Page 25 of King of Forest and Fur

She had little time alone with her thoughts before Yaldred returned with a few young women, each carrying beautiful dresses in several different colors. They used her as Yaldred’s personal dress-up doll for what felt like hours. Yaldred shook her head at most and offered comments on how the king would like or hate each.

In the end, they dressed Leila in a sheer gown, silk with a plunging neckline that would have ensured her male students back at the Sorcerer’s Academy wouldn’t hear a word she said if she wore it there. The bodice clung close to her skin, leaving little to the imagination, and little room for her to eat, before flaring out at her hips. After the girls brushed out and styled her hair, Yaldred escorted her out of the queen’s quarters. Instead of going down to the great hall, she only took her across to the doors to the king’s chambers.

“You’re dining privately with the king,” Yaldred said before winking and knocking at the door. “Have fun.”

With that, she spun and hurried away. Leila had little chance to follow her. Footsteps sounded on the other side of the door and the handle clicked. A guard in armor with a sheathed sword stood on the other side. She had expected the king himself but fought the frown.

He escorted her inside. King Rehn stood beside an intimate dining table under a window showing the valley in twilight. She hardly saw anything else in the room, his eyes having captured her attention completely. He stepped close and took her hand in his. Those intense eyes never left her as he kissed the back of her hand.

As ridiculous as she thought Yaldred’s whispering about a fling with the king, she couldn’t help but accept the reality. Not only that, she knew for a fact she’d enjoy this unexpected vacation with King Rehn.

TEN

REHN

He made a mental note to thank Idris, or possibly give him a day off, for sending his wife up to Leila's room. He wasn't much of a betting man, but he could almost guarantee that little Miss Professor didn't own, let alone choose to pack, the sexy dress she had sauntered into the room in.

As Leila floated across the floor, her silhouette was framed by the soft glow of the golden chandeliers, making her appear as though she had stepped out of an ethereal realm. The dress clung to her in all the right places, a deep emerald that complemented her dark eyes, shimmering with each step she took. He stood, captivated.

The dining space was nothing short of regal. Towering ceilings crowned with intricate frescoes depicted scenes from ancient legends, their colors still vibrant against the test of time. The table was set atop a rug woven in hues of midnight blue and burgundy. Each place setting boasted fine porcelain plates edged in gold, crystal glasses that sparkled in the light, and polished silverware laid out with precision.

A couple servants moved silently around them as they took their seats, pouring wine into their glasses from a decanter that gleamed like a jewel. The room smelled of roses and beeswax from the candles burning in ornate holders.

He watched her as she took in her surroundings, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and curiosity. "I hope you find the setting to your liking," he said, his voice smooth as the velvet of his dinner jacket.

"It's beautiful," she replied, genuinely impressed. "I had read about places like this in books, but never imagined I would actually be in one."

As they began to eat, courses arrived one after another—each plate more exquisite than the last. The conversation flowed easily between them, punctuated by shared smiles and intrigued glances.

When the main course arrived, it was a dish that spoke of the chef's artistry — chateaubriand tenderly cooked to perfection, accompanied by baby vegetables picked from the castle's own garden, their vibrant colors a vivid contrast to the plates.

They discussed their interests and travels as they ate. He told her stories of distant lands he had visited, battles he had seen, and castles he had restored. She shared her research adventures and the thrill of uncovering hidden secrets of the past. Each tale brought them closer, weaving a tapestry as rich as the setting around them.

As the evening progressed, Rehn found himself drawn more and more to Leila. His attraction deepened with each story she shared, and he took moments between their exchanges to appreciate her smile and graceful gestures. Under the guise of passing her the bread basket or pointing out details in the frescoed ceiling, he would reach across the table to graze her hand with his, sparking an electric warmth that spread through his fingers and into his chest.

Leila was receptive to his touch, leaning slightly toward him and locking eyes before shyly looking away. After the main course, they moved to a smaller sitting room for dessert and coffee. The cozy atmosphere of plush velvet sofas and a crackling fire invited intimate conversation.

Rehn chose a seat close to Leila, their knees almost touching. As they sipped coffee, he found excuses to touch her more frequently, letting his hand rest on hers when she laughed at his jokes. She was clearly enjoying his company, her eyes shining with surprise and tenderness.

As the dessert was served, the atmosphere shifted subtly, turning from spirited conversation to a more languid, intimate exchange. The waiter presented them with a platter of chocolate-covered strawberries. They were large and succulent, dipped generously in dark chocolate that had been tempered to a perfect glossy finish. A faint hint of rose essence infused the chocolate, a nod perhaps to the roses that perfumed the room.

Rehn picked up a strawberry by its delicate green stem and held it out toward Leila. "For you," he said, his voice low and inviting. She leaned forward slightly, her eyes locked onto his as she opened her lips to accept the offering. The moment was charged with an electric tension, her lips brushing against his fingers as she bit into the ripe, juicy berry. The rich chocolate melted instantly on her tongue, mingled with the sweet burst of strawberry.

Leila closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the decadent flavors. When she opened them again, Rehn was watching her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.

With each strawberry, Rehn deliberately allowed his fingers to linger a little longer against hers. Leila’s breathing deepened as the sensation tingled up her arm. She felt the warmth of the fire nearby and the heat from Rehn’s nearness enveloping her in a delicious haze.

The room seemed to narrow, focusing all existence on the space between them. With every exchange, their proximity seemed to draw them inexorably closer.

“Leila, lay back," he instructed as she settled comfortably against the plush couch. He grabs a chocolate-covered strawberry from the dish next to him and, with a teasing glint in his eye, slowly drags the dripping fruit across her collarbone.

The rich, dark chocolate melted slightly from the warmth of her skin, leaving a tantalizing trail as he guided it down the elegant line of her neck. Leila's breath caught in her throat, her pulse fluttering like the wings of a captured bird.

Rehn watched her intently, his eyes filled with desire as he moved the strawberry farther down over the curve of her chest. The sweet scent of chocolate filled the air around them, mingling with the crackling sounds from the fire and intensifying the already heady ambiance. As the strawberry reached the valley between her breasts, Rehn bent down to follow its path with his lips. His tongue skillfully swept up every trace of chocolate, eliciting a soft moan from Leila that echoed through the quiet room.

Their shared heat rivaled that of the fire itself as Rehn continued his tender assault. He lowered his hand to gently caress through the fabric of her dress, finding the zipper and slowly pulling it down to reveal more of her soft skin that beckoned under the dim light. Each revealed inch was worshiped with kisses and gentle touches.

As the fabric parted under his skilled hands, the air kissed her newly exposed skin, causing goose bumps to rise in delightful contrast to the warm glow from the fireplace. Rehn’s eyes drank in every reaction, every tremble that coursed through Leila's body, each detail etched into his memory like a sacred script.

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