NIGHTS OF HALLOW

Back inside one of the rooms of the castle, Perdita remained seated on Sthena’s lap, both staring at each other while trying to decipher what the other was thinking after Perdita kissed the side of Sthena’s lips.

Sthena’s expression was calm, but yet, under the surface was a raging fire burning within him while staring at Perdita, his eyes gauging her green orbs that tried to avoid looking at him.

”I believe it is my turn to ask you why you kissed me?” Sthena remarked after what seemed like ages passed between them in silence.

Perdita bit her lower lip, her eyes refusing to look at Sthena. On hearing his question, her mouth curved into a small blush that threatened to widen. She kissed him, she told herself.

Clearing her throat, she shook her head trying hard to get the words right in her head before speaking. She had gone ahead to act so impulsively, but now, she didn’t know how to express herself.

Sthena exhaled, his hold on Perdita loosened at first before his hands gently tightened to lift her as he stood from the couch.

”Where are you taking me?” Perdita quizzed, confused.

”To the bed,” Sthena answered as he walked to the bed and then laid her down. ”Get some rest, it is late already.”

”Wait,” Perdita held his hand from leaving. Her eyes fluttered nervously as she was also disappointed to which she didn’t why. ”I kissed you because I admit to have fallen for you. I am deeply attracted to you, Sthena.” She confessed, mustering the courage to look at Sthena.

He smiled. A gentle loving smile that caused Perdita’s heart to shudder at the sight. Without saying anything, he covered Perdita with the blanket, tucking her to sleep.

”Aren’t you going to say anything?” Perdita murmured, her voice low, restraining the disappointment she felt.

”Do you want me to say anything?” Sthena returned her question with one of his. He instead said, ”Get some rest, Perdita. The morning draws closer than you think.”

”Is that all you have to say?!” Perdita demanded, flinging the blanket away from herself, and scrambled out of the bed. ”I—I just told you how I feel, Sthena. Is that how you respond to my confession? Didn’t you say you were attracted to me? Was that all false? Tell me why y—you are not saying anything.” Her voice broke at the thought that Sthena had been joking with her all along.

”I didn’t know you to be so talkative,” Sthena remarked. Without warning, he turned Perdita around which had her back now faced towards him while he pulled her snuggly against him making Perdita’s eyes widen as she let out a muffled gasp.

”Can you feel it?” Sthena asked, his arms possessively wrapped around Perdita while he slowly and deliberately moved his waist against her lower back.

Perdita stilled, her breath came out in slow pants with heat rushing to pull in between her legs she dared not voice out or even reply to Sthena’s question.

”It isn’t that I ignore you, My Love. It is because if I dare act accordingly, to your words and action, I say without promise what will happen next between the both of us.” Sthena whispered against her ear. His breath fanning her neck had no mercy at the emotion that swirled inside of her.

Sthena paused, his nose coming down as he sniffed in Perdita’s scent that darkened his already dark red eyes. His voice now an octave lower and hoarse continued to speak, ”You don’t know how much I want to pin you on this bed and do so many bad things to you. To have my tongue lick the expanse of your skin, with your hair sprawled on the pillow, and your breath mingled with cries of my name, Perdita.”

”Ever since the day I pronounced my affection towards you, I have had no rest. I always want you to be near, but yet, away from me because I know you are not ready.” Sthena paused once more, his lips replacing his roaming nose on her neck as he left tender kisses on her neck.

”Perdita,” Sthena called and gently turned her around to face him once more, saying, ”This and many more emotions and reactions you invoke in me, Perdita. I’d be the greatest liar if I say I do not want to do those things I mentioned to you, however, your feeling I take into consideration.”

”I hold you very dear to my heart that the very thought of you occupies my mind every moment. I am sometimes scared you may not hold the same affection I have towards you. But hearing you say those words left me in a state of happiness and also a state where I needed to take in every word of yours. Forgive my actions earlier, it was never my intention to ignore you.”

Perdita rendered speechless by Sthena’s words couldn’t take her eyes away from the man confessing his desires he had of her. His words stirred the deepest part of her heart, overwhelming and making the love that had started as an admiration blossom into an overflowing sea of emotions.

She didn’t know when it started or how it started. All she knew now was her confessed love for him. She had always been the one refusing to accept his feelings, but what she didn’t realize while she held on to closing her heart on anything about love because of her past encounter, was Sthena meticulously weaving into the caves and walls surrounding her. And now, her heart was bare before him.

He loved and cherished her. Perdita said in her heart. She didn’t know that a day would come when she would finally be at peace in love. To love and be loved back the same.

”It breaks my heart to see you cry,” Sthena murmured as he wiped the tear that slipped down Perdita’s cheek. She didn’t even realize she was already crying.

Sthena pulled her into his arms, a contented sigh escaping his lips, ”Oh, how I have waited to hear those words from your beautiful lips and have a moment like this with you. You complete me like no one has done, Perdita.”

He pulled back to look at her, his eyes taking her red face caused by the spill of emotion. He said, ”I don’t like seeing tears on your face, My Love. The only time I would appreciate you crying is when you’re pinned under me.”

A blush was quick to stretch Perdita’s lips and she lightly smacked Sthena’s chest, ”You are so brazen, do you know that?”

”Mmm hmm,” Sthena nodded and chuckled. ”I am brazen only for you, My darling.”

”I am going to be the envy of every woman,” Perdita joined him to laugh. She then asked, ”Will you sleep with me tonight?”

”That was faster than I had imagined,”

”I meant to sleep by my side on the bed,” Perdita quickly explained having not expected Sthena to twist her words.

Sthena’s head tilted backwards as he laughed at Perdita’s reply, his eyes crinkling mischievously. ”I was only teasing you. I’d be a fool if I refuse to share the same bed with you. Now come,” He beckoned on Perdita, leading her to the bed.

Settled into each other’s arms, with Perdita resting on Sthena’s chest. She didn’t want to think how it was unruly for a woman to share the bed with someone whom she wasn’t married to. All that mattered was that she was with the man whom her heart now beats for.

”Thank you, Sthena,” Perdita whispered, her voice dripping low as an indication sleep was about to take her away.

”For what?” Questioned Sthena who held her close till there was no space between them.

Perdita’s eyes fluttered open to stare at Sthena’s face who was equally looking at her. ”For loving me,” She said and finally drifted to sleep in the warmth of Sthena’s love wrapped around her.

”Forever, My Love, I’ll forever cherish you,” Sthena declared, sealing his promise with a kiss on her forehead as he watched her sleep before joining her.