Chapter 112: Fire And Longing
There was a certain sadness in Cece’s voice as she spoke, and Eve understood that the subject was taboo within their family. She couldn’t help but wonder what exactly had happened, because it didn’t sound like a simple accident at all.
"Alright, I won’t ask about it anymore," Eve replied.
Cece then held her hand, "I see that you are good for him. Who knows...maybe this relationship will have a positive impact on both of you."
Eve smiled softly, "Maybe...and regardless of what the future holds, as you said, I wish to live for today."
Cece smiled back at her, "I know you both will be fine, because in the end, it is you two we’re talking about."
"Mm," Eve gave her a small nod, and then her mind drifted back to Edward, who had been asking about Cece. She hesitated before asking, "Cece..did anything happen between you and Edward last week?"
Suddenly, Cece’s grip on her hand tightened. "Why? Did he say something?"
"No, I met him last week when he looked very lost and asked me if I had spoken to you. I wondered what was wrong with him, but didn’t ask any further questions because Mrs. Morris was inspecting my room at the time."
"Oh!" Cece looked away, as if contemplating whether or not to disclose something. For the first time, Eve noticed Cece shying away from a subject.
"Is...everything alright?" Eve asked, her voice uncertain.
Cece licked her lips slightly, "Well, everything is fine." She gave Eve a smile that she hoped was convincing, but when Eve didn’t seem to buy it, she let out a soft sigh.
"Fine! During the physical examination, when we were surrounded by wolves, one of them sneaked up behind me. Edward pulled me towards him to protect me, but because it was raining, he slipped and fell on top of me. Our lips....touched, but it was an accident!" Cece blurted the words out quickly, almost as if defending herself before Eve could even react. Eve’s eyes widened, stunned by the sudden confession.
"Oh my!" Eve gasped.
Cece cleared her throat, "But that was it. We got up quickly and pretended as if nothing had happened. I tried to forget it, but every time Edward came in front of me, the scene would replay in my mind, making me avoid him." She let out an exasperated sigh. "I was behaving like such a child. I felt bad for avoiding him, but he finally spoke to me last night and we sorted things out. It was only after our conversation that we spotted that wretched woman, Kayla, sneaking around. That’s how we ended up catching her together."
"I see.." Eve replied, noticing Cece blushing. "Well, I’m glad you both sorted things out. Edward is a nice guy."
"He is," Cece admitted softly. She then quickly changed the subject, "At least I got lucky with my partner, unlike Damien, who got stuck with Emily, who was drooling all over Ivan."
When Eve scowled at the thought of that woman and muttered, "Oh yes, memories," Cece burst out laughing at her friend’s reaction.
After that, they chatted a little more until it was around a quarter to ten, when Cece decided to bid Eve goodnight and head back to her room.
Eve closed the door and went to take a bath before getting ready for bed herself. Some time later, dressed in a beautiful laced sleeveless nightgown, she padded softly across the room to light the fireplace, as the air had grown a little chilly.
She poured oil over the stacked wood and lit a match, watching as the fire caught and devoured the dried logs hungrily. Settling on the carpet in front of it, she let the warmth seep into her body while she gazed at the dancing flames. Folding her knees to her chest, she rested her chin atop them as her thoughts went to the one person with those mesmerising molten-red eyes.
Ivan had left with Damien for some work, telling her he’d see her later, yet hours had passed with no sign of him. She thought about everything she had gone through since arriving in the academy, and she had to admit, there hadn’t been a single dull day. And the one man responsible for making her heart feel the most excitement was Ivan...an alluring devil with an angelic face.
As she thought of him, she recalled how comfortable she felt in his arms, surrounded by that unique, comforting scent of his.
She didn’t know what demons he carried, but she could only hope that one day, when they were both ready, they would whisper their darkest secrets to each other...hoping that it would be safe with the other. Hoping they would still be able to look past it and be just as willing to stay together as they were now.
Eve let out a soft sigh at her own thoughts, "It’s not like this is forever...what are you thinking, Eve..." she scolded herself solemnly. Yet even as she tried to silence it, a voice rose from her heart, whispering, ’And what if it was...’
Shaking her head lightly, she tried to snap herself out of the wishful thinking that was taking a dangerous turn.
Suddenly, lightning flashed outside her window, followed by a loud crack of thunder that made her jump in fright. The sound was so fierce it rattled the glass panes of her windows. She placed a hand over her chest, taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart.
Glancing at the clock, she realised it was already past curfew. With a small sigh, she rose from the carpet and headed towards her bed.
She paused midway, giving one last wistful look at the door before turning off all the lights, leaving only the fireplace’s warm glow to illuminate the room. Tugging herself beneath the covers, she turned on her side and watched the raindrops sliding down the window, tracing patterns against the glass. Soon her eyelids grew heavy, and she slowly slipped into darkness.
Not a minute must have passed before her blue eyes snapped open at the sound of a soft knock on her room door.
She wondered if it was just the rain pelting against the window or an actual knock. So she waited for a few seconds, then heard it again. Another knock, softer this time, almost hesitant.
She sprang free from her bed and hurried towards the door. Her heart started to race, thinking what if it wasn’t him? What if it were someone else? So she hesitated, then slowly eased the door open, peeking her head out through the half-crack... only to find him standing there, staring at her with those molten-red eyes.
For a long moment, neither of them said anything. Then, with a quiet breath, Eve opened the door fully and stepped aside to let him in. In doing so, she hadn’t realised that she wasn’t wearing her robe, exposing her alluring figure beneath the delicate black lacy nightgown, every detail laid bare for his gaze.
Ivan wordlessly stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
Eve’s heart continued to race at the sight of him, dressed in a simple white shirt and black pants. They stood there, locked in each other’s gaze, until both of them spoke at the same time.
"Did I disturb you?" Ivan asked
"You’re late," Eve said.
Ivan stepped closer, his voice gentle as he replied, "My apologies. My men were giving me some reports."
Her blue eyes lingered on his features before she replied softly, "It’s alright."
He took another step closer, until only a couple of inches separated them. His intense gaze kept her locked in one place as he raised his hand, brushing the back of his fingers in a feather-light caress along her cheek. He dragged the touch down to her chin and further to her delicate neck, sending a delicious shiver racing down her spine. Her eyes fluttered shut at the sensation.
Leaning in, his breath warm against her skin, he whispered, "Were you waiting for me?"
She swallowed, her voice barely above a breath as she answered, "Well, you did say you were going to see me later."
"I did," he whispered, continuing to trail his fingers from her neck to her shoulder, gently brushing her long, beautiful locks aside so his eyes could drink in the delicate curve of her shoulder. His fingers moved deliberately, slowly down her arm to her hand, where he intertwined his fingers with hers and gave them a gentle squeeze, making her heart shudder.
He raised his other hand and placed it on her curvy waist, pulling her until her body pressed against his. She let out a shaky breath, resting her free hand on his chest. Her dazed, beautiful eyes met his, and she saw him watching her intently, his expression serious, revealing nothing but his eyes, burnt intensely with passion, wonder, and utter hunger.
Just as her gaze drifted to his sinful lips, he closed the gap between them and captured them, feeling the same explosive rush in his mind that he had felt the first time he kissed her.
