The Blind Witch
Chapter 26

She clung to the emotions of mortals. It made her weak. I wanted her to be strong, to be powerful. I wanted more for us.

"What did you sense?" Ophelia asked once they were far from the others. "What did you sense about Dray and Teresa?"

"I am not certain," Clarissa shrugged. "I felt something, but only for a fleeting moment. It felt... nevermind. I don't want to cause any more distrust between us and them. Not tonight."

Ophelia sighed but nodded to her request. She brought Clarissa to Aiden's room. In preparation for them sharing a space, Aiden had the furniture in his chambers placed identical to hers. He wanted her to be able to walk around without the risk of bumping into anything. Then, many of her things were brought over and put away during the ceremony.

Ophelia poked her head in the bathroom but scowled when she noticed the bath water had not been prepared.

"Come, child," She coaxed gently. "Let's get you out of this dress. I will help prepare you for tonight."

Clarissa nodded and held out her arms, expecting her human servants to help her. But she felt only one pair of hands. She glanced over her shoulder, watching as Ophelia helped to undress her. She untied the dress, slipped it off of Clarissa, and then placed it over a chair to be hung up. She removed the crown and put it on a vanity table.

Clarissa could hear water splashing; then she shivered as a cool cloth was brushed across her skin.

"I am sorry," Ophelia said gently. "They had not prepared you a bath. I will ensure one is ready for you and Aiden later tonight."

"Will we bathe together?" Clarissa questioned, suddenly becoming embarrassed as she stood naked in front of Ophelia.

"If you tell him no, then you won't," Ophelia replied with a smile. But she sighed when she saw how nervous Clarissa was. "You aren't the first girl that I've readied. I did this same thing for Azrael's mate and for Aiden's mother."

"What about Sybil?"

"Sybil would need to go through a bonding ceremony for me to do this," Ophelia chuckled. "She tends to never stay long with one woman. She fears commitment; she fears death. I think Violette is perhaps the longest relationship that she has had. But I would not do quite the same thing with them. This is more of a time to ready the untouched girls."

"Oh," Clarissa whispered as she blushed. "I see."

"Do you know what to expect?" Ophelia asked gently. "Edith isn't here to talk to you about it, and I doubt Victor has the gall to do it."

"No, um," Clarissa mumbled as she looked down. "Sybil and Vi kind of talked to me about it all."

"Oh heavens," Ophelia sighed. "Well, do you have any questions? Is there anything you aren't sure of?"

Clarissa shook her head quickly. Ophelia smiled as she helped to put a nightgown over Clarissa's head. Ophelia sat her down and began to undo the braid in her hair. She slowly brushed it out, making sure to get rid of the tangles. Once done, Ophelia helped Clarissa to stand. She had her sit on the edge of the bed. Ophelia leaned forward, giving her a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"I shall let Aiden know you are ready," Ophelia said. "If at any point you need anything, have Aiden summon me. Good night, Princess."

"Good night, Lady Ophelia," Clarissa whispered as she watched her aura leave the room.

Once alone, Clarissa took in a deep breath. She placed her hands on the bed, trying her best to control her breathing. She could not stand waiting. Time was hard for her to see. She never knew if it was just a few minutes or an entire hour. She stood from the bed and began to pace. Counting her steps as she walked helped to give her something to focus on.

But then she stopped and looked down, attempting to see her own body. She suddenly worried if Aiden would like her. But why did she think these thoughts now? She knew he loved her. He told her this time and time again. And then, as far as she knew, Aiden was just as inexperienced as her. There should be no expectations on either side because of this. Tonight was to be a night of learning, of exploration. Exploration. Even thinking the word made her blush. She could feel her cheeks growing hot.

Then she froze. She could hear the handle of the door turn. She stood in the middle of the room, waiting. She listened to the click of the door as it closed. Then he came into view. Aiden's red and orange orbs circled around, and on his wrist, she could see the faint white line of his circlet.

Aiden's eyes greedily looked over Clarissa. She stood in a nightgown that barely protected her from his gaze. Her hair was loose, falling in waves over her shoulders. And her eyes were on him; she did not look away. He smiled as he slipped out of his top jacket, tossing it away onto the floor. Then, one by one, he kicked off his boots. All the while, Clarissa was silent as she watched him. He walked over to her, gently caressing her cheek with his right hand.

"Issa," he whispered. It felt as if he conveyed so much in just one word. It caused her to lean against his hand as she closed her eyes.

"Aiden," she whispered back.

He leaned down, kissing her with every ounce of energy he had. All that he held back, he was giving in this kiss. It was hard, it was gentle, it was aggressive, it was possessive. He wanted every inch of her. He wanted nothing left untouched tonight.

Aiden pulled away when he realized he had forgotten to breathe. He chuckled to himself as his thumb grazed across her lower lip. Clarissa's hands went to his chest, her fingers finding the buttons of his shirt. She unhooked the buttons, slowly revealing the bare skin beneath.

"What are you doing, my love?" He questioned as he curiously watched her.

"I don't know what else to do," she admitted softly.

"That is fine," he replied as his mouth became dry. "Continue, undress your mate. I shall undress you in return."

Clarissa could not help but turn her head away as she tried to hide her sheepishness. Her hands continued to find the buttons of his shirt, undoing them one by one. Once the last button was undone, she slipped the shirt from his arms. Her hands went to his bare chest, stopping only to feel the scar. Then, her hands continued further. She found the button on his trousers. She bit her bottom lip as she knelt down on her knees. She pulled the button from its loop and slowly dragged his trousers to the floor.

Aiden reached down, stopping her. His heart was racing. She needed things to be slow tonight, but he was tempted to do more. He helped her back to her feet as he slid out of his pants himself.

"I shall put you on your knees, but not tonight," he whispered as he walked behind her.

Clarissa shivered at his words. She could feel it as he tugged gently on her nightgown. He stood behind her, his hands pulling the fabric down her arms. Within seconds, she was naked before him, naked with him. His fingers traveled to her waist and down to her hips. He felt her curves, felt the smoothness of her skin. He leaned forward, kissing the top of her shoulder.

"Can I mark you tonight?" He asked, his voice becoming more of a primal growl.

"Only if I can mark you," She replied as she leaned her head back against him.

"Do you intend to bite me, mate?" He chuckled as his grip on her hips tightened.

"No, I intend to use magic," she answered seriously.

Aiden turned her around so that she faced him. But rather than having his gaze wander across her body, he looked into her eyes.

"Explain."

"I would use the same incantation that Vi used to mark the stones across the palace to guide me." Clarissa quickly explained. "But it should barely hurt you since I would be using my fire."

"A mark for a mark," he thought to himself. "A fair trade, I suppose."

"I thought so," she smiled.

Aiden leaned down and kissed her, pulling her flush against him. Clarissa gasped as she felt something hard against her body. Something that was foreign.

"It won't hurt you... much," Aiden teased as he nipped at her ear.

He gently backed her to the bed, causing her to fall back when her legs hit the frame. Now Aiden could look upon her, look upon the treasures that she had hidden away beneath her clothes. He took her hips, pushing her further back onto the bed. He crawled onto the covers, putting himself between her legs.

He placed his fingers on her lower stomach. He felt the goosebumps that formed as he slowly moved upward. He stopped when he grazed the bottom of her breasts. He ran his thumbs up the soft tissue as he cupped each one. He gently squeezed them, smiling as she arched her back to his touch.

He leaned over and took one of her nipples in his mouth. Her hands shot to his hair, gripping it firmly. Her hips bucked against his as she tried to pull away from the new sensations.

"Relax," he commanded softly as he moved his head up to hers. "Do you trust me?"

"I can't help it," she breathed. "It felt... different."

"Did it hurt?"

"No," she answered.

"Do you want me to stop?"

"No."

Aiden kissed her lips gently. His tongue finally plunged into her mouth, taking over as he fought against her tongue. Once done with her lips, he kissed her chin, her jaw, down her neck, and her collarbone before finding her breast again. While he kissed and teased one nipple, his free hand traveled down her stomach.

He used his knees to spread her legs a little further, giving his hand full access to her lower lips. His hand slowly caressed the outer lips, allowing her to relax under his touch. As his mouth switched breasts, his middle finger slipped between the folds of her lips. He moved it slowly from her entrance to her sensitive bud. His soft pressure gave her time to enjoy the new tingling sensations.

Aiden moved his head back up to hers as his finger made circles around her bud. She moaned as she pulled his head to her, forcefully kissing him. He pressed harder with his finger, using her moans as a gauge of her pleasure.

"I need you," she whispered between kisses. There was a burning sensation that begged to be rubbed—something deep in her core that needed something more.

Aiden ran his finger lower, feeling the wetness at her entrance. He sat up, positioning himself to enter her. He ran his member along the folds of her lips, eliciting moans from her. He leaned forward, the tip beginning to push into her entrance.

"I'm sorry, my love," he whispered, slowly pushing himself deeper. "I cannot stop this from hurting."

Clarissa winced as the barrier of skin broke under his pushing. She felt herself being stretched, felt a friction fighting against his intrusion. Once halfway in, Aiden began to pull out, but then, he slowly thrusted back into her. She gripped his arms, her voice ranging from moaning to crying.

Aiden held onto her hips, moaning at the tightness that was surrounding him. Once he was finally able to push himself fully into her, he found his rhythm of thrusting in and out. As he neared his climax, he could feel Cyrus begin to push himself forward.

Mark her... mark her... Cyrus kept repeating, over and over, within Aiden's soul.

Aiden threw his head back, groaning loudly as he reached the height of his pleasure. Clarissa could feel something warm trickle from within her. She was out of breath, but there was still an itch she wanted to scratch. There was more pleasure she wanted. Had this not been their first time, Aiden would have given it to her. But he could not, not tonight. Cyrus was taking over.

Aiden's head quickly went to her left shoulder. He kissed it briefly as his canines extended. His arms wrapped around Clarissa protectively. He knew this would hurt, but he could not prevent it. She consented to it; she wanted the mark. Aiden and Cyrus both bit down simultaneously, biting into her left shoulder. Clarissa cried out, tears falling quickly from her eyes. She struggled against him as the burning venom went into her body. She pleaded with him, but he could not stop. Cyrus would not stop, not until it was done.

Though it felt like the bite lasted for several minutes for Clarissa, in reality, it was less than ten seconds. Aiden quickly sat up when his teeth retracted, pulling Clarissa with him. She was limp in his arms as she cried. He wrapped her arms around his neck and had her legs straddle him. Though this would have been an excellent position to take her in, she did not need sex. She needed to be held, to be comforted. His arms wrapped around her, pressing her tightly against his chest.

She cried into his shoulder, her body trembling from the pain. He mind linked to servants in the hall to prepare the bath for them. His back was to the door, blocking her body from the view of those entering. Should they look, they would only see her arms around his neck and bits of her legs. Once he was told the bath was readied, he pulled back to see her face.

"I had them prepare a bath for us, as well as a tonic for your pain." He said gently.

"Are you..." her voice trailed off. She was hesitant. Her body was sore, but she did not know how to ask if he wanted more. If he would take her again.

"No, no more sex," he whispered. He could see bruises already forming on her hips from where he held her. Guilt sank into his stomach like a brick. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," she replied as she kissed his jawline.

"Mark me now," he demanded. "I want to be yours as much as you are mine."

Clarissa placed a hand on his left shoulder. She sniffled as she tried to gather her thoughts. She had to ignore her own pain for a moment as she tried to find her strength.

"Zulaoalo Taraeaque Ithate," She whispered as an orange light seeped from her palm. Her hand became hot, burning a mark on his skin. Aiden gritted his teeth, trying not to cry out from the pain.

As Clarissa took her hand away, she saw her bright red magic linger on Aiden. She blew cool air against his hot skin, causing him to hiss slightly. After a minute of her holding him, helping him through his pain, he slipped one of his arms under her legs. He stood from the bed, carrying her with him. Though his mark hurt, the pain was gradually subsiding. Cyrus was healing him, but he knew Clarissa was still in pain from her mark, even if her crying had died down. But now he would sit with her in the tub and hold her as their bodies relaxed in the warm water. He hoped by morning that her pain would be gone, that she would not regret accepting his request.

"I love you," he whispered into her ear as they rested in the relaxing water. "I shall forever love you."

"I love you too," she replied, looking over her shoulder towards him. "And I shall love you in this life and the next."

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