Chapter 224: What You Are Destined For

As Vyan stared into Iyana's eyes with hurt reflecting in his orbs, she looked away, unable to bear the sting. She had hurt him with her words, she knew.

She didn't know why she did that. It wasn't that she was mad at him; she was mad at herself. She was blaming herself, and she was taking it out on him. She was well aware that it was utterly stupid, but she couldn't help it.

She could understand why he hid this matter from her, given she herself was hiding something from him, but… she just didn't know how to react. How should she take this news—that he was going to die sooner because of her?

If he hadn't given up those ten years of his lifetime, he wouldn't be having his last twenty-one days left to be living now.

Perhaps, she should be blaming the deities for this, for giving him such a short lifetime to begin with. After all the unfair things he had to face all his life until now, he was destined to live for thirty-one years? How was that okay? How was that fair?

There was just too much going on in her head, and she was feeling too much. This situation, his fate, all of it was so messed up. She thought she had it all sorted out, that she was going to remain calm, strong and fight to save his life, but now… now that she knew that he had already doomed himself, what was she supposed to do? How was she supposed to save him?

And most importantly, how could she forgive herself? She had to live with the knowledge that he sacrificed a decade of your life—for her. That he was going to be gone sooner, all because of her.

In the midst of her chaotic emotions, she had ended up telling him something really hurtful and nor did she have the mental stability to take it back.

"And you know what? Just… just leave me alone now," she let out, desperate to get away from him, lest she hurt him more.

But he was stubborn. As always. He didn't know when to give up.

As she turned around, he hugged her from behind, locking her in his arms. "Please don't leave like this," he whispered, his voice pleading.

"Vyan, please… I just need to be alone right now."

"I will. I will leave you alone. Just tell me that you will give me a chance to earn back your trust."

"Vyan…"

"Iyana, please," he tightened his arms around her, letting his warmth soak into her despite the hammering cold rain, "I am sorry."

"Your sorry isn't going to fix anything, Vee," she breathed and closed her eyes, resting the back of her head on his shoulder and letting her body go limp under his hold. "I can't forgive you or myself. What you did… I… It might seem like it's such a romantic gesture, but honestly, it's simply cruel."

"And that's why I never wanted you to know," he murmured, and she chuckled bitterly. "I mean, what you don't know wouldn't have hurt you," he reasoned, and she shook his head, finding his explanation pointless. "Besides, I promise to live a very careful, healthy life. I will never put my life at risk so that I can live by your side as long as possible."

"Oh, I wish."

"I swear, Iyana, I will do that—"

"It's no use, Vyan." She opened her eyes, meeting his gaze upside down.

"Why do you say that?" he asked slowly.

"There is something Leila didn't tell you because I forbid her," Iyana whispered and reached up to touch his cheek. "You know how villains always die at the end of the story?"

Vyan's breath hitched.

"Yes, Vee, that's what you are destined for as well," she completed.

He stared at her blankly, and at that moment, Iyana wondered what he was thinking.

"I see…" he mumbled, his reaction a complete lackluster to what she expected. "But don't worry about it. It's not necessarily going to be true," he assured, putting a light-hearted smile. "I mean, at the end of that story, my plan failed mainly because I was up against you, but this time, you are on my side, so… the odds are in my favor."

"Vyan, that's not—"

"You have been worrying for nothing, Iyana," he brushed off her concerns. "And it's not like I didn't prepare to stake my life on this. I have always been prepared to face the worst outcome. It's just that…" He took a shaky breath, still smiling. "I have you now, and I know it would pain you if something were to happen to me. Besides, in the novel, I was reckless and careless.

But I am not going to repeat my mistakes in this life. I am not going to let history repeat itself. Because I too don't want to die so soon."

Tears poured out of her eyes. "Promise me you won't die."

"You know," he tried to reason sensibly, "I can't promise something like that—"

"Vee," she called out with an edge of strictness.

"Okay, okay," he murmured with a smile, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I promise, my love."

"Thank you," she sighed, letting herself relax into his warmth. She gazed up at him, her eyes full of sincerity. "And I am sorry for saying I can't trust you. I didn't mean to hurt you." She turned in his arms, pulling him into a deeper embrace, her fingers trailing along his back. "I trust you more than anyone else."

"I know," he whispered, his voice like a warm caress against her skin. He brushed a stray lock of her damp hair away, tucking it behind her ear. "I know. Just don't blame yourself. That's the part that cuts the deepest for me." His fingers slipped through her wet hair, pulling her closer. "Everything I did was out of love for you.

Sometimes, keeping things hidden is the only way to protect the people we love."

"Thank you for loving me so much," she replied, burying her face against his chest.

He chuckled softly, his hand stroking her head in slow, comforting pats. "Well, now that we have got the apologies and thank-yous out of the way," he teased, tilting her chin up to meet his gaze, "should we get out of this rain? I am definitely more of a dry land kind of guy." Sёarᴄh the NôᴠelFirё.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

She leaned back just enough to look at him, her arms still wrapped around his waist, a hint of desire in her eyes. Rising onto her toes, she brushed her lips against his, whispering, "Yes, let's go."

Before she knew it, they were in his bedroom, the rain-soaked world left far behind. The soft click of the door locking echoed through the room as he pulled her into a kiss that took her breath away.

Their lips met with a hunger that left no room for anything else, and Vyan wasn't about to let the stickiness from the rain spoil the moment.

With a quick flick of his fingers, he summoned a whisper of heat that enveloped them both, drying their drenched clothes in an instant.

She chuckled softly against his lips, amused by his refusal to remain even a little damp. "You really can't stand being wet, can you?" she teased, her words barely more than a breath.

"Not unless I have planned for it," he quipped, a smirk tugging at his lips before he slipped his hand behind her thigh, lifting her effortlessly.

In that moment, she forgot everything that she had been worried about for days and let herself be carried away by the heat of his body, and she could tell that he was trying to do the same—forget everything and drown himself in her.

Instinctively wrapping her legs around his waist, Iyana felt herself being pressed against the nearest wall, his other hand coming up behind her head to protect her from the thump with concrete. The small gesture made her heart flutter like an inexperienced teenager, despite the sensuality of the moment.

His body flushed against hers, while his lips trailed down to her neck.

His kisses were hot, trailing fire down to her collarbone, where he lingered, tasting the delicate skin as she arched back, pressing herself closer to him. There was something about the way he kissed her skin, like he was worshiping her, and at the same time, devouring her.

His hand roamed up her thigh, following the tantalizing slit of her gown, his fingers grazing her skin in a way that left her breathless.

Desperate to touch his bare skin as well, her hands found their way to his tie, loosening it with nimble fingers before she tossed it aside, making quick work of his blazer and shirt. The fabric fell to the floor, forgotten as he focused entirely on the sensitive spot on her neck and bit her, which made a small moan escape her lips.

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"Make more sounds like that," he whispered, soothing her skin with his tongue. "I like them."

"You keep doing your best, Vee, and the sounds will follow," she teased.

"Roger that." His fingers found the strings at the back of her gown, tugging them free with a sensual slowness that left her heart pounding. The gown loosened, the top slipping down to reveal the delicate corset beneath.

His hand glided down her torso, fingertips tracing the soft curves of her stomach, like he had always to touch her there. His lips curled into a playful grin as he remarked, "I have always wanted to touch you here and see if you have abs. And as expected, you don't disappoint, my lady. These are some solid muscles."

"Aren't you jealous I have got more ab muscles than you?" she quipped, a challenging gleam in her eyes.

He chuckled, the sound a deep rumble that vibrated between them, as he outlined her abs muscles. "Not a bit. I am rather impressed," he replied as his mouth traveled back up, capturing hers with renewed fervor as his hands roamed her upper body.

He wasted no more time in trying to undo her corset. Yet as his fingers fumbled clumsily with the intricate ties, she couldn't help but giggle.

"Need some help, Your Grace?" she teased, arching an eyebrow.

He growled playfully in response, nipping at her neck in a way that made her gasp, a shiver running down her spine. With a quick surge of his magic, the corset came undone, and he looked back at her with a triumphant smirk.

"Don't underestimate me, my lady."