Asher’s POV.
I’m in heaven, absolute bliss. I’ve wanted to kiss her this entire time, but I forced myself to resist, thinking she wasn’t ready. But now that she made the first move, my wolf is howling in joy, pacing with excitement. Her lips, her touch—it’s everything I’ve craved for the last two years.
I wrap my arms around her, pulling her closer as she deepens the kiss, her mouth opening to let her tongue massage mine in a rhythm that’s driving me insane. She holds my face like I’m her lifeline, her fingers tangling in my hair. The feel of her body pressed firmly against mine, the raw passion in this moment, it’s overwhelming. I can feel the love, the longing, the fire.
Her lips break from mine, and her eyes, filled with lust, take my breath away. But I’m not ready to stop. No, not yet. I pull her back, kissing her again with an intensity that burns through me. I pour every ounce of love and pain, every lost moment from the past two years into it. I breathe her in, tasting her mouth, drinking in her scent like it’s the only thing keeping me alive.
We’re both wild with desire, barely hanging onto control. I know I need to slow down, remind myself that her parents could be nearby. With great effort, I give her one final kiss, before breaking away, resting my forehead against hers. We both gasp for breath, lost in the overwhelming heat of the moment.
I kiss her cheek softly and pull her into my arms, holding her tightly, never wanting to let her go. She adjusts herself so her head rests on my arm, her leg hooked over mine. Her presence calms the fire in me, but my love for her only burns brighter.
Her finger gently traces over the wolf tattoo on my chest. Her voice is soft, barely above a whisper. “What’s wrong with me?” she asks. “Am I… Lenora?”
I exhale slowly, terrified to ruin this moment but knowing she deserves the truth. “I don’t know what’s happened to you,” I say, “but yes, you are Lenora.”
I feel her tears wetting my arm. “So I am your soulmate? And a queen?” Her voice cracks with the weight of the words.
I smile softly and kiss her forehead, my heart swelling with love. “Yes, my angel, you are. Your kingdom misses you dearly.”
Her tears come harder now, her pain breaking my heart. “I don’t know what to do… I’m so sorry for everything.”
I hold her tighter, bringing her hand to my lips and kissing it tenderly. “Don’t apologize, sweetheart. We’ll figure this out together. I promise you.”
She squeezes my hand, and her voice is trembling with fear. “I’m a prisoner of the dragon king, Draco. He has control over something… something precious to me. He’s forced his mark on me and claims that I’m his mate. I’m so scared of him, Asher. He hurts me… forces me to do things.”
My wolf rages inside me, desperate to tear Draco apart. My fists clench as my fury roils beneath the surface. The dragon king… that reptile will die by my hands.
“Don’t go back there,” I beg, my voice thick with emotion. “Please, come home with me. Our kingdom is powerful. I promise, I will protect you.”
She shakes her head, tears still streaming down her face. “I want nothing more than that, Asher, but I can’t. Part of my soul is there, and he’s cruel… he’ll destroy everything I hold dear.”
I sit up, wanting to see her face, to convince her with every ounce of love I have. I wipe her tears away, kissing her softly on the lips. “Please, Lenora, take me with you. I’ll kill him myself.”
Her eyes hold such deep sorrow, her fear palpable. “It’s too dangerous for you alone,” she whispers. “He has an army of dragons and witches. I won’t risk losing you.”
Frustration tears at me. “What am I supposed to do then?” I snap, my voice harsher than I intended. “I can’t sit here doing nothing while he hurts the woman I love!”
She flinches at my tone, and my heart breaks. “I’m so sorry, my angel,” I whisper, pulling her close. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
She leans her head against my chest, her tears dampening my shirt. “Don’t apologize. I’m the one who’s sorry,” she murmurs. “I just can’t leave yet.”
Before I can respond, Iliana and Leonis appear before us. Lenora’s eyes widen in shock, and I kiss her head, trying to comfort her as she processes the situation.
Iliana steps forward, her voice soft. “Lenora, honey, I’m Iliana, your mother. I’m not sure if you remember me, but this is your father, Leonis.”
Leonis kneels down, his voice full of emotion. “Hi, my sweet girl. I’ve missed you so much.”
Lenora hesitates, studying their faces, especially her mother’s. The resemblance is undeniable, and slowly, she steps toward them. They embrace her tightly, their love so pure it fills the air. The three of them cry together, reunited after all this time.
After the embrace, Iliana holds Lenora’s face, staring deep into her eyes for a long moment. The silence is thick with emotion, and tears stream down Iliana’s face as she hugs her daughter once more.
Then, Iliana turns to me. “We have to let Lenora return,” she says, her voice breaking. “As painful as it is for us all, she can’t come home yet.”
I’m stunned, confused. How can they be okay with sending her back to that monster? Iliana continues, “I’ve slowed time for us, but her friend will be here soon. Lenora, can I see your ankle tattoo?”
Lenora nods, placing her ankle on Iliana’s lap. Iliana touches it gently before pulling her daughter into another hug. “Be strong, honey. You’ve been so brave.”
Leonis embraces her, whispering, “We’ll see you soon, darling.”
I feel time beginning to speed up again, and the slow arrival of her dragon companion gnaws at my soul. My hands shake as I pull Lenora into my arms, kissing her forehead. “Please come back tomorrow, sweetheart,” I beg, my voice cracking. “I need you.”
She clings to me, her tears soaking my chest. “I’ll try, Asher. Thank you… thank you for today.”
I slip my hand into my pocket and pull out the golden ring she once gave me before a battle long ago. “Take this, my angel. It will protect you from dark magic and curses. It carries some of your healing aura too.”
She opens her hand, and I slide the ring onto her finger. Iliana steps closer, asking to touch the ring. She adds a pink glow to it before speaking softly. “I’ve masked its scent and appearance. Draco won’t notice it. I also added time control magic, so you can freeze or slow time when you need it.”
Lenora smiles, thanking us both before giving me one last, passionate kiss. As the dragon cage descends, she runs toward it, leaving me trembling in her absence. I watch as she dives into the water, washing herself before entering the cage. Time snaps back to its normal pace, and she ascends into the sky, taking my heart with her.