The material slips past my hips and pools at my feet. I’m essentially naked. Women’s panties in the Day Realm are usually see-through mesh. It gets so hot, breathability is important.

And from the way Keryth’s breathing speeds up, I’m guessing he likes them.

I pull my crown off my head, placing it next to the book. Then I hook my thumbs in the waistband of my panties and push them down.

Reaching out, Keryth traces my slit. I jerk at the pleasurable sensation, and I steady myself by grasping his broad shoulders.

I’ve touched myself many times while thinking about him. Imagined my hands were his.

The real thing is way better.

Wetness pools between my thighs as my clit pulses, and I grapple with the belt on Keryth’s leather pants. Next, I go for the button and zipper.

Maybe I should’ve practiced, too. It’s not like I’m unfamiliar with pants—I do wear them occasionally when horseback riding or gardening—but my hands are shaking so much I’m having trouble getting them undone.

Realizing I need some help, Keryth stills my fingers with his. “Calm. Your frustration is getting hot.”

“Oh.” I yank my smoldering hands away and step back. I could’ve burned him. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m usually much better at controlling my ability.”

After whipping his shirt over his head, he pulls off his belt and tosses the leather strap to the floor.

“For one, you’re young. It’s not uncommon for your power to be unpredictable at times.” He slides his zipper down. “And two, we’re both going to experience a power surge. Being together enhances everything about us. It completes us.”

I want to respond with something meaningful, but my mouth goes dry when his cock springs free.

It’s massive.

The swollen length juts out from his body, bobbing as he kicks his pants away. It’s pointing straight at me, like it knows exactly where it wants to go.

Rumor has it, when fated mates have sex for the first time, it’s not supposed to hurt the female. As Keryth said, joining will make us more whole, and our ability to heal quickly will be even faster than before. So quickly, that as he enters me, I won’t feel anything but a stretch.

But maybe the women who started that rumor hadn’t been with someone like my night king.

“You’re staring.” Keryth is clearly amused, his eyes dancing with mirth.

“It’s very… proud.” Proud? Seriously? I don’t get tongue-tied often, but my mind is foggy, and it feels like my whole body is throbbing. It’s hard to concentrate.

Embarrassed by my blunder, my cheeks heat. Keryth’s laugh booms off the low ceilings, and I blush even more.

Biting my lip, my eyes fall to the cave floor.