Desires

I'm feverish. Flames lick along my skin, in my blood, fogging my mind. I'm bursting, liquefying, growing weak to this unquenchable thirst.

Stumbling away from the next event, I managed to put distance between myself and the other guests. The light and bright colours, the glitz and glam of the ball, the soft violins, chatter and laughter fade away as the darkness of night and the tall, looming trees of the forest welcome my heated state. The light breeze helps little, and the wild beating of my heart and breaths grow rapidly.

The blistering high heels start to sink into the grass and dirt, slowing my exit. This will not do. I need to escape before they scent me. I could already see their heated gazes following me outside.

"Ladies and gentlemen… It's what you've all been waiting for!" The herald spoke grandly by the patio doors in the distance. Guests began to emerge from the hall and onto the patio. I didn't pay attention to them, and their voices merged into one until one last sentence spiked my heart rate.

"Let the hunt begin!"

"Ugh." I slipped out of my heels, lifted my skirts and sprinted into the woods. A drum pounded in my ears as heat embodied me, surging across my body like wildfire. It was agonising.

The river. I just need to get to the river, cool down and hide. 

It was simple. Too simple. Especially when the sound of wolves howling and the giggles of women and shouts of men started to grow closer. But I tuned them out and into the sound of running water, my haven that could put an end to this.

My knees almost buckled, breaking down upon seeing the reflection of the night sky in the dark depths of the river. I just need to plunge myself into it, let the water rush over me and douse this infernal torture. My legs slowed without permission as I began towards a fallen tree slanting into some of the river right when the sounds of paws and boots thudded into the earth.

"I knew it!" One man shouted. "It's her!"

Close. They were too close.

"She smells divine!"

They were gathering nearby. My body spiked with arousal, the idea of being caught rushing adrenaline through my blood. It would put an end to this turmoil. I was in heat, and my scent, pheromones to attract a mate, was spreading vastly.

With a gasp, I began to back away, hearing their calls. They will come, and I will be undone. 

"Don't come any closer," my voice a breathless whisper, weak against the inferno inside.

"Princess!" A man's voice calls close behind me.

"No, don't…" My legs buckle as his warmth rushes towards me.

Strong arms wrap around me, keeping me upright, and I am done. My back melts into his solid form. The clothes between us are too thick. His hands are warm, and I clutch them, the skin contact tingling along my arms. His swallow is loud and thick like he is fighting against our most primal instincts.

I need more. Desire more.

His skin needs to be against mine. To help this ache, this craving to be touched, loved, be everything and nothing but be in this heady moment.

"Princess…" A plea. I faintly recognise his voice. But I cannot place it. Does it matter?

Not when my body aches, burns and screams for him to come closer. The world around us fades, and all that matters is him and me.

I turn on my toes and look up. Through my heated breaths, I make out a silver mask covering the top half of his face like all the other guests at the ball, mine included.

"Tell me what to do." His voice is more beast than man, a rumble deep within his chest.

"Help me." The whimper is out before I can stop it, my hands moving, hiking up to his shoulders, unable to stop myself. He's leaning forward now, his restraints breaking.

"Princess," he breathes. More words are spoken from those enticing lips that seem to glisten. I cannot fathom them, not now when his hands travel along my bare back, pressing our bodies into each other, my curves against the rigidness of his torso.

"I cannot… We… should not…" Were his final words before I leaned onto my toes and brushed my lips against his, gently, allowing the flames to burn brighter and sink into my skin deeper until he angled my face and dominated the kiss, deepening it, teeth sinking into my bottom lip, with a sharp inhale his tongue delves into my mouth.

My feet stumble as he takes control and walks me back until bark bites into my skin. I'm completely at his mercy now. The pressure eased some of that ache, but something ignited us into action. We are nothing more than fumbling hands, eager to undress, to feel our bodies collide.

My hands skim the contours of his muscular chest, mapping it out, brushing along a scar that makes him pause. I whimper when the heat of his lips leaves mine, but it is followed by a breathy moan when his lips trail delicious kisses down my neck, one hand behind my back untying the laces to my corset, the other hitching up my skirts, hand skimming my thigh, awakening more gasps from my lips, sensitive to his touch.

"Please." Another whimper when his caresses were too teasing. "I need… you. I need… your touch." An embarrassing groan, but one that has this man trail his lips down my bodice and kneel before me, peeling back the skirts, hiding his head.

My head thrusts back at the abrupt bliss erupting from his touch, and the still forest fills with smothered gasps and moans, my teeth biting into my fist as I stare at the starry night sky. The heat smothers us, and the pain subsides to this intoxication.

How… How did I end up like this?