"Listen to me! You wouldn't go this far for anyone else. Do you understand, Roulan? What would I do without you?" King Rick's voice grew louder, nearly breaking as Roulan's consciousness slipped away. Her breathing finally steadied, returning to normal. Rick's panic shifted to a watchful stillness as he observed the amount of healing energy still trapped within the expanding magical gap. The sight before him was both awe-inspiring and unsettling.
This magic—it was beyond anything he'd ever witnessed. The cursed area, once a barren, lifeless wasteland, now brimmed with vitality. The source of the curses had been eradicated, and the land itself purified. The magic gap, long considered untouchable by mages and warriors for generations, had been brought to heel by Roulan's power.
Her energy had not only changed the land but restored its very essence. Word of this miraculous feat spread like wildfire throughout Dostivas. Whispers of Roulan wielding the Emperor's power echoed across every corner of the kingdom, leaving the people in disbelief. Those who visited the newly healed gap, standing beneath the towering tree that had miraculously grown in its center, spoke of being cured of dark energies and lifelong curses. Roulan's power was undeniable—and terrifying.
---
"You need to release your energy, Roulan," Rick whispered later that night, his eyes fixed on her restless form. She writhed in her sleep, her temperature spiking alarmingly. He had watched her fever climb past forty degrees, sweat soaking through her clothes as she tossed and turned.
"This is the defect of the Emperor's energy," Rick murmured to himself, his voice low but resolute. "Your body is paying the price for overusing it. Unless…" He hesitated, then leaned closer, his fingers brushing against her damp hair. "Unless you share it with me."
He unbuttoned his shirt and knelt beside her bed, his eyes locked on her as if searching for any sign of relief in her pained expression. Her body seemed on the brink of breaking apart, her every nerve screaming for release.
Her lips parted slightly as her breathing grew shallow, her chest heaving with an unspoken tension. Every fiber of her being seemed to tremble, overcharged with energy and nowhere for it to go. Rick's gaze darkened, a mix of desire and determination flashing in his eyes.
"Let me help you, Roulan," he whispered, his voice rough yet tender. His lips found hers, a kiss that was firm yet seeking. He pinned her hands above her head, his grip firm but not forceful, as he pressed their bodies together. He felt the surge of her energy radiating between them, the overwhelming power that begged for an outlet.
"Don't hold back," he murmured against her ear, his breath hot against her flushed skin. "If you want to ease this pain, let it flow into me. My body can handle anything you give."
His lips trailed down her neck, leaving a trail of warmth as he moved lower, pressing soft kisses along the inside of her thighs. She shivered, a mix of resistance and surrender battling within her.
"Rick… please stop…" she whispered, her voice barely audible, yet tinged with desperation. "No more… no more than kisses…"
Her protest was feeble, her body betraying her as it responded to his touch. Every kiss he placed seemed to draw the energy out of her, easing the unbearable pressure she felt inside. Sparks of raw power flickered in the air between them, dissipating with each intimate touch.
Rick felt his own resolve wavering. This wasn't just about relieving her pain anymore. She was the woman he loved—the same woman who had once infuriated him, the one who dared to stand up to him, to challenge him. He couldn't deny the pull she had on him, the way she consumed his thoughts.
But he forced himself to stop, pulling away reluctantly as he noticed her fever had finally broken. Her breathing steadied, the tension in her body easing as the excess magic dissipated. She looked peaceful for the first time in hours.
"You'll be fine until tomorrow," he said quietly, adjusting his shirt and running a hand through his disheveled hair. His voice was steady, but his mind was anything but.
Roulan's eyes fluttered open, her expression hazy but confused. "Why did you stop?" she asked weakly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Finish what you started…"
Rick froze for a moment, a dangerous smile playing on his lips. His voice dropped, rough with restrained desire. "If I stay any longer, Roulan, not even the Emperor's magic will keep me away from you tonight."
His gaze lingered on her for a moment too long, his eyes trailing from the curve of her waist to the rise of her chest. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to look away. Without another word, he turned and left the room, the door clicking softly behind him.
And Roulan lay there, her body still tingling with the remnants of his touch, her thoughts spinning.
---
Some days later...
"Ugh, what a nightmare," Roulan muttered as she rubbed her eyes, glancing around the room. It was her bedroom. The memories of that night came rushing back to her. Wrapping herself in a blanket, she slowly approached the mirror. His kisses had left marks on her neck, waist, and other places. A flush of heat rose to her cheeks, turning them crimson.
"Snap out of it, Roulan. Even if he desires to marry you, the entire kingdom is against you," she whispered, brushing strands of hair away from her face. That's when she noticed a strange tattoo on her neck that hadn't been there before. A knock on the door snapped her attention back to her surroundings.
"Miss Roulan, Princess Larevia has requested you wear this gown and head to the palace hall," said a maid as she entered the room after Roulan gave her permission. Once the maid left, Roulan inspected the dress.'I spent the night with him. Does this count as a point in my favor or not?'