Chapter 19

Aberration

As Aurelia stepped out into the garden she let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. A soft breeze touched her face as she closed her eyes. Things have begun to change. I've never meant to cause you any distress, he had told her.

She replayed Ondolemar's words in her head over and over. Remembering the way he had looked at her, the softness in his voice, and the way he had lightly squeezed her hand.

Aurelia's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Halbjorn's paws padding softly on the ground as he cautiously made his way towards her. Her feline companion could always sense when there was something troubling her.

The Sabre cat paused a few paces from her. He sat down and looked into Aurelia's eyes as his ear flicked. Then he cautiously made his way towards her and nuzzled his head onto her. Aurelia scratched behind his ears. "Hey boy. I'm so happy to see you," she whispered with a small smile.

Halbjorn was now a full grown Sabre cat. He had grown to be so big, many places he use to squeeze into as cub he could no longer fit. Though he still slept in Aurelia's chambers, curled up at the foot of her bed every night. Aurelia smiled to herself as she recalled the day she realized Halbjorn no longer fit in the palace library. His broad shoulders had hit a shelf causing it to wobble and nearly topple over.

Halbjorn's ears perked up, his eyes focused on something behind Aurelia across the garden. Ondolemar stepped out from the shadows and made his way towards Aurelia. Halbjorn padded over to him, his movements slow and deliberate. Ondolemar paused in surprise as the creature nudged his head against his arm and let out a deep rumbling chuff before settling down a few feet away.

"It looks like you've passed his inspection, justiciar," Aurelia said teasingly.

Ondolemar's lips quirked slightly, but only for a brief moment. "You left in a rush, your highness. I wanted to ensure all is well."

"I'm fine, Ondolemar." She began, unable to meet his gaze. "Though I could have gone without the vague, cryptic responses from you."

He raised an eyebrow, "vague, cryptic responses?" He repeated. "No, Aurelia. I meant what I said, I do not wish to burden you." He said quietly, stepping closer as he brushed a stray hair from her face.

Aurelia's heart fluttered as her brows furrowed. She asked, "why?"

Ondolemar's eyes flicked down to her lips, he hesitated a moment before leaning down, pressing his lips to hers. The kiss was gentle, almost tentative.

As they pulled apart, the kiss left a soft warmth between them. Aurelia opened her eyes to see Ondolemar gazing down at her with a look of longing. His eyes flicked down to her lips once more, a silent question in his gaze. She didn't pull away, instead she met his gaze with an unspoken invitation. His hand moved slowly from her face to the back of her neck, drawing her closer.

Aurelia's heart raced as the space between them closed. Ondolemar's lips met hers again, this time with more urgency. His mouth moved against hers with a quiet passion.

Aurelia instinctively placed her hands against his chest. Her fingers curling at the fabric of his robes pulling him closer. The kiss grew deeper, more urgent, like they were trying to make up for lost time. Ondolemar moved his hand lower, cupping her face, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw as he kissed her with more fervor, coaxing her into the rythm. She let herself melt into his touch feeling his warmth against her body.

When they finally pulled apart, they remained close, their forehead resting against each other. Before either of them could speak, Halbjorn stood from he'd been sitting nearby. His ears perked up as the sound of hurried footsteps neared the garden. When he saw it was Seraphine, Aurelia's lady-in-waiting, he let out a low rumble before sitting back down.

Aurelia pulled back abruptly as Ondolemar straightened, his expression snapping back to his usual mask of composure.

Seraphine slowed her steps, but didn't stop, use to the Sabre cat's presence. Her gaze flickered between them. She gave a polite nod to Ondolemar before addressing Aurelia. "Your Highness? There's a certain matter that requires your attention, my lady."

Aurelia sighed, "of course, I'll be right there."

Seraphine hesitated, glancing at Ondolemar, her brow knitting unsure of the tension in the air. "Shall I wait for you?" She asked cautiously.

"No, it's fine. I'll follow you shortly," Aurelia reassured her.

Seraphine curtsied and departed, leaving Ondolemar and Aurelia alone once more.

Aurelia shifted in her feet, avoiding his gaze. "Well, it seems duty calls," she said, her tone light.

Ondolemar inclined his head, his posture was impeccable and formal. "As it always does."

She hesitated a moment before saying, "goodnight, Ondolemar."

"Goodnight, your highness," he replied.

As Aurelia walked away, she felt the weight of his gaze on her back.

Ondolemar watched as Aurelia departed the garden with Seraphine. He stood composed, with his hand clasped behind his back and his face remained stoic. A stark contrast to the swirling emotions beneath his composed demeanor.

Once Aurelia was out of sight, Ondolemar made his way to leave the garden. Before he could leave, Sybille stepped out from the shadows. She crossed her arms, "Quite a breach of protocol, justiciar."

Ondolemar stopped in his tracks, turning his head slightly as to acknowledge Sybille. "I wasn't aware I need your counsel on matters of protocol."

Sybille stepped closer, "oh please, sharing a moonlit kiss in the garden with the King's daughter. Hardly subtle, don't you think?"

He turned to fully face her, his expression still composed but his tone was edged with sarcasm. "And here I thought your expertise lay in courtly affairs, not voyeurism."

Sybille smirked, unfazed. "I don't need to skulk about when you make it so obvious, justiciar. Though I must say… this entanglement of yours is rather reckless."

His jaw tightened, "I assure you it was nothing more than a moment of aberration."

"Aberration?" Sybille raised an eyebrow, "it seems unlike you to be so impulsive Ondolemar. So either you're lying to me…or perhaps you're lying to yourself."

He met her gaze, "believe what you will, Sybille. I've no need to justify myself to you."

Narrowing her eyes, her tone sharp. "Just remember, once you cross certain lines there's no going back. And not everyone is as forgiving as she might be." She took a step back and turned to leave. "I'll leave you to wrestle with whatever it is you're feeling-or pretending not to feel."

Ondolemar watched as she disappeared back into the shadows. His expression was unreadable, but his mind was racing with thoughts he couldn't suppress.