Chapter 273: The Former maid
Emily gazed at the cloudy sky’s ceiling while lying beside Raylen. Her breathing had returned to its normal rhythm, just as her body had settled from the high it had experienced earlier with her soulmate. She said softly,
"I can’t believe we are naked in the middle of the forest."
Raylen’s lips curled into a tender smile, and he replied, "Does it feel strange?"
"Strangely... it feels liberating," Emily admitted to him. Besides, Raylen had constructed a barrier around their surroundings to keep any possible prying eyes away from them. When a faint mist escaped from her lips, Raylen caught sight of it and said,
"Let us head back to the castle." He sat up, and so did she. Being the first one to stand up, Raylen offered his hands to Emily, clasping hers to pull her up. Her knees were still weak, causing her to stagger while she tried to find her balance. He quickly held her by her waist, steadying her, and inquired, "Do you need a few more minutes? Our captive can wait."
With their passionate lovemaking, any thoughts of Julia had completely flown out of her mind. Emily shook her head and then asked him, "How about you?"
In response to her question, Raylen used his other hand to gently push a strand of her hair behind her ear before cradling her face and saying, "I feel stronger with you next to me. My beautiful princess." He leaned forward and planted a tender kiss on her forehead. "Do you know how much I love you?"
"A lot," Emily replied, a shy smile coming to her lips. "And me... I love you too."
"I know." Raylen smiled at her, his eyes shining. He didn’t need words, for he had felt her emotions flowing to him like a breeze. "Time to get dressed. Bear with it for a minute."
They picked up their garments from the ground before putting them back on, one piece at a time. However, as their clothing had lain on the cold, wet ground, it retained a chill that lingered only for a second before Raylen swiftly dispelled the cold, replacing it with warmth. Once they were finally dressed, the ice wall shattered with a snap, its remnants falling to the ground in tiny shards that merged with the snow.
"That is such a stunning ability," Emily complimented him, thoroughly impressed as it was unlike anything she had ever seen before.