AN: Thank you purpleducktape1 and Distortedpands-chan for the reviews!
I breathed in the fresh air greedily the moment we exited the castle, looking up at the cloudy sky with a bit of disappointment. "The sun's gone." I commented sadly, noting that the overcast weather was not due to a lone cloud, but a sky full of them.
He chuckled. "Be glad it's gone. I was only able to take you out because of it."
You can't have your cake and eat it too, I guess. I thought, still happy overall. I had almost thought I'd never leave that place again. Although, leaving it without an escort was probably a different story. Then it occurred to me. "So that whole sun burning you guys thing, that's true?"
He laughed wholeheartedly as he shook his head. "No."
I looked at him expectantly, not really enjoying his near-musical laughter at my expense. "Well? Aren't you going to tell me why?"
"I'll show you some time." He said quietly, turning a corner.
Great, that's going to bug me all–my mind froze as a small ray of sunshine peeked out from the clouds, making his skin glisten and sparkle. I stared and he reacted quickly, pulling us both into the shade at a speed I was sure wasn't humanly possible.
He swore under his breath. "Did anyone else see?"
The street had been empty, but my mind wasn't working fast enough to utilize my ability to speak. I answered with a simple shake of my head. His skin no longer sparkled, but I couldn't seem to be able to stop marveling. He's just so... Beautiful.
He relaxed and his eyes drifted down to my left hand, the one he held. My eyes followed his and I snapped out of the trance. Why is my hand so sore? He removed his fingers gently to reveal black and blue bruises where they had been. My mouth opened in surprise as his expression morphed to one of apology. Is he really that strong?
"I should have been more careful." He said apologetically, taking it again extra carefully, as if I were made of porcelain. "Does it hurt?"
"Not really." I mumbled, still looking down to where our hands were joined. In my peripheral vision, I could see the sun dim again, darker clouds now covering it. A few seconds passed before rain suddenly clapped down, water falling hard and fast on our heads. I gasped when the water hit me, I felt Marcus's leather coat around my shoulders, but I was already drenched.
"Come." He said gently, wrapping a shoulder around me and holding me close to him as we walked back to the castle at a fast, but very human speed.
We both dripped onto the floor as the wooden doors closed behind us. Before the puddle of water slowly growing beneath us could grow too large, he swept me into his arms. He walked quickly to–wait, was it really mine?–the room, setting me on me feet. I was shivering, despite his coat, I had gotten covered in the icy downpour.
He swept the coat off my shoulders, setting it aside. "Take a warm shower. Get changed. I don't want you to get sick." I nodded, noting how his voice was gentle, commanding and caring all at once.
I was quick with my shower, since I'd already washed my hair and everything once that day. I got ready and came out in jeans, skimmers and a long-sleeved teeshirt. He was sitting in his chair, in dry clothes like the ones he usually wore. It wasn't all that surprising. He'd had more than ample time to change, even if he couldn't zoom around like the roadrunner in Looney Tunes.
He stood when I entered, walking up to me. "How are you feeling?" He asked softly, looking me over. His gaze was intense, but I tried not to let it effect me when our eyes locked.
"Better." I said, pausing. "I don't really know what's going on here, but I just wanted to thank you. For being so kind to me."
He froze up for a second before pulling me to his chest in a hug, his sleeved arms wrapped around me. The suddenness of the movement shocked me at first, but I relaxed into his hard chest after the surprise wore off. "You're welcome, Evelyn. I know you don't understand everything right now, but that will come, with time."
Change in POV
I smiled as her hot, soft form rested against my chest. I closed my eyes as I felt our bond strengthening, the line between up growing thicker and brighter with each passing moment. It was beautiful. I leaned down, kissing the top of her head lightly. I felt her heartbeat accelerate wildly. I closed my eyes for a moment, pushing back the wave of hunger the feeling of her pounding heart brought on.
I embraced the tenderness I felt toward her as I pulled away slightly, tilting her chin up and kissing her with the utmost care. Please don't refuse me. I prayed silently, savoring the pleasant heat of her lips.
Change in POV
His lips on mine were so gentle, all his touches conveying nothing but pure affection. It was such a shock that my brain wouldn't function for a moment, but when it started to, my first though was that those lips had tasted human blood. This is too much. I can't. I jerked away, a tear racing down my cheek as I ran for the bathroom, locking the door behind me. "What?" I whispered to myself shakily as I held either side of the sink, feeling a little sick. Why did he do that? I stopped myself from punching the still broken mirror and splashed some water on my face, ignoring a soft knock at the door.
"Evelyn, please." I heard Marcus beg quietly from the other side of the door. "Tell me what I did wrong."
"It's not what you did." I said quietly, on the verge of tears. "It's what you are."