Hey Everybody. I know everybody has patiently waited for this chapter to get done. I truly from the bottom of my heart apologize for the long wait. I'm trying to get my university application ironed out and I was in an area in Texas where there's no internet service for the rest of the summer through the beginning of October, and basically I just got in last night...Denver was totally freezing my butt off.

This is for everybody who has patiently waited for this chapter to be uploaded. Enjoy! =^-^=

Disclaimer: Ya know the drill...


Chapter 7

"Ya know for a small woman, Gracey, you've got a lot of arm muscle." Lila noted as she was being pulled down the hall to god knows where in this crazy place that she found out was Atlantis. Lila couldn't help but notice the many jewels that littered the walls, along with a couple of tapestries here and there. It caught her interest, considering that they had dragons on the massive frame of cloth.

"Oh, come on. I don't have that much strength," replied the petite red-head. "Besides, knowing you, you'll want the full story as to where you are, right?" Lila nodded as she continued to let her friend guide her.

Grace slowed down as they both came upon a massive door. The next thing Lila saw was Grace reaching down towards her dress pocket and pulling out another dragon medallion. Pretty soon, the medallion glowed slightly and the doors groaned open.

Lila gasped as she saw the beautiful forest scenery unfold behind the doors. If she thought that what she previously saw in the dining hall was heaven, she must be in nirvana or something higher. As they both stepped outside, the trees seem to encircle around them, flowers of different colors and types were scattered, giving a sense of harmony towards nature. The whistles and calls of birds filled the air as some began to take to the air.

As Lila looked upon the scenery with awe, Grace began to lead her down a path that went straight into the tree line. "I have a few friends waiting for me. They'll probably give you a lot more details than me about Atlantis." Lila nodded as she noted that the path itself was clean; something like a zoo would place in a greenhouse/tropical environment.

After a few minutes of walking, they came upon a small circular clearing the tree line. A dark marble table was at the far edge of the clearing, the canopy keeping a cool shade over the dark table set instead of a parasol. Lila could see that three other women were sitting on a couple of empty stone seats with a couple of extra ones around the table.

Right off the bat, Lila couldn't help but notice the long length of blue hair from one of the women who was sitting next a small brunette. She was sitting down on one of the smoothed seats and seemed to carry an aura of power around her, even though she was just talking to the other woman. Speaking of which, she had her back turned and all Lila could make out was the sheer white hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall, caressing the white dress that hugged every curve of the woman's lightly shaded body.

A slight tinge of familiarity went through Lila at that moment. She knew only of one person, whose hair was so blonde in color, it seemed to turn white under the sun. "Shaye Octavia Holling, is dat you or did I hit my head harder than I thought I did?"

Shaye turned her head as soon as she heard a voice that she was sure that would never turn up here. Her only friend from her childhood years, "Lila Osiceca Fontenot, as I live and breathe. Didn't expect to see your ugly mug here of all places." She pulled the petite dark brunette warrior into a massive bear-hug that was warmly returned before she let go of Lila, "Though why are you here?"

"Dat's what I wanna know." Lila shrugged. Noticing the stares that were coming from the table, Lila looked around Shaye. "And whose company are we in?"

Shaye turned back onto their company and began to introduce everyone to Lila. "Lila, I would like to introduce the Vampire's Queen and Layel's mate, Delilah." She indicated towards the blue haired woman.

Now that Lila could see her full features, she could see that her color wasn't that of a vampire's, rather her skin tone looked like the between set of an olive complexion and her own tone when she was out on the ranch. "You're not a vampire, are you Miss Delilah?" she asked without reserve.

"No, I am not." Delilah answered in kind with a chuckle. "Rather, I am from a tribe of Amazonians and have been with my mate for only a few months now." She rubbed the barely noticeable bulge through her dress. Lila saw this and guessed that she could be in her second or third month, until Delilah brought her out of her train of thought. "And please, just call me Delilah."

Lila just laughed. "Can do, ma'am."

Shaye continued the introductions, going to the tiny brunette. "And this is Brenna Johnston," as she nodded her head in acknowledgement. "She's mated to Dorian and is the Nymph's doctor."

Lila's memory clicked as she brought her fisted hand into her other one. "Oh, I knew you looked familiar. I remember seeing a news broadcast about a year ago coverin' a major highway accident in Florida and you were one of de doctors that was at da scene."

Brenna nodded her head to acknowledge the statement and continued to stay silent. Lila thought that she might have said too much when Shaye spoke up. "Don't worry. Brenna doesn't really say much and she can get shy sometimes."

Lila breathed a sigh of relief as she was pulled down to sit next to Grace, who sat down at the beginning of introductions, and Shaye. She looked down and saw that several platters of fruits, meats, cheese, and water were laid about the table. Again Lila's stomach decided to make its presence known. "Hey, is it alright if I can eat? I didn't have much of breakfast this mornin'." They all nodded and Lila dug in. After eating some peppered meat with cheese, her stomach finally calmed down and after a glass of sweet water, she was ready to talk. "So where exactly am I?"

The question was put out to everybody, but it was Delilah who answered her. "Well, to be specific, you are in the Forest of Dragons which is surrounding the Inner City in Atlantis."

"And what exactly is the Inner City?" Lila asked.

"The Inner City is one of the two environs that make up the city of Atlantis." Shaye answered. "The Inner City is the area where most of the trade and commerce are centered. It's also where most of the peaceful Atlantean races live such as the centaurs. The outcasts and more ferocious races reside in and around the Outer City such as the demons and the Gorgons. The fort where you were held was in the countryside near the forests that surround the city."

Lila just nodded as she took in the information, her chin covered by her palm. "Okay. Dat's one down. Next question is how in de world did I get here?" She grabbed some the fruit next to her and began nibbling on it.

This time, it was Grace. "That's what we were hoping you would tell us. The only way we know of entering Atlantis is through the Mists and we haven't received any word of anybody using them."

That caught her attention. "De Mists?"

Grace nodded. "The Mists are the portals that connect Atlantis to the surface world. I only know of two." She held up two fingers. "One is protected by the Dragons, the others is being protected by the Nymphs."

"However," Shaye jumped in. "The portal that's under the Dragons protection is barracked on the human side, which happens to be in the Amazon forest, and the Nymph's portal leads out into the bottom of the Atlantic, just off the coast of Florida, so it kind of rules out the Mists."

"Actually I came here 'cuz of dis thing." Lila pulled the amulet over her head and placed the crystal at the center of the table. "Somebody gave dat to me 'bout two weeks ago. Didn' really get his name."

Everybody seemed to focus on the amulet before Grace grabbed it and began to trace it with her fingers, her eyes widening with, Lila could guess, shock. "Lila, do you know what this is?" Then Shaye grabbed amulet as well.

Lila just shook her head.

"Lila. That is a Ra-Dracus, a dragon medallion that is given to a Dragon warrior at a very young age."

"Dat would explain de dragon etching." Lila murmured.

"Lila, do you remember what he looked like, the man that gave you the medallion?" Shaye asked.

Lila scratched the back of her head as she recalled the memory. "Well, he was tall, scary blue eyes, dark-dark hair dat was in a low ponytail, and he must have had been telekinetic or very analytical, 'cuz he even knew where I was goin' when I meet him."

Everybody pondered on this until Shaye asked Delilah, "Does that fit any of the descriptions of the gods that you know of, Delilah?"

"No." She replied, her blue locks moving back and forth with her head. "I do not recognize any of the gods fitting her description. But even at that, the gods have the power to re-shape their appearances to look like anyone, so it could have been any one of the gods."

Lila couldn't help but snort at that comment. "Yeah. I've heard of de legends back on de surface, how de gods like to disguise demselves to ….umm… have some fun with the human race."

Everybody seemed to be in unison upon agreeing with the statement, murmuring their own opinions. Lila was just about to ask something before a resounding bang echoed through the trees, the birds scattering from their perches with whistles in the air to follow. Silence filled the air for about a minute or so before another bang soon followed. "What the?"

"What do suppose that was?"

" Sounded like someone colliding with something hard."

"I would say that someone pissed off somebody, again."

From the distance, Lila determined that whatever made that sound, it was very close by and it didn't sound like a no brawl to her. Pretty soon, her suspicions were confirmed when another woman made a dash out of the forest path. Once she stopped, Lila could see this one had the aura of an warrior and it furthered verified with the sword that was hanging menacingly from her belt. What made Lila look back was her eyes. They were red.

Like those damn demons that she had the pleasure of running into and away from.

She decided to keep quiet before jumping into anything. Remember, to assume makes an ass outta her and the other.

"Alyssa, what is going on?" Delilah questioned the female warrior.

"Forgive me for intruding," Alyssa bowed. "But we have a problem. I am looking for human woman that goes by the name of Lila."

"Dat'd be me." Lila raised her hand as she stood up and moved towards Alyssa. "What seems to be de problem?"

"You were rescued from the demon's fortress along with your mount, is that correct?"

"Yeah. By de way, where is my horse?"

"That is why I have come to find you. The men have been trying to calm him down, but he keeps retaliating whenever we try to get close to him. He's already taken out three men and it seems that he does not want to calm down until you are with him."

"Den what are we doin' here yappin' our mouths? Lead the way."

And with that Lila set off after Alyssa, hoping that they would get there in time before any more damage gets done.

Meanwhile, Shaye and Grace didn't seem to be a bit fazed by the situation but it did leave Delilah and Brenna a little baffled. "What…?"

Grace decided to break the ice. "Yeah. Lila is not your average human."

That didn't help Delilah's train of thought. "How so?"

"Lila has this ability to talk to animals and hear the animals in her mind."

Delilah just shook her head. "That does not sound what your world would apply as normal, but I still find it hard to believe that someone of her stature, especially since she is human, to escape a demon stronghold with countless of prisoners."

Grace looked at Shaye and both broke out into a chesire cat smile. "How about we show you rather than explain?"

Delilah and Brenna were in agreement as they followed the crisis.


To say it was in utter chaos, that would be an understatement. That's what Brand was thinking when he was brought to the stables. It looked like all of Hades was unleashed. Wood was splintered, bits of dirt and hay were flying all over the place, and casted everywhere, at least three of his comrades were flung to the sides like rag dolls, and there in the center of the ground, a thrashing horse that showed no signs of stopping. He had to something otherwise calm this ….beast down. He had a little gut feeling saying that it was his fault that the mount was going crazy.

Taking a non-threatening stance, he tried to approach the horse with his hands up. "Easy boy, easy." That didn't go so well as Niyol brought down his hoof a little-too-close-for-comfort to his head. Brand tried that again, …and again, ….and again, with the same result as the first time, except with a few scratches on the second time. So he tried the next best thing and probably the most stupidest thing you could do to calm down a buck-wild horse: try to get on the saddle and onto the horse. And success he did achieve and stayed on for a good couple of minutes, so after a few grunts and heavy breathing from both Brand and Niyol, guess who went sailing and skid across the dirt for a few yards.

After a few moments, Brand felt the wind leave his lungs and then the slight pain on his back for skidding on dry dirt. Blinking the dirt away from his eyes, he could see that he was staring straight at the crystal dome that showed a that is was little after noon, and a dark familiar head popped into his line of sight. Except she was upside-down and a small frown marred her too-pretty of a face. He couldn't help but point out, "If you keep frowning like that, you're pretty little face is going to be stuck like that."

"What de hell d'you try to do?" Lila's voice laced with confusion and-maybe, he thought- concern. She was bending so close to him, her face was just poised over his a few good inches. He could feel the coolness of her fingers brush across his forehead as if trying to get a temperature. And he didn't miss the widening of her eyes as she just realized something. "Oh, please tell me dat ya didn't something stupid while my horse was in a rage."

He couldn't help but joke, "So what would you label as trying to get on the horse while it was mad?"

"I'd call dat pretty damn stupid and what de hell were ya thinking' when dat thought was going through ya head?" she grunted out as she helped the hulking blond giant-err dragon into sitting upright.

"I was one of the few that was trying to calm down your raging mount." He dusted the dirt away from the back of his head. Next thing he saw was Lila trying to approach the mad horse. She had her hands up to calm the horse, shouting some kind of word that was not familiar to him as far as the English language every once in a few moments of silence but Brand could see the concentration in her eyes. Pretty soon, Niyol was softly nickering and neighing, rubbing his long nose against Lila's palm.

Lila grabbed the reins of Niyol's bit and brought him close to a post to tie the reins. As she moved to remove her saddle bags, she felt someone come up behind her and sure enough as she saw out of the corner of her eye. It didn't help her any that she kept feeling shivers racing up and down her body. She could have sworn that she felt his breath on the back of her neck, the fine line of hairs sticking up like on a hissing cat. She began pulling out what she needed, when Brand asked, "So, what was it that you said to calm down the horse?"

She pulled out her sais and latched them on to her belt. "I said alto. It's Spanish for stop." She pulled out a buttoned leather pouch that was decorated with native bead designs and dropped it onto his hands. "Hold dis please."

Brand looked at the pouch with curiosity as she began to unlatch more of her weapons. "Spanish?" Brand asked as he opened the pouch and pulled out a small, slender, cylinder-like object that was somewhat flat, soft, and smelled enticingly good. "Never heard of it. The only tongue I've heard other than Atlantean is English." Curiosity won him over as he took a small bite. After nibbling on it for a few moments, he decided that he liked the taste. It was slightly sweet and fulfilling, almost like something he had when he was little, something that his mother would make for him when he was a hatchling, back when his family was still alive. He shook that depressing thought out of his head and turned back to Lila, her voice answering back as he continued eating the newly discovered morsel, soon starting on another one.

"Can't say dat I'm surprised. It's one of de many languages used on de surface." She strapped her sword, still tucked safely in it's sheath, to her side and her staff, bow and arrows to her back, while the tonfas slide securely into her boots. She turned to face Brand and saw him eating out of the pouch. She lifted an eyebrow. "Can I have de pemmican back?" She held out her hand, giving him a flat stare.

Brand looked down at the pouch and then back at her. "The what?"

"De pemmican. Dat small snack you're eatin' right there. Can I have it back please?" She lightly shook her hand to prove the point. Without hesitation, he gave back her pouch, but not without stealing another and giving Lila an innocent look. Lila just playfully swatted at him on the shoulder, Brand laughing softly as she hefted her saddle bags off Niyol. She turned back to Brand and she saw that he was staring down at her, his eyes glazed over with something that Lila didn't really want to find out, his smile still there. "Can you show me where de guest quarters are?"

"Yes, right this way." And with that, Brand showed the way back inside for Lila.

They walked down the halls in perfect silence. In fact, after a few minutes, it was so quiet, Brand had to keep looking to his left as they came close to the quarters to make sure Lila was still actually there. 'Not much of a talker', he concluded. "Not much of a talker are you?"

"Don't talk unless I have ta." she answered.

They left it as that as Brand stopped in front of a closed room, signaling Lila to stop as well. He lightly lifted his Ra-Dracus, the doors silently opening as the medallion's crystal glowed. They strode into room and Lila stopped at the sight of room. It was the same room that she woke up in. "Why am I back here again?"

He answered, turning towards her, "This is my quarters, and where you will be staying for the time you are here in Atlantis."

Lila shook her head. "No. As far as I'm concerned, I already dropped by without an invite. I don't wanna bother anymore people den I have ta, and I'm not sharin' room with a man dat I don't even know."

Just as Lila turned back to walk out, Brand grabbed her wrist. "Listen. The way I see it, you can stay with me and not have to worry about coming into your quarters, or spend all your nights keeping guard because those quarters are public and have more than one bed per a room and the people that do sleep there are other men that are not even human." Brand hoped that it sounded convincing. The guest quarters did have more than one bed per a room but hardly anybody uses them and the only ones who could use them were the dragons.

Lila thought about for a while before asking, "How do I know you ain't gonna take advantage of me while I sleep?"

Brand held up his hand. "You have my word on my family's grave and upon my honor as a warrior."

Lila let out a reluctant sigh. "All right."

Brand nodded as Lila walked past him to set her stuff near the room's closet and continued towards the window. She planted her elbows on the window ledge and rested her forehead against her palms, another long breath escaping her frame as her shoulders went slack. She looked worried, tired, over-all worned out. Brand drew closer to Lila as leaned his back against the wall on her left. He could see that there were multitudes of thoughts running across her mind, and, strangely, he wanted to know her thoughts, her conflicts to give her some sort of relief from this day. Something that he was not used to when it came to the woman he had found…interesting. No doubt that she had been through a rough day. "What are thinking about, sweet siren?" he asked almost softly.

Her head shot up, her eyes wide with slight shock at the adornment as her head turned towards him, cheeks colored with a hint of a blush. "What you say?" she asked, greatly confused.

He resist the urge to chuckle at her reaction, biting his tongue as he smiled. He couldn't help it. She just looked so blessed cute. "I called you a siren. I hope it doesn't offend you in any way." He came closer, now leaning against the stones that frame the window. Now that he was closer to her, his heightened senses picked up on the light scent that was so uniquely hers. He took another deep breath, letting his lungs expand in his chest, taking the fresh breeze that gently rolled into the room. Her scent… he couldn't described it. It was almost like walking into a bakery that had fresh hot bread just come out of the ovens. Suddenly it became one of his favorite scents.

She let out a soft chuckle. "No. It's not dat. I just never been called somethin' like dat before."

Now that was surprising. "Really now?" he asked in earnest.

"Yep." She brought a hand close to the long braid that laying on her left shoulder, flicking the wrist so the hair was now on her back. "Other dan my family, I never really received a comment like what you said. Anyway, to answer your question," she breathed in deep before continuing, "I'm debatin' whether or not if this is really, ya know, real."

"I'm afraid I quite don't understand that." Brand clarified.

She crooked her finger towards him and he followed, watching her scoot over slightly to make room for him to see the view she was gesturing at. "Tell me. What do you see when you look onto the scene?"

He looked out and Brand could see the Inner City was as lively as it ever was. Merchants of different races were marketing off their trade to customers, a group of nymph and dragon children chasing a colorful flock of birds through the village rafters, a few centaurs gathered around a table in a brassiere, and a mixed group of minotaurs and dragons carrying a huge package through the city and towards some houses. All in all, he saw that the Inner City was peaceful and thriving. "I see my home, my people, living and flourishing in this time of peace, hatchlings playing in the streets without the worry of hardships, and other races of Atlantis helping each other without the conflicts of prejudice. What do you see?"

When she heard his question, her lips curved upwards into that same smile he saw in his dream, that same smile that still took his breath away. He almost missed what she said because of his intense stare onto that smile. "I see a world dat survived on de surface world solely on de whispered tales passed down through de generations, from father ta son, mother ta daughter, and grandparent ta grandchild. A world dat was rumored ta be so mythical and legendary, few believed in its existence." She turned towards him, her smile still on her face while a small trill of laughter escaped from Lila. "And with creatures from stories as it's inhabitants, it can only seem ta be a dream of one's over-active imagination."

He returned her statement with one of his own. " I can understand your awe and astonishment. When we first learned that we can actually leave Atlantis, we all wondered what the surface world would be like, to actually see the never-ending sky rather than ocean dome we so grown accustomed to, to see if Atlantis was anything like the surface world, but we never ventured past the Mists for fear of the punishment if we do."

That caught Lila's interest as she slightly tilted her head. "What kind of punishment is it dat has everybody scared into not seein' de surface world?" she asked.

"It is not so much as a punishment, rather it is the restriction of the Atlantean body. If we do make it past the Mists, we can only survive a handful of days on the surface before our body's begin to grow weak and then we fade into dust." He answered somberly. Even if he only heard of it through Darius's venture to the surface world to bring back Grace, he could still remember the chills that were sent down his body when Darius told the men that if another should ever leave Atlantis, he highly doubt it that they would come back with their lives.

Lila's color seemed to blanch a little before she cleared her throat. "Well, dat puts quite a damper on things, don't it?" She hoped that he caught the little joking tone without taking it the wrong way.

He didn't as she saw a small grin spread over his face. "You are not one to take warnings seriously, siren?"

"Not exactly. I just try to lighten the mood with a joke whenever I'm issued death warnings and warrants for my life." She added. They both laughed. Lila looked back onto the scene and watch the crowd began to disperse as the dome above showed the colors of dusk and nightfall.

Brand watched as the multitude of dark colors were reflected onto Lila's skin. Shades of violet, orange, and red flicker over, making her appear almost phantom-like and for a split second, he feared that she would disappear along with the breeze. He also noticed the yawn that escaped her as she covered her hand over her opened mouth. Her eyelids drooped to half slits as she tiredly rubbed the back of her neck. Brand placed a hand lightly on her shoulder as if to lightly wake her back up. "The night is almost upon us. Why don't you put on something more comfortable before you sleep."

She didn't vocalize her answer, just gave a sleepy nod of her head before making her back to her saddle bags as Brand continued to watch the dome grow darker, and darker, until it almost showed the dark blue of the night as it reflected down on to the water on top of the dome. He noticed that it was only five minutes ago that Lila went to her belongings and she had been quiet since. Turning back around, Brand couldn't help but smile at the sight of what he found. Lila was leaning against the wall in a kneeling position with one hand in her bag and the other resting in her lap. She still had the clothing from the day still on, so it was safe to say that the exhaustion of the day had finally caught up with her and she just gave in.

With much practiced graced, he quietly went to Lila, not so much as a peep escaped him as he drew closer to the sleeping person. He knelt down, gently removing the hand that was in the bag and placed it on top of the other on her lap. Brand saw that she had taken off her boots and were on the other side of the bags, the taped handles of her tonfas sticking out of the mouth. While carefully avoiding the strapped on weapons, he gathered the petite woman into his arms and lifted her up as he straighten. Not surprisingly, she felt as if she weighed nothing more than a feather, even right now she seemed so innocent. To think that someone this tiny and seemingly frail could hold so much fire and honor in her soul, and then convert it into prowess onto her enemies, he would have never believed it if she wasn't here right now in his arms.

Brand carried Lila towards the bed, gently laying her on top of the blankets as if she was a figure of delicate glass. Once his eyes landed on the band that was holding her braid together, he softly coaxed the band off the tip and he began to comb the braid out with his fingers, lightly massaging her scalp as he went higher and higher on the braid.

Like silk. That was the one thing that was running through his head as he felt the strands of hair slide through his fingers, watching the braid become more undone until all parts were laying around her like a crown of black water. He saw that she even had some light dustings of brown that seemed to be woven into her hair, blending in with the black.

Lightly turning her onto her side, he searched her back until he found the buckle that held the weapons and unbuckled the straps, moving the sheaths away from her back and next to the bed. Next, he undid the belt around her waist and laid it next to the swords, the armory lightly clicking with each other. He was barely getting some ideas together as to how to go about her clothing until he heard the doors open. He saw Grace and Shaye walk into the room.

"Brand, can you step outside with me for a moment?" Grace made a gesture towards the hall and Brand followed without question. Shaye walked past him, reaching into Lila's saddle bag and pulled something that he couldn't quite see as he walked onto the hallway. Brand sensed the doors closing behind him as he paid attention to the petite redhead in front of him.

"Grace, you have a sense of good timing. I was just thinking of getting your help for Lila's sleeping arrangement." Brand commented pertly.

Grace laughed. "I figured this might happened. Though I didn't count on you of all people to be lending her board and room."

Brand rubbed the corner of his jaw, his grin was puckish. "Well, let's just say that I am a nice guy and be willing to help a beautiful woman in her time of need."

"Really now?" Grace arched an eyebrow. "Well, just don't do anything that you wouldn't do to your own sister. But then again, when it comes to Lila, I'm more worried about what she might do to you rather than you to her."

"She is that fierce?" He questioned.

"Not once you get to know her. Just if you provoke her, she will fight back. I have seen her take down a guy that was well over a foot and at least hundred pounds heavier than her, all because he insulted her background. Anyway, that's not why I came out here for." She looked left and right, making sure there was no one in the hall to over hear them. "You saw how Lila calmed down her horse right?"

Brand nodded, implying for Grace to continue.

"Lila is a very special person and I'm not talking personality-wise. For as long as I can remember, she's had a gift, unlike other humans, and that gift gives her the ability to communicate with animals and given her animal-like abilities."

Brand's brow furrowed. "Animal-like abilities such as…?"

"You saw how quick her reflexes are," Grace smoothed the dress over her protruding belly. "Everything that makes her her, from her fighting to how she walks, she has learned or gained from the animals she knew in the past, and as for as her gift; to truly understand it, you would have to understand Lila, spend some time with her to see what makes her tick."

Just as Brand was about to comment, Shaye popped out the door. "Lila's still asleep, but she's changed. She'll wake up nice and comfortable in the morning."

Grace nodded and turned back to Brand. "Just don't anything that might leave you missing a few limbs here and there."

"Upon my life and honor." Brand vowed.

And with that, Brand moved back into room and the door shut behind him, leaving him in almost silence of the darkened room, except for the light breathing coming from the bed. Lila was dressed in a modest nightgown that seemed to hug her curves in the right ways. He could see the air breathe into her chest, enhancing the swells of her pert breasts, the curves of her waist and slightly toned belly being hugged by the silk material, the hem ending at her middle thigh, giving him an eyeful of smooth legs that seemed to go on forever.

A light smile touched Brand's lips. She was everything he could have envisioned in a woman, truly a siren who's almost piercing eyes could match the fire within her soul.

He scowled. What was this feeling he was now experiencing? It was almost the same as he was with the Amazon warrioress, Nola, during the time he was captured and forced to partake in a game for the gods' amusement, but it was different. He had wanted to protect her, yes, but with Lila, he wanted to do more. So much more.

He wanted see and make her smile and laugh, to see her eyes flare up whenever she was mad, to hear her voice cry out with totally abandonment to pleasure, and know her secrets and likes. Was this what Darius felt when he met Grace? Was this…love? He shook his head. No, he will leave those questions for another time. Tonight he will have a peaceful sleep. The first in a long while.

Ever so gently, he placed himself on the bed, careful in giving Lila some space. Funny because as soon as he relaxed, Lila sleepily shifted, moving her head close to Brand's shoulder, a hand lightly caressing the skin over his heart. Brand went stiff when she moved, and only did he hear Lila sigh that he relaxed again.

Gods above, how he so badly wanted to take her.

Just a touch…Such an alluring idea. Surely there was no wrong in a touch since she laid so close to him. After debating with his conscious, he gently let his arm slid underneath her and around her shoulders, bringing slightly closer. She almost seemed to purr right then, a faint smile touched her mouth.

Brand could recall the feel and touch of her lips earlier that day. What a heady drug her kiss seemed to be. So soft and sweet. So vexing and alluring. He wanted kiss those sensuous lips again. He wanted to know what those lips would feel like on other places than his mouth as well, but no, he gave his word to both her and Grace that he would not touch her while she was vulnerable.

Another thought came into his head. Though he would stick to his promise, that didn't mean that he could make her want him. And oh how he wanted her. Sliding his arm from her shoulders to her tiny waist, he let his eyelids droop close, letting his mind wander and ponder on how he would make her want him tomorrow until he slept.


And scene! Hope everybody enjoyed that chapter. I'm working on the next chapter of The Chronicles and this upcoming chapter...
If anybody has any suggestions or ideas to use in this story or in my other fanfiction stories, I'm all ears. I hopin' at least five reviews to know that there are people readin' this...

By the way. I just got a DeviantArt profile and posted my drawing of Lila so if you want to check out: h t t p:/ /juliannatala. deviantart. com / #/ d4k3yog

Push the Button...Ya know ya want 2

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