Bonds Beyond the Bed r18

Chapter 22 : Bonds Beyond the Bed

Raven and Seraphine sit together on the plush sofa, the silence between them strangely comforting.

The elegant room seemed warmer with their presence, but a shadow of worry lingered in Seraphine's golden eyes.

"I should check on my sister," Seraphine said softly, her gaze dropping to her hands, fingers fidgeting with a strand of crimson hair. Despite the calmness in her voice, the concern was evident.

Raven's black eyes studied her face, catching the tension etched into her features. His expression tightened, but he gave a slight nod. "I'll go with you," he replied, his tone gentle but firm. He understood why she needed to check on her sister, and the last thing he wanted was for her to face him alone.

Seraphine glanced at him, surprise flickering in her gaze before it softened into something more grateful. "Alright," she whispered, her lips curving into a small smile.

They rose from the sofa and made their way toward the stairs, their footsteps quiet but steady.

As they ascended, Raven couldn't help but notice the determination in Seraphine's posture. Despite everything, she remained resilient.

They stopped outside a door, the intricate patterns on it contrasting with the simplicity of their intentions.

Seraphine hesitated for a moment before gently knocking. Her knuckles rapped against the polished wood, the sound echoing down the silent hallway.

"Sister," Seraphine called softly, her voice laced with warmth and concern. "I want to talk to you. Can you come outside?"

She waited, her golden eyes fixed on the door, her fingers unconsciously clenching at her sides. Raven stood beside her, his presence a silent reassurance.

___

Inside the Room

The room was dimly lit, the air thick with a mix of passion and tension. Aurelia and Grim were entangled on the bed, their bodies moving in a rhythm that spoke of both desire and dominance.

Grim lay beneath her, his white hair stark against the dark sheets, his black eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.

Aurelia, perched above him, rode him with a determination that belied the exhaustion creeping into her limbs. Her golden eyes glimmered with a mix of emotions—pleasure, pain, and something that tied her to him in ways she couldn't fully understand.

Her hands pressed firmly against his broad chest, her fingers splayed over the hard planes of his muscles.

Grim's abs tightened with every movement, his body a testament to his strength. Yet, for Aurelia, this was not just about his power—it was about her own. She moved with purpose, her hips rolling in a way that made it clear she was in control, even as his presence loomed over her like a shadow. Her body bore the marks of their passion—love bites scattered across her skin, her breasts swollen and sensitive, her nipples a delicate pink from his attention. Her curves, so perfectly shaped, moved with a grace that was both mesmerizing and intoxicating.

The sound of skin meeting skin echoed in the room, Aurelia ass smacking against him with each thrust. His size was almost overwhelming, each movement feeling as though it might break her apart from the inside. Yet, she took it all, her stomach occasionally showing the faint outline of him as he filled her completely. Despite the fatigue settling into her muscles, she continued, driven by a need to please him, to see that flicker of satisfaction in his dark eyes.

Just as the rhythm between them reached its peak, a knock at the door shattered the moment.

"Sister, I want to talk to you. Can you come outside?" The voice was soft, laced with concern, and unmistakably Seraphine's. Aurelia froze for a moment, her body stilling as she processed the interruption. She glanced down at Grim, his expression unreadable but his grip on her hips tightening slightly, as if to remind her of where her focus should be.

"Wait, I will come outside. Wait downstairs," Aurelia managed to reply, her voice barely above a whisper, strained and weak. She looked back at Grim, her golden eyes meeting his black ones, and without a word, she increased her pace. Her movements became more urgent, her body slamming against his with a force that left her breathless. She knew better than to leave him unsatisfied, and the thought of it drove her forward, even as her muscles screamed in protest.

When Grim finally reached his release, spilling inside her, Aurelia's strength gave out entirely. She collapsed onto his chest, her body trembling as she tried to catch her breath. For a moment, they lay there in silence, the only sound the rapid beating of their hearts.

Then, slowly, Aurelia lifted her head and looked at Grim. Without a word, she leaned in, capturing his lips in a deep, lingering kiss that spoke of more than just physical desire. When she finally pulled away, she forced herself to sit up, her body protesting every movement.

Grim's hand shot out, grabbing her wrist before she could fully rise. "We're not done yet," he said, his voice low and commanding, his black eyes boring into hers.

Aurelia met his gaze, her own eyes softening as she gently placed her hand over his. "I'm hungry," she said, her voice steady despite the exhaustion weighing her down. "Let me eat something first, and I'll make you something to eat. Then we'll continue."

For a moment, Grim simply stared at her, his expression cold and unreadable. Then, reluctantly, he released her wrist.

Aurelia offered Grim a small smile before slipping off the bed and heading toward the bathroom. As she stood under the shower, the water cascading over her skin, she could still feel the evidence of their passion dripping from her body. She washed quickly, her mind already racing with thoughts of what awaited her downstairs.

Once clean, she dressed in a full-length light dress, the fabric soft against her skin. It was loose enough to hide most of the love bites that marked her body, though the ones on her neck were impossible to conceal.

Aurelia glanced at herself in the mirror, her golden eyes reflecting a mix of emotions—anticipation, worry, and a lingering satisfaction. Taking a deep breath, she left the bathroom, her gaze lingering on Grim for a moment before she spoke.

"You should take a bath too," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "Come downstairs when you're done." Without waiting for a response, she turned and left the room, her steps steady despite the lingering ache in her body.

Aurelia descended the stairs, her steps slow and deliberate as she tried to steady her breathing. The lingering ache between her legs was a reminder of what had just transpired, but she pushed the thought aside, forcing herself to focus. Her sister was waiting, and she couldn't afford to let her worry deepen.

The grand staircase spiraled downwards, its polished mahogany railings gleaming softly under the golden morning light streaming through the tall, ornate windows. The air held a faint hint of lavender and something richer—perhaps the remnants of last night's dinner.

As she reached the bottom of the staircase, Aurelia's eyes landed on Seraphine sitting in the hall, her crimson hair glowing like fire under the gentle glow of the flickering flames from the ornate fireplace.

The room was elegantly decorated, with plush velvet sofas, intricate rugs, and paintings that whispered of wealth and prestige. Raven stood a few steps behind Seraphine, his posture relaxed yet alert, his black eyes sharp and observant.

Seraphine's head snapped up at the sound of Aurelia's footsteps, her golden eyes widening slightly as they took in her sister's appearance. Relief mixed with concern flickered across her expression.

"Sister," Seraphine said, standing up from the sofa so quickly that it nearly toppled over. Her voice trembled slightly, a mix of worry and something else—something like pain. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her lips quivered as she continued, "I've been so worried about you. You've… never been like this."

Aurelia's smile was thin, meant to be reassuring but lacking true warmth. "I'm fine, Seraphine," she replied, her voice composed despite the exhaustion clinging to her like a shadow. "I've just been… preoccupied. There's a lot on my mind."

Seraphine stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Aurelia in a tight embrace. "Who was he? Can you tell me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her tears slipping free as she clung to her sister.

Aurelia's chest tightened at the question, knowing Seraphine's concern came from a place of genuine love. Her hesitation lasted only a moment before she forced a soft smile.

"He's my boyfriend. I'll introduce you to him later," Aurelia replied gently, her words soothing the turmoil in her sister's gaze. "I'm really fine, Seraphine. Just… tired and hungry."

Seraphine's expression shifted instantly. "I made breakfast for you. Come, sit," she urged, guiding Aurelia towards the dining table with a tenderness that almost made Aurelia's eyes sting.

Aurelia allowed herself to be seated, the plush dining chair cool against her skin. The table was set beautifully with freshly made dishes—golden toast, fluffy scrambled eggs, vibrant fruits, and a steaming pot of herbal tea.

Seraphine hovered anxiously as Aurelia began to eat, her golden eyes glowing faintly as she activated her ability.

What Seraphine saw using her ability made her breath catch. Aurelia was barely hanging on. Her strength was almost completely drained, her stamina pushed to its very limits. Even sitting upright seemed to be an effort.

"Sister," Seraphine said, her voice shaky with worry. "You should rest after eating. Come to my room and lie down for a while."

Aurelia shook her head gently. "It's alright, Seraphine. I can rest in my own room. You don't need to trouble yourself," she replied with a reassuring smile, though her exhaustion was apparent.

Seraphine hesitated, her gaze filled with worry, but eventually nodded. "Alright… but please, rest properly."

As Aurelia continued to eat, slowly regaining her strength, her gaze shifted to Raven, who stood silently nearby, his presence both calm and unsettling. A curious glint appeared in Aurelia's eyes as she finally addressed him.

"Why don't you introduce yourself, young man?" Aurelia said aloud, her voice carrying a refined authority. Her gaze narrowed slightly, her words laced with suspicion. "You were with my sister this morning too, weren't you?"

Raven's expression remained composed, but he dipped his head politely. "Nice to meet you. I am Raven Cross, sister-in-law. And I am Seraphine's friend," he said with a slight bow, his tone respectful.

Aurelia's eyes widened, confusion momentarily clouding her features before understanding dawned on her. The white hair, the black eyes—he was Grim's brother. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she realized he had called her 'sister-in-law' and likely noticed the love bites on her neck. She lifted a hand to cover them, feeling a touch of embarrassment.

"Oh, sorry," Aurelia said with a warm, though somewhat shy, smile. "Nice to meet you, Raven. I am Aurelia Ashfall. Apologies for meeting you in such a… disheveled state."

"It's no problem," Raven replied with a slight, almost knowing smile. "It's my brother's fault, not yours."

Aurelia blinked, her smile softening. So he's aware of Grim's… possessive nature. Maybe he even understands what it's like to be under Grim's shadow. A sudden thought struck her, and she spoke with a deliberate kindness.

"You are my boyfriend's brother. If you ever need anything, you can come to me. You are always welcome here," she offered, her tone genuinely welcoming. After all, if she wanted Grim, it was wise to also form good relations with his family.

But before she could say more, the air in the hall grew cold, an oppressive darkness thickening the atmosphere.

Aurelia's breath hitched as Grim entered the room. He wore only his white pants, his impressive, muscular physique on display. Countless scars etched across his skin like battle-worn memories, but what stood out more were the fresh love bites littering his chest and neck.

His white hair was still damp, droplets of water clinging to his strands, and his black eyes held a dangerous gleam as he regarded them. Without a word, he took a seat beside Aurelia at the dining table.

"Where's my breakfast?" Grim demanded, his voice deep and commanding.

Before Aurelia could respond, Seraphine quickly handed him a plate, her hands trembling slightly under his harsh gaze.

Seraphine tried to meet Grim eyes but faltered, her head bowing in submission.

Grim's attention shifted to Raven. "Why are you here?" he asked, his tone colder than ice.

Raven stiffened but replied sharply, "Do I have to report everything to you?" He immediately realized his mistake "I am not at home", his eyes widening with panic. "I-I'm sorry. I answered without thinking. I came because Seraphine needed my help this morning."

Grim's gaze remained fixed on Raven, the weight of his presence enough to crush lesser men. "Who are you to her?"

"I'm her friend. She was troubled, so I came to check on her," Raven answered hastily.

The air eased slightly, but Grim's presence remained formidable. "Tell mother we're moving. Apartment 102, next door. Keys and cards are there. Take only the essentials—clothes, valuables. This applies to you and Lyra as well."

Raven blinked in surprise but nodded. "Alright. I'll go inform her."

Grim's gaze darkened further. "And tell housekeeping to clean the apartment first. We'll move by midnight. The room's still wet… thanks to someone."

Aurelia's cheeks flushed red, and she hid her face in her hands, mortified by the implication.

Raven quickly nodded and left, the tension still clinging to the air like a dark fog.