Between our hands

Chapter 46: The First Rays of Dawn.

Samy woke up gently, the first rays of sunlight filtering through the slightly parted curtains in Maëlle's room. The golden light, still timid but full of promise, slipped between the delicate drapes to caress Maëlle’s sleeping face. The shimmering beams danced on her scattered hair, creating a warm glow around her peaceful features.

Lying beside her, Samy felt a wave of tenderness and gratitude. Every moment spent with Maëlle had become a source of deep and sincere happiness. He was in awe of the morning’s softness and serenity as he took a moment to admire the tranquil beauty of the woman he loved. His gaze lingered on the golden strands of her hair spread across the pillow, her lips forming a slight smile even in sleep, and her steady breathing, which was like a soft and soothing melody.

He thought back to the last few days spent with Maëlle, reflecting on how their relationship had evolved. Their conversations, their bursts of laughter, and the moments of shared intimacy felt like precious treasures. He wondered what the future held for them, the dreams they might build together, and the challenges they could overcome hand in hand. For now, he simply savored the sweetness of this quiet morning and the moments of joy they had created together.

With infinite delicacy, Samy leaned in to place a light kiss on Maëlle’s forehead. He took care not to wake her, barely grazing her skin with his lips. The kiss was a symbol of his deep affection, a gesture filled with tenderness that reflected his most sincere feelings. As he closed his eyes, a smile formed on his lips, aware that each moment with her was a precious gift he cherished.

After the tender kiss, Maëlle began to stir slightly. The sun’s rays, now more insistent, crept through the curtains and illuminated her sleeping silhouette. She slowly opened her eyes, discovering Samy's smiling, affectionate face. Their eyes met, and she felt a surge of happiness at seeing the soft and loving expression on his face.

She stretched her arms with a contented sigh, her eyes gleaming in the golden morning light. "Good morning," she whispered, her voice still sleepy but full of warmth. She lifted her head slightly and, in a tender gesture, placed a delicate kiss on Samy’s lips. Their lips touched with infinite softness, and the kiss, though silent, expressed more than a thousand words. It was a delicate dance of their emotions, a blend of gratitude, joy, and closeness.

Samy responded to the kiss with equal gentleness, placing his hands on Maëlle’s cheeks to prolong this precious moment. Their kisses grew more intense, charged with the warmth and depth of their feelings. They stayed that way, wrapped in each other’s arms, savoring the calm and warmth of their connection. The outside world seemed to fade away, leaving only their universe, where every glance and every gesture was filled with deep meaning.

The morning calm enveloped them, creating a protective bubble around them. The sounds of the house were distant, and time seemed to stand still. Their hearts beat in unison, each shared moment a treasure they cherished. Samy thought back to the moments they had shared in recent weeks—the laughter, the knowing glances, and the silent promises they had made to each other.

After sharing this sweet moment with Samy, Maëlle sat up slightly. She glanced at the time on the small clock on the bedside table. The steady ticking of the mechanism seemed almost soothing in the shared silence. "Samy, what time is it?" she asked, her voice still soft and warm.

Samy, still smiling, looked at his watch. "It's still early," he replied with a smile. "We’ve got plenty of time to get ready." He stood up, bending to place another light kiss on Maëlle’s forehead before heading toward his clothes.

Excited about the day ahead, Maëlle got up with energy. She headed toward the bathroom with a playful smile. "Come on, hurry up! We’ve got a lunch not to miss!" she said, laughing, her voice full of cheer and good humor.

Amused by her enthusiasm, Samy got up and dressed with relaxed ease. He slipped on his shirt, preparing for the day while exchanging playful glances with Maëlle as she got ready too. The morning light spread throughout the room, creating a pleasant and invigorating ambiance.

Twenty minutes later, freshly prepared and in good spirits, Maëlle and Samy headed together toward the dining room. As they passed through the palace corridors, their laughter and knowing glances added a touch of lightness to their walk. The house seemed to hum with a gentle energy, and the atmosphere was filled with promise and joy.

Reaching the hallway leading to the dining room, Maëlle, still laughing, suddenly stopped and turned to Samy with a mischievous look. "It seems like we have a bit of time before lunch. Maybe we could take advantage of the moment to..." she said, her tone suggesting a playful idea.

Samy, picking up on Maëlle’s intent, moved closer to her with a knowing smile. "Oh really? And what do you suggest we do with this free time?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Feeling completely at ease in his arms, Maëlle leaned in and whispered in his ear. "Maybe we could just... stay here a little longer, just the two of us, before everyone joins us."

Touched by the sincerity and softness of her words, Samy leaned in to kiss her gently. The kiss was light, but filled with warmth and tenderness. He inhaled the delicate scent of Maëlle and felt the warmth of her skin against his lips. The contact brought him immense satisfaction, and he lost himself in the sweetness of the shared moment.

However, their moment of closeness was interrupted by a sudden noise in the hallway. Samy quickly straightened up, his heart beating a little faster, and turned to see a palace guard passing by. The guard looked at them with surprise, his eyes wide at the unexpected scene.

Maëlle, realizing the situation, burst into laughter, trying to hide her embarrassment behind her contagious laugh. "Oh, I think we were a bit too... demonstrative," she said, gently pulling away from Samy, still smiling.

The guard, trying to regain his composure, averted his gaze with an awkward smile. "Wow... I saw that!" he stammered before hastily walking in the opposite direction, clearly relieved to leave the scene.

Samy, realizing they had been caught, turned to Maëlle with an amused smile. "I guess we should be careful not to get carried away, especially with guards roaming around," he said, taking Maëlle’s hand in his.

Still laughing, Maëlle nodded. "Yes, I suppose we should make sure our moments of affection stay a bit more private," she replied, giving him a playful elbow.

They continued on their way to the dining room, their laughter echoing down the hallway. The slight tension from the incident quickly dissipated with their camaraderie and good humor. The meal's atmosphere was joyful and relaxed.