65 Let Me [1]
Ophelia woke up to the sound of running water. She groaned and turned, wondering what could be disturbing her sleep. Not a second later, she shot upright, the memories of events flooding her quickly. The journey to the empire, the goblin attack, and then arriving at the palace. Where exactly was she?
Ophelia took in her surroundings and was genuinely amazed. Everywhere she looked, there were glistening and polished tiles with painted walls. There was golden varnish, a lavish vanity, doors that led to curious places, couches with a coffee table, desks, and the list went on.
Ophelia blinked in disbelief and glanced down to see the stained gown she was wearing. Her nose twitched at the horrid scent of the goblin blood. She was surprised that Killorn hadn't attempted to undress her in her sleep and bathe her. The thought made her quite content, as she'd be mortified if he saw her naked in the morning light. Well, he had, but those times, she could try and cover herself.
"You're awake."
Ophelia's head snapped to Killorn. She gulped, feeling her voice die in her throat. He was in nothing, but a thin cotton towel that did nothing to hide the enormous tent growing from between his legs. Killorn's large form closed the distance between them, his broad shoulders narrowing into his sharp abdomen, where she saw the veins leading to his—
"You were out for so long," Killorn muttered in disbelief, cupping her face. "It's a good thing I delayed the bath until now."
Ophelia shakingly glanced up at him. "O-oh, t-that was s-so rude of m-me after being u-useless in the a-attack. I-I didn't know w-what to do."
"You didn't have to do anything, but sit still and look pretty. I mean it." Killorn grabbed her by the hand and helped her take off the gown. The entire time, she tried to shy away from his grasp, but he ripped through the materials easily until she was left standing in her undergarments.
"Come, let's get you bathed and cleaned. A maid will come in shortly to replace our sheets," Killorn stated.
Ophelia's face burned as she tried to cover herself, but he didn't even seem to mind. He grabbed her wrist and tugged her towards the bathroom. The entire time, her head spun and tried to capture the beauty of this new estate.
"W-where are we?"
"A palace dedicated to the Duke of Helios Empire," Killorn begrudgingly told her. "B-but you're the only D-Duke…" Ophelia mumbled.
"Yes, so my estate."
Ophelia blinked in disbelief. "L-like the one that the royal family a-awarded House Mavez d-decades ago."
"The very one, my sweet."
Once they reached the bath, Ophelia took a whiff. She was soothed by the delightful scent in the air. Just as Killorn closed the door behind her, she saw maids walk in and out of the room, carrying the dirty materials and replacing them with new ones. "Strip."
Ophelia's cheeks were redder than a tomato. Even though she had undressed many times for her husband, the thought still unnerved her. She let out a shaky breath, for he knew all that there was to her. She had nothing else to hide from him. He had accepted the auction house like nothing and reacted to her illegitimate status with ease.
"Do you need help?" Killorn mused whilst clasping his heavy hands upon her tiny shoulders. She squeaked and jumped like a startled mouse, her head falling back to peer up at him.
Ophelia could barely concentrate. The fogginess of the bathwater made it difficult for her to think. Killorn was a sight to behold. Even though his limbs were much larger than hers, he brushed away her silver tendrils with ease, until it was out of her eyes. "Come here, my lovely wife." Killorn grabbed a hold of her hips. His thumb pressed upon her flesh softly, causing a familiar throbbing down below.
Ophelia tried to think carefully, but how could she possibly? His rough fingers were gently sliding her lace underwear off of her. She grabbed ahold of his firm upper arms whilst trying to step out of it. Next, he helped with her chemise. Ophelia held her breath as his fingers grazed her moistening skin. He unhooked her chemise, then her bra, and her stockings, until she was standing naked before him. He wasted no time in bending his head to kiss the curve of her shoulders.
"U-uhm…"
"Killorn," he reminded her.
"K-Kill…orn."
Killorn smiled at her progress. He affectionately rubbed circles on her hips with his thumb, whilst teasingly licking at her neck. She jumped, skittish from his sudden assault.
Killorn could barely contain himself around her. She was a sight unlike any other. With his jaws taunt, he felt his feelings in turmoil at the glimpse of her. He was beginning to ache down below and if he didn't fulfill his urges, he'd die on the spot.
"K-Killorn!" she cried out in shock when he lifted her with ease.
"Come, let's get you bathed," he teased whilst putting her into the water.
Ophelia tensed and then relaxed a second later. "O-oh, it feels g-good," Ophelia sighed in relief as the hot bath hit her skin. "Give me a second and it'll feel much better." Killorn slid in right behind her, causing her to tense and begin to protest. He was quick to replace her complaints with his mouth that softly traced the side of her neck.
"A-aren't we just g-going to bathe?" Ophelia shyly asked him, just as he grabbed a sponge. She watched as he poured the clear liquid onto the sponge, then squeezed it until it was lathered into foam.
"We are," Killorn agreed, but the mischievous glint in his eyes implied otherwise.
Ophelia nervously bit on her bottom lips. "Lean back and let me do the work, my sweet." Killorn slid an arm around her stomach and forced her to rest. He maneuvered his hard-on away from her, even though her legs were pressed tightly against his thighs.
Slowly and sensually, Killorn lowered the sponge down her body. She gasped as his knuckles brushed upon a breast. Then, his freed hand tweaked the orb of the other one, causing her to cry out and squeeze her eyes shut. He massaged her breast with palm and the other side lower and lower. "T-this doesn't f-feel like washing," Ophelia gasped out as his lips found its way to her ear. Then, he dropped his head and began to pepper her shoulder with kisses, each one, allowing his fingers to go lower.
"What does it feel like then?" Killorn humored as he spread her legs and began to clean her inner thighs.
"S-seduction," Ophelia bit out.
Without warning, Ophelia turned and grabbed the sponge from him. She instantly regretted it, for she met his primal gaze. With trembling hands, she leaned forward, careful to not press herself against him too tightly. She didn't want to give him ideas.
"L-let me h-help you or something," Ophelia mumbled, her face tingling red as boiled lobster. "L-lower your head, I-I'll clean your hair."
Killorn paused at the determination in her voice. He glanced and saw she was nearly on the verge of tears from embarrassment. Without warning, he bursted with laughter, causing her to gasp and glare.
"W-why a-are you laughing?" Ophelia bit out, her voice lowering childishly. There was nothing funny about her statement, but he couldn't help it. He liked seeing her embarrassed.
"You're just the most adoring creature I've ever seen." Killorn grabbed a hold of her wrists and shook his head in delight. She tried to wretch herself from him, but he only pulled her closer and pecked her on the nose.
Ophelia paused, her lashes fluttering. "C-can't we genuinely bathe?"
"Of course, my sweet. Anything you wish for." Killorn gestured towards the metal tray sitting beside them. "There is anything and everything you wish for here."
"I've tricked your father to get your hand in marriage. At that time, he wanted a human and I offered 18:35
myself out of greed to claim you," Killorn muttered. "I am greedy and cruel, but not enough to take Ophelia's eyes lit up when she saw one of them being labeled as the male shampoo. Without warning, she reached for it and uncapped the bottle, pouring some onto her hand.
"T-then lower your head and l-let me…" Killorn didn't need to be told twice. His lips twitched as he bent his head. He had done so for no one, but her, yet she didn't even realize it. Ophelia shakingly kneaded her fingers through his scalp. He tensed, feeling something brush close to him. He held her waist with his hands, feeling the sudden urge to slide inside and feel her warmth.
"Y-your hair is s-so silky—Killorn!" Ophelia gasped when he latched his mouth upon a nipple. She squirmed, but he had her in a tight grasp. With his slick and wet lips, he suckled on her breast, as his other palmed her. Ophelia's hips jolted on instinct, causing Killorn to groan. Without warning, he pulled back, dunked his hair into the water and swished it quickly, before straightening up. He waisted wrapping a towel around Ophelia, then carrying her out of the bathroom, much to her reddening cheeks, for she knew what was to come.
"You and I should never bathe together, my sweet," Killorn hoarsely said as he carried her to the bed. "It always leads to nowhere."
"T-that's because you c-can't control yourself!" Ophelia chided him, just as he lowered her. "I can't," Killorn agreed. "So let me take all the blame whilst I do you justice in bed." Suddenly, Ophelia blurted out. "Then why do you never kiss me?"
"Ophelia," Killorn tenderly said. Without warning, he pulled her into his lap.
Ophelia was startled by his action. He hugged her tightly, her legs on either side of his slim waist. He crushed their bodies together, his face buried into her shoulders. His dark hair tickled her, but his lips warmed her from the inside out.
"I've never done so because you never gave me the permission to do so," Killorn confessed.
Ophelia's heart stilled. What did he just say? But… "I've tricked your father to get your hand in marriage. At that time, he wanted a human and I offered myself out of greed to claim you," Killorn muttered. "I am greedy and cruel, but not enough to take such a thing from you."
Ophelia sucked in a breath. "F-for the two years, I-I always thought you l-left me…"
Killorn was stabbed by her words. He didn't know she kept this much bottled up from within her. "No matter how injured or pained I am, I will always return to you, Ophelia, for you are my only destination." At that exact moment, Ophelia knew there was no turning back. She was in love with this man more than words could describe it. And she'd never know the extent of his emotions for her.
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