Ash's question hung in the air like smoke.
He stepped deeper into the room, eyes never leaving her.
They traced the long black hair streaked with white that spilled to the middle of her back, the delicate curve of waist flaring into hips made for his hands, the way her robe clung to breasts that looked crafted to fit perfectly in his palms.
Looking at her beauty that seemed almost transcendent everything else in the world seemed to turn grey.
'Damn, I was really stupid.' He thought to himself as he made it to the bed.
He sat on the edge of the small bed. Nia's gaze stayed locked on him the entire. All while the blanket was still in her hands clutched like a lifeline.
"Ashy, where have you been?" She asked in a tone the carried evident worry.
Her voice was gentle, but her eyes told another story.
They were hungry—not for anything physical, but for Ash himself. She missed him deeply, even though only a few days had passed. Ash responded without speaking.
He slid an arm around her waist, pulled her flush against him, and buried his face in the crook of her neck.
She went rigid for half a heartbeat—then melted, arms wrapping around him like she'd been waiting her entire life for permission.
'When did he become so... bold?' She thought for a moment before quickly dismissing it. Honestly, it didn't matter when the change happened because, it was something she liked.
He inhaled. She smelled like frost-lilies and smoldering embers.
"I've been keeping my promise," he murmured against her skin, fingers threading through that impossibly soft hair. "Training. Getting stronger."
Nia pulled back just enough to stare, eyes wide and shining. "You've been training?"
He nodded once. Seeing this her face bloomed into a bright smile as she exclaimed.
"Ashy! That's amazing news!" Her smile lit the room brighter than any dawn. She lunged, crushing him in a hug so tight he felt her heartbeat against his ribs.
Then—very shamelessly—she pressed her face into his chest and breathed him in, long and deep.
Ash's low laugh rumbled between them.
"You know, Nia… I've always known how serious you were.... about your feelings for me I mean."
The sudden words cause her to freeze. In that moment Ash didn't let up her continued to speak as he moved in closer to her.
"I'm done running," he whispered. "Done hiding."
Their eyes locked.
Badump.
Two hearts skipped a beat in perfect sync, and Nia's smile grew wider, shifting from bright and warm to one tinged with hunger—the look of someone who had finally gotten what they'd long desired.
The world shrank to just the gold and rose-gold irises, inches apart.
"Then prove it, Ashy~"
Her voice was a mix of sweetness and temptation, ringing in his ears like a clear bell. Something deep inside him shifted—silent, certain, instinctive. He reached up, cupping her cheek with deliberate care, his thumb grazing her lower lip.
She closed the space first. He met her in the middle.
The moment their lips met, it was as if lightning burst behind their eyes.
Mmmh—
Nia moaned into his mouth, as her arms went flying around his neck.
Ash's tongue swept past her lips like he owned her, tasting, claiming. His free hand slid down her spine, pulled her flush against him until she was straddling his lap on the narrow bed.
The kiss turned filthy fast.
Her robe parted under roaming hands; soft skin, she had on no bra which was perfect. He rolled a nipple between his fingers, and she arched with a broken whimper that went straight to his cock.
"Ashyyy~" She moaned into his ears.
He grunted a bit hear his name being moaned like that.
As their kissed deepened even more he moved his hips, rolling up once and hard—so she could feel exactly what she did to him.
Feeling the hard object poking her ass, she ground down in answer, nails digging into his shoulders, lips searching for his again like oxygen.
Another searing kiss. Another moan swallowed. Another roll of hips that had them both shaking.
They broke apart gasping.
"I love you," she panted, forehead pressed to his. "More than anything."
"I love you too, Nia." His voice was rough, reverent, hungry.
She rolled her hips again slow, deliberate, by now her eyes were burning with lust. It was clear what she wanted...
Ash himself was no better; he was steel against her heat. However as much as he wanted this right now, it wasn't the time.
He stopped her with gentle hands on her waist.
"Not yet," he rasped. "Not like this. Not while I'm still wearing this weak shell."
Although she didn't quite understand what he meant her eyes softened instantly. She kissed him soft and sweet this time.
"Hehe, then I'll wait," she whispered against his lips. "Just tell me.... am I yours Ashy?"
Ash's eyes flashed with possession as he heard this, and his grip unconsciously tightened around her.
"Mine.... and only mine..." He said before moving in again....
Another kiss—slower, deeper, sealing something neither of them could name yet.
When they finally pulled apart, both were trembling.
Nia stood, fixed her robe with shaking fingers, and pressed one last kiss to the corner of his mouth.
"Make it soon, Ashy." She said before leaving. She had used enough of her free time up. It was now time for her to prepare for her departure.
The door clicked shut behind her.
Ash sat alone on the bed that now smelled entirely of her.
A panel flared in front of his eyes—the familiar blue status panel.
[Eternal Bloodline of Bonds | Form bond with Nia Solace? You will receive her talents, affinities, memories, bloodline, and mana pool.]
He didn't hesitate.
"Bond."
Light exploded behind his eyes.
The world dissolved.
And suddenly he was somewhere else—seeing everything through her rose-gold gaze. It was like he was in her body, but not her.
Almost like she had two consciousness, and he was just watching it all like a movie in first perspective.