Heart Over Sword
Chapter 232: Getting Close

Chapter 232: Getting Close

Loraven couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

"Loraven!?" Selvin called to her, confusion swallowing down the panic. She found it amusing and slightly warming that he cared so much to try and stop her from jumping.

Anyone else in this palace would watch, arch an eyebrow and turn around to inform her parents she’d died.

"I am fine, Selvin." She called up to him. "There is a vine. If you want to follow, wrap it around your leg and climb down."

Loraven was used to sliding down it, almost freefalling until her hand would grab it tightly, and she’d jump into the small rocky cave below the palace. There was more room here than the ledge, but only enough to pace five steps and back to the edge. It was a spot she loved to go to.

The first time she found this little cave, Loraven had been pushed by her younger sibling, one that wanted to take on the throne next. They didn’t expect her to survive such a fall, and now they were no longer breathing.

Loraven cleared her throat. The first time she saw the cave, it was so dark; now she had magical lanterns that lit upon her arrival, leaving the area to glow warmly, and a small fire would flicker to life.

Nobody knew of this place. Nobody, except for Selvin, now.

Selvin landed in front of her, his eyes wide, alert, and his cheeks slightly red from the cold or the thrill. Either way, it was cute.

"Do not tell anyone of this spot," Loraven said as she dangled her feet over the edge, her gaze lowering to the clouds that drifted below them. She did not know why she brought him here, but it was strangely nice to be in his company.

"I never expected-"

"To see a place like this? Or to follow me into the unknown?" Loraven asked in amusement.

"Both," Selvin admitted quietly. Loraven peered at him from over her shoulder. He was looking at the cave, the fire, the few snowdrops, and the lanterns. "Why did you bring me here?" He asked, meeting her gaze.

"You will leave in a few days. What does it matter if I tell you my secret hideout?" She replied and slowly turned to look at the scenery again. The sounds of music still floated down to them, but their cruel laughter did not reach the cave walls. Loraven knew that was what she would hear if she stayed in the hall any longer.

"That is true," he mused and sat beside her, his legs dangling as well. He was fearful, eyes widening slightly as the wind swept his hair back, making his eyes water.

"Are you not frightened I might push you?" Loraven asked quietly as her own horrific memory resurfaced in her mind.

The vine that dropped to this cave now was new, compared to the one she clung to when her younger sister pushed her. It had almost ripped off both when she clung to it and climbed back up. Then and now, she still didn’t know how such a plant was growing in such a place, but she didn’t question it much further on it.

"No, I was joking before," Selvin replied honestly. "I think you like me too much to do that. Even if I am human."

Loraven smirked at that and glanced at him. "Who says I like you?"

"Do you not?" Selvin whispered close to her ear, making her turn her head at the shiver that ran through her from his close proximity. He was leaning close to her, eyes alluring, lips quirked up.

"I can put up with you. It is not the same thing," Loraven replied a little too breathlessly for her liking.

Selvin smiled as his blue eyes slid across her face slowly, watching her before he straightened, letting her breathe again. "Hmm, if that is the case, I will sit by the fire. My body is not well adjusted to these temperatures, and we humans are weak compared to the elves." Loraven smiled at the jest in his voice and watched him through her hair.

"There is plenty of room here. I won’t judge or tell others the lone ranger, Lyvarian princess accepted my company and enjoyed it."

Loraven rolled her eyes and shook her head, but she couldn’t stop herself from moving to his side in front of the fire. They watched in comfortable silence for a while then slowly, Selvin began peeling away at the icy layers surrounding Loraven’s heart. The pair were there for hours, talking and sharing experiences.

A few times, the prince sat there in wonder as she told her tales of far-off lands unknown to him. That was when she didn’t have such a short leash around her. But the gloominess surrounding her at times lifted from Selvin’s presence and words. It was strange finding comfort in a human.

Slowly though, Loraven stopped thinking of the prince as just some human prince but Selvin, a potential friend she was attracted to.

By the firelight, Loraven had never laughed so much in her life. Selvin was a joy to be with. He was kind and funny, wise from what she could tell of his own stories in Dunhurst. She was thoroughly enjoying herself, and slowly they’d been getting closer, knees touching, fingertips on the cave floor connecting.

A spark ignited as Selvin’s hand slid over Loraven’s. She had been looking at the scenery again after a bout of laughter. At his touch, Loraven turned her head from the heat rising up her arm and froze for a moment as Selvin’s face was close to hers. His eyes flicked between hers, waiting, but she closed the distance between them and met his lips softly before a coursing heat flourished across her body, and the kiss grew fierce and passionate.

Hands explored each other’s bodies, groping and growing impatient until Selvin’s fingers caressed her ears, and Loraven froze, eyes snapping open, and she pulled away, her chest heaving as much as his. He looked at her through half-lidded eyes, full of desire, but they quickly shifted, questioning as her hands grasped his.

"They’re sensitive," she explained, trying to control her breathing and the way her body tingled after his sweet touch to her pointed ears. Her thighs tightened together, and she squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, regaining some self-control.

"I’m sorry, I-" he began to apologize, but she met his lips again, quietening him.

"It’s okay. You wouldn’t know.." Loraven’s gaze wandered around them. The banquet was still going, and it would be until the early hours of the morning. But she didn’t want to run into anyone. Pulling away, she added, "It’s late. We should return."

Selvin looked disappointed, but he nodded and pulled himself together. The prince walked Loraven back to her chambers. Their mood was light and happy, with small smiles on their faces and slightly reddened cheeks and swollen lips. Selvin’s kept hair was now dishevelled, and his shirt was loose and untucked underneath the unbuttoned coat and jacket. He looked every part of the delicious prince.

Loraven stopped before her doors. Wordlessly, Selvin held her hand and kissed her knuckles, gaze holding hers. She could still see he wanted more, but after spending a few hours with him, she knew he was a gentleman.

It was strange and unknown in Lyvarian culture. They could act the gentlemen with their forked tongues and cold, stoic expressions with hidden interests in every action. But Selvin was refreshing.

"Until tomorrow.." He stepped away and paused when Loraven tugged at his coat, stopping him from moving away.

"I never said this was farewell until the morning," Loraven purred before her hand slid up his shirt, feeling the slabs of his body beneath until she fisted his collar and pulled him towards her as she pushed open the door.

Surprise shot across his features as their lips crashed into each other. Loraven’s giggle echoed across the icy hallway before the doors slammed behind them.