Chapter 5

A L I N A

He exhales sharply, his grip tightening ever so slightly. “I need to know that you’re ready. Completely. Not just for the bond, but for everything that comes with it. The expectations, the scrutiny, the sacrifices. Once we start this, there’s no turning back.”

"How about I give you a little convincing..." I whisper to him, pushing myself off the wall as I press against his chest with my hands and begin to walk forward. He steps back and watches me, a smirk appearing on his lips as he watches me, up until he reaches the edge of the bed and falls backwards. That's when I eye him carefully and stand between his legs, slowly and seductively slipping off my towel as I reveal my fit and curvaceous body to him, my large breasts spilling out of my towel just as I run my hands over my body slowly.

"You are extremely good at... convincing..." He whispers to me just as he grabs my body slowly and runs his hands over my bare skin, reaching up to kiss my breasts as his hands continue to slide up my thighs to my waist... until I feel one of his hands move between my legs, where he'd slowly begin to tease my already wet entrance. A gasp escapes my lips as I look down at him, already finding him staring up at me with darkened eyes, his fingers continue to slide against me and I feel them slide into me...

"Mmm... I can see how much you missed me..." He groans, the noises he's making encouraging the moan that escapes my lips just as I reach down at him, grabbing hold of his neck as my breath fans his lips.

"You know I did..." I whisper to him and with that he gives me a devilish grin and grabs hold of me, tossing me onto the bed effortlessly just as he stands to his feet, making me watch him in awe as he slowly begins to undress. Eventually, he revealed his toned body to me, making me bite my lip subtly as I watch him climb onto the bed and hover over me, parting my legs with his knees just as his manhood slaps against my entrance a few times.

"Show me..." he then whispers and that's when he carefully guides himself to my entrance and roughly slides into me, forcing a gasp out of my mouth just as he grabs hold of me and begins ramming into me without warning.

"M-mmph! M-Magnus..." I whimper as I feel him pull in and out of me, his hand grabbing my throat roughly as he brings his face to my ear and whispers into it, his body pressed against mine as he takes me completely...

. . . . .

I make my way through the hallways of the castle with Magnus walking beside me, his usual commanding presence tempered by an ease he rarely shows around others. After a heated session or rather a few heated sessions, we finally thought it'd be best to step out of my room before anyone grew suspicious. His hand rests low on my back, a touch that feels possessive yet grounding. I’m acutely aware of him—of the heat radiating off his body, the slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking. And perhaps he does...

I glance up at him, catching the sharp line of his jaw, the unruly strands of golden hair that fall just past his brow. He’s trying not to look too pleased with himself, but the knowing glint in his blue eyes gives him away. I roll mine in response, though my lips betray me with the faintest twitch of a smile. My skin still hums with the imprint of his touch, and the faint ache in my muscles reminds me of how roughly he’s claimed my body... I can only hope my mother and father won’t be able to tell, though the very idea sends a flush crawling up my neck...

Magnus chuckles lowly, the sound reverberating like a purr. "You’re thinking too hard again, love..."

“Only because I know my parents will take one look at us and know exactly what we’ve been doing,” I hiss under my breath.

“And whose fault is that?” He arches a brow, the smirk returning in full force.

"Yours," I say without hesitation.

He leans closer, his voice a whisper, sending a shiver down my spine. "You didn’t seem to mind a moment ago."

I open my mouth to retort, but we round the corner into the grand hallway leading to the dining room. The wide, arched double doors stand open, and the faint murmur of conversation drifts out. My steps falter for just a second, but Magnus’s hand presses gently against my back, urging me forward. I sigh to myself and look down at my silver and black dress, one that shaped my curves generously. Tonight I let my long white hair fall in loose curls, my hair reaching down to my lower back.

Inside, the dining hall is bathed in the warm glow of chandeliers. The long table stretches before us, its surface gleaming and already set with pristine silverware and delicate goblets. At the far end of the room, my parents sit, their presence unmistakable...

My father, Lord Alinos Xalveria, commands attention even while seated. His platinum-white hair catches the light like spun moonlight, and his rich brown skin, unmarred by age, reflects the grace of a man born to lead. His eyes meet mine, sharp and discerning as always, and for a moment, I see the faint narrowing that tells me he’s already aware of far too much.

Beside him, my mother, Lady Kaela, is the very picture of elegance. Her silver-white hair is swept up, her ebony skin glowing as if she were carved from starlight itself. But her gaze isn’t on me. No, it’s on Magnus.

The tension is immediate, like a taut string pulled too tight. I feel it settle over me as Magnus and I make our way to them.

“Father. Mother,” I greet them, my voice steady, though I’m acutely aware of their scrutiny.

“Alina,” my father says, his tone polite but clipped. His eyes flick briefly to Magnus before returning to me. “You’re late.”