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When the tremors eased, she looked over her shoulder. “Your turn.”

“Not yet.” Gently, he eased them on their sides without slipping out of her. Then, started moving again. “I told you, I’m making sure you never forget this.”

“I couldn’t forget this if I tried,” she murmured, turning her head for a kiss.

He built her up again, changing the angle until he found the spot that made her gasp, then hitting it with every thrust. She was louder now, her moans filling the small room. Her magic crackled between them, feeding on their connection. This was what she meant when she said it wasn’t how much contact, but the quality. So, he gave her everything he had.

“Asterion! Oh gods! Fuck!” This orgasm seemed to hit her harder than the first. All of it, her pussy’s grip on him, her skin, her scent, her—it was too much. His arms wound around her waist as he gave one last thrust and then came with a long groan. He spilled deep into her, marking her, and she clasped at him tighter. He collapsed behind her, well and fully spent.

Asterion wasn’t sure how long they were locked together; it could have been minutes. Hell, it could have been hours or days.

“Ria,” he finally said, shifting her around so they were face to face. “Are you alright?”

She opened her eyes. The shadows were gone and her skin was once again a healthy color.

“I think you just fully recharged me.”

He kissed her shoulder. “Glad I could help.”

“I’m tired. But in a different way.”

“Me too.”

He pulled her against him, listening to her breath even out. Her body relaxed against his as sleep pulled her under. His own eyes were heavy, the day’s worry and the night’s exertion finally catching up with him. The last thing he registered before sleep took him was the steady beat of her heart beneath his palm and the warmth of her magic brushing softly against his skin.

When Asterion awoke, Ria was still cuddled to him, one hand over his waist and the other curled under her pillow. Her breathing was slow and even, and her eyes completely closed. At some point during the night, she’d stolen the entire blanket, leaving him with just a tiny corner.

He lay there without moving, letting himself have the moment. She murmured something and pressed closer, and his arm tightened around her. He should have been thinking about the next two days, about getting back to New York, about Korinnae and the treatment. Instead, he was thinking about how she fit against him and how the room smelled like her. And how he never wanted to leave this bed.

Ria stirred. “Morning,” she said, her voice scratchy with sleep.

“Good morning.”

She lifted her head up. “What time is it?”

“It’s still early.”

She smiled and closed her eyes again, pressing her face into his chest. “Good.”

For a while, they remained like that, entwined together. He traced a slow line along her shoulder with his thumb, and she drew absent circles on his skin with her fingertip. Neither of them mentioned what this all meant, and what to do next. Eventually, she pulled back and looked at him. Her cheeks were still flushed and her hair mussed, and yet she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Leaning down, he kissed her forehead. Then her nose and then her cheek before reaching the corner of her mouth. She turned into it and kissed him deeply. Their mouths joined together in a slow, lazy rhythm. When they pulled apart, she rested her forehead against his chin.

“We should get moving,” she said.

“Aye.” His grip around her tightened.

“That doesn’t help, Asterion.”

“I know, Ria.”

“We need to return the car and catch the train back to New York.”

He sighed. “We do.”

They rose and got re-dressed, though they both took their time and there was an intimacy to their movements. She handed him his shirt without being asked and when she reached past him for her phone on the nightstand, he caught her wrist and pulled her into one last kiss that she returned with a smile pressed against his lips.

After packing up and checking out of their rooms, they drove to the station and returned the rental car. Soon, they boarded the train and settled in their seats. Ria leaned her head against the window and was asleep within ten minutes, and Asterion sat beside her and watched the countryside roll past. He didn’t think of the future, or tried not to. Instead, he focused his attention on her hand in his, and the way she’d said his name that morning.

They were barely through the door of Ria’s parents’ apartment when Korinnae launched herself at them. “You’re back! I missed you.”