THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

David gently cradled Seraphina in his arms, her head nestled against his chest like a delicate cat seeking warmth and comfort. With each step toward the bed, he felt the weight of her trust, a trust she had never given to another. Gently, he laid her down on the lavish crimson sheets, the soft fabric cradling her as his presence grounded her.

In one fluid motion, David grasped the edge of his tunic, pulling it over his head, revealing the lean muscles beneath. His toned form, sculpted from the intense battles and level-up, glistened in the dim light of the chamber. Seraphina's breath hitched as her gaze roamed over him, her cheeks flushing a deep pink. She had never allowed herself to be so vulnerable with a man before, but with David, it felt different.

Her past was filled with scars, trauma, and memories of the pain her coven had inflicted upon her, but David was unlike anyone she had known. His long, white hair shimmered in the low light, giving him an ethereal quality. His piercing blue eyes, always calm, seemed to see straight through her, past the walls she had built, past the fear that had kept her heart locked away. His gaze didn't waver, not once, as if silently promising her that he was here, that he would not falter.

Seraphina's heart raced, not from fear, but from the strange sense of peace that washed over her. David had given her something no one else had—a sense of safety. The way his even breaths filled the room with calm, the quiet confidence in his every movement, made her feel cherished in a way she had never experienced. He had promised her something no other man could, a promise of strength, protection, and unwavering loyalty.

As she lay beneath him, watching his every move, Seraphina felt her fears begin to melt away. David's presence was a balm to the wounds left by her past, and in his arms, she no longer felt like the broken woman her coven had tried to turn her into. For the first time, she felt whole.

David knelt beside her, his hand brushing a lock of her dark hair from her face. His fingers lingered as he gently caressed her, his touch soft yet steady. The warmth of his skin was reassuring, and as his fingers traced her hair, Seraphina's breath became shallow, her body responding to his closeness.

He gave her one last look, his eyes filled with quiet understanding. Without words, he conveyed everything she needed to hear—he was hers if she wanted him, but only when she was ready. He bent down, his lips brushing her forehead with the tenderness that made her heart flutter. In that moment, she knew she had chosen right.

David was not just a man to her, he was her sanctuary.

"Have you calmed down now?" David asked, his voice a gentle whisper that carried a soothing warmth, like a balm for Seraphina's troubled soul.

Seraphina nodded slowly, her eyes downcast, as David gently asked his question. Her shy demeanour tugged at something deep within him, and he couldn't help but offer her a soft smile in return. "What happened?" he asked, his voice gentle, barely above a whisper. David knew all too well that facing one's fears was better than letting them fester in the shadows, and he wanted to help Seraphina heal the right way. He wanted to ease the weight on her heart.

"Bad dream," she murmured, her voice almost too quiet to hear. But David's eyes were drawn to her lips as they formed the words, the soft curve of them captivating him for a moment. Her lips were full and inviting, their redness contrasting with her pale complexion.

"Was it that bad?" David asked, concern lacing his tone. His hand hovered just above her arm, unsure whether to pull her closer or let her speak. But Seraphina shook her head gently, the slightest movement, before whispering, "A bit... but you came for me."

Her confession sent a warmth through David's chest. She reached up, her arms sliding around his neck, pulling him close, her breath soft against his skin. There was a vulnerability in her, something raw and unguarded, that made him want to protect her even more.

Before David could ask anything else, before he could offer her any more words of comfort, Seraphina leaned in. Her lips found his in a kiss that caught him by surprise. The sensation was both delicate and fervent, her inexperience showing in the way her mouth pressed against his, seeking connection in an unpracticed way. But David didn't mind. In fact, he found her innocence endearing.

For a brief moment, he let her lead, feeling the tenderness of her touch. Then, sensing her hesitancy, David gently guided her, his hand resting against the small of her back as he deepened the kiss with care. His lips moved slowly against hers, teaching her with gentle patience, savouring the sensation of her warmth pressed against him.

Seraphina responded to his guidance, her breath hitching as she melted into the kiss. Her hands gripped the back of his neck tighter, and her body pressed closer to his, seeking the comfort and safety she found in him. The kiss was soft yet filled with a quiet yearning, a shared intimacy that spoke more than words ever could.

David could feel her heart in every movement, the way she trusted him despite her inexperience, the way she surrendered her fear to the moment. Her vulnerability stirred something deep inside him—a protective instinct that surged with every beat of his heart.

When they finally pulled apart, Seraphina's lips lingered just an inch from his, her breath still warm against his skin. Her eyes fluttered open, filled with a mix of shyness and longing. David smiled at her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. He didn't need to say anything—he understood her without words, and in that moment, they shared a bond deeper than before.

David took a moment to admire Seraphina as she lay back on the bed, her chest rising and falling with each breath. Her beauty struck him in ways he hadn't fully appreciated until now, his eyes tracing every detail of her delicate features.

Her black hair, soft as silk, cascaded across the crimson sheets like a river of midnight, framing her face in dark waves. Her eyes, those deep, mysterious pools of darkness, gazed up at him with a trust that warmed his heart. They were like the night sky, endless and full of quiet secrets, pulling him in deeper.

The soft flicker of magical torches illuminated her flawless skin, casting subtle shadows that accentuated her curves. The elegant, black silk nightdress she wore clung to her figure, outlining the smooth arch of her waist and the gentle rise of her hips.

It was as if the fabric had been crafted to enhance her natural beauty, the material hugging her in all the right places, leaving just enough to the imagination. Every subtle movement she made sent ripples through the delicate fabric, teasing him with the promise of the woman beneath.

Seraphina's breath quickened slightly as David's gaze lingered, the warmth between them growing as the air seemed to hum with anticipation. His hand, steady and gentle, reached for the hem of her nightdress. She didn't flinch or shy away, her trust in him palpable. She closed her eyes slowly, her long lashes casting delicate shadows on her cheeks, as if to surrender herself completely to his touch.

David's fingers grazed her skin, the fabric slipping between them as he began to undress her. Her body responded to him, her skin prickling under his touch, and though her eyes remained shut, her lips parted slightly, as if she was waiting for something more. There was no hesitation, no fear—just a quiet, profound trust. She trusted him to treat her with care, to be gentle with her as she surrendered a part of herself she had never given to anyone else.

With each movement, David carefully removed her nightdress, the silk sliding over her curves like water, pooling at her side on the bed. Seraphina's breath hitched as her bare skin met the cool air, but she didn't open her eyes. Instead, she lay still, trusting him completely as her heart raced in her chest. Her vulnerability only made her more beautiful in his eyes.

David paused for a moment, his gaze taking in the sight before him. The way her hair spilled across the pillow, the way her body glowed in the dim light—it was breathtaking. She was more than beautiful; she was ethereal, like a dream he had only just realized he was living.

He leaned down, his lips brushing her forehead in a tender kiss, letting her know he was there for her, to protect her and hold her through everything. Seraphina exhaled softly, a quiet sigh of contentment, her body relaxed under his touch as the night seemed to wrap them in its gentle embrace.