The Crown's Seduction-Chapter 492: Special - : Dahlia and Zoran

Dahlia lay still, her mind swirling with confusion and frustration. She had waited for so long, hoping that once Zoran was healed, their marriage would finally feel complete. But his distance, the coldness he projected, even though he was physically better, only deepened her sense of isolation. It was as if he still hadn’t fully accepted her as his wife after losing his memories of her, and that realization made her chest tighten.

"I’m his wife, damn it," she muttered under her breath, the words barely audible in the dimly lit room. Her fingers curled into the soft fabric of the blanket, the frustration building within her.

Lord Fritz and Lord Abel had both assured her that Zoran had gained control over his vampiric urges.

They’d promised her that the man she had married was no longer ruled by the bloodlust that once consumed him. So why, then, did he keep avoiding her? Why wasn’t he taking their marriage to its next step? The question gnawed at her, and tonight, she decided, she would have answers.

She turned over in bed, pretending to sleep, her eyes closed but her senses heightened.

She’d taken a potion to keep herself awake, knowing full well that Zoran’s habits were not ones she could easily predict. It was almost as if he were trying to keep his distance, though she could always sense his presence in the room. She knew he was close, even if he refused to show it.

She stayed motionless, listening to the quiet sounds of the night. The crackling of a distant fire, the soft rustle of the curtains as the wind passed through the window, and the faint creak of the floorboards, all reminders that Zoran was already there.

Inside the dimly lit bedroom, Dahlia lay still on the bed, her heart pounding in her chest. The room was quiet, save for the soft rustling of the sheets.

She had been pretending to sleep, waiting for Zoran to finally come to her, to acknowledge her presence after days of silence and distance. She could feel him, though. She could feel his presence in the room like a shadow moving in the corners of her mind.

Then, she felt the bed shift, the weight of someone settling in beside her. She held her breath, pretending to remain asleep, but her body was fully awake, tense with anticipation.

Zoran’s scent filled the air as he inched closer. She felt the warmth of his body pressing against her back, and then his arms, strong and familiar, slid around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

Dahlia’s heart skipped a beat as she turned slowly in his embrace, facing him now. Zoran was startled by her movement, his gaze wide and caught off guard for a brief moment. His eyes softened when they met hers, but the uncertainty was still there, lingering in his expression.

Without thinking, Dahlia threw herself into his arms, her hands clutching at his chest as she pressed herself against him. "Please, Zoran," she whispered urgently, her voice breaking. "Don’t run away from me. I can’t keep doing this... I need you."

Zoran’s body stiffened at first, and for a moment, it seemed like he might pull away. But instead, his arms tightened around her, pulling her even closer. She could feel the hesitation in his touch, the tension in his muscles, but there was something else too, a flicker of longing that couldn’t be denied.

"I don’t know how to do this," he admitted, his voice filled with regret and pain. "I don’t know how to love you without hurting you. I’ve been so afraid... of losing control, of hurting you."

Dahlia pulled back slightly, her eyes locking onto his. "Zoran," she said softly, "I’m not afraid of you. I’m afraid of losing you. I’m afraid of being without you."

His hands cupped her face, his thumb brushing away a tear she hadn’t realized had fallen. "I don’t deserve you," he whispered, his lips barely touching her forehead.

But Dahlia didn’t care about deserving. She cared about him, about them. "You don’t have to deserve anything," she said firmly, looking into his eyes. "You just have to be here with me."

Before he could say anything else, Dahlia leaned up and kissed him, softly at first, then more urgently as the flood of emotions between them broke the dam of restraint. She kissed him like she had never kissed him before, pouring every ounce of longing, fear, and love into that one touch.

Zoran hesitated for a moment, but then as if he couldn’t fight it any longer, he kissed her back, his lips capturing hers with a hunger that matched her own.

His hands roamed over her body, and she moaned softly, the heat between them rising. She felt the wall of hesitation he had built around himself crumble with every touch, every kiss.

Zoran’s arms pulled her closer, his breath ragged against her lips.

"I don’t want to run anymore," he murmured between kisses. "I need you too, Dahlia. I may not remember our past, but I can feel it in my heart. I’ve been longing for you... I’m just scared."

Dahlia gently cupped his face, her voice soft but determined.

"If you lose control, I’ll let you feed on me. I’ll become like you, a vampire, so we can be together for eternity. I’ve already told you before, Zoran, I’m dead inside. But you didn’t give up on me, so please, don’t give up on us now. You’ve sacrificed so much for me, and I love you." she declared.

She had a pout as she firmly added, "All I want is to be with you. We’ve already wasted too many years because of Devon. Let’s not waste any more time. Let’s enjoy each other, let’s love each other."

Her words hung in the air, and she smiled softly, continuing, "Let’s create new memories, together."

Zoran smiled in return, his eyes softening as he hummed in approval. "No wonder I fell so deeply for you before... Now, it feels like I’m falling even harder." His tone shifted, teasing.

"But... I don’t want to turn you just yet. How about we try having a baby first, my dear wife?"

Dahlia’s face flushed, and she laughed, the teasing nature of his words tugging at her heart. She kissed him, then grinned mischievously. "You haven’t even consummated our marriage yet!"

Zoran blinked in surprise, and before she knew it, he was hovering above her with a playful grin. "Well then," he said, his voice low and amused. "Don’t complain if you end up staying here in our bedroom for days."