Chapter 17: Melt Me Slowly
The fever didn't fade.
Not after one kiss.
Not even after the first collapse of restraint.
⸻
Selene had thought—maybe—it would be enough.
That holding Aria, kissing her once, cooling her skin with a stolen breath of ice would calm the wildfire inside her.
But Aria whimpered again.
Hours later.
A soft, cracked sound that sent lightning through Selene's spine.
"…please," Aria whispered.
Selene stirred instantly.
Her body curled beside Aria's now, cold by nature, her affinity steadying the inferno in the girl's veins.
"Still hurts?" she asked softly.
Aria's lips trembled.
"…your kiss helps."
Selene blinked.
Her heart twisted.
"Aria—"
But then warm hands found her again, tugging weakly.
Aria leaned up, barely able to hold herself, eyes half-lidded and filled with dazed yearning.
"I don't know why… but I want more."
Selene stopped breathing.
Aria kissed her again.
This time with intention.
Her mouth opened—barely—and Selene couldn't stop herself.
Her hands found Aria's face, gentle but trembling, and she kissed her back.
Deeper.
Slower.
Longer.
Tongues brushed—tentative at first.
But then Aria sighed. A soft, broken noise.
And Selene broke.
⸻
She kissed her deeper, savoring the heat, anchoring Aria through it.
The world outside was chaos, but here… it was still.
Selene explored her mouth like it was the only thing left untouched by rot and ruin. Aria clung to her, skin flushed and burning, but her lips sweet and pliant.
Over and over—
A kiss,
Then another.
Selene cooling the fever with her body, with her lips, with her helpless desire leaking through every caress.
⸻
"Selene…" Aria murmured between kisses, voice slurred with exhaustion and relief.
"You're the only one that makes it stop."
And that destroyed her.
Selene kissed her again.
Again.
And again—
Until Aria finally sagged in her arms, worn out, pulse calming, lips red and damp from her affection.
Selene held her close, breathing hard, her own restraint now frayed thin.
She pressed one final kiss to her forehead and whispered:
"You don't remember me yet."
But I've always been yours."