Odesse moved back, causing some water to spill onto the floor. "Master Valex, what are you doing in here?" She looked down at herself and covered her upper body with her hands, blushing. "Why are you in here, Master Valex? Pardon my tone, but it's wrong for you to be in here without permission."
Valex raised his hands, moving back slightly. "I'm sorry. I was happy to hear you're awake, and I didn't know what came over me. I apologize, and I'll leave."
As Valex turned to leave, Odesse looked a little sad. "Wait... don't leave," she said, lowering her head, her face a deep red, and her mouth pouted. Valex turned to look at her again. "You can stay if you want to," she added shyly.
Valex smiled. "You want me to stay?"
She nodded, blushing. "Yeah."
Valex took a step closer. "What do you want me to do?" he asked with a smile.
Odessa looked up and said, "You can do what you were doing earlier if you want to. I don't know." Valex smiled and replied, "Come here."
Odessa moved slowly on her knees, causing the water to splash slightly. When she reached the other edge where Valex was, he knelt down to look at her. He said, "I'll do whatever you want."
Odesse looked up at him, her face flushed and her heart racing. Locks of hair fell over her face, and she reached out, pulling him closer as she quietly said, "This is what I want to do." Then she kissed him. Valex's eyes widened, but he soon submitted, pulling her closer and kissing her passionately. Though it was intense, it felt safe.
He pulled back to take off his shirt. Odesse looked at him, stuttering, "Wait... huh?"
He smiled and said, "Shh, you can't back off yet." He pulled her in and kissed her again, and she melted into the moment. He placed his hands on her back, and as she moaned softly, he kissed her neck and traveled down to her chest, untying her upper inner clothing. Looking at her, he said, "You are beautiful, Odesse. Really beautiful."
Her face deepened in color as she pulled him in for a kiss, breathing heavily. As he began to kiss down her thighs, he looked up at her and asked, "Should I?"
She nodded, whispering, "Yes."
Valex took off his trousers, and Odesse's eyes widened. "Look up here," he said gently. Odesse took a deep breath, hesitantly gazing into his eyes as he moved his hands down, and she moaned louder. He set her on his lap and caressed it, saying, "It's okay, relax."
"Master," she continued to moan, "I can't... I can't."
Valex looked at her, noticing the worry and fear on her face. "Hey, hey," he said softly, pulling her into his arms. "It's okay. You don't have to if you don't want to."
Odesse looked at him apologetically. "I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize; it's okay," Valex reassured her. He let go and sat at the edge of the bath, covering his face with his hands, trying to compose himself. He glanced over at Odesse, who looked downcast, as if she had committed a crime. "Why are you sad? Come here," he said.
She moved closer, and Valex widened his legs for her to sit between them. Once she settled, he hugged her tightly. "Do you still want that massage?"
Odesse turned back to him, smiling. "Yes, I do."
Valex grinned. "You are so cute." As he began to massage her, he asked, "Why did you run away? Did you want to get away from me?"
"No, no, that's not it," she replied, glancing down. "I wanted to look around, I promise. Then I saw this garden, and it was beautiful, but I suddenly became dizzy and blacked out."
He raised her chin and asked, "Why was there black blood coming out of your eyes?"
Odesse's eyes widened. "Oh... black blood? I don't know. It just started happening."
Valex's expression shifted. "It's not the first time."
Odesse looked down, remembering. "It started eight nights ago."
"Eight nights ago? Why didn't you say anything?" Valex questioned, concerned.
"I was scared you would get rid of me because black blood is bad," she admitted.
Valex looked at her earnestly. "I will never get rid of you, Odesse. Do you hear that? You're never getting away from me, ever."
She looked into his eyes, uncertainty in hers. "But I'm human, and you're a wolf. Isn't this wrong?"
"If it's wrong, then I don't want to be right," he said, pulling her in for a passionate kiss. Their souls entwined deeper and harder in that moment.
Valex looked at Odesse with a soft, steady gaze and asked, "Do you want to go out of the palace and look around tomorrow?"
Odesse's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" she whispered, her voice a mix of disbelief and excitement.
Valex's lips curved into a reassuring smile. "Yes, of course."
A rush of warmth spread through her chest, and she threw her arms around him in a quick, grateful hug. "Thank you," she murmured into his shoulder.
He held her for a moment, then pulled back slightly to look at her. "You're getting bold, Odesse," he said, amusement dancing in his eyes.
Odesse's cheeks flushed a deep crimson. She stepped back slowly, avoiding his gaze for a moment. "I'm sorry," she whispered, "I was just really happy."
Valex chuckled, the sound low and warm, and wrapped his hands around her waist, pulling her gently closer. "Do not ever apologize for turning me on," he said, his voice a teasing mix of amusement and authority.
Odesse's eyes dropped, her blush deepening, but she could feel the smirk pressing against her skin as he held her.
Then his tone shifted, quieter, more intimate. "This time, you will not be going out of the palace alone."
"Oh?" she asked, hope and curiosity lighting up her face. "Will Eryx accompany me?"
Valex's expression changed subtly, the corners of his mouth tightening, his eyes darkening with possessiveness. "No," he said firmly. "He will not be the one. I will accompany you."
Odesse's lips curved into a smile, a flutter of excitement running through her chest.
"Would you like that?" Valex asked, studying her reaction closely.
"Yes," she admitted, her voice soft but certain. "I do."
He cupped her face gently in his hands, his eyes locking with hers. "Then listen to me carefully. Never think of any other person, whether you are with me or even without me."
Odesse searched his eyes, sensing a shift, a change she could not yet name. It was fierce and protective, almost possessive.
"I should be the only one in your head," Valex added, his voice low and unwavering.
Her heart skipped a beat at his words. She felt the intensity of his claim, the promise embedded within it, and she could not resist. Moving closer, she pressed her lips to his in a soft, lingering kiss, letting the connection between them speak everything she could not yet say.
Valex returned her kiss with equal tenderness, his hands resting gently on her waist, anchoring her to him. The world outside ceased to exist for that moment, leaving only the two of them, entwined in warmth, trust, and a deep, unspoken understanding of what they meant to each other.