Afterglow

"Haahh," Jade gasped when their lips parted.

She linked her arms through his neck, pulling him closer—chest to chest.

Her thoughts were scattered, her body feverish with desire.

"So, should we go with making our babies now, or should we wait until we get married?"

he asked huskily, his breath warm against her cheek.

Jade looked up at him with passion-drenched eyes.

"W-we can't…" she whispered, though the conviction was weak.

She felt like a moth drawn to a flame—helpless and captivated.

Rameses smirked. He could feel her resolve weakening, sense her walls beginning to crack.

"Oh yes, we can. I'll slowly unravel your secrets, my lady. And your desires… I can feel them leaking from you," he growled, trailing kisses from her cheek to her neck, leaving fire in his wake.

Jade gasped, her body trembling.

Their breath mingled in the dark. Her mind screamed that this was wrong—but everything else ached for more.

"You are my woman. My one and only. Don't ever forget that," he whispered against her skin.

"I've been running from what I feel for you, trying to deny it. But I'm done hiding it now. Goddess or spy, curse or miracle—I don't care anymore. I want you. All of you."

He brushed a kiss against her jaw. "But no matter how much I want you right now… I know you're exhausted. So I'll let you rest."

She groaned, disappointed. He chuckled at her frustration.

"Don't fret, my love. I'll be right here."

He arranged their position so she was cradled beneath him, and gently stroked her back until her breath evened out and sleep claimed her.

Soon after, he too drifted off—dreaming of a future where she held his child, and his world was finally complete.

The sun had long dipped below the horizon by the time Jade stirred again.

The air in her chamber was warm, laced with the scent of lotus blossoms drifting through the open window.

Somewhere in the distance, the Nile whispered against the banks, rhythmic and unbothered—as if the river itself had already forgotten the chaos of the day.

But Jade hadn't.

She lay in bed, the silk sheets tangled around her legs, her thoughts even more tangled than the linen.

Rameses was asleep beside her, one arm draped lazily over her waist, his sharp features softened in rare tranquility.

His tall, proud Egyptian nose, usually so commanding, now rose gently with each breath. Faint stubble shadowed his strong jaw, giving him a rugged edge even in rest.

His thick brows were relaxed, and his long lashes cast faint shadows against his sun-bronzed cheeks.

But it was his lips that held her captive—soft, full, and slightly parted.

Jade's chest tightened as the memory of them pressed to hers the night before resurfaced, stealing the air from her lungs.

The way he had kissed her—fierce, desperate, tender—made her pulse quicken even now.

Heat flooded her face, and she tore her gaze away, scolding herself under her breath.

She hated how perfect he looked when he wasn't speaking.

When he wasn't being an infuriating, arrogant, kiss-stealing Pharaoh who decided that boundaries were apparently a modern invention.

She sighed.

What was she doing?

This wasn't supposed to happen.

She wasn't supposed to fall into the arms of a man—this man—who lived thousands of years before she was even born.

A man who, technically speaking, belonged in a museum. And yet…

His touch still burned on her skin.

His words still echoed in her chest.

"I need you by my side. Please."

Jade carefully slid out from under his arm, trying not to wake him. Her feet touched the cool stone floor, grounding her.

She needed air. She needed space. She needed—

"Going somewhere?"

Jade nearly jumped out of her skin.

Rameses was very much awake, amber eyes trained on her with a sleepy sort of mischief.

"I—uh—I was just going to get some water," she lied poorly.

"Mm." He propped himself up on one elbow, the sheet slipping scandalously low on his hip. "You always sneak out of bed for water at night, or is that your kingdom's custom?"

She glared at him. "You are unbelievable."

He grinned. "And yet, here you are. In my bed."

She grabbed a robe and flung it around herself.

"Temporary insanity."

"You keep saying that," he said, settling back against the pillows.

"But the way you kissed me back says otherwise."

Jade turned toward the window so he wouldn't see the blush rising to her cheeks.

"Don't get used to it," she muttered.

Too late, she thought.

So, so much too late.

Rameses stretched lazily and looked over at her with a teasing smirk.

"If I didn't have to deal with palace affairs today, I'd be starting that baby-making process right now."

Jade nearly tripped over her own feet as she spun to glare at him.

"You're impossible! Why do you have to go to work so late, anyway?"

"Why, you miss me already?" He asked with a smirk.

"As if!" Jade scoffed, crossing her arms.

Rameses chucked, clearly amused.

"And yet you keep falling into my arms," he added, the grin never leaving his face.

"I have some business that requires my attention. I'll be back later tonight."

She groaned and yanked her robe tighter around her, cheeks blazing.

"Go back to sleep, stubborn woman," he chuckled.

"I'll have dinner brought to you. You need to rest more… before I come back and pick up where we left off."

Jade made a sound of protest—but it was weak at best.

She turned away with her face burning, muttering something that might've been a curse… or a prayer.