Apologies, my updates are few and far between… That's unlikely to change I'm afraid, but thanks for waiting even still- appreciated.

3

The change in Valek's character from one encounter to the next had been a surprise to say the least, and even a little disconcerting in Yelena's opinion… That's not to say she didn't greatly appreciate his sudden interest in her. Her heart pumped fast just with the thought of him, and she found herself looking forward to the carnivals even more than she had before, if that was possible. An entire evening with Valek… Even before his departure she hadn't been able to spend more than a couple of hours with him at a time.

Yelena smiled happily as she regarded herself in the full-length mirror propped against the wall. She had borrowed it from Dilana, who had been delighted to supply Yelena with a new outfit for that evening, despite her protests. She wore a gown of deep purple silk, so dark it looked black unless the light struck the material at just the right angle. The long sleeves clung to her arms all the way down to her wrists, and the dress itself hugged her slender frame in an almost sensual way. Yelena loved the feel of the silky material on her skin; it ran through her fingers like water as she toyed with the skirt nervously. The square neckline was a little too revealing for her taste, but Dilana had laughed off her muttered complaints. The neck and the waist were studded with pretty purple stones, and Yelena wore a delicate pendant necklace to match. It lay comfortably between her breasts, matched by a pair of tiny stud earrings. Dilana had brushed Yelena's long hair into submission, and it now fell gracefully in loose waves to just above her waist. Despite her previous misgivings about her dress, Yelena had to admit she loved the way she looked tonight…. She just hoped Valek would too.

The sun had near enough set by time Yelena reached the courtyard. Valek had instructed her to meet him there, and sure enough he stood just out of sight, beneath the stone archway leading out of the city. Yelena walked over to him, trying to move as gracefully as possible, if only to do the dress justice. He wore a long jacket, black with dainty, perfect stitching, to just above his knees. His trousers were of the same slightly textured material, and his shirt of a pearly white. He looked relaxed and comfortable for the first time in weeks, despite his attire, however the expression on his face was unreadable as he courteously kissed her hand and offered her his arm.

"Shall we?" Yelena smiled and nodded, slipping her hand into the crook of his elbow.

They left the courtyard in companionable silence, Valek's arm warm and strong beneath her small, sturdy hand.

As they reached the gate, he cleared his throat slightly and spoke quietly, tilting his head slightly towards her ear. She was only slightly shorter than him, so she was able to hear his words clearly.

"The commander has left already with his guard and entourage, they will go to one of the big tops in the central area, then to buy food from vendors in the eastern quarter. From there he will likely visit the caravans before circling back and leaving." Yelena gave a curt nod of understanding, shifting her gaze to make eye contact with him. Valek shot her a sly smile, "try not to wander off."

They reached the outskirts of the event several minutes later. Yelena could already smell the fires and practically taste the sweet bean bread she could almost hear frying outside the big tops. She felt like a child again, desperate to see everything there was to see, try all of the foods and gaze in wonder at the dancers and magicians. She held herself steady though, clearing her head and keeping a watchful eye on her surroundings. It wouldn't do for Valek to see her behaving unprofessionally. His behaviour last week could hardly be described as 'professional' she found herself thinking. Yelena allowed herself a small smile, which didn't seem to pass Valek by.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself", he said. Yelena thought she detected a teasing tone to his voice. She laughed a little, and was surprised at how cool and relaxed she sounded, despite her racing emotions.

"I feel young again", she said, "I haven't been to a carnival in years, I'd almost forgotten how much I love the atmosphere."

"Young again? Yelena, you're hardly 21 yet," Yelena caught his eye and Valek crooked an eyebrow, "If you're 'old' what does that make me?" A slight blush rose in Yelena's face, but Valek flashed an easy smile and waved the comment away.

Soon enough they had reached the big top. Yelena could feel her eyes opening wider and wider to try and take in the entire thing as they made their way through the gaping entrance. The inside was warm and loud, filled with chatter and music. She spotted Janco with Dilana and waved. She caught Ari's eye, he grinned and raised a steaming drink in a tin tankard. Valek looked at her

"Go to them," he said with a smile, "I'm sure I can keep and eye on the Commander for now" Yelena looked up at him in surprise

"Are you sure that's ok?" She was partly loath to leave him, however the desire to share this night with her friends too was almost overwhelming. Valek shrugged and another smile twitched at the corner of his mouth

"I'll meet you back here in an hour" he said "Don't be late" Yelena grinned and nodded once, gently sliding her hand from Valek's elbow, trailing it teasingly down his arm as she swept towards her friends.

Unfortunately, it only took the best part the next hour for Ari, Janco, and Dilana to get Yelena drunker than she'd allowed herself to be her entire life. The warm liquid Ari offered her straight off the bat was some Sitian ale, completely foreign to most Ixian stomachs, including her own. It tasted like fruit and summer to Yelena, of the sun and the sea and thick silk sheets and velvet. It warmed her to her core as it dived down her throat gulp after gulp after gulp, luxurious sensual furs and exotic spice all in one pewter mug. She was completely intoxicated by time it came for her to meet with Valek, and the thought of her schedule had completely left her mind. The next few hours she spent with her closest friends were some of the best she could remember. Or couldn't, given the circumstances.

It didn't take long for Janco to lead a giggling Dilana from the tent through a small flap in the canvas nearby; arm draped almost too amicably over her shoulder, while hers circled his waist. Ari exchanged a congratulatory wave and a conspiratorial grin with him as they left. To Yelena everything seemed brighter and more colourful, but after a while the tent interior became a little too much.

Ari took her arm gently and steered her outside, away from the heat and the loud colours. Yelena laughed and stumbled a little, and Ari smiled gently at her as they went. They passed a couple locked in a passionate embrace as they left, and another as they approached the edge of the circle of tents. By this time the cool air had cleared Yelena's mind somewhat, but she still walked with about the same amount of composure as a frightened rabbit. She walked into Ari again as they passed a pair of teenagers juggling knives

"Lets find somewhere to sit down," he muttered, catching her by her waist. Yelena laughed stupidly as he lead her inside a nearby tent. It was warm inside, welcome break from the chilly breeze that had come with nightfall, and cluttered with all manner of props and costumes and trunks filled with gizmos and coloured cloth the likes of which Yelena had never seen before. It was clearly a trouper's tent, and it was clearly deserted. As this thought settled in Yelena's mind, she became painfully aware of Ari's arm, still tight around her. She stepped away quickly, not liking where this situation was heading. To her utter dismay, Ari seized her arm, pulling her back towards him. Such was her surprise that she fell back against his chest with a tiny gasp of shock, and his arm snaked its way around her middle.

"Yelena," murmured Ari into her hair, "you smell so good…" Ari's breath was thick with the sickly sweet smell of too much Sitian ale. To Yelena's horror his right arm ran abrasively up her side and grasped her breast, the other arm still holding her tight as he bent and planted a wet kiss on her neck, before grazing it with his teeth. Enough was enough.

"Ari!" she cried, struggling in his vice like grasp "Ari! STOP!" He would not let go. Yelena began to panic; she could feel a scream rising in her throat, yet still did not want to get her friend in trouble. She was stuck. Ari's hands began to wonder over her body more, working lower and lower towards her most private regions until-

"Ari!" a new voice. Yelena jumped in surprise as… Valek burst through the opposite opening to the tent. Ari gasped and shoved Yelena away from him, but too late, Valek had already seen what had been happening. In two quick strides he had crossed the tent and punched Ari square in the face. Yelena had to cover her mouth with one hand to stop herself from crying out. Ari went sprawling, clearly out cold, but Valek didn't stop there, he aimed a vicious kick at his side, and Ari's ribs gave a nasty crack as his heavy boot made contact, and he would have landed another in quick succession if Yelena hadn't leaped forwards to catch his arm.

"Valek! Valek! Stop!" She cried. She could see the wild still rage burning in his eyes as he shifted his piercing blue eyes from Ari's motionless body to hers. Thankfully his gaze softened as he focused on her face, a picture of fearful concern.

"Yelena," he said stiffly. He looked suddenly at Ari again, as if just realising that it had been he who had floored him. "Oh Christ" he muttered, and proceeded to curse colourfully. Yelena thought she was safe to release his arm, and did so, watching her companion carefully, and with mixed emotions to be sure.

"You didn't have to do that," she said quietly after a moment. Valek's poker faced expression slid easily back into place as he regarded her pensively.

"I know he's your friend Yelena," he replied after a moment, "But you can't let that be any reason for him to be able to get away with harassing you. Frankly, I'm embarrassed for him". Yelena frowned up at him, and was struck by the concern she found buried in his stare.

"Valek I… I'm flattered but I don't appreciate your insistence on protecting m-" She was cut off as Valek bent his head and captured her lips with his own. She was pleasantly surprised by this change, this kiss was softer, warmer, and safer even, than the one they had shared a few days earlier. He ran his tongue lightly over the seam of her lips, and she opened them to him. His tongue toyed with her own, circling gently, swirling shallowly before diving a little deeper. Rotates head, repeats. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck and his own circled her waist, hugging her slight frame to him. Their kiss deepened slowly, until Yelena broke away. Valek simply trailed kisses down her jaw to her neck, nipping her ear slightly as her passed, and starting to nurse what would surely become a spectacular hickey.

"Valek… Not here," Yelena said, her voice a little lower than usual, Valek ignored her and continued to suck and kiss her neck, "Ari's still here… He's making me uncomfortable." This all despite the fact the he was currently lying face down and unconscious on the floor. Valek sighed and nodded once into her shoulder, before stepping reluctantly away and proceeding to heave Ari up over his shoulder, and exiting the tent with him. Yelena surveyed the tent quickly. The ale still had her a little muddled, however she managed to make her way over to a pile of colourful silks on a wide wooden bed frame. She sat down just as Valek re-entered. He had to look around for a moment in the dim interior before he caught sight of her. He grinned mischievously and was beside her in an instant. Yelena grinned right back, suddenly swelling with her wanting for this beautiful man. He sat and Yelena climbed casually into his lap. Valek didn't hesitate to lean back against the screen propped beside the bed, and Yelena straddled his thighs.

"Where were we," she murmured into his ear, before continuing their kiss with renewed vigour. Yelena's dress was hiked up about her waist, and it didn't take long for Valek to remove his hands from her waist and slide them up her smooth thighs, gathering her dress up and pulling it over her head until she was laid bare to him in only her undergarments. He chucked the dress to the floor as Yelena pushed her hands into his jacket, pulling it from his shoulders and making quick work of unbuttoning his shirt, tossing both away in quick succession and starting to work on Valek's belt. She could feel Valek grin into the kiss as she struggled with the stiff buckle. She eventually broke away from his lips in frustration to focus all her attention on it, Valek didn't seem to mind and with a low moan he lowered his lead and began to plant kisses lower and lower. Yelena gasped, belt forgotten as she worked a hand into his dark hair, stroking the back of his neck with her delicate fingers as he continued to make out with her chest, strong arms encircling her waist and fingers trailing patterns on her bare back. Yelena closed her eyes, breathing becoming steadily more rapid, and tilted her head back a little. Suddenly, Valek's hands left her back and cupped her thighs, flipping her onto her back and rolling forwards so he lay on top of her, face buried in her cleavage, hot breath sending waves of pleasure down her spine as he wriggled into a more comfortable position. Valek's head lifted momentarily and Yelena gazed down at him with eyes half lidded with desire.

"Spread your legs for me, Yelena," he murmured, voice husky. Yelena did so, placing her feet gently on the seam between Valek's hips and thighs as he shimmied down her body. She watched as he guided her panties gently down her legs, replacing them with his mouth. He kissed and nibbled her lips and inner thighs as Yelena sighed, entwining her fingers once more in his hair.

"Valek…" She moaned. Valek's tongue flicked her clit teasingly, making her gasp, before brushing it with his lips, then pushing his tongue gently into her opening, dipping in, swirling gently, tasting her, hot breath tickling her higher and higher. Yelena's back arched towards him, More! She wanted to cry. Without warning, Valek's tongue was suddenly gone, replaced seamlessly by his index and middle fingers. Yelena's whimpers became more desperate as he pushed in and out of her, focusing on her g-spot as he stretched out his body so he was lying on top of her once more. With his remaining hand he reached up and rolled her right nipple gently between his thumb and forefinger, before lowering his head to the other, sucking the little bud into his mouth and teasing it with his teeth. Yelena groaned and her body rose towards him under his touch, lusting for more as he pinched harder, squeezing her breast hard enough to earn a gasp from her. Valek's fingers worked faster and faster, and he quickly slid another in, massaging her clit with his thumb, making her hips buck. He worked her sensitive little nub one way, then the other, first pressing hard then flicking gently, pushing her close to madness as she moaned and whimpered.

"Valek," She moaned, "I'm gonna come," Yelena breathed heavily and squeezed her eyes shut as, quick as a flash, Valek removed all his digits from her. Yelena cried out in protest before seeing Valek shuck his trousers just as quickly. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of him for the first time, and Valek's pleased grin didn't pass her by. He crawled between her legs and positioned himself at her entrance. He locked eyes with Yelena before pushing into her in one powerful stroke. Yelena's head fell back, mouth open in silent ecstasy as she clinched around him.

"Fuck Yelena you're so tight!" Valek grunted through gritted teeth. He pulled out of her and thrust back in, even deeper than before, earning a high moan from Yelena. He pulled out again and began to penetrate her with swift, hard strokes. He pounded into her deeper with every thrust, as she was pushed closer and closer to the edge, clutching the silk sheets beneath her. He lifted one of her legs and placed it over his shoulder, allowing him better access to push even deeper inside of her as she cried out his name.

"Valek… Valek! Fuck me, VAleK!" he grunted with each stroke. He too was getting close. Yelena could feel the heat swelling in her core, but just as she was about to come, Valek pulled out of her all the way and flipped her over onto her stomach. He lifted her by her hips and pounded into her right up to the hilt, forcing Yelena's face and chest into the silk sheets, which chafed on her over sensitive nipples, the wave in sensation causing her to cry out in reckless abandon.

"Valek!" she cried. He thrust into her again, gripping her hips tight with his hands and bringing a palm down to strike her butt with every stroke. Yelena tightened around him, breath catching in her throat as Valek snaked an arm around her and pinched her clit tight between his fingers, pulling manipulating it as he bent low and whispered in her ear.

"Come for me, Yelena." She didn't need telling twice. Yelena exploded. She cried out in pleasure and tightened around his cock. Valek pulled out of her and thrust into her one final time, right up to the hilt before throwing his head back and shooting his hot seed inside her trembling body.

Both completely spent, Valek pulled out of her and they both collapsed, panting. Yelena felt Valek's hand on her waist and turned her head to plant a gentle, tender kiss on his jaw. He sighed and met her lips with his once more, before pillowing her head on his arm.

"You're late," Valek chuckled, chest rumbling reassuringly beneath her body. It took a moment for Yelena to realise what he was talking about.

"Oh, shit!" she laughed when she remembered, "I completely forgot!" Valek laughed with her

"Well…" He said, leaning over to kiss her again, "We'll just have to make it more memorable won't we?"

That's all folks! Thanks for waiting- hope you enjoyed it!

-Wind and Shade