Rounding thousand year old oaks gave War encouragement, he already knew where Siana was headed, having been there before. Keeping his eyes peeled for any of General Raylen’s men, War shifted his large weight deeper into his saddle. Smells of Raylen’s men lingered like dew from a mornings mist. War pulled his steed to a firm halt, giving him a good view of his surroundings. The sudden snap of a twig had his head doing the same, taking deep breaths of his approacher.

He stood taller than most of Raylen’s men, but it was the clear coated smell of many more like him, that told War whose side he fought for. Both watched one another, as if they were determining who was weaker.

“You coming to aid the beauty?” His voice haunting with a silk undertone, making War’s brow pinch.

“Beauty?” He asked, while his words answered themselves. Siana must of already made it to camp. Nodding in response, he turned back towards camp, allowing War to follow at his own pace.

Smoking meats stirred through trees, laughter filled up War’s hearing along with the ever growing crackling of fires. Each man that became aware of his presents slowly stilled, gulping down their taken in bites of freshly cooked meat. Sliding from his steed, bringing the reins over his impressive neck War looked around for the honorable man. Finding Raylen’s backside to him, War moved around one firepit coming to a rough stop.

It looked like her, and as the wind picked up, he swore it smelled like her as well. But the look she carried wasn’t of a soft female, eyes so sharp they’d break steel. Her hair was messed, holding small braids to keep it from falling into her eyes. Dressed in her best gear, while holding furs of those she’d hunted in past Lavoro’s. Blue paint had been smeared over her face, a calling for many a battles their kin endured.

War held his breath when her eyes shifted to his own. It felt as though everything stilled, not a sound dare breath against their impenetrable gaze. Stepping towards her slowly, only to see her eyes darken with resistance, War stopped. Anyone with sight could see she wasn’t for his closeness, even less for his eyes to be upon her.

Reminding himself of what she had done fueled his movements onward, swinging reins over the left of his steeds neck so he may join her own steed for comfort, War came to a halt right in front of Siana. Glaring down at her was plenty hard, but far more necessary than he wished. General Raylen watched them both quietly, his hands brushing against his thighs for warmth.

“Good to have you War” Breaking the eerie silence, War grunted not feeling the need to give words. Siana’s eyes rolled as she took up her canten leaving them both, keeping her movements swift only bristled War further.

Praying hadn’t worked, as the gods seemed joyful in tormenting her every move. Siana wasn’t completely surprised to see him here, in fact she was almost glad, but she’d never admit to it. He had done something everyone swore he was incapable of doing, or so it looked like, she still wasn’t completely certain he’d done much more than look at the devil women's spawn.

But that had been plenty enough for Siana. Men have needs, and just like any other male War wasn’t much different. She figured he prefered his females meek, over what she had become. This also seemed to clear many unanswered question deep within her mind. the why’s of him taking her, yet never treating her with affection or attention. War had none to give a woman like herself.

Siana blew a loose strand of hair from her eyes, an aggravated look crossed over her lips. Something confused her greatly with all that she just contemplated. If he didn’t like her, not even when she’d not noticed her bare body present to his eyes, why did he come here. Why bother with her anymore, if he’d found nothing worth holding onto. She shook her head for some clarity.

Bubbles from intense rushing water moved over slippery rocks, as a few frogs croaked to her kneeling. She sighed heavily, feeling the weight of what was to come. Expecting a good lashing of his tongue would be only half of her punishment for doing such a rash thing, ironically enough that wasn’t what Siana feared the most, but more how close he would get to giving her that lashing. She found his nearness, to be somewhat of a bittersweet feeling at best.

She thought about what was to come as her canteen filled to the brim with icy mountain water, giving it a long stare Siana plugged the hole keeping her from spilling even a drop. Her only thoughts now where of returning to her camp, facing the man with deadly eyes and getting it all over with. To Siana’s surprise, he’d followed her. Keeping a predatory silence about his footsteps.

Once again she locked onto his gaze, it swallowed all hope of being clear of him. He made a voluntary move towards her, sending neck hairs straight towards blue skies. Siana counted War’s movements, shifting her own body away from his larger one. Hearing his knuckles crack, Siana held down her urge to gulp.

“You took what does not belong to you.” Grinding out each syllable, War glared down at her. It was hard for Siana to contain her emotions, as he seemed to bring them out of her no matter what the reasoning may be. She countered his words.

“I took nothing I am not worthy of holding” He gave a scoff, one foot shifted till he became closer to her.

“Why do you test me whenever you see fit! Have I not been good to you.” Siana took note he didn’t ask, but merely implied she show her respect for a man who in all lights kidnapped her. Tightening her lips till they hurt, Siana dragged one heel through moist leaves.

“Are you displeased, because I am not longer able to be controlled by you, or because you find yourself in shadows with a new trinket of purity” No matter what she couldn’t control the hiss it snapped at him. Like viper venom Siana was still seeing Lady Annabelle’s daughter in her full radiance, while War looked upon her with such...deepness.

Moments after her hate filled words spilled from hard lips, Siana saw his shadow darken, causing even the calm woods to feel less open. He swiped a hand over his weary looking face, he’d had to of been riding all night just to catch up to her.

“Is that what this is about? Lady Madeline...the daughter to a woman whom I loathe with a sourness I cannot fathom. Is that why you risk your neck, dragging me from kin to come and retrieve you.” The left of his hand cut through the air, its swiftness almost as clean as his axe. Anger pursed from War’s pours, dripping down his biceps till finally coming to their destination.

“It is not just about that!” Siana growled feeling her walls breaking before his very eyes. “And I am no more a child than when you snatched me from my own kin! Do not think I need your protection, I am not like your new toy. I shalt break so easily” Her fingers gripped leather strappings to her canteen for support. Feeling an overwhelming heat burst through her chest, Siana gasped to War’s body colliding with her own.

Pinned to an old oak, he held her arm strictly above her head. Her canteen had fallen against leaves muffling its sudden crash. Pushing up on her toes, Siana held her breath while looking into the swirling demons that watched her every muscle twitch. Heavy breaths from his chest rumbled against her own, each one far more aggressive than the last.

“You think you’ve been toyed with? That I have merely taken advantage of that meek girl for sport. You know nothing, do not ever speak to me in such a way again. Not unless you wish to have your tongue removed”  Watching his eyes turn coal, Siana shifted to rid herself of his heat.

“I am not frightened of you like the rest, your threats go with the wind. Release me and return to your bedmate, I fear she will get lost like a sheep among wolves in your manor.” Sour saliva filled her mouth, tasting the bitter taste of jealousy consuming her willpower. She hated the thought of another female in his bed, touching his body and showing affection she wished to do herself. War’s snarl gave way to the left of his knee ramming between her thighs, his muscles pushed her upwards till Siana was more centered in his line of vision.

“Your tongue turns silver with every word you speak. The only woman who sleeps within my bed is you, if your worry lies with being tossed out, its misplaced. And if you think you’ve been toyed by me…” His face closened, giving her a taste of his desirable breath. “Then you have no idea how I play...Siana!” She shivered hearing her own name pass through his undeniable lips.

Feeling his darker animal awaken, War held his canine grin to her reaction. Pushing him more to urge another wave of Siana’s heat to fulled over their senses, War’s beast rumbled deep within his cavity, stirring up a preditor far more lethal than any tiger known to man. He watched her shake dark curls over her face.

“I will not sleep within your quarters again, I am not your whore to have when you're calling comes.” Feeling his body turn grave, War snarled sending small game fleeing with their lives. He shook from the ground up, the intensity of her words crashing over his being harder than oceanic waves.

“Do not speak such a thing. I never wanna hear that word pass your lips again, you are no ones whore. Do I make myself clear” Giving Siana no choice as he pushed more of his body against her softness, she gave a barely audible ‘yes’. Refusing to let up, War moved till their foreheads touched, closing his eyes gave him a little stability. “Why do you test me so” Huffing with the wind, he heard her heart beat spike.

“You took me from my home, turned me into...what I do not know. Changed my life to suit your needs, and yet you blame me for testing you.” Hearing her speak truth tore him, he hadn’t given her any real reason to trust him. Just because one saves the life they took, does not make them free of all guilt and wrongdoing. But more or less still wrong in the eyes of their captor. Siana showed her pain openly to him, and all  he could do was become angry.

Angry he’d taken such a child from her mother's loving embrace, a father who though was a bastard, would protect her with his last dying breath. She’d of had her people to back her up, perhaps even a lover who might show her affection on deeper levels. War tightened his eyes to thoughts of another man so close, his fingers feathering over her lush curves sent him blinding mad. Feeling his beast become territorial over Siana was a first, but one he was in full agreement with.

“You belong to me! No other.” His free hand grabbed her face, holding her from breaking even in slight movements. “You eat, rise, breath because I say so. Do not take what I give you so lightly, as I can and will take it from you if I see fit.” Watching a tear dribble down blushed cheeks, War lightened his grip. Having a hard time making Siana understand why he did what he did, was something even he was having straws to grasp.

“I belong to no one, you cannot make me eat, sleep or speak if I choose not to. Take my soul if you wish, as it stopped being my own the day you killed me” His eyes widened, a release of both hands dropped her back to feet. Watching her pick up her canteen before heading back towards camp gave War a moment of reflection.

He knew deep within his silver encased heart, he’d never harm her. Siana was far more valuable than anyone realized. The daughter to a lord, a man with great power and no other heirs. Whether Siana knew it or not, she’d see her kin once more. But only when War thought the time was right, he’d send her himself if need be. For Siana was something far greater than any one man could dream up.

Her loyalty to even bastards was remarkable, but her heart no matter how stubborn and vexed was always trying for the road of righteous behavior.

Watching her interact with the men, even after having tears seen, was something of power. She conducted herself when the time was of the utmost importance, never allowing another to see the true Siana. As her mask of many faces, emotions and beauty concealed even War’s eyes from seeing her full canvas. A canvas he wished to explore with a fine toothed comb.

(Hope you all have a great New year. I'll try to post more. ^-^)