Kael's hug was tight. Crushing. Like he never wanted to let me go again. His face buried into the curve of my neck, his breath hot against my skin.
Before I could register it, he lifted me just slightly, carrying me step by step until we collapsed together onto his bed, his weight pressing down on me, solid and overwhelming in a way that only made me cling to him harder.
I could feel his heartbeat, rapid and frantic, against my chest. His mouth brushed my throat, soft nips, little grazes of teeth that made my breath catch, and my fingers threaded into his hair, trying to ground myself in the reality of him.
"Aria…" he murmured my name like a spell on his lips. "I love you."
I felt it rumble through him, into me.
"I'll say it as many times as you want me to," his voice broke slightly, almost raw, "until I breathe my last."
