"Did it hurt a lot?" Drayce asked, his voice soft and gentle, a stark contrast to his demanding tone from the previous night.
Embarrassed, she shook her head. "A little."
His hands, which had been resting around her stomach, began to trace the curves of her body, his fingertips gently brushing against her delicate skin.
"Was it cruel of me to demand you keep looking at me, even though you were in pain?" he asked again, his voice still gentle but tinged with guilt.
Seren knew that Drayce had always put her needs and wants before his own, caring for her like a delicate flower, protecting her from even the slightest harm. For the first time, he had been willful with her, taking what he desired, which must have made him regret his actions.
She shook her head. "I understand why you did it. You don't need to feel bad about anything. I loved seeing you like that, the emotions I had never seen on your face before. They were precious."
"You looked as beautiful and as tempting as well. I can never forget it," Drayce said, pecking her cheek before looking ahead. A serene silence enveloped them.
"Are you better?" Drayce broke the silence.
She nodded. "It felt magical and healing when I stepped into the water, as if my soul was being coaxed into the sweetest comfort."
"This water is indeed magical," he said. "It is said that in the past, the Deity of Water descended from heaven. She saw people suffering from the cold and falling sick. She poured divine water from heaven onto this mountain, and each drop of it turned into numerous hot springs. That's why, despite the chilly cold in this part of the kingdom, people can withstand it."
"The Deity of Water must be kind and truly care about humans," she said. "I can feel the magic in this water. I'm sure it's healing."
"Then we can stay here for a few days if you like this place," Drayce suggested.
Seren observed the beautiful view for a long moment before breaking the silence. "Here, it feels like being in heaven. Everything is so pure and peaceful."
"Have you seen heaven to compare this place to it?" he asked with a teasing smile.
She chuckled softly. "When something makes us happy and blissful, we say it feels like heaven, and when something makes us sad, we say it feels like hell."
He hummed in agreement and leaned closer, his lips near her ear. "When I make you feel pleasure, do you feel like you're in heaven?" he whispered.
She smiled slightly at his teasing. "Hmm, more like floating on clouds in heaven."
He tugged gently on her earlobe with his teeth, drawing a light cry from her. "I don't mind keeping you floating on those heavenly clouds all the time." His hand turned her face to meet his gaze. "What do you say?"
She noticed the need in his eyes, her gaze lingering on his enticing face before stopping at his lips. "I don't mind," she answered, mirroring his emotions.
Drayce captured her lips in his, and they indulged in gentle yet needy kisses. His hand caressed her curves intimately, his hot breath burning against her cold skin.
"I wish this magical water magically heals you," he whispered against her moist, swollen lips before kissing her again, this time with rough passion.
Catching her breath, Seren whispered against his lips, "Maybe... the magic has already worked wonders..." and resumed kissing him.
"For today, this much is enough," she mumbled weakly.
He smiled lightly and pecked on her forehead, indicating he had agreed to what she said.
When he thought she might fall asleep, he heard her. "Dray?"
"Hmm?"
"I was wondering, though we are being intimate, Erebus is not meddling," she replied, "Is he alright? He was hurt as well, isn't he?"
"Are you worried about him?" he asked.
"That means I am worried about you," she countered. "Is he alright? I didn't get to see him after that incident."
"You have warned him once that he could not meddle between us when we will be consummating marriage, so he must be following your wishes."
her fingers moved against his chest, drawing small circles, "Is he being obedient?"
"You don't want him to?"
"I am glad he listened to me. If he had gone against my words and had spoiled our moments like always, I was going to scold him and give him cold shoulder. I wouldn't have allowed him to mark me."
Drayce chuckled at her firm resolve, happily, "My brave Seren."
"If he is alright, then there is nothing to worry," she commented and asked, "Now we have consummated the marriage, will he mark me?"
Drayce nodded, "Are you scared?"
"No, I am not. I was just wondering when will it happen so I can prepare myself and won't panic if he comes to me all of a sudden and sink his canines in my skin."
"Marking is sacred thing. Though he can be impatient at a time, he knows it well. When the times comes, you will know already."
"How?"
"Yorian and I have talked about it. Once he receives a message from my mother, we will go to Agartha. There in front of other supernaturals Erebus will mark you."
"Is there such a rule?" She asked.
"It shall be done under the blessing from the elders. Every clan of divine beasts follows it. As there is no Dragon clan, the elders from other supernatural clans will be there as a witness and give us their blessings.
Not just for us, but witnessing a divine beast marking his chosen female, holds great importance to them as well," he explained, "moreover, if I mark you here and you lay unconscious for days, that would be an issue. Agartha is surrounded by divine barrier and that place is safe for sacred rituals."
"I get it," she replied and closed her eyes. "I will wait for the day when our souls will be connected for eternity."