Lost His Sanity

She had no choice but to move her tongue in response to the prince's demand, a reaction that made her swallow hard—and the more she swallowed, the more she craved him.

Heat spread through her body, her hands instinctively reaching for his shoulders, clutching him tightly as if her fingers could steady her amidst this storm of unfamiliar addictive feelings. 

Her mind scrambled for all the theories she'd learned, yet her body, like it had always known the answers, moved on pure instinct.

Reynand, sensing her surrender, deepened the kiss further, his lips and tongue hot and demanding. Elara's sweet plump lips had him reeling more than any wine he'd drunk that night.

Every stiff movement of her lips only ignited his craving to kiss her deeper. It was like no other kiss he had before. 

It was like a spell had been cast, making him hunger for more than just a kiss… Or perhaps, he never planned on ending the night with just that.

Their soft gasps filled the air, echoing in the room as the intensity between them built. 

Elara had thought a kiss would be just a mere touch of lips. But this... Her first kiss, her first taste of desire, was so overwhelming that she didn't know how to handle it—other than to surrender to it.

Reynand broke the kiss, his breaths heavy, his chest rising and falling as he tried to steady himself. 

Elara still kept her eyes closed, a bit disappointed that the kiss had ended. Her lips parted as she panted, trying to catch her breath. She was amazed at how a kiss could leave her breathless.

Her swollen, trembling lips glistened under the dim glow of the candlelight, and Reynand swallowed hard, the sight of her, undoing him in ways his muscles tensed.

"Do you want me to leave now?" His deep, husky voice cut through the silence, making her eyelids flutter open. 

Her gaze darted nervously to his, like a kitten unwilling to be left behind, vulnerable and yearning.

Her teeth sank into her lower lip, and Reynand's restraint snapped, his muscles tensing as the sight of her undid him more than he cared to admit.

"Because…" he added, his tone dropping lower as he leaned closer, his fingers brushing against her waist, "if I don't leave now… you may get in trouble, wife."

Elara was torn, unsure of what to say. Her eyes met his, a mix of confusion and passion swirling within them.

"If… If you don't leave now, won't it cause you more trouble, Your Grace?" she asked softly, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

Reynand's smirk deepened. "Don't worry about me. What do you want?"

Her hand, still resting on his shoulder, slid up to curl around his neck. "I... I liked the kiss," she murmured, her gaze flickering down, her cheeks flushed a deep red.

Reynand's smile turned sly, knowing the power he held over her. "Like this?" he whispered, his lips grazing hers with a soft, teasing touch. 

He pulled back slightly, only to watch as her lips parted again while her gaze fixed on his lips, her body instinctively leaning closer. 

Taking the moment, he nipped gently at her lower lip. "And like this?" he teased, daring her to want more.

Elara's grip on his neck tightened as her heart raced, her head nodding slowly. She wanted to feel the kiss a little longer, to let the heat of it burn a bit more.

Reynand's grip on her waist tightened as he stroked her back with possessive intensity, his lips trailing fervent kisses along her chin and neck, savoring every inch of her soft skin.

The lingering jasmine fragrance on her skin, mingling with the intoxicating sweetness of her natural scent, shattered his sanity. 

He pressed deeper, his kisses turning into heated licks and bites against her neck, like possessed by her scent alone.

Elara shuddered, overwhelmed by the tingling sensation racing through her, a wave of desire that made her want to push him away, yet her hands betrayed her, pulling him closer instead.

She felt a flush of embarrassment as Prince Reynand's hot tongue traced her neck, the sensation unsettling and foreign. The sting she felt from his bites on her soft skin made her dizzy with delight. 

'Is this allowed? Am I meant to enjoy this? Is this a part of my duty?' Her thoughts spun, clouded by the growing pleasure that buzzed through her veins, making her heart race faster and her breath grow shallow as she waited for his next move.

Reynand pulled her close, his arms wrapping tightly around her as he guided her to the bed. With one hand cradling the back of her head, he gently laid her down, his body hovering above hers as he sought to hold her gaze.

"This is your last chance to push me away. After this, I won't ask again. So, do you want me to stop?"

Elara did not forget that they should not end up on the bed, but…

"Your Grace... I... I do not think I should push you away." 

"Because it's your duty?"

Elara's breath caught in her throat. With Reynand hovering above her, she couldn't tell if this was still her duty… or something she truly wanted. She also wasn't sure if she deserved the prince's affection like this.

"Y–Yes…"

Reynand let out a heavy sigh, frustration flashing in his eyes.

"For the Moon Goddess' sake, Elara, I am freeing you from your duty tonight. I am asking you as the woman I married, not the Marchioness of Ravenswood. Would you still push me away?"

For the past seven days in Ravenswood, Elara had wrestled with what she should and shouldn't do. Living as part of the royal family meant following every rule, every custom.

But if Prince Reynand was offering her freedom from that weight, if she could choose what her heart told her to, even for one night...

Elara gripped the satin fabric of her blanket, and slowly, she shook her head.

A faint, knowing smile curved his lips. "Then, I won't hold back."

With his mind clouded, Reynand couldn't tell if he was still under the influence of the royal wine or if his lust for Elara had taken full control. 

Elara's allure captivated him, igniting a desire he couldn't comprehend. Her innocence and naivety made his heart pound like never before.

It could have been pure lust clouding his drunken mind, but in that moment, seeing her beneath him like that, all he wanted was to embrace her, protect her, and claim her as his own.

His muscles were tight, every fiber of his body taut with need. He wasn't sure if he could stop himself, even if she pushed him away. 

But when Elara shook her head, a wave of relief and raw desire hit him all at once.

With one elbow supporting his weight above Elara, Reynand's fingers traced the delicate fabric of her nightgown, gently slipping it off her shoulders. 

The soft material fell away with slow, graceful ease. His eyes lingered on her exposed skin, and he placed a lingering kiss on her shoulder, trailing down her arm. 

Elara bit her lower lip tightly, closing her eyes as the prince's warm lips caressed her soft skin, sending tingles of pleasure through her.

Reynand's breath grew shallow, his movements deliberate, as he pulled the chemise down just below her right breast. 

The friction of the soft fabric against her nipples sent a jolt through Elara's core. 

He paused, mesmerized by the sight of her. Then, with equal reverence, he repeated the motion on the other side, revealing the full curve of her breasts to his hungry gaze.

The warm breeze of a summer night against her exposed skin sent a thrill through her, and her pulse quickened.

Her breath hitched as the fabric pooled around her waist. Instinctively, she crossed her arms to cover her bare chest, turning her gaze away.

But Prince Reynand's fingers found her chin, firm yet gentle, tilting her head back to meet his intense stare.

"Hold on to my eyes," he commanded with his deep, velvety voice. "Don't turn away from me." The sound brushed against her ears like the softest melody, one she never knew could unravel her so completely.

Elara's heart stuttered as she obeyed, her eyes locking onto his. She blinked nervously, her lips curling inward as if to hold back the storm of emotions swelling in her chest.

Prince Reynand's smile deepened at her reaction, a dark, knowing smirk that made her stomach tighten.

He stood slowly, shrugging off his shirt with practiced ease. The candlelight flickered, catching the hard definition of his muscles, each deliberate movement revealing more of him until there was nothing left but raw, masculine strength. 

When he freed himself completely, her gaze dropped against her will, catching the thick, unyielding length of him. Elara's cheeks flushed, and she swallowed hard, heat pooling low in her belly.

She had studied enough to understand, what she'd just seen was the intimate part of him that would enter her soon to consummate their marriage. 

Yet, what made her pulse quicken wasn't fear but the sheer wonder of him. His bare body was like a divine sculpture, reminiscent of the gods' statues she'd admired at in the temple. 

In that moment, she found herself silently praising the Moon Goddess for blessing her with the sight of such perfection.

Reynand climbed onto the bed with a predatory grace, his hands trailing from her feet to her knees, spreading her legs just enough to settle himself between them. His gaze held hers, a mixture of mischief and control. 

"Why are you hiding yourself like this?" he murmured, carefully uncovering her hands and pinning them gently at her sides. 

His position pressed her gown against his shaft, the friction intensifying the heat in his body, causing his muscles to tense uncontrollably.

Elara bit the inside of her lip, her gaze darting away. Was it right to let herself be this exposed, this vulnerable, even to him? 

But the pulsing ache between her thighs betrayed her hesitation, compelling her to surrender to her body's unspoken plea.

"The Head Maid... she said I... I have small breasts," Elara mumbled, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "She is worried... whether you will like them... or not." 'So do I, I wonder that too!' The thought spun in her mind as her lips curled inward.

Prince Reynand's gaze softened, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. 

He leaned closer, his lips hovering above her nipple, a warm breath teasing her sensitive skin and making Elara squirm.

His lips grazed the soft curve of her breast, his voice low as if speaking directly to her heart. "You should be proud of them," he murmured, his voice low and rough. "Because this…" His smoldering gaze flicked up to hers. "...is what makes the Marquess lose his sanity." 

***