The Duke's Passion

Receiving no response or any movements from him made me tighten my grip around him. Even if he refused, I wouldn't let him go.

"Tear my entire shoulders apart if you want to leave." I blurted out in a whisper.

I pursed my lips upon realization. However, I thought it was better that I spoke my thoughts aloud.

When Sam put his hand on my linked hands resting on his abdomen, I tightened my grip.

"I won't let you go off on you own again." I murmured, puffing my cheeks.

I felt his back trembled slightly before I heard his faint laugh. Upon sensing he had calmed down a bit, I took a step back as he unlinked my hands.

Slowly, Sam turned around and faced me. I looked up, blinking. He was neither smiling nor frowning. He's just staring at me.

"Come here." He whispered, spreading his arms as I melted into his arms.

I felt satisfied that his dissatisfaction moments ago died down. He's so warm, and I felt snugly in his arms.

During his brief absence, I had too much thoughts it made my head hurts. But with him around, all those jumbled emotions came to a standstill.

Perhaps it wasn't him who needed to calm down. Perhaps it was my thoughts who needed this comfort.

As I closed my eyes, I poured all my focus on his warmth. Ironic. Sam's temperature was always a little colder than normal. But his coldness was not alike those corpses.

But he still felt very warm to me. His gentle touches, loving eyes, and affectionate embrace. They all felt very warm. I would never get fed up with this.

"You know what?" Sam whispered. I hummed a low, questioning tune in response.

"Kisses are nice. But hugs gives a distinct warmth and comfort." 

He added. I could not help but smile upon hearing his remarks.

"I know and I agree." I whispered back, moving my head to find a comfortable spot on his chest.

Sam stroked my hair, placing small kisses on top of my head. His actions cemented this smile on my lips. I couldn't stop myself from smiling like a fool.

"Don't think about anyone. Especially the king with or without me." Sam muttered with a weary sigh.

I chuckled. Was he a kid?

"Why?" I asked, curious what's so wrong to think of the king? 

"Because…" Sam trailed off and remained silent for a long time.

Yes, I waited for his answer. But it never came. Hence, with a furrowed brow, I broke free from his arms and raised my gaze to him.

"Sam?" I called out. Sam was frowning as he stared at me straight in the eye.

When he let out a sigh, he reached for my hand and guided me towards the window. Sam perched on the edge of the windowsill; his one leg was up while he kept me close.

"Because…" Sam once again trailed off, cupping my cheek as his thumb caressed my jaw.

"I dislike many people. I mean, I dislike almost everyone."

I know. Sam had this strange perspective on things. He loved Grimsbanne and his people. But he also disliked them at some point. He's a simple man. Too simple that it was complicated.

"My brother, the king don't fall in that category."

"Huh?" Did I hear what I just heard him say?

I furrowed my brows in confusion. Sam didn't sound like he's fond of the king. However, now that I think about it, he never sounded he detests the king either.

Suddenly, Sam flicked my forehead, which brought me back to the current lapse.

"Aw…" Out of instinct, I rubbed my forehead and frowned. Was he planning to crush my head? He was still mad at me, wasn't he?

"If you're still mad at me, you could've said so. I feel like every time you do that, it leaves a crack on my skull."

I complained, exaggerating it to get his sympathy. Obviously, it didn't work, as he laughed. How silly of me to think Sam would pity me when he was obviously enjoying his time whenever he did this.

"I'll kiss it for you." Sam offered as he pulled my waist closer to him, tilting his head, and his lips crash against mine.

My hands instinctively rested on his chest as I closed my eyes. That's my lips, not my forehead. But I didn't mind correcting him, as his lips tasted sweet as ever.

It felt nice.

A smile plastered on my lips as our simple kiss — not too deep or too brief — but just about enough to bring out myriads of emotions. He reluctantly broke away, slowly perking his head up to kiss my forehead.

"Isn't that a little overdue?" I humored with a faint chuckle. Sam laughed in response as he drew back to look at me.

"Your way of words starts to amuse me." Sam shook his head helplessly.

Out of habit, I bit my lip, stopping the side of my lips from stretching into a grin.

"What were you saying earlier?" I asked, diverting our attention to our previous discussion.

"Oh…" Sam nodded in understanding, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "You're really that interested in my brother?"

"I'm interested in what you think about him as a person. Also, he's your family. So, it's normal that I want to know." I explained hesitatingly. 

I'm not sure if this was reasonable enough, but I'd rather be honest with him.

"Ohh…" But his reaction told me it was fair enough.

"What I think about him, huh?" Sam muttered, pulling my hand closer as he wrapped his arms around me.

"I neither like nor dislike him. We had our disagreements, but I can't disregard his point and opinions on certain matters. To put it simply, he's a reasonable man."

I didn't expect to hear such words from Sam. I mean, Sam might not mean to praise the king. However, for Sam to say all that, it was an achievement.

At least for me.

"That's why I don't want you to think about the better man. He will snatch you from me." 

Sam added, and buried his face in my shoulder. Was that the reason he was so upset? He considered the king the better man when, in fact, admitting someone was better than him just made him the best.

I already thought I was insecure. But, perhaps, Sam also had his insecurities. Was it because what's between us was new for the both of us? 

"Don't leave me alone ever again then." I teased and flung my arms to wrap around him. "Speaking of which, where have you been?"

"Uh… I helped the townsfolk set up your sacred place. I made a sketch of you so they could worship your beauty... properly."

Did — did I just hear what I just heard? He was not serious, right?

Slowly, I pushed Sam back and distance myself to see his expression. When Sam looked away and cleared his throat, my lips parted, but no words came out.

No. He's dead serious.