CHAPTER 416: MIRION’S HEART II

Its R18, you have been warned or informed ;)

*****

"It ceases to exist," Marina cut in. "That’s the fail-safe she left behind. A rejection of conquest without consent. You could bring down a thousand stars on that seal, and it would still vanish rather than yield."

A moment passed. Heavy. Measured.

Freya, leaning against the far wall, gave a slow whistle. "Damn. That’s a new kind of stubborn enchantment."

Veyra looked toward Asher, calm but calculating. "So it’s not about strength. It’s about approach."

Marina nodded. "Exactly. And you already qualify—your aura alone brushed against the threshold and made it stir. You’re one of maybe a dozen beings in this galaxy that could even attempt the binding."

Catherine crossed her arms. "And the reason it has to be you"—she glanced toward Asher—"is because her laws demand consensual intimacy. It’s not just a test of desire. It’s a trial of compatibility."

Valeris muttered dryly, "Of course the Empress of Seduction would make sex the key to a vault."

Marina shot her a look but didn’t respond.

Asher exhaled, jaw tightening slightly. "So I either give you what you want... or we all walk away with nothing."

"Exactly," Marina said. "One night. No tricks. No soul-binding. No complications. Just enough to unlock the legacy and let us both walk away with what we want."

He studied her, eyes unreadable. "You realize I don’t trust you."

"You don’t need to," she replied evenly. "You only need to follow through. After that, the dungeon opens—and you’ll know I didn’t lie."

Freya yawned dramatically. "Alright, I vote we do it. If she turns evil, we throw her out a black hole."

Valeris said flatly, "She’s already half evil. She just wears it well."

Asher didn’t smile.

But he did step forward.

"One night," he said. "Then the dungeon."

Marina nodded once, lips parting slightly as she drew in a breath.

And for the first time in a long while... her confidence flickered.

The atmosphere shifted the moment Asher gave his word. The others, already halfway toward the door, exchanged glances—and then grins.

"We’ll leave her in your very capable hands," Freya said with mock seriousness, giving a playful salute as she ushered Veyra and Catherine out.

"Try not to ruin the sheets," Valeris called out flatly. "Or do. I don’t care. Just don’t break the damn seal without warning us."

Catherine chuckled, gently brushing past Marina with a wink. "Don’t disappoint him," she whispered.

The door shut behind them with a soft click.

Asher sighed and rolled his eyes, turning toward Marina, who stood near the edge of the bed, now draped in a silk robe, her earlier confidence masked by something more serious—uncertainty, maybe even resolve.

"Well," Asher muttered under his breath, "here goes nothing."

Marina didn’t say anything at first. Instead, she reached for the clasp of her robe, her gaze fixed on his with something more solemn than lust.

"This isn’t a game to me," she said softly. "This was my last card. You... you’re not what I expected—but I won’t ask twice."

Asher nodded, stepping closer. "I’m not here to mock you, Marina. I have seen people do worse for treasures."

She nodded back, her gaze flickering from Asher’s eyes to his mouth. The soft light in the room seemed to catch the curve of his lips, and a nervous flutter danced in her chest. "Treasures come in many forms," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Asher stopped, a breath away. The air between them thrummed with a sudden, undeniable tension. He reached out, his fingers ghosting along the curve of her cheekbone. Her skin prickled at the light touch.

"And some are more valuable than others," he murmured, his voice a low rumble. His thumb gently traced the line of her jaw, sending a shiver down her spine. "Are you sure you want to stake this treasure on me, Marina?"

Her breath hitched. The question hung in the air, laden with unspoken desires. "I wouldn’t have played the card if I wasn’t prepared to lose," she replied, her voice trembling slightly. She tilted her head back, meeting his gaze. The intensity in his eyes was a captivating vortex, pulling her in deeper.

He lowered his head, his lips hovering just above hers. "Losing can be a very... pleasurable experience," he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.

Marina closed the distance between them, her lips meeting his in a tentative, exploratory kiss. It was soft, hesitant, as if gauging his response. He met her halfway, his own lips parting slightly, inviting her in. The kiss deepened, a silent conversation of longing and anticipation. Her hands, trembling slightly, rose to cup his face, her fingers tangling in the soft strands of his hair.

Asher’s arms circled her waist, pulling her closer until their bodies were pressed together, every curve and angle fitting perfectly. The heat radiating from him was intoxicating, melting away the last vestiges of her doubt. The kiss became more urgent, more demanding, a silent plea for something more. She parted her lips further, and his tongue met hers, a spark igniting within her that quickly flared into a wildfire.

The world around them seemed to fade away, the only reality the feel of his lips on hers, the scent of his skin, the electric current that coursed through her veins. He broke the kiss, but only to trail his lips down her jawline, his breath hot against her skin. She arched her neck, giving him better access, a soft moan escaping her lips.

His hands roamed down her back, tracing the curve of her spine before settling on her hips, pulling her even tighter against him. She could feel the hard lines of his body against hers, a promise of the pleasure to come. He nibbled at her earlobe, sending another shiver down her spine. "Marina," he murmured against her skin, his voice husky with desire. "Are you sure?"

She nodded, unable to speak, her heart pounding in her chest. She was sure. She wanted this. She wanted him. She reached down, her fingers fumbling with the buttons of his shirt. He stilled, his eyes meeting hers. A silent question passed between them, a confirmation of their mutual desire. He helped her, his own hands joining hers, and the shirt fell open, revealing the hard planes of his chest.

Her fingers traced the contours of his muscles, reveling in the feel of his warm skin beneath her fingertips. He groaned softly, and she felt a surge of power. He was hers, in this moment, completely and utterly. He lifted her slightly, turning towards the nearby couch, his eyes never leaving hers, the promise of what was to come burning brightly in their depths.

He gently laid her back on the plush cushions of the couch, following her down, his weight supported on his forearms. The dim light cast dancing shadows on his face, highlighting the passion burning in his eyes. He leaned down, capturing her lips once more, the kiss even more fervent than before. His tongue explored the depths of her mouth, igniting a firestorm within her.

His hands continued their exploration, tracing the curve of her waist, the flare of her hips, sending shivers of anticipation rippling through her. He found the hem of her top, slowly pushing it upwards, his knuckles grazing her skin, each touch sending a jolt of pleasure through her. She arched her back slightly, giving him easier access, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

The top was soon discarded on the floor, leaving her exposed in her lace bra. He paused, his gaze sweeping over her, his eyes filled with a mixture of admiration and desire. "Beautiful," he breathed, his voice a low rumble. He reached out, his fingertips tracing the delicate lace, sending a wave of goosebumps across her skin.

He unhooked the clasp of her bra, the fabric falling away to reveal her bare breasts. She instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, a sudden wave of self-consciousness washing over her. He gently took her hands, lowering them to her sides. "Don’t," he whispered, his voice soft and reassuring. "You’re perfect."

He lowered his head, his lips brushing against the sensitive skin of her chest. She gasped, her body arching towards him. He teased her nipples with his tongue, circling them slowly, deliberately, until they were hard and aching for more. She moaned, her fingers tangling in his hair, urging him closer.

He obliged, taking one nipple into his mouth, sucking gently, then harder, sending waves of pleasure crashing through her. She cried out, her body trembling with need. He moved to the other breast, repeating the process, driving her closer and closer to the edge.

He broke away, his chest heaving, his eyes locked on hers. "Tell me what you want, Marina," he whispered, his voice thick with desire. "Tell me what you need."

She swallowed hard, her throat dry. "You," she managed to say, her voice barely audible. "I need you."

Asher’s eyes darkened, a primal hunger blazing within them. He shifted, unbuckling his belt with a practiced hand, the metallic click echoing in the charged silence of the room. He kicked off his shoes, and then stood, swiftly removing his trousers. He stood before her, magnificent in the dim light, his body lean and sculpted, a testament to raw power and desire.