*** I would like to thank everyone for reading, I would also would like to thank SleeperyJim for helping me out and editing this chapter so that people may enjoy the story even more. *****
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Zoe woke up the next morning, sore but strangely satisfied. She groaned as she moved her body, especially when she moved her legs. Azriel shifted next to her, still asleep. Zoe smiled and took this moment to slip out of the bed onto wobbly legs. She felt like she was on the ocean as she walked to the bathroom.
Azriel awoke at the shift of the bed. He groaned and stretched, looking over to see the bathroom door shut and Zoe missing from the bed. He let out a loud yawn and sat up, then realizing he was still naked he decided it might be better to put something on before Zoe got out of the bathroom.
He moved over to his closet, pulled out a pair of jeans and pulled them on.
He had just pulled them up when Zoe came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. She smiled at him and held the towel firmly, turning slightly red as she looked at his half naked body. "Did you sleep well?"
Azriel was amused by her shyness, "Very. Are you hungry?"
"Starving!" she exclaimed with a slight laugh. "Let me go get dressed, and I shall meet you in the dining room."
She disappeared out of the room before Azriel could even say a word. He shook his head and put on a grey button-down shirt and went to the dining room to wait for her.
Zoe felt awkward at breakfast, unsure how they were to interact now that they had slept together. The very thought made her blush. She knew it was silly to feel so shy, but she did.
She spent the rest of the day on the edge of being too shy to do anything bolder then draw Azriel into passionate kisses, that made her relax and forget about everything else until they ended. Then she would remember what had happened and she would feel embarrassed all over again.
Late that night, while Azriel read to her in front of the fireplace of the library, she grew sleepy.
"You're falling asleep," Azriel said softly as he put down the book and picked her up. Zoe felt herself melt into him as she leaned her head against his chest and breathed in his scent, and then saw that he was heading towards her room. She was confused.
"Why are you taking me to my room?"
Azriel paused and looked down at her. He had watched her all day and noticed how bashful she was around him. He did not want to make her uncomfortable. "I thought you may want to be alone."
Zoe shook her head realizing she had been silly. She had nothing to be embarrassed about - Azriel loved her. "I want to sleep next to you,"
Azriel's heart leapt for joy at the words. "Are you sure?"
"Please," she said, looking up at him with a shy smile. Azriel smiled, then kissed her softly, and began walking to his room.
"Wait, my pajamas!" Zoe exclaimed, reaching back to her door as if she could open it with the gesture,
Azriel laughed, "You can borrow one of my shirts."
He moved into his room swiftly, placed her gently on the bed and kissed her softly, before moving to his closet, and throwing her a large, blue t-shirt.
Zoe caught it and then slipped past him into the bathroom to change, not quite over her shyness. As he undressed, Azriel chuckled to himself at how funny she was, before pulling on a pair of sweat pants. He normally slept naked but he did not want to scare Zoe back to her room by being too bold. He laid down on the bed as bathroom door opened and turned his head to look.
Zoe sauntered out with a nervous smile on her face. The large shirt hung to her knees, and the sleeves came down to her elbows. Azriel growled lightly at the sight of her in his shirt. She was never so intoxicating than in that moment and he felt himself stir.
Zoe blushed and moved under the blankets, pulling them up to her neck.
"Maybe someday you will not be so shy," he whispered as he pulled her close, his semi-hard length pressed against her leg. Zoe was shocked to feel him like this and it made her pleased to know she had such an effect on him.
"I doubt it," she said, turning to him, kissing him softly. "Good night."
"Good night, my love." With that, he settled into the bed with her in his arms, never happier than that moment, and fell into a deep sleep.
Zoe tried to get to sleep but found herself slightly turned on just by the thought of him next to her, and knowing he wanted her sexually. She found that she wanted him as well and became slightly wet at the erotic thoughts that roamed in her mind. She was finally able to fall into a fitful sleep, wishing he would wake up and ravage her.
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Zoe woke the next morning and snuggled into Azriel's warmth. She had never felt so happy and safe. She sighed happily and opened her eyes but instead of seeing Azriel there was a large black scaly creature next to her. Glowing blue eyes peered at her with cold menace; long, threatening fangs glistened downward from its upper jaw; and two long pointed silver horns menaced from the top of its head.
Zoe screamed as she tried to retreat from the fangs that lunged at her, threatening to drag her down into eternal darkness.
Zoe sat straight up, still screaming. "It's going to kill me!"
Azriel bolted upright. "Zoe!"
His eyes darted around the room looking for any intruders until, realizing they were alone, he looked over to Zoe. She was pale and panting hard. He felt for her and pulled her into his chest, rubbing her back gently, soothing her. "You're safe."
Zoe took in sharp breaths, her eyes darting around to make sure the monster was not there and trying to catch her breath. "There was a horrible monster, with glowing blue eyes, and dark scaly skin... It had horrible fangs, and it tried to attack me." Azriel's breath hitched as he listened to her description. She was describing his demon form.
"Sounds like you had a nightmare. It cannot hurt you.," he whispered softly, kissing the top of her head. He tried to make that last part sound convincing, mostly for his benefit.
Zoe took in a last, deep breath as she finally calmed down and leaned into him, taking in the warmth and comfort he offered.
"You're right." She looked around and realized that although it was still early in the morning, there was no way she was going to be able to go back to sleep after such a disturbing nightmare.
Zoe breathed in Azriel's scent and was enjoying how they were pressed up against each other, the feeling making her lower regions feel warm and tingly. Her fingers moved over his back and she relished in how warm and soft his skin was over strong, hard muscles.