The Dragon King's Hated Bride
Chapter 93: First Night

Chapter 93: First Night

Ariston

I clenched my jaw, still half-submerged in the water, the cold doing little to quell the fire rising beneath my skin. My limbs were starting to shake from the building ache that bloomed in my lower belly, clawing deeper with every passing second. My heat was growing worse.

But I still met his eyes.

"I’ll kill you," I said through gritted teeth. My voice didn’t tremble, even if the rest of me did.

The demon only chuckled,"You won’t even make it back to camp in that condition," he said,"And besides... with a body like yours... I doubt you’ll be telling anyone anything."

His gaze fell on me again, sharp and possessive. My breath caught. The heat spiked, curling up my spine like flames, and I swallowed hard, trying to stop the way my thighs pressed together beneath the surface.

"You—shut up." My voice broke halfway through. I hated how flustered I sounded. Hated how much my body was betraying me. I curled my arms tighter across my chest, nails biting into my skin. "You don’t know anything about me."

"No?" he said, his golden eyes glinting. "I think I know enough."

I couldn’t respond—not when my pulse was pounding in my ears and every breath felt like it dragged fire into my lungs.

He tilted his head, expression shifting. Less mocking now. Almost curious. "You’re unique," he said, slower this time. "I’ve never seen a human with a body like that. But then again..." His smirk returned, sly and dangerous. "I’ve never seen a demon with a secret like that, either."

My stomach dropped.

I glared at him, fists clenching beneath the surface of the water, even though the pain was starting to fray my thoughts.

He stepped closer again, water sliding over the hard lines of his body. "I’m already here," he said gently, but there was steel beneath the silk of his voice. "You’re burning up. I can smell it. You can barely stand. Let me help you."

"I don’t need help from a demon," I hissed, though my voice trembled, and my vision swam at the edges. I wanted to disappear into the earth. Into the water. I wanted to not feel like my body was tearing itself apart from the inside out.

His voice lowered, more intimate now. "Then think of it this way: I keep your secret. In return let me have a taste of you." I hated him for how calm he sounded.

"You’re a monster," I whispered.

"Oh no, I’m just offering help." He smiled again—sharp and soft all at once, "I’m not forcing it on you,"

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. The heat pulsed again, harder this time. My hips twitched beneath the water. I pressed my lips together to stop the sound that threatened to escape.

He didn’t move.

He just stood there, watching and waiting. And all I could do was glare at him, heart racing, while my body betrayed me piece by piece

The demon shrugged, as though my glare had amused him more than it warned him.

"Suit yourself," he said

Then he turned around—just like that. No dramatics, no final taunts. His broad back shifted as he waded out of the water, droplets trailing down the ridges of his muscles as he moved toward the edge of the pond. With a quiet huff, he sat down on a smooth patch of dry earth. His long legs still in the water, arms braced back on his hands. He looked like he’d come here just to sunbathe in the moonlight.

"I won’t force you," he said, glancing back at me. His golden eyes glowed faintly in the dark. "That’s not my style." He leaned back, calm as the night air. "But I’ll wait."

I tensed.

His gaze flicked lazily over the water, over me. "Because heat doesn’t just... fade. You and I both know that. It lingers. I’m sure it’s not the first time you’re going through this."

I swallowed hard, arms still wrapped around my chest, heart beating so fast I could feel it throb in my fingertips.

Yes, it’s not the first time. But it hadn’t come to me in three years so I wasn’t expecting it to come out of the blue. This heat is irregular, it’s always been a pain in my ass.

My breath was uneven as I stared back at him, my thoughts scattered.

I knew that face. That frame. I’d seen him on the battlefield before—only from a distance. Towering, dangerous, carved from shadow and fire. Fighting beside the demon prince Draegon himself. But his name... I didn’t know it.

Was he one of the dragons?

There were three of them known to join battles in this war. But officially he hasn’t been introduced. If he’s a dragon, he’s from the royal family, isn’t he?

Then my situation must be very amusing to him.

My pride screamed for me to stay still. To bear it. To bite through the pain and shame. But my body—it burned hotter with each minute. My thighs trembled under the water, and I bit down hard on my bottom lip just to keep my breathing quiet.

But it wasn’t enough.

The ache pulsed inside me, raw and unrelenting.

His eyes locked on me.

And that slow, knowing smirk spread across his face.

He didn’t say a word.

He didn’t have to.

Because I was already moving toward him.

And the worst part was... I hated how much I wanted it. His gaze didn’t leave me.

Not once.

Not when the rippling moonlight shimmered across the surface of the pond, nor when I slowly rose from the water.

I hated the way his eyes tracked every movement—slow, consuming. He shifted where he sat, legs parting slightly, his hand moving to his belt. I saw the sharp flex of his fingers, the quiet slide of leather, the soft click of metal as he loosened the front of his pants.

He didn’t even try to hide it.

He tilted his chin up when our eyes met again, a silent invitation laced with a command. Then, with a nod and the faintest crook of his finger, he gestured toward his lap—open, waiting.

I paused for a moment when I saw his ’thing’ NO- things. There were two of them?!?

My legs felt heavy.

I gulped

Still dripping, I stepped out of the pond, the cold air biting against my overheated skin. Water traced along the dips and slopes of my body, falling in trails behind me as I walked toward him.

I lowered myself onto his lap, knees straddling his thighs, my breath hitching as our bodies met. I felt a wave of relief as I sat exactly where I needed to sit. A soft moan escaped my lips as I clenched his shirt.

His hands came around my back to support me.

I felt my thoughts get foggy as he moved in to join his lips with mine.

His body moved with mine, up and down and I didn’t resist as he kissed me.

The way his mouth moved against mine, slow and seeking, like he was trying to memorize me. My hands had gone to his shoulders, and he’d pressed his hands firmer on my back, making me move even closer to him.

The forest had been silent save for our breathing, the soft rustle of leaves, the occasional cry of a nightbird. His body had felt impossibly warm against mine. Solid.

Honestly, as the pleasure started seeping in, the movement took speed. Everything else blurred.

The gasps that escaped my lips.

When he put me on the grass, under him, to take control.

The way I felt so good.

The way our bodies collided.

And the way the night became unforgettable

***

(Present)

I exhaled, long and low, watching the moonlight. My reflection in the window was faint, barely there, like even the glass wasn’t sure if I should still be standing here.

I shouldn’t care.

I clenched my fists and pursed my lips.

He’s doing what I asked—

Giving me space.

Being cold.

Staying away.

That’s what I wanted. I don’t want to get involved with demons, and a royal one at that. The war is over, and so is whatever we had during the few months there.

My nails bit into my palms.

Yes, this is what I wanted.

So why does it hurt more now than when we were tangled together.

I swallowed hard, straightened my spine, and forced myself to walk ahead.