Maximus' throat bobbed as he gulped. The gentle fragrance of the petite woman with her eyes clouded and lips trembling made him parched. The way she held him tenderly with worry apparent in her eyes...
Samah Arav – the biggest desert in the realm with almost no rainfall throughout the year. As far as the eyes reach, that place is filled with golden sand and the souls of those who lost their lives there still wandering restlessly.
In that desert where nothing is alive, it is said that a monster - the Rephelim lies motionless. It is said that its breath causes the sandstorms that are common in that desert. Its skin is tougher than any shield known to mankind and no one can find it since it covers itself in the sand.
But the more common myth is that it is the Rephelim that keeps the rain from reaching the sand. It could go on for any number of years without food or water but at the first scent of rainclouds, it would wake up and would swallow the whole of the cloud not letting a single drop fall. Not only that, when it wakes up, it would go on a rampage sucking the life out of anything with even a single drop of water content.
And hence the dragon king forbade rainfall in that area turning it to a wasteland.
He always found that part intriguing where just the scent of water would make a beast that slumbers for long without the need for water would turn a monster when otherwise it never minds anything.
Looking at the petite woman in his embrace, or rather the one who is holding his life-force in her hands, he felt that thirst that the Rephelim would feel at the scent of water.
He is twenty four years old. He's been around women from the age of sixteen. He's seen all types of women and many women tried their best to make him thirst for him.
He was unmoved!
That is until yesterday. He was just a slumbering Rephelim thinking that nothing would affect him.
But then she kissed him.
From then on, he has become so overcome with desire, he couldn't think about anything but her and her lips. Her lips feel like the petals of a rose and taste like rose jam. He wants to hold her tightly and sink into her to affirm that she is his, to quench his thirst.
Even when he kissed her the day he gave her the Aion stone, he didn't feel this way. It was just a kiss to seal his promise. But now… it's different. It could be the effect of the soul binding.
«I'm turning mad!»
"What should I do?" Felixa uttered, her long lashes quivering thinking that he is hurt.
Maximus let her down. He suddenly had a plan. He cannot quench his thirst for her but that doesn't mean she can't help him.
"You can help," he said wrapping her in his embrace.
«Her hair, she… the fragrance…»
"How?" Felixa asked.
She started to feel warm with his small kisses and his warm breath. His warmth surrounded her and his puffs of breaths made her feel something intensely. His minty scent had another strong scent mixed with it making her feel weird.
His nearness made a spark form in the core of her being. It was new for her, something she never experienced before; at least she didn't remember feeling this way before. That spark made her want something but she didn't know what it is.
Since she thought Max's condition is dire, she decided to help Maximus first.
But…
"Tch!" Maximus clicked his tongue as he heard the knock at the door.
Resting his forehead on her shoulder, he waited for the knocking to stop but it didn't. Kissing her cheek he stood straight and walked to the door. He walked a bit funny making Felixa almost laugh. But she didn't dare to, considering his sickness.
"Why did I know it is you?" he said in an irritated tone but Felixa could swear that he is not that angry with Flavia standing there with a wide smile on her face.
She had a tray in her hand with a big bowl of hot soup and with the smile ruling her face, she closed the door behind her. Felixa was still leaning on the wall placing her hand on her chest.
"Have you been behaving, Maximus?" Flavia asked placing the tray on the table.
Maximus didn't answer Flavia and picking a book, he decided to bless the windowsill with his warmth.
"Dear oh dear…" Flavia shook her head with a chuckle.
She knew Maximus won't answer her. She turned her attention towards Felixa. Still leaning on the wall, her face was red. Her lips were even more so red only for Flavia to guess what this man might have been doing to her. She became glad that she came here at the right moment.
"Come on, dear. I brought soup for you," Flavia called her and Felixa walked towards her.
Her eyes ended up on Maximus' crotch and he appeared to be fine.
[Did he get healed? But how?]
But she didn't have the time to think about it for long as the fragrance of the soup assailed her senses and made her hungry.
She loved the soup already because it is not making her confused. It is telling her that she is hungry, unlike Max who…
Her eyes ended up at Max, again. She could feel his gaze on her but the moment she met his eyes, he covered his face with the book as if he was diligently reading it.
"Never mind him. He's not hungry," Flavia grabbed Felixa's hand and lead her to the chair.
Felixa only then realized that she is not feeling any pain in her palm now. She took a look at her hand as Flavia set the table.
The laceration wound on her palm had disappeared and not even the scar remained. She was stunned. Even if she got treated, her wounds should not be healing this fast. But she remembered applying no medicine on the wound, except…
Felixa's eyes ended up on Maximus once more. She remembered all his kisses, especially the one on her forehead which felt different. She sensed something passing to her from him.
[Did he do this? Did he heal me? How? Was it by using magic?]
Maximus didn't look at her and she silently started to eat the soup. She didn't know if it is because of her hunger or because of the love-filled look of Flavia, the soup tasted extra amazing.
"Thank you, Flavia," she smiled heartily as her stomach got filled. "I loved it. It tasted so delicious. I've never had such an amazing soup."
"Have some more," Flavia urged but Felixa shook her head placing her hand on the tummy.
"But I am full."
"Yes," Maximus threw the book on the desk. "Have some more, wife," he said with a smile and walked towards her. With a slight pull of the chair, he made her face him.
He then leaned towards her, resting his hands on the armrest of the chair she is sitting on. Felixa leaned backward until her back rested on the backrest of the chair.
Although she ate soup just now, she felt her throat drying up wondering what he might do next.