The Crown's Seduction-Chapter 72: The Coupling Rites (2)

"Two more flairs," Nikolai reminded her.

Giving her husband a silent nod, Mineah braced herself as Nikolai picked her up by the waist, bringing her up in the air before swinging her around to the beat.

That was the part where her gown would change. It honestly fascinated her how talented and creative the royal seamstress of Valcrez was. She only saw the designs, and she loved it already. She could only wonder how she would look in it tonight.

Closing her eyes, Mineah braced herself as her gown changed mid-twirl on the center stage. Her gown then released a barrage of snowflakes into the air as it slowly transformed into some kind of ice crystal dress that was thinner and lighter but still flurry. It emphasized the rhythmic and seductive sway of her body more, and clearly had an effect on Nikolai as he paused in his steps, his arms still in the middle of dipping her low on the ground as he stared at her.

"You're so beautiful in that dress," Nikolai growled, his breath hitting her nose as he bowed low to meet her. "It leaves little to the imagination."

"Your royal seamstress knows how to make good dresses," Mineah chuckled back, her face burning at their close proximity. "It's like magic, right?"

Mineah did her best not to laugh as the thrill of the dance almost caught up to her. She was having a lot of fun, but even more, being this close to Nikolai for such a long time… With the two of them exchanging glances with each sway and twirl that they made… She could tell that he was practically eager to get on with the Rites themselves so that he could have her all to himself.

Not that she'd stop him. Truth be told, she was just as eager as he was, and she couldn't help but shake her head at such a thought.

By the time the music was finally beginning to wind down, Mineah was already panting from both excitement and exhaustion. Her dress was fluttering behind her as she allowed her body to be directed by her husband. Their hands were clasped together tightly, each swing only making their grip tighter before they finally allowed their moves to match the ever slowing music around them.

Sensing the slowing mood, Mineah followed Nikolai's lead and simply followed him as he led the two of them around the stage. Swaying to and fro to the slow beat, she could tell that the time for her to be marked was coming.

She could feel the eagerness coming off him in waves, and she just knew that looking him in the eyes right now would show her just how much he wanted her at that moment.

"Are you ready, Mine?" Nikolai whispered to her midsway. "I'm about to mark you."

"Ready," she nodded in determination. "I already cast the spell. There's no need to worry."

As the two of them allowed themselves to come closer to each other, the very sky itself seemed to be reaching its own climax as a thunderous clap echoed from above. Starting from one drop… Then two… Before long, a light drizzle began to rain from above, all but guaranteeing that everyone present was going to get wet.

"We should hurry," Nikolai clicked his tongue. "Of all the times, the weather decides that now's the time to rain…"

Mineah did her best not to grumble in annoyance. She really didn't want their momentum to be ruined by mere rain. "No, there's no need."

Nikolai's eyes widened. "Are you sure? You might get sick."

"I'm sure," Mineah firmly stated, her eyes burning with determination even as the music around them began to get drowned out by the rain itself. "We can continue as is."

With the thunder and rain now overpowering the music, Mineah took it upon herself to tap her foot onto the stage again, allowing it to serve as their makeshift beat as they kept up with their dance. Around them, slowly but surely, the audience returned, this time now armed with parasols to shield themselves from the rain.

"Again, Mine, are you ready?" he breathed out.

"I'm sure," she beamed.

With one last twirl, Mineah felt her heart beating madly within her chest as he pulled her close to him once more. With their bodies drenched in the rain, she slightly tilted her head to give him access to her neck.

And just like that, he bit down.

Mineah did her best not to scream. Not out of pain, but the pleasure that suddenly wracked her body all but threatened to make her moan in the middle of all the people watching. His grip on her tightened, his sucking making her feel more than what should be appropriate as she did her best to hold her ground.

Seconds passed, and a slight stinging on the site of the bite made her shiver as Nikolai let her go. The pleasure was still there, but the pain of the mark helped her concentrate as she gave her husband her brightest smile.

"That… That was amazing…" Mineah couldn't help but gasp.

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"Mine…" Nikolai breathed out. "You're mine now…"

"That it is…"

The two of them stared into each other's eyes, the rain and the crowd around them seemingly nonexistent as time just seemed to pass them by. But alas, she was taken out of her reverie when she noticed Nikolai biting down on his lip hard enough to draw blood.

"R-Right…" she shook her head. "We're not done."

"Kiss me," Nikolai instructed her as if nothing was even happening around them. "The Rites will conclude once you have a sip of my blood."

Mineah eagerly nodded. She was pretty sure that she really didn't have to kiss him to drink his blood, but she was more than happy with the change of the arrangements.

Stepping up to him, she felt him grab her by the shoulder once more before he pulled her close. Their lips touched, and the cold bittersweet taste of his blood did little to the excitement and joy she was feeling at that moment.

They melted into each other's arms, Mineah sighing heavily as she deepened her kiss with him. At that moment, it didn't matter that the Rites were over… that the music had ended minutes ago…

This was their moment, and she did her best to make it last.