Rise of the Phoenix (Return To Avalore #2) (36 page)

When his body shuddered, his hard shaft pulsing within her with his release, the dragon roared and gave herself up to him.

When they were both spent, Evan didn’t try to lift his weight from her body. She stroked the line of his back with the tips of her fingers as his ragged breaths tickled at her neck. Strong, steady beats pounded against her breast where his chest pinned her to the soft sand at her back. He was still with her. The phoenix hadn’t taken him away again.

A tear slid down her cheek and she sniffled once, hoping he was too sated, or too tired to notice. His muscles tightened instantly beneath her fingers. Of course, he’d notice.

“What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” He moved to lift his weight from her body.

Her arms tightened around him again, keeping him where he was. “No, not at all.” She drew a deep, shuddering breath only to have another tear streak down the side of her face.

“What’s wrong?” He caught her tear on his finger.

Closing her eyes, she tried to turn her head, but he wouldn’t let her. “I was afraid. I thought you might leave again. When my dragon came out, I thought the phoenix would take over and you’d leave again.” She bit her lip to keep it from quivering.

“I’m not going anywhere.” He kissed her nose before wrapping his arms around her and rolling so that her body covered his. “I’ll be honest, I’m not entirely sure how the phoenix detached from my body, but I’m whole again. It’s settled. Do you not sense its contentment?”

Looking deep into his eyes, she saw the truth. He was back, he was hers, and she’d never have to be without him again.

“What do you say we go home?” She didn’t want to leave their hideaway, but Rhia and his family needed to see him. “Rhia’s been beside herself with worry.”

He groaned, his arms tightening around her, but then he smiled, melting her heart all over again. “Fine, but I’ll have everyone waiting in the library and after they see for themselves that I am well, I’m taking you to our suite and we’re not emerging until I say so.”

Just as he’d promised, everyone waited. Many tears, interspersed with smiles and laughter surrounded them as he greeted friends and family, keeping her glued to his side throughout. Rhia, with her energy shining so bright she was mercilessly teased, protested the most when he made his excuses to be allowed back to his suite to rest. But in the end she’d let him go. Not that he gave her much choice when he’d scooped Brienne into his arms, disputing the fact that he needed rest. Heat crept up her cheeks as she nestled against him. He was hers, and wherever he went, she would always follow.

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About the Author

Born of snow and ice, or at least near snow and ice in North Eastern Ontario, Canada, Élianne Adams has always enjoyed curling up with a good book and a warm blanket. Even before she really knew what love was, she dreamed of writing her own happily ever after stories. It wasn’t until her very own hero encouraged her to follow her lifelong dream that she began putting the words begging to be told onto the page. When she isn’t reading or writing, Élianne can be found spending time with her husband, three children and pets.

Coming soon

Keep your eyes peeled for Once Upon a Fiery Christmas coming in December 2014.

Excerpt:

“I don’t think it wise for me to kiss you, Chantelle.”

She snatched her hand away from his arm. What kind of answer was that? It told her nothing at all. When would she learn to keep her mouth shut? She took a deep breath, then another. He wasn’t interested after all. “I thought… I mean… I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable.” She stood on shaky legs and paced a few steps away from him, intent on heading home to nurse her wounds in private, when he caught up and swung her back to face him.

“I haven’t kissed you because once I start, I fear I won’t want to stop.” Sebastian’s gaze dipped to her lips.

He was going to do it. He was going to kiss her. Her heart pounded and her breaths quickened. The one and only time she’d ever had his lips upon hers, she’d had a little too much Wister juice. She couldn’t claim to have forgotten the experience, but she didn’t have the vivid details she yearned for.

Heat came off his body, surrounding her as he stepped closer. He slid his hand up her arm to her shoulder, stopping only once he had tangled his fingers through her hair, tugging gently to tilt her face up to his. Leaning forward, he rested his forehead against hers. “Tell me to stop, Chantelle. Tell me to leave you alone.”

His breath teased at her lips, and it was all she could do to keep from closing the distance, but she wouldn’t. Not this time. If he was going to kiss her, he’d have to take it the whole way. She was done second-guessing herself. “I can’t.”