Chapter 1: The Night I Opened My Eyes Beside Her
Elian opened his eyes to warmth.
Not just the gentle warmth of soft sheets or the lingering heat of a summer night — but a deeper, quieter warmth. The warmth of skin pressed against skin. The warmth of a heartbeat echoing near his own. The warmth of… a woman?
His eyes adjusted slowly to the dim light. The room smelled faintly of roses, candle wax, and something sweeter — like berries and shampoo.
And beside him… lay Misty.
Hair loose, falling in soft curls over her bare shoulder. Eyes closed in calm sleep. Her lips slightly parted, her breathing slow, peaceful.
She looked… perfect.
He stared, mind blank, as the reality of it slowly washed over him. This wasn't Earth. This wasn't his apartment, his room, his bed. This wasn't even his old life. He remembered the last moment — a blink of light, a strange hum — and then… nothing.
And now… Misty. Misty, in a silk bridal nightgown, snuggled against his chest, her thigh draped across his waist. Her left hand rested against his bare chest. A simple golden ring gleamed softly on her finger.
His own hand twitched.
There was a matching ring on his.
I… got reincarnated?
A soft breath escaped his lips, but he couldn't bring himself to move.
Misty stirred at the sound.
Her lashes fluttered open, and those ocean-blue eyes looked up at him. For a second, she seemed surprised. Then slowly, gently, she smiled.
"You're awake…" she whispered.
Her voice was soft. Sleepy. Filled with something so tender it made his chest ache.
He swallowed. "Misty…"
She blinked. "You… you called me that just like always," she said quietly. "You really… remember everything, don't you?"
He hesitated, then nodded slowly. "I… think I do. But it's all new. I feel like I've just been born."
Misty looked at him for a long moment.
Then, she leaned up, cupped his cheek, and kissed him.
It wasn't playful or teasing. It was slow. Soft. Filled with longing. Her lips trembled slightly against his, and her hand clutched the sheet tighter.
He felt her body press closer, her curves molding against him like they were meant to fit. The silk of her nightgown slid across his skin.
She pulled back just enough to look into his eyes.
"This is our first night," she whispered. "As husband and wife."
His throat tightened.
"I'm nervous," she admitted, blushing. "But… I've wanted this for so long."
"Misty…" he breathed, his hand rising to brush her hair behind her ear. "You're beautiful."
Her blush deepened.
"Say it again," she whispered.
He did.
"You're beautiful."
She leaned into him, her lips finding his again — hungrier this time. Her fingers traced along his chest, slow and unsure, then braver. His hands moved too, resting on her waist, then her back, then up — feeling the shape of her body beneath the thin silk.
When his fingers brushed the soft swell of her breast, she gasped softly against his lips but didn't pull away.
Instead, she whispered, "Touch me."
Her voice was barely a breath.
He cupped her breast gently, his thumb brushing over the peak until her breath caught again. She arched into him, her hands now tracing the lines of his back. Her body trembled slightly — from nervousness, from desire.
He kissed her again — her lips, her cheek, her neck. Slowly, he trailed down, kissing the curve of her collarbone, the softness of her chest. Her hands clutched his shoulders, her body moving beneath him like waves drawn toward the shore.
"Elian…" she whispered, her voice shaky. "Please…"
With her permission unspoken but undeniable, he slid the straps of her nightgown down. Her bare breasts spilled free, soft and perfect. He kissed them gently — first one, then the other — before drawing one of her nipples into his mouth.
She gasped, her back arching, hands gripping his hair.
Her legs shifted beneath him, parting slightly. Her thighs brushed his hips.
He raised his eyes to hers.
"Are you sure?" he asked softly.
Misty nodded, her cheeks flushed, eyes glistening. "Please. I want you. All of you."
He kissed her once more, slow and deep, then slid lower. His hand traced down her belly, then between her thighs, where he found her already warm and wet. Her hips jerked slightly as he touched her there.
She whimpered, clutching him tighter. "Elian… I've never… it's my first…"
"I know," he said gently. "I'll be careful."
He positioned himself between her legs, his body aligned with hers. He held her gaze the whole time.
And then, slowly, he pushed inside.
She cried out — a soft, broken sound — as her body stretched to take him in. She was tight. Incredibly so. And warm. And trembling.
Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes.
He paused immediately. "Misty—"
She shook her head quickly, wrapping her arms around him.
"Don't stop," she whispered, voice shaking. "I want this. I want you."
He kissed her again, gently wiping her tears away. Then, moving slowly, he began to ease deeper into her — letting her adjust, letting her body accept him.
A faint heat spread between them, deeper than just skin.
When he was fully inside her, she trembled again — from pain, from emotion, from the overwhelming closeness.
There was blood — just a little — staining the sheets beneath them. But neither of them looked away. Neither felt shame.
He began to move — slowly, carefully — pulling out halfway, then pushing back in. Her breath hitched. Her nails dug into his back. Her legs wrapped around his waist.
"Elian…" she gasped. "I… I feel… full…"
"You're perfect," he whispered against her neck.
He moved a little faster, their bodies pressing closer with each thrust. The sounds of skin meeting skin, her soft moans, the creak of the bed — it was all real, all tender, all consuming.
She clung to him as if she might fall apart otherwise. Her voice broke with every movement — pleasure growing where pain once was.
Soon she was matching his rhythm, her hips moving with his, her breaths growing louder.
"Don't stop," she whispered. "Please… Elian… don't stop…"
He held her tighter. Kissed her again and again.
She arched beneath him one last time, her whole body trembling as she reached her peak — a cry slipping from her lips as she held him close.
He followed moments later, burying himself deep, his breath caught in his throat, his body shaking.
They stayed that way — tangled, joined, breathing hard in the quiet room.
Minutes passed in silence.
Only their hearts spoke now, beating against each other like quiet thunder.
He finally pulled out gently, kissing her forehead as she whimpered softly and curled into his chest.
Her body was tired. Her skin glowed. Her thighs trembled. But her eyes were filled with something deeper than satisfaction.
Love.
"Elian…" she whispered, pressing her palm to his cheek. "Thank you…"
"For what?" he asked softly.
"For making this real."
He held her close as her breathing slowed, her head resting on his chest, his hand tracing gentle circles along her back.
And as sleep finally claimed her, the system awoke silently.
> 🔔 Hearthstone Partner System Activated.
[Condition Met: Genuine Union of Love]
→ New Life Detected
→ Pregnancy: Confirmed
→ Soul Anchor Created: Daughter Slot Assigned
Elian never heard it.
But deep inside the warmth of his wife's body, a tiny spark flickered into life.
The beginning of everything.