AARYN

His belly clenched when she whimpered. But she still hadn't relaxed. He'd known this would come—but he'd never thought it would be triggered by politics. He'd thought they'd have more time. He'd thought… it didn't matter what he thought. He had to show her.

If she ever fell, he would catch her.

She had to know it. Believe it. Trust it. Because then she'd know she could trust him with the rest of it.

"Let go, Elreth," he said, his voice low and husky. "Let go, and let me show you."

She stared up at him, the strangest mix of desire, hope, and fear in her eyes. He growled as he took her mouth—frustration that she still thought she had to be everything by herself, and sheer desire because she was so fucking beautiful and now he could have her.

She was his. Really his.

Or, at least, she would be.

He kissed her, tasting her, softly licking the underside of her tongue so her breath caught, as he trailed his hand down her arm, gratified to feel her goosebump under his touch. When he reached the back of her wrist, he let his fingers slide under it, grasping, circling it in his hand that was so much bigger. Then he pulled her hand up over her head and pinned it to the tree behind her.

Her eyes hooded and she smiled. He took her mouth again, his breath hot and fast, and found her other hand and brought that up too, gripping both wrists in his fingers and locking them there, as if his hands were the manacles.

He pulled back far enough to meet her eyes and had to stifle the mating call when he found her gaze alight with heat—but still flickering with the shadow of uncertainty.

One arm braced to hold her hands above her head, he gave her no space. Her chest pressed into his when she inhaled.

And she liked it.

The position forced her to arch slightly, lifting her breasts higher. But she still didn't lift her chin all the way.

She hadn't surrendered.

Just like in the dance.

"El, you're the strongest person I know," he rasped. "And I only ever want to be the one behind you, the one who lifts you higher. I choose to submit to you—I've shown you that for years."

"Yes," she gulped. "I know."

He nodded. "It's your turn." Her eyes widened. "I can't show you that you can trust me until… you trust me to show you."

Her throat bobbed and he groaned. He couldn't resist, he dropped his chin to kiss her there, but a little to the side when she didn't let her head fall back. She shivered though, and he smiled against her skin.

She swallowed again, and her voice was faint. "How?"

Turned out he was breathless too. "Let me choose. I'll never take unless you let me, El—but you have to let me. Give me your throat."

Her eyes flew wide then and he feared it was too fast. But deep in his gut, he knew. He knew if they didn't start here, she'd never get there. They'd mate. They'd walk the Flames and Smoke. And every day she'd get stronger. And every day there would be reason not to let him have the one thing she'd never given anyone else.

Submission.

Keeping her hands pinned above her head, he nudged her with his knee and her eyes flared again. "This isn't about mating, El," he whispered, trailing his free hand down her side. He felt her nipples peak under his thumb and he had to keep his gaze up or his resolve would waver and he'd just fall to his knees and beg. "This isn't about thrones or Alphas. This is about being what you need. And you need to know you don't have to do it alone. I'm your mate. Me. Only me. No one else. You can trust me, El."

"I know," she whispered immediately.

He shook his head. "You don't. Not really. You're still holding back. Let go." He leaned in until they were pressed together, chest to knee and her breathing went shallow.

Then he kissed her again, groaning the mating call and she responded like it was torn out of her, but it fell off into a whimper as she opened her mouth and took his tongue.

Her heart raced faster than he'd ever heard it, desire mingled with fear. He fisted a hand in her blouse, forcing himself not to tear it off. She had to offer. He couldn't take—wouldn't ever take from her—until she offered.

Between kisses, she gasped, "There are people who… don't want me to lead…"

"I'll help you show them they're wrong," he said hoarsely.

"There are Anima that will try to take my throne."

"Then they'll have to get through me," he growled, then tangled their tongues until she gasped again.

"The elders are going to try to stand in my way."

"And I'll stand behind you. You don't have to face them alone. Give yourself, El. I'm here. You can trust me. Let yourself go."

"I've never… I don't know how to let you do that."

"Just… stop fighting," he whispered. "Let me choose where to take you." The kiss turned frantic and she whimpered again, pressing herself against him, frustrated and excited. He groaned, then sucked in when she writhed against him.

But she was still pulling against his grip on her wrists. Still tense against his body.

"El, please." Panting, he dropped his forehead against hers and their eyes locked again. "I vow to you," he swallowed convulsively, "I'll never try to hurt you. I'll never try to defeat you. I only ever want what's best for you. You don't need to fight me—let me be strong for you, so you can rest."

"But… how will I ever get it back?" she whispered and there was true fear in her voice. Aaryn froze, blinking.

"Get what back?"

"If I submit to you… how will I ever be powerful again?"

Thrill twisted his insides. She was trembling. She wanted to do this. A smile bloomed on his face. "That's the part you're missing—submit, Elreth. Give over. I'll never make you small. The only thing I'll ever take is your burdens. And I'll replace them with… with…"

"With what?"

He swallowed. "Me," he croaked. "El, the only thing I ever want is to make you stronger—but you have to let me."

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