Disclaimer: See previous chapter for disclaimer.

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CHAPTER NINE: AND IN OUR EYES RESIDE OUR SOULS

MOON PHASE - HALF MOON

Sonja lie in bed, dreading the ceremony she had to prepare for now. She almost wanted to stay in bed, away from the crowds. But she knew she could not. Then she thought of Lucian, of what had happened, what she wanted to happen tonight after the festivities should she find him. Smiling she resigned herself to her fate, comforting herself with the knowledge that she would find him afterwards.

Sun was nearly set, she could tell, and soon she would have to leave her bed and dress. If only she could skip the party and go straight to Lucian.

***

Lucian glanced around warily as he made his way to the open hallway near Sonja's room. Daylight had fallen, giving way to the darkness of nighttime, Sonja's time. He hoped to catch a glimpse, just a small glimpse of her before she went to the ceremony the vampires were having. But he had to be careful, he could not be caught in that hall, the Death Dealers would know what he was doing.

Lucian had been thankful that Rendor had dropped the subject earlier, for he did not want his brother to know anything that went on. He was safer that way, and Lucian had to do everything to protect his family. And his mate. But he knew Rendor had probably guessed what was happening, though certainly not to the extent it had reached.

Finally reaching the hallway, he stared up at Sonja's balcony, watching, waiting, wanting. He could see perfectly with the half moon's light and his own keen eyesight, but she was not close enough. He wanted to see her, needed to see her. He looked at the ground, then the balcony. He could make the jump, he knew it. He had done higher jumps before. The balcony could not be more than fifteen feet.

Gathering up his courage, shoving away the little voice telling him this was wrong, Lucian swung his legs through the window opening in the hall, stepping onto the ground on the other side silently. He crept nearer to his princess' balcony, peering around to make certain there was no one around to catch him. Once he was certain he was in the clear, he crouched low and jumped, pushing against the ground as he leapt up. His hands reached the railing of her balcony, grasping on firmly.

Pulling himself up swiftly, soon he was standing on her balcony, looking into her room behind the glossy curtains separating it from him and the outside world. His breath quickened, his heart raced, and for a moment Lucian thought he might simply turn, jump off the balcony and run.

What was he doing, what was he thinking? He was about to break the Covenant in the most forbidden way, he wanted to break the Covenant. Was it worth it?

A soft sigh came from within the room, and he could see Sonja, still in her bed, moving slightly and he knew.

It was worth it.

Silently, slowly, he walked up to the sheer curtains, parting them and entering her room. He stared at her body still lying in her bed, back to him. He could tell she was awake, and by the sound of her heavy breathing, he knew she was well aware of his presence.

Warmth flooded him as he neared her, his body tense as he restrained himself from simply running to the bed and pinning her beneath him. He wanted it, he wanted to hear her whisper his name in pleasure, wanted to feel her fingers on his back again, tracing his scars. But he knew he had to wait, she was expected soon, and he wanted it to last forever when it finally happened.

And he knew it would. He knew she wanted it just as much as he did.

Finally reaching the bed, he leaned down, reaching out to her shoulder and turning her onto her back gently, his hand then moving to cup her cheek. He stared down as she opened her emerald eyes that quickly met his.

Sonja smiled up at him softly, her eye commanding and Lucian felt the pull, giving in. As his lips brushed against hers, he felt her arms snake around his waist, pulling him down on her, and he quickly deepened the kiss, his hands cupping her neck now. He pulled her up somewhat, pulling her closer.

"Sonja," he breathed when they finally parted, his eyes still closed. Opening them, he gazed down at her adoringly, longingly.

"Lucian," she replied, smiling gently again, reaching to stroke his forehead down to his cheek, to his neck, to his chest until it reach the collar of his shirt. "Damn the ceremony, I want to stay here," she whimpered, knowing she could not.

He nodded, sharing her sentiments. "I will wait for you here, Princess," he whispered. "I will wait for you anywhere you wish."

"Here. Wait for me here. Only I can allow anyone in here, so you will be safe," she told him. She sighed and reluctantly rose, sitting up and laying her head on his shoulders as he sat in front of her. "Promise me you will stay," she requested. "Promise me you will wait."

"Princess I should think it was already clear I could never go against your wishes," Lucian said softly. "Which is why I will promise you these things. I will stay here and wait for your return, even if it be eternity, I promise."

Sonja stared up at him, her fingers tracing his lips. She smiled when he moaned at her touch, moving her hand to brush his hair back. "I will return as soon as possible. But I must prepare now," she said with a slight pout.

"I will go out to the balcony and wait until you are done to come back," he said, standing and walking out to the balcony, sitting down at one end and leaning against the stone wall of the castle. He heard her slide out of the bed, her feet lightly tapping on the bare floor. A few moments later he heard the soft rustle of fabric again, and realized she was taking off the nightgown.

Lucian remembered how hard it had been not to cry out in pain when the silver whips had hit his back, tearing his flesh. He remembered how heard it had been not to struggle to get away and provoke more lashings. He remembered many times he had been saved by his will alone, forcing him to take it, to not give into natural instincts.

None of that compared to how hard it was for him not to watch her, not to go to her now, her slender, elegant body bare. He could feel his blood racing through his veins as his heart pounded. He knew she, with her vampire sense so finely attuned, would be aware of his reaction now. He wondered if she was within sight should he glance around, or if she had moved far enough away when she sensed his condition.

Willing himself not to look, he stared up at the moon instead, the one constant in his life, his truest friend, and worst enemy. So much how Sonja was now. So much what he must be to the vampire princess as well, though he supposed he was sun in her case.

He heard her moving around, more fabric rustling, she was dressing now, putting on one of her lovely, elegant gowns that clung to her lithe form. He stared up at the moon, willing himself to keep his eyes locked in the god and goddess of his people.

Tonight, after the ceremony, she will be yours, and you will be hers, he reminded himself. Patience. Have patience.

***

Sonja could hear his blood, coursing furiously through his veins as she changed. A part of her, most of her wanted him to give in and come back inside, but she knew it was best if he did not. She would never make it to the ceremony and then there would be worry and they would come looking for her. And that would be disastrous.

She heard his heart, pounding in his chest. She knew how he felt, her own body longing for him as well. She wanted him more than anything. But she knew they had to be careful, and patient. But she had little more patience than her beloved mother had possessed, and that was not a hard feat as anyone with any patience had more than Aurelia had once had.

Sonja reached up, stroking the pendant at the thought of her mother, then she remembered Lucian's loss that day. And the stare he had given her before her mother had even left. That had been the first time she had seen him, though she had no clue if he had seen her before. She remembered the adoration then, and she remembered feeling warm.

Like she felt now. Like she felt whenever he was around, whenever he touched her, glanced at her, whispered her name. She did not know how, but he made her warm. She enjoyed it, she craved it now. She wanted the heat his eyes promised her, but she would have to wait.

With one last glance in her mirror, she knew she was completely ready to attend the ridiculous ceremony and leave Lucian waiting in her chambers. She was most certainly going to be preoccupied during the party. Most certainly.

"Lucian," she called softly, stepping onto the balcony. She laughed softly as he quickly rose to his feet, his eyes widening when he saw her. She felt that lovely warmth spread through her, stronger this time. She met his eyes, smiling almost shyly now as she saw the passion in his eyes. "I must go now. Wait inside, it will be safer," she instructed.

He nodded, following her back into the room, his stare never leaving her even when she turned from him, the heat of his gaze impossible not to notice. Quietly, he stood, watching her, never saying a word as his eyes spoke thousands.

Sonja walked up to him, lightly kissing him, her lips only brushing against his. They both knew anything more and she would never leave. "I will return as soon as I am able," she vowed before leaving him alone in her chambers.

***

Lucian watched her as she left the room, her movements always perfect and graceful. He watched forlornly as the door closed behind her. He slowly walked over to it, leaning his forehead against it, placing his hands on it, a barrier between himself and his princess. He stayed there for several minutes, simply willing for time to pass and for her to return to him.

Soon he did move though, going over to her dresser, looking over the various trinkets and treasures she kept there. He was careful to avoid the silver items as he picked up a few, holding them, knowing he was touching something she touched regularly.

Her room was full of her scent, intoxicating and making him lightheaded. He walked over to her bed, staring down at it. She slept there, a safe distance from the balcony and the sunlight when it was day, but still close enough for her to hear the sounds of the birds and the wind rustling her curtains. He ran his hand over the sheets. She slept here, lie here during daylight, dreamt here. He sat down, letting his head rest on her pillow. He held it, inhaling her scent from it, clutching it as he imagined she did sometimes.

He feared he would go insane in this room, so full of her, yet empty of her. He felt as if he were in Heaven and Hell at once, surrounded by her things, her essence, her scent, yet void of his beloved princess for too long already.

H decided to lie on her bed for a while, holding her pillow tightly so as to keep his sanity intact. He carefully avoided getting his feet onto the bed, even though he had taken his boots off. His feet were still filthy and he did not want to make her sheets and covers dirty.

Sonja.

***

Only twenty minutes and already I am more bored than if I were playing that awful game with Father, Sonja thought dryly as she smiled and talked with the others. The official part was done with, the male vampire accepted into the Death Dealers. Now it was time for drinking and talking.

And she was supposed to be able to make polite conversation while her mind was in another part of the castle. She sighed, moving away from one clique in the crowd, trying to get away from any sympathetic glances from the older females and the cold, lusting stares of the males. She wanted to be back in her room, with Lucian.

Warm, passionate Lucian, not the cold, empty vampire males surrounding her. Lucian was quiet and adoring and fiery and tentative and eager, these males only wanted the power and pleasure she could give them. They cared nothing for her own pleasure, her own power. They wanted to further their positions. Lucian simply wanted her, he was otherwise fine with his place, she could see it. He was loyal and obedient, more so than probably half of the males in this room, if that many.

All he had done was break the Covenant, the most sacred of their laws. And she had broken it too. Her own father had instilled that law and now she was yearning to run and completely shatter it in the most forbidden act known to the vampire clans.

And she did not even feel guilty now. She loved her father, but she did not agree with how he viewed the lycans, never had. She knew her aunt was not fond of them herself, but really did not mind their presence, and Marcus, well, he had enslaved and tamed them in the first place. He was the kindest to them, though even he was still not welcoming to them, or encouraging of relations between species even as friends.

Sonja sighed. This was not the time nor place to be thinking about such matters. The thought of Lucian in her room, waiting for her was distraction enough. She would stay another twenty minutes, then feign weariness and return to her chambers.

Because if she did not, she feared she would let something slip in her longing to be with Lucian.

***

Lucian lie on her bed, breathing in her scent with every breath. He closed his eyes, trying to imagine what it would be like to lie here, with her in his embrace. He sighed and opened them, wondering how long the ceremony would take.

The vampires loved their ceremonies, for it was fairly normal for lycans to be given night duty. And the parties could last almost whole nights. He silently prayed that would not be the case tonight. He wanted Sonja back with him.

He slide off the bed, walking over to the balcony to see where the moon was now located. The stone floor was cold under his feet, he had almost forgotten he had taken his boots off so that he did not get dirt on Sonja's bed. He pulled back the sheer curtains, but suddenly heard the door to her bedroom open. Turning, he watched as his princess entered the room, her eyes lighting up when she saw him standing there.

"I almost feared I would not find you here," she confessed. "I was afraid I had dreamt it all, and that you had never come in the first place." She walked towards him, as he came nearer to her.

"You dream of me?" he asked almost incredulously, his eyes wide and hopeful, like a puppy's. He stared down at he, watching curiously as she lowered her gaze shyly.

"Yes, I do, sometimes," she replied softly, almost ashamed. "But I always wake to find myself alone," she continued, once again meeting his eyes. "And cold."

Lucian reached up, cupping her face. "I am real, alive, flesh and blood. And I gave my word, and could not break had I ever wanted to, though the very thought of that would never cross my mind for a fleeting second now," he told her. "I am no dream, and you will only wake to find yourself alone if you tell me to leave."

She reached up, pulling him to her, kissing him fiercely at these words, clinging to him. "Never leave, never, ever leave me," she whispered when their lips parted. "I want you with me always. I want you with me, touching me, holding me, kissing me," she told him, her eyes pleading almost. "Inside me."

Lucian's breath caught in his throat. Her words made his blood run hot, made his need grow, made him hunger for her more, but these last two words. Perhaps because never before had they truly spoken their desire, never truly admitted it. But now she had, and he wanted nothing more than to fulfill those words.

Pulling her up against him, he held her tightly, simply holding her for a moment. He felt her arms wrap around him as well, her head resting on his chest. He kissed her hair, then leaned his head down slightly to whisper in her ear, "And I want these things as well. I want to be inside you."

"Then what are you waiting for," Sonja whispered back. "I am all yours, and no other's for the taking." She pulled away slightly, staring at him intensely. Leaning up, she brushed her lips against his and spoke. "Make love to me, Lucian."