Desires & Heresy

The evening air was thick with the lingering warmth of the day, yet a faint chill whispered through the corridors of the cathedral. The setting sun cast long shadows along the stone pathway, its golden light flickering against the stained glass windows.

Viviana walked beside High Priest Zion Aldrich, her steps slow, hesitant.

She should have left.

She had done what she came to do. Her carriage was waiting. She was supposed to step inside, shut the door, and return to her life.

So why had she stepped out?

Why was she walking with him?

The weight of his presence burned beside her, his robes trailing soundlessly against the marble floors. Too close. Too steady.

Why did she let him do those things to her?

Why had she let herself feel so good?

Her fingers curled against her sleeves, gripping the fine silk as her thoughts tangled, chaotic and unwelcome.

Was I really this lonely?

Zion Aldrich. The man of faith.

But was he really?

When he touched her inappropriately?

Everyone praised him, whispered his name in reverence. But she had felt him—his touch, his breath, his hands claiming her.

The image they painted of him wasn't the truth.

But…

Why didn't she feel bad about it?

She should.

She should feel disgusted.

Then why—

[Velvet Whispers (activated)]

"You're thinking too much again."

Zane whispered.

Viviana stiffened.

His voice was smooth, casual, but something about it made her stomach twist.

Does he know what I'm thinking?

Of course, Zane knew.

She turned slightly, but before she could speak—

"You're still searching for an answer." His voice was amused.

A slow smirk tugged at his lips, as if the weight of her spiraling thoughts was nothing more than an entertaining game to him.

Viviana felt heat rise to her cheeks.

Before she could snap back, Zane's pace slowed.

They had reached Eleanor's door.

Candlelight flickered from beneath the wooden frame, casting shifting shadows across the stone floor. The corridor was silent, save for the distant echoes of the cathedral halls.

Then—a voice.

Soft. Faint.

Prayers.

Viviana barely paid it any mind at first. It was just Eleanor praying.

Then she noticed something strange.

Her voice.

It was weak.

Slow. Unsteady.

Like she was barely holding on.

Viviana frowned, tilting her head slightly. "…What's wrong with her?"

Zane didn't answer right away. He simply watched the door, his expression unreadable.

Then—

[Holy Presence (activated)]

"She's been like this for a month now," he said. Calmly.

Viviana blinked. "…What?"

"She hasn't left this room. No food, no water." His voice was quiet, as if he were just stating a simple fact. "Her Holy Blessings keep her going, but…"

He exhaled, tilting his head slightly. "It's still concerning."

Viviana's breath caught.

A month? A whole month?

A cold weight settled in her stomach. Eleanor locked herself inside her room?

How had no one told her, when she asked?

Viviana turned toward the door fully now, truly listening.

Eleanor's prayers continued, soft and broken.

Viviana felt sick.

She should have known. She should have noticed.

"We have to do something," she murmured.

Zane exhaled, his fingers flexing slightly at his side. "And what would you suggest?"

Viviana opened her mouth—but nothing came.

Because she didn't know.

Then—footsteps.

Approaching from the corridor.

Zane suddenly wrapped his hand around her wrist, smooth, effortless.

The next thing she knew, he had pulled her toward the nearby door, the entrance to a private living quarter adjacent to Eleanor's room.

Viviana didn't resist at first, but once the door shut, the realization hit her.

Why did he pull her? They weren't doing anything sinful outside.

She questioned it—tried to pull away, slightly.

But Viviana's back hit the wooden door with a soft thud as the lock clicked into place.

Her pulse was still racing from being pulled inside, and now—this.

Zane was too close.

His presence suffocating.

The dim candlelight flickered between them, casting shadows over his sharply carved features and those piercing amber eyes that watched her like a predator cornering prey.

She frowned, trying to step back, but there was nowhere to go.

"You must be questioning why I pulled you," Zane murmured, voice smooth, deep, as if he could read her very thoughts. He tilted his head slightly, watching her reaction, his lips curling in amusement.

"Well, I simply wanted a steamy evening."

Viviana inhaled sharply, her body tensing. "You—"

He didn't let her finish.

[Euphoric Touch (activated)] 

His hands moved fast—one curling around her waist, the other sliding up, cupping her breast through her dress.

Viviana gasped, her fingers twitching to push him away, but he was already touching her.

Squeezing.

Exploring.

He pinched her nipple through the fabric. Hard.

Viviana's breath caught in her throat, her body jolting at the sudden sensation.

Zane smirked. "You were sensitive here, right?"

She bit her lip, hard, but her traitorous body betrayed her. She could already feel the way her nipples stiffened against his palm, the heat building too quickly.

Another pinch.

Then—a tug.

Viviana whimpered.

She hated the way her body reacted. She hated how quickly he could make her feel like this.

Zane's lips ghosted over her ear.

[Velvet Whispers (activated)]

"Don't fight it," he whispered.

Then—his thigh slid between her legs.

Viviana stiffened.

The pressure was direct. Perfect. Pressed right against her core, the hard muscle of his leg forcing her dress up slightly as he leaned in closer.

She felt everything.

Zane moved his leg slowly, deliberately, pressing harder against her most sensitive spot.

Viviana's knees weakened.

Then—a wet kiss.

His lips crashed against hers—hot, slow, overwhelming.

Viviana gasped into his mouth, and he took the chance to deepen the kiss.

His tongue slid against hers, teasing, dominating. To her, he tasted like warmth, sin, and something addictive.

Viviana tried to pull away.

He didn't let her.

He kissed her deeper, claiming her completely.

Then—he pulled back just enough.

Viviana barely had time to catch her breath when his saliva dripped between their parted lips, slipping onto her tongue.

She froze.

Zane watched her—waiting.

A choice.

Viviana's fingers tightened around his robes, her breathing uneven.

And then—she swallowed.

A low growl rumbled in Zane's throat, his grip on her tightening.

"Good girl."

Viviana's heart pounded. She had just—submitted.

And Zane knew it. He smirked.

Zane's hands moved before she could regret her decision.

He grabbed her skirt, slowly bunching the fabric in his hands, pulling it higher.

Higher.

Viviana's breath hitched.

His fingers slid all the way up, the cool air brushing against her naked thighs.

Then—he stopped.

Right before revealing too much.

Viviana's body burned. She didn't know what was worse—the fact that he was doing this so casually or the fact that… she wanted more.

Then—he moved up.

His hands slid to her top, fingers gripping the fabric.

A sudden pull.

Viviana's breasts spilled free.

She let out a sharp gasp, instinctively crossing her arms to cover herself, but Zane grabbed her wrists, pinning them above her head.

Her chest was fully exposed—vulnerable beneath his gaze.

Zane took his time.

His fingers pinched one achingly stiff nipple, while his lips closed around the other.

Viviana moaned.

Zane sucked.

His tongue flicked over the sensitive bud before biting down softly, then soothing it with slow, teasing licks.

Viviana shuddered.

She felt hot. Weak. Trapped.

Then—his other hand moved.

Lower.

Pressing against her core.

Viviana's legs trembled.

Too much.

It was too much.

She let out a louder moan—

Zane's hand clamped over her mouth.

His eyes darkened. "Careful."

His voice was low, amused, warning.

"Your friend is right beside this wall," he murmured. "And other priestesses are passing by."

Viviana's eyes widened.

I should stop this.

She should stop this but—

Zane's fingers pushed against her core, teasing, rubbing just enough to make her shake.

Viviana clenched her thighs, desperately trying to suppress the feeling.

Her breath came out ragged.

Her nipples tingled, her core ached.

She tried to muffle herself with her own hand.

As if that could stop her from feeling everything.

Zane grinned.

"You're trying so hard," he whispered against her ear, biting down softly.

He pinched her nipple harder.

Viviana's back arched. She couldn't…

She couldn't fight the pleasure building inside her.

Zane watched her with hungry satisfaction.

"You're already trembling," he murmured. "I wonder…"

His fingers slipped lower.

Viviana whimpered.

Zane kissed her again—deep, slow, claiming.

Then—he pulled away.

Suddenly, he lifted her.

Viviana let out a soft breath, her fingers clutching his robes as he carried her toward the bed.

He laid her down slowly.

Zane climbed over her, hands trailing down her body, admiring every inch.

"Relax," he whispered. "Let's enjoy the night here."

His lips moved lower.

Viviana's body burned.

She had already lost.

Zane had completely ruined her.

And yet—

She didn't want him to stop.

[Eleanor Corruption: 78%]

[Viviana Corruption: 96%]

[Progression Reward: "Resonance"] – Those who have had strong emotional moments with the host will subconsciously recall them more often.

[Time Left: 2 months, 10 days]