Desire
3 0
“ Charles, the pints are ready.” Robert tells his son, placing the bags of blood into a wooden crate.
“Great. Emmett will want them delivered tomorrow morning. I shall take them down myself at dawn.”
Robert nods, sealing the crate top with a lock. “This should satisfy him for another couple of weeks, and you can get your enchantment replenished.”
Charles grins slyly at his father. “How many pints did you end up collecting?” he asks his father.
“Fifteen.”
Charles’ grin widens. “That is three more than last month. I think Emmett will be more than pleased.”
“Just make sure, as always, nobody sees you delivering this. The last thing we need is someone finding out and word spreading. This stays between us,” Robert warns him.
A soft scoff escapes Charles’ throat. “Of course I won’t father, I’m not an imbecile.”
Robert looks at him, raising an eyebrow. “And I’d never call you one, son.”
“I know I can’t be seen, father. If anyone finds out, you’ll be withdrawn as leader, and this will all be for nothing.”
Charles flops himself down in a chair in Robert’s study. His father sits opposite him, olive eyes dazzling in amusement .
Hands fiddling in Charles’ lap, he thinks everything over. “Do you ever question what Emmett is doing with these pints?”
“What?” Robert looks at him squarely for a moment while shuffling through papers. “I don’t usually question the work of other Marked kinds unless it’s a danger to our own.”
“So, you’re fine with him selling off Seraphim blood to whoever is needing it?”
Robert’s teeth grind as he considers his son. “I don’t wish to insert myself into Elemental and Spellcaster business. Yes, this might be considered illegal, and dangerous, but it’s also going to help you, Charles, and that’s what I care about most of all.”
Charles’ tongue dampens his lips before leaning his elbows on the desk between them. Robert watches him closely. “I just hope this is all worth it.”
“It is. As long as we keep this up, then you’ll become the next leader. Emmett has made sure that as long as he keeps replenishing your enchantment, then you will remain a strong fighter. You’re one of the best now with all of your training and heightened abilities.”
Charles scoffs, “But not the best. I don’t know how Kora is so skilled. She’s a girl.” He spits out sourly.
“Don’t worry, Charles, you’ll be beating her in no time. Once the Elders see that you’re our top fighter and betrothed to a respectful girl, then they will have no reason not to select you.”
He bites his bottom lip.
“Have you thought about who you’re going to court? You will have to choose a girl by the end of the season.”
Charles shakes his head, “Not yet, father. Are you sure wedding someone is necessary for me to be chosen?”
“I wedded before I became leader, as did my father and his. It’s customary.”
Charles groans softly, “Fine. I’ll do it.”
* ? * ? *
“Do you mind if we stop at my manor first so that I can change out of this filthy dress?” Kora asks quietly.
Sitting side by side in one of the Ascendancy carriages, the leather bench seat smells of lavender soap. Curtains drawn back, Jordan peers out onto the busy street.
Kora looks down at the misshapen holes and deep stains ruining her dress, knowing very well that it’s beyond repair and will need to be tossed away now. Her skin that the essence burnt has now healed thankfully.
“Yes. I think that would be wise. My mother will ask too many questions otherwise, and I’m not sure she’ll want to know the answers to them.”
“Thank you again for doing this,” Kora says to him sweetly. Her fingertips poking through the rips and tears of the fabric.
Jordan glances sideways at her and grins pleasantly. “Of course I’m going to help you. No doubt my parents will want to, as well.”
She returns his grin. Her mind is so mystified and inundated with the amount of overwhelming information she’s still processing from the past few days, but somehow, she’s able to push that aside for a moment. It’s as if in Jordan’s presence she feels entirely safe and comfortable. Unrestricted and freer. Like she can finally suck in a breath deep enough to soothe her tension and think clearly. He’s beginning to do something to her that nobody else seems to have the ability to do. Something that makes her insides tingle and heat. Something that both ignites her blood and calms her nerves simultaneously. Her chest flushes and warms whenever he gives her one of his dimpled grins.
Those damn dimples .
The carriage rolls to a gentle halt out the front of the Hamilton Manor. Velvety dusk light of pinks and oranges hides the cracking stone pillars and splintering windowsills from view. It is still a lovely manor in her eyes, only she and Clarence don’t have enough time to upkeep its appearance like the other homes neighbouring theirs. Kora tries to keep the garden tidy and pruned during the blooming season at the very least. Tessa adored her garden. She loved every plant, chose every flower in here, so it’s the least Kora can do for her mother.
Jordan opens the well-oiled door of the coach, jumping down to land in the gravel road before holding out a hand for her. Kora’s fingers wrap around his, feeling his warm skin on hers again, jolting her back to life as he guides her out.
“Shall I wait here for you?” he asks politely, not wanting to make her uncomfortable in any way.
She feels her cheeks flushing at his question. “I shall require some help. If you don’t mind, that is?”
Jordan hesitates for a fleeting moment, working his throat, before agreeing. “Of course.” He looks to the coach driver who is sitting in his seat awaiting their command. “Stay here. We will be only a few minutes.”
The driver nods, tilting his brown bowler cap while whistling casually to himself.
Touching the small of her back, Jordan guides her towards the entrance of her manor. The lowering sun gilds every surface in a soft glow. Stars are peeking out through the scattered clouds, twinkling gently above like tiny glimmering diamonds.
Reaching the dark painted door, Kora pushes the stubborn thing open. It reluctantly swings on rusted, whining hinges.
A bout of cold air instantly hits Jordan. The emptiness of the manor is unnerving and foreign to him. It’s cold, and dim, and creaky.
“My quarters are upstairs.” Kora says lowly, pointing towards the dark-stained staircase jutting out from the wall dividing them from the parlour. A small pendant hangs above the entryway, burning faintly against the shadows of the house.
“Lead the way.” Jordan says without peering down at her .
He follows Kora up the creaky timber staircase. The intricate banister is wobbly and unsupportive. The entire house is eerily quiet. He hates how quiet it is. His family’s manor is always busy with staff and people wandering about. He’d despise living alone like this in a massive manor.
Old Victorian wallpaper of birds and dark flowers cover the walls but have started peeling around the edges. Old oil paintings hang in small wooden frames. Jordan stops at one of Clarence and Kora as children, sitting together in an overstuffed pea green chair. Clarence looks down at Kora like she’s sunlight.
That’s how Jordan’s beginning to see her as well. Kora is sunlight, a brightness illuminating him. He’s by no means depressed or unloved, but he has always felt a dimness in his life. Keeping to himself and not sharing his private feelings with anyone else, he feels as though Kora is pulling him out of the depths of that dark water and dousing him in her light.
He’s never felt this way about another girl, no matter how many have longed for his attention and touch. He never once considered inviting any girl to dinner with his family. Never once offered to dance with them or help them undress in their quarters.
Jordan swallows loudly, thinking about that last one and what he’s going to need to do in the next few minutes. Wondering if he’ll be able to control himself like a proper male should.
The door to her quarters opens and Jordan trails in behind her, taking in the sight of her room in one slow sweep. A simple four-poster bed sits in the centre, which looks quite bare. Only two pillows are fluffed on top, with the white covers neatly tucked in at the sides. All of her garments are hanging up in the wooden robe to one side and a paper screen covering where she changes for privacy is angled into the corner. Her wash chambers are off to the other side-a small room with a simple porcelain basin and tub.
The only decorations filling the room is the shelf of books that occupy the deep green wall behind her bed, a tall silver framed mirror and a painting of her with her parents. Kora appears to be three years old in the picture.
Kora notices him studying her quarters. She’s only ever allowed Clarence and Daisy to step foot in her room before. This is scandalous, but invigorating, nonetheless. “I shall quickly find something to change into then.” Breaking their silence.
Walking briskly over to her wardrobe, she opens the doors to all of her garments hanging neatly in their spots. Kora begins sifting through all of her dresses, trying to choose her best option.
Jordan glimpses the few colourful blouses, gowns, skirts and coats she has hanging up inside. The couple of pairs of shoes that line the bottom shelf.
Kora pulls out a shiny red dress the colour of cherries she hasn’t worn in a while. It was rather expensive, and she deems it lovely enough to wear to a dinner. Kora pulls it off the metal rod when she hears Jordan clearing his throat behind her. “Green suits you better.” His words are a little stiff with nerves.
She peers back at him over her shoulder. Her hazel eyes gleaming at his, even though the room is fairly dim with only the faint oil lamps illuminating the space.
“You’re right.” Her soft voice lets out. Placing the red one back, she takes a light sage green one from the hanger and gives a small sniff of amusement. “You may have better fashion sense than Matthew, and that is saying something. That man knows how to dress well.”
Jordan thinks back to the numerous outrageous outfits Matthew has dressed in, yet he always seems to pull them off perfectly.
“I will need to change now.” Warning him as she turns to see his gaze solely focused on her.
“Oh, certainly.” And he spins around, facing the door to give her the privacy she deserves.
Moving to the other side of the screen, Jordan listens to the rustling of material being removed, and the clatter of shoes hitting the timber flooring .
Staring at the wall in front of him, Jordan can only imagine what she’s peeling off her behind the thin screen dividing them. How she’s undressing and slowly exposing herself. He curses internally, reminding himself that she’s his friend . Not his fiancé or wife. He shouldn’t be thinking those things about her. It’s too improper.
“Would you mind helping with my corset now?” her voice cutting through his thoughts.
Jordan turns around slowly, preparing himself to see her fairly bare. At no time in his life has he seen any girl partially undressed before, let alone fully bare. Fabrics of all sorts lie on the timber floor around her. Kora is standing still with her corset tight in place, her silk chemise underneath covering her chest down to her mid-thigh.
Jordan clears his throat, his feet feeling as though his shoes are glued to the floor.
“If you could undo the buttons, please.” She adds quietly, her throat working as she stares back at him. Flared green-brown eyes shimmer, waiting for him to move so she can relax. The skin of her cheeks pink below the freckles that dot her pale face. Her lightly coloured lips are thick and enticing.
He blinks at her, his mind wrapping around her words and as she stands in front of him in only her undergarments. His pulse leaps as heat rushes down his body, pooling below his stomach.
Without another word, Jordan’s able to un-stick his feet and walk towards her numbly. Ignoring the fact that he tramples over her garments tossed onto the floor, he closes the distance between them. He can now see how small she really is, the corset hugging her waist, pushing up her chest.
Jordan shakes his head, not allowing his gaze to fall from her eyes. She asked him to help her change, not eye rake her like a scoundrel.
Coming to stand behind her, Jordan sees the multitude of tiny ivory buttons fastened along her spine. There has to be at least fifty of them. All looped together with strings to keep her corset tight .
He steadies his fingers, which seem too shaky for the job. Plucking the first one, it pops open, revealing the smallest amount of silk beneath. One by one, he continues down her spine, watching the corset slowly peel open like an envelope.
Kora’s breathing deepens as her lungs have more room to breathe now that they aren’t as restricted, but also from the fact that his touch on her skin is electrifying. It’s like tiny pin prickles of vivacity jolting her senses awake. With each graze, she fights herself from flinching in delight.
“I should not be doing this.” Jordan’s voice is quiet yet steady. His breath grazing the skin of her back, raising it into gooseflesh.
Her head rotates so that he can see half of her face. Blush creeps down her neck as he continues unbuttoning her. Jordan is aware that he should stop, but he can’t bring himself to.
“You can stop if you like.” Offering him the chance to run away before he loses control of himself.
He plucks another button gently in response. “No.”
His finger reaches out, grazing the raised skin of her spine, and she shivers under his silky touch. Her musky jasmine scent filling his nose sweetly and enticing him just as much as the corset. His mind wanders to what she’d looked like with nothing covering her skin. Bare and on display for only his eyes. Blood drains away from his mind and he shakes his head, making himself focus.
Another button.
And another.
Then another.
They pop open each time like they’re revealing more hidden secrets beneath. The more skin that’s being exposed to him, the faster his pulse races in his veins like the gushing water of river rapids.
His fingers continue to release those tiny ivory buttons until none are left fastened down her spine.
Pulling lightly on the ribbon binding the two halves together, the corset slides off with ease, falling to the floor along with the rest of her garments. The only thing left hiding her small, milky body is a thin white chemise. Lace trims the edges, grazing down her thighs and covers her small breasts.
His hand absentmindedly grips onto her narrow waist, and he hears a soft noise escaping through her lips. Sliding her auburn hair over one shoulder, her sweet jasmine aroma fills his senses. His own skin is flaring with fervour and intensity.
She shivers from the warmth of his breath on her flesh. It’s so close, he can almost savour what her skin tastes like. His lips drag against the soft flesh of her shoulder, tingling with pleasure as they trail towards her neck.
Jordan digs his fingertips into the fabric of her chemise, and she lets out a tender gasp, that stirs him even more. His eyes close as he savours their closeness. Pressing his mouth onto Kora’s delicate flesh, the softest moan escapes her. It’s breathy and enticing, drawing more kisses from him. They creep further up her neck, each placed tenderly, until he stops just below her ear.
He hears Kora’s throat work and Jordan stills behind her, holding her petite body in his grip. His eyes shutter as he swallows, his hand sliding off her as he steps backwards, reluctantly releasing her from his grasp. He’s pretty sure there’s no blood left in his mind.
“You should dress now. We shouldn’t be late.” His voice is husky as he hastily walks towards the door. He feels his cheeks burning with heat, palms and armpits prickling with perspiration. His breeches are tight from all of his blood pooling there.
“Yes,” Her voice is also raspy, as if she’s still trying to contain herself as well, “Thank you.”
She doesn’t dare turn to face him, knowing that her own skin is too flushed right now from the heat burning through her. His mouth on her skin sent a lively current through her insides that she’s never felt before. It woke her entire body, jolting her senses and nerve endings to life. Her chest continues to oscillate as Kora controls her breathing .
The sound of her door opening and closing allows her to inhale normally once again. She’s alone now. The sage green dress hangs over the top of the screen, waiting to be slid onto her slender figure.
Jordan leans against the door, catching his breath as though he just ran from London to Derry. He didn’t trust himself being in that room any longer with his hands on her, and Kora only wearing a thin layer separating him from her flesh. His mind keeps thinking of her exposed freckled skin, the outline of her figure adorned in silky fabric and lace. The warmth radiating off her like rays of summer sunlight.
Jordan shakes his head, raking his fingers aggressively through his hair. He feels like dunking his head into a pale of ice-cold water just to compose himself.