Chapter 82:preparations

The afternoon light filtered through tall, narrow, translucent crystal windows, dimming the glare from the sun.

The room was painted in muted colours, with dark silver curtains hung open, and polished floors that seemed to reflect the light.

These changes had been achieved after a lot of convincing from Atheline’s side.

The thought of sleeping in the room that looked like his childhood room was not comfortable at all especially having sex in it.

It had creeped him out more than once and he couldn’t stand it anymore.

Her gesture had been sweet but this time, he couldn’t accept it wholeheartedly.

He sighed softly to himself and returned his attention to what he was doing.

A book lay open in Atheline’s hands, each page filled with long-forgotten traditional dark elven dialect.

He leaned back slightly on the chair along the window one leg crossed over the other as his body enjoyed the saturated heat from the sun.

Though he had gotten used to the much colder environment he still wasn’t truly comfortable without basking in the sun.

Atheline softly tapped the bottom of the page he was reading absentmindedly.

"If you keep frowning like that, the text won’t change."

Lilith’s lazy voice came from across him. Atheline didn’t look up.

"I’m not frowning."

"You are."

There was a soft rustle of fabric as the silence filled the room again.

"You’ve been on the same page for the last ten minutes."

This made him pause then he lifted his gaze from the book.

She was draped across the chaise opposite him a table separating them.

Shrme had one arm propping up her head while the other was idly tracing patterns across the fabric.

Even in his reading he had noticed that at some point she had dismissed the attendants who were meant to prepare her for the evening.

He knew she preferred doing things herself or not at all rather than saddling him with the work of helping her.

He wasn’t one to complain since it came with its own perks.

"How long have you been watching?" He asked.

Her lips curved slightly.

"Long enough," she playfully answered.

He closed the book and placed it on the table, giving her his full concentration.

"Your language is quite complicated, "he admitted, "though I’ve gotten the basics, understanding it is another hardship on its own."

"Thats understandable, " she said," dark elf language isn’t meant to be easily understood, that’s why only nobles learn it since it has become somewhat of a forgotten language."

"So basically this is just the beginning," he said in resignation.

’

Why do I have to go through this again!’

Lilith smiled." Correct."

A small silence passed.

He stood up, stretched slightly, then walked around the table and took a seat on Lilith’s chaise.

On the table was a small tray holding tea that had been kept warm for their convenience.

Atheline poured himself a cup and glanced at Lilith who shook her head.

He picked up the cup and turned to her.

"You’ve been avoiding them," he calmly said.

Her gaze flickered to him. She then adjusted herself to give him more room to sit.

"Who?"

"The attendants."

"They’re unnecessary."

"They’re here to help you prepare," he paused, " the banquet will be starting in a few hours and you take much longer than I."

"I don’t need their help," her lazy hand came to his thigh and started to draw circles around it," I’ve got you."

Atheline took a sip of the tea.

"We’ll be late if I do the dressing," he said in a near whisper.

She chuckled softly.

"You don’t want to?" She said seductively.

Atheline leaned towards her placing one hand on the chaise beside her face.

"Who said I didn’t want to?"

She sat up slightly and kissed his cheek.

At the same moment, she stretched her hand over during his brief pause and took his cup, her fingers brushing against his briefly.

"I thought you didn’t want it," he said while watching her drink it.

Her eyes lingered on him over the rim of the cup the small curve of her lips still present.

"I want to drink it now."

"Don’t forget to finish it then," he ordered her playfully.

Atheline shook his head and stood up. She watched him as he walked past her towards the bathroom to prepare for their bath.

She unhurriedly finished the tea and stood up her gaze directed to the bathroom where his low humming could be heard over the water.

In the bathroom, Atheline was placing medicinal herbs and scents into the bath water.

Steam curled gently in the air from the bathing pool bringing the soft scent of night-blooming flowers, her favorite.

He dipped his hand beneath the water one last time to test the temperature. It was just perfect, not too hot or too cold.

"You’re taking too long," her seductive voice came from behind him low and laced with mild impatience.

Atheline smiled slightly but didn’t turn immediately.

"If I had rushed it, you would have complained anyway, " he said with fondness in his voice.

The first time he had prepared her bath, she had complained about it but he had come to learn her specific preferences.

It wasn’t too much and he enjoyed it as well.

"I wouldn’t complain, " she replied after a short pause.

He glanced back.

Lilith stood near the doorway, already fully naked without a shred of shame.

She had her arms folded across her chest as she let him admire her a smirk on her face.

Atheline straightened as the familiar hint of desire snaked in but he pushed it down.

They were already behind schedule as it was.

"Come here."

He extended his arm towards her.

Lilith didn’t move at first; instead, she tilted her head slightly studying him. She smiled to herself then stepped forward, slowly and deliberately as she approached.

Her warm hands came into contact with Atheline’s wet ones.

"You’re getting better and better," she praised her gaze drifting to the bath then back to him.

Atheline chuckled. "The best for you."

He guided her towards the edge of the small sunken pool edge. She dipped her toe slightly in the water to check the temperature.

"Careful, "he murmured as she stepped in.

The water rippled as she sank in, a sigh escaping her despite herself.

For a moment her eyes closed as the tension in her body eased with the hot water and Atheline’s wandering hands on her shoulders.

Atheline took off his last piece of clothing and followed right after, settling behind her.

She moved backwards on habit until their bodies were pressed together.

His hand started to roam caressing her softly as he washed her while trying to keep his arousal in check.

He knew she could feel it by how much she was pressing against him clearly looking for a reaction from him.

"Could you stop squirming, " he mumbled against her neck when he couldn’t stand it anymore.

She chuckled. Her hand snaked between them and wrapped around him.

"You don’t want to?" She asked.

Atheline took a deep calming breath but she seemed to know what he was thinking.

"You started this," he said and turned her face towards him.

Their lips met in a passionate devouring.