A ℓσνєℓєѕѕ ยภเ๏ภ {Echo}

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal shook his head. "You don't know me, and I don't know you. Wed or not, I shouldn't have done that in public. It must have made you uncomfortable."

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide gave a small chuckle. "Well, I can't lie and say it didn't, because it did, somewhat. But that was your duty and I don't begrudge you that. Anyhow, there are worse things than being kissed, I suppose. The crowd seemed to like it in any case."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal took another step forward, an uncommon softness in his eyes. "Would it make you uncomfortable if I said I liked it?"

[echolight4eva]

She didn't move away, blinking up at him. "A little," she admitted. "But I grow more comfortable in your presence, even as we speak."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal searched her face. Always so proper, he thought. He slid closer, until they were just inches apart. "Would it make you uncomfortable if I did it again?" he asked, his voice dropping to a murmur.

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide had a decision in that moment. She knew if she refused, he would likely respect her decision based on his previous interactions with her. But she was somewhat curious to feel the feeling of another's lips against hers. "No," she whispered. "I wouldn't be uncomfortable."

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Taking that as a sign of consent, Nazeal looped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. He was gentle when he kissed her, as he'd been before, but now there was no one watching and no reason to stop unless she wanted to.

[echolight4eva]

This time, Adelaide felt more confident and dared to kiss him back, slowly moving her lips against his in an uncertain series of movements. She hesitantly put her hand on his chest, closing her eyes.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Feeling her give in to the kiss, and return it, Nazeal deepened it. His arms pulled her tighter against him, the skirt of her wedding dress folding around his legs.

[echolight4eva]

Her eyes moved underneath their lids, moving her lips a little more confidently. She slipped one hand onto his back, her fingers flexing nervously. She had bever been kissed before, except for by her parents, and then only on her forehead and temple. This was different entirely.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

When Nazeal broke away, his breathing was rough. He still held her tight against him, though. "Perhaps we should stop," he said in a low voice. "It's getting late." And it was. The ceremony had taken place just before nightfall, and now darkness was creeping into the room.

[echolight4eva]

Adelaide looked up at him, her eyes soft and full of emotion. She still didn't know him, and yet, and yet... She gave him a soft smile. "We're married," she remarked quietly.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

Nazeal's eyes shifted from side to side as he studied her face. "And what does that mean for you? What do you want to do?"

[echolight4eva]

She looke down, thinking about this. "I'm really not quite sure. My whole life has been spent preparing for this day, and now that it's over... I just don't know." She suddenly felt a little lost at the thought that her first life's purpose had been fulfilled.

[Cʀʏsᴛᴀʟ]

"Your life belongs to you now," he said softly. Well, technically, it belonged to him, but he wasn't going to mention that. He wasn't the kind of husband that wanted to control his wife's every action. "What do you want?"