"I know I promised you a tree, but will a rock do?"

My core clenched at Calix's question, and I nodded slowly, taking in all the many rocks in the space. He released a husky chuckle and took my hand, leading me to the edge of a teal pool surrounded by sheets of shimmering ice.

"These are thermal springs. There are dozens of caves just like this all around the Winter Court."

There were a half dozen other pools spread out in the space, each one surrounded by ice walls to create cozy alcoves. Slabs of white stone rimmed them, and in many places protruded over the water. Perfect for relaxing in the balmy warmth or for...other things.

As Calix moved behind one and pulled his tunic over his head, I realized the walls only gave an illusion of privacy. Pale blue glowing crystals jutted out of the ceiling and lit up the ice, creating a perfect canvas to capture shadows. I watched with gnawing hunger as he dropped his trousers, and the stark outline of his erection became visible.

Working moisture into my mouth, I asked, "Did you pick this place because it was the closest safe space or because you wanted to seduce me?"

Shadow Calix reached for cock and gave it two long strokes. "Can the answer be both?"

"I'm just saying it's rather convenient."

Not that I was complaining. I had thought my desire for this male before had been unquenchable, but it had nothing on what I felt in my Fae form. Only the constant danger had kept it at bay, but here, in this magical winter haven, I could only think about finally claiming what was mine.

Calix walked back around the ice and made sure I got an eyeful before stepping into the steaming waters. He dove beneath the surface and emerged in the pool's center. Water streamed down his face, the droplets leaving silver streaks on his tan skin.

Treading water, he smirked up at me. "Why do I have the feeling that you would prefer me to say I brought you here to fuck you, over saying I brought you here to save you?"

"Because you know me so well?"

"Because you're mad, woman." He swam a little closer. "Aren't you going to get in?"

"In a minute." Maybe I really was mad for not stripping down at once and throwing myself into the pool, but the building anticipation was almost as satisfying. "How did you know about this place?"

He swam backward and hoisted himself onto the edge of one of the big white slabs. His legs dangled over the edge far enough that his feet remained submerged, and he languidly stroked himself while he considered his answer.

"When royal children turn eighteen, they're required to visit the different Courts during their ruling season. As you can imagine, spending a winter in the Winter Court was quite miserable for a Summer Fae. This was a favorite spot to escape the cold."

I observed the cavern again, trying to imagine a younger version of Calix here. The romantic allure of the alcoves wasn't lost on me. Considering the nature of Fae and the nature of young males, I suspected he hadn't come here merely to escape the cold.

"What else?" I asked, the teasing tone in my voice taking on a sudden edge.

His fingers tightened around his cock, and he tugged on it. A bead of pre-cum bloomed on the tip, and I ran my tongue over my bottom lip, wishing it was his cock I was licking clean.

"Don't you want to get in the water, little moon?"

My voice wasn't the only one with an edge. Calix sounded a hairsbreadth from snapping, and suddenly, I desperately wanted him to break.

Stepping behind the ice, I pulled down the sleeves of my gown. The tattered fabric tore as I pushed it down over my breasts, but I made sure to angle my body so he couldn't see their curves in the shadow.

"I want to know what you used to do here. Did you fuck other females here?"

"What would you do if I said I did?"

Red tinged my vision as I shimmied out of the gown, letting it puddle around my feet. It was stupid and irrational to feel this way. I hadn't come to Calix a virgin, and I wouldn't hold his past against him. But the idea of another female touching him...I sucked in a deep breath and released it slowly.

Twisting, I put my curves on full display. Back arched, I ran my hands over my generous breasts, down my stomach, and between my legs. Parting my pussy lips with two fingers, I slid them up and down, purposely missing the spot I wanted to touch the most. As good as it would feel, I wanted only one thing to caress me there: my mate's tongue.

"Luna," he growled.

His outline suddenly appeared on the other side of the ice. I didn't stop touching myself. He made no move to come any closer, but I knew he watched my every move by the way his starlight eyes glowed brighter. So bright I feared they might melt the sheet of ice separating us.

My fingers shifted slightly, brushing over a spot that drew a whimper from my lips, and that was all it took to snap the last of his control. With a roar, he punched through the ice, and when he reached for me through the jagged shards, I braced myself for pain.

It never came. Black mist swirled over me, protecting my skin as he dragged me through. We tumbled backward, falling into the water, and we resurfaced in a tangle of limbs and lips.

I could scarcely catch my breath as his hands roamed over my body. His cock nudged at my entrance, but he didn't sheath himself inside me, no matter how I rocked against him. Every bit of his attention was on branding me with his lips and fingers.

He whispered, "These are fucking perfection," as he raised me out of the water and positioned my breasts directly in front of his face.

"Oh gods, yes, please," I moaned as his teeth scraped over a hard nipple.

Something cold and smooth pressed into my back. We'd managed to swim back to the pool's edge, and he had me pressed against a large rock. It was slanted just enough that I could recline with my legs still in the water, but not enough that we could lie flat on it.

Calix pushed me up it until my ass was completely out of the water, and he threw my legs over his shoulders. Before I could comprehend what was happening, he buried his mouth between my legs. Tongue flicking and swirling around my swollen bud, he pushed me right over the edge in a matter of seconds, and instead of pulling away to let me recover, he braced his arm over my stomach to keep me in place while he kept up his relentless assault.

"I can't," I panted, bucking against his mouth. "It's too much."

In response, he used his other hand to part my butt cheeks. A wet fingertip circled the edge of my asshole, moving at the same speed as his tongue. It drew my attention away from my overly sensitive areas, and after a few strokes, the familiar tightening in my core returned. This time, the buildup was slower. Less like a lightning strike and more like the seconds before thunder rumbled.

"I-I'm close," I moaned, fingers tangling in his hair. "I'm so—"

Calix's circling finger slipped inside me, and I shrieked as the world around me exploded. This time when I stopped shaking, he pulled his mouth away from my center and kissed me, smearing my flavor across my tongue with his.

Weak from coming so hard twice, I could do nothing but comply as he rolled me to my stomach. He gripped my hips and slowly fed himself into me. I pressed my face into the rock, eyes watering as he stretched me. It had only been a few days, and already I had forgotten how it felt to take every inch of him.

"Look how good you take me, little moon," he said when his pelvis pressed against my butt. "You were made for me. You're mine. Say it."

I nodded. "I'm yours. Only yours."

"Good girl. Now hold on tight."

I threw my arms out to grab onto either edge of the stone slab just in time for him to withdraw and slam back into me. The cave echoed with the sound of slapping flesh. Every thrust was brutal. Half punishment, half claiming—Calix didn't hold back.

His arms came around me, his hands going over where mine gripped the rock. There was a sharp prick of pain on my left shoulder where he sank his fangs into the tender flesh, but it faded almost at once, replaced by blinding pleasure as the shared emotions in our bond became more intense.

As he plunged into me, it was hard to separate what I was feeling from what he was feeling. Either way, we were both unraveling. Quickly.

I came first. This time I nearly blacked out, and my pussy clamped down around his dick so hard Calix swore.

Then his rhythm faltered. His arms and legs shook. He thrust forward so hard I slid up the rock, scraping the tender skin on my stomach. The knuckles on his hands turned white, and he threaded his fingers through mine as he came with a breathy moan of my name.