"If I decide to let you into my world, will you be able to withstand my stamina, hmm, wife?" he whispered, his voice sending shivers down her spine with each word.
Dalia stiffened, too shocked to process everything. She felt as if she were being lost in a cloud nine, transported to a fantastical world from which she did not want to return.
"If..." he breathed slowly as he began to trail his hand on her soft skin, pinching the most sensitive spots, causing her to whimper with excitement, a sensation she did not know was built inside of her. "If I let you in, can you handle the danger," he continued, his words dripping with a hint of mystery and allure.
Unknowingly, she nodded without properly understanding or grasping what he meant; she nodded because of the sweet sensations that his touch evoked within her.
"Oh, Dalia," Ditun said slowly as she let out a quiet moan when he began to pinch and caress the hollow of her neck. "If you do that again, I will pin you to this wall and have my way with you in a way you will never forget," his voice was hoarse as he leaned towards her, whispering in her ear, causing her toes to curl and her stomach to bubble. "I will make you say my name again and again in that sweet voice of yours. I will touch you in places you will never forget, and when I'm done, you will go back to your room fantasizing about what has just happened."
Dalia was breathing heavily, her eyes fixed on his face, her lips slightly parted as she exhaled. This time, she had heard him clearly enough to understand his intentions.
"You are..." she struggled to find her voice, especially with his hand still trailing along her neck. The silk was wrapped on her chest, exposing her neck and collarbone to him, making her feel vulnerable.
He unapologetically continued to run his hand there, as if it were something he did often, while locking eyes with her.
It was difficult to discern his expression behind the mask, but through his gaze, she could sense his satisfaction. "My king, that was..." she began, before he interrupted with a gentle "shh!" as he placed a hand on her moistened lips, slowly caressing them with his thumb. "Call me Di, wife. Go ahead, call me Di with that sweet voice of yours."
Dalia was too smitten to even say anything. How could she speak when his thumb was resting on her lips? She slightly parted her lips and let out gasps every now and then at his movements.
A thrilling sensation washed over her, making her unaware of her surroundings or her position. All she could focus on was his touch, the tone of his voice, and the words he spoke.
'Oh, so this is what it means to be married?' she thought to herself. She had heard that only couples who fell in love experienced such things.
Never did she imagine it would be someone like her - who barely knew her husband, who viewed him only as a monster, and who was forced into this marriage against her will. Yet, he was making her feel so alive inside, and the worst part was that he hadn't even kissed her yet.
"Go on," he persisted, his voice soft and calm, a stark contrast to his usual impatience and anger. "I want to hear you say my name, hmm."
His eyes lazily surveyed her parted lips, wondering how she would taste, perhaps like the coconut oil fragrance she had applied on it. However, his mask made it difficult to make that happen . Damn it! For once, he hated having to wear the mask in front of her.
"Di," she whispered, gazing at him with those dazzling brown eyes that he couldn't get out of his mind.
Her eyes were what initially captivated him - not overly large, but round enough to entice him, with lashes full enough to drive him insane. The light brown color of her eyes was enough to stir desire within him. Yet, those same eyes were his own damnation, for when she looked at him with hatred, it ignited his anger, and when she look at him with fear, it made him want to stroke her hair, to comfort her.
Ditun stiffened as these thoughts flooded his mind. Where were they all coming from?
He stopped trailing his hand over her and took a step back. She was panting for air, letting out small moans, still affected by his touch.
This small action of hers was making him lose his senses, which surprised him. Why was she affecting him like this? He had only wanted to show her what it meant to get close to him, yet now he was the one being affected and mesmerized by her, by her little moans and dazed face after being touched by him.
She watched him with a mix of lust and confusion, all due to his effect.
"This," he warned, his voice returning to its coldness, just as he had dispelled every thought of lust within himself, "is what happens when you get to know me, but only at the beginning, for there is more things you will get to know about me that wouldn't be pleasing." There was no need to scare her by telling her about the danger of being with him, nor about the existence of demons – for now, he would have to warn her gradually.
Dalia was gasping for breath, everything had happened so fast that she couldn't begin to comprehend or think of what to say. Still, she couldn't deny her desire for him, wanting him to touch her.
"Di," she spoke softly, struggling to find her voice and bring it back to the right place, "if my people want a child, and if this is what it means to know you, then I do not mind getting to know more of you..."
Ditun stiffened, his eyes slightly growing wide. What was wrong with this wife of his? He had expected her to flee, yet here she was, offering herself to him.