Athan, Rhya and Tyla stood up and curtly bowed to Edýia and Rom and left the dining Hall leaving the three in the Hall. Since, he locked horns with Iris, his mood soured even further, and the air around him was truly difficult to breathe.
Haren snorted and shrugged, gave Edýia a menacing glance and walked out of the dining hall.
Rom sucked a breath, reached his hand to Edýia, and she took his hand with a shy smile and a tinge of red on her cheeks. He was besotted with her, but he also struggled with crippling fear. What if his inability to protect her when the need arises would get her killed? He wouldn't be able to live with himself. Maya's bloody body flashed before his eyes, and he cowered internally.
" I will accompany you to your chamber," Rom said, tugging on Edýia's hand.
A singing voice resonated throughout the castle. The song was soothing. Edýia halted her steps just a few paces away from the door to her chamber, and so did Rom.
She stared at him with questioning eyes and listened to the melodious song in utter silence. Rom stiffly smiled and closed the distance between him and Edýia. He circled her waist with his arm and slowly began moving his feet, along with Edýia, seamlessly gliding across the floor. He suddenly felt hot, sticky and hot, hot enough that he broke into sweats and the tunic clung to him.
Edýia shyly smiled " It's a beautiful song," she twirled back into his arms, with her back facing him. Red locks brushed her cheeks. His warmth seeped into her bones. He was burning.
Rom hummed, suddenly halting his steps, and his grip on her tightened. His breath brushed her neck" I thought I'd never see you again," he whispered in the shell of her ear. He was battling with himself, but he didn't want to let go of her. He had decided to part ways with her. He felt his resolve fly out the window when his eyes fell on her in the throne hall. Those steel blue eyes bore into his soul. Her rosy lips, those lips he couldn't get enough of them. He had never kissed a woman before, but hers were the most delicate lips, intoxicating. That was the right word. He didn't want to taste any other lips.
Edýia blushed " I - I- " she stammered when his lips kissed her neck, and her breath hitched. His hot breath, his grip tightened, and she felt a shiver run down her spine, and the rest faded into nothingness.
" Rom," she whispered; He hummed against her skin as his lips trailed kisses on her shoulder. Think Edýia, think she forced herself to say more, but all her body registered was his body pressing against hers, and it felt so good. She wanted more, yes more, and she finally opened her mouth to speak
" M- Ma- maybe we..we sho...go..into the-"
" Come," he briskly dragged her into the room and closed the door with a thud, pinning her against the door, trapped between his hands.
She carried a glint of fear in her eyes, and her rosy lips quivered. He leaned in, his lips brushed against hers " Please, tell me that you haven't changed your mind," he spoke against her lips, his eyes closed, and he held his breath.
Edýia gulped " No," she replied, bearly audible.
Rom let out a shaky sigh and lightly pressed her lips against hers. He lowered his hands and cupped her face, deepening the kiss.
When he pulled away from the kiss, resting his head on her forehead, " You should rest. Day light will break soon," he said and pulled away from her and turned to look out the window.
No, she screamed in her head, but the word wouldn't escape her lips. Damn it, she cursed. Come on, Edýia, open that mouth of yours and speak. Speak, damn you, she screamed at herself.
Rom took her hand in his and pulled her to the bed " I'll wake you up," he sat her down on the bed and kissed her forehead.
She gripped his tunic, " No," and looked up at him with a piercing gaze. That was all the courage she could muster, she wanted to ask for something more, but she wished she would know how.
Her cheeks furiously burned, and Rom narrowed his eyes at her " What do you mean, no?" he looked a bit stunned and a little confused, maybe. His voice hardened, and she could only imagine what he was thinking.
" Stay," Edýia shyly muttered, lowering her gaze. The blush in her cheeks stayed, and her ears burned. Rom lowered himself to her level and pushed her ringlets off her shoulder.
His fingers lingered in the ringlets. He loved how her hair felt." Edýia, it is best if I go," he sucked his breath and stood up. He kissed her forehead one last time and caressed her hair. His touch was gentle and caring, and she wanted more of his caresses, to feel his warmth envelop her and bury herself in his arms.
" Rom," she called one last time and curled up on the bed " Stay until I fall asleep," she pouted and hugged a pillow. He knew it was a bad idea, he wanted to stay, but he knew it wouldn't stop at that. Edýia was curious. She tried to find out more, and he wasn't sure he would be able to keep it together if he stayed.
" Please," her head buried in the pillow, and she didn't dare to look at him. She wouldn't be able bare the rejection. Although she had accepted his proposal, Rom kept her at arm's length.
Rom hummed, " Just until you fall asleep," he conceded and took off his boots and curled up in bed with her, and hugged her from behind. A move that he immediately regretted when she wiggled closer, and he felt his soul leave his body.
His grip on her tightened and sucked his breath " Stay still, Edýia," he chided with his face buried in her hair. Edýia turned in his arms, her palm on his chest, and she looked up at him with pleading eyes. Her moistened lips shined, her mounds brushed against his chest, as her breath quickened and he felt his blood drain out of his body. Every sensation hit him like a ton of bricks, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could control himself.
He closed his eyes " Sleep, Edýia," he pressed her lips against her forehead, and she fisted his tunic.
" We might never see each other again if my brothers decide to go back north," she muttered with her head buried in his chest. She tensed up and raised her head to look at him, pleading.
Rom frowned " Edýia. You don't have to go, Stay with me, your brothers. They don't own you. You don't belong to anyone. You're not a slave. You can make your own decisions." Rom reasoned and pressed his lips against hers. He was sure if she decided to stay, the news would go down like a leaded feather. And the brothers would do anything and everything not to let her escape their grasp.
Edýia nodded and buried her face in the crook of his neck. Her arm slipped under his arm and hugged his waist.
" Don't go, Please," she whispered. Her grip tightened, and she snuggled closer to Rom.
Rom hummed and kissed her head, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. Although his cock raged, his heart drummed in his chest, running wild. A sliver of happiness crept up in his heart whenever he was with her. He had forgotten how it felt. It felt strange, so strange that he didn't even recognise it at first.
*********
I would like to send a big thank you to those that are reading this book. I'm genuinely grateful to all of you! I hope that you continue to do so. Have a wonderful evening.
Thank you