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October 24 - October 30, 2025
His bright, immortal power was still roused, laying over me protectively, and I thought I felt mine rise to claim him. Maybe it was my imagination, but I swore I could feel flickers of emotion from him, from intense male satisfaction to his own shocked wonder at our joining and a deep, unfathomable wellspring of caring.
Samkiel had shattered my understanding of what it meant to make love.
All I knew was that a bond had solidified between us tonight. It felt different, stronger, unbreakable, and very, very dangerous.
His arms tightened, the full weight of him settling on me. For the first time ever, I felt safe and warm. The beast buried so deep inside of me stopped throwing herself against the walls of her prison and shuddered in relief. Samkiel nestled further into me as if he were afraid if he let me go, this would disappear.
He lifted his head to stare at me like he always had, as if I were more precious to him than anything in this realm or the next. As if I were more precious than his crown, his throne, all of it, and at that moment, I truly believed it.
“You are very special to me. No one feels like you. No one else can ruin me so completely. I know without a doubt that if I had an amata, even if they were alive today, I’d still choose you. It will always be you, Dianna.”
“Destiny be damned?” “You are better than any destiny.”
“Yeah. He loves her.”
“Hey,” he cupped my chin, turning my face toward him, “don’t do that. Don’t pull away from me. We are not going back to that. Kiss me, Dianna.”
“Now you kiss me?” “I needed to tell you what I had done before you kissed me. You needed to know because I did not want you to feel deceived or manipulated. I know what that is, and I would not have you feel that at my hands, Samkiel.”
“Thank you for protecting my heart, Dianna,”
“I already
“What?” I asked, cocking my head. “Home?”
I stared into the deep gray of his eyes and realized that he had become my home.
“That’s what it feels like with you.”
He smiled as if I’d just handed him a priceless gift.
I’ll—” I stopped. I wasn’t alone anymore. No. I needed to learn that, too. “We will kill him, too.”
He grinned. “Flirt.”
I only cared about this man.
You’re a protector, a guardian, and,” I reached up and wrapped my hand around the back of his neck, pulling him down to me as I went to my tiptoes, “my best friend.”
“You would be right. I am perfectly happy right here.”
“You truly pay that much attention to me?” I slid my hands over his chest. “I notice everything about you.”
Plus, you’re over a thousand years old, Samkiel. I can’t kill all your past lovers. Even if I want to.” “You want to?”
“You’re always with me.”
“I can’t give you pretty words. I don’t know how anymore.”
“I want to be honest with you, too, because that does not mean I care any less for you.” “I know.”
“You don’t have to touch me for that. Everything about you is enticing.”
“Do you wish for me to beg? I’ll beg.” Samkiel panted.
“Kings don’t beg.” His hips thrust helplessly. “I will for you.”
Even if words failed me, I wanted to prove to him I was his.
“Yours,” I breathed, rolling my hips, my heart racing beneath his palm. “Mine,” he agreed, and it sounded like a vow.
“Yours,”
“Yours.”
“Mine.”
I wanted him to know, to see, that even if I could not say the words he so desperately wanted, he owned me, mind, body, and soul.
“I told you I would take you beneath the stars,” he growled, his thrusts powerful and steady. “I meant it.”
“Lean back, Dianna,” he demanded. “Show me what’s mine again. I want to see it.”
“You were made for me. Only me.”
“That’s it, baby. Say my name. Tell me who makes you feel this good. Tell me who you belong to.” “Samkiel.”
He was always so polite, but he was absolutely filthy when I had him like this.
“You always ask me questions after you ravage me because you know I’ll say yes.” “I mean, I’m not denying that.”
“He said some things about you. I just reacted.”
“I’m trying, Dianna. I am, but I can’t keep from feeling as if all I do is fail.
“Hey, it’s enough. You are enough,”
I laughed and placed my hand against his cheek, wanting to protect him as furiously as he had always protected me. The darkest part of me, made of razor teeth, claws, and armored scales, seemed to grin widely at the thought of just how far I knew I would go to do just that.
“It is perfect,” he said, but he didn’t look at the lights or the arrangements, just at me.
Samkiel was still in the same place, waiting. Samkiel always waited for me.
His hands cupped my face and kissed my lips, his forehead resting against mine, grounding me in his taste, scent, and touch.
“This is beautiful, Dianna. Thank you for sharing.”
but I will be here with you every step of the way, whatever you need, just like you have been for me. You led me out of my darkness, Dianna. Now let me lead you, or I can follow you into the dark, but there is no me without you. Not anymore. Do you understand?”
