As the familiar shimmer of teleportation dissipated, Vastarael and Phaenora materialized outside the inn where they had begun their day. Only this time, they were awake and it was daytime.
Noon sunlight bathed the structure, the warm glow reflecting off its timber-framed walls. For a moment, both of them simply stood there. Vastarael glanced up at the inn with a faint frown, while Phaenora smirked at his side, her mind already plotting her next move.
Once inside, the warm interior of their room welcomed them. It was the same cozy space with soft golden lighting, a plush bed at its center, and windows that framed the bright midday sky.
Vastarael moved to look outside the window, but the sound of Phaenora's light footsteps nearing him made him pause. He turned to find her standing close, a coy smile playing on her lips.
"You know, Veneri, we're alone again. What better time to continue our little... game?"
Vastarael sighed, his calm golden eyes meeting her teasing gaze.
"Phaenora—"
Before he could finish, she pressed her hands gently against his chest, her fingers toying with the fabric of his hoodie. Her robe, a soft white garment with subtle blue accents, slipped just slightly off her shoulder, revealing the smooth curve of her collarbone.
"You're always so calm, so untouchable. It makes me wonder... if you ever feel anything at all. Should I test your limits again? Maybe this time, I'll actually get a reaction out of you—"
But Vastarael had reached his limit.
In a blur of motion, so swift that Phaenora barely registered it, he seized her wrists and spun her toward the bed. The plush mattress met her back as she fell onto it and before she could utter a word, he was above her, his knees sinking into the bed on either side of her hips. He leaned over her, his tall frame casting a shadow over her flushed face. His hands held hers firmly above her head, pinning her wrists against the soft pillows.
Phaenora tried to move her wrists but Vastarael's grip strength was too strong.
Phaenora's teasing expression was gone, replaced by wide eyes and parted lips. She was utterly speechless, her breath caught in her throat as she stared up at him. For the first time, Vastarael's usual calm composure was tinged with something... darker. His golden eyes were intense as they locked onto hers, his face mere inches away.
"Enough. Just because I don't react doesn't mean I won't eventually."
Phaenora's cheeks flushed a deep pink, her usual confidence slipping as her chest rose and fell beneath her robe, which had shifted to reveal more of her slender figure. The neckline had loosened, the fabric slipping to reveal the gentle curve of her massive bust, her pale skin glowing in the soft light of the room. Her hair fanned out across the pillows, adding to the ethereal beauty she exuded, but for once, she was silent.
"I'm a man, Phaenora. And even I have limits. If you keep pushing me like this, one day, you'll cross a line. And when that happens..."
He leaned closer, his golden eyes glowing slightly.
"You'll regret it."
Her lips parted but no words came out. She could feel the strength in his hands holding hers down, the steady weight of him above her, and the sheer dominance in his presence. Her usual teasing façade faltered completely as she struggled to find her voice.
"Veneri, I—"
He silenced her with a single look.
"If you try something like this again," he said, his tone dropping to a dangerously soft whisper, "you'd better be prepared not to walk for the next few days. Because I guarantee that once I lose my rationality, I won't stop."
The room fell into a heavy silence, the only sound the soft rustle of the sheets beneath them and Phaenora's shallow breaths. Her eyes searched his, still wide with a mix of shock and... something else. A part of her was tempted to test him, to push him just a little further, but the intensity in his gaze held her still.
Vastarael finally released her wrists, his hands moving away slowly, but he didn't back away immediately. Instead, he stayed where he was, his golden eyes softening slightly as he looked down at her.
"You're beautiful Phaenora, and even I can see that. But don't mistake my restraint for weakness. There's a line you shouldn't cross. I'm not an eunuch. You don't know what man can do when a woman seduces them for far too long."
Phaenora swallowed hard, her usual composure shaken. She shifted slightly beneath him, her robe falling back into place as she avoided his gaze for the first time.
"I... I didn't think you'd react like that," she murmured, her voice quieter than usual.
Vastarael leaned back, finally giving her some space, though his presence still lingered. He sat on the edge of the bed, his back to her as he spoke again.
"You've pushed me far enough for today. Next time, think twice before you try to seduce me. You might not like the outcome."
Phaenora remained on the bed, her flushed face hidden behind a curtain of hair. For the first time in as long as she could remember, she was at a loss for words.
"I'm going to look around the city. Wear something appropriate. I don't want humans seeing your body figure when we're walking together."
Before she could respond, he turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him. His words weren't a suggestion. They were an order, and the way he delivered them made her stomach flutter. There was no teasing in his voice, no humor, just the absolute authority of someone who knew exactly what he wanted. It was infuriating, intoxicating, and everything she hadn't realized she craved.
As the door closed, Phaenora let out a heavy sigh, her flushed face breaking into a grin as she leaned back against the pillows.
"Wear something appropriate, huh?" She murmured, her fingers once again brushing over her wrists. "Veneri, you might not want others seeing my figure, but you can't pretend you're not affected by it. That little act of dominance of yours? Dangerous, my dear prince. Very dangerous."
Phaenora remained on the bed, her flushed face hidden behind the soft curtain of her hair, her chest rising and falling as her mind raced. She could still feel the faint pressure on her wrists where Vastarael had pinned her down.
Gently, almost reverently, she brought her fingers to her wrists, rubbing them as a shiver coursed through her. The firmness, the dominance, the control in his actions... it had ignited something within her that she couldn't fully describe. Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment, her breath hitching.
Her lips curved into a small, mischievous smile as she replayed the scene in her mind. The Vastarael who had always been composed, always calm, had shown her a different side, one that commanded authority, that demanded obedience, and that left her utterly breathless.
"Dominant, huh?" she whispered to herself, biting her lip. "Who would've thought he had it in him?"
Her thoughts wandered, trailing into dangerous territory.
What if she pushed him even further? What if she wanted him to lose that iron grip on his rationality?
Her cheeks darkened as images filled her head, her imagination painting vivid scenes of him finally snapping, his restraint breaking as he claimed her without hesitation. The idea sent an electric thrill through her and she buried her face in her hands, groaning softly.
'Stop it, Phaenora," she muttered to herself, her voice a mix of embarrassment and amusement. But even as she tried to shake the thoughts away, they lingered, teasing her like a siren's call.
"Not able to walk for a few days, huh? Sounds more like a promise than a threat. Oh, Veneri, you have no idea what you've started."
She sat up slowly, her robe slipping slightly off her shoulder as she stretched. Her mind was a swirl of conflicting thoughts, but one thing was clear.
Vastarael had awakened something in her, something she had no intention of suppressing. If he thought he could intimidate her into backing off, he was sorely mistaken. In fact, his dominance had only fueled her desire to push him further, to see just how far he could go.
Standing from the bed, she glanced at the small wardrobe in the corner of the room. Her mischievous smile returned as she thought about what to wear.
"Something reasonable, huh?" She mused, running a hand through her hair. "If this is a date, I'll make sure I look... memorable."
As she sifted through her clothes that she took out from his inventory, she couldn't help but think of what he had said earlier. Not able to walk for a few days... The idea made her shiver, her smile widening.
She finally settled on an outfit; a flowing, modest white dress that hinted at her curves without revealing too much. It was reasonable enough to meet his standards, but she knew how to carry herself to make sure he wouldn't be able to ignore her presence. After all, this wasn't just a stroll through the city for her. It was a chance to push him closer to the edge he had so carefully warned her about.
As she fastened the dress and adjusted her hair into a messy bun, her eyes gleamed with determination. She was ready for whatever the day had in store.
Her smile turned into a smirk as she opened the door to follow him.
"Let's see how far you can hold yourself back, my dear prince."