Chapter 153 - Don't You Ever Let Go

He knew exactly what she was going to say. 

As much as he wanted to hear her say, he knew the consequences too well. Dante knew he had to come up with something fast. How was he going to keep her from saying it without making her suspicious? 

He knew what he had to do. 

Without the slightest hesitation, he leaned in to kiss her right on the lips. At first, he was worried Laina might think he was moving too fast. But the moment their lips touched, nothing else mattered. 

He closed his eyes. Dante could smell the sweet aromatic scent of roses from her skin. As long as she was willing, he would not back away. Laina was surprised at first but she did not resist. 

There was something just so magical about the moments they shared with one another. She could never quite pinpoint what it was. She allowed her body to guide her along. Laina closed her eyes as she deepened their kiss. 

It was no longer just light brushing against each other's lips. Laina lifted and cupped Dante's face in her hands. Her heart was racing. Her mind was spinning. She wondered if she was doing it right, was this what Dante wanted?

But soon enough, her question was answered. He reciprocated. As they both indulged in the moment, nothing else mattered. Everything faded away. She gasped for a quick breath of air, she did not want this to end and neither did Dante. 

"Laina," Dante called out her name lovingly. 

Their eyes met. Dante leaned his head in, and so did Laina. 

As their foreheads touched, he said to her, "I feel the same way about you. I… I don't ever want to let you go."

Laina smiled. She cupped Dante's face in her hands, "Then don't ever let go. Promise me you will never let go."

Dante took hold of her hand in his and kissed it gently, "I promise I will never let you go. Never again."

It was getting late. The two love birds decided it was time to call it a night. Laina let out a yawn as she got out of her seat. Dante walked over to her side, holding her by the waist as they walked over to the bed. 

Laina stopped in her tracks and turned to him. She pressed her palm on his chest, "Hold on, where do you think you're going?" 

He already had his arms wrapped around her waist, bringing her closer to him as he replied, "Aren't we going to bed, my love?"

"Did I say we can sleep in the same bed?" 

"It's not like we've never done it before."

"You…" Laina could not believe how shameless he was, "You truly are a marvel, you know that?"

Dante grinned from ear to ear, "Thank you for the compliment. But I think it's time we turned in for the night. I've got to leave at first light."

"Leave? Why leave?" The words slipped out of her mouth so quickly she did not have time to think them through. 

As soon as she realized what she had said, Laina gasped in shock as she covered her mouth with her hand. She was about to defend herself when Dante burst out in laughter. 

"Well if my princess wants me to stay, I guess I can oblige. But wasn't she worried about reputation and what others might think?" Dante teased. 

He leaned in close and whispered into Laina's ear, "If my princess changes her mind, I will gladly stay. It might also give us some time to have a bit of fun."

Laina's ears were bright red with embarrassment. 

"No, no you're right," she said as she bit her tongue, "If people talk… I don't want to know what they have to say."

But as she said that, she was holding on to the sleeve of his pajamas. Dante placed his hand over hers. 

"Their mouths are theirs. We can't control it. So we should not let it control us either," Dante said as he held on to her hand tightly. 

"Kinshearth traditions still need to be upheld. As the princess, the Crown Princess, and the future Queen, I am the face of the Kingdom," Laina said in defeat, "I hope you can understand where I'm coming from."

"I understand. Don't worry, my princess. I will leave before dawn. No one will know that I was here," he reassured with a soft smile. 

"Thank you for understanding," she thanked him, "I really appreciate it."

With that, the Crown Princess and the King turned in for the night. As they laid in bed next to one another under the covers in darkness, they could not take their eyes off one another. 

Titan climbed up onto the bed and laid in between both of them. 

Laina could not help but laugh, "Titan what are you doing! Get off!" 

After a couple of tries, they managed to get Titan to rest in his own bed instead, which was set up at the side of the bed frame. 

"Sorry, he's not used to me having guests apparently," Laina said with a smile as she pulled the covers over her. 

Dante chuckled, "He's just protective of you, just like me."

She could not let this great opportunity to tease him go to waste, "Did the mighty Dragon King just compare himself to a dog?"

"Looks like you got me there."

Both of them shared a good laugh. 

Though Laina was not feeling cold, she still wanted to huddle up close to him. So, she carefully moved over to be as close to Dante as she could. Needless to say, Dante did not mind either. 

They were so close, their faces were barely inches apart. They could even feel the heat from each they took. Dante gently ran his hand through Laina's hair. 

"Goodnight, my princess," he whispered before kissing her on the forehead. 

"Goodnight," Laina whispered back as her eyelids grew heavy, "Goodnight, my moon kiss…"