The tip of Gabriel’s finger caressed Amelie’s nape, who had her back toward him. He had his eyes glued to the mark on her nape while Amelie’s mother’s words replayed in his head.
Death didn’t scare him because he knew everyone would one day leave the earth. What worried him was the fate shared. He didn’t want Amelie to ever get hurt because of him.
’Louis went off radar. He must’ve found out something which he didn’t want to share with me,’ Gabriel thought, frowning.
Leaning close to Amelie, he pressed a warm kiss on her shoulder before stepping out of the bed.
As he entered the shower room, he turned on the tap and stood under it. The cold water cascaded down his frame, and he ran his hands over his face.
He closed the shower tap and wore the bathrobe. As he returned to the room, he found Amelie was still in the deep slumber. Picking up the phone, he called Karmen and went to the balcony after pouring wine into a glass.
"Did you trace Louis?" Gabriel directly jumped to the question, dropping the greetings.
"Not yet," Karmen replied. "His location is untraceable this time," he asserted.
"Hmm."
"Prince Casaio isn’t in the right state of mind," Karmen informed him.
Gabriel’s brows drew together. "What do you mean?"
"He ordered Zilia to be tortured since she refused to speak. But last night, he suddenly asked for her to be treated. I don’t think we’re going to get anything out of her anymore. But it’s clearly taking a toll on Prince Casaio."
Gabriel sighed, his grip tightening slightly around the wine glass. "I wish I could do something. Amelie and I will return tomorrow. Once we’re back, I’ll see what can be done."
"Understood," Karmen replied. After a short pause, he asked, "How’s Amelie?"
"She’s doing fine," Gabriel replied softly.
Karmen chuckled, lightening the mood. "Are you ready to become a father? Don’t come crying to me when the baby keeps you up all night."
Gabriel let out a small laugh. "I haven’t thought that far. But I suppose... I’ll learn along the way."
He swirled the wine in his glass, then took a slow sip.
"I’ll hang up now. Take care, and enjoy your time," Karmen said before the line disconnected.
Gabriel slid the phone into the pocket of his robe and leaned against the balcony rail. He drank the rest of his wine in silence.
"Why are you drinking in the morning?" Amelie’s soft voice reached his ears, making him turn around.
"I was craving wine, that’s all," Gabriel replied, watching her yawn as she walked toward him.
"You should’ve slept more. You look tired," she said with concern.
Amelie stopped in front of him and wrapped her arms around his torso, resting her face against his chest. Gabriel gently placed the wine glass on the balcony railing and embraced her, his arms circling her waist with care.
"Who were you talking to?" she asked.
"Karmen," he answered.
"Oh..." Her voice trailed off as she noticed Gabriel’s heartbeat suddenly turned faster. She blinked slowly, then lifted her head to meet his eyes.
"Your heartbeats..." Amelie whispered.
"They always turn erratic around you," Gabriel admitted, his lips curving into a small smile. His hand moved to rest over her small baby bump, caressing it gently. "Don’t you think it looks a little bigger today? Noa is growing fast."
"Yes. Skye was right," she nodded. "I might deliver Noa sooner than the due date."
Gabriel gave her bump a protective stroke for pulling back his hand.
Amelie then said, "Last night I heard from the staff that the floating city of Valmira is holding a festival tonight. We should go."
Gabriel picked up his glass and walked with her back into the room. "Sure. What’s the festival about?"
"It’s called the Lumora Bloom Festival," Amelie replied, her eyes brightening. "It only happens once every fifty years, on the second full moon of summer."
Gabriel glanced at her, a flicker of curiosity lighting his features. "Sounds rare."
"It is," she smiled. "We’re lucky to witness it this time."
Gabriel was delighted by the glow of happiness on Amelie’s face. Then, without warning, he scooped her into his arms from behind, making her gasp in surprise.
"Gabriel!" she laughed softly, startled.
He carried her over and settled onto the recliner with her in his arms, holding her close against his chest. Her legs rested over one side, where his hand came to gently cradle them, his other arm wrapped protectively around her.
"I haven’t even freshened up yet," Amelie murmured, glancing at his damp hair.
"You don’t need to do anything," he said, voice low, his fingers moving with idle curiosity over the front knots of her dress. He began to undo them slowly, letting the fabric loosen, revealing the graceful curve of her body beneath.
The marks from the night before still lingered faintly on her skin, and Gabriel’s eyes paused there, taking them in. Amelie’s face flushed with heat as she chewed the inside of her cheek, then reached up and gently lifted his chin.
"Don’t look at my chest," she whispered, her lips barely an inch away from his.
"Why? Don’t tell me you still feel shy about it," Gabriel whispered in a teasingly low voice.
"I do... whenever you look at me like that," Amelie admitted in an almost breathless voice. "So intensely... it makes me feel like I’m burning."
Gabriel’s hand slowly moved up the length of her thigh, and she instinctively drew in a sharp breath.
"Don’t..." she murmured.
He immediately paused, his gaze shifting to her face with concern. "Alright," he said gently.
A beat passed before he leaned in again, his lips just brushing hers. "How about a bubble bath?" he suggested while coaxing her.
Amelie smiled. "Why not?" she said with anticipation.
"Then go freshen up," Gabriel said, flashing a smirk as he released her from his embrace. "I’ll get everything ready for us."