Alaris had flown them to a field, and the scenery helped Belladonna calm down.This time around, their lessons did not involve any intimate form of distraction which Belladonna was very grateful for. After many hours of strenuous training, she could keep him out of her mind to some extent, using Eli's letters as a focus or anything about Eli she could remember at the moment of the lesson. She would have to find another source of focus soon enough though, it just couldn't be Eli, the man who she was trying to get away from and figure out her feelings for. It was disappointing that she couldn't fully keep Alaris from breaking into the barriers of her mind yet. That only meant that she would have to spend more time training with him. That was against her plan. She had thought of taking off the bracelet, suspecting that it was contributing to Alaris' easy access but the ghosts also had a close connection to her, and taking off the bracelet would not help her training.The sun was set

The word blurted right out of her mouth like hot coal that she was trying to get rid of. "No!"It was the truth, but why was she feeling regret over saying it? Jazliy let out a sigh of relief. Although some people had told her already that Belladonna had arrived with the King and the way he had left, it had seemed like they were together, she just had to be certain the one she had her eyes on wasn't encumbered with her, in that sense."Such a relief," she placed her hand on her chest, then gave into a dramatic display. "He is the most handsome man I have ever laid my eyes upon. He is huge, strong, and his arms... oh! How does it feel to be with supernatural beings? Don't tell me, I will find out myself! I have warned everyone else to keep off, for he is mine." She emphasized with her hands. "They are awestruck by him, but they maintain their distance." She nodded, like she had done something she was proud of as Belladonna killed her in a thousand and one ways in her head. "Then yo

"Is there a problem? You left. You didn't eat. You left earlier too. Are you alright, Bella?"Those words would have been so much better if they were coming from someone else, although the one who stood in front of her was still very unexpected. Belladonna settled the lantern on the floor, far away from the mat. Jazliy seemed to be everywhere. It was very annoying.Belladonna couldn't help but wonder how Jazliy had gotten here so fast. She had still been in the dining room when she had left. Was there a shortcut to this section of the family compound that she didn't know about? There probably was. How had she gotten into the room anyway?"I climbed in through the window. I climb a lot, the walls are low." Jazliy shrugged, although she didn't look entirely proud of at she had done. "Sorry.""It is alright. Just don't do this again." Belladonna said, settling on the mat with a huff. "I am alright, you don't have to worry about me. Goodnight."Could she just leave already?!"Goodnigh

"Who is Stunning Warrior?""What?" His question came out of nowhere and she just didn't understand."Ah, forget it." He tilted his head backward as he groaned and she watched his Adam's apple move. There was no light in the storage room, no window but the light from the lantern in the kitchen that was seeping into the storage room from the tiny gaps in the wooden door was enough to see him. Wait, her lantern was in the kitchen!GrandMami would---"Did you do anything more than the kiss?"Belladonna's attention went back to him. "This is about Alaris? Go to Jazliy.""It would be awkward as I have just rejected her in the kitchen's hallway."Now, that explained why she hadn't heard the whistle.There had been no whistle."Then disturb someone else's peace, leave mine alone.""Donna, please, I am losing my mind.""Then lose it!" She snapped in a hushed tone. Anger filled her veins suddenly. Who did he think he was to disrupt her life in this manner, to have such effect on her even afte

Absolutely starved, and passionately feral, his lips ravished hers. Forgetting that he had his gloves on, his hands went on a desperate and crazy quest up and down her dress to find an opening, so he could touch her warm skin that this silly fabric kept from him. He wanted to lose himself in the moment more than he already had.Was there even any more to lose?By Ignas, he wanted to lose himself in her! Buried in her. Deep. Lost in that wet warmth. The memories made him ache. He was going insane!Mad. Against his restraint was raw lust, the strings of which he was losing, every moment that his tongue dominated hers and tasted those lips of hers that he had been deprived of for way too long.The rain raged on outside, while the small storage room was filled with lustful emotions that tussled against each other relentlessly.Bouncing off the walls and straining against them. Thunder clapped and she jolted, pulling sharply away from him. She didn't get too far, his hand was pullin