AMELIA
My heart pounds with every step Nickolas takes back to the castle. Thoughts race through my mind, consumed by the uncertainty of what awaits us upon our return. Will he truly take me tonight? And more importantly, do I want him to?
Yes, there’s an undeniable craving and desire for my mate’s touch coursing through every fiber of my being. But I can’t say I’m entirely ready to fulfill that desire. The burning heat in my bones has lessened merely by having him close to me, his presence alone enough to soothe the heat.
Snuggled against his chest, I find solace in the familiar scent that emanates from him, the scent that both calms the raging fire within me and sets my heart racing with anticipation. With each steady beat of his heart beneath my ear, I find myself torn between longing for his touch and the hesitance to surrender to it completely.
I feel his gaze lingering on me, a weighty presence that I can’t ignore. When I finally summon the courage to meet his eyes, he’s staring straight ahead, his expression unreadable. I can’t help but wonder what thoughts are swirling through his mind at this moment.
Nickolas has always been distant, never showing any outward signs of attraction or affection, despite the undeniable bond we share as mates. The idea of him willingly sleeping with me to ease my pain is both surprising and perplexing. It’s a gesture I never expected from him.
I snap out of my thoughts as Nickolas carries me into my bedroom. My heart begins to race again as he lays me down on the bed. I part my lips, intending to tell him that I’m not ready, but I realize I don’t have to as he moves away from the edge of my bed and exits the room.
Confusion washes over me as I look around the room, trying to make sense of what just happened. I had assumed he was going to stay with me tonight. I can’t believe he isn’t. It’s not that I’m disappointed or hurt, but rather surprised. I know I might sound hypocritical, but that’s not it. If anyone should be the reason we aren’t sleeping together tonight, it should be me.
My body begins to burn again as Nickolas’s touch fades. I wince and curl into a ball on the bed, trying to endure the intense pain coursing through me. It’s agonizing, almost unbearable.
Forcing myself to move, I slowly uncurl and slide to the side of the bed, my muscles protesting with each movement. I need to head to the bathroom to bathe and try to soothe the fire raging inside me. As I attempt to stand, my feet make contact with something unexpected. Looking down, I freeze at the sight before me, goosebumps spreading across my skin.
Nickolas’s hands are wrapped around my feet, but before I can fully comprehend what’s happening, he quickly releases them and stands up. Confusion floods my mind. Why is he back? What does he want?
I ignore him as a wave of pain crashes over me, gripping my lower belly like a relentless fire. I clutch my abdomen with both arms, feeling tears welling up in my eyes from the sheer intensity of the pain.
“Give me your hands,” Nickolas’s voice cuts through the haze of agony. I glance up at him, sweat dripping from my face, and I feel my chest heaving with each labored breath.
“Why?” I rasp, my voice strained.
“Just do it,” he commands, his tone firm and authoritative. Reluctantly, I extend my hands in front of me, unsure of what he intends to do. My eyes widen in disbelief as he produces handcuffs from his back pocket and cuffs me. I stare, my breath catching in my throat.
“What are you doing?” I ask, but Nickolas ignores me. He lifts my legs and tosses them back onto the bed, his actions both commanding and assertive. I continue to stare at him, bewildered by his actions. Before I can utter a word, he grabs my hands and pulls them towards the headboard, securing them with the handcuffs.
“Your Majesty,” I call out, my confusion growing with each passing moment.
“Yes, Amelia,” he responds, meeting my gaze with a steady intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. In that moment, as our eyes lock, I see something new flickering within his gaze. It’s not just determination or control-it’s desire, raw and unbridled.
My breath catches in my throat as the realization hits me like a wave crashing over me. I had misjudged him and misunderstood his intentions entirely. The heat in his eyes speaks volumes, igniting a fire within me that I hadn’t anticipated.
Suddenly, the air feels charged with an electrifying tension, a palpable longing that hangs heavy between us. Despite my initial fear and confusion, a part of me can’t deny the rush of excitement that courses through me at the sight of him, boundless desire mirrored in his gaze.
Nickolas retrieves something from his pocket. My curiosity piques, and I strain to see what he’s holding. Only when he moves closer do I realize it’s a blindfold. Confusion swirls within me. Why does he want to shield my eyes? What does he have planned?
Despite the questions swirling in my mind, I hesitate to voice them, a flicker of trust in Nickolas urging me to surrender to the unknown. As he slowly covers my eyes, darkness envelops me, plunging me into a world of uncertainty. The absence of sight heightens my other senses, amplifying the sound of my racing heart and the anticipation coursing through my veins.
In the darkness, I’m acutely aware of his presence, the subtle shift of the air around us as he moves. Each moment feels charged with tension, anticipation coiling in the pit of my stomach as I wait for his next move. A part of me longs to reach out, to grasp onto something tangible in this sea of darkness. However, I force myself to remain still, to trust in Nickolas and whatever plans he has in store.
Nickolas’s hand grazes my waist, and a sharp intake of breath escapes my lips, my body instinctively reacting to his touch. I feel the fabric of my shorts being pulled down, his knuckles brushing against my skin with a feather-light touch that sends shivers down my spine. With each passing moment, the air between us crackles with an undeniable tension, thick with desire.
Next, it’s my tank top, but before I can register his intentions, it’s torn away, leaving me exposed to him. My hands, bound to the bed, render me helpless, amplifying the intensity of the moment. My breath hitches in my throat as I feel his gaze on me, tracing the contours of my body with an intensity that leaves me breathless.
I wish I could see his face, to read his expression, and understand what he thinks of me in this moment. Despite the wounds that have healed over time, the scars that mar my skin haven’t faded completely. I can’t help but wonder if there’s a hint of disgust in his eyes as he looks at me, exposed and raw.
I hear the ruffling of clothes, and I assume he’s undressing. I know I need to tell him now before it’s too late. I wet my lips nervously, mustering the courage to voice my hesitation.
“Your Majesty,” I begin, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes,” he responds, and I sense the shift in the bed beside me. Time is slipping away, urging me to speak quickly.
“I’m not ready,” I blurt out, feeling his presence looming over me. The words tumble out in a rush, my heart pounding in my chest.
“I know,” his voice is gentle and soothing as he leans in closer, his presence enveloping me.
Before I can fully process his response, I feel the warmth of his lips pressing against the nape of my neck, sending a jolt of pleasure coursing through me. My body reacts instinctively, arching toward him, craving more of his touch.
“I am only getting naked so my skin can touch yours to make you feel better,” he explains, his fingers trailing a path along my inner thigh. I inhale sharply, feeling a rush of wetness pooling in my lower region at his touch.
His shadow above me disappears, and a whimper of longing escapes my lips, but it transforms into a startled “O” as I feel him behind me, his presence overwhelming and intoxicating. Every inch of him presses against me, his hardness pressing into my ass as he molds himself to my form.
His hands glide sinuously from my ankles to my waist, sending shivers down my spine with each caress. I can feel the heat radiating from his body, enveloping me in a cocoon of desire.
“Don’t worry, little one,” his voice, low and husky, sends a thrill through me, “you will be the one begging me to leave you by the time I’m done.”
His words hang in the air like a promise, igniting a flame of desire within me that threatens to consume me whole. Before I can fully comprehend his meaning, his lips find my earlobe, nibbling gently and sending shockwaves of pleasure coursing through me. My back arches instinctively, seeking more of his touch, more of the intoxicating sensations he elicits with each tantalizing caress.