Laxita's POV

"So tell me, why were you avoiding me for two whole days?"

It was late afternoon and Veer and I were in the library. I came to the library to find the books which contained information regarding arch mages. Veer said that he was tired from conducting his earlier training session and decided to take a break in the library. Currently, he was sprawling in a chair and I was standing beside him to look up for books in the shelves.

"I wasn't avoiding you, I was under strict instructions to not leave my room."

"Why?"

"Um, to tell you the truth, my powers ran rampant..."

"WHAT?" He sat up.

"There's nothing to worry about, I'm fine. It's just that there was a sudden surge in my powers and my body couldn't handle it. My uncle gave me this artifact" - I showed him my bracelet - "so that I could control my powers."

"Hmm." He settled back in his seat.

For a while, there was comfortable silence. I was searching for books and he was lounging on the chair. Nobody came to the library at this time of the day that's why I always preferred to come here during this time. 

After some time, he got up to look for some books in the far right corner of the library.

"Lustful nights...mingling with the prince..." He said in a low voice.

My head snapped up. That was the novel I was reading the other day. Why does he have it?

He took out another book and read the title, " 'The wolfish desires of my general'...Hmmm interesting. Is this yours?" He must have seen my panicked expression because a slow grin crept up on his lips. Oh gosh! He found my erotic novel collection! But how? I made sure to hide them in the hidden corners of the shelves.

" 'My husband spoils me in and out of bed'....Some really interesting books you have here." Why did he have to see it? Why do I always embarrass myself in front of him?

I ran up to him, snatched the books and clutched them closer to my chest. "You're bold, Laxita. Hiding such books in the library? Tsk Tsk. I thought that you spent so much time here studying. Is this what you were doing?" He pointed at the books in my hand and smirked. I swear this guy! My face was heating up by each passing moment due to embarrassment.

"How did you find them? I made sure to hide them properly." No one has ever been able to find them. Does he have the eyesight of a hawk?

"It wasn't that difficult. It's hard to ignore when they have such shiny and glossy cover."

"It shouldn't concern you that I am reading them." I said defensively.

"It wouldn't have before..." He came closer to me and I took a step back. We continued this until my back touched the shelf behind me. "But it does now because soon enough, I'll be your husband." He whispered the last word but it was enough to send shivers down my body.

"Look at me, Laxita." I lifted my eyes to look at him and saw that his eyes no longer held that playful glint. The earlier smirk had vanished, replacing it with an expression I couldn't place.

I could feel that the air around us thickened. His gaze travelled down my body like a caress. "A good husband knows what his wife desires." Wife. That term still felt foreign but it wasn't unsettling when it came from his mouth.

"Veer, what are you doing?"

"Trying to figure you out. Do you know that holding such books can entice a man?" My heart betrayed me as it started beating loudly.

"I-" He leaned forward and my eyes fluttered close. My breath hitched because of his close proximity. Our faces were so close that our breaths shared the same air. I could smell his familiar woodsy scent yet again and it was making me woozy. Not helping!

I opened my eyes and I saw that he was staring at me with such an intensity that it could've burned me. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't avert my gaze from him. What are you doing to me Veer?

There was absolute silence. None of us said a word. We could hear the mages talking just outside the door. But inside, it was just the two of us, our quickening breaths and my racing heart.

"Laxita, if you don't want this, push me away." That was the only warning I got before he cupped my face and his lips touched mine.

He kissed me but it was more of a brushing of lips. The sudden action left me out of breath. He pulled back to look into my eyes as if to gauge my reaction.

When I didn't protest, he lips landed on mine again. This time it was a full-fledged kiss. His mouth captured mine and I officially lost it. His hands left my face and circled around my waist. And I fisted his tunic for some balance. I was lost in the kiss and his warm embrace. I could've pushed him away but I didn't want to. At this moment, I wanted this.

But then, all of a sudden, he pulled away and just like that, the kiss ended. I wanted to protest but I couldn't get a word out. He robbed me of my ability to speak.

The change was so sudden that my knees buckled. He caught me with his arm and circled it around my waist again. "Are you alright?"

No, I was not alright because we just kissed. He kissed me and I reciprocated the kiss. It was not just anyone, this was Veer we were talking about.

"Yes." His arm was smug around my waist and his fingers were scorching my skin. Was it just me or did the temperature rise suddenly?

"Veer! Veer!" Someone started calling him from outside.

"That's my call. I think I should leave for my next session."

I nodded. He smiled and whispered in my ear, "Don't be disappointed. We will continue our private session at a later time." His lips skimmed my ear and goosebumps sprang across my body.

He gave me a small peck on my lips and then walked away from the library with a smug grin spread across his face.

After his departure, I found the nearest chair and sat on it to catch a breath because WHAT JUST HAPPENED? I let it sink in my brain that Veer just kissed me. It was my first kiss and I didn't know that they were supposed to make you feel this way. Sure, I had read about it plenty of times but experiencing it first-hand was way more different than reading.

We are going to be a married couple soon and we are going to do a lot more than just kissing. I wondered if just a chaste kiss left me a blushing mess, how would I spend my first night with him...

Later, I will think about that later. I dismissed those thoughts and continued my search for the books on arch mages. Although, I could hardly concentrate, I had to focus on my task. Physical intimacy was normal between couples. I had to get used to it. Yes, I'll be fine.

I'll be fine. Famous last words. I was not fine. Not even a smidgen. I kept on replaying our kiss for the entire day. I was trying so hard to focus on the book in my hand, which I found after much difficulty, but I just couldn't. After every few moments, my mind wandered off to a certain someone who stole my first kiss.

Veer wasn't much of a help either. After that incident, I don't know if I can call it that, he left the library to train the mages. When I couldn't resist the urge to see him, I went to the library's window to watch him. 

Every time our eyes met, he gave me a sly grin with a wink. He knew what he was doing and he wasn't playing fair. He had messed with my brain and now, the only thing I could do was - think about him.

For the rest of the day, my brain was occupied by him. Whenever our gazes connected, there were those secret smiles. At this point, I was convinced that we were acting like real lovers.

But I was not happy with the way he seemed unfazed by our kiss. I mean, his each and every action made me a blushing mess and that one kiss most definitely altered my brain. So, why was he looking completely alright? Not fair! 

After dinner, when I made sure that no one was present, I pulled Veer out of his seat and cornered him on a pillar.

"Slow down, Laxita! People will think that we're doing something...naughty."

"Wh-What?" I stuttered.

He covered his body with his hands and said, "I never knew you were this aggressive. I mean, cornering me when no one's present. What are your intentions?"

I was pretty sure that I was getting redder by the moment. "You should stop this."

"Stop what?" He raised a brow in question.

"This-This teasing and all. Those smiles and winks. I-I don't know. Just stop."

"Do you hate it?"

Hate is a strong word. I don't hate his teasing antics. But his actions are bad for my heart. "I don't...hate it."

"Then, what's the problem? You told me that we have to act like lovers and I'm doing that."

Right. I did say that. What was I thinking? Why, in my right mind, I asked Veer to pretend to be my lover. Now, my thoughts are all over the place and all I can think about is his smile. "I did say that, right?" I laughed nervously. My initial confidence slipped away and I realized that I was standing was way too close to him and his addicting scent was attacking my nose.

"Then, it's settled. You don't hate it. I have no issue in acting as your lover. Problem solved."

We got interrupted when someone cleared their throat at some distance. "Sister, I didn't think that you were the type to pounce on your lover." I flitted my eyes to the source of the voice. "Or maybe, I should call him your future husband." It was Devansh. Gosh, the twins saw me cornering him! I want the ground to open up and swallow me whole. This was a whole new level of embarrassing.

"I wasn't pouncing on him." I said defensively.

"Yeah, you're not convincing anyone. Look at the way brother Veer's standing. He's shy. We just came back to the hall because Devika forgot something here. We weren't expecting such a sight. " Veer was still standing with his arms wrapped around his torso. It really looked as if I was a wolf who was steps away from pouncing on their prey.

"You know, the way you look at him sometimes....It really looks like you want to jump his bones." It seems that Devansh was hell-bent on painting me as a pervert today.

"Stop. You're embarrassing her." Thankfully, Devika came to my rescue. "But sister" - she smirked - "you're going to get married to him soon enough, you might as well control your desires until then." And I guess, I spoke too soon. The twins were officially my new enemies.

After a bit of back-and-forth and a hell lot of embarrassment, the twins finally left. Veer and I also made our way to our rooms.

"Laxita!" I was walking with the speed of light and Veer was trailing behind me.

I stopped but I didn't turn around. "What?"

He stopped behind me, his body shaking in silent laughter. "Why are you running?" He asked between laughs.

"I am tired and all I can think of right now is my bed."

"But it's still early."

"It's early but like I said, I am tired." There was no way I could meet his eyes after all that went down. What would he think of me now? Wait a moment, I know what he would think - I am a pervert who's always ogling him and lusting after him.

"Listen to me first." His laughs subsided.

"If it involves hurling a sword at my cousins, I am listening."

"Nothing brutal of that sort apparently. I just wanted to say that it's alright. The twins were probably just teasing you because your reactions were cute- I mean entertaining. You don't have to run away from me, I don't believe in a single thing they say."

I turned to look at him. "Really?"

"Really. Look on the brighter side, everyone believes that we're in love. We accomplished our goal. We should be happy about it."

"You are right. Maybe we should."

Silence stretched between us. Since, I could no longer take it, I spoke first. "I think I should leave. Good night, Veer."

"Good night." He said with a smile which I am probably going to reply in my head, all night. 

I turned on my heel and sprinted away from there. I could hear his chuckles from behind me. I felt that a similar kind of situation had occurred before as well. But that might be my muddled brain.

This was literally an eventful day for me. I don't know how many such antics Veer has in store for me...

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Hello Lovelies❣️

How was the chapter?

I ain't lying when I say that my cheeks were hurting while writing this chapter because I was smiling so much.

Well, the romance is just the beginning. So, hold on tight!