ELIA
It was pitch black. No light at all. But she could smell the cave, smell her mate and her heart surged.
"Reth?" she cried.
There was a rustling behind her, as if the furs had moved. "Elia?" his voice was hoarse and weak, as if she'd woken him. "Elia?!"
"Reth!" She rolled over and found that warm, steel strength of his chest under her hands. She sobbed and clung to him. "Reth, you're here?"
"No, you're here. Elia how—"
But she'd found his face and pulled him in, kissing him, whimpering against his lips, and he took her mouth desperately, pulling her into his chest, groaning the mating call, long and deep until it vibrated in her chest where she was pressed against him.
He wore no clothing and she clung to him, wrapped her leg over his waist, her fingers clawing into his back, fisting his hair, pulling him, needing to feel him, until his muscles gave under her grip and he flinched. But he didn't let go.
