Chapter 118
The quiet warmth of the royal bedchamber was a stark contrast to the freezing winds Valex had just left behind.
His heart thundered in his chest as he walked toward her, his long strides slowing until he stood right beside her. “My love he murmured, a breathtaking smile breaking across his features.
Behind him, Kael stepped quietly to the side. As he reached out to close the heavy carved door, a subtle smile touched his lips—unnoticeable to anyone else, but carrying a world of quiet relief.
Valex walked past Miss Faye and Cara, who bowed and slightly shifted out of his way. He sat beside Odesse, who was looking at him. He cupped her warm face with his cold hands and said, “You are awake.” He smiled warmly as his eyes softened even more. Odesse nodded slowly and replied, “Yes, my king p>
Miss Faye looked over at Cara, catching her eye, and whispered softly, “Let us give them some privacy p>
Cara nodded quickly. “Yes, yes, of course p>
As the two women moved toward the doorway, Cara glanced briefly at Kael. He met her gaze, offering a small, reassuring nod. A soft blush crept up Cara’s neck, and she nodded back nervously as Kael held the door open for them. The three of them slipped out into the hallway, quietly pulling the door shut behind them.
Left alone with his wife, the stoic king completely vanished. Valex immediately reached out, gathering Odesse’s frail body into his arms and pulling her into a gentle, desperate hug.
A soft chuckle escaped Odesse’s lips as she rested against him. Valex buried his face against her, his voice thick with emotion. “I missed you, my love. I missed you so much p>
Odesse smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her fingers slid into his hair, gently caressing the strands. “I know, my king,” she whispered softly. “I missed you dearly, too p>
They stayed locked in that embrace for a long moment. Valex closed his eyes, savoring the undeniable warmth of her skin, holding her as if he never intended to let go.
“I was able to hear everything and feel everything, my king,” Odesse murmured into the quiet room.
Valex pulled back slowly, searching her smiling face with wide, uncertain eyes. “Really p>
Odesse nodded, her smile growing even warmer. “Yes, I did. I felt every single one of your tears on my cheeks. Every kiss on my forehead, my lips, my body. Every time you gently rubbed my hair… I felt it all, my king p>
Valex watched her, mesmerized, as she continued. “Even when you told me about your meetings with the other alphas… I could feel how angry you were, how happy you were, even your laughter. It made my heart feel so warm and full p>
Reaching up, Odesse cupped his jaw in her hands. “I cannot even imagine what you must have gone through throughout this long, painful month p>
“I knew you would return to me, my love,” Valex said, his voice dropping to a low, tender whisper. “On the days when I felt like I was about to break down, I forced myself to trust your words. The faith I have in you… that was the only thing that got me through this quiet, cruel month p>
Odesse pulled him back into a tight hug, resting her cheek against his shoulder. “I truly am lucky to have you, my king p>
“No, my love,” Valex replied softly, wrapping his broad arms around her waist to pull her closer. “I am the lucky one. Because I have a wife like you to rule by my side p>
A brilliant glow lit up Odesse’s face. She squeezed him tighter, but then paused, feeling the residual chill clinging to his clothes. “You are very cold, my king p>
Valex’s eyes widened slightly, and he instantly started to pull back in concern. “I am so sorry, my love! I didn’t even think about how that would affect you p>
Before he could pull away, Odesse tightened her grip, pulling his broad chest back against her body with a warm smile. “I love it very much. It gives me such a cozy feeling… and besides, I can warm you up with my body p>
Valex let out a soft laugh, relaxing into her hold. They sat together in peaceful silence for a long time, Odesse resting comfortably with her eyes closed while Valex gently rubbed her back, mesmerized by the simple miracle of her breathing.
Finally, Odesse broke the quiet, pulling back just enough to look up into his eyes. “I would like to go hunting, my king p>
Valex blinked, utterly caught off guard. “What? Really, my love p>
Odesse nodded happily. “Yes, my king p>
Valex touched the back of his neck, a look of genuine confusion crossing his face. “But, my love… I have never seen you shapeshift before. I thought you couldn’t p>
Odesse laughed softly, the sound light and musical. “That is what I thought, too! But while I was unconscious for that month, I learned that I actually can shapeshift. I discovered it while wandering through the spirit realm. The only catch is that I can only do it when the moon is at its peak power—which means it can only happen during the month of the full moon p>
Valex’s face lit up with absolute wonder. “That is incredible, my love p>
“Yes, my king,” Odesse agreed, nodding enthusiastically. “Since the full moon lasts for a whole month every year, I can shapeshift within that window until the next year rolls around p>
A wide, genuine smile spread across Valex’s lips. “This is amazing, my love. The full moon is next month… I will be able to take you hunting then p>
Driven by sudden, overwhelming joy, Odesse stepped right up onto the mattress. Valex looked up at her, startled. “My love… what are you doing p>
Odesse began lightly jumping up and down on the bed, her laugh ringing out through the chamber. “I am just so happy and excited, my king! I feel like everything is finally going to get better for us! Azure is completely out of the way, which means we can finally have a normal, peaceful life p>
Watching her bounce around on the bed like a child on a festival morning, Valex couldn’t help the deep laugh that bubbled up from his chest. “Yes, yes, my love! But you should stop before you use up all your energy p>
Odesse finally stopped, her chest heaving slightly as she panted with a wide grin. Stepping right off the edge of the bed, her bare feet landed on the cool stone floor. She began twirling around in circles, her knitted shawl billowing around her like a gown.
Valex laughed again, his heart soaring as he watched her spin. “You certainly do not look like someone who just woke up from a month-long coma p>
Odesse stopped right in front of him, her cheeks flushed with life. She stretched both of her arms out toward him, her eyes sparkling. “Come dance with me, my king p>
Valex took her hands and stood up. Odesse pulled him close, and together they began moving to a slow, unwritten rhythm that seemed to flow naturally between them.
Odesse looked up at him, smiling softly. “You see, my king? My energy was completely preserved while I slept. Now I have enough energy for days… if not months or years p>
Valex raised her hand, spinning her around under his arm before catching her softly by the waist. They continued sway side-by-side, holding each other close. “You still need to eat and rest, my love,” he reminded her gently.
Odesse rolled her eyes playfully, leaning her head back. “I have rested for an entire month, my king! I need to burn this energy off p>
A sudden, wicked smirk tugged at the corner of Valex’s lips. His eyes darkened with warmth, and he pulled her flush against his chest by her waist. Leaning down until his lips brushed her ear, he spoke in a low, seductive voice.
“Well… I know something that will exhaust all of it, and make you feel very happy, too p>
Odesse’s eyes widened as she blushed, putting her arms around his neck. “Make me your feral primal, my king,” she breathed.
Valex smirked and the rest of the world vanished. He didn’t just pull her in; he lifted her entirely, anchoring her against his hips as her legs wrapped around his waist in sheer desperation.
His mouth crashed onto hers with a starved intensity, erasing a month of cold distance in a single, breathless second. It was clumsy, furious, and perfect, their tongues tangling with a raw hunger that tasted of survival. The freezing room suddenly felt hot, incredibly hot, for both of them.
She buried her fingers deep into his hair, pulling him closer until their teeth clashed, while his hands gripped her thighs like a man drowning and holding onto the only solid thing left in the universe.
He carried her toward the center of the room, neither of them willing to break the connection. When they reached the bed, the heavy blankets caught them as they tumbled down together. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows against the stone walls, but their focus was only on each other.
Valex’s grip was firm, a constant reminder of his strength, while Odesse held on as if he were the only solid thing in a world turned upside down. The silence of the palace felt miles away, replaced by the sound of their rhythmic heavy breathing and the rustling of the blanket. Every touch felt electric, a silent language between a king and his queen that didn’t need words.
As the fire in the hearth dwindled to glowing embers, the intensity between them only grew. They moved as one, lost in the raw emotion of the moment and the bond they shared. The cold air of the chamber was long forgotten, replaced by a heat that belonged only to them. They stayed wrapped in that embrace, letting the rest of the world fade away into the shadows.