CHAPTER 130: HEALING TOUCH

Yoa’s palm lingered on the faint purples and blues along Nova’s skin, his thumb grazing gently as if he could erase them with the tenderness of his touch. His brows knitted, a low growl humming in his chest before he steadied himself. She had proven her strength today, but the sight of her battered form twisted something inside him.

It was tradition, and only now that he had a mate, he realised how much he disliked it. When he was younger he didn’t think much about it. He was proud of Nova but to see her like this now, her muscles sore and covered in bruises, it made his beast hungry for a fight. He wouldn’t do that to Veyra, she was only playing her part as the only female, besides his mother, to put Nova through that rite.

’How are your arms now?’ Yoa asked, his fingers traced over her bicep like she was made of silk.

Nova only hummed, rolling closer, her lips pressing teasingly against the broad expanse of his chest. Each kiss was unhurried, her breath warm against him. "I’m sure they’ll feel better after your healing touch," she murmured, her voice husky with exhaustion but mischief twinkled in her eyes.

Yoa chuckled, his arousal already straining beneath his loin cloth from the sound of her voice alone. ’Healing touch? Is that what we are calling it now?’

Unknown to Nova, he’d been mind linking her the entire time. He’d let the words slip along the invisible bond. The thread of the Serakai pulsed golden, weaving tighter, the bond growing stronger. Nova hadn’t picked up on it yet, not consciously, but she would. Yoa was just more susceptible to the usage of new power. It must be because he was from this world, and a beast shifter. Magic was already in his veins.

Languidly, Nova climbed atop of him, slow with the lingering ache in her muscles. Desire pooled low in her belly as she felt his need and a different ache formed, bursting with heat.

Her clothing slipped from her shoulders, her long hair cascading down like a silken curtain, brushing against his skin. She captured his lips with hers, soft at first, then more insistent, their mouths opening and closing with mounting hunger.

Yoa’s arms closed around her, needing her skin against his, heat pumping down south as their kisses grew ever more hungrier. Both hands splayed across the small of her back, fanned out, covering most of her skin. His grip tightened on her hips as her pulse quickened under his fingertips. Her warmth, her scent, it consumed him entirely, like it always did. He deepened the kiss, groaning into her mouth, his arousal pressing into her belly, becoming unbearable.

Yoa was proud of what Nova accomplished today and wanted to explore her body, worship it all night if he could, and Nova clung to him after being without him as he fought for the island, and then stood up to his father for her.

Her body trembled with need, yearning to always be close. She couldn’t even think about what it might be like now to be without her Serakai. The strangeness of it all had dissipated months back as she accepted her role and her man in this new life that she now fell into easily.

Breaking the kiss, Nova trailed her lips along his jaw, his throat, sucking softly on his skin until his breath hissed between his teeth and making her insides curl at the sound. She loved how passionate and wild he could be. There was no holding back when it came to Yoa.

It was why they decided to come to the cave hideout instead of the treehouse tonight. To have more privacy from Atia and Aiyana. Besides, the trunk bed and the cosiness of the cave was just as romantic as the rooftop they kept making love on.

"Nova," he rasped, his voice guttural, the beast in him clawing closer to the surface.

Yiska wanted to know she was okay even while the evidence sat on top of him. Nova’s hand slid along his jaw, her eyes locking with his glowing ones before pressing her forehead to his, the heat of their skin almost burning with intensity. "My... wild... beast," she whispered, speaking directly at him.

His eyes sparked and his chest rumbled in a low purr. The grip on her waist tightened before she was lifted. Her legs wrapped around him automatically as their lips collided again, he carried her away from the bed. A low moan escaped her lips, fingers sliding into the mane of his hair, aware of where he was taking her.

The cave felt too hot, too sticky right now, and their hair became slick with sweat, clinging to their forehead, cheeks and each other. Some dirt still covered parts of Nova and Yoa from the day’s activities.

It was too hot in the cave, and they were both a little dirty from the day’s activities. The cave opening gave way to the night sky, the ocean beyond calm, the waves crashing along the rocks below as the whisper of leaves cocooned them, until the roar of falling water filtered it all out.

The pool lay tucked between rocks and vines, moonlight spilling like silver over its surface. Mist rose where the small waterfall cascading down the cliffside, struck the pool, shimmering like starlight.

Yoa set her down gently on the smooth stones at the edge, his gaze roaming her body as though he were memorising every bruise, every curve, every breath. As he drank her in, Nova’s eyes caressed every slab of muscle, appreciating him, her mouth going dry.

He untied his loincloth, letting it fall, his arousal standing proud, thick and ready. Heat rushed through her veins at the sight of him. Always so powerful, and so utterly hers.

"You are sure?" he asked, his voice low, reverent. His eyes flicked between hers, searching. He could sense the ache and pain in her body, but beneath it, he felt her desire lapping at his own.

Nova’s answer was a whisper and a kiss against his mouth. "Always."

He pulled her into the water with him, their bodies sinking beneath the cool surface. The chill made her shiver, but his heat wrapped around her instantly, his hands smoothing along her back, his mouth capturing hers again, deeper, hungrier. The water lapped around them, rippling with their movements as he pressed her against the smooth stone beneath the mini waterfall.

The cascade splashed across their shoulders, trickling down their skin. Nova gasped at the cold, but Yoa’s tongue slid into her mouth, hot and claiming, stealing every sound from her lips.

He trailed kisses down her neck, his teeth scraping lightly, nipping where her pulse beat fast and wild. His hand cupped her breast beneath the water, thumb brushing her hardened nipple until she moaned into the night. He rolled it between his fingers, his other hand gripping her hip to anchor her against him.

Her body arched into his, aching for more. The bruises along her arms twinged, but his touch was careful, never pressing too hard where she hurt. He worshiped around them, mapping her body with lips and tongue until she forgot the ache, until only heat and want remained.

"Yoa..." Her voice cracked on his name as he slid his hand lower, fingers brushing between her thighs. He teased, stroking slowly, parting her folds, circling her clit until she writhed against him. The water splashed, droplets clinging to her hair, her breasts, shimmering under the moon.

"Always so ready for me," he growled against her throat. "Lux mea, my mate."

Nova’s nails dug into his shoulders, clinging as his fingers sank into her, stretching her slowly. She moaned, head falling back against the rock, the sound echoing off the cliffside. He pumped gently, curling his fingers, watching her lips part, her chest rise and fall. Every reaction, every sound, driving him wild.

When she gasped his name again, he withdrew, lifting her easily in the water, her legs wrapping around his waist. His tip brushed her entrance, and both of them groaned at the contact.

"Please," she whispered, her eyes shining, voice trembling with need.

Yoa thrust forward slowly, entering her inch by inch. Nova cried out, clutching him tighter, her body clenching around his thickness. He stilled, forehead pressed to hers, panting as he let her adjust.

"You are mine," he murmured, his voice breaking with need.

"Always," she breathed, meeting his kiss with equal fire.

He began to move, gently at first, always allowing her to adjust to his size. The water splashed softly with each roll of his hips. The waterfall beat down beside them while their bond thrummed golden-hot between them. Every thrust sent sparks across it, carrying their pleasure back and forth until they were lost in each other.

Nova’s moans grew louder, her hips rocking to meet his, the ache in her arms forgotten in the swell of desire. Yoa’s control frayed, his pace quickening, thrusts deeper, harder.

’Harder,’ Nova moaned through the bond, unaware her thoughts reached him. ’Yes, harder!’

Yoa’s eyes widened, and his lips curved at the silent command. He did exactly that, aware of how much she could take from him now. His touch was gentle, but his thrusts were exactly what she wanted, what they both needed.

He growled against her mouth, the beast in him riding the edge of breaking free, but he held himself, channelling that feral need into worshiping her body.

Water cascaded over their entwined forms, droplets sliding across skin, down curves, mingling with sweat. Nova clung to him, every nerve lit, every heartbeat synced with his. Her nails scored faint red trails down his back, urging him on, needing more, needing everything.

"Yoa!" she cried, her body tightening, the coil within her snapping. Her release ripped through her, white-hot, her cries echoing under the night sky.

Her climax dragged him over with her. Yoa roared her name into the jungle, thrusting deep one final time as his release spilled within her. He trembled with the force of it, holding her tight as though she might vanish if he let go.

They stayed like that, bodies trembling, breaths ragged, the waterfall hissing beside them.

When the waves of pleasure finally ebbed, Yoa kissed her tenderly, lips brushing her temple, her cheek, her mouth. His hands roamed her back, soothing, grounding, as though he could steady both of them after being swept so far away.

Nova rested her head against his chest, her lips curving in a tired, blissful smile. "I think... your healing touch worked."

Yoa chuckled, pressing his face into her damp hair, inhaling her scent like it was the only air he needed. "I’m not so sure... I think... We may have to do that again. Just to make sure," he cheekily replied.

"Oh, you think so?!" Nova’s laughter rang soft and sweet against the backdrop of the water. "I suppose you may be right."

Yoa met her eyes with mischief, though her fatigue pulsed in the bond like a twinkling star. Instead, he washed her, hands tender, worshipping every part of her until she melted into him again. Her voice drowned with the waves when his head lowered between her thighs, and when she had no strength left, he carried her back to bed.