A tender smile lingered on Menarx’s lips as he grazed his thumb over Neveah’s cheek,

Menarx’s touch provided Neveah with a strange sense of comfort and Neveah was not certain if it was her or the presence of his flame within her reacting to him.

Regardless of which it was, Neveah did not see the need to ponder over it, that sense of comfort brought along with it a welcomed warmth and Neveah appreciated it if only for that.

"I did not conceive that you had seen a darker side of life, Veah. All I have known about you is the excellence of being a noble princess of your kind,"

"And so I have always wondered, what more was there to the depth of darkness and the swirls of misery in your eyes? Why must one so beautiful appear to conceal so much pain?" Menarx murmured,

"Even now, I still do not know the answers. I do not know why your gaze is filled with such chilling cold and such intense hate... I do not know why you first flinch away from touch instinctively, never allowing yourself companionship..."

"I do not know why you ponder over words for long moments, second guessing and deciphering the truth in them because you will not blindly trust..."

"I do not know why there exists a high wall around your heart that appears impossible to climb over... truly, I know nothing of you, Veah." Menarx realized with a quiet sigh.

"But even so, I want to be the one that waits for your heart to heal... the one you come to when you are ready to speak of your pain. I want to be the one that stands with you against the world...and even against your own past." Menarx spoke earnestly.

"No, I have already decided to be that one and there is no going back for me Veah. I will never let go of your hand...so you only need to be at ease." Menarx assured.

Words... they were extremely fickle things, words had been said by all who Neveah knew and those words had been broken and betrayed by those same people.

There were those who never spoke a truthful word in their life, yet the sincerity in their tone was so convincing that one would entrust life into their hands.

Neveah’s father, Alpha King Lothaire Raul was one of such. Neveah had enough experience with the fickleness of the words of men to know she could never trust or believe them.

But at this moment, Neveah found she believed all Menarx had said and perhaps she would always believe him.

It could have been because Neveah was convinced Menarx spoke only the truth or it could have been a yearning in her heart to have just one person she could trust, it could even have been something else.

But whatever it was, it overshadowed every other thought and left Neveah with no doubts and only the terrifying warmth of faith.

"It must not be easy for you, to have me barrage my way into your life at this time." Menarx acknowledged.

"No...there is no wrong or right time, there is only our own choice." Neveah dismissed Menarx’s concern.

Menarx fell quiet for another long moment and Neveah wondered if he was contemplating what to say next, and truly he was.

"May I kiss you?..." Menarx asked out of the blue, lifting his gaze to Neveah again.

Neveah raised a brow, before she laughed quietly.

"What?" Menarx asked, surprised at Neveah’s reaction.

" You ask it in such a strange tone...you have never sounded so humble and dare I say, tame." Neveah said, still chuckling.

"I have pondered over how to ask for the past few hours, it is comforting to know you find my misery amusing." Menarx grumbled in an aggrieved tone.

"I cannot help it...it is strange that one requests permission for a kiss out loud, at least strange to me." Neveah pointed out.

"The last time I took liberties...you lost consciousness on me. I thought it wiser to take a different approach." Menarx reminded.

Neveah groaned in embarrassment as she recalled the event Menarx spoke of.

"Yes...you may." Neveah finally gave the response Menarx sought.

Those words were all Menarx needed as he leaned down closer, but lingered for a moment, just gazing down at Neveah, his eyes were a clear reflection of all he felt...all he wanted Neveah to know and always remember.

Adoration, awe, love....all of these emotions were reflected so clearly in those dark red orbs that Neveah could feel them almost as surely as she could see them in Menarx’s eyes.

To be on the receiving end of such intense emotions left Neveah feeling humbled.

Menarx lingered for only a moment, his eyes searching Neveah’s, as though seeking an answer her words had not said, or perhaps he just took in the moment, cherishing it for what it was.

And then Menarx’s lips brushed hers and Neveah’s heart skipped a beat as their lips met in a soft, tender kiss.

At first, it was just a gentle touch of skin on skin, Neveah understood Menarx still allowed her the chance to reject him.

Never had Neveah felt so in control of her own choices, as though the entire world hung on her every word and the world would stop spinning at her very will because Menarx would make it so if she only just said the word.

It was a strange feeling, so strange as most of her life choices had never been left in her hands.

But this time... this one time, the man who held her so tenderly was Neveah’s own choice, not fate...not any other metaphorical or supernatural concept, just Neveah’s own choice.

And he was perfect in all that he was... Neveah knew this and though the thought of a certain imperfect man crept up in Neveah’s mind, Neveah found she was right where she needed to be.

Neveah let her thoughts fade away, her hands moving to pull Menarx closer to herself.