Chapter 83
For a long moment, there was only the sound of their ragged breathing, their bodies pressed close, sweat mingling on their skin. Gavriel didn’t move, still inside her, still clutching her as though she belonged to him.
Althea, flushed and weak, lay beneath him with her eyes half-closed, her heart pounding.
She wanted to tell herself it was only lust, only hunger, nothing more. But the way he held her—firm yet almost tender—made it harder and harder to believe it.
Althea lay there, still trembling, her chest rising and falling in uneven breaths. His warmth had barely left her body when his growl broke the silence, as though he was forcing himself to stop.
“I have to go now,” Gavriel muttered, pulling away gently. His tone was suddenly detached—so different from the raw intensity just moments before. He rose from the table and began dressing swiftly, as though intimacy meant nothing more than another task to be finished.
Althea blinked, struggling to process his sudden shift. Her lips parted as if to speak, but he cut in before she could find her voice. “Melva will be coming back to attend to you. Simon already marked her—she’s under his protection now, so you don’t need to worry about her.” ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ.net
The words were plain. He didn’t also spare her another glance as he buttoned the last piece of his attire, slipping back into the armor of the Alpha King. Then the door clicked shut behind him.
Althea lay motionless on the table for a long while, staring at the empty space where Gavriel had stood just moments ago. Her body still hummed with the aftershocks of what they had shared, yet her heart felt unsettled.
He always devoured her with such hunger, with such force that she had almost believed she meant something to him. But the way he had pulled back—so abrupt, so cold—reminded her that she was nothing more than his possession, someone he could claim or leave at will.
She drew in a shaky breath. ‘Why does he affect me like this?’ she thought bitterly. ‘I should hate him. I should remind myself that I am his prisoner, not his queen p>
But her body always betrayed her. The warmth of his touch lingered on her skin, the taste of him still fresh on her lips. It was maddening. Even as she wanted to despise him, a dangerous part of her longed for more.
Her hand pressed against her chest as if to quiet the storm inside. “Fool,” she whispered to herself. “Don’t let him break you p>
Taking a deep breath, she rose from the table, slipped into a robe, and tied it tightly around herself. Just as she did, the door swung open and Melva rushed in.
“My Lady!” Melva cried, running straight to her and pulling her into a hug.
She quickly stepped back, her face scrunching in frustration. “Seriously! That Alpha King’s scent is all over you! Let me prepare your bath right away p>
Althea’s cheeks flushed red as she followed Melva into the bathing chamber. While Melva busied herself with the water, Althea’s gaze fell on the fresh mark on the girl’s neck.
“Simon marked you,” she murmured.
“Yes, My Lady,” Melva replied with a bright smile. “Simon said no one will dare bully me now that I carry his mark. I’m his mate p>
She finished with the tub, then came closer. “You don’t have to worry about me anymore. Your plan worked. Also—” her eyes sparkled with disbelief, “—I still can’t believe you can speak inside my mind, like a mindlink p>
Althea sank into the warm water, letting the robe fall aside. “It isn’t the same as mindlink,” she explained. “I can only do it by looking into someone’s eyes p>
Melva clasped her hands in excitement. “Still, that’s incredible! We could talk right in front of our enemies and no one would know. It’s such an advantage p>
Althea only shook her head.
Melva’s pout returned, and her voice turned serious. “But why did you keep it from me, My Lady p>
Althea drew in a slow breath before answering softly. “Because my mother never wanted me to reveal my powers, Melva. Not unless it was truly necessary. And I believed it was safer for both of us if you didn’t know about my abilities p>
She bit her lower lip, hesitating, then admitted, “I also didn’t want you to feel uneasy around me. It would be… unsettling, knowing I can slip into your thoughts. I was afraid you’d end up avoiding me p>
Melva gave a small shrug. “Maybe I’d worry a little, since it feels like I’d never be able to hide anything from you. But avoid you? Never. I’ve always been honest with you, My Lady. Whatever you see in me is the same thing you’d hear straight from my mouth p>
Althea couldn’t help but chuckle. “That’s true.” She reached for Melva’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you, Melva. For everything. I only hope you and Simon truly work out. You’re fated mates, after all p>
Melva’s smile faltered. “Simon only just marked me, My Lady… and then he left. I heard he’s been ordered back to the southern borders with the king. There’s been a breach p>
“And the Alpha King needs to personally see it?” Althea asked with a frown.
“There’s something strange about it, My Lady. But Simon left without explaining more,” Melva replied.
Althea only nodded in silence.
Then Melva brightened a little. “By the way, My Lady, the Alpha King has allowed you to use the Moonwell Cottage. Simon said you can request anything you need from Trudis, Rudy, and Ben. As long as Archmage Uriel approves, it will all be provided p>
The news instantly lifted Althea’s mood, her eyes lighting up at the thought. Althea quickly finished her bath, and Melva helped her dress. Just then, a knock sounded at the door. When Melva opened it, Elsa stepped inside.
“My Lady,” Elsa greeted with a small curtsey. Her voice carried both respect and warmth. “I haven’t properly thanked you for saving me. I’m truly grateful… and even more that the Alpha King has allowed me to serve as your personal maid p>
‘This is so complicated. I must tread carefully. I should do whatever the Alpha King wants,’ Elsa’s thoughts echoed.
Althea’s brows drew together as she caught them. ‘What exactly does Gavriel want?’ she wondered in confusion.