Chapter 60: Heat Of Reunion

Ravena pulled Zaeryn into a hug, her head resting on his shoulders.The hug was familiar, comforting, and yet... different. Zaeryn’s mind raced as he realized why this felt different. He could feel Ravena’s alluring body pressed against him. She wasn’t wearing a bra, and the subtle press of her nipples against his chest was impossible to ignore.

The scent of her hair drifted up to him, sweet, floral, with a hint of spice, and it tugged at something buried in his memory. She smelled different than she had years ago. More mature, richer, intoxicating.

Now he was finally noticing how seductive she was. Her curves were fully shaped, confident, and deliberate. Even the way she held him wasn’t innocent anymore—it was the embrace of a woman who knew exactly what her body was doing to his.

His pulse quickened. He hadn’t felt a hug from her in three years, and the closeness brought back a rush of memories of a simpler time. He awkwardly returned the hug, his mind racing.

"You’ve grown," she said, pulling away just enough to look at him, her eyes still sparkling. "You’re even more handsome than I remember."

"So have you." Zaeryn’s eyes deliberately traveled down her seductive form, noticing how the short skirt, which stopped far above her knees, showcased the curve of her thighs, and how her crop top revealed just enough of her toned midriff to leave little to the imagination. His gaze lingered, appreciating the confident way she carried herself.

Finally meeting hers again, he smiled. "Beautiful doesn’t even cover it anymore, Ravena.

She sensually bit her lip at his directness. "Look who’s learned to flirt."

"I had a good teacher." He grinned, remembering how she used to tease him mercilessly. But he had actually learned how to flirt back from Sage. "Your turn to be flustered." He reached up to brush a lock of hair from her face, letting his fingers linger on her cheek.

Ravena bit her lip like someone having some not so appropriate thoughts at the wrong time, drinking him in with her eyes. She looked into his eyes as if she was waiting to be kissed by him.

"You’re a tad taller than me now." She said, tilting her head, openly admiring him. Her gaze flicked up and down his frame with unapologetic hunger. She continued to bite her lower lip shamelessly. "Not bad. You’ve filled out nicely. Is this still natural without the gym?" she teased, trailing her fingers lightly along his arm.

Just like everyone, Ravena always found Zaeryn’s perfect physique unusual. What was impressive to Ravena was that males usually looked weak—frail unless they were obsessed over gyms. Even then, they never looked like him: strong, toned, balanced. And she knew it. She had always known he was special.

"What can I say? I’m just blessed I guess," Zaeryn replied with a playful grin.

However his tone came off as if he was bragging. Which annoyed a certain someone who wanted him to be humbled always, Kayla.

"More like cursed. You have definitely been to the gym,"Kayla cut in sharply. "And probably used some banned substances too."

Zaeryn turned to face her fully, his jaw setting."Kayla, I get that you hate seeing me happy, but I’m not going to pretend I’m ashamed of how I look to make you comfortable." he said. "But I appreciate you noticing how good I look." He winked, enjoying the outraged flush that spread over her cheeks.

Kayla’s eyes narrowed. "Only you would delusional enough to think that was a compliment."

"Didn’t need it to be," he replied smoothly. Which only annoyed her even more. But Infront of Ysmeine, she decided not to go on, so she just looked away.

Ravena rolled her eyes at Kayla and pressed herself against Zaeryn’s side. "Oh, I don’t doubt him for a second. He was always a catch. Maybe you should stop hating and learn to appreciate perfection."

Ysmeine nodded, a slight smile on her lips as she studied Zaeryn. "She’s right. That’s just who he is. No tricks, all him."

Then Marceline’s voice sliced through the air, dripping with mock offense. "Ravena stop keeping him all to yourself. He hasn’t even looked my way."

Zaeryn shifted his attention toward her flashing a half-grin. Marceline had a perfect fugure that looked engineered with a perfect face. "Of course I noticed you, Macie. I was just saving the best welcome for last."

She didn’t let him finish. Marceline’s hand slid around his arm and tugged him down onto the cushion between her and Ysmeine.

Now he was flanked by two beautiful women. On his right, Marceline, dark-haired, radiant, with that air of serene command. On his left, Ysmeine elegant, steady, yet watchful. He could feel the heat of their bodies pressing in from both sides.

Marceline wasted no time. She leaned in close, her full, round breasts pressing against face as she wrapped her arms around him. His face was pushed against the deep valley of her cleavage, soft warmth swallowing him in a way that made his pulse hammer.

Her perfume curled around him, sweet and intoxicating, like a trap he didn’t mind falling into. Her arms combed into his hair, as she kept him there, enjoying the sensation of him against her breast. And then she whispered against his ear, low and sultry, "I haven’t seen you in far too long, Zae. I’ve missed you."

Zae. Her own nickname for him. She never accepted the one Ysmeine had given him, so she claimed her own instead—possessive, just like her.

"I missed you too, Macie." He replied. The warmth of her body seeped through his skin, igniting a fire deep inside. Zaeryn’s heart raced; his body betrayed him by responding faster than his mind could.

Marceline finally pulled back just enough to cradle his face in her hands. A smirk curved her lips as her eyes flicked over him. "You still like my breasts, I see." She said, and before he could say anything she continued, "Hmm. Perfect. Not too lean, not too bulk. Just the perfect handsome."

And before he could counter, her mouth was on his. Bold. Claiming. "Hmmm." She let out as she kissed him, with a passion that he didn’t expect.

Zaeryn let it happen, then tilted into it, meeting her fire with his own. His hand slid naturally onto her perfect thigh, squeezing lightly, answering her challenge without a word. His other hand, shamelessly moved to grab her slender waist and pulled her closer to him.

Marceline’s lips curved against his. She didn’t expect him to respond the way he did, however she was still pleased at his boldness.

Aeris let out a light giggle from across the seat, covering her mouth as her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Well, well... seems our Zaeryn doesn’t care in the slightest that we’re all watching. Bold."

"Bold?" Ravena cut in, her tone laced with mock disappointment as she folded her arms under her chest, making her curves rise temptingly. "No, I’d call it rude." She rolled her eyes, her lips curl into a sultry smirk. "Wow, Zaeryn. I’m offended. You didn’t seem this attracted to me."

Zaeryn didn’t answer them.

When Marceline broke the kiss, her lips were glistening, her smirk victorious. "Look at you," she breathed, her voice husky with satisfaction. "All grown up now."

Kayla, on the other hand, looked positively scandalized, making a dramatic gagging noise. "Ugh! I feel violated! Next time, warn me before I have to witness something that gross."

"Oh, please," Marceline shot back, her grin wicked and teasing. "You only say that because you wish you could do it too."

Kayla’s glare sharpened. "Absolutely not. I’ll be back. Hopefully by then you’ll remember how to have a normal conversation." She stormed off, leaving the air buzzing.

Apart from Kayla, no one reacted. Marceline and Ravena continued their playful proximity, Aeris giggled quietly but didn’t interfere, and Ysmeine’s calm, steady gaze never wavered.

To them, this was nothing unusual. In fact, it was just another ordinary morning with Zaeryn, full of flirtation, teasing, and undeniable attraction.

Kayla’s exaggerated offense only highlighted how much she was the outlier in the room.

Marceline caught him in another embrace, his head resting against her chest. Her hands threaded through his hair, combing it gently. "Don’t mind Kayla, Zae," she murmured, her breath warm against his skin. "And don’t believe her. She doesn’t hate you like she pretends. Deep down... she’d do anything to protect you."

Ravena added, her tone softening as she tilted her head, eyes glimmering with pride, "look how quickly Kayla left her post on the frontlines just to come here the moment she heard you were in the Council’s custody. That says a lot, doesn’t it?"