Lilac Lights

Setting: This Tales chapter is set in the space between chapter 35 and chapter 37 of the Dawn of Light and focuses on Theia and Malreus' blooming relationship, which at this point in time of the book, was still a secret.

Spoiler Warning! Do not ready this chapter if you have not finished The Dawn of Light.

The sound of crickets chirping held a certain appeal to me- it always had. I loved the peaceful effect it had on my mind. The day was done and the night was moving in to take my drowsy eyes and close them shut for another serene sleep.

Except, for the past two weeks, sleeping evaded me.

There was no doubt that I much preferred the morning. I was a lot like my mother in that sense. She arose early and spend her day being productive. After lunch, she would wind down a bit and at night, she rested and relaxed.

My father and the twins were the opposite. They slept slightly later, not by much, but during the evenings is when they truly came alive. That's when they had the wildest ideas and the most energy, and my mother and I would often glance at one another and grimace.

The night was my time to relax and switch off, but after Mania...

After that labyrinth...

It was difficult. Nearly impossible some nights to forget what had happened there. The wolf- those black eyes. Erebus. My father. The dagger. It was all too much. The nightmares started almost immediately after I'd awoken from my comatose state, which I'd been in for nearly a week. It was horrible and unnerving, but I knew in my heart that it too, would pass.

It had to. I would not allow it to rule me like this. Where I feared sleep and my own solitude.

My chamber was quiet, except for the chirping of the crickets and the sound of a page of my magic book being flipped to the side. I'd decided to read a bit- distract my mind from all the inner chaos I felt. The candles beside my bed, on the nightstand, were burning bright and guided my eyes across the page.

The tome I read was thick and old- it had belonged to Hecate. My eyes scanned over a few familiar spells as I stretched out my legs on the king-sized bed.

Suddenly, a knock on the balcony door jolted me back to reality.

I glanced up at the closed door; Malreus.

The prince of the Underworld stood on the balcony, dressed in his royal attire and a deep black cape hanging from his shoulders. The accents of his armour were made from the richest of midnight blue and dark silver, but his eyes are what sent my heart spiralling.

They were dark and filled with worry. He gestured to the locked door and smiled.

I quickly stood up from the bed and walked over to him. I wanted to blush as I noticed those striking blue eyes darken with lust as he took in my full appearance. My long blonde hair was left undone- unruly and waving after my earlier shower. My sleepwear was a leopard print and consisted of a satin set of shorts and a camisole.

Malreus clearly appreciated my taste in pyjamas. A heat fled up towards my cheeks. I tired to hide it by pushing some hair away from my face and tucking it behind my ear as I reached for the lock on the balcony door.

This was so new for me- so fresh.

I shared everything in my life with Malreus; everything since birth. We grew up side by side; never away from each other for longer than a month. He knew every single thing about me and I about him. He was my best friend and now, he knew every pleasurable point on my body as well.

Sharing this with him was something so special, I sometimes couldn't wrap my head around it. I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have him.

I unlocked the door and opened it slightly; "Can I help you?"

Malreus rolled his eyes, which at this point I knew was a default reaction in his system. His hand pushed the door slightly ajar and he attempted to step inside; "Hello to you too."

I, however, was in a playful mood tonight. I pushed back a bit and smirked. Innocently I asked; "I'm sorry, but this chamber is closed for the night. Do try again tomorrow morning."

"I sneak out of my own palace on this cold night and travel all the way here, nearly avoiding Death, his wife and all of their loyal servants, just to see you and now I'm not welcome?"

It was my time to roll my eyes. "You literally portalled here with a wave of your hand."

"Still narrowly escaping the watchmen on the towers above." Malreus pushed back a bit on the door and I dropped my resistance. He stepped inside and leaned down to whisper; "You're welcome."

I had no retort or response wry or witty enough to compete, because in an instant, his starved lips found mine. Malreus kissed me longingly, like he'd spent the entire day thinking of only this. He wouldn't be the only one to have fallen into that slippery hole.

I was besotted with him.

"So pushy, Mal." I teased him, but he knew I didn't objection to his impatience. Malreus was not an impatient person, nor was he assertive. He was kind, tolerant and an understanding man, but lately, ever since our relationship had taken a turn towards lovers, his patience was growing thinner.

This was a side of him I rarely saw around me- perhaps with others, sure, but not with me. He loved me. I knew he loved me for a very long time, like his best friend- his family even- but now he also lusted after me and that's where his new vigour caused my stomach to twist and turn into mush.

Malreus smirked while his lips played with my own. His hands wrapped around my waist and he pulled me tightly against him. "You like it."

"It's unfair that you know me this well..." I moaned against his mouth, but it was a feeble attempt at pretending to be annoyed with his accurate assumption.

He took the balcony door and moved to close it, but I stopped it mid-way and stared up at him with a seductive look; "Leave it; we might need some fresh air to cool us down."

Malreus bit the bottom of his lip and his hand that rested on my waist, moved up to grab my upper arm. He pulled me towards the bed. "I hope I wasn't interrupting your reading?"

I liked this side of him- I knew barely anything about it. This side he never showed me. We probably did flirt with each other, thinking back at the last couple of years, but this was on a level both of us had never dared to approach. Excitement was bubbling up inside my stomach and down my legs. I felt nearly dizzy as he grabbed my hip and dipped his lips down to my collarbone.

"You can join me? I was just revising some of Hecate's old spells..."

Malreus chuckled curtly against my skin as his hands pulled my hips against his. "I have a better idea..."

"And what would that be?" I asked teasingly. My lip tucked underneath my teeth and I bit onto it harder as Malreus' one hand moved down to squeeze my rear.

"Hmm... Why don't I show you?" He moaned softly and moved up slowly, along my neck- kissing the skin with tenderness. He was rubbing himself against my body, his hand still massaging my behind. I curled my hands around his thick biceps. "Unless of course," He glanced at me with a mischievous look; "You have other plans?"

I tried my hardest to play-hard-to-get, but he knew I was just as desperate. "Well, I was going to call the guard and ask him to have a look around the gardens- I think I heard someone sulking around out there."

Mal grinned at my frisky smile and decided to play along; "You really should be careful, Theia." He grabbed me by the waist and fell back onto my bed, pulling me on top of him. I laughed loudly, not worried that the guards and servants would hear me. The chamber was large and the night was growing late. I was sure most of them were occupied with either sleep or idle tasks.

"Leaving your balcony door open like that is so risky." Malreus kept me hooked in and tightly secured to his chest. I wriggled a bit, but realised it was a feeble attempt. So instead, I placed my hands on either side of his head and smiled down at him; "I'm guessing you're here then to protect me?"

"Always." He jolted up to catch my lips. I was too slow to move away; not as if I truly wanted to in any case. "So, who saves me from you then, hmm?" I asked as he continued his assault on my lips. My hands ran through his black hair and my body relaxed against his. It felt so comfortable; so seamless.

Mal turned us around until I was the one on my back and he was laying on top of me with his dark blue eyes staring down. He smirked teasingly; "No one. You're trapped, princess."

I giggled and moved my one foot up along his inner leg, "Are you going to punish me?"

It was a bit odd hearing those word come from my own mouth, considering the person I was talking to was also the person who about a month ago was only my best friend. Nothing more. Unsurprisingly, I wanted more back then, not fully realising how amazing it would feel to be in this position. Back then, this sort of intimacy was just a secret fantasy.

Now, he was on top of me, his gaze dark and full of want. "I'll never punish you, Theia." Malreus dipped his head down to my chest and kissed the crevice between my breasts. His tongue darted out and he licked the line all the way down, pushing the camisole back with his chin and fanning my skin with his hot breath.

I gulped. "Mal..."

"Yes?" He whispered and his hands folded around my wrists, locking them in beside my head.

"This is punishment." I said softly and with yearning.

He chuckled lamely, his voice echoing from his throat- so husky and laced with desire. "Too bad." My breath hitched when his tongue found my nipple. "So sad..."

I wriggled against his vice grip, but it was a poor attempt at breaking away. He knew that and I knew it too. "So cruel. I thought we were friends?"

Malreus parted my legs wider by using his knees and the cold circled my exposed breast as he lifted his head slightly. "What gave you that idea?"

My laugh was airy and coy. "I must've been reading the signs wrong for the past hundreds of years..."

Malreus pressed his body against mine and instead of feeling a new weight on me, I felt a sense of relief. He was so close now; so close I could taste him on my tongue. My lips moved up to lock onto his, but Malreus roguishly evaded them. His sly smirk said it all. "I've been flirting with you for the past few years and now you want to reciprocate?"

I rolled my eyes, but my smile remained. "You? Flirting with me? Whatever. You don't flirt with anyone."

"I wanted to flirt with you... And I definitely did." He countered with zeal. "Do you really think I needed all those piano lessons? I just wanted to sit close to you." Malreus dipped his lips down to the corner of my mouth and kissed a trail all the way down towards my collarbone. His hands kept my wrists locked in a strong hold.

"And yet you never once made a move. Shocking, Mal." I teased him with a broad smile.

Malreus looked back up at me with a spark in his eyes; "You don't know that- maybe you're just incredibly obtuse to men flirting with you."

"Did you just call me obtuse?" I scoffed.

Mal grinned wider and leaned down to catch my lips. "I personally think I was a bit obvious around you."

I evaded his lips; "And yet after so many years, I didn't pick up on it."

"Would you have preferred if I'd locked you in my room and didn't let you out until you were mine?"

My mind was quickly overtaken with the thought of his suggestion and I couldn't bring myself to find anything wrong with it at all. In fact, he could try it now, if he wanted to. I was game. "I don't think I would've minded."

Malreus smirked down at me and his grip around my wrists loosened. His hands moved down to my upper arms and he pushed himself firmly against me; closing the gap between us with a sensual resolve. "Would you mind now?"

"No." Was my answer too quick? Probably. Oh well.

"Careful what you wish for." He dipped down and latched his lips onto mine. His kiss was rough and sweet at the same time- it left me gasping for air. I held him close, my hands gripping onto his biceps; the muscle underneath stiff and hard. Like something else rubbing against my inner thigh.

Through the rough kisses, I managed to ask; "Even after so many piano lessons, you're still a bit shit, you know that?"

"Do you really think my focus was on the piano when you were sitting inches away from me?" Malreus darted his tongue into my mouth; "Let's be real. I wasn't concentrating on the keys."

"Horny for me?" I giggled and push back my blush.

"Like a wolf." His kisses grew more impatient, until his hands began tugging at the straps of my camisole, pulling them down my arms and exposing both my breasts. "It's hard to pay attention to anything when most of your blood flow is heading south."

I laughed loudly, helping him wrestle my shorts down to my knees; "I always wondered why you stayed seated after we finished our lessons. Naughty, Mal." I breathed into his mouth and bit my lip. I liked knowing this- knowing how much pain he'd been in and that I wasn't the only fool suffering in silence.

"Such a tease..." He grinned cunningly as his one hand grabbed my shorts and camisole and he threw them to the side of the bed. With the other hand, he unhooked some of the leather fastenings on his chest. I moved my hands up to help him along and speed up the process.

"Damn straps."

I bit my lip and giggled, trying my best to unhook the belt around his middle. Malreus was growing impatient- I was naked and waiting, but his armour was quite restrictive.

"Note to self," I muttered, "Leave the princely armour at home next time."

"Next time you're sneaking into my room." Malreus kicked off his boots and pulled off his socks.

"No way!"

"It's easier to explain this to my mother if she catches us than your father." Malreus teased as his clothes went flying across the room.

"I don't sneak into anyone's room- I'm a lady."

"A lady?" Malreus was straddling me, his briefs tight around his hips. He eyed my nude form with infatuation. "Are you going to be a lady for me tonight?"

Now it was time to blush. I couldn't help it- this predatory side of him was exhilarating. New and exciting. I had no idea he could be this wicked.

"Do you want a 'lady' tonight?" I asked coquettishly.

"I want a tigress tonight." He emphasised his point by pulling me down by hooking his hands underneath the back of my bent knee. "I know you're hiding her from me..." Malreus said huskily, those blue eyes growing black with need.

I pounced by wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling myself up against his chest; my crotch rubbed against his black briefs. Malreus' breath hitched when our noses touched. "Can you handle her? I'm not sure you can?"

His hand found my chin and held it securely- fixing it in his grip as his dark eyes examined me. With his other hand, he grabbed my naked rear and pushed me closer to his hips. The prince's voice was low, throaty, and laced with limited control. "I've been fantasising about you for what feels like a lifetime."

Mal broke his resolve and dipped down his head to ensnare my lips with his. They were impatient and hungry. We kissed wildly; my hands knotted in the black of his hair, and his one hand on my ass and the other wrapped around the back of my neck, keeping my lips from budging.

I think it was safe to say that that our talking for now was done.

Our lips were too busy moving with another mission to pay any attention to our previous conversation, no matter how needy it had made us. Malreus helped me as I tried to pull of his briefs by pulling them down to his thighs and eventually, over his knees and feet. He threw the garment back, somewhere across the vast room, and turned his full attention onto me.

I was laid back down onto the mattress and felt him join me, his body pleasantly heavy. His knees widened the space between my own legs and gave him entry to where he wanted to settle. My hands moved down from his hair to his neck, keeping it tightly locked around the back. Our lips never budged from the others.

I felt him close to my entrance and bucked my hips to hurry up his movements. He knew he had permission to go ahead- it wasn't going to change any time soon.

Mal moaned and slid inside; my body shook slightly by the force and the total volume of him, but it was a pleasant and addictive numbness.

For a few moments, it was as if the world has stopped for us and the night was still. Our bodies move in sync and I clawed my nails down his back, savouring his hard and toned muscles and the way they popped under my touch. Mal breathed deeply into the crook of my neck, exhaling hot air and a long groan of satisfaction.

"Faster." I whimpered and the bed began to creak a bit as he sped up his hips. I grabbed the sheets with one hand and pulled his hair with the other. Malreus pumped into me with force, over and over.

"Too hard?" He asked with bated breath as his hips hit against mine.

An idea crossed my mind. Before I could really think about it, I felt my hand reach down and wrap around his throat. Malreus gasped softly against the hard grip and his eyes found mine. I looked up at him, my hold on his throat tight, but not too tight to hurt him. "Harder."

I'd never seen his eyes so black, nor so riddled with yearning. Malreus bit his lips, nearly causing it to bleed, and shoved into me with considerable force. My head hit the plush, velvet headboard of the king-sized bed and I gasped softly.

He continued to pound me into the bed, my clasp around his throat firm. Malreus didn't try to shake it off or remove it, but after a minute or so, I wanted to move my hand down to his plump rear and his hand caught my mid-way.

Malreus brought it back up to his neck and huskily begged; "Choke me, Theia. Make me do whatever you want."

Ooh... I felt a rush of heat erupt along my core. A new kink unlocked?

I gladly obliged. My hand grabbed hold of his throat once more and I squeezed a bit- not to hurt him, but to show him that I liked this new side of us playing with each other. Mal moaned and his hips moved faster.

"What do you want, princess?" He asked with a lush tone and brought his face close to mine as he continued to make love to me. He held his hand on mine, keeping it around his throat.

"Lick me." I pleaded, but didn't need to put too much effort into being seductive. The second the words left my mouth, Malreus was moving his head down. He'd moved out of me, but now something new was pushing its way inside. Mal moved my legs apart with his hands and I shuddered as his tongue dipped inside. I gasped and closed my eyes, letting him work magic under the sheet.

A few minutes later, I felt the rush of pleasure threatening to engulf my body, so I closed my legs against his head and pulled him back up. Mal quickly got the hint and moved up, towards me, crawling over me with animalistic prowess.

I bit my lip as he kissed a hot trail along my chest and over my nipples. "Lead me."

I didn't waste any time. I turned to my side and he grabbed my waist, moving me onto my stomach. Mal parted my legs again and this time, I could hear the excitement in his voice; "Lift up your ass."

"Hurry." I did as he asked and felt him enter immediately. We rocked the bed again, but this time it was his hand creaking the headboard up and down. I held onto the sheet as he moved into me, over and over. His other hand dipped underneath and I felt it touch my heat. I moaned and rode his finger until the stars outside in the night sky broke in front of my eyes. "Mal!" Malreus wasn't far behind.

He felt onto me in a heap as he came, pushing me forward into the pillows. "Yes! Oh, fuck. Yes..."

A few more thrusts and he was done. We lay on the bed, exhausted, and spent. After a few seconds, I wriggled underneath him and Mal slid off, to the side. I glanced at him through the messy tresses of hair falling across my face. "We should do this every night."

Malreus' eyes were closed and the sweat on his forehead glistened under the flaming light of the candles beside the bed. He chuckled hoarsely; "Your bed won't last a week."

"There's always the floor?" I propped myself up and smirked at him, my cheeks no doubt red with heat.

"Naughty girl..." Malreus smirked and leaned over to catch my lips, giving me a knee-numbing kiss.

"I don't hear you complaining." I bit his lip and my best friend pushed back, applying more force to the kiss. "Why would I? I want to know every dirty little thing you've wanted to do to me."

"I have no idea what you're talking about?" I said innocently as I sat up on the bed and crossed my legs. Malreus sat up as well; his dark eyes following mine.

Suddenly, his hand was on my throat, just like mine had been a few moments ago, and I gasped from the sudden grip. He leaned closer and I was swept back into a wave of want by his predatory gaze. "We both know there's a long list, Theia..."

"Maybe." I admitted, my eyes glazed over with another round of desire.

Malreus pushed me back against the headboard and smirked; "You're going to break me, and I can't wait." He said it so confidently, like he wasn't the one holding my throat and pushing himself onto me.

I glanced down. He was as hard as stone. "Round two?"

Malreus bit his lip and nodded, removing his hand from my neck, but I stopped him and refixed his hand onto my throat. "My turn."

Mal smirked slyly and I could see the anticipation and excitement in his eyes. He grabbed me closer and squeezed a bit, choking me ever so slightly. "Let's try the floor next..."

It was the following morning and the birds were singing loudly in the gardens. The sun was already rising quite high in the sky by the time Casseus had left his wing of the palace.

The servants bowed and greeted him good morning as he passed. He bid them well and smiled as he walked up towards his older sister's room.

Casseus glanced outside as he walked past the large open archways that brought in fresh air and a soft breeze from the outside. It was nearly noon and Theia still hadn't come down for breakfast.

Was she ill? It was so unlike his sister to be late. She was a morning person, whereas he and his brother much preferred to sleep in a bit longer. Not today though, their lessons had started early. One of which, Theia had already missed.

As Casseus entered the west wing where his sister lived, the head maid bowed and smiled pleasantly at the young prince. "My prince, how may I be of assistance?"

"Actually, Edina, I'm looking for my sister. Have you seen the princess this morning?"

"Oh," The maid shook her head with a sad smile as she placed down the statue she was polishing. "The princess asked not to be disturbed. She's feeling a tad under the weather today."

"Oh." Casseus frowned. This was odd. Theia wasn't one to just shy away, especially when she was sick. One thing Theia and their father had in common was that they were both very dramatic when they were sick. It was hard not to know about it. "Well, let me check on her."

Edina pursed her lips and stammered a bit; "Ah, my prince, I'm not so sure the princess wishes to have company. She was quite adamant earlier that she wanted to be alone?"

Casseus' mind immediately went to a dark place. After the traumatic events they'd all experienced a few weeks ago, the mood in the palace was sombre. Their father was still in recovery- very weak and incredibly frail. Their mother was emotionally drained and Casseus and Claudeus had noticed how withdrawn Theia was in conversation. No doubt the image of Erebus still haunted her now. Who wouldn't be left with horrid images of the Wolf after what happened?

Casseus stepped towards the door and pulled the handle. "I understand, but I should make sure she's alright." The door was locked. The young prince's worry grew even deeper. He frowned and twisted the handle a bit, unlocking it with his magic. A small click could be heard and the door opened easily.

Edina watched as the youngest twin walked inside and closed the door behind him. He was just as tall and muscled as his father- it was hard to say no to someone like him, so she prayed the princess would be as understanding and forgiving as she always was knowing that Edina had allowed a visitor to enter.

Casseus closed the door behind him and waited a bit at the foyer of the large chamber. He listened. It was quiet, except for some odd rustling noises in the distance.

He tilted his head to the side and tried to make out what it was.

The young man walked down the corridor and turned left to head towards his sister's bedroom. He glanced to the right- there was nothing amiss in the lounge area, nor were there any windows or balcony doors open for fresh air. The chamber was sealed shut.

Casseus expected to walk in on his sister loafing in bed, feeling sorry for herself and in a mood of defeatism, but as he rounded the corner, the rustling noise grew louder.

He thought best to announce his presence with a loud remark as he stepped inside the grand bedroom; "Come on, lazy; Charon is looking for you-"

Three gasps filled the room almost immediately.

As Casseus walked into the room his eyes found Theia and Malreus kneeling on the big bed, both stark naked as they day they were born. Malreus was tightly pressed against Theia's back, his arm wrapped around her breasts, luckily covering them from sight and his other hand dipped down below. This too was thankfully covered by the thick duvet which had been pushed to the side.

"Zeus almighty!" Casseus covered his eyes as if someone had thrown poison at his face.

"Casseus!" Theia shouted and Malreus fell back with a grunt; "Shit!" He covered himself with the pillow beside him as Theia grabbed the duvet and did the same.

They both blushed deeply as Casseus fell back out of the room and headed towards the lounge area. Loudly they could hear him shout; "What the hell are you doing?"

"Playing chess, what does it look like Casseus?" Theia snarled and quickly ran to the bathroom to grab a robe from the hook. "My door was locked for a reason, you asshole!"

"Gods..." Casseus waited in the lounge for a moment, recollecting himself, before he heard footsteps rushing after him.

Theia rounded the corner with a furious look; her fluffy blue robe pulled tightly around her and her hair a wild mess. "Didn't Edina tell you I wanted to be alone?"

"Clearly you're alone, alright!" Casseus scoffed loudly as Malreus joined them, now wearing his pants, but still no shirt.

"It's my fault. I snuck in-"

"No, it's no one's fault." Theia stopped Malreus from continuing and fixed Casseus with a pointed look. "You do not dare say a word of this to anyone. Do you understand?"

Casseus frowned and scoffed again, as if to say 'really'?

Malreus shot him a desperate look and pleaded; "Cas, please. Do not tell your father. Oh, gods..." The prince touched his stomach; "I feel nauseous just thinking about it."

"What the hell? Like I'm going to mention this in conversation? 'Oh, so guess what? Today I happened to come across Malreus humping my sister like a dog.' Really, Theia!"

The princess rolled her eyes and felt the heat rush back up towards her cheeks; this time the embarrassment lingered longer than before, but she was not alone in her mortification. Malreus shook his head and ran a hand through his hair; "I should probably head home. No doubt my parents are wondering where I've been the entire morning."

"Gods, I don't want to know..." Casseus muttered and Theia and Mal shared a look of discomfort. No, he most certainly wouldn't want to know that.

"Look," Casseus crossed his arms over his chest and eyed his sister with a pointed look. "Grab a shower and get dressed; I'll tell Charon you were busy with meditation or something. I'll meet you downstairs for lunch." He glanced at Mal and shook his head, as if trying to get the vivid image of the two of them out of his mind. "I assume you two aren't just friends anymore..."

"What gave you that idea?" Malreus asked dryly, but without any bite. He knew Casseus had the ammunition to quite literally destroy him. One word to Thanatos and Malreus was going to be pulled apart. Not that Cass would throw his sister and an old friend under the bus like that, but he could blackmail them. That was no beyond the youngest twin's capabilities.

"Just go take a shower; you both stink of-"

"Yes, yes." Theia silenced him with a curt nod of her head and pointed to the door with authority. She was still the eldest. "Now go, and lock the door again."

"Fine." The young man turned around and headed for the door.

Malreus and Theia's shoulders dropped with resignation as the door closed and clicked. She crossed her arms over her chest, pulling the robe around herself and glanced at her best friend with anxious eyes; "He won't say anything, will he?"

Mal shrugged and placed a hand on his lover's waist; "I doubt it. I hope not."

"Maybe we should keep our distance for a little bit- just a bit until my father feels slightly better?"

Malreus frowned and pulled Theia closer. His lips found her neck and the heat from his kisses caused a tremble to roll down her stomach. "Or..." The dark prince pushed himself against her; his need growing again. "We can go out on a hunting trip tomorrow? Just you and me."

Hunting trips were something the two of them had done numerous times. It was always fun to go out into nature and camp out, under the moon and the stars. Often the others would join; Narray, Asclepius, Triton, the twins, Morpheus...

But Theia suspected Mal wouldn't want any of them tagging along for this type of 'hunting trip'.

"Isn't that being a bit obvious? After everything we've just been through?" Theia asked with scepticism, but her body was in agreement almost immediately. She rubbed herself against his hungry hands.

"Is it?" Mal asked with a teasing tone. "It seems to me more like two best friends getting away a bit for some bonding."

"Bonding?" Theia grabbed his face in between her hands and attached her lips onto his with fire. Malreus' hands opened the robe and pushed it aside to gain access to his new favourite treasures. "That's a new one."

He chuckled and dipped his fingers down and into her heat. Theia gasped softly; "Mal, I need to get ready." She moaned a bit as he played with her, but pushed back with the last bit of resolve she still had. "And you need to get home. No doubt your mother's already noticed you've been missing for nearly half the day."

Malreus sighed and nodded his head, accepting her words. "Fine. I'll go." She was right, but his feet didn't want to turn away, so Theia pulled her robe shut and smirked at him; "No need to rush."

He chuckled and eyed her with a seductive look; "Be ready by sunrise. I'll pack a tent." He kissed her sweetly on the lips and turned back to his room to grab the remainder of his clothes. He would have to portal himself to his room, hoping that no servants were currently inside cleaning.

Theia bit her lip and watched as he rounded the corner. She giggled at the thought of their 'hunting trip'. She doubted they'd do any hunting per se, but she'd have to remember to pack her bow and arrow in any case.

Theia walked back to the room just as Malreus slipped on his first boot. He was seated on the edge of the messy bed. She sat down beside him and crossed her legs. "How did you sleep by the way?"

"The little we did?" He asked with a grin as he grabbed the second shoe. "Very well, and you?"

"Good. I like having you next to me."

"Me too. I've always liked having you next to me." Malreus said as he sat up straight, dressed and ready to leave. His eyes smouldered and he leaned in to press a kiss to Theia's cheek. She smiled broadly, closing her eyes and nestling her nose against his jaw. His stubble was short.

"I'll see you later then."

Malreus stood up from the bed and straightened the leather straps on his chest. Theia watched him with lust and slyly, she muttered; "Maybe tomorrow I'll show you the rest of the things on my long list." She flirtatiously referenced the remark he'd made the previous night.

Mal looked her dead in the eye and stepped one foot closer to her, blocking her view from anything else in the room. His hand moved down from his leather strap to her throat, wrapping it around her neck like he'd done last night. Theia inhaled softly as he stared down at her with fire in his eyes. She loved this side of him- this side she barely knew. He was such a gentleman; always kind, always willing to help and such a reserved and humble man, but now that they were intimate, she was lucky enough to see the side of him he held back from others.

Malreus was a wolf in sheep's clothing.

He squeezed her neck and whispered huskily, "I can't wait..."