A Dragon's Heart

10.

I awoke to the fresh smell of shai filling my nostrils. Living in this empire for two weeks now had made me obsessed with shai enough to wake up to its smell now. Weird.

Sucking in a deep sigh, I stretched my arms up my head, rolling to the side where the smell of the shai was the strongest, a smile dancing on my face.

“I had no idea this was what you look like when you wake up from sleep, Noorie,” Bilal’s deep, husky voice spoke, jostling me awake as I peeled my eyes open and sat up quickly.

Just like I imagined, he was sitting on a chair by the bed, caging me like he did yesterday when we spoke. I had my hand pressed to my chest, breathing heavily as I took in his appearance.

He was dressed in black pants and a long-sleeved black shirt that had golden embroidery around the neck and wrists. The three buttons of the shirt were undone, leaving a hint of his black hair scattered chest for my sore eyes. My eyes drifted upwards, taking in his pulse point. The way he swallowed, up towards his beard-covered jaw. To his pointed nose, up to his beautiful hazel eyes that sent my head spinning in mere seconds. His black hair fell to his shoulders, while the upper part was braided and tied into a bun. He wore no earring today, nor did he tie a turban, and I was suddenly filled with the urge to run my fingers through his silky waves.

He was sitting comfortably, back pressed into the chair with his legs sprawled on either side, one hand resting on his thigh with flowers, while the other held a book. The book I was reading last night before I dozed off. My cheeks flamed up as I remembered the scene I was reading. An intimate steamy scene about the mermaid and her human pirate.

Shit!

“You need to stop sneaking into my personal space like this,” I finally murmured, taking my eyes off him and willing for my thudding heart to take a break.

“Good morning, Noorie,” he said lazily, shifting, so he was covering the little space that was left between him and the edge of my bed. “I bought you flowers,” he added.

Something shifted within me, and ‌the thudding in my chest picked up, making it nearly impossible to focus.

He bought me flowers.

With shaky hands, I took the flowers from him, brought them to my nose and took a whiff of their scents. While they did smell amazing, they did nothing to douse Bilal’s scent.

Smoke and citrus. Oud and musk. How could one person have four scents? And why did I like them all?

“Sabah-al Khayr,” I murmured, staring at the flowers like I had been handed my favorite candy after a long day milking the cows. “What type of flowers are these?”

When he didn't answer, I looked up, only to find him sitting on the bed as it dipped on the side. He had a smile on his face, as his large hand came up to the side of my face.

“I see you are learning Arabic,” he answered. “Those are a combination of desert lily and desert marigold,” he added.

I swallowed, hoping to get rid of the squeaky sound I was sure would be prominent when I spoke. “Having an Arab husband means I have to learn,” I answered, our eyes locked in a heated gaze. “I love the flowers. They are beautiful,” my voice was a breathy whisper as I spoke.

I promised myself that I wouldn't be the first one to look away. I couldn't. I needed to know what he was thinking. How much I affected him. So I held his gaze, despite feeling the goosebumps on my skin, the back and forth of his thumb on my cheeks. His overwhelming scent. His heated gaze.

I didn't move, not even when he moved closer and pressed a closed-mouthed kiss to my forehead, then on my nose, down to the corner of my lips. But I did finally move when he tried to kiss my lips.

Pushing back quickly, I slapped my hand over my mouth, shaking my head.

“I haven't brushed yet,” I said. “I literally just woke up, and you know that.” I added.

He simply stared at me, and for a moment, I wondered if he’d say nothing. I was becoming uncomfortable with the stare, and just when I decided I was going to move, he finally spoke.

“I see,” was all he said, his eyes roaming all over my body, causing me to unnecessarily squirm. Then he shifted again, closing in on the space I had created between us. His finger trailed along my shoulder and I shuddered. He continued downwards until I finally realized what was happening. He was trailing towards my bare chest, and I wondered if he’d dip his finger in between my breasts…

My breath caught as his finger swept the surface of my right breast before he pulled his hand away.

“I suggest you go brush it if you are worried about that, or I will kiss you, regardless.” He finally added.

My breath seized, and I could swear I didn't breathe for a few seconds before a rush of air filled my chest. Without waiting to test if he’d do what he said, I kept the flowers on the bed and rushed to the bathroom. I heard the sound of his chuckle as the bathroom door closed behind me.

I leaned against the door, breathing heavily. Was this how the encounters between us would always be? Me constantly breathless and him composed?

‘Well, I wouldn't blame you for being breathless Tiffy. I couldn't move an inch. I couldn't even form any words to say!’ Jay said, sounding panicked. ‘This can't continue this way. We need a firm grip on our emotions and this damn mate bond that is making it harder to resist the man. And don't even get me started on all he has been doing since he returned yesterday.’

I swallowed, nodding. I agreed with everything Jay had said. We needed a firm grip on our emotions. I needed a firm grip on my emotions. And to think he was already having this much effect on me after returning just yesterday made no sense.

Or maybe it did. We were mates. Married. Husband and wife. While we had yet to consummate the bond, it seemed to burn brighter than it had all these months. There was something pulsating on the inside, making it nearly impossible to ignore the tension between us even if I wanted to. Thing is, I didn't want to. I wanted this. I wanted this thing between us to work. It had to work.

But then again, I had to get all these wild emotions in control. I couldn't be the only wild one here.

I walked up to the sink and began to brush my teeth. After our talk yesterday, Bilal left. He knew I needed the space to sort through everything he’d told me, and he gave me that. I appreciated that, even though I wanted him to stay at some point, but when I laid in bed and went through everything he’s told me, I was glad I was alone. We had dinner together, including Yasmina. Afterwards, both she and Bilal left and I can’t wait to see her this morning so I could chastise her for running off like she did yesterday when her brother arrived.

That aside, I was really worried about what Bilal had told me about her. The fact that Yasmina went through something so traumatic was a lot. Looking at her now, I would never have imagined she went through something that bad. Even more so was the fact that Bilal said she didn’t remember the events from that time. And then there was the oath Bilal took. The consequences of it, which we were hoping the ritual he did would deter. Somehow though, I couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling the idea of the oath had on me.

Finally done, I stared at myself in the mirror in the bathroom for a few seconds as I used my fingers to detangle part of my hair. I was dressed in a pink silk sleeping gown that stopped mid- thigh. It had a slit on the left, and I loved the feel of it against my skin. Silk sleepwear was my favorite, and the fact that Bilal got them for me made me extremely happy. He must have asked Natasha for help, seeing that every clothing in the suitcase were my favorites.

I wiped my face with a towel after rinsing it, then stepped back into the bedroom. Bilal was sitting in the middle on top of the maroon rug. Platters of food were arranged, and he had his attention focused on my book. Why the heck was he reading it?

I cleared my throat, calling his attention to me. He lifted his head slowly, his eyes taking me in from my feet up to my face. His eyes lingered for a moment over my breasts before finally settling on my face. A small smile curved on his lips before he closed the book and motioned me towards him.

“Come sit,” he patted his crossed leg.

My eyes widened. He wanted me to sit on his legs?

“You want me to sit there?” I asked.

“Why not? Come on, the kebabs are getting cold.”

‘Okayyyy…’ Jay snickered. ‘Go sit, Tiffy. I wonder when he’d ask us to sit on his face and ride…’

‘Shut up, Jay. Just shut up!!!’ I snapped.

Putting up my big girl card, I walked up to him. I didn’t let my concern about my weight show. I mean, what if I crush him?

I settled on his leg carefully, without putting all of my weight on it. But Bilal chuckled, pulling me flush into him as I settled fully on his legs. His face was pressed at the crook on my neck, his arm wrapped securely around me.

“Your weight is the least of my problems right now, Noorie. So you can stop worrying about crushing me and let me enjoy the feeling of you against me.”

I smiled. “I wasn’t worried,” I replied.

“Sure you weren’t,” he answered, kissing my neck as his hold tightened even more. “Can I kiss you good morning now?”

I turned slightly to face him. “We already said good morning.”

“That is not the way I want it. I want to devour my wife with a kiss every morning. One that would hopefully leave her breathless all day long.”

“Bilal…”

“Can I kiss you now?” he asked. “Please.”

His hand moved from my waist to my neck, curving around and pulling me down to him as I nodded. His mouth brushed against mine carefully, before he finally took my bottom lip between his teeth and bit, then he licked the sting away and kissed me until I was breathless, squirming, and sweating. My knees buckled, my insides turning and twisting as he suckled even more. His grip on my neck tightened, pulling me into him as though trying to mold us into one. A groan slipped past his mouth, the kiss intensifying, fully knocking me out of my senses. His other hand gripped my bare thigh, squeezing as his tongue slipped into my mouth.

Dear me…

“Sabah-al Khary, Nurayn,” he murmured against my mouth as he pulled away, his forehead against mine, our eyes staring into each other. “This is how a husband and wife greet each other in the morning. Not my favorite version, but it should do for now as I figure some things out.”

I bit my bottom lip. “There’s another version?”

He swiped his thumb over my lips and kissed lightly. “You’ll find out soon enough. Now, eat. I will read your book for you as…”

“No, you won’t,” I shrieked, snatching the book he picked up. “Stop reading my book.”

“Why?” he asked, his tone teasing.

“Just.. just…” I was embarrassed, and he must sense that because he simply chuckled and changed the direction of our discussion.

“I bought you more books.”

“You did?” I lit up.

“Yeah. We need to fill up the shelf, don’t we?”

I simply nodded, my throat clogging with emotions.

“Thank you.”

“Anything for you. Now eat. I saved your flowers,” he nodded towards the vase with the flowers.

I smiled, picked up a kebab and began to eat. The chicken was tender; the flavors bouncing in my mouth.

“Where is Sameer?”

“In his cave. Just behind the castle. He needed a rest after shrinking to be inside your room yesterday.”

“I wondered how he could fit,” I whispered.

“He can shrink in size, but it does drain both his and my energy every time he does.”

“Why aren’t you eating?” I asked.

“I am content just watching you eat.”

I smiled. “That is weird. But I’ll love it more if you eat with me.”

“As you wish, Noorie.”

We fell into a comfortable silence as he filled a cup with shai and took a sip before passing it to me. I took a sip as well, then set the cup down.

“How many names do you have for me? And what do they mean?”

“Just one,” he murmured, taking a bite of his naan bread. “Nurayn.”

“You just called me Noorie though.”

“That is the playful version of Nurayn. For when I am not too serious.”

“Hmmn,” was all I said, taking a sip of the shai.

“Nurayn means light. A luminous light. And you are my light.” he added.

I blinked once, then twice, and when I couldn’t hold back any longer, I bent and kissed the corner of his lips. “That is a huge responsibility.”

“One I am glad I have you to take. I need you to keep my sanity. You are the light in my otherwise dark world.”

“Bilal…”

His hold turned gripping, as he slipped his hand from my neck back to my waist. “I will do anything for you, Nurayn. Anything.”

“I know,” I answered, wrapping my hands around his neck and pulling him to my bosom. His hot breath sent tiny specks of goosebumps all over my skin.

“And I am sorry for hurting you,” he added. “I will do everything in my power to make things right.”

“I know.”

“Are you still mad at me?”

I shook my head. “Not anymore.”

“Really?” The excitement in his voice made me smile.

I buried my fingers in his hair, loving the soft, silky tendrils dancing on my tips. “Really really, Gorko am,” I murmured.

He lifted his head from my bosom, his eyes turning a shade darker than their usual shade. His grip turned a bit bruising as he tightened his hold, bringing his other hand to wrap around me as well.

“You called me your husband,” he wasn’t asking, he was stating.

“Aren’t you?”

He sighed, burying his face in my bosom again. “I am trying to control myself here. Stop making it harder.”

I smiled, glad I wasn’t the only one dealing with this.

“I have to go,” he suddenly said, pulling away as he slipped me off his lap and stood up. “I have a report to make to the caliph. I will be back in the evening.”

Confused, I stared at him as he straightened his shirt before he leaned and kissed my cheek. “Be ready, I’ll be taking you out on a date when I return.”

And with that, he walked to the door, pulled it open and stepped out. Leaving me alone.

But this time, even though I was unhappy with his abrupt leaving, I was excited for the date.

‘I think we need to up our girly game before he returns later,’ Jay said, and I agreed with her.

Time to show my girl power!