I won't fall for the queen who burned my world-Chapter 161: Then stay right here

Sunlight had never felt so offensive.

It filtered through the cabin’s gauzy curtains, brushing across Malvoria’s face like a rude messenger sent to remind her of the world waiting outside.

She didn’t open her eyes. She didn’t need to. She could feel the shift in warmth, hear the birdsong returning in lazy patterns, taste the last notes of magic still clinging to the air like perfume after a dream.

But mostly, she felt her.

Elysia lay curled in the crook of her arm, one bare leg slung over Malvoria’s thigh, a hand pressed lightly against her chest.

Her hair was a silver tangle against the pillow, streaks of it trailing across Malvoria’s collarbone. Her breathing was steady, deep, the rhythm of someone still wrapped in sleep.

It was a crime, really.

A crime against the very foundations of duty, responsibility, and every cursed obligation that came with the title of Demon Queen.

Because Malvoria had no intention of moving.

Not yet.

Maybe not ever.

Her arm tightened around Elysia’s waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them.

She buried her nose into the curve of Elysia’s neck, inhaling deeply, grounding herself in warmth and skin and the faint scent of roses and stolen heat.

Elysia shifted slightly but didn’t wake.

Malvoria grinned against her skin. A feral, contented grin. The kind she hadn’t worn in... decades, maybe.

She had lived lifetimes on battlefields and thrones, had commanded armies, negotiated treaties, broken spines and expectations alike.

She had carved her place into the demon realm with blood and sheer, stubborn will.

But nothing had ever felt as powerful as this moment.

A heartbeat. A breath. A stolen morning.

And of course it couldn’t last.

The knock of reality came softly at first: the creeping memory of documents unsigned, ambassadors waiting, military reports that needed her eyes. She had promised the generals a council meeting.

Her mothers would be expecting updates. The steward would likely combust in her absence.

She groaned into the pillow.

Elysia stirred.

"Mmm... what was that?"

"Nothing," Malvoria muttered, dragging the blankets higher as if they might form a fortress against responsibility.

Elysia blinked her eyes open, lashes fluttering. "Are you... growling?"

"No."

"You so are."

"I’m resisting tyranny."

Elysia raised a brow, still half-asleep. "You are tyranny."

"I resent that. I am the very model of benevolent oppression."

Elysia snorted and shifted to stretch, which in turn pressed her body more fully against Malvoria’s—and that, frankly, was unfair.

"You’re warm," Elysia murmured, nuzzling into her shoulder like a cat choosing a sunbeam. "You’re too warm. It’s dangerous."

"Then stay right here," Malvoria growled, flipping her back over and caging her beneath the blankets before she could think of moving. "I’ve decided we’re never leaving this bed again."

Elysia laughed, breathless, tangled now in sheets and demon limbs. "You’re being dramatic."

"I’m being strategic. There are no council meetings in bed. No paperwork. No diplomatic visits. Only this."

She punctuated each word with a kiss neck, jaw, collarbone.

Elysia’s breath hitched. "You can’t kiss your way out of government."

"Watch me."

Another kiss. This one to her shoulder, then her throat.

Elysia tried to glare at her, but she was smiling, the corners of her mouth betraying her.

"Malvoria..."

"No. No full names. It sounds like you’re going to ask me to get up and be a responsible adult."

"Because I am."

"I’ll exile the sun."

"You can’t exile the sun."

"I’m the Queen of Demons. I can do whatever I want."

"That’s not how celestial bodies work!"

Malvoria growled again affectionate this time and rolled them both over, so she hovered above Elysia, her braid falling like a curtain between them.

"I have ruled for six years. I’ve survived coups, assassins, and idiotic nobles with more gold than brain matter. But this—" she kissed the corner of Elysia’s mouth, "—this is the first time I’ve ever felt like throwing it all away for five more minutes."

Elysia’s fingers slid into her braid, tugging lightly. "Just five?"

Malvoria grinned. "Six, if you’re persuasive."

They kissed again—slow, indulgent, the kind of kiss that didn’t ask for anything except to be felt.

And it was only when they both gasped for breath and Elysia pushed a hand against her chest, laughing, that Malvoria finally relented.

"This is ridiculous," Elysia murmured, still breathless. "You’re acting like a lovesick teenager."

"I am a lovesick teenager. Just... aged like fine wine."

Elysia smacked her shoulder.

"Fine, aged demon wine," Malvoria amended, grinning like a fool.

Elysia groaned, burying her face in the pillow. "We’re going to be late."

"Late to what? I am the thing people wait for."

"Oh my gods, you are insufferable."

"And yet..." Malvoria kissed the top of her head, "here you are."

Elysia mumbled something into the pillow that sounded suspiciously like, "I hate how much I like you."

"I love how much you like me."

Silence.

A long, sweet silence filled only by their breath and the rustle of sheets.

Elysia finally looked up. Her eyes were soft now, sleepy and open in a way that made Malvoria’s chest ache. No defenses. No snark. Just her.

"It does feel different," Elysia said softly.

Malvoria swallowed. "It is."

"You’re not scared?"

"Terrified."

Elysia blinked.

"I’ve always known how to fight for what I wanted," Malvoria continued. "But I don’t know how to keep it."

Elysia reached up, fingers brushing her cheek. "Then we learn."

Malvoria exhaled, then leaned down and kissed her again. Not hungry. Not teasing. Just there. A kiss to say I believe you.

Elysia tangled their legs together, pulling her closer again.

"Five more minutes," she whispered.

Malvoria smiled.

"Five."

Then, after a long stretch of cuddling, sighs, and halfhearted protests, the sun dared to climb higher, and a bird screamed rudely from the window like some kind of avian alarm clock.

Malvoria rolled onto her back with a dramatic groan. "Fine. Fine! Let’s go. The realm can’t rule itself."

Elysia smirked beside her. "You’re so grumpy."

"Because I’m tragically in love."

"Tragically?"

"Hopelessly. Desperately. Dangerously."

"You’re dramatic."

"I’m in pain."

Elysia kissed her jaw. "Poor demon queen."

Malvoria sighed through her nose, stared at the ceiling one more beat, then sat up and let the blankets fall.

"Okay," she said, dragging her hands through her hair. "Let’s get ready."