Page 164 of The Knucker King

“You are most welcome,” Trewoofe replied, planting her firmly back on her feet.

His wide hand supported the small of her back, his palm circling a pleasant soothing motion. Avice could not look away. She never thought she would see his human face again. She cupped his cheek and ran her thumb over the sharp point of his chin. Her fingers drifted down to his jugular and caressed there. Trewoofe purred, his throat flushing pink and purple. She spread her hand on his chest and felt the thrum of his heart match the beat of her pulse.

“We are both here, together, in your Kingdom,” she stated.

“Our Kingdom,” Trewoofe corrected.

Avice crushed herself to him and felt the press of his erection against her belly. She knew that was her doing. She had been touching him in the places he was the most sensitive.

“When I was about to die—”

Trewoofe growled. “I would not have let you die. If you did, I would have ripped down the Shimmering Veil, marched into paradise, and brought you back.”

She placed a second palm on his chest and rubbed soothing patterns over his scars. “I know, I know. You are a big, strong Knucker, and not even death would stop you.”

He preened from her compliments. “That is right.”

“It is,” she agreed. “Now, let me finish what I was going to say.”

Trewoofe rested his other hand on her rear and gave her a squeeze. “Alright.”

“When I was about to die, I had only one regret.”

He arched an eyebrow at her. “Only one?”

She blushed. “Perhaps two. But one is more important.”

“Are you sure?” he teased, shifting his hand from the small of her back to join with the other, both softly palming at her.

“Trewoofe, did you not just scold me for doing too much too soon,” she playfully admonished.

“Yes, but I know you will not trip if I am holding you like this,” he hummed. “You were telling me about regrets?”

Avice had trouble concentrating; his distracting ministrations sent little jolts of pleasure up her spine, making her sigil twitch and her skin sing.

Her mind grasped for the words she had been trying to say. “I love you.”

“I know,” he replied, pressing her forehead to hers.

She blinked dumbly up at him. “You know?”

He pecked her nose. “You told me, when I found you in the cage.”

“I did?”

She could not remember. Why could she not remember? She knew that loss of blood, injury, and stress could temporarily addle minds. She did not think it would happen to her. Her mind had always been sharp and quick to cut through to the heart of the matter.

“I love you, too,” Trewoofe replied. “Even more than the scent of wildflowers, the Sun on my scales, the healing waters, and your honey cakes.”

Avice giggled as he rained sloppy kisses down her face and neck. Sweet relief relaxed her into him. She was almost giddy that they had confessed the depth of their feelings. His lips grew hotter with each touch and set her blood on her fire with desire. He was not being tidy, and by the time he found her lips, she was quivering and slick with his saliva.

“My soul-bound,” he murmured, pecking gently at her mouth.

She knew he was being careful.

Avice did not want careful.

She slammed into him.