Wayfinding | Aaravos x Reader |

CHAPTER 44

"Aye, indeed. I will," you countered, gulping down the apprehension that fizzed in your throat. Determined to put your heart at ease, you thought to address the elephant in the room. However, before you could fully shift to see your betrothed or say anything, the Lord pressed - what felt like - his staff against your back. It forced you to remain forward-facing. Imagining the act was simply accidental, you tried again. But you were disappointed with the same response. "Is . . . everything alright?"

Despite the patent dread that laced your words, the High Mage brought his lips to the shell of your ear, and whispered, "Get undressed."

"Excuse me?!" You snapped, unconsciously turning towards the male. But with his staff, he straightened you once more.

"Just . . . get undressed. Your obedience will be rewarded. I promise."

For the second time that day, your world was spinning off of its axis. First from the news you received. And now, from the audacious changes in your fiance. Perhaps content was the right emotion to feel at that moment. But you experienced nothing of that sort. Happiness, and even relief, felt inappropriate. Regardless though, there was this slaking warmth in your loin. And your betrothed was waiting - eager and bare beneath thin white linen.

So, heedless to your weeping intuition, you unraveled yourself. As each garment was loosened from your figure, hesitation remained unwavering, tying cruel little knots in your belly. You were glad, in one part, that you didn't have to see Viren's face. You knew your cheeks, already heavy with rouge, could not bear such whetting abasement. "What now?" You asked breathlessly, never daring to look back.

"You're not quite done."

The lump in your throat grew discernible. Your bloomers were still on. If that came off too, your entire body - every curve, crevice, nook, and cranny - would be uncovered, sweltering under the man's scrutiny. There was still time to pull out the white flag, call it a night, and not face any consequences. You'd just have to concoct a reason as to why you didn't want to be intimate with him that evening.

But the truth was, you hadn't been touched in years. And you had never been unclothed in front of your betrothed before. So the Lord's plot - whatever it was - was actually tempting. Thus, succumbing to the hedonistic voice in your head, you removed the last of your attire.

"Good." The noble muttered while unbearably near. His breath was hot against your flesh. "You can turn around now."

Suddenly, you grew aware of how prominent you were under the probing lights of the chamber. It, as well as your dignity, encouraged you to conceal as much of yourself as you could with your limbs. When you finally turned to face the High Mage, your embarrassment convinced you that that was not enough. As such, prior to the male giving out his next command, you buried your face into his chest, obscuring yourself with his body.

His gravelly laugh met you, and your anxious tremble met him.

You wanted to say something - anything - to break the stillness that spaded into every pore that littered your scalp. But the noble beat you to it by planting firm and reassuring kisses from your head to your cheek. As though to uncoil the tension that plagued your tendons, he also dipped into the nape of your neck and mouthed you. Each and every fiber there was caressed by the bristly hairs of his beard.

"Viren-" You croaked, in an attempt to stop the man - the man that you were certain you hated. But the mortifying sigh that escaped you was strange and unfamiliar. It told you otherwise, and convinced you to accept the lips that greeted yours as you were backed up towards the bed.

"Sit down," the High Mage mumbled against your mouth, causing you to notice the distinction between his feathery lips and the unkind - and rather rough - kisses he gifted you. While you settled yourself onto the wooden bed-frame, the male set aside his staff and somehow came undone.