Chapter 20 Oct 7, 2025 The mountain baths were never silent, not even at night. Steam hissed from the stone cracks, swirling over the water in soft, pearly ribbons. Somewhere beyond the mist, wind moaned against the cavern walls like the mountain itself was exhaling. Mira didn't mean to find him here. The overlook above the scorched arena was usually empty this time of day-too exposed, too quiet-but Bastian stood at the edge, arms folded, eyes on the sky like it held answers. Or warnings. She paused in the shadow of the archway, heart pounding for no good reason. Tomorrow, the final exams would begin-three days, three trials, and only one shot at not dying. The Rise was more than a name. It was survival or failure. Bonded dragons had to fly the gauntlet, withstand direct combat, and scale the firestorm cliffs without falling. A single misstep could mean disqualification. Or worse. She just needed air, a break, a place where her body wasn't being tested or whispered about. But when her boots echoed on the wet stone and she rounded the bend, there he was - Bastian, half-submerged in the largest pool, steam curling around his bare chest like it knew he was dangerous. He didn't look surprised to see her. Just met her eyes with a calm so quiet it felt louder than shouting. "I thought I'd be alone," she said. "So did I," he replied, not moving. "You want me to leave?" "No." Her cloak fell from her shoulders before she could think better. "I want you to stay." She stepped into the water slowly, letting the heat crawl up her legs and thighs until it reached her ribs, until her lungs felt too full. The water closed around her. He watched her. Not her body. Her. Like he could see through every layer she'd ever used to protect herself. She hated and loved it. "You've been quiet since the last trial," she said. "So have you." "That's different." "Is it?" His voice didn't rise, but it struck low and clean. "You always look at me like you're waiting for a reason not to." "Because I am." He moved toward her through the water. No splashing. Just slow, steady ripples like the heat had learned how to walk. "Then stop." Her chest rose once, hard. "You don't make it easy." "I'm not supposed to." And then his hand was on her cheek - rough fingers, damp from the pool, brushing away a drop of steam that might've been a tear if she were weaker. She didn't pull away. Her skin burned where he touched her, but not from heat. "You said I ruin you," she murmured. "But you ruin me too." "I know." That should've scared her. Instead, it anchored her. Bastian's mouth crushed into hers like he'd finally given in. Mira didn't hesitate-she kissed him back just as hard. It wasn't soft, wasn't sweet. It was messy and desperate, like they'd both reached their limit. She gasped when his hands found her waist, gripping tight. He lifted her easily, and her legs wrapped around him with instinct. Her body pressed against his-warm, wet, and aching for more. The heat of the spring clung to them, and it felt like there was no barrier left between them. He kissed down her neck, slow and rough, then between the soft curves of her breasts, and she shivered. "Tell me to stop," he said, his breath ragged. "Don't you dare," she whispered. "Touch me like you want to. I can take it." He groaned, pinning her against the rock wall, mouth back on hers. His fingers slid beneath her underwear, brushing over her slick folds, and she jerked against him. "Damn, Mira..." His voice was rough in her ear. "You're so ready." Her hips rolled into his hand. "Then stop teasing me." She yanked at his belt, her fingers impatient. He hissed when she freed him, her hand wrapping around him with firm, slow strokes. "Mira," he gasped, his forehead resting against hers. "You're driving me insane." "Then lose it," she murmured, guiding him toward her. "Lose it with me." He pressed into her in one deep thrust, both of them gasping. She was tight, her body gripping him perfectly, and he had to close his eyes to keep from finishing too fast. "God-you feel so good," he groaned. Mira clutched his shoulders, rocking against him, her voice breathless. "I've wanted this for so long." He started moving, deep and steady, every thrust drawing a whimper from her throat. Her moans weren't loud, but raw and real, her nails dragging down his back as she met every movement with her own. "You're everything," he murmured against her neck. "All I've thought about." Her hands cupped his face, pulling him into another kiss-hot and open and completely unguarded. "Don't stop," she whispered. "Please, Bastian-don't stop." Her voice broke as he picked up the pace, his hand finding her clit again. She was already close, her body trembling around him. "I've got you," he said, his lips brushing her cheek. Her body locked up around him, her head falling back as her climax hit, her mouth forming his name on a choked gasp. He held her tight as she shook, feeling every contraction around him, and it pushed him over the edge with a groan. He buried himself deep, spilling into her, his arms locked around her body like he'd never let go. They stayed like that-breathing hard, wet skin pressed close, the world narrowed down to each other. "You okay?" he finally whispered. She nodded against his shoulder. "More than okay."