Chapter Ivy
Ivy
Ivy dashed up the front steps and made her way into the mansion, holding up her voluminous skirts to keep from tripping. She heard banging sounds from the rear of the house and her eyes widened in alarm.
“It’s just Voresta. Sounds like he’s working through some issues.” Leseldh’s smooth voice drifted in from behind her. He kicked the door shut with his foot before advancing towards her and dropping a kiss to her bare shoulder.
The ruckus continued, and she wondered just what had gotten under Voresta’s skin. In her limited interactions with him since she’d arrived in Noctis, he struck her as a quiet, albeit brooding male. But it sounded like there were some monsters lurking beneath the surface.
Ivy pushed thoughts of Voresta from her mind before turning to face Leseldh. Their bodies were but a breath apart, and she felt his hands settle upon her hips.
“So, what now?” Leseldh’s voice was low and sensuous, and she looked up into his caramel-coloured eyes, which shimmered with gold as he returned her gaze.
“I think it’s time I get out of this dress.
” Ivy’s voice gained a seductive quality she’d never heard herself use before, and it both surprised and thrilled her.
Leseldh’s resulting grin only heightened her excitement, and without another word, he spun her around, clasping her hand before dragging her upstairs with him.
A giggle escaped her lips as she allowed herself to be pulled towards Leseldh’s bedroom. He halted before the closed door and faced her. His expression had grown serious, but an undercurrent of desire lingered in his tone as he spoke his next words.
“There’s nothing I’d enjoy more than tearing that dress from your body and having my way with you. But I said I would give you time. Are you sure this is what you want?” His words were sobering, and they cut through the lust that was pervading Ivy’s senses.
She was staggered by the idea that this male was willing to be patient with her.
In her past life, she’d dived into several encounters with the dullards of Naum in the hopes that they’d surprise her in the bedroom, only to find herself romantically attached to men who were somehow even more predictable in that arena.
But at the same time, she’d enjoyed herself with Leseldh tonight, despite the turbulence of his emotions around Drachen. She was reluctant to let the night end, almost as though the magic would fade when the night reset.
To step through that door with Leseldh, given the hunger lurking in his eyes, felt like a step too soon.
But to disappear into her bedroom and leave him wanting seemed like a rebuff.
Perhaps there was a middle ground. She took a step backward towards her door and paused, resting her hand on the door handle.
“Can you give me five minutes, please?” Ivy let some of the huskiness fade from her voice, leaving just a whisper of promise there. Leseldh eyed her curiously, and she could see he was trying to work out what she had in mind.
“Of course.” Leseldh stared at her form as though he were committing it to memory. She gave him a quick smile before slipping into her room.
She hastily wriggled out of the dress to change into a demure looking nightdress in cream-coloured satin. She checked her appearance in the mirror before leaving the room.
She dashed across the hallway and pushed Leseldh’s ajar bedroom door open further. His room was dimly lit, and she quickly scanned the setting from the doorway.
The interior was a moody array of dark colours—taupes and browns with gold accents.
It was sparsely decorated; there were no personal effects to give any hints on Leseldh’s personality.
Positioned against the wall across from her was a massive bed made of dark wood with a large, upholstered headboard.
The bedding was neat and covered in pillows, like it hadn’t been laid upon in some time.
On the wall to her right was an open clothing rack that housed a variety of Leseldh’s formal wear, ranging from business attire to formal coats, including the one he wore tonight.
Leseldh was now wearing just his dress shirt and pants. He was staring out the window that overlooked the front of the house, seemingly lost in thought. Although Phaedra was usually within Leseldh’s vicinity, Ivy couldn’t see any sign of her.
Ivy closed the door behind her softly, but the sound drew Leseldh’s attention.
His eyes met hers and she felt them move across her body, devouring her again.
A smile spread across his lips as he slowly advanced towards her.
Although she felt drawn in by his powerful stare, she side-stepped into the room, positioning the bed between them.
She wanted to establish a boundary and was already at risk of her desire clouding her judgement.
“How is it that this slip of a garment can be more alluring than the beautiful gown you traded it for?” The pure desire in his voice was enough to make her insides clench.
She likely could have worn a burlap sack, and he still would’ve hungered for her.
It seemed that the middle ground she was aiming for was a little off-centre.
“Perhaps because it leaves less to the imagination.” She moved forward until her knees were grazing the bed and continued, “I thought I could sleep in here tonight.” She put a subtle emphasis on the word ‘sleep’.
“I would love nothing more.” His voice was measured but she could still sense an underlying longing, and she knew that he absolutely wanted more but wouldn’t push for it.
That knowledge squeezed the life out of the smallest remaining doubt within her, and she lifted the covers of the bed and slid beneath them.
A ripple of gold washed over Leseldh’s irises, and she watched as he unbuttoned his burgundy shirt slowly, as though he were using the action to rein in his need.
He cast the garment aside and worked on removing his trousers.
Ivy couldn’t help but let her eyes dip downward.
His dark briefs did nothing to conceal his desire.
A blush crept over her cheeks. When she pulled her gaze back upward, Leseldh’s eyes were fixed on hers.
Silently, he joined her beneath the covers.
Leseldh lay on his back, stretching an inviting arm out towards her.
He folded the other to rest behind his head.
Ivy curled into him, resting her head against his chest. She felt Leseldh’s fingertips drawing patterns on her back, and it was a comforting yet tantalising feeling.
She closed her eyes as his body heat enveloped her.
They shared the space wordlessly, but Ivy’s mind was awash with thoughts.
She replayed the evening’s events in her mind and reflected on how drastically her life had changed in just a few nights.
She was loath to admit she was happy, but she felt more content in her current circumstances than she had in the eleven years she lived in Naum.
Even with the abrupt darkening of Leseldh’s mood after the exchange with Drachen, she still had a wonderful time with her companion tonight.
The ballet was like nothing she’d ever experienced before, and after such a night, she couldn’t see herself returning to the monotony of Naum even if the daylight wasn’t the biggest obstacle to that.
She felt drawn to Leseldh, soothed by him, and comfortable with him, even though he was a veritable stranger to her.
Eventually, feeling content and secure, she drifted off to sleep in Leseldh’s protective embrace.