(adj.) Undying, immortal, eternally beautiful

WARNING: A cute romantic scene ahead.

Raneem's pink, swollen lips haunted him. The image burned deep into his mind after kissing her three times. He wanted more because - fuck it! - that was all they ever did. Once by the lake, another at the treetops and once in his room. He was going delirious with need and he was still far from even having the rights to touching her ample breasts.

Who had ever heard of an elf going for two seasons in his mating year without sex? The longest he had heard of one without going on an animalistic rage of lust was seven days. And he had gone far longer than seven days - with a constant temptation dangling itself in front of him. Sometimes, he could think of nothing but tying her up and claiming her, and to hell what her protestations might be. But he could not because she was a fucking virgin. A virgin without a barrier if she always rode astride as she did now. And her deftness at riding suggested that she always rode astride - and frequently.

Perhaps it would not be too bad for him to push himself into her...

He noticed Adam's horse slow and shut down his thoughts about her. The man was observant and protective - a dangerous combination in a father. If he did not guard himself, the man would know the sick and dirty designs he had for his daughter. Probably sick and dirty to the old man but to him, he was only imagining heaven.

"My lord prince," he began showing no signs he knew of whatever was in Zane's mind, "I cannot thank you enough for your aid."

"You can thank me if we succeed. To be honest, I still do not approve of this. Have you tried talking her out of it?"

Adam chuckled. "I see you have not heard of the legendary hard-headedness that courses through her mother's family. To try and make them see other things than what they have set their minds on is an effort of epic proportions. And one with a lower will than them would fold without question. As I did." He looked beyond and smiled remembering a distant memory. "I remember her mother. She loved the king with a passion, but the problem of his impotence proved to be too great for her to ignore. Snuck into my chambers the moment the opportunity presented itself, she did. I was not exactly reluctant when she demanded intercourse, and I was much younger, then. To bed a queen was frightening, but also impossible to refuse. Only after that one night did she and I become friends and I've always bent to her wishes, no matter how much older and more seasoned I grew. You must prepare yourself for much bending if you wish to have Raneem."

Zane choked on nothing in surprise. The man knew his intentions? Although, perhaps, he should not be surprised. He was her father and she could have told him. Or word of his near-demise at her parting could have reached him. Either way, he felt that the news reached her father too soon. It was one thing to be much older than the man, but it was quite another when the younger man was the father of the object of his desires. He could not stop acting like he was hundreds of years younger!

Adam chuckled again. "You seem surprised I know. I do not know how far you two have gone, but the way you look at each other - or in her case, avoid looking at you - there is just too much to read."

By the gods! He hoped he did not read all the fucking thoughts he had in his mind. "You have no objections?" he asked regaining his composure.

"She came to trust you despite the difference in your lineage and despite you holding her prisoner, did she not?" He nodded and Adam continued, "Then I see no problem. She may choose whom she wishes. She can think on her own. But if you hurt her, I have no other option but to act as a father should and try to kill you, though I know I will not succeed."

Zane noticed that though his smile was one of amusement, it carried a deadly seriousness. A father's protectiveness was not to be tested, and he gave off the same feeling a wolf mother had for her pups.

"Even in captivity, I have never thought of hurting her."

Adam patted him at the back. "We are on good terms, then." The old man smiled and trotted back to beside his daughter.

Zane smiled. It was a brief pat on the back, but he felt warmth in it. The same warmth a dear and close friend might give. Was that what it was like to have a family? He would not know. Not until he had Raneem for his-wife. Gods! The word was like another creature he was tentative to approach, but would approach if only because of his need and his longing. Need and longing that manifested in every opportunity he touched the small of her back, hips, thighs, neck and ears, and in every time they kissed. And she responded with her own longing - restrained and timid. Virginal.

Thinking about that made him stiff. Quite a bad moment for that on a saddle. What he needed was a distraction. Or perhaps a pause so he could take her behind the large tree at the edge of his vision. He shook his head. He could not believe he was thinking of such things when she would be putting herself in danger in two nights! The thought was enough to settle him down as worry replaced lust.

Soon, light was fading and they were beginning to set up camp. Zane found many of the rituals of men in settling for the night quite interesting. They needed so much when all elves truly needed was a sheet to tie between trees to sleep in.

"I will be gathering woods for the fire," Raneem told her father.

"Be careful, now. And do not stray far," he replied.

She giggled and hugged him. "It is just firewood, father. I will not be hunting a boar with children. At least, not in the dark."

Adam looked at the deer he was gutting, considering to leave it and go with her.

"I will go with her," Zane volunteered. To keep her safe. That was his intention. But as Adam nodded, it dawned on him that they would be alone. Just him and Raneem. Away from everyone. And with him by her side, his worry fled like a gazelle pursued by a lion. His longing for her took over as her calves peeked out from under her dress, picking her way on the incline.

Zane was half-hearted in his attempts to look for wood, having only a few in his arms. He was more interested in watching the way her hips swayed on even ground and how delicately she picked her way through. Of course, he would always watch out for the unlikely case that she would fall...

His eyes saw her foot step on loose, muddy soil and he barely had time to drop his load to catch her. And - sweet child of the gods! - her warmth gave new life to his libido. Not least because his hand latched onto her full breast as he unwittingly caught her.

Unlikely chance of falling, indeed! He thanked the gods for giving him such a wonderful opportunity. The problem was how he would get through the night without taking her. The gods knew how much he needed his release!

"Umm..thank you." Raneem's head turned to face him. "I did not even have time to react. That was stupidly careless of me."

"The woods are treacherous even in daylight." Zane grinned. "Perhaps you would not deny me a reward for that."

"Perhaps." Her eyes wandered to his hand on her breast, her face visibly red even under the light of only the moon. "Um...I am safe now."

"I know," Zane breathed on her neck and was rewarded by a gasp and a shiver. "My reward?"

Raneem's eyes went wide at him. "Su-surely you do not suggest..."

Zane held her close and let her feel his longing for her. He restrained a groan and he felt his hardness nestle in her soft behind. He fought the urge to tear her clothes apart and take her. It was just not practical. Not out here where her father sat waiting just below them. "Do not deny you want this," he hissed trying to keep a measure of control over himself, but found it impossible not to feel more of the exquisite softness in his hand.

He was rewarded by a moan that nearly rent his control apart. For all his restraint, he could not help but feast himself on her exposed neck. He trailed feather-light kisses from her jaw to the base of her neck, nipped at her skin with her teeth back up before tracing it back down. He smiled as she gasped when he sucked at the point where her neck and shoulder met. His.

"Zane," she whispered in between shallow ragged breaths, "We cannot-"

He covered her lips with his own. No! He would not hear any of her protest. Not this time. He nibbled at her lower lip before entering the familiar sweetness of her mouth. He plundered her, making his claim as best as he could and tasting her everywhere as his fingers located the stiffening peak of her arousal. She arched toward his hand and moaned in his mouth as her own tongue met his, sagging against him.

His other hand slowly raised the hem of her skirts and he reluctantly tore away from her mouth, watching her expression and his hand wandered along the insides of her thighs. Her face was arrested with pleasure, making her glow and unfold to be more beautiful as every moment passed. Her eyes fluttered most enticingly as his hand followed the path of the sweetness that trailed downwards. He stopped before reaching his destination and his hand hovered to the other side of her thigh following the pattern of her juices.

"Zane..." she groaned, jaw tight as she battled within herself. "We should stop..."

"Do you truly want that?" he growled as he nibbled her ear. "Truly?" He placed a finger on her coveted treasure and she gave a strangled cry as her hips thrust to meet his fingers. He chuckled loving his control over her. But blast those damp drawers! He would tear them from her body if he surrendered to his animalistic need. "I believe you need to be soothed first."

"Zane! Raneem!"

Zane bit back a howl of frustration as raneem's eyes shot wide open, though still unable to tear herself from him. Zane tried to ignore it, but the call came again, this time, nearer. He produced a string of curses, including the gods that taunted his vulnerability. Damn them for making him get this far, but no further!

Raneem, found her own strength and moved away from his slackened hold, albeit on shaky legs. She started picking up what they have gathered and he joined her.

"Raneem! Zane!"

"Over here!" Raneem answered her father and looked apologetically at Zane as they both stood.

"Ah! There you are." Adam smiled. "Well, dinner is ready and everyone is waiting for the both of you. Especially you, my prince. Your elves would not eat without you."

"Thank you," Zane said, a little too stiff for his taste.

He lagged behind as father led daughter into the clearing, thanking the night for covering any traces of his debauchery of her. His mark would be covered by her long hair, unless she decided to hold them back. Hopefully, tonight, she would not.

He ate in silence trying to find a way to deal with his raging lust until he could no longer take it.

"What is it, my lord?" Lucas asked when Zane took him aside.

"Punch me. Here." He pointed at the point just below his ribs.

"That would hurt."

"That is the point."

Lucas looked at him oddly. "What for?"

"I believe I would rather be gutted than to prick my dick with pins of ice again."

Lucas's brows raised in understanding. "So that was why she..." The wretched elf smirked. "You did not finish with her, did you not."

Zane grit his teeth. "Do it now, Lucas!"

One thing Zane was certain, being gutted was a better idea than punishing his already-tortured dick.

How was it guys? Did you like their cozy moment? Don't be disappointed, more romantic scenes are coming on your way!

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A random question now. It's not a part of this story. I wanted to know where my readers are from.

Would you like to tell me where are you guys from? I'm from India.

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