I wake slowly, heavy eyelids, body numb and sore. The first thing I feel is heat. His heat.
Azrael is pressed against my back, his powerful chest against my shoulder blades, his heavy arm wrapped around my waist, his large hand resting on my stomach. His deep breathing lifts my hair, wrapping me in his burning scent, a mix of fire, spices, and desire.

I close my eyes. My heart beats painfully in my chest. I still feel the dull ache between my thighs, the burn of his mark inside me. And yet… yet it isn’t the pain that tightens my throat. It’s what I feel. This strange, forbidden, monstrous fire… but so beautiful. So burning. So alive.

I slowly slip out of his embrace. He growls softly in his sleep but doesn’t wake. I stand, my legs trembling slightly under my weight, my wings spreading and shivering behind me. I walk to the adjoining bathroom, my bare feet brushing over the burning black stone. The room is immense, carved into the rock, lit by braziers with blue flames. A large dark stone shower, framed by columns engraved with golden runes, dominates the center. I turn on the water, setting it to scalding. It bursts out in a torrent of steam, pounding against the stone with a deep rumble.

I stand still under the boiling spray, head bowed, water pounding my shoulders and nape, streaming over my wings, burning my pale skin until it turns pink. I close my eyes, cradling my head in my hands, my fingers sinking into my wet hair.

“What are you becoming, Caël…?”

I tremble. My heart beats so hard it hurts. I see his red eyes looking at me with that raw, burning tenderness. I hear his lips whispering “I love you… I love you…” over and over. I still feel his powerful body wrapping around me, his large warm hands caressing every inch of my skin as if I were a treasure. And I feel…
I feel that sweet, tearing pain in my chest.
I feel that forbidden fire, that monstrous desire…
And I feel that love.
That love I have no right to feel.
But it’s there.
It’s growing.
It’s burning me.

Silent tears mix with the burning water streaming down my face.

“No… no… I can’t… I…”

I suddenly sense a presence. An even hotter heat behind me. Before I even turn, I know. I know it’s him. Azrael.
I feel his hands rest on my hips, powerful, burning, possessive. His immense, muscular chest presses against my back, water streaming down his bronzed skin marked with black tattoos that glow under the steam. His wet black hair falls over his broad shoulders. His mouth presses against my nape in a burning kiss.

“You’re trembling, my angel…”

His deep voice resonates against my skin, making me moan softly. His hands slide over my stomach, caressing every line of my slender abs. My cock hardens instantly under his touch, despite the shame burning me. My breath quickens, ragged. My wings beat weakly behind me, the boiling water pounding our pressed bodies.

I close my eyes.
And I surrender.
I turn abruptly, pressing my body against his. I lift my head and lock my gaze with his red eyes. Burning tears stream down my cheeks, but my eyes shine with desire, need… love. His eyes widen slightly in surprise before a deep, rough growl rumbles in his chest.

I wrap my arms around his neck, clutch his wet black hair, and crash my lips to his. A brutal, desperate, burning kiss. A kiss that screams everything I can no longer hide. Everything I feel. He growls into my mouth, his hands gripping my pale ass, lifting me effortlessly. My legs wrap around his powerful waist, my hard cock rubbing against his muscular, burning stomach. His thick, hard cock pulses against my thigh, burning, ready.

I look at him, panting, my tears mixing with the droplets on my face.

“Take me… Azrael… I… I want you…”

His red eyes blaze with a wild, overwhelmed light. He slams my back against the burning stone wall, his hands gripping my hips firmly. He captures my lips in a devouring kiss, his tongue invading my mouth, swallowing my moans. He aligns his cock with my entrance, and with a powerful thrust, he fills me completely.

I scream his name, my voice echoing in the shower like a cry of love and pain entwined. He starts moving, his thrusts deep, powerful, burning. Each movement makes my skin slap against his, water streaming down our tangled bodies. My nails dig into his powerful shoulders, my wings tremble, my thighs spread wider to welcome him.

“Tell me you love me…” he growls against my mouth, his deep voice breaking with emotion. “Tell me…”

I shake my head, burning sobs wracking my body. But he thrusts harder, deeper, his hand gripping my throat with gentle firmness, his forehead pressed to mine.

“Tell me, Caël… tell me…”

And I give in. My heart shatters in my chest.

“I love you… Azrael… I love you…”

His eyes close, a torn growl escaping his chest. He takes me again and again, harder, deeper, his immense body trembling against mine. Our moans mingle with the burning steam, our voices echo in the bathroom like a forbidden prayer. I cum violently against his stomach, my cry lost in his lips, and he cums inside me, filling me with his burning heat, his deep howl vibrating against my mouth.

He stays inside me, panting, his forehead pressed to mine, his hands holding me so tightly I know he’ll never let me go. And I… I no longer want him to.

Because in his arms…
For the first time…
I feel like I belong.