Pandora's Box

The drive back was silent. But I didn’t focus on it, as I leaned my head against the window watching the brightly lit city and the vibrant atmosphere, travel by while I had the feeling, a sense of jealousy and bitterness. They got to live freely without question. Barely controlled to an extent. Or, I was just making excuses for my frustration and anger. I had every reason to be angry. But I just felt subdued, quiet. Maybe too quiet. I’d always been a quiet person, even when I was a kid and would run with other kids through wheat fields, I was never loud and boisterous. I was...never really a child at heart for the most part.

My breath fogged up the glass as I sighed deeply but quietly so I didn’t attract Warren’s attention. I wanted to mope and curse alone in my own bubble. He didn’t need to deal with my situation. I was just grateful for his sympathy and understanding silence. He hadn’t asked if I was okay and I really appreciated it. I might’ve just screamed if he did. I am okay and not okay. There was nothing I could do about it at all. I just had to live with the fact that for almost an eternity I lived a lonely, painfully quiet life in nowhere for a game I did not want to play. Nor did I know the game had been played long before.

Those blasted Gods. How could they be proud of it all? How could they accept the worship and adoration of those that looked up to and prayed for them? How could they sleep with the realization of what they do?

My gaze following the streets outside, I was surprised to see a couple drops of rain hit the window until more followed, a shower surrounding us in the warm comforts of the car. Warren sighed, muttering about no news of any upcoming showers. As we stopped at the stoplights, the lights from the buildings around us illuminated the rain running down the windows. The flower designs on my dress shined different shades of colour than they already were. It was distracting to watch as I shifted my skirt watching the colours change slightly. It was a nice distraction. I could almost – almost – forget everything with a distraction of any kind. The kiss between Warren and I…what we did in the back of his car…His touch, his hand in my hair. The party. Dionysius. My origins.

So much for a distraction. Cold water dumped on me as the warmth of those memories faded and replaced with tonight’s harsh wake up call. Listening to my origins from someone who was actually present and witnessed it…Already knowing everything doesn’t make hearing about it make it any less horrible. It provided a strange perspective. A perspective that didn’t hurt the witness but would indefinitely hurt me.

“It was like watching children stitch their own product and design onto a mothers quilt. Messy but once put together, it’s quite a pretty picture.”

Stitch. Quilt. Product. Design. A pretty picture.

All for the God’s – no, Zeus’s stupid petty revenge.

My hand raised to my throat where the pearls rested coolly against my skin. I played with the pearls between my fingers, feeling the smooth, flawless texture, smooth and pure perfection. Like I was made to be. The drive back to Warren’s was quick and silent I didn’t realize we had arrived back to Warren’s until we pulled up on the darkened roads of his street and he soon pulled into his driveway. I had never really taken much notice of the actual structure of his house but it was quite beautiful. Homey it had definitely felt when I’d been through those doors.

Once I had the others saved and brought back, what do I then? Where do I go?

Shaking the thoughts from my head as I unbuckled my seatbelt, lost in thought until the cool air hit me when my door was suddenly opened. I glanced up at Warren who stared down at me with an unfathomable expression on his face, brow raised as I slowly slipped out of the car, awkwardly trying to keep the skirt of my dress above my ankles so it didn’t drag against the wet ground. Thanking him quietly as I waited for him to lead the way to his front door. He never took his eyes from mine, his dark eyes flickered as they searched mine while he pushed the door closed. His lips twitched like he wanted to start speaking but he didn’t and turned and led the way to the front door, opening it up and stepping inside.

I was immediately greeted with instant warmth and could feel the icy chill already seeping inside my skin fading away as I hurried down the hallway and into the lounge room where the heater was on. I felt myself being pulled into the couch by an invisible force, sinking into a heap of silken fabric and flowers onto the couch, my dress bundling around and under me and slumped back against the sofa and just stared at the coffee table in front of me and just…pondered.

What is wrong with me?

I was grateful for the fireplace being on because I was colder than I realized and slowly becoming physically comfortable and melting away on the sofa. My mind though, was all over the place. It was hard to take in that the worst the God’s could do, never really ended. There was no end to their ideals and ways. And unfortunately, I could do nothing but make peace with it.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

War stood beside me, holding a mug with-

“Is that hot chocolate?”

His brow raised, a twitch of a smile appearing on his face and he nodded.

“Yes.”

“For me?” I asked even though the gesture was obvious and was already taking a hold of the warm mug and the sweet and bitter scent reached my nose, filling me with a warm sense of comfort. Warren sighed, rolling his eyes at my question but smiled faintly as he handed me the mug and stepped back til he was sitting on the edge of his coffee table, face-to-face with me.

I found myself meeting his gaze head-on, unsure of what he was thinking but there was a lot of things to think about and say but I wasn’t sure where to begin.

“How are you?” I sighed deeply at his question because I knew that would come out. And I didn’t really want to discuss it because I honestly did not know what to say.

“Would you believe me if I said I was okay?”

“No.”

“Then I’m okay.”

It grew silent between us and War leaned in slightly, forcing me to meet his eyes, his brow raised as he waited for something and I broke. Huffing in frustration, sip of my hot chocolate and I was glaring into my mug.

“I’m probably angry. No, sorry, I am angry. I’m furious.” I said but I felt anything but angry, just exhausted and tired. “I mean, afterall they did to me, to everyone, hell even you, I had to be punished!” My hands whitened around my mug as I gripped tighter. Now I’m feeling something. “But at the same time, I don’t remember a single thing from my time living a lonely prison. So, I’m fucking relieved for that but knowing all this, I mean I didn’t think the God’s would stoop even lower oh but they did-”

“Pan, Pan...deep breaths. You’re not breathing between your sentences.“” Warren tried to move my mug from my hands that moved with the growing frustration and anger that was slow building. I wasn’t numb now. My voice rose and the mug was pulled from my hands. “Stop taking my chocolate from me!” I snapped but Warren kept my mug out of reach as I scowled furiously. “Why-why!? Just why! What did I do in a former life to deserve this!? Oh, that’s right! I just devastated humanity further-”

“Humanity already had its devastations before you came along Pan-” I jumped to my feet and Warren tensed suddenly surprised until I gripped his shoulders shaking him in frustration.

“I have no fucking words Warren, except why!? All those involved didn’t deserve this and I’ll always live with the fact that I was just a useful tool that was thrown away in the chop shop because I’d fulfilled my usefulness. I was left to roam alone for an eternity I’ll never remember - and thank Hera I don’t, because knowing this, is killing me,” I gasped, my chest throbbing as shuddering cries escaped me. “But if I remembered, I’d be broken, devastated! I’d be terrified Warren- I don’t want-I don’t-I can’t-” Warren gripped my forearms as I collapsed to my knees on the floor, the room growing fuzzy, my chest heavy as I broke. “I can’t-I didn’t want to be alone!” Warren pulled me hard into his chest, as I heaved against him, struggling to breathe.

“Breathe Pan, I got you. I got you. Let it out. They don’t deserve you.” I felt everything break inside me despite wanting to hold it altogether until I could resolve everything. But the dam broke through and I clinging to Warren for everything I had in me, my tears a pouring rain. My chest heavy as I tried to slow my sobbing cries. “You’re not alone anymore, Pandora.”

I must’ve calmed down at some point because my breathing became easier as I focused on the slow thump thumps within Warren’s chest. I felt warmer now, less numb. Less broken. Angrier but again...there was nothing to be done now. Warren sat me on the couch across from me, and suddenly my mug was back in my hands and I found myself taking deep sips of the delicious drink through my still trembling hands. A shuddering sigh left me, as I wiped my dry, tear-stained eyes as I slumped tiredly back on the sofa.

“I know you’re trying to hold it Pan. But it helps to rage and let it go before you do what you need to do. Trust me, I’ve been in a position of breaking and needing to rage and vent. There’s nothing wrong with it. I see it with students, I’ve seen it time and time again with everyone.”

“I just want to focus on other things before I need to deal with this.”

“Sometimes you can only focus on other things once you’ve helped yourself a bit.” Warren sat back on the edge of the coffee table, his hand softly patting my knee. “It takes time anyway and you’ve got it now.” I didn’t say anything, just sipped my mug of chocolate, as I was left lost in thought before shaking my head resolutely.

"No." I stood up quickly, my skirt fluttering around my legs as I walked past Warren, shaking my head. I was calmer but the fury was calm and placated for now. "You know what, I could cry still and maybe, I will throw a fit and scream at them for everything they've done to me, to others." My heart thundered powerfully in my own chest as I was certain he could hear it. "Once upon a time, I was a puppet. I was their puppet because even the God's use puppets for their own fun and games. But," I shake my head, lips tightening as the energy coursed through me wildly. "I'm not."

"What are you?" Warren stared at me, his eyes aflame like a fire in autumn. A fire that echoed my own.

"I am no ones goddamn puppet! Much less a God's! They've wrecked me, ruined my life. Taken it from me and now I'm cleaning up their mess. So be it, but I'm not puppet in their control. They can bloody try it." I was breathing heavily as I finished my speech, cheeks flushed, my blood rushing headily.

I can be upset and cry over everything later but right now, I don't need to. I've been wallowing in my own self-pity long enough while others are trying to survive.

“Good." Warren spoke up, his voice rough and his eyes alight with a simmering flame. Feeling the energy dim inside me, my shoulders slumped heavily and with a heavy sigh, I brush past Warren, sitting back down on the couch. Silence resumed between us and I could feel Warren watching me, almost like he was waiting for seconds to pass. Finally raising my eyes to meet his, his gaze became searching on my own but I met his eyes starkly.

"I spoke to Pan and Dionysus before we left.” He suddenly spoke up, his voice heavy. “Pan will find what he can and once he’s heard even a slight rumour, he’ll let us know. If not, we’ll find it ourselves.”

“How?”

“You were attacked by an ogre that night we met. And I smelt them in the church.” I grimaced, thinking about a weird stench that lingered in the church.

“The musky smell?”

“No, the smell of putrid meat and smoke. Ogres are typically for-hire denizens. I’m not often involved in our own hidden world as often anymore. Dionysus is right in a way. I’ve become...washed out of sorts.”

No, you haven’t-”

“Let me finish.” He cut me off sharply, making me flinch in surprise but I allowed him to continue. “I would’ve gathered that idea quicker. I’d forgotten what ogres are typically like. They like their money. They do a job. And ogres do business in troll markets. Whoever was looking for you, it’s not the ogres. Someone’s paid good money and Ogres can get a job done. No matter what.”

“Troll markets?” I was gonna start parroting everything he said. Utterly confused and a little out of my depth. “Trolls aren’t ogres though.”

“No. They’re another kind of creature and they make their homes under bridges. And in New York...” Warren grimaced, scratching the back of his neck wearily. “New York is home to just over two-thousand bridges in the city plus tunnels. Finding which market to go into...not gonna be easy or quick. There are the landmark bridges that would be a good try but there a lot of them still. I know this is not good news. Having to wait and everything but if Pan can find anything at all, we have to wait.”

Two thousand bridges in the city to choose from? Two thousand hidden markets?

Two thousand places to hide a priest and some nuns.

The thought ran cold in me and with a choked sigh, I slumped against the couch, sipping the smooth hot chocolate. I have to have faith in them. They wouldn’t kill them...not yet. Not until they at least had me...right? Yes! They can’t kill them. They need them to lure me and give in to them and I have Warren.

“Okay.” I murmur, sitting up. “They wouldn’t kill them unless they had me and what they wanted, right?” Warren hesitated, watching my expression and I could feel the hope questioned on my face. Warren took my spare hand, clasping it tightly in his own as he met my eyes.

“I don’t know Pandora. But that’s the hope we need now. For their sake, let’s hope so.” With a lasting grip on my hand, Warren stood up and taking the now empty mug in my hand left me on the couch with thoughts taking over my mind.

“Warren,” I found myself calling his name quickly and turning in my spot on the couch as I watched him come out of the kitchen quickly. “I um, what Dionysus said to you before...” Warren’s expression was blank as he waited for me to speak. I tried to keep the words clear as I could, wringing my hands in my skirt. “I wouldn’t have his taken his offer of protection. Because I trust you. And you’ve saved me...Hell, you’ve let me live once before when you certainly wanted me dead. So, I just wanted to say I trust you.” I think of you as more than a protector now. I wanted to say more but my nerves were acting up now and I couldn’t bring myself to say any further and Warren kept his gaze on me, neither moving or speaking those his eyes seemed to read much more.

“Like I said,” Warren started, leaning against the kitchen island, arms folded over his chest, his gaze faraway. “Dionysus is somewhat right.”

“I don’t understand that.”

“I’ve been out of these games for a long time Pandora. I’ve hung up the title of...” He grimaced, not bothering to say the name Dionysus had spoken earlier that had struck a chord in War. “I’ve hung up that title centuries ago. I’m not War the second Horseman. And you say you trust me to protect you and I will, I promised you and I promise Daphne, but I don’t know if...”

If he could be who he used to be?

“I would never ask you be someone you didn’t want to be.”

“It’s not a matter of who I don’t want to be...It’s wondering, will you trust me if I had to?” He met my gaze head on, his words clear and toneless but they left a shuddering silence between us as he made his thoughts clear. My mind briefly retracted to another time...millenniums ago, dust and ash and smoke all over, the sun and sky was as red as the blood that stained the ground and the eyes glowering through the bronze armour of the shadowed horseman looming above me...death, bloodlust, violence and war raged in the depths of his eyes as his sword raised above me. A shiver ran through me at the thought.

That was the War horseman from so long ago. And he was still here, just retired. Biting my lip, I slowly stood up facing him from the lounge. He kept silent, waiting for me to say something and I wasn’t sure what to say at all. Because the truth was, I had no words of comfort, maybe a slight understanding of being who we once were but was that the same. Reaching behind my neck, I unclasped the pearl necklace and held it dangling in my palm as I stared at the now white luminescent pearls.

“Are you asking me if I trust you if you took up the title again?” I hum, softly running a finger over the pearls. “Do you trust me to not put you in the box and reverse everything I did?” I looked up at Warren, keeping my eyes on him as I forced myself to face the possible hidden distrusts we could have. “You may not have much reason to trust me but you do. And I trust you. Shockingly enough, you’re not a bad person. Just a little frustrating.” His lips twitched faintly but I continued. “I trusted you with my body.”

Oh dear old Hera, did I really-now there’s no going back.

Warren’s expression faltered, eyes widening in surprise before fading back into the unfathomable expression that made me want to hit him.

“I-I, um mean, I mean...you know what I mean.” I stammered nervously, lowering my hands, the pearls dangling in my hands as I faced a spot, I had put myself in. But I needed to say something. Did I have feelings for Warren? More than I’d experienced for anyone, including my husband. So, it was something and I wasn’t blind to Warren’s but I wasn’t sure how far that went. My feelings while strong, were not a priority, but it had me aware and now I had given into something that was supposed to belong to another but there was no regret. Well, maybe slightly, as in not wanting that to end but-

“But whether you became War or Warren, I don’t care. You have my trust.” Warren stood silently, arms still crossed as his gaze ran over me, his eyes a dark autumn night.

“How did you die?”

Blinking, stunned at the question he gave me as he watched me, had me racking my brain wondering where this was coming from.

“I, um, I got sick, I think.” I tried to remember those last few days and I regretted it. Because my memory may not have been clear, but there was enough. I couldn’t remember the feeling but I remember the feeling of fading into oblivion with strangers standing over me and the fear of the box falling into the wrong hands. “It was actually some days after, after I encountered you. And then you let me go.” His expression faltered, his crossed arms dropping slightly. “I just remember, the days were darker, there wasn’t much food or water without it being ruined, fewer people. I just felt weaker, sicker and terrified. I died amongst a group of nuns who took me and my box and now I’m here.” Warren’s expression softened as he scratched his wrist, glancing at his own scarring.

“I let you go.” Warren started and my heart jumped. “I let you go because I couldn’t kill you. You’re damn eyes got to me.”

What?

“What?” My heart stuttered, my legs weakening.

“You heard me.” He sighed tiredly, rubbing his eyes, shaking his head. “I knew who you were. I knew you took my brothers from me. And I remember...God, I hated you, this...woman who had taken my brothers from me...their freedom after many years of us being trapped in hell. And I found you.” He turned his gaze to me and almost like we were of same of mind, I was playing out the very memory in my head right now. “I found you, I caught you and... then I see your eyes, I still remember those eyes,” He groaned, burying his face in his palm as he shook his head. “And it took a long time for your eyes to rub off on me. The terror, the pure terror and pain. But dammit your eyes were- are beautiful and the last thing I want is to see the same fear and terror in them again.”

Warren...

I found myself sitting on the sofa edge, a little stunned and in a state of wonderous confusion and a strange deep feeling in my chest.

“Where is this coming from?”

“From me, when you say you trust me, then I need to apologize. For taking advantage of you.”

Wait, what?

“In the car that night Pan.” Warren sighed tiredly, his arms dropping. “You’re married, and I... I hurt you, although it felt...”

Oh dear. My cheeks darkened heavily but I was feeling some frustration and anger again.

“I don’t recall complaining.” I grumble and War fixed a sharp glare on me as I met his gaze evenly.

“You’re married and I didn’t...completely state or ask, my intentions may not have been clear and you looked to be in pain and I wasn’t sure if it was me. And if it was, that is the last thing I’d ever do to anyone-”

“Would you shut up.” I groan, burying my face in my hands, partially embarrassed. “You didn’t. I knew where that was going and I... I wanted that. And it hurt because I hadn’t...I mean, I’ve never...” I stammered, swallowing heavily as I looked anywhere but at Warren, nervously playing with the tulle on my dress. “I just, I probably should’ve thought clearly but I...”

“You’re a virgin?”

“Well, I was.” I bite my thumb nail nervously, avoiding his eyes until it grew quiet for too long and I was faced with Warren’s stunned and confused expression.

“But you were married. And I highly doubt Epimetheus is the type of man to shy away from a such a moment with his beloved wife.” I sigh heavily, and Warren moves closer so he was standing a mere meter from me.

“The night of our wedding, to celebrate. Well, everyone knows Epimetheus is a well-known party lover. And he matches Dionysus in alcohol. He was drunk and passed out just as night fell over.” I flushed, remembering the chaotic night and couldn’t help smile faintly at the memory. “I went to my new bedchambers where my husband of less than a day lay, passed out drunk. And I’ll admit, I was relieved. So, while my husband slept and the party back outside was dying down and the guests were drunk and sleeping it off, I decided to look at our new gifts. And, that’s when I found the box.” Finished with my quick tale, I looked up at Warren who looked stunned and confused and a flash of sympathy and something else crossed his eyes.

“You were barely even married when everything turned to shit.”

“Pretty much.”

“Why were you relieved?”

“Because I... I didn’t love him.” I stammered, my heart faltering and a flutter of guilt and pain came over me. “I cared for him.” I quickly replied. “He was a good man. It would be hard not to. He treated me with respect and understanding and seemed to genuinely care for me. He even gave my mother a home with him and I when he asked to marry me. He gave his riches to those struggling on the streets. He was a man, a titan, with a heart of gold.” I licked my dry lips as I stared off distantly. “But I never loved him. I only felt dread and nerves the day he asked me to marry to the day we married. I was screaming internally, wanting to leave but the words and the expressions pulled from my face were not mine.”

“You don’t love him.”

“No, I don’t. I care about him greatly. He is family technically. And I hope he is okay, wherever he is. But I never wanted to marry him truly. I never had a choice and I did not know why. But...” With a shaky breath, I stood up from the sofa and standing before Warren, facing up at him. “Ever since I’ve been here, living a new life, I’ve been given choices. And I’m making my own choices. And that...that is my freedom. Granted I’m probably here to keep the box safe and such but I’m here and I can make my choices. You gave me a choice in that car. I don’t regret it. I only wish, I could know why, why you stopped.” The air in the room grew heated, the tension exuding around us was thick and heady, I could cut it with a knife. Our bodies stood a meter apart, facing each other and a thrill rushed through me as Warren’s darkened eyes ran over my face slowly, without rush and I could feel the caress of his gaze on me.

His eyes narrowed harshly and suddenly he raised a hand to my face, cupping the side of my jaw and cheek, his fingers resting below my ear. His chest shuddered as he sighed deeply.

“Because I hurt you. And I wouldn’t have stopped. But we had company. And now I’m really hating Aello further.” His voice deepened and a shudder ran down my spine.

“No one is here now.” I faltered as the words left me. They were definitely my own words without a doubt but I was merely stunned I had the bravery to imply such a thing. My cheeks grew fire hot as I nervously faltered under his dark eyes which now turned pitch black.

“Pandora,” He groaned, squeezing his eyes shut as he shuddered before opening his eyes and staring down at me. His grip on my face moved down slowly to my neck then on my collarbone, palm resting over where my heart rested thundering loudly within me. “It’s a dangerous game to play here.”

“What’s another game to add to the mix then.”

“Pandora, this isn’t the game to play. This is more serious...And, I’m not good-”

“Let me make my choices. I trust you, remember.” I leaned upwards, our faces growing closer, his breath warm, smelling of champagne fanning over my face lightly. His thumb was stroking the side of my neck tantalizingly slow as we stared into our eyes, mere inches away.

“You’re eyes...” He breathed and like last time the fire grew tenfold, burning desires that made a cry for the fire to be drowned or something and I reached that last remaining distance to quench the fire.

The fire didn’t quench.

His lips met my own softly, his fingers curling on the back of my neck, keeping me where I was as our lips moulded tentatively together. My heart came to a slow thundering pulse though the blood inside me was rushing through me, ringing in my ears and my body shifted closer, vaguely aware of his hand on my lower back. There was no space between us now and my hands were sliding up his chest, finding a familiar grip on his shoulders. I gasped for a brief rush of air until his lips caught mine once again, melding roughly together now, his grip on my lower back tightening as his grip on my dress pulling together. The fire simmering hotly beneath the surface as his lips brushed over mine, not leaving me to take air as I felt like I was drowning in a sea of ravenous flames and desire bubbling all around. I pulled back, gasping for breath, my mouth felt swollen and tingly and the heavy flutter of nerves and something else inside my stomach. Warren’s chest rose and fell heavily against my own, his fingers at the back of my neck curled tighter, his fingers burying themselves in my thick waves of hair. Our eyes met, heavy with desire, suffocating in this bubble of heat, my skin tingling where his skin touched mine, goosebumps rising over me. His eyes narrowed headily and with a strangled moan, he lowered his head or I tilted my face up to his, but suddenly the simmering heat became an inferno. An inferno that engulfed me, trailing with his arms that wound around my waist, into my hair, breathing fire down my throat. An inferno that had me stumbling through the room, pulled along, unable to be released or not wanting to, as my feet stumbled along with him, keeping my grip around his neck, fingers tangled in his dark curls that had me sigh in delight and tighten on for dear life. No matter how far we moved, trailed up the stairs, pressed against the walls, separating for air, the fire frenzy never wavered.

Dear Aphrodite, how could this be a sin?

Warren had us outside a door, my back pressed against the chill wooden exterior as his grip on me never loosened and his touch was fire feeding on wood. Unrelenting, ravenous, his lips running over the side of my neck as we stumbled back into the room, his hand drifted to my upper back, fingers splayed over the buttons on the dress and my breath hitched as material was played with. He pulled back suddenly, eyes pitch black, fiery and the intensity simmering slowly to a boil.

“I’ll stop if you want.”

“N-No, don’t stop,” I shivered as his thumb grazed my spine, my fingers clutching his shirt, a strange desperation rippling through me. “I’m okay.” I breathed, smiling faintly, and he squeezed his eyes shut, groaning softly as he rested his forehead against mine.

“You’re gonna be the death of me.” And the cool air hit my back bit by bit as a button was popped one at a time until he reached the end and suddenly his hand, warm, heated placed flat against my lower back, eliciting an enticing shudder through me. I kept my gaze up at him as he never looked from mine and I wondered what he saw because I struggled at what I found.

A desire that was unmatched.

His lips caught mine once again as we sunk into the simmering fire which burned hotly, despite the cool air of his bedroom hitting more of my bare skin as the strap of my dress dropped down, my dress following suit. I took a heady breath, my nerves still there but the instinct to cover myself grew, until I wrapped my arms around myself, shying away from eyes that burned hotly down at me. A rustling of material and movement as Warren’s dress shirt and trousers dropped to the ground, leaving us both mostly bare before one another. My eyes rose up to meet his but they fell upon him and my mouth dried like a desert, my arms tightening around my chest to cover myself up.

Oh my...he was sculpted to utter perfection.

I’d seen his bare chest once before and it didn’t do him any injustice. The power within those arms, the chest that rose and fell softly, the scars that decorated him, they screamed dangerous, powerful, scarred and colours of warm, gentle red flickered in the back of my mind. I wasn’t sure if touching him was something I wanted to truly leap at, a sudden shyness falling over me, demure and soft and shy. I was unsure where to move from or how to move and not moving was neither growing nor quenching the fire. It was becoming desperate, urging for more, to grow and consume.

“Pandora.”

I gulped at the sound of my name and Warren’s hands were on either side of my face, keeping my eyes on him as his eyes caught my own.

“You’re not alone, princess.” His mouth found their resting place against my jaw, trailing searing burns down my neck, against any part of my skin which shuddered from the intensity and heat. Tilting my head back almost instinctively, craving more places to be touched, my breath panting ragged air through my lips as I shivered as heat spread through. Heat burned as his hands rested around my back, air rushing around me and suddenly a shift in gravity. I was falling until I hit the bed, finding myself in a similar position to last time except, the room around was spacious.

It didn’t feel like it. I felt enclosed in a pocket of simmering heat. A heat that travelled down my body that squirmed and rolled at the moving, searing fire. My breath came out heavier, a wanton moan leaving me, my hand gripped anything it came into to contact with. Bunching up a handful of the quilt beneath me, a tension tightening in my lower abdomen. Warren looming over me like a shadow in his darkened room but his eyes burned a light in front of me to look ahead, look forward. His lips against mine, breathing fire and dazzling colours flickered in my mind like sparks and a crackling fire of colour and hues. Despite the loss of complete awareness as I was lost in a sea of something completely unknown to me, my hands finding his forearms, running over every inch of powerful, cords muscle, heated skin, slight bumps and grazes that grazed over my abdomen, sending shudders down my spine and my breath.

“Warren...” His name came out shaky, my breath heady as the heat seemed to drown everything in the heat. His body shifted heavily over me, moving down his lips following their trail, hands caressing any part of me that was in his easy reaches. Caressing over my chest, making me jump slightly when his mouth followed and I was a shuddering form beneath him, my nails digging into his shoulders leaving indents. My eyes met the top of his head, the darkened curls which tickled over my collar and throat, my hand buried in the soft mass of curls, fingers intertwining with his curls sending goosebumps over my arms. His hum echoed through me, hands trailing lower and lower until there was nowhere else to travel to and my mind jumped, the colours in my vision sharp and clear, vibrant as sensitive flesh that I was not accustomed to was caressed, bringing a taut feeling inside me and my body quaking as a tension pulled at me.

Dear almighty lord...Is this what women spoke about?

My hands dug into the quilt, straining, my lips ached as I bit down hard on them, a quivering mess when suddenly the tension was forcibly stopped but there was no relief. My body ached, cried for relief, ready to break into something I did not know but a desperate groan and whimper escaping me as I found Warren’s jaw, clutching him to me as I reached for him. Our lips meshing together in a harsh reunion, a slight ache starting to feel from my lips, my hands running over his shoulders which covered over me like a heady blanket.

“Pandora,” He rasped, shifting over me, hand gripping under my thigh, raising it to his hips. His eyes met mine as I lay beneath him, feeling bare and completely exposed but the slight hesitation in his eyes, the intensity in his eyes met the patience and softness that stood out differently, like a soft cool breeze amidst a fiery inferno. A choice. It was my choice. I wasn’t sure how long I laid beneath him, unable to let go of each other’s eyes but I felt my choice. I made it already and I wasn’t ready to go. My hands found either side of his jaw pulling him in and he didn’t resist, falling with me, as the inferno had me falling into Elysium.