The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 149: Anchoring Warmth

Jessamyn yearned to step forward, to reunite with the love of her life, Joar, to find peace in his embrace. The prickly feeling she felt all over slowly reduced as she entered a state void of any pain.

But the air around her changed. "I’m not losing you..."

Jerrick’s voice cut through the haze, filled with a determination that pierced her soul. The taste in the air shifted—sour and salty, wet. Warm wetness spread over her skin, mingling with the saltiness she tasted on her lips.

The warmth engulfed her, a cocoon of safety, but she was too tired to move or even think. She wanted the peacefulness to last, to succumb to the quiet release it promised.

Then came the silence.

It felt like a thick smog, a suffocating blanket that stilled everything around her. It was as if a higher being had descended, prompting the lesser beings to hold their voices and even their breath.

For her, though, that presence that induced dread caused another feeling—desire.

In the lush garden of her dream, she saw the white wolf once again. It stood in front of her, its snout so close to her nose that she could feel its breath. She looked into its glowing eyes, and without realizing it, she held out her hand, feeling the silky hair of the wolf.

The aura around the wolf was different this time—possessive and warm, caring and obsessive. It invoked a desire from the deepest part of her heart, and her body warmed up.

As the fibers of the fur grazed over her cold, naked skin, she felt passion lighting up inside her, a fire that threatened to consume her entirely.

This is not Jerrick, she thought, the realization striking her through the haze. She remembered Jerrick’s depressed face when he mentioned that time she had said Joar’s name.

In that state where she couldn’t discern dreams from reality as she swung between life and death, it was Jerrick’s feelings she thought about.

Jessamyn tried not to touch the wolf, but she couldn’t stop herself. There was something about the wolf, something that enveloped her heart with desire and urged her to merge with him. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

She felt herself being pulled, the primal call of the wolf’s presence overpowering her senses. The more she touched him, the more she felt alive.

The nearness brought a warmth that touched deep into her soul and healed her. His embrace was comfortable and peaceful, an oasis in the troubles of her mind.

"Jerrick..." she called for him, her voice a desperate whisper in the void.

She was lost in her desires and wanted him to find her. It probably was a dream, or maybe it was not. She didn’t want to make the same mistake again. She didn’t want to lose herself to the longing for Joar or the possessive pull of the wolf.

It can’t be real!

"I’m here..." she heard him. Relief washed over her. She tried hard to blink her eyes. Through her hazy vision, she saw the green eyes that used to mesmerize her in the past. "Jerry..." That’s all she could say before everything went dark again. She was still in her dreams.

In the dreams, she was lying on the serene spread of green grass. The flowers in the garden were blooming, spreading their scent, and the sun wasn’t harsh... It was perfect.

As she lay there, unable to open her eyes, a warmth covered her lips. She leaned into the warmth that filled her up. The warmth spread all over her, and she surrendered herself to the sensation.

The garden was a place of peace. The soft hum of bees flitting from flower to flower, the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze, the distant song of birds—all of it wrapped around her like a comforting blanket. She felt the grass beneath her, each blade a delicate touch against her skin.

The warmth on her lips grew stronger, more insistent. It wasn’t just a physical sensation; it was an emotional balm, a reminder of love and life. She felt herself being drawn into it, a magnetic pull that she couldn’t resist.

The warmth spread from her lips to her face to her neck and all over her body burning with passion and reached her heart, igniting a spark of life deep within her. It was as if the very essence of love was being poured into her, reviving her spirit.

This surely is a dream, she thought, for she had lost the one person who could pour out love for her.

She reached out with her hand, trying to grasp the source of the warmth. Her fingers brushed against something familiar, something solid—the chest she leaned on lately. She felt a surge of energy between them. The strong, reassuring firmness held onto her with a grip that promised he would never let go.

The warmth continued to spread, enveloping her entire body. It chased away the cold, the pain, the fear. It was a lifeline, anchoring her to the world of the living.

She felt her heart beat stronger, her breaths coming more easily. The warmth ignited her body in places she couldn’t speak of. The connection exhilarated her, nourishing her soul and filling her with a profound sense of safety and belonging.

The connection between them deepened; an unspoken bond that transcended words. She felt his presence within her, a steadying force that anchored her to the living.

The warmth radiated from her core, spreading to her limbs, her fingertips, her very essence. It was as if she was being reborn, every fiber of her being infused with the strength to survive.

There was a release that took her to the highest peak. Unlike the last time, the warmth didn’t turn to coldness but remained.

She felt herself rising from the depths of unconsciousness, the fog lifting from her mind. The dream world began to fade, the vibrant colors of the garden giving way to the sound of the water and the cracking of firewood.

"Jessamyn," he murmured, his voice a soft plea. "Open your eyes..."

Jessamyn couldn’t open her eyes immediately, but she sensed his hand clutching hers was shaking. She was lying on something soft and was covered in a warm fur coat. And she was naked.

Slowly, she opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was the firelight casting shadows on the walls of a small makeshift shelter. Her vision was blurry at first, but as it cleared, she saw Jerrick’s face hovering above her, etched with worry and relief. His eyes were red-rimmed, his expression a mix of fear and hope.

He too was naked.

The feeling between her legs...

No way! Just no way! Not again!