The last few days have been all about giving Cordelia as much information as possible about my life and my realm. Without her knowing, I've kept her well protected in the palace. Only those beings who don't have a craving for human blood are allowed near her. Fairies, sirens, and witches are who she has had the most interaction with. All vampires and werewolves have been forbidden to come anywhere near her. I've not given her any reason to need to leave the confines of the palace, but tonight that changes.

We walk down the crowded streets of Layel, the capital of the vampire court. Lightposts shine with the flickering of oil burning flames, and twinkling strands of lights hang over the cobblestone road. The storefronts on this particular path are quaint with large display windows and hand painted signs. This is the heart of our city—romantic, inviting, and classic.

"Does the sun never shine here?" Cordelia asks as she slips her fingers between mine.

"Never. A spell has been cast on the sky in this region. Beyond the magic, the sun does shine. You will notice that the stars don't shine during the nighttime and the sky is more of a lavender shade instead of midnight blue. It is always cool here with no hot summer days."

She sighs happily. "That sounds amazing."

I look down at her in surprise. "It does? You won't miss the sun?"

She shakes her head and her silver curls bounce on her shoulders. "I'm tired of pretending I love summer like everyone else. It's gross to be hot and sweaty all the time. Summer makes me feel like I'm going to suffocate. Here, it always feels like my favorite time of year—early fall."

I pull her in close and press my lips to the top of her head. "It's almost like you were made for me," I say with a chuckle.

She winks and says, "Almost. So what are we doing out here?"

"I've taught you and shown you everything I can about my life. Seeing my people and where I live was the last thing I could think of that you needed to know. So here it is. This is the kingdom you will one day serve as my queen."

She slips her arm around my waist and looks around, her silver eyes sparkling as she takes everything in. "I love it. It's exactly the kind of place I'd always seen in my dreams. I just never knew it actually existed."

"Really?"

She nods. "Really. I always dreamed of living in a place with cobblestone streets and oil lamps where it felt like the olden days but everything was still modernized. And I always saw myself on the arm of the most deliciously handsome man. And all the women would be jealous." She smirks. "And as I look around today, I see that's true too."

"I have little concern about their jealousy. The only thing that matters to me is that you are mine." I laugh, the hearty sound of my joy bouncing off the buildings around us. "I just realized all the declarations of love I make to you. I used to swear that I would never get so caught up in another that I found myself vowing my life and showering them with sweet, affectionate words. Yet here I am doing just that." I stop and stare at her in wonder. "What have you done to me, Cordelia Ashling?"

She shakes her head and reaches up to run her fingers through my hair. "Exactly what you've done to me."

"And what would that be?"

"You stole me away from my mundane existence, where I had no idea who I really was or what I wanted to do. Where I was only existing, not really living. I chose my career to make my parents happy, I'd never experienced true, mind-blowing love. Not like you and I have. So as cheesy as it sounds, you stole my heart."

I pull her in closer and drop my face to the crook of her neck. I breathe her in, letting her consume my body and mind. "That's exactly what you have done. You stole my heart, and I don't want it back. It's yours, Cordelia."

Never have I spoken truer words. I'm hers in every way.

I lift my head and lower my mouth to hers. There is nothing rushed about our kiss. We will have tomorrow and every day after that. I can love her slow and gentle or fast and hard, and we will still have time.

"I want to complete the primal bond with you, belle rêveur. Tonight."

She takes in a sharp breath of air and I suppress the need to ask her if she needs her inhaler. She will tell me if she's having an asthma attack. I have to stop worrying about her so much, but it's hard to when she's the other half of my soul.

"Tonight?" she asks, and there's no hesitation in her voice. Only excitement.

"Yes. Is that something you want?"

"Please. I've never been more ready for anything in my life than to be bonded to you in every way."

I kiss her forehead and take her hand.

Months ago, the thought of tethering my life to another seemed impossible. I'd spent so long looking for love. It didn't even need to be as deep as what Cordelia and I have. I was lonely and desperate for someone to share my days and nights with. No one ever sparked that desire in me, and now I know why. Deep in my soul, I knew my other half was waiting for me. It didn't matter how cynical I became of love I still wanted it with that being who belonged only to me. Now she is mine, and I never want to let her go.

It doesn't matter what tomorrow brings. For now, she is mine. I plan to take full advantage of that fact. Tonight I want to love her to the fullest, and tomorrow we can face the unknown.

When we reach the palace, I bypass the stairs and lead her behind them to the corridor that winds under the surface. I created a space for us to be ourselves and explore our deepest desires. It is the perfect spot to start our life as mates who share the Zenith bond.

"Are we going back down to the sex dungeon?" she lowers her voice on the last two words, and I can't help but laugh.

"Yes, Cordelia, we're going to the sex dungeon."

"Yes...I knew you'd bring me back here one day."

Shaking my head, I use the skeleton key on my ring to unlock the door, and I'm happy to find the room already warm and cozy, thanks to the fire I had one of our employees start about half an hour ago. I've had this all timed down to the minute today, hoping it would all go to plan. So far, it has.

"You changed the blankets," Cordelia notes, running her fingertips along the purple and silver velvet and silk-trimmed comforter on the giant bed.

"Do you like it?"

She grins up at me. "I love it. It's so regal. Makes me actually feel like a queen."

"You do realize—"

"That I will be a queen one day. I know."

"It's already fitting in my opinion," I say, sitting in the enormous chair on the other side of the room. I rest my elbows on the arms and steeple my fingers as I look my mate over. She is beautiful in her formfitting light pink dress. It hugs all her soft curves and the small slit running along her left leg has teased me with glimpses of her smooth thighs. But it is the black knee-high boots with neck breaking heels that captured my attention all night. Her legs look fantastic in them, and I can't help but wonder if whatever lacy underthings she has on under that dress match them.

"Come here, my queen. Let me see what pretty little things you have hidden under your dress."

She saunters over to me, and the confidence in her stride is so striking. I want to grab her and devour her, but I swore to myself I'd take this slow and savor every second of this night. There's only one chance to make this the perfect bonding ritual, and I want it to be everything both of us have ever dreamt of.

When she reaches me, she stands with one leg over either side of my knee, with her hands planted on those perfect hips. "You want to see what's under here?" she murmurs, her voice raspy with need, running her fingertip up her thigh and underneath the slit.

"Don't tease me. Be a good girl and show me what you wore for me tonight."

The twinkle she gets whenever she plans on playing the brat shines in her eyes. She turns away from me and glances over her shoulder. Slowly, she reaches for the hem of her dress and lifts it over her ass, revealing the nude lace panties beneath.

"Are they to your liking, herra minn? Should I continue?"

I lick my lips at the way the material clings to her round ass. "They are. Show me everything," I command.

She hums and clicks her tongue as though she's in deep thought. "I wonder if you'd beg me to see it," she says, turning back to face me, fiddling with the string that's tied right at her cleavage.

I lean forward, propping my elbows on my thighs. "Is that what you want tonight, me on my knees for you, begging to see your pretty wet pussy?"

She undoes the string, and the top of the dress falls open just enough to give me a peek of the swells of her breasts. "What if it is?"

"Say the word, dolce tentazione, and I will place myself at your mercy." I stand and close the distance between us. I hook my fingers in the neckline of her dress and guide it down her arms. "Or stop acting like a brat and give up control so I can own your body tonight." Her breath hitches as her dress pools at her feet. "What will it be, Cordelia?"

"Own me, my king," she whispers, kicking the dress across the room and standing in front of me wearing just the lingerie and fuck-me boots, looking so sexy it actually does nearly bring me to my knees.

I pinch her chin between my thumb and index finger and align her gaze with mine. "Enough with the bratty attitude. Get on your knees."

She slides to the floor, keeping her eyes locked on mine. Fuck, she is beautiful no matter what, but seeing her kneeling before me, I can't help but feel like a king. I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear in a gesture meant to reward her. She leans into my touch, and I know she is ready to be obedient.

"Take my cock out and wrap those pretty lips around me."

A smile spreads across her face and she looks up at me from under her lashes. "It would be my pleasure," she murmurs, lifting her hands and taking her time with my pants, watching as she lowers it at a painfully slow pace. I feel every motion of both her fingers and the teeth of the zipper against my rapidly hardening cock. I don't know that I've ever been so aroused in my existence. I've definitely never felt this way for anyone else; I don't even think I've been this entranced by her since we met.

My love for her grows every single second.

I'm so busy watching her face that I hardly notice that she's reaching into the waistband of my boxers and bringing my cock out just as I commanded her to until her hand is gripping what she can of me and her lips are closing around the tip.

"Fuck," I groan, my hand sliding into her hair and pulling just how I know she likes.

She hums in appreciation and slides her mouth further down and swirls her tongue around my shaft, slipping her free hand under my balls and squeezing gently, something I never even knew I liked until she did it one day.

I grip the hair at the back of her head and slide deeper into her mouth. She takes every inch I give her, sucking and licking. When she brings me to the cusp of spilling down her throat, I pull her away from me. She looks up at me with wide eyes and her mouth still open like she isn't finished tasting me yet. "Your mouth feels too good," I say, unable to keep away from her waiting tongue. I slide the head of my cock over it and consider letting her finish what she started.

"You can come more than once, Elias. There is no need to hold back."

She could bring me to the brink of destruction. There is nothing I wouldn't do for her. No matter how violent and wrong, I would forgo every ounce of my morality if she said the word.

"Please. I want to taste you," she begs, flicking her tongue over the slit of my cock where pre-cum is leaking from the tip. "Don't deny me when I've been such a good girl for you."

"Never." I guide her mouth back to my cock. She doesn't waste time teasing me. Her lips slide down my shaft, taking me as far as she can before it's too much. I have to fight the urge not to thrust forward. The way she sucks me is as close as I'll ever get to heaven. I want to lose myself in her.

It doesn't take long before that warm sensation starts in my lower back. She goes still when I throb in her palm. The look in her eyes is all I need to press forward and plant myself in her throat. Her eyes become glassy, and I know it is hard for her to breathe, but that doesn't stop her from swallowing around me. I give her every drop, letting her suck me dry as my body trembles.

When Cordelia pulls away, she doesn't let any of my cum go to waste. Licking the corners of her lips, she smiles up at me. She has already proven herself my match in every way, but it dawns on me just how perfect she is for me. I will never go without when it comes to Cordelia. Companionship, love, and mind-blowing sex, she will give me everything.

She holds out her hand out to me and I take it, helping her to her feet. "Thank you," she says, brushing her hair back over her shoulder, showing me more of the swells of her breasts, now overflowing from her bra.

I run the back of my hand over the soft skin. "I can't believe you're thanking me when you just blew my fucking mind."

She smirks and shrugs one shoulder. "What can I say? You've given me plenty of opportunities to practice."

I laugh at that. "I'll make sure to always leave time for you to practice. We wouldn't want you losing such a talent."

She playfully swats me on the arm. "Not to mention that I enjoy it a lot." She takes my hand and presses my palm over the wet center of her panties. "I'm so wet for you, Elias."

My finger inches to the edge of the lace between her legs. I slide it to the side and dip my finger into her warm, tight center.

She whimpers, her knees buckling underneath her as she grabs onto the front of my shirt. "God, Elias, if you aren't careful, you're going to make me come right here."

"I thought that was one of the perks of being a woman—the ability to come over and over again." I slide another finger in with the first and hook them inside of her. My thumb moves to her clit where I rub circles. Placing just enough pressure on her, I bring her to the edge but back off before she finds her release.

Her shocked gasp brings a grin to my face and she looks up at me with a dangerous but sexy as fuck glint in her eyes. "Elias, what the hell? I was right there! Why did you do that?"

"You told me to be careful." My fingers move inside of her again, and her eyes flutter shut.

"Don't be careful. Be so fucking reckless with me tonight," she says on a sigh.

I chuckle and rub my thumb against her clit as I push my fingers further inside her, hooking them up so I can hit that spot that makes her whole body quiver. "You sure, dolce tentazione?"

"Oh, fuck, fuck," she gasps, rising up on her toes. "Elias, please, I—"

She clamps down on my fingers, covering them with her cum. My body responds to hers, and I groan as my dick grows hard again. There is something about seeing this woman fall apart at my doing that drives me wild. Her silver hair cascades down her back and her eyes remind me of rain clouds lit by the sun after a storm. She is spectacular.

I keep her steady with my other hand as she rides out her orgasm, holding her close to my chest. When her hold on my shirt loosens and she looks up at me with that happy glow on her face, I know I succeeded in bringing her as much pleasure as she brings me.

With my hand on the small of her back, I lead her to the bed where I motion for her to sit. I crouch before her and reach around to unclasp her bra. Leaning in, I pepper the swells of her breasts with kisses before working my way lower. My lips linger on her stomach as I ease her panties off.

"What about my boots?" she asks.

Starting from the sharp heels, I glide my hand up the black boots. "They stay," I say.

She raises a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "Óþekkur strákur. I guess the boots were a wise purchase after all."

I massage up her legs and focus on her inner thighs. "You know, you never got a chance to tell me what the language was. The one that you spoke to me."

She opens her mouth to answer, but I place my first two fingers over her lips.

"But as soon as I got home, I researched it. I remembered every phrase you ever said to me, and as soon as I realized you were calling me master in Icelandic..." I shake my head and relish the look of surprise on her face. "I knew I had to call back my language acquisition skills and learn it for when I got you back. And I thought tonight would be the perfect time to show you."

"Elias, you didn't," she says, her eyes misting over.

"Ég get nú sagt að ég tala tíu tungumál," I say. "How's that for a naughty boy? Ten languages? Is that enough?"

Her eyes are wide and her lips are parted in shock. "I—I don't even know which god or goddess's name to invoke here because this is so fucking impressive. I am actually more turned on than I was a few minutes ago. I can't believe you learned Icelandic for me—and now you know more of it than I do!"

"I'll learn and do anything for you." I place my hands on my knees and spread her legs. "Name it, Cordelia, and it is yours."

She looks down at me and runs her fingers through my hair before hooking her finger under my chin and tipping my face up toward hers. "You're already giving me everything tonight, Elias. You're tying your soul to mine. What else could I possibly ask you for?"

I dip my head and run my tongue along the center of her. She shudders as her fingers tangle in my hair, and she holds me to her center. Her hips roll as I go deeper, sliding my tongue inside her before moving to her clit. I'll be damned if I don't have her screaming my name all night.

"So fucking sweet," I say, diving into her again for another taste.

"Fuck, Elias," she gasps, lifting her hips from the bed, and I lay her down flat on the mattress, my hand pushing down on her abdomen right under her belly button, giving her extra pressure as I eat every inch of her out, drinking every drop of her arousal. I want every single bit of it.

She's writhing underneath my touch and that's exactly the way I like her.

Wrapping her legs around my waist, she hooks them together at the ankles and I curse the shirt I'm still wearing because I want to feel those fucking leather boots against my skin.

I double my efforts, needing her to come so I can rid myself of these clothes. I slide three fingers into her, giving her that stretch that I know hurts her so good. She trembles as I move in and out of her while sucking on her clit.

"Come for me," I demand, frustration and longing lacing my voice.

Her back arches from the bed, and she pulls my hair as my name leaves her lips. I suck and fuck until she's had her fill. With a kiss to her pussy, I yank my shirt off and make quick work of the rest of my clothes.

Wrapping my arm around Cordelia's waist, I move her to the head of the bed with me. I settle my body between her thighs and about lose myself again when she circles me in her legs. Fuck, that leather feels so good on my skin.

She smiles when she realizes the effect she's having on me. "What is it, Elias? Does that feel good? Is that why you were so eager to rip your clothes off?"

I lean down and bite at her nipple and she yelps. "I'm always eager to rip my clothes off whenever you're already naked, Cordelia, you know that."

"I do, and I love that about you," she says, dragging one of the heels down my spine, and I feel it scrape my skin. I hiss and she gasps. "Oh, shit, did I hurt you?"

"No. You just made me harder." I prove my point by grinding into her. "I want to make you mine. I need to be buried inside of you."

She lifts her hips to meet the pressure I'm giving her and I hiss, craning my neck back and gritting my teeth. "Then stop talking and fuck me, Elias," she whispers, raising up and sinking her teeth into my neck, just enough to leave a mark.

My fangs throb at the mere thought of sinking them into her soft skin, but I hold back the urge. I align our bodies and savor the feel of each barbell on my cock sinking into her. The way her body accepts me and grips me at the same tells me that she was made for me.

I move in slow thrusts, giving her time to adjust to me. I love the small whimpers she makes and how her nails dig into my back when I first enter her. Her body already knows that the slight pain it feels now will lead to the type of pleasure that leaves it breathless.

"I love the way your pussy clenches around me," I say, stroking into her deeper.

She grips the back of my neck with one hand and scratches my back with the other, and I can only hope she's leaving marks. "It's because you fit so perfect inside me," she gasps, clenching so tight that it stuns me for a moment. She takes that opportunity to close her lips over mine, and I immediately deepen the kiss, pushing my tongue across hers, earning one of her delicious little moans in return.

Grabbing the back of her thighs, I angle her so I can move faster and hit that place inside of her that makes her scream. She arches her head back, giving me a beautiful view of her neck. I can't wait any longer.

"When I bite you, pull me into your sweet dreams, dolce tentazione. Make me yours."

Her lust-filled gaze meets mine, speaking everything I need to know. She is ready. I move for her neck but at the last second I sink lower. My lips graze the swell of her breast before I suck her smooth skin and bite down.