Chapter 19

Jellal took in Serana's scent as he embraced her; lavender and vanilla, just like it always was. Pressing a kiss on her hair, he couldn't even think about what to say, so he stayed quiet and enjoyed her presence. She hugged him back just as desperately, her fingers gripping his clothing as she nuzzled into his chest.

After another minute or two, she pulled back first and looked up at him. She examined him closely and ran her fingers through his hair, which had grown even more. It reached his collarbones, and he had begun pulling the top half back to get it off his face while working. She hadn't changed much, though her complexion was slightly darker. Likely, it was because she was spending time outside at the site.

"You haven't changed at all. Though I suppose 8 months isn't that long." Her voice was just as melodic as he remembered.

"It feels like you've gotten stronger." He moved his hand from her face and squeezed her upper arm, feeling the bicep muscle.

"Well, I haven't just been doing paperwork the whole time. Thankfully." She offered with a soft chuckle.

"When do you have to go back?" He asked in a voice just louder than a whisper, knowing he would have to face reality eventually.

"I've organised a carriage that will drop me at Veruze. It leaves at 3pm tomorrow." Her tone was the same as his, understanding they didn't have much time together.

"Okay. Well, I'm not going to let you out of my sight." He allowed a mischievous smirk to come across his face, having thought about how much he missed Serana's touch an embarrassing amount of times over the last 8 months.

"I am totally okay with that." She replied with a sultry voice and tugged him close for a kiss.

He was overjoyed that her feelings for him clearly hadn't changed or dulled during their time apart, and he couldn't stop himself from smiling. Wanting to escape with her for a while, he glanced around them momentarily before taking her hand and walking towards the back of the Palace. She hadn't been this way before and looked around to get her bearings as he led her to his destination. There were beautiful gardens outside at the rear of the Palace, and he wanted to show her and be alone with her for a while. Briyana passed them, and he asked her to bring them some tea. The smile he got in reply told him that she was happy for him.

Once they'd gone out the back door, one of the guards started to follow them, but he politely waved them off. It was rare for him to have some time to himself, which had taken him a long time to get used to after returning to Edolas. He'd been alone the majority of his last years in Earthland, and the adjustment period had been challenging. Mainly since he was in the public eye so much as King.

Jellal watched as she looked around, smiling brightly at the stunning view. Flowers of all colours, shrubs, trees, and plants were organised to create a gorgeous display. He'd asked for the garden to be refurbished since it wasn't exactly high on Faust's priority list. Most of the plants had died, and the trees were overgrown and messy. When it had been completed, he'd started spending more and more time outside since he was stuck inside the Palace so much. He felt liberated outdoors and had set up an arbour with a small table, chairs, and a large daybed. Occasionally, he slept on the daybed, finding it too hard to fall asleep inside. It was too quiet, and he was more used to hearing the sounds of insects, wind and water. The noise of the night was far more relaxing.

Leading her to the arbour, he pulled a chair out for her, and they sat at the table. He smiled at her expression as she was still taking in the sights around them. She must have felt him looking at her and smiled bashfully when she turned to give him her attention.

"So, tell me everything." He asked softly, leaning forward with his elbows on the table.

"Um, well...Robin has put me up in a charming little cottage while I work for him. It's been very different not sharing a dorm with Levy, Lucy and Juvia." She said with a laugh. "I've been spending most of the time just learning. I still feel like I'm getting my head around everything."

"Have you considered whether you would like to become Dreyer's apprentice?" Jellal asked, hoping that she would say yes. He'd accepted that his motives were about half and half for wanting to keep her close and for her aptitude.

"To be honest, I haven't thought about it much." She winced as she said it, as if worried she would hurt his feelings. "My mental energy has been thoroughly expended. But I haven't forgotten about it." Her tone gave him hope.

"That's all right. I understand." He answered encouragingly.

Briyana approached with a tray for them, and Coco was behind her, carrying a second tray. Both greeted Serana cheerily and said it was good to see her, and Serana responded in kind. Jellal thanked them both kindly, unsurprised but grateful that they'd gone overboard. There was a pot of his favourite tea, sandwiches, and small pastries. Serana's eyes were wide, and she smiled happily and thanked Briyana and Coco before they left after bowing.

Jellal hoped now they could enjoy each other's company and spend some time alone. Judging by the glint in Coco's eyes, she would make sure they weren't bothered unless the Palace was burning down. He wanted to thank them for it, but they quickly zipped away, their giggles fading with their footsteps.

"Tell me about how things have been here?" Serana asked softly as she poured them both a cup of tea.

"There's not much to tell, really. Just business as usual." He offered with an uncertain shrug.

"Nothing crazy to tell me about?" She said with a laugh.

"Hmm, no. I'm sure you saw the progress in the university's construction. That's taken most of my time." He leaned back in his chair, holding his cup as he thought about what else was happening. "The orphanage has gotten a facelift. I commissioned some of the painters in the city to do some murals, which turned out great."

"That's a nice idea." She smiled and bit into her pastry.

They continued catching up while they ate and finished their pot of tea. Jellal summoned his courage when he stood and led her over to lay on the daybed with him. She followed his lead and blushed as he kept her close, allowing her to rest her head on his chest.

Serana asked how the research was going into power sources, as he'd kept her updated about the progress in their letters. He told her there was a prototype in development for a train, and it would be finished by the time she returned from Veruze.

"They'll have to be stationed along the lines too. All the rail lines haven't been used since we lost magic, which will immediately improve trade and supplies across Edolas." He explained, and she nodded while keeping her head against his chest.

As they lay together on the daybed, simply enjoying each other's company, Jellal knew that Serana would have to go soon. He was unhappy about this but knew he didn't have a choice. Still, he needed to make his feelings clear to her. He had made the mistake of not saying enough before she had left for Veruze the first time out of uncertainty. He wouldn't do that again.

She was tracing the patterns on his shirt with a soft smile. He gently brushed his lips against her forehead to get her attention, and she tilted her head to look at him.

Taking a breath before he spoke, it came out in barely a whisper. "I don't want you to go."

Her smile became sad, and they stared into each other's eyes for a moment, neither of them knowing what to say. She had to leave, and Jellal knew that, but at least he had expressed his desire for her to stay. She laid her head on his chest again, and he could feel her shaky breaths since she was clearly trying to hold her emotions in check.

Carefully, he shifted slightly to nudge her head upwards, and she followed his lead. Perfectly in character for him, he stayed quiet simply because the right words didn't come to mind. Instead, he moved a hand to tangle his fingers in her hair and kissed her passionately. She made a soft noise of shock as she reciprocated with just as much intensity once her shock faded. As eloquent as he could be, words just wouldn't do the trick.

Serana's hand fisted in his shirt, ensuring he didn't pull away, and her leg crossed his hips. His heart thumped so hard in his chest that he was sure she could hear it, and he did his best to keep breathing, although she seemed insistent on taking his breath away. The feeling between them changed and intensified. Rather than just excitement at seeing one another after so long, it turned more purposeful and provocative.

Jellal initially worried that he might have been going too fast, but Serana encouraged him with her own intensity. He moved his lips from her own and directed her head to one side to better access her neck and jaw, running kisses along them. He felt her shudder in response, and his desire for her increased tenfold when he heard her say his name in a breath moan.

Pulling away from her, he knew he needed a minute since he was about ready to rip her clothes off on the daybed. He took a slow, controlled breath as he looked at her while she stared back with a puzzled expression.

"Should we go inside?" She asked, and he was glad that he was braver than him.

"Are you sure?" He questioned, although he wanted nothing more than to continue.

Her face fell a little, and he felt she might be worried that she was going too fast for him. He chuckled softly as he watched her doubt appear and increase as she tried to read his face to figure out what he was thinking.

"Uhh, yeah. But only if you want to." Her tone was concerned, which he found sweet.

As he felt himself grin, her doubt and worry fell away, and she beamed back at him happily. All but scrambling off the daybed to their feet, Jellal then took Serana's hand and headed inside with her. Coco was ever-so-casually strolling past as they entered through the open doors, flashing them a smile as they walked past her. Despite his efforts to look as innocent as possible, he was sure Coco knew precisely what was happening. She was too perceptive for her own good, in this moment, at least.

Reaching his chambers, Jellal opened the door and ushered her inside while they both tried not to crack up laughing at their attempts to seem inconspicuous. Closing the door behind him, he wrapped his arms around Serana's waist and led her to his bed. Clothes and shoes were removed along the way and abandoned on the floor.

When they reached the bed, Jellal hovered over Serana once she laid on her back and smiled as she pulled him down to her for a toe-curling kiss. They took full advantage of the short time they had together before she had to return to Veruze, and maybe it was also because they regretted not being more forward before Serana left. Throwing her underwear away after pulling them off, he did his best to elicit as many pleasured gasps, sighs and moans from her as using his hand while she did the same to him.

Unable to hold back any longer, he looked at her to check if it was still okay before he continued. She put her legs around his hips and nudged him forward in answer to his silent question, and he carefully pushed inside her. Taking a breath to keep his control, he was blown away by how incredible she felt. They moved together, taking their time to make the most of it.

Soon, Serana began to shudder, and her legs shook as she reached her high, and Jellal followed moments after. He said her name over and over again with his head buried in the crook of her neck and shoulder. Not wanting to crush her with his weight, he rolled to lay beside her as they caught their breath.

They spent the rest of the afternoon in each other's arms…