Page 73 of Up In Flames
“I think I've been waiting for you too,” I said.
Ara's body squeezed me, wrestling my cock into such pleasure that my eyes closed to feel it more fully. I kept thrusting, kept seeking that apex. That climax. And as I did, Spirit rose to shine through my skin.
“Oh, Ember,” Ara whispered. “You're so beautiful.”
I opened my eyes just as my white wraith flew free of my body, launching itself into Ara. There was nothing between us this time. No Death to stop me from claiming my lover. Aranren gasped, his eyes closing, and instantly came, spurting hot seed over our bellies. His bliss echoed back to me as my wraith—that small, shining piece of my soul—settled inside him, connecting us with an invisible cord. But it was so much more than that. I felt Aranren, touched his soul through mine. Saw the beauty of it unhindered by Death's bone cage.
But I also saw the damage that Death had done. The cuts and abrasions from centuries of abuse and bondage. The bond between Ara and me wasn't like Death's cage. It wasn't a cage at all. It was a cord that stretched between us—a stream that flowed in both directions. Death had only taken. Even when hehad made Ara powerful, it was only to do his bidding. And where Death's control cut deep, Ara's connection to me would heal him. I sent my love down that cord and watched it seep into Ara's spiritual wounds. I felt them knit together slowly. It would take time, but he would be whole again. I would pour love into him until he was. And even then, I would keep pouring.
“Ember!” Ara shrieked as he came again and connected to me.
I knew Ara felt me too, that bliss came from finally knowing me fully. We were a part of each other now. He was still a separate person, and I couldn't share the wards in my mind with him, but I had just given him access to Spirit. It was that magic that had bound us. Spirit was latched onto his soul now, making Ara mine. No longer did he belong to Death.
The thought sent me over, and I locked up against Ara, my body jettisoning pieces of myself into him. Feeling the bond from this perspective was eye-opening. I understood Xae's need to possess now. His and Taroc's. At that moment, as I filled my lover's body with my desire, I felt powerful and dominant. I felt like a conqueror.
And the fact that I had just saved the world didn't hurt either.
“Ara!” I cried, hips jerking forward once, twice, and then a final time.
“Is this what Spirit is?” Ara whispered. “Is this the magic of the Goddess?”
I slid free of him, and we turned together onto our sides to embrace. Our bodies knew instinctively where to move and how to cling. We just fit.
“Yes,” I said and kissed him. “Yes, this is what Spirit feels like. And this is what we feel like together.”
Ara couldn't blink away his tears this time. They streamed down his cheeks even as he smiled and cupped my face. “You have saved me. You've saved us all, my Ember.”
“You helped a little,” I teased.
“Don't make light of this. I need to thank you. Thank you for loving me.”
“Thank you for loving me back.” I kissed him, reveling in our love and celebrating our triumph.
It was over. The war had ended with a single act of love. Our enemy was now our ally. The Wraith Lords could live normal lives now. No more fighting. No more training. Oh, sweet Goddess, no more sword training! It was over at last.
Something cold hit my leg. I looked down to see the chain attached to Ara's manacle. “We can remove this now,” I said.
Ara froze.
“Ara.” I set my hand over his heart. “I'm here with you. Guarding you. You're safe.”
“Ember, if Death still has even the smallest shard of bone in me, he will use me to enter this place. We'll be giving him access to the Emperor.”
“The Emperor can take care of himself,” I said firmly. “And I will take care of you. If you start to lose yourself, I will know, and I will replace this manacle faster than Death can take you. But Ara, if you don't, if you are truly free, this will prove that the war is over.”
He hesitated a few more seconds, then whispered, “All right.”
I slipped away from Ara and found the key in my discarded pants. When I got back to bed, he was sitting up, biting his lower lip.
“Don't be afraid,” I said and unlocked the manacle.
Despite my words, my hand tightened on the manacle as I drew it away from him, ready to replace it. Ara went tense, staring at me. We waited. And waited. And waited a few minutes more. Nothing happened.
“Ember,” Ara whispered at last. “Ember, I think I'm safe.”
“Yes, you are.” I tossed the manacles aside and went into his arms.
We hugged jubilantly, but that quickly shifted into something more amorous. Our hands started roaming and then our lips. Cocks rising, we rolled across the mattress, trading positions every few minutes. At last, we couldn't take it anymore. I shifted onto my hands and knees. With a sharp, delighted inhale, Ara got up and moved behind me. I expected him to lick me as I had him, but the manacles were off, and Ara had his magic back.
