I know some of you aren't going to like this chapter, but trust me, IT'S VITAL!! And besides, it was way fun to write…
Chapter Twenty
Lunar Incident
The pure light from the moon streamed through the windows and onto the elf as she made her way through the castle. It illuminated her proud features like a spotlight on a trophy. Her prize—she had left Severus speechless. The upper lip of her mouth curled into a smirk as she reflected on their conversation. She had never been more proud of her actions—which was slightly sad, in a way, but nonetheless very exciting for her. Reign had spoken her peace in three simple words: I'm hurt too. The smirk turned to a full-out smile as she glided through the moonlit halls. She just hoped that her proud achievement would not go unnoticed by the very man they were aimed at. Hopefully Severus would try to understand where she was coming from; and perhaps give her a second chance. He never seemed too keen on second chances. Her heart sank once more as the reality of it all crept over her like molten lava, burning into her soul and suffocating her. If that hadn't worked, it was hopeless. There would be no other remotely polite way to get through to him, and she dreaded the fact that she might have to turn mean.
The light followed her as she walked, illuminating the way and providing a sense of protection. But when Reign turned the corner, the light did not follow. And for good reason, too.
The elf's scream echoed through the corridor, reverberating off the walls and back to her ears, making her even more nervous than she already was. Her hand flew to her heart to stop its rapid and uneven beating. Her body sank against the wall and her breath came in heaves as she tried desperately to regain self-control. The figure that had scared her moved closer and touched her shoulder. She pulled away, still clutching her heart.
"For Kor's sake, Lucius! Are you trying to kill me!?" It was too dark to notice the smile that crept over his face. By the time her eyes came into focus it was gone, and the only look now was that of concern. He moved forward again and gently held her arm.
"That is the last thing I would ever do." He took her hand and brought it to his lips. The tenderness of his mouth on her skin relaxed the elf and made her anxious all at once. "I'm sorry if I frightened you."
"It's all right. You just seem to keep popping up when I least expect it, that's all." She started to walk past him, but he stepped in front of her. "Lucius, it's getting late. I'm really not in the mood to converse with anybody right now."
"Please, I want to apologize for earlier today." Reign crossed her arms as he continued. "I haven't had much sleep the past few nights, and I can get rather irritated. I don't really know what got into me." He stepped closer to her and placed his hands on her folded arms. "I am truly sorry if I upset you." His pale eyes cast their usual spell on the elf, and she had to force herself to look away.
"Please don't worry yourself about it. I understand." She pushed his hands away and turned down the hall. "I really am tired, Lucius. I had an extraordinarily long day--"
"Let me walk you to your rooms then." He held out his arm for her. "Please, it would be my pleasure." Reign looked outside to the moon, which seemed to shake its head at her, warning her. But she didn't listen. After taking hold of his arm they walked down the hall together. The moon stayed a few feet behind them the whole way.
"So what are you planning to do with your future now that you're at Hogwarts?" Reign sighed.
"I honestly have no idea."
"Surely you've put some thought into it?"
"Lucius, I have a very long future ahead of me. If I put too much thought into it, I'll exhaust myself." The pair laughed in the evening darkness. The entire way to her rooms they conversed; mostly Lucius spoke of the budget problems of the school's, and how it was so hard for Dumbledore to choose how to solve it.
"No matter what he decides, there will be someone who objects."
"That is inevitable; you can't make everyone happy."
"Very true. I suppose we will just have to see." They had arrived at Reign's door, and had lapsed into an uncomfortable silence. "Reign," Lucius began, taking on a childish demeanor, "I am attracted to you." The elf stepped back, taken off-guard and slightly light-headed. Lucius grabbed a hold of her right before she fell into the wall. When she steadied herself, he pulled back. "I'm so sorry. That was out of line--"
"No, no, it's fine. You don't have to apologize." She placed her hand on his chest, and he in turn placed his hands on hers.
"It's just that...every time I see you...whenever I'm around you...I just feel so...so alive."
"Alive?" Reign repeated, slightly surprised.
"Yes," Lucius whispered, stepping closer to her. He took one hand and placed it on her cheek. Reign flinched at his touch, but she immediately fell into its soft caress. "You are so strong...so confident...so...graceful." The elf's head snapped up to meet his gray eyes.
"Graceful?"
"Yes. I have never seen anyone as graceful as you. You are just like a peaceful dove soaring through the clouds, or an elegant flower petal floating on a cool autumn's breeze." The eyes of the elf closed as she imagined herself floating on the wind. "Or an angel flying in heaven." Joyous tears were now falling softly down the elf's cheeks. She could taste the salty water on her lips as she smiled up at Lucius. "Why are you crying, dear angel?" he asked as he wiped away her tears.
"No one...has ever...called me...graceful before," she stuttered. Lucius held her face in one hand and wrapped the other around her waist. It had been so long since she had been held like that—with a strong, reassuring grip that she melted into. Her knees threatened to buckle under her.
"Perhaps no one has ever cared enough to notice," he whispered to her. His breath was hot on her cheek and his lips lightly caressed the tiny hairs on her skin. Reign's legs finally gave out on her and she fell into Lucius, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply. She was still crying; no one had ever called her graceful before. He hadn't told her she was beautiful, or smart, but graceful. It was enough to make any woman want to kiss him. And that's exactly what she did.
It happened so suddenly that it startled Lucius. She pulled him close and planted her lips on his, her tears sliding on his cheeks as well. The moment their lips met the most electrifying ecstasy Lucius had ever felt surged through his body. It was like being born, only better, because he could remember it. Her lips were soft and innocent, but the emotion with which powered the kiss appealed to Lucius so much that he wrapped both arms around the elf, and one hand caressing her back while the other went to her hair. The fine strands of white flowed easily through his fingers while the kiss deepened. Lucius could feel as she parted her lips to invite his tongue in. He took up the offer, and the power rush was so strong that he pushed Reign back into the wall in order to steady himself. It was like nothing he had ever experienced, and he didn't want it to end.
Neither did Reign. When she had met his icy lips, her whole body tingled and goose bumps appeared on her skin. But he was gentle, and as he wrapped his arms around her she fell into him, letting him take control. She held tight to his neck, at first kissing hard because of how potent her emotions were. But as she calmed down, so did the kiss, and instead of a short but influential lip-lock, they ended up kissing for a ridiculously long time. She didn't care; didn't care if it was too long, didn't care if anyone found them, and didn't care if it never ended.
In fact, she didn't want it to end at all, but Lucius pulled back slowly in order to catch his breath. He rested his cheek against hers as they panted together, their chests rising rapidly against each other, arms still wrapped tightly around one another's bodies.
"What was that I felt while we kissed?" Reign smiled, her lips tickling the hairs on Malfoy's face.
"Elvin saliva," she gasped, still trying to seize her breath. "It has immense healing powers, and can provide a warm sensation to those who do not necessarily need healing."
"It was amazing," Lucius replied, still glued to Reign's cheek. When finally his breathing returned to normal, he leaned back and tucked a stray hair behind the elf's ear. He stopped before removing his hand, studying the feature and its slender point. "You're amazing."
They kissed again—several small but tender kisses. Reign pulled back first, slowly releasing the man's bottom lip from her grasp. As she dug herself into his chest, Lucius kissed her forehead. He felt Reign squeeze tighter; she loved it when someone kissed her forehead. The tingling sensation spread through her body again, making her want to cry for every doubting him. As they stood in the hall—the moonlight now brave enough to spill over their entwined bodies—Reign mumbled something into his chest.
"What is it?" he asked, pulling her head away from his chest and lifting it to meet his eyes. She paused, trying to read his face—trying to predict his reaction.
"Will you sleep with me tonight?" Malfoy's eyes became huge as he dropped his hands and stepped away from her. He laughed nervously.
"Weren't you the one saying that we hardly knew each other?" She took a step forward and placed her hands on his chest.
"No, I don't mean it like that," she pleaded. "I'm sorry. What I meant was, will you sleep in my bed with me tonight? It's been so long since I've had someone with me, someone to hold me while I slept. Please, Lucius." She buried her head into him again, but he did not back away. He held her as he thought. She was starting to make things complicated...but one night couldn't hurt, right?
"Of course," he whispered into her hair. She looked up at him with those big innocent eyes of her and he kissed her. Reign held on to his arm as they entered her rooms, and only let go when Lucius began to unbuckle the clasp to his cloak. He stripped down to his white long-sleeved shirt, and—despite taking his belt off—left his pants on. Reign stared in awe at his muscular frame, slightly disappointed that it was still hidden under the shirt. He climbed in bed next to her and pulled her into his arms. She laid her head on his chest and let it slowly put her to sleep with its rhythmic movement, but the shirt was stiff and bothersome against her skin.
"Why do you still wear this shirt? Surely it can't be that comfortable," she said as she tried to at least roll up his sleeves. He recoiled at her touch.
"No, leave it," he snapped, pulling down the cuffs. His reply was stern, and Reign did not pry into the matter any further. They had come so far; she wasn't about to ruin it. She had someone again. Someone who would keep her safe and warm. Someone who would respect and admire her. Someone who would kiss her forehead and tell her she was graceful.
The moon slipped silently away from the window, leaving Lucius and Reign in total darkness as they fell asleep in each other's arms.
