Chapter 3: Mirror, Mirror
A one-shot set sometime after Vicky officially joins the citadel council. Enjoy! 💕
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Vicky has been distracted all day. She barely paid attention to Councilor Alvin as he droned on about proposed tax reforms at the morning council meeting. In the afternoon, she sat at her desk not making it past the second page of any of the petitions in front of her before her mind drifted off yet again. She foot-taps her way through the last meeting of the day waiting for the moment when she can fly home. And Vicky lays the blame for her unproductive work day solely at Malbonte's feet. For it was the sight of him swaggering into the council chambers that morning wearing a new outfit that had set her off.
Vicky had dragged Malbonte clothes shopping a few weeks ago. Reluctant at first, Malbonte had gradually become interested and ordered a few bespoke outfits, all starkly different in style from the sleeveless kaftan and pants that he'd sported for months or Bont's gray hoodie. They had to be tailored to his size and to accommodate the girth of his wing roots, and had only arrived the evening before.
That morning Malbonte had chosen a deep maroon tunic made of some velvety silk-blended fabric almost the same color as his wings. Strategically placed buckles and epaulets lent it a regal air, which was only enhanced by his usual bearing of vitality and confidence. He had paired it with a leather undershirt, a fur-lined half-cape, and fingerless gloves. A pair of black pants and knee-high boots complemented the ensemble. Malbonte radiated strength and power, and Vicky felt trapped in his aura of magnetism.
Vicky had snuck into his office during lunch to compliment him and steal a few quick kisses. But that small interaction only whetted her appetite. By the time the work day is done, Vicky is practically bouncing on the balls of her feet.
To Vicky's chagrin, however, the minute she reaches home, she finds Malbonte in the shower and his outfit discarded on the bed. Disappointed, she walks over and picks up the outer tunic and holds it against her cheek. The fabric is soft and velvety. Longing to feel his touch at least by proxy, Vicky quickly sheds her outfit, leaving on only her undergarments. She pulls on Malbonte's tunic, quickly shrugging her arms into its sleeves. The garment is obviously too big for her and Vicky clasps it close with her hand. She sways to and fro in front of the long mirror in their bedroom and smiles in almost childish glee. She scrunches up her shoulder and buries her nose in the fabric, inhaling the rich smell of new cloth and Malbonte—refreshing like the scent of pine trees and mountain streams. If only she could bottle his unique aroma and wear it like a perfume!
It has only been a few weeks since Vicky moved in with Malbonte and started working at the Citadel, but she has never felt happier. Her relationship with Malbonte is still so new, and everything they do together makes her giddy with excitement. Going to bed and waking up in his arms every morning feels nothing short of magical. Vicky has never been in a live-in relationship; none of her earthly relationships ever progressed that far. Being with Malbonte feels so natural, however, that she is glad she did not hesitate when he had asked her to move in with him on her graduation from the Academy.
So intent is she in her musings that she fails to notice Malbonte's presence until his strong hands grasp her hips from behind and pull her into a tight embrace. She meets his gaze in the mirror with a guilty look, blushing at being caught trying on his clothes. Malbonte presses closer, her wings pleasantly scrunching against his bare chest. The sandalwood soap scent of his freshly showered body blends with his pine needle musk making her slightly dizzy.
"First you steal my powers," he whispers into her ear, "Now you're stealing my clothes. What will you steal next?"
"Your heart?" she blurts, then almost cringes at herself.
He murmurs, "Perhaps you already have it."
Tingles run up her skin. She looks at his reflection with sparkling eyes. "Then I'll have to think of something else to steal," she says lightly, not wanting to make too much of his declaration, though her heart beats fast at his words.
"But I've caught you red handed this time. So…"
Vicky arches her brow, her breath hitching. "Yes?!"
"I'm just going to take my tunic back," he continues in his deep velvety voice, locking eyes with her in the mirror. He gently but firmly unclasps her hands which are clutching the suit close.
Vicky's pulse speeds up as he parts the folds of the tunic, revealing her undergarment-clad body to his appreciative gaze.
"Hmm… What have we here?" he murmurs. Holding her close to his chest with one arm, he runs his fingers over her body with feather light caresses that have Vicky arching to press harder against his touch.
"Look in the mirror," he whispers the instruction into her ear.
Vicky obeys. She blushes crimson at the sight of her disheveled and wanton appearance as she bucks in response to the talented fingers dancing across her skin. She catches Malbonte's eyes in the reflection, and his excited gaze makes her blush even harder. She writhes, unable to stop wiggling her body. "I thought you wanted your tunic back," she mutters breathlessly, trying to notch up the action.
Malbonte's eyes spark in amusement and he gives that crooked smile which always makes Vicky weak in her knees. "All in good time…" he says, continuing to torment her. He unclasps her bra with one quick motion. The two cups fall open, revealing her lovely curves to his amorous perusal. He traces the Manjomi tattoo over her chest and collarbone. An electric zing passes between their eyes as they both remember their island tryst before she officially joined his side. Malbonte nuzzles her neck and bites down, not so gently. Vicky has never felt so turned on as in that moment, as she catches the naked desire in Malbonte's eyes through his mirror reflection.
"Malbonte…please!" she whimpers, beyond modesty and consumed by need.
He kisses her neck and murmurs, "Please…what?"
"M..more…" she stutters out, clenching her hands over his arms and arching against his hips.
With a deep laugh that rumbles against her back, her tormentor pulls her tight into his arms, picks her up like a ragdoll cat, and carries her to their bed. He tosses her on the mattress and Vicky quickly shrugs out of the tunic. She tugs at Malbonte's arm and he straddles her briefly as he joins her on the bed. He lies down facing her. Vicky turns to her side as well; their bodies twine together.
Malbonte presses rapid tender kisses on her face, neck, and chest. His fingers dig into her hips and she enjoys the feel of his powerful muscles flexing against hers. Everything inside her responds eagerly to his every touch, every breath, every move as his powerful aura and dark power envelop and overwhelm her senses. She runs hot hands over his back and caresses the underside of his wings, the velvety-soft feathers quivering in response. She clings to his lips as to an anchor as their energies merge together and their movements reach the inevitable crescendo and the waves of bliss slowly start to recede.
"That was hot," Vicky says, trying to recover her breath.
Malbonte lazily rubs her hip, looking like the proverbial cat that got the cream. "I take it you liked the new outfit?" he asks in a mock-serious tone.
"You looked very handsome wearing it," Vicky responds with a grin. Malbonte looks gratified, though he tries to downplay his reaction with a cough. Vicky continues, "But I think it suits me better."
"Hmm… I would debate that point."
"Perhaps this calls for another trial?" Vicky gives him a cheeky look. "We could break in all your new outfits this way."
Malbonte arches his brow. "Do I get to break in your new clothes the same way?"
Vicky snorts. "I worry they'll get ripped up after one 'trial'. I can't afford to keep buying new outfits on a councilor's salary."
"Is that why you've resorted to stealing mine? Shall I propose a pay raise for newly appointed councilors at the next meeting?"
"Maybe you should. It's not a good idea to get rid of all the old council traditions like nepotism and corruption."
They laugh.
"You're doing great at the council," he says, more seriously.
Vicky huffs out a laugh. "You wouldn't say that if you'd seen me today. But, thank you."
Malbonte's lips arc up to one side.
"Half the time I don't even know if what I'm doing makes any difference. I'm the youngest there and have zero experience."
"Are you thinking of what that fool Alvin said?"
Vicky giggles. Councilor Alvin had yet again put his foot in his mouth in front of Malbonte by offering to mentor Vicky, stating that he had helped her mother the same way. Malbonte had shut him up with a, "Vicky can do without you, Councilor. She can manage quite well on her own."
Malbonte continues, "Don't judge yourself by the old standards of earth or heaven. We dismantled the power structure of the entire immortal world. It will take time and effort to see the full effects of the change, but it will be rough going at first." Malbonte pauses before adding, "Besides, I trust you and we work well together."
Vicky is touched by his faith in her abilities and his trust in their partnership. She strokes his cheek, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "Thank you," she repeats.
Malbonte turns his head to press a kiss against her palm.
Vicky pulls herself closer to Malbonte. Yes, nothing short of magical, she thinks, and contentedly rests her head on his chest.
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