ASHES OF BETRAYAL THE SORCERER'S VENGEANCE

CHAPTER 7

Your quarters." 

She said simply, her voice carrying a certainty that left no room for argument.

Kael's heart began to race for entirely different reasons now. 

"My quarters? But the party…"

"Can continue without us for a while."

 She glanced back at him, and the look in her eyes made his breath catch. There was heat there, desire, and something else he couldn't quite name.

 "Don't you want to celebrate properly? Just the two of us?”

They'd reached the throne room's side exit, the one that led to the residential wings where Kael's chambers were located. Lyanna pushed through the door, pulling Kael with her into the cooler, quieter corridor beyond.

The change from the crowded, loud throne room to the empty hallway was jarring. Suddenly Kael could hear his own heartbeat, could feel the warmth of Lyanna's hand in his, could smell her perfume, something floral and sweet that made his head spin.

She led him through the familiar corridors, past tapestries and suits of armour and locked doors. They encountered only one servant, a young maid who took one look at them, blushed furiously, and hurried away in the opposite direction.

Finally, they reached Kael's chambers. His hands trembled slightly as he pushed open the door. The room beyond was his private sanctuary, a spacious bedroom with a large bed, a writing desk, bookshelves and a window that overlooked the castle gardens. Moonlight streamed through the window now, painting everything in silver and shadow.

The moment the door closed behind them, Lyanna turned and kissed him.

It wasn't like the sweet, gentle kisses they'd shared before. This was hungry, desperate, almost violent in its intensity. Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling him down to her level. Her body pressed against his, warm and soft and demanding.

Kael responded instinctively, his arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her closer. The taste of wine was strong on her lips, intoxicating wine mixing with something that was purely her. His heart hammered so hard he was sure she could feel it through his chest.

They stumbled backwards, still kissing, until Kael's legs hit the edge of his bed. Lyanna pushed, and he fell backwards onto the mattress, bouncing slightly. She followed, climbing on top of him, her golden hair falling around them like a curtain.

Her hands found the buttons of his ceremonial tunic, fingers fumbling with the fastenings. Kael's own hands moved to her waist, uncertain but eager. This was happening. 

This was really happening.

Suddenly, clarity pierced through his desire-fogged mind. He caught her wrists gently, stopping her. 

"Lyanna, wait."

She pulled back slightly, confusion and frustration warring in her flushed face. 

"What? What's wrong?"

"I just…" 

Kael struggled to find words while his body screamed at him to stop talking.

 "Are you sure? Are you sure you're ready for this? You've been drinking, and I don't want you to regret…”

Lyanna silenced him by pressing a finger to his lips. Her eyes, those beautiful sky-blue eyes, locked onto his with absolute certainty. When she spoke, her voice was low and seductive, each word deliberate and clear despite the wine.

 "Yes. I'm ready. I want this. I want you. Right now. Tonight. Don't make me wait anymore, Kael."

The last thread of Kael's restraint snapped.

He pulled her down into another kiss, deeper and more passionate than before. His hands, no longer hesitant, began exploring. Her dress had laces down the back and he fumbled with them, cursing his trembling fingers.

Lyanna laughed against his mouth, the sound breathless and delighted. 

"Here, let me."

 She sat up, straddling his hips, and reached behind herself. With practised ease, she loosened the laces and let the dress fall away from her shoulders.

Kael's mouth went dry. Moonlight painted her skin silver, highlighting curves and shadows. She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

"Your turn." 

She whispered, her hands returning to his tunic buttons.

What followed was a blur of sensation and emotion. 

Clothes are discarded on the floor. Skin against skin. 

The softness of her body beneath his hands. The way she gasped when he kissed her neck. The heat builds between them, growing more intense with each passing moment.

When he finally moved over her, positioning himself, he paused one last time.

 "I love you." 

He whispered against her ear.

 "I love you so much."

"I love you too." 

She breathed back.

He pressed forward, and Lyanna's back arched. A moan escaped her lips, high and breathy, as he pushed deeper. Her nails dug into his shoulders, and the slight pain only heightened everything else.

"Kael." 

She moaned.

 "Oh gods, Kael..."

He moved slowly at first, savouring every sensation, trying to memorise every detail of this moment. But instinct and desire drove him to move faster, harder. 

Lyanna met him thrust for thrust, her hips rising to meet his, her voice growing louder with each movement.

The pleasure built like a wave, higher and higher, until Kael thought he might die from the intensity of it. 

Lyanna's moans grew more desperate, her body trembling beneath him.

"Don't stop." 

She gasped.

 "Please don't stop..."

He couldn't have stopped if he'd wanted to. The wave crested, and Kael felt himself falling over the edge. His vision went white. His entire body tensed as release crashed through him with devastating force. 

He buried his face in Lyanna's neck, muffling his own cry as he emptied himself inside her.

Lyanna's body went rigid beneath him, her own climax hitting a heartbeat after his. She cried out, long and loud, her nails raking down his back hard enough to leave marks.

Then, slowly, the intensity faded. Kael collapsed on top of her, his body suddenly feeling like it weighed a thousand pounds. His heart thundered in his ears. His breath came in ragged gasps.

 Every muscle trembled with exhaustion and satisfaction.

Beneath him, Lyanna had gone completely limp. Her eyes were closed, her breathing deep and even. She'd passed out, whether from the wine or the intensity of what they'd just shared, he couldn't say.

Carefully, using what little strength he had left, Kael shifted to the side so he wasn't crushing her. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her close against his chest. She made a small, contented sound in her sleep but didn't wake.

Kael stared up at the ceiling, his mind spinning. His body still tingled with the aftershocks of pleasure. He could feel Lyanna's heartbeat against his side, steady and strong. 

The moonlight painted everything in soft silver, making the moment feel dreamlike.

‘Today is the best day of my life, he thought, the words forming slowly in his exhausted mind. I'm now an official member of the Elite Squad and I just lost my virginity. With the woman I love.’

He raised one hand, holding it up toward the ceiling. His palm was illuminated by moonlight, and he stared at it as though seeing it for the first time.

This hand held a sword today. Had received the Elite Squad insignia. Had touched Lyanna in ways he'd only dreamed about.

I'm living my dream, he thought, a smile spreading across his face. Everything I've ever wanted is finally mine.

His hand fell back to the bed, too heavy to hold up any longer. His eyes drifted closed, exhaustion finally claiming him.

As sleep pulled him under, his last conscious thought was simple and pure: Perfect. Everything is perfect.

He never saw Lyanna's eyes open in the darkness. Never saw the cold calculation in her gaze as she stared at his sleeping face. Never saw the way her lips curved into a smile that held no warmth whatsoever.

She remained there for several minutes, just watching him sleep, before carefully extracting herself from his embrace. He didn't wake, too deeply unconscious to notice.

 Lyanna stood, naked in the moonlight and looked down at him with an expression that could have been pity or contempt or something in between.

Then she dressed in silence, laced up her gown, and slipped out of the room like a ghost.

Behind her, Kael slept on, his dreams filled with visions of glory and love and a future that would never come.

The door clicked shut with the finality of a coffin lid closing.