32: 32 A Request (AVOT)

32 A Request (AVOT)

Daisy's heart pounded like a frightened rabbit's as she found herself alone with her husband in the garden. The evening sky was cloaked in an indigo blanket, with the twinkling stars serving as their sole source of light. Swallowing her anxiety, she forced herself to meet his gaze.1

"We are finally alone now," he declared, his amber eyes glittering with an unreadable expression.

"Yes," she responded, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rhain's lips curved into an enigmatic smile before he extended his hand. "Let us get inside."

His hand was warm, and his grip firm as she tentatively took it. He led her into the manor, his tall silhouette cutting an intimidating figure against the dimly lit corridors. The darkness heightened her sense of unease, and the heavy silence amplified the ominous aura of their surroundings.

They continued to traverse through the labyrinth of hallways until Rhain opened a door to a room. As Daisy stepped inside, she could feel the slight tremble in her knees, but before she could calm herself, the sight before her made her pause. 

The room was a luxurious haven, bathed in soft hues of cream and gold. Velvet draperies hung from the high windows, pooling onto the polished wooden floor. The centerpiece was a grand, four-poster bed adorned with silk sheets and an abundance of plush pillows.

Filling the room was the intoxicating scent of roses, a tasteful arrangement of red and white blossoms arranged on a marble table by the window. Their fragrance wafted in the air, lending the room a romantic ambiance.

"Do you like it?" Rhain's voice cut through her reverie. 

"Yes," she admitted, the splendor of the room momentarily silencing her inner turmoil.

"Well, this is your room."

His statement stunned her. "My room?" she echoed, confusion clouding her features.

"Yes." He affirmed, his gaze lingering on her.

"And... yours?" She dared to ask, her curiosity overwhelming her nervousness.

Rhain began to move around the room, his steps slow, almost predatory. The sight of him, a powerful figure in their intimate surroundings, made her heart hammer in her chest. He paused near the bed. 

"Mine is just across the corridor," he replied, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. 

"Why?" She almost whispered before she could help it. 

"I believe," he began, his voice low and measured, "in giving you your space, Daisy. A place for you to retreat to when you want some solitude."

His answer left her surprised, but also appreciative. It was more considerate than she'd expected, and a part of her felt a touch more at ease.

Her gaze was locked with his, a flurry of emotions swirling within the depths of his eyes. As he approached, her nervousness mounted, her heart pounding against her ribs as though seeking an escape.

"This must be heavy now," he mused, his voice a low, soothing hum in the quiet room. His fingers gently lifted the veil's crown from her head, his touch feather-light. As the adornment was discarded, a weight seemed to lift from her, but it was replaced by a different kind of heaviness—the weight of his gaze. 

Unable to hold his gaze, Daisy's eyes darted downward, but Rhain's firm touch beneath her chin compelled her to meet his eyes once again. A devilish smile played across his face, sending a chill down her spine. "Is it alright to engage in some inappropriateness now, dear wife?" he taunted, his voice laced with a perverse anticipation.

"Well, it wouldn't be inappropriate now," she managed to reply. 

He seemed amused by her statement. 

"But..." she added quickly, her heart pounding within her chest. "I would like to have some time to adjust first," she blurted out, her words rushing out in a nervous flurry. She flinched, anticipating his reaction to her plea.

His eyes narrowed, flickering with intrigue. The finger under her chin traced a slow path down her neck, a subtle display of control that made her shudder involuntarily. With a slow, deliberate motion, he swept her hair aside, exposing her vulnerable nape, as he positioned himself behind her.

"Adjust, you say," he mused from behind, his warm breath grazing her nape. Daisy couldn't ignore the familiar feeling. There was something about not seeing him that heightened her fear, just like the last time he snuck behind her. "And what might that entail, Daisy?" His voice held a teasing tone, but beneath the surface, an unsettling curiosity lingered.

Daisy blinked, her mind racing to find the right words amidst her increasing unease. "I... I mean, getting used to... this," she stammered, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness. Her hands trembled slightly as she gestured hesitantly around the room.

"This?" he echoed, a hint of a laugh in his voice. "Our marriage? Me?"

Daisy took a deep breath, drawing on a reserve of courage she didn't know she had. She turned around, just to shut off the alarm signals. "Yes," she admitted, her voice barely more than a whisper.

She could see a spark of interest in his eyes. "And how long do you need to adjust, Daisy?" he asked. "Are we talking days, weeks... months?" She didn't miss the playful challenge in his tone. 

"As long as it takes," she replied. 

His eyebrows rose in genuine surprise, and she too was surprised. It was just a quick response to the challenge. She hadn't meant to voice it, but… well. The worst thing that could happen was his denial. "You are making this negotiation very difficult, Daisy." 

"It is not a negotiation. It is a request, and you can deny it." 

"Deny?" He chuckled. "Oh, I could not, but…" 

But? 

With a devious twinkle in his eyes, he stepped forward, drawing dangerously close to her. "But let's make one thing clear," he said, his voice dropping an octave lower. "If I am to be patient, Daisy, I need to know... what am I permitted?"

Rhain watched her intently, his eyes ablaze as she grappled with his proposition. What was he asking for exactly?

Sensing her internal struggle, the corners of his lips curled upward in a knowing smile. "May I touch?" he asked, his voice low and laced with a tantalizing gravity. Before she could reply, his fingers gently traced the line of her neck, coming to rest at her nape.

His thumb traced lazy circles just beneath her ear, creating a heady distraction. She took a shuddering breath, her voice barely above a whisper, "Yes..."

"And this?" Rhain's voice dipped lower, a murmur that caressed her senses as much as his touch. He leaned in, his lips mere inches from hers, his warm breath fanning her face. Daisy's heart fluttered wildly, her gaze drawn involuntarily to his lips.

"Yes," she heard herself whisper in a voice she hardly recognized as her own.

"Then we shall begin with that," Rhain responded, closing the remaining distance between them. 

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