Page 2 of Court of Aether and Shadows

I closed my eyes, shivering as I felt the heat of his body behind me, so close but not quite touching. How my body hums for this overwhelming aura of power. How my soul seeks to dance with his tainted being.

We’re surely opposites, from different ends of forbidden worlds, and yet this pull of gravitational wonder makes it hard to fight against.

Magnets destined to come together…

"I seek you," I admitted, the words torn from the depths of my soul. "Only you."

His chuckle was dark and rich, sending another wave of heat through my body.

"Such honesty,"he murmured, his breath hot against my ear."It will be your undoing."

Clawed fingers trailed along my arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

I leaned back instinctively, my body seeking his touch even as my mind screamed at the danger.My desperate longing outweighs all the potential sin this creature could deliver in one blow.He was fire and darkness, and I knew I would gladly burn if it meant feeling the scorching heat of his desire.

"Look at how your body responds to me,"he said, his hand splaying across my stomach, pulling me flush against him."You tremble at my touch, your heart races, your breath quickens. Tell me, my sweet mortal, do you feel this way in your waking world?"

I shook my head, unable to form words as his other hand traced the column of my throat. To be touched like a valuable gem like this, given the attention my soul has craved for so long but never allowed to surrender to.

In the harsh light of day, I was numb.

Broken.

But here,in his arms,I felt everything with an intensity that threatened to consume me.

"No," I finally managed to gasp. "Only here. Only with you."

He spun me around to face him, his golden eyes boring into mine.

"Then stay,"he growled, cupping my face in his hands."Stay here in the dark with me. Let me worship every inch of your beautiful body. Let me show you pleasures beyond your wildest dreams."

For a moment, I was tempted.

Yearning for more of his promises of pleasure and contentment.

Desperate for a sense of safety that doesn’t rely on my sole survival…

The thought of surrendering completely to this exquisite darkness was intoxicating. But even as I leaned into his touch, I felt the first tugging sensation of my impending return to consciousness.

"I can't," I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. "Not yet. I'm not ready."

I fear his wrath with my denial as my heart quivers with agony. I wish to be here. To be one with this grand world of beauty that’s hidden so preciously in the layers of darkness that accentuate the glowing mystery of life, but I couldn’t remain yet.

I don’t know how.

His expression softened, a flicker of understanding passing through his eyes.

"My brave little mortal,"he said, brushing away a tear with his thumb."Always fighting, even against your own desires."

The pull of reality grew stronger, and I clung to him desperately.

"I don't want to go back," I said, my voice breaking. "It hurts there. Everything hurts."

He held me close, his strong arms a shelter against the encroaching light.

"I know, my love,"he murmured into my hair."But you must. For now."

As the dream began to fade, I looked up at him one last time, memorizing every detail of his beautiful, monstrous face. The handsome entity that somehow instigated this beacon of hope, even in my thrilling life on the other side of wakeful chaos.

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