Chapter 200 – Emotional Whirlwind (3) Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan The man’s body was so warm. She couldn’t resist his sudden surge toward her and her back slammed into the door as he wrapped the reluctant Leah in his arms. Before she could think to protest, a deep kiss followed, as one of his hands grasped her waist and the other the back of her neck. A passionate flame blazed through her body as his hand slid from her waist to her breast, and she felt a thrill of pleasure as he brushed her n!pple. “Oh, stop...!” Belatedly, she pushed him away and stared at him, her eyes trembling. His warm golden eyes were almost hypnotic, and all she could hear was the sound of their breaths, panting together. Her mind was chaotic. It was the first time in her life she had experienced carnal desire, and she quickly averted her gaze. “...stop,” she whispered. “Release me.” But his strong arms only held her tighter, and she pushed at him again, forcing the words through her teeth. “Please...” Guilt washed over her. She couldn’t believe she had betrayed the person she loved, the person who had been at her side for so long, and all for such a simple wish. Ishakan could read the guilt in her face. His eyes narrowed. “Tell me what’s so good about him, and I’ll release you.” He was obviously referring to Blain. “He doesn’t seem to care about you.” “It’s because I like him,” Leah said firmly, hoping he wouldn’t pry any further. “Why?” Leah hesitated. No immediate answer came to her. She loved Blain automatically, the same way the sun rose and the moon set. She felt a strange aversion to the mere thought of questioning this absolute truth. “He’s very sweet,” she answered carefully, after a long hesitation. Though he had changed now, in the past, Blain really had been sweet to her. Ishakan scoffed. “I’m sure that guy forced you.” “No! I confessed my feelings first!” Leah retorted angrily, but then stopped short as Ishakan’s eyes suddenly turned fierce. “...You?” He asked grimly. “How?” She didn’t understand why she owed him an answer, but somehow she found herself revealing that very personal story. “In a peony garden...” She said. “I confessed my feelings–” “Peonies?” 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶 The sharp interruption frightened her. He looked as if he might kill someone right that instant, and she shrank back instinctively. “Ah. The peony garden...” He went on. Leah was so afraid she couldn’t speak. “You must have been holding a flower when you confessed.” His golden eyes glinted. “You were trembling and your face was red, and yet you asked to become a wife...” Banging on the door, he shouted in the Kurkan language, unintelligible words spat with obvious fury. His face contorted as Leah listened, stunned, and his fist pressed against the door shook. Suddenly, he pulled her into his chest, and she stood paralyzed as he held her tight. He spoke her name. “Leah...” This arrogant man shook as if he might collapse, and suddenly her eyes filled with tears. She felt like she would cry, even though there was no reason to weep, and she managed to blink them back. Slowly, Ishakan drew deep breaths as he hugged her, and his animal-like ferocity subsided. “You thought this place was hell before,” he whispered, looking at Leah. “Now you don’t even know.” “......” It was an incredibly rude thing to say. She should rebuke him. But she couldn’t speak. It was as if her lips had been glued together. His large hand covered her cheek, the same cheek Blain had slapped the other day. His long fingers caressed her gently. “What should I do, Leah?” He asked softly. “Shall I kill them, and we’ll go to the desert?”