The Crown's Fire - Chapter 106

Chapter 106: My Responsibility
Ezme remained silent, her lips pressed together as she stared at him. She was overwhelmed with emotions. What Atlas was stating was a harsh reality that left a bitter taste in her mouth, though not bitter enough to deter her.

“It’s a marriage of convenience; why would I decline? You’re the best fit to be my wife. Just make sure I feel comfortable throughout the marriage,” Atlas added casually.

“Aren’t you the heartless one here? I may be a vampire, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get hurt. Damn, if only I didn’t like you so much, I wouldn’t have lasted this long. How can you even say that with a straight face in front of a beautiful woman like me?” Ezme scoffed, her voice tinged with playful exasperation as she pouted.

Atlas simply shrugged his shoulders. His coldness only seemed to fuel her interest in him for some reason. Unknowingly, Ezme bit her lip as she looked at Atlas, filled with desire. She couldn’t believe it. After what she had just heard, here she was, practically drooling over him. He looked so perfect with mid-length curly raven-black hair and tanned skin, imagining how well they would complement each other with her pale complexion once their naked bodies united.

She chuckled upon noticing his discomfort with how she stared at him, as if she were a predator ready to pounce on her prey at the earliest opportunity. She deliberately coughed to distract herself. But Ezme didn’t back down. With a swift movement, she appeared on Atlas’s lap, straddling him as she whispered in his ear, “Don’t worry, my future dear husband, I will make sure to be convenient for you in every aspect you desire.”

Ezme could sense Atlas’s body tensing and her playful smile grew as she locked eyes with him. Aware of his heightened arousal, she took advantage of the situation and boldly brushed herself against him. She encircled her arms around his neck, relishing the conflicted expression that danced beautifully on his face.

“Stop that!” he growled in a pained voice. “How dare you try to hypnotize me!” he accused.

Ezme rapidly blinked at him and with a frown firmly scorned, “How many times do I have to tell you that I’m not hypnotizing nor compelling you?” It wasn’t the first time he had accused her of this. She was honestly unfazed by it because she could read him well.

“This defense mechanism of yours is wearing thin. Don’t you have any other tactic to mask your arousal around me? Your body is simply reacting against your heart and mind. When will you accept that you couldn’t resist my charm? “Your pride is simply too strong, huh?” Ezme pointed out with a playful smile. “And I couldn’t wait to break it.” She knew she could easily get him with seduction, but Ezme wanted to torment him in this matter, where he would end up begging her for it.

Having wandered this earth long enough, handling all types of men, she was confident that she could conquer the man before her. Atlas’s feelings for his first love were what held him back from opening his heart to her.

Ezme pressed her palm against his chest, feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat. She smiled satisfactorily. “This heart… I will make sure to change the reason for its beating, making it beat solely for me, Atlas,” she declared firmly.

“Do you love me, Ezme?” he directly asked. This time, it was Ezme who was taken aback. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t ready to answer him.

“Or perhaps you simply see me only as a challenge,” Atlas added with a dark face.

“Hmm, I wonder what you want to hear from me?” she murmured with a devious smile, gazing deeply into his eyes. She lightly touched Atlas’s parted lips as she whispered, “Aren’t these lips inviting me?”

Before Atlas could react, Ezme had already leaned in and sealed his lips with hers.

She couldn’t resist the urge any longer; she wanted to taste his lips. “Ezme, wha—” Before he could finish, she slid her tongue inside his parted lips, muffling whatever words he wanted to speak.

She kissed him passionately, their lips meeting in a fervent embrace. Rejoicing inwardly as Atlas reciprocated, she felt the intensity of their connection deepen. Sensing him fully immersed and lost in the moment, she gently pulled back, leaving Atlas breathless.

She giggled amusedly as she noticed Atlas leaning forward slightly as if trying to catch her lips after she had pulled back.

She bit her lower lip and teased him with a seductive look, asking, “Aren’t you eager for more?”

Atlas’s face turned red, and he was about to speak, but Ezme silenced him by hungrily kissing him. After indulging herself, she gently broke the kiss.

“Hmm, you’ll have more once we’re married,” she winked.

“I’ll leave you for now since I’m really craving fresh blood,” Ezme murmured as she got up from his lap. She turned to leave, but Atlas suddenly grabbed her wrist.

“I told you not to go,” he hissed. “Drink from me,” he offered, tilting his neck to the right to expose his skin more. Ezme gulped. It was tempting, but she couldn’t do it.

“I can’t control my venom from my fangs, so I always end up turning humans I bite into vampires, rogue ones most often than not,” she informed, her mouth dry.

Atlas’s expression darkened as he questioned, “Is that why you’re always drinking from that werewolf?”

They had been together in the encampment of Ebodia for some time already, and now was the only time they talked like this, with Atlas asking her a question.

The corner of her lips curled up as she explained, “Yes, werewolves like Gideon are immune to my venom. So I just simply drink freshly collected human blood. As you’re aware, I’ve refrained from drinking human blood since we became close, knowing how much you detest it. But I can already feel the toll it’s taking on me. I’m feeling weak,” Ezme confessed.

Atlas remained silent, causing Ezme to furrow her brow in concern. Her frown deepened when she noticed him grabbing a dagger.

“What are you doing?!” Ezme burst as Atlas sliced his hand, blood trickling from the wound.

“Drink mine. You’re now my responsibility, so you will only drink blood from me from now on. I don’t ever want to see you roaming to any place just to order blood or drink from anyone!”