He drags his lips lower, down my clavicle and to my exposed chest. And then…
A gasp flies out of me as I feel the wetness of his mouth through the material of my dress. Right over my breast.
“Nykander, please stop,” I mutter again, attempting to shove him with more strength.
It doesn’t work.
Panic slowly builds inside of me: the accumulation of all of my previous fears and scenarios is right now becoming a reality. I should have left when I had the chance. I should have…
My eyes widen in terror as I feel something else against my lower body. Something hard and poking against my belly.
I might not have experience with males, but I have read plenty to know what that means and how much danger I am in right now.
Channeling all my strength into my arms, I put all my fears and my frustrations in one last shove. A shocked expression dawns on his face right before he falls backwards, into the pool.
I breathe heavily for a few seconds as I try to get myself together. But even after what happened I cannot leave him like this: face down in the pool to drown.
Rolling up my sleeves, I reach into the pool and grab his shoulders. I pull him toward the edge and help him sit on the lower stairs so the water covers him up to his chin.
His eyes are closed now, and there’s barely any reaction from him. Due to the slackness in his body, I can only continue holding him to the edge so he doesn’t fall forward.
For hours.
Damn it, Moe! What did you get yourself into?
Perhaps I could still leave… But I don’t think my conscience would allow me to live on without knowing he’s fine.
“I’ll stay, Nykander,” I murmur, my voice tired. “For now.”
But the moment I find another opportunity, I’m gone, I promise myself.
23
Pain spreads through my body and I awake gasping for breath. Sweat drips down my forehead, and my entire body is drenched. I frown, and for a moment I don’t know where I am or what happened.
There is a sense that I am forgetting something essential. But soon that sensation vanishes until all that’s left behind is confusion and…pain.
I swing my legs over the bed. Blood rushes to my legs, making me feel lightheaded.
Zantrax’s side effects supposedly affect mortals differently, and if this pain is any indication, then I don’t know how they bear it. Even when I was at my worst, suffering both from illness and injuries, I don’t think I’ve felt as wretched.
But given that Miss Moe—no, Moe—is safe, all the pain is worth it.
Still disoriented, I get up and change my clothes before leaving my room.
The moment I open the door, a sweet smell wafts toward me. Entranced, I follow its trail, which leads me straight to the kitchen.
Moe is behind the kitchen counter, fiddling with some hot bread. She places it quickly on a plate, making small noises as the heat burns her fingers.
I stand in the shadows, hidden behind a wall as I keep watching.
She seems a bit disoriented in the kitchen, which I don’t blame her for. Despite the fact that the house was built thousands of years ago, it was designed with the latest rune technology available—some of which is still considered top-tier in certain parts of the country. Mortals wouldn’t have access to the same specifications, so it must have taken a bit of trial and error for her to understand how to operate the oven.
After the bread is done, she covers it with a cloth and goes back to the oven, opening it to reveal a tray full of different cuts of meat. Next, she grabs a pan off the stove and pours some type of sauce over the meat.
I gulp down uneasily. I did not have too many food items in the house, so for her to be able to make something like this…
I must do better!
