32 — Lack & Want
1152 Words
Thorian bowed slightly as Asmeria curtseyed, signaling the end of their dance. He took her hand, the pad of his thumb grazing her slightly and it made her stomach flutter.
But it couldn't make up for the lack of that kiss.
She felt empty, lacking, wanting — she needed that kiss, and the abscene of it left her feeling strangely unfulfilled.
Her heart ached with longing, her lips yearning for the taste of his. She couldn't shake the feeling that she had missed out on something, that she had let the opportunity slip through her fingers.
She found herself replaying their previous kiss in her mind, her lips tingling with the memory of his touch. She couldn't deny the undeniable pull she felt towards him, nor could she ignore the way he made her feel alive in a way she hadn't felt in years.
Why hadn't she taken the bull by the horn?
But amidst the chaos of her feelings, there was a nagging doubt lingering at the back of her mind. What would it mean for them if they were to give in to their desires — even further than they already had?
What consequences would they face if they were to cross that line? To pass the grey area of 'what-are-we' and acknowledge their feelings properly?
She couldn't afford to. She was supposed to hate Thorian. He rejected her, he ordered his guards to capture her that night, he neglected her and only came back to her when it was convenient for him.
She shouldn't be attracted to such a monster.
"Excuse me." she said hastily, her hand slipping out of Thorian's grasp as she made her way to the balcony.
The cool night air greeted her as she stepped outside, the wind tousling her hair and tingling her skin.
Leaning against the banister, she took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing thoughts.
She knew she had to control herself around Thorian, to keep her guard up and resist the pull she felt towards him. But in that moment, it was easier said than done.
Her mate bond scar throbbed and she raided her fingers to meet the scar, tracing the tender mark lightly.
The stupid thing was a reminder that despite the severed bond between she and Thorian, there would always be a remainder of the magnetic pull they had for each other.
And now, that remainder was morphing into something more. As much as she wanted to resist him, to keep her distance, she couldn't deny the way he made her feel.
Closing her eyes, she focused on the sound of the wind rustling through the trees, the rhythmic beating of her own heart.
Asmeria's heart skipped a beat as the door to the balcony burst open, and she opened her eyes, turning around to see Thorian stepping inside.
His concerned expression softened her own tense features as he hurried towards her, his eyes searching hers.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?"
She forced a smile, trying to ease his worries. "I'm fine," she replied, her voice a little shaky as she looked away from him, facing the night-sky again. "Just feeling a bit dizzy from all the dancing. I needed some air."
Thorian nodded but he wasn't fully convinced, his eyes scanned her face for any signs of discomfort. "Are you sure?" he pressed, his tone gentle as he leaned beside her on the banister.
Her fingers tightened around the banister. Him being in that proximity to her resumed the familiar rush of emotions. His presence so close that she could feel the warmth of his body beside her — and that was bad, very, very bad for her.
It stirred up those familiar feelings she had been trying so hard to suppress, the ones that threatened to consume her every time he was near.
She swallowed hard, trying to steady her racing heart as she unleaned from the banister, standing straight.
"I'm tired. I think it's time we leave."
Thorian's eyebrows furrowed for a moment, but he nodded in acquiescence. "Of course," he replied, "If you want to leave, we can go now."
Was that what she truly wanted?
Was leaving the ball going to change anything?
Yes, she could run away from here but that didn't mean she could run away from her feelings.
Nevertheless, she nodded and stepped away from the banister. "Yes, please."
Thorian mirrored her movements, joining her at her side. "Alright then." he replied and they began to walk towards the door.
Asmeria knew that this wasn't going to help quench the fire in her veins. Even if they left here and went back home, or to a new country, to a new continent or to a new planet, it would never be able to change what she felt for him.
Fuck it, who was she kidding?
She suddenly halted in her tracks, causing Thorian to pause and turn to face her. His brows furrowed in confusion as he watched her, wondering what had prompted her abrupt stop.
"Wait, Thorian. Let's not leave so soon." she uttered softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"What are you—"
Closing the distance between them in quick strides, Asmeria reached out, her hand finding its place against Thorian's chest.
Before he could utter a single word in response, she closed the remaining space between them and pressed her lips to his.
He kissed her back with a hunger that matched hers. Their mouths collided in a fiery embrace, the raw passion igniting every nerve ending in their bodies.
His hands tangled in her hair, pushing through the delicate ribbons that had been used to style it, and loosening the grip of the pearl clips holding the hairstyle together.
Her blonde hair fell at her sides, her nails grazing his back as she pressed herself against him. Their breaths mingled, hot and heavy, as they poured all their longing and desire into the kiss.
Just then, they heard a slow, mocking clap echoing through the balcony.
"Lovely performance, I must commend."
Asmeria's heart skipped a beat, and she tore away from Thorian, her breath ragged and her hair disheveled.
And then, her eyes widened in realization, her eyes locking onto the figure emerging. It was him—the man she had a one-night-stand with.
Thorian's brow furrowed in confusion, his eyes narrowing as a scowl formed on his face. "Draven?"
Asmeria's mind raced, connecting the dots in an instant.
Draven—the name Thorian had mentioned with disdain, the one he had labeled as his rival, the one who had attacked the Obsidian Moon Pack.
Holy f**k.
Shock washed over Asmeria as she struggled to process the gravity of the situation. The man she had a one-night-stand with, the possible father of Evander…was Thorian's sworn enemy?
The realization hit her like a ton of bricks, leaving her feeling sick to her stomach.
- Writer
