What on earth was she thinking?! What on earth was she thinking?!
Ares coughed, wincing as the cold air hit him, but his discomfort was quickly replaced by heat as he wrapped his arms around Eleanor, pulling her close, her body pressing against his.
He looked up at the window they had crashed through, and spotted the vampire standing there, his red eyes wide with fear. His hand, still clutching a bow, shaking like a leaf.
Ares raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the vampire's fear-stricken expression. But before he could ponder further, the vampire turned tail and fled.
His eyes darkened.
"Are you alright?" Eleanor asked, looking up at him, her eyes filled with concern and curiosity.
Ares's eyes widened slightly, touched by her concern.
"Hmm?" Her hand rose to his face, her fingers poking his cheek gently. "Are you al—"
"Are you insane?!" He thundered, his eyes blazing with rage.
Eleanor stiffened, taken aback by his outburst. "W-what?"
"What were you thinking, running towards me like that?!" Ares demanded, his voice rising. "That was an arrow, for hell's sake! It could have killed you!"
Eleanor's eyes welled up with unshed tears as she struggled to explain. "B-but nothing happened... I didn't think... I..." She trailed off, her words faltering.
Ares's jaw clenched in frustration, but his expression softened as he stared into her tear-filled eyes. He pulled her closer, his hold tightening as he searched her face for answers.
"I said I would protect you, not the other way around." He said, his voice now low and gentle, but his eyes still flashing with anger.
Eleanor's frown deepened as she swallowed hard, her body beginning to tremble against his. "But the arrow didn't hurt me!" she protested, her voice rising. "I... I... Stop yelling at me!'
Ares's anger was replaced by shock, his eyes widening in surprise. He parted his lips, blinking slowly, as if realizing his tone had been harsher than he intended. "Yelling?" he asked, his voice softer now. "But I..."
"You're not even grateful that I saved your life? Instead, you're yelling at me? You owe me your life, so don't dare yell at me!" Eleanor slapped his chest with such force that he coughed again, but this time, it was a deep, clear cough, and his throat felt less constricted.
He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Fine," he said, his voice warm and gentle. "I owe you my life, Little Bird."
Eleanor's sniffles subsided as she looked at him, her tears held at bay. Her trembling ceased as she saw the warmth return to his eyes, replacing the earlier anger. She felt a sense of ease wash over her, her body relaxing in response to his soothing tone.
"Do you have any idea who sent that assassin?" She asked, curiously.
Ares's expression turned grim. "Atlan blew our cover, so it could be anyone. Anyone who wants to weaken me and kidnap you." His eyes darkened, a hint of menace in his tone.
Eleanor's eyes widened, her lower lip caught between her teeth. "Well, this is terrifying," Maybe escaping isn't such a good idea after all.
Ares's eyes dropped to her lips, his eyes lingering on their plump pinkness. Her teeth toyed with her lower lip, biting slowly, thoughtfully. His little bird had actually saved him.
"That arrow, though..." Eleanor trailed off, her eyes clouding with concern.
"It was radiating a purple glow that seemed to ooze murderous intent. Are you sure it was just an attempt to weaken you?" She released her lip slowly.
Ares's eyes snapped back to hers, surprise etched on his face. "A purple glow?" He hadn't noticed that.
"It's time to return to the castle," he said abruptly, releasing his hold on her body.
As he did, she became suddenly aware of their intimate position. She felt a flush rise to her cheeks as she realized how close they were, their bodies pressed together in a way that felt almost... tender.
Eleanor's small frame had been pressed against Ares's large, muscular body, his face inches from hers, her hand resting on his hard, chest. She had been feeling overheated, but now her face turned bright red as she suddenly became aware of their intimate position. She quickly scrambled off him, her shaky legs struggling to support her.
As she stood, the cold winter air hit her like a slap in the face, and she wrapped her arms around herself, shivering. "Y-yes... Let's return."
Ares stood up, his movements fluid. He removed his cloak and draped it over her shoulders, the warmth and weight of it enveloping her. "Do me a favor and get some rest as soon as we return." he said, his voice low and gentle, as he wrapped the cloak around her snugly.
Eleanor avoided eye contact, her breath catching in her throat at their close proximity. "It's unsettling that you're so unfazed by these assassination attempts. Please don't tell me I have to get used to this."
Ares's lips curled into a hint of a smile. "You have to get used to this, Little Bird." And he snatched her chin, forcing her gaze to meet his.
He cocked his head, his silver eyes gleaming with a warm yet dangerous intensity. "How well can you control your powers?"
Eleanor's gaze was caught off guard, drawn into the hypnotic depths of his eyes. She felt herself becoming lost in their silver swirls. "Huh?"
Ares's brow arched, his expression demanding an answer. Eleanor's hands instinctively grasped his wrist, trying to pry his fingers loose from her chin, but he only tightened his grip. He crouched before her, his face inches from hers, his warm breath dancing across her skin.
Her heart skipped a beat as she struggled to comprehend the situation. What is happening?! she thought, her mind racing.
"I... erm... I can harness my powers as strongly as my parents." she revealed slowly and stiffly, trying to hide her uncertainty.
Ares nodded, his expression impressed. "They trained you?"
Eleanor blinked rapidly, her thoughts whirling. "Y-yes... I spent my whole life training.
Though it was rare and usually forbidden, her grandmother would often sneak her out of the room and into the confined practice room under the cover of night.
Meanwhile, her parents preferred to teach and train her vigorously in the confines of her chamber.
Ares suppressed a smile, his eyes gleaming with amusement. Of course, Princess Eleanor Dankworth of Enebelle is not weak. If she has already reached the level of her parents' abilities without the aid of the golden phoenix flames, she is truly powerful.
"Very well then," he said, taking a step back while maintaining eye contact with her. "Shall we?"
Eleanor nodded graciously. "Certainly."
And they made their way back to the castle.