Ruthless ??/ Fourth Wing

Beneath the sprawling branches of the ancient oak, we surrendered to the captivating allure of the night, passing the churam between us like an offering to the gods of desire. Each exhale carried wisps of smoke that swirled and pirouetted in the cool evening air, weaving together a tapestry of euphoria that seemed to dissolve the space between us, enveloping us in its sweet embrace. The sensation of the churam, warm and thick in my lungs, added to the growing haze that clouded my mind, sending a quiet thrill through me.

As I drew in the familiar essence, I felt it mingle with the rush of adrenaline still pulsing from earlier, the combination crafting a heady blend of bliss and exhilaration. The night around us faded into a soft blur—the chirping of distant crickets and the rustle of leaves forgotten in the wake of the intoxicating chemistry between us. In this moment, nothing existed outside of this shared pleasure, leaving only Kai and me in our intimate haven, cocooned in the shadow of the ancient oak.

A playful grin curled on my lips as I exhaled, watching tendrils of smoke drift lazily from my mouth in sinuous spirals, curling like ghosts in the moonlight. I could feel the heat of Kai's gaze locked on mine, could see the hunger flickering in his eyes, and it made the air feel thick, charged, ready to crack. "You know," I purred, my voice low and husky, "I think I prefer you like this."

Kai's laughter echoed softly, a rich, melodic sound that sent a shiver of delight racing down my spine, igniting something deeper within me. His eyes twinkled with mischief, a spark of something dangerous, something tantalizing. "Is that so?" he replied, his tone teasing, but there was an underlying heat, a promise of things to come. "Well, lucky for you, I plan on soaring high for quite some time."

A flutter of anticipation skipped through me as he drew nearer, the warm scent of churam on his breath mingling with the crisp night air. I could feel the heat radiating from his body, his proximity pulling me in like a magnet. "Good," I murmured, my breath warm against his ear, my voice teasing as I leaned in just a fraction closer. "Because I don't think I can handle you any other way."

Our fingers brushed as I passed the churam back to him, the touch sending a jolt of longing through me. The delicate caress, so innocent on the surface, stirred something deeper, something hungry, and for a fleeting moment, I could feel the raw power of our connection—the simmering tension, the unspoken desires hanging in the air like a spell. The soft tension between us thickened, charging the space with an undeniable pull that seemed to grow stronger with every passing second.

Locked in Kai's gaze, I couldn't look away. His eyes, dark and full of that same fire, held me captive as he inhaled deeply, the moonlight casting an almost otherworldly glow around him. Each exhale that left his lips seemed to bring us closer, the space between us diminishing until we were so close I could feel the heat of his body, hear the steady rhythm of his breath. My heart hammered in my chest, matching the frantic pace of my thoughts as the world spun, the pull between us growing tighter with every second.

Kai's fingers brushed over the intricate patterns of my relic, the touch light, almost reverent, but laden with understanding. There was no judgment in his gaze, no disdain like the others had shown. Instead, there was recognition, a quiet understanding of what it meant, of what it had cost me. His touch sent a small spark of warmth through me, a comfort that I hadn't expected.

"Xaden seems to have a strong protectiveness when it comes to you," he remarked, his voice lowering slightly, curiosity threading through the words. "Almost like he's your brother. What's the story behind that, Nora?"

I hesitated for just a moment, the question prodding at old wounds, but then I answered. My voice was steady, though it carried the weight of years of history. "We've been through a lot together, for a very long time," I replied, my eyes lingering on his, searching for any judgment. "He's the reason I'm still standing today. He taught me how to fight... how to survive... how to watch my attitude."

Our conversation danced, delicate yet weighted, as the night stretched on. But as the words settled between us, the effect of the churam began to take hold in earnest. My thoughts became a swirl of disconnected images, colors, and sensations, blurring in a kaleidoscope of emotion. The trees began to sway gently, their leaves fluttering like whispers in the wind. The mountains in the distance seemed to shift and ripple, their jagged edges blurring and reforming before my eyes.

And then, Kai shifted beneath me, pulling me closer. The world tilted, and suddenly, I was in his lap, my body pressed against his. His hands, strong and sure, guided me with a gentle but commanding touch. He was so warm, so solid, and yet the world around me seemed to move in a haze of spinning colors and dizzying thoughts.

Kai's features were chiseled, his jawline sharp and proud, speaking of strength and resolve, of battles fought and victories won. But there was a warmth in his smile, a flicker of kindness in the depths of his gaze, something that made my chest tighten in a way I wasn't quite ready to understand.

In the glow of the moonlight, his tousled dark hair and rugged features became a vision of raw masculinity—forceful, powerful, and undeniably magnetic. He was a force of nature, the kind of man who left an indelible mark on everyone he met, and I couldn't tear my gaze away from him. His presence was overwhelming, consuming.

"You know, you're trusting," he whispered, his lips grazing my ear, sending a ripple of warmth down my spine.

I tilted my head, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips as I leaned in closer, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "I'm not, though. That's where you're wrong."

His fingers gently grazed my skin, the touch intimate, lingering. "You drank that wine like it was from your own chalice."

I chuckled softly, despite the storm swirling in my chest. "Fit for a queen. You poisoned me," I muttered, but even as I said it with bitterness.

He smirked, his lips curving in that way that sent heat rushing to my face. "Se bona iksā," he whispered, the foreign words tasting of mystery and something deeper. "And that you are."

The phrase hit me like a wave, crashing through the fog in my mind, stirring something deep within. It felt ancient And then, just as swiftly as it had come, everything went black.

"Kessa find nyke" I whispered -"He will find me"

"Bona nyke ūñagon va" He spoke -"That I count on"