Chapter 257 Don’t Hold Your Breath

Althea failed spectacularly at that.

Once Melva seemed slightly less miserable, Gavriel turned his attention back to Althea, his expression softening again. “How are you feeling now?”

She rolled her shoulders, testing her balance. “Better. A little strange, but not dizzy.”

“Good.” His hand hovered near her waist, not quite touching. “If it worsens, we can go inside the cabin. You should rest if your body needs it.”

Her heart skipped in a way she hadn’t quite learned how to control yet.

“The cabin?” she repeated.

He nodded. “It will be warmer there. Quieter.”

“I can escort you,” he added, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Althea swallowed, suddenly very aware of the closeness between them, of the way the wind no longer felt so cold with him standing so near. Her thoughts, unhelpful and vivid, immediately wandered somewhere dangerous.

She had already resolved to give herself to Gavriel, her body included, once he chose to initiate. And yet, despite that resolve, nervousness still lingered in her chest.

Melva had assured her more than once that she and Gavriel had already been intimate, even many times. But it felt different knowing she could not remember any of it at all. In that sense, she felt strangely naive, almost like a virgin facing everything for the first time.

She forced herself to look back at the deck, at the open sky and the sea stretching endlessly around them. “I think I’m alright for now,” she said, a little too quickly. “I want to stay out here a bit longer.”

Gavriel studied her face, likely noticing the faint color blooming on her cheeks, but he didn’t tease her. Instead, he nodded. “As you wish.”

Still, he didn’t move away.

His presence remained steady at her side, protective without being overbearing. Every so often, he glanced at her, asking again if she felt well, if her head hurt, if she needed water. Each question carried quiet concern rather than impatience.

Althea found herself smiling at that. She had never been looked after like this before. Not without obligation. Not without fear.

As the ship sailed farther from the dock and the land slowly receded behind them, she leaned lightly against the railing, the candy long dissolved, her dizziness gone. Gavriel stood beside her, cloak fluttering in the wind, eyes forward yet always aware of her.

Inside, her thoughts were anything but calm.

She knew that eventually, she would go into that cabin with him. After she had too much of the vast sea,

she

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turned to Gavriel and curiously asked, “Do you think we can also swim in the sea?”

She had long wanted to do something like that with Melva before, but she never could. Luna Meena had a habit of making sure she never enjoyed herself, always blocking whatever small happiness she tried to reach.

Once, she had even asked her father for permission, and he had agreed. But when Luna Meena found out, she insisted on accompanying her with others. In the end, it was only Althea and Melva who suffered for it. They were locked inside a cabin deep in the forest and left there, only to be retrieved when it was time to return to th pack.

Gavriel gave her a bright, easy smile and nodded. “Of course we can do that. But let’s wait until we return home,” he said gently. “I’ll take you to the most beautiful seashore, where you can enjoy swimming to your heart’s content.”

That made Althea smile. Then she added softly, “Let’s head to the cabin now.”

Gavriel nodded and drew her close, guiding her toward the most spacious cabin on the upper deck, one reserved for the king himself. Althea swallowed as she stepped inside.

The room was more than she had expected. It even had a small balcony and wide windows that let the light pour in. It felt like a complete chamber, with the bed, table, and chairs all fixed securely to the floor.

The ship suddenly swayed, and Gavriel was quick to catch her before she could lose her balance. When she lifted her head, she found him looking down at her, his gaze filled with warmth and affection. She did not know what came over her, but she rose onto her toes and pressed a kiss to his lips.

She was about to pull away when she felt his hand settle at her waist, drawing her closer. The next moment, Gavriel kissed her back, deeper this time. He lingered, brushing over her lips, then kissed her with growing intensity, stealing her breath and leaving her heart racing.

Althea raised her arms and wrapped it on his neck as she comfortably kissed him back. Yes every nerve in her body was on fire but the familiarity of his lips was making her grounded. She loved it and her body was practically reacting to him. She wanted more of him that she wanted to protest when he pulled his lips from his.

He looked at her, and her face flushed under his gaze. She said nothing. Instead, she stepped closer and reached

for the buttons of his shirt.

“Althea,” he breathed, her name slipping from him in surprise. She ignored it and continued, fingers working carefully as she undid each button. He could only watch as she pulled his shirt from his shoulders and tossed it

aside.

Her gaze dropped to his trousers, then, almost unconsciously, she lifted her eyes again. She found him watching her with quiet amusement, as if he were waiting to see whether she would continue, or if she even realized what she was doing. The look made her frown slightly, a mix of embarrassment and determination settling in her

chest.

“You still have time to stop,” Gavriel said softly, offering her a reassuring smile. “Remember, I will never force you to do anything that isn’t of your own will.”

She frowned slightly, then noticed the way he swallowed, how a faint sheen of sweat had begun to form on his forehead despite his calm words.

“Don’t hold your breath,” she murmured teasingly as her hands slid to his trousers, fingers finding the buckle of his belt. “Because I have no plan of stopping.”