𝐁𝛐𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 | Nikolai Lantsov

10 | 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝛐𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝚮𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭

𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚

Amora stood in the dim light of her chamber, a storm of emotions roiling within her. The tense argument with Nikolai still stung like a fresh cut, his words echoing in her mind. They had clashed over his reluctance to come back to Ravka, over his determination to hide from the chaos that threatened their homeland. But more than the frustration, what lingered was the undeniable pull that weighed heavily in the air between them.

As she gazed into his eyes, she felt her heart race, warmth radiating from his bare chest. The all-too-close proximity sent electric tingles coursing through her veins. Her palms itched to bridge the space separating their bodies, yet the lingering residue of their argument held her back. The flickering torchlight cast shadows on their faces; his blue eyes sparkled like ocean waves, full of unspoken emotions, while his pink lips parted slightly, desperate for breath—as though they were dancing around a truth neither dared to voice.

“Nik…” The name escaped her lips like a soft whisper, a prayer, or perhaps a plea. It felt like both comfort and confusion swirled in that single breath.

“What do you want, Nikolai?” The question slipped out almost instinctively, yet it cut through the air like a knife. She knew what she wanted; she longed to feel his lips against hers, to lose herself in the warmth of him, to find solace in this chaotic world together. But did he want the same?

His eyes held hers, a deep gaze that seemed to pull her closer, deeper, into his soul. “I—” he began, but the words caught in his throat, replaced by the pounding of his heart, matching the rhythm of hers. Each rise and fall of his chest seemed to synchronize their breaths, a sweet, intoxicating union.

Amora shifted, and the subtle movement ignited a spark; her hand brushed against his, a fleeting touch that sent shivers down her spine. It was such a small act, yet it sparked a fire that threatened to consume them both. Would he understand the weight of the moment? Would he mirror her desires or keep them locked away with the secrets of his heart?

“Nik…” she urged once more, vulnerability coating her voice. “I can’t stand seeing you hiding anymore. We’re stronger together. You must know that.”

He drew closer. “Amora…” he breathed, her name kindling warmth in the air between them. “I’ve been afraid. Afraid of what it means if I let you in completely. Afraid of what it could cost you.”

“Cost me?” Her brows furrowed in frustration. “Nikolai, you think I don’t know the risks? You think I wouldn’t fight beside you, regardless of the danger? I would face anything if it meant…” She trailed off, barely able to voice the longing she felt, the connection that battled against their earlier argument.

He studied her, the intimacy of the moment crafting an unbreakable thread binding their souls. The air crackled in anticipation. “If it meant?” he echoed, his breath mingling with hers, thick with tension and expectation.

“I want us,” Amora blurted, the truth finally carving its way into reality. The words hung suspended in the air like an unbreakable spell.

His eyes searched hers, peeling back the layers of doubt and uncertainty. Then, he smiled—a soft, genuine smile that warmed her from the inside out. “Us?”

“Yes, Nikolai. I’ve wanted you for so long… even when we argued.”

The confession danced between them, aflame with possibility. He closed the gap, their foreheads almost touching now, breaths mingled together, grounding them further in the moment. “What if I wanted you more than I’ve let on?”

Her heart raced, hope igniting a fire in her chest. “Then let’s not waste any more time.”

In one swift movement, he cupped her face gently, tilting it as he leaned in. Amora held her breath, anticipation flooding her senses. Their lips brushed against each other, a tentative meeting that felt like the culmination of every unspoken word, every glance. Then it deepened; the sweetness transformed into an electrifying need, igniting the very fabric of their beings.

As they finally surrendered to the moment, their lips connecting, all the turmoil of the outside world fell away. For that heartbeat in time, it was only them—two hearts entwined, daring to dream of a future unfettered by the demons of the past.

For Amora, in his embrace, she felt stronger—a beacon of hope for Ravka, a force intertwined with love and loyalty. Together, as barriers dissolved before them, they would face whatever storms awaited, hand in hand, heart to heart.

⎯⎯ ୨•୧ ⎯⎯