Selene hummed softly to herself as she walked through the forest. It was a lovely night. The moon was just waning, leaving very little moon light to go by and the night would have been pleasantly quiet if it weren't for the clatter of armor coming from the guards around her.
Yep, perfect night for hunting. Of course, the animal would have to be blind, deaf, and have no sense of smell to allow the large pack of wolves to get it.
She sighed, honestly, having the company of soldiers always with her was just plain annoying and frustrating. Not that she would ever allow her parents to see it though. She never complained about it, because well. . . accidents happened, right?
She stilled, tilting her head slightly to the wind.
She addressed one of the four guards,"Garret, there."
His only response was a slight nod as he followed in the direction she pointed. She watched as he went farther into the trees, until he disappeared completely into the embrace of the night. Several minutes passed before the others began to become anxious.
Come on. . .come on. Selene thought as she waited with all the patience she could muster.
Utter excitement rushed through her when she heard the high pitched whistle coming from Garret. He found one.
Yes! Oops… Had she said that out loud? All eyes turned to her in suspicion as she cleared her throat and quickly regained her composure.
"Let's go."
They moved in unison, following the scent left behind by Garret. They weaved in between the shrubbery in complete silence, Selene could already feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins in anticipation to the hunt-
Something glimmered in her peripheral vision. She paused, her eyes searching for the source of the distraction. What. . . oh.
Off in the distance, she caught the sight of a huge white buck. Too big to belong to these parts, it was an odd occurrence indeed.
"Guards- Oh." They were gone.
They were gone. They must not have noticed she had stopped!
Hell yes!
Before they could notice her sudden absence, Selene took off in the direction of the mysterious beast. It must have sensed her presence because it was off like a rocket as soon as she started her chase.
Her eyes were trained on the animal, watching ever movement it made, looking for any openings or signs of exhaustion. But it was as strong and fast as it appeared. Before Selene even knew it, she found herself deeper in the heart of the forest.
Wait. . . She skidded to a stop, her heart beat like a jack hammer as she fought to catch her breath. The buck stopped as well, it's mighty antlers catching no light. The trees were so dense here, non penetrated through the canopy above.
That's not right at all. . . Prey didn't just stop if it was being hunted. . .and it didn't look in the least bit fazed by her chase. No signs of being tired. Now, Selene knew she wasn't the most athletic wolf, but she knew enough to know that it should at least look run down.
Something was wrong and no sooner had that thought cross her mind she heard the ruffle of leaves from behind.
"And all this time, I thought I was the predator. Show yourself." She commanded, her hands clenched at her sides as she faced the new threat. All too soon, she wished she hadn't told them that. Figures came from all around her, completely surrounding any exit she could take. There had to be at least seven men, and each equipped with some nasty looking weapons in their hands.
And of course, I have no weapons because hey, why would the guards give her a weapon? Its not like she would have needed one to hunt. Nah, when she went hunting, she just pointed at the little rabbit and gave the command to kill it. Ugh, fine. I can do this.
"You're coming with us, Princess. It's up to you if its the easy way, or the hard way." Amused cackles sounded from all of the new aggressors, the soft rattle of metal rang through the night air as each man unsheathed his sword.
Yea. . . I can do this.
River slung his arm over his eyes, shielding himself from the sudden sting of the cold night air. A low sigh escaped his lips as he emerged groggily from slumber. He pulled up his leg swung over the side of the branch but otherwise remained still. The soft breeze blew once more, tugging at the locks of River's hair and making them dance lightly in the wind. It smelled of fresh pine, digging deep into his senses, and the scent of old, disturbed earth.
ReplyDeleteSomething was on the move.
His gaze flickered westward towards the winds vanishing trails. River huffed. He didn't need telling twice. In one fell swoop, he landed squarely on his feet and onto the lush forest floor. He walked along the breath of each gust of breeze.
It never failed that something went wrong the moment River found the leisure to sleep. Trouble always seemed to follow him but it was manageable. That was not to say it was pleasant, however, and River was just about short on patience this evening. He did what he could and it still was never enough. Someone always needed help.
His musings came to a halt, and so did he, at the arising yet muffled sound of a struggle. River leaned forward, but the earth beneath his feet did not indicate the violence as a mobile threat. Something was cornered. Or even, perhaps, someone. His suspicions were confirmed by a sudden, angry outburst emanating from the range of the struggle. A woman.
Petty cowards low enough to entangle a lone woman out of the sights of any and all by-passers. All except one.
The forest floor shrank beneath River as he leapt forward into the air, his hand at the hilt of his sword immediately. It mattered not the light of the moon was near enough absent or that the roof of the towering trees provided visible discretion. A small take of breath was all River needed.
He broke through the trees and rush of branches and leaves and drew his sword as he promptly sliced through flesh and bone as though it were paper. The subsequent shriek of pain did not phase River, nor did the panicked outbursts of the fellow thieves at his sudden arrival. No, what caught his attention was a bright flash of white against the bleak darkness of the night.
A royal. River's eyes met those of the young princess's before he surveyed her well-being. The pristine shine of her hunting attire dulled beneath the self-defense scratches adorning the sterling silver. Besides a few cuts and a rather befuddled expression painted in her blue eyes, she appeared unharmed.
River turned back towards the men, the stench of blood gushing from the socket of the dismembered man's arm permeating the wind. The cowards crowded together, each of their bloodshot eyes trained upon him with fear and resolve. A few, he noted, were themselves already sporting impressive looking bruises and cuts. River tilted his head, a challenging smile pulling at the corner of his lips.
"I'm not going to kill any of you. However-" he pointed the tip of his sword casually to the injured assailant "-you all know exactly what I'm willing to do to make you leave this girl alone at once. Now, then... does anyone else want to try their hand at me?"
Selene stared in astonishment at her apparent savior. Not because of the fact that he had defeated all of her aggressors in one fell swoop, it wasn't even because of the fact that he had done so to defend her. It leaned more to the fact that this mysterious stranger was the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on. And the mere thought of it had her blushing like a young school girl. Thankfully, his attention was on the men cowering before him than her.
ReplyDeleteWhich reminded her of the threat at hand. Anger rose up inside her, and thank the gods her mother and father were not here to see her break her composure. She pushed passed the man who held a steady hand on the blade pointed towards the felons.
"Who," Selene grabbed a handful of the obvious leader's shirt and lifted him effortlessly off the ground. "sent you? And do not lie to me, criminal, for I will not be so merciful."
It took a while for the man to tear his gaze away from her savior, it was clear whom he feared more.She didn't know if it should be a good or a bad thing, but it only served to infuriate her further. The man let his eyes assess her, a nasty sneer appearing on his face.
"I'm not telling you anything, _princess_. Kill me if you'd like, but I'm not saying a single-" She slammed her fist into the mans nose, hearing the loud crack as it broke under the force.
"Ah! You. . ." He looked nervously over her shoulder, no doubt the man behind her was just about ready to go into round two with the thief. Not like she'd stop him or anything. She sighed and dropped the man back down with his group. They clearly were not going to talk, not to her and especially not to her tall stranger. And they weren't about to attack her again, thanks to Mr. Sexy next to her- What the holy heck was she saying?
"Uh, erm." She cleared her throat, thanking the heavens that it was so dark. "Thank you." She inclined her head slightly, avoiding the strangers gaze as much as possible as she saw her exit and moved desperately to make her escape. But, oh, it was never that easy.
That white buck she was chasing? Now stood before her. Its massive antlers stretching up across its head as if they were reaching for the sky above. Large black eyes stared back at her as it reared its head up, it's strong legs stomping on the ground as if it were impatiently waiting for something. She would have marveled at its striking contrast against the darkness they found themselves in now had she not been pulled back in a tight tug just as it swept those massive antlers towards her. She was absolutely awe struck at just how big the beast was up close, and how angry it seemed.
Somewhere off in the distance she heard the quick mumbling of the thieves, they sounded almost pleading, as if begging for something but for what, she didn't know. She was captivated and unresponsive to the deep voice shouting what she assumed were instructions. The creature took another step towards them, more tugging from behind her. This time, she caught the small glint of light reflecting off a sword. A sword pointed at the buck. The image of it was almost like a hard slap to her subconscious and suddenly, the deafening silence that had settled into her mind parted and all at once shouts and screams took its place.
ReplyDeleteThe white creature was no longer there, instead, there stood the most grotesque looking animal she had ever seen. Blood and carnage littered the floor, the soft wet sounds reached her ears as she felt her boots slip amongst the destroyed carcasses of the thieves.
Spurs of hot breath trickled down her spine as she realized it was the man who had saved her before that was attempting to pull her away, once more, from the claws of the monster.
Run. The word just barely entered her mind before it was quickly cast aside. Wolves didn't run from a fight, especially not from a creature who was so clearly here to do harm in her family's territory.
A strong pull from the male behind reminded her of his presence. "What is wrong with you? I can't fight it until you're gone and out of the way-"
"I thank you for your help, sir." She pushed away form his protective hold on her. She held his yellow gaze with no fear. "But I am not a helpless doe. I will handle matters from here."
River raised his chin, a smile already threatening to cross his lips. He clenched the handle of the sword tighter. "Sorry, Princess, but if you don't keep your eye on the target-" the sword sliced through the air and upon the outstretched claw of the monster attempting to steal its chance to strike. The creature screeched in pain and recoiled from the sword, though its eyes remained trained on both River and the girl. "-you may as well be a helpless doe."
ReplyDeleteThe princess's lips pursed tightly as her eyes bore into River like daggers. If he had time to ponder he would've wondered how she still managed to look so beautiful with such a sour expression. His attention was stolen, however, as the creature began to circle the both of them. The crude, glowing eyes of it shone brightly against the wet of the blood caked deep within its matted fur. Truly, even in the many years of River's life, he had never encountered a monster quite as twisted as the one before him. River smirked. It was amazing how much he still did not understand.
He stepped forward, arm raised and prepared to strike. A fair yet sturdy hand all but impeded his advances.
"I said I would handle this!" the princess reiterated, her gaze fixed steadfast upon the beast. River raised his eyebrows, amused. As if for good measure, she added, "And don't you dare interfere."
That's all he needed. River sheathed his sword, the action drowned out by a sudden fierce growl as the monster lunged. The princess dived beneath it and struck upward with a forceful kick, stinting its attack. It landed limply onto the ground just inches from River and it rose with its sights upon its new target. River's hand flew to the hilt of the sword but it proved unnecessary. The beast keeled backwards as the princess drew its attention with a well-aimed stone and continued the struggle quite remarkably. The fluidity of her movements were mesmerizing, like that of a serene gust of white snow dancing in the air. Her grace, her manner, her very being held every ounce of the royal that she was.
Despite the gaping holes in her defense, she seemed proficient enough to handle her own. A fact River should've well noted when he dispatched those thieves from earlier. There was nothing else to see. He'd done his part; his business was settled.
With one final glance upon the radiant white, River turned away from the scene and set his course towards the wind, as was the way of his inclination all his life.
Selene's attention was fully engrossed on the creature. It was slow, and thanks to her unknown companion, it was wounded. As thoughts flickered over to the mysterious male, her step faltered allowing the creature's clawed hand come around her. In a moments time, Selene found herself lifted off the ground and come to eye level of the foul beast. Massive horns reminiscent to the antlers of the buck it had been before, curved wickedly in her direction. Her lip curled in a growl as it leaned in, it's massive teeth protruding out of its malformed lips.
ReplyDeleteBefore the animal could get any closer, Selene allowed her body to transform and take the form of her wolf. The armor she wore warped around her new form, stretching and accommodating it as if it were made for wolves. Her jaws immediately reached out, clamping down hard on the beast's wrist. It's horrifying howl rang through the trees, shaking them as if the forest itself felt fear of the beast. She fell from its grasp, quickly regaining the ground lost by lunging up so that her claws embedded themselves into its flesh. She used it as an anchor to propel herself further up until she felt the crunch of bone and cartilage fall beneath her canines.
It stood no chance as it fell back, slamming the ground hard enough to make the earth itself quake beneath the weight. It's heavy arms flailed against her, trying to throw her off as it gave it's last blood filled breaths before finally falling still.
She held on to it for only a few seconds more, assuring herself the the creature was no longer alive, before she disengaged and allowed herself to shift back into her human form. The armor she wore shifted back to it's normal previous state.
She did it. She probably shouldn't have been proud, or excited for that matter, but she did. It felt good to take something down, to face danger and overcome the obstacle. She allowed herself to smile.
"See, I told. . . you. . ." Her eyes searched around for signs of the sexy male who apparently, had actually _left_. A sense of indignation washed over the young wolf as she began to feel silly over the fact that. . . she might have. . . been showing off. . . a bit.
To _no one_ apparently. Had he actually left? She told him not to interfere but that didn't mean to leave her! Pride more than anything had Selene jumping off the carcass of the twisted figure and tilting her head towards the wind to catch his scent.
How dare he just. . just leave! He could have stayed to at least. . .make sure she would have lived! Not that she was doubting her skills... but. . .wasn't there a code to follow during these times?
Isn't that what you try to avoid, Selene? Rules and "Codes".
Ugh!
"Selene? Selene!" Selene froze dead in her tracks. Her father. He was searching for her, no doubt with half of the wolf army behind him.
Go to him, Selene. You know that's what you're supposed to do. But she bit her lip and turned her gaze towards the direction her mysterious stranger had gone. Just tonight. . . she could break the rules.
No, Selene, be the good daughter you always have to be and go to your father.
But she was already out. She didn't want to go back until she at least found out who that wonderful male was.
"Selene!"
No. "I'm sorry father." She whispered against the growing coldness of the night as if her message would be carried on through the forest. Before she could talk herself out, Selene followed her sense for adventure and excitement and headed deeper into the heart of the forest.
River continued along his set course, moving discretely between the brush and tall, proud trees. His steps were even and calculated with the slightest crunch of foliage easily disguised beneath the midnight breeze. The sound of his own blood pumping though his veins rang louder than anything else.
ReplyDeleteAlmost anything.
"I do not take kindly to stalkers," River called out, not once breaking stride as he spoke. Small animals from behind began to scamper outward deeper into the wilderness. River stopped completely. "Are you deaf? Your footsteps are akin to that of a romping elephant."
"Excuse me?" came an offended squeal. River fought the urge to groan. That princess was more stubborn than he bargained for.
River turned towards the princess, almost taken back by the brilliant glow of her hair. It struck like lightning, fierce yet magnificent against the black of night. The two gleaming sapphires that were her eyes sparkled in a way that the reflection of the sun could not hold a candle to. It was no wonder she was deemed fit as a suitable princess. It did not end, however, with looks alone.
"Let's skip the part where I ask you exactly what you meant," the princess fumed, walking in huge strides towards River. "And instead you mind tell me what all that was back there?"
River inclined his head. "A job well done."
Apparently that was not an appropriate answer. "You just left! Who does that?"
"You told me not to interfere and I honored your decision."
"I didn't think you'd actually listen!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms out to her sides in disbelief.
River couldn't fight back a grin this time. "Well, that sort of makes you a tease, doesn't it?"
She rolled her eyes and turned away. He could faintly hear her mumbling as she repeated his words mockingly. Just when he thought this couldn't be any more amusing.
"You had it handled, didn't you? So why pursue me?" River asked, leaning his head to better get a glimpse of her face. She paused for a moment but then began to fidget with her hands and, by the shimmer of her radiant hair, he managed to see the young princess bite her lower lip.
River's brow furrowed. Of course. "Listen, princess-" he hissed out her title, the sudden animosity in his voice making her flinch "- I am not your bodyguard. I do not owe my life or my services to you, royalty or not. Whatever inclinations you had when trailing me, abandon them now."
"Then why did you save me?" she burst out, rounding to meet him face to face once more. Her eyes glistened like droplets of ice. "What reasons could you have possibly had to even consider wasting your time with me?!"
It's what I do, River thought yet he could not voice them. No one had questioned his motives before and why it left him confounded now was a mystery. He helped those in need, those who deserved his assistance. Then he left. The cycle continued. Each and every encounter chalked up to nothing but chance and accidents. This one was no different.
"I go wherever the wind guides me," River replied after a pregnant pause. He hesitated but eventually added, "... and it lead me to you." And soon it will lead me away.
Yet, all was quiet. The world was still. "Chance," it seemed, decided to bet on the hand of cards now dealt upon the scene. It was River's move.
And it was never a more terrifying thought in his life.
Yellow eyes bore into her, not a single emotion crossed them. He was impossible to read, she didn't know whether or not he would snap at her or be that sultry voiced male that had drawn her in.
ReplyDeleteShe moved away from him and avoided his gaze as she reached for the ruby pendant she wore on her ribbon around her neck. She cleared her throat and tried to find solace in the fact that he was speaking to her now and that had to go for something, right?
"I, for one, am glad it led you to me. You seem. . . interesting." She dared a glance, and immediately wished she hadn't. He was grinning, she actually found amusement sparkle in his bright eyes as he arched a curious brow.
"Interesting?"
"Uh, yes. Interesting." She paused. "I would like to thank you somehow." She added quickly in hopes of moving on to another topic.
The male stared at her for a while, not offering a single clue to his response. . . and then suddenly his smile disappeared and his eyes narrowed into terrifying glare.
"I don't know what your usual reward is, but I assure you, I have no intention of accepting your . . . gratitude in that manner." The sudden hostility in his voice had Selene taking several steps away from him. Why was he so suddenly. . . her eyes grew wide in shock as she realized what he was hinting at.
She held her head up high, indignant at his comment "Excuse me, sir," she managed to hiss out through her anger. "I don't know what kind of 'rewards' you're accustomed to, but I _assure you_ I do not express my gratitude in such manners." The change in his demeanor was almost instant as he shifted uncomfortably under her own glare.
"I-" She held her hand up to silence him. His brows shot up as if surprised she had done so, but otherwise, he didn't say anything further.
She wasn't done with him either. "The fact that you would even suggest that!" She walked right up to him and even though he did not retreat, she could see the conflict to stay in his eyes then. "You are the same as any other male i've met, always thinking of the worst possible, degrading thing for a woman. No matter the status, it seems. If it weren't for the fact that you are drop dead gorgeous, I would. .. . Oh my God." She instantly shut her mouth. Oh gods what had she just said. Selene could practically feel her cheeks scorching as a furious blush crept in. "I. . Uh... I have to go." Yes, go, shouldn't have come here in the first place. Oh gosh. She turned away, absolutely mortified at her complete inability to hide a silly crush from him. She was usually better and hiding her true thoughts, she'd done it all her life. How couldn't she do it now?!
River wasn't new to having women in the past develop a fondness for him after he offered his assistance. Few times he indulged in their infatuations, but River for the most part turned down almost every opportunity presented to him. In all the years he'd spent as a wanderer, however, this princess was the first to show modesty. Still, she pursued him all the same and that was nothing short of infuriating... so why, of all things, was River smiling?
ReplyDelete"... I have no need of a reward, Majesty," River called before the young princess managed to take a single step. She paused, waiting. "You're safe now and that's all that matters to me. If you wish, however, I can repay you for abandoning you earlier, despite the fact I was merely heeding your express wish to fight alone."
"That's not much of an apology, I'm afraid," the princess scoffed, her back still to him.
"Ask me anything you wish and I shall answer them in good faith. That, however, is the highest price I can-"
"What's your name?" she cut in, short yet slightly less heated.
River rolled his eyes. "Face me like a proper royal and I'll tell you."
"I do not take orders from you!" she exclaimed, while nevertheless turning about to glare at him fully and her hands loosely balled into fists. "How dare-"
"River."
"- you-! What?"
"My name is River," he repeated, crossing his arms as he held the young princess's gaze with his own. The anger in her eyes dissipated marginally, enough to express a kind of wonder as though she'd found a way to identify an object in a foreign language. River almost missed it when she whispered his name, perhaps to taste the feel of the word on her tongue. He had to clear his throat to bring her attention back to the matter at hand.
"Oh! Sorry... River-" she paused, her lips forming into a subtle smile "... Umm... do you mind me asking... what are you?"
Saw that one coming. "That, I'm afraid, I'm not inclined to disclose."
Her brows furrowed together and her cheeks went flush. "But you said you would-!"
"I said I would answer in good faith, not thoroughly."
"I hardly understand, then, how your answers are in good faith."
River sighed. "To put it simply, there are some things which you are better off not knowing and I mean that in the most threatening way possible. I never said my answers wouldn't be the absolute truth, but I also never indicated I was at liberty to reveal any of my truths."
ReplyDelete"You're... impossible!" she exclaimed as she bit her lip and severed her gaze from his.
"It's been said," River remarked, shrugging. "Anything else?"
It was quiet as she deliberated. "... Where are you from?"
"Here and there, no place particular."
"Are you in alliance with any kingdoms?"
"As a rule, no."
"Then who do you work for?"
"Whoever deserves it."
"... How old are you?"
"Older than I care to say."
"I can clearly see I've been given the short end of the stick on this 'deal'," the princess spat.
River chuckled. "All depends on the question, Highness."
The princess sighed profusely and tilted her head back towards the night sky as she crossed her arms. She remained like this for near a minute when she at last construed her final question, "... Do you always travel alone?"
River couldn't help but laugh. "Are you looking to run away with me, Princess?"
She closed her eyes and replied, "That's not an answer, good faith or not."
River fell silent. His lack of a snarky comeback had the princess lowering her head back down, only now it was River who avoided her searching gaze. Why... why does she persist?
*You seem... interesting.*
"... Yes," River spoke after a long and strenuous stillness that rang in his ears louder than anything he'd ever heard. "Always."
His sudden change caught her off guard. There was a note of something that she knew all to well underlining that one word. Always. . .
ReplyDeleteDid he not have family? A home? Selene just barely conceived solace in knowing she had family. Though, they were never there in truth, she . .. belonged somewhere. And it was a comfort that quelled her wolf's fears. She could not say the same, however, about her own.
She opened her mouth but quickly shut it before she said anything more that would cause her embarrassment. . . but what could she say? It hardly seemed the appropriate to jest, try to lighten the mood, but then, she didn't have to.
"I do believe it is custom for you to grant me the grace of knowing your name." A hint of sarcasm lined his voice as he suddenly seemed back into his former, positive self. She tilted her head in curiously at him, how could he do that?
Thankful for the chance to be with him a little longer, she answered with a smile in her voice, "My name is Selene."
He grinned at her. "Just Selene? May I inquire as to your full name?"
This time, it was her turn to evade his question.
"Why that, I'm afraid, I'm not inclined to disclose." She said, mocking his earlier response.
"Aren't you?" He took a step towards her, causing her heart to escalate instantly. Instinctively she took a step back, not wanting to find herself cornered or without an exit. She still didn't know him, and it was alarming to know that her body seemed relaxed by his presence. In fact, it seemed a little too at ease and even, a bit eager.
She quickly cast aside the thought and focused on the male she so desperately wanted to run off into tomorrow with. She held her head up defiantly.
"No. Perhaps, I would have done so, had you not evaded most of my questions."
He shook his head. "I told you-"
"I know what you said, River." Goodness, that name already felt good to say. That wasn't normal, was it? She reached up to touch her pendant once more, seeking some sort of confidence from it. "It's Selene Estrid Wolfheart."
River said nothing as he walked over to a near by tree and leaned against it. His eyes almost seemed to glow against the darkness around them, although, the sky seemed to have grown a fraction lighter. Was it almost dawn already? There was suddenly a need to keep talking with River, to stay even a few moments longer.
"River, if I may ask, why do. . . you travel alone?"
For once, it seemed it was her turn to catch him off guard. His gaze moved from hers up to the sky, as if noticing what she noticed. Did he want to leave? She wouldn't blame him if he did, she supposed. But. . . she didn't want to go back, not when she has tasted freedom and oh, did it feel good.
"Is there a reason you would like to know, Selene?"
Yes. "No. Not really. Merely trying to get to know my savior a bit more. Maybe then I'll understand why you chose to save me."
ReplyDelete"But I've already told you-"
"Yes, I know what you've told me. But I want to know why. No one saves a person without cause. It just doesn't happen."
River returned his stare to her, his smile never leaving. "It is not my fault you cannot accept my truth."
"It actually is."
His smile grew broader as he pushed against the tree to walk around her. What was he doing? She wondered, but she found herself not caring, only tracking his movements. And she noticed a sort of grace to him. His footsteps made no sound on the forest floor. It was as if the ground itself gave way to his weight if only to serve for the purpose of silence. Though, his clothing covered most of him, she could only imagine how his muscles moved. Probably like that of a predator, slick and effective.
Was he trying to intimidate her, or seduce her? The latter brought another blush to her cheeks, making her avoid his notice as best she could.
She had half a mind to show him that she was not some swooning woman. That his sinful eyes and forbidden air didn't effect her in the slightest, but that was a lie, wasn't it? For gods sake, Selene found the wolf inside her purring at the thought of being pit against this mighty warrior if only to find out who would really come out on top.
She truly was a marvel to behold. The princess - no, Selene - was very much the essence of purity. She was impetuous, yes, but it do not detract from any of the qualities that made her perfect; rather, it added onto the authenticity of her being. She was real.
ReplyDeleteEverything that River wasn't.
He came to a halt from his circling and stood before Selene once more. The black of night had now turned a shade lighter as light blue began to permeate the sky from the east. The chill of the morning became more apparent as the rising warmth of the sun broke the horizon and engulfed everything in its wake in a morning glow. If it was at all possible, River would run away from that burning star. To stay longer within the shadows of night and stand in awe of the beautiful wolf whose light was brighter and untarnished than anything he'd ever known.
A small tug upon the strands of River's hair from the morning breeze alerted him to the wind's revival. Like a soft "hello" that held an undertone of urgency. You've stayed long enough, River. Time's almost up.
River shook his head, he already knew that. He returned his gaze to Selene's, her eyes expectant and, perhaps, even fearful. It was not, however, fear for her life, River noticed.
He held out his hand and said, "May I?" as his eyes glanced to her hand.
ReplyDeleteSomewhat hesitant, Selene finally reached up and rested her hand into his open palm. It was surreal, like River was holding onto the first smooth flakes of new fallen snow. He leaned down his head as he brought his lips to the back of Selene's hand, with his eyes still trained to the sparkling sapphires framed by elegant white hair. The morning sun wasn't quite that undesirable after all. It gave River the opportunity to bear witness to a lovely shade of red lining the princess's cheeks.
"They're looking for you," he said finally, as a slightly stronger breeze brushed against River's face and bringing along with it the sounds of the forest. "You should return to them quickly, My Pr-" he broke off but recovered briskly with a small clearing of his throat "- my presence here will not be welcomed and it would be best to save them from further grief."
He lowered his hand and turned to depart, but Selene's hand still within his grasp suddenly grappled onto his with a kind of fervent urgency as she exclaimed, "Wait!"
River looked back to the princess, the lock of their gazes leaving Selene momentarily befuddled. So she averted her gaze and bit her lip, her hand never so much as alleviating its grasp upon River's own hand. His resisted the urge to grasp her's in encouragement. At long last, she returned her eyes to his as she asked timidly, "... Will I ever see you again?"
The shouting of the guards was starting to become more distinguishable upon the wind's breath but River remained static. He gave Selene a small smile. "It is not my way," he replied.
"Yes, well..." Selene glanced over her shoulder for a moment before continuing, "... can't you make just one exception? Just this once?"
River was tempted to act upon his instincts and just leave. He did not need this, he'd done what he was supposed to. This girl was not the first to inquire the impossible. He would depart and keep true to his word to never see her again, just like all the others that came before. She was no different from the other women he'd encountered before so why would he make an exception now?
But River's attention was stolen by the furious blush consuming the whole of the princess's cheeks and by the hopeful glint in her eyes. Her body was tensed, guarded, as if in anticipation of disappointment. Her lips slightly parted, ready to construe more words to convince him to stay. Her grip began loosening marginally the longer River remained silent but her wrist was set and stubborn. Just as she was.
Of course she was different. Not because she was a royal or that she was the purest being River had the pleasure of ever meeting. She was Selene. She was fire and she was ice, and she was light that could cut through the darkest of nights. She was stubborn yet realistic. She was daring. She was hope.
He slowly reached was his other hand towards Selene and caressed the shining silk of her hair. "... No," River said, but he betrayed a smile and Selene's eyes searched questioningly into River's until she, too, burst into the most loveliest grin with her wondrous lips. How might they taste, he wondered?
The voices grew louder. The wind became bolder. And all River could think about was this beautiful woman standing before him with the most wonderful light that his presence was graced with.
Her heart pounded so loud, it could almost drown out the urgent sounds of bushes and shrubbery being disturbed by the guards. But she could care less about them, right now, as the sun rose too soon behind River. She couldn't help but stare bashfully into the gaze of the man who could very well match the brightness of that fiery star.
ReplyDelete"I suppose then, I must add an incentive, shouldn't I?"
The wind itself seemed to approve, oddly enough, it seemed almost as if it were yielding around them. It was as if it were warning her of the time she had with it's warrior before it claimed him once more. But she wanted to see him again, and if he wouldn't come willingly. . .She reached up and untied her pendant, fully aware that in doing so would reveal a part of her past she would much rather not share. But she accepted it, and fighting back the urge to quickly cover up the jagged scar that ran along her throat, she pulled his hand to her and placed it in his palm.
"I do hope that you will return this to me one day. It would be the honorable thing to do, and seeing as you so like to honor my wishes." She offered him a smile before placing a kiss onto the stone in his hand and closing his fingers around it.
For a moment, she didn't dare look up at him for fear that it really would be the last time she would ever see him again. And for whatever foolish notion she had, maybe it would keep him from leaving. But she couldn't hope for that, not when the voices of her guards were practically behind her. He couldn't be caught with her without being blamed for her disappearance and by the sound of her fathers urgent calls, they would also lay blame to him for the corpse of the dead monster she left behind. They would never believe she was capable of defeating it. To them, she was their quiet, dutiful, daughter Selene. But with River, she was herself. She truly was Selene.
A light touch under her chin brought her eyes back to River's striking gaze. The long, dark strands of his hair blew across his face, almost created a sense of danger to him. "You're impossible, you know that?"
She smiled, "So I've been told."
And as if he were the wind itself, he vanished from her side just as the loud thunder of armor and weapons being drawn finally caught up to her.
"Selene! Where have you been, darling?" She felt her father's presence immediately before he even spoke or came around in front of her, where River was once standing.
"Selene, child, what's happened?"
She responded with one of her automatic answers that always seemed to work with her parents. "I'm fine father. Nothing for you to worry about."
She blinked and tried to bring her focus away from one of the most perfect nights she ever had. The blues of her father's eyes searched her, wanting more than she could give him. All she could do was produce the best smile she could and bowed her head slightly. "I am tired father. It has been a long night, if you still wish to know of the mishaps your daughter has found herself in tonight, then I shall procure that information unto you in the afternoon."
It seemed to satisfy her father, even if just a fraction because he let her go, with an armed escort of course. Now she would be free to ponder over the small fleeting moments with River, knowing she wouldn't really need to recount this nights events to her father. He'd be much to busy to even remember.