Well…It's been a while, no? o.o I'm really sorry for falling off the planet, guys…Honest. I've had a lot going on…From getting ready to graduate college, to family things, I've been so busy. Let's just get started, hm?
By the way, I do believe this chapter has things people have been waiting for. :]
Italics: Flashbacks/dreams
"Italics:" "Thoughts"
"Stop pacing, my love…I now know where she gets it." King Boslin commented to his wife. Aleia stopped abruptly and looked at him.
"Boslin…she's out there, somewhere. Arron, according to her seemed so angry. What if he has her…what if that…thing she saw has her?" The worry in her voice spoke louder than her actual words and Boslin stared out into the distance.
"We lost her once, Aleia. It won't happen again. Not while my blood keeps flowing. My men are out there, scouring the depths of the mountains from whence she was originally found. They're out swimming in the rivers and riding along the roads. We will find her."
"Chase…I need to return to my home. My parents are probably making themselves ill looking for me. And, the monks…"
"The monks and your family can wait. Arron, that monster…I sensed something within him that I've only seen once before." Chase's eyes refused to meet her curious ones. Veera stepped toward him, and tilted her head under his, to look him in the eyes.
"What do you mean…?" She placed slender fingers under his strong chin, and made him look at her. His eyes searched hers.
"You saw what I was in the gardens, Veera. I need not remind you. I sensed the very same demon in him that I have within me. I hope you can see that. Once he's been dealt with, you will be returned to your family. I will not allow you to be harmed, nor will I lose you. Not again."
"It seems everyone has been afraid of losing me recently…" Veera turned and mumbled to herself while making her way to the balcony. Her dress kissed, whispered, and swirled along the stone floor, causing Chase to stare after her. Uncharacteristically of him, he longed for her touch back on his skin. Giving in, he followed Veera and placed his arms out on the railing around her; she was successfully pinned between it and him. Fear trickled into her voice as she clenched her jaw. "Chase…?"
Without speaking, Chase's lips met her bare shoulder, kissing it gently. Heat rose to Veera's cheeks and a chill ran down her spine. "Chase, what are you doing?" She tried to turn her head to look at Chase, but his lips suddenly on her neck stopped all thought and motion. Sapphire eyes fluttered shut and her pink lips parted slightly, a gasp escaping them. Veera found herself tilting her head to give him further access. Instead, he stopped suddenly, and backed away as if he were burned. Veera, thoroughly confused, turned and stared at him with wide eyes, questioning.
"Veera…I don't…Please forgive my actions." Chase bowed his head in shame. When he dared to look at her again, there was a brief moment of silence. Her cheeks were flushed, and her chest heaved. Nostrils flaring, Veera rushed to close the distance between the two, their lips crashing together.
Her fingers tangled themselves in his hair, and Chase found himself snatching her skirt up, and wrapping his hands around her thighs. She jumped up, and latched herself to his waist. "Is this what you want, Veera? You may not like what you get yourself into." Chase warned in between both kisses and breaths. Veera stopped and once again looked him in his reptilian eyes. She was panting slightly.
"Chase…I've wanted this for so long. The entire time I was with Arron…I just wanted to leave and be with you. I always pictured you when he kissed me. Every touch from his hands was yours. Each single declaration of love and affection…Your words. I never wanted to be with him. It just seemed like the best choice for my kingdom. But, I care no longer. I've been dead too long…Make me come alive." Veera's eyes were glassy, if only slightly. Chase stared at her, listening to every word.
Something inside him moved—his demon wanted to claim her. "No. She's mine. Not yours, you filthy creature. You will not ruin her." Its low growling quieted, but he still felt his eyes darken with primal want. Veera saw it, and begged with her own eyes.
"Please, Chase." With a growl, he gave in and once again crashed his lips to hers. He didn't miss a single action that she performed; from the whimpering resulting in his nibbling on her neck, to the slight hip rolling against his, he noticed them all. Chase turned away from the balcony, still holding Veera up, and let themselves fall onto his bed—him on top of her.
"I swear, when I find Chase, I'll rip him apart like a starving coyote on a road runner." Clay's similes, for once, made sense. The monks knew precisely what happened to their elven friend, and they would help her. But, they also felt conflicted. If Veera was with Chase, then Arron didn't know where she was. He seemed to be more of a threat than the reptilian man.
"Maybe we should focus on Arron instead? From what Veera said he seemed…dangerous. Like, I know it sounds dumb, saying someone else is worse than Chase…But…" Kimiko's voice trailed off. Raimundo found himself nodding in agreement.
"My friends, I fear that our pointy-eared friend is stuck among two evils…and one is less problematic." Omi commented from his floor position.
"Omi…You combined two…I think you meant, 'stuck between a rock and a hard place' and 'the lesser of two evils'…" Kimiko corrected. Omi stared at her, confused. "Never mind…We need to focus on finding Ar-"
"My King!" A guard rushed through the palace doors, startling the monks. Boslin and Aleia appeared at the balcony above their thrones. In between pants, the guard spoke quickly. "Your majesties, the perimeter has spotted Arron riding toward the castle. His eyes…the scouts say his eyes are mad, and on his hip a large knife rests." The monks stared at each other, their thoughts identical.
"He's after Veera."
Ladies and Lords, I do hope this chapter was up to standards and was worth the long freaking wait…
Love you all!
XOXO
~Killjoy
