When Drayce returned late that night after helping Arlan with his current issue, he immediately sought out Seren. He had missed her and couldn't wait to catch up on what she had been doing in his absence. Seren eagerly told him about her visit to Keiren's residence.
"...and I don't think Prince Keiren objected to my visit with his wife. In fact, he made sure I returned to the palace safely."
"Now you've tested what you wanted to know. After this, never ask Slayer to leave your side again."
"I won't," she promised. "But I can't deny that I was pleased by how Prince Keiren was displeased when he realized Slayer was gone. He even arranged for my safety. It almost felt like brother Cian was standing in front of me. Fewer words, but actions that clearly show their intentions." Continue the saga at m v l e mpyr
"We are family, after all. He cares about our family as much as we do."
"I see that now." She then held his hand. "Are you really not going to talk to him about what he's up to?"
"I'll think about it," Drayce assured her. "It's Arlan's wedding in three days, and we'll have to go."
"Will the wedding still happen given the situation?"
"They haven't canceled anything, so we have to go, regardless of whether the wedding takes place or not. Everything depends on Arlan and Oriana, especially Oriana."
"Will we be gone long? Edith will soon be nine months pregnant, and I want to be with her when she delivers."
"We'll teleport and return quickly."
"Great. I talked to Lady Tyra and have already prepared many things for the baby and his mother. Edith doesn't have any family members to be by her side, so I'll make sure she and the baby feel that warmth."
"You're becoming more and more considerate," he said, giving her a quick kiss on the lips, his gaze turning intense. "Now be considerate of your husband and care for him as well."
He pushed her down on the mattress, pressing her beneath his body. Her hands rested against his chest, trying to stop him. "Dray."
"Hmm?" He inhaled the scent at the nape of her neck. "Just a day and I already miss this."
"I want to talk about something...about us."
He continued to pepper kisses on her cheek and along her neck. "What about us?"
"We will keep going on and on until he shows up."
Seren narrowed her eyes at him. She could see his wicked intentions. "Only once. If he shows up, then fine. If not, we stop and just sleep."
"Alright, only once..."
"Not your once, my once," she interrupted him, determined not to fall for his schemes.
Drayce felt like laughing at how defensive she was being at the thought of being intimate with him, making him wonder if he had truly scared her with his insatiable desires for her.
"Alright, both of ours once," he agreed, sealing her lips with his own. "No more conditions now."
Seren gave in, knowing she craved him as well, as long as he didn't overdo it.
When they were finally done with their once, Seren lay spent in bed, her eyes closed and breathing ragged. "He... didn't show up..."
"Maybe we should try again," Drayce offered, ready to start again.
She opened her eyes and pushed him away, her hands pressed against his bare chest. "No. If he doesn't want to show up, he can do what he wants. I want to sleep now. Tomorrow, I have to visit Edith again."
"You have time for everyone but me," his voice held a note of complaint.
"This pitiful act won't work on me now. I've seen all your sides in that one week, and I'm not falling for it again," she said determinedly. "You'll complain even more when I spend more time with Edith's baby. You better prepare yourself." With that, she closed her eyes. "Let me sleep."
Drayce lay next to her, sighing deeply as he covered both of their naked bodies with the duvet.
Late in the night, Seren stirred in her sleep, feeling something unusual. When she opened her eyes, she was met with a pair of dark irises staring at her. Their owner lay on his side in the bed, facing her, observing her.
There was silence in the chamber for a while as Seren didn't react. She felt like she was dreaming and simply looked at him. He moved his hand, and his fingertips gently caressed her cheek.
Seren realized it was not a dream and that Erebus had finally shown up. Did he hear her when she talked to Drayce about it? He surely did.
"You finally showed up?" Her voice was low and gentle.