Shangri La Pt. 1

122: Instinctively

But right as they broke away–and ready to kiss once more–something caught the Prince's eye that he had to stop. 

"Wait–" 

"W-What is it?" 

He didn't answer as she instantly flinched when she felt his ice cold hand resting over the front of her throat. Shoto could see markings and burns that he knew he didn't see on her before their voyage to this Kingdom, that he knew something wasn't right. 

"These burns... where did you get them?" he questioned as he made an intense gaze up to her. 

Momo tensed up as this was one of the last things she wished for her Prince to see. 

"T-That... P-Please don't be mad, b-but when I found myself captured... The eldest Princess of this Kingdom placed a shock collar on me. It was used for when I would try to say or utter a word or noise, a-and so after learning the purpose–after burning my throat a bit... This is the after effect. I-It doesn't hurt anymore, e-especially when I was tossed into that tank of cold water." Momo managed to explain as she couldn't even dare to meet the Prince's eyes.

And though she expected him to get angry and want to go on a rampage, all Shoto did was gently rest his head atop her shoulder and let out a sigh. 

"Hah~ We will never visit this Kingdom again in the future, that is a promise." 

"Ah– Y-Yes, I understand." 

"But..." 

"Hm? Ack!" 

Without any warning, Shoto lifted his right hand and rested it right over the Princess' throat and let his icy cold touch cool her skin. 

"W-What are you doing?" 

"It looks really bad the way I see it, so let me cool it down for a bit. I'm sure you'll feel better later." he answered effortlessly as he focused all his attention on her pale neck. 

'I-Is this real? Is he really using his new ice powers to cool my throat from making me feel uncomfortable? I-I suppose there's nothing really bad about this though. Huh?'

But those thoughts went right out the window as she suddenly felt a pair of soft lips resting right on the center of her lips. Her eyes spoke for her as all she could do was panic and grab and push the Prince away. 

"S-S-Shoto?!?!" 

"What?" 

"W-Why did you do that?" 

"I can't use my hand for my powers all the time, there are other ways." 

"A-And k-kissing my neck i-is the answer?!?!" 

"I thought it made sense to me." he answered as he reached his hand out to her and rested it on her cheek. Though his right hand was freezing cold, his left hand seemed like a normal body temperature that easily comforted her. 

"These are the things I'm willing to do for you, Momo. You and you alone." he expressed. 

"S-Shoto."

And with that, the two leaned in once more and pressed their lips on the other and wanted to remain locked together longer this time. And indeed that happened, as soon the pair leaned backwards and were lying on the bed in which things started to escalate. He ended up topping her as he gripped the bed sheets tightly as he passionately kissed her with every ounce of desire he had. 

She seemed cautious about this escalating any further, but just feeling his gentle touch and how much he wanted her, she couldn't help but raise her hands up to grab hold of his shirt. She could feel as he used one of his hands to slightly lift her head up from the bed, only to rest his hand on the back of her head to make sure they did break away just yet.