Crossing the Border (Rania) novel Chapter 255

**He Asked Me to Leave My Dreams, So I Decided to Make Him One of Them**
**by Mira Lorian**
**Chapter 255**

“Are you feeling cold?” Maximus inquired, his voice low and concerned as he noticed the slight tremor that coursed through Rania’s body. Instinctively, she nestled closer against his chest, seeking the warmth radiating from him, and let out a soft sigh of contentment. “Let’s head back,” he suggested gently, aware that the night was drawing on.

The sky had deepened into a velvety darkness, and the stars twinkled above like shards of glass scattered across a black canvas, mirroring the vibrant lights of the city below. The city pulsed with life, seemingly oblivious to the impending doom that loomed just beyond its borders. Tomorrow would mark the execution of all the traitors, a grim spectacle that included the elders—those once revered figures now reduced to mere pawns in a dangerous game of power. Elder Gallant’s treachery had cast a long shadow, and now all elders bore the brunt of the fallout.

Fear had settled back into the palace like a thick fog, suffocating and relentless. The elders moved like shadows, careful not to breathe too loudly in the presence of the king, their voices stifled under the weight of their dread.

“No. I want to stay here for just a little longer,” Rania replied, her voice a soft defiance as she turned to face Maximus, a playful grin breaking across her features. “Can we do it again?” she asked, her tone laced with a hint of mischief.

Maximus raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. “What’s this, my love? You seem to have an endless supply of energy.” He was genuinely surprised; they had already shared three passionate encounters, and Rania was still eager for more. She was glistening, evidence of their shared pleasure evident on her skin, yet here she was, asking for another round.

“You still want it, right?” Rania teased, her gaze dropping to where Maximus was undeniably aroused once more. She could feel the heat radiating from him, the tension palpable, and she knew that it must be torturous for him to remain unfulfilled.

Maximus drew her even closer, wrapping his arms around her with a possessive grip. “I’ll always be eager when you’re near. Just try to ignore it,” he murmured, his voice thick with desire.

“Ignore it? How could I?” Rania lifted her chin, her eyes sparkling with playful challenge. “It keeps poking me, practically begging for my attention. Shouldn’t I give it a little love?”

“No need for that. I crave your attention far more than anything else,” he groaned, feeling the electric charge in the air as her body shifted against his. The movement ignited a fire within him, a primal urge to claim her once more.

“Liar,” she laughed, her voice light and teasing. With a boldness that surprised even her, she reached down, her hand wrapping around him, her fingers gliding over his hardness with a tantalizing touch.

“Rania…” Maximus breathed her name, his voice a low rasp. At this point, resistance was futile; he was ready to surrender everything to her, even his very soul, as long as she continued the exquisite torment she was inflicting.

“Hm?” Rania replied, her voice teasingly innocent as she wriggled away from him. With a gentle push, she coaxed him to lie back against the soft grass, her body hovering above his like a goddess descending from the heavens.

Maximus’s eyes, heavy-lidded with desire, watched her intently. He made no move to stop her as she trailed kisses across his body, reveling in the sensation even as a flicker of confusion danced in his mind; this was not the shy Rania he was accustomed to. Usually, she was more reserved, hesitant to take the lead in their intimate moments.

But tonight was different. Rania was in control, a radiant smile illuminating her face as she ground her body against him, lost in the rhythm of their connection.

“Heaven…” Maximus cursed under his breath as Rania enveloped him with her mouth, sucking and licking, driving him to the brink of madness.

He instinctively grasped her head, urging her to continue, but she deftly pushed his hands away. “If you touch me, I will stop,” she declared, her voice a sultry whisper infused with authority.

“What?” Maximus gasped, his breath hitching as she abruptly halted her ministrations.

Their laughter mingled with the sounds of the forest, and the night stretched on, filled with whispered secrets and shared ecstasy.

As dawn broke, Rania lay curled against Maximus, utterly spent. He cradled her in his arms, the king’s heart swelling with affection as he carried her back to the palace, the world around them fading into a blur.

She couldn’t recall the journey home, but she vividly remembered the moment her back sank into the softness of their bed. Maximus laid her down gently, his hands tender as he cleaned her up, his lips brushing against her forehead and then her chest, eliciting a soft whimper from her lips.

“I need to clean you first, love, so you can have a restful sleep,” he murmured, his voice soothing as Rania felt the weight of exhaustion pull her under.

Those were the last words she heard before sleep enveloped her like a warm blanket. It was the most peaceful slumber she had experienced in ages, free from nightmares that often haunted her dreams.

But for others, the real nightmare was just beginning. A few unfortunate souls awaited their fate, their final moments drawing closer as they were led toward the gallows, the reality of their impending execution dawning upon them like a dark cloud.

Killian glanced around, taking in the sea of angry faces that loomed before him, their curses ringing in his ears. They labeled him and his fellow convicts as traitors, yet he felt a detachment from their fury. He understood that his end was inevitable.

Yet, amidst the chaos, one face lingered in his mind, a final wish that he clung to. He yearned to see her one last time. Just once…