Chapter 36 - 33: Irrevocable Bond
If there was anything undeniable about Hoshimi Miyabi, it was that she had impeccable control over her body.
Years of rigorous training—both physical and mental—had honed her into the perfect swordswoman. Her senses were as sharp as her blade, and her reflexes were second to none maybe except to Ellen. Almost all of her biological functions were under her control.
Almost.
In an otherwise unassuming night, the Void Hunter was roused from her sleep by a sudden feeling of restlessness. The muscles of her legs felt tense, unable to relax no matter how she positioned them. Her room felt unbearably warm, skin glistening with perspiration. Her back pressed up against Ellen's front, the scent of the shark Thiren filling her nostrils. It was intoxicating, overwhelming, and only made her body feel even hotter.
Miyabi carefully shifted from her position, detangling herself from Ellen's warmth without waking her. A quiet groan escaped her lips as she sat up, her body sluggish yet painfully aware of the tension coursing through her limbs. She needed relief. Something—anything—to take the edge off.
Sliding off the couch, she padded toward the window and pushed it open. The cold night breeze rushed into the room, unsticking her bangs from her forehead and tussling the fur in her ears. The distant hum of the city nightlife mixed with the rhythmic chirping of insects. Her ears twitched, taking in the sounds as she tried to ground herself.
Yet, despite the momentary relief from the fresh air, Miyabi still couldn't shake the unease curling in her gut. It physically hurt, not too dissimilar to a stomach ache, but sitting just a little too low to be a symptom of nausea. She shifted from one leg to the other, finding it difficult to stand still. Her clothes clung to her damp skin, suffocating and constricting. She couldn't bear it.
Her fingers trembled as she reached for the hem of her pajama top, hesitating for only a moment before hastily peeling it off. The cool air kissed her bare skin, eliciting a shiver that coursed down her spine. Her shorts followed suit, the damp fabric pooling at her feet. Standing nude in the dim light, she finally felt a semblance of relief. But it wasn't enough.
Miyabi exhaled slowly, closing her eyes as she tried to steady herself. The ache in her abdomen refused to subside, a persistent reminder of the strange, unfamiliar pull inside her. She wasn't naive; she understood what was happening to her body, but the intensity of it was unlike anything she'd ever experienced.
Her gaze flickered back to the couch, to the one responsible for this unbearable heat that refused to leave her body. Ellen lay undisturbed, her chest rising and falling in slow, even breaths. The blanket had slipped slightly, exposing her toned stomach and the sharp lines of her muscles. Even in sleep, she looked strong, powerful—appetizing. And that thought alone sent another wave of heat coursing through Miyabi's veins.
She swallowed hard. Staying here wasn't an option. Not like this.