Chapter 35: The Chimera (Part 2)
Cordelia stepped through the doorway into Lyonis's quarters on the Chimera. It was modestly furnished; a long wooden table, some chairs, and a stately desk covered in messy books and papers ran along one side of the room. Shelves filled with books and ledgers ran the length of the wall, and worn, dirty rugs covered the floor. On the far end, opposite the door, was a row of small windows that overlooked the shipyard. A simple curtain was drawn across them, blocking the little light that filtered through.
Lyonis stepped past her, lighting a few small oil lamps and lanterns with a box of matches he grabbed from the table. He went around the room, lighting a sconce by a large bed in the corner of the room, a small desk and chest sat at the foot of the bed. They were covered in books. A small cast iron fireplace was tucked into the corner, surrounded by piles of dried wooden logs. He drew the curtains hanging over the windows, letting in the dampened moonlight. Large raindrops hit the window in rhythmic thuds.
Cordelia watched him move across the cabin, his large muscular figure glowed in the light of the lamps. She couldn't help but admire his raw beauty; his soft brown hair was dripping wet from the rain, and his light grey tunic was soaked through and clung to his olive skin that hugged strong and chiseled muscles. His amber eyes glanced about the room, lighting candles, lanterns, and lamps methodically as he walked about the cabin. As if he had done it dozens of times. Cordelia gulped and blinked a few times, breaking the trace she fell into. He was stunning, and she couldn't help but stare.
Memories of thier passionate night lingered in her mind. She recalled the feeling of his hands all over her, coaxing ecstasy from her body. Heat budded in between her thighs, and a growing want swirled around her navel. She tried to ignore the large, unkept bed in the corner of the room. Perhaps she was too hasty in coming here. If she had known how seduced she would become just by walking into his cabin, she would have second-guessed coming here. At the very least, she would've washed up first.
Cordelia walked the length of the wall of bookshelves. Her fingers traced the bindings of books filled with symbols from unfamiliar languages. She took in a deep breath, taking in the smell - cedar and salt, leather, parchment, and oil. Masculine and alluring. So deliciously seductive. Removing her hat, she placed it on an empty spot along the long table and sat in a large leather chair behind the stately desk. Her fingers followed her eyes as she ran them across the yellowing pages depicting maps of various coastlines.
Everything she touched on the Chimera somehow felt as if she were touching an extension of Lyonis. It had the same familiar warm and wild energy. She couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the impressive ship.
There was an undeniable tension in the air as Lyonis walked toward her. He reached across the stacked papers to grab a small oil lamp, lighting it with a match before returning it back on the desk. The small flame flickered, throwing dancing shadows across Lyonis's face. The warm glow of the lamps filled with cabin with soft, comfortable light. The only sound was from the pattering of falling rain.
"Well... Captain..." Lyonis sat on the edge of the desk, staring down at her. His deep husky voice teased her ears, "What's on your mind?"
What was on her mind? Ha! If he only knew, he'd probably end up leaping at her with uninhibited adoration. She shrugged and picked up a metal compass that was sitting on the desk. "Captain?" She looked at him, her eyebrows raising in curiosity.
"You ARE sitting in the Captain's chair."
Cordelia leaned back in the soft leather, "It is quite comfortable."
"Should I recommend the bed? I hear it's even better than the chair." Lyonis glanced at her from the corner of his eye. His playful expression and seductive voice made her bite her lip.
"The Captain wishes to discuss some things with you..." She fought against the growing desire inside her. She wanted Lyonis to do things to her - kiss her, touch her. She wanted to touch him and taste the salt on his skin. She was going wild with want. But she had to hold out. "You have some explaining to do..." Cordelia crossed her arms over her chest and crossed her legs out in front of her.
Lyonis smiled as if he thought he almost had her, "Ah... I guess I do. What would you like to know... Captain?"
"Who are you? What is your position?" The words left her lips plainly, "It is apparent you are more than you let on. A simple merchant? I doubt that."
Lyonis sighed and scratched his head, taking a moment to pause before speaking, "I am... lots of things. Currently, I am the commander of this ship, the lead in trade exploration for Gresas. I work for the Emperor."
"And?" Cordelia knew all of this already...
"I was the Commanding General for the Gresas Army. I helped... unify the country. Lead a few wars..." Lyonis looked at Cordelia, but her blank expression told him she was not satisfied. He sighed, "I am also technically... the Prince of Gresas. But I revoked my claim to the throne long ago, as Gresas no longer practices monarchy. My role is more advisory to the Emperor."
"Your Highness..." Cordelia faked a small curtsey from her seat in the chair. Royalty. Made sense. She had a sneaking suspicion but hearing it out loud made her feel... disheartened.
"I didn't say anything because... I didn't want it to put you off... and I didn't think it was... pertinent to our relationship." Lyonis looked out the window, shame glazed over his amber eyes.
"And what exactly is our relationship, Commander?" She could see him scowl at her remark, still refusing to call him by his name. But when he turned his head to gaze down at her with wide amber eyes, his handsome face looked at her with such longing and passion it took her off guard. There was pain and honesty in his expression, as if he was fighting a violent internal battle.
"I'm not sure... Captain." Lyonis leaned across the table to brush a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, "All I know... Is that I care for you. Deeply. It is as if I have been searching for you my whole life... And now that I've found you..." He paused, leaning closer to her, his amber eyes illuminated in the light of the flickering flame. "As hard as I try, I cannot seem to get you out of my mind. Or stay away, even if it means I must sacrifice my sanity. I'm drawn to you, like moths to a flame."
The words only fanned the heat between them. Cordelia's heart pounded in her chest. Beads of sweat formed across her face, and her dress suddenly felt too restricting. She needed to leave now. If she didn't, she would end up giving herself over to this man completely. Logic screamed in her head to run, but her heart... her heart waned. It yearned and reached out to him as if inviting him to swallow her whole.
She stood, terrified by the contradictions inside of her, unsure which to follow. Feeling annoyed with herself, she spoke, anger degrading her gentle tone, soiling the intimate atmosphere, "If I am soo special to you, why favor the company of another woman? Why hide? Why keep secrets and toy with me?" Anger flushed through her as the words tumbled from her lips, but it wasn't Lyonis she was angry with; it was herself. She was pushing him away, and she was being rude and hypocritical.
In her frenzied state, she rushed toward the door reaching for the handle and pulling it toward her. Lyonis slammed his hand against the steel door, forcing it closed, trapping her between the scold metal and his body. She spun around, glaring into his eyes. A mixture of pain and anger swam in his golden irises as he towered over her, trapping her between his arms.
"Why?! How rich coming from you.... You. Who has all the secrets. You. Who's interest in me comes and goes like the sun in the sky. Giving me JUST enough hope to keep me tethered like some love-sick puppy." He growled down at her, and for the first time, Cordelia saw true anger in his eyes. She felt the white-hot aura flash off him like lightning, "We are the same, Cordelia. We are broken creatures. Our lives are plagued with terrible pasts and untold secrets. Can't we just let ourselves feel the joy in this moment? Are we not allowed to want and care for each other?" His voice softened. "Isn't that enough?" The anger subsided and was replaced with heartbreaking desperation and pain. She turned away from him, tears welling in the corners of her eyes.
Lyonis cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. A hungry, desperate, all-encompassing kiss that threatened to consume her. She felt his need for her run deep inside his mana as if she had become the very blood in his veins. If she gave in now, how would she ever be able to let him go? She did not get the luxury of fleeting emotion. She was burdened with countless heavy emotions every single day, and they clung to her as if they were as new and fresh as the first day she felt them. Falling in love with Lyonis now meant she would love him till the end of the earth. Till the last breath left her lungs. How could she be expected to walk away from that? How could he walk away from her? How could she choose between him and the life she created for herself in Ville Marais? He would leave Ville Marais and her. It was only a matter of time. It was not fair, and, no, it was not enough!
She wished to have never met him! Things would be so much easier if they had never met! She pushed him away, "Stop, Lyonis.... Please." Tears fell down her cheeks, and he looked down at her for a long while.
Lyonis scooped her up in his arms and walked toward the bed. She thrashed against him. "Stop! Lyonis! PUT ME DOWN."
"Stop? Stop?!" He laughed before slamming her onto the bed, trapping her beneath him, "Cordelia. If you really want me to stop..." He tore his shirt off, tossing it to the ground. "Make me."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone