CHAPTER 138: MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS

"Sleeping with you," she said, surprisingly, her eyes widening as she stared at him. Raven halted. He must have been misunderstood. He turned and spoke.

"You don’t have to worry. We won’t be sleeping on the same bed. I’ll be staying on the mat."

Pandora just stared at him and finally nodded. She didn’t like the idea of him staying on the mat in his own room, but she knew it was what they needed to do now. Maybe she could even ask him something while she had the chance.

She had no idea why, but he was the first person she actually felt free with—like she could say anything to him. Was it because he knew who she was, yet still didn’t judge her, push her away, or look at her like she was some kind of taboo?

She knew how much hatred she faced back in the village. Many sensed that she had killed her parents, and that was why she didn’t have a family. Many fake rumors had spread around the village, and some even hated her because of her beauty.

They walked on and finally reached a door. Raven opened it, and they entered. Just as they did, he shut the door. Pandora’s hands were still wrapped around her chest. Raven’s jaw ticked as he walked toward the wardrobe. He removed his shirt, handed it to her, and then turned his back. Pandora stared at the shirt and dropped her book.

Raven waited, and after some time, he turned. His eyes widened as his gaze moved to her, resting on her thin nightwear. She hadn’t put on his shirt; it lay folded neatly on the bed.

What shocked him even more was that she was no longer covering her chest with the book as she had earlier as the book was now on the bed. Her breasts were fully visible, round, with her nipples lightly showing through the fabric. Raven’s face burned as he tried to calm himself.

"I didn’t mean fold it. I meant you should put it on," he said. Pandora nodded, finally understanding why he had turned away. She had been curious before, thinking he had given her the shirt to fold. Raven had no idea what was going through her head, and she did the most innocent things that would only be tempting to others.

If he had known, he would have simply taken her to the maid’s quarters and told someone to keep an eye on her, as he knew this place was not really safe for her.

"Done," came a tiny, soft voice. His ears burned lightly as he remembered her...

"Fuck, don’t be a pervert," he muttered to himself. He turned to see her now wearing his shirt. For some unknown reason, the sight of her like this made him...

"Fucking temptation," his inner voice screamed at him, what was happening to him this was not him at all.

He turned his face to the side, letting his expression return to calm, then he turned back to her and spoke.

"You may sleep now," he said calmly. She just stood there, silent. He wondered if she had heard him, then noticed her opening and closing her lips repeatedly.

"You may say what you want to say," he spoke, already finishing his thought. This lady was funny—she did things that made people think twice. Even if she didn’t do it "right," it made you wonder if you were the one in the wrong.

"Do... do you have a typewriter?" she asked suddenly. Raven was speechless.

Was that why she was holding the paper book? She let out a small nervous laugh and spoke.

"I do write... I couldn’t sleep because I haven’t updated in two days, and I feel like I need to, as I’m almost halfway through it," she said.

"I have that...but don’t you think it’s too late?" he asked, and she shook her head.

"It is never too late for a writer," she said with a soft smile. Raven just stared. This lady was full of surprises. He moved to take the book, but her hands were faster; she took it quickly and pressed it to herself.

Her heart was already beating, and her face flushed deeply.

"Don’t read it when I’m here," she said, smiling, her face burning even more.

"And I’m not sure you’d understand it... as it’s written in Zexum," she added calmly.

"You mean the mermaid language?" he asked, raising a brow. She nodded calmly.

"If that’s the case, I would provide you a typewriter," he said. A smile spread across her lips. Before Raven knew it, she hugged him. His body stilled as her scent filled his senses, her softness pressing gently against him. He held himself in check as she pulled away slowly, bowing her head with a smile.

"Thank you so much... this means a lot." Her smile was so genuine that he felt almost guilty for the feelings it stirred in him.

He cleared his throat.

"You would be leaving this book here... you know what happens if you’re caught using Zexum," he said. She nodded happily, knowing she would be given a typewriter. Back in the village, it required one penny to use one, which she usually earned by shoe polishing, she usually wrote two hours every night at the local shop.

"Thank you so much! I’ll start tomorrow. You’re such a darling," she said with a wide smile. Raven stiffened at her words. The fact that she spoke so openly from her heart—calling a man "darling" in the middle of the night—just surprised him.

Pandora was happy that he cared about her and her secret. It brought joy to her heart, as no one had ever cared for her like this—not even when her mother had taken her to the werewolf lands, putting her life on the line.

She moved to slowly open the drawer and dropped the book inside.

Raven scratched the back of his neck, watching her quietly.

Pandora climbed onto the bed softly, then whispered,

"Raven... you can sleep with me."