Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Underworld or it's characters, so don't sue. The other characters and subsequent storylines are mine, so don't infringe. Many Thanks.
Author's Note: Okay, this chapter is the reason why I've given my story an R rating. So if you embarrass, blush or get flustered easily, skip this one. You have now been officially warned…as for me, I'm off to write some more…
Chapter Thirteen - Promises Beneath The Moon
Selene noticed the girl watching her intently, but she said nothing. Olivia had been doing this for at least a week now, ever since the night Selene had awkwardly apologized to her. The memory of that occasion still caused Selene to grimace inwardly. She was no good at saying sorry, it just wasn't in her nature, but she'd managed it.
That first day had been spent in awkward silence as they'd awaited Olivia's return; Selene not knowing how to explain the sudden surge of emotion that had overtaken her, Michael not knowing who to worry about more, her or Olivia. When they'd finally sensed the girl's presence in the caves once again, Selene had been able to breathe a little easier, but the waves of anger, fear and sadness rolling from Olivia had heightened Selene's anger at herself. Who was she to judge anyone? She knew full well that a person had no control over who they loved. It was like trying to control the rising of the sun and moon; impossible.
So she'd gone to Olivia the next night, finding the girl outside, bundled against the cold, with Raze and Jonas standing guard. They were giving her privacy, yet keeping a watchful eye all the same.
"Olivia…" Selene had asked, "Can I speak with you for a moment?"
"Whatever." had been the shrugged response. Olivia was staring intently down on the blaze of city lights, the orange glow giving off a harsh beauty that Selene was unaccustomed to.
"I wanted to…I mean, I shouldn't have…" Selene cleared her throat. It was bad enough, having to apologize, but the girl's reluctance to even look at her wasn't making things any easier.
"Don't worry. It wasn't your fault." Olivia's gaze flicked over her, "I take full responsibility."
Selene felt her shoulders droop, "No, I won't let you. It was my fault. I've been so stressed and worried lately. It seems every being on the face of the earth is after us…I lost control of myself and, for that, I'm sorry. It should never have happened."
Moments passed in an odd, comfortable silence before Olivia spoke softly, "I've never loved anyone before. It's a strange feeling."
"I can agree with you there." Selene answered, "I never used to worry about anyone but myself. Now, all I do is…"
"…worry about him." Olivia finished with a sigh. "It's a damned tiring job."
Selene laughed softly, "Yes, it is, isn't it?"
Things had been relaxed between her and Olivia since then, but Selene noticed a difference in the girl whenever Lucian was around. They way they reacted towards each other was strained, as though there was something just under the surface of their relationship nibbling away at its bonds.
Selene sighed and put down her Beretta's, "You've been sitting there watching me for days now, Olivia."
The girl blushed, looking away. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you…it's just, I was wondering…"
"Yes?" Selene prompted gently when Olivia seemed reluctant to finish her sentence. "You were wondering…"
"Will you teach me how to shoot?"
Selene was relieved, "Oh, is that all? Of course I'll show you."
Olivia couldn't believe it had been that easy. She was so used to everyone treating her differently, as though she couldn't handle anything on her own. "Really? Are you serious?"
"Very serious. I can't believe Lucian hasn't already done it himself."
"Oh, well, you know…he's busy and everything..."
"And you didn't want to bother him?" Selene asked, taking the Beretta's completely apart. "Really, I can't believe he wouldn't have shown you if you'd only asked."
Seeing Olivia's reluctance to talk about Lucian, she patted the seat beside her. "Come here then. The first thing you need to learn is how to take a weapon apart and put it back together again."
"When are you going to show me how to fire it?"
"When you can prove you're capable of handling it." Selene answered briskly. "I think we need to get you some of your own, though. It's always better to learn using a weapon of your own, rather than someone else's."
"I'll take care of that today." Raze answered. Both women looked up, surprised to find him standing there. "It's about time you learned. I was about to offer to teach you myself." He shrugged, then turned and left just as quietly as he'd entered.
Olivia proved herself to be an apt pupil, able to handle her own twin Beretta's quickly with the same accuracy, if not the same grace, that Selene did. They spent the passing nights at one of the many "firing ranges" that the Lycan's had been using; abandoned quarrys, hidden valleys and open spaces far from any area inhabited by humans. The number of Lycan's that joined them those nights grew quickly as word of Olivia's skill spread. Many contests were formed and bets placed (and subsequently lost) on who could outshoot her. Her skill surprised even her, as the only one she hadn't been able to beat was Selene herself.
One night, Olivia finished unloading her rounds into the makeshift target, pleased to see that every round had hit dead center about where the head would have been.
"Damn." Selene said, "You'd have made a great Death Dealer."
"I agree." A voice floated towards them from the darkness, "That was very well done, Olivia."
"Oh, uh, thanks." Olivia fumbled with the weapon, reloading it before placing it back in the harness that hung at her hip.
"Well, I think I'll head back now." Selene remarked to no one in particular as Lucian emerged from the shelter of the trees.
"I'll go with you. I'm about done for the night anyway."
Lucian took hold of her arm, gently, and smiled softly. "Stay awhile."
Selene smiled, gave them a careless wave and walked off. Olivia silently cursed Selene's retreating form for leaving her alone with Lucian. They'd barely spoken to each other since their argument and she now found herself nervous being alone with him.
"Why didn't you tell me Selene was giving you lessons?"
"Because…" Olivia straightened her spine, pulling her arm away from his grasp. "Because I didn't want to have to disobey you."
He looked at her quizzically, "You thought I'd not allow it?"
She shrugged, feeling foolish. "After…well, you know…I just wasn't sure what you'd say, but I had to do something. I don't like feeling so vulnerable."
Lucian paced away, not saying anything as his feet crunched the frozen snow, his breath fogging in the chill air. He paused suddenly, looking up at the moon. "It's nearly full."
"Two days, Selene said. Then we'll have to take a break until it's passed."
She wondered why he'd sought her out and the longer he stayed silent, the more anxious she became. She was about to speak, to say what, she didn't know. Just something to break the uncomfortable silence that had enveloped them, when he turned to her. The moonlight caressed his features, leaving his eyes in shadow, but she could still see the sad smile that touched his lips.
"I love you, Olivia."
Tears flooded her eyes and she ran to him, throwing herself in his waiting embrace. He held her close, running his fingers through her hair and whispering soothing words in her ear until her sobs subsided.
"I'm so sorry." He began, "I shouldn't have reacted so harshly to you, Olivia. I just…"
"Sshh. Let's not speak of it now."
Her lips sought out his and as his searching tongue found hers, the fire in her veins that had dwindled down to smoldering embers over the past month flared back to life, making her gasp. His hands worked their way beneath her clothing, seeking out the smoothness of her chilled skin. When he cupped the fullness of her breasts, she pressed her hips towards his. Feeling the evidence of his own arousal filled her with an urgency she didn't understand. With a low growl, he lifted her in his arms.
"What…"
"Patience, my love." Lucian whispered, moving quickly through the shadowed trees towards the haven he'd prepared for them.
He carried her into the darkened cave, feeling the fierce pounding of her heart as he cradled her against his chest. Olivia felt the heat long before she saw the flames and her eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the secluded cave. There was no hint of winter here, the fire having banished the chill air. He set her on her feet, waiting for her to give him a sign.
"You planned this?"
"Yes." He answered truthfully, not letting his voice give away the trepidation he was now feeling. He could have taken her back at the clearing, not too mention all the other numerous times while they'd been sharing a chamber, but he'd wanted to wait until all her hesitancy had disappeared. Even before their argument, she'd still been uncertain and he'd sensed that.
Olivia stared at him, seeing the question in his eyes. "And what if I'd refused you?"
Lucian shrugged, "I'd have tried again another time. I want you, Olivia, with all my being, but I won't have you until you're ready. If I must wait, then I shall do so."
Olivia didn't need to think on it, her mind had been made up the moment he'd confessed his love for her and knowing he'd prepared this secluded spot to give them privacy only made her want him more. Locking eyes with him, she slowly undressed, baring her body and soul to him.
Lucian stared at her, relishing the way the firelight cast wavering shadows against the perfection of her skin. He'd not felt this way about anyone for so long and his hands trembled as he reached out for her. He lowered his mouth to hers; teasing her with his tongue, sucking gently on her lips. He moved lower, taking her nipple into his mouth, biting the sensitive peak tenderly, his blood quickening with her indrawn breath.
"Lucian…" Olivia looked at him, her eyes dilated with passion. Her legs could no longer hold her and she sank to the furs that he'd spread over the ground. Their softness felt decadent against her naked skin and she rubbed her cheek against the nearest one. Lucian shed his own clothing before joining her and the sight of his arousal made her blush.
"Are you frightened?" He whispered, trailing a hand along her thigh.
"Yes, a little." A breathy laugh escaped her throat, "Stupid, isn't it?"
"There's nothing wrong with being frightened of the unknown." He explained, "It will hurt the first time, just a bit, but never again. I promise. Do you trust me?"
"With all my heart."
He kissed her slowly, taking the time to bring her passion back up to where it had been before. The trust she showed in giving him full access to her body heightened his own passion. Then she timidly began to explore him as well. As she noticed his reaction to her, Olivia's touch grew bolder until he thought he wouldn't be able to control himself a moment longer. He lowered himself over her and she took him into her willingly, crying out softly at the sudden, sharp pain.
Lucian tried controlling himself as the animal within him fought to get out. The scent of her lost innocence coupled with their passion drove him towards the brink and he felt the beginning of his transformation taking place. Worried that he would frighten her, or worse yet, hurt her, he paused and laid his forehead against her neck, feeling the rapid beat of her lifeblood pulsing through her.
Sensing his hesitation, Olivia laid the palm of her hand against his bearded cheek, trying to turn him towards her. "Lucian? What is it?"
"No, don't…I'm sorry…Just give me a moment." He didn't want her to see him like this, not again.
Understanding dawned on her and she cradled his face within her hands. "I'm not scared of you, Lucian. You're the keeper of my heart..." Olivia gently forced him to look at her. She brought her lips up to his, running a tongue across his bared fangs. "…and I want you, just as you are."
The blue radiance of his eyes gazed into her own. "I don't want to hurt you…"
"You won't." She whispered, moving her hips beneath him once more. "I trust you, Lucian."
He couldn't have stopped again if his life depended on it. If she'd asked just then, he would have pierced her tender skin in an instant to mark her as his, so little self-control did he have left. But she didn't ask…and with a savage growl, Lucian made her his for all time in the only other way he knew how.
