? ゚ブ?

ALEKSANDER

"I like you like this." Alina's words were soft and meak, making his chest tighten.

Her brown eyes filled with admiration, that he couldn't bring himself to understand. He shook his head slowly, trying to figure the little minx out. She was a complete mystery to him. She should have hated him after all that he had done… Perhaps, his efforts had really changed her mind about him.

She's finally starting to accept me, too bad that she's falling for someone that doesn't exist. Isn't even the real me. The love in her eyes isn't really for me. But, for a character that I'm pretending to be…

I can't forget that…

Again.

Aleksander ran his hands through his hair, trying to calm his breaths. He was trying to convince himself of his own plans. He was aware that his black heart and cruel mind wanted two completely separate things. His heart was telling him that he just wanted nothing more than to protect and nurture this young girl. He wanted her kindness, like he wanted breath. But, his brain was screaming to put his foot down and sticking to his plan. He wasn't letting his stupid heart win. Alina made his heart thump and his hands shake, but he knew that he couldn't let himself get too involved like before. If he let himself care too much, it would hurt all the more, when he had to break her heart all over again.

He's already over stepped by making her the paints and brushes. He only had to be a little kinder to convince her to bend to his will. She was a young, naive girl. It wasn't hard to make her fall for him. He knew that. But, he also knew that he was starting to enjoy how easily she smiled when he'd be kind to her. How easy she could laugh when he'd allow her to be herself. He was starting to do more than he ever needed too.

You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar, but I also didn't have to give her the whole damn beehive.. Now, I'm addicted to that smile of hers…

The past two weeks haven't quelled the war raging in his mind one bit. But, he decided that as long as he acted like the gentleman that Alina wanted, that she would obey him, for the most part. Surprisingly, she had been almost easy going, when he wasn't taking out his aggression on her during training, at least. He was even starting to enjoy their conversations. Aleksander was shocked to find how natural opening up to her had become.

Dangerously easy to open up.

Of course, he had to limit those interactions to make sure he didn't share too much information. Also to keep his control in check, and not break the promise he gave her, about not touching her again. Not until she was only thinking of him. Which was a good enough excuse to buy him enough time to rein in his control.

His plan couldn't have gone any better, if you had asked him. Even though he wasn't lying about not wanting to be her bandaid, he also was craving her skin against his. so badly, that he had been coming into her room after she had fallen asleep. Just to trace the spine of her back, or run his fingers through her silky chocolate curls, or to soothe her nightmares. He knew, he had to rein himself in.

Yet, right now. After kissing him, and confirming that Alina, this wild, rebelious girl was only thinking of him and him alone. He had to admit that he was smitten. He liked her, much more than he was supposed to.

So that promise is out the window.. I'm running out of excuses to give her, and to give myself.

"Well?" Alina pressed, pulling him back to the present. Her big brown eyes, with longing and hope swarling in them, looking up through thick lashes. Her bottom lip tucked between her teeth, as she nervously chewed it.

"Can I please start painting you now?"

How could he say no to her, excitedly wanting to just use her new tools. An artist begging to dive into a new project. She was so adorable, when she squealed over how nice the paints were, his heart practically melted. Her dazzling smile almost made him stroke. So wide and all consuming that he had almost lost himself in the glory of it. He had never seen her smile so unrestrained, so unabashed. Aleksander cleared his throat. And for just a moment, he felt a pang of guilt for his plans.

But, he crushed it instantly.

"Okay.." He smirked, ruffling her hair as more curls fell from her very loose braid. The brown locks were already a mess from training, but they were still silky and soft against his fingers. She gave him a pout, before pulling away and undoing her braid completely. She raked her fingers through her main, fixing the tangles, with a little frown pulling on her mouth. He wanted to kiss the pout away, as soon as it formed on her doll-like lips, but he crushed that thought too.

"Use me, as you will." He smirked, adding a double meaning to his words, just wanting to tease her a bit. "How do you want me?" He clarified, as her cheeks reddened like roses blooming under her skin. Her pretty plump lips parted so beautifully for a split second, before closing quickly and pointing to the jade chair in front of the fireplace.

"Sit there."

Aleksadner nodded, moving over to the leather jade armchair, falling into it, crossing his legs and resting his arms on the armrest. "How would you like me to sit?"

"Uncross your legs, and slouch a little." Alina whispered, tucking her silky brown hair behind her ears, not meeting his eyes. She hesitantly backed up, observing him, her eyes roaming up and down slowly.

Almost trying to decide on something, fiddling with the oversized dress shirt. Tucking on a string attached to the last button. The white cloth practically swallowed her, but she made it look charming. Aleksander figured that she could make a potato sack look charming. It was just the fact that her little mannerisms, and subtle expressions, overshadowed anything she wore.

"Open then wide enough to touch the armrests. Like, how you sit on your desk chair when you're in a bad mood."

He cocked an eyebrow at her, wondering what kind of painting she was planning on doing… Not that he was complaining. He just wondered if she had noticed him all this time without him realizing. She drew him enough, so it didn't particularly surprise him. But it was rather amusing. The ill mannered girl must have been more observant than he had given her credit for, despite her naivety.

"Please.." Alina added quickly, after realizing that she was ordering him around. He cocked an eyebrow, his smirk widening.

She fidgeted nervously as he eyed her delicate frame, seeming unsure and reservice all of sudden. Almost, shy. Aleksander chuckled, finding this new side of her undoubtedly adorable. It made him want to tease her more, see her more embarrassed, more flustered.

She's shy when she likes someone, how unexpected.. He thought.

"How polite."

"I don't mean to be too demanding." She shrugged.

"You're an artist and I want you to have creative freedom. You're not being demanding." Opening his legs wide, till his knees rested against the side of the armrest, moving lower. The position felt comfortable and he was slightly grateful for that. He kept his eyes glued to her frame as she neared him. Studying the subtle sway of her hips, and flow of her long hair was floated behind her.

"Thank you." Alina's words brushed past his cheeks, as she leaned over giving him a perfect view of her defined collarbones, adorning her neckline beautifully.

He held his breath as she gently moved one of his hands to his lap, resting it on his upper thigh. The little contact shot a shiver through his body. Her fingers grazed against his thigh, dangerously close to his crotch. He hated that Alina's touch affected him so much. He was too aware of her. Aleksander's heart pounded in his chest, as she grabbed his other hand and rested it to his cheek. Propping his elbow on the dark wood armrest, as gave him a sheepish smile.

"Lean your head on your hand." She ordered, before running her hands through his hair, letting some strains fall into his vision, then playing with the placement. Making them tickle his nose and poke his eyes. But, when he turned his head away, she grabbed his chin and pulled it back. Her lovely face was close enough to feel her hair falling on his chest, Alina's beautiful eyes now focused and serious. Like, she was starting to ease into her artist mode.

His mouth barely fell, at the shock that she was being so forward with him. She always seems so unsure with her touches. But, at the moment she looked confident and put it together. It was enthralling, captivating. He wanted more…

"Stay still." She grumbled.

"Yes ma'am." Alexander scanned her as a slow grin replaced his shock, fighting his need to pull her into his lap, and claim her lips as his own.

"You said, I can use you as I please." She rolled her eyes, but giggled.

"I did." He agreed despite her reaction only made him want to spank her for rolling her eyes, but he clenched his hands to keep from doing just that.

He dug his nails into his palm, as she moved to unbutton the first few buttons of his shirt, making him freeze. He had just buttoned his shirt back up thinking that she clearly didn't want him to look unkempt.

What is she doing?

He chose to watch her confused. Too curious to even ask, as Alina was still shaking her head at his sarcastic comment, pulling it slightly open. Revealing his chest and the tops of his abs, running her fingers over the rippling muscles. A wave of heat crashed right to his groin, as her fingers brushed across his happy trail, making his back snap a little straighter.

"Stop moving." She snapped, slightly annoyed, pressing his shoulder back a little, forcing him to relax again. She also unballed his fist to look more natural. "Focus on not losing form."

All the subtle touches over the last couple of weeks had been driving him crazy. Yet here she is, practically testing his resolve. But, he did as he was told and rested his head against his knuckles, not really knowing how to react.

"Are you planning a nude portrait?" He teased as she just rolled her amber orbs, backing up a few steps. "I could help you with anatomy practice."

"No, thank you." She grumbled, all sheepishness completely gone, but the tops of her ears turned bright scarlett. "I just want to do something a bit more unconventional for your portrait. I want you to look natural, instead of stiff and stuffy."

Aleksander smirked and nodded knowingly. "I think you'd like me stiff."

"Quit trying to make me blush, just try your best not to move." Alina said blushing anyways, backing away and looking him over slowly. Her little hand rising to do a thumbs up and closing one eye, judging the scale of what he assumed was his shoulders to head ratio. He tried his best to hold back a smile, at her efforts. As she mumbled something about staying still again. He rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but find his little artist charming.

"You look better, when you're relaxed…" She decides, more to herself than Aleksander. Which made his smile widen, only making her mumble something about looking relaxed again.

Oh, so she really does just like me better this way... He thought to himself, but didn't say so, worried that it would distract her from the process. Aleksander felt himself twitch under his jeans, as he felt her eyes roaming his body. The feeling of her eyes, so intensely on his skin, made him feel exposed. He wanted nothing more than to take her, here and now, but he knew that she wanted to play with her new gift, instead of playing with him. But, it didn't stop him from imagining it.

She quickly moved to her stool and perched herself on it, with her butt and feet on the wooden top. Holding her knees to her chest like a gargoyle, her arms sketching from between her knees.

It was a real struggle to resist a laugh this time, but somehow he managed it. Her face was so serious, but her poster was a little goofy for a lady. He really had never met a young woman, so unaware of her ladyhood. She acted like a child, who had the wisdom of someone twice her age, but the heart of a saint. She was smart, but not enough to be cynical. She was interesting, like a puzzle that had no edge pieces to start with, so it was difficult to place them together.

I want to see more pieces of her puzzle, even if she'd never let me put her back together. Even if the pieces don't fit, I want to try…

No… Stay on plan.. I can't think like this.

Aleksander's smile instantly fell, pushing away all of the warmth building in his chest. He popped every bubble as it rose, and crushed all of the aching yearning that was beyond his sinful lust. He let himself have his sins, but refused to indulge in anything past that. He couldn't.

The room fell into silence except the sound of the fireplace crackling behind him and her brush against the canvas. The heat caused his sweat to drip down his neck, as he kept his eyes on her contractions. She was stunning like this, despite the occasional scrunching of her nose or the tilt of her head. Like she was working on figuring something out.

In fact, it enhanced her charm. Unassumingly and subtly, beautiful. Even when she drew with him in the kitchen, he couldn't help sneaking glances at her serious expressions. She looked so confident when she drew, less broken and scared of the future.

She looked comfortable and it looked good on her.

Watching her grow over the last few months did change something in him. Though he tried his best to ignore it, it had made him see her in a new light. She was strong. She wasn't as innocent as he had once thought, perhaps when it came to sex yes, but she wasn't naive to the world and the way it worked. Just naive to the way men worked and he couldn't blame her for that. He, himself, was still unsure how the female mind worked, despite being very familiar with their bodies.

He found himself, enjoying conversations with her, enjoying the way she processed things, the unyielding perseverance of her positivity, despite what she's been through. He looked forward to every dinner and lunch because he got to watch her draw, working on something that she loved to do. That's when he liked her the most.

Just like now, she looked so serious, but lost. Like, she was using her hands to work through her thoughts.

So many times, he wanted to tell her that he liked the way she smiled when she thought he wasn't watching, or the shine in her eyes when she was sketching something, or the way her cogs turned, like an expertly crafted watch. He grew to admire more than just her stunning appearance and it scared him. He was starting to go soft on her..

Even though his plan was to be the prince charming she wanted, he still felt irritated that he enjoyed it more than he liked. He wanted her to believe he was this kind, considerate man.

But, he just wasn't.

So, many times he wanted to force her to kiss him, hold her down and take what he wanted. Yet, Aleksander also refused to lie to himself about the fact that it felt so comfortable to see her relaxing around him. He was scared to lose that trust that she built. He only had to hope that she'd never learn of his plan. That she will just continue to be like this forever.

Alina gave him a soft smile, when their eyes met, as she opened one of the jars of paint. He kept his face as emotionless as he could, but his heart raced violently. He swore not to feel anything about this girl anymore, but he couldn't deny that he wanted her for more than just carinal reason's anymore.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked, dipping a paint brush into some of the black mush, then mix it with some white, making a creamy gray tone. She was still crouched in that awkward position, that caused a bubble of laughter in his chest, but he pushed it down.

He lifted a brow at her and let himself 'hmm' in thought, trying to fight his own amusement. "That you look more serious when you draw..." He scoffed in a joking way. Not willing to reveal his true intentions, despite the guilt building in his chest, swallowing it down once again. "That you look adorable, when you are sitting like a child."

"Oh, so you're making fun of me again.. Nice." She rolled her eyes, biting her lip. Despite her words, she quickly adjusted her frame to sit normally, a little red tending the tips of her ears that poke out from between her hair.

"I'm not." He smirked, "I just think it's cute." His face fell serious, but he kept his tone playful as she giggled.

"Then why did you let me kiss you, if i'm such a child?" She asked, her amber orbs lingering on his hand that rested on his thigh.

"Because, I like you." He admitted with a shrug, as she told him to sit still again, making him pause, but smile. "I like that about you. I don't think you're a child, or any more immature than most people your age. I just think that you're carefree, only in the way that most children are. It's a compliment. I just think it's refreshing. So, many women try to be proper and posed, but you don't care. I like that about you."

"I'll try not to take that as an insult." Alina's fingers paused as she looked like a deer in headlights, making Aleksander chuckle, as her mouth fell wide. "But, I think that was the first time I've gotten a straight answer from you."

The dark man resisted the urge to pull a hand through his hair to get the strands away from his view of her, knowing she was still needing it to stay the same as she was drawn. "You've gotten a few.."

She shrugged and went back to painting, "A few too little."

"What do you want to know, Alina? More book recommendations?" He smirked as he could tell that her neck was starting to match the rose shade of her cheeks, his teasing finally earning him her cute flustered expressions.

"Well…" She struggled, as she kept her hands busy. "I want to know where we go from here, now that I finally proved that I like you."

"What do you mean?" He asked, feeling his heart starting to practically bleed, knowing exactly what she was asking, but not wanting to answer. Knowing that he could never give her what every young woman wanted. He could never give her love, or marriage, or children. He could only be near her, and pleasure her. That was all he could give her in return for her loyalty. He couldn't even give his loyalty in return, because even though he liked Alina. He'd never trust her.

And she shouldn't trust me…

"Like…" She nibbled the tip of the paint brush, nervously. "Are we courting?"

"Courting?" He repeated the word, like the taste was disgusting. Aleksander felt his lips tug down, making his brows tugged tightly. He watched as Alina's bright eyes dulled and her lips tightened to a thin line.

"Alina…" He spoke her name like the apology he wished he could give her. "I can't.."

"Nevermind, I know." She rushed out, as words to prove her wrong caught in his throat. He felt the need to tell her that he'd made it right. That he would take care of her, that he would love her. Yet he remained silent, knowing that it would be a lie, and for some reason he couldn't give her anymore false hope.

"But, I do wonder… I just want to know that you won't be holding back anymore." Alina whispered with a gentle pained smile making his heartache even more. "That you won't push me away, or stop talking to me. If this will be my life from now on, I just hope that you'll be more open with me at least…"

Aleksander swallowed hard, refusing to let her disappointment affect him. It shouldn't matter. He didn't want it to matter. Yet, it still hurts like hell. She really was prepared to resign herself to only physical affection from him, despite begging for something so small. She was begging for him to just let her in, just a little. She had refused to kiss him yesterday, because she wanted him to love her. She was falling for him, he could tell, so of course she was starting to listen to him more and he had used that to his advantage. She was desperate to believe that that was enough for her.

But, It won't be enough, I know that. But, I'm not going to tell her any different, because that won't help my cause. I hate myself for it, but I'll never be her knight in shining armor.

"I won't be holding back anymore, My sweet Solntse. I promise you that." Aleksander tried to smile away the rest of his remaining shame. "The way I see it, you are merely accepting to stay with me. Choosing to be mine, and only mine. That's all I need."

Accepting to be mine. All mine. I'm too selfish, for anything else. I want her, without giving her any part of myself.

"Okay.." Her whisper sounded like defeat. "But, you do care for me, right?"

Aleksander wanted to chant yes, over and over and over again. Until, there wasn't a single doubt in her mind that he cared about her. But, he just signed not wanting to tell the truth, but knowing he had too.

"More than you know, and more than I'd like. But, I can't promise you anything more than that. That's all I can give you."

"Is it more than you've given to anyone else?"

The question surprised him. He didn't exspect it. He figured she'd look upset or angry. But, she was just staring at him. Her eyes were curious, as she licked her lips and pulled her brows tight. He thought about it, feeling a little unsure about his own answer.

Is it really more than anyone else?

"Yes." He whispered before he could stop himself from speaking out loud. He cleared his throat feeling deeply uncomfortable, blinking rapidly trying to clear his mind. The slow smile pulling at her lips, made him very aware that he may have just signed his own death sentence. "Don't."

"Don't what?" She smiled innocently, batting her lashes, her eyes wide with confusion.

"Don't read into that." He clarifies, almost warlily. He didn't want her to think that he loved her. He knew she had to love him, but the spell didn't say anything about him having to love her back. It just didn't feel right to give her that much false hope, just to crush her later.

"Okay." She said unconvinced, keeping that same big smile on her face. His heart practically bursting out of his chest, at her now hopeful smile as she went back to painting contently, her eyes breathing in every detail.

"I mean it."

"I know."

"Then, why are you smiling like that?"

"Because, I think it's cute how shy you are."

"I'm not shy." He glared at her, feeling suddenly very seen through and very frustrated.

"You know there's nothing to be embarrassed about. You can just say you like me." Alina giggled, making his heart thump against his rips. He wished he could tell her she was wrong. That she was just a silly child, but he said nothing. What could he say? She had him pinned.

"I'm not embarrassed. Now don't press your luck girl, I may like you but that doesn't mean I will tolerate disrespect." He grunted, feeling a weird sense of annoyance rising in his chest. This may have been the first time anyone had teased him back. He wasn't sure if he enjoyed it or not.

"Sorry." Alina tried to hide her laughter clearly, not sorry at all, as if he didn't intimidate her in the least. He scoffed, feeling a scowl on his face, despite the fact that he felt his body relaxing the instant he heard her light laughter. Making any resistance seep from his bones. "I don't mean to be disrespectful. It's just nice to see this side of you. I find it very human."

"Human?" He huffed, feeling grossed out at the idea. Like, she was saying that he was weak, or emotional. "How insulting."

"You're so weird." Alina's beautiful laughter filled the room, as he let himself enjoy the sound, feeling any annoyance floating away. Like, her giggles made the room feel so light, that any heavy thoughts disappear. The sun drifted through the murky window, seeming to mix with her beautiful voice.

"I'm not that strange.." Aleksander shook his head a little at her childish laughter, trying not to smile. Her laughter felt contagious.

She was holding her belly, bending over herself as she dabbed her eyes with her white shirt. Alina was practically howling, happy tears rolling down her cheeks. "Yes, you are! You looked so disgusted that I'd call you human! That's hilarious." She cackled wildly. "The look on your face!"

In that moment, as Aleksander fought his own laughter, his own mind was losing its own battle. Because, his mind was empty and his heart was full. Dripping down his rips, to his stomach, filling it with rays of sunshine. With each little chuckle, Alina was feeding his heart. She was reminding him of the real reason he called her, ' little sun. '

"Whatever…" He sighed while she gathered herself, but was smiling like a loon as she went back to painting. "Just finish my painting, before I change my mind."

"Okay okay." Alina held up her hands in defeat, before shaking off her goofiness. She took a few deep shaky breaths, as she shook her head.

? ゚ブ?

They fell into a comfortable silence as the hours slipped away. He didn't dare speak. The young girl had finally slipped into a deep concentration. He felt like he was under her spell, keeping him fixed in place with serious eyes. He was also thankful to be free of her prying questions. He was starting to be a little worried that she was more observant than he had previously thought, and it made him nervous.

Before he realized it, he was following her every movement. Committing it all to memory. The way her eyelashes fluttered up and down with every blink, the way she didn't bother to move her hair away from falling into her face. Too focused to even care, that she was slowly being covered in deep gray acrylics. He gathered that she was doing a monotone painting, from the repetitive dips into only black and white jars.

Alexander's mind wandered as his little sun sketched away, catching glimpses of her pale features as she darted back and forth from behind the large canvas. She had been so well behaved these past few weeks, and it made him want to test how obedient she could be…

She's finally following my orders, and she's getting stronger. Before long, I'll be able to use her. I will be able to finally free myself from this curse... With her help, I could rule this world.

But I want to test her… I want to see how loyal she's becoming. I'm a horrible man, but the idea… Is so tempting.

Aleksander started to wonder where her eyes were landing, tracing them to his chest. Instantly, he felt his skin heat, as if she was burning patterns into his exposed skin. He swallowed hard, biting back his thoughts, but they carried him away. He watched her fingers dancing over the canvas with such skill and ease. He found himself wondering what they would feel like dancing across his skin instead. The silence allowed his mind to dream freely about how much he craved her touch, her lips, her body..

He drank in the subtle rise and fall of her breast as she breathed in her steady breaths, and found himself lost in memories of that mushroom lit cave. His mouth practically watering at the thought of his favorite color, the way her soft stomach felt pressed against his hard...

Aleksander froze as Alina's golden orbs started to grow wide. He followed her gaze to his crotch and frown slightly realizing that a bulge was growing in his pants.

Well, fuck..

He snapped his eyes back up and smirked, clearly caught. "Please don't include that in the painting." He joked as he licked his lips, kind of hoping she did, as long as it kept her eyes on him.

And him alone.

Alina caught her bottom lip between her teeth, as her whole face flushed a beautiful scarlet. She nodded, but she didn't stop staring at his growing erection. "Why are you turned on?..."

"I think, I like when you look at me." He admitted as he breathed in and out slowly, moving his hand up his thigh. Her eyes locked on him as he moved it over his clothed member, pressing his palm over it before grinding over it deliberately. He didn't know why, but her watching him so closely was driving him crazy. He had waited for so long, that he just simply didn't care anymore. "Do you like watching me?"

The young girl blushed so darkly that he thought she wasn't breathing at all for a moment, but she regained her composure with a deep breath and chewed on her bottom lip. Amber eyes still glued to the view of him rubbing his palm over his hard on. She nodded her head, slowly. Too ashamed to use her words, as he rolled his hips into his hand. He knew that she was still unfamiliar with the male body, so he was positive that she was more curious than she let on.

"Tell me, Solntse." He started, his eyes feeling heavy with lust as he focused on her thighs rubbing together, ever so subtly. "Does seeing me do this make you wet?" His voice was husky with need, truly curious if she was as affected as he she didn't answer, but instead licked her lips and put the end of her paint brush against her chin. Like she was too distracted to think properly. Her eyes, still on his hand, as she wiggled on her stool, looking completely entranced.

"Answer me, Solntse."

"I don't know.." She grumbled, looking away finally, a pout forming on her lips. "Stop teasing me. You're just trying to embarrass me."

He chucked, as he kept his hand still moving over his growing hard on, stroking himself. "No, I'm not. It just turns me on to hear you admit that I affect you."

Alina slowly turned her head back to look at his smirking face. Curious doe eyes struggling between looking down at the thick line forming down his leg, covered by the leather of his pants, and his black lustful gaze. "Do you think of me when you do that often?" She asked, surprising him for the second time tonight, as his cock tingled at the sound of her needy voice.

"Every night." Aleksander states without shame, unembarrassed by his admission. He wanted her to know that she made him like this. That this was all her fault. Amber eyes fell half lidded, as she stared hard at his hand, as he ran his fingers up and down his length lazily.

She was obviously shifting in her set at his point, trying to create friction where there was none. Her breathing hitched, as her mouth fell open, but her hands held tight to the lip of the stool. Like, she was trying her best to keep herself steady.

"Aleksander?" She whispered, breathlessly.

" Alina ." He answered, his smirk growing wider, as she finally lifted her sights to his own.

"I feel something." She finally admits.

Fuck… This girl is going to be the death of me.

"Come here."

She didn't say a word, as she drifted over to him. Pausing, when she was standing between his knees, as she wiped some of the paint from her hands. Rubbing them against her thighs, staining the loose brown pants that she wore. But, she didn't notice, her eyes solely focused on his moving hand. Gold still glued to him, as her breaths seemed to quicklen. Making her breast rise and fall rapidly. He could almost hear her heart beating wildly in her chest.

"Are you curious?" He asked, his voice lowing to gravel, as he continued to palm his cock, savoring the way her gaze burned his skin. She nodded again, her flush darking to almost purple shade, as she nipped her chin, hiding behind her hair.

"Use your words." He demanded, but tried his best to sound easy, relaxed. Not wanting to startle the poor girl, when she was already so nervous. But, he wanted to hear her soft voice. Craved the creaming smoothness of it.

"Y-yes." Alina managed to squeak out, her hands playing with that same string that dangled from her shirt. "I want to know.." She added quickly, when Aleksander remained silent.

"What do you want to know?"

"H-how to make you feel good.." She managed through whiny breaths, like the words where she struggled to press through her perfect pink lips.

"Touch me." He demanded as she shifted a step closer, bringing her shaky hand out, before pausing and pulling back a little. But, he took her hand and covered his throbbing cock with her hand. Letting himself twitch underneath her unsure touch. His body burned instantly against her touch, making his body scream for more, but he didn't press his luck. Not yet, he just wanted to indulge her curiosity for the moment. Getting her used to him.

"It's really hard..." Alina's soft voice sounded more interested than shocked.

"It's your fault." He chuckled, moving her hand up and down his member, feeling a moan crawling up his throat, as he exhaled slowly trying to bite it back.

"All I did was look at you.." She whispered, almost seeming like he was blaming her for something bad, as if the fact that she made him hard was a bad thing.

"I mean to say, Alina." He smiled, pressing her hand over his dick harder, making him shiver with pleasure. "That, this is proof of how much I want you."

"Aleksander, show me how to make you feel really good. I want to make you feel the way you make me feel." Alina whispered, moving her hand on her own, without Aleksander's help. He rested his hands on his thighs, as she explored his clothed cock, moving his hips against her palm, thinking of all the ways he could teach her how to pleasure him. He hummed in thought, as he watched her lips parting with her quick breaths.

I want those lips around me… God her innocence alone, makes it feel like wanting that is a sin.

He smiled at her, feeling his stomach curling at the sound of her cute, submissive tone. He grabbed the pillow from behind his back and tossed it at her feet, and pouted at it.

"Kneel."

In a flash, her eyes grew to the size of the sun, her amber orbs blazing with concern and confusion. "Why?"

"Because, I want to teach you how to please me." He kept his face neutral, tilting his chin up, trying to keep his voice calm, when he truly wanted to force her down. But, he knew that he had to be patient with her. Alina still didn't know anything about this kind of thing, and he was more than delighted to be the one to teach her. "Isn't that what you asked me to show you?"

He eyed her, as she nodded again, and slowly lowered herself onto the pillow, steading herself on his thighs as she did. The heat from her hands, making his dick throb, begging to feel more.

"Good girl." He smirked, as she glared up at him, knowing that he was only calling her that because she said that it was something she dreamed about in the dark.

"Don't make fun of me." She mumbled, a spark of her defiance poking through the lust that pooled in her eyes.

He reached down and scratched her head right at the base of her head, running his nails over her scalp, now that she was eye level with his erection. The fact that her pretty face was so close to his cock, made his stomach twist with need.

"I wouldn't dream of it." He chuckled as she leaned into his movements, her hair feeling like silk between his fingers. "Undo my pants." He instructed, still playing with her hair, as he slid down further in his seat. His inner thighs enclosing her shoulders.

Her lips parted as if she was planning on refusing, before Aleksander lovingly brushed his fingers over her cheek. His attempt on calming her, giving her enough confidence to reach her shaky fingers to his waistline. He licked his lips, as she struggled untying the laces. Her hands trembled so badly, the thought he may have scared her.

Aleksander quickly grabbed her chin and pulled her into a searing kiss, making her freeze for a moment, gripping her hair in a tight fist as he tried to quell her nervousness. He let a hum vibrate from his throat to hers, as her soft, plump lips started to move against his own, her body melting like puddy into his capable hands. Alina tasted like sweet wine, and sin to him. Like forbidden fruit that he just couldn't resist, he wanted all of her. To eat her whole, as he swirled his tongue, past her shy lips.

Pulling away, once the adorable girl had finally stopped shaking, a grin forming at his lips. He looked down at her now, heavy lidded eyes, and puffy red lips. "Go on." He said, nodding at his erection.

Alina blinked a few times, before quickly unlacing his pants, much faster now that she was no longer trembling. She tugged down the leather slightly, as he lifted his hips, helping her pull the fabric lower on his waist, till his cock sprang out completely, eager to be free. She let the fabric bunch right under his exposed cock, her eyes going cross as it stood tall, right in front of her.

He was so hard at his point, that it had already started to leak with anticipation. He took a deep breath, as Alina's eye lingered on it, her head only slightly bigger than his twitching member. He had to bite his bottom lip, to keep from full on grinning at her flustered expression.

He all but hissed, as she breathed out, letting her hot breath land on his sensitive length making his hips jerk slightly. She glanced up at his face, looking a little amused at his reaction, as she gently grasped the base of it with her two hands. Aleksander flenched, his eyebrows pinching tight, and grip on her hair becoming strict. He inhaled sharply, Her hands feeling cold against him, but sending waves of pleasure coursing through him.

I'm not going to last long if just her touching me feels this good… He tried to steady his breathing and heart, as she drifted feather light fingers, up and down his bare manhood, her face so close that her breaths ticked the sensitive skin.

Alina pulled her hand up and down, like he had told her to do in the cave, making his pleasure curl behind his eyes, making it harder to even focus.

"What now?" She asked his reaction, causing more confidence to show on her beautiful face, as leaned into his head scratches.

"Lick it." He growled, unable to keep his voice even, anymore. She looked up at him like he was crazy, her nose squishing up, all confidence fading. He usually loved when she did that, because he made her look adorably confused. But, right now he just needs her mouth on him as soon as possible.

"But…" She hesitated, looking down at his cock again, most likely wondering if that was clean. Then, stopped, most likely realizing that he had done the same to her.

He grasped the back of her head, fisting all of her hair away from her face. Holding her hair in a ponytail behind her head, as he smirked down at her, as her face grew more confused. He kissed her lips one more time, before pressing the side of her head flat against his thigh, till her face was an inch away from his dick. She smacked her hands against his legs, struggling for just a moment before calming down, realizing that he was only holding her there, not pressing her any closer.

"Lick." He commanded again, a little harsher this time. She gasped, but didn't pull back, instead looking up through her dark lashes, with her big doe eyes and nodded.

He bit his bottom lip hard, as he watched her little pink tongue, hesitantly dart out running the tip of it from the base all the way to the head. He shivered, loosening the grip on her hair a bit. So that her tongue could glade up to his inflamed head, before flicking it over the slip that was still leaking. She made a gross face, some of the precum landing on her taste buds.

"Salty.." Alina complained cutely. He couldn't resist a chuckle, her innocent reactions making it hard not too. She had licked his cock with just the tip of her tongue, as if it was a lollipop that she was scared of. He let her pull slightly back, as he ran the back of his knuckles across her lips, savoring their smoothness.

"What?" Alina quickly pulled back, obviously offended at his laughter. Her arms crossed over her chest, making her shirt dip lower revealing the tops of her breast, making his mouth go dry.

"Nothing, you're just cute. Try flattening your tongue against it. Also, don't be afraid to use a lot of spit. It feels better, the more wet it is." He instructed his voice softening, trying his best to control himself.

Once she gets used to me, I won't have to control myself as much, but right now… I don't want to scare her away.

She immediately did as he asked and trailed the pad of her tongue along the thick vein on the underside of his cock. She seemed more determined this time. More eager to please him, after he had laughed at her. Clearly, wanting to prove that she wasn't as innocent as he knew she was.

He was a little surprised that she obeyed so quickly, he really thought he'd have to be more convincing. A groan escaped his lips, as he let his head fall back, keeping his eyes locked with hers. As she repeated the action again, letting more drool coat his shaft.

"Just like that.." He hummed out. "My sweet Solntse."

Helping some of her hair out of her face, as her soft hands held his cock in place. Allowing her to press her wet muscle harder against his sensitive flesh. He couldn't resist letting his hips roll very subtly along with her affections.

"Try sucking on head."

She obeyed, wrapping her pretty pink lips around his leaking tip, giving a weak suck. Her cheeks hollowed for a moment, as she swirled a tongue around its perimeter. He quickly raised a fist to his mouth, biting his knuckle hard, doing anything to keep himself from shoving her head down further. The feeling sends a thousand ripples of electricity though his body, forcing a deep groan to vibrate through his chest.

God, I want to fuck that pretty throat… Aleksander sunk his teeth deeper into his knuckles, focusing on the pain, but Alina sucked harder this time. Her swollen lips still locked around just his rosy tip. Making his hip buck, making his cock sink deeper into her mouth.

She looked shocked for a moment, before starting to pull back again. But, he held her in place. He was starting to lose his hold on his control. He needed to her throat, bucking his hips once more. Keeping his black orbs on her, as half of his members disappeared behind her lips.

She squeezed her eyes closed, a choked whimper seeping from around his cock. Sending vibrations through it, as he felt himself twitch against her tongue. Moaning as he pressed her further down, feeling her nails sink into his hips deeper with each inch.

"Good girl, just one more inch." He praised, but she started to struggle, needing air. "You're doing amazing." He managed through a groan thrusting all the way in, hitting the back of her throat before holding her there, as she started to scratch at stomach and chest.

Shit, I might cum, soon.

It felt like heaven. It was so warm and velvety past her lips. hissing her name, savoring the way her throat constricted around his length. Slobber dripping down to his base, as the sloppy wet sounds filled the room. Echoing beautifully around them. He wanted to keep her there forever.

Her nose pressed to his public bone, sending hot air over his skin making goosebumps prickle down his back. He was practically hard as stone. He grinded into her, but kept her face pressed down harshly, not allowing her any escape. Gurgling protests as she tried to pull back, tears filling her eyes and face glowing red, all reminding him that she still had to breathe.

Shit, I forgot to tell her to breathe through her nose…

He quickly released her, as she flew back, like a rubber band snapping from his fingers, as she gulped down air, coughing and hacking, holding her chest.

"What the hell!" Alina snarled, the cutest little glare on her flushed features, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand roughly.

"I told you, I wasn't going to hold back, anymore." Aleksander smiled wickedly down at her, letting his eyes droop lazy, as he used her spit to lube his cock, as he pumped himself with his fist. Never breaking eye contact.

"View this like training. I don't go easy on you when I'm training you."

"But, I couldn't breathe! This is not like training at all!" She growled out, going to stand up, but he grabbed her wrist. Tugging her harshly making her fall into his chest. She yelped, catching herself on his shoulders. He hooked his hands behind her knees, and hauled her into his lap.

"Hey!" She protested, starting to regain some fight as she tried to crawl off of him, but he held her hips tight. Sinking his fingers into her small hip bones.

"Let me make it up to you." The dark man whispered, against her neck. Nipping at the sensitive skin, kissing and sucking up to the corner of her jaw.

"You're an ass." Alina's little grumbling made him aware that she was most likely pouting. He only chuckled, because despite her insults, she remained still.

"You like when I act like an ass." He knew that to be the truth, because she had already started to glow, her skin shimmering in the firelit room. As much as she tried to hide her reactions, she couldn't. He knew that she liked his harshness, even if she tried to deny it.

"Only a little." She scoffed, he nibbled on her chin as he smirked. Claiming her lips harshly as he ripped her button down open. Sending buttons flying everywhere. The sound of tapping drowning out her gasp, as the little plastic circles rained against the stone floors. Her thin camisole revealed the beautiful shape of her nipples, too thin to cover them properly.

She was going to wear this to sunbathe in? Was my innocent little sun planning on driving me mad?

"Were you going to wear this to tempt me? It's practically see through." He chuckled, rubbing his fingers over her hard nubs over her tank top.

"No…." She whined out, but arched her back into his hands, a breathy moan falling from her lips, like music to his ears. "It's been hot…"

"Liar." He groaned into her mouth, as she snaked her arms around his neck, pulling him deeper into the sinful kiss. Her tongue mixed the taste of himself with her sweet wine onto his taste buds, making him feel drunk on the concoction.

Moving her thin undershirt up to let her beautiful mounds free, as she moaned into his kiss. He palmed her breast as soon as they came into full view, squeezing the creamy flesh, a feminine groan seeping between their kisses. His fingers found her dusty pink nipple and pinched it between his fingers, making it hardened to a stiff point. Peppling perfectly under his actions, as he brought his free hand to her other breast and matched it.

Shivering under his touch like she was in heat, grinding her clothed ass against his dick, earning a growl from him as well. He sunk his teeth into her bottom lip, as she moaned so sweetly, that he thought he was going to explode with need. He was so close before, and pulled back only because he didn't want her first blowjob to endup up with her puking on him. But now he was growing impatient again.

He dropped his head down, and sucked one of her nipples into his mouth, nipping at the tender flesh, as she raked her nails across his scalp, sending goosebumps down his back. He had no issue slipping the oversized brown pants down under her ass, as more of Alina's musical moans filled his head.

"Fuck, I can't wait any longer." He admitted with a growl, flipping her around so that her back was pressed against his chest, earning a yelp in surprise. He pulled the pants down around her thighs, before fisting the rest of the loose fabric tight. Ensuring, she couldn't spread her legs apart, still allowing her beautiful curls to be on full display by the fire light.

I'll have to shave her soon, I want to see all of her. He reminded himself, as she rested the back of her head against his shoulder, her arms reaching up to lock behind his neck. He positioned himself so that the head of his cock was sitting right behind her thighs.

"Wait!" Alina squealed, panic rising as she started to thrash in his lap. "I'm not ready, you're too big! It's going to hurt!"

"It's okay, Love. Calm down." He soothed her with a few kisses to her temple. "I'm only going to use your thighs. It will feel good for you too. I promise." Aleksander quickly comforted her worries, as he whispered into her ear. Moving to pull her earlobe between his lips, and nippling on it.

Before she could get out another word, he spit into his hand and stroked his cock a few more times, before thrusting between her thighs. Slamming her ass into his hips, earning another gasp from Alina as he felt her wetness instantly coat his cock. Her pussy twiching against him as he grazed her clit, making more of her arousal to flow over his dick.

"See, doesn't that feel good, My sweet Solnest?" He asked, already knowing the answer, by the way her moan bursted from her chest, and back arched violently. Her body shining like a mild star, filling the room with light.

"mmmhmmm." She moaned out, nodding her head as she rolled her perky ass into him, making his eyes roll back into his head.

"Fuck, do that again." He groaned out, his voice falling to gravel, as she did what she told. Grinding her wet core against him, moving her hips in choppy circles. Her beautiful moaning growing louder, and her skin burning brighter.

I also need to start teaching her how to control her power, so that my eyes don't have to burn everytime I want to watch her cum.. But, fuck her thighs feel amazing. So fucking soft…

Aleksander lifted her before bringing her back down harshly on his length, not being able to fight the urge to thrust his hips. He fucked her thighs in long hard thrusts. Rolling his hips after each slow thrust, making sure to let his cock slide between her lower lips. His tip assaulted her bundle of nerves, over and over again, as his hands played with her nipples. Both hands holding her arching back against him, and fonding over her perfect mounds, that fit into his palms, like they were meant to be held by his hands. Not too big, but not too small.

"Alek.." She whined, her mouth falling open as he lifted one hand to tilt her head to the side. Crashing his mouth into hers. He craved her kiss, drinking in each and every moan. Like he was on death row, and her voice was his last meal.

"Tell me how good I make you feel, can you hear how wet you are?" He asked knowing that there was no way she could mistake the sloppy wet smacks that filled the room. She just continued to whimper and moan against his lips, her eyes locked on the sight of his leaking tip poking through her thighs with each thrust. Smearing precum over her thighs, mixing with her wetness. He loved the mess that he was making her, he couldn't even find the will to feel guilty about dirtying her.

Because ruining her, it just felt too intoxing for him to look away. He wanted to drink in her like his favorite honey mead. She was quickly becoming his favorite drug, and he was growing addicted.

"Answer me." He growled, slowing his thrust to a crawl as she tried to wiggle her butt, like a bitch in heat, but he kept her hips still. "Tell me how good I make you feel, Alina . Tell me that you hear how wonderful you sound."

She whimpered in need, trying to fight his hold so she could move her hips, but he kept a bruising grip on her sharp hipbones.

"No, not until you answer me." He chuckled against her throat, as her head fell back, exposing her pale skin to him, as he took the opportunity to nibble and lick her pale neck.

"Yes. It feels a-amazing. Please ke-eep g-going!" She stuttered out. "I-I h-hear it."

"Touch yourself." He said as Alina's body went ridge. "I want to see what you did in the dark."

"No…It's embarrassing." Alina begged, shaking her head.

"Well, then I guess you won't cum.." Aleksander stopped moving at all, giving her an empty threat, knowing damn well that there was no possible way he could stop himself now. If she didn't do as he asked, he'd just have to spank her later for it, instead. But, he still hoped that she'd take the bait.

Amber eyes searched his black ones, as he pretended to start pulling away. A small hand quickly flew between her legs, as she pressed his tip harder against her clit, making them moan in unison.

"Fuck… That feels great. But, I want you to show you how to feel good on your own." He moaned out against her neck, bucking his hips. He reached down and spread her lower lips with his thumb and middle finger, making sure she could see the pretty pink of her pussy.

"Do you see that little nub here?" Aleksander whispered right against her ear, as she gave him another delightful shiver of her body, as he skimmed his index finger over the top of her clit. The pad of his finger, running slow circles around her bundle of nerves, making sure to keep light pressure on the area.

Alina's panting filled the room, as she nodded. Eyes glued to her own weeping sex. "Y-yes."

"That's your clit. It's where women feel the best." His husky whisper, blending into her whimpers. She melted into him, as he kept rubbing slightly faster circles around the little nub, being careful not to touch it directly, knowing it would be too sensitive for that right now. Soft mews falling from her lips as he barely grazed over it, making her gasp loudly, eyes going while. He smirked at her adorable reaction, keeping his slow thrust between her milky thighs.

He used his over hand to lead her fingers to her sex, replacing his fingers with hers. "Playing with yourself, love. Do whatever feels good." He commanded as her moans started to rise in pitch again, starting to sound higher and more needy.

"Don't look.." She begged, but did what she was told, her fingers making quick work, talking her two middle fingers and rounding over her clit. He ignored her wishes and watched her obviously, as he shifted his hips so that each thrust brushed against her opening. Teasing her just enough to make her body shake, each time his tip pressed slightly into her, only to slide past it.

"Good girl.." He praised, picked up his pace with his hips and moved his hands back to her breast, playing with her maluable flesh and nippples. She was practically seizing in his lap, as she arched her back and bucked her hips wildly. He struggled to keep his own fast thrust steady, as he felt his orgasm building. His cock throbbing almost painfully at this point, as he watched his sweet, innocent little Solnste playing with her pretty clit.

She was screaming his name, at this point and he was loving each moan and whine that was falling around him. Seeping into his skin, making lava pool in his lower stomach, curling him so tight, that it is starting to make him see black dots. His little sun didn't help his vision much either. And thank goodness, he could barely see. He would have already come, if that was the case.

"Please, don't stop!" Alina encouraged, as if he could ever dream of stopping now.

This woman is driving me crazy… God Dammit, I'm almost there.

The obstructed view alone could make him cum, but the feeling of her warm, velvety thighs wrapped snug around his cock. On top of the fact that her juices made each thrust feel better than the next, was all too much. He was slowly starting to unravel completely. He wasn't sure how much more he could take, and didn't want to leave his Solnste without her own release.

"I want you to cum for me, love." He growled, wrapping a hand around her throat, just holding it there, his thumb pressing against her pulsing vein. "You feel too good, I'm not going to last much longer…" He struggled to get the words out, as he pumped between her puffy pink petals.

"I'm so close!" Alina screamed, matching him thrust for thrust. "Yes Alek, more, yess. Oh god YES!"

Aleksander snarled against her skin, her words adding another layer of fire to his belly, as he fucked her as fast and hard as his body allowed, as he quickly ripped her hand away, and replaced it with his own, impatiant for her release. He rested his two middle fingers over her nub, laying them flat and applied a decent amount of pressure. Creating short side to side motions, so fast that his hand was a blur. Practically, making his fingers vibrate against her sensitive flesh, keep them directly on her clit.

He watched her face as she turned into a blubbering mess of curse words, screamed moans and his nickname. Tears streamed down her face, and mouth opened wide.

"ALEKSANDER!" She finally screamed, fresh tears falling from her face. Her orgasm proved too much for her to handle. As her whole body arched up high, going ridged as Aleksander contenued to fuck her through her orgasm, his body following right after hers. As he slammed his eyes shut, against her blinding light and the best orgasm of his entire, very long, life. It was like an out of body experience. Watching as ribbons of his seed splashed over her breasts and stomach, then her thighs and pussy as he rode out the rest of his mind numbing orgasm.

She collapsed into a twitchy mess into his chest as he rolled his hips a few more times, riding out his orgasm, running his hands over her soft thighs. Her hair falling in her face, sticking to the sweat and tear streaked cheeks. Aleksander lovingly moved the locks away, kissing any skin he could reach. Her forehead, her cheeks, her jaw, her button nose.

"My sweet- kiss - sweet- kiss - Solntse." The now, much more relaxed man, whispered. leaving more lingering kisses against her skin, like tiny prayers of thanks. "You did so well."

Aleksander felt like his mind was clear for the first time in years, as he nuzzled his nose into the crook of her neck. Breathing in her natural scent, feeling a thread wound around his heart and pulling tight. He didn't know what the feeling was, so different from anything he had ever felt.

Most of the time, he just wanted to be alone after sex. To smoke by himself, but right now, he wanted to curl her closer to him. Till, she was a part of him. But, he figured that was just because he was still left slightly wanting, since he was still holding back from taking her virginity. He knew she wasn't ready just yet, and perhaps he still felt a little too guilty about taking that from her, when he knew he couldn't be her knight in shining armor.

All Alina could manage was little 'hm's' of agolagment, as he gave her his affection, letting his hand rub over her body, soothing her into sleep. As Aleksander pulled her pants the rest of the way off and used it to clean off the remaining essence of his orgasm from her body.

He forced himself to move, honestly not yet ready to rid himself from her warmth, but did so. Shifting so he could tuck himself back into his leather pants, before lifting her into a princess hold as he stood. Aleksander smiled as he felt her bury her face into his neck, deciding that he'd clean up the disgaruded clothing later.

At the moment, he knew he needed to get her cleaned up, before the clear substance that scared her flesh dried and became sticky. He figured Alina wouldn't appreciate it, if she woke up stickly and covered in sweat. He sighed looking forward to a bath himself, as he made his way out of the room, but paused.

He had totally forgotten about her painting, and was curious how it was coming along. Turning around to face the tall canvas, he felt his breath hitch in his throat.

He saw his form, lovingly painted in messy grayscale, on the white stretched fabric. She had already started to add some details to his face, and eyes, and to his surprise. His expression seemed almost, 'loving' in this version that stared back at him. His eyes soft and lips set in a relaxed smile, that only tugged at one side.

But it was his own eyes that confused him the most. They were lighter than normal, more gray-ish blue. The only pop of color in the whole painting, but was so subtle that it was mesmerizing. Making the viewer almost question whether or not it was truly blue, or just a cool gray. It made the eyes seem to pop, looking more dimensional. But that wasn't what made him concerned. They looked like they were almost concerned or worried. They looked in pain, like an unrequited lover, focusing on the subject of his demise. Her painting said so much, yet spoke of nothing.

Is that how I was looking at her? Is that really the face I was making as I was daydreaming about her? I look like I'm a love sick young man. That couldn't possibly be the way I looked.

Aleksander snapped his eyes to the round decorative mirror above the fireplace and frowned, seeing his messy black hair, and empty eyes. Then, snapped them back to the painting.

This had to be how she thinks I look. She's only seeing me from her own perspective. Seeing me, how I've made her believe. I was only being kind to her because I needed her.

She painted me in her perspective. Not reality. It couldn't be reality.

He finally shook his head before moving to walk her to his bedroom, and placing her on the bed as he began filling the tub with water. His mind filled with unanswered questions, just like the warm water filling the white claw tub.

Is it even possible for me to fall in love with someone… Do I love this girl? He scrubbed his face with an exslerated sigh. I'm so fucked, if I've falling in love with my first damn excape plan in 50 years. I can't fall for the key that unlocks my chains.. What's the use for a key, after it already freed you? She's the only one that can break my curse, but she'll hate me once she finds out that I really have been only using her…

I'm damned if I do, and damned if I don't.

? ゚ブ?

ALINA

The sound of horses running across gravel, the sound of my screams, the brushing grip on my arms keeping me from chasing after Mal. The sweet boy, who had been the first person to show me kindness.

How many times have I seen this dream? How many times will it replay, with only subtle differences.

The couch is gone, lost to the fog. I'm kneeling in the gravel, crying just like always. Yet, this time I feel strong arms holding me. Wrapping me in their warmth, and then I feel like I'm floating.

But, this time is very different. This time, It's not a nightmare at all.

Aleksander's soft kisses on my temple, 'shhhh-ing' my cries, rocking me side to side. He held me like you would a crying child. He felt warm and safe, like everything I ever wanted growing up. I sobbed harder out of sheer heart touching affection. It felt so foreign, so needed.. I am a crying child at the moment, I realize. Still that same blubbering 12 year old girl, felt friendless, yet now not Alone.

This time, The darkling was there to comfort me. To kiss away my tears, and stroke my hair. He was there to be the strength to my weakness. He whispers something to me. Something that I can't make out, that I can't yet understand. His gentle deep voice, making the world around me fade away. Like, his words alone had the power to set everything that was wrong, back to right.

"I love you."

I don't know which one of us said it, but it lingered in the air, and all of sudden we're on his third story porch and I'm older. I'm my age now. He's smiling at me, like he's never been cruel in his entire life and I- I'm…

I'm okay.

I'm more than okay, I'm happy.

Alina gasps awake, looking around, noticing she'd in the bathroom. She was in the tub, with the same strong arms wrapped around her waist. A hard chest smashed against her spine as she felt a soft sponge pausing its movement's against her rips.

"Did I wake you?" Aleksander's deep voice echoed around the room. bouncing off of the tiles, dripping over her bones like liquid heat. Alina craned her neck back, her heart still thumping wildly in her chest, as exhales a slow smile. Her dream had sent her in a spiral, that she wasn't sure how'd recover from.

Was I in love with this cruel man? This beautiful, kind, yet cruel man? Did that dream mean I love him? I feel so unsure. What does love even feel like? Is this love?

Aleksander's endless orbs held her's waiting for her response, his head tilting as she started to see him in this new odd light. He seemed softer to her now, less scary, less intimidating. Yet, just as beautiful. She felt her heart twisting in her chest, so tight that it was almost hard to breathe.

"Alina? What's wrong?" His voice tender, almost concerned as he brushed the back of his knuckles against her cheek. Dark brows drew tight, as he started that rapid blink thing that he did when he was nervous, his lips pulled in a hard line. Snapping her out of her trance, as she blinked a few times, clearing her throat.

"Nothing... Just had a weird dream." She whispered, noticing his wet hair slicked back, and the smell of roses and thyme filling the moist air. Aleksander's black eyes, feeling warmer, less dark as they stare back at her. She swallowed hard, wincing at the soreness as memories floated over her.

That's right, he put his… Down my throat… That jerk. I can't believe I just had a dream where we ended happily ever after. Aleksadner is not that kind of man..

He's not, but why does my chest still feel tight, and my stomach filled with butterflies. He's not nice, but… Yet, he is.

"Nightmare?" Dark brows pulled in concern, as she leaned back into his welcoming frame. His large hands, scrubbing bubbles over her chest and stomach, casually running the sponge over her breast. Cleaning off his cum, from her skin. Alina felt her face heat at the memories of earlier and her dream. She was concerned how easily it was to accept his touches. Like, each movement felt better than the next. She wasn't sure if she would ever be able to reject him again.

"No, it was nice. But, unrealistic." She hums, slipping her eyes back closed, letting the back of her head rest in the crook of his neck. Her hands resting on his kneecaps, on either side of her hips. She drew little patterns with her fingers on his knees, trying to force her mind into silence.

"I see. Why unrealistic?" He asked, running the sponge over her arm gently, letting the warm water coat it.

"I rode a unicorn, into the sunset with my enemies head on a pike." She lied, with a goofy smirk.

"Fascinating." His deep voice went dry, emotionless. "If you don't want to tell me, that's fine. But don't make up stuff."

She opened her eyes and signed. "I'm only joking. It wasn't important. I've already forgotten it."

He hums like he does when he doesn't believe something, and leaned over to grab the shampoo, before starting to scrub her long hair. "I'm glad it wasn't a nightmare, at least."

Alina glanced at him, out of the corner of her eye. He ran his nails over her scalp, massaging her with a faraway look. "Aleksander?"

"Yes, Alina." A ghost of a smile touched his lips at the sound of his name.

"Why do you think you're not capable of love?" She whispered, unable to keep the sadness out of her voice. The question had been nagging at her since yesterday. It sank like a rock, deep in her belly, and she couldn't imagine how heavy it must have felt to Aleksander.

He slowed his movements as he thought, his expression, never giving away anything he didn't want to. The silence was so loud it was deafening, and she had a feeling he wasn't going to answer, but she waited anyway. Then, she thought that maybe. Just maybe. If she opened up first, he might relent a little too. Extending an olive branch, hoping that he'd give her one back.

"Because sometimes, I feel like I'm unloveable…" Alina starts after a long while, unsure why she's admitting something that she's never told anyone before. She wasn't sure if it was because he suddenly felt closer to her, after what they did in the study. Or she was overheating from the tub, but she continued. "I figured If it was possible for someone to love me, then why wasn't I adopted, or why was orphaned in the first place. Why didn't Mal ever come back? Was I that horribly flawed, that no one could ever want me?…"

Aleksander remained silent, as he leasurally ran his calming fingers through her hair, his eyes distaint like he was somewhere far, far away. But, he nodded slowly, telling her to continue. That he was listening.

But, she could see his lips frowning, his jaw ticking. He seemed pained by her words, and she wondered what he was thinking at that moment. But, she knew better than to ask.

"I used to wake up to these two little girls that slept in the bed next to mine, and watch as they giggled and smiled. Talking about parents day, and wondering who would be adopted next… I used to feel so guilty that it made me jealous. That they still had hope, that someone could love them. Because, I didn't have that hope. anymore." She whispered. "I think that's why what happened with Mal hurt me so badly."

"Did those girl's get adopted?" He asked obviously, not wanting to hear anymore about her first love.

"Some of them did, some didn't. I had many bunk neighbors over the years." She let out a long breath, as if to get all the back air out of her lungs.

"Alina.." Aleksander whispered her name, like it was painful to do so. "It would be a privilege to love you. You aren't unloveable. I'm just-" He struggled finding the right words, his voice trailing off.

Alina felt like her heart was thumping wild the longer it took for him to finish, her mind racing to the finish line for him. She thought he was going to say she wasn't good enough, or that he was still in love with someone else. But, the words he said were so much more heart breaking.

"I'm broken, Solnste. I have a piece missing. Like a clock that was made without its final cog. There's nothing wrong with you, love." Aleksander huffed out something that vaguely resembled a laugh, but was much too sad, too gut wrenchingly bitter. The sound sent glass through her ribs, tearing at her very soul.

"Alot is wrong with me." His deep voice sounded tired with sarcastic humor, as if the concept was a sick joke. Like, he had already accepted that he was not 'right.'

That's what did it for her. She finally turned around. Unable not to see his expression, her eyes filled with tears. But, Aleksander's face looked cold. Emotionless, as he watched her shaky breaths fall from her lips. "I'm done with your hair…" He was all he added, ignoring her tear eyes all together.

She felt the pain, the agony that filled his words. Alina didn't want to look away, but had no idea what to say. How to comfort him, because any kind words would only come across as a lie. Because he was a little messed up, but so was she. But, after a few moments he gave her a gentle smile, mumbling a reminder for her to rinse her hair.

She tucked her head into the water, getting all the soap out before, smoothing her hair back. Reaching down to grab the shampoo that said cloved on the label, knowing it was his.

I don't understand. It's one thing to not like yourself, but he thinks he was literally born without the ability to love? She needed to know why he would think that. She figured if he could talk to her, without looking at her. Maybe it would be easier for him to open up.

"Let me wash yours and you can tell me more. Because, I don't think human's work like clocks." Alina gave him a half joking smile, as he just responded with a twitch of one of his thick brows. "I want to understand."

"Is that so?" He gave her a half hearted smile, lifting a brow. He seemed almost amused that she wanted to try and figure him out.

"I think we're more complicated than clocks.. So, maybe a head massage will help you relax. Maybe then, you'll finally open up a bit."

"I'm not sure what good that will do." He chuckled at her, as if she was a little odd.

Alina shrugged. "It's worth a try."

Aleksander's lips pulled tight, like he was trying his hardest not to smile wider, looking her over, like she was trying to play a trick on him or something. Then, finally exhaled a long, annoyed sigh. She thought he was going to refuse flat out, but he surprised her when he gave her one of his knowing smirks.

"Fine." He relented turning around. "But, don't try to be my therapist."

She giggled at his attitude, unsurprised by his reluctance, as she stood on her knees and poured some of the bottled soap into her palm. Rubbing her hands together to create suds, before having to squish her bare breast against his tones back to reach his head. Alina couldn't help, but blush feeling a little awkward with her own nakedness. He was so tall, that even with him sitting on his ass, and her on her knees, he was taller than her.

She tried to ignore the way his deep moan made her stomach dip and dive, as she scratched and massaged his scalp. His body relaxed in her hands, and for the first time she realized that he always looked so stiff. So, pulled tight. She wondered when the last time someone had ever done anything to just be kind to him.

"Feels nice." Aleksander grunted, as he tilted his head back, giving her more access. His hands held the tub, keeping him from leaning his weight into her, as fell backward, slipping his eyes closed.

"I'm glad." Alina whispered, scrubbing around his ears, messaging circles into the space behind them, as he groaned with a sigh, the lines between his brows smoothing as he did.

"I felt the same as you as a child."Alina bit her lip, not wanting to even breathe. Afraid that he would stop speaking if she did. Something she had learned through the last couple of weeks, is that if you just give him enough time, he might keep speaking. If you talk at all, it's like he gets spooked and changes the subject.

"I used to ask my mother why we couldn't just stay at some places. She wouldn't even answer me. She would just keep packing. As if I wasn't even there at all…" He trailed off, rolling his head into Alina's loving hands, as she ground her thumbs into his neck working on the mountain of a knot that rested right at the base of his head.

"I eventually just stopped asking questions. I learned that being silent got me just as far as speaking." His voice sounded pained, as she worked on the knot, but he also leaned into her hands, letting her know it felt good.

"To be honest, I think she loved me. But, not enough to care that I am going more and more out of touch with humanity. Not enough to care that I was becoming a shell of a boy with every passing year. To the point that sometimes, I don't feel anything at all." He finished flickering his eyes to the ceiling.

"Other's have loved me, but I have never once liked someone enough, to not be selfish. I have never loved anyone more than myself, because I've only ever had myself to keep me company. I've simply just never cared enough. I simply wasn't born with the ability to love others." His voice grew quiet, almost melancholy, before he cleared his throat and smirked, shifting his eyes to look directly up at her. His eyes wrinkled in the corner, like what he was seeing caused him pain.

Oh, I see. Love is pain. Love is this feeling I have in my chest. Love is when you feel each other's pain. If he is hurting, I am hurting.

This is painful. This.. This is love. But, does that mean I'm in love with him, or am I just feeling a love for him? I don't know.

His features returned to the present, as he gave a short sigh and reached up to rub his thumb between the young girl's brows. Rubbing away the worry that wrinkled between them. "Don't look at me like that." He whispered.

Alina hadn't even realized that she was even making a face at all, until his eyes softened and such a gentle smile that her heart yearned to take away his pain, to do anything to ease his worries. "Like what?"

"Like, you want to fix me." He smiled knowingly. "I'm still the man that kidnapped you, remember?"

He was right, but for some terrifying reason, I don't care about that anymore. I don't care about his cruelty. I don't care if he keeps hurting me. The only thing I care about is that he isn't in pain anymore. I don't care if it hurts me.. Which is the scariest thing I have ever felt in my life.

"Oh, so you finally admit it was kidnapping, not saving?" She jokened, wanting to lighten the mood, to keep the tears from falling from her eyes. She just wanted his smile back, she needed him to smile. Like, her life depended on it.

He let a rumble from her throat as his eyes slipped closed again, leaning his head roll to the side, so she could scrub behind his other ear. "Yes, but you definitely would have freezed out there without me."

"Well, now we'll never know, will we? For all we know, I could have become a mountain woman." She scoffed a little annoyance pricking in her voice.

She thought back to his words a second ago and wanted to let it go, to cheer him up. But, it lingered like a bad taste in her mouth.

"What do you mean, I was looking at you like I could fix you?" Alina asked, as he pulled back and rinsed his hair out, as she grabbed the conditioner.

He looked at the bottle in her hand and sighed with a tired smile, before turning back around and leaning back completely. Letting his weight rest against her, too relaxed to hold on to the tub again. She blushed as he sunk deeper into the water, tucking her tights into his armpit, rubbing his hands up and down her calves. Resting his head against her breast, like they were his own pillows. Clearly tired of bending his neck backward, so she could reach it.

She giggled when he wiggled his head, like he was trying to get comfortable. "Stop that. They aren't going to get bigger or softer."

"They might." He shrugged a cheeky smile on his lips. "You're still growing."

She rolled her eyes, as she leaned against the tub, his weight on his chest was comforting, enjoying the feeling of it against her. She ran the glob of the conditioner through his hair, making sure to get all the tangles out softly.

"So, what did you mean?" She reminded him. "About fixing you?"

"It's just that the few times that I've opened up to a woman, they always think that they just have to love me more, or try harder to be affectionate, and somehow all my issues will go away. Like, by loving me it will make all my horribleness go away." He grumbled, as his upper lip curled, like the thought alone grossed him out.

Alina felt a little slice of her soul bleed at the words, because she had a thought similar to that, just now. She was thinking that she could love his pain away... His words felt directed right at her.

"Then, once they realize that it doesn't work. They turn on you. Like the monster that you always let them know you were, is somehow much worse than they ever thought." His rough voice sounded, eyes warm and groggy as he fluttered them towards her. His long lashes touched his brows as he studied her pained expression.

"Perhaps that's why I like you so much. You hated me first, and grew to like me. You know I'm a monster. The worst kind of monster. Yet, here you are. You don't try to change me, but you will fight me. You've never cowardly. Which makes me worried you have no self preservation," Alina rolled her eyes at that, because that's something she had been a little worried about herself too.

"but I kind of like that about you. Perhaps, that's why I find myself caring, just a little more about you than others…" His words sewed up the cut in her soul, instantly. Making a soft smile, touching her lips. Something about being different from all the others, made her feel better. Like, the other women didn't mean anything to him, not like she meant to him.

Even if that isn't true, it still makes me feel special. Which was a dangerous thought.

"You probably say that to all the girls…" She giggled, unable to hate the hint of insecurity in her words. "I bet they swoon."

She watched as a slow grin started to grow across his face, and one brow lifting so high that it wrinkled his forehead. "Are you jealous, Solnste?"

Alina's eyes widened and a mouth fell wide. "God, your ego is something else, you know that?" She scoffed in disbelief. "How could I be jealous, you just said you don't love anyone, that includes them as well as me."

"You're only unset because I'm right." He chuckled, turning around to nuzzle his face into her breast, his five o'clock shadow prickling her skin, as she tried to tug on his hair, to keep him from chaffing her chest. "Don't worry. I may not love anyone. But so far, you are my favorite."

God, there he goes reading my mind.

"Hey, your face is like sandpaper, quit it!" She growled, but her face was all smiles, and joking. She didn't want to admit that his words meant more to her, than anything in the entire word. If this was all he could give her, she was glad to know that it's more than he'd given to anyone else.

"Nope, not until you admit that you want me all to yourself. You're selfish just like me." He chuckled nipping at her nipple, making her squeal.

"Yeah right!" She giggled. "They can have you. I think I'll be better off!"

He stops, resting his chin between her small breast, a wicked smile on his lips, as he kisses her collarbone. Then, suddenly looking up at her, with a subtle scaractic pout. "You would be better off. But don't lie, love."

She felt her cheeks flush as his blackholes, and started to do that weird thing where they'd suck her into them, making it impossible to look away or even think about lying to him. "It's just because I'm stuck with you.." She grumbled.

"So you admit it, then?" He smirked, but kept his gaze fixed on her, as she continued to run the rest of the conditioner through his hair. "I'm never letting you go, either. I'm selfish like that. I want you all to myself. So, Just say it. I can't judge."

"I want you.. all to myself." She nibbled on her lip, twirling an inkly lock around her finger as she studied his sharp straight nose, and smooth full lips. He was grinning wildly, as if she had given him the key to her heart, and she wasn't sure what that ment. To him, was that as good as admitting that she was falling for him. The idea of him keeping her forever, both filled her with joy and fear. It was an odd mixture.

"I am selfish too. But, do you think you'll ever trust me enough to leave, If I promised you that I would come back?" She asked a little unsure why she was even asking, considering she still had a magical chain around her ankle that physically tied her to him.

His smile fell, as his eyes started to turn dark and cold. "Why?"

Alina's stomach dropped, feeling his hands around his waist tighten, like she was somehow planning on running all over again. Like, she was asking him to let her leave right now. Clenching his jaw tight, as he waited, clearly not answering her question, until she answered his first.

"Well, I want to see the world someday. We live forever, so I would like to know that someday- I don't mean soon- that I can maybe have some freedom to see it… That's all." She keeps her words easy and non threatening, worried that she had gotten used to his docile side, that she had forgotten that he is a wolf, and she is his lamb.

Cold starless eyes roam over her face trying to read her mind, but after a long while she sighs. "Well, cross that bridge when we come to it. But, I understand. You're young and adventurous." He relents, and pulls away completely.

She frowns already missing his warmth, wishing to have never brought the subject up in the first place. Stupid me.. He finally opened up and bit, and now he thinks I'm just trying to run away from him again. He probably thinks I can't wait to be away from him.

"Sorry." She whispered, pulling her knees to her chest. "I was just curious, if you'd treat me like a prisoner forever.. I.."

Why am I apologizing.. It was a fair question. I just hate the face he makes when I know I've upset him.

She feels strong fingers tilting her chin up, before Aleksander places a soft kiss to her lips, making all the worry fade away. She kisses him back like it's the most natural thing in the whole world. "I said, I understand my sweet Solntse. You don't have to explain yourself." His soft words comforted her, as she nodded.

"I just don't want you to think, I'm going to run away, because I don't want to run. I want to be with you-

"I understand, Alina. I do." He cuts her off, repeating his words. "I'll take the chain off soon. I promise. Just not tonight."

Alina was so surprised by his promise, that she didn't even try to stop him as he pulled away. Throwing his head forward, to rinse his hair out again, before standing. He is fully naked in full view for her hungry eyes. She blushes wildly as he steps out and grabs a towel and drying off.

"Come on." He said opening a towel for her to walk into. "Let's get you dry and I'll make dinner, since we skipped lunch I bet you're pretty hungry by now."

Now that he mentioned it, she did feel pretty empty. She stood as he wrapped a towel quickly around her, drying her hair like a child. "I can dry myself off." She grumbled, but made no attempts to stop him. Yet, looking down at her body, she felt her stomach sink. Her eyes shooting wide.

She was bare. As in hairless. Bald.

She almost tripped, getting out of the tub in such a hurry, snatching the towel from the man's hands, and quickly wrapping it about herself.

"What did you do!" She snapped, as his startled expression turned humorous.

"Oh, that." Aleksander smiled like the cat that ate the canary. "I shaved you."

"You did what?!" She growled understanding what he was saying, but was still in disbelief. "Why would you do that?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, almost bashful. "I wanted it to be easier to see you." The words came out casually with a shrug. "We should also work on controlling your glowing, because it's hard to see your face when you cum. I like to watch your expressions, and it hurts my eyes. I'm sensitive to light."

Alina looked for the jaw that she must have dropped on the floor, because he didn't just say that to her. She just knew that she was red as a tomato, because of how hot her face felt. He was such a prick, that she didn't even know how to respond to that. "You pervert!" She growled, turning on her toes and stomping out to get dressed, his booming laughter ringing out behind her.

fucking bastard. Like, he didn't just change something on my body without me even knowing about it. And why in the hell do I feel a little complimented about him wanting to see me better… Damn this man, why do I like him so much?

The jerk kept cackling as he followed her out. She quickly grabbed a simple dress from her closet, thankful that he had at least remembered to buy her more modest dresses last week. She tucked the olive green dress over her head, letting the towel drop, before Aleksander spun her around, into his chest.

His white towel still hanging from his hips, the deep 'v' pointing down temptingly, as she used her palms to shove at his chest as his laughter slowed to low rumbles. "Alina, listen I didn't mean to upset you." He tried to keep his words steady, but they came out strained between his chuckles.

"I'm not upset. I'm annoyed that you didn't even ask me! This is my body." She snapped, shoving him hard as he stumbled back slightly, obviously not expecting her to actually try and break free.

"Why are you so annoyed? It's not a big deal." He looked at her his jaw corked slightly, as he narrowed his eyes, a wicked smile still on his lips. She grumbled a few insults in his direction as she turned her back to him, planning on grabbing the brown over dress to slipp on with the green one, when grabbed her from behind. She gasped, dropping the brown slip, choosing to hold on to the arms that were pulling her.

He lifted her to her tippy-toes, as he started pulling up the dress. She hissed and flared. "Get off, Aleksadner! I'm not in the mood for you playing around!"

He ignored her, kissing her neck. Making her freeze in confusion, not sure what he was going to do next. He tugged the fabric around her waist, and cupped her sex making her instantly flush. "W-what are you doing?"

"Look, love." He stroked his fingers over the soft skin, making Alina shiver, her body reacting, even if her mind didn't want it to. "See how soft it is, now." Aleksander grabbed her hand and forced it to her now shaven mound. "See?"

Alina had to admit that it was a lot smoother, and thinking back to earlier today, Aleksander didn't have any hair down there, either. "Doesn't matter, you did this without asking!" She hissed, pulling her hand away, before he gave her mound a slap, making her yelp. It only stung a little but she flared her nostrils royally pissed off. "Why the fuck would you do that!" She clawed at his arms, and held her tighter, practically crushing her ribs against his hard chest.

Slap~

He smacked her again. "Because, you're mine. I can do what I want with what's mine, and I want you to be smooth. I told you, I'm selfish Alina." He nuzzled his nose into the crook of her neck, her whole body lighting on fire, the little love taps seeding waves of odd pleasure up her spine.

"I'm not something you can own!" Alina growled, thrashing her head trying to hit him right in his perfect nose. But, he quickly dodged it, not in the mood to let her get a hit in.

"Oh, but you are." He held her tighter, rubbing over the now reddening skin of her pussy. "That's what you agreed too."

"I did no such thing!"

"You did. When you kissed me, when you said you didn't want to runaway. Even you said that you didn't want me all to yourself. You even asked me what we were now and I told you. You accepted me. Accepted me as the one that will own you."

"You're demented!" Alina couldn't believe her ears. "I thought you meant, mine as in a relationship!"

What the hell, that is not what I agreed too, he really does have a few screws loose, no wonder those other women wanted to fix him. He seriously has issues.

Slap~

Alina yelped, kicking and trying to pull at his hair as he hit her sensitive skin one more time at her insult. She grabs a fist full of hair at his head, wrenching it hard. But, he doesn't budge as he growls low in his chest, feeling his erection pressing against her ass. "DON'T TELL ME YOUR HARD RIGHT NOW!" She screamed, rage overwhelming her.

"Don't pull my hair, if you don't want me to be reminded of going down on you." He chuckled darkly, not the least bit phased, by her anger.

I'm going to murder him. I didn't agree to being his pet or whatever he's thinking. Damnit, why does his rough play make something deep in belly start to curl? It turns me on, but also pisses me off… I don't get it.

"I'm not your fucking toy!" She growled, as he rubs little circles into her sensitive skin.

Slap~

"Language." He grunts, nipping hardly at her neck, his hand moving up to wrap around her throat. " And you're not my toy, but you do belong to me."

"You're insane." She scoffed, but some of her fight left her, as he slipped his middle finger into heat, making her moan against her will. Already turned on enough, that his finger had zero resistance.

"Am I? Because you seem to like this, just as much as me. You're soaking wet."

"I'm not glowing.." She counters weakly, moaning as he curls his finger up, grazing across that spot that makes her eyes roll back into her head, as his hand traveled up to hold her neck.

"But, you do like it. Just in a different way. It was pleasure mixed with pain, I noticed you were dripping last time, I held your neck like this in the cave." He whispered seductively into her ear, tightening the grip on her throat, keeping her airway clear, but blocking the blood flow to her head.

She tried to bite back her moan as he used his thumb to rub across her nub, as he pumped his finger in and out of her weeping slit. "No…" She whined out, but she was already twitching around his finger, the coil in her belly winding up so fast and tight that she was starting to see stars.

"Then, why are you so close to cumming?" Aleksander's voice was so knowing that she wished he'd just drop dead. "Your twitching around my finger is so tight that you can't deny it." He thrust in another finger, as Alina screamed.

It didn't hurt as bad as last time, but it still stung enough to make needle pricks behind her eyes. Yet, it also felt so amazingly good.

Could he be right, do I enjoy pain with pleasure? She started to take his words a little more seriously, now that she felt like her whole body was on fire.

"Aleksander, I swear to god!-

"Swear to me all you want, but you can't deny that you enjoy this, Alina." His voice was so serious, yet so calm, that it sent her over the edge, as her orgasm wrecked her, fast and hard. She clung to his hair, as she rolled her hips into his fingers, the hand holding her neck, being the only thing keeping her standing.

She panted as she tried her best to regain her shattered mind. "You're insufferable." She huffed out through gasps, before yelping when he pulled his fingers from opening, and smacked her pussy one more time.

"You love it." He smirked, kissing her cheek and putting her down. She leaned against her dresser, shell shocked as she watched the grinning prick, stroll back to his side and start getting dressed. Looking damn proud of himself. She glared at him, as he winked making a point of licking his fingers clean.

"Just, at least tell me when you're going to do something like this again." She growled, still working on steading her knees.

"I'll think about it." He shrugged.

? ゚ブ?

"I really don't see why you couldn't just pick an easy meal, I'm starving." Alina grumbled, still a little annoyed at the devilish man.

He had decided to grill steaks over charcoal tonight, as she sipped on her wine. He made her help carry the coal up the stairs saying that he wanted to eat on the porch, saying something about making it up to her for shaving her without her knowledge.

"Because you need iron. If you're going to be training more, we need to make sure you get your protein and all you seem to want to eat is sweets." Aleksander pointed out.

She rolled her eyes, but knew there was some truth to that statement. Alina sipped her wine, and looked out at the stars that flickered overhead. The full moon looked almost yellow and huge. Unpolluted by the lights from the villages or towns. The only light around them was soft lanterns that hang from the pillars that surround them. She could see why Aleksander had wanted to eat dinner out with her tonight, it was beautiful.

Why am I not more angry at him… I should still be furious. But, I just don't have it in me. Couple of weeks ago, I would have been fighting him tooth and nail for doing anything that he did today. But, I just feel…. annoyed at most.

Alina glanced back over at Aleksander, dressed in a loose fitting white shirt, and black soft slacks. Noting that he even seems less on edge, more calm and relaxed. His hair slicked back perfectly and a ghost of a smile on his full lips. Face shadowed slightly, but the candle light brought out his high cheekbones, as he whistled to himself.

She strained her ears to try and hear the low whistle but was only able to pick up bits and parts of it.

"What song are you whistling?" Alina called out, as she took a sip of her wine.

Aleksander's eyes snapped to her as if he was just now remembering that she was even still there, caught up in his gilling. It did smell delightful.

"Gymnopedie No. 1, I believe." He mumbles and goes back his whistling, as he adds more seasoning to the thick cuts of meat.

"It's pretty." Alina says without thinking, taking another long sip of her drink. "Never heard it before."

Aleksander paused, his eyes returning to her, like she had said something insulting, pinching his brows. "Really?"

"Is it popular?"

"Very."

"Well, we never had a record player at the Keramzin." Alina shrugged.

"Wait, have you ever heard music?" He asked seriously as the girl glared.

"Of course, I'm not that sheltered." She rolled her eyes. "In the nearest town, they used to have street performers. Sometimes, we'll sneak off and listen to them play. It was nice, but it was mostly tavern music."

"Well, I have a record player here. Let me find the record and I'll play it for you." Aleksander said, covering the steaks with a lid, and walking over to what looked to be a closet near the greenhouse. Swinging the door open, before pulling out what looked to be a trunk on wheels. He hauled it over and placed it across from Alina's seat, between the two love seats. He lifted the top and pulled what looked to be a metal horn from the cabins on the bottom, then attached it to a pipe on the top.

Alina watched in odd fascination, this was her first time, even seeing a record player in real life. She had seen articles about them and even noticed drawings for advertisements, but never in real life. The bronze horn glittered in the moon light, as Aleksander rummaged through the bottom cabinets before pulling out a thick vinyl record. Blowing off the dust, sending little particalies sparkling around in the moonlight.

It looked like stardust, as the breeze carried it away. Placing the thick disk down, and then taking the needle and setting it down carefully on its edge. She tilted her head wondering why it wasn't playing, but then she noticed the crank on the side. Aleksander started to quickly spin it, over and over and over again. Until, to begin to roar to life. Low and slow at first, before it adjusted to the right speed, flooding the night with soft piano keys.

Aleksander turned to give her soft smile, as she listened wide eyed to the melody, sounding hauntingly sweet and sad. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever heard. The street performers never played anything like this before. It was emotional, she didn't know how else to describe it.

"Do you like it?"

She was pulled away from her thoughts, at the sound of Aleksander's deep rasp mixing with the music like salty and sweet. Like, salted caramel. Black eyes that showed the rares hint of gray, watched her closely, trying to deturment her thoughts.

"It feels… sad." She whispered, peering down at her wine glass. "Yet, painful and hopeful. It's… Bittersweet."

"Melancholy." He agrees with a nod, closer and holding out his hand to her. "Music goes better with dancing." She glances at his outstretched fingers and then back up at him, like he can't be serious.

"I can't dance." She gives him a pointed look, like he should already have gathered this.

"Come on, I'll teach you."

She rolls her eyes and takes his hand, as he pulls her to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and his hands on her hips. She lets a smile fall to her lips, as she tries on to spill any of her wine.

He steadies her, before guiding her close. "Step back." he says as he takes a step. "Then to the side." She flows with him as he leads her. "Then forward."

"Now, to the other side." He repeats the step a few more times, as she narrowly avoids stepping on his toes. Not that it would hurt him, when she's barefoot and he's in boots.

"Good girl." He praises with a teasing smirk, her cheeks heating at the words, remembering their time in the study. "You're getting it. See you're a natural."

She starts to move easier with him after the sixth time repeating the steps, when all of a sudden, Aleksander pushes her back and twirls her, with his hand, then pulls her back. She managed to only spill a little wine, before drinking the rest, too worried she'd spill more. She gasps before giggles, as he suddenly dips her low, and slowly brings her back up.

"You're good at this." Alina looked at him a little surprised.

"Why so shocked?" He asked, a smirk on his face, he lifted his chin confidently. "I used to court a princess, you didn't think I had to be good at dancing?"

Alina smiled, and looked up at the stars that looked like holes in the floor of heaven. She honestly hadn't given it much thought. "I guess it's still hard to wrap my mind around the fact that you and the black hearatic are the same person…" She shrugs.

"In a way, I'm not." Aleksander saids, pulling her closer again as they swayed from step to step. Slower now, in line with the song. "That was so long ago… I don't feel like the same person. I think I've softened with age."

"I could see that too. I don't think you're anything like what the books say. You're.. kinder than I expected." Alina signed, her eyes still on the sky above, unsure how to organize her thoughts. "Of course, I didn't think that at first, but now… I can see you just hate when people assume the worst of you. Doesn't take away the fact that you act horrible sometimes, but I do understand, Aleksander."

Aleksander looked down at her, a little alarmed by her response, as he placed her hand in his, lifting it in a proper dancing stance, his other hands still lingering on her waist. "Thank you."

Alina practically whipped her head to him with wide eyes, gawking at him like he grew three heads.

"What?" He frowns, still leading her into his steps.

"You thanked me." The girl looked at him stunned. "like genuinely thanked me."

"I'm sure I've said it before."

"Nope not once."

"Are you sur-

"Yes, positive." She interupts as he just sets his jaw looking away from her, his profile defined and beautiful.

"I'll make a point of saying it more often, then..." He mumbled under his breath, as if he really didn't know, he had never told her that before.

"Why? I don't really do anything."

"You are making me a portrait." He says, reminding her. "And you tend to lighten my mood."

"Are you kidding, I'm pretty sure I made you into a raving lunatic." She scoffs.

"At least you make me feel something. "

Alina studied his blackholes, and tilted her head. "Do you not feel anything from others?"

"No.. Mostly just annoyance. Nothing more, nothing less. Except for a select few." He whispered. "And all of them are dead now, except for you. And maybe my mother. But she only serves to piss me off most of the time." He smirks at the thought like it was a joke, but she was pretty sure it wasn't.

"I'm happy to be of service, I guess." She mumble sarasicativly as he lets out a small chuckle under his breath, as they sway back and forth. "What was it like courting a princess anyways?"

Alina knew that she was testing her luck by asking about Zoya, but she was too curious not to.

And you know what they say about curious cats…

Aleksander's humor fades, instantly. "Difficult." He admits.

"How so?"

"Well, a lot of politics for one. Which, I've never been a fan of, but the real hard part was trying to make that woman happy." He signed as Alina couldn't help but to giggle, as he pinched his nose. "If it wasn't about wanting new dresses, new horses, or new shoes, it was about me not showing enough affection or interest in her hobbies. It was exhausting.." He joked obviously avoiding talking about it seriously, but she could tell there was some truth to it too.

"Well if she was so annoying, what made you care about her?"

He thought it over for a moment, "Well, she was beautiful, with long back hair, and tan skin. Yet, I had seen a lot of beautiful women…"

Aleksander's expression seemed to turn almost sollom, as he glanced up at the night, watching the clouds float across a few of the stars. "Her fire." He landed on and smiled softly, looking back down at the woman in his arms.

"I thought at the time that she wasn't scared of me. Not at first, at least. She knew I could bend shadow, but she never walked on eggshells around me. She was infuring. Always making little cutting remarks, like calling me brooding or boring. She made me want to strangle her, but also I liked her for it. Because she was the only one that treated me like everyone else. Of course, that didn't last for too long. Turn's out, she was scared the whole time. She was a great actress, unlike you."

Alina tried her best not to feel a little jealous as he spoke about her, and her 'fire,' wondering if he was only interested in her, because he was reminded of Zoya.

"I'm not that bad.." She grumbled, suddenly offended that he didn't think she was a good actress.

"When you crawled into my lap, pretending to seduce me, was the single most terrible acting, I've ever seen." He smirked, as Alina's eyes went wide. "Cute, but obvious as all hell."

"You knew?" She gasped, feeling embarrassment creeping up her cheeks.

"Of course. Why in the world would the girl who just hated me yesterday, be asking me if she was a good kisser the morning after? You were trying to be sexy, but you were blushing so bright that I thought you were going to burst into flames. You could barely ask the question."

"Maybe, I wanted to know." She bites. "You were my first kiss."

Aleksander chuckled and placed a kiss on her cheek, as she blushed. "Sure, love." He said sarcastically, as he spun her around once more before, letting her go, making her stumble into her seat, before she even realized he had danced her right back to her seat. "I did enjoy the kiss and even if your acting was horrible, It was still adorable."

She watched him walk over to the BBQ, carefully plating the food. Steak and potatoes steamed wonderfully as he placed both plates on one of his large arms, and dragged a small table over to where Alina sat.

"Do you only like me, because I remind you of her?" She asked, haunted by her own insecurities. She didn't know why that thought bugged her so much.

So what if I was like her. But, it makes my stomach hurt, just thinking about it.

The Darkling tilted his head to one side, observing the pout that she most likely was wearing, and sighed. Placing down the plates and moving back to grab the wine and forks, before placing down those as well.

He pulled up a seat and plopped down, before pouring himself a glass of his mead, and refilling her glass with wine. "I don't know.. Perhaps. But, you're also nothing like her as well. Sure you have fire too, but you also are…" He searched for the right words, as he handed her back her wine glass.

She took it, holding on to his every word. Praying that it would feel like a stab in the chest when he spoke again.

"Charming." He falls on with a nod. "Charming in a way that I can't fully explain. You make me laugh. Which is something, she was never able to do."

Alina felt her face fall, a glare setting on her face. "So, I'm an angry clown. Got it." She grumbles, grabbing a small potato and popping it in her mouth, before washing it down with wine.

He chuckled and shook his head. "Must you take everything that I say, as an insult? I mean, you're cute and easy to be around." He gives her an honest smile as he adds. "You're my little sun, that's why I call you Solnste. You are the little light that I want to hide from the world. To keep burning like a candle, just for myself. Because, having you with me makes everything just a little brighter."

What? I can't breathe… No one should be allowed to make such beautiful words…

She must have had a dumbfounded expression, because Aleksander started chuckling again, and took a gulp of his mead. "Oh, no witty response, love?"

"I thought you called me Solntse, because I glowed…" Was all she could manage.

"At first yes, but I kept saying it because I enjoyed being around you." He shrugged, starting to cut into his steak and taking a bite, reaching over and cutting hers as well, since he hadn't given her a knife. Clearly, still not trusting her with sharp objects.

"Oh.." Was all she could get out, her heart still not recovered from his poetic monologue. It was all too much with music and the candle light. She had to put her hand over her collarbone, to make sure that the damn thing burst from her ribs, just to be closer to him.

"Oh." He agreed, teasing her. "Now, eat."

She nodded and took a wonderful bite, loving the mixture of butter and seasonings that coated the charred meat. Still containing plenty of juicy flavor, as she noticed herself dimly glowing. As he gave her another little chuckle.

"Aleksander?" She mumbled around her bite.

"Yes."

"I'm glad I'm with you.." She whispered, feeling getty.

"I'm glad too." Aleksander gave her a smile that put every other smile to shame. Soft and relaxed, showing a sliver of his white teeth. Dark eyes looked so filled with love, that it made her chest feel tight.

I wish this night could last forever…

? ゚ブ?

ALEKSANDER

The best lies are rooted in truth. The best deceptions are simple illusions, because they mirror what is real. What I said was true, yet my intentions are anything but. She was my light. Alina was the only candle left on in my dark world, that had not been snuffed out by myself or someone else.

That's why the love in her eyes, that she carried for the rest of night, caused so much guilt that I thought I was going to suffocate from it.

He glanced down at the sleeping angel that was snoring softly on his chest and brushed away a lock that had clung itself to her parted lips. Aleksander couldn't bear spending another lonely night in the study. On top of that, her painting was not something he was looking forward to being accompanied by.

So, when he walked her to his own room to say goodnight, she grabbed his sleeve and asked him to stay, with her big brown eyes fluttering up at him. He couldn't say no. Like a fool. Like a stupid fool.

Despite how guilty I felt, I guess I felt the need to torture myself further. Because why the hell not? Might as well.

Aleksander knew that he cared for her. He also knew that he also needed to be free of this damn curse, even if that meant hurting Alina. Once she finds out that the only way to break that curse is to break her heart again, she will never forgive him for that.

He kissed the top of her head and screwed his eyes shut, trying to push away his shame and guilt. He thought it was getting easier, but after tonight, that thought shattered. He had been spending less time with her, that was the only reason he didn't hate himself more, before. He had been avoiding her up until now, so it was no wonder why he didn't feel like the worst person on earth. He was right when he told her he was selfish.

He was right when he told her, he was incapable of true love, because what he wanted always came first. It had too. Or else how would he have gotten this far? After so many sacrificed girls, she is the last magik user he had met in 50 long years. She might be the strongest and the last.

Zoya was the first one like him that he had encountered…

That little Witch had to go off and curse me. She wasn't imortal of course. Now years after her death, I'm still dealing with trying to break the same damn curse. She really was quite the actress, indeed… He thought bitterly, thinking back to the fiery woman. I'm just lucky enough that Alina didn't get that far in that damn jornal. At least, I took the rest of those out, while she was in the dark. She didn't bring it up again, figuring that I just took them out, because I wanted privacy. She wouldn't have been wrong, either.

He sighed slowly, sinking out from under Alina's sleeping form, not wanting to wake her. Walking over to pick up some of his harder liqueur, hoping the burning liquid would lull him to sleep. He knew he wasn't getting any rest with her next to him without it.

God, why did she have to trust me enough to tell me her feelings.. She just had to tell me how unloveable she thought she was. Now, I have to deal with another layer of my horribleness. It's bad enough that I have to do the ritual itself, now she's going to think that no one that shows her any affection, will ever truly love her. Fuck me..

He grabbed the bottle that he knew he had in a locked drawer of his desk and popped open the cork, looking out at the fog that rolled through the forest. The fog that followed him, like a putried ghost of his past. He hated this fog. He couldn't keep his mind from his memories.

He could still see Zoya's face when she realized that light was his weakness. She had used Magik to make a rope of light to restrain him to a chair. He still heard her manic laugh, when she threw him into a room that was so bright that there were no shadows for him to use. He could still feel the draining ache of his power fading with each passing day.

She tortured him, but he healed. She insulted him, but he only glared. She even had threatened him with the death of his mother, but he laughed.

Then, She cursed him. Once she found out that she'd never be able to kill him, she spoke the words that would forever change his life.

"I can't kill you. But, I will turn your strength into your weakness." Zoya's smooth voice seemed to be the air around her, flooding the room with static. She stood at the front of the room, her hands sparking with her green energy.

"You'll die if you try to curse me. You know, the price of a Magik curse is death. Are you sure you want to take that risk, Zoya?" I laughed, spitting blood on the ground by her feet. believing that there was no way she'd kill herself, just spite me.

Yet, she just smiled, clamping her hands loudly, as the room was filled with toxic green light, streaming from her hands.

"I curse thee, from the power that settles with in me."-

-"Don't do this, Zoya! YOU'LL DIE!" I screamed, but she ignored me, raising her hands to the ceiling, as green chains pulsed from her chest.

"A curse of love and hate. May you lose your control of your fate. Fog will be your guide. A measurement of time, in which you must abide. Darker it grows, may you also decompose. But, if fog turns to black, there's no turning back. All power is lost, all sins have its cost." She called out, as green chains wrapped around my chest.

"STOP! DON'T DO THIS!" I begged, feeling the chains, seering into my very soul.

"Broken to be, broken we'll see, by finding a love like thee. You must find a woman equal to your power, and win her heart. Within a circle, you must tear it apart. Not by hands, but by cruel demands. Love to hate in a moment, will break the spell. Until then, may your power be your own hell. Create in this soul, endless woe. So above, and so below. " She cried out, as the worst pain I have felt tore through me.

The chains seemed to tear me in half, before putting me back together, as I wailed out for what I thought was hours or days, then it was gone. Seemingly, like no time had passed at all. "You just signed your death warrant, if you don't take your life before the next full moon, it won't last… You hate me that much?" I wheezed through labored breaths. "Enough to kill yourself?"

Zoya stood tall, a wicked smile on her face. "We both know I can't kill you. But, this way you will never forget your treason. You're a monster, Darkling. Now, after I complete the curse you feel the way I have. My father made you kill the man I loved, then forced me to marry a monster. This way, not only am I cursing you, but I'm cursing my father." She panted.

"What did the curse mean, Zoya? What did you do?" I growled tugging on the ropes, but it was merely a threat, I had no more strength in that moment, than any regular man.

"It means, monster. The fog that surrounds the forest will reflect your heart. The darker the fog, the darker your heart. If it turns black, you will lose all your control. You'll have to live in fear of your own shadow. Just like the rest of your hated humans."

"So, I just have to make some dumb girl fall in love with me and then break her heart? You're a fool." I scoff, as one of the guards punches my temple hard, yelling to be respectful. I hissed and glared at the large man. "I'm just saying that will be simple. It's a waste of a curse."

"Hard to make someone fall for you when you can't control your emotions. You won't be able to hide your power, either. You can't control your emotions, you can't control your powers. Am I right?" Zoya laughed and moved closer, lifting my chin to look up into her sickeningly sadistic eyes. "And it can't be any normal girl. A woman just like you. Someone with natural abilities. You must make her love you, then you must break her, then complete it, by taking her in a Magik circle."

"Taking her? You're crazy, there's no one like me! And you exspect me to make them love me, then rape them in the center of candles? Zoya, that's impossible!" Panic gripped me the more she explained, the weight of the curse curling into my bones already.

"If it was impossible. I'd already be dead. We both know that." She chuckled, shoving, slapping my cheek in a testing pat. "You'll be alone forever either way. In your jornal you said you dream of finding someone like you. Now, once you find them, they will hate you forever, or live forever in a rotting body. Either way, you'll be alone forever." Zoya hissed.

"Just. Like. Me."

Aleksander growled and placed his hand against the cool glass of the window, seeing the once white cloud that filtered through the trees grow to a darker gray before his very glared at the fog, remembering the way she told him how the fog would grow darker, as his mind grew more unstable . The woman buried me in this secluded forest knowing that everyone was scared of the fog that she created, and no one would come near it. She basically cursed me with isolation.

Aleksander took a long swing from the bottle, both savoring and cringing at the burn as it slid down his throat. The bite of the Alcohol soothed him, on nights like this, when sleep refused to visit him. Turning back to his desk he grabbed a Clove roll, a small baggie of tobacco out of the same drawer and a match. He pressed open the window, leaning on the frame before pinching some tobacco into the roll, and dragging his tongue along the absesive line, and rolling it tight. He tossed the baggie back into the draw, before lighting the cigarette.

Turning to Alina, watching her shift in her sleep, looking so beautiful in her sleep, a soft smile touching her lips. He noticed that she wasn't having as many nightmares the last couple of days. She was finally doing better. He scowled at himself, knowing it wouldn't last long.

Zoya I hope you're roasting in hell right now, for making a curse that the only way to break it was to make this wonderful girl fall in love with me, just to break her heart.

Of course, if they didn't love me, or didn't have the same strength of power, they would die. Alina on the other hand is eternal like me, so she might live.

Zoya was lucky that she got to die, while I'm forced to live on and suffer. I've had alot of years to think about the torture I would inflict on that Witch.

She should have been the one that burned, It wasn't my fault that I killed her lover… She was just scared shitless, of the fact that I had natural power without having to use Magik.

Aleksander frowned, taking a long drag of his cigarette. He just had to hold back a little longer. He was positive that Alina's power matched his own. He just had to wait till she said those three little words. Then, he just had to take her to the basement, and fuck her surrounded by candles. He had to break her heart, or else the spell wouldn't be complete. He knew that, and yet it killed him to even think about hurting her, in any way that didn't involve making her scream his name in pleasure.

At least if Alina truly loves me, and her power is at the same level as my own, she'll live. The downside to that is that she's eturnal like me, which means she's going to have to hate me for eternity too. Zoya really did curse me, then made sure that the only way to be free was by making sure that I'd remain alone for eternity. I have to give it to her, she was pretty clever, despite being the most petty woman on this earth.

The worst part of all of this, is the fact that Alina might be the only one that I've ever wished to love.

Aleksander finished smothered the bud of his cig, once it burned to a nub, and flicked it out the window, taking one last gulp from the bottle. He placed it back to the drawer and locked it with the snap of his fingers, and closed the window and relocked that as well.

Crawling back into bed, and pulling Alina close as her thin arms instantly coiled around his waist, mumbling something about him smelling good, before drifting right back into sleep. He snickered at how cute she was as he kissed her sleeping lips.

"I'm so sorry, Alina. But, I want to be free too."