The Magic of Aurelian
Chapter 15: Aquaria

Eleonor

My reflection in the mirror gave away all of my tears from last night. Even the special cream Solara made for me to hide undereye circles wasn't doing much to hide the puffiness.

"Are you feeling unwell, Eleanor?" Of course, Gabriel would be the first to comment on my appearance.

"A bit, I had trouble sleeping last night." It wasn't a complete lie as I did have trouble sleeping. I just didn't tell him it was because I cried most of the night after finding out Kiran had Aria in his room last night. I had finally resolved to tell Kiran the truth about Lady Ella, but I was too late in telling him. Of all the women we've encountered on this trip, did it really have to be Aria who he ended up with?

We were leaving after breakfast, and as far as I was concerned I couldn't leave fast enough.

"Oh, Eleonor." None other than Aria came sauntering into the dining hall. "I'm glad I caught you before you left. I'm sorry you had to see me so indisposed last night, but you know how it is when you're in the heat of passion. All reason and all clothes just fly out the window." She giggled and spoke to me as if we were friends, but I could hear the undertones of her true intentions. She wanted to hurt me.

"I don't know what you mean Lady Aria. I am here as Prince Kiran's advisor, so what he does on his time is none of my concern."

My words must have hit a nerve as she lost all pretenses of politeness. "Let's not play games, Eleanor. Kiran has always had his eye on you, but last night, I won. I was the one in his bed, not you."

"Lady Aria, let's not spread falsehoods. It's unbecoming of a Lady." Kiran walked up behind Aria having heard everything she said. He looked anything but happy. "You showed up in my room uninvited and in a state of undress. I was trying to protect your dignity by not saying anything, but you seem intent on implying otherwise. I would rather not have to bring this to King Zephyr, but I won't have my name besmirched with lies."

Was Kiran saying what I think he's saying? That it only looked like something intimate happened between the two of them? I looked over at Aria's face for confirmation, and she was redder than a tomato. "Prince Kiran, I…I wasn't implying anything."

"Come now, Lady Aria. As you said already, let's not play games. I heard you tell Eleanor you had won by being in my bed. While I am flattered that you think of me as a great prize, the only one in my bed last night was me."

I looked between Kiran and Aria, uncertain of what would happen next. At first, I questioned if Aria would truly sneak into Kiran's room at night, but then I remembered everything she'd done while at school and she was definitely the type to do what Kiran had claimed. My heart leaped for joy at the realization that Kiran hadn't taken Aria to his bed, but I couldn't cry victory yet. There was still the matter of Lady Ella that had to be cleared up.

"I will take my leave now." Aria gave a slight curtsy in Kiran's direction before leaving. It was obvious she was till reeling from having been called out for her lies.

"Eleonor," A loud sigh escaped Kiran's lips. "We should talk."

"Yes, I agree, but now is not the right time."

"Tonight then?" He looked at me with hopeful eyes, and I could do nothing but agree.

I nodded softly, "We should have breakfast now as we have another busy day ahead of us."

I served a plate for myself and sat down in between Kiran and Gabriel. "I'm going to need an explanation for what I just witnessed." My brother raised his eyebrows at me, knowing there was more to what he saw.

"It looks like you'll have to just live with your curiosity for now." I shrugged my shoulders feigning innocence.

"Again with the secrets, those secrets will do you in dear sister."

I had no retort for his words. He was right, my secrets would eventually be my undoing, so I had to find a way to end the charade I had been playing for all of these weeks. Tonight when we talked, I'd tell Kiran everything.

Kiran

It felt good to clear up the air about what actually happened last night. I hated that Eleonor thought even for a second that I had spent the night with Aria. The only woman I want in my bed is Eleanor, and now I'm certain by her reaction last night that she wants to be there, too.

The flight from Zephyriss to Aquaria was our shortest trip. We were there by early afternoon, and Queen Maris greeted us as was customary. Our formal dinner will be tomorrow, but we will have a smaller dinner tonight with the Royal Family. Just two more days and we can make our way back home.

Eleonor was still not very talkative and remained by her brother's side, but she was no longer avoiding looking at me. I think I even caught a glimpse of a smile when we first arrived in Aquaria.

As usual, I met Eleonor outside her door for us to walk to dinner together. She was a vision in her light green dress that brought out the color of her olive eyes. "You look beautiful." I was laying it all out tonight. There'd be no question about my feelings or intentions.

"Thank you, Kiran." I smiled at her use of my given name again. It pierced my heart every time she would say 'Your Highness' instead of my name.

We walked down to dinner, and while I could still feel the calm that Eleonor had always provided, things felt even more peaceful this time. It seems something changed after I confronted Aria in front of Eleonor.

Dinner went smoothly. Queen Maris was the most humble of the rulers we encountered on this journey, and we had her young children at the dinner. It was a nice change from the other dinners we had experienced, it was less formal and more carefree. After dinner, Queen Maris recommended that we visit the Luminescent Pool that was located on the castle grounds. The glowing lights of the pool could only be seen at night, so she said it was a perfect time to see them as we had free time tonight. We were left on our own as Queen Maris left to put her children to bed.

“I’m excited to see the pool, I’ve heard it is quite a sight to behold.” We walked side-by-side, and every so often our shoulders and hands would brush against each other. My hand itched to reach out and take hers in mine, but I restrained myself from the action.

“It should be right around this corner.” No sooner had those words left my mouth than we came upon the glow of the pool. The pool itself glowed blue, but there were plants and fish that glowed all different shades, yellow, green, pink, and white. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. There was a rock formation that served as a background to the pool that created a secondary effect as the water reflected off of the stone. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“It’s magnificent.” Eleonor looked at our surroundings in awe as I looked at her in awe. She sat down at the edge of the pool and tucked her dress up so as not to get it wet. I sat right next to her, close enough to feel the warmth of her body.

“You’re magnificent.” I turned her head to face me and tucked my fingers under her chin to lift her face to mine. “We should talk now.”

“What about, Kiran?” Her voice came out breathy, and the sound of my name on her lips set my body aflame. She attempted to push away from me, but I wrapped my arm around her to keep her close.

“That kiss the other night at the Inn. I haven’t been able to focus on anything other than you since that kiss. It was everything I dreamed of and more.”

“You dreamed of kissing me?” Her eyes widened at the question.

“Among other things,” I raised my brow at her, and I felt her breath catch at my words. I was certain she felt just as on fire as I felt.

“But what about Lady Ella?”

“Lady Ella is a lovely woman, but she isn’t you,” I whispered the words as I inched closer to Eleonor.

“Kiran, I–” I didn’t let her finish the words before I crashed my lips against hers. She returned the kiss with equal fervor, and I was lost to her touch. We seemed to pick up right where we left off that night at the Inn. My hands traveled along her back, and I laid her down gently while I continued to taste every inch of her mouth. “Kiran,” She called out my name again, and I silenced her with another kiss. I made my way down her neck and down to the swell of her breasts. The thin straps of her dress were already sliding off, so I pushed them down further until she was bare before me. I cupped her breasts, and I couldn’t help but dip my head back down to taste her perfect rose-colored nipples. She moaned at my touch, and I continued kneading her soft skin until whimpers left her lips.

I pushed up on my knees and relished in the view of her lying half-naked before me. She looked like a Goddess with her blonde hair spread out all around. She rewarded me with another moan, and I reached out to smooth my hands up her thighs. Her dress had ridden up, and I finished pushing it up past her hips, spreading her out even further for me.

"Eleonor, you're the only woman I want. Every part of you."

She looked up at me with her beautiful green eyes, and I knew then and there that this woman had my entire heart. I was hers, if she'd have me.

"Kiran…I want you, too." Her words were all it took before I had my lips back on hers. She tugged at my shirt, and eventually the rest of our clothes were thrown off. I held her to me feeling her bare skin perfectly nestled against mine.

I continued to kiss her down her neck and all over her breasts before coming back to her face and lips. I placed myself at her entrance and waited for her to nod at me before sliding inside of her. We moved together in perfect rhythm, not minding the world around us. Her soft, sweet moans were all I needed right now. When she reached her climax, I kissed her hard, swallowing her moans as she pulsed around me. I reached my own peak and emptied every last drop of myself into her.

"Eleonor."

"Kiran."

We were both out of breath, and coming down from our mutual high. I pulled her close to me, not wanting this moment to end, but I knew it would. I had seen the brief moment of hesitation in Eleonor's eyes when she said my name, but she couldn't pull away from me now. There was no way I would let her.

"We should head back now, it's getting late." Eleonor reached for her dress, and we both started putting our clothes back on.

We walked back inside in silence. Neither one of us wanted to break the magic of the night. We stopped at Eleonor's door, and I took her in my arms again. "Eleonor, I need you to know I meant every word I said and every kiss I gave you tonight. Please don't pull away from me again. I love you." I hadn't planned on saying those words tonight, but my heart had a mind of its own.

Eleonor looked utterly shocked, though, "I don't expect you to say those words back, unless you feel it too. When you're ready…Good night, Eleonor." I gave her one final kiss before we both retired for the night.

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