Chapter 34 | Spark (3)

translator/editor: astralmech | editor: ghost

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As Riennes body trembled, Black asked her a question.

[Black] Are you afraid?

[Rienne] . . .

She couldnt say yes or no.

[Black] Endure it.

And then his lips fell.

Rienne took a short and sudden gasp. The feeling of someone she couldnt see kissing the back of her neck was indescribably strange. Was it because it was a place no one had ever kissed her before?

It felt like Black was opening up a part of her that was once hidden away and branding it with a mark.

But she couldnt say she hated the feeling.

..This is insane.

The sensation of his lips being slowly drawn across her neckline felt like it was setting fire to her skin. Though her shoulders were once the only thing shaking, strong shivers were now pulsating through her body.

Even as Rienne tightly bit her lip, she couldnt rid herself of those sensations he left behind.

[Rienne] . . .

Eventually the soft breathing stopped and Black pulled his lips away from her. But even after such a kiss, he didnt leave, instead tightly wrapping his arms around Rienne.

[Rienne] Why.?

As Rienne asked in confusion, Black put strength into his grip and forced her to lie down. She felt the weight of a familiar blanket covering her body as he dropped himself right next to her.

[Black] Im sleeping here.

He wasnt asking permission for this either.

But despite his demanding words, he didnt get very close to her. He remained out of reach of the blanket where they wouldnt touch on accident.

Hes kind yet forceful. Forceful yet kind.

[Rienne] Without a blanket?

[Black] Dont need it.

[Rienne] But youll get cold.

[Black] My body runs hot. Ill be fine.

He turned on his side and looked at Rienne.

[Black] Go to sleep.

Rienne could feel the side of her face stinging from his gaze. She kept her eyes on the ceiling, not confident enough to face him directly.

Already the tip of her nose was starting to feel cold.

[Rienne] ThenYou should get another blanket.

She couldnt see him that well from her position, but Blacks shoulders seemed to twitch.

[Black] So I can sleep next to you?

[Rienne] Youve already decided to do so, regardless of what I say.

[Black] Theres a difference between my insistence and you saying its okay, Princess.

[Rienne] Is there? The result is the same in the end, even if I didnt say anything.

[Black] .Cant it be the same?

[Rienne] It already is. If youre going to sleep here, then you shouldnt have to sleep cold.

[Black] .Youre a strange woman, Princess.

His voice was so low, his words came out like a whisper. Rienne always wanted to say something like that to him, too.

Thats how you appear to me.

A very unusual man.

Whether he acted polite or rude, affectionate or coldall of those traits were encompassed in a single person, so she had no choice but to accept it all.

[Rienne] Stay here.

Black was unlikely to get up and get another blanket himself, so Rienne pulled herself out of bed.

[Black] Where are you going?

[Rienne] The closet.

From the closet behind the bed, Rienne pulled out an additional blanket that had been stored there in preparation for the colder months of winter. For some reason, Blacks body stiffened as she approached, unfolding the blanket and draping it over him.

Now he wont be so cold lying next to me.

For some reason, Rienne felt relieved, as if she had done her job.

[Rienne] You should be able to sleep comfortably now.

[Black] . . .

Rienne heard Black mutter to himself, but she didnt bother to ask what he said. She just assumed he was thinking she was strange, just like before.

[Rienne] Goodnight, then.

The two of them closed their eyes, lying in a single bed with two different blankets.

Eventually, a peculiar night gave way to an even more peculiar morning as Rienne drifted off to sleep first.

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When Rienne stirred awake, the first thing she noticed was how everything felt too warm.

That doesnt make sense.

The morning hours were always cold during this particular time of year. When it was like this, her nose would be shivering and her head would still be in a sleepy daze, but her body would wake up nonetheless.

It was a season where the only thing that got her out of bed was forcing herself to open her eyes after hearing Mrs. Flambards approaching footsteps.

[Rienne] . . .

But this time, Riennes eyes fluttered open.

And she realized she was in Blacks arms.

Though they fell asleep using separate blankets, for some reason they were using only one now. And just as Black said his body ran hot despite the season, Riennes cheek that was up against his chest could attest the truth of that.

[Rienne] Ah

But just as Rienne was about to let out a sound of surprise, she bit down on her lip.

Black was still fast asleep.

His eyes were shut so tightly, there were small creases forming between them. Rienne knew he must be exhausted from his injuries, remembering how serious they were. If ever there was a time he was in desperate need of rest, it was now.

.I shouldnt wake him.

He was a patient, so naturally he wouldnt be feeling very well. It was important she let him sleep while he could.

.But how did I end up sleeping like this?

Right before she fell asleep, she could distinctly remember covering herself with a blanket and lying as still as possible. She felt so nervous she kept her hands close to her chest, too.

So when did he?

She was surprised she didnt wake up at any point feeling someone suddenly hugging her.

Even now, an absurd thought came to her that the position she was shocked to have found herself in felt comfortable and cozyas if thats how she fell asleep in the first place.

But

But what was stranger.was that she didnt hate it.

She didnt hate the sound of his breathing so close to her, nor the sound of his hair softly rustling as he gently moved in his sleep. Feeling his strong arms tightly holding her wasnt bad either. She didnt even mind the loud pounding of her heart.

And Rienne didnt hate that the first thing she saw when she woke up was the sight of Blacks closed eyes, deep in sleep.

Now that she was seeing him up close, she was noticing how long his eyelashes were. The bridge of his nose was as straight as a ruler and his pale lips had a defined line to them.

Though looking at his lips only reminded her of how hed kissed her yesterday. The stinging heat she felt in her neck that had spread throughout her body only seemed to return with the thought.

[Rienne] . . .

The tension that kept her bound in place or that pulsated through her bodyneither of them were bad.

I dont hate any of it.

But the reason as to why was still unknown.

I.. I dont know why.

Why didnt she hate it? And why did she want to stay like this? She couldnt move her body at all and yet she didnt hate that either.

Everythings too strange..

[Black] Mm..

Black moved in his sleep.

Putting more strength into his arms, he pulled Rienne even closer to his chest.

The same nose she had just been admiring brushed up against her forehead and his lips were a mere breath away from touching her brow.

Is he trying to wake up?

Rienne completely forgot to blink as she watched Blacks closed eyes.

I hope youll sleep for just a little bit longer.

And I hope we can stay like this awhile longer, too.

But just as that hope entered Riennes unconscious mind, Blacks eyes opened as if theyd never been closed at all.

[Rienne] ..!

[Black] . . .

While Riennes eyes widened, Blacks narrowed. He also seemed to be realizing the position he was in now was very different from the one he fell asleep in last night.

[Black] ..Did I do this?

[Rienne] Im not sure.

[Black] I didnt know I had this kind of habit.

Though, despite being surprised, neither of them tried to be the first to break their position.

Rienne thought it was strange how Black was looking at her without even blinking, but she didnt even seem to notice she was no different.

[Black] Ive never seen you this close before.

[Rienne] ..I see.

As they sat completely still, they were so close their eyes could touch each other.

[Rienne] You have a scar here.

Time felt like it was moving incredibly slowly. Feeling her eyes start to hurt, Rienne finally blinked as she noticed the remains of a small scar, barely visible on Blacks eyebrow.

[Black] Where?

[Rienne] Here.

She reached out, touching her index finger against the scar, just a little paler than the skin around it.

[Black] Is there?

He seemed like he genuinely didnt know what she was talking about.

[Rienne] Its very small. Even I cant see it that well.

She wouldnt have seen it herself if she hadnt been observing his face from so close.

[Black] You have a freckle here, Princess.

Rienne felt Black tap his finger in a spot just under her earlobe, near the start of her neckline. Just as his scar was unknown to him, this was unknown to her.

[Rienne] I cant see it. What does it look like?

[Black] Its small and its a similar color as my hair. I dont think many people would see it.

[Rienne] Yes..I didnt know I had a freckle there.

Black was the first to see it. Or maybe he was the only one. There was no one else who had ever observed her face this close before.

On an early morning that should have been cold, it was warm, and in the space next to her that was always empty, there was a person instead. She was looking at someones face without ever getting tired, as was he.

They were both looking for more things only the two of them could know.

And she didnt hate it at all.

[Rienne] Is there anything else?

[Black] I can look if you want.

[Rienne] Yes, please do.

Swish.

Black moved his face closer.

As he pushed her hair aside, the grip his arms had on her didnt loosen in the slightest. Eventually, the side of Riennes face and her neck were revealed.

He ran a solitary finger along her jawline.

[Black] Theres nothing here.

Black took his finger, running it along her neck down near her chest, which was still covered by her nightgown.

[Black] Can I keep looking?

[Rienne] . . .

Those words took her breath away.

[Rienne] Well.. Youd need to pull my dress down.

[Black] Yeah.

[Rienne] So..

[Black] Can I?

[Rienne] . . .

As he waited for an answer, he kept gliding his fingers slowly over the neckline of her nightgown.

He didnt even try to hide the explicit meaning behind the gesturehis blue eyes, closer than ever before, were just as honest.

[Rienne] No, not here.

And thats when she realized.

Regardless of his purposewhether he wanted revenge or whateverthe fact of the matter was that he wanted her.

And my mind isnt very different, either.

Though she knew he desired her outside of whatever he planned on doing with Nauk, beyond even that, she wanted him to want her.

I wonderwill thoughts like these just end up becoming poison?

Or would it end up just the opposite?

Rienne wanted to know. More than anything, she desperately wanted to know.

[Rienne] Now.its too bright out right now.

[Black] I wont be able to find anything if I dont have any light.

[Rienne] You dont need that..if you look closely enough, it doesnt have to be light.

[Black] Then, can I take a closer look?

[Rienne] Somewhere where its darker than this.

[Black] . . .

Blacks fingers stopped at her neckline. Riennes unusual sentiment made his eyebrows tense. He held her face and began gently rubbing her cheek with his thumb, a frown forming in his eyes.

[Black] I wish you knew what you were saying, Princess.

[Rienne] You.dont think I do?

[Black] No, I dont.

Black gave a soft sigh.

[Black] Thats why you keep doing these kinds of things without even blinking. You have no idea what you look like to me right now.

[Rienne] What..I look like?

The movement of his hand stopped.

[Black] You dont want to hear it.

[Rienne] Is it because I look bad?

[Black] Other way around.

That sounded very strange to Rienne.

[Rienne] Why wouldnt I want to hear it if its good?

[Black] . . .

Again, Black sighed instead of giving an answer.

[Black] Thats why I said you dont know.

[Rienne] Then you can tell me.

[Black] Its not something I can talk about.

[Rienne] Why is that?

Suddenly, the look in Blacks eyes shifted.

[Black] This is why.

The hand that was once resting on her cheek found a new place on the bedsheets. As Black lifted himself up, Rienne thought he was merely getting out of bed.

[Rienne] !

But that wasnt what happened.

He was now towering over Rienne, who was lying on her back pinned to the bedlocked between his arms.

[Black] Do you understand now?

[Rienne] Ithink.I do.

[Black] No. You still dont get it.

[Rienne] No, I..

Black gave a disbelieving smirk.

[Black] If you knew, you wouldve shoved me off and run away by now.

[Rienne] What?

[Black] But its too late now.

And then, without a moments hesitation, he lowered his head.

While Riennes mouth was slightly parted, he didnt waste the opportunity, slipping his upper lip in between the gap. Before she even knew it, her lips opened up, giving him more room as she closed her eyes.

[Rienne] . . .

What started off as a slow, soft, and alluring kiss became more and more needylike a gentle rain turning to a sudden downpour. She wrapped both her arms around Blacks neck, while he kept one supporting her back, pulling her up to him.

Over time, their position changed. Holding her in his arms, Black fell onto his back, with Rienne following and settling on top of him as her body pressed into his.

But the movement was so frantic, her knee was left to awkwardly push into his leg as they tangled up together.

[Rienne] Wait

In the brief moment their lips were apart, Riennes breathing was heavy as she spoke.

[Rienne] Wait, your leg..

[Black] Leg?

[Rienne] I thought you were hurt.

Only

[Black] Its fine.

Black cupped the back of her head with his big hand and pulled her right back in.

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