Her evening had been joyous enough, engaging in wonderful conversation with friends and partaking in a drink here or there, but when a charming blond gentleman asked her hand to the most high energy, sensual dance of her life the night could not have been better. A true hunter as he had preyed upon her with every dip, every touch... It left her breathless as it sent her near crazy with sensuality. The rest of the evening they spent talking, getting to know one another, and it went on all throughout the night. After the disastrous "crash" at the party, the two of them moved to a dining hall in one of the upper floors and continued conversing until dawn.
She sat with a coffee mug in her hand, watching intently and with delight as Nicholas demonstrated fencing moves she had been able to coerce him to do. He performed an array of moves, explaining each in great detail, plainly showing concern that he might be boring her but each time she reassured him of her great interest. Occasionally, Aura's attention would shift solely to his features; to the glow of his brilliant blond hair, the sparkling crystal blue of his eyes, to his entire physique altogether. He was completely gorgeous and she was simply beside herself with giddiness, biting her bottom lip as she smiled stupidly to the coffee in her mug. God... she had been bitten.
Nicholas could not believe that such a woman existed. Her laughter was contagious, her eyes the most beautiful blue he had ever seen. He had never felt this way about anyone before. She was the most interesting creature in existence, he was sure.
ReplyDelete"That is amazing! Oh, do another!" She laughed, clapping her hands as he moved from a arrêt à bon temps to a fléche. He couldn't help smile at her enthusiasm but surely she was bored of merely watching him.
"Aura, wouldn't you like to try?" Her smile quickly disappeared, a red hue appeared on her face as a blush slowly crept in.
"Oh, no. I don't think I would be very good." But he was a stubborn Wolfheart, besides her protests , he brought her to her feet showing her several moves she could do. Nicholas was as gentle and patient as possible, encouraging her to try more daring motions with him. In the end they were left breathless, facing one another, rapiers locked in combat. Her eyes were bright blue, the sunlight that flowed into the room hitting them just right.
"See? It was not that bad, mon cheríe." He broke away from her and bowed slightly in sign of respect of her skill. That wonderful laugh he had come to love filled the room as she mimicked his movement.
"Alright, but I won."
He grinned at her, "Of course, mon cheríe." And suddenly he had a thought, "Aura, would you like to accompany me to the rose gardens? It is absolutely beautiful, of course, "He stepped closer to her, his hands capturing hers and bringing them to his lips, pressing a tender kiss upon them, "Not as beautiful as you."
Her eyes glimmered and that blush from before returned to her cheeks. "Oh! Um. . . I would love to."
"Wonderful." He held out his hand for her to take and led them to the grounds outside.
The sun shone brightly above. Birds chirped just beyond the tree line, a clear sign of life that spring brought around. The breeze was soft and refreashing, making the day outside relaxing and inviting.
"They are so beautiful!" Aura dashed from his side to examine the flowers. It was truly a sight! To watch Aura dance around, bathing in the suns radiance as she scented each rose. He trailed behind her doing just want he described, watching her. And he would have continued to if it were not for a small shriek that escaped Aura as she approached the roses just off in the distance. Within a heart beat he was at her side, placing her behind him as he searched for the danger. But it was not danger he was searching for, and he didn't have to search for long.
There, in the bushes, two people lay. They were stark naked, and struggling to get to their feet, attempting to cover themselves all the while. It was one female, which was blonde, and a male who's hair was a slight mixture of brown and red.
"Koga?"
"Aura?!" It was clear that the two knew each other, Nicholas had to wonder how that was considerable possible. Things only got stranger when the blonde female finally got to her feet, only to crash back down on her way out. Nicholas bent to help her, offering her his jacket for cover. She took it with great appreciation and took the hand he offered to get out from the bushes. After they were out, Nicholas instructed servants to to fetch clothing immediately.
"Who the hell are you?" Koga stood infront of him now, a bit of anger emanating from him. Of course, this only brought confusion to Nicholas, who was he to question him? So he did not answer his question directly.
"I do believe you are in my grounds ,wolf, should i not have more right to know your name that you?"He paused slightly before continuing. "You are not just a wolf, are you? There is more within you, in fact, you carry the same signature of Aura."
"I should, i am her brother." And suddenly, it all made sense.
Oh, God. She was scarred for life, she was sure. True, it was her brother she saw naked, but that's what made it awkward. Even as he stood now before Nicholas and herself. Jeez... now would be the time that I wish I didn't know you, she thought with disdain.
ReplyDeleteKoga's eyes shifted sharply towards hers and Aura groaned internally. "Hey, what are you doing with this purebred?"
"Excuse me?" interjected Nicholas. Uh oh. Aura rubbed her temples and scrunched her eyes in frustration.
"Koga, don't you have a shred of decency in your bo-?" She glanced at his bare nakedness. "... Stupid question."
She could hear him shift uncomfortably which almost drew a small smile of satisfaction on her face. The anxiety between the boys would nearly have reduced her to tears of laughter but this was a serious matter... Pft. It was Koga. Nothing was serious. So it certainly surprised her when his tone turned threatening and demeaning.
"You haven't told him what you are, have you?" he growled. The hell?
"... Not completely, no." She crossed her arms, glaring at him with great ire. Honestly, what did it matter if he knew? Yet that small flicker of doubt told her he'd lose interest in her if he did know. That she was a hybrid mutt... experimented on... Stupid, small doubt. I mean really, who had control over that? "Now, if you're done with your stupid ramblings get some goddamn clothes on, alright?"
"It's quite indecent," concurred Nicholas. Koga's attention switched haughtily to him and, though she adored Nicholas to no end, for once she wished he had kept his royal mouth sealed.
"I'm sorry, Highness. Does that BOTHER you?"
"It would bother anyone with an eyesight." Shit! Nicholas!
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ReplyDeleteThe male must be seriously deranged. Did he honestly think he could get away with talking to Aura like that?
ReplyDeleteA menacing growl ripped out of Koga but it would take much more than that to shake Nicholas.
"Tred with caution, boy, I shall not hesitate to take you out. Even in the presence of the females." That seemed to further anger the male, his eye flashed with the wolf that hid beneath its green depth.
"Enough, both of you! Koga, just go put on some damned clothes." And as if on cue, the servants returned. The blonde haired female quickly took the clothes offered to her and dressed with great haste, Koga on the other hand took his time, his eyes never leaving Nicholas's.
"if you want to fight, you all but have to ask, Koga. I will be more than happy to show you your place."
"Nicholas!" Aura's voice snapped him out of his angered state. Of course, regain control, to lose it is to show weakness.
"My apologize, Aura," He bowed to her slightly, taking her delicate hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss onto it. Koga growled in response, and Nicholas could not help but feel a slight sense of satisfaction.
Aura sighed; boys were so impossible. She had half a mind to tell them both off but adding fuel to the fire would only make things that much more difficult. Really, this tense atmosphere was beginning to put her on edge... if she didn't resolve the feud quickly it would be all out war. Koga looked close to taking Nicholas's offer, the fumes of hatred flaring from his nostrils.
ReplyDelete"Alright, wolf- "
"Koga." He turned to face her, perhaps to tell her it was near impossible to dissuade him from tearing the purebred apart right then and there, but he was stopped short of his reproach as Aura reached up and pinched his cheeks.
"This won't do," declared Aura and she began distorting Koga's features in every manner she could think of, noting subconsciously the others' shock and, perhaps, amazement. This carried on for not even a minute before Koga pried her hands away from his face, a look of bewilderment in his eye.
"What the heck- "
"Big brother doesn't look right when he's not smiling," Aura answered vehemently, freeing her hands from his grasp and crossing them defiantly. "The serious vibe doesn't suit you at all." That shut him up, and it was enough to wipe the displeasing angered expression of his face. What replaced was one of understanding but, as Aura knew too well, it went far beyond than just her words. He'd confronted her about it several times before and each time Aura had written him off, saying there was nothing to worry about. This time would be no different.
"... Aura- "
"Besides... you're being rude to your friend over there." Color rushed to the blonde girl's cheeks and she quickly averted her gaze once everyone's attention shifted to her. Aura gazed on, a caring smile lining her lips as she addressed the girl directly. "There's one in every family. Girls like us gotta whip 'em into shape!" Aura giggled; the boys looked absolutely beside themselves and it was just so that the girl couldn't help but smile in response, too. That's more like it. Aura grinned and turned to Nicholas. "They should probably head inside, huh? They've been outside all night. Best make sure they haven't caught a cold, right?"
Nicholas blinked, a sense of wonder nearly overwhelming him but he powered through that, addressing his servants without severing his gaze from her. "Please escort these two inside... make sure they're comfortable and feel welcome..." The servants hesitated, momentarily, but decided against questioning their mater's orders and led Koga and the girl out of the gardens back to the mansion.
Aura sighed and took a deep breath of the soft breeze billowing by, the weight of that tense situation already lifting. Her brother was always so difficult, even when he wasn't serious... but she wasn't a child anymore and having him dote upon her as such grew tiresome. Nevertheless, she couldn't blame him and actually appreciated his concern... however annoying it may be. But! It was useless to grieve about her beloved brother's faults and ruin such a wonderful day with Nicholas. Who still seemed awestruck, which amused Aura to end.
"Your garden is amazing." She took hold of his hand and beamed. "What else is here to show me?"
They spent the rest of the day laughing and enjoying their day. It ended all to quickly in Nicholas's opinion, but alas, they had spent the entire night talking and sharing between them, they had to sleep some time. So with a heavy sigh, Nicholas turned to his beautiful companion and with a charming smile, he took her hand into his.
ReplyDelete"I believe it is time for me to let you go, darling Aura." He bowed curtly and brought one of her delicate hands to his mouth to press a soft kiss onto it.
She laughed airily and with such grace, it made Nicholas smile at the sound.
"I guess it is time, my charming prince." She moved gracefully into a curtsy.
Gods. . . how had she come into his life? She was truly a gem. Her brother was right to be protective over her, she was a treasure worth such things.
With their hands still holding one another they walked back to the castle and were quickly greeted by a servant ready with their coats.
Nicholas took her's and placed it gently around her shoulders before taking his, and it was at this very moment the young prince overheard two maids off in the distance, gossiping for sure. Usually, he would have ignored and dismissed their ramblings as mere talk but this particular day, he paid close attention.
"I heard its a monster with giant claws who got 'em!"
"No, do not be silly, no monster could slip in 'n out without a word. It had to be some.. . some. . rouge mercenary!"
"Oh, Navana, you know thats not true! But we have to be careful, people are disappearin' and its always the poor to go frist!"
The two ladies looked absolutely horrified. What could they be talking about? People were disappearing Monster? The work of a rouge Mercenary?
"Nicholas?" His attention was drawn back to Aura. He did not want to frighten her with such rumors. . but what if they proved true? He couldn't bear the thought of losing her and wouldn't take the chance.
"Come Aura, I will escort you myself."
"Oh! All right."
"But first, we should go get your brother, he might like to go with you."
Her expression was a bit disappointed but she nodded and followed him to where the servants had clothed both Koga and his companion. They sat on the kitchen tables with hot chocolate in their hands.
As the four engaged in conversation, off into the distant halls of the castle was a young maid. She worked hard like many of the others, cleaning and rebuilding much of the castle when she stumbled upon a peculiar item. It's shine was brilliant and reflective, the sun catching its colors to reflect an array of reds, purples, and greens. The thing that made this item so odd was the fact that it was not of any material within the castle walls. She knew, she had been working in its wake for more than 3 years, there was nothing like this. But she thought nothing of it. There was a party last night, any of the varias guest could have brought it in. So without so much as a second thought, she swept the crystal into a pan and turned to move on with her duties. But as she approached the trash bin that stood half way hidden behind a corridor wall, her eyes landed onto a shadow of a man just as it descended upon her.