After war meeting with the council the next day, Henry sought Solomon's counsel, recounting last night's encounter with Ariel.
"She seduced me, then left me wanting," Henry explained, frustration etched on his face.
Solomon listened intently, then burst into a wide laughter.
"It's not funny." Henry said, slightly annoyed by Solomon's wide laugh.
"Okay okay* Solomon started speaking "Henry, you're the man. Take charge tonight," Solomon advised. "If she seduces you again, claim her. Show her you won't be teased."
Henry's eyes narrowed.
"But what if she's testing me?"
Solomon chuckled.
"Then pass the test, my friend. Ariel wants you; it's time you claimed your wife."
Henry's resolve hardened.
"Tonight, I'll take control."
Solomon nodded.
"Remember, Henry, patience has its limits. Ariel's pushing yours. Show her the husband she truly desires."
With newfound determination, Henry left the meeting, ready to reclaim his relationship. Tonight, Ariel would learn the true meaning of seduction.
As soon as Henry walked into the room, a wonderful smell penetrated his nostrils. It smelled of roses and fresh air and... Ariel. He looked around. The room was mostly dark, the only light coming from a few lit candles and the full moon that shone outside the window. His eyes searched the room until they found Ariel, who was sitting in front of the mirror brushing her hair.
She stopped for a while and looked at him. "You came." She smiled. That smile, that weakness of his, tugged at his heart in strange ways.
"Yes," was the only thing Henry managed to say, and she went on brushing her hair. She looked more beautiful than ever in the dim light and smelled of honey and coconut. Henry inhaled deeply, he wanted more, more of her scent, more of her. He wanted to run his hands through her hair, hold her tight, kiss every inch of that honey-scented skin.
Ariel stopped brushing her hair and looked at him questioningly. "Henry?" her voice so sweet, called to him, woke his deepest desires. "Will you just stand there?" She asked. No, Henry wanted to turn back and leave, but found himself taking a step forward.
"How was your day?" She asked, using that same sweet tone. Henry's gaze traveled back to her. She had her leg up on the footstool and had lifted her dress up above her knee. Swallowing, Henry quickly turned his gaze away. "Good." was all he said.
Henry's eyes scanned the length of Ariel's body, taking in every detail. She was wearing a form-fitting white dress that enhanced the curves of her body.
Ariel's body warmed up under Henry's gaze, and her heart began to beat rapidly. She seemed to contemplate whether to approach him or not. God help her and him if she did, because now Henry was losing all sense. The only thing he could focus on was the deep and raw hunger that rose within him.
Ariel felt her cheeks flush as Henry's gaze moved over her, the intensity in his eyes clearly telling her that he liked what he saw. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to hers, and their eyes locked. Heat blazed from the depths of them, warming her from the inside, drawing her to him like gravity.
As if he knew what she wanted, Henry wrapped his arm around Ariel's waist and pulled her close. "I have waited too long." He said, his voice rough with suppressed need. "I can't hold back anymore."
"Then don't" Ariel whispered. Henry's hold around Ariel's waist tightened, pressing their bodies together, while his free hand grabbed her hair roughly and brought her face dangerously close to his.
Ariel closed her eyes, waiting for Henry to kiss her as roughly as he grabbed her, but she felt the softest brush of his lips on hers, sending shivers down her spine. Then another soft brush, and her breath hitched.
He was making her wait, but Ariel didn't want to wait. She wanted Henry; she needed him. Ariel wrapped her arms around Henry's neck, but before she could press her lips to his, he pulled her hair and tilted her head back.
"Patience, wife," Henry said, his tone like a hot wave against Ariel's throat. "I want to savor this moment." Ariel clung to Henry, unable to stand on her own, as his lips skillfully moved over her throat, kissing and nibbling.
Henry's hands moved down Ariel's back, grabbed onto her hips, and pushed her even harder into his body, as if she wasn't close enough. His scent wrapped itself around Ariel's mind, making her unable to think.