Elara's pov
When I finally came back to myself, he was beside me, his fingers trailing softly over my skin. "Are you okay?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
I nodded, still trying to catch my breath. "I..." I didn't know what to say, I felt tipsy.
He smiled softly. Before I knew it, I felt his hand on my breasts, they fitted perfectly into his palm. Then his mouth was on them, sucking and teasing, making me gasp. My body arched up, pressing into him, needing more.
I felt his hardness against my thigh, and my hand moved to him, tentative. He groaned, his hips pressing into my touch. "Lara," he whispered, "you don't have to..."
But I wanted to. I wanted to feel him, to make him feel as good as he had made me feel. My fingers fumbled with the laces of his trousers, pushing them down enough to free him. He was hot and hard in my hand, and I stroked him slowly, watching his face as pleasure washed over it.
"Lara," he groaned again, his hand covering mine, showing me how he liked it. "If you keep doing that..."
But I didn't want to stop. I didn't even know what I was doing, I only read about this in smutty books Lena snuck my way during my boring times in the palace.
His hips were moving now, thrusting into my hand. I could feel the tension building in him, his muscles straining. Suddenly, he pulled my hand away, his breathing ragged. "I don't want to finish like this," he said, his eyes meeting mine. "Unless you want me to stop..."
I shook my head, my own need flaring back to life. I felt empty, aching for something I didn't fully understand. "Don't stop," I whispered, my legs wrapping around him, pulling him closer.
He reached between us, his fingers finding me, teasing and testing. "You're sure?" he asked again, always careful, always considerate.
I nodded, lifting my hips to meet his touch. "Please," I begged, not sure what I was begging for, only knowing I needed it.
He positioned himself at my entrance, his eyes never leaving mine. "Last chance to change your mind," he said, his voice tight with strain.
But I didn't want to change my mind. I wanted this, wanted him. I pulled him closer, feeling him start to enter me. There was a moment of pain, a stretching discomfort, but it was quickly overshadowed by the feeling of fullness, of completeness.
He waited, his body still, allowing me to adjust. When I nodded, he started to move, slowly at first, then with increasing rhythm. The pain faded away, replaced by a building pressure, a heat that spread through my body.
"Kaelen," I moaned, my nails digging into his back as he moved faster, deeper.
"Lara," he growled in response, his lips finding mine again as our bodies moved in perfect sync.
The tension built inside me again, tighter and hotter than before. I felt him groan against my lips. "I'm close," he warned. "I can't... I won't last much longer."
I didn't care. I just wanted to feel him, all of him. "Don't stop," I gasped, my hips meeting his thrusts. "Please, don't stop."
He drove into me harder, faster, our bodies slick with sweat. I could feel my orgasm approaching, a tidal wave of sensation. "Kaelen!" I cried out, my fingers clutching at him.
"I've got you," he grunted, his hand moving between us, touching me where our bodies joined. "Look at me, Lara. Let me see you."
Our eyes locked, and it was too much. The wave crashed over me, dragging him with it. I felt him pulse inside me, his cry mingling with mine as we fell over the edge together.
In the aftermath, we lay tangled together, our breathing slowly returning to normal. He pressed a soft kiss to my temple. "Are you alright?" he asked quietly.
I nodded, unable to form words. I felt changed, different in a way I couldn't explain. Soon I felt my eyes closing as sleep took over, the wine and the night's activities caught up with me.
*
*
The first grey light of dawn was entering through the window when my eyes fluttered open. For a moment, I felt peaceful and warm.
I looked to my side where Kaelen slept, his arm a heavy, warm weight across my waist. My head throbbed faintly, and the full reality of what I had done crashed down upon me.. I had danced with a stranger, drank too much wine, and ended up in his bed. I looked under the sheet and saw I was completely naked. My breath caught in my throat. I had given my virginity to a man whose last name I didn't even know. Something my late parents would never be proud of. Shame washed over me like cold water.
Then suddenly I remembered the coronation. It was today. Now.
Panic seized my chest. I had to go. Now.
Moving with extreme care, I lifted his arm and slipped out from under it. He stirred, mumbling something in his sleep, but didn't wake.
I stood up and noticed my legs ached terribly. Damn. I had to walk carefully or Lena would notice something was wrong. She was my best friend and knew me better than anyone. I could imagine how disappointed she would be in me if I ever told her what happened. The thought made my eyes sting with tears.
My hands trembled as I gathered my dress from the floor and pulled it on. The simple dress I wore felt different now, it carried the memory of my recklessness. I couldn't bring myself to look at Kaelen sleeping so peacefully, couldn't let myself feel the strange ache already forming in my heart. Part of me wanted to wake him, to hear his voice one more time. But that would only make leaving harder.
I stood for a final moment in the doorway, memorizing the sight of him, the way his dark hair fell across the pillow, the strong line of his back, the peaceful expression on his face. I wanted to remember this, even if it was wrong. Even if it was a mistake.
Then, I turned and fled, slipping down the stairs and out into the waking city. The morning air felt cold against my warm skin. The memory of his touch already felt like a beautiful dream I could never have again, fading with every step I took toward the palace, toward my duty, toward the crown that now felt heavier than ever before.