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Chapter XXXII - On the Eve of Love

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Milly kneaded her paws into Sir Claudius's snake-like skin. He grumbled and growled every time one of her claws dug beneath his scales, then she retracted them and licked his small wound. Claudius's eyes popped; the feeling of a cat tongue over his skin was unlike anything he had ever felt before—rough, like the coarse sand on the beach below the castle, but also wet and warm like water straight out of the kettle.

She laid on his back, at the ridge between his shoulder blades, facing his tail. Every now and then, his tail shifted from side-to-side and Milly followed it, her pupils dilated.

Sir Claudius grunted, picking up his gargantuan head and swinging it around to face her. He nudged Milly's hind legs.

She sprouted up like a bird and turned to face him.

Claudius's eyes had red veins around them, all puffy. He snorted and motioned for her to lay back down.

Milly hissed, climbing down his back and prancing off into the dungeon.

He rolled his eyes, threw his head down on the ground, and clamped his claws over his ears while Milly zoomed around the dungeon floor. Her little pitter-patters echoed every which way. Every few seconds, a small gray wisp of a tail would pass through Claudius's line of sight.

Milly vocalized, chirping as she skittered about. A few snowflakes came through the cracks in the walls and Milly chased after them.

Claudius yawned and rolled over onto his other side, a loud boom reverberated off the dungeon walls.

Milly reared back at first but soon trotted over to him. She poked and prodded his tail—it bounced, and so she played with it like a ball of yarn.

The dragon growled and puffed a flame out of his mouth. Milly stopped. She marched over to his neck and snuggled up. Claudius wrapped his arm around her. Her purrs soothed him to sleep, just as his immense warmth soothed her.

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When Milly awoke, she no longer felt that all-enveloping heat. She reached out a paw, but only received the cold stone in return.

From behind her came rustling noises. Her ears pricked.

"Oh, Milly, you're awake," said Claudius. He wore a plain brown robe and was combing his beard.

Milly stretched and yawned, leaning forward onto her front limbs and lengthening her back. She walked over to Claudius and rubbed up against his legs. He petted her and scratched under her chin.

"You don't think your parents will be upset that you're not home on Christmas Eve?" he asked.

She shook her head "no."

"As long as you're home for Christmas day?"

She nodded.

"Well, then." Claudius sighed. "I'm flattered you want to spend Christmas Eve with me, but I must be honest with you: I don't know much of what to do. I've never spent Christmas Eve or Christmas Day with anybody before. Last year, we only exchanged gifts, and I'm delighted to do that, but…"

Milly nudged her face into his knee as if to say, "It's okay."

Claudius sat down in his chair and she leaped onto his lap, purring. Milly shut her eyes and curled her tail around her.

"If only you could have been this calm last night," Sir Claudius said, resting his other hand under his chin.

Milly shot up, opened her eyes, and dug her claws into his robe.

"Ouch! Hey!" He lifted her off of his lap and dropped her onto the ground. "Just because you're half-cat doesn't mean you have to act like one!" Claudius folded his arms. "Now you won't be getting your present."

Milly perked up. Before Claudius knew it, she ran out of the room and was back, completely transformed, with her working clothes on. "What do you mean, I won't be gettin' my present?! We've talked about this exchange for months!" Athena pouted.

"Darling, I was only joking." Claudius patted her on the back. "Let's go upstairs. I'll make a kettle of tea and we can pretend it's Christmas Day."

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Athena sipped on her tea. She wrapped the blanket around her and watched the shadow of the snowflakes falling outside the window. The shadows traveled across the floor.

Claudius exited the kitchen and made headway toward the Grand Hall. "Here we are." He laid a tray of biscuits before her.

The girl picked one up and stuffed it into her mouth. "Thanks," she mumbled through chewing.

"You're welcome, friend," he laughed. Claudius took a seat in his chair and picked up a biscuit. He munched on it while staring into the fireplace.

"At some point today, would you like to have a snowball fight?" asked Athena, flames in her eyes.

"A snowball fight? Are you serious?" Claudius rolled his eyes.
"I'm serious! You've still got a little bit of a child in you, haven't you, Claudius?" Athena punched his shoulder.

"Well, what's the point?" He threw his arms into the air, then turned around to face her, and smirked. "We both know who would win anyway."

"Claudius!" Athena got up out of her chair and threw herself at him, tackling him. "You stop that."

"What? What?" He laughed, pushing her away. "You know I would win. I'm a dragon. Dragons are strong."

"Psh… Well, I'm a cat. Cats are fast," Athena retorted.

"Touché," he said. "I guess we'll just have to see who the real winner is after we open our presents."

"Deal," Athena said.

They shook hands.

"Who opens whose gift first?" Athena asked.

"I can open yours first. We're saving the best gift for last."

"Are you sayin' I can't give good gifts?" She raised up on his lap and put her hands on her hips.

"I guess we'll just have to see." Claudius leaned back and stretched his arms back behind his head. He kicked his boots off and propped them onto the nearby table.

Athena tossed about on his lap. She held onto the armrests of the chair before climbing off. Brushing her sleeves, the girl huffed and said, "You're gonna wish you could take those words back, Claudius."

Claudius closed his eyes and smiled. There was something about that smile. The way he suddenly grew wrinkles in the corners of his eyes, the way his thick, black mustache lifted and curled, the way his skin seemed to change color. He wasn't pale anymore, but almost peachy.

Athena traveled to the fireplace, picked up the box on top of it, and laid it on Claudius's lap. It was purple and gold stripes, with a dazzling ribbon tied around it, and the box was big enough to perfectly cover his lap.

"Oh, Athena," he crooned. "At least we know your wrapping skills are up to parr." He chuckled, looking up at her. His eyes were so bright, especially next to his bushy black brows, like clear spring waters right next to murky rocks and mud.

"Just open it already."

Claudius pursed his lips, looked at her, and tore off the ribbon. He then took off the lid of the box. His eyebrows creased together as he lifted yellow fabric into the air.

Athena held her breath. She ground her teeth together.

"Athena… this isn't Henri's work…." Sir Claudius held up a long-sleeved, yellow jumper, the color of morning and dawn. It had a V-neck, with a slight bit of fabric underneath the neckline. He draped the jumper over the armrest while pulling a matching yellow cap out of the box. "Who did this?" he asked. "Your mother?"

"I did." She tucked a hair beneath her ears and looked down at the ground. "I know it's not the best, but I thought you needed a change from your normal color palette…. Also, nothing you wear is in style so I thought you might want some new clothes…."

Claudius's expressionless face shifted—slowly, at first, but soon the sides of his lips twitched until he was smiling. "Athena… this is lovely."

"I'm glad you think so. It's the largest crocheting project I've ever taken on. You'll fit right in, in town."

Claudius's face suddenly fell; his brows and smile shifted downward. He put the jumper and cap back into the box and closed the lid. "Thank you, Athena. Would you like your present now?"

She nodded.

Claudius set his gift on the table; he then walked to the fireplace and grabbed another box off of the mantle.

Athena's eyes followed him closely as he came to sit down in his chair. He laid the plain brown box in her lap: no ribbons, no bows, nothing. "Your wrapping skills are zero, Claudius," Athena said, arching one of her brows.

"I know, I know," he said, holding his hands up. "I don't have much to work with here in the castle. Cut me some slack."

Athena lifted the top of the box. She gasped and held her hands over her mouth. "Claudius! Oh, Claudius, you didn't!" The girl turned to face him, and then her eyes immediately went back to her gift. She picked up the two white lace gloves and ran her fingers all over them. "They match!" Athena stood up, skipped toward Claudius, and compared her gloves with his. They had the same pattern, although hers were in white lace and golden trim, while his gloves were in black with red trim. "Who did this?"

"Who do you think?" he asked.

"Henri, of course. I just wanted to be sure you weren't hiding some secret sewing talent over there." She winked at him, then twirled around with the gloves, as though they were a dance partner, before slipping them over her hands. "I can't thank you enough, Claudius. They are magnificent."

"You're welcome, my darling," he said, standing from the chair and making way toward her.

She admired her gloves, holding them out before her. Claudius leaned into her backside and ran his gloved fingers over hers from behind. Athena shivered at first, before sinking into him. She closed her eyes and squeezed his fingers tight.

"Athena…" he whispered in her ear.

"Hmm…?"

"I must tell you something." He slid his fingers down her arms before wrapping them around her waist. "It is something which I have kept secret from you for a long time."

"What is it?" she asked.

Claudius twisted Athena around so that they could face each other. He held onto her hands and rubbed his thumbs across her lace gloves.

Athena looked into his eyes and noticed how gaunt his face had become. Devoid of color and life. She squinted, hoping he would lift his head, but he only kept his gaze on her gloves. "You know you can tell me anything, Claudius," she cooed.

"I know. It's just… I'm afraid." He winced and his legs trembled.

"Afraid of what? Afraid of me?" She laughed.

"Afraid of what you'll do once I tell you what I'm about to tell you." Claudius's heart beat faster, picking up quickly like a rabbit racing through the forest. It pounded against his chest, almost knocking him to the ground. Bile soared up into his throat and the world turned an awful purple hue, like dusk.

"Claudius," Athena spoke, her voice shaking. "Please, what's wrong? Just tell me." She pressed one hand into his high cheekbone. He felt like a skeleton. "You don't have to be afraid when you're with me."

He nodded, gasping and sweating. Even through gloves, Athena felt the cold and hot parts of his body battling for triumph. One minute, he was deathly cold, and the next he was sweating with a fever.

"Athena," Claudius said, the fireplace flames glinting on his pale skin, turning a blank canvas searing red, "you are…." He shook his head and his long black locks fell over his face.

"I am…?" Athena lifted his chin. She gasped, then stifled back a laugh. "Is this the great Sir Claudius at a loss for words? I can't believe it!"

"Please, Athena, do not mock me." He looked as though he were about to cry.

Athena drew nearer to him, completely serious. "I'm sorry, I was only trying to lift your spirits."

"I'm afraid nothing will lift my spirits, for I know…" He clamped down on his teeth. "I know you do not feel the same."

Athena's eyes shot back-and-forth around the Grand Hall. "About…?"

Claudius grimaced, then growled, a deep fiery concoction bubbling up in his stomach. "I know you do not feel the same, but I must tell you anyway, for I cannot keep these affections stored away in my heart forever."

Athena's eyes opened wide. Cymbals crashed all around her as dawn broke within the castle. Golden beams hit her face. The snow ceased to fall.

Claudius's heart thawed when he looked at her. "You are the most beautiful creature I've ever laid eyes upon, Athena."

Her face turned as scarlet as breaking dawn. Her mouth dropped.

"I cannot imagine a single day without you. My life is a living hell every time you leave this castle. I want what is best for you. I want you to go about your day and spend time with your family. I only wish that I could go with you, and not be confined here for years to come." He placed a kiss onto her gloved fingers. "I know you do not feel the same. I know you do not, for I am but a dragon who will outlive you and cannot give you all that you deserve. I cannot please you in all of the ways a man can." He let go of her fingers, dropping her arms to her side. "I hope you will stay after this idiotic confession of mine. I hope you will still consider being my apprentice, and I promise to never bring this up again. You have my word."

He turned away, breaking off into the darkness.

Athena gasped several times, catching her breath. She turned her head toward the flames of the fireplace. Its heat lessened, dying down. The snowflakes returned and the castle was cold and wintery once more. Only a second passed before she chased after Claudius. "Claudius! Claudius!" she called, squinting and turning around in all directions. "Please, come back!" Her breathing quickened. There was nothing but black in one direction, and in the other, the Grand Hall's fireplace and sitting area. "Claudius!" Her voice echoed in the hallways, carrying all the way up to the main staircase, through the West and East Wings, and into the dungeons. "Come back," she whispered. All that was before her was mist emitting from her own breath and heat. "Please." She stepped foot back into the sitting area, rubbing her arms beside the fireplace. "I'm not going to leave you," she yelled, then sighed, resting her head on her chest.

A hand touched her shoulder. "You're not?" Claudius whipped around to her front side. He knelt before her and kissed her hand, looking into her eyes the entire time. "You don't know how much this pleases me," he stated, smiling and shaking his head. "I'm indebted to you, Miss Everleigh, for taking pity on me."

Athena furled her eyebrows. "Taking pity on you?" she asked. "I don't understand. I'm not pitying you for anything."

"Then why do you stay?" he asked.

Athena ran her fingers through the hairs on the top of his head. "Surely, Claudius, you must know by now. I suppose I am much worse at flirting than I thought." She sighed and primped her hair with her other hand, pouting her lips.

Claudius watched her, confused. "I— I don't understand, Miss Everleigh."

"When did you start calling me 'Miss Everleigh' again? Hmm?"

"Uhmm…" He faltered.

"Claudius…" She laughed, getting down on her knees. "Claudius, Claudius, Claudius," Athena said, clucking her tongue.

Their eyes met.

"Tell me what you feel," she said, picking up his hands.

"Your hands?" He pulled back.

"No, silly," she said, shaking her head. "What do you feel… for me?"

Claudius leaned back, sitting on his heels. His head fell. "There is nothing left in my heart except love and adoration for you."

Athena felt tears rising up, first as a lump in her throat, before they sprouted into her eyes. "Claudius," she said, moving her head closer to his.

He kept his eyes on the ground, his face like a ghost.

"I do not have any beautiful words to describe my feelings for you," Athena said. "So instead, I'll just have to do this." Athena pulled him closer to her, wrapping his arms around her waist. She tilted his head back and he complied before she planted a kiss on his cheek, then another on his chin.

Color returned to Claudius's face. Wildfires raged within him. He looked at her, and she grinned and her freckles were like stars in the night sky, and her curls were like grapevines.

"I feel the same, Claudius," Athena said. "I have for quite some time."

Claudius laughed nervously. "You… love me?" he said, his locks falling into his eyes.

"Of course I do," she said. "You have already pleased me much more than any other person on this earth. I could not ask for a better friend or love."

"Even if I outlive you?"

"I will love you until the end of my days, Claudius. And after that, I will love you in the afterlife as a púca. There will never be a moment where I will not be loving you."

"I will love you until the end of my days, too, Athena." Claudius locked his fingers through hers. "And once I die, I will love you in the afterlife as a spirit. Perhaps not a púca, but as some form of a spirit."

"That is all I could ever ask for." Athena kissed him once more at the top of his cheek, right below his eye.

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Author's Note

I wrote this chapter Christmas 2020 so... Let's just pretend, for my sake, it's Christmas. Merry Christmas, everyone!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter where Claudius and Athena finally admit their feelings for one another!