CHAPTER 121: A TOUGH DIAMOND

Just the feel of his lips caused inexplicable sparks. I was held completely by their roughness and the way they stayed still for me, allowing me to take the charge I needed.

Even though I wanted to stay longer, I freed his lips, exhaling a low air, my eyes still closed as I got drunk from that one simple taste of spice.

My lashes fluttered, and I opened my eyes and found him staring at me passionately. I could never get used to the way he looked at me, with so much softness like the cloud I wish I could touch with my hands.

"What was that for?" he asked in a low, husky tone, eyeing my moist lips before shifting to my olive green eyes.

"For doing as I requested. Sloane came to apologize."

"And?" he asked, as if sensing something was wrong.

I released his collar and went back on my heels. "I don’t know, I thought I’d relish the feeling but..." I walked to the shelves, lining my fingers on every book.

"It doesn’t feel revenge worthy."

I twirled to him. "Something like that." I forced a smile. "It’s not like an apology will reverse anything. The scars won’t heal."

"But the souls will."

"Maybe... or maybe it’s the soul that’s scarred."

"My scars healed, but my soul never did." Drevon walked to me.

"The war," I said without having to ask what he meant. "I never asked about your experience in war."

Drevon smiled. "I’m glad you never did." He leveled his eyes at me. "I much prefer talking about my beautiful wife’s days rather than the dark times."

"What if I’m curious? What if I want to know more about the cold, ruthless Drevon Balthar I heard stories about? The Lycan Monarch and Alpha-General who caused terror to the snowbloods?"

"I’d say I’m scared that my wife will get frightened of me, and I don’t want that."

To have this man scared for my sake does things to me. My insides are turning to fire, and I might burn out soon.

"I was always frightened of you. I’m the human bride to a Lycan. Imagine my terror when I walked down the aisle to my beastly husband. I was this."—I placed my fingers near.—"Close to running away if it weren’t for the knights who escorted me."

"Oh really?" he said with a sheen in his eyes.

He placed the book he was holding back on the shelf, as if retiring from whatever he was doing to keep his full, undisturbed attention on me.

"Tell me more."

I grabbed a book and opened it, pretending as if I had found something interesting.

"There’s nothing to it..." I said, breezing past him.

"Surely there is more, little wife."

"Why do you want to know?"

"I’m curious."

"Well...I walked down the aisle, and then..."

"Then?"

I moved between the spaces of the shelves to get away from him, but he just came at me. I tried to make a turn, but the space was too narrow, so I faced him.

I was already trapped when he rested his arm above my head and leaned down to me.

"Now now, little wife, don’t think you can escape this one."

I raised my book like some shield. "Then...when you raised my veil, I thought maybe you might not be the monster I grew up hearing about."

He placed his hand on top of the book and pushed it down gently, just enough so that our eyes connected.

"You thought that way that far along? I should count myself lucky because it’d have taken so much to gain your trust."

"So you think I was easy?" I scowled.

He leaned close. "Not at all, little wife, you were the hardest diamond to crack, even now there are only a few to no cracks."

"Give up then."

"Sweetheart..." he purred. "There is something you should know about me. The harder your diamonds are, the more I’ll be inspired to break."

Break? He wasn’t going to simply crack it?

"When I do, build back your diamonds around me."

With each calculative push, the book was lowered until there was a thud sound when it dropped to the ground.

His hand enveloped my neck, fingers spraying on my chin as he inched closer, with his head tilted.

He whispered in the corner of my lips. "You’re my diamond to break and forge. Mine."

I shivered when he uttered the word...mine.

"Entirely and utterly mine." He closed his eyes and pressed his lips against mine in a tender kiss.

A heavy feeling found my chest, too hard to endure and too deep to understand. Why does it feel like I was on top of the world? Like, I have reached the heights of heaven and become an otherworldly being? Words could not describe the sensations taking over me.

Ah...I knew what this was...I could feel his love for me.

I closed my eyes and allowed myself to be captivated by his touch that spoke a million words.

Our lips parted just an inch away, only to be locked away like they were meant just for that, created just to be connected in a single moment of intensity.

Drevon deepened the kiss, but lingered tenderly, like I was the softest of things he’d ever touched, not driven by lust but a softer affection that melted my entire body in thrills.

Our heads angled differently as our lips explored. The feeling of his ring from his finger pressing against my cheek with every stroke. He held me like a predator, but kissed me like my prince charming.

I smiled when he took my bottom lip between his teeth; even at this moment, he still wanted to tease me.

I parted my lips to free myself, only to cover his mouth again hotly. My hand moved from his ribcage, where I clutched the thick fabric of his uniform, to wrap my arms around his neck.