His lips were soft against mine, I could feel the soft tickle of his breath and his scent that I'm all too familiar with. I brought my hands to his face and gently held it, I slid my fingers into his hair as we breathed each other in.
Ionia stop he said gently pushing me away.
What are you doing? He asked looking at me with those green eyes of his.
Lucien I said stroking his hair.
Words fail me to describe what you look like, you look unreal you are so handsome Lucien.
Are you sure?
Of cause I'm sure, do you want me to get a mirror for you to see?
It's fine, I don't think I want to see myself right now maybe when I get to my room.
Hmm if you say so but henceforth you won't be wearing this I said, picking up his mask and setting it on fire with my magic.
Whhhew! If the princess of Rania sees you like this it will be a different war entirely that you will be fighting I joked.
I've been wearing a mask on my face for years now it feels different he said touching his face gently.
Trust me you don't need a mask.
Why then did you cry?
I don't know Lucien, maybe it's because I felt it is so pitiful you've been thinking yourself a ugly beast all your life while in reality you are the opposite.
No one deserve such a mental torture Lucien, especially with you looking like this.
You are unbelievable Lucien.
You are outstanding all around.
I'm so fortunate to have met you.
Can't you see the way I'm practically bouncing with joy, I feel giddy.
Hahahahahahahahahah fine it's okay.
I believe you calm down already.
However ionia I want you to know that what they say about you is not true. There is more to you than your looks.
You are not to be use as a sex object, you are way above that.
You are special and precious and beautiful and talented.
Any man who you deem worthy of your love is blessed.
Never you doubt or demean yourself.
Do you understand me?
I do.
Thanks Lucien.
Now what have I done, I shouldn't have kissed him.
What must he be thinking about me, oh well! What is done is done.
And I refuse to feel bad about it though it was not palmed that doesn't mean I did not enjoy it.
We spent the next three days training.
Lucien with the mask gives off this mysterious air, Lucien without the mask is simply otherworldly.
We practiced and trained together and no one said a word concerning the kiss that happened and we both just left it at that.
Despite the incident we both have gotten closer.
My dad will be here shortly are you ready.
Yeah I am, will you be coming with?
Do you want me to?
Yes, you can be invisible and no one will know you are there.
Okay if you want me to, why not.
Lucien thank you for these beautiful three days it has been the happiest of my life it means a lot to me.
It's alright it's the same thing for me as well.
He's here, let's go meet him.
How can you tell?
One of the perks of being me he said with a smile.
That's something he has been doing a lot of lately.
You do realize that you've been smiling a lot these past three days.
That's to be expected Ionia, you smile when you have a reason to and I've had lot of reasons to smile lately.
Now get up and let's go, we don't want to keep his majesty waiting now do we?
Why is he out there, why don't he come in?
He's never entered the house the farthest he's been is the garden even when my mom was alive, that's where we meet him all the time.
Why is that, is there a meaning behind it?
None that I know of, maybe to him this place is beneath him or something but like I said I don't know.
Brace yourself.
Why?
Because I want to turn into the demon.
Oh okay.
Lucien turned into the demon and unlike last time I did not scream bloody murder.
We went outside to meet the king, with me walking behind Lucien.
Your majesty Lucien greeted.
My king I greeted with a bow.
Ionia you look well.
I am well my king.
Good, I'm here to take you home are you ready?
Yes my king.
You may go ahead first he told me pointing towards the portal.
I turned to look at Lucien as I stepped through the portal.
It's a gpood thing you did not call me father in her presence at least you are not brainless.
So hope you enjoyed my gift?
Yes I did father, she is an amazing young woman.
If it is possible for her to pay me a visit again I wouldn't mind that.
It all depends on you Lucien if I'm happy with your service I might allow her here again.
I am here to serve father.
I walked through the portal into the throne room already filled with those who knows the king secret.
My queen I bowed in greeting.
The queen in question looked at me as if she saw something filthy.
I ignored her and patiently waited for the king who I'm sure is saying something to Lucien.
The king walked in and not long after Lucien appeared before me looking himself.
They can't see me he whispered to me.
Ionia.
Yes may king.
How has the past three days been?
Wonderful my king.
Really?
Yes my king.
So tell me what happened, what did you do?
My king I actually did nothing the monster took care of me and provided all my needs.
He was thoughtful and caring.
You don't say muttered Emmett by the side.
Ionia so what have you learnt about him.
Well like I said he is caring, compassionate and kind.
Did you learn any secrets of his?
He lives a rather simple life my king.
You see in the morning he makes breakfast for me then go out into the woods to hunt and gather herbs after which he would come back home and make me dinner that's how I've been living these past three days.
So you are trying to tell us that the demon has been nothing but good to you?
Yes my queen.
Is that even possible she asked no one in particular.
Ionia did anything out of the ordinary happen did you see him use his powers or do something.
No my king.
It's alright you may go and remember tell no one about this. It is to be kept a secret and I might call on you again am I clear?
Yes my king.
Take us back inside I told Lucien after we've left thee throne room.
Do you think she telling the truth the queen said.
If anything the demon actually wants her to come visit him again according to him he finds her amazing. The king said
That's a good thing right asked Elise
I mean this is what we wanted after all for him to be taken by her.
He's not an idiot definitely he won't lower his guard the first time they meet he definitely must be weary and think we are up to something.
If like father said he likes her company and still wants to see her and Ionia herself does not see anything wrong with being with a beast then who are we to stop them.
Father I think things are working better than we expected it's up to us now to perfect our plan while making sure the monster falls deep into our trap so that when the time is right we can finally get a hold of him.
I think Elise is right said Isobel, me too seconded Emmett.
She even looks better as funny as that sounds.
Did you see the clothes she was putting on, they are of the finest quality said Leticia.
Well like Elise said this is a good thing all we have to do right now is to be prepared and wait for the right moment to strike.
Take me to my room I told Lucien.
So it is safe to assume that I might be paying you a visit soon.
Yes it is.
Are you okay, you seem off somehow.
I'm fine Ionia I just don't like the way they talk about you.
Oh! that, I'm used to it that shouldn't bother you.
I don't think that's something anyone should get used to.
What do you propose I do then, confront them?
And you think I haven't?
Lucien let them say whatever, they have the right to voice their feelings and opinions.
I know that but not when it negatively impacts someone else.
Think whatever but you can't force your ideals on someone it's stifling.
Okay calm down Lucien.
Let's change the topic, will you be spending the night with me?
You mean with you, here?
Sure why not, it's not as if it will be your first time.
And you expect me to sleep on the chair?
Of cause not my heart went out to you when I woke up and saw you that morning it must have been uncomfortable you sleeping there.
What are you suggesting then?
My bed is not that small, we both can fit in without our bodies even touching.
Ionia surely you don't expect me to agree to that right?
Plus why do I have to spend the night here?
I insist Lucien I don't think I will ever be able to sleep here in peace anymore.
With all the secrets and plotting I feel very uneasy.
You have me there is no need to feel that way.
Oh please I said rolling my eyes.
In case you are forgetting they now have people to match your abilities.
Living with you was not this bothersome.
Are you sure it is not better I just pack and go live with you?
Before you start saying nonsense I will stay the night.
Let me go home and wash up you do same I will be back in an hour time.
Lucien came back with food and together we ate our fill and climbed the bed.
Are you okay?
I'm fine Ionia, is there something you want to tell me?
it's about...….. the kiss.
What about it?
Are you angry I kissed you?
.....no, are you regretful you did?
Of cause not, never.
Then what is it?
I think I like you Lucien.
It was silent for some time.
Ionia let's go to sleep he said gently rubbing my back.
Not long after I slept off.
I watch her sleeping and I couldn't help it, I leaned over and kissed her cheek.
It was so soft and supple looking at her pink lips under the soft glow of the moon I kissed her lips briefly and pulled away.
I like her too but I don't think I'm right for her, I'm no prince charming or a knight in shining armor.
I don't think I would be able to handle it if anything were to happen to her and with everything that is going on I don't think being in a relationship with her is wise.
Already they are using her to get to me or at least that's what they think they are doing.
We are already acting like a couple, putting a name to our relationship will only make it definite.
Everyone wants my head, if worse comes to worse I might go into hiding. That's not the kind of life she deserves, or one I want for her.
Loving someone means the happiness of that person is essential to your own. At least that's what it means to me.
She's gone through a lot I don't need to add my issues to the mix.
Sleeping so close to her is pure torture, I could feel my body heating up due to our closeness.
I feel this need to give in to my primal nature to take her without restraint or thought of what's to happen
That's how bad I want her, how bad I need her.
If she knows just how much she affects me she might run away.
Ever since I saw her by the lake, she's been my priority and knowing she likes me is not helping at all instead it makes me want to have her the more.
Knowing her temper, this topic since she's brought it up won't end till I give her an answer.
And since I can't lie, I am bound to tell her the truth.
The truth however is something we both can't handle right now.
All my life, has been spent in the woods or in the battlefield.
It's either the animals keeping me company or the screams of soldiers as I kill them and their blood all over me.
I've already experience the life of seeing my mother being caged and what it did to her. I refuse to subject her to the same fate.
Her's will even be worse because she will be sought after.
For if my enemies know of how important she is to me they will try to use her against me.
No, that's not the life I want for her