The Crown's Fire - Chapter 119

Chapter 119: Sweet Torment
Tarah’s smile widened as she opened her door wide to welcome him. “Why not? It’s cold…” she answered with a wink. Ezekiel immediately stepped inside. Tarah followed, saying, “Let’s have a drink by the fireplace. Can you please light it up?”

She retrieved a bottle of wine and two gold cups stored in the small storage area inside her bedchamber, then settled beside Ezekiel near the fireplace.

Tarah watched as he effortlessly conjured a flame ball on his palm and tossed it into the fireplace.

“There, but I don’t think this is necessary anyway, since my arms will be enough to keep you warm. Like this…” Ezekiel murmured, pulling Tarah close to him with his arm around her shoulders.

Tarah blushed, her heart racing. Ezekiel never failed to make her heart flutter whenever they were together, despite how quickly she and Ezekiel had grown accustomed to their intimate moments. His arms were indeed enough to keep her warm.

“Are you planning to get me drunk tonight?” Ezekiel teased, eyeing the bottle of wine and cups before them.

Tarah chuckled and asked, “Right, I didn’t know if you’re a light or heavy drinker.”

“Hmm, I’m a light drinker, Tarah, so I can’t easily get drunk. How about you?” Ezekiel inquired.

“I honestly didn’t know, since I haven’t tried drinking at all,” Tarah answered with a pout. Shifting slightly, she proposed, “How about I drink now and see if I’m a light or heavy drinker?” Moving away from Ezekiel’s arms, she opened the bottle to pour some wine into their cups.

“Here,” she offered Ezekiel a cup, accepting one herself. Then she snuggled back into his arms, sipping the wine and gazing into the fire before them.

“I want to know more about you, Tarah. But I guess I can just ask you some minor things that won’t affect the spell you’re under,” Ezekiel commented with a sigh. Tarah didn’t respond, instead savoring the wine in her cup and pouring herself another glass.

Taking a deep breath, she began, “I like visiting nice places, but what I love most is going to beaches, swimming, and fishing. I also love hunting,” she said with a smile, memories of time with her parents flooding her mind. Every year, they would have the royal hunt, and she was always fiercely competitive, especially in archery.

“We should do that soon after everything is settled,” Ezekiel hummed. “Let me know if you start feeling the effects of the alcohol,” he reminded her, noticing her pouring another glass.

Tarah chuckled. “I’m surprised you’re not stopping me from drinking?”

“Why would I when I’m with you? I won’t allow you to drink if you’re with others who are not safe to be with, but with me, you can do anything you want, Tarah,” Ezekiel murmured, lovingly kissing her temple. “Besides, I’m also curious to find out if you’re a light or heavy drinker,” he added.

“Tell me more about you, things that won’t compromise the safety of whoever was bound and chained to you in that spell,” Ezekiel urged. Tarah couldn’t reveal anything about her identity or her mission as Devon’s spy. However, she could share some likes and dislikes with Ezekiel.

“How about animals? Are you fond of them? Do you have any particular kind you love the most?” Ezekiel asked.

“Hmm, I have a pet raven named… I named it Cloy. It’s also the messenger my friend from Cordon and I used to exchange letters with,” Tarah answered with a smile.

“Can I know the name of your friend?” Ezekiel inquired.

“Hmm, Aurelia Everett,” Tarah replied. She felt lighter being able to talk to Ezekiel like this. Some of her burdens were lifted now that Ezekiel had found out about the Tophet Bloodchain Spell on his own.

Ezekiel moved a little away from her to look at her closely as he asked, “How come you don’t ask anything about me?”

Tarah’s lips curled up as she hummed, “I believe I already know you enough. Remember I’m your Seer? I knew you even before I met you personally.”

“That’s so unfair,” Ezekiel said with a frown. Tarah chuckled and defended, “It’s not like it’s my fault, right?”

Tarah grinned as she poured more wine, then downed it all. She poured another glass but didn’t drink it yet, simply staring at it with a frown. “I think I’m just a light drinker. I mean, my body feels hot already and the alcohol seems to be kicking in,” she murmured.

“You should pause for a while. I want to know more about you, but you might say things you shouldn’t if you get too drunk,” Ezekiel worriedly reminded her. Tarah’s eyes widened, realizing the truth in his words. People tended to speak too much when drunk. Her face paled, and in that instant, Ezekiel grabbed the cup she was holding and drank it instead.

“Come now, let’s go to bed…” he said, getting up and helping her to her feet. “Now I truly feel hot,” Tarah hummed as she started removing her upper dress, leaving only the thin strap inner dress on.

“I feel sleepy,” she sluggishly mumbled as she walked towards the bed, crawling onto it and laying down. This wasn’t what she had planned at all. She looked at Ezekiel, who was standing beside the bed, simply staring at her.

“Come, cuddle…” she murmured, followed by a yawn. She closed her eyes and called, “Kiel.” She heard him chuckle before the bed sagged, and then she felt his warmth as he cuddled her in his arms.

“Goodnight, Tarah, sleep well,” he hummed, his lips brushing against her forehead. She snuggled closer to his chest, hugging him tightly. “I love you, Kiel,” Tarah whispered.

He kissed Tarah’s head and whispered back, “I love you too, Tarah.”

Ezekiel sighed as he felt Tarah’s breathing indicating she had already drifted into slumber.

“This is hard,” he mumbled, staring up at the ceiling. He took a deep breath and then released a sigh, unsure how many times he had done so already. It seemed like he would have another sleepless night. But this sweet torment, having her in his arms like this, was something he preferred over not having her at all.