A/N: Just wanted to give you all another reminder, there is citrus below. This was super fun to write, so I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 14

It had been late afternoon when Laer and the others had come to drag Elle off into the crowd. That didn't stop them from weaving their way through the populace to find what had to be the tiniest stand currently in the city. It still had a line of men in front of it. Laer grumbled at the sight of the queue, but Tewn laughed and clapped his shoulder. "We can come back. The ale might not be as good elsewhere, but tonight it will be plentiful."

Elle raised a brow at her friend. "Your first stop was to get a drink?"

Laer chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. "Do you think we did any of what I just told you sober?"

When Elle nearly doubled over in laughter, Caius stepped up with a grin. "Your judgment notwithstanding, I believe you can find a suitable replacement around the corner."

Laer rolled his eyes. "Like you'll be joining us."

Caius was still smiling. "Someone must ensure that you are all able-bodied for the morrow."

A couple of the guys chuckled, but they all turned to find the other place that had been mentioned. It was not long at all before their little group was weaving their way through the crowd again with drinks in hand.

As they made their way through the people, Elle was pleased to see that she was not given more than a cursory glance in most cases. Yes, she was the Emissary, but her presence with Laer and the others served as a reminder that she was also one of the warriors that kept their city safe. It was not long before she was able to relax with the others and forget the fiasco the day had been.

Several others joined their group as they roamed, which made them a boisterous presence. There was no end to the teasing Elle received about the dress she was wearing, including several suggestions for her to go by ribbons and beads to match the pretty jewels in her hair. Every time it happened, it ended with a rude gesture at the very least. Not that she was upset, not really. She knew it was all in fun.

By the time they found a shop with tables big enough to seat them all, their group had dispersed some. Surprisingly, Ingens was still with them even though Mirus had left earlier. The younger Ballad twin actually laughed several times that night. Not with Elle, but at least she was heartened to see it was possible. It gave her hope that whatever stick he had up his ass where she was concerned would eventually be removed.

Elle lost track of time as they sat and exchanged increasingly improbable tales. That was probably made worse by the fact that the waitress made sure none of their flasks were ever empty. That also meant that when several of the guys finally stood to leave, Elle was also a little tipsy. She wasn't so bad that she couldn't walk, but she also couldn't manage to lose her smile. It was nice to be able to not worry about anything for a short while.

Caius convinced her to leave as well, and they waved goodbye to the last couple of men that stayed. Laer was one of them, and he almost looked like he had something else to say, but he only clamped his jaw shut and gave them both a nod before they walked off. If they had waited a moment longer, Elle would have been worried at the way her friend downed his drink and asked for another before they were even out of sight.

The walk was quiet for some time as the two of them threaded their way back through the city. It was still noisy near the city center, but the further they got from the trading district, the quieter things became. When the sound was just a distant buzz, Caius finally spoke up. "I did not get the chance to tell you earlier, but you did well today. You have upheld the image of Etro with grace."

Elle chuckled as she looked over at him. "Grace? That's one I never thought to hear in the same sentence as myself."

Caius stopped and turned her to face him. He forced his eyes to stay on hers as he spoke. "You may carry yourself like a warrior, but never forget that some warriors are meant to be leaders of men. You draw others to yourself without effort. It is no surprise that you are more than capable of fulfilling your duties."

Elle wasn't sure how to respond to that. Especially with the look he was giving her. She felt her skin growing hot but wasn't given a chance to figure it out before he gave her a lopsided smile. "Besides, I am sure it took some of our team half the day to realize it was you on stage. Warriors and skirts aren't often found in the same vicinity."

Elle groaned at his teasing. "Not you too."

She pulled away from him and rolled her eyes. Her actions made her miss the way his gaze turned serious for just a moment as he finally looked down at the rest of her. There was a flash of something that he banished before Elle could turn back around.

It was at that point that something finally occurred to her. "Uh, Caius, it's after dark. Will the compound be open due to the holiday?"

Caius sighed and shook his head. "No. It is why I tried to convince you to leave earlier."

"I don't remember that."

"Of course, you don't. I believe at the time you and Baren were trying to see who could finish their drink faster. At Laer's urging, no less."

Elle chuckled. "You aren't really shocked, are you? Besides, I was told to enjoy myself, and that is exactly what I did."

"I will admit that I did not try hard to get you to leave."

At his admission, Elle grinned before her eyes widened. "If this means I'm going to have to crash at your place again, then let's go swimming first! If the water is going to be cold, I might as well enjoy it. That one pool is practically right outside the city."

His eyes narrowed. "No. It is still outside the city, and you are in no condition to fight if we need to."

She huffed at him and crossed her arms. "Please?"

For just a moment, it looked as though he was considering it, but he shook his head. "It would not be safe. Not tonight."

He gestured for her to follow him before he turned and started back toward his apartment. Almost as soon as his back was turned, something flashed through Elle's eyes, and she didn't give herself time to second guess how smart her plan was. She also didn't say anything before she twisted where she stood and took off running in the other direction. It wasn't as though she thought she could outrun Caius, but she wasn't thinking past the moment.

As soon as Caius heard her rapid footfalls, he spun around. It took him just a moment to realize what she had done. With a sigh, he took off after her. It was a depressingly short few seconds later that he caught up. His intention was to grab her and pin her arms until she agreed to quit acting so childishly. However, he had not counted on her slight instability.

When he grabbed her, both her imbalance and momentum caused her to fall forward. Caius cursed under his breath as he wrapped his arms around her and turned so that he would take the impact of the fall. They landed with her still pinned in the circle of his arms, and him below with the breath knocked out of him.

It was several seconds later that Elle finally spoke. "Are you alright?"

Caius shook his head and chuckled at her first question being about him, but didn't move right away. Instead, he tried to hide the smile in his voice as he spoke. "I am unhurt. The question now is, if I let you go, will you promise not to run again?"

A strangled sound came from Elle, but Caius didn't get a chance to ask what was wrong before he felt her whole body start to shake, and he heard the laughter finally spill out. "Was it truly so funny?"

It took her a few moments to get her laughter under control. She then let her head fall back against his chest as she spoke. "It's just that this reminded me of our first meeting. A little déjà vu. Only difference is that the last time, you weren't such a gentleman. I believe you had no problem pinning me to the ground."

Something warm flashed over Caius, and he knew he would probably regret what he was thinking, but his mind was no competition for the idea that rushed through him. With a deft twist of his body, it was only a matter of seconds later that he had switched their positions. It didn't hurt that she wasn't fighting him this time.

He smirked down at her as he straddled her much smaller frame and sat back with her arms pinned to her side. "Is this better?"

Elle's breath caught in her throat. It wasn't that he had her pinned, but his smirk had her mouth drying as she looked across his muscular shoulders and up into his eyes. The moon overhead cast his face in shadows until he sat back further, and Elle suddenly felt like her body was on fire. He almost looked reverent as he looked down, but there was a fire burning in his lavender eyes that she could feel on her skin.

As for Caius, he knew almost as soon as he felt her beneath him that he should not have done so. He could feel his heart racing as he looked down at the woman below him. Her hair was splayed across her shoulders, and all around her head like a small bit of sunlight had been captured and glowed just for her. The two jewels that Yeul had given her caught the moonlight and sparkled, but not nearly as much as her eyes. Those more than rivaled the ones in her hair. It was as though he was looking down at the Goddess incarnate. At that moment, he had no trouble believing she was otherworldly. She was ethereal.

He could feel her body moving beneath him and all but forgot to hold her arms. He needed space. When he sat back, his breath caught at the way her glance transformed. He needed to move. Now.

It felt like his body fought him as he forced himself to stand and offer her a hand to help her up as well. She took it and pulled herself to her feet. Neither of them spoke for several seconds until it felt like the air had grown thick and hard to breathe. Finally, Elle shook her head. "Maybe you're right. It might be a good idea to turn in."

Caius only managed a nod as he turned and led her the rest of the way to his apartment. When they arrived, he gestured through the one doorway. "There is a bath in the back if you would like to use it."

When it looked like she was about to object, Caius smiled. "It is no burden for me to wait. Besides, after that tumble, I am sure you would appreciate it."

Despite willing it not to happen, Elle's cheeks heated slightly at his reminder. She barely managed a nod before she ducked into the other room. She froze at the sight of his small bed, but thankfully the bathing room was just to the right, and the door was open. She quickly closed the door behind her and leaned on it. It was several minutes later that she finally stood to look around the small room. Thankfully the moon through the tiny window was bright enough that she didn't have to worry that she had not grabbed one of the balls they used for night lights.

Caius waited until he heard the door close before he went into his room and gathered up the things she would need for a pallet. After he placed them on the small table, he sat on the bench and buried his face in his hands with a sigh. He could tell the line that he tried not to cross between himself and his charge had been becoming narrower, but he was now afraid it might be gone. What frightened him more was the thought that he might not care.

His attention was jerked up when he heard soft footfalls. He had not expected Elle to be finished yet. He had started to stand but found himself frozen when she walked into the room with only a towel around her. It took him several tries before he could make his voice work. "Was there something else you needed?"

Elle looked at him nervously, but she finally nodded. "Yes. You told me that it wasn't a weakness to open up. That it would be good if I could tell someone when things are bothering me. Well, I think you might be right."

Caius' eyes widened as he finished standing. He felt his heart beating erratically and had to take a moment before he could think clearly enough to respond. "While I am glad to hear it, and I would be happy to listen, I believe it might be best to wait until you are finished and dressed."

Elle's eyes roved over his face before she gave him a soft smile and took a step forward. "See, that's part of the problem. There has been a wall between us that I am just as guilty of putting up as you are, but I'm tired of it. I want to see what is on the other side of that wall."

Caius moved without thought. As soon as he put his hands on her bare shoulders, he realized what a mistake it was. Her skin was soft under his fingers and oh so warm. The heat from their contact seemed to leech into him and raced through his veins. When he finally made his voice work, even he could tell it was thick with words unsaid.

"You are already closer to me than most. If there is any remnant of a wall between us, it is only what is proper."

Something flashed through Elle's eyes, and she frowned, but only for a moment. She took another step and closed the distance between them. Her heat flooded his senses as she looked up. "Proper according to whom?"

He had to fight a groan at the look in her eyes. His position had given him ample opportunity to become acquainted with the fairer sex. None of the warriors wanted for attention if they wished it, but never before had he been so affected. No matter how much his body wanted to pull her closer, he took a half-step back to clear his head. "Our positions do not allow for this. I cannot-"

She cut him off with soft fingers across his lips. His eyes widened at the look she gave him. Her smirk was both playful and alluring. "Caius, shut up and kiss me."

He did groan when she pressed herself against him. This was everything he had been fighting to keep from his waking mind. Not that his dreams did not torment him with images of her, but those were dreams he could ignore. This was so much more than he had imagined.

He knew it was not the best decision, but this night seemed to be filled with those. He let all thought flee as his arms wrapped around her and pulled her closer. His lips were soft on hers at first. Despite how he saw her, she was still so much smaller than he. It was like holding a bird in his hands.

That image did not last long. It was only a matter of seconds before she pushed herself up onto her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck so she could pull them closer together. Her tongue flicked out and traced the seam of his lips. He stiffened and started to pull back.

She didn't let him go. Her arms tightened, and her breath ghosted over his mouth when she spoke. "You can't be that shy."

Caius already felt like he was drowning. The heat from her body and the smell of her skin were enough to cloud his senses. He gave up on trying to think and allowed himself to feel as he leaned in again. This time there was no need for coercion. He matched her enthusiasm and more. The sensations between them pulled a moan from her lips that nearly made his knees buckle.

He started to pull back again to try and clear his head enough to keep from picking her up and carrying her to the other room immediately like his desire was urging him too. He was shocked a moment later when her growl was the only warning he got before he felt her leg wrap around, and her foot hit the back of his knee. It was not hard, but it was unexpected. He found himself falling with nothing to catch himself on. He grabbed her to keep her from landing on the floor and looked up in shock as she straddled his waist.

She grinned down at him before she leaned in. "Quit trying to get away."

It was at that moment he realized he was well and truly lost. There was no way she was going to let him put any distance between them, and he had no inclination to try anymore. He buried one hand in her hair as he pulled her down against himself. When their mouths met this time, there was no gentleness, no pretense to thought, or calm, or order. All that was left was the flaming passion between them that grew by the second.

The towel that she had donned when she first came to him had loosened when she knocked him from his feet. Currently, the only thing keeping it on her was the fact that it was pinned between their bodies. When his hands roamed down to grab her hips, he groaned into her mouth before he wrapped his arms around her and flipped them over.

Elle's eyes widened slightly, but she wasn't given a chance to do more before he descended on her. His mouth seemed to find every single sensitive spot that she never knew she had. His teeth nipped at her earlobe before he trailed hot kisses and nips down the side of her neck and her collar bone. She barely even noticed when he pushed the barrier between them aside and continued down to take one rosy nipple in between his teeth. He held it there while his tongue swirled across the tip. The sensation sent a shockwave through her that had her arching into his hold with a cry.

When her back left the floor, Caius used the motion to wrap his arms around her and lifted her slightly. He sat back onto his knees, and Elle gladly wrapped her legs around his waist as their mouths found each other once again. Part of her mind marveled at Caius' strength and balance when he stood smoothly with her still in his arms, but that part was small and soon washed away under the tsunami of need that had taken hold.

She didn't even realize why he had stood until he knelt again, and she felt her back meet something much softer than the floor. That was also a fleeting thought as he only took a moment before he resumed his worship of her body. Elle writhed in his grip as she tried to touch him as well. He grabbed her hands to still them, but only for a moment. He kept one in his grasp, but his other hand went to her waist to still her body as he trailed kisses down the plane of her stomach.

His tongue traced her navel, which caused her to nearly growl in frustrated pleasure. She felt his lips turn up into a smile before he continued downward. He released her hand so he could grab her hips. She gladly opened to his ministrations as she buried her hands into his hair. As the first electric touch of his tongue hit her center, she released a sound that seemed to come from deep inside. Neither of them noticed the way her fingers fisted near his scalp as she tried not to lose herself entirely. It was a lost cause as one of his hands joined his efforts with his tongue.

It was not long at all until Elle started to feel a tightening in her abdomen. She had just enough consciousness to think to release Caius before the wave finally broke. She instead fisted her hands in the coverlet as a scream tore from her. Her tongue was trying to form his name, whether to beg him or to praise him was unclear.

It was several seconds later that her breathing became less erratic, and the stars cleared from her vision. She looked up to see him kneeling over her with the same worshipful look she had seen outside. The breath seemed to freeze in her lungs as he leaned closer and captured her lips in another searing kiss. She could taste herself on his tongue but hardly noticed as he pulled back far enough to whisper against her mouth.

"I have never been so blinded." It almost seemed like he had more to add, but he pulled further back and wiped a few damp strands from her face. Elle could feel the tenseness of his muscles against her, but his touch was feather-light, and his expression was soft as he spoke again. "Are you-"

Elle did growl that time as she reached up and grabbed his shoulders to cut him off. Her eyes flashed as she pulled herself up and pressed her lips to his for a moment before she leaned back again. "Don't even think about asking me if this is what I really want. I wouldn't have pushed you if I didn't."

He couldn't stop a chuckle from forming as he leaned down once again. He kissed the corner of her mouth before he answered. "I should not be surprised you know what you want."

She turned her head to kiss him once again. She sucked in his bottom lip and allowed her teeth to scrape it gently before she released him. She smirked as she felt the reaction his body had to her actions. Her voice was husky with need when she answered. "You are talking too much."

He arched a brow at her accusation, but she didn't give him a chance to respond before she pulled him down into a kiss again. She tried to push him back so they could switch positions, but she couldn't find the purchase to put any strength behind her actions to be successful. It didn't help that he reacted as soon as he realized what she was doing.

He grabbed her hands and pinned them above her head before he looked down with a smirk. "I don't think so. For once, you will allow me to be in charge without complaint." His grip on her wrists was tight, but Elle barely noticed as he dipped his head to run his nose up her neck before he gently bit her earlobe. His voice was a hot whisper in her ear that sent shivers through her whole body. "And you will enjoy it."

Elle could have sworn that she melted at that moment. He was right, of course. When he released her hands, she didn't try to push at him again. Instead, she grabbed his arms as he settled between her thighs. His eyes were burning as he lifted one of her legs and gently eased forward. Neither of them tried to hold back the groan as he filled her slowly.

Elle's nails were already making half-moon marks on his arms at the feel of him, and he had barely started. He pulled back just as slowly, and Elle tried to push against him. He released a breathy chuckle as he pulled back further. "You need to learn patience."

Her eyes jolted open, and she glared up at him. That expression was erased when he snapped his hips forward. Her body arched into him at the sensation that filled her. She then wrapped her legs around his hips to keep him from going too far. He chuckled as he leaned forward. She barely heard him over her own moan when he started moving again.

"Impatient and greedy."

She wanted to tell him to shut up and focus, but her own tongue seemed to be tied up as she got lost in the sensations their bodies were creating together. She needn't have worried about him being too talkative. It was not long before he was just as lost in their passion as she was.

Elle watched with wonder and fascination as each movement of their bodies seemed to bring them closer to the precipice. Caius' half-lidded gaze had darkened from lavender to a purple so deep she felt she could get sucked into the leashed chaos he held in them.

When her body seemed to pull him even deeper, Elle's eyes shut without her consent as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Caius' breath washed over her shoulder as she felt him tense as well. When she couldn't hold on any longer, she nearly screamed his name as she let go, and her release hit her with all the force of an earthquake. She felt the rumble of her name in his chest as it poured from his lips. The feel of her release had ushered him into his own.

It was a powerful feeling that rushed through her as she felt him join her in ecstasy. She almost felt like she was floating, even as she felt his larger form practically collapse on top of her. She wasn't bothered by the weight at all as she wrapped her arms around him.

It took them both a few minutes to catch their breath. As soon as Caius realized his position, he rolled to the side and pulled her with him. Elle settled comfortably onto his chest and let her head drop to his shoulder. It was several more moments before she felt his hand push her damp hair from her face. She looked up at him at the motion and felt a rush of something unfamiliar pass through her at the look he was giving her.

His voice was so soft she could barely hear him. "I do not know what this means, but I do know I am glad for it."

She shook her head before she pushed herself up far enough so that she could kiss the tip of his nose. He gave her a consternated look that she ignored as she smiled down at him. "You overthink things. We can discuss it later. For tonight, at least for this one night, just enjoy it. Don't think, just feel."

A look passed through his eyes that nearly took her breath away as his arms tightened. It only lasted a moment before he gave her a smirk. "Says the woman that avoids emotions like they are a particularly nasty form of leech."

Elle felt his words hit too close to home. It was only the fact that she knew he was teasing that kept her from getting up. He must have seen something in her eyes as he tightened his grip around her waist once again, and his smirk softened before he cupped her cheek. "Do not fear that I will ignore this."

She felt herself soften against him again as she pressed herself closer. "You think I would let you?"

He chuckled at her challenge, but it was quickly lost when she leaned in to kiss him again. He groaned into her mouth when he could already feel his body responding to her once again. He could already tell it was unlikely that either of them would get much sleep that night. He could only grin up at her as she sat back with a glint in her eyes.

"This time, I'm not where you can trap me."

His voice and breath both froze as he felt her slide down his body to start trailing kisses down his stomach. When he could finally breathe, it was to release a groan as she found the part of him that was already nearly ready again. She looked up once to catch his eyes. The look in them made him feel as though he was going to burn on the spot, but that was the last thing his brain could process as she grinned and lowered to take him into her mouth.

Neither of them noticed the passing of time after that. Their passion took them into the hours of the morning where the moon is gone, and the stars start to fade. When Elle finally succumbed to sleep, Caius knew he was not far behind. He only took long enough to marvel at the sight of her peaceful face before he pulled her closer and settled into slumber as well.

A/N2: And so we see it finally happen! I am so excited for this. This chapter marks the point where things start to get really interesting. I have some major plans for this and I hope you are all looking forward to it as much as I am. Thank you for reading!