Elvira didn't say anything in return and only gawked at him. His gaze was passionate, and she could feel so much just by looking into his eyes. He wanted her so badly, and maybe Elvira did too! Her heart was palpitating, and her mind was repeating the promise he had just made to her.
Wivior covered the distance between them, took both of her hands into his, and massaged them softly with his fingers. Her gaze fell upon his lips, and she imagined what it would feel like to kiss him for real. She licked her lips while thinking about it, and Wivior's face inched closer. He planted a soft kiss on her lips.
His bewitching grey eyes ablaze with desire were looking back at her intently. The touch of his soft lips against hers created butterflies in her stomach, and she stopped thinking the moment it happened.
Without any forethought, Elvira pressed her lips against his firmly, closed her eyes, and put her hands around his shoulders. His hands slid around her waist, and he swept his tongue between her lips, further deepening their kiss. She responded with equal enthusiasm, and they locked their lips in a hungry kiss.
Halfway through their passionate kiss, something clicked in Elvira's mind. "Oh no, I am kissing Wivior!" She opened her eyes, but Wivior was already fully engrossed in the kiss. She parted their lips and removed his hands from her waist.
Wivior looked puzzled, "Is everything okay?"
"I am so sorry for kissing you. I didn't mean to," said Elvira.
"What? You're sorry for kissing me?" he laughed. "I initiated the kiss, and the rest was mutual."
Elvira still wasn't sure why she acted on her desire. And now she didn't know what to say. She should have never kissed him in the first place!
"We shouldn't have kissed. It's too soon to come close. I think it was a mistake. I don't even know if I want to."
"Don't overthink it. You're only saying this because you are scared right now. I used to think that you didn't want me because you are not good at expressing yourself through words, but the way you kissed me today spoke for itself. It was so passionate that I now believe you must crave me too," said Wivior.
Elvira stared into space, pretending to be lost in some thought as she replayed her steamy kiss with Wivior. He was right because the way she kissed him revealed the lust and admiration she felt for him.
"Elvira!" he exclaimed, "Why you are not saying anything?"
"Huh!" said Elvira."I am sorry I got lost somewhere in my head and didn't hear anything. What were you saying?"
"I think you heard just fine," he said, raising an eyebrow.
Elvira took a deep breath. "I am sorry, Wivior. I don't know what to say. Can we talk about what just happened between us later? I have not been feeling well since last night."
"Sure, if that's what you want." He appeared disappointed and a bit angry at her.
Of course, he would be mad at her! She just kissed him and then pushed him away without giving him a solid reason for it.
"I am sorry. I didn't mean to sound harsh," Elvira said apologetically.
"Then what did you mean, Elvira? First, you claim not to know how you feel about me yet. Then you kiss me in a way that would make any man want more, and then you push me away again and turn cold. That is so unfair. Why are you doing this to me?"
That kiss was a mistake, but it changed everything. Elvira needed a good reason to explain her ever-changing behavior. What if Wivior turned so bitter that he refused to take her to Doctor Oliver, or maybe he might abandon her altogether?
"I like you a lot, Wivior. And yes, I kissed you because I feel drawn to you."
"Then why did you push me away?" Wivior's tone was demanding, but his rigid expression had softened.
"Because we have more time to decide. We don't have to rush into something that we would later regret," said Elvira.
"If we both feel the same way, then why do we even have to wait till the end of the journey to decide? Why do you want us to stay apart when we have finally come close?" asked Wivior.
"I pushed you away because I am a celibate woman, and this was my very first kiss!" Elvira laughed in her head for telling such a big lie, but she didn't know what else to say.
"Really? I already suspected the celibate part since you are a lord's daughter, but you kissed so well for your first time," said Wivior.
"What! I kissed good?" Elvira dropped her jaw to look more shocked. "I was just trying to mimic your moves, and then I guess it's not so hard to kiss at all. It's not like you need to practice, like in war, to perform well."
"Well, I guess not, but it was so amazing that I still haven't been able to come out of that feeling yet!" Wivior wiped his lips with a thumb and smiled. "I feel special to be your first kiss. However, I understand you must feel awkward because you have never done this before."
"Yes, very." Elvira pursed her lips. "My first kiss was supposed to happen after marriage, but since I like you, this happened. I put an end to it for several reasons. I can't come close to you until I am sure about us, and if you're not okay with that, I'll do as you say."
"No! I don't want to come close to you until you want. I understand now, and I already feel over the moon just by learning about your feelings for me. I am willing to wait until you're ready for all this. I am here for you, Elvira, today and always," said Wivior.
"Thanks," said Elvira. She felt terrible for telling all those lies to take advantage of him! It wasn't love, but whatever Elvira felt for him was genuine. In an ideal world where their species would not be enemies, she would have accepted him immediately.
Sadly, they lived in a twisted world where Elvira had to deceive him. So, it was better not to give in to the temptation to avoid getting hurt.
They didn't wait long after that and teleported to the town Elvira had asked to stop on the way. Wilsden was a big town where witchcraft was quite popular. Her chances of even running into a familiar witch were pretty high there.
"So, who is this person that you want to meet?" Wivior asked her on the streets of Wilsden. "Does she or he live near?"
"It's a woman, and yes, she lives here. I should meet her alone. I might have to convince her a bit, and there is a lot of explaining to do," Elvira replied.
"Okay, but I would like to leave you at her door. You might get robbed or run into shady men," Wivior expressed his concern.
"This town is pretty safe with lots of watchmen. And her house is in a good location, so don't worry about it. Please let me go on my own. I promise to return unharmed."
"Okay. But if I don't hear from you for long, I'll come looking for you, and I can locate you fast." Wivior smiled at her and warned her with a finger.
Elvira gulped in fear. She was going somewhere she didn't want to get caught. What if Wivior followed her around town? She certainly didn't see Everard in the forest that day.
"Okay, so what will you do until then?" Elvira inquired. She was sure that he was planning on following her.
"The people I had been waiting for shall be meeting us here. So, I'll look for them. When you're free." Wivior scanned his surroundings and pointed at a uniquely shaped tall building made of white marble with blue-tinted glass windows. "Meet me outside this worship place."
Elvira agreed and walked down the street, looking back multiple times to check if he was following her. Even after doing that, she couldn't shake that jittery feeling off.
She halted outside a clothing shop when her eyes landed on a red cloak on display. Luckily, that street was empty because it was still pretty dark. There was still time left till sunrise.
She pointed her finger at the red cloak, and it came flying through the glass wall. A proud smirk spread on her face when it landed in her hands. Since magic was forbidden around wizards, she had missed using it. It was exhausting to do everything on her own without the help of magic. In addition, she was tired of pretending to be impressed whenever Wivior used magic in any way.
"The color is so bright. It'll draw much attention towards me," Elvira said to herself. She brushed the cloak with her hands, producing a dark light that instantly changed its bright red color to a dull mud brown.
After putting on the hooded cloak, she walked away. Her destination was a low part of the town, an unnamed alley known for illegal businesses, including the dealing of witchcraft.
Elvira walked for some time until she entered a narrow alley surrounded by houses. Not a single soul was present there. She had been there many times, and every passerby shivered upon seeing her because no human woman dared to step there alone. It was known as the devil's abode.
Upon walking a little more, she accidentally stepped into a puddle when another woman came into sight from afar. People were too afraid to pass during the day, let alone at dawn. She couldn't even sense a witch's power from her. Who was she then? An impatient client, perhaps. Jealousy and hunger for power made people quite ruthless and brave.
As the woman came closer, Elvira noticed how strange she looked. She had unruly, long, and tangled hair. Her long black dress swept the ground it touched, and her freakishly big eyes stared at Elvira. Either she was mad or fearless to eye a witch like that!
Elvira decided not to pay her any attention and looked in another direction when she felt something grab her, and the next moment, she found herself surrounded by trees with the same woman in front of her.