Mine At First Sight
Chapter 18 - Intense Resolve

▪️E D R I C▪️

“That blasted woman!” I snarled while slamming my fist into the wall.

Who does she think she is?

I cannot believe she rejected my kiss.

How dare she!

My upper lip curled and my thoughts raged while I grumbled noisily as I paced back and forth across the floor of my study.

Even days after, the incident kept replaying in my mind as though it had just happened.

After finally pushing aside my own insecurities, I had given in to my feelings and leaned down to kiss Lenna. Just as my lips were about to touch hers, she had placed a finger against my mouth, halting me to ask what I was doing.

I snorted at the memory.

“What other purpose would I have to touch my lips to hers?” I muttered as my scowl deepened.

Unfortunately, Lenna was not convinced that I was going to kiss her simply because I wanted to. In her mind, she believed that I was only doing it as a reason to help her get stronger through strengthening our emotional bond.

We ended up arguing about it, of course.

I stated that she could have simply used her powers to see my true feelings and purpose. Instead, she had the impudence to look me in the eye and reply ‘I do not feel like it right now’ the nerve of her, I swear!

“She drives me absolutely fucking mad!” I shouted, causing the windows in my study to rattle.

But as much as Lenna made me crazy, I would not change a thing about her.

I did not want to admit it, but with each day that she grew stronger, I could feel a part of me growing with her as well. Especially since that day when she had inserted some of her own energy into me, I felt a resilience in my body that I had never felt before.

Even when I had shifted that night, on our first run with Gyllir, it was as though I was rejuvenated somehow. Of course, I did not tell anyone as at first, I thought that I may have been imagining things. But now, over a week later, it was obvious that she had changed something within me.

Perhaps Lenna knew this as well. Why else would she think that I was just using her for her power?

Yet, to me, I felt like she had to have known the certainty of my true emotions. Though, the more I thought about it, I figured that she probably wanted me to show her that I wanted her, not out of obligation, but because of my feelings for her.

It was in that moment that I slowed my pacing, my frown lifting. I decided right there and then that I would replace a way to make Lenna believe that I wanted her.

Not as the Lycan King, but as Edric.

A sudden and brief knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts.

Faeda entered with a smile, “Still grumbling because she didn’t want you to kiss her?”

Growling, I turned to face her, “Remind me, why are we friends again?”

“Because I call you out on your shit…” she replied simply.

I let out another growl, though I neither confirmed nor denied what she had said.

“You love her…” Faeda said suddenly, more of a statement than a question.

Looking down at the documents, my eyebrows furrowed, “I think that it may be too soon to be throwing that word around. But I care greatly for her, yes.”

With my hands, I motioned for Faeda to sit in one of the chairs opposite my desk and I handed her some papers. The first was a decree to be issued to the five provinces, abolishing the current system as we knew it.

The hierarchy would remain, simply based on principle of nature and the natural order of things. However, werewolves and humans were no longer to be enslaved to the Lycans and were free to choose who they worked for. Another thing of importance to note was that the restoration of interspecies relationships would be issued soon after.

“Edric, this is…” Faeda stuttered, her eyes fluttering about the pages.

“What you have been harassing me about for years, I know…” I chuckled and continued, “The second document is about enlisting the help of the werewolves and humans to defend the empire. I figure that if we will be joining forces, might as well reinstate some of the old laws.” I sat back in my chair then added with a scoff, “Besides, if I don’t, Eginhard will the minute the crown lands on his head.”

Laughing herself, she nodded, “That is true.”

“As much as I hate to admit it, Einarr was right about one thing, my parents judged him for showing traits of madness similar to Eberhard, yet we continue to enforce the laws of the Mad King. Such hypocrisy ends with my reign,” I stated with conviction before adding, “though it will take some time to implement all the changes fully, but at least the process is underway.”

Handing me back the documents, Faeda commented, “I know that going forward regardless if you, Eginhard, or Eckart sits on the throne, the Malvar Empire will be in good hands.”

“If there is an empire left to rule. Who knows what will happen when Einarr wages his war…?” I said while thinking about facing my older brother on the battlefield.

“There will be. We’ll all give our lives to keep the empire safe,” Faeda replied, her dark eyes intently fixed on me as I nodded my head in agreement.

The following day, I watched as the last rays of the late afternoon sun fell, slanting through my bedroom window to create shadows against the wall.

“Well, it’s now or never,” I murmured while walking over to Lenna’s bedroom.

After knocking, I waited for her to answer before I entered and closed the door behind me. I watched in a daze as she stood in front of her full-length mirror, wearing one of her thin-strap, V-neck cotton sleeping gowns while she combed her long curly hair.

It was hard to look away.

The reflection in the mirror showed the way in which the nightgown moulded perfectly around the swells of her flesh. It was simply hypnotic how the v cut of the neckline gave me a nice view of her cleavage, and I wanted nothing more than to strip her naked and pull her body against mine.

“Your eyes are wandering,” Lenna said with slight amusement.

Compelling my gaze back to her face, I stated, “They are not wandering, they were simply focused.”

Quickly closing the distance between us, I took the wooden wide-tooth comb out of her hand as I stood behind her and resumed where she had left off. With each stroke, I admired the way the glossy strands cascaded lusciously past her shoulders and down her back.

“Uh huh, don’t think that your attempt at flattery will change my mind about visiting Tharun…” Lenna said as she looked up at me, a defiant gleam in her eyes.

I wanted nothing more than to grab her and bend her over my knee.

My hands would take great pleasure in raising her nightgown before I proceeded to welt that plump juicy ass of hers for being so bloody stubborn. Just thinking about it caused me to stifle a groan.

My fingers tightened on the wooden handle, acknowledging that it would make a good paddle indeed. Huffing, I looked away and focused on the white strip of hair while I continued to comb through the thick tinted waves.

After a few moments of silence, I muttered, “You’re being stupid.”

“Yes, and senseless, reckless, irresponsible, and every other word that you have repeatedly thrown at me. But even so, you know that it must be done,” Lenna’s voice forced my eyes to return to hers.

Running my fingers through her hair a few more times, I then placed the comb down on the nearby table and took her hand in mine. There was no denying the fact that I enjoyed the feel of her fingers laced between my own. I had no words to describe it, but I just felt a sense of calm whenever our palms touched.

“Come, I have something in my room for you,” I said while leading her towards the large bookshelf against the opposite side of the room.

“But the door to the corridor is over there,” she said, using her free hand to point.

With a smile, I nodded, “Yes, but the hidden adjoining door is this way.”

“A hidden door?” Lenna’s eyes widened slightly. “Wait, you mean you could have snuck into my room anytime?”

Scoffing as we stood in front of the bookshelf, I showed her the hidden lever just on the inside of one of the middle racks, that was concealed behind one of the many books.

Giving her a sideways glance, “The King does not need to sneak into the Queen’s chambers. That is why there is a door joining the two rooms.”

Leading her through the small passageway, we entered into my room. By now, the sun had fully set, and the lanterns and fireplace cast a warming glow throughout the space.

It was the first time that she was seeing my most private space.

My bedroom was usually off-limits to everyone, I hardly ever let anyone in my personal domain. Though there was the odd occasion that Eckart would spend the night whenever he had trouble sleeping.

The King’s chambers were identical in size and layout to that of the Queen’s, complete with a large balcony as well. The main difference was centred around the colour scheme of my room, which was darker and more brooding than that of Lenna’s.

Closing the hidden shelf door gently behind us, I let go of her hand as I walked over to my desk, “I have something for you.”

“Another surprise?” Lenna joked while her eyes took in every detail around her.

Opening the top drawer, I pulled out a square-shaped wooden box and rested it on the top of the desk. I left it there for her and took a step back, wanting to have a clear view of her reaction when she lifted the lid.

With trembling hands, I watched as Lenna slowly opened the box.

Inside was a chain made of silver and yellow gold with a circular pendant that held a single purple gemstone.

Lenna’s right index finger slowly traced the pendant, the colour of the stone matched her eyes almost perfectly. Her left hand gripped the edge of the desk as her wide gaze continued to devour the piece of jewellery in front of her.

“Edric, this is… Unexpected.”

Her voice was soft as her eyes locked with mine and I felt my heart begin to beat faster while I tried not to let my unease show on my face.

“You don’t like it?”

Without warning, she lunged at me, hugging me tightly, as she murmured into my chest, “It is absolutely beautiful and I love it! I just was not expecting you to gift me something like this. I mean, a horse is one thing, but I know what it means for a Lycan male to present a female with a piece of jewellery.”

“Yes…” I replied simply while my arms enveloped her.

I could have lied and said that the piece of jewellery was just to show my gratitude for her dedication to wanting to keep the empire safe. But I was done with hiding how I felt, and I needed her to know that.

The fact of the matter was simple. I wanted Lenna to be mine in every possible way, and with this piece of jewellery, I had begun the courting process.

“Do you accept it?” I asked in a soft tone, slightly nervous as to what she would say.

Tilting her head up to look at me, amusement swimming in her eyes, “It depends, are you gifting me this necklace as my King, a token of appreciation? Or are you giving this to me as a man, who has romantic intentions for the woman to whom he has presented it?”

“Which would you prefer?” The corners of my lips twitched with a smile.

Pretending to give it some thought, she then replied, “I would like to think of it as a gift from both.”

“It is,” I admitted happily.

Gently breaking our embrace, I picked up the necklace and told her to turn around and lift up her hair. After securing the chain around her neck, our eyes locked in the mirror.

Lenna’s voice was soft as she asked, “Does that mean we’re a couple now? What about the law?”

“What about it?” I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her back into my chest.

Laughing, her voice teased, “Did you hit your head or something? The law that forbids us from being anything more than sexual partners. You know, the law that states that we can never marry or have children.”

“Ah, that one,” I said before burying my face in her curly hair, inhaling her scent. “I signed a decree yesterday, reverting the laws to how they were before. I put it up for a vote with the high-ranking Lycans this morning, and it was unanimous.”

Visibly gulping, her hands moved to rest over mine, her voice trembled, clearly in shock of what I told her, “You mean, I am no longer a slave?”

“I don’t think that you ever truly were, if we are both being honest…” I grumbled, pulling her even tighter against me. “You have defied me since day one.”

“So, this is real?” Lenna asked, her eyes telling me what she meant.

“Us? Yes, it would be impractical to deny my feelings for you much longer. Especially since you can feel my emotions, even though you claim you don’t wish to use your powers to sense them,” I turned her around, tickling her slightly at the audacity of her suggesting such.

The sound of her laughing was music to my ears.

“Tell me again,” she said when her merriment died down, her hands holding mine.

I watched the pupils in her eyes dilate as I asked, “Tell you what?”

“Tell me how you feel,” her voice a whisper.

“I really do care about you Lenna, very much so,” I confessed, my thumbs grazing the white patches on skin back of her hands.

The light of the fireplace danced beautifully across the smooth brown skin of her face as she urged, “Say it again.”

“No…” I responded, while pulling her body fully against mine, one arm around her waist.

Looking up at me, confusion swirled in her eyes, “No?”

Shaking my head, my other hand went behind her neck, my fingers tunnelling in her hair, “No… I rather show you.”

Bending my head, I brought my mouth towards hers.

Thankfully, this time, Lenna did not stop me, and as our lips touched, I jolted at the sensation.

It was as though something between us shifted again. The energy in the room seemed to explode, and we immediately latched on to each other.

Without breaking our kiss, I lifted her up and placed her on the desk. Hiking up her nightgown, I enjoyed the feel of her soft skin against my fingers while spreading her legs. I then stepped in between them as I continued to hungrily attack her lips with mine. Lenna gasped into my mouth while tightly wrapping her legs around my waist. This caused my left hand to tighten on her hip as I pulled her into me even more while simultaneously fisting my right hand in her hair, angling her mouth while my tongue lanced across hers.

The way I held her so close as I kissed her, I hoped that she could feel through my actions that I would never let anything happen to her.

Lenna’s hands gripped on to my shoulders as she pressed herself as close to me as humanly possible. My tongue eagerly explored her sweet, warm mouth for the very first time, while the scent of her arousal hit me. It was so poignant and stimulating that I could almost taste it upon my tongue, and I had to fight the urge to bury my face between her thick thighs.

As our mouths continued to attack each other, Lenna’s body began to glow, causing her energy to spike and leak into me. I felt my entire body shudder as her presence flowed and joined with my own. Her lust was stirring the beast within me, slicing away at the remaining threads of self-control I desperately found myself clinging to.

With a vibrating growl, I wrenched my lips from hers. The both of us were breathing heavily, our lips parted and swollen.

Holding the back of her neck in an even firmer grip, I panted, “What are you doing to me?”

From the way she looked at me, I knew that she was just as surprised as I was. And as her hands reached under my tunic to touch the bare skin of my torso, I heard her let out a breathy sigh.

“I could ask you the same,” her fingers trailed along the creases of my muscles.

Groaning, I leaned down and kissed her once more, not being able to help myself. With my right hand still holding on to the back of her neck, I devoured her mouth, sucking on her bottom lip, enjoying the way her body arched into mine.

Lenna’s kisses were just as uninhibited as my own as her lips assaulted mine in return, matching my intensity. The way she trembled against me, I knew that she wanted me, and may the Gods help us, I wanted her in return!

The urge to lay her back onto the desk and take her was strong, but I did not want to rush things between us.

Using the last bit of self-control I possessed, I slowly ended the kiss, pecking the corners of her mouth, before moving my lips to the skin of her neck.

Deeply inhaling her scent, her fingers removed my leather tie as she buried her hands in my hair, pulling my face deeper against her. Growling, I licked and nipped at the column of her throat before sucking on the skin, purposely marking her with a very visible love bite.

“We need to stop, otherwise I won’t be able to hold myself back from taking you,” I said, pulling my face back to look down at her.

Biting her lips, she nodded.

Taking a few deep breaths, the glow around her body slowly dissipated as she tried to gain control over her raging hormones. Stepping away from Lenna, I pulled her to her feet and ran a hand through her hair, rearranging some of the curls.

Smiling, she tiptoed and gently pecked my lips before walking back towards the shelf.

“Goodnight, Your Majesty,” Lenna giggled softly before leaving my room.

Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply, the scent of her skin as well as her arousal still hanging heavy in the air. Walking over to my bed, I lay down on it and stared up at the ceiling while putting my hands behind my head.

“Goodnight…” I whispered with a smile on my face.