Chapter Sixteen: A Battle of Breaths and Boundaries
Felix smiled as she turned to him.
"I apologize on behalf of my brother," she said, rolling her eyes.
"He sounds overprotective". He laughed
"You have no idea," she chuckled.
They began walking through the palace gardens. The flowers were in bloom, and the breeze carried their scent gently. Felix told her stories of rare blooms, and the meaning behind their petals. Esterphania didn't know that there were so much about flowers she wasn't aware of, she was fascinated. He was surprisingly easy to talk to.
"So," Esterphania asked, "why do you want to marry me when we've never even spoken before?"
He laughed awkwardly. "Honestly? I was terrified of you. The rumors were... colorful. But the moment I saw you at your birthday banquet, it all vanished. I couldn't stop looking at you."
"Oh," she said. "So you want to marry me because of my beauty?"
"Well... I'd like to get to know the rest of you now."
"You're good," she said with a soft laugh.
"I pride myself in being able to entertain you."
"Ha. Ha. Very funny," she said as she stepped, and her heel caught the edge of a stone. She almost fell—but Felix caught her by the wrist, his other hand steadying her waist.
She flushed. "Well... this is embarrassing. I'm no damsel in distress.I can save myself."
"You have a weird way of saying thank you."
"I wasn't."
"Well, you're welcome."
She shook her head, half-laughing. "You are impossible. Let me just see you off. I have something to take care of."
He nodded. "Until next time."
—
When Esterphania opened her bedroom door, she barely had time to register the scent in the air before someone grabbed her. She was pressed against the wall, lips parted in shock, hand clamped over her mouth—and the door clicked shut behind her.
Alexander.
His breath was wild. His eyes untamed.
"How dare you let him touch what's mine," he growled.
"I'm not yours, Alexander! And were you—were you spying on us?!"
She struggled, trying to summon magic—but her power refused to ignite under his touch.
"You are powerless under my touch, Stephanie. And that's all the proof I need."
"Let me go! I will never be yours—you chose someone else before me and I will do the same... "
As if on drugs, he crushed his lips to hers, stealing her words and breath alike.
She fought it. Trying so hard not give in, but eventually... She melted into his touch.
Her hands fisted his hair as he kissed her deeper, both of them drowning in the madness they had tried to suppress. His mouth traveled to her neck, his canines threatening to break skin. She gasped.
"Alex... please. Don't mark me."
He paused. Eyes glowing, voice raw.
"Why?"
Her silence was answer enough. And he respected it.
He sighed and softened. His kisses turned tender. Worshipful. He lifted her gently, carrying her to the bed like she was both his salvation and his curse.
"Alex..." she whispered.
"Don't stop me, Stephanie. Please don't stop me." she breathed out, barely.
"But—"
"I promise I'll control myself," he groaned.
He kissed her again, undressing her with reverence, his hands careful, his lips blazing soft trails across her skin. She trembled beneath him, shy but trusting. When he descended lower, her breath caught.
"Wait... what are you—" she moaned mid-sentence.
His mouth worshiped her with practiced desperation. The muffled cries that slipped from her lips were soaked in pleasure and helpless surrender. He sucked and tugged. Eating her as if he had been hungry for years. Her climax came like a wave, and her body shook in his arms.
When she opened her eyes, he has carried her on his laps as he seated on the bed, with his forehead buried in the crook of her neck.
"See," he said hoarsely, "I didn't go overboard."
Esterphania wrapped her arms around him, soft, trembling. "What about you...?" she whispered. "There's no way I'm the only one supposed to feel good."
"You... you shouldn't—"
"Teach me."
He lifted his head, startled. Her eyes met his, unwavering.
"Steph..."
"Teach me."
He sighed, almost as if in pain. Then, huskily, he whispered:
"Kneel."
—
To be continued...