Chapter 229: Under the Moonlight and Stars*

Ezekiel’s hands moved to her dress. He slid it off her shoulders, exposing the delicate skin of her collarbone and the swell of her breasts. His lips followed, kissing and nibbling down her neck and across her chest, each touch igniting a fire within her.

Katelina’s hands roamed on his bare upper body, eager to feel his skin against hers. She ran her hands over the hard planes of his chest savoring the warmth and strength beneath her fingers. Their breaths came in quick, shallow gasps, the anticipation building between them.

Ezekiel’s hands slid down her back, finding the hem of her skirt and lifting it up. Katelina shifted to help him, her movements slow and teasing. She could feel his need, the tension in his body, and it mirrored her own. Finally, the last barrier was gone, and she was sitting on his lap, her bare skin against his.

He positioned himself, and she sank down onto him, a gasp escaping her lips at the exquisite feeling of being filled by him. They paused for a moment, savoring the connection, before beginning to move together in a slow, sensuous rhythm.

Katelina’s hands braced on his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin as she rode him. His hands guided her hips, their movements perfectly in sync.

As the intensity built, Katelina threw her head back, her hair cascading down her back. The world around them disappeared, leaving only the sensations of their bodies moving together, the sounds of their shared passion. Ezekiel’s mouth found her breast, his tongue circling her nipple, sending waves of pleasure through her.

Their pace quickened, the urgency growing with every thrust. Katelina could feel the tension coiling within her, ready to snap. She leaned forward, capturing his lips in a searing kiss as they reached the peak of their lovemaking together.

"Kiel!" She cried out his name, her body trembling with the force of her climax. Ezekiel followed soon after, his release shuddering through him as he held her close, their bodies entwined.

For a moment, they stayed like that, breathless and spent, the world slowly coming back into focus. Katelina rested her head on his shoulder, feeling the steady beat of his heart against her chest.

Ezekiel kissed her softly, his eyes filled with adoration. "I love you, Kate," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

"We’re sticky again," she panted, noting how their crab-covered hands had touched some part of their bodies. With Ezekiel still inside her, he lifted her up, and she instinctively clung to him, wrapping her legs around his waist.

She bit her lower lip as he carried her back to the pool of water. Each step sent waves of pleasure through her as his throbbing member pulsated inside her. She couldn’t believe how many times they had done it today, yet neither of them seemed satisfied. It was as if their desire for each other was unquenchable. And with that, they ended up making love again in the water. Katelina felt completely spent by the time they returned to the tent. Ezekiel helped her get dressed, and she was no longer in the mood to explore the surroundings.

All she wanted was to take a nap, and Ezekiel let her do just that. While she slept, Ezekiel took the opportunity to call for Elijah, who quickly arrived.

"Your Majesty," Elijah greeted him outside the tent.

"Go back to Ebodia and use Lurio’s portal. I want this issue about Katelina to be contained. Capture everyone spreading this rumor and put them in the dungeon until my return. They will await their direct punishment from me," Ezekiel instructed.

"I understand, Sire. I’ll do what is needed and keep you well informed," Elijah replied.

"Make sure to deliver my edict on this matter. I want it clear and known throughout the kingdom: whoever tarnishes the name of my future queen is akin to tarnishing the name of their king and will face my wrath directly!" Ezekiel firmly stated.

"What information should I spread this time, Your Majesty?" Elijah asked.

"Tell the truth about how she and her brother suffered under Devon. Explain how Devon cast the Tophet Bloodchain Spell on them. Let the details of that damn spell spread like wildfire so they understand Katelina had no choice. Despite this, she risked her life to save me. She is the reason they have the most powerful king right now. Also, spread the information that she is a descendant of dragonriders," Ezekiel added.

After giving a few more instructions, Ezekiel dismissed Elijah and returned to the tent. He slid into bed beside Katelina, wrapping her in his arms.

Meanwhile, Katelina woke up, realizing it was already late. She quickly got up, noticing Ezekiel wasn’t beside her. It was dark outside, and she saw him roasting something over the fire.

"Oh, you didn’t wake me up," she commented, sitting beside him. She had planned to prepare dinner, but it seemed Ezekiel was almost done, with everything arranged on the table outside.

"I thought you would enjoy more to eat outside under the moonlight and stars. I’m almost finished here," he said. She nodded and watched him in silence.

"Did you also sleep?" she asked curiously.

"No, I just stared at you the whole time," Ezekiel answered with a wink before grabbing the meat he was roasting and kissing her on the head. "Come, let’s eat. Then we’ll discuss the news I got earlier."

Right, she had almost forgotten about the message Ezekiel received from the pigeon. They ate, and as before, Ezekiel fed her occasionally, though this time she didn’t let him pull her into his lap.

After dinner, Ezekiel positioned their makeshift bed at the entrance of the tent, giving them a clear view of the night sky. He poured her a cup of wine and handed it to her as she settled on the bed. Pouring himself a cup, he sat beside her.

"So, tell me. What happened?" she asked curiously.

Ezekiel took a deep breath and detailed the negative rumors spreading across Ebodia.

"Hmm, it seems like someone doesn’t like me. It’s probably a follower of Devon since they obviously don’t want this marriage to happen. I heard from Asura that Devon is obsessed with me... and recalling the nightmare I had before, I truly felt disgusted and scared..." she confessed to Ezekiel.

He protectively pulled her close, and she comfortably rested her head on his shoulder. "I will not let anyone touch you even a single hair on your head," Ezekiel vowed firmly.

"I’m not that weak. I’ll train harder so I can protect myself. Besides, we’re connected now by the flamebond, so you don’t need to be extra strict with me, right?" she said humorously, trying to lighten the mood as she sensed Ezekiel’s body tense upon hearing about her nightmare.

"So tell me, what are you planning to do?" she asked.

"I already gave instructions," Ezekiel informed her, then explained in detail what he had done. Katelina gulped, feeling reassured that she wouldn’t need to worry about it immediately, but she knew she still had to prepare herself.

She would face his court in the future as their new queen, and she was aware that she couldn’t avoid hearing negative things or, worse, encountering people who viewed her negatively. She couldn’t help but feel disdain that her past was casting a shadow on Ezekiel’s reign.

"You’re just a victim, Kate. Don’t feel distraught about this. Elijah will handle it so people will know that you’ve suffered more than enough for them to judge. I will make sure to straighten them all out," Ezekiel reassured her. He could feel her emotions through their bond.

"You told me you’d walk me through our past memories. The night is young, and I want to listen to everything I can’t remember. Every moment I spent with you... I want to know about our first meeting until the last time we were together, Kiel. Tell me everything," Katelina hummed.

Ezekiel grabbed her hand and gently kissed it. "Yes, I will walk you through our memories together. It all started when we attacked the camp of Helion, responsible for our Seer Beirut’s death," Ezekiel began, and Katelina listened intently.

She couldn’t help but comment occasionally, especially on details where she was the one initiating affection. "You’re just adding that detail!" she scoffed, pouting. He made it seem like she was always chasing after him.

Ezekiel chuckled. "Remember, I was your mission. You were spying on me, using every advantage you could get, and you managed to discover that you are my greatest weakness! So I always ended up falling into your trap and charm," Ezekiel teased.

Katelina turned to Ezekiel with narrowed eyes. Before she could speak, Ezekiel silenced her with a gentle kiss.

Pulling back, she met his gaze, remembering she needed to share something important. "My brother Levi... He has the gift of foresight."

Ezekiel was taken aback by this revelation. After a moment of tense silence, he said, "We should keep that information to ourselves, Kate. It’s for Levi’s safety. No one should know about his ability to see the future."

Katelina nodded in agreement and informed Ezekiel that only a few trusted individuals, like Asura, Luis, Magnus, and Lucrezia, were aware of Levi’s gift.

Ezekiel suddenly lifted Katelina onto his lap, and she settled there comfortably, resting her head on his chest. His heartbeat seemed to merge with hers, a comforting rhythm in the quiet moment.

"Have you ever wondered why my hair stayed silver-white?" Katelina’s curiosity sparked the question.

"I’m not entirely sure, Kate," Ezekiel replied, "but to me, it doesn’t matter. You’re the most beautiful person to me, regardless of the color of your hair."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read