Rivia: Alnair Palace, Amphitheatre

• Elianna •

Bowing politely towards some of the guests, she excused herself away from the overjoyed crowd and walked up the steps. Finding a quiet corner, she settled down and watched the celebration from afar while her thoughts drifted away.

Come to me.

She bothered herself with the words that the Second Princess said a moment ago and wondered what it was that she saw through the foresight that led them together. Rivia was a place that she had never thought to come across, it was a place that was beyond the thoughts of any Thethian. The blood feud between the two Kingdoms from centuries ago was a long story but it was a sentimental point of history that no one would ever put behind them. She let out a small sigh, feeling uncertain and confused.

"Why are you sitting here by yourself?" A familiar silhouette of a person joined her on the seat and she turned her head to the side to look at Matthias who was looking at her curiously. She was slightly taken aback by his presence, adding up to the confusion that she was already feeling. Since the day in the medical office, he hadn't talked to her or sent any letters to her. Instead of answering his question, she shot him with another, "Are you feeling better?"

"Um, yeah," he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I came here to apologise for how I acted that day."

"I totally understand," she dropped her voice low together with her gaze, looking towards the ground as guilt gnawed at her. "Afterall, I had been lying to you."

"Elianna, no," Matthias quickly added. "I was never upset at you."

"Is that true?" she rushed as anticipation beamed through her eyes and relief lifted the weight off her heart. He smiled sadly but nodded earnestly. Reaching his hand out, he patted lightly on the top of her head.

"Am I interrupting?"

Their heads turned towards the voice and saw Rowan had joined them at this quiet corner. A soft chuckle escaped her lips when she saw that slight frown on his face, seemingly displeased about not knowing the conversation between her and Matthias. Immediately retracting his hand, Matthias stood up from the seat and laughed heartily, "I shall take my leave and let the lovebirds sing."

Matthias made his way down the steps, walking towards the middle of the amphitheatre where the crowd gathered and danced. Rowan walked close to her, studying her for a moment before asking, "Why are you hiding here, love?"

"I'm not used to the crowd," she admitted the part truth, concealing the rest of her worries.

"Would you like to dance?" he smiled, extending his hand in a gesture of invitation. She hesitated for a moment but placed her hand in his and mumbled nervously, "I don't know how to."

He pulled her close and requested, "Lift your feet up on your toes."

She did as she was told and he positioned his feet underneath hers. Holding her waist firmly, he lifted her slightly and allowed her feet stepped on top of his. She panicked but he chuckled, "It's okay, let's dance like this."

Positioning her arm, he took a small step forward. The soft muted music from far twirled like an invisible thread around them, binding their bodies together and moving them in its command. She rested her head on his chest and followed him through every exciting step that he guided her to. The soft sound of music, the melodious ringing of her anklets and the firm beats of his heart wrapped her within the sense of affection and security. Lifting her head slightly, she stared into his brilliant blue eyes and exhaled, "I love you."

The corners of his lips lifted into a smile as he adjusted her in his hold and lowered his head to press his lips on hers. It started slowly with gentle, playful nibbling to each others lips before the kisses grew urgent and filled with need and ache. With his strong arm, he lifted her into his hold and she wrapped her arms around his neck for support. Flustered by the sudden motion, she tapped nervously on his back but there was no response. Rowan seemed to have no will of letting her go.

With her in his arms, they left Alnair Palace and walked towards Meissa Palace.

━━━━━━━━━━

Rivia: Meissa Palace, Rowan's Quarters.

• Rowan •

A strong yearning for one another was what pulled them together. They pushed through the door and he kicked it close with his leg. He positioned her in front of him and her hands cupped his cheeks before she pushed her lips on his. She bit and moved clumsily but he felt every jolt of pleasure down to the centre of desire in his lower abdomen. Eliciting a guttural groan from the back of his throat, she responded it with a soft sound that excited him further.

He wrapped his fingers around the back of her neck and deepened the kiss with fervent passion. From the way she balled into the material of his shirt, he knew that she was holding her breath. Her knuckles were paling and her body trembled slightly but no mercy was granted. He continued to kiss her, drawing out all the oxygen from her lungs until she whimpered and he eventually let go of her lips.

She took a sharp inhale, gasping but her hands refused to let go of him. They were tugging on his shirt while he bit into her pale skin along the length of her neck and over the lines of her collarbone. He wanted to be gentle with her but the primal instincts had overpowered him. Those bites were not enough to hurt her but they formed into visible reddened marks that mapped the path he traced along her skin.

Placing her down into the soft sheets, their hands immediately tangled together in rushed attempts to remove each other's clothes. His coat, her cloak. His shirt, her dress. No words were exchanged but their bodies spoke in a way that expressed themselves in the most truthful manner — unrestrained.

At this point, it was almost impossible for him to allow her to escape through the spaces between his control. Neither did she made any attempts to stop any of these, her hands were all over him and the skin beneath her touch scorched him in a way that was indescribable. His hands roamed towards her chest and smoothed over the curves. His agile fingers caught her sensitives spots and lingered there for a moment too long. All the sensations caused her to moan in a pleading voice against his mouth and her body shuddered at his relentlessness. It sent another unbearable trigger towards the deepest core of his lust and arousal when her body leaned close to him in submission to all his advances.

Damn.

Like a string pulled too taut, the last of his restraint threatened to snap at any point. The nagging feeling of want burned through him as she lay bare in front of him. Her cheeks were flushed in a deep shade of pink and her eyes shone even brighter against the dimly lit surroundings. The smell of lilac became more prominent through her slightly heated skin and her soft pants echoed resoundingly against the pin-drop silence in his quarters. Her entire being was striking him at all his senses, leaving him utterly defenseless and defeated. He lowered his head and bit on her shoulder gently. She exhaled at the pressure of his bite and called his name, "Rowan."

"What do you want, love?" he breathed raggedly, feeling his own desire setting him ablaze with murderous intent.

"I want you," she squirmed underneath him, wandering her hands over his body. "I want everything."

He cursed under his breath and pushed her hands above her head before lowering himself to devour her lips once again. His other hand reached to palm her core and her hips raised in response, pressing herself against him. It nearly broke him when he slid a finger through her wetness and she let out a soft, keening sound into their kiss. His mind was blanking out at all the sweet sensations of her but he fought to regain control.

"Stop teasing me," she pleaded.

"I'm giving you time to reconsider your words," he sounded calm but was thoroughly driven insane on the side. He wanted to tangle with her in the sheets and love her all over. He longed to taste every single inch of her skin and desired to thrust deep into her while wanting her over and over. But he also wished for this to be perfect for her. He hoped to make this about her and everything she had expected for her first.

"I don't want to think anymore," she cried petulantly.

"Eli, please—"

It was almost as though she was dissatisfied with his reply because she immediately arched her back and locked her lips against his, silencing him. She kissed him in a way that was different. It was deeper and shattering to the point that proved how much she begged to suck the very life out of him. And he gave in.

He no longer struggled with his mind when he pressed himself close to her and she sucked in a sharp breath at the feel of him against her skin. Spreading her legs apart, he positioned himself firmly between her legs and placed an arm beside her waist. He shifted his weight onto that arm and guided himself into her slowly. Her breath hitched at the first point of pressure and she jerked in response.

"Eli," he whispered. "I'll be gentle."

She bit on her lower lip and nodded. That alluring expression was tempting him but he promised himself that this was about her. Inhaling deeply, he inched in slowly, pushing himself deeper into her. He felt the pressure snugged against him warmly, torturing him and his self-restraint. His hand moved to cup her cheek and his thumb caught a tear that fell from the corner of her eye. He asked softly, "Are you okay?"

"Yes," she replied, smiling. "Give me everything."

She didn't even have to repeat herself because he held her tight and encaged her in a firm hold before he guided himself into her fully. Her teeth sunk deep into his shoulder to mirror the pain she felt but she released the bite almost immediately and a soft sob escaped through those cherry pink lips. He turned his head to the side and planted soft kisses on her temple, murmuring her name repeatedly in a cooing tone.

He gave her a few moments, moving in a slow and steady pace until she started to shudder and circle her hips in a way that complimented his momentum. Eventually, he picked up his pace and pushed in deeper and faster. The tension coiled and went taut in him as he felt her nails sunk into his shoulder blades, dragging against his skin. He wished he could be more gentle but that was already beyond his control.

He went on until he was near his release and could feel that she was also near when her body trembled in his hold. Burying his head against her shoulder, he shattered at the snapped tension. Even with his now muted senses, he could hear her scream his name at her own release and they sunk in the depths of pleasure.

※

It felt like an eternity later when he finally lifted himself off her. He gently tucked strands of hair behind her ears and placed a kiss on her forehead. She smiled at him despite trying a losing battle with drowsiness. He chuckled softly, "Go to sleep, love."

Defeated, she gave in to her weariness and he carried her to the bath. After cleaning off the slick and sweat on both of them, he wrapped her in a towel and picked out something for her to wear. With her in his arms, he moved towards the bed and tucked her in with him.

"I love you," he said, sighing. "I love you so much that even I'm afraid of all the lengths I would go for you."

※

"fidus amor" means true love.