AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Farther out from the gardens, the lush trees help us hide for the night. The lights from the palace no longer reach us, and we’re met by the silence of nature. Krista looks in awe at the large moon that casts its reflection on the pond ahead of us.
“If you want to get closer, you can,” I say, giving her permission to release my hand.
She hesitates at first. After my approving nod, she walks towards the edge of the pond. Her eyes widen as she looks at her reflection in the water. As if she’s never seen herself before. She covers her mouth and looks back at me.
“I look… different.”
“Different how?”
“Not so gaunt or gloomy. My hair doesn’t look like dried straw. Things like that.”
I walk over to join her by the edge. Now both of our faces appear on the water. Small ripples distort our reflection. Yet I can see us both clearly.
I’m unable to see the comparisons she’s making. Her hair matches the morning light and the face she describes as gaunt and gloomy carries a beauty that’s been carefully designed by Atia herself. It has since I first saw her.
“Nonsense. If you’re going to think like that, get away from the water,” I say as I pull her to me.
I walk back towards the trees, feeling like the moonlight gives us too much attention. I can’t let any type of risk fly by. If anyone were to find out…
I don’t even want to think about it.
“Lasta?”
“What is it?”
“You… looked like something was bothering you,” she says, reaching a hand to my face.
She stops halfway, thinking twice about it. But I grab her wrist and hold it up.
“Do what you want to do,” I say.
Reluctantly, she presses her hand on my face. I expected to feel cold from her touch, but on the contrary, it warms me. I’m not usually one who favors heat but hers feels different from a bonfire or a torch.
Realizing my lack of aversion to her caresses, Krista doesn’t move her hand away. She stares up at me longingly, and that foolish charmed expression paints her face. There’s an admiration behind those eyes as if I’m this such grand existence in her life.
“I assume my skin feels different from a human male’s,” I grumble.
“Maybe,” she responds, “But this is the first time I’ve touched someone like this.”
“It is?”
“Yes. Touching you makes me feel safe.”
“In what way?”
“I’m not sure how to explain it. My life’s already in your hands, I can trust you’ll do what’s best with it.”
She suddenly stops after realizing her words, much to my dismay. So I pull her by the waist to feel more of her touch. Her hands press on my chest as the heat rushes to her cheeks again.
“Look at me,” I order.
She does, and I devour her lips as I did a few moments ago. This time, it’s not to make a point. Simply to enjoy the taste of her and relish how close our bodies are.
There’s a pull within me that latches onto her every time we meet. It makes it harder to pry away from Krista when it’s time to leave. I can’t deny there’s some sort of connection between us, bonding us together. This feeling amplifies with the intensity of our encounters, mounting each time I see her.
Soon, I’m not sure I’ll be able to deprive myself of her at all.
I break the kiss and admire how supple her lips are after making them mine.
