Iona wandered away from the noisy, fancy dressed throng of people that included her cousin, wanting to get some air.
She sighed in relief as she reached the balcony, the outdoor air refreshing. She then turned, and made her way around the house before ascending the stairs that she remembered from a previous visit that led to a library. She stopped when she heard the soft tunes of a haunting melody, the sound carrying on the cool night breeze.
It was scathing and haunting, yes, but she wanted to hear more.
She followed the music.
She found herself standing outside a pair of open French doors, her hair fluttering in the wind.
The music had stopped.
Blinking, she realized that she realized that she had wandered from the main house, and was now standing in a place that was almost in the middle of the woods.
Oh, my God.
She turned to leave, a feeling of dread beginning to wash over her when a man's voice spoke from the darkness of the room, halting her flight.
" You have nothing to fear from me, little angel. "
His voice was deep, and despite her nervousness, Iona turned to face the speaker, her breath catching in her throat as he stepped out of the shadows, and into the moonlight.
" You are perfectly safe with me. "
To say that he was more beautiful than a dark angel would not have done justice to the sight that greeted her. The man in front of her was muscular, over six feet tall with messy blue black hair that was parted on the right, and swept to the side of his majestically beautiful face, his eyes a startling shade of violet that seemed to send an electric shock through her; she felt that despite the frameless, rectangular glasses that he wore, those eyes could see right into her soul.
He was dressed in a long blue trench coat that was unzipped from the waist down, almost reaching his ankles, and dark blue pants with knee high boots. Underneath that intricate coat with its storm design, she could see that he was wearing a white shirt with an upturned collar, and a cravat.
Iona realized that she was staring, and felt her cheeks flood with color before she took a step back, giving herself a mental shake. " I'm sorry, Sir, " she apologized. " I heard the beautiful music, and followed it because I wanted to listen to it… "
She almost melted when he graced her confession with the most beautiful, gentle smile that she had ever seen. " It is quite alright, Miss, " he assured her as he took a step towards her. " Although I am surprised that someone your age was able to appreciate my playing, I am quite flattered. "
Iona was about to faint. " I'd better be heading back, " she said, turning away. " My cousin will be looking for me. "
" Wait. "
Something about the way he spoke made delicious shivers go up her spine, and she found herself turning to look up at him. " Yes? "
He bowed low from the waist, and when he straightened, he held one hand out to her, his violet eyes twinkling. " Since you braved the dark to appreciate my playing, " he said. " Will you do me the honor of sharing a dance with me in the moonlight? "
Iona blushed again. " I… " She felt tongue tied. " Yes… I will. "
She was unable to tear her gaze from his as he closed the space between them, and took her in his arms, one hand holding hers. As the haunting melody began to fill the air, and their dance began, she wondered absently how it was playing…
" What is your name? " he asked a long while later, running his fingers through her hair.
They had danced for what had felt like a long time, but not long enough.
Iona looked up at him shyly. " Iona Yukihana, " she answered almost breathlessly. " And you? "
He smiled down at her. " Reisi Munakata. "
He gazed down at her as her eyes closed, sleep overtaking her. He remained that way for a while longer, relishing her warmth as she slumbered in his arms before he lifted her from the love seat they had been sitting on, and carried her back to the main house.
His presence was nothing more than a shadow that danced at the peripheral of anyone's vision as he brought Iona to the library where he lay her on the sofa, gently brushing the hair from her face as long forgotten feeling stirred within him as he gazed at the innocent girl in front of him.
He had been playing his music out of habit, and hadn't expected to have an audience, but when he sensed her presence, he'd stopped so he could have a look at her.
Reisi Munakata hadn't expected the sight that had greeted him.
Her appearance was a cross between a cherub, and a grown angel. She was petite and slender, her wide set, slanting emerald green eyes complementing her young face that was framed by her wavy platinum gold hair. It was parted on the left, and held back by silver lily of the valley clips on either side of her head, allowing it to tumble down her back until her hips. The pink dress that she wore with its bell shaped, white sleeves hid her figure while at the same time, enhancing the virginal beauty of her appearance, her rosy white skin making her look ethereal.
He found his eyes drawn to her throat, the swan like column so tempting in its purity…
Her scent was so enticing that he bent closer, kissing her skin, feeling an ancient hunger come to life…
No!
Munakata drew back with a soft hiss. Dear God, what had he been about to do?!
Fighting his hunger, he withdrew into the shadows, his eyes lingering on the tiny figure on the sofa, wanting to do more than gaze at her, but knowing that he had no right to do so.
He would not harm her, he vowed. Not her.
Never her.
He watched her from the shadows as she slept, making sure to shield her from the night's chill with the shawl that she'd worn over her shoulders; it had fallen as they danced, and he'd retrieved it for her.
He'd used his ability to compel to coax her to sleep after he felt the first stirring of hunger within him so that she wouldn't have to see him if he needed to feed.
Even in her slumber, she seemed to be searching for him, her face turned in his direction, her breathing even.
Are you a dream? Munakata could hear her soft voice in his mind as she asked him that. Closing his eyes, he focused, and found his way into her dream.
She was sitting with him in the room where he'd been playing the piano, her eyes curious, and innocent as she gazed up at him.
Munakata smiled at her, and kissed her forehead, draping his arm around her, and pulling her closer. Do you want me to be?
She snuggled up to him, and he could see the light blush fanning her cheeks in the darkness. Is it alright if I ask you not to be? Is it alright if I ask you to be real?
Munakata thought that his heart would burst. Her answer was everything he had wished for, and yet, he knew he had no right to do so. I am here, he answered. I am real.
Will I see you again? she asked. Even if for a moment?
I am right here, my angel.
He knew he was damning himself by giving into his desire – and hers - to see her again, but how could he refuse that innocent request when it echoed what he desired?
I promise you that we will meet again.
Her smile at his response convinced him that he had made the right decision.
I really want to see you again, she admitted, laying her head over his heart.
I promise you that we will.
Iona stirred, and opened her eyes to find herself lying on the sofa in the moonlit library.
Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes, and looked around.
She was alone.
Had Reisi Munakata been a dream?
It hurt to think that the man was nothing more than a figment of her imagination, and for a moment, she wanted to cry.
We will meet again.
Iona blinked and scanned the dark room with her eyes, straining her ears.
She was definitely alone.
And yet...
His voice had sounded so clear, as if he had been right beside her.
The memory of his voice was enough to close the wound that had almost opened in her heart, the joy that they would meet again showing in her smile.
We will meet again...
Somehow, she felt like he was there with her, and he had not disappeared into the night...
Munakata couldn't help but smile at the joy that shown on Iona Yukihana's face after he assured her telepathically that they would meet again. The young girl then rose to her feet, and straitened the creases on her dress before tucking her shawl more securely around her shoulders. Just as she moved to leave, she saw the white rose that he had left on the coffee table, and picked it up.
His breath caught as she lifted the memento to her face, and inhaled the sweet fragrance; the way the moonlight danced on her hair, and illuminated the rosy glow of her skin made him hunger for her in more ways than one.
He wanted to step put of the shadows, and pull her into his arms.
He wanted to kiss her sweet lips, taste her skin.
He wanted to take her blood.
But he wouldn't.
He would not harm her...
Not now, not ever.
Iona looked back at the house as her cousin made a U-turn, and maneuvered the car out of the gates.
If it hadn't been for the rose that she'd found, she might have thought that Reisi Munakata and his voice were all just a dream.
Thank God he wasn't.
Because she really wanted to see him again...
She was getting ready for bed when she saw the wolf outside her window.
It was a giant, like the arctic predators that she had often read about, the wolves of old.
She opened the window to get a closer look, but it had turned and run back into the woods.
From what little she'd managed to glimpse, the wolf had blue black fur, and she could have sworn that its eyes were violet.
Just like his...
Iona shook her head, feeling silly. Reisi Munakata was human, not a wolf.
Wasn't he?
