Chapter XV

Although she was very tired, that night Selene couldn't sleep much. The meeting with Walden had made her to slip back into memories that she wanted at all costs to clear from her mind. She was clearly upset, but still tried to rest. When she was awakened by the same nightmare that haunted for the past five years, she decided it was no longer the case go back to sleep. She walked over to her old bag with shoulder strap, which always had. She drew the whey, to check that it wasn't damaged. She wrapped in several layers of cloth, and decided to put it in another bag, since her was already worn and damaged in several places. She opted for a sort of pocket that could hold at the waist by a kind of boundary. Even the elves, who used clothes from another era, used this method to bring the most precious things. She washed and dressed in a simple blue dress, cotton, not unlike the one she had worn the day before.

She went to the library to see if there were books within her reach. It was located in a room big enough, there were also several armchairs and desks where you could sit down to see the lyrics. At that time there was no living soul, with the exception of the royal guards who were watching her from afar. She looked the books. Unfortunately they were almost all in the Elven language. The few essays written in English were about anthropology and political sciences.

But in a corner, almost in the shadows, she saw an old yellow book, which had once been white. Its title was: The Lady of the Camellias by Alexandre Dumas. She took it immediately and began to read it, settling at one of the desks available. It was pretty smooth, but the image of death, very present in the novel, was very sad.

After a few hours of avid reading she was interrupted by a voice: "Still awaked?"

Prince Nuada was in the library, leaning against a pillar. Selene felt that he was watching her for some time. She got up immediately and curtsied, "Good night, highness.."

"Let the wee hours, is not it?" asked the prince amused.

The girl blushed, "Well ... I can not sleep, actually.."

"I see.."

After a long moment of silence, the Prince was able to ask: "What are you reading?".

"Dumas. The Lady of the Camellias.".

"I know that novel. I have to admit that humans are often able to surprise me with their artistic productions. Some wonders make me forget how greedy and disrespectful are they towards us.".

Pretending to ignore that comment, Selene said, "From your shares you are dedicated to the study of our texts, our culture, isn't it?".

"Of course we do, girl." Then he came and said ironically: "Sometimes we would like you to do the same with us.."

Selene looked down. She had not as challenging, since the prince was clearly right. But at some point, looking at the cover of the novel by Dumas, she had the idea to ask him: "Your Highness, do you believe in redemption?".

"Redemption?"

"Yes, is there nothing (in your view), who can redeem man from his condition, his transience ...?"

"I don't think so." Dry Nuada said. "And frankly, I don't know how can you believe in it, with that absurd idea of the serum…".

"Man is responsible for the most atrocious things, but even the most high and beautiful, sir.."

"I agree. But we can not sit here and wait for some good actions while they exterminate us.."

Selene was silent, thinking that it was useless to argue with him, and that only time could mitigate his deep contempt for human nature. Nuada turned away and said: "I wanted to talk you about what happened yesterday.."

Selene lifted his gaze towards him, "Yes, Sire?".

"That kiss ... It 'was a mistake. ... A moment of irrationality. I didn't bother…".

"You don't have to apologize, sir.."

"Yes, but…Let me be clear: you're a pretty girl but, feelingly speaking, I have nothing to give you." Dry said.

On hearing this, Selene felt a strong pain in her heart. But she thought, moreover, she wasn't be surprised. She couldn't certainly think that a handsome elven prince could have attentions to her. Maybe even he had a companion, a lover. The fault was her, she was left emotionally involved.

Prince Nuada turned to her and said, "I leave you to your reading. I don't want to bother you further.."

He left the library, leaving her alone with her anxieties. Selene didn't have the courage to open the book: "How did I be so stupid?" she scolded herself. And she kept repeating: "stupid, stupid, stupid!" She decided, however, that she wouldn't show her displeasure. If there was one thing that his mother had taught her, was to appear fair and proud, and not begging for love from anyone, let alone who is not willing to give it. She got up, believing herself to be well alone, that she didn't need to feel loved by Nuada, but a tear betrayed her, peeping from her eyes. However, Selene didn't give up, she didn't burst into tears. She wouldn't have done, not this time. She returned to her room, looking finally to rest.

When she step in leaving, she tried to drive away the darkness of her room, lighting a candle on the desk. She tried her nightgown, then pulled on her robe: the first conversation with the prince had taken away the sleep from her.

She sat on the bed, trying to rearrange her thoughts. Suddenly, a deep and authoritative voice said in a firm tone:

"Take off that robe!"

Selene spun around, terrified. Looking into the gloom, she caught a silhouette familiar to her. She put a sharper focus: was the prince Nuada.

With a trembling voice, she said, almost angrily: "You've terrified me!"

The prince didn't speak. Looking amused, approached her, touching her cheek and neck. To Selene he looked like he was watching shamelessly everywhere.

"You are never alone ... unfortunately." Finally he began to speak.

"W. .. what?".

"I told you to take off your robe. It hides the most important parts, and it bothers me ...". Prince whispered hoarsely. He was now very close to her.

Selene tried to compose herself, then she did a step away from him: "I cannot! I don't want.".

"No?" he asked ironically. "You want me. I feel inside you a rush that you always try to suppress.."

"Rush?" Selene asked hesitantly.

"Lust."

"What?" She exclaimed between disbelief and anger.

"Yes! Don't deny it." He said mockingly, as he rejoined her.

"But you said you would respected me… That you didn't want to bother me ..."

"Yes, I said.." At the questioning look of the girl said, "I can not control myself."

Selene was halfway between being flattered and frightened.

"But you told me that you haven't nothing to give me ...".

"It is true, too." said the prince dry. The many questions of the girl were irritating him.

"So, can I know what the hell do you want from me?" She asked angrily. It was the first time that the prince saw her so nervous.

"I want what we want both, woman!" He said, raising his voice. "What name do you give to it? Adventure, perhaps?".

"... You want me as your lover.."

"Finally you're here!" said ironic Nuada, speaking her as she was a stupid girl.

Selene stood petrified. She could not believe what the prince was proposing.

Prince Nuada took both of her hands: "Come on, Selene! We want each other. What are we waiting?" said, pointing to the bed with his eyes.

After all, it was true. Selene wished him. But she could not tolerate the idea of not being loved, of being treated as a toy ready to satisfy the sexual cravings of a man.

"Sire, I already said I cannot." she said in a whisper, freeing her hands from him.

"Rarely I don't get what I want!" Nuada said with authority. When she turned her eyes, he lifted her chin, taking care to look into her eyes. Selene remained ice, she didn't move a muscle, and when he gently slipped his tongue between her lips, she parted them, allowing him to taste her. It was all so strange. With his words he told her that he did not love her at all, but the sweetness of his kiss revealed more ...

He grabbed her hips, holding her own. His hands roamed along her back. He gently pulled her robe, founding her nightgown that revealing all her forms. The prince continued to brush her, with a finger he stroked her chin, neck, then he began to take off her shirt, revealing a shoulder. Selene began to blush at the touch magic and expert, he revealed her forbidden feelings she had never tried before. When Nuada kissed her neck, revealing a breast that he began to caress with a hand, the strange excitement that Selene had felt was accompanied by a fear.

Unexpectedly, the girl struggled, opposing strong resistance. The prince began to keep a steady his grip, but it was useless. The young woman had already been freed. She walked away from him for a few yards, then she just looked at him: she was clearly upset, and he was no exception. In the gaze of the prince, as well as a strong excitement, disappointment and anger were also read. They stared for a brief moment, that Selene seemed an eternity, then she ordered herself. Without even recover her robe, she ran away. To Prince Nuada also seemed to have heard her sobbing. He remained in that long-standing bedroom.