CHAPTER 446: HER FULL DREAM

As Salviana opened her eyes, the soft morning light spilled into the room, casting a gentle glow over the figure standing beside the bed.

Alaric was there, already dressed in his dark tunic and armor, his sword strapped to his side.

His black hair framed his sharp features, his dark eyes watching her with a softened intensity that made her heart skip.

She blinked sleepily, a dreamy smile tugging at her lips as she whispered, "Leaving already? You look... like someone out of a story."

Alaric raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Do I? I thought you preferred I stayed beside you a while longer."

"Oh, I do," she murmured, her gaze lingering on him. She reached out, grazing her fingertips along his sleeve, trailing over the fabric as though it were his skin. "It’s unfair, you know. To wake and find you so ready to leave, looking like that." Her voice dropped, teasing yet yearning. "Sometimes I wish you’d linger... just a little longer."

Alaric’s eyes darkened, amused. "You sound tempted. Surely it’s not my fault, Salviana?"

She laughed, cheeks flushed. "Well, you have no idea how often I think about your touch, or the way your lips feel against mine. Sometimes it’s just the memory that lingers... like now."

He knelt down beside her, his hand brushing against hers. "Tell me," he whispered, his voice like silk. "What is it you remember?"

She blushed deeper, her eyes lighting up as her fingers gently traced his hand, admiring the veins and the strength there. "How your fingertips feel on my skin. When you touch me, it’s as though you’re memorizing every part of me. And your kisses... they’re always so deep, so intense, as if the world outside doesn’t exist."

Alaric chuckled lowly, his gaze unwavering. "Do you fantasize often, my lady?"

"Yes," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "In those moments before sleep, or when I wake up alone, and I imagine your arms around me. I crave it, the warmth of your touch, the way you look at me when you think I’m not watching..."

"Then perhaps I should give you more to remember," he murmured, leaning closer, his lips grazing her cheek with a tender, lingering kiss.

Her eyes fluttered shut, her breath catching. "It’s already too much, and yet... never enough."

"Then hold onto this," he whispered, his voice filled with promise. He straightened, his dark eyes locked onto hers. "When I return, I’ll give you every reason to keep craving me."

With that, he pulled back, leaving her in a haze of warmth, desire, and the sweet ache of longing as he slipped out the door.

"Salviana" Alaric’s voice pulled her out of her dream...

Moments ago,

The rhythm of the horse’s gallop beneath them had slowed to a steady trot as they followed the narrow trail through towering pines.

The air was thick with the scent of moss and pinewood, cool and sharp.

Sunlight dappled the path in gold as they neared the sound of rushing water—a waterfall roaring gently in the distance like a lullaby from the gods.

Alaric could feel Salviana’s warmth pressed against his back as she held onto him, her arms looped around his waist.

She’d dozed off somewhere in the earlier miles, her breath brushing the back of his neck now and then, soft and steady.

But something had changed.

At first, it was a subtle shift—her arms tightening a little, her breath suddenly catching.

Then—a soft, unmistakable sound. A moan.

Alaric blinked.

He tensed.

He tilted his head slightly.

"...Fiery?" he asked carefully, turning just enough to glance back.

Salviana drew in a sharp breath as she blinked awake, realization dawning instantly on her flushed face. "I—I wasn’t...! That was not—I was just dreaming."

He tried not to smirk, but of course, failed spectacularly.

"Sounded like quite the dream," he said, his voice laced with teasing and restrained amusement.

"I wasn’t dreaming that!" she said quickly, her arms tightening around his waist in flustered defense. "It wasn’t that kind of— Oh gods, I hate you."

"You love me," he said, chuckling. "And I’m flattered. Should I feel guilty that your sleep is no longer safe from my charm?"

"I will throw myself into the waterfall if you keep talking," she muttered into his back, her face so hot she could feel it radiating.

They slowed the horse as the mist of the waterfall greeted them, sparkling like diamonds in the sunlight. The roar of falling water drowned out most of the forest’s hush.

The river spilled over smooth gray rocks into a turquoise pool below, lush ferns dancing in the spray.

Alaric turned to her fully now, keeping his smirk in check—but his eyes were warm, playful.

"Tell me what you were dreaming," he asked, voice low with curiosity and charm. "Was I holding you? Kissing you? Carrying you off into some enchanted castle perhaps?"

Salviana’s lips parted in protest, but nothing came out. She was too mortified. Her eyes darted away to the waterfall as if the cascading waters might wash away the embarrassment clinging to her cheeks.

"I’m not telling you," she finally whispered, half-laughing, half-hiding her face behind his shoulder.

Alaric leaned in, brushing a stray red curl from her cheek. "You’re blushing so hard I could cook dinner on your skin, Wife."

She slapped his chest lightly. "You’re impossible."

"But you adore me," he said, eyes glittering. "Don’t deny it."

"I do adore you," she muttered, still flustered. "Unfortunately."

He smiled, that rare and devastating one he only wore for her. "Then tell me this—was I shirtless?"

She gasped. "You little—!"

"I knew it!" he laughed, gripping the reins with one hand and sliding the other back to rest over her clasped arms.

Salviana sighed, though her lips curved up. "I dreamt... of a better place and you did to me things you are too scared to do now, it felt real and it was safe."

That made him pause. The laughter in his chest quieted, replaced by something warmer, deeper. He didn’t speak for a moment—just turned his head until his forehead brushed hers, their cheeks close as the horse continued its steady trot.

"It will be real," he said quietly. "One day soon, I’ll take you somewhere we never have to run again."

The sincerity in his voice made her throat tighten.

"You swear it?"

He nodded. "On every drop of blood in my cursed body."

She smiled, blinking away sudden tears. "You do know how to make promises, my prince."

They reached the edge of the pool where the waterfall fell like a veil of stars. The air was fresh and alive. The wind tugged playfully at her cloak and his dark hair.

"Let’s rest a little," she said softly, pointing to a moss-covered rock by the water.

Alaric dismounted first and reached up to help her down. She took his hand, but before he set her on the ground, he pulled her gently into his arms.

"I can’t stop imagining your dreams now," he whispered.

She chuckled sadly. "Alaric, you are the one who has made sure my dreams didn’t come true for months"