Avilas chuckled. It was strange to see a change to his expressionless face.
The creases around his eyes, the turn up of his lips, even the flash of his sharp canines were stunning. Aurelia could not pry her eyes away.
"I don't eat...this, love", Avilas motioned at the food before him.
"I have already eaten. This is all for you."
Aurelias heart sunk, did this mean he killed somebody? She gulped.
Avilas shot her a small smile and turned to leave the room again.
"Where are you going?" Aurelia wouldn't admit it but when she awoke and he wasn't at her side, she felt sad.
"I was going to give you some time to wake up and eat your meal. I can stay if you wish?", Avilas turned to face her. He wanted nothing more than to lounge next to her as she prepared herself for their day ahead.
"Stay... I don't mind", Aurelia did not look at him as she spoke. Her cheeks were blushed pink from her admittance and she reached for the bread from the tray.
Avilas sat next to her on the bed, where he had laid next to her a few hours before. As not to make her feel self conscious, he watched the flames of the fire dance.
"Is it enchanted?", Aurelia asked after she finished the bread and reached for the apple slices. She nibbled the piece, unsure of what it would taste like but was pleasantly surprised at its crisp sweetness.
"The fire? No, just a normal fire. I keep it going to keep you warm and provide adequate light for the room." Avilas smiled at her again and her heart skipped a beat.
"Oh... thank you. And thank you for the food. I have never had fruit before. But i have read about it. Its beautiful", she blushed as she spoke to him.
Maybe Avilas was telling the truth, she wasn't compelled, he wasn't going to eat her and he somewhat cared for her. Enough to feed and keep her warm.
"You are welcome, love. You need your strength anyway. If you wish to leave today, I will take you to a safe place to go about your business and start whatever life you wish to lead. But if you would like to stay, we have some research to do." Avilas glanced at Aurelia, his face once again giving nothing away, though he was anxious of her answer.
If she wished to leave, he would let her. He would stay out of her life but he would watch from afar to keep her safe.
If she stayed... he would grant her every wish.
"Research? Into what?", Aurelia had almost finished her meal. Leaving the meat for last as it was her favourite. Salted and medium rare, it was the most sought delicacy of her appetite.
"Into who we are. We are marked as 'unbound' but if that is the case then how are we bound to eachother? And if you are comfortable, I would like to know you. And not just the trivial knowledge I already have."
Avilas now looked at Aurelia unable to look away, watching as the muscles in her jaw moved as she ate. She was a thing of pure beauty.
"I don't want to be alone again..." Aurelia practically whispered, as if speaking to herself, looking down at her lap.
Avilas reached out and tucked a long strand of Aurelias hair behind her ear, causing her to turn and look at him in the eye.
"I want to know who and what I am... I want to know what it means to be somebodys destined", Aurelia blushed as she spoke.
She deliberately used Avilas' term for mate because it sounded so romantic. 'Mate' felt listful and primal.
Avilas smiled again. She wished it would not leave his face, so she smiled back.
They sat in silence for a moment, just in awe of eachother. If they could read eachother minds, their bodies would already be in tight embrace.
Finally, Avilas spoke.
"Then we will find out together, my love", Avilas glaced at the door to the bathroom beind her.
"Would you like another bath before we begin our little adventure?", he motioned with his chin.
Aurelias face turned beetroot.
"Do I smell?", she grabbed a bunch of her hair and inhaled into it deeply.
Avilas chuckled to himself.
"Yes, you do smell", Avilas started and carried on his chuckle from Aurelias wide eyes embarassed face staring into his soul.
"But you smell lovely. I thought you could relax after my revelations from last night..."
Avilas was stupified by how quickly Aurelias face changed. Her skin faded back to its light complection and her eyes relaxed.
"Oh..." Aurelis let out a small laugh ad she pushed her hair back. "Is that okay?"
"Anything for you, my love", Avilas rose from the bed and readied her bath for her.