Chapter 17: Caught in the Act
Kazuki's heart pounded as Elara stormed across the courtyard, her eyes blazing with fury. Tara slowly pulled away from Kazuki, her smirk never faltering.
"What the hell is going on here?!" Elara demanded, her fists clenched at her sides. "Kazuki?"
Kazuki opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come. How could he explain what just happened? His mind was still reeling from Tara's kiss, his body still tingling from her touch.
"Oh, come on, Elara," Tara said, casually adjusting her robe to cover herself. "Can't a girl have a little fun?"
"Fun?" Elara's voice was tight, her eyes locking onto Kazuki. "Is that what this is to you?"
Kazuki swallowed, his gaze dropping to the ground. "I... I didn't —"
"Of course he didn't," Tara said, stepping forward, her finger tracing a slow line down Kazuki's chest. "Kazuki here was just being a good boy, letting me show him some... affection."
Elara's jaw clenched. "Get away from him, Tara. Now."
Tara chuckled, her eyes gleaming. "Or what? You going to fight me for him?"
Elara's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Kazuki thought she was going to punch Tara. But instead, she grabbed Kazuki's arm, pulling him behind her. "Kazuki's not a toy for you to play with."
Tara raised her hands in mock surrender, her grin never fading. "Fine, fine. I'll back off. For now."
Kazuki felt Elara's grip tighten around his arm as Tara sauntered away, her hips swaying, her robe barely staying in place. Just before disappearing into the shadows, she threw a wink over her shoulder.
"See you around, Kazuki."
The tension in the air lingered long after Tara was gone. Elara released Kazuki's arm, her shoulders slumping as she let out a heavy sigh. "Are you okay?"
Kazuki nodded, his heart still racing. "Yeah... I'm fine."
Elara turned to face him, her eyes softening as she reached out, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "You need to be more careful. Tara... she's not someone you can trust."
Kazuki swallowed, his cheeks burning. "I know. But... she's so..."
"Tempting?" Elara said, her voice strained. "That's exactly what she wants. To get under your skin. To make you hers."
Kazuki looked away, guilt gnawing at him. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen."
Elara sighed, stepping closer, her hand resting on his chest. "I know. Just... stay close to me, okay? I don't want her sinking her claws into you."
Kazuki nodded, his pulse quickening as Elara's hand remained on his chest, her body close enough that he could feel her warmth. "Elara..."
For a moment, their eyes met, the air between them charged with something unspoken. But before either of them could say another word, a loud crash echoed from the training grounds, followed by a familiar, sultry laugh.
"Guess she's not done yet," Elara muttered, her eyes narrowing. "Stay here, Kazuki. I'll handle this."
But as she strode away, Kazuki couldn't shake the lingering heat from Tara's kiss — or the ache in his chest from Elara's touch.