Chapter 25: Unraveling Temptation

The journey to the nearest town took longer than expected—an entire day and night of constant movement through the dense forests and uneven terrain. The further they traveled, the more Xyphor found himself struggling against an unseen force—an alluring scent that clung to Melinoe like a forbidden spell, wrapping around his senses and pulling him into dangerous territory.

From the moment she had held him close, pressing his transformed snake form against her delicate skin, he had been exposed to her intoxicating presence. Now, as he walked beside her in his human form, the sweet, unidentifiable fragrance continued to invade his mind, his body reacting in ways he had never experienced before.

Xyphor prided himself on control—calculated in business, unreadable in deception, and lethal in combat. And yet, with each step forward, that very control frayed. The heat building inside him made it nearly unbearable to keep a calm facade. Every shift of Melinoe's body, every stray tendril of her hair brushing against her skin, every slight inhale she took was a siren's call to his instincts.

He clenched his fists, forcing his breathing to remain steady. He refused to let this weakness show, especially in front of her.

By the time they arrived at the bustling town, he had reached his limit.

"We're staying here," he announced abruptly, leading her toward a well-kept inn nestled between merchant stalls and a stone-paved square.

Melinoe barely had time to protest before he tossed a pouch of gold at the innkeeper. "Two rooms."

The innkeeper handed over the keys, glancing between them with an amused smirk as if suspecting something else entirely, but Xyphor ignored it.

He turned to Melinoe. "Rest. We'll talk later."

Before she could respond, he strode away, disappearing into his assigned room and locking the door behind him.

Xyphor's chest rose and fell with harsh breaths. The scent—her scent—was still on him, on his clothes, in his lungs. He pressed his palm against his forehead, willing himself to think logically, but the moment he shut his eyes, all he could see was her.

The way she held him against her soft curves, the feeling of warmth enveloping him, the way her lips had parted slightly when she spoke.

"Damn it."

He yanked open his tunic, his pale fingers trembling ever so slightly as they traced over his skin. He was hard—achingly so. The painful strain pressed against the fabric of his robes, and the pressure only grew the longer he resisted.

Xyphor cursed under his breath. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not to him. He had never desired anyone before—not with this intensity, not to the point of losing himself. But Melinoe…

She was different.

With a sharp inhale, he slid his hand lower, palming himself through the cloth, his breath catching at the sheer relief of touch. He gritted his teeth as he imagined her fingers instead—hesitant, curious, tracing his flushed skin, feeling him twitch beneath her warmth.

He groaned as his hips bucked into his grip, his mind conjuring the impossible: Melinoe whispering his name in that soft, breathy voice, her body arching, yielding.

His release hit him harder than expected, his vision blurring as his body shuddered from the force of it. He pressed his forehead against the wall, panting heavily, shame and disbelief creeping into his thoughts.

What had she done to him?

Xyphor exhaled sharply, composing himself. He cleaned up quickly, not allowing himself to linger in the aftermath. He couldn't afford to. Not when she was waiting for him.

–––––––––––––––

When he arrived at the dining hall, Melinoe was already seated, eyeing the plates of food before her with a contemplative expression. She looked up as he approached, her eyes bright with curiosity.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," she noted, tilting her head.

Xyphor resisted the urge to adjust his collar.

"Long day," he replied, seating himself across from her.

She hummed in response before picking up her chopsticks. "So, what's the plan?"

Xyphor steadied himself, focusing on the conversation rather than the residual heat in his veins. "First, we gather information. You said you were taken here by a "magician"? I think it was a black witch."

Melinoe nodded. "I don't know why or how, but he transported me from Nyxpanther's mansion. Do you know anyone named Nyxpanther Draeven or Havvaris Snowfang?"

Xyphor nearly choked on his drink. He forced himself to swallow calmly, feigning ignorance.

"I'm afraid I don't," he lied smoothly. "I'm not familiar with those names."

Melinoe sighed, leaning back. "I was hoping you'd know something."

Xyphor tapped his fingers against the table. He couldn't let her know the truth—not yet. If she discovered she was on an entirely different continent, the panic alone would make her reckless.

For now, he would play the part of an ordinary merchant.

"I'll help you find your way back," he promised. "But first, we survive."

Melinoe met his gaze, a flicker of trust shining through her eyes.

Xyphor wasn't sure why, but the sight of it made his chest tighten.

And for the first time in his life, he wasn't sure if he was deceiving her… or himself.