I Lied, I Touched, I Dreamt of Him Again

Chapter Nine

Riven's POV

The council chamber smelled like dust and judgment.

I stood still, straight-backed, my hands behind me like the soldier they trained me to be. Four elders sat before me, their glowing eyes peering through flesh and memory.

"You tracked the rogue?" Elder Cael asked.

"Yes."

"Alone?"

I hesitated. Just for a second.

But a second was enough to birth suspicion.

"Yes," I lied.

"And the vampire Solavar?" Elder Maien's voice cut through the room like ice.

"I didn't see him."

I kept my face blank. My voice flat. My jaw tight.

Because if they knew...

If they even suspected I'd not only seen Lior, but fought beside him, touched him, pinned him to the floor—they'd strip me of my mark. Of my power. Of my place.

Loving a vampire is forbidden.

Lusting after one is worse.

"Very well," Cael said, though his eyes lingered a moment too long. "You may go."

I left without a word.

Outside the chamber, Eira was waiting.

She raised an eyebrow. "You lied."

I didn't respond.

"You reek of him."

I flinched. "I handled the rogue."

"Mm," she said, stepping closer. "But did he handle you?"

My jaw clenched. She smiled, all too knowing.

"He's not just in your dreams anymore, Riven."

I stormed past her. I couldn't take the way she looked at me—like I was already tainted. Maybe I was.

That night, I didn't sleep.

Not until exhaustion dragged me under like a tide.

And there he was. Again.

This time in a silk-draped room, lit by red candles and the sound of thunder outside. Lior sat on the edge of a velvet bed, shirtless, legs spread.

"Couldn't stay away," he whispered.

I walked toward him, but this time, I didn't touch.

I just looked. Watched the way his lips parted. The way his fangs showed with every breath.

He leaned back, arms behind him, muscles flexed.

"You want me."

"I hate you," I whispered, voice trembling.

"You hate what you feel."

He was right.

I dropped to my knees between his legs. My hands slid up his thighs. He hissed softly.

"I want to break you," I said.

"Then do it."

I reached for his belt—

I woke up.

Hard. Sweaty. Breathless.

The dream still clung to me like heat. My hand was already sliding beneath the sheets, aching, desperate. I cursed under my breath but didn't stop.

I needed this.

I closed my eyes again and let my hand move slow.

Lior's voice filled my head.

"You're mine tonight, Riven. Say it."

I gasped, hips rising off the bed.

"You dream about me like a slut," his voice teased. "Even your hand knows you're lying to yourself."

I moaned softly, hand tightening, body coiling.

And when I came—

I whispered his name like a sin.

"Lior..."

And for the first time ever...

I didn't feel guilty.