Ren's lips trembled, heat flooding every inch of him as Li Wei's breath mingled with his own.
"No, beloved. I've waited lifetimes. This time, I won't."
Before Ren could protest again, Li Wei closed the last sliver of distance between them. His lips crashed against Ren's, hot and demanding, stealing the breath from his lungs. Ren's eyes widened, then fluttered shut as the kiss deepened, his body betraying him with a shudder that melted into Li Wei's grasp.
The serpent's human form was overwhelming—broad chest pressing firmly against him, hands roaming possessively. One slid to the back of Ren's neck, tilting his head to claim the kiss deeper, tongue sweeping past his lips with a taste both unfamiliar and addicting.
Ren whimpered into his mouth, his hands clutching helplessly at Li Wei's bare shoulders. He wanted to push him away—he should push him away—but instead his grip tightened, pulling him closer.
"See?" Li Wei murmured against his lips, his golden eyes smoldering as he pulled back just enough to breathe. "Even now… your soul remembers mine."
His other hand trailed down Ren's side, fingers grazing his waist before slipping lower, drawing another startled gasp from Ren. The serpent mark blazed hotter, pulsing in time with Ren's racing heart.
"Ah—stop…!" Ren pleaded weakly, but his voice cracked, dissolving into another moan as Li Wei's touch ignited sparks beneath his skin.
Li Wei's mouth trailed from his lips to his jaw, down to the sensitive curve of his neck. His tongue licked slowly across Ren's throat before sinking into a hungry kiss there, sucking hard enough to make Ren tremble violently.
Ren arched, a desperate sound tearing from his lips. The mist around them thickened, swirling with every ragged breath he took, as if the dream itself responded to their union.
"You're mine," Li Wei growled against his skin, marking him. "No matter the form, no matter the age—you'll never escape me."
Ren's knees buckled, but Li Wei caught him easily, pressing their bodies flush together. His hand slid dangerously close to forbidden places, making Ren cry out and bury his face against Li Wei's chest.
The golden-eyed man only chuckled low, the sound vibrating through Ren's bones.
"Shall I remind you further, beloved? Until your body admits what your lips deny?"
Ren's answer was lost in the fire consuming him.