The surprise place that Klevon is talking about is way past the Town Plaza and on the other side of where the Mountain Challenge is done. After an hour of walk, we finally reach it. It is a four floors building that looks like a castle because of its width. In front of us is a name that says 'Duran National Library'.
"Did you like it?" Klevon asks.
I turn towards him and say, "I kinda expected it though."
"If you like it," he taps his cheeks and says, "Where's my kiss? It's a nice surprise, right?"
I wince. Instead doing what he suggested, I slap his cheeks and say, "I also said back then, that it's only for one time. And besides…" I look around. Everything is quiet, except for Silvino and Ami who are whispering to each other, and the the doors and windows are also locked. "It's already their closing hours."
"I have never been hindered by insignificant things such as operating times."
Then, he activates his wind magic and lifts me. "I don't like what you are planning," I say, and yet, I can't help but wrap my arms around his neck.
He grins. "Be honest with yourself, Kaiya. I know you like it too."
Then, we bounces off from the ground floor and into the balcony at the second floor. Then, he places me on the floor and starts to play around with the lock of the door.
"You don't need to carry me though. I can handle that much of flying," I comment.
When the doorknob clicks open, he beams at me and says, "You seem to forget that I've always liked doing those things for you."
"Like a pervert you are."
"Like a man very attracted to a woman will do."
"You are creepy."
"That hurts my heart."
"I hope I also hurt your ego."
"Ah! Not possible, I have a lot of women who can fix me up every time you break it."
"Womanizer," I hiss.
He laughs. "Only because I know how to please women. Want to try my services?"
I roll my eyes at him and push open the door instead. I need to cut the conversation off, or he will just continue annoying me.
However, only two steps inside the room and I already pause. The place is massive. I thought Pitchford's library is already huge, but compared to this, it's become a insignificant. My heart warms and I walk as silent as possible along the rows and rows of bookshelves.
I feel so at home at this place, it's as if I live here before. When I was with my previous Duran mate, did I spend my time in this library? I won't be surprised if I did. I clutch my chest. I am happy again. This is amazing.
"Now, are you willing to give me that kiss you owe?" Klevon interrupts.
I smile at him, grateful that he allows me to see it. "Thank you," I say. He leans forward to me, so I can kiss him, but instead, I walk away from him, and move towards the nearest bookshelf. I sense Klevon following me into the bookshelf, but Nadif and Elroy are already sitting on one of the tables, looking bored. Ami, on the other hand, is giggling, and Silvino pulled her into the darkest area of the library.
I walk through the bookshelf, reading the titles, while my fingers lightly touch the spine of each book, as if they've been my most trusted confidant.
"Is Duran famous for their library?"
"Nope, not as famous as Owusu and Orttenburg."
Then, I see an interesting title. I take it and start to read through it. It's about the magic of Duran and how they used it, most are practical applications. Not much of combat usage.
"Is Duran not highly militaristic?"
"They are an ordinary country. Although, the corruption in their government is high."
I nod as I return the book. I am still looking for another, when Ami and Silvino approach us.
"Kaiya, we'll be leaving," Ami says, blushing. Silvino's arms is around her waist.
I smile. "Are you sure?" She nods. "Then, I will be just fine here."
Her smile widens. "By the way, Nadif and Elroy also left to sleep." She glances at Klevon, who is sitting on top of the table, and then at me. "How long will you stay? You are going to meet K… Theo, right?" she asks, correcting herself in the middle.
"In an hour or two, maybe," I say.
"Okay, we'll leave then," she says.
She pulls Silvino out of the room, and she even giggles when he places a kiss on the side of her mouth. Well, seems like she will lose her virginity tonight. She doesn't seem afraid too. So maybe, she's pretty ready for it. I wonder how's mine? Is it the Duran royalty that I give my innocence to?
"Kaiya, how are you lately?" Klevon asks.
I glance at him, then return my focus on the books. "I'm doing fine, thank you."
"Don't you feel suffocated in Pitchford?"
"No," I answer, even when honestly, I am not sure.
I sense him stand up and approach me. I evade him, but he traps me between his body and the bookshelf in front of me.
"What is it now, Klevon?" I ask, exasperated.
He turns me around and forces me to look up into his eyes. In the dim-light and with the build of an Owusu warrior, his form is intimidating. The scar on his face also added to his rugged form. He comes nearer and traps my body against him and the bookshelf. I push at his chest, pretty annoyed at the way his body heat transfers to mine.
Instead, he catches my hands and places it on his cheeks. He rubs my palm against his cheeks and I say, "Stop, Klevon!"
I withdraw my hands and he only tightened his hold on me. He is not speaking. However, the way he looks at me is already enough to know what he wants.
"I have a mate, so no matter what you do, I won't be able to reciprocate whatever it is you want from me."
"I know. So, I am doing this. I am stealing bits of your time with him."
I push at his body, but he is too muscular, too huge, too strong, that he only pushes me further into the bookshelves.
"Stop pressing against me!" I admonish him.
"It was hard," he whispers. Then, he kisses my open palm and licks my fingers. I try to retreat from him, but he's not letting go. "Hearing your voice as you are overwhelmed by pleasure… I can do that for you too, even without the mate bond."
The problem is, I know that he can't. Theo can do it to me because he is my mate. I am brainwashed by the mate bond, without it… I whimper, I think I will still feel those heady desires.
Frustrated, I push sharply at Klevon, but like Theo, he only shivers at the contact. I glare at him. "What is wrong with you?! I don't understand why you have feelings for me! So, just let me go! One human is enough for me!"
"I told you before, I don't know either. Something is making me enamored with you…"
"Then fight it! That is not love!"
"Like how you are fighting against your mate bond with Theo?" he asks.
I clench my jaws and glower at him. He is being unfair! "You can't keep doing this, or I will avoid you like a disease."
"You won't," he says, touching the side of my cheeks. "Because I know that you still need mo to teach you magic. There is still a lot more I can teach you. All I ask of you is-"
"Sex?!" I cut him off.
He looks sadly at me. "If you think the mate bond is too much, I can help you escape. We can travel the world. We can visit Owusu. Or pass by Weiller. Or-"
"Weiller?" I ask. "You can go to Weiller?"
"Yes, but it's not easy, especially if we are going to be escapees. Besides, General Brandon is the one who's supervising that island."
"If I come with you to Owusu, not as escapee, but as a regular guest, will you bring me to Weiller park?"
"Yes, if that's what you want."
I sigh and relax against him. If that means, I can see Nowra and the rest again. Then, Theo's anger will be worth it. I won't be an escapee, just a regular guest, then it will be comfortable.
"Can you let me go now?" I ask. "I think this library is going to open soon," I add while glancing at the window.
Instead of answering, he leans towards me and is about to kiss me when I cover his mouth. "No kisses, Klevon. I told you, I will never fall in love with you."