Chapter 29

Relief

Aurelia paused, her gaze flickering to the doorway. The faintest glimmer of magicka caught her eye. Before she could react, the air shifted again, and Ondolemar appeared.

"Aurelia." He said, stepping closer, his face was full of uncertainty, tension flickering behind his golden eyes. For a man who prided himself on control, he looked almost… unsettled.

She didn't move, watching him carefully, searching his expression. "You're back." She said with quiet relief-relief that made Ondolemar's chest tighten.

"You doubt me," he said.

She took a slow step forward. "No… but I worried."

There was something different in the way she looked at him now. It unsettled him, not because he disliked it, but because he did. He welcomed it even.

Ondolemar exhaled sharply and stepped closer as he spoke again. "It's dangerous for us to continue this."

"Then why are you here?"

"You know why."

"Do I?" she pressed, tilting her head, searching his face. "If you truly believed it was too dangerous, you wouldn't have come at all."

Ondolemar said nothing.

Aurelia took another step, voice softer now, laced with something both knowing and careful. "Unless… you've decided it's worth the risk."

For a moment, there was silence. Then, before he could think better of it, he closed the space between them. "This must be the last time." He said as his hands lifted from his side finding her waist as he pulled her closer to him, his lips capturing hers in a kiss meant to be tender and brief. But when Aurelia responded by deepening the kiss, pressing herself against him, any thoughts of restraint or control on his part were already gone.

His hands moved to the small of her back, holding her, fingers curling against fabric and skin. As the kiss turned fervent and urgent Ondolemar's hands began to explore the rest of her body.

"Aurelia," he murmured against her lips, breaking the kiss just enough to meet her gaze. "If we continue, there is no turning back, no way of undoing this."

"I know," she whispered. "I don't want to turn back."

He exhaled sharply, his grip tightening on her waist. A part of him had hoped-had needed-her to be uncertain, to give him an excuse to pull back before the line between them disappeared entirely. But when he saw the certainty in her eyes there was no more room for pretence.

He leaned in again, slower this time, brushing his lips against hers.

Aurelia didn't waver, her hands finding their way to his collar pulling him closer. Ondolemar felt the last of his restraint slip, his fingers tracing the curve of her jaw before settling at her waist, pulling her closer.

Ondolemar broke the kiss, his breath uneven as he took her hand and slowly guided her to the bed. He kissed her again as he began to pull her dress down. He pulled back slightly, his chest rising and falling with the weight of his breath, his heart racing as he searched her eyes for any sign of hesitation. "Are you certain?" He murmured, his gaze softening as he kissed her neck.

When Aurelia nodded, his kisses began to trail down her neck as he let her dress fall to the ground as he guided her gently onto the bed.

Aurelia lay beside Ondolemar, her head resting against his shoulder, her fingers tracing patterns on his chest. He had one arm draped around her, his grip firm but hesitant, as if he wasn't sure whether to hold her close or let go.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, in a voice quieter than she had ever heard from him, Ondolemar finally broke the silence.

"This should not have happened." Though his words held no true conviction-just the ghost of responsibility trying to creep back in.

Aurelia stiffened slightly, but before she could move away, he tightened his arm around her. She glanced up at him, watching the way his gaze remained fixed on the ceiling, as if looking her in the eye would make this too real.

He exhaled slowly, his fingers tracing over her bare shoulder before he spoke again, softer this time. "And yet… I do not wish to take it back."

His words settled between them. Aurelia said nothing, only shifting closer, pressing her palm against his chest.

He tilted his head towards her, brushing his fingers absentmindedly through her hair. "We must be careful, Aurelia."

"Did something happen at the Embassy?"

Ondolemar's fingers stilled for a second before he resumed the slow, absentminded motion. He exhaled through his nose, his gaze flickering downward to meet hers.

"It was nothing unexpected," he said carefully. "Merely a reminder of what is at stake."

Aurelia studied him, his expression remained impassive, his tone was too even. "You're deflecting," she said, her voice quiet but firm.

A flicker of something crossed his face—something unreadable. He did not confirm nor deny her words. Instead, he brushed his knuckles along her jaw, a deliberate distraction.

"It does not matter now," he murmured. "I am here."

Aurelia felt herself waver at the gentleness of his touch. She exhaled softly, closing her eyes for a moment before turning her face into his touch, letting herself be drawn into the comfort he offered.

Tilting her chin up slightly, he watched her carefully. If he was relieved that she did not press further, he did not show it. Instead, he leaned in, brushing his lips against her forehead. "Rest," he said softly. "There will be time for questions later."