Kaia

As soon as I stepped over that threshold, I felt every pair of eyes on me. But it was one particular set of eyes that had be wanting to shrink into myself until I could feel nothing at all. Laurent. I didn't need to turn to know it was him, but I did anyway and nearly brought my breakfast back up on the porch because of what I saw in those dark eyes. There was such hunger in that stare it made my body go cold. And the possessiveness I saw had me shivering. I heard I low growl from behind me, and could almost feel the anger rippling off of Aiden.
"It's fine." I whispered, and it would have been reassuring had my voice not shook ever so slightly.
"No, it's not." He growled, giving me a soft nudge – so different to the cold, hard rage displayed on his stunning features. I kept walking, keeping my eyes on Shreya as she skipped to our usual flying spot. The place we visited when Father was away. It was a small outcropping on the side of a mountain, surround by pine-trees with a small pond that was beginning to freeze over. My mother used to bring us here. It was one of her favourite places. It was her escape – just as it had become mine.

The walk wasn't exactly short, but it was good exercise. Aiden spent a majority of the time carrying Shreya gently (she had insisted) but quietly seething, no doubt about Laurent. We walked in silence. I felt his eyes that seemed to be blue, violet and grey all at the same time watching me.

When we reached the top, he set Shreya down and sighed, because the view that was provided could only be described as stunning. The sun was high in the sky now, setting the icy water of the pond shimmering.

Aiden

The walk hadn't bothered me, I had walked further distances before. I suppose I was glad that I ended up carrying Shreya – it stopped me from doing something stupid like flying back to the camp to punch Laurent, or from running my hands all over Kaia to be sure she wasn't still hurt, though I knew she was still carrying some bruises.

I didn't need to ask to know what she was thinking about. Her hands were shoved in the pockets of her pants, and I could see them clenched into fists beneath the material. She was thinking about Laurent – the male she was supposed the marry. The male her father was making her marry, against her will no doubt.

Her golden-brown hair swayed with every step she took, as did her hips. It was difficult not to look. But I instead focused on Shreya's little voice by my ear. She pointed out a tree and said," That is where I broke my nose because – "
"Because you were naughty and decided to fly without my supervision or permission." I chuckled as Kaia's sweet voice interrupted Shreya.
"At least I got off the ground." Shreya huffed, but she was smiling none-the-less.

We reached an outcropping on the side of the mountains, and I think I was gaping. The view was so beautiful. There was a small pond that was beginning to ice over, a cave that looked as though it hadn't been lived in by an animal in a long time. Shreya climbed out of my arms and began to look in the pond for 'fishies'. The view was absolutely stunning, but there was another view that I found even more beautiful.

Kaia was walking slowly to the edge of the outcropping, her arms catching the wind, and her hair blowing behind her like a golden veil. I was mesmerised. She walked to the very edge, her arms now spread wide, as were her wings that caught the sun turning them into a beautiful gold. She looked like an angel, but fear filled me as she walked straight off the edge. I jumped up but Shreya grabbed my hand.
"Wait." She said. Suddenly, there was a whooshing sound and Kaia shot out of no where up and into the sky. I could hear her sweet laugh as she flew in loops. Shreya sighed. "I wish I could do that."
"You will, one day." I told her, not taking my eyes off of Kaia. I wasn't sure how long it had been before Shreya asked, "Why do you always look at my sister?" I was surprised by her question, my eyes leaving Kaia to look at her smaller version.
"Your sister is very beautiful." I said quietly with a small smile.
"I know she is, but you look at her differently." Shreya said. For a little girl she was very smart and very aware of her surroundings.
"I suppose I do." I said, watching as Kaia flew closer until finally landing back on the outcropping slowing into a run, then into a jog, then into a walk. As she came closer I saw the look on her face, and I never wanted it to go away. Her hair was windblown but still perfect. A wide smile was spread on her face and she looked so wild and free.

Kaia

Aiden helped me teach Shreya to fly. It was helpful because unlike myself, Aiden actually knew how to train people properly, after all, it was kind of his job. We decided that we would stay here the night – Shreya and I usually did that anyway. Aiden heated the water in the pond so we could bathe. I helped Shreya undress ( Aiden made the entire space warm with his magic) then helped her bathe, then helped her back into her clothes. The sun had gone down long ago, so I had used my strange magic of golden light to make balls of light. They floated in the air like fireflies. I tucked Shreya in – we had brought bed rolls with us – then walked over to where Aiden lay on a rock looking at the stars because I couldn't help but follow that pull that led me toward him. I lay down beside him, instantly warmer from his body heat.
"You said you like the stars," he said.
"You remember that?" I asked with a small smile.
"Of course," he answered. "Can I tell you a secret?" he asked, rolling onto his side so he was facing me. I became aware of how close we were, and couldn't help but notice that his scent smelled of citrus and mist and sweet darkness, or how his eyes seemed to sparkly in the star light, or how his strong jar so perfectly framed his face, or how his full lips were tilted up in a small but raw smile, or how his strong shoulders and arms led to the hand he put between us, so close to mine. I could touch it if I wanted. Focus Kaia!
"If you want to." I whispered in reply. For some reason I felt breathless in his presence.
"You can't tell anyone. There is a place in the Night Court. It's were me and my family live. It's a city called Velaris. The City of Starlight. There is a beautiful river called the Sidra and lovely music and art. It's peaceful and beautiful, but even more beautiful at night. The stars glow so bright, and it is so beautiful – as beautiful as you." I was blushing. A lot. "One day, I would like to take you there." he said. He was being so open and honest and raw.
"I would like that very much." I whispered. He smiled and brushed a hand across my cheek, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

That was when it hit me and I gasped. My magic lights shone so bright for a moment it was hard to see, then returned to normal. I felt that light filling me from within – warm and powerful and lovely. It felt like home, and reminded me of citrus and mist and sweet darkness. And when I looked up at Aiden, I saw home. His eyes were wide, one hand on his heart, and it was almost like I could see that light in his eyes. I knew he had felt it too.

Mate

The word echoed through me and I couldn't believe it. I shot up from where we had been laying and had somehow gotten so close that we were almost nose to nose.
"I need to bathe." I said urgently and jumped off the rock, already hearing the water from the pond from behind the cave gurgling as he heated it. Not only did I need to bathe, but I also needed to get away from him. His scent had just become even more intoxicating, and I was worried if I didn't leave, I would of done something… I could feel his eyes boring into mine, it sent a shiver down my spine and heat pooling in my stomach. Oh no.

I wasn't worried about modesty, because what had just connected between us meant he would know what I was feeling anyway. I knew he could see me from where he sat on the rock, but I didn't particularly care. In fact, something within wanted him to see me, and somehow, I could tell he knew that. It found satisfaction in the fact that he seemed unable to take his eyes off of me. I was unusually brave as I pulled off my boots, then my shirt, then pulled down my leather pants until I was only in my undergarments. All of my common sense went out the window as I felt his eyes grazing over my body. So I continued to undress, pulling off my small undergarments, leaving me utterly naked. It wasn't the soft breeze that had my breasts hardening – it was his stare, even though he only had access to the back of me. I stepped into the water and saw in its reflection Aiden sitting on the rock, one hand clenched in a fist, the other running through his hair and his eyes glued to me. The water was nice and warm and I let out a sigh as it caressed my skin.

Aiden

Well, it had finally clicked into place – the mating bond – and I was struggling to say the least. I made the water warm for her with half a thought as she walked quickly away. I had thought perhaps she hadn't wanted to be near me, but as I felt her feelings through the fresh mating bond, I realised why she moved away. Being around me made her consider doing things that were perhaps … inappropriate. I would be lying if I said I wasn't feeling the same thing. I knew that when a mating bond first clicked into place the sexual tension that you had before been able to push down became unbearable. I was quickly learning that, and as her thoughts became clearer, I couldn't help myself. When she began to undress I found myself needing to occupy my hands to stop myself from grabbing her so I clenched them into fists. I found myself needing to take deep breathes as her body became fully exposed and she stepped into the water.
I knew what she was thinking. She was finding it just as difficult not to touch me. She was feeling brave – that had me smirking. But when the final thought filtered through, I lost all control. She wanted me to join her…

A/N: Hey guys, I hope you liked this chapter. Just so you know, the next chapter will be out soon – and be prepared – this is the part where it becomes M rated. Let me know if you think I need to change it to T rating.