Dedicated to LuvinEvian and Courtaney, for all that they mean and do! --EF
Julian could not remember ever being this happy, even when he was of normal size.. He and Eve became closer since his confession of his spellbound state, and her voice often rang out with laughter at his witticisms. She took to riding in his pocket a great deal of the time, so they could continue talking as he moved about the cave, or outside. Eve also revealed her beautiful singing voice one evening, when Julian could not sleep, and she sang to lull him.
"You sing like an angel," he told her, his hazel eyes full of feeling. Eve merely smiled and continued to charm him like a tiny Circe. "You are the most wonderful creature ever made."
Eve blushed prettily. "Julian, don't embarass me. I'm glad you enjoyed it," she smiled. She got up from her sitting position next to him on his bed. "I think it's time for me to turn in too." At Julian's downcast look, she patted him. "I did sing for you, didn't I?"
How could he tell her that he wanted her there with him, in his bed? "Yes, you did, my dear. " Julian held his hand out for her, and got up slowly from the bed, carrying Eve. He returned her to the cage, his hand lingering on her for a moment.
"What is it, Julian?" Eve asked, yawning as she did so.
"I...have a good night,"he whispered, intending to press a kiss to her hair. Eve turned around just then, and his lips grazed her face, startling her. Eve felt his warm lips against her face, and taken aback, she looked at him with wide eyes.
"Julian?" she murmured. "What..."
"Eve...Eve, I am so sorry. Please forgive me. I don't know what has gotten into me," he said, putting his hands up as a gesture of apology. She still stared at him, and Julian felt even worse for his indiscretion. "Eve, my lady, please forgive my boorishness. I was completely out of line. I apologize from the depths of my heart. This will never...happen again. You have my solemn word."
"It's all right, Julian," Eve finally spoke. She held her hand to her face, still feeling his unwitting kiss.
"Are...are you sure, my dear? I don't know what came over me. I am terribly sorry that I lost control of who I was and where I was at for a moment."
"You didn't mean any harm--I'm all right, please believe me." Eve still held her hand to her face.
Julian reached in and held his finger against her hand. "Thank you for understanding," he said, his eyes twinkling at her. Reluctantly removing his hand, he smiled at her as he carefully locked the cage.
"Good night, dear heart," Julian said softly, backing away from the cage, his eyes never leaving Eve's.
"And you also," Eve whispered back, curling up on the little bed Julian had made for her inside her golden boudoir. Julian groaned as he reclined on his bed. His lips still burned where he had kissed Eve earlier.
He couldn't get his diminutive companion out of his head. What she did to him...did she have any idea?
Julian rolled over in bed, leaning his head upon his right hand. His thoughts stayed with his beautiful Eve. He wanted to do something special for her...something to make her happy, even if he couldn't let her be free.
"Perhaps a picnic would please her," he thought. Julian smiled. "I can wait on her hand and foot." He wanted to make her happier than she ever dreamed she could be...with him.
The next morning, Julian assumed a secretive air, much to Eve's curiousity. Eve watched him hurry back and forth, wondering what had him acting so peculair.
"Julian, is there something I can help you with?" she asked from her little chair.
He flashed her a big pleased smile. "No Eve, but thank you for asking." At Eve's questioning look, Julian walked over and knelt down next to her. "You help me by just being here, Eve." His finger gently smoothed her dark tresses.
Breathing deeply, Eve closed her eyes at his touch. Julian made her feel so...so wanted. "I don't know what to say Julian...thank you," she whispered.
His finger moved to her lips. "Eve." Julian stood up, and went back outside, leaving his companion in turmoil.
Eve did not know what to make of her feelings for Julian. He was so..so wonderful to her. If only, she sighed. She leaned her chin on her hand, considering her plight. So lost in thought was she, Julian was able to sneak up behind her. He put his hand in front of her eyes, startling her.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, looking at at him with a surprised smile.
"Eve, I have something that I would like to show you. Will you come with me?" Julian asked, his eyes hopeful. He held a strip of her torn dress in his hand.
"What is that for?"
"It's a surprise," he grinned. Eve raised an eyebrow at him, and he laughed merrily. "May I place this over your eyes?"
"Why?"
"I just want to make it as perfect as possible, my dear. Indulge me?"
Eve could hardly refuse his heartfelt request. "If it makes you happy, Julian." She was rewarded with an almost blinding smile.
"You are what makes me happy, Eve. Happier than I've ever been," he whispered. To his chargrin, he realized his fingers were too large to tie the blindfold. "Eve, would you mind helping me?"
"Not at all." Eve took the blindfold and tied it around her eyes. "How's this?"
"Perfect." Julian lifted her, and carefully tucked her into his pocket.
"Are you all right?" he queried.
"Of course. I know you would not let anything happen to me," Eve said, smiling underneath the blindfold.
Julian's heart swelled at Eve's trust in him. "Never, my darling." He placed his index finger over her protectively as he walked outside.
Eve felt Julian sit down on the ground. He used his thumb and index finger to lift her from his pocket.
"You can remove the blindfold, Eve." She untied it, and gasped .
"Do you like?" Julian asked.
Tears brimmed Eve's eyes. Dozens of roses surrounded a luncheon spread upon the grass. Roasted turkeys complemented by dandelion greens emitted delicious aromas. A large pitcher of dandelion wine, larger than Eve herself, sat near her.
"You did this for me? " Eve held her hand to her mouth, overcome.
"Yes...all for you, my darling," he told her. "Please tell me that it pleases you." He held his hand out to her. "I so want to make you happy."
Eve looked at him, her eyes still full of tears. "No one has ever done something like this before for me, Julian...thank you." She held one of his fingers with her hands. "From the bottom of my heart, thank you."
"You are more than welcome, my dear." Eve pressed a kiss to his finger, her lips staying there for a moment. Julian closed his eyes, thrilled that she showed him this affection. Eve met his gaze as she stood up, still holding his finger.
"Why, Julian? Why would you go through all of this trouble for me?"
"I have told you that you mean the world to me Eve. I just want to show you how much."
Julian and Eve finished their dinner, Eve declaring it the best meal she ever tasted. She held a cup of Julian's dandelion wine, and took a large sip of it.
"This is wonderful!" she exclaimed. "You are a man of many talents, Julian."
"Ah, you don't know about half of my talents, dear Eve."
Eve lowered her lashes and smiled. "I bet not," she said.
"Yes, as you see, I have quite the hand when it comes to dandelion wine."
"Yes you do." Eve giggled. "You have quite the hands for everything Julian, you have no choice." She was starting to feel the effects of the wine.
"I'm quite talented at carving, too." He reached into his pocket and presented her a heart with his name inscribed in the center. "You, dear lady, have my heart."
"Oh," Eve murmured, touched at his gift. "How beautiful."
"It pales in comparison to you."
"You are too kind to me, Julian." Eve touched the carving, her eyes glassy. "This is ...the most lovely gift I have been given."
As you are mine, Julian thought. He poured himself some more wine, offering Eve some as well.
"Yes, please," she said, her skin flushed with not only the wine but the pleasure at her gift from him. Julian dipped her cup in the wine and handed it to her.
"Eve?"
"Yes, Julian?" Laughing, Eve began to twirl around , her dress billowing about her.
"Eve...I have something that I must tell you." Julian reached for her, and gently held her still.
Eve was a bit unsteady on her feet, and Julian held her more firmly. "What is it, Julian?"
He looked into her eyes, allowing all of his feelings to show.
"I love you, Eve." He took a deep breath. "I love you more than anything or anyone else in my life." Eve looked at him, her mouth open in shock. He closed it with his finger, then held it against her lips. "You are the most caring, loving, and beautiful woman I've ever known."
She stared at him, then dropped to the ground in a sitting position. "You love me?" she asked, her mind fuzzy from the wine. Surely she could not have heard correctly.
"Yes my darling...I do--" Suddenly Julian noticed movement behind Eve. A viper, its tail lashing, rose to strike her.
"EVE!"
