Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 48

I felt foolish standing in the dark for what seemed like hours until I saw a flicker of light from the door that quickly vanished. Someone trying to find me or... I slowly drew my sword. I almost gave up hope when I heard nothing, but jumped out of my skin when someone hugged me from behind. "You found me!" How...

She put her face into my back. "I told you I would."

I sheathed my sword, a little harder without seeing the sheath as I turned to her. I could see and hear nothing, it was disconcerting. "How did you find me in this darkness?"

I moved forward to where I thought she was and smiled as she laced her fingers into mine. "I've lived in darkness for a few years now. Finding things is easy now."

My heart twisted as she led me somewhere. "The darkness doesn't suit you."

She sighed softly. "I find comfort here where no one can see. My fear, my anxiety, my scars they're hidden in darkness. It suits me just fine."

I tugged her closer, wishing there was some light so I could see her expression. "I prefer seeing you."

She paused. "Do you?" I was caught off guard as she pushed me to the ground and straddled me. "Take away your sight and everything else is heightened."

My heart raced. She... "I don't understand."

Her voice was laced with mischief as she gently maneuvered one hand to my chest. "Here, I can hear your heart racing and your breathing has become shallow." She can hear that? She kissed my other hand and I tensed in more ways than one when she bit it. "Breathe, I can't have you passing out."

Try as I might I couldn't, she was too close, but felt comforted as I felt her smile. She really is a seductress... "Relax, I won't try to kill you."

I smirked as I began to relax. "Not like you haven't tried before."

"Now just listen and feel." When she kissed my hand again, my heart picked up speed again. She pecked my lips and I felt her breaths as she hovered, leaning forward to taste her again. She pulled back, teasing. I can see how others fell for her trap... "Listen and feel."

Her lips were feathers against my cheek and as she trailed them down to my neck. My lungs failed me as lust clouded my mind. "Breathe..." I gasp when she bit down and grabbed her hips. She's definitely a biter... dammit, I know don't if... I moaned as she sucked on it and she chuckled as she pulled back again. "Shhh..."

She captured my lips again and ran her tongue along mine. I willingly gave her access, needing to taste her. Her hands somehow made it under my shirt and I trembled under her touch as it burned me. When I tried to touch her, she caught my hand, smiling on my lips. "No, I told you what to do."

Reluctantly, I put it back in place as she resumed kissing me. She's going to drive me insane... Her fingers ran along scars, long healed and I almost snapped, feeling as she brushed against my erection. She seemed unfazed as she tugged my shirt off and started to move her lips along my neck and shoulder. I can't...

She kissed all of my scars. She's flexible... dammit, she... She left another love trail, back up my body and down an arm. I lost all control when she took a finger into her mouth and suckled, holding her down as I rose against her. She suddenly stopped and it took everything in me not to take her right there.

She waited, not moving and I took a slow breath, horny and confused. "You stopped."

She guided my hand to her cheek. "Go any farther and we won't stop. We'll be caught."

Terror gripped me. She's leaving, but... "Let me go with you."

Her head shook. "You have to play your part tomorrow."

I groped around until I caught her other hand and kissed it. You can't go... I need you here... "I can't stay here another night. You're empress isn't shy at all."

"She is no empress of mine." The venom in her voice spoke volumes. She's as good as dead... She pressed her lips to mine. "See you soon..."

With that she was gone, not a sound or even a flash of light to indicate where she went. But her bla-

I groped my person and sat dumbfounded. But... how?