"What?" Her eyes widened and even though she was soaking wet a warm sensation filled her entire being at what he had offered.

"It will warm you up quickly, you get cold so easily." He offered her his hand. The cold was numbing her senses and he offered warmth. She chose warmth and accepted his hand and he led her to his room, which was located on the ground floor.

Her body was trembling from the cold and he noticed that. He took her to the bathroom straight away. Everything was made up of light golden and white marble inside. Even all the taps were lightly golden. Xiran opened the hot water in the marble tub and let it fill while he turned to Aselia. She was trembling, and her lips quivered.

"Raise your hands." He instructed and she obeyed without complaints. He took off her hoodie and placed it on the sink. She didn’t cover herself or tried to hide from his gaze, instead, she unbuttoned her pants and took them down. She placed them with her hoodie, leaving herself in a bra and panties.

Then went on to enter the bathtub and sat in the hot water which was up to her ankles for now but was filling up quickly. The bathtub was huge so it would take some time for it to fill up. She gathered up her legs and hugged them close to her chest.

Xiran took off his clothes as well except his boxer shorts and entered the tub. He sat behind her spreading his legs on both her sides. And before he could pull her closer she leaned on him of her own accord. Her body was stiff like a pole and he knew he had to relax her. Her bare shoulders touched his chest, even after soaking wet, he was still warm while she felt like an icicle that had been placed on a stove.

He held her waist and tugged her closer ending every inch between them. He felt her shiver. The warmness filled her cold being and her trembling reduced. He wrapped his arms around hers and folded them on her tummy, warming her, and giving her his heat. He was observing her, every move, every shiver, every breath, every touch, he observed everything about her.

The water level had risen and it reached their waist now and Aselia was calming down. Xiran felt her body relaxing and warming up. He combed her wet hair with his fingers.

"Feeling better?" He inquired over her shoulder.

"Yes," her voice was calm.

When the water reached their shoulders, Xiran turned the tap off and they sat there in silence for a while. Aselia had raised her leg like Xiran and both of them were bumping their knees into each other playfully.

Aselia took a deep breath and went underwater to fully submerge herself. Her hair floated and brushed Xiran’s chest and abs. He released his own hair from his man bun and let them lose. They cascaded down and fell into the water.

Aselia emerged from the water after 45 seconds and sat on the other side of the tub. She now faced Xiran who had his eyes closed and was trying to relax in the hot water. His hair floated all around him. He appeared so calm, almost surreal. His hands rested on both sides of the bathtub, his chest broad. Since his eyes were closed, she could stare at him all she wanted.

Steam rose and filled the whole bathroom and it seemed like a fog had descended.

She felt like being stuck in a fantasy setting, with fog descending, an angel resting peacefully, and warmth washing over her. She closed her eyes and tried to relax too. When she opened her eyes again she found him staring at her. Her breath got hinged in her throat.

"Take a deep breath, Aselia." He spoke lazily.

"Why?" She eyed him curiously. She had no idea what was going on in his mind.

"Do as I say?" She obeyed and he stretched his hand to hold her leg and pulled her towards him, she went underwater and he was instantly over her. Holding the beautiful elf by her shoulders, he touched his nose with hers, their hair flew all around them.

Bubbles escaped their mouths and hit the water’s surface. Their eyes didn’t leave each other and she could feel the water temperature rising, shouldn’t it be cooling down instead of rising? Was it water or was it him? He finally pulled her up and they broke the water surface together.

"Hawww..." Aselia took a deep breath, water trickled down her face to her neck. Xiran tracked a droplet with his finger. Aselia almost stopped breathing as his hand reached just below her neck. But he stopped and poked her lightly where her heart was.

"Why it’s beating so fast?" He asked rather seductively, gazing into her turquoise emotion-filled orbs.

"Xiran, my clothes are upstairs. I will go change. My body temperature is normal now. Let me go now. Please." He was treading on dangerous waters and she needed to avoid his sultry questions.

He smiled at her answer and didn’t break the trance he had cast on her but spoke: "Sure, I will take some time. I need to shower as well. Sit by the fireplace once you have changed, I will join you." She nodded at him and waited for him to let her go. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Once he did, she said: "Close your eyes." He smiled again before obeying her, she quickly slipped out, dripping water on the tiles below.

Aselia took off the towel gown from the hook and wore it, grabbing her wet clothes from the sink she threw a glance at him. The angel-like being was sitting in a relaxed position, his eyes closed. She quickly made her way out and went upstairs. Opening the door of her room, she was greeted with a gust of wind from the open window.

"Who opened the window?" She thought to herself.