The little devil turned to be a prodigy. Her tongue brushing against mine. It was only a matter of time before her curiosity and attentive nature led her to learning all my secrets.

Water splashed around us. Our bodies pressed together. Her frisky eyes gleaming under the moonlight.

“Alice. . .” I barely mumbled, her taste still lingering in my mouth.

The night was growing late, yet she persisted with her kisses, teasingly grabbing a handful of hair and gently tugging on it before her attention shifted toward my ear. She then dragged her tongue across my neck, deftly capturing the lobe between those soft lips of hers, gently sucking and making me moan.

Grasping her waist firmly just above the water's surface, I couldn't resist drawing her closer. Alice giggled, her bottom lip caught between her teeth as she played coy.

"Does it hurt?" she whispered with a playful tone. At first, I wasn’t sure what she meant, but as she pulled back and I saw that smug smile of hers coupled with a lowered gaze, it suddenly dawned on me– "It's been like that for the past few hours. You sure you're going to be alright?"

I was stunned. Needed a moment to collect my thoughts. The fact she just acknowledged something beyond my control – the intensity of our kisses, our bodies pressing together – who could blame me?

Alice certainly didn’t. In fact, she seemed quite pleased with herself. Sealed my lips with a tender kiss before I could’ve even thought of muttering an answer. Then she closed her eyes and hugged me tight, her charming voice whispering into my ear. “You excite me too.”

I couldn’t help but smile. Dropped my gaze at her effortless charm.

“You tease. . .” I mumbled, simply enjoying the moment I knew couldn’t last much longer as people were likely to start looking for us. I was somewhat surprised they hadn’t already. “We should slowly head back–”

“Mmm. . . ” She hugged me tighter, moaning in protest. “Just a few more minutes.”

Of course, I wasn’t going say no. Wrapped my arm around her waist, supporting her back with the other.

Blissfully, I embraced her tight, enjoying those ‘few’ more minutes of ours.

----------------------------------------

While making our way back, holding hands as we navigated the woods, Alice insisted we avoid taking the same route along the river. Forests were like home to her, so there was no need to worry about getting lost. In fact, I was confident that if she were to somehow be teleported anywhere at random, she’d still find her way back. Even when we first met and were slowly making our way to Thysa, not once did she seem to hesitate when choosing a direction.

However, as we walked, Alice’s ears perked up.

“You hear that?” Alice asked, softly smiling as she looked down.

At first I heard nothing more than the late night wildlife. But as my eyes closed, the faint music echoing in the distance tickled my ears.

It was coming from the camp, but the song was. . . unusual to say the least.

It had a crips beat that felt like tiny blasts of electric pulses just strong enough to stir the heart. The haunting melody mixing perfectly with the delicate yet powerful, familiar feminine voice?

My brows furrowed as I tried recognizing who was singing.

“Is that Rose?” I asked, looking back at Alice.

“Mm-hmm. Sure sounds like it,” she said, still a smile on her face.

“Huh. Didn’t know she could sing,” I admitted, having never heard her done so before.

“Really?” Alice seemed surprised. “I’ve caught her many times singing while alone in the room. Her voice is so enchanting and beautiful.”

What a way to compliment, I thought, endearing even. It was so like her to be genuinely proud of her friends and show it too. I could never imagine those pesky Eleron nobles to do the same.

That was when we heard rattled bushes and girly laughter with Ron suddenly running out in the open, a bottle of wine in hand and two cute brunettes following close behind.

He wobbled, though didn’t necessarily look too drunk knowing him.

“Are we there yet?” moaned a girl wearing a House Kraken uniform, just like her friend. “You promised it wasn’t far.”

I had no idea who they were.

“Kat. What did I tell you about trusting him? Hmm. . .” teased the friend, giggling with her hand covering her mouth.

Ron then turned with his hands held out. “Ladies, ladies. Please. Once we get there, I’ll– Ammm. . .”

He muttered, seemingly losing his chain of thoughts.

That’s when the girls took notice of us. Kat being the first to squint her eyes while trying to figure out who we were.

“Hey, isn’t that Alice?” Kat pointed out, leaning closer to her friend.

“Woah. I think you’re right,” her friend agreed, looking a bit awed.

My brows furrowed, but it wasn’t really all that surprising someone potentially recognized her. She was a princess after all, even if she missed most of our classes.

“Do you know them?” I asked Alice, keeping my voice low.

She shook her head and refrained saying anything, gently squeezing on my hand as if nervous. Ellie used to do the same whenever we were around people she didn’t know.

Still, It felt refreshing not to pull away from each other at the sight of others.

“There you are!” Ron finally took notice, waving the bottle around like a true drunk. “Where have you been? I’ve been looking all over the place.”

“Yeah, right. . .” I chuckled, watching as they approached.

The girls were quick to flank him from both sides with Kat going as far as coiling around his arm.

“Hey, Alice.” Ron smiled, noticing she hadn’t said anything yet.

“Hi,” Alice greeted him back, but her voice and overall demeanour were surprisingly timid.

Then followed a brief moment of silence as nobody said anything, broken only when the girl to Ron’s left suddenly probed his ribs with her elbow.

“Hey– Aren’t you going to introduce us?” the girl asked, furrowing her brows.

Grabbing hold of his ribs, he tried moving away but almost ended up knocking down Kat. Luckily, she found a more stable footing despite the grass being somewhat slippery as it was wet for whatever reason.

“Right, right. . .” Ron smiled, taking a sip of wine before looking back at us. “Alice, Alex. Let me introduce to you my beautiful new friends, Amanda and Katherine. And girls–” He paused, his smile slowly turning into a worrisome grin. “This is my best friend Alex, and next to him his soon to be princess, Alice Kelthyra of Thysa. You’ve undoubtedly heard of her already.”

“Ron. . .” I sighed, watching as he cracked up.

Alice on the other hand couldn’t help but blush, trying her best not to avert her gaze. Had we not gotten together already, who knew how she would’ve reacted.

What was surprising though was that Ron seemingly didn’t notice anything new between us. Maybe it was because he was drunk, seeing as we did little to hide it other than outright kiss.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Amanda said while her friend simply waved.

“Likewise,” Alice said, her tone sweet yet was forcing a smile. I could tell she tried her best staying composed.

“You’ve always had your way with words, Ron.” I smirked, glancing back at my girl. “But just to make things perfectly clear–”

“What are you–” Alice’s eyes went wide as she felt my arm move up and around her neck, resting gently on her shoulder while still holding her hand.

“We’re already together,” I announced, kissing the side of her head.

Alice couldn’t help but grab hold of my forearm with her free hand, snuggling closer while trying to cover up her embarrassment.

“Ha! I knew it!” Ron yelled. “It seems even you couldn’t fuck it up. No way in hell were the two of you making it to the end of this trip without getting together.”

He couldn’t wipe the smirk off his face even if he wanted to.

“Yeah, yeah. . .” I brushed him off, glancing at Alice and making sure she was alright.

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She met my gaze with her doe eyes and a shy yet gleeful smile, reassuring me she was perfectly fine. Then she closed her eyes for a second with her head pressed against me before looking back at the girls.

“Aw. . . they’re so cute together, right Amy?” Kat complimented. “The way she looks at him– So, so adorable.”

“Right?” Ron chuckled. “You should’ve seen them around Grimhold. Suspension my ass. . . Them sneaking off and doing whatever while we’re stuck in class listening to boring ass lectures.”

“Stop embarrassing them, you two. . .” Amy sighed, though smiled nevertheless.

“Thanks,” I felt obligated to say.

“Man! What a day this turned out to be,” Ron took another sip of wine. “Want some?”

He offered us the bottle.

“No thanks. We’ll grab some at the party. You’ll probably need it more than us,” I pointed out.

“Suit yourself,” Ron said. “But you two should really hurry up before they stop playing. The music club killed it this year.”

“We can hear it,” I pointed out, still able to hear the music, although not Rose’s singing. “And are those the new instruments you mentioned?”

“Brilliant, right?” He put a hand on his chest, closing his eyes and enjoying the music. “They altered old enchantments to produce a whole new array of sounds. Just imagine what kind of music we could compose in the future. Life-altering stuff right there.”

When he said they, he failed to mention that it was his idea to begin with. Ron was pretty much one of the core members of the music club, attending even last year before he even enrolled. The Headmaster allowed it seeing as his mother worked at Grimhold.

While Ron wasn’t exactly known for his powerful magic, he more than made up for it with his talent for creative arts. Probably why the girls were so curious, always hearing him having something interesting to say.

“Hey. Will we be seeing you back in class soon?” asked Kat, looking at Alice.

“Hm?” Alice muttered. “Amm. Yeah? I– I mean, yeah. We are. Once we get back to Grimhold, of course.”

Alice awkwardly chuckled hearing the girls giggle.

“You missed quite a lot. Will you be alright?” Amy asked.

“Umm. We should be. Penelope made notes for us to catch up,” Alice explained.

“That’s so nice of her. Wish she’d let us take a peek,” Kat sighed. “These last few alchemy lessons were so confusing.”

“I could ask her if you want,” Alice was quick to offer. “I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.”

“Really?” Kat asked.

“Sure, I’ll ask.” Alice smiled, feeling a bit more confident. “Speaking of which, Ron, do you know if she’s at the party?”

“Where else would she be?” Ron asked. “She’s with Rose and Eliot by the campfire. Shouldn’t be hard to find them.”

“Thanks.” Alice smiled, then looked back at me. “Could we go find her?”

“You don’t have to ask,” I chuckled, then reassured her with a nod before looking back at Ron. “Well, that’s our cue to get going. Besides, it’s getting late and it seemed like you were headed somewhere.”

“Right, totally forgot.” Ron chortled, the girls shaking their heads in disbelief.

Later we exchanged farewells, each wishing the other fun as we went our separate ways.

Not long after, Alice and I were alone again. With only a few minutes left before we reached camp, we were guaranteed at least two hours before everyone likely passed out or already bailed back to the comfort of their tents. They were even sound proof.

I looked forward to dancing with her again. Felt like an odd thing to imagine.

“Well, they seem nice,” Alice said. Her thumb gently tracing circles along the back of my hand. “Good for him.”

I took a second to look at her. She looked so calm, so different then before.

“I’m surprised you’re not more shocked. I sure was,” I admitted. Never imagined Ron as the type to chase women, but I understood the appeal. He was eloquent when he wanted.

“Nope. Considering all the things I’ve read in novels, I doubt there’s much that will make my jaw drop anymore.” Alice laughed, her eyebrows jumping at a reminiscence. “You don’t even want to know what kind of things elves experienced throughout their scandalously long lives.”

“Wow. . .” I blinked. “Can’t say I was expecting that.”

Alice’s chuckle turned awkward. And she averted her gaze.

“Weird, right?” She asked, clearly worried all of a sudden. “Alice. . .” she muttered.

I chuckled.

“Sorry,” I whispered, showing her a soft, reassuring smile. “Sometimes I catch myself chuckling when I catch you talking to yourself.”

Her eyes slowly glanced up and eyebrows furrowing. Her expression insisting I was making fun of her.

“Don’t pretend like you don’t know what I mean.” I sighed, keeping my voice low while stopping in place and turning her toward me. My hands holding her by the waist again. “You’re adorable when you do that. Talking to yourself so genuinely makes it seem so – real.”

“But what if I’m just crazy?” Her gaze narrowed as if questioning my judgement.

“Are you crazy?” I asked, trying to mimic and exaggerate her expression.

“And what if I say that I am?” Her gaze narrowed further, and she even raised her chin a bit.

“Hmm. . .” I hummed, pretending to carefully think. “Well, I guess that’ll make life interesting. Already made a pinky promise. For better or worse. That’s life binding, you know?”

We both laughed. Then took deep breaths and stared at each other for a bit before I leaned in and kissed her.

“You better keep that promise,” she said, tapping my chest with her finger.

“I promise you, I will.” We gazed into each other’s eyes. “And for the record. I want you to tell me anything that’s on your mind. Forget worrying what I’ll think. Just be yourself. Okay?”

She nodded.

“Good,” I said, leaning in and kissing her forehead. “Now let’s get going.”

She agreed, and we kept walking.

“I’ll try my best,” Alice said, looking at the ground. “But what if you don’t like it?”

“You’re overthinking again.” I had no doubt about it. She might’ve kept quiet from time to time, but her body language was always so expressive. “Let’s think of it this way. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“You no longer liking me or finding me annoying?” Her brows furrowed, so confident in her answer.

“No?” I pretended as if it were obvious what I was thinking. “Worst case scenario, you’re a total psycho that wants to kill me. And if that’s the case, well. . . I imagined myself dying for dumber things so it’s whatever at this point.”

“What?” She couldn’t help but genuinely chuckle, stopping in place again.

“Right? You claim to have read a lot, and you know Rose, so you know what succubi are–” I kept looking at her.

“You’re not going to tell me–” she cut me off, but I was quick to silence her right back with a finger pressed against her lips.

“Don’t think I’m joking when I say I’d kiss you even if it’d kill me.” I couldn’t help but smile.

As soon as I moved my finger, Alice stepped on her toes and planted a soft kiss on my lips. Then moved back and kept looking me in the eyes.

“Okay, so we’re just as weird, huh?” She realised, before letting out a cute giggle and pulling on my hand so we walk. “Guess I’m just afraid. Or was, since I’m admitting it now.”

“It’s normal, I think.” I looked back at her. “You know, being worried it won’t work out?”

“And you’re not?” she asked.

“I was,” I admitted. Took a deep breath and exhaled quickly. “But not anymore.”

“What changed?” She asked the right question.

“Well. . . We’re in this together, right? Means whatever challenge we come to face, the two of us are bound to find a way. Simple as that.”

“I see. . .” she muttered.

“Hey, I never said it was something extravagant. But even a simple promise made my mind be at peace, and that was more than enough for me.” I smiled, giving her a playful wink.

She blushed, playing a bit coy.

The music was getting louder as we got closer.

“So. . .” Alice mumbled after a while. “You think he’ll actually manage to score?”

“Honestly, I’m just wondering how they’ll even find their way back.” Ron seemed confident enough in where he was headed, but I wasn’t as sure if it was liquid courage or just him knowing the area. “What about you? You seem to have given it some more thought.”

“Amm. . . have you not seen the way Katherine was looking at him? Poor guy’s in trouble if you ask me. Amy too. For someone so reserved, she sure gave him a few frisky glances.”

“He’ll survive,” I said.

“Well, I’m sure he won’t complain. . .” Alice giggled, before casting a curious glance toward me. “And what about you?”

“What about me?” My brows furrowed and dragon senses tingling.

“You know. . . Ever thought about being with two girls at once?” she asked, her question coming out of nowhere and without any hesitation at all.

“That’s what you want to know?” I looked at her puzzled. Felt like trouble answering that question regardless of what I said. Still, I chuckled, matching her gaze.

She had a habit of asking daring questions. Though, I guess after what we just talked about, I couldn’t really even act surprised.

“Just curious,” she claimed. “You ask me hypothetical things all the time.”

“Yes. But there are questions I’ll gladly refrain from asking. I mean, what if one of these days you end up not liking the answers?”

“How’s this any different than what you insisted earlier?” she argued. “Besides, I think I’d rather know then find myself thinking about it while trying to fall asleep. If there’s not going to be any secrets, then let’s try and make it that way.”

“That’s. . . hard to argue.” I sighed, but was still somewhat hesitant answering those types of questions.

“I trust you,” Alice reassured me.

“And I’ll never give you a reason not to,” I promised, letting out a sigh yet again. “Fine.”

She fist pumped the air as if celebrating victory, but then sharply turned to look at me with a narrowed gaze.

“So. Admit it,” she acted goofy.

I figured she was doing it so to make me more relaxed.

“Okay, okay. . . Yeah,” I gave in, choosing to trust her not to get mad or jealous. “I don’t think there’s a guy who hasn’t really. At least once or twice in his life.”

“I’m sure there’s some men who don’t. Probably more than we think,” she argued and then shrugged. “But I don’t know. I haven’t really asked anyone else nor do I necessarily want to.”

“Yeah, well. . . Like I said, I’ve thought about it before but nothing beyond simply thinking what it would be like. I mean, I’ve never even kissed anyone before you, let alone tried or did something more.”

“Yeah, you’re not very proactive. . .” Alice giggled. Felt like she threw a jab at me.

“I can definitely be proactive,” I argued. “It’s just the circumstances–”

“Mhm. . .” Alice teased, the music becoming progressively louder as even a few people came into view. “Instead of saying so, how about you prove it.”

“Now you’re just testing me,” I said, the beat proving to be bouncy, inviting us to hurry along.

“Yeah, well. . . maybe.” She giggled, leaning in close one last time. “But for the record, you should know I’ve been trained with a sword my whole life. Girls really ought to think twice before trying something with you.”

She playfully pointed her tongue at me.

“Do you know how to hide a body?” I jokingly asked, getting her to actually stop and think for a second.

“Eh, I’m sure you’ll help me figure it out. After all, you promised.” She booped my nose and smiled. “Now come on. Let’s go find the others.”

Chapter End.

Thank you for reading.