Her breath hitched as she softly called his name.
"A-Aether..."
"Hmm?" Aether slowly turned his head toward her and was met with the sight of Helena's beet-red face. She couldn't bring herself to look directly at him, her eyes downcast, her fingers trembling in her lap.
"I-I-I said no k-kisses… right?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes," Aether replied, though he smirked inwardly, amused by her nervousness.
"W-Well..." Helena bit her lip, struggling to form her thoughts, "Y-You know... I-I just feel like... I... I... am... ready...?" Her voice shook as tears welled up in her eyes, torn between her shame and desire.
It felt sinful, yet a part of her longed for it.
Aether glanced at her trembling shoulders and leaned down, moving closer. He could hear her breath quicken, her chest rising and falling as her anticipation grew. Helena squeezed her eyes shut, lips quivering in expectation.
