"In my village, a lot of children bully me because my mother happened to give birth to me through uncustomary ways. It takes all my strength, but I make sure not to let their hate get to me and control my actions. I have a goal and presently..." he looked at her. "My eyes are fixed on that goal."
He rested his head again. "What happened to your brother and your partner... that wasn't your fault, just like the insults and the attacks I get isn't mine. And avenging them doesn't mean you have to destroy yourself in the process. You're Alzera the fierce, surely there is more that awaits you in this world than killing MegaSquids."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Silence was present after that. A very long but impactful silence.
Alzera blinked rapidly, as if Aeric's words had struck a chord she didn't want to acknowledge. For a moment, she didn't speak. Then, in a soft voice, she said, "You are quite a remarkable person, Dagwood. No one's ever talked to me like this before."
"I'm not certain if that is a compliment," Aeric replied with a small, roguish grin.
Alzera glanced at him, studying his features again, his flawless face that did not at all fit a boy of his class. For the first time, her hardened expression cracked. "Perhaps... Perhaps I was harsh earlier," she said hesitantly. "About the beast cores... about you saving me. I..." she took a deep breath.
"Thank you, Dagwood. You saved my life back there."
It almost felt like a wave of fresh air had struck Spheris when she said that, and a half-smile of victory appeared on his face. "It's fine. I could tell that you were thankful, even if you didn't say it... or show it."
She laughed softly, a quiet, almost broken sound.
'Did she just laugh?' Aeric's mind exclaimed. 'Look at what you've done, Aeric! What a man you are!!!'
Alzera folded her legs and rested her chin on her knees. "I admit that I'm a tough person. I don't usually apologize. Or thank people. It's just... easier to keep things formal, you know? No attachments, no connections. I've lost too many people to risk forming bonds again. It's easier this way. Safer too."
Aeric's gaze softened. 'Ah,' he thought, as his eyes danced through her delicate face, 'the old tale of the broken heart too scared to break again. So it keeps everyone at arm's length.'
In Alzera's eyes now, there was no anger anymore, only genuine sadness. What she'd been hiding.
"Listen, Miss Alzera," Aeric said, his tone turning serious, "keeping yourself safe doesn't mean shutting everyone out. Pain's a part of life, sure, but so are the good things. Trust me, you let people in, you might be surprised at how much lighter that weight feels."
'Way to cock block, Kael,' Aeric thought grumpily. He cleared his throat, his heart still racing. "We can hear you! Keep taking out rocks!"
"We're coming!" Kael shouted. "You guys should also do the same to make it faster!"
Aeric looked at Alzera with his lips tightened. "Well, we better continue with the rocks." He started to push himself up, but before he could, Alzera grabbed his wrist pulling him down.
He fell and landed in the middle of her open thighs, right before her. Aeric lifted his head, grunting. "What are you doin— ?"
Before he could finish his question, Alzera grabbed his face and sunk her lips deep into his, locking her tongue with his and sucking his lips with hers.
Aeric slowly took her in, holding her face, then her hair, her shoulders, her neck. Anything as the kiss got more and more intense.
It was the hottest kiss he had ever had. So passionate, so raw and she kept on pushing him closer to her.
Then, slowly, like neither of them didn't want to, they parted. Their lips smacked softly against each other. Explore more at empire
Alzera's eyes locked onto his, and his locked onto hers. They said nothing for a while, looking at each other while their hearts beat rapidly.
Still without a word, she pulled him closer. Their lips met again, softer than the first, but then deeper and deeper. Then once again, they let go, their breathing heavy and loud, chests heaving.
"You're my courier," Alzera whispered, lost in the tension of the kiss. "Your job is to obey what I say, and do what I want. Do you understand?"
Aeric breathed loudly, looking at her with mild confusion. "Yes," he whispered, staring into her needy and vulnerable eyes.
"Good," she said with her heavy breath. "What I want... is for you to make me obey you."
Aeric stared at her.