The evening settled into a quiet rhythm as the envoy gathered for a simple dinner at the inn. The village of Brenden still carried an eerie stillness, as if there was an unseen threat hanging in the air.
Adrian ate quietly, his thoughts constantly drifting back to the map in his pocket, to the temple that lay just beyond the village's borders.
Medea sat across from him, her sharp eyes scanning the room for anything unusual. Though they had been greeted with polite words and hospitality, neither Adrian nor Medea was foolish enough to believe that everything was as it seemed.
The village's tight security, the guarded stares of the villagers—it all screamed of something darker lurking beneath the surface.
As the evening wore on, Adrian leaned over to Medea in a low voice. "We can't wait for the council to give us answers. If the temple's as close as the map says, we need to check it out ourselves."
Medea nodded. "Agreed."
They waited for the others to retire to their rooms before slipping out of the inn. The streets were nearly empty, save for a few guards patrolling with torches. Adrian and Medea moved quietly through the shadows, their footsteps barely making a sound on the cobblestone roads.
They kept close to the buildings, avoiding the guards' line of sight as they made their way toward the outskirts of the village.
But just as they approached the gate leading out of Brenden, a sharp voice cut through the night.
"Halt!"
Adrian froze, his hand instinctively moving toward the hilt of his sword. Two guards stepped forward from the shadows, their torches casting long, flickering shadows across their faces.
"Where do you think you're going?" one of the guards demanded.
Adrian forced a smile, keeping his demeanor calm. "Just going for a stroll outside the village."
The guard's eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across his face. "No one is allowed out of the village at night. There's a curfew, and for an excellent reason."
Medea stepped forward, her tone flat but firm. "It's just a walk. We won't be long."
The second guard shook his head. "It's not safe outside the village after dark. You should return to your quarters. If you wish to leave, you'll need permission from the village chief."
Adrian's mind raced.
The last thing they needed was to draw attention to their mission. He gave Medea a sidelong glance, sending a silent message between them. "It's fine," Adrian said in a steady voice. "We'll return to our room. No need to involve the chief in this."
Medea's jaw clenched, but she remained silent. It was clear in her eyes that she was frustrated. She wasn't one to back down easily, but she understood the importance of keeping a low profile.
Without another word, they turned back toward the inn, the guards watching them closely as they walked away.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Medea hissed under her breath. "We could have handled them."
Adrian chuckled softly, though his eyes remained serious. "We're trying to avoid drawing attention, not start a fight. The last thing we need is the entire village questioning our motives."
Medea didn't respond, but her posture remained tense as they made their way back to the inn.
As they neared their room, Adrian caught a glimpse of Lord Faolan lingering in the hallway with an unreadable expression. For a moment, their eyes met, but neither man spoke. Faolan turned and disappeared down the corridor, leaving Adrian with a sense of unease.
Once inside their room, Adrian removed his cloak and collapsed onto the bed, his muscles aching from the long journey. The day had been draining, both physically and mentally, and sleep quickly began to pull at him.
He was just starting to drift off when he felt a presence beside him. Instinctively, his hand reached for the dagger he kept under his pillow, but then he recognized the familiar silhouette.
Medea stood by his bed, her face half-hidden in the shadows. Her body was tense, but there was something else in her posture—something uncertain.
"Medea?" Adrian's voice was hoarse with sleep, his eyes barely open. "What's wrong?"
She didn't answer right away, her gaze shifting away from him as if she were searching for the right words. When she finally spoke, her voice was uncharacteristically soft. "I'm feeling somehow."
"What do you mean?"
Medea sighed, her eyes closing for a moment before she met his gaze. "I... I want you, Adrian. Not like when we're sparring or on a mission. I'm talking about a different kind of wanting."
Adrian's drowsiness evaporated in an instant, his eyes widening in surprise. "Wait, you mean... Are you saying you want me to... have sex with... like... fuck you?"
Medea's jaw tightened, her eyes meeting his with a strange intensity. "Call it whatever you want, Adrian. But yes."
The admission was surprising, but not unwelcome.
For a moment, Adrian was speechless. If it had been Lilith asking him this, it would have been expected. Lilith was the embodiment of seduction and mischief, always teasing, always craving intimacy.
But Medea?
The woman who was always serious, always focused on the mission? This was something he hadn't anticipated.
Yet, as the initial shock wore off, he couldn't deny the attraction he felt toward her.
There had always been something between them—an underlying tension, an unspoken understanding—and it had only grown stronger over time.
As much as Medea tried to hide her emotions, Adrian knew her well enough to see the cracks in her facade.
To see the passion, the longing, the desire beneath the surface.
Adrian reached out, his hand gently brushing against her arm. "Medea, if this is something you really want, I won't deny you. But I want you to know... you don't have to prove anything to me."
Medea's lips twitched into a faint smile, though it was tinged with sadness. "It's not about proving anything. It's about... feeling alive."
There was a vulnerability in her eyes that Adrian had never seen before. It was a raw honesty, an openness, that was almost painful to witness.
His gaze locked with hers, his voice low and filled with understanding. "I can help you, but..."
"See Adrian, It's been a while since I last fucked and It's only been once since I got here."
Adrian let out a sigh. "I understand what it's like to crave connection, to seek pleasure. You've been holding yourself back for so long, but tonight, you're not.
"So, are you going to stand there all night, or are you going to kiss me, you dolt?" Adrian's heart raced as he leaned forward, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, tentative kiss.
Medea melted into his touch, her arms wrapping around his neck, her body pressing against his.
There was a fire burning in her, a need, and Adrian could feel it radiating from her skin.
Her kisses were desperate, hungry, her hands roaming over his body, as if she was trying to memorize every inch of him.
His fingers slid up her spine, tangling in her hair as he deepened the kiss. She tasted like honey and mint, her scent intoxicating him as he lost himself in the moment.
The kiss broke for a brief second, but only for Adrian to slip her robe off and toss it aside, then he pressed his lips back on hers.
Adrian felt a jolt of arousal run through him, his hands moving lower, cupping her ass, squeezing, and lifting her up.
Medea wrapped her legs around his waist, her body arching into him as she let out a breathless gasp.
The heat of her skin was almost too much, her hips grinding against him as he carried her to the bed.
Adrian laid her on her back, his lips trailing along her neck, his tongue flicking against her earlobe.
Medea moaned, her fingers digging into his back, urging him on.
She was already wet, her body responding to his touch, her skin flushed and her breathing heavy.
Adrian wanted her more than anything, but he held back, not wanting to rush the moment. He wanted her to feel everything, to experience every sensation.
He wanted her to know how much she was desired, how much she was needed.
He moved down her body, his lips caressing her breasts, his tongue teasing her nipples.
Medea's breath caught in her throat, her eyes closing as she arched into his touch.
"Oh, fuck, Adrian, yes."
His fingers trailed lower, slipping inside her, teasing and stroking her until she was writhing beneath him.
Her hips rocked against his hand, her moans filling the room.
He could feel her body trembling, her muscles tensing as she neared the edge.
Just when he thought she was about to come, to reach her peak, he stopped, his fingers pulling away, leaving her panting and frustrated.
"Not yet," he whispered, his lips moving down her stomach, his tongue circling her navel.
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