The dark Forest

by katsdaydreams

Alina had been told all her life about the dark being that lived in the woods behind her orphanage. She read all the folk lore and bedtime stories. At one time she believed them, but now older and left alone by her best friend. She doesn't believe in monsters, and she needs to escape through those same woods, who knew that she'd be taken by the Darkling. Darklina AU dark romance.

3. Chapter 3

Chapter three:

A/N:

I'm putting this here, because I really don't wanna risk it, despite this chapter not feeling too dark. Then, again that's only my jaded opinion, so please read the triggers, and be aware this is purely a work of fiction and should not be mistaken for a real loving relationship. I'm very long winded, but I say this all, just to let you know; If you are struggling with domestic abuse, get out, get help and learn how you can heal the physical and emotional scars. PLEASE do not stay with someone that brings you pain every day, for the hope of kindness tomorrow.

You are worth so much more.

Trigger warnings for chapter:

Violence/gore

Domestic violence (no hitting, but rough retreatment)

Some unwanted Sexualization

Age gap (felt like this was obvious with Darklina, but it is pointed out)

Thank you, and be safe out there. (Sorry, if I ruined the mood.)

Alina sat in the other sized chair for what felt like hours, the rain still assaulting the roof above her in the dark. She could still hear the roar of the fire around her with none of its light blessing her. She didn't cry this this time, she just felt annoyed and shunned like a naughtily child. He all but sent her to time out, but a more twisted, chilling version of it. She couldn't see a single thing, worried to move about the room due to the glass that littered the floors. She longed for her shoes. She wasn't sure when, but she started to see colors in the nothingness around her, her eyes trying desperately to see anything at all, that they were making their own views. She sighed, reminding herself that she had be strong, and focus. She had to get out of this room, away from the man that put her here. She can't let him manipulate her through kind gestures, understanding looks, threats or otherwise. She had to be brave and strong willed.

She pulled her head to her palms, cupping her face groaning. Brave? When has that ever helped her. It's what got her in this mess to begin. She remained, bent over till the nothingness started to fade to dreams of memories. She dreamed of the first time she met Mel, a wildly curly haired kid, a tangled messy mop over boyish charms. He showed up covered in mud, when she was only 4 years old. She stood outside, drawing circles in the dirt, when he asked her what she was doing. She had never met someone so helplessly in need of friendship. She dreamed of what he would look like at the age of 17. Would his hair be longer? Or would he have to have cut it to keep it from his face? Would he be handsome like Aleksander? No, He would be good-looking in an innocent kind of way, most likely still carrying around that same childlike charisma.

She was a woken by the creaking of an opening door, only half-sleep to begin with. She promptly pulled the lettering opener to her chest and held it, hugging it securely to her sternum. "I thought you were going to wait till I broke." Alina spat out to no answer, eyes searching in the dark. She listen keenly to any sound at all. The clack of boots against a smooth floor, then cracks of glass under soles. A pause, before the soft squeaks of a weight on what she assumed was the bed, the swishing of laces being undone, before the heavy thud of boots being thrown on the floor. She stiffed to concrete as the realization hit her. He was getting undressed.. She held her breath, gripping the opener even tenser. She had never seen a naked man before, not counting Mel, when he took his shirt off during hot summers, because he was just a boy then.

She closed her eyes so tight, she felt her nose wrinkle, as she heard him stand shredding off what she figured was his leather pants by the crinkling, then throwing them to side as well. Then, squeaking again, and the rustling of blankets, followed by adjustment after adjustment, then full silence.

Was he really planning on sleeping? She thought, and just contented to strain her ears to listen to the light breaths that filled the room. She waited and waited till she was sure he was genuinely asleep. She knew she couldn't waste this golden opportunity. He was variable and bare, this was her chance, she had to strike.

She, as quietly as a mouse, rose from her seat, shuffling her feet, making sure that she didn't land on any glass, freezing when she kicked the fallen table making a very light thud. She stopped to listen, if he had awaken, but his breathing remained the same. She sighed in relief, as she contented on, around the table with her arms outstretched, combing through the air for the pillar of the bed, that should be close to her by now. She smiles once her fingers skimmed the expertly carved designs, that curved up the log of wood. Once there, she moved herself, bit by agonizing bit onto the bed. Freezing as she felt him shifting, then steading himself, yet again.

She finally stopped moving altogether once the bed started to dip under a heavier weight, heat radiating from his body. Without a second though, Alina pounced. Wrapping her legs over his hips and plunging the opener into his warm skin to the hilt. Earning her a distressed bellowing low voice, the darkness fading away immediately to reveal, a wounded shirtless Aleksander. Fully in view, now that the fireplace lit the room around them. Alina remained on his hips, as he fisted the small knife, dwarfed by his large hand, falling back into the pillows under him. And for only a flash, she thought she had done it, only for her hopes to be dashed. As he gasped, his eyes shooting opening wide, pulling the steel object from his chest. The sound of sickening tearing and wet snapping, filling the room, blood spilling and splattering from the now, unrestricted wound. He looked down at the bloody tool in his hand in utter shock, face contorting and twisting with disbelief.

"Well, that didn't work.. This is how I die. To a crazy man." Alina that thought wondering if tonight would truly be her last.

88888888888888888

Aleksander

"A LETTER OPENER! REALLY?" He boomed, holding it up to her, then throwing it over Alina's shoulder sending it flying cross the room. She looked too dumbfounded, to even response. She just gawked at the gash in his flesh, wonder how he was still breathing, let alone yelling.

"Are you out of your damn mind, woman?!" He roared, grabbing her arms and violently shaking her. With no answer, growling, he flipping her over to her back, pinning her wrist above her head effortless with one large hand. Reaching down, touching the wound with his other, looking at the flowing crimson on his fingertips. She frantically tried to break free, wiggling and bunking her hips like a wild animal. As he just simply squeezed his knees into her ribs harder. He sat on her fully, instead of just straddling her waist. Letting his weight, do most of the work. He ignored her struggling completely, not having to even think about it. While, he just rubbed at his chest more in discomfort than really pain, shaking his head still overcome by annoyed surprise.

"This frail looking girl really just tried to kill me, with a goddamned letter opener of all things."

Traveling his view to below him, he peered down at the girl still raring to break free. Her hair wildly sprawled all around her, face flushed with hot hatred and determination, sweat gathering on her forehead, from her efforts. Her rare, odd beauty in that moment, shocked him just as much as his bleeding heart. Her clothing revealing more of her cleavage than appropriate and bare shoulders. The thin fabric ripped, falling a few inches below her exposed, delicate collarbone and soft curves at top of her smaller breasts. He tilled his head backward, taken a back at the sight under him, his rage fading dimly to aggravated fascination. How had he not noticed before, her doe yet, fierce eyes, and button nose that was tilted ever so slightly upward. Or Her full red lips, and curving body. She was undeniably exquisite, with her thick curled black hair and pale rosy skin.

Before, she was just someone he suspected that had the same powers as him. Knowing now that he very well, he could be wrong. He still had hoped they could share platonic conversation or kill the loneliness in his bones, but now...With her under him, looking sexily flushed and sweaty. He wasn't so sure, platonic, would be how he'd describe it anymore.

He was brought back to the present, as she whimpered out of frustration. Looking like she just wanting nothing more than to finished the job she started. Continuing, to press her body deeper against him with every thrash. Unknowingly, creating friction between his legs, with only thin briefs to cover his length. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, exasperated at himself, as well as the girl. He felt betrayed by his own body.

"Stop struggling, Alina." He hissed shoving her wrists back into the bed with a jolt, fed up with the way she was making him think and feel. Alina refused to give up, only twisting and turning more violently. Aleksander grinded his hips further into hers, unconsciously, repressing a pleased groan that was on the tip of his tongue. He slipped his eyes closed, starting to enjoy the pleasure building in his lower abdomen. Growling and rolling his head back, he found his breaths beginning to labor. He hadn't been this close to someone in centuries, and it showed. Raging against his carnal instincts, wanting nothing more than to tear her gown from her unexplored skin, and ravishing the woman under him. His body burning at the temptation, he tried to reined himself in. Snapping his eyes back open, resolve finally setting in his bones. He wasn't going to let his girl walk over him, just because he craved her touch. He was not going to be so easily persuaded.

"I SAID, STOP!" Aleksander growled inches from her face, their noses brushing, lips agonizingly close. If she didn't stop wiggling under him, right then, he was going to lose control. That would mean she had some kind of power over him, and he couldn't allow that. She stilled finally, with a huff, blowing pieces of her hair from her damp face, scowling and gritting her teeth.

"I will never stop, for however long you hold me here, I will keep fighting. I won't be your caged bird! I'd rather die!" She hissed out, head butting him as hard as she could, truly throwing out any thoughts of appeasing him altogether.

He flinched backwards an inch, clenching his jaw and groaning from deep in his throat. It hurt but, just barely. Aleksander wanted to be angry, he wanted to be irate. But, with her before him now, just fighting to be allowed her freedom, so purely, he couldn't blame her. Yet, he also couldn't let her think she could continue to disrespect him.

Knitting his brows, admiring not just her beauty, but also her fortitude. He racked his brain of ways he could convince her, that he wanted in some ways to free her too. That he was just as trapped in this castle, as she was. He scanned the blood covering her tattered and torn gown, curly brown locks stuck to her damp neck and checks, frowning. He wanted nothing more to just rest his head against her heart, to be comforted by the rhythmic beats. To feel her hands in his hair, speaking soft words to him. He wanted her to understand him, to know him. Rejection and loneliness, raising its ugly head again, barring deeply into his soul.

Was I really so selfish to want that? Even, if It is in a complicated situation.. Am really such a horrible man, to want these things? Am I a monster for simply no longer wishing to be alone? Is that really all I am to her? A monster? The thoughts seeping ice into his veins, causing attraction to cool in the face of cold, hard despondency.

"Fine.." He felt his resolve breaking under the weight of familiar heartbreak, releasing her wrists, while still straddling her hips. "Make me your villain."

I'm used to playing the part. He thought cruelly.

He didn't even allow his words to fully sink in, before grabbing her ankle chain and stepping out of the bed, letting the links slide through his finders. He gave her one more stoic look over, her face turning to one of confusion, unsure of what he was going to do next. While, any emotion on his face, even anger faded, giving away to a blank expression. Allowing himself, the cold apathy he had grown accustom to.

He tightening his fist around the links, then pulled. Hard. Earning him a shrill shriek from the young woman, sending her crashing to the dense marble below. The thud of bone against stone, making his upper lip curl in a small cringe. He grinded his teeth together, biting back any remorse. Just reminding himself this was the same woman that stabbed him in the heart only moments before. She was not as innocent as it seemed.

He pivoted on his heels and dragged her towards the door behind the right side of the bed, knowing the chain could extend all the way in the bathroom. Ignoring, the slapping of her hands, trying to get any grip on the smooth surface. She grabbed at whatever she could. Hurling insults all while, knocking small tables, statues, and vases over, as she latched on to them desperately. Just to be yanked backwards with ease. His strength no match for the feeble girl that he dragged behind him.

He enviably breeched the door, with one more strong tug, prying her fingers from the door frame. She was slid all the way back beside his large porcelain clawfoot bath. He picked up her smaller frame effortlessly. Then, proceeded to toss her carelessly into it. Twisting and securing the chain around the faucet head, keeping her restrained to just that area.

The second he took a step back, she instantly started to tug wildly at the chain, straining the gold metal it was attached to.

"If you want to boil to death, keep pulling on that chain." He stated flatly, strolling calming to the towering cabinet across from the bathtub, beside a large black counter top. He kept his eye on her through the huge ornate gold mirror above the counter, as he lit the candles and opened the hatch to the cabinet. Revealing, many glass bottles, soaps and salts.

"And, just what is that supposed to mean?" She growled back positioning her feet against the tub for better lavage, the faucet starting to leak small droplets in protest.

"Going to throw scalding water on me?" She rolled her eyes in the reflection of the mirror.

"Won't have too." He grunted, examining body washes and fragranced shampoos in front of him, before deciding on rose scent, and gathering them. "The water's heated. It's quiet hard to control how hot temperature is without the levers. Break them off, I'll leave you there to burn."

"You're lying," She said looking skeptical, but pausing her actions all the same. Watching, as he turned around to face her.

"Do you really want to take that chance?" He asked, leaning against the granite black counter behind him. "I can tell you, first hand, burning alive is not the way to go. But, be my guest." He propped his hands on the edge of the stone, waiting. She twisted her soft features into such an intense glare, that he was sure, she thought it would somehow help her, read his mind.

After a minute or two of prolonged eye contact, she dropped the chain, letting it clank against the porcelain that surrounded her. He smirked at his small victory, only making her glare even harder. He was surprised, it was even possible.

"Are you done?" Sighing, he raised his eyebrows, stretching his eyelids and blinking slow, showing his exaggerated boredom.

She didn't answer, but he expected no less. As he just turning back around, pulling a thick, fluffy towel and a slightly smaller, thinner one from the same compartment. He gathered all supplies into one strong arm, pulling a small stool along with him. He dropped the shampoo and bodywash on the floor, and positioned it at the opposing side of the white tank. He quickly tossed the thinner towel at her. He couldn't hide the snicker that escaped, as she tried to catch it, missing and letting it hit her right in the face.

She huffed like a child, red tenting her face and pulled it from her head.

"Take off your dress, it's ruined, you can use that to cover yourself." He barked his orders, tugging the stool under him, while sitting, his knees hitting the brim of the tub.

She gave him a look of horror, shaking her. "What in that head of yours, thinks I'd ever do that! And, with you right there, no less?" She spit out the words in a rush, throwing the towel back at him to punctuate 'right there.' She crossed her arms in a huff, looking away defiantly.

"Would you rather me tear it off you, Solntse?" He held out the towel again, in front of her, raising cocked eye brow. "It would be my pleasure." He gave a mocking smirk.

"You wouldn't dare!" She gasped, eyes wide, clutching her nonexistent pearls.

"What do you think? I'm a man, aren't I?" He dangled the towel from his finger almost playfully moving it from side to side. Waiting impatiently, as she pursed her lips and glowered at the wash cloth. "You have three seconds, before I do just that." He held up three long fingered, lowering one…Two…- She snatching the towel aggressively from his fingers.

"Ass." She mumbled under her breath, blushing madly at this point, keeping her gaze from meeting his.

He smirked satisfied, tilting backward and crossing his arms over his chest. He grimacing, as his arms grazed his wound, causing it to sting. Reminding him, just how impressed he was, that she even had the guts to try and kill him. If he were a mere man, it would have worked too. He watched as she awkwardly shifted around, her back to him, standing up, still inside the bathtub.

He set his jaw, as she wrapped the towel around her tight, pulling the skirt of the nightgown up under the towel as more and more of her legs. Scraps and brushes came into view. Without thought, he trailed his eyes up her calves, back of her knees, following the tattered hem of the fabric, till it reaches the top of her milky smooth thighs right under her plump.. -Then instantly, diverting his eyes, before anything else came into view. Desperately, trying to focus on anything other than her soft skin. He frowned, feeling heat raise to his ears. It took all the will power he possessed to keep his eyes on ceiling.

He returned his gaze, only after, he felt blood dampen fabric being thrown at him. He caught it to his chest, the addition of her underwear, didn't go unnoticed either. He shallowed hard, trying his best not to dwell on the thought. Instead, he drank in the full view of the pale girl, now facing him. Wrapped in nothing else but the short towel that she held tight to herself, covering as much as possible, as she sat back down as far away as she could.

She was so simply beautiful, that it hurt to just look at her and not have a taste for himself. He blinked a few times, pulling his lips into a straight line.

The hell is wrong with me? She just a brash, ill-behaved girl..

"Satisfied?" She snapped, clearly not happy with herself.

He shook himself from his thoughts and tossed the ruined fabric to the waste bin, missing but, regaining his composer.

"Utterly." He mumbled, as unemotional as he could. Not wanting to show the very real satisfaction, he honestly felt.

Leaning over, he started to run the water, checking it every so often. Alina shrinking away from the cool water that flooded into the center of the tub. Finally warm, he plugged the drain. He noticed, her slipping her bare feet under the steaming water, signing at the warmth.

"Why are you even giving me, a bath. When it's you that's covered in blood." The sharped tongued girl, now more relaxed, but not by much. Sinking into the water, as it rose above her knees and hips, leaning into the curved porcelain behind her.

Aleksander casted his attention to the body wash to his right, and picked it up. Pouring a large glob onto an organic sponge. "Who says, I'm not going to getting in with you." He scoffed at her dread, only half joking. He glance down at himself, seeing blood smeared and spilling over well-defined abs, staining all the way down his black briefs. He honestly need one..

"I'll drown you.." She mumbled. "Does it even hurt?"

He frowning, he looked back up at her. Her eyes fixed firmly on the wound that had already stopped bleeding a while ago. "Sure, but I've had much worse. So, comparatively. It's not so bad."

Noticing the tub was full, he turned off the water. Then, picked up her arm that he was surprised she didn't pull away, and rubbed the sponge against her hand and up her shoulder. He did his best to exfoliate the dirt and blood from her hands. Her fingers were so boney and thin with grime under long nails. Did this girl ever eat? He made a mental note to go to hunting tomorrow, he could make a fresh meal. He was running low on rations, anyways. Maybe, sneak into town for something sweet for her.. She did like the cinnamon rolls. Perhaps, she had a sweet tooth. She acted like a child, the way she took bites of the pastries. He suddenly felt creepy, not knowing her age.. She had to be at least 17, he swore she mentioned that. Oh god.. what the fuck is wrong with me? He thought repulsed by himself. Platonic. He reminded himself, but who was he kidding? He obviously thought she was beautiful.

"Are you trying to sand my skin off?" Alina complained, snatching her arm and the sponge from his hand. He blanched, pulled from thought, feeling odd that he was so quickly taken over by them. He really was too use to being alone. He must have been scrubbing circles into the same spot without realizing.

"Forgive me, I was just wondering how old are you, again?" He asked furrowing his brows. Needed to create distance, getting up and walking to the counter, leaning against it.

"I'm seventeen. Eighteen come this January." She gave him, an odd look, before shaking her head and starting to clean herself. "I told you this morning."

He breathed out in relief, well I narrowly avoided that bullet.. He thought. Wait, I'm supposed to playing her villain, wasn't I? So, why am I so relieved? Why am I bathing her? Why am I thinking of what food she might like? He rubbed his face, grinding into his eyes.

His head was spinning, as he ran hands through his thick hair, grabbing a small wash cloth from the cabinet, wetting it at the sink. He frowned into the mirror, scrubbing away the blood on his chest and stomach as if it would wash his sins away too. Still, sneaking glances at the girl washing behind him. Washing her shoulders and neck, dipping her hair into the warm water, towel barely covering her breasts now, feeling more secure now that his back was to her. He slowed his cleaning, just staring at her in the mirror, the towel drifting even looser, in her movements. Showing off her bare back, bent over elegantly with beauty marks kissing her creamy skin. Polishing her legs, showing the side of her cleavage, as she reached further down, just barely behind her dainty arm.

He was completely frozen, outright staring. His mouth went dry, and heart started to race, wondering how much lower the towel would fall. He didn't have to wonder for too long, as Alina glanced over, catching his eyes. Shit, he stiffened immediately turning around, heart pounding, holding the wet washcloth to his side. He was cautght..

"HEY!" She snapped pulling the towel, back firmly around her. She examined his face, as he just swallowed hard, his features instantly turning flat.

"You're not much to look at. So, don't flatter yourself." He snapped, not even knowing why he chose to say it. she just made him so... Frustrated, in more than one way. He closed his eyes tight, regretted the words the second they tumbled from his lips. He opened them after a moment, but wish he hadn't. She looked so taken a back, before slumping her shoulders. Running a hand insecurely down her hair, hiding behind it and looking away. No longer seeming angry, just disappointed?

He opened his mouth to apologize, but closed it again. He really wasn't sure what to say.

"You're not exactly a picture of masculine perfection either. So, perhaps you should consider lowering your standards." She just sounding so hurt. Returning to angerly rubbing her feet under the water. "You don't look like a monster, but you certainly act like one." She scoffed, turning to reach for the bottle of shampoo, but struggling to both cover herself and bending over the edge of the tank.

He hatted to admit it, but that stung a little. Warranted, but still stung none the less. He watched as she leaned over, readjusted the towel awkwardly and leaned over again, huffing annoyed. Aleksander pushed off the counter, rolling his eyes, and grabbing the shampoo, moving the stool behind her.

"I can do it myself, thank you!" She snapped, swinging her head around, glowering at him. "I don't need my hair to fall out." She murmured, clearly annoyed at his carelessness with her arm.

He sat behind her anyways, much to her dismay. "I'll be more gentle this time, you have my word." He wanting nothing more than to be able to erase the last 10 minuets.

"Why would I trust your words, when you have already proven how ungentle you can be, Darkling." She snarled, fingers griping the rim of the tub sternly, moving her face closer. Driving the title in to his heart like a twisting dagger. Or a letter opener, his mind added.

He took a deep breath, trying not to react to the pinching in his chest. She was right, of course. He didn't deserve her trust, the villain he knew he could be.. Yet still, maybe if he could convince her otherwise, he might be able to convince himself..

He rubbed his face, not having a single clue how to respond. What was he going to say? He's made a complete fool of himself. Fury burning up his ears at his own dimwitted actions, and his infuriating mind for not coming up with the perfect words. Inward annoyances, showing as outward growls, as Alina flinched, dipping lower in the tub. Only serving the hatred at himself. He rubbed his face aggressively.

"I deserve that.." He finally spit out, more accusatory than apologetic as he wanted it to sound. He ran his hands through his hair again, keeping them locked behind his head, observing her mouth slack open, then clamp shut again. She frowned, inspecting her fingers as she twiddled them, "But, you can either allow me to wash your hair, or have it remain dirty. Your choice." He added, as she turned around slowly, showing her beautiful spine. Her damp skin glistening against the candle light.

"Fine.. but, don't make me regret it." She muttered, leaning back, flipping her hair over the lip of the tub.

Aleksander couldn't resist the small smile that tugged on the corner of his lips, as he picked up the shampoo bottle beside him and dabbled some of its contents into his hand, the smell of rose filling the room. He started by drifting his fingers under the long strands and twisting the locks around, covering them with the scented substance. Then, moving to her scalp, softly grinding his fingertips though her hair, massaging her head.

He could feel her body slowly began to melt under his movements, resting fully into his hands. A small 'mm' vibrating from her lips, as she slipped her eyes closed, long dark lashes contrasting her pale rosy cheeks. The hums of her breaths in rhythm to kneading digits. He examined her parting lips, revealing the bottoms of white perfect teeth, as she breathed easy. He thought back to earlier that morning, while still paying close attention this time to washing her hair. He drew over the moment he had told her that he was lonely, truly thinking that with her being an orphan, she'd understand.. Perhaps, he was wrong.

"Did you have friends at your orphanage?" He asked quietly, before he was even aware of doing so.

She gave another small hum in response that sound like a yes, but added, "Well, Kind of. I grew up with a boy, but he was taken away to work the mines, the work force. When I was about 12 or so." She mumbled softly, eyes still closed, enjoying the massage.

"I see, were you lonely after his departure?" He pried further, truly wondering what made this head strong woman tick.

She signed in thought. "Yes, but also no. I missed him, he was my best friend. But, It felt more like a piece of me was missing, rather than loneliness. Plus, I was constantly surround by other girls, that made me feel like I had no real privacy. So, I don't really think I was lonely.." She finished arching her neck side to side, as he scrubbed away at the right then the left side of her head. He gave a minor nod of understanding, despite her not being able to see him. A part of him grew jealous, not for her attention being on someone else. Or the fact, she was most likely still in love with this boy she spoke of, but of the companionship they both shared.

"Did you love this boy?" He asked continuing to rub her head, adding more soap into the mixture as it lathered creating suds.

"I would say, I love him. But, it's been so long, and I haven't been in contact with him for all these years now…" She opened her eyes, playing with the edge of the towel around her, as the man behind her rubbed at the nape of her neck. "He's probably forgotten all about me by now.." An edge of sadness twisted the last words, making Aleksander's chest tight. He knew that feeling all too well, his heart had been broken many times over the course of his long lifetime.

"I see.. Well, if he has, as you said, forgotten about you. He's a fool." He stated firmly knowing his words to be true.

"Coming from the man that says I'm not much to look at." She scoffed quietly, but not in a harsh tone, drifting her eyes back closed.

He frowned deeply wanting to hit himself. She was so young, and still so insecure about so many things. Little comments like his own, only adding fuel to fire to the insecurities.

"Well, I can be a fool at times too, age doesn't prevent that." He said to himself, as well as the beautiful girl before him.

She gave a comfortable giggle, that caused shivers to course up his spine. He hadn't heard her laugh in that way before, and he craved more..

"How old are you anyways.." She asked curiosity painting her syllables.

He signed this time, thinking. He hadn't thought about the number in so long. He didn't really like to, honestly. "Well, I want to say I lost count, but I'm around 400 or so.." He said releasing her hair. "Rinse, I'll grab the conditioner." He said standing as she turned her head in astonishment.

"Your kidding, Really?" She said looking at him in disbelief.

He chuckled at how cute her flabbergasted features looked, eyes wide and eyebrows raised. "No, I don't age, now rinse." He reminded her, as she dunked under the water moving her head around, then remerging with a gasp. She smoothed her hair back down, as he grabbed the other bottle from the cabinet and walked back. Then turned her head gently back around, "Lean back."

She did so, and looked up at him with childlike wonder swirling in her round golden eyes. "Why don't you age?"

"Well, Every hundreds of years or so, people with powers like me, are born. But the woman that raised me, didn't age either. Perhaps, it's just my bloodline. A mutation of sorts." He said thinking back to his mother, and how lonely they were traveling from country to country trying to out run who they were.

"So, your mother was the same as you? Why have I never heard of her?" She asked eyes still fixed on him, as he combed the conditioner through her long main.

"Well, she kept us hidden for many years. But, there was a time when I gave up on running away. She never did." He mumbled wonder where his mother was, if she was still running or was able to keep her powers hidden and settled down. Perhaps, she even died, who knows. "I wanted to find someone that was like me. If there was others out there."

"Was there?"

"I still don't know." He couldn't tell her, that it was her that he originally expected to have the same powers as him. Not yet, at least. When she flew through the forest, he heard loud ringing, that filled the darkness that he flooded the forest with. He traced it back to her, where she was glowing ever so slightly in the dark. That's how he found her to begin with. It was the same ringing he heard from his mother. As wrong as he may be, he still hoped, that his eyes didn't deceive him that night.

She pulled her gaze to the ceiling and pursed her lips. "How do you know you have these powers?"

He was glad that she was curious about this side of him, instead of being disgusted by it as she had been. "In intense states of emotion, the power will surface. For it to emerge though, it has to be a very specific emotion. For me, It's fear. It came about when I was about to be drown by a few boys that I had trusted. I sliced them in half, saving my life but killing them. I was about 13. But for my mother, It was sadness." He said as he wrapped her hair around his hands, and unwrapped it, getting out all the tangles from her hair.

"Is that why people call you the Darkling? Because of that." She glanced back up at him still confused by the stories she most likely had heard all of her life.

He didn't want to answer, didn't want to think of the past as he just shook his head. Not even wishing to bring it to light. It was too shameful, too horrific. He didn't want her to think of him that way, even if she already did. "No, now rinse your hair." He mumbled getting up and grabbing the fluffy towel and drying his hands. She did so, as Aleksander pulled the plug from the drain, the water draining into the little hole.

He loosed the chain from around the faucet, and dropping it now lose, holding the towel opened for her. She stepped out of the bathtub, as he wrapped it around her, and rubbed his hands up and down her arms. She pulled away to look at him, wrapping the blanket like towel around her, letting the wet one fall to the ground from under it.

"So, why do they write storied of you. Like, the one about you luring young girls into the woods, and stealing their souls." She said now having the ability to step farther away from him, creating distance.

He signed and all but swatted her words away. "I don't wish to share at the moment, now wait here." He said sternly again, her prying starting to grade on his nerves. As he stocked from the bathroom, back to the bedroom, pulling an old night gown from it. It was thin strapped with silky material, and lace flowers adoring its neck line. He carried it to the bathroom and handed it to her, still on the hanger.

She stared at it and looked back at him. "Is this your mothers?" She asked trailing her hands along the lace floral pattern, admiring the elegant sleeping wear.

"No, just put it on. I'm rather tired now, and still have to clean the glass from the room." He said turning back around, headed for a broom, walking out of the bedroom, grabbing it from the hall closet, and returning. She stood in the door way of the restroom, now in the gown, drying her hair with the towel.

He paused after closing the door behind him. She was stunning in the nightgown looking radiant, her hair now just as silky as the dress she wore, and a figure that was better show cased now than with the oversized, frumpy dress she had been wearing earlier. He cleared his throat, and hurried to start sweeping up the broken glass, starting by righting the table on the floor, standing it back up.

"Do you not like talking about your past." She contended with her interrogating. Watching as he swept the glass into the dustpan, then dumping it into the waste bin at his desk, then retrieving the letter opener from the floor and tossing it into the top drawer of his desk and locking it.

"Yes, so stop putting your nose where it doesn't belong." He growled pointing the dustpan at her momentarily before clipping it back to the broom and resting it against the wall beside him. He walked back to his drawers, grabbing a fresh pair of briefs from the middle drawer, and walking past her into the bathroom.

"I was only curious!" She stated with a huff turning around, her body inches from his own, just barely on the other side of the doorway. He could feel her breath against him making his stomach flip and hands itch to touch her, but her aggravating words keeping him in check.

"Do you mind?" He said holding the clean brief up to her, letting her know he wanted to change without her lingering eyes.

She blushed madly, instantly breaking eye contact and stepping back pulling the chain from the door way. He closed the door in her face, and looked in the mirror, heaving out his breath. He looked up at himself and scowled at his reflection. I was the monster she thought I was. He thought. Why did he ever think that any of this would work.. He growled pulling his eyes away from his own face. He ripped his boxers off, replacing them with the new ones, grumbling to himself as he straighten up the bathroom and cleaning any remaining blood from his skin. He grabbed a bandage from the drawer under the counter, taping it to the now slightly smaller gash on his chest. He unwrapped his other hand now seeing the bite mark missing completely. He opened and closed his fist a few times, testing it, but no discomfort came.

He signed no longer even amused at his own healing abilities, as he walked back to the door opening it and walking out to see Alina on the other side of the bed, looking at the fireplace, back turned to him as she braided her hair to one side, securing it with a thin ribbon that most likely came from her old night gown. He didn't really have anything else he wanted to say to her at the moment. He wasn't lying when he stated, he was tired. He started stocking around the room blowing out any candles that were still lit, before returning to the bed and sitting down.

He felt her crawl under the covers behind his back, as far as she could on the other side, right on the edge of the large bed. He signed before clapping his hands, sending them into complete darkness. Crawling back into the bed, covering himself. Staying near his side, giving her, her space. "Goodnight, Solntse." He whispered into the night.

"Night." She whispered back after a long minuet. He smirked, felling grateful for the response, letting him know he wasn't alone in the dark. That he now, had her.

The light in his darkness

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Hello beautiful people,

Thank you so much for reading, hope you liked this chapter, I know that things are moving slow, but don't worry sexy scene are to come. I just love the slow burn that comes with lover to enemy stories, and for me it just makes the sex scenes waaaaay better. Lol anyways.. Hope you the story is to your liking, and let me know if it wasn't and why in the comments. I'm always looking to improve, so don't go easy on me! I would truly like to know.

Thanks again,

Katt =^.^=