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72.72% Maid-Of-Curse / Chapter 48: It's a Mistake (2)

Capítulo 48: It's a Mistake (2)

Sunlight dappled the lush garden. Elias. His long hair, woven with fallen leaves, swayed in the breeze as he turned, surprise blooming on his face. Emerald eyes melted into a familiar warmth, the mask of arrogance dissolving like mist on a sunlit lake.

"Elias," Eydis said, her voice a soft echo. "It's been awhile."

He offered a smile, genuine and unguarded, the sharp edges of his usual persona softened. "Indeed, it has." 

"How are things with Adam?" she asked, her gaze lingering on his face, searching for hidden depths.

"Consumed," Elias replied, his voice a low rumble. "He had an epiphany, thanks to a certain…muse." A gentle smile played on his lips.

Eydis responded with a knowing glint. "I wondered why."

Elias chuckled, a genuine sound that reached his eyes, but its depths held a hint of something else, something sharp and watchful. "He told me, your comment about Lady Melissa sparked an idea. That's why he's been buried in the library lately."

A sardonic edge crept into her voice. "Now I recall," she said, her eyes flashing, "a mere compliment on his problem-solving skills beneath the waves. An efficient use of mana, unlike some."

Emerald eyes twinkled in amusement. "Eydis, nothing you say is innocent, is it? You nudged him towards his path, didn't you?" He spoke, gratitude laced with understanding.

She dropped the mask, meeting his gaze with a quiet confidence. "Sometimes, a scalpel is more effective than a hammer, wouldn't you agree?"

"Eydis," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion, "you brought my Adam back to me."

His sincerity disarmed her, pulling her into the embrace like a tidal wave. She closed her eyes, the warmth seeping into her bones, a stark contrast to the icy storm raging within. Yet, beneath it all, a yearning for the silver-haired girl with twilight eyes, a whisper in the wind, grew sharper.

As they pulled apart, a shiver danced down her spine, more than just the cool air. A flash of silver, like a phantom in the sunlight, vanished amidst the chattering students. Had it been real, or a cruel trick of her loneliness? A week without Astra, a week consumed by nightmares and cryptic echoes, had become an ocean of longing she hadn't realised she was drowning in.

Before she could spiral deeper, Elias spoke, his eyes veiled with an unreadable glint. "You're here for more than just friendly banter, Eydis."

She met his gaze, a question dancing on her lips. "Can't a couple of comrades catch up to trade pleasantries?"

Elias laughed, the sound laced with a hint of something deeper. "Not when it's you. Don't play coy. What do you need?"

"A favour," she whispered, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial rustle. "Do you know anything about a noble house called Von Rosenfeld?"

Emerald eyes narrowed, the playful mask slipping away. Curiosity flickered, mingling with something guarded, something unspoken. "What makes you think I hold such knowledge?" he smirked, the question a challenge veiled in a promise. "After all," he added, his voice softer now, "I'm just a son of a minor count."

"I think you already know, Elias," Eydis shot back, her gaze unwavering. "Don't underestimate your…intuition."

He returned her gaze, the serious edge sharpening his features. "Then it seems my intuition will have to work overtime," he said, his voice a playful bite. "I'll see what I can learn from the shadows." Elias brought her hand to his lips, a single kiss that seemed like a promise. With a parting smile, he turned and melted into the dappled sunlight, his retreating form carrying a hint of loneliness that mirrored her own.

Eydis' heart, once a fortress of self-sufficiency, now embraced the ache of longing, the depths of desperation, and the burden of harbouring a feeling that might never be returned. That night etched itself in her soul. It was the way Astra responded to her kisses, the desperate tremors of her intoxicating lips, the sigh that whispered finality into their colliding breaths, the way her trembling hands clung to Eydis like grasping at a lifeline – each touch a melody of unspoken desire, a symphony of longing.

Amber eyes, once blazing with confidence, flickered with uncertainty as they searched for Astra. But she remained a distant island, shrouded in shadows, leaving Eydis adrift on a sea of longing and doubt.

If Astra wanted nothing more than space, then fine, a clear rejection, however painful, would be a balm compared to this agonising limbo. The flimsy excuses, choked out in a wavering voice, was a cruel charade. Eydis craved honesty, not evasions.

Perhaps, as Natalia had suggested, maybe they needed to be locked in a metaphorical cage until the truth came out. With newfound resolve, amber eyes gleamed in defiance as she handed in her preference form.

 

**

 

Astra's gaze darted between the endless azure sky and Eydis, who was staring at her with an unreadable expression. Their carriage, propelled by Silverkeep's winged beasts, hurtled towards Eikholt, a city shrouded in ancient oaks at the precipice of Sylvanwood. Eydis, oblivious to the turmoil in Astra's chest, teased her about a stray braid, her amber eyes sparkling with a familiar mischief. As if the events of that night, etched with searing heat on Astra's soul, were mere wisps of smoke in Eydis' mind.

A week apart hadn't doused the firestorm within Astra. It had merely stoked the embers, leaving her a smouldering ruin of longing and regret. The venomous whispers snaking into her ears only fanned the flames: Adam Sapphire, a constant visitor to Eydis' bedroom, her bedroom, theirs. Astra ignored them, chalked it up as hollow and unfounded gossip. 

But then she saw it: Elias and Eydis, held in an tight embrace that mirrored the gaping ache in Astra's chest. Jealousy, sharp and acrid, flooded her senses, stealing the breath from her lungs. Straight as an infinity symbol, that's how everyone saw Elias, right? Or was Astra, queen of misjudgment, wrong again? 

Yet, it wasn't the whispers that stung the most, it wasn't the embrace that ripped at her insides (it almost did). It was the cool indifference in those amber eyes, a frozen lake reflecting the desolate landscape of her shattered world.

But the blame, she knew, rested squarely on her own shoulders. How could she harbour resentment towards Eydis when she, herself, had slammed the door on their stolen flame, leaving them both in flickering darkness?

Distance had been her refuge, but Eydis, stubborn as a mule, had sealed their partnership for the next round. Fine, given the brunette's penchant for trouble, Astra seriously doubted Damian, with his hulking limbs and chronic case of woodland amnesia, could handle her antics.

Every. Single. Time.

So now, here she was, tasked with keeping Eydis safe. Indigo's brown eyes, sharp as a hawk's, had pinned her with the unspoken request. And Astra complied. Not that her heart fluttered at the thought of Eydis in danger. But hey, who was she trying to fool?

The rhythmic thud of the flying beasts' wings was the only sound that dared intrude on the charged silence. Eydis, a study of nonchalant grace, rested her chin on her hand, her amber eyes gleaming in the dappled sunlight. But their depths held a flicker of something else, something that stole Astra's breath.

"Lost in the clouds, Lady Astra?" Eydis purred, a ghost of a smile graced her face. Her fingers, like feathers brushing against the wind, traced a path across Astra's brow, sending a jolt of longing and apprehension through her. "Are you strategizing for the coming match?"

Once again, Eydis and her penchant for invading personal space. A low growl escaped Astra, yet she responded with a terse nod, tilting her head ever so slightly to evade the scorching warmth of Eydis' touch. The truth was a viper in her throat, but only half of it. The real match was the tangled web of yearning and stolen kisses that played behind her closed eyelids, remained a guarded secret.

Eydis' hum, low and throaty, vibrated against the plush carriage cushions as she leaned back, a knowing glint sharpening the gold of her eyes. "Is that so," she murmured, the word laced with a hint of honeyed challenge. "This 'match' must be…intriguing to say the least to furrow your brow like that."

Astra held back a smile, but her lips succumbed to the persistent flutter in her chest. Words tumbled out before she could stop it, "Indeed, it is." Astra admitted, as she pictured Eydis and her infuriating teasing smiles. 

It was a mistake, she realised with a jolt, as Eydis' amber eyes widened. The fondness in Astra's voice had been too genuine, revealing more than she intended.

Astra's knuckles turned white as she gripped the carriage seat, the leather groaning beneath the strain. The urge to surge forward, to reclaim the taste of moonlight on Eydis' lips, was a raging wildfire in her veins.

They hadn't spoken of it, that night under the twilight sky. It awakened emotions Astra never thought possible and ignited yearnings she hadn't dared to dream. Even now, the embers flickered in her veins, a phantom warmth echoing on her lips. It felt right, deliciously sinful, like savouring stolen fruit under the watchful gaze of the moon.

She should have stopped it before the flames devoured her world, leaving only ashes in their wake. But the fear of Eydis' gaze, an accusation in her brown eyes, chilled her more than any inferno. The thought of being branded a predator, a manipulator, gnawed at her. Yet, the embers of desire refused to be extinguished.

It was…a mistake, wasn't it?

Her treacherous amethyst eyes, drawn by an unseen force, drifted to Eydis' soft lips, lingering a beat too long. Before she could tear her gaze away, Eydis surged forward, devouring her lips in a kiss that tasted of desperation and finality. 

Astra gasped in surprise. Yet, she returned the kiss with equal fervour. The world dissolved into a vortex of dizzying heat, their reflections melting in the searing press of flesh against flesh. They were moths drawn to a flame, moths dancing on the precipice of their own consuming passion.

Fuck!

Her muttered curse only fuelled the brunette's raging desire. With a teasing bite on her lower lips, Astra opened her mouth in response, granting access to Eydis' flaming tongue, a surrender that tasted like betrayal against her own resolve. A moan ripped from Eydis' throat as Astra's own kiss devoured her mouth with desperate hunger. Hands fumbled, gripping silken fabric like a lifeline, anchoring them to this stolen moment.

Since when had her walls crumbled so easily? A single glance, a whisper of touch, and Eydis had breached them with ruthless ease. Now, in this gilded prison, six hours stretched before them, each ticking moment a reminder of the reckoning awaited.

Eydis's hand began to explore, a hum of delight escaping her lips as she traced the hidden lace beneath Astra's neckline. Eydis's nimble finger began to undid the buttons of Astra's blouse, revealing a tantalising collarbone and an intoxicating choker and an amethyst pendant that adorned her neck.

Astra's cheeks burned, caught in the act like a mischievous child, still diligently wearing Eydis's favourite piece of garment in secret. A playful growl escaped her lips, teeth nipping at Eydis's bottom lip in a teasing bite. Eydis moaned, a sweet, intoxicating sound that melted away every lingering restraint in Astra's heart.

She traced a path of kisses down Eydis's neck, each one a whispered promise. She revelled in the frantic dance of her fingertips against the pulse thrumming beneath her touch. But then, a tremor in Eydis' hand halted her movements, amber brown eyes glistening with unshed tears, mirrored the storm brewing in Astra's own heart.

A heavy silence settled between them, punctuated only by the rhythmic thud of the flying beasts' wings. "We need to talk," Astra rasped, her voice a husky whisper barely louder than the beat of her own heart.

"I supposed we do," Eydis breathed. Her hand, usually bold and playful, met Astra's with a hesitant touch, fingers tracing circles on her palm. Her eyes, usually shimmering with mischief, now held a raw honesty that made Astra's breath catch in her throat. "When you're ready," Eydis added, holding the weight of a door waiting to be creaked open.

Astra's lips parted, but the truth she wanted to confess lodged in her throat, a bitter pill impossible to swallow. Not here, not with the ever-present ears of the flying beasts listening to them like silent predators. Not when their destination, fraught with its own dangers, loomed closer with each passing mile.

Eydis's fingers, surprisingly gentle, unwove the braid that had imprisoned Astra's hair. Silken strands cascaded down, mirroring the storm of emotions swirling within her. "Don't disappear again," Eydis pleaded. 

She brought a silken strand to her lips, inhaling the familiar scent of sandalwood, her voice trembling ever so slightly as she spoke, "I know you feel the same, I can…almost taste it." 

Her hand, warm and insistent, tilted Astra's head up, forcing their eyes to meet. Her eyes, usually radiant with fire, now flickered with a desperate vulnerability that mirrored the storm brewing within Astra. "You want me too, don't you?" she pleaded, "Just once, be honest. Please."

Astra's throat constricted, her voice choked by fears. Instead of words, she gently guided Eydis' hand through the opening of her blouse, placing it on the heated skin above her heart, letting the frantic rhythm speak for her. The brunette gasped, the sound raw and intimate, sending a tremor through Astra that had nothing to do with desire. 

Their lips met, not with the raw urgency of before, but with a tender understanding that sent a wave of bittersweet warmth through Astra. It was a promise of honesty, a truce in the storm, a stolen moment of solace before the inevitable reckoning.

Even if it was a mistake, she would do it all over again.


Capítulo 49: Marking You

Natalia peeked into the carriage, and oh my goodness, butterflies erupted in her tummy! Eydis and Astra, who usually clashed like cat and mouse, were curled up together, with their heads resting against each other.

Natalia gently shut the door, her cheeks blooming pinker than Princess Athena's finest roses. She wasn't a silly goose, no sir! Years of devouring love stories and whispering with giggling gossip had honed her "love radar" to a razor's edge. 

Call it a talent, you may. But if anyone asked Natalia if she was surprised to find Eydis and Astra nestled together intimately, she would roll her eyes. The truth, though, was tucked away in a secret corner of her heart, a whisper she'd tried to ignore for ages. It all started back in the library. Astra, all prickly thorns and icy pronouncements, and Eydis, a mischievous whirlwind of teasing, their interactions a dance of sparks, so much sparks!

Most folks, bless their oblivious souls, saw Eydis's teasing as just that – her natural penchant for playful jabs. But Natalia, her dearest friend, knew better. Eydis's flirty words were like the intricate moves in their chess games with Princess Athena – calculated, strategic, and always one step ahead. 

But with Astra, it was different. There was no hidden agenda, no sly smile, just pure, unadulterated joy in their little game of hide-and-seek.

And then there was that incident on the ship! The memory still made Natalia giggle, a blush creeping up her cheeks as she recalled. Eydis, usually composed, had gone all flustered when she asked Natalia to help bathe Astra, flickering between gratitude and a strange, possessive glint. The way she'd fussed over Astra, drying her hair with a tenderness Natalia had never seen before, had heightened her suspicions. Her love radar tingling like... um... metaphor wasn't her strong suit.

But now, with the sight of Eydis and Astra curled up together, their breaths mingling in the quiet carriage, the gears in Natalia's mind clicked into place. The whispered suspicions bloomed into a full-blown garden of understanding, her heart overflowing with joy. This wasn't just a friendship, not quite. So she stood outside of their carriage, guarding this fragile intimacy for a little longer, a secret she vowed to keep.

**

Eydis blinked awake, the rhythmic sway of the carriage still clinging to her limbs. The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and amethyst. She'd spent the entire journey lost in a dreamless sleep, her body involuntarily acknowledging the exhaustion that weighed down both her and Astra.

When she finally lifted her gaze, it collided with Astra's, a gentle amethyst pool filled with affection. The older girl blushed, having caught staring. Eydis traced the curve of Astra's jaw with her nose, smiling as her breath hitched in response.

She wanted to give Astra space, a cold, metallic taste of restraint on her tongue. But the sight of her reserved smile, a single sunflower blooming in a field of frost, ignited a scorching ache in her chest.

A rap on the carriage door, a jarring return to reality. Eikholt. The door swung open, revealing a flustered Natalia, her eyes wide with an emotion Eydis couldn't decipher. Before she could probe further, Astra's hand snaked around her waist, and with a graceful leap, they were stepping onto the cobblestones of Eikholt. Natalia's jaw slackened, a silent witness to the unspoken promise threaded through Astra's fingers.

"My, my," Eydis teased, her voice a silken thread, "If you're planning on sweeping me off my feet, let's start with a dinner that does the trick." 

Astra's cheeks burned, a delicious flush that rivalled the sunset. She cleared her throat, her voice a whisper against the wind. "Anydays, if you want."

Now wasn't this a little too tempting? Eydis thought, amusement dancing in her eyes. 

They stood before the inn, a towering bamboo structure nestled amidst the lush greenery of Eikholt. A symbol of the city's commitment to sustainability, it offered little solace to Eydis. She yearned for sleep, but the thought of lying next to Astra, her warmth a constant reminder of what she couldn't have, yet, felt like a cruel joke.

The wooden door slid open, revealing a space far too small for the storm brewing within Eydis. Two worn tatami mats, the colour of aged honey, nestled against opposite walls, promising refuge and intimacy. Versatile indeed, Eydis thought, a sly smirk tugging at her lips. She blinked, realising her thoughts were practically broadcasting for Astra's ears, a reminder that even Ethereum had its code glitches demanding a touch of wit and charm.

Astra blushed in response, but her amethyst eyes darkened as if entertaining the idea. She swallowed, captivated by the alluring possibility laid out before her. But before she could delve into it, Eydis's hand, drawn by an invisible thread, sought out Astra's wrist. Their fingers brushed, sending a jolt of electricity through her that crackled in the crisp evening air. "I'm sleeping at Natalia's," she rasped, the words rough gravel in her throat.

Astra's eyes, usually cool and unwavering, flared with surprise that quickly morphed into a dangerous glint. "Stay," she commanded, her voice laced with a raw vulnerability that mirrored Eydis's own turmoil.

Staying would be torture, a dance on the edge of a precipice. Eydis knew her resolve was as fragile as a spiderweb in a storm. But pushing Astra further, risking the possibility of losing her entirely, was a fear that chilled her to the bone. So she would wait, until Astra chose to speak. Eydis would respect the space she needed, however agonising it was. 

Eydis nuzzled closer, inhaling the intoxicating blend of precious wood that clung to Astra's skin. As their eyes met, the air crackled with unspoken desire. Amethyst flames flickered in their depths, mirroring the longing that coiled in Eydis' gut. "Sleep well, Lady Astra," she whispered.

But before she could take a step back, Astra's hand snaked around her waist, pulling her flush against the cool bamboo door. Their lips met in a sudden explosion, tongues clashing with the urgency of a breaking dam. 

Eydis gasped, her initial resistance melting away like winter snow under a scorching sun. Her hands tangled in Astra's hair, pulling her closer, as if seeking solace in the heat radiating from her body. The bamboo creaked ominously under their weight, a silent witness to the storm brewing within their hearts.

Astra's fingers, like whispered promises, crept up Eydis's arm, sending shivers cascading down her spine. Each touch was a deliberate brushfire, igniting dormant desires with an intensity that made her breath hitch. The silk of her blouse, once a shield, now felt like a flimsy barrier against the searing heat radiating from Astra.

With the flick of a wrist, Astra undid a button, then another, the pearl rounds clicking against the silk. Her searing tongue followed the slender column of her neck, tracing the curve of her jaw, before nipping playfully at her collarbone. Each lick sent a jolt of electricity through Eydis, her heart hammering a frantic tattoo against her ribs.

Eydis shivered, a moan trembling in her throat as she whispered, "S-stop." But the plea was drowned out by the press of Astra's lips, hot and insistent, sucking and nibbling the creamy expanse of exposed curve below her collarbone. With a gentle bite, she marked her territory, claiming her with a silent growl.

Her lips dipped lower, teasing the edge of Eydis's silken camisole, then plunged, sending a jolt of pleasure through Eydis's core. The brunette arched her back instinctively, a gasp escaping her lips. She clenched her fists, caught between surrender and a rising tide of need. She wanted to push Astra down onto the bed, feel the weight of her body, taste the urgency on her lips. 

Astra lifted her head, a satisfied smile curving her lips. Her gaze lingered on the scarlet marks decorating Eydis's skin, a possessive pride glinting in her eyes. "This will do," she purred, her voice laden with husky intimacy.

Eydis's gaze was molten bronze, burning with an intense hunger. "You are truly..." she drawled, her breath teasingly brushing against Astra's ear, "...such a tease." 

With a flick of her wrist, she brushed a stray strand of hair from Astra's cheek, her velvet tongue following along the curve of her jaw, before plunging into Astra's earlobe. A gasp, a mixture of surprise and pleasure, escaped Astra's lips. Her moans grew louder as Eydis pressed her thigh firmly against Astra's core, savouring the heat seeping through their silken garments. Astra's hips instinctively moved against Eydis's thigh, seeking more of the intoxicating pleasure.

"Consider it's payback," Eydis whispered seductively, before pulling back, a mischievous glint dancing in her amber depths. She couldn't help but smirk at the visible irritation that adorned Astra's expression. "Wearing my nightgown would pose quite the challenge now, wouldn't it?" She purred, her fingers dancing above the possessive marks left on her skin.

Astra traced the redden spots with her darkened violet eyes, still hazy with arousal. The image of Eydis in her flimsy excuse for a nightgown sent a shiver down her spine. She wouldn't let anyone else feast their eyes on such a sight, not for a moment. "You can wear mine," Astra offered with a husky murmur.

A slow, knowing smile curved Eydis's lips, amber eyes smouldering beneath her dark wavy hair. Her hand, a whisper on her skin, caressed her nape, acutely aware of the heat radiating from Astra's aroused gaze. "Marked me, then scented my skin with your clothes," she purred, the words a velvet ribbon trailing down Astra's spine. "Two gifts in one night? My dear Astra, I might just return the favour, and you might not like the wrapping."

Astra swallowed hard, a tremor in her fingers as she rummaged through her bag. The gown she pulled out, high-collared and silken, spoke volumes of her intentions. Eydis, her heart a drum against her ribs, accepted the offering with a playful nod.

"Goodnight, Astra," Eydis spoke softly before slipping out of their room. Any moment longer lingering there would usher in a catastrophe that neither of them could handle.

And Eydis would wait until Astra opened up to her. Her heart, once a fortress guarded by her impeccable firewall, now ached with the reckless desire to trust. To trust Astra, of all people, to be the very one who held the key to her own little secret.

This, she realised, was a first. A crack in the wall, a sliver of moonlight in a pitch-black room, a spark that whispered of vulnerability.

 Of hope.


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