People! You have to love me for my new vigour updating! I love you too by the way! Weather here is miserable at the moment…at least I have tea and biscuits to keep me company! Anyway I bet none you thought that Nataila might show up again cue evil laughing and stroking white pussy cat. On with the show…or story!

Chapter 14 – The Nightmare

"I don't like this…I have a bad feeling about it", Thom said as he walked Emilie to her quarters.

"Thom, from the entire time we left the mess hall that you have been saying that", Emilie said pointedly, "and if I haven't got it the first time then you are definitely on a lost cause repeating it several times now."

Thom's shoulders visible dropped in defeat. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound a bore…it just not right that she turns up unexpected without any real reason for making such a journey…"

"Thom," Emilie broke in with a smile, "What is the worst that she can do?"

"She could hurt you", Thom replied pulling Emilie even closer in his already tight grip. "And I don't think I would forgive myself!"

"As sweet as that declaration is", Emilie tried to keep a straight face, "It's a bit melodramatic. She's only skilled in weaponry."

"I know", Thom woefully nodded at the fact. He looked so pitiful, with his red strands filtering across his face and his usual vibrate violet dulled in a puppy dog look. He knew that he was trying to evoke some sympathy but Emilie just laugh.

"My dear boy…"

"Man."

"You can't fool this court lady", Emilie slyly glancedd at him, "I can tell when you were faking it."

"I'm not!" Emilie looked into Thom's eyes and he sense that she was searching …like she could pierce into his soul and see everything. "I might have been pulling it slightly for my benefit," he conceded in the end.

"For what", asked Emilie, truly interested in his answer.

"A kiss." Thom began to lower his head to capture Emilie's mouth in a sweet embrace but met only air. His eyes flew open to see Emilie suppressing her bubbling laughter - she had dodged out the way. Thom eyes narrowed in mock anger while she placed her dainty hand over his mouth.

"You shall have a kiss fine sir, a goodnight kiss when we arrive at my room."

Thom looked thoroughly put out with that option. I can't have it my way all the time I suppose…life would be boring that way, I guess…although I really want to kiss her. She looks completely gorgeous with her permanent beaming smile and with that ring on her finger. I am one lucky man…until Nataila came.

At last, they arrived at the door and Thom took his time in showing his affection, leaving both completely breathless and happy.

"See you in the morning Thom", Emilie huskily as she tried to regain her surroundings.

"If you think that you are in any trouble, come directly to me", Thom said with an urgency of seriousness. "I know that you think I am being a bit crazy but I don't trust Nataila at all."

"I will be fine", Emilie commented "but if I was in danger, you would be my first port of call."

"Night Emilie", Thom murmured softly and gentle dropped a chastened kiss on her forehead.

"Nooo!"

Thom sat up quickly, dripping with sweat from his head to his toes. His body was shaking with barely suppressed fear. His right hand swept back the hair that was in Thom's eyes. Slowly with more control he breathed in the cool night air and thought about the nightmare.

A shiver ran through his body as he mentally pictured the horrible and cruel image of Emile's dead body at his feet and an evil laugh echoing around. Her eyes were soulless, her body pale and the blood…the blood surrounded her …so much blood.

And he knew that laughter. Nataila's.

Without giving it a second thought, Thom threw the covers off him and scrambled around his dark room for some trousers and a shirt to clothe his naked body. Flicking his hand, the room was suddenly filled with an eerie purple light and in a short while Thom found the items.

Rotating his hand the other way, Thom was in complete darkness again. Like a thief in the night, Thom made his way to Emilie's bedroom to see that she was still alive and well. It took all his courage not to bring back the horrid images of her, dead. In no circumstance would he tell her.

At hearing the echoes of footsteps heading his direction, Thom spun round and tried to look for a place to hide but there was none. It was simply an empty corridor. As the sound grew louder and louder, Thom panicked until he slapped his head.

I really should start thinking like a black mage!

Murmuring a few chosen words, Thom's frame became invisible although it did not stop people from bumping into him it certainly was the better option than getting caught. Pushing his strong, slim body against the wall, he waited for the persons to appear. Holding in air, Thom slowly released it when Neal turned into the hallway, looking extremely tired and drained.

I have to help out in the medical quarters tomorrow, Thom thought feeling slightly guilty that he was preoccupied with Emilie not to see Neal needing a little hand. It was quite amusing to watch Neal. He was definitely having a conversation within his own head but a few words escaped him and from that he knew it was Emilie.

"Engaged...spy…parents…black mage!"

Sooner enough Neal was away, leaving Thom in his quest to get Emilie. Knowing that he had wasted enough time, Thom hurried down the corridors with a little bit noise and chose to keep himself hidden from view.

At last, he was standing outside Emilie's room and naturally his heart started to beat a little faster and his hands became fidgety. Muttering a word at the door, Thom used his Gift to unlock it which allowed him to slip through silently.

Room was in complete darkness and Thom had to stand there and get his bearings. Finally he realised that the huge shape he had been staring at was the bed and made his way there. By squinting his eyes he could make out Emilie very badly and could not see anything to indicate that she was harmed or not. Although, he could hear her steady rhythmic breathing.

Taking a chance, Thom flicked his hand to fill the room with purple light. As he gazed down on Emilie's sleeping form he became entranced with sleeping form. Her hair had grown considerable since the Spring Ball incident, covering her face and Thom had to make sure that she was she.

Someone might have kidnapped her, his brain reasoned.

With a butterfly touch, Thom removed her auburn hair to behind her ear. Unable to confiscate his hand, he started ever so softly to stroke her cheek which was unbelievable smooth. He did not realise until it was too late that a pair of green eyes were focusing on him in confusion that he had wakened her.

He thought he had jumped half a mile when he noted that they blinked at him. "Ahh!"

"Thom what are you doing here?" Emilie asked her voice full of sleepiness. And to Thom it sounded the most erotic thing he had ever heard while his body immediately flushed with lust.

His body wanted more but Thom forced himself to answer Emilie's question. "I had a nightmare", he blurted out. Great going with the not telling her the dream!

"Oh," Emilie replied concerned and moved into sitting position while indicating to Thom to sit on the bed. "What was it about?"

Taking a shaky breath, Thom spilled out everything while Emilie remained silent. "It was so real, Emilie and it scared me to death which made me want to make sure that you were ok."

Thom looked at Emilie's face to see that in had slightly paled since the beginning. She smiled at him and reached out to him with her arms. Thom quickly grabbed them and squeezed Emilie into a tight hug, feeling her body pressed up against him so tightly that he could feeling her heart beating. H e buried his head into the side of her neck and using his nose to tickle her.

"Stop Thom!" Emilie laughed out. "Your nose is so cold!"

"You could always warm it up for me" Thom spilled out before thinking.

Emilie quietened and Thom immediately regretted his words, pulling his head out to meet her eyes, Thom noted her face had gone bright red. "My dear, are you speechless?" He teased knowing it was the wrong thing to do.

Emilie glared at him, crossed her arms and moved further away from Thom until she hit the back board of the bed. With an evil glint in his violet eyes, Thom moved forward like a predator playing with its prey. Emilie's eyes widened as Thom slipped his arms around her back and pushed her against his chest and quickly, Thom devoured Emilie's sweet lips into a passionate kiss.

Emilie grasped his half buttoned shirt to hold on as Thom swept her away. Thom smiled as she gasped against his mouth, as he gently made small circles on her back. He could feel the heat coming off, her nightgown was very flimsy. Ever so slowly, he eased both of their bodies back on the soft mattress with him on top.

Breaking away for air, Thom stared down at a rosy cheeked Emilie with her emerald eyes glowing with love and slight lust. His hand moved round from the back to cup her face. With his fingers, he followed her jaw bone which Thom noted felt like velvet. Emile then turned and placed her soft lips in his palm.

He closed his eyes, savouring the token of affection and the feel of her body under him then sighed before rolling off to the other side of the bed. His violet orbs flickered opened as Emilie snuggled her whole body against his while shifting the bed covers over his half-clad figure.

"I should be heading back to my own rooms", Thom muttered without much conviction and did no make a move to go.

"Go to sleep Thom," she whispered into his neck, her voice lulling him to a dreamless state. "I will look after you."

"Can I hold you?"

"I thought you never ask."

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Thank you for pointing out my grammatical errors! I really do need the heads up with that! Anyway you know the drill people…review and make me happy. I know that is a Fluff chapter but Nataila will make an appearance next.