TWOTCL༘ ೀ⋆｡

XXV

⭑. ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭ ⭑.𖥔 ݁ ˖₊˚✩.𖥔 ݁ ˖๋ ࣭

Elysia trembled at the cruel words that fell from his lips. He continued speaking indifferently.

“A gentle sunlight might be more necessary than a strong wind for a fragile woman like you. For example, a gradual and planned rehabilitation.”

Elysia couldn’t understand what Hadeon was trying to say. He was holding her on his lap like a child, looking down at her with a somewhat… tender expression.

Tender? From this man?

Elysia felt the need to reassess what she had just perceived. Tenderness and Hadeon Lark were words that didn’t belong together. However, her focus was momentarily disrupted by his actions.

“Ah…”

Hadeon had lifted one of her arms and started to pull off the end of her glove using just his thumb and index finger.

She knew she should pull her hand away, but she couldn’t take her eyes off Hadeon, who was gazing at her with indescribable fascination.

“Forget everything that’s happened so far, and let’s start over from the beginning. With something really simple. Like, say, touching hands.”

His thumb and index finger continued to tug at her glove. The glove slid over her knuckles, off her fingers, and finally fell away from her hand. Hadeon tucked the glove into his jacket pocket and patted it, as if daring her to search his jacket if she wanted it back. Elysia glared at him, and he smirked arrogantly and playfully.

Then he extended his right hand toward hers, tilting his chin up commandingly.

“You touch it.”

When her trembling eyes met his, he explained further with a sly smile.

“If I touch it first, I might not be able to stop.”

Frightened by his words, Elysia’s hand moved. Hadeon’s eyes watched intently as her small hand approached his open, rough hand. Every movement felt agonizingly slow. When the blunt tips of her fingers finally touched the warm ridge of his palm, Hadeon exhaled a sigh that sounded almost like a groan.

His exhalation made Elysia’s own breath quicken. His fingers dwarfed hers, like comparing an adult’s hand to a child’s. It was a violent sight, the union of two things from entirely different worlds. Cautiously, she let the rest of her palm meet his warm skin. As before, his body temperature was several degrees higher than hers, and the heat seemed to make her heart race, as if it were warning her of something unfamiliar.

Suddenly, Hadeon’s thick fingers intertwined with her slender ones, locking them together in an instant. His large hand seized hers like a predator capturing its prey.

“Uh…!”

Just that simple act made Elysia feel as if the memories of that night were starting over from the beginning.

“This feeling is truly indescribable,” Hadeon muttered through clenched teeth, showing unrestrained satisfaction. He was barely holding himself back from pulling her in and biting her exposed neck. He imagined her shocked expression if she looked directly at his groin. If she felt even a fraction of the sensation he was experiencing, she might forgive him for his transgressions. Unfortunately, she didn’t seem to be sharing his pleasure. Even if she did, it wouldn’t be even one-tenth, no, one-hundredth of what he felt.

Suddenly, he was filled with resentment. Hadeon released his pheromones. Immediately, Elysia’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink.

Yes, this is fair, Hadeon thought with a satisfied groan as he slowly lowered his head. His heart pounded. His instincts screamed at him to mark the pure white snowfield with his footprints, to bury his nose in her collarbone and inhale her intoxicating scent. And then…

A guttural growl rumbled from his throat. In that instant, he noticed Elysia’s body stiffening again, turning to stone. The cool, soft hand that had been holding his was clearly gripped by fear.

Hadeon cursed inwardly, retracting his pheromones quickly. Pheromones were the fastest, easiest way to arouse a female, but the downside was that they heightened his own arousal as well.

This wouldn’t do. Hadeon didn’t want Elysia to feel even a moment of fear.

Is that even possible?

For the first time in a long while, Hadeon felt the frustration of being blocked by an enormous wall. A near-maniacal irritation rose within him. He sensed Elysia stirring in his arms, aware of his halted approach. Then, like a blow to the back of his head, a realization struck him.

What Hadeon desired now wasn’t merely to ravage and savor this flesh that brought him such intense pleasure. It was a deeper, more primal urge.

Hadeon wanted this woman to want him.

He wanted her to ache with desire, to plead desperately, to yearn fervently, to be consumed by his every action and word.

Am I finally going mad?

TL’s Note: Yes, you are and we readers too T-T

Hadeon remained frozen, his fingers still interlaced with hers. Had he finally succumbed to madness? It seemed impossible. To harbor such feelings for a ‘human’—so small, bothersome, and weak, useful only for her blood abilities—was inconceivable.

No, it can’t be. It’s impossible.

He looked down at the frightened woman in his arms. Elysia, unaware of his turmoil, still wore the same expression, enduring this moment as if it were an ordeal. She was simply enduring his touch.

Hadeon’s mood darkened. How could he make her feel the same way he did? How could he return this inexplicable, abysmal yearning and desire to her?

What did he have to do to make her abandon everything and cling to him with obsession?

In that brief moment, Hadeon asked himself these unanswered questions thousands of times.

Why is he looking at me like that?

Meanwhile, Elysia wetted her dry lips, wondering why Hadeon had stopped after interlocking their fingers. He hadn’t moved at all, just staring at her with a mixture of surprise and intense focus. His fervent gaze was almost violent, making her skin tingle. She wanted to flee. But at the same time, she didn’t want to leave his embrace. Conflicting desires battled within her.

Then his lips parted.

“Let’s stop here for now.”

His resigned fingers abruptly released her hand. Elysia quickly turned her head away, not wanting him to see the strange disappointment on her face.

Hadeon looked down at her small form and brushed his fallen bangs back with his hand.

As soon as he lost direct contact with her skin, his fevered mind cooled, regaining rationality.

Hadeon dismissed all his previous thoughts with a wry smile.

She flinches and trembles at every little thing. It’s really irritating.

She should be engulfed in rapture and pleasure, yet she responded with fear and caution, ruining the mood.

His gaze grew sharp again.

This woman was the most valuable luxury he had ever acquired. Beyond her blood abilities, her skin provided unimaginable pleasure, a rare and precious gift.

Take it slow and savor every piece until I’m satisfied. There’s no need to rush.

Hadeon had no desire to ruin this precious commodity in a fit of excitement. He didn’t want to risk losing her by giving in to madness and biting her during their intimacy.

Why risk damaging something they could both enjoy? She was a valuable prize.

Elysia stirred in his arms, trying to break free. Hadeon chuckled at her feeble struggle and lowered his head.

She gasped as he briefly, firmly pressed his lips to her nose.

“Your reactions are truly delightful. I like it very much.”

* * *