Chapter 235: Moth to a Flame

Words : 1314 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

Chapter 235: Moth to a Flame There were many ways for people to cross over to their second lives, and Luca thought he’d already experienced many of the options. It was just that one fate-defying human wasn’t sure if this kind of death was covered in the list of allowable reasons for a do-over. For what if his heart stopped in the middle of this demo? Because right now, it seemed like a likely possibility. Now, this hadn’t always been the case. For when the second part of the demonstration started, Luca thought it should be something he could handle. The power smooches. And so, the devoted learner listened to Xavier’s cues. Every lesson, every word, and every touch—Luca committed them all to memory until he couldn’t anymore. But even that didn’t help. And that was because no amount of mental preparation could fully guard him against the relentless onslaught of sensations. The little Guide couldn’t make sense of the situation. For this was really how it was done, when he was recharging from Xavier, but Luca couldn’t remember having to go through such torment. Now, in all fairness to the dutiful Prince, Xavier tried being faithful to the re-enactment as his lips retraced their earlier path. And in this detailed study, Luca was slowly awakening to the Prince’s plight. Apparently, this was how it was to be on the receiving end. Xavier’s position barely changed. And yet it wasn’t even his caged-in position that overwhelmed him, but the fleeting kisses that barely even had any weight yet felt so much more constricting. At first, Luca tried to hold it together. But no matter how much he braced himself, his body was uncooperative. His forearms would instinctively come up to cover his face to save him from the intensity of each graze. For Luca kept on tingling, and he wasn’t sure if that was normal. His breathing grew uneven, and the heat in his chest was unbearable. And whenever Xavier got closer, his toes would curl involuntarily. And throughout this situation, Xavier noticed an increase in squirming. "Luca, do you need a bit of help?" murmured the Prince, who couldn’t help but be slightly amused. After all, who wouldn’t be amused when Luca pouted before hiding as if he was being offended? The little guide was flustered, panting, and breathless, yet he managed to furrow his brow in indignation. Luca peeked from beneath his arm, his golden eyes wide after hearing what sounded like a magic word. "Help?" "Yeah. You keep hiding. Is it that bad? If so, we can stop—" But Xavier, who was wondering if this was too much for today, didn’t get to finish as Luca nodded. "I...I’m okay. I still want to finish, " said Luca, whose eyes showed the same resolve. However, on Xavier’s part, he was unsure about anyone finishing unless it was to finish his life. But he wasn’t the only one, as Luca didn’t expect what would come next. The little Guide was waiting for special techniques, but Xavier chose the true and tested method of holding Luca’s wrists above his head. The Prince’s large palm pinned him down with ease—not forceful, but definitely firm. And Luca’s pulse quickened at the sight before him. Xavier’s eyes looked straight at him as his long hair blanketed them together. He was technically hidden like this, but the little Guide had also never felt so exposed. "There," Xavier whispered. "Now you don’t have to worry about moving." Luca swallowed thickly, unable to find his voice. Then, the power smooches resumed. But unlike before, there was no playful eagerness. Xavier wasn’t tilting his face while waiting for Luca’s response. No. This time, Xavier took his time. Every spot he had once offered for Luca’s smooches, he now claimed with his own lips. A kiss to the cheek. Then the other. The tip of Luca’s nose. A fleeting brush against his closed eyelids. Every kiss was gentle yet deliberate, and every lingering touch made Luca’s heart race. His chest rose and fell rapidly, trying desperately to remember Xavier’s instructions. "Breathe, Luca," Xavier reminded softly, his voice barely above a whisper. And Luca tried. He really did. But Xavier wasn’t making it easy. The kisses continued—tracing the delicate slope of Luca’s jaw, the dip of his chin, and eventually...the corners of his lips. Luca whimpered. It was soft, barely audible, but it was these that drove the wolf into such tight corners. For who could be immune to Luca at this point? No one. And for that, he wanted to hide his little Guide from prying eyes, those with longing gazes, and even from those other species. His mind was likely not functioning properly, but even then his most important role was to keep the little chipmunk alive. "Still breathing, Luca?" Xavier asked, his voice a little hoarse this time. Luca nodded—a little too quickly, although he was not convinced himself, but he couldn’t really be bothered to know as he was more focused on a bigger problem. For the assailed Guide figured out the culprit. It was those lips that kept hovering above his own. The same one that had been peppering him with those electrifying kisses that had him in stitches for so long. Yet it kept on lingering, and for some reason, it was like being dangled food when one was starving. And that was exactly how Luca’s world narrowed to the soft and apparently infuriating ghost of Xavier’s lips. It burned everywhere and left him trembling in uncertainty as he couldn’t understand this phenomenon. His chest was tight, and his breathing was uneven. And there was a strange weight behind his ribs like an ache with no relief. Was this the urge that Xavier was talking about? But just what was his urge? What did he even want? Luca tried to ask himself, but his mind kept on wondering as his eyes kept falling to Xavier’s mouth. Each time those lips drew closer, the fluttering heat inside him grew unbearable. And like a moth to a flame, Luca, without thinking and without waiting, caught them. The initial clash was abrupt, almost startled. His lips brushed Xavier’s in a fleeting, desperate movement. It was by no means graceful. Nor was it planned, but it was definitely real. Because it froze the Ice Prince himself. Luca could see the widening of his eyes, the sharp hitching of his breath. And for a heartbeat, neither of them moved. Xavier’s world stilled. And maybe tilted by a little, or by a lot. But in the end, the weight of this settled over Xavier like a crashing wave. It looked like time had frozen for a long while. But in reality it was but a split-second decision. Xavier let go of Luca’s wrists, and the little Guide panicked for a moment before realizing what was happening. But then, Xavier exhaled—a low, trembling sound—before his hand cupped Luca’s jaw. Then, sensibilities unraveled. Control shattered. For he kissed him. Properly. Finally. It was not one of those featherlight kisses but one that captured Luca’s lips with sudden, consuming purpose. Xavier’s fingers tangled in Luca’s hair as he tugged the still-shocked Guide closer to him. Luca’s lower lip trembled beneath Xavier’s ministrations. Every tilt of the Prince’s head and every brush of his tongue sent shivers racing down his spine. Hearts pounded loud as Luca’s hands clutched at Xavier’s shoulders, the sheets tangling beneath them as the intensity grew. And Luca tried processing all of these as heat pooled low in his stomach. It was a very novel feeling for one inexperienced young man, and yet Xavier was unaware of this as his mouth moved against Luca’s—now slower, but deeper, yet oh so greedy. For how could he not, after waiting for so long only to be caught off-guard by his own little wife?

Chapter 235: Moth to a Flame

Comments (0)