Page 10 of Lich's Bride

I shake my head, dismissing the maudlin thoughts. Clearly, this mortal chit is addling my wits, making me prey to sentiment and weakness. I will have to guard against such lapses in the future.

But for now... for now, I will return her to the haven of the Blanchmire, to heal and mend. And maybe, in the watching silence of the morrow's dawn, I will find the words to tell her... tell her...

Ah, but that is a quandary for another time.

Cloaking us both in a veil of shadow, I set out into the whispering wild, my precious burden clutched tight against my unbeating heart. I am Malachar, Lord of Midnight. And I will let no harm befall that which is mine.

8

KIRA

I’ve just regained consciousness from that horrible and chaotic event. I want to put it past me and focus on the present. Each moment that you’re alive counts, so I do intend to focus on what’s important to me. Now I have a sense of security and comfort which I’m sure has to do with the fact the Malachar is here with me.

We’ve been riding for a few hours at this point, and even though we’ve been through so much together, there’s still not a lot of talk between us. However I can feel him wanting me and caring for me, and I do feel the same. I’m enjoying spending this quiet time of peace together even though we’re in the middle of the forest at night. There’s a certain serenity to it.

We prepare to settle down for the night at a place that’s a bit more secluded.

“I think this place is going to be perfect to spend the night, “ I say, my voice filled with emotions that I don’t quite understand.

"Hmm, I agree," Malachar murmurs, his voice low and rumbly, sending shivers down my spine. He dismounts his horse and begins to tie it off to a nearby tree, his movements deft and sure.

The moonlight bathes him in a soft glow, casting his muscles in stark relief as he works. I watch him for a moment, taking in the sight of his broad shoulders moving under his leather armor, the way the muscles flex as he ties the rope securely around the trunk... It's mesmerizing.

Once he's finished with the horses, he turns towards me and offers me a hand to dismount. His touch sends another wave of shivers through me. His skin is warm against mine as our hands brush together.

I swallow hard before swinging my leg over and sliding off the horse, nearly toppling into his arms but managing to maintain my balance at the last moment. He chuckles softly and takes my hand again, leading me through the underbrush towards a small clearing within the forest where we set up camp.

We work together to put up the tent, our hands brushing against each other as we help set up the tent. The fabric of the tent catches on twigs and branches, but we manage to wrestle it into submission and get it standing upright.

Malachar's strong arms hold it steady while I stake it down, our breaths mingling in the cold night air. He hands me some thin logs, which I take gratefully, feeling the weight of them in my hands as I cradle them to my chest.

The wood crackles when we place it on the ground, setting up a small fire outside the tent. Sparks fly upwards to the sky, illuminating our faces in their dance of light and darkness.

He looks over at me softly, eyes burning with an intensity that sends heat to my core. His fingers brush against mine as he takes out some dried meat and a canteen of water from his saddlebag. Our fingers intertwine as we prepare food over the crackling fire.

The smell of smoke mixing with spices wafts towards us, creating an oddly pleasant aroma. We cook over the flames together. Each bite tastes divine after such a long day.

We eat in silence at first. The firelight flickers across our faces, casting shadows on the ground as we chew slowly, savoring every bite. The crunch of the food under our teeth mixes with the crackling of the firewood, and the occasional hiss of a small animal in the distance.

The smoke from the fire curls upwards into the starry sky, mingling with the scent of pine needles and damp earth. A cool breeze blows now and then, rustling the leaves around us and causing my hair to dance playfully. I watch as he chews thoughtfully, taking in his strong jawline and square chin that are illuminated by the fire's warm glow.

Suddenly, he leans closer to me. Our faces are only inches apart when he speaks softly into my ear, "I've wanted this since the moment I saw you." His breath is warm on my neck as he kisses it softly before leaning back with a smile. My heart flutters wildly as he takes another bite of food while holding my gaze intently.

As if moved by some unspoken signal, we both moved towards the tent.

My heart races as I feel his strong hands on my waist, helping me inside the tent. The air is cool and crisp, but the heat from our bodies mixing together soon warms it up. He kicks off his boots and pulls his shirt over his head, revealing toned abs and strong shoulders that glisten with sweat from a long day in the sun.

His muscles ripple under my touch when I run my fingers along his chest, tracing patterns on his skin that only intensify the butterflies in my stomach. He smells of leather, sweat, and something uniquely Malacharic - a combination of woodsy fragrance from being outdoors all day and a hint of spice from the food we shared. It's intoxicating.

We move closer, our lips meeting in a soft, gentle kiss that soon deepens. Our tongues dance together as our hands explore each other's bodies. He cups my face gently, his rough palms adding to the friction between us.

His touch is electric. Every point where he makes contact with my skin tingles with anticipation. My breath catches in my throat when he trails kisses down my neck.

As our kiss deepens, our bodies melt into a rhythm of their own making. The friction between us grows hotter, the fire outside providing a warm glow that bounces off his chiseled features and softly illuminates the tent. The sound of our ragged breathing fills the air as we tear at each other's clothes, desperate to feel more skin on skin. My blouse is quickly discarded and I toss it on the floor, soon followed by my bra, my breasts free and aching for his touch.

Our hands roam freely over each other’s bodies now, his calloused fingertips tracing circles around my breasts while my nails dig into his toned back. We groan in syncopation as we explore every inch of each other, hungry for more.

He pulls away, panting, to look into my eyes. I watch him intently as he takes off his pants, revealing himself, thick and ready for me. I let out a soft grunt at the sight, my mouth watering in anticipation.

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