Chapter 231: The First Breath Of Peace
Extra Chapter for all my lovely readers who wait for the updates every day, and also as a little something to make up for the slow updates this past week due to my health. Thank you all for your patience! Enjoy!
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[Music recommendation: Noctisylum - Ghost Parade]
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So, taking small, shaky steps, she slowly made her way to the wooden door of the room. Her delicate fingers curled around the doorknob, and with a soft click, she opened it and stepped out, only to find a narrow wooden pathway leading down a set of stairs. Using the wall and railing for support, she continued forward, descending one careful step at a time.
When she reached the bottom, she realised she was back in the safe haven Ivan had brought her to on their first date. The sight confirmed what she already suspected: that he was the one who could have brought her here.
Her blue eyes swept the space, searching desperately for him, ’But where is he?’
Letting go of the railing, she parted her lips and called softly, "Ivan?"
Extending her hands to reach the next solid surface that could support her weakened body, her loose, lacy sleeves hanging loose down her wrists, making her look like a little wandering fairy in search of something precious.
"Ivan..." she called again, her voice soft and hopeful, yet the cottage answered only with silence.
The quaint space remained exactly as it had been before, untouched and warm, filled with memories of the two of them. Her gaze fell upon a familiar black coat draped over the sofa. At once, she reached for it. Lifting it gently, she brought it close and inhaled the scent she loved so dearly.
"Where are you?" she whispered, her gaze drifting towards the doors that opened onto the porch, where the stream and waterfall lay. Drawn by the memories of their time swimming there, she moved towards the door and eased it open.
A cold gust swept against her skin, but she braced herself and stepped out barefoot onto the porch, taking in the serene beauty of the place.
Her eyes lingered on the waterfall....their waterfall, and a small smile touched her lips as she remembered the intimacy they had shared there. Slowly, her gaze shifted across the stream to the far side, and realisation settled over her.
’That was where they had been in their past lives as well.’ Malakai had brought Solaira here, too.
Her heart began to pound harder at the thought, struck by how their memories past and present were intertwined in ways neither of them had consciously realised.
With the cold wind picking up, it swept through her long brown hair, sending it dancing behind her. She rubbed her arms, fighting against the biting chill, and took another step towards the stream, when suddenly she heard the roar of flames behind her.
Before she could turn, strong, warm arms wrapped around her, enveloping her completely. His breath, hot and relieved, brushed her cheek as he murmured, "Gods....you’re awake."
"What are you doing out here? It’s freezing! Are you trying to fall sick?" Ivan fired question after question in frantic worry, while Eve simply stood there, momentarily stunned, trying to wrap her mind around the fact that he was finally here.
Gulping softly, she tried to steady the surge of emotions rising within her at being back in his embrace. So much had happened in such a short span of time that she hadn’t truly been able to process any of it. Now, held against him once more, everything struck her at once, the agony of being separated from him, the aching longing she had felt with every waking moment, the sharp hurt when he hadn’t recognised her under Viva’s dark influence, and the terror that had clawed through her when she thought she might have been too late, when his soul had hovered on the brink of destruction....a place from which there would have been no return.
When Eve remained still and silent in his arms, Ivan’s worry deepened. His voice softened with unease as he called, "Eve?"
Before she realised it, a single, fat tear drop slipped down her cheek and fell directly onto Ivan’s hand where it rested around her. He felt the faint wetness, and his frown deepened. Gently, he turned her towards him and cupped her face softly and carefully as he whispered, "Talk to me, baby. What’s wrong? Are you hurt anywhere?"
He brushed his thumb across her cheeks, wiping away the relentless stream of tears that continued to fall in silence.
Now facing him fully, Eve lifted her watery, deep-blue eyes and finally took in his features. His sharp nose, his sinful mouth, the chisel of his strong jaw, the elegant brows drawn together in worry....yet above all, his mesmerising molten-red eyes that were now glowing more fiercely with blazing fire, utterly free of darkness. A wave of relief washed through her so intensely it almost made her knees buckle.
Before she could think, she flung her arms around his neck, holding him so tightly that he was momentarily taken aback by her strength despite her weakened state. It was then he heard it, her soft sobs, small at first, then growing louder with every passing second.
Realising she needed time to process everything that had happened over the past few days, he silently wrapped his arms around her and murmured, "It’s alright, baby. Everything’s fine now. I’m okay, and you’re okay."
His gentle reassurances only made her cry harder.
Concern about her well-being tightened his chest; he lifted her by the thighs, and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist. Without another word, he carried her inside and nudged the door shut behind them, shutting out the biting chill of the wind. With Eve clinging to him like a koala, he crossed to the nearest sofa by the fireplace and sank down with her nestled in his lap, still sobbing uncontrollably.
He rubbed slow, soothing circles along her back, pressing soft kisses to her hair and shoulder ever so often, trying to ease the ache he could feel pulsing through her trembling form.
"Shh....it’s alright, baby, let it all out. I’m right here..." His tender voice washed over her like a lullaby, and the more she heard it, the more intensely she felt just how deeply she had missed him....how fiercely she had yearned for him and his gentle touch. She loved him so much it hurt to remember the pain he had endured, the suffering he had been forced through. Never again, she vowed. She would burn the world to ash before letting anyone lay a hand on him.
Still clinging tightly around his neck, she buried her face into the crook of it, breathing him in with a trembling sigh. ’Ah... he smells so good,’ she thought, even in the midst of her meltdown.
And the more she breathed him in, clinging to him with desperate need, the long-buried desire she felt for him began to surface once more....especially after reliving that intimate memory of their past. His soothing touch along her back soon stirred a familiar heat she had been craving.
With that thought, her sobs gradually softened. The hands that wrapped tightly around his neck loosened before sliding up. Her fingers slowly threaded through his soft raven hair. She nuzzled into him again, and Ivan felt the sudden shift in her demeanour.
Confused and undeniably affected by her sensual touch, he glanced down at her without a word, just as she finally lifted her tear-stricken face to meet his.
He parted his lips to question her, but she gave him no chance. The moment she saw that slight opening, she leaned in and captured his mouth with her own, plunging her tongue straight past his lips.
Stunned by her sudden boldness, Ivan froze for a heartbeat before feeling her move her soft, delectable lips against his in a kiss that was nothing short of demanding.
Losing all rationality as she swirled her tongue against his, he released a deep, satisfying groan before responding to her with maddening ferocity. His hands, which were stilled on her back, pulled her closer before roaming freely over her body, drawing a soft moan from her lips into his mouth. Ivan slid one hand from her back up to her neck, angling her face so he could deepen the wild kiss. They sucked on each other’s lips before their tongues began to dance in perfect, breathless tandem.
When he further leaned into her, Eve arched back slightly, yet her grip on him only tightened. One hand clasped firmly around the back of his head, fingers tucking into the ends of his soft hair, while the other trailed tenderly along his cheek, feeling the sharp movement of his jaw as he kissed her hungrily.
They were so utterly consumed by the desire blazing for each other that neither was able nor willing to let go. Heat pooled low in her stomach, and she knew exactly what she wanted....she wanted him again, but this time completely.
With both of them running out of air, they reluctantly pulled apart, panting softly against each other’s lips as they gazed deeply into one another’s eyes. Their chests rose and fell in the same rhythm. Ivan let his head tip back against the sofa and a slow smirk curving his lips. He sank further into the cushions, taking Eve with him, while she continued to caress his cheek, looking at him with the same burning intensity.
