Another World

Chapter 46

They stood in there for the longest time, just holding each other in companionable silence and drawing comfort and strength from one another.

Thranduil stroked her hair, his movements idle and faraway, almost as though his mind was elsewhere, delving deep into contemplative thought.

Charlotte finally pulled away enough to peer up at him, rendered suddenly speechless by his breathtaking beauty in this very moment as he gazed back at her, his electric blue eyes swirling with profound emotions that he only reserved for her, and her alone.

A flood of overwhelming love washed over her through their bond; not only had he captured her heart, but she had ensnared his as well. She rose on tippy toes, snaking her arms around his neck, and he drew her close against him with a gentleness that she had not thought possible of him when she had first met him. He had changed from the frosty, haughty Elvenking with a formidable temper to match, to the considerate and tender lover who had now become her whole world.

Their lips met in a featherlight caress, and her eyes fluttered closed at the intensity of emotions consuming her. Even the briefest touch conveyed the deep-rooted love they shared, intensifying the emotion through a whole new level. The kiss deepened, their lips molding and conforming together in a sensual dance. The familiar stirring down deep in her belly began to grow, and the kiss became something more urgent and heated.

"Should we go someplace more private?" he murmured against her lips, his fingers digging into the flesh of her waist.

Could she wait that long? The build-up of tension radiating through her needed a release, and soon.

"Is it far?"

Thranduil straightened like an uncoiled spring, his sights narrowed on a place in the distance. His thumbs stroked idly against her waist and she shivered that such an innocent caress could feel so sensual and stoke the flame within her.

"It is not too far, and it offers privacy," he replied, his smoldering gaze locking with hers. "But it is not a room that provides much...comfort."

Charlotte grabbed the lapels of his cloak. "I don't care about comforts, Thranduil. I need you. Now," she hissed.

Thranduil studied her for a moment, then a deadly spark flashed through his cerulean eyes, causing her to shiver at the anticipation it stirred within her. That brief glimpse had promised so much...

Swiftly taking her hand in his own, Thranduil strode down the passageway, Charlotte practically having to run to keep up with him. But she didn't complain. The air between then was thrumming with an electrically charged current, threatening to explode at any moment.

They wove their way down winding staircases and across curving bridges. Her emotions now turned to that of nervousness as these arches had no railings and one wrong footing would plunge one into the dark abyss below.

"I will not let you fall, little one," Thranduil commented just ahead of her, his hold on her hand solid and reassuring as he guided her across.

Charlotte trusted him impeccably, Thranduil's words reassuring her that he would never let her fall. He would always be there to catch her.

They were now currently in a deeper part of the mountainous kingdom, the air constricting with a certain murky heaviness. Hanging lanterns had been lit, casting a dim glow as they traversed down the long passageway, their shadows flittering along the cold, smooth walls.

Neither uttered a single word.

Thranduil soon came upon a solid wooden door, the curved frame etched with delicate silver elvish writing. Charlotte didn't have time to read the words, for Thranduil swiftly opened the door and pulled her in, closing it firmly behind them.