Without my binder, I felt fully and completely like a girl. Like myself. I hadn’t realized how uncomfortable I’d felt with my body pressed into a different shape until I didn’t have to make it that way anymore.
“Cole…” I groaned, my breath shaking as it hung in the air between us. “I—I can’t thank you enough. You make me feel—You make me feel beautiful.”
I responded by gently biting on her neck, pushing against her, eyes closed.
“How can I make you feel something you already are?” I hissed, my mouth latching on to her throat, hands down to grab hers to intertwine with her fingers. “I can’t wait for those laws to burn away. I can’t wait to see you as someone you’re meant to be—not in secret. Not anymore. I promise you, the first thing I will do once I become king is remove those god forsaken laws that chain you.”
I buried my face in the crook of his neck, biting down on my tongue to muffle any noises or whimpers that threatened to spill out. “Th-Thank you—For believing in—“ Me. “What I believe in. For supporting me—gah—And—And—“
I silenced her by pressing our mouths together again, prying her lips open with my tongue so I could taste her all over again. Of course I believed in her—believed in what she believed in. There was no way I would not support her ideals, her wishes, her dreams.
And God, her voice, the way it came out breathlessly, and those sounds that she tried to bite back… I wanted to hear them. Each and every one of those sounds. But perhaps this place wasn’t good for that, huh?
Pleasure flooded my senses, but I battled it back, forcing my weakened limbs to cooperate. I placed my hand flat on his chest, tore my aching lips from his. "C-Cole—" My tongue, laden with the taste of him, struggled to shape sounds. "We shouldn't—Not here—"
I pulled away hesitantly, wanting to devour her, but knowing I shouldn’t. Not there. Not like this.
“All right,” I breathed out, satisfied with the way I made her feel. That was enough. “You can put up the illusion. We can go eat.”
My mouth fumbled around the words of the familiar spell, and each illusion I cast quickly slipped away.
"I—Just—Give me a second," I panted, pressing a hand to my thundering heart,
I smirked, chuckling softly, shaking my head.
“You know, I love it when I reduce you to something like this,” I teased her, resting my head on the crook of her neck. “It lets me know you’re still mine.”
I inhaled shakily, filling my lungs with cool air.
“Of—Of course I’m yours. Always.”
“As am I,” I breathed her scent in. “Forever. No matter what happens, this heart will always bear for you.”
Still trying to catch my breath, I buried my face in his shoulder to hide how pink it was. “I love you, Cole.”
“As do I, Elle,” I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her closer. “From the day I became aware of you to the day the world perishes. I will love you as long as there is life in me.”
“You have such a way with words…..” I murmured, and suddenly, my words were laced with laughter. “And such a way of making me lose concentration when I’m trying to procure and illusion.”
I laughed, shaking my head as I continued to envelope her in a hug.
“I’m not really sorry,” I told her. “My words speak nothing but the truth. I’m glad they make you feel this way.”
“Shush,” I teased, though my cheeks still burned. “Illusion. Complicated spell. Requires concentration and not you distracting me with your beautiful mouth~”
“Okay, I’ll stay silent,” I chuckled, and true to my words, I stayed silent as I let her concentrate. That didn’t mean my hands were going to be silent. I made sure to rub her back, dig my fingers in her side discreetly—anything to tease her.
I sucked in a sharp breath, nearly melting in his hands. “C-Colton—Come on, baby.” I’d never called him that before, and the word felt strange in my mouth, but I was hoping it would appeal to him. I needed some way to fluster His Royal Highness.
I froze at the name she called me. I could feel the tip of my ears turn pink, but I didn’t let that stop my momentum.
“If you want to fluster me, love, there are several other things you can do,” I chuckled. “Some include your voice, others include your hands and your mouth.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing my addled mine to cooperate as I muttered the spell. A mischievous smile twisted my lips, and when I raised my head, I was a mirror image of Colton’s father.
I stiffened when I noticed the change. The broad shoulders, the irregular way her body fit in mine… slowly, I pulled apart and was met her appearance with absolute horror.
“Elle!” I immediately let her go. “Did you just—why? Why do you do this to me? Oh, God, now it certainly feels like I had my father in my hold.”
I burst out laughing, having to slap a hand over my mouth when my giggles got out of control. “The look on your face, oh my god——“ Failing to hide my amusement and successfully out of the dangerous hold he had on me, I allowed the illusion to melt into that of Isabella once more.
I pinned her against the wall again, furrowing my eyebrows.
“It’s not funny,” I scowled. “If I could, I would turn into your father to show you how that feels.”
“It’s hilarious,” I grinned in response, tapping his nose and pulling his previous illusion over his beautiful features. “And it’s what you get for teasing me. Baby.”
“I am not a baby,” I scrunched my nose. “Why would you call me that, Elle?”
“It’s a pet name, silly,” I chuckled, ducking under his arm and pushing the curtain aside. “Now come on, I should buy this dress. And you need some farm boy clothes. Or just pants. No shirt necessary.”
I quirked an eyebrow at her, following after her.
“You prefer me walking around shirtless?” I questioned, trying to tease her. “I mean, I do understand I have an undeniably attractive body, but I’d much rather it be seen by you.”
“Farm boys don’t always wear shirts,” I managed to shoot back, offering a little shrug.
“Ah, well, that’s a shame,” I shrugged back. “You know, if you wanted to see me shirtless, you could just ask.”
“Shut up,” I muttered beneath my desk, cheeks flaming as we approached the front desk. The woman behind it took one look at our flushed cheeks and mussed hair, and burst out laughing.
“Oh, lord…”
I simply offered her a smirk and stuffed my hands in my pockets. I wasn’t in the least bit flustered at being caught with a messed up appearance.
Elle, however, looked adorable with her flushed cheeks and the embarrassed look on her face.
“Two gold coins,” the woman said and I handed her the money, thanking her as I took the bag from her.
