Chapter 196 Chapter 195
She met his glare with one of her own, an unknown confidence washing over her. “I’m not letting you go into that place!” she cried, stopping several meters away. “You’re clearly battling a rut, and you think denying yourself is the solution to your problem?!”
“Do you not value your life?!” he snapped, flashing his teeth as he held back a growl. “I could kill you!!”
“You could!” she cried in a shrill, trembling voice. “It doesn’t mean you will. At least, that’s not what I see,” she added in a softer tone, taking a step closer. She knew, beneath all that rage and animosity, was just bone-deep fear.
A pained roar tore from his lips, and he turned around, driving his head into the wall. The rock around him splintered, a growl still rumbling in his throat. Rayena jumped, terrified at the action, and from the corner of her eyes, she could see Morvan’s face twist in worry.
Rayena held back a scream when he did it again, and she saw his hands turning into claws. Morvan immediately rushed to her, taking her away from him. “I apologize, but I think it would be best if you stayed away. He’s too agitated right now.”
Rayena struggled against him. “And risk him going feral?!” she screamed. “You saw his outburst earlier, didn’t you? He’s the most unstable right now! This is not the time to let him be!”
She pushed forward, letting her anger override her fear. “Lylall…” she began with a cracking voice, her vision blurring with tears. “I don’t know what demons you’re fighting with, but you can’t KEEP letting them win! You can’t let them have control! You are having a rut, and there is only one way out of this—and it’s not self-denial!” she screamed, over the pounding of her heart.
Rayena’s chest rose and fell rapidly, and she added more softly, “I, for one, am willing to take this risk, regardless of the consequences. So why are you stalling?”
Xenon turned to look at her, blood running down his forehead and dripping off his nose. Disbelief filled his wild eyes as he stared at her. “What are you saying? Do you have any idea what you’re saying?!” he rasped, his voice raw.
“I’m saying I want to be with you. I offer myself to you,” she whispered with conviction, still staring at him. The silence that followed was thick, painful. Her words hung in the air like a blade, but instead of stepping closer, Xenon retreated backward.
They stood facing each other, breaths ragged, the air between them crackling with tension. Xenon swallowed the lump in his throat, unable to believe the words that had come out of her mouth. Rayena had laid herself before him like a golden offering, and all he wanted to do was feast—but he couldn’t bring himself to. He didn’t want to ruin the fragile connection between them.
“This would end badly for you,” he finally growled, keeping his voice controlled.
“Then let that be my burden to bear,” she whispered. “I give you my consent.”
The control he’d clung to like a lifeline crumbled the moment the words slipped from her lips. One moment, he was standing against the wall; the next, he was upon her, yanking her toward him and lifting her off the ground. His lips crashed against hers in a savage kiss—more teeth than tongue. Rayena gasped in alarm before closing her eyes, winding her arms around his neck as she kissed him back as best she could.
Her back hit the cold wall, and she realized Xenon had pressed her against it, devouring her lips, the heat of his body scorching her. Her blood began to sizzle, desire flooding her veins.
Pulling back to catch his breath, Xenon rested his bloodied forehead against hers, gazing into her eyes. She saw the indecision reflected in his wild gaze—the panicked concern.
“I’ve reached my limit,” he groaned, his voice hoarse. “This will not be gentle—”
She placed a finger on his lips, silencing him. His warm breath brushed teasingly against her mouth, and her nape tingled.
“Shh. You’re overthinking this,” she murmured, letting her other hand caress his face, her touch feather-light.
His eyes widened in surprise, then darkened, a low rumble building in his throat.
“Besides,” she added softly, a deep flush rising to her cheeks, “shouldn’t we be alone for this?”
Xenon visibly gulped, his gaze darting around. He saw Morvan standing awkwardly in the distance, his gaze everywhere but at them.
“Stay close,” he ordered brusquely.
Morvan bowed quickly. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
An undercurrent of relief ran through his voice.
Xenon turned back, scooping Rayena into his arms. Without another word, he carried her away toward his chambers. The door slammed shut behind them, he marched straight to the bed and dropped her on it unceremoniously, getting rid of his clothes but stopping midway and climbed in after her, completely impatient.
Lowering himself, he claimed her lips again, his tongue darting into her parted mouth, tasting, exploring and claiming all at once. Rayena clung to him, pressing her body against his as sporadic moans bubbled from her lips, sounds he swallowed whole. Blood coursed through her veins, desire and anticipation spreading a burning heat all the way to her fingertips.
His kisses grew passionate, dominating. He kissed her till there wasn't any oxygen left her in lungs, then gave her his. Rayena's body was aflamed now, need pumping through her and making her delirious. She undulated her hips, bobbing her head in a silent plea.
"Lylall, please.. " She cried, eyes already glazed over, desire shining through them.
Xenon growled under his breath and with a swipe of his claws, he tore her dresses off her, helping her out of it till she was completely bare on the bed. Then he moved between her legs, peppering kisses down her jawline, to the sensitive flesh of her neck before arriving at her breasts, brushing her taut nipples with his thumb.
Rayena gasped, her spine arching off the bed. Satisfied with the reaction, he took a nipple to his mouth and began suckling on it.
"Oh.... " She moaned, eyes rolling to the back of her head, her body thrashing around. Xenon only sucked harder, loving the feel of her.
Rayena wind her arms around his head, pressing it closer to him as he continued suckling, alternating between both peaks, till her blood was frothing. Searing desire burned away all fear, leaving behind intense pleasure.
"Everything about you is intoxicating.. " He growled against her skin, rolling his tongue around the nipple in his mouth in a teasing manner, watched as she moaned and gasped, eyes on him but never truly seeing. "I could taste you all night." He hissed, biting down on the swollen tip.
A soft scream spilled from her throat, shuddering as she sharp bite of pain had wetness flooding her intimate regions, already pulsing and craving to be filled.