CHAPTER 155: CHAPTER 154: MINE, FROM THIS MOMENT ON

When he finally pulled back to look at her, both of them were breathing fast. Aurelya’s lips were swollen and glistening, her gaze dazed.

"You... Do you know what you just did?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Of course." His grin was feral. "From today onward...you are mine."

The way his eyes darkened, hungry, unrestrained, made her heart kick against her ribs. She swallowed, heat pooling low in her belly.

But then, she steadied herself and looked up, her voice softer, almost hesitant.

"What will you do...about Thessalia? And Lady Vaenyra?"

"Of course I’ll take them too."

Aurelya gave a small huff that turned into a half-laugh, half-sigh. "You are greedy."

"I am," he agreed without shame.

Then he drew her in fully, wrapping his arms around her. One hand traveled down her back, tracing the line of her spine, lingering at the curve of her waist. His fingers pressed into her there, claiming, promising more.

A surprised yelp escaped her throat when he kissed her again, deeper and more insistent, as if to seal everything he’d declared.

When he pulled back, her expression was a mix of wonder and helpless desire. Her fair skin glowed in the lantern light, and her hair tumbled around her shoulders, a golden curtain framing her flushed face. She had never looked more beautiful to him.

He bent down, lips brushing the delicate point of her ear, and whispered with quiet finality, "Let’s go to my room."

Her eyes went wide, breath catching. But after a heartbeat, she lowered her gaze, her blush creeping all the way to the tips of her ears.

"...All right," she whispered, voice almost inaudible.

And she nodded.

.....

Inside his room, the door clicked shut behind them with a quiet finality. The air felt warmer here, thicker, tinged with breathless anticipation. Shadows danced across the stone walls.

Aurelya stood in the center of the room, her back straight, but her arms pressed close to her sides as though trying to shield herself from the heat in her own cheeks. Her white gown shimmered faintly under the lamp’s golden light, clinging to her figure in all the right places, highlighting the gentle swell of her breasts, the elegant curve of her waist, the tempting outline of her hips.

She looked like something out of a dream, her golden hair spilling around her shoulders in tousled waves, eyes wide and uncertain, yet filled with unspoken desire.

"If you don’t want it, then you can tell me," Lumberling said as he stepped forward, his voice low and steady, reverberating in the hush between them.

"N... no..." she whispered, her fingers clenching the fabric at her sides.

He arched a brow, the corners of his mouth curving. "What was that?"

Her breath hitched. "L-let’s continue..."

That was all the invitation he needed.

He crossed the remaining distance with deliberate calm, but the hunger in his gaze betrayed him. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her flush against his chest, and kissed her, softly at first. Her lips were trembling, so warm and sweet, and she tasted like something forbidden and addictive.

Her body tensed, then slowly melted into him. Her hands came up, clumsy, gripping the front of his shirt as if to steady herself while his mouth claimed hers.

She moaned softly into the kiss, helpless, breathy, her voice dissolving into whimpers as his hands traveled lower. He traced the length of her spine, then followed the swell of her hips, feeling the heat of her through the thin cloth.

So soft. He pressed closer, kissing her deeper, his thoughts running wild. Too soft for her own good. And those lips, was it an elf thing, or just Aurelya? Gods...

"Ahh..." Her moan trembled on his lips as his palm slid along her thigh, coaxing a shiver from her entire frame.

He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. Her lips were swollen, her golden gaze hazy with heat and longing. She didn’t speak, but the look she gave him said more than words.

He moved slowly, never breaking eye contact as his hands found the hem of her gown. With a gentle tug, he slid the silky fabric up and over her head.

She stood before him now, clad only in her lacy undergarments, pale ivory trimmed in gold thread. Her breath stuttered. Her arms twitched, instinctively moving to cover herself, but she stopped short.

His hands brushed over her hips, trailing upward with reverence, fingers splaying over her smooth, fair skin. She was soft, all over, like warm satin, his palms couldn’t get enough.

Then his fingers found the clasp of her bra. With a practiced flick, it came undone.

The garment slipped away, baring her breasts to the cool air and his hungry gaze. They were full and perfect, crowned with dusky-pink nipples that hardened under his stare.

Aurelya’s breath caught, and she squirmed in place, her hands fluttering toward her chest. "Don’t stare too much..." she mumbled, pointy ears twitching, her blush burning redder than ever.

That did something to him. Her shame, her softness, the sight of her trying to hide what he craved, it sent heat surging straight through his loins.

He growled low in his throat, a sound of need, and stepped forward. His hands found her shoulders, and he bent to press his lips to the swell of one breast.

"Ahh!" Her moan cracked the air the moment his mouth latched onto her breast.

He sucked gently, tongue circling her nipple as his other hand massaged the weight of her breast. She arched into him, her body trembling as if it didn’t know how to process so much pleasure at once.

Her legs quivered. Her hands found his shoulders, nails digging in for balance as her head tipped back, exposing the slender column of her neck.

Every flick of his tongue sent sparks along her nerves. His free hand slid to the small of her back, holding her steady as she moaned again, raw, unguarded, needy.

And somewhere low in her belly, heat began to pool and tighten. Her womb throbbed faintly, aching for something she couldn’t quite voice yet.

His mouth never left her breast, tongue flicking and sucking as though her taste could sustain him. His other hand gripped her left mound with reverent greed, kneading her soft flesh until her moans turned breathless. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he guided her down onto the bed.

The mattress dipped beneath their weight. Her hair fanned across the pillow like a halo of gold, her chest rising and falling with each ragged breath. She was already flushed, trembling beneath his touch, lips parted in a haze of sensation.