The Lycan King's Forbidden Craving - Chapter 58: Chapter 58

She pulled closer, melting in Duncan's arms like ice placed beside a burning fire. Her eyes fluttered shut and her lips moved, responding to the lips pressed against hers.
She trailed her hands up to his neck, wrapping them possessively around him while Duncan pulled her impossibly closer, his warmth seeping through her skin.
Duncan's tongue found hers, tangling and playing with it. She moaned sweetly into his mouth, the sound driving him wild.
After a while, he pulled away.
Both breathless. Heart pounding against their chest.
Duncan reached for her face, gently pressing his thumb against her slightly swollen, wet lower lip.
Her eyes swirled with desire, as if she wanted more, and he wanted nothing more than to take her back to his chamber and fuck the day and night out of her.
But Selene had mentioned she was still exhausted from the full-moon-long fuck and needed to rest.
Duncan kept his burning need in check.
"It shouldn’t taste this good. Why does it taste so good?" he whispered in a husky voice.
Arianna’s pulse thundered. Heat crept up her cheeks as her senses flooded her.
His skin tingled where he touched her.
His voice, his scent, the way he gazed down at her, the warmth of his body—all of it clouded her mind and ignited her body.
"Let's take a walk," he offered, and before she could say a thing, he was already leading her away.
Arianna noticed Nyra was no longer standing in her spot. She must have left when Duncan kissed her.
The thought of Nyra witnessing it caused a knot in her stomach—one that wouldn’t leave anytime soon, especially as the King was now walking beside her.
••••••••
One thing Duncan recalled about Arianna was that she loved books.
The thrill of excitement he had seen in her when he found her in his personal library…
So, he took her to the grand library.
Her face lit up like a bright night sky at the sight of the vast space that seemed to touch the heavens.
Her lips parted slightly, her silver eyes widening in pure wonder.
She let herself admire the towering shelves of books that stretched endlessly toward the vaulted ceiling.
Sunlight poured through massive arched windows, casting a golden glow over the endless rows of books.
She barely seemed to breathe as she stepped forward, her fingers twitching, resisting the urge to run them along the spines of the books.
Sighting Arianna, the old high librarian stood. "You cannot be in—"
His mouth snapped shut at the sight of the King behind her. Duncan gave him a light nod, granting silent permission.
"Oh, by the gods, this is magnificent!" Arianna looked at the King, then back at the books in awe.
"It is," Duncan agreed, stepping behind her. "What you see here is the most extensive collection of knowledge in the realm—histories, philosophies, war strategies, ancient texts… Some so old that even the scribes have yet to decipher them."
He gestured toward a section on the upper level. "There are records of past rulers, accounts of every great war, treaties forged and broken." His gaze flickered back to her face, her expression awestruck. "And, of course, stories—legends, poetry, and myths, if that’s what you prefer."
Her smile slowly faded as she looked at him. "You mean I can explore? Would that be okay?"
Duncan gave her a light nod.
Arianna suppressed a happy scream. "Oh my God, where should I start?"
'Mine is happy,' Ash whispered, and Duncan’s lips twitched slightly—barely.
"Come with me," Duncan gestured, leading her further inside.
"Oh my! Is that what I think it is?" Arianna gasped at the sight of a dark green leather-bound book—one she would recognize anywhere.
"You know it?" Duncan arched a brow.
"Yes, of course!" She tried to reach for it, but she wasn’t tall enough, so Duncan helped her.
"Thanks," she smiled at him, then looked down at the book. "The Ballads of the Ancients."
She breathed in deeply. "My father and I read fragments of it once—old, tattered pages that barely held together. But this—this is a preserved copy." She turned to him, her silver eyes gleaming with excitement. "This book holds some of the oldest lyrical records—war songs, love ballads, and tales of fallen warriors. Some say the chants within were once sung by seers to foretell destiny."
"Hmm." Duncan crossed his arms over his chest. "Is that so? Your father must have been a great man to have such a brilliant book."
"Thank you, Your Grace. You flatter me... How about you? What is your favorite book? I'm sure you're a book lover just like I am."
Duncan hadn’t expected her to suddenly get curious about him, but he straightened, leading her toward another section.
"I do not have a favorite, Ari." He paused, staring at the long alignment of books. "I simply go with what pleases my mood—or the one I need to find wisdom in solving a problem in the realm."
"You're a great king, King Duncan," she murmured.
"Am I?" He halted, facing her.
"Yes, Your Grace. You are a great king. Even with the talk and rumors about you being ruthless, cold, and scary... I do not see that," she said, her voice tinged with sincerity.
Duncan took a step closer, closing the distance between them. He reached for her jaw, his gaze locking with hers.
"Then what do you see, little flame?"
"I see…" She hesitated, her lips parting as she searched for the right words. "A man burdened by power. A king who carries the weight of a kingdom on his shoulders. Someone who—" her voice lowered, "—someone who has known war, loss, and sacrifice."
"But what if I told you there is nothing beyond the cold, ruthless beast they claim me to be?"
"Then I would say you are lying," she whispered without hesitation.
Silence settled between them, their gazes locked.
Then Duncan leaned in, his lips close to hers, stealing her breath away.
"You're wrong, Ari," he whispered. "I am the ruthless monster they say I am. A cold, deadly, unpredictable monster… You’re just the one who dared step into the cage, unaware the door had closed behind you."
He pulled her closer by the waist. "The only one who dared step into my hell, willing to get burned at your own will."
Her breath turned ragged as his touch set fire to her.
"I do not regret it," she whispered back.
Duncan’s dark smirk deepened.
This woman amused him in every way.