"We loved with a
love that was more
than love."

~~Edgar Allen Poe

****************

~Nevada~

After an afternoon filled with more meditation followed up by beginner level physical combat training, I was exhausted. I had never been particularly out of shape but being a bookworm the majority of my life, I wasn't exactly known for my workout regimen.

I had slugged my way through a shower, my muscles burning from the abnormal amount of exertion they had just endured. I didn't bother trying to get dressed, tugging a worn oversized shirt over my head that fell mid thigh and pulling a pair of cotton panties up my legs before I had collapsed in bed. The sun hadn't set yet and I hadn't had dinner but my body didn't care. The moment my head hit the pillow, I was out.

I woke a few hours later, my bedroom dark and stars peeked at me from the sky as I blinked up at my window. My stomach rumbled loudly, reminding me how empty it was. Stretching, I dragged myself out of bed, grimacing slightly at the ache in my leg muscles. 

I better look great when this is over with, I thought sourly as I left my room.

The house was quiet, the hallway lit dimly by a single small lamp sitting on a small table in the middle. Frowning, I wondered how late it was and if everyone else was in bed. August hadn't been there when I woke up so I had assumed he was patrolling again. He had informed me after I had finished my training for the day that Nova had called to say they would be home tomorrow.

Good, Nova can finally suffer with me, I mentally grumbled as I entered the foyer.

The living room was empty, the television off and the grandfather clock told me it was almost midnight. Yawning, ignoring the uneasiness I felt at being alone in this ginormous house, I headed to the kitchen in search of… something. 

The fridge was nearly empty, except for a weird lump of cheese and half a box of orange juice. The cabinets didn't hold anything particularly appealing either. Scowling, I tossed a hot pocket in the microwave.

After I finished, I threw my trash away, feeling even grumpier than I had before. August still hadn't showed up and I hated feeling like everyone had left me by myself. Maybe they had, I had no idea where anyone else was. Stomping back to my room like an angsty teenage girl, I unintentionally slammed the door behind me before flopping face first on my bed.

I was miserable and lonely, and god was I horny. Never in my life had I felt like this and it was driving me mad. Was this what most couples dealt with after finding their mate? I had always assumed it was basically instantaneous. Meet, fall in love, have sex, build a life, wasn't that how it worked in the movies and all the books I had read? 

Of course real life isn't like your books, Nevada. That's why they're called 'Fiction'!, I corrected myself irritably. 

My body was still sore and a bit tired, but my mind was too awake for me to even attempt to go back to sleep. Sighing, I drug myself away from my bed and grabbed my phone. I hadn't been able to bring any books with me but I had several of my favorites saved on my account. 

Scrolling through my previously read list, none of them really catching my attention, and I decided to try something new. My eyes snagged on a thumbnail of a book Mia had recommended during my short time at the bookstore. It wasn't terrible but I soon found myself drifting off again. 

●●●●

Something cold brushed against my bare thigh, tickling the sensitive skin and making me squirm. I rolled onto my side, slipping back into my dream when I felt a hand creep under my shirt, fingers grazing my hip. My eyes snapped open and before I could open my mouth to scream, my mind registered August lying in front of me.

My heart thundered in my chest and I placed my hand over it to calm the rapid pulse. 

"Jeez, you scared me," I mumbled, my voice still thick with sleep. I rubbed my eyes and tried to focus on his face. "What time is it?"

"Almost three," he answered, silver orbs watching my face as his hand continued to roam beneath my shirt.

Judging by the darkness outside, it was early morning and he must have just come back from patrol. I shivered under his touch, biting my lip as he moved closer to me and my heart racing for an entirely new reason.

"Dominic and Alana left to gather supplies," August said, tracing his nose along my jaw. "They won't be back for a while and the grounds remain undisturbed."

His lips found mine, soft and gentle while his hand slid up my shirt to cup my breast. I arched into him, sliding my tongue along his lips quietly asking for entrance. August met my tongue with his, a war for dominance that I happily granted as I pressed my body against his. In a bold moment, I pushed him onto his back and straddled his hips without hesitation and stripped my shirt over my head.

I leaned forward, pressing my bare breasts against him, my blonde hair falling in a curtain around our faces. But I paused, doubts pushing their way into my thoughts causing me to hesitate. So many times, I had thought about this moment, hoped for it, had my head concocted this in an attempt to ease my conscious mind? 

For weeks, August had wanted to wait or had denied me altogether but I knew things had changed. Dominic was no longer a factor in our celibacy which should have made this moment, one long overdue, easier to fall into. But what if I wasn't enough? I was hardly experienced at all and with barely any curves to speak of. Is this what he had in mind when he came to me tonight?

"Princess?" August questioned, his large fingers twining in my hair while the other hand pressed against my lower back. "What's wrong?"

"Are you sure?" I asked, looking away from him, suddenly shy and unsure of myself.

"What?" he asked, his hand stopping its movement through my hair. "Am I sure about what? Us?"

I found myself embarrassed, unable to look at him as I sat up and crossed my arms over my chest. Why now? Of all the times for me to question things, it was during this? Gods, there must have been something wrong with me. Most women probably wouldn't have thought twice about stripping naked and laying themselves at his feet.

"About this…," I gestured from my body to his, "… now?"

"Baby girl, this house is completely empty," he replied matter-of-factly, resuming his ministrations to my hair with a soft smile, "no parents or best friend, no progeny or big brother. No one but us. I've controlled myself for way too long, keeping myself in check, because I wanted to make it perfect."

"You don't ha-," I started to argue but he pressed a finger to my lips to silence my protest.

"Nevada Warren, you are beautiful and the most amazing woman I have ever met," he continued, tracing my jaw with his fingertips. "I don't deserve any part of you but I crave you like I've never craved anything in my life. Unless you say you don't want to, I don't want to miss this opportunity to make you scream. You're mine and want nothing more than to corrupt the innocence in your eyes."

A shiver ran down my spine, goosebumps erupting on my skin as heat pooled between my legs. I closed my eyes, biting my lip as I slowly lowered my arms to rest my hands on my thighs. August sat up, holding me against him with my legs draped on either side of his and my hands instantly gripped his shoulders. 

"Don't doubt that I want you, Princess," August told me softly, tilting my chin up to look at him. "You've been mine forever but I was too stubborn to admit or believe it until your life was at risk, until I nearly lost you because of it. I never meant to hurt you, love, and I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I love you, Princess. Just tell me what you want."

His hands were almost cold on my back, his goatee rough against my skin as August kissed my jaw. I turned my head, giving him better access as a sigh left my lips. My nails dug into his shoulder, scrunching the fabric of his shirt in my small hands. After longing for so many weeks for this, the moment was finally here.

Everything was surreal, my mind struggling to accept this as reality while my body reacted to his touch. The feather light caress of his fingers along the curve of my breast made me tremble, a whimper falling from my lips.

The smell of the woods lingered on his skin as our lips met in a slow and dangerous kiss, one promising dark and delicious things. His muscles were hard beneath my hands, flexing and moving under my touch as his own explorered my body, slowly tracing every dip and curve as if memorizing them. I rolled my hips, grinding myself against his erection that was trapped inside his pants and drawing a growl from August that rumbled through me straight to my core. 

The thin cotton panties I still had on were soaked already, slicking over my heated flesh and making me moan his name on a breathless whisper. August's hands travelled to my breasts, gently kneading the soft tissue before skating his thumbs over my nipples. The small buds hardened into peaks from the scant attention and I arched my back seeking more. 

My shaking hands dragged up the hem of his shirt, August releasing me long enough to help me pull it over his head. His mouth crashed against mine the moment the cloth tore free, tossing it away before wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me flush against him. I fumbled with his belt, my hands trapped between us as August tore my underwear from my body, the both of us beyond caring about anything besides getting as close as possible.

August reluctantly detached himself, easily moving my body from his lap. I didn't get a chance to question his actions before he slid from the bed and onto his knees beside the bed. I gasped as he gripped my thighs and pulled me to towards him, stopping when the curve of my ass met the edge. 

"There were supposed to be roses," he said quietly, kissing the inside of my knee as I propped on my elbows, "petals everywhere and candlelight dancing across you face," he kissed my inner thigh and I bit back a moan, "a whole night of romance and courting before I took you for the first time."

With every touch, every breath, every kiss, I could feel the tendrils of magick fluttering stronger and stronger in my chest. I could feel my energy pressing against his, gently caressing the edges as if waiting for permission. It was slowly surrounding us, erotic and heady, leaving my thoughts fuzzy and broken.

"I don't care about roses," I breathed, moaning again as his tongue traced the curve of my hip bone, "petals sound ridiculous to clean up later." My head fell back as his facial hair grazed my clit, my hips jerking from the quick, abrasive contact. "And courting isn't a thing. Just proof you're old."

He smiled against my thigh at my teasing words but any other thought left me as his tongue slipped through my folds. A small cry left my lips and my elbows gave way as my body fell back onto the bed. My heart pounded in my ears and magick sparked in my veins, slowly igniting in every cell and nerve in my body. August continued his leisurely exploration, his tongue periodically darting inside my wet heat before quickly retreating again. 

Before long, I was writhing on the bed, my body humming with power and aching for release. Clenching the sheets in my hands, I lifted my hips in attempt to find the contact I desperate craved. His teasing was relentless, moving back everytime I searched for more.

"August…," I moaned, turning my head from side to side as my hips jerked from the bed once more. "I'm gonna die if you keep this up."

His throaty chuckle almost pissed me off but was forgotten in the next moment as his lips latched onto my clit. I cried out, my ass lifting off the bed, pleasure spiking through me as energy crackled around us. My back arched into a sharp curve, as I fell over the edge of release, grinding against his face as wave after wave flooded me. I could feel my juices slicking over my skin as sounds tore from my throat, August's name and mindless words or noises my brain was too muddled to understand.

August released the oversensitive bundle of nerves, my tingling limbs dropping to the bed in a graceless flop. I couldn't open my eyes, my entire being still humming with pleasure and magick as I listened to the rustle of clothing beside the bed. A small smile rested on my face, anticipation joining the energy pulsing in and around me.

The crystal pendant that hung around my neck was hot against my already fevered skin, magick ebbing and flowing from it to the tips of my fingers. I felt the bed dip beside me from August's weight returning, opening my eyes as he pulled me back into his lap with his back to the headboard. 

My naked body straddled his, my thighs cradling his hips as my center hovered over his shaft. I could see the magick on my skin, glittering in the moonlight that drifted through the window and I could feel it consuming the air around us. Never before had I felt such magick, especially my own, to this extent. Is was beautiful and I never wanted it to end.

Teasing us both, I rolled my hips and closed my eyes, whimpering as his thick member pressed against me, the swollen head nudging my clit. The echoes of my first orgasm burst back to life, proof of my arousal trickling down my inner thighs in hot trails. 

August's silver eyes were bright, the small specks of violet vivid in the dark of the room, and hooded with lust as he watched my move against him, fingers digging into my hips.

"You're so fucking wet, Princess," he groaned, throwing his head back against the headboard. "And, gods, I can feel your magick licking against my skin. What are you doing to me?"

The question was rhetorical as he thrust against me in time with my movements. Fire blazed through me and I couldn't wait any longer, my body achingly empty and begging for him to fill me.

"No more teasing," I said breathlessly, moaning against his lips. "Please, I need you baby."

Without a word, August clenched his jaw and raised my hips as he angled himself beneath me. The head of his cock pressed against my slick entrance and I moaned louder as he held me still above him.

"You're mine," he growled, holding my gaze, "forever and always."

And with that he let me go, my body sliding down his length with a scream from my lips. August swallowed the sounds with a hungry kiss, his mouth devouring mine as his fingers gripped my hips once again and began to move my body with his.

I was delirious, drunk with passion as magick flowed through us, around us, in every rhythmic thrust. Tension coiled low in my belly, building higher and higher. August trailed kisses down my neck, his mouth latching onto my nipple and his teeth gently nipped with tight peak. I cried out throwing my head back, my hair flying wildly around us with a life of its own. 

My eyes were shut tight as I fought to hold onto the pleasure coursing through me, threatening to burst from my skin. Our movements became faster, harder, and deeper, pushing me closer to the edge again.

"Princess…," August moaned, his mouth against my neck, his fangs grazing the soft flesh.

"Please!" I cried, gripping my hands in his hair and tilting my head to give him better access.

I felt his fangs pierce my skin and for a moment, time seemed to slow down. Crying out as light burst behind my closed lids, I clung to him as I came. August pulsed inside of me, his seed hitting my clenching walls as he drank from me. Our energy melded together in that moment, I could see it in my mind as our lives merged into one. 

Opening my eyes, a gasp fell from my mouth as I took in the sight before me. Blue and violet flames danced across our skin, soaking into our flesh but not burning or painful. It was breathtaking magick, the flames briefly creating a barrier between us and the rest of the world, connecting us and I wasn't afraid. 

"Oh, August," I breathed, tears welling in my eyes as I continued to cling to him. I couldn't find the words as I looked at the proof of our claim that kissed our skin like a lover's embrace.

His tongue carefully slid over the would, sensing a shiver down my spine as he finally disengaged from my neck, looking up at me. My breath caught in my throat, tears spilling over onto my cheeks as I cupped his neck and let my eyes roam over his gorgeous face.

"What is it?" August asked, slightly confused. 

I opened my mouth but nothing came out as I realized a steady pulse beat under my hands, my eyes widening even further. Not understanding my stunned reaction, August looked at the flames drenching out skin and then back at me.

"Princess?"

"You're eyes… they're…," I managed as I traced the pad of my thumb beneath his left eye, "they're violet and glowing with power, I'm almost sure of it…"

He just looked at me,  uncomprehending the words.

"And… I think your heart is beating," I breathed out, a smile forming on my lips.

August froze, his muscled growing stiff as he cocked his head to the side as I'd listening. Then his eyes, still violet with flecks of silver, widened and his jaw dropped.

"Holy fuck!"

********************

A/N: Wow... another steamy chapter with a twist at the end! *fans self* But FINALLY  August and Nevada got their moment! Yay!

Thoughts?

Alright, I know it's getting a bit crazy but there are TWO chapters left that will answer some things and also give more questions. Yay! We like MORE questions right?

Haha, don't kill me yet lol😅

For those that haven't seen my announcements, there are two chapters left in this book. The title, cover and blurb will be revealed after those last chapters are completed.

I will also be publishing Book 3 with ONLY an author's note so that y'all can add it to your library for when I begin posting updates.

Thank you for reading and I hope you liked it!❤

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XOXO🖤❤🖤❤

~SM~