The Cloud's Anchor

...And they lived happily ever after!

A/N: *sniffle* T-the time has come.*sob* The last chapter of this book*sniffle* I want to thank my absolutely wonderful readers for sticking till the end *bawls eyes out* You guys have kept me sane for the past nine months and I love each and every one of you *cries a river* Thank you for sticking with my absolutely rubbish update gaps and giving your time to this book!*drowns in her own tears**dies*

Disclaimer: For the last time (for now) I do not own KHr! or the above artwork

The sun did not wake Alaude the next day, no; it was the mouthful of silky black tresses which broke his slumber. Spitting the hair out of his mouth the skylark slowly gained consciousness as memories of the previous night ran through his mind. There had been an uncomfortable atmosphere, both of them skirted around each other. But as soon as they had fallen into bed all boundaries had been forgotten and the couple had cuddled each other to sleep.

The Cloud shifted a bit to get Stella off him, in the process waking her up. The skylark felt something tighten in his chest as he watched her emerge from slumber; a sort of desire which he knew could be sated only by the raven-head beside him. She finally became aware of her surroundings and turned to look at him. The chocolate orbs he had fallen in love with were still a little sleepy but wholly content, much like his own.

Leaning over he placed a chaste kiss on her lips, pleased to find out that even half-awake she responded to him.

"Morning," he whispered when they broke apart. A light red dusted his lover's cheeks as Stella replied, "Good morning, Alaude."

Stella was kind of embarrassed, calling him by his first name so suddenly. But they had just slept together, for goodness sake! She should be able to call his name at this point of their relationship right? Wringing her hands together the raven head looked away but her face was caught by the blond.

Slowly he raised her chin, not breaking eye contact even once. His usually apathetic ice blue orbs were swirling with affection- and desire, most definitely desire. Closing the distance between them his lips descended on hers as a sweet sigh emerged from her mouth. Instinctively her arms went around his neck to hold on as he deepened the kiss. One of his hands were on her waist, the other cupped her neck as he pulled her closer until there was nothing but clothing between them. When they broke apart for breath, the blond trailed kisses down his lover's throat eliciting a mewl when he bit a particularly sensitive spot. Stella slid her hands under his shirt and let them roam around the smooth expanse of his back, touching and memorising the curves and the bumps. He hissed when she raked her nails on his skin and sucked on her sensitive spot, which had her tightening her hold on him.

"Alaude," she whimpered and moaned as his hands found the bare skin of her stomach. She was turning into a groaning, writhing mess under him and she loved it. Alaude, on the other hand was so desperately controlling himself. They were not even ready for this. Gathering every ounce of self-control he possessed, the skylark got off her leaned back, not before pecking her lips one more time.

The two of them breathing heavily was the only sound in the room. Alaude started stroking her hair and Stella returned from whatever trance she had been in. Her chest was heaving, hair mussed up, lips swollen, a path of visible love-bites adorning her neck, pupils dilated- she wanted this as much as he did. As her breath returned to normal Stella leaned up and sweetly kissed the lips of her beloved and snuggled into his side. His hands played with the tips of her raven tresses as they sat there in comfortable silence.

"That," Alaude started, his eyes twinkling and a mischievous smile on his face, "was an excellent way to wake up."

Stella's wild blush and his resulting laugh brightened the room, enhancing what was, indeed, a beautiful morning.