Bonus chapter. :)
~Lunchtime rolled around~The lovers tried a different restaurant than the day before, savoring the chance to explore somewhere new together. All too soon, the day ended with their return to the hotel.A pang of dread struck Emmeline at the thought of seeing her husband in their suite. To her relief, she found the room empty upon her arrival.Richard didn't appear until much later. He found Emmeline lying on her bed, just as he'd left her earlier.With a dismissive wave of his hand, he instructed her to wake him before dinner time then promptly fell asleep without a word about how he'd spent his day. Not that Emmeline cared in the slightest.At eight o'clock sharp, they went down to the hotel restaurant.Emmeline had taken extra care with her appearance. She donned a short black dress that hugged her curves and flared out at the waist. The long sleeves left just a tantalizing hint of skin exposed.As they approached the table where the others were already gathered, Zavian was the first
Emmeline's heart raced, throwing a disapproving look at Zavian. His reckless request to spend the night at his suite left her flustered. Yet, she couldn't deny the thrill that coursed through her veins.With trembling fingers, she began to compose a response to his daring message. Her cheeks flushed with trepidation and desire."You are a demon, and you will be the cause of my death," Emmeline wrote. Her lips curved into a sly smile despite her dramatic words.The precarious circumstances surrounded them. Even so, she eagerly awaited his reply with a delicious sense of anticipation coiling low in her belly."This devil will drown you in pleasures, but he will not abandon you in the end.” Zavian's response came swiftly.His words ignited a blaze within Emmeline, barely able to stifle a laugh.She was torn between finding his words unbearably romantic or simply proof of her own psychopathic tendencies."We have to use these days to have fun, little girl," he added.Emmeline read his mes
Richard covered himself up and closed his eyes, ready to drift off to sleep.Emmeline finished packing everything she needed into her bag and getting ready without another word."I'm all packed and Richard is about to go to sleep. Should I head to the center now?" She messaged Zavian."I'll be waiting for you at the entrance." Zavian’s reply came quickly. He must have had his phone close by.Emmeline smiled at his message as if he could see her smile."I'll be out soon." She typed out a response, shrugged on her black coat and slung the bag over her shoulder.With that, she made her way to the private wellness center located in the next building. It was just a few minutes' walk away.Despite the late hour, Emmeline spotted Zavian's tall, imposing figure standing sentry at the entrance. A smile tugged at her lips as she approached him. "I'm not late, am I?"Her smile faltered when he fixed her with a stern look. "What did you talk about with Taehyung?"Zavian's features were outwardly
They synchronized, lifting their shirts over their heads in one fluid motion.Emmeline couldn't help stealing glances at his bare torso when the fabric rose. A sight that still took her breath away no matter how many times she saw it. His toned muscles and lightly tanned skin were nicely framed by the open vee of his unzipped pants."I like when you’re obedient for once," Zavian purred in approval at her actions.Emmeline cheeks bright red."My eyes yearn to see your naked body again," Zavian said huskily, roaming his burning eyes over her. "It's been too long since the last time." He slowly licked his lower lip, openly staring at the swell of her breasts above her bra. "If you touched me now, you would feel my erect dick pulsing with excitement."Emmeline avoided meeting his heated gaze. She quickly unbuttoned and unzipped her pants with trembling hands.Her face was flushed an alarming shade. "Have mercy on my shyness, Mr. Blackthorn," she pleaded, unable to withstand his intense sc
Zavian led Emmeline to the side of the building designated for the sauna facilities.He randomly selected one of the private sauna rooms. Its walls were constructed of beautiful cedar wood panels. In front of the entrance were two tiers of wide wooden benches for reclining. The second row was elevated higher than the first."Don't tell me this is your first time in a steam room as well!" Zavian arched an eyebrow quizzically.Emmeline looked up at him with an arrogant expression. "Of course not. I used to frequent relaxation and skin care centers quite often before I was married," she stated matter-of-factly.The mention of her marriage caused Zavian's eyebrows to furrow slightly. However, he brushed off the comment and turned his attention to seriously studying the thermostat controls on the wall. "Can you handle intense heat well?" he asked with obvious concern.Emmeline stepped up directly behind him. Then she stood on her tiptoes to stare at the display screen over his slightly hun
Emmeline placed her hands on Zavian's strong, muscular arms, deciding to make peace with him for the moment. "Okay, I'll believe you," she conceded, not wanting to argue further.Feeling flushed from the intense heat surrounding them, Emmeline quickly changed the subject. "The air is unbearably hot in here." Beads of sweat were already forming on her skin.Zavian reached out and slowly wiped the perspiration from her bare arms with his fingertips in such an intimate, sensual way that it made her melt a little inside."I've got plenty of oxygen. I can give you some if you want!" He said with a sly, mischievous grin.Emmeline glanced over her shoulder at him, taken aback by his suggestive words.His face was mere inches from hers, close enough for her to feel his hot breath on her neck. "How?" she asked curiously, her voice coming out slightly breathless.Zavian raised his hand to gently cup her cheek, turning her face toward his. Then his piercing gaze dropped to her parted lips. "Like
Draeven’s scathing words made Zavian's body go stiff with dread. He knew better than to take Draeven's threats lightly.The fact that the usually rational Aetherion remained unusually quiet instead of retorting Draeven’s taunts meant Zavian was pushing the limits of these powerful entities within him way too far past what was considered safe or rational.It was a miracle he still maintained tenuous control over his own body and mind in these heated moments. That they hadn't simply overpowered him completely to ravish Emmeline and forcibly complete the mate bond as was destined.A deep sense of foreboding washed over Zavian. Even more concerning was that he hadn't felt Zareth’s presence at all since that unsettling slip on Christmas Eve.Zavian quickly shoved those worrying thoughts aside for now and returned his full attention to Emmeline's luscious form stretched out temptingly before him."Do you know you're charming even in just a simple towel? With your heavy-lidded bedroom eyes r
Maybe he's just stressed at work.Seduce him, entertain him. That's what people usually tell a married woman when she complains about being subjected to violence and abuse by her husband. My own family and friends said the same ignorant, victim-blaming bullshit.Their words echo in my head like a constant reminder of how alone I truly am in this nightmare.The brutal truth? I was repeatedly raped and assaulted under my own roof by my husband Richard. And the most ridiculous, infuriating thing I heard when I finally gathered the courage to turn to my family for help and support? "He'll change when he gets older! Boys will be boys!"Their dismissive, enabling attitudes made me feel even more isolated and trapped. It was as if they were complicit in my abuse, choosing to protect a monster rather than their own daughter and sister.Like, what about my wasted life? What about the trauma and suffering I've endured? The sleepless nights, the constant fear, the way my body tenses at the sligh
Draeven’s scathing words made Zavian's body go stiff with dread. He knew better than to take Draeven's threats lightly.The fact that the usually rational Aetherion remained unusually quiet instead of retorting Draeven’s taunts meant Zavian was pushing the limits of these powerful entities within him way too far past what was considered safe or rational.It was a miracle he still maintained tenuous control over his own body and mind in these heated moments. That they hadn't simply overpowered him completely to ravish Emmeline and forcibly complete the mate bond as was destined.A deep sense of foreboding washed over Zavian. Even more concerning was that he hadn't felt Zareth’s presence at all since that unsettling slip on Christmas Eve.Zavian quickly shoved those worrying thoughts aside for now and returned his full attention to Emmeline's luscious form stretched out temptingly before him."Do you know you're charming even in just a simple towel? With your heavy-lidded bedroom eyes r
Emmeline placed her hands on Zavian's strong, muscular arms, deciding to make peace with him for the moment. "Okay, I'll believe you," she conceded, not wanting to argue further.Feeling flushed from the intense heat surrounding them, Emmeline quickly changed the subject. "The air is unbearably hot in here." Beads of sweat were already forming on her skin.Zavian reached out and slowly wiped the perspiration from her bare arms with his fingertips in such an intimate, sensual way that it made her melt a little inside."I've got plenty of oxygen. I can give you some if you want!" He said with a sly, mischievous grin.Emmeline glanced over her shoulder at him, taken aback by his suggestive words.His face was mere inches from hers, close enough for her to feel his hot breath on her neck. "How?" she asked curiously, her voice coming out slightly breathless.Zavian raised his hand to gently cup her cheek, turning her face toward his. Then his piercing gaze dropped to her parted lips. "Like
Zavian led Emmeline to the side of the building designated for the sauna facilities.He randomly selected one of the private sauna rooms. Its walls were constructed of beautiful cedar wood panels. In front of the entrance were two tiers of wide wooden benches for reclining. The second row was elevated higher than the first."Don't tell me this is your first time in a steam room as well!" Zavian arched an eyebrow quizzically.Emmeline looked up at him with an arrogant expression. "Of course not. I used to frequent relaxation and skin care centers quite often before I was married," she stated matter-of-factly.The mention of her marriage caused Zavian's eyebrows to furrow slightly. However, he brushed off the comment and turned his attention to seriously studying the thermostat controls on the wall. "Can you handle intense heat well?" he asked with obvious concern.Emmeline stepped up directly behind him. Then she stood on her tiptoes to stare at the display screen over his slightly hun
They synchronized, lifting their shirts over their heads in one fluid motion.Emmeline couldn't help stealing glances at his bare torso when the fabric rose. A sight that still took her breath away no matter how many times she saw it. His toned muscles and lightly tanned skin were nicely framed by the open vee of his unzipped pants."I like when you’re obedient for once," Zavian purred in approval at her actions.Emmeline cheeks bright red."My eyes yearn to see your naked body again," Zavian said huskily, roaming his burning eyes over her. "It's been too long since the last time." He slowly licked his lower lip, openly staring at the swell of her breasts above her bra. "If you touched me now, you would feel my erect dick pulsing with excitement."Emmeline avoided meeting his heated gaze. She quickly unbuttoned and unzipped her pants with trembling hands.Her face was flushed an alarming shade. "Have mercy on my shyness, Mr. Blackthorn," she pleaded, unable to withstand his intense sc
Richard covered himself up and closed his eyes, ready to drift off to sleep.Emmeline finished packing everything she needed into her bag and getting ready without another word."I'm all packed and Richard is about to go to sleep. Should I head to the center now?" She messaged Zavian."I'll be waiting for you at the entrance." Zavian’s reply came quickly. He must have had his phone close by.Emmeline smiled at his message as if he could see her smile."I'll be out soon." She typed out a response, shrugged on her black coat and slung the bag over her shoulder.With that, she made her way to the private wellness center located in the next building. It was just a few minutes' walk away.Despite the late hour, Emmeline spotted Zavian's tall, imposing figure standing sentry at the entrance. A smile tugged at her lips as she approached him. "I'm not late, am I?"Her smile faltered when he fixed her with a stern look. "What did you talk about with Taehyung?"Zavian's features were outwardly
Emmeline's heart raced, throwing a disapproving look at Zavian. His reckless request to spend the night at his suite left her flustered. Yet, she couldn't deny the thrill that coursed through her veins.With trembling fingers, she began to compose a response to his daring message. Her cheeks flushed with trepidation and desire."You are a demon, and you will be the cause of my death," Emmeline wrote. Her lips curved into a sly smile despite her dramatic words.The precarious circumstances surrounded them. Even so, she eagerly awaited his reply with a delicious sense of anticipation coiling low in her belly."This devil will drown you in pleasures, but he will not abandon you in the end.” Zavian's response came swiftly.His words ignited a blaze within Emmeline, barely able to stifle a laugh.She was torn between finding his words unbearably romantic or simply proof of her own psychopathic tendencies."We have to use these days to have fun, little girl," he added.Emmeline read his mes
~Lunchtime rolled around~The lovers tried a different restaurant than the day before, savoring the chance to explore somewhere new together. All too soon, the day ended with their return to the hotel.A pang of dread struck Emmeline at the thought of seeing her husband in their suite. To her relief, she found the room empty upon her arrival.Richard didn't appear until much later. He found Emmeline lying on her bed, just as he'd left her earlier.With a dismissive wave of his hand, he instructed her to wake him before dinner time then promptly fell asleep without a word about how he'd spent his day. Not that Emmeline cared in the slightest.At eight o'clock sharp, they went down to the hotel restaurant.Emmeline had taken extra care with her appearance. She donned a short black dress that hugged her curves and flared out at the waist. The long sleeves left just a tantalizing hint of skin exposed.As they approached the table where the others were already gathered, Zavian was the first
The two simply stood there for several endless moments, trading secret smiles and losing themselves in the depths of each other's eyes. It was Zavian who finally broke the spell, giving a curt nod toward the half-finished snowman standing silent vigil nearby."You appear to have forgotten one rather crucial detail," he murmured with the barest hint of a smirk lurking at the corners of his mouth.Emmeline blinked, momentarily thrown by the abrupt shift in conversation before realization bloomed. Twisting in his embrace, she cast an appraising look over their snow creation and her eyes morphed comically when she registered the distinct lack of anything resembling a nose."Oh, you poor thing! How could I have overlooked something so vital?"Digging into the pocket of her heavy coat, she produced a plump, bright orange carrot with a triumphant flourish. Carefully, she maneuvered the makeshift nose into place right in the center of the snowman's face, smiling with immense satisfaction as sh
The raw vulnerability in Zavian’s confession left Emmeline breathless.She swallowed hard, searching for words amid the whirlwind of emotions threatening to consume her whole.Zavian lifted her chin with his fingertip and held her gaze again in an uncompromising snare. "You are one of the warmest, most caring souls I've ever encountered in my long, miserable life. The fact that you've even deigned to bestow a modicum of affection on a cold-hearted jerk like me is a miracle."Emmeline's fingers curled around his wrists and made a half-hearted attempt to dislodge his grip. But Zavian was utterly unmoving."You would make an incredible mother - quite possibly the most loving, attentive parent a child could ever hope for. It won't be difficult in the slightest for you to nurture and cherish a baby. You were well made for it, little girl."Emmeline's arms fell limply to her sides, all the fight draining from her in a rush as she sagged forward with a dejected sigh. "Then why won't you even