~~~Hello all. This is a short teaser chapter. I apologize I'm trying to get a feel of how to start making things get spicy. lol This chapter isn't intense just cutesy. Enjoy!
~Xarga12~
Cullen found himself standing in his room at the Gallows, the soft morning light filtering through the window casting a warm glow over the familiar surroundings. As he went about his morning routine, straightening his uniform and preparing for the day ahead, he heard a faint knock on his door. Confusion flickered across his features as he wondered who could be visiting him at such an early hour. Opening the door, he was taken aback to find Nereida standing there, her eyes red-rimmed and tears streaming down her cheeks. His surprise quickly turned to concern as he reached out to her, his voice laced with worry. "Nereida, what are you doing here?" he asked, his tone tinged with urgency. "You shouldn't be here, especially at this hour." But as he spoke, he noticed the distress etched on her face, her body trembling with emotion.
Before he could inquire further, she threw herself into his arms, her sobs muffled against his chest. Cullen's heart clenched at the sight of her distress, his protective instincts kicking into overdrive. Gently guiding her inside, he closed the door behind them and led her to sit on the edge of his bed, his hand resting reassuringly on her shoulder. "Nereida, please, tell me what's wrong," he urged, his voice soft and comforting. Through her tears, Nereida managed to choke out the words, her voice trembling with fear and anguish. "They... they came for me," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "The Templars... they said I was corrupting the sanctity of the Order."
Cullen's blood boiled with anger at the thought of his fellow Templars targeting Nereida in such a manner. He felt a surge of protectiveness wash over him as he wrapped his arms around her, offering her the comfort and solace she desperately needed. "Nereida, you are safe here," he murmured, his voice a steady anchor amidst the storm of her emotions. "I won't let anyone harm you. You have my word." Nereida's eyes glistened with tears as she listened to his words, her voice trembling as she spoke. "I'm sorry, Cullen," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to cause trouble for you or your fellow Templars."
He brushed away a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb, his touch gentle and comforting. "You haven't caused any issues among my ranks. You don't need to apologize for anything." Her sobs were beginning to subside but were still present, Cullen's heart clenched at the sight of her distress, a rush of protectiveness washing over him as he leaned in closer, his forehead resting against hers. "You're not to blame for the actions of others," he continued, his voice unwavering. "You have a good heart, Nereida, and you deserve to be treated with kindness and respect." Nereida placed her hand over Cullen's, a soft smile gracing her lips, his heart skipped a beat at the intimate gesture. He couldn't help but be captivated by the warmth of her touch, a gentle reassurance amidst the turmoil of their surroundings.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur. "For being here, for caring." Cullen returned her smile, though beneath the surface, his emotions were in turmoil. He couldn't ignore the rush of desire that surged through him as he felt her hand against his skin, her presence so close and comforting. He longed to pull her into his arms, to whisper words of reassurance and protection, but he held himself back, his restraint a testament to his dedication to duty. As Nereida sensed his inner conflict, she moved closer, her touch gentle as she sought to soothe his worries. She could feel the heat of his breath against her skin, his scent overwhelming in its proximity. She looked up into his eyes, seeing the flicker of lust mingled with restraint, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of desire of her own.
Cullen's gaze met hers, a mixture of longing and restraint evident in his eyes. He struggled to maintain his composure, his heart racing with the intensity of his emotions. Despite his inner turmoil, he forced himself to hold back, to maintain the boundaries that kept them apart. Nereida could sense the tension between them, the unspoken desire that hung heavy in the air. She reached up, her fingers brushing against his cheek, a silent gesture of understanding and acceptance. "You don't have to hold back, Cullen," she whispered, her voice filled with warmth and sincerity. Cullen's resolve wavered at her words, his restraint slipping as he gazed into her eyes, the walls he had built around his heart crumbling in the face of her unwavering trust. He yearned to surrender to the passion that simmered between them, to let go of his fears and doubts and simply embrace the moment.
"I trust you." she whispered against his lips. In that moment, Cullen's resolve crumbled. Unable to resist any longer, he surrendered to the intoxicating pull of desire. With a mixture of longing and trepidation, he leaned in closer, his lips seeking hers in a tender yet passionate kiss. Nereida's breath caught in her throat as she felt Cullen's lips on hers, the heat of his touch sending shivers down her spine. She melted into the kiss, her heart racing with a heady mix of desire and longing. In that fleeting moment, all doubts and fears melted away, leaving only the overwhelming rush of emotion that bound them together. As they broke apart, their breaths coming in ragged gasps, Cullen gazed into Nereida's eyes, his own filled with a mixture of longing and uncertainty. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice tinged with regret. "I shouldn't have..."
Nereida gently placed her fingers against his lips, silencing his words. "Don't be sorry," she whispered, her breath warm against his skin. Without hesitation, she leaned in to kiss him again, her lips meeting his in a fervent embrace. The world around them faded into insignificance as they surrendered to the undeniable pull of their connection, their hearts beating as one. As Cullen felt himself teetering on the edge of losing control, he abruptly stopped, his hands trembling as he gently pushed Nereida away. "I shouldn't," he murmured, his voice strained with uncertainty. "It goes against everything I've sworn to uphold." Nereida, undeterred, slowly climbed closer to him, her gaze locking with his as she whispered softly, "Have you taken such vows, Cullen?" Her words hung in the air, casting a spell of doubt over his resolve.
Cullen's breath hitched. He met her gaze, his own filled with turmoil as he struggled to find his voice. "No," he finally managed to say, his tone firm yet tinged with uncertainty. "I haven't taken such vows." Feeling her hands slowly guide his own, Cullen's heart raced with nervous anticipation. A part of him yearned to give in to the desire that pulsed through him, while another part fought desperately to maintain his composure and honor. Once again, he attempted to protest, his voice wavering with uncertainty. "Nereida, we shouldn't..." he started, but she silenced him with a gentle touch and a whispered confession.
"I love you, Cullen," she murmured, her words echoing in the stillness of the moment. "I trust you with all that I am. I know you would never hurt me." Her declaration pierced through the last shreds of his restraint, and Cullen's resolve crumbled beneath the weight of his desire. With a longing gaze, he surrendered to the intoxicating pull of temptation, his hands trembling as he reciprocated her touch, letting her giuide him to where she needed him.
Cullen's eyes snapped open, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he struggled to catch his breath. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, and his heart hammered against his ribs with a frantic rhythm. Disoriented, he scanned his surroundings, the dim light of dawn filtering through the window casting long shadows across the room. As the haze of sleep lifted, reality crashed over him like a tidal wave. It was all just a dream—a vivid, intoxicating fantasy that felt so achingly real. He ran a shaky hand through his tousled hair, trying to shake off the lingering sensations of her touch, the sound of her voice still echoing in his ears.
Every detail of the dream burned bright in his mind, from the softness of her lips to the warmth of her embrace. He could still feel the weight of her against him, the sweet scent of her hair lingering in the air. It was almost too much to bear. With a heavy sigh, Cullen tried to push the thoughts aside, to focus on the reality before him. But the memory of her lingered like a ghost, haunting his every thought. He couldn't shake the feeling of longing that gnawed at his insides, nor the overwhelming desire that threatened to consume him whole. Closing his eyes, Cullen took a deep, steadying breath, willing himself to regain control. But try as he might, the memory of her lingered like a shadow, a constant reminder of the forbidden temptation that now plagued his every waking moment.
Cullen stumbled out of bed, his legs heavy with exhaustion as he made his way to the washstand. With trembling hands, he filled the basin with cold water and splashed it on his face, hoping to shock himself awake from the haze of his dreams. The icy water stung against his skin, sending a shiver down his spine, but it did little to quell the tumultuous storm raging within him. He leaned heavily against the washstand, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he tried to steady himself. How could he face her after what he had dreamt? How could he look her in the eye, knowing the indecency that had unfolded in his subconscious mind? The thought made his stomach churn with guilt and shame, a heavy weight settling in the pit of his stomach.
Cullen closed his eyes, willing himself to push past the turmoil that threatened to consume him. He couldn't afford to dwell on the forbidden desires that had plagued his dreams. He had a duty to uphold, a responsibility to the Order that he could not forsake. Taking a deep, shaky breath, Cullen straightened up, steeling himself for the day ahead. He would bury the memory of his dreams deep within him, locking them away behind a wall of duty and discipline. He would not let his desires cloud his judgment, not when so much was at stake. With a resolute nod, Cullen turned away from the washstand, determined to face whatever challenges awaited him with unwavering resolve. But deep down, he knew that the memory of her would linger like a ghost, haunting his every step until he found a way to banish it from his mind for good.