“Oh gods, Alec!” Veda had rolled out of the way just in time when he dropped into the hole. Then came regret. Shouldn’t she have been braver and at least tried to cushion his fall?

She glanced at the massive gargoyle shifter who dwarfed her petite frame. Yeah, right. She would have been squashed as sure as if a boulder landed on her.

He pulled himself to sit. “Damn it. Some help I was.”

She touched his bicep. It was as rock-hard as it looked. “Did you get hurt?”

“No.” He glanced at her leg. “How’s your ankle?”

“It only hurts when I move it.”

“Then don’t move it.” He smirked.

“Oh, thank you, wise one,” she retorted with a pointed look.

He grimaced. “Not so wise considering how my attempt to get you out of here went.”

She sighed. “We’ll just have to find another way out.”

He propped the branch against the wall to give them more space.

“I had debated on trying to climb.” She motioned to the wall. “The earth is damp, and I thought I could get a grasp with fingers and toes. But, it’s too loose.”

“Right. I noticed.” He raised his chin to the opening and gave her a wry grin. “Well, I know of one way we can get out.”

Her pulse raced. “How?”

“We wait until my wings heal and then I can fly us out of here.”

Oh my. How long might that be? She didn’t want to stay in this horrid cave any longer than she had to. “How soon do you think?”

“I’ll try again now.” He winced and hissed. “No. Definitely not yet.”

The direness of their situation crept in, slinking into dark recesses in her mind. Her breath turned to pants. “We’re not going to do anything?”

“Like I said, we’ll wait.”

Creepy crawlies could slither out at any time. “Surely, there are other options.” Her voice edged higher with a hint of panic.

“Go ahead.” He crossed his arms and smiled. “Name them.”

She’d had plenty of time to think down there and hadn’t come up with any. “Don’t be so smug. Fine. We’ll wait for your wings to heal.”

She sat back. Although she was still trapped in the cave, at least, she wasn’t alone. Sure, her potential rescuer had fallen into the same predicament that she’d landed herself in, but the cave wasn’t as scary with him there. Something about him made her feel safe. Perhaps because he was a guardian shifter. One who would protect her.

They told stories to pass the time. What else could they do?

Well, she thought of one thing. Sensual images took shape, sending a slow burn to her cheeks.

Don’t go there.

“Since we have some time to kill, why don’t you tell me about where you grew up,” she said, partially to distract herself.

He told her stories of growing up on the island. She listened, enraptured. He was so animated when he talked about the Isle of Stone. That was clearly where his heart lay.

“We’d explore the forest, climb the rocky cliffs, or swim in the ocean.” His eyes shined bright as he recalled that time. “We spent many hours in our stone form, resting under the sun to restore our energy. But come night, we took to the skies. To soar over the ocean with the stars overhead was magnificent. No distractions. So peaceful.”

She didn’t have the same attachment for the mountains, but shared what it was like growing up there. What different upbringings they had.

Their discussion drifted from one topic to another. Although they’d just met, conversation came easy. While he spoke, his mouth distracted her. So sensual. The curve of it was splendid. The heat of when she’d kissed him simmered within her. And in the small confines of the cave, she grew more aware of his closeness—so different from the claustrophobia that had threatened to engulf her earlier. Although there was less room and air, somehow he made the dismal situation better.

Don’t stare. Respond, she chastised herself.

“It sounds like you miss it a great deal,” she pointed out.

“I do.”

“Did anyone stay?”

“Yes. Five brothers remained on the Isle and started a new clan.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t decide to stay with them.”

He glanced at her like she was mental. “I couldn’t do that. That would be disloyal to my clan. My family.”

She shrugged. “I don’t see anything wrong with searching for your happiness in your own way.” She gave him a side-long grin. “After all, I left my coven.” She waved at the cave walls surrounding them. “And found a lovely home with a spectacular view.”

He laughed. “Aye, it does have that.”

They leaned back and glanced through the opening overhead. The sky had already darkened so much that that stars sparkled clearly. The only light was from the waxing moon overhead and the constellation of stars that twinkled around it. It would be pitch black in the cave soon enough.

The coming of night ushered in the cool air. She shivered. She wrapped her arms around herself.

“Come here,” Alec said.

She leaned into his body, pressing her back against his massive chest, and he embraced her with his strong arms.

“You’re so warm,” she said and snuggled back against him.

A blanket of heat surrounded her in the form of his protective hard muscles. Every part of her body sank in awareness of where their bodies touched. Irresistible. And they were alone for the night.

She wanted to squirm against him like a cat, rubbing her body parts against his. How would she keep her from acting on her desire when their kiss from not too long ago echoed in her mind?

“You feel so good,” he murmured.

His breath on the back of her ear shot a tremor of delight through her. She murmured in agreement. It came out a low seductive plea for more. She tilted her head instinctively, exposing her neck.

What was she doing? Should she be encouraging this? Shouldn’t she be thinking of more practical things, like how they’d get out of there and what she’d do afterward?

When his lips caressed her offered neck, her thoughts drifted. A soft sigh of relief escaped her. He kissed her neck and ran a hand over her side, stoking the heat that had been simmering within her.

She turned to face him. His eyes were dark and full of hunger under the light of the moon, a predatory gaze that consumed her. She dropped her gaze to his lips, and hers parted. Raising her index finger, she ran it over the sensuous line of his mouth. Then, she leaned in and brushed her mouth against his. Sparks ignited, dancing from her lips through her core.

Heat rose with the slow steady exploration. He caressed her body with gentle touches and then cupped her breasts. When he ran his thumb over her nipple, it hardened, begging for more.

Alec then captured her mouth with a searing kiss that turned her to hot liquid. Raw need quaked within her, igniting heat all along her skin. She melted in his arms, ending up leaning on her back on the cavern floor. Something that would have reviled her moments before now meant nothing in the heat of her embrace.

She ran her hands over the hard planes of his chest and reached around to his back. Careful to avoid his shoulder blades, lest she aggravate his pained wings, she wrapped her arms around his lower back, pulling him onto her.

Alec moved his mouth over her neck and the top edge of her breasts. “You must really want me to heat you up.” A hint of humor sparkled through the deep velvet tone.

“To volcanic levels,” she replied.

He pressed his body against hers. The hardness of his erection between her legs sent a wave of hot fluid through her. Gods, she wanted him so badly. She didn’t care that they were in the bottom of a vile cave, all that mattered was that she was with him.

The spark of an idea returned. A special kind of magic.

He unfastened her cape and lay it on the ground. His mouth was over the soft cotton covering her breast. The hot wet heat of his mouth made her tremble with an ache for more...

What was she thinking again? There was a thought about something that would help them. She fought through the pleasurable daze.

“Alec.”

“Mmm?”

“There’s something we should do.”

“I think we’re doing it already.”

“No, I mean, something that will help you. Help us.”

He brought his head up to hers and searched her eyes. “What is it?”

“Sensual magic.”

He kissed lower down her torso. “It seems magical all right.”

“No, that’s not what I mean.” Gods, could she speak coherently for two seconds and not think of wanting to rip off her clothes and begging him to take her? “It’s a magical ritual during, well, you know.”

Alec lifted his head from her belly. “I don’t know how clearly I can think right now, Veda.” He stared into her eyes and she almost lost reason and begged him to forget it all and just take her.

She wrinkled her nose. Why was she stopping him when she was boiling like a cauldron of hot, steamy desire?

He cocked his head. “I’m listening,” he said in a low croon that distracted her from what she wanted to say.

She took a deep breath. “Lovers generate much energy, and if we direct it with a purpose, we may be able to accomplish our desires.”

He studied her through dark, decadent eyes. “I’m aware of directing energy, but I haven’t done so the way you say.”

“Well, we should try. If we focus on the sending the energy to heal your wings, it might help them heal more quickly.”

He nodded. “And, we’ll get out of here sooner.”

“Yes.” Good, somehow she’d managed to communicate her idea through this desperate lust.

“What about your ankle?”

That would be key to heal as well, if she wanted to walk on it anytime soon. “It’s too risky to try to focus on two goals.” She pointed at the cave floor. “Besides, what am I going to walk on down here? What’s more important is healing your wings.”

“Right,” he agreed. “If I can fly, I can carry you.” He raised his chin. “You’ve never done it before, then?”

“No,” she admitted through ragged breaths. “But, apparently, it may heighten our pleasure, too.” How that would happen, she wasn’t sure, since her need for him had grown all-consuming, she was already at an unprecedentedly high state of arousal.

“Damn. I was already convinced.” He gave her a decadent smile. “But, now I’m looking forward to it. What do we do?”

“I need a moment to think,” Veda said. Her voice rolled with an edge of need.

It took all Alec’s restraint to pause. She was a sultry siren calling him to touch and kiss her. Her lips were parted and so shiny from their kiss. All he wanted to do was worship her and bring her to the heights of pleasure. But, she had a salient point. If it would help them get out of this bloody cave, so be it.

The bonus of enhancing their pleasure caught his attention.

“We need to focus on our goal—our telos—which in this case is to heal your wings. Close your eyes and picture it. It will be easier to keep it in our minds, when we’re otherwise distracted.”

“I can do that.” He closed his eyes and pictured his wings unfolding behind him. He winced, the recent pain from unfurling them too fresh. He took a deep breath and tried again. He envisioned them seeing them as they were—immense and beautiful with black feathers. Wings that carried him through the night skies.

He reopened his eyes and gazed into hers. “I’ve got it. Then what?”

Her eyes sparkled with wisdom, but behind it flickered a smoldering glint. “We continue what we started.”

She reached out and placed her hand on his shoulder. Her touch stirred a rumble of appreciation deep in his chest.

“Only we slow things down and revel in the experience.” She trailed her fingers over to his chest, traveling down it with the lightest caress. The slow deliberateness of it rocked him even harder than he already was with his aching erection.

She bit her lip as her gaze followed down his torso, dipping into the crevice down between his abs. “Love. Beauty. Sensuality. It’s all part of magic.” When she met his eyes again, hers were hooded with desire, but determined. “We must keep our objective in mind and redirect our joint magical energy into making it happen.”

Alec opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He cleared his throat. “Aye, Veda. We can do this—together.” He quirked a brow. “Besides, if it doesn’t work, I won’t be complaining about trying.”

She gave him a sage nod with a hint of a smile. “Stay positive. You need to for it to work.”

“All right.” He raised his hand, hovering it before her cheek. “Can I touch you now?”

“Yes. And take it slow.” Her bright eyes twinkled with fire. “Really slow.”

He stroked her cheek. It was like the softest of petals. “I don’t want to rush a thing with you.”

She leaned into his hand. He trailed his finger over her bottom lip, that pouty distraction that drove him mad and woke his beast. It wanted to lay her on the cave floor and take her.

Alec regained control, kissing her neck and moving along her jawline. She pulled her dress over her head and kept her gaze fixed on him as she removed the rest of her undergarments. The decadent look almost leveled him. His gaze wandered to her glistening lips down to her breasts, so perfectly round and with pink tips pulled into peaks that begged him to kiss. Her hips flared out with a gentle curve. And her sex. Her wet pink folds glistened. He sucked in a breath as he stiffened. He wanted to kiss and touch and taste and mark every part of her.

Her feminine aroma stirred his beast again. A yearning to drive into her returned.

Take it easy, he commanded. Veda had insisted they take things slow and focus on using their energy to heal his wings. Reducing the speed was better than dying down here.

Plus, he could find a better way to keep from acting on the urge to pound into her with rough, primal thrusts. By touching her. Tasting her. Bringing her to the height of pleasure.

“I want to take care of you.” He lowered his head and swirled his tongue around her navel.

She squirmed. “That tickles.”

He licked down one thigh all the way to her knee and up the other inner thigh. “How about that?”

Veda’s breath turned ragged. “That feels good.”

Alec kissed and licked her inner thighs. She arched her body as he teased her, feeling her body tighten. After she let out a soft cry of protest, he relented and licked her center. She relaxed back to the ground.

She tasted so good. His beast growled, wanting more. To claim her. Alec’s desire rose as he brought her to the edge and back. Each time, the energy they generated in the cave grew stronger. She panted, squirmed, and grasped for him.

“Don’t stop,” she begged. “Please.”

He increased the pressure, and she moaned. She thrashed on the cave floor, wild and primal, and then cried out as she shattered. Her energy splintered, floating like luminescent confetti around them both. How he recognized this, he didn’t have a damn clue. But, he knew gargoyle magic, and this was no doubt extremely powerful.

He couldn’t wait to be in her. He removed his kilt with haste. He slipped the tip in and paused for her to adjust.

“I’m ready,” she said.

He drove in slowly. Oh, this felt too good. He yearned to drive into her fierce and fast.

No, he had to focus on their goal. He relished the sensation as he buried himself all the way in.

Thrusting in and out of her, she met his pace. The friction rose as they climbed together. Her scent wrapped around him reminding him of something.

Home.

“Picture your wings healed,” she said.

“Aye.” He focused on the rising energy as he rocked into her.

She raised her hips, and he thrust deeper. She clung to him.

“Yes. There.”

He found her sweet spot and increased the intensity. Her face was flush with desire, eyes hooded as she caught his gaze.

“Come for me, Veda,” he demanded.

She dropped her head to the side and cried out, exploding around him. Her energy joined with his, becoming more powerful. This mysterious connection he didn’t know existed until now. He directed this formidable force to his wings. 

He pictured his wings again. An image formed of him soaring through the night. Veda was in his arms and she marveled at the view surrounding them.

This connection between them felt so right. This wasn’t just a one-time encounter, this was the beginning.

How clear it all became. They were meant to be together. The fates had brought them together for a reason. All that had happened had led them here to this moment.

She was the one.

His mate.

Aye, mate, his inner beast agreed, as if relieved Alec had finally caught on.

Vibrations rippled through his body, a pulsing heat that shimmered within him, finding its way to the space in his back where his wings emerged. The energy cooled the burns.

“It’s working,” he said. His voice sounded reverent.

“Yes,” she cried. “I feel it, too.”

As their magic healed his wings, the sensations rose. He couldn’t hold back any longer. He yearned to mark her as his. “Veda,” he said. “Veda,” he repeated. He wanted to tell her they should be together.

The sensations rocketed through him, almost blinding him. Nothing had ever felt like this. Volcanic heat raged through him, greater than any flight, than any transformation from stone to man.

He hammered into her, groaning with deep vibrations that echoed from deep within his chest. The climax roared through him, reducing him to a primal state where he couldn’t think, could only want and need and take. And all he wanted was to claim her. He unleashed it all inside of her, hot jets of fiery heat pulsing into her.

He lay on top of her, burying his face into her neck. His heart thundered, and his pulse still raced. “I can’t move. Can’t think.”

Her skin was damp, her hair sweet-smelling. Her unique scent called to him.

“Shh, you don’t have to.” Her tone was as soft and gentle as her arms. She wrapped them around him. “Just rest and let the magic flow.”