Loved by Light (Wings, Wands and Soul Bonds Book 4) Read online

  Then she closes her eyes and her true form withdraws, and I do the same. When her eyes open, she lets out a pent-up breath, seeing us as human again.

  “That was cool. But…”

  “It’s better like this,” I say, and she nods in response. “More familiar.”

  Then I lower myself, our lips crashing as my tongue pleasures the inside of her mouth, owning and teasing as nothing but our unstoppable love and desire burns between us.

  And when I pull away, I spread her legs, eager to taste her arousal and devour her with my tongue.

  Liz moans loudly as I suck lightly on her clit. My heart is practically bursting at the seams as I stroke and lick without hesitation.

  Even when I fought the thought that I could have a soul bond, I knew it was Liz the moment she looked up at me from inside her rundown car that night.

  And now, as I look up at her, body squirming against the bed in sheer pleasure while I torture her toward the edge, I feel only excitement for our future.

  “Close…” Liz says on a ragged breath, her voice husky as I continue to lap up her juices, my hands on her hips, steadying her.

  Then, with one more stroke, she’s coming, back arching as she screams unintelligible words. I continue to hold her, watching as she rides out the entirety of her release even as my entire body tenses with arousal at the sight of her.

  Even though we’ve had long nights of love and pleasure together over the past week, every time still feels like the first with her. Every moment my new favorite memory. Every sight of her like this etched into my memory anew.

  Having come down from her release, Liz looks up at me expectantly, excitedly.

  And when I tilt her hips and slide my length into her wet, tight sheath, every muscle along my back and legs twitches with arousal and Liz mewls in pleasure.

  Even at the edge, we’re both hungrier than ever. Hungry for each other. Hungry for the other’s pleasure.

  And as I start to move, Liz moves with me, our bodies sliding together in a familiar but new way. Each time I thrust my cock inside, my body gets hotter, my core gets tighter.

  Liz is so beautiful, eyes glazed as each rhythmic motion takes her higher and higher. But even through it, she pushes her hips up to meet me faster, increasing our arousal even more each moment.

  My body is on fire, and I lean down to claim her mouth once more. She moans against my lips before I kiss her ear, her neck, her cheek. My hand is cupping the back of her neck, her thick hair teasing my palm as I use my other hand to keep myself propped up on the bed.

  I’m so close. She’s so close. The world is getting tinier around us. My vision narrows, and all I can hear are the sounds of slickness and skin on skin, along with our rapid, harried breaths.

  “I’m… com—” Liz doesn’t get a chance to finish her sentence as I thrust all the way into her one last time to send us tumbling into release.

  And when she comes, it’s as though the world is falling apart around us as she screams my name and I call out hers in tandem.

  Our arms are wrapped around each other so we’re chest to chest, joined in every possible human way, and the pulsing, tightening sensations coursing through my soul bond send me immediately over the edge.

  Bright lights smatter my vision behind darkened, closed eyes as the sound and feel of Liz’s release only makes me come harder than ever before. And each wave of shock and sensation that moves over and through her skin just sends extra aftershocks through my body from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.

  And when we’re finished, gasping for breath, our bodies wrapped around each other, I just take a moment to marvel at the sight and feel of Liz around me.

  I bring up a hand to cup her cheek and kiss Liz one more time.

  “Thank you for being the light in my life, Ian,” she whispers, spent and pleasured and all mine forever and ever.

  “Thank you for showing me joy and hope can exist even when things are the darkest, Liz,” I reply.

  “That’s the easiest part, when you get to be loved by light like I am.”

  And as we hug, holding on tight to the future we hold in each other’s arms, I make a note in my head for the beginning of what will be the most wonderful existence I never thought I deserved.

  Day one of my life with my soul bond.

  Epilogue

  Ian

  “I just thought I should bring him here for an apology,” the oracle says, looking at me with those twinkling purple eyes that make me feel instantly at peace.

  Sometimes I think it would be good if someone like her were in the fae world, mitigating between the various factions as she does for shifters on Earth.

  I do feel a bit bad for Dallin, though, as he looks even more than usual as if someone spit in his breakfast.

  He’s in a blue-check button-up, his huge shoulders hunched, his beard well-groomed for once, dark jeans tucked into work boots.

  His turquoise eyes meet mine, and instead of flashing anger, I see reluctance and perhaps even a little shame.

  There’s an iron bracelet with thin but sturdy links on his wrist. I’m guessing it’s like a suppressor, but for dragons.

  The oracle sees me looking at it and nods proudly. “I used to use collars on the awakened dragons, but I think these will be a bit more inconspicuous and allow me to communicate with these dragons better as they explore the world.”

  “So what’s going to happen now?” I ask.

  “First, an apology,” she says, looking at Dallin.

  Dallin grunts, glaring at her. “He agreed to—”

  She glares back, and he sighs, rubbing at his wrist.

  “I’m sorry, Ian. For trying to force you to kill yourself and everyone around you,” he says flatly. His eyes rise to meet mine. “Do you forgive me?”

  “I do,” I say. “You stopped Ultraviolet. I’m not sure if the whole thing makes you bad or good, but I know you care about your friends and other dragons. I guess it’s up to you what you do from here.” I smile. “In the future, if you get better, I would not mind considering us friends.”

  He nods, looking grateful, then goes back to avoiding eye contact.

  “He and the others will be given the same deal I gave the last group of unruly dragons who showed up in the human world. They were from medieval times, while these are from the fae world, but either way, they’ll have to prove they’re a good addition to our world.”

  “How?” Liz asks, bringing over a cup of coffee for me. The oracle already has one, and Dallin turned his down.

  “By protecting dragon hearts,” she says. “Dragons always bond with dragon hearts.”

  “How does that work with him being part fae?” Liz asks, looking at Dallin as she sits next to me, her hand on my knee.

  Every time she touches me, it’s like the sun rises in my heart another time.

  “It’s not so different,” the oracle says. “After all, most beacons come from radiant blood. Radiant fae were chased out by light fae long ago due to being incompatible with their thirst for power. They also tended to show mercy to chaos fae. Thus, they often have a target on their backs.”

  Liz nods. “So I’m part radiant? Dallin said something about that.”

  “Yes.” The oracle nods. “Though you’re mainly a darkness fae, you have some radiant blood in your ancestry. You can see it in the extra kindness you feel, and the bad luck that often follows radiant fae, due to that kindness. Radiant power can often pair with another, more dominant power. Anyway, while we haven’t called them beacons, we’ve known about women with latent radiant powers in our world for some time. We just call them dragon hearts.”

  Liz gasps. “Wait, I know about this. Dragons usually mate with them and share powers…”

  “It depends on what kind of dragon blood is in Dallin,” the oracle says. “We know at least emerald blood, but we’re not sure of the rest. There are all different kinds of dragons, and we’ll figure out a place for him and the others, I’m sure.” She smil
es. “Dragons are kind of my specialty.”

  “For what it’s worth,” I say. “I think Dallin’s heart was in the right place. And I don’t blame him for wanting revenge.”

  “Well, he has to learn to channel his feelings in a different direction,” she says. “That’s for certain.”

  “What will happen to Ultraviolet?” Liz asks.

  The oracle frowns. “That’s an unfortunate situation. No fae should have ever been put in that position. I guess we’ll have to wait until she shows up and deal with her then. But if she really wanted to hurt you, she would have. And glamour is more about deception and hiding than about attacking, as you saw.”

  Liz nods. “I just… felt so bad for her.”

  “Don’t,” the oracle says. “One day, she’ll realize she has powers beyond comprehension if she’s willing to do the work to face what she has been through.”

  I nod. “Makes sense.”

  “I think one of the dragons has a bit of a crush on her,” the oracle says.

  Dallin lets out a snort. “Landon’s half out of his mind, that’s for sure.”

  “Landon?” I ask.

  “The name we’ve given the dragon you found in the basement.”

  “The one Ultraviolet freed?” Liz asks.

  The oracle nods.

  “He kept asking who that pretty woman was,” Dallin says. “I hate to see his face when we explain more or she shows up again.”

  “Who knows?” The oracle shrugs. “Either way, the future looks exciting. So did you decide who would rule in the fae world?”

  “We’re still working things out there,” I say. “Flynn, Brett, and Tanner have been back and forth. I think we are going to work out a rotation where a fae prince from each kingdom meets to discuss issues and ensure fairness. No top-to-bottom dynamic again. Though, some things will stay the same. Dark fae still love being at the head of the battle. Ice fae like to take on stronger enemies. And some things will need to change. The fire kingdom needs help and for other kingdoms to stop exploiting it.” I rest my hand on my cheek. “But now that everything has been brought out into the open, at least we have a chance at fixing it.”

  “So none of you are going to rule?” The oracle looks amused.

  I shake my head. “I think we all have become fond of Earth and plan to split our time between there and here. Except for me.” I squeeze Liz’s hand with my free one. “I think the human world is the place for me.”

  “In that case, I have a job for you if you’re willing,” the oracle says, straightening as Dallin looks slightly alarmed.

  “What is it?” I ask, taking my hand off my face and looking over at Liz.

  “I need someone to keep an eye on the dragons. Someone who can help them with adjusting to the human world. You’ve done a good job with that. You could also help them with fae powers.”

  Liz cracks her knuckles. “And probably keep them in line.” She glares at Dallin, and I can tell she still hasn’t quite forgiven him.

  He grimaces. “I’m sorry, Liz. You’ll never know how much.”

  “Darn,” she says, dropping her hands. “You make it hard to stay angry.”

  I look over at her. “So you think we’re up for it?”

  “I think so,” Liz says. “And we can always call on the others if we need to consult on other powers.”

  “Do I get a say in this?” Dallin asks glumly.

  “No,” everyone answers in unison. Then we laugh.

  Dallin sighs, but I can see a twinkle in his eyes despite his frown. Something like hope.

  I’m willing to forgive him just as I’m willing to forgive myself.

  Letting go of the past is necessary to keep moving into the future. And with that bracelet, he isn’t going to do us any harm.

  I can tell the anger in him has faded to something softer, something that can hopefully be worked into a productive life and not just blind vengeance.

  “Stop thinking about me,” Dallin says. “I can hear you.”

  The oracle swats at his shoulder. “I told you not to read minds. It’s rude.”

  “Yeah, yeah, still getting used to that,” Dallin says. “They’re so loud.”

  “Right,” the oracle says. “The dragons can read minds, most of them anyway. We’re still figuring out if their blood is from ancient dragons or modern dragons or both. Either way, it should be a fun mystery.”

  “I won’t be anyone’s experiment again,” Dallin hisses.

  “What about someone’s happy ending?” She grins at him.

  “What?” He straightens slightly, looking hopeful.

  “Dragon hearts,” she says. “Radiant beacons. Same thing. You find them because they have good hearts. And they’re hunted, whether it’s by chaos fae or the bad elements in our world. You can do good things here.”

  Dallin simply nods, looking satisfied by that.

  “You’ll have to live with them,” she says, standing and waving her arm to make a swirling portal.

  I wonder if she knows that Vexxus can do that as well.

  “I’ll find a mansion somewhere safe but not too far from an urban area, and then I’ll be in touch. For now, discuss things with your mate.”

  “Soul bond,” I say.

  “Love is love,” she says, cocking her head and smiling at me.

  Then she holds out a hand for Dallin and pulls him through the portal with her.

  He’s so hulking he has to bend to get in.

  When they’re gone, I look over at Liz and let out a breath of pent-up tension.

  “So what do you think? I know you’re angry at Dallin.”

  “I think it sounds fun,” she says. “Like an adventure.”

  “I can’t wait to tell the others,” I say. “When they’re back from the fae world. They’ll love having an excuse to get involved in more action on Earth.”

  She nods, walking forward to open the sliding door that leads to the balcony.

  It’s late evening, and the sun is casting rays over the grass, which is swaying in the cool breeze. Above the nearby buildings, orange rays shoot out against a purple sky.

  And I let out a sigh.

  I love this time of night between daylight and darkness.

  As Liz lifts on her toes, wrapping her arms around me, and I lean down to close my lips over hers, warmth floods through me.

  Together, we’ll face blinding sunlight and midnight darkness, and I look forward to both as long as she’s by my side.

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