A Heart No Longer Froze
"Julian started to say but she broke off. "I’m not a jealous woman", she continued evenly, "If you want to be with them, that’s fine. That’s your choice.
But I’m here too.
If you want me, I’m here. If you don’t," she gave him a shrug of one shoulder. There was a hint of vulnerability breaking through her cool mask, "that’s fine too. I’m not going to beg" He stared at her.
Then, with out a word he leaned forward and brushed a gentle kiss against the side of her cheek.
"I don’t want to leave you and I’m not going to. I just wanted you to know the truth." Felberta felt the warmth spill over into her chest.
The warmth she refused to acknowledge, "You’re ridiculous", she muttered under her breath but there was no heat behind the words, "And you’re beautiful when you try to play cold" "I’m not playing." "Sure you’re not". She gave him a light push but there was a smile playing around her lips now.
Julian grinned back, relieved the tension had broken through, then remembered himself and glanced towards the window, The sun was quite high in the sky now, splashing golden light across the room, "We’re running out of time", she stated, quiet now, "The servants will be moving around soon".
Julian nodded, understanding now, "Can we keep it secret", Felberta asked, her voice hushed again, "Just for now. Just a while. I don’t want any one to know about us yet". Julian’s expression flickered for a second, "Why don’t you want me", he asked softly, his voice tinged with hurt now, She looked away, her cheeks growing warm and red, "It’s not like that", she replied quickly, "I just...
Need a little time.
Just a little. I’m still... Trying to figure some things out".
He looked at her for a beat, then he understood. She’s still hurting, he realized with a pang of certainty. She still has the androphobia, or what ever they’d called it.
Better but not totally better.
She needed space to adjust, process everything. He nodded at her, and pressed another kiss to her forehead, "Take as long as you need. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not leaving you ever.
But if it’s too long", he grinned, back to his playful old self, "I’m dragging you to my home myself".
Felberta smiled despite herself.
"That’s a threat, isn’t it?"
"It’s a promise."
She shook her head, but she was laughing.
And then, without warning, he kissed her again.
This time it wasn’t soft or gentle.
It was passionate. Hungry.
His tongue slipped past her lips, tangling with hers, and she responded in kind.
Their mouths danced together, sharing breath, sharing saliva, sharing everything they couldn’t say out loud.
Felberta’s hands found his shoulders, pulling him closer.
His hands found her bare breasts, cupping them, teasing her nipples until she moaned against his lips.
When they finally broke apart, both were breathless.
"We need to stop," Felberta gasped, her cheeks flushed. "If we keep going, we’ll never leave this bed."
"That doesn’t sound like a problem to me."
"Julian."
"Fine, fine." He raised his hands in surrender. "But only because you asked nicely."
Felberta climbed out of bed, her body aching with a pleasant soreness.
Her long legs trembled slightly as she stood, and she could feel the evidence of their passion still trickling down her inner thighs.
She reached for her burgundy silk night robe, sliding it over her shoulders and tying it loosely at the waist.
The fabric barely covered her, but it was enough.
Julian watched her, his golden eyes trailing over every inch of her body.
Her breasts, full and heavy, their pink nipples still peaked from their lovemaking. Her narrow waist, the gentle flare of her hips. Her long, elegant legs, leading up to where her swollen, reddened pussy was hidden beneath the silk.
She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
And he knew, deep in his heart, that he would never get tired of looking at her.
"Stop staring," she said, her voice cold but her cheeks flushed.
"Not a chance."
She rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.
She walked to the window, pulling back the curtain slightly.
The sun was rising over Valemont, painting the sky in shades of gold and rose.
"The sun is up," she said quietly.
Julian came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Beautiful," he murmured.
"The sunrise?"
"You."
Felberta’s breath caught.
His lips found her neck, pressing a soft kiss to the skin there.
"Felberta," he whispered against her ear. "When you’re ready—when you’re fully healed—I’ll be there. I promise."
She turned in his arms, looking up at him with those crimson eyes.
"I know," she said softly. "I believe you."
He kissed her one more time—soft and tender, full of promise.
Then, with a grin, he stepped back.
"I should go," he said. "Before I lose all self-control."
Felberta watched as he walked to the balcony.
His body was a masterpiece—broad shoulders, sculpted chest, lean muscles that rippled with every movement. And his dick, still half-hard, hung between his legs, a testament to his desire for her.
She felt her cheeks flush, but she didn’t look away.
He caught her gaze and grinned.
"See something you like?"
"Just go before I change my mind about keeping this a secret."
He laughed, and then he was gone—vaulting over the balcony railing with practiced ease, landing silently on the adjacent balcony that connected to his room.
Felberta watched him go, a small smile on her lips.
Then she turned back to her bed.
Her eyes fell on the mess of tangled, stained sheets, and she let out a soft sigh.
She’d have to destroy them. Burn them, perhaps. There was no way she could let anyone see the evidence of what had happened here.
But as she began to strip the bed, her mind wandered back to the night before.
To Julian’s touch.
To his kisses.
To the way he’d made her feel—alive, desired, loved.
What happened to me? she wondered, her cheeks flushing. I used to be so cold. So untouchable. And now... now I’m lying in a bed that smells like him, and I can’t stop thinking about him.
She shook her head, pushing the thoughts away.
But they wouldn’t go.
His voice echoed in her mind.
I love you a little more.
Felberta bit her lip, a soft smile spreading across her face.
Then she climbed back into bed, burying her face in the pillow that still smelled of him.
And for the first time in years, she fell asleep with a smile on her lips.
---
In her dreams, she saw him.
A handsome prince with golden eyes and a teasing smile.
Her mother used to tell her stories about princes like that.
She never believed they could be real.
But now she knew.
Now she believed.
And as she drifted deeper into sleep, she dreamed of Julian D’Aurelius, the man who had stolen her heart.