Chapter Text
The cost of saving Manfred had been great For Emmrich, and while he was brought back to life with qualities of a mage, it had cost him Lichdom. He had struggled making the decision, had been hard on himself at least for wanting to choose him over immortality, but ultimately he had made the choice. He did not seem to regret his decision, and had told Rook with great excitement how some undead could learn magic. Manfred was now his little apprentice, which was absolutely endearing, and Emmrich leapt into this new role with ease. If he regretted giving up lichdom to save his companion, he did not let it show. The days after bringing Manfred back had been busy for them both, and Rook had chosen to bring Harding and Taash along to Rivain so Emmrich could spend time with Manfred, and had gone for drinks with Neve in dock town afterwards. The invitation had surprised Rook, but she had been glad, and it had been a nice evening. They had ordered plenty of rounds of cocktails and had talked about books and stories from the newspapers, laughing and sharing smiles, and Rook felt a strong sense of relief at the tone between them. It was one of the best evenings she had in a while, and it was well past midnight when they finally made their way back towards the lighthouse.
“You should pay Emmrich a visit like this,” Neve winked at her as they approached the Eluvian that would take them back. “You look absolutely ravishing,”
Rook shook her head, but couldn"t quite stop the smile from spreading.
“I.. We… It"s been busy since our fight with Hezenkoss. I don"t think… I don`t know,” Rook trailed off, uncertain how to form her thoughts into coherent and sensible sentences.
Neve frowned.
“You"re worried he will reject you?” She asked gently, pulling Rook to a halt.
Rook shrugged, avoiding her gaze.
“I don`t know, maybe? He is so busy, and he has had so much on his mind. The whole ordeal with Hezenkoss and then Manfred, lichdom and now having an apprentice…,” Rook mumbled.
Neve`s gaze softened, and she threw an arm around her shoulder and drew Rook closed.
“I think I can say I know Emmrich now, at least to some extent, and from what I can tell your attention is always a blessing to him,” She said.
“I want you to be right,” Rook whispered, leaning her head against Neve`s shoulder. “But I`m also frightened of him having decided he has grown bored of me. Perhaps he has found a more interesting project than me and my attention is dull and unwanted,”
“Rook, you have both been busy. Besides, you have been traveling for the past week, barely getting a few hours of sleep before setting off again. You`ve helped everyone in a matter of days, constantly running around and fixing things. Have you thought that while he is also occupied currently, he simply doesn"t want to add to your mental load?”
Rook paused at that, her brows furrowing.
“That is… a point. But I want him to add to my mental load. Desperately,” She pouted.
“I think you may need to tell him that. From where I`m standing, it may seem that he has asked so much of you already these past weeks, and is worried that he is draining you. Is afraid of the rejection, just as you are,” Neve explained as they stood before the Eluvian.
Rook sighed dramatically, but pulled Neve into a hug regardless, smiling into her shoulder.
“I missed you, Neve. And your advice. I enjoyed tonight,” Rook said earnestly.
“Me too,” Neve smiled. “Now let"s go - we both have a mission,”
Emmrich approached her as she let the door glide shut behind her, his hands clasped behind his back, shoulders rolling backwards as he drew in a deep breath. Rook smiled as she leaned against the door, her stomach fluttering as she watched him. She briefly wondered whether he had stayed up and waited for her at this late hour, because the top buttons of his shirt were undone and he was not wearing his vest or his bracelets. The scent of chamomile tea was on his breath, but he did not look as if he were ready for bed - quite the opposite.
“Emmrich,” She breathed. “I thought you would be asleep,”
His smile slipped into a grin, and her knees went weak.
“And yet you come to my door,” He muttered, pausing a distance from her.
Rook shrugged.
“I thought I would try my luck,” She said as she reached down to unbuckle the thin strap holding her heels in place, slipping out of them.
Her right foot rested against the door, the split in her dress revealing most of her thigh, and she watched his lips part as his gaze followed the exposed skin upwards. His eyes were both soft and fiery, longing, and he licked his lips as he watched her, drinking her in with a starved gaze. For the first time she felt as if he were the hunter and not the other way around, and she rather enjoyed that, but she knew it would take more for him to give into temptation.
“You look delightful, Rook. Divine,” He stated. “Perfect,”
She had bought the dress from the merchant in the House of Valor, and it was a daring number she had hoped she could show off. White satin that hugged her curves and highlighted her hips as she moved, fabric clinging to it. The slit ran all the way up her thigh, revealing inches of skin as she moved, the sleeves sheer but elegant. She reached out her hand for him and he surged towards her immediately, entwining his fingers with hers and pressing a kiss to where they joined.
“I hope your evening was pleasant?” He asked her, and although his gaze was locked with hers, she saw his internal battle not to let it roam.
Always the perfect gentlemen. With a coy smile she leaned her head against the wall and arched her back, pushing her chest forth. A brave move, but he immediately took the bait, drawing in a sharp breath. His free hand found her hip, inching upwards.
“It was lovely,” Rook said honestly, grabbing the fabric of his shirt and pulling him closer. “But I have missed you this week,”
“I fear I must be the one to apologize for that - I have been far too preoccupied,” He sighed, his lust filled haze seemingly broken. “But I can assure you I have noticed your absence as well, Rook, and I have thought of you much while you were gone,”
She knew it was not his intention, but she could not help but bite.
“All dirty thoughts, I hope,” She grinned as his cheeks turned crimson, and she felt him starting to pull back, but she tightened her grip and held him there.
He inhaled deeply, shaking his head slightly as he rested her forehead against hers, deciding to indulge her.
“Rook,” He whispered against her lips. “Sometimes I sense that you enjoy teasing me,”
He kissed her softly, as if she were something to be treasured, and her heart clenched. When he pulled back she was left a little dazed, and his expression was full of adoration, but also something else. Hunger. Want. It looked irresistible on him, and she needed to devour him. Or needed to be devoured by him. She wasn"t sure which one yet. Perhaps both, if that were an option.
“Teasing you may be my favorite past-time,” Rook said playfully, resting her hands on his shoulders.
She stood on her toes, searching his mouth for a kiss and he accepted it eagerly, slipping his tongue into her mouth as she melted into him, his body pressing her against the wall.
“Hm,” He hummed into her mouth. “I do get an inkling suspension you want to see how far you can push me before I… snap,”
His hands were exploring her body, fingers brushing over her hips, squeezing lightly. His thumb traced delicate circles over the covered skin as he stood to his full height, his knee inching between her legs. She let out a little breath and his smile - smirk, was feral, and he looked like a starved man ready to feast. She tried pressing her tights together for some relief, but his knee kept her in place, just shy of where she really needed him. His lips found her collarbone and pressed light kissing along it, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin just below before his tongue soothed the spot. Rook bit back a moan, her fingers tangling in his hair.
“I`m starting to think it an impossible mission to resist, Rook, but I am known,” His hand found her thigh, drawing lazy shapes up towards her cunt and she gasped. “For achieving the impossible,”
“You must understand, Rook, it is not merely a question of my self-control, which I must disappoint you when I say I have a great deal. But I swore I"d romance you, court you - treat you right before I lay a finger on you,” He whispered as his fingers found the edges of her underwear, one single finger tracing along the lace.
“Fuck me, Emmrich,” She whimpered, not caring she sounded desperate and pathetic.
He chuckled darkly, pressing his groin into her in response, and that was all the encouragement she needed. He felt delightful against her even separated by multiple layers, his cock hard against her hip - and she had never wanted anything so bad.
“You see, Rook,” He said slowly, kissing along her ear and making her shiver. “You are indomitable. Impatient. Irresistible,”
He slipped beneath her underwear and brushed his finger against her slick folds, drawing a moan from them both. He was moving agonizingly slow, circling her clit just shy of where she needed him, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes that only made her want him more. When he finally circled that spot just right she gasped and bucked her hips to chase the touch, and he chuckled against her, the sound sindful and pure and just for her. His movements took on a steady but slow rhythm, a wicked torture that felt so good, her legs trembling as he added more pressure. Her eyes fluttered shut but he took hold of her chin, squeezing ever so slightly to direct her focus towards him.
“Look at me, Rook,” He hissed and she met his gaze, seeing the fire blazing there as the pressure built low in her belly. “Do you want to come, dear?”
When had proper, polite and well-spoken Emmrich gotten so filthy? Rook was not sure, but it made whimper into his mouth as she kissed him, her whole body trembling as she tumbled towards her orgasm. Her nails dug into his back and pulled him closer, her kiss messy as she sought his lips, every coherent thought scattered to the wind as he brought her closer to the edge.
“Please, Emmrich,” She panted into his open mouth, moaning as added just a little more pressure, picking up the pace just a little - and it was perfect.
Rook was about five seconds from coming completely undone, desperate to pull him closer against her, to feel his warmth, to feel him, tongue licking into his mouth as he groaned.
“You`re perfect, Rook,” He whispered into her kiss.
That was what finally sent her tumbling into her orgasm, and he caught her weight instantly, holding her upright as her knees gave in and her body shook. Her vision blurred and her mind went blank, filled only with the thought and taste and feel of Emmrich against her. He guided her through it all, his fingers now circling lazily over her clit until it became too much to bear and he withdrew, carefully tugging her underwear back in place before smoothing her dress back down. She was panting, her nails still digging into his back and one leg wrapped around Emmrich`s hip, and she looked up at him with a smile that was almost shy.
“I…,” She was definitely feeling shy all of the sudden, and she buried her face in the crook of his neck. “That was… huh,”
She giggled into him and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight against him. She felt safe nestled there against him, and her mind was still working at a slow pace, only able to think of him.
“I`m glad it was to your satisfaction, Rook,” He said steadily, but when she glanced up at him she saw a light shade of pink tinge his cheeks, a softness in his expression that had her hold him closer. She allowed the moment to be intimate for a while, until she felt too vulnerable before him, and untangled herself from him. She tilted her head, heart still racing as she was trying to get a read on him, on the situation. He was just watching her with an expression that looked like awe, blinking slowly as his fingers traced lazy patterns on her exposed collarbone.
“Emmrich,” She breathed.
“Rook,” He smiled, pressing a gentle kiss against her swollen lips.
She let her hand wander lower, teasing the buttons there before playing with the loops of his belt. He leaned into it, into her, pushing closer, before he sucked in a breath and grabbed hold of her wandering hand. He brought it up between them, kissing her wrist.
“Patience,” He whispered. “First, it would bring me great joy if you would like to accompany me on a date,”
She laughed at that, nodding against him, but she was determined now that she had felt what they could be. She would have his self-control slip just yet.