Chapter 56: Conflicting Emotions

As Vladimier's lips found mine once more, Elias' face appeared in my mind, causing my heart to flip uncontrollably.

"What's wrong?" Vladimier asked, pulling away and giving me a look of hurt.

Gasping, I tried to make sense of my reaction to seeing Elias' face and how I could possibly feel anything with my true love in front of me.

"I'm sorry." I murmured, unable to think of a proper excuse that wouldn't hurt him. "It's just that..."

Trailing off, I tried to think of what I could even say. I just saw another man that I loved when I forgot about you. Or that there were now two people in my heart, even if one of those people crushed me.

"It's okay," he said, bringing me back to the present. "You've been through a lot, and you need time to fully adjust."

"Yeah." I whispered even though I felt like a complete bitch for how I felt.

"Come," Vladimier said, holding out a hand. "I'm sure you're probably exhausted and could use some rest. Let me take you back to your room."

"My room?" I asked, my eyes growing wide.

Did this mean that he was so mad at me that he had no intention of letting me stay with him? Feeling tears prick at my eyes, I nodded, trying to hide my disappointment.

"Did you not want to go back there?" He asked, smiling, seeming to have caught on to my disappointment.

"Would it be okay if I stayed with you?" I asked, my cheeks flushed red. "It has been so long."

"Of course." He responded, brushing a hand across my cheek. "Anything for you."

Giving a small smile, I let myself get lost in the feel of his touch. Immediately, guilt crashed through me again as Elias appeared.

Keeping a smile on my face, I felt a war beginning to wage within my mind. I didn't know how I would deal with my lingering feelings for Elias and my returning feelings for Vladimier. All I knew was that I didn't want to pine over the man who rejected me, even if my heart cried out for him.

"Let's go." I said, beginning to head back toward the castle while wanting a distraction. "I'm suddenly feeling tired."

There was only one thing I could think of doing to rid myself of any thoughts involving Elias, and that was to reacquaint myself with Vladimier's touch. I knew that maybe it wasn't the best way to deal, but I could feel my body calling for him, and I didn't want to deny it.

When we arrived at our destination, I attacked, wrapping my arms around Vladimier's neck and pulling him against me as my back slammed into the wall.

Looking up, I met his questioning gaze before standing on tiptoe and pressing my lips against his. For a moment, he didn't move as if wondering if what was happening was real or not, but after another moment, he met my hunger with his own.

"Vladimier..." I sighed as his hands trailed their way underneath my shirt and along my bare skin.

"Mmmmmm."

Letting a contented sigh escape me, I closed my eyes as he yanked my shirt over my head, leaving me bare-chested.

"You're still as beautiful as I remember," he murmured, leaning down and kissing along my collarbone, sending pleasant chills through me. "No, you're much more beautiful."

Whimpering, I pulled at his neck again, pulling him closer against me in an attempt to mold our bodies together.

Taking my actions as the go-ahead, Vladimier lifted me, allowing me to wrap my legs around his waist as he made his way towards the bed before depositing me there.

Shivering, I watched as he ripped his shirt off, allowing me to see his perfectly chiseled chest.

"Are you sure about this?" He asked, meeting my gaze. "Once we start, I don't think I will be able to stop myself. It has been too many years since I've had you."

"I'm sure." I whispered, smiling and holding out my arms. "Please take me."

Obeying my desire, Vladimier grabbed my pants and yanked them off, leaving me in only my underwear. Pulling off his own, he climbed on top of me, meeting my mouth with his own. The hunger there took my breath away as I opened my mouth, letting his tongue meet mine so they could dance together.

Arching my back, I pushed my core against the bulge that had formed in his pants as a moan of desire escaped me.

"Patience, my love." Vladimier chuckled, lifting his hands so he could look at me with a warm smile. "We have all the time."

But did we really have all of that time? The memory of him telling me that I died from illness back then popped into my head once. As a mage, I was able to come up with cures for most things, so what exactly was the illness that got me? Also, does that illness still exist within me even though I have been reincarnated twice now?

"Please let me have you." I murmured as embarrassment overtook me.

I was being quite bold after everything that happened. Would Vladimier find this weird? Would he question my reasoning for wanting him so badly?

Once again, Elias popped into my mind—the way it felt to have him within me, the way his caresses felt. But it was the memory of his venom in me that shook me to my core.

Sensing the sudden change in my demeanor, Vladimier gave me a questioning look.

"I'm sorry." I sighed, pushing away thoughts of Elias once again.

"Maybe tonight isn't the right time." He suggested.

I couldn't stop the wave of disappointment that rushed through me at his words. Was he rejecting me?

"It isn't like that!" I said, quickly jumping up and wrapping my arms around his neck. "Please, it isn't like that."

"My love, I'm not blaming you." Vladimier said, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close. "I just want you here with me completely when we make love."

"I promise I will properly move on." I whispered, deciding honesty was the best policy. "You don't blame me for forgetting you and being with another man?"

I didn't know what I expected Vladimier to say, but I only hoped that he understood. Had I remembered him, it would have never happened, but what was done was done, and I couldn't change it.

"No one is mad at you." He assured me, kissing the top of my head. "I have confidence that I am the one who owns your heart."

"Thank you."

Accepting that this wasn't going to go any further for the day, Vladimier laid down, pulling me close to him. Closing my eyes, I took comfort in the warmth of his body against mine and his arms around me.

"Sleep well," his soft voice murmured near my ear as I slowly allowed myself to drift off to sleep.