Conversations and Naked Bodies

AYSU

Her entire body tingled even after Ximun pulled out and crashed beside her, his intoxicating touch still holding her waist as though telling some invisible person that she was his and his only.

With satisfaction, Aysu sighed and a smile remained on her face. That was followed by random peeks at Ximun’s face. He truly was ethereal, especially with the way his hair layered randomly. And in the midst of those peeks, the temptation to touch his face grew and once she gave in, caresses were all she gave him. And that lovely touch was enough to get him to open his eyes and turn his entire focus to her.

“Do you think the curse has been fully broken?”

“I wonder the same.” Her touch transferred to his chest. Ximun pulled her closer to match her action. “I haven’t felt the pain of separation in a while, so I think it is safe to think that it is broken.” Ximun let out a light scoff that roused Aysu’s curiosity. “What is it?”

“Weeks ago, I was so adamant about not breaking the curse. Who knows if I’d be truly dead by now if we hadn’t met and if you hadn’t insisted on mating?”

“Well, I’d probably be dead as well.”

“We did wish for death a lot, didn’t we?”

His statement reminded Aysu of something. “I think it was after my eleventh rejection, my heart was in shatters and the only way I could ease my pain at that point was to eat.”

His brows jerked in slight excitement. “You do that too?”

“Of course,” her body adjusted in his direction some more, “food is a good response to a lot of things.”

“Ditto.”

“So, I needed food and was especially craving some cake prior to the rejection. So I headed to the closest bakery and while ordering the specials, I specifically told them to add a great amount of Silverdust.”

“Why would you?” Ximun didn’t hide his shock. And that was understandable. Silverdust was one of the most deadly poisons in their land. It was good enough to kill a human and their wolf within seconds.

Aysu shrugged. “I just wanted to die without much fuss.” Aysu took a pause to wonder if her desperations back then were just stupidity. “Anyway, I got the cake, without the silverdust, of course. The amount of stares I got that day was more than enough to snap me out of my death wish. And to worsen matters, my father was also in that shop.”

“No.”

Aysu nodded. “Yes. I was embarrassed because everyone knew I was his daughter. So I had basically managed to taint his image.”

“I doubt your father was bothered about that.”

“He wasn’t. But I bet he was also embarrassed.”

“Oh wow. That absolutely tops my attempt to drown in the bathtub.”

Her head danced from left to right. “That curse has made us do nasty things.” And that was true. There were crazier things she did to end her life but they were never successful. Perhaps the universe purposely blocked her attempts because they knew she was destined to eventually experience freedom with a man she had come to love after a few weeks of slight hatred and fighting emotions.

Ximun, with a gentle smile in his eyes, leaned closer to plant a random kiss on her forehead. “That’s why I hope the curse has truly ended.”

“Isn’t there a way to find out? What if it is hiding and waiting for a great time to attack?”

“There is a way but it requires us to travel for days.”

“Can’t we do that?”

Ximun drew a sharp breath. “It will be hard. We are the King and Queen.”

“Oh, that’s true.”Aysu wasn’t used to the whole royalty thing. Back home, she had the freedom to go places for days without being questioned. “Being Queen will take time to get used to.”

“It might feel more real at the mating ball. Who knows? Something dramatic might happen.”

Ximun’s statement made her a little more interested in what that day had to offer. So, as her lower body found a way to smear against his lower abdomen, she asked, “Did something fun happen in the last one?”

“It did.”

Her eyes lit up and Aysu was a little surprised at her immediate reaction. She never thought she would be interested in gossip and all that. Maybe she always had an innate desire to have a way to get access to loads of information. Or maybe she just liked speaking with Ximun. Whichever it was, she really liked that moment where she was speaking with Ximun about random things, she knew that much.

So, while the hand she had on his chest remained in its position, she leaned closer and asked, “What happened in the last one?”

“Well, a man stormed into one of the chocolate fountains. He shifted into a wolf and consumed everything that spilt. It was good entertainment.”

“You guys have chocolate fountains?”

“At every event.”

Aysu gasped dramatically. “How come you didn’t say that earlier?”

His eyes darted to the side. “Was I supposed to? Ow!” She had smacked his stomach and a burst of laughter followed that mock cry of pain. “Now you know, so-”

“Stop laughing. You should have enticed me with the chocolate instead of badgering me with the responsibilities of the Luna Queen.”

Ximun wouldn’t stop laughing. “Okay, my beautiful Queen. I will make sure to entice you with whatever that’s likeable next time.”

“Good.”

“So, don’t be surprised when I pin you against the wall without warning,” he said, a sudden raspiness settled in his voice.

His statement created an image in Aysu’s head and that stirred her desire for more of his touch. But since the need to sleep was gradually seeping into her soul, she chose to swallow her desire. And with pride on her shoulders, she replied, “I will be expecting your enticement.”

Ximun chuckled. “Alright, my beautiful Aysu.”

She laughed this time. And it was a genuine mirth that made her heart flutter. But within her laugh, a yawn managed to intercept. Ximun who watched her as though she was his favourite TV show quickly relaxed her body and spooned her from behind while his hand gently patted her stomach in a way that reminded her of the child she lost.

But before the thought of the fetus could become something that would settle fully in her heart, Aysu dismissed it. But as she did that, she wondered if that reaction was right. After all, the unborn pup was a life within her.

But she didn’t dwell much on that thought. Ximun’s presence and the way his naked body pressed against hers warmed her body and soul, she felt calm in that state and without much ado, sleep came and carted her to the dreamworld.

It was Ximun’s touch that woke her up from her really lengthy and satisfactory sleep. But Aysu wished to remain in bed some more, so as she groaned in complaint, she nudged Ximun’s taps away.

“You have to get up, Aysu.”

Her head got buried into her pillow. “No. The sun’s not even up.”

“We will be late for the meeting.”

“Huh?” Aysu wondered what the meeting was.

“The serial killer meeting.”

Though the phrasing of that response was a weird one, it managed to get Aysu to spring out of her lying position.

With realisation on her face, she gently said, “That’s true. Are we extremely late?”

“If you remain in that bed for another five minutes, we will.” Ximun was wearing seriousness in a way that reminded Aysu of the version of the man she met in the forests back when they were strangers.

So, she got up and without much delay, she found the bathroom and took care of some bodily details.

Once that was hastily done, she joined Ximun who helped her put on the floral gown he picked for her and soon, they were headed for the meeting.

And when they reached the meeting which was located at a place Aysu never expected to exist in that palace, they met four men who welcomed Aysu with stoic expressions. Their expression didn’t annoy Aysu, she could tell that their expressions were a part of them, like something they couldn’t do without.

So, without much ado, they got down to business.

“We have gotten new leads on the potential identity of our mystery killer,” one of the men started. “But these leads are trailing to the Tarmish Pack and-”

“So there is a possibility that the killer is not from our pack?” Ximun asked, his elbows planted on the table in the middle of the room, his hands slightly blocking his lips.

“That possibility is there. I know we have been trying to keep our feet out of other pack’s business, but now that information is leading us outside the territory, we have to check the facts,” the man replied.

And Ximun said, “That will be a little tricky. As of now, we don’t have the smoothest relationship with that pack.”

“I was hoping that our Luna Queen would be of help in that regard.”

Ximun frowned immediately. But he didn’t say anything. Aysu suspected that was because he had things he wished to keep a secret regarding her standing relationship with the Tarmish Pack.

“I-” The man wished to continue speaking, but a loud bang of the door interrupted him.

The man that caused the bang seemed to be a guard and everyone turned to face him as he panted greatly.

“Well?” Ximun asked with impatience.

“The killer has struck again.”

The Alpha King stood up immediately. “What?”

“The victim works here in the palace. The… victim was killed in the… kitchen.”

“Do we have a name?” Ximun demanded while he drew his hands into fists to control his emotions. As she watched her husband, Aysu’s mind raced with thoughts and ideas of how to use that saddening situation to nab the culprit.

“Yes. The victim’s name is Magnetino Andrew.”