Chapter 18: I, You, We

The soft glow of the magical crystal swaying from the ceiling cast golden glints across the wooden walls of Milliscent’s house, while the crackle of logs in the fireplace filled the room with cozy warmth. The scent of herbs on the table mingled with the faint smell of damp wood, creating a sense of calm that contrasted with the tension between us. We stood in the middle of the room, our lips still touching, her kiss—full of quiet desperation and tenderness—anchoring me in the moment. Her hands, initially shy, now held my shoulders more firmly, her warm, slightly uneven breath blending with mine. I felt her fingers tremble lightly as she pressed closer, my heart pounding as if it might burst from my chest. We kissed for a long time, losing track of time, as if afraid to let each other go. Her lips, soft yet insistent, left a burning warmth on mine, and I felt her hands slide down my back, seeking support.

Exhaustion finally took over, and with shy smiles, we parted to our places. Milliscent curled up on her bed, wrapped in a thin blanket, her hair spilling over the pillow like a golden waterfall. I settled on the narrow couch by the fireplace, where the crackling logs lulled me like a lullaby. The crystal’s light dimmed, and the room sank into soft darkness, with only the fire’s flickers dancing on the walls.

Sleep came quickly, but it was heavy, like a leaden cloud. I wasn’t in the magical elven city anymore but in a cramped, gray apartment reeking of damp carpet and cigarette butts—well, I did smoke a lot back then. This was my past life, the one I tried to forget, but it crept back in nightmares. I stood by the window, rain drumming against the glass, holding a phone. The glass was icy under my fingers, and despair squeezed my chest, so thick it felt tangible. Dark, sticky thoughts tangled my mind: Why am I here? What’s the point of any of this? No one would notice if I just disappeared. It wasn’t true, but… I was too pathetic, too soft on myself to think otherwise. I stared at the balcony, at the darkness beyond where rain merged with night. My feet took a step toward the edge, and I felt my fingers grip the cold railing. For a moment, I imagined how easy it would be to let go—just step into the void where there’s no pain, no questions. It had always been my Plan B. As strange as it sounds, until the moment my strength ran out, I held onto faith and hope. They clung to the idea that I could take that final step into the dark. But something stopped me—a faint ray of hope or fear I couldn’t explain. I froze, trembling from the cold and my own thoughts, and darkness enveloped me. I stepped back, realizing with dread that, for the first time, I’d thought about it without irony. For a moment, I truly could have taken that step…

I woke with a start, my heart hammering, sweat trickling down my temples. The room’s darkness wrapped around me, but I felt warmth on my hand. Milliscent lay beside me, her head resting on my shoulder, her slender, warm hand entwined with mine. Her breathing was soft, but her brows were slightly furrowed, as if she were battling something in her sleep. Her hair, golden in the firelight, spilled across my chest, and my heart tightened with tenderness. No matter how tough she acted, she was just a small, warm being who needed a bit of warmth too. Like everyone else—like me—she sometimes just wanted to hold someone close and forget, even for a moment. I froze, trying to understand why she was here. Hadn’t we gone to sleep separately? My hand, the one that pulsed with unknown power, rested under her palm, and I was afraid to move, not wanting to wake her.

She stirred, her eyelids fluttering open, and she lifted her head, looking at me. In the dim light, her eyes gleamed with a mix of worry and warmth. She sat up quickly, her cheeks faintly pink, and mumbled, her voice soft and almost guilty, “I had a nightmare… I couldn’t stay alone. Sorry for… just coming to you. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Warmth spread through my chest. Her vulnerability, her quiet voice—it was so real I couldn’t look away. “It’s okay,” I replied, trying to sound casual though my voice trembled slightly. “I had a nightmare too. Stupid, but… heavy. Guess we’re both not at our best.”

She looked at me, her eyes so close I could feel the warmth of her breath. She leaned in slowly and kissed me—cautiously at first, as if testing whether I’d pull away. I didn’t. There was a special music and charm in her vulnerability, impossible to capture in words. I kissed her back, my hands instinctively settling on her waist, and the kiss deepened, filled with a growing heat. Her lips were soft but insistent, and I felt her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me closer.

God, what am I doing? flashed through my mind, but her touch chased away all doubts. Milliscent seemed to feel the same—her movements were shy, almost imperceptible, but so full of warmth I couldn’t stop. He’s so warm… I don’t want this to end, she thought, and I noticed her lips twitch into a faint smile as she pulled back for a moment.

“Bogdan…” she whispered, her voice hoarse with desire and heavy breathing. “Come closer… like this…”

She took my hand and placed it on her thigh, her skin hot beneath the thin fabric of her shirt. My face flushed, but her trusting eyes calmed me. I carefully lifted her shirt, revealing her smooth, warm skin, glowing faintly golden in the crystal’s light. Her small, firm breasts rose with her quick breaths, and I heard a soft moan as my fingers traced her waist.

“Mmm…” her voice was barely audible but brimming with heat. “Bogdan… it tickles…”

Her words ignited me further. I felt her hands slide to my belt, hesitantly unfastening it. Her fingers trembled as they brushed my skin, and I realized she was as nervous as I was. She wants this but she’s scared, I thought, and it only fueled the fire.

“Don’t… be afraid,” she whispered, her voice trembling but tender. “Just… be with me.” How sweet of her to comfort me when she’s just as…

I slipped off her shirt, her bare, hot skin pressing against mine. Her breasts brushed against my chest, and I felt her heart beating in sync with mine. We moved slowly, cautiously, but each touch was filled with warmth and heat. Her legs wrapped around me, and I heard another soft moan as my fingers brushed her warmth—hot, wet, pulsing with her arousal.

“Oh… Bogdan…” she moaned, her voice hoarse yet tender. “A little lower… yes…”

Her words, her soft moans, were like music stoking the fire within me. I entered her, and her body shuddered, her hands gripping my shoulders tighter. I didn’t know it could be like this, she thought, and I saw her eyes close as she pressed closer.

“You… you’re incredible,” I whispered, my voice rough with heat.

She laughed, her laugh turning into a moan. “Mmm… you too… don’t stop…”

We moved together, our bodies finding a rhythm, each motion like a spark igniting the flame between us. But Milliscent suddenly paused, her breath ragged. She gently pushed me, and I felt her shift, straddling me. Her hair fell over her face, her eyes burning in the dim light.

“This is better…” she whispered, her voice thick with heat. “Oh… yes…”

Her hips moved slowly but confidently, and I felt her warmth envelop me. Her hands pressed against my chest, and I watched her breasts rise with each motion. She’s so beautiful… I don’t deserve this, I thought, but her moan interrupted my thoughts.

“Bogdan… mmm… harder…”

I gripped her thighs, feeling her skin burn under my fingers. We moved together, her moans growing louder but still tender, filled with trust. Suddenly, she shifted again, lying on her back and pulling me with her. Her legs wrapped around my waist, and she whispered, “Stay close… oh… closer… Never pull away from me…”

Her warmth tightened around me, and I felt a wave of pleasure building. Our movements quickened, still filled with warmth and care. I don’t want this to end, Milliscent thought, and I saw her eyes close as she neared climax.

“Milliscent…” I gasped, my body trembling with heat.

“Yes… oh… Bogdan…” Her voice broke, and she moaned louder as a wave of ecstasy crashed over us both.

Milliscent, flushed and breathless, held me tightly, her hair spilling across the pillow, her breath warming my skin. She trembled, but this time not from fear— from joy and relief. I held her closer, feeling our hearts slowly calm.

We lay there, holding each other, and I felt her breathing steady. She lifted her head, her eyes gleaming, and smiled, her voice hoarse but warm. “Bogdan…” Her voice was like a whisper of wind in the twilight. Her eyes shone in the firelight, a mix of joy and uncertainty. “That was… I don’t even know how to say it…”

Her words tugged at my heart. Her vulnerability, her open gaze—it made me forget my own embarrassment. I gently touched her cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin. “For me too,” I replied softly, my voice trembling as if afraid to break the moment. “I… I didn’t think it could be like this. You… you made it special.”

She smiled, her lips quivering slightly as if holding back tears. Her fingers gently squeezed my hand resting on her waist. “I was scared,” she admitted, her voice almost a whisper. “Scared that we… that I wouldn’t be able to. That it would just be… I don’t know, empty. But with you…” She paused, her cheeks flushing, and looked away. “With you, I felt alive. Like I…” Like I’m valuable just as I am, without my magic, she wanted to say but couldn’t bring herself to.

Her words struck deep. I felt my eyes sting and instinctively pulled her closer, holding her tighter. Her hair tickled my neck, and I felt her breath on my skin. She was still holding something back… but with each moment, it was less and less.

“Milliscent,” I tried to find the right words, but they felt so inadequate. “You’re not just your magic. You’re… more than I can put into words. I don’t know how to explain it, but when I’m with you, everything else—the elders, monsters, even my own fears—just fades away.”

She lifted her head, her eyes so close I could see every lash. She gently touched my lips with her fingers, as if making sure I was real. “You don’t know how much that means to me,” she whispered. “I’ve been alone for so long… afraid to open up. But you… you see me. Not my magic, not what I can or can’t do. Just me.”

Warmth flooded my chest, and my arms tightened around her. Her words were a bridge between us, and I didn’t want it to crumble. “I see you,” I said quietly, looking into her eyes. “And you… you’re beautiful. Even when you’re trembling with fear or scolding me for my stupid jokes.”

She laughed softly, her laugh like music filling the room. She playfully pushed my chest, but her hand lingered, feeling my heartbeat. “You really are an idiot,” she said, her voice full of tenderness. “But… I’m glad it was you. That it was us.”

We lay there, gazing at each other, and I felt her breathing steady. But I couldn’t resist adding with a smile, “You know, in my world, after something like this, a neighbor usually starts drilling a wall at eight in the morning. So I guess we’re lucky it’s just the fireplace crackling here.”

She snorted, her eyes sparkling with laughter, and she lightly swatted my shoulder. “You’re hopeless,” she said, but her smile was so warm it made my heart skip again.

She laughed, her laugh like music filling the room. We lay there, holding each other, and I felt her breathing steady. She fell asleep, her hand still on my chest, and I thought that, maybe for the first time in a long while, I was truly happy.

I didn’t even realize that, on the other side, an unknown voice tried to pierce through this warmth to my cold mind. It tried to ruin this moment with its venom. But in that moment, it simply didn’t have the strength…

When the first rays of sunlight slipped through the cracks in the shutters, Milliscent and I woke up. Her eyes gleamed, and she smiled. My heart skipped again, and she gently touched my hand.

“Good morning,” she said softly, her voice full of warmth.

“Good morning,” I replied, smiling. “You know, in my world, this is called ‘a perfect start to the day.’”

She laughed, and we lay there, gazing at each other, happy, as if the world beyond this house didn’t exist.