my frosty toes

When he had first arrived in Auster, Romulus had had zero expectations. He came here to see the lands his family had dominated and thrived in, but that was about it. He had no grand plans, no amazing schemes or ideas, no goals or objectives... He only had a dream of seeing the Armada family return to their ancestral homeland. Finding a pack and friends to live in hadn't been part of the equation. Lillith hadn't been part of the equation. But now that he'd found her, incorporated her into his daily life, Roman couldn't imagine a life without her. The spectral silver girl had consumed his every thought and dream. She had become his ambitions, his goals, his plans. The closer and more intimate they got, the more true it was. He smiled back into their kiss, his forelegs tightening a little around her waist to keep a secure hold on the girl he had long since decided was his.

A warmth spread throughout Roman's body as if he'd consumed a straight drink of potent whiskey, pooling low in his belly the longer their mouths remained connected in heated bliss. He worried a little about overheating Lillith again, so he kept himself measured and restrained, despite the overwhelming urge to roll her over and make her melt into the snow. No no, they would not have a repeat of the castle performance. He had to be good for her. She was still recovering, after all. Pushing her outside her comfort zone was good, but throwing her in the deep end was a bad idea waiting to happen. He murred back in reply through their kiss, feeling her body spasm a little as breathlessness began to overtake her. He wondered if he should pull away, but Lillith's forelegs wound tight around his neck prevented him from doing so, leaving him at her mercy to enjoy whatever she wanted from him as this beautiful young fae lay draped across him, driving him wild inside.

When their lips did finally part, Roman released a soft, happy sigh and blinked open half-lidded steel eyes. He found sparkling rubies staring back at him, a heat and love contained within that made his stomach flipflop and heart race. She whispered his name between gasping breaths, feeling each word she spoke against his muzzle they were still so close. Then she said the words every man waited their lifetime to hear or dreaded to hear. Lillith was falling in love with him. Lillith loved him. Roman's breathing stopped, staring at her with shocked eyes as his brain scrambled to process the words he'd just heard. Lillith loved him. He'd heard the phrase before, from faes he'd had flings with and walked away from, begging him to stay. He'd heard it on several different voices, but each one had been hollow, unreal, nothing more than a desperate plight to contain him, confine him. None of them had worked before.

Lillith was different. Lillith was special. Her voice didn't have the same empty promises and pleading the others had. In her eyes he saw nothing but love and nervousness. This wasn't some she-wolf trying to keep him tethered down after a good time. This was the real, genuine article. Lillith loved him. Roman's heart beat erratically in his chest, threatening to burst free any second. His mouth opened, but no words came out. For once, he was utterly tongue-tied! Entranced and bewitched by the beautiful wolf in his arms. "Lillith..." he began, finding his voice in a husky whisper that barely rose above the gentle winter breeze. "Did you know..." He gazed so deep into her eyes, as if he could see straight into her soul, spying the future they could have if he said what his heart felt. It was beautiful. It could all be his. She could all be his. The newest Armada wolf one day.

"...that I'm falling in love with you too."

"Speech"