”

Alina triedto speak for a moment, nothing but unintelligible sounds after this surprisingkiss of his. Then, she shook her head, “What about your people?”

“They willbe yours.”

“Ours.”

A softsmile tugged on his lips, “Ours.”

“So?”

“So…”

“You andI?” He really was accepting her proposal? It felt like a dream, like awonderful dream she only dared to dream in the darkest and quietest of nights.When no one could ever guess who and what she longed so dearly for.

“Forever,solnishka. If that is your wish…”

“It is,Aleksander. It is…”

His eyesflashed, love and excitement burning bright in them, and Aleksander took her inhis arms. With an ease that still surprised her now, he took her to his deskand laid her down before misting her clothes away in one flick of the wrist. Heseemed to be in a rush now. His smile turned wolfish and his eyes shined withdesire as he slowly took in the sight of her small frame, lying there completelynaked and breathless. Just like their first time together. It was even the samedesk.

She rose aneyebrow, trying to keep some semblance of control, and lazily drew a fingeralong her chest, “Aleksander…” She whispered and watched as his eyes followedher finger and grew hungry, “I hope you’re not just going to stand there andwatch…”

A growl washer answer and soon he was free of his clothes as well. He climbed on top ofher and cupped her breasts, squeezing them softly until Alina’s eyes were shutand her mouth open and gasping. She felt his lips on her skin, burning straightto the bone as he kissed and teased and bit and kissed again. He moved up, up,up. And kissed her neck until she was dizzy with pleasure. And he moved down,down, down. Aleksander captured a nipple between his teeth and played with it,sucking and teasing it until Alina was nothing but a breathless puddle. Shecursed under her breath when he coiled up, parted her legs without any preambleand slipped a finger between her folds.

He hummedas if he’d just found an interesting species of animal, “My Alina… You’re sowet already…? Hmm…” He swirled his finger, her back arched, a moan broke free.“So deliciously wet… Should I take a bite or…?” He pulled out a little andwaited for her whimper before curling it, “Should I go for the whole cakealready?”

Love. Sure,she loved him. The one person she was certain to be her soul mate. Bound inties much deeper and ancient than anything she’d ever seen. But she also hatedwhen he played her this way, so easily it was embarrassing.

She cursed,“Lick me clean, if that means I’ll have you inside me faster, Aleksander. Butdo it fast or I’ll rethink my proposal.”

Hislaughter was dark and alluring and oh, so perfect. This wonderful sound, shewould sacrifice anything for it to never cease to exist. “Lick you clean?” Hehummed and leaned in. When he spoke again, his breath was right on her innerthigh, “I think I’ll do just that.” And then she felt it. The tip of his tongueand a swirl. One, single swirl. A full heartbeat passed before he did it again.And then… another pause. Alina was already halfway over the edge, ready to fallinto a million pieces, and Aleksander… was stretching time.

She wasabout to threaten to leave when he sat up, “You are delicious, Alina. Without adoubt, but tonight… tonight I’ll have the whole cake right away. I want to comeundone with you, to tie our souls together, bound forever…” He rasped, hisbreath moving up with his hands. Palms on her sides, he felt her skin on hisway up, up, up. Until his mouth was just a breath away from hers, “We are goingto change this world, Alina…” He said, and sank into her in one fast thrust.

Alina criedout, nails digging on his back, and nodded fast, “Yes. Yes… Yes, Aleksander!”She rolled her hips in earnest and before long her lover and future husband wasmoving with her. With each roll of the hips their breathing grew shallower,their skins hotter, their rhythm faster. Temple to temple, Alina and Aleksanderheld each other’s gaze as they made love, his thrusts fast and slick andperfectly timed. With her legs wrapped tight around him and her eyes staringstraight into his soul, Alina knew this wasn’t just another session of sex.

Oh no, itwas something else.

This… Thiswas what epic love stories were built on.

Thissymphony of sounds, this dance of hips, this fire that burned under their skinsand deep in their hearts. This light that seemed to bloom between them… Shewanted to freeze this moment and tuck it in her heart, in its most securecorner, safe and sound forever.

“Alina… Oh,Alina…!” His eyebrows were drawn in deep concentration and Alina knew he wasclose to coming undone. He moved faster, as if unable to wait any longer forthat one moment of pure bliss. And her body happily took all of him, all ofhim.

As hisrelease came and he thrust into her once more, Alina felt her own world tipover. His name loud on her lips, his heart tucked deep in her chest right nextto hers, Alina came undone just as he did, just as it was meant to be.

Her skinglowed, her powers at their fullest after this one perfect climax. She peckedhis lips and watched as Aleksander tried his damnedest to bring back hisshadows. Just like her, his power got loose in these moments. She loved to seeit this way, but Aleksander hated to let it roam so freely. It was a sign oflack of control. A hand on his cheek, she whispered, “Hey… Let it. Let it,Aleksander… I always love it when our powers weave together like this.”

Aleksanderhesitated and then, finally, relaxed a little. His shadows released. And theyswarmed around them, playing with the sea of golden light that seemed to justpour out of Alina. His gaze followed the dance and Alina swore he was jealous.“Our powers enjoy the fun for much longer than us, Alina…”

Shechuckled, “Well, technically they’re us so…” She shrugged, “I’m still enjoyingyou very much.” For emphasis, she wiggled under him and smiled openly when hegrunted in pain.

“I’m alittle spent right now, solnishka. Wait just a moment before teasing me thisway.”

Her smileonly grew, “I’m not going anywhere, Aleksander.”

“I won’tlet you, not now that we’re bound, at last.” His gaze turned soft and tender,“I never thought…” He took a breath, “I never thought I’d love anyone the way Ilove you, Alina. Never thought I’d willingly take a bond I’d only heard of instories.”

She pulledhim down and give him a sweet kiss, “I never thought I’d do it either,Aleksander. Until I met you. My love, my soul.”

He shut hiseyes and sighed, “My soul, my love.”

“We willbring peace to our lands and we will have a chance at happiness. Together.” Shesaid, her tone solemn.

Aleksanderchuckled, “I am already quite happy, Alina. Only peace left to achieve.”

She laughedopenly, “Only!”

He kissedher, “Yes. It’ll be easy, now that we’re together.”

“I know. Ilove you, Aleksander.”

“I love youtoo, my Alina. My sun.”

-