I had everything all pretty and what not, but my stupid internet was being... well stupid and it deleted what I did, and I dont feel like redoing it (I just got out of work) so I figured you would want this anyway. so thankyou to everybody who reviewed.
Chapter 12 - Snowballs and Springtime
Audery was pulled out of a peaceful sleep by a slobbery tongue sliding across her cheek. She opened her eyes to see Thane's wolf yellows staring back.
"I sure hope you didn't wake the Prince that way," Audery said, wiping the slobber off her face. She slept in the bed she had been given when she first arrived.
*Not anymore, last time, he threw me in the pond while I was napping*
"It's good you're awake" Desmond entered the room.
"Don't you knock?" Audery scolded.
"Not in my house."
"Well you should," she pulled the sheets tighter around her body.
"My apologies, I was unaware that you slept in the nude."
"Usually, I don't, but somebody took off with the night dresses you provided," she answered, glaring at Thane, who looked back sheepishly.
"I suppose I can send one of the maids to get you more. Though, I like you better this way," Desmond said. Audery gave him a dark look. "I'll take the hint, and let you get dressed. I'll meet you downstairs."
Audery descended the stairs wearing a long dark blue dress. White rhinestones decorated the hem and chest. A white lace shawl covered Audery's shoulders to keep her warm. It was traditional, Shetland-style, with zigzag patterns, stemmed from a center square.
"You look lovely," Desmond complemented, offering his arm.
"Thank you. I love the material of this dress, very silky."
"Yes, I thought you might. Shall we?" he gestured for them to move.
Desmond led Audery into a candle lit parlor. The floor was hard wood, with a blue throw that had gold zigzag patterns. A round table held two place settings. The walls were sky blue with painting of people, most likely Desmond's ancestors. Dark blue curtains hung open before a window, letting the eastern sun shine through the glass panes.
The light shone on Desmond, making him seem angelic. His pale skin glowed. His dark hair glimmered in silky tendrils. His black eyes were the only thing that revealed what he truly was.
"Doesn't the sunlight bother you?" Audery asked as Desmond helped her into her seat.
"If I have fed enough, otherwise, I shrivel up like a prune," he explained.
"Sounds entertaining," she laughed.
"I assure you, it is not," Desmond spoke soberly.
"It's snowing," Audery observed as she finished her scrambled eggs.
Desmond grinned, calling in Paul. His trusted butler swiftly entered the room, bending over Desmond, as he whispered into his ear. A minuet later, Paul returned into the room with a forest green wool cloak. He handed it to Desmond with a graceful bow, and exited the room.
"Here, my witch-ling, put this on," Desmond helped Audery into the cloak.
They walked out on the snow covered front lawn, Thane prancing in circles around them. Once they reached the lawn beyond the gardens, Audery stopped, and played with the young wolf.
Desmond watched while they chased each other back and fourth. It was reliving for him to watch Audery openly, instead of from the shadows as he did for months prior. He loved the way her blonde hair swirled and shone in the light. The way her eyes twinkled with innocent mischief. Her cloak swayed with her movements, almost as if it were attached to her body.
Thinking about the way her body curved under all that fabric, sent a hot tingle down his spine. He never felt like this about anybody. Sure he had had lovers, of course. But that was before he became a monster. He couldn't bare to touch another human being after the curse was placed upon him, he would have ended up tearing them to shreds.
Desmond was jolted out of his thoughts when a ball of snow hit him in the chest. He looked around, but didn't see Audery. He walked toward the direction he last saw her, when another snow ball hit him in the back.
Audery tried to cover her giggles as she hid behind a tree a few yards from Desmond's left. She peaked around the huge trunk to throw another snow ball, but Desmond stood before her, his muscled arms folded across his chest. Audery yelped as he lifted her off her feet by the shoulders.
"Do you have any idea what I do to little witches who like to play games?" he asked darkly.
"Wait, no, I-" she stuttered.
Desmond grinned wickedly, "I toss them into a snow bank"
He swung her into a huge pile of snow. Audery latched on to him, bringing him down with her, causing him to land on top of her. Thane howled in excitement. Audery and Desmond lay there, unmoving, staring into each other's eyes. Desmond brought his face close to hers. Their lips brushed against each other's.
Thane jumped on Desmond's back, breaking their stupor, *What are you doing?" he asked.
"Trying to get up, but there's a big old mutt on my back," Desmond replied dryly.
*Mutt? The only on you back is - oh. Hey I'm not a mutt.*
Audery gave a wheezing laugh, "You two are heavy, you know."
Thane jumped off Desmond's back and bounded through the snow.
"Let's get you inside, before you catch cold," Desmond said, lifting Audery to her feet, as if she were a doll.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Spring is coming," Audery commented, taking a dainty bite of breaded chicken.
They were sitting at the dining room table. Audery ate breaded chicken, sautéed green beans, and garlic mashed potatoes with a red wine to wash it down. Desmond sat next to her at the head, sipping on his blood-wine, Audery supposed by the thickness of the liquid, or the lack of it, there was more 'wine' than blood.
"What makes you say that? Besides the fact that it's April." Desmond asked.
"I wasn't aware of the month. I'm a witch, the land sings to me. The snow will be gone in one week."
He had forgotten certain aspects of being a witch, seeing as he was male and was never able to hold the powers even the weakest female witches held. Of course, his blood was diluted from the line of only males, most couldn't even tell he had any power, as all witches could sense another witch.
"Oh. Is there anything you need for the coming thaw?"
"How did you-"
"I've housed witches before. I already know you celebrate the seasons and sing to the land. I've even had the privilege to observe when I was younger."
"I do not require anything, but I would like to rebuild the herb garden."
"Of course, let Paul know what you need, and if you need help, let me know."
"Thank you, Prince."
Audery finished her meal in silence while Desmond studied her. What was that look behind his black eyes? He seemed….happy. Well, happier than when she first met him. His eyes held a massive sorrow that seemed to take over his soul. Now he was different. Sure, he had his flaws, a few kinks to get out of sore muscle, but once the muscle was massaged enough, it would be smooth and flawless. Here she was, comparing him to parts of the body. He did have a nice body, and smooth muscles. She hoped she wasn't gawking like a school girl.
Why was she even thinking of him in that way? He was her captor, he took her away from her father. Why was it so hard to remember that? Why was it so hard to hate him not only for that, but for the lashings as well. Why did she like it when he looked at her like that? Why did she want to press her lips against his, as he was seemingly devouring her with his eyes? Even after everything. Was she actually lusting for him, a vampire, centuries older than she was, the infamous 'Prince of Terror'? Even the humans knew a bit about the story and feared him as much as her kind.
