I won't fall for the queen who burned my world-Chapter 264: Ruiner of romance

Elysia edged backward toward the bathing chamber, her heart doing strange, traitorous things in her chest.

Malvoria didn’t follow immediately but the look in her eyes promised that escape was impossible.

It took only one glance between them one silent acknowledgment of the tension crackling in the air before Malvoria pushed off the wall and stalked after her like a predator who had already decided exactly how the hunt would end.

Elysia hurried through the doorway, whispering frantic spells to activate the cooling runes along the tiled walls.

Instantly, the large stone basin at the center began to fill, crystal-clear water pouring in from hidden spouts in the shape of open-mouthed dragons.

She tugged at the fastenings of her combination outfit, fingers fumbling in her haste.

The fabric clung stubbornly to her sweat-damp skin, every movement sending a maddening brush of friction through her body.

Behind her, Malvoria’s voice purred, "Need assistance?"

"I can undress myself," Elysia said, but it came out embarrassingly breathless.

"Of course you can." Malvoria’s hands slid over her hips, not helping at all. "But why deny me the pleasure?"

The cool air hit Elysia’s heated skin as Malvoria deftly peeled the fabric away, piece by piece, until it puddled at her feet.

She stepped out of it with as much dignity as she could muster—which wasn’t much when she was already half-melting inside.

Malvoria made no attempt to hide her appreciation, her grey eyes raking over every inch of exposed skin with a hunger that was almost tangible.

Elysia turned, intending to say something scathing—only to find Malvoria already shrugging off her ruined clothes, the burned remains sliding to the floor without ceremony.

"You’re shameless," Elysia managed, trying not to gawk and failing.

"And you’re stalling," Malvoria countered, stepping into the cool spray of the waterfall-like stream cascading into the basin.

Elysia followed, teeth chattering at the sudden drop in temperature. "Oh gods, that’s cold!"

"Good," Malvoria said smugly. "You needed it."

Water sluiced over them both, plastering hair to skin, turning every touch icy and electric. Elysia shivered violently as she moved under the stream, her body arching instinctively toward Malvoria’s heat.

Malvoria caught her by the waist, steadying her with an arm like iron. "Careful," she murmured against her ear.

Elysia laughed shakily, feeling the last threads of restraint slipping through her fingers. "You planned this, didn’t you?"

"I plan everything," Malvoria whispered, nipping at her earlobe.

The cold water did little to cool the fire racing through Elysia’s veins.

They fumbled their way to the center of the pool, hands sliding over slick skin, lips brushing without settling, teasing without satisfying.

Every time Elysia tried to get her bearings, Malvoria shifted, pressed closer, stole another kiss that turned her mind into molten chaos.

It became a tangle of limbs—Elysia laughing breathlessly as Malvoria backed her against the smooth stone wall, one leg sliding between hers, anchoring her even as the water pounded around them.

"You’re relentless," Elysia gasped, clutching at Malvoria’s shoulders.

"I’m determined," Malvoria corrected, trailing kisses down her neck, her hands mapping every inch of her with maddening slowness.

The cold no longer mattered. It was a distant thing, swallowed by the heat coiling between them.

Elysia tilted her head back, surrendering to the sensation, letting herself forget everything for just this moment—the threat of Lucindra, the responsibilities waiting for them outside, the future wars they would have to fight.

Here, there was only them.

Malvoria pressed closer, one hand trailing down her side, her mouth finding Elysia’s again in a kiss that was anything but gentle.

Elysia melted against her, fingers tangling in wet hair, pulling Malvoria even closer, demanding more.

The world spun.

Water splashed violently against the basin’s sides, their movements growing more frantic, more desperate.

And then—

BANG.

The door slammed open so hard it rattled on its hinges.

"MOMMIES!"

Both of them froze.

Elysia tore herself away, slipping on the wet stone and almost falling into the water completely.

Malvoria caught her with a curse, shielding her body instinctively even as they both whipped their heads toward the entrance.

Lara stood there.

Holding Kaelith.

The baby waved enthusiastically, letting out a high-pitched giggle that echoed off the walls.

Lara, to her credit, tried very hard to keep a straight face.

She failed.

Spectacularly.

"I—uh—" Lara coughed. "Sorry. But someone," she jiggled Kaelith meaningfully, "was not taking no for an answer. She literally set her blanket on fire. Twice."

Kaelith, looking entirely too pleased with herself, clapped.

Elysia buried her flaming face in Malvoria’s shoulder, mortified beyond measure.

Malvoria just growled lowly under her breath. "I am this close," she muttered, holding her fingers millimeters apart.

"Hey," Lara said, backing toward the door with Kaelith wriggling in her arms. "Think of it this way—you’ll have plenty of time to finish whatever that was... when she naps."

With a final cackle, Lara ducked out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Silence fell again.

Water continued to fall in steady sheets around them, cooling but unable to wash away the sheer, absurd chaos of the moment.

Elysia lifted her head slowly, meeting Malvoria’s eyes.

They stared at each other.

And then they both burst out laughing.

It wasn’t polished, regal laughter, it was messy, breathless, almost hysterical.

It was exactly what they needed.

Malvoria leaned her forehead against Elysia’s, still chuckling. "One day," she swore again, voice thick with fondness and exasperation, "we will finish one thing. One."

"I believe in us," Elysia said, half-laughing, half-drowning.

Kaelith’s triumphant giggle echoed from the hall outside.

Elysia groaned and let her forehead fall against Malvoria’s shoulder. "I think she planned this."

Malvoria chuckled darkly, pressing a kiss to her damp hair. "She’s my daughter. Of course she planned this."

Still laughing under their breath, they waded toward the edge of the pool.

Malvoria grabbed a thick towel from the rack and threw it around Elysia’s shoulders before tugging one around herself too, muttering curses under her breath about timing, fate, and mischievous demon babies.

Elysia shivered slightly as she wrapped the towel tighter, her cheeks still hot even under the cold air.

When they finally stepped out into the hallway, they found Lara leaning casually against the wall—Kaelith perched in her arms like a victorious little queen.

A very victorious queen with a clearly burned blanket clutched proudly in one tiny hand.

"There she is," Lara drawled, smirking. "Our future ruler. Ruiner of romance. Burner of fabrics."

Kaelith squealed joyfully and tried to stuff the charred edge of the blanket into her mouth.

Elysia snatched it away before she could succeed, eyeing the scorch marks. "This was new."

"Yeah," Lara said, deadpan. "Emphasis on ’was.’"

Malvoria crossed her arms under her towel and stared at her daughter with exaggerated sternness. "Tiny demon."

Kaelith blinked her enormous eyes.

Then giggled.

Elysia sighed, caught helplessly between exasperation and affection. She took Kaelith into her arms, the baby snuggling instantly against her chest.

"You’re lucky you’re cute," Elysia muttered again.

Malvoria leaned in, voice low and dangerous. "She gets that from me."

Lara snorted. "Yeah. Clearly."