With Nosgoth ripped away from the bonds forged by the former Alliance and denied re-entry, Darkmere did all he could to shield his people from the magical fallout of the nefarious force. The dark veil that cloaked Nosgoth there after was a deep and black sort of perpetual night, never ending even when daylight should have blessed the land, a pure manifestation of the King?s power wielded over his domain.

The King himself slipped into his own sort of darkness, hiding from the public eye within the sanctuary of the castle. His sons couldn?t even persuade him to come out, finding themselves needing to take care of the more day to day runnings in his stead. The people were in a panic, the night that had fallen over the kingdom terrifying citizens so used to their day to day routines. They couldn?t understand just how or why this had happened. Where so many people had gone. Why the Alliance seemed but a distant memory. Families were torn apart and a great pain settled in the hearts of many, word slowly getting out about the Alliance?s downfall.

Despite it all, the Dark King stood by his promise to watch over them all no matter the cost. His family, his daughters, his heart, all broken. He knew revenge would never be his but the show must go on. Nosgoth must rise again. Even at the cost of his own happiness. Despair and mourning were his to contend with, nobody else.

Nosgoth would be fine.

Even if he wasn?t.

She was quick to leave his study, wanting to put as much distance between herself and the dark king as she could. He positively overwhelmed her with intimidation and she couldn't help the immense sense of disappointment she felt in herself that firstly she had let him intimidate her so badly and secondly that she had evidently annoyed him. Swift steps walked the halls of the expansive palace and she did the best she could to commit the layout to memory but winding corridors and misleading staircases has her lost before long and her pace slowed as she passed through an empty hall, void of anyone she could ask for assistance. "Beautifully done, Theadora, you've really done it now."

He went back to reading the reports that had already been coming in from his sons and brothers. It was going slower than he thought to getting the people back to their normal lives, as he even had the help of a few close friends. Shaking his head as he moved out of his study, allowing himself to be more at ease. Time is what was needed, and they had that. But part of him felt rather angered that his realm had been casted aside, but at the same time it put his focus back on his family and people. Not really looking as he made his way through the castle, before looking up for a moment. Spotting Thea up ahead. "Lost already?" His tone seemed more calmer than before, almost coming off as a friendly tone.

She was muttering quietly to herself as she walked, scolding herself for having got lost so easily. Nearly tripping over her cloak as she heard his voice, she came a stop, eyes on the ground. Ever so slowly she turned around to look up at him, needing to look rather high since he towered over her easily. Perhaps she would make herself taller the next time they spoke so it wouldn't be so hard on her neck. "M-my apologies, m'lord. It was not my intention. You've just such a beautiful and... large home that it was all rather much to take in. Again you have my sincerest apologies." Lightly bowing before straightening again, his friendly tone getting her to pause for only the briefest of moments.

He might have chuckled ever so faintly to her nearly toppling over at his voice, as he slowly started towards her. With him coming to a stop once he reached her and she turned to face him, looking down at her with ease. "You have nothing to say you are sorry for. It is a rather large place and is quite easy to get lost within. Thank you." Murmured as he shifted for a moment. "And it is partly my fault for not being a good host. This..problem has had an effect on me, and for the good of my people. I am trying to have it solved as fast as possible." Turning to walk again with a slight glance to her. "I will show you around."

"I understand you're a very busy man. I had not expected someone to show me around..." She admitted softly, finally turning to walk once more. Walking side by side was a bit of a relief since she didn't have to look him in the eye to do so though she had a tendency to keep her eyes low. "I do not wish to pry so I will not ask, but know you have my sincerest condolences for anything that might have occurred to prompt this."

"Still I do try to keep myself open to my people and family." Murmured to her as he seemed a bit more at ease now. With him glancing down at her for a moment. "Hold your head up, Theadora." This time there wasn't any annoyance in his voice, as he would when asked point something out to her. "As you know. Nosgoth was once part of a larger alliance for years, and recently it came to an end." Murmured aside to her as she would need to know this if she was going to help. "Strong magics made it happen and it was my family coming together that kept it from doing any real damage." Another murmur. "Yet there were still some side effects."

"Please, m'lord, do call me Thea. I'm only called Theadora if I'm in trouble." She tilted her head slightly to give him a hint of a smile at her admission. Reminding herself to breathe slowly as she slowly took a tower of the castle with the king, the actual King of Nosgoth!, she listened carefully and only paused to ask questions when she was unsure of something. "The Alliance was a prosperous time... I am sorry to hear of its demise." She frowned faintly, keeping her voice low for him in the event anyone passed them. "But Nosgoth is strong, we will rise even stronger than we were before..." Pausing. "What sort of side effects?"

"Only if you call me Darkmere, or Dark. Then it is a deal." Side glance with a hint of a smile from him, perhaps letting her see that he wasn't as scary as he was made out to be. And to each question asked, he would answer her honestly. "That is was, but our people are used to change." He then nodded in agreement to her comment about Nosgoth being strong and rising up stronger. "Some of us were affected more than others." He paused. "More so myself."

She paused at his offer to let her call him by his name, shooting him a sidelong glance that showed her obvious reservations about doing so. Nipping at her bottom lip, she slowly nodded. "Darkmere, then, m'lord." Whispered quietly since she didn't quite feel right about addressing a member of royalty as such. Her brows furrowed when he mentioned those affected and she frowned a bit more. "Are you alright?"

He caught the hesitation from her at daring to call him by his given name, before he shook his head. "Speak to me as plainly as you would to your own family, please." Figuring asking nicely would have a better effect, yet at the same time he had grown used to an extent that some prefered to treat his family as royalty. "I spend more time alone than I used to." Murmuring honestly as he started that slow walk again.

"My aunts raised me to be respectful of my elders, m'lord. I mean no offense." That definitely sounded like she was calling him old. She wasn't, she swears! But she smiled softly for him all the same. Her head tilted slightly and she actually looked up at him as they walked, trusting in him to not let her run into anything. "You mustn't grieve alone in the dark or else you'll find it difficult to ever reach the light again..." Hoping she wasn't overstepping boundaries by speaking so candidly.

"Perhaps so, but just because I am king and in the eyes of the people. I know they see us as the royal family. None of us act as such and would do anything for the people." He was fine with being called old, as it had happened a number of times before. To her words. It got him to pause for a moment. "You are correct. I will try to keep from allowing myself to grieve alone." Glancing to her for a moment.

"I'd treat you as such even if you were not our king." She tried to hide the bit of a playful smile that threatened to dance across her lips. Yes, this time she was calling him old. That smile sobered some and she gave him a solemn nod. "I lost my betrothed at sea...while it is not the same as what you face, do know I mean it when I say you are not alone." She hoped the smile she gave him was reassuring, baring that little part of her soul that she kept locked up so tightly, figuring that a part of why this was hitting him so hard was the loss of someone very important to him.

That got a bit of a smirk from him, but more importantly. It got a hint of a laugh from him. "Perhaps so." Side glance to her as he slowly came to a stop at her words of losing someone at sea. "I know I am not alone here. Some lost a mate, with some losing a parent. Many of those that have done everything in their power for the people lost something." A pause to glance to her. "I am sorry for your loss. How long ago was it?" Once again as he would eventually end up at one of the many spare rooms of the castle.

She was rather proud of herself for getting a laugh out of him, perking up significantly as she walked beside him. Her chin lifted and she smiled faintly despite the sadness of the talk. She too came to a stop when he did and nodded lightly to his words. "The strands of fate saw fit to get rather tangled and interwoven amongst the realms, didn't they." Softly sighing, she swallowed the lump in her throat before speaking again. "We were set to wed this Yule but a storm took the ship he was on about a year ago, bonded to one another since childhood thanks to our families." Her voice quieter and quieter before she took a breath and smiled through the pain. "Where've we come to now?"

Seeing her holding her head up a little higher got a faint nod from him, as he tended to prefer that the people always held their heads up. In the presence of his family or when they were alone and facing what life gave them. Even when things looked rough. "That they did, and in one move. Cut the strands free." Mused for a moment, before nodding lightly again. "Again. Sorry for your loss. I know another like that." A slight frown crossed his lips for a moment as events of the past flashed within his eyes, getting him to shake his head. "This will be your room. You may move things around as you see fit." now opening the door for her.

"Sometimes when a ball of yarn becomes too painfully tangled to straighten out, fate's only recourse is to sever the knot..." She said softly, lips pressing into the thinnest of smiles. Her head tilted slightly as she watched him, taking in details and subtle little nuances. Blinking though as he opened the door and explained that this was *her* room. "But...I...I thought you wished for me to return to the south...to work there..."

"A lesson some of the people here have learned over time." Agreeing with her even if his own belief that each one controlled their own fates. Followed with a shake of his head for a moment before moving right along. "And you will do so, but for those times you are staying at the castle. This is where you will be staying."

"A sad but unfortunate occurrence." She nodded affably. Biting her lip, she took only a moment to peek in the room, amazing by the offer. The cottage she lived in with her aunts was small enough to fit in two, maybe three rooms of the castle so it was all a little bit overwhelming. She nodded gently. "Thank you, m'lo...Darkmere." She said quietly, a tinge of red flushing her cheeks as she finally used his name per his request. "It is a two day ride by horseback from here to home...a place to stay shall come in handy."

"Yes it is." A light bow of his head for a moment, before looking between her and the room. Catching the look that she was giving it. "You are welcome, Thea." Catching the blush before quirking a brow. "Tell me.. what is your village like?" Making a note how far it was from the castle.

Quick to lean back from her fast examination of the room, she looked back toward him and shrugged lightly. "Small...peaceful. A population of only...hmm, less than five hundred. Self sufficient, there is a lot of trading for what we need. Many forest folk and a few of the fae. Though...none of your...kind..." She said softly, hoping not to offend him for he was the first either angel or vampire that she had met.

He nodded lightly to her words as well as noting how quick she stopped looking over the room. "Sounds like a nice place to visit one day." Murmured as he made a mental note perhaps to pay a visit to her little town one day. "There are few like me in Nosgoth. Mostly those close to my family." Which got him to lean down a bit towards her. "Does my kind worry you?"

She wasn't concerned too much with the material things in life. The main things she had looked for in the room were a bed and a desk. Really that's all she had in her Inn room back in Rhydin and a bit more than she had in her room back home. As he leaned down toward her, she took in a slow breath, her eyes widening slightly as she held still. "...N-no..." She didn't sound overly confident.

Perhaps in time that would change, both for her and her small town. As he was already letting his mind start to work out ways to make the travel for her and her people easier. "I see." Murmured as he remained oh so close to her, and for a brief hint of a moment. Those sky blues surfaced, yet quickly faded back to golden.

It wasn't that they were poor, she just never felt the need for nicer things. They were happy, that's what mattered to her and her family and friends. She held her breath as he got really close to her, her eyes going wider than they were before, glittering pools of such a pale shade of grey they almost could have passed for white. "...I trust in you." She murmured simply, eyes still wide.

Perhaps so, but he wanted to be sure of that himself before he set any plans into action. What he would probably end up doing is make it to where they could have the same benefits as the rest of Nosgoth. "A wise idea." Murmured as he finally leaned back.

Her village would welcome him like they did anyone else. What he chose to do after that was up to him. As he finally leaned back, she exhaled that held breath, a minor look of conflict crossing her expression. She blinked once and her eyes darkened just slightly to a more 'normal' shade of grey, quieting as her words had failed her.

Which always made him feel more welcomed in his homeland than anywhere else. Taking note of her letting out a breath of air when he leaned back, with a tilt of his head as he seemed to have stunned her into utter silence. "Perhaps we can talk more in the future."

She kept her eyes on him despite the overwhelming urge to drop her gaze. Her lips parted like she was about to speak before she instead pressed them together and gave him a short nod and a faint curtsy. It seemed to her that the tour was coming to an end. "Yes m'lord. I thank you for your hospitality."

His brow rose a bit as he noted she wanted to say or ask something, before she chose not to do so. "What is on your mind?" Wondering what she had or wanted to say now.

The directness of his question had her instinctively dropping her eyes, hands clasping at the small of her back. "It is...nothing m'lord. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve. I should...be going though, the trip home is long and arduous."

"Thea." Allowing some that firmness that he used when needed. "Speak plainly to me remember. If there is something you wish to ask or say, then do so."

She jumped just slightly at him speaking her name firmly. Shifting slightly, she shook her head gently. "There is nothing, my apologies..." She murmured softly, stilling her fidgeting once more.

Now crossing his arms over his chest to her continuing now to dodge around what she wanted to say towards him. "You have something on your mind that you wish to say. I would be offended if you did not speak your mind."

She kept her hands clasped behind her back and her eyes down as he spoke to her. Another soft shake of her head sent ripples through her white-blonde hair. "I've forgotten so it is clearly nothing."

"Very well." Letting it drop for now as he lowered his arms, and turned to head towards his own room now. "You are free to stay the night here at the castle. It is rather late."

Her pack for the journey here had been checked in when she entered the castle and she had no idea if anyone would be there at this hour to hand it back over. "Thank you, m'lord. Rest well." As he finally turned to head for his own room, she eventually lifted her chin to watch him. Conflicted on whether or not to stay or to go. Some instinctive part of her told her to go and go quickly.

If she stepped into the room, she would find her pack sitting on the desk. As it seemed he had already planned ahead for her to have her own room there, and perhaps a hint to her that she was welcomed at the castle. "You rest well, Thea." Over his shoulder. As for people being around. There were guards making their rounds, as well of her catching a glimpse here and there of his family.

She had been tempted to run even without her pack but the trip had been long and tiring so she figured she would retire to her designated room until sunrise at which point she would go get her pack and leave. That is...until she got back to her room and found the pack there. She looked around and then moved to check it. Her stuff was there. Okay. Maybe she could rest for just a little while, moving to take off her cloak and get out of the tight fitting corset dress. No pajamas though, she slipped under the covers in her underthings and pulled the blanket allllll the way up.

cont...

He wouldn't see it as foolish, as he had been in that same boat as well. Wanting someone he cared for to return when he knew better, which was probably why he tended to grieve alone. With him noticing the flinch to the touch, yet for the moment he left his hand remain over her own. "Such things tend to happen when you least expect them to do so." Murmured as there was a touch of wisdom in his tone, before looking towards the door.

"But of course." The door was slowly opened and two grey haired old women peeked their heads inside. While they were both completely aware that he was there, they still looked rather surprised but pleased to see him. They slipped inside and Thea took that opportunity to rise and head for the kitchen not only to make more tea but to compose herself as well. Once she didn't think she was going to break down crying, she returned with two cups, one for each of her aunts. "My King, I am pleased to introduce you to my aunts Violet and Petunia. Aunties, our King Alcar."

He nodded lightly to Thea before leaning back and removing his hand as the door opened. Shifting from being more at ease to what was more than likely expected of him in portraying a king. Side glance was given to Thea as she bolted for the kitchen, before looking to her aunts, with him rising to his feet with a light bow of his head. "A pleasure to meet you both."

Grateful that he had broken contact, it had made standing and leaving for a moment much easier than if he had still been touching her. The older women took the tea from the younger and each bowed deeply to the King, expressing how pleased they were to meet him and that if they could be of any assistance to just let them know. Thea stood quietly at the edge of the room since the seats were filled but once they finished their tea, the older women got up, offered their good nights and each retreated to their separate rooms, leaving Thea and Darkmere alone once more. "They were very happy to meet you..." She murmured softly.

Guessing she was grateful that the contact had been broken, before he focused on the two older women. Keeping an eye on Thea as he noted her keeping to the back, but showed respect to her aunts. With him thanking them for their offer of assistance, as well as bidding them good night. Once they left. He sighed softly. "Agreed." Looking back to her again. "It is always like this?" Murmured to her.

She sat back down on the edge of the chair again and blinked a few times at his questions. "What do you mean m'lord?" Her head tilting slightly as she watched him and listened for an answer to that.

Turning to face her again, as he shifted to lean forwards towards her. "You standing in the background when your aunts have guests." Murmured to her and perhaps a hint that he had noticed her.

"If we have guests our guests take priority seating. As you may have noticed, space isn't exactly plentiful here..." She gestured around the small room with a flutter of her fingers, leaning back in the chair just slightly. "I am simply being respectful of the comfort of those guests and since I'm the youngest of the house, I am the first to stand."

He nodded lightly to that before looking around again at her flutter of her fingers, only to look back to her. "And if you were to ever have your own place?" Gauging her now if that had ever crossed her mind, or if she had allowed her mind to wrap around the idea she was stuck having to share a place with her aunts.

She tilted her head the opposite direction, her eyes on him as he spoke. Considering his question for a few moments, she shrugged gently. "This shall be my own place once they... move on to rest peacefully." She said with a soft nod.

He nodded lightly to that for a moment. "And if you were to have your own place now?" Again watching for her reaction and to see if perhaps she might like the idea.

A few blinks met that question. "That would be strange. There would be no one to care for this home..." She took a look around, unsure if she saw herself leaving it.

Another light nod. "Think on this. You could have your own place, and with help. Turn this place into your shop, allowing you to help more people. As well as having a home for yourself."

"But this is my home..." She still seemed hesitant. "I've dreamed of building a shop separate from here though...perhaps once my aunts are no longer around." She murmured quietly.

A light bow of his head to her words. "Very well." With his brow quirking for a moment, and leaned back. "A shop you say." Once again doing the whole steepled fingers.

She bit at her lip and gave him a meek little nod in response to his words. "With a back room for brewing and experimenting and testing. Then I could trade out the items I receive. And I would have a two bedroom home here and I could move out of the sewing room." She said brightly like it was some exciting concept.

"Done." Sure to get her to just outright stare at him at how easily he said such a thing. With him lifting a hand to silence her before she could utter a word. "It will be payment for what you are doing to help the people."

"What?" She asked softly, her eyes rounding wide as she stared at him. A few blinks as she processed that. And then? She suddenly closed the distance between them and threw her arms around his neck to hug him. "Oh thank you, you're too kind...I will do my best to make sure I deserve it..." She murmured softly, not wanting to speak loudly beside his ear. Just as quickly, she realized was she was doing and pulled back sheepishly. "I-I'm sorry, m'lord. I got...carried away."

He watched her reaction and was about to say more, before she darted at him and hugged him. Getting a light laugh from him as he countered her hug with a light one of his own. Not at all bothered that much by it. "Welcome, Thea. Just continue to do what you are doing now." Murmured back to her, before allowing her to pull away. This time waving off her words. "Think nothing of it."

"I will do my best." She repeated with a firm nod, not quite sitting back down just yet. She looked to his teacup and tilted her head. "Do you wish for more tea or may I get you anything? If you are tired, we can walk through the square. I'm sure the inn there will have plenty of room for yourself and your men..."

"I expect nothing less." Now rising to his feet to standing right in front of her, before looking to his tea cup. "No more tea for the night." Looking back to her for a moment. "And you have done enough for one day. Go and rest for the night." Bowing his head lightly to her as he moved to show himself out. "As for my men. They will head for the inn when they wish to rest."

As he rose, she tilted her head back to look up at him. He was rather tall and all. With his words, she curtsied again, head bowed and all before shifting aside to allow him to see himself out. "Very well. I bid you a good night's rest. If you've any requests we can fulfill for you while you're here...please let us know." She said softly, seeming to be inching for the cottage's back door.

Looking down at her during their exchange, with another bow of his head to her words. "You as well, Thea." Murmured as he slipped out into the town, and started to check in on the progress made by his men. Before starting towards the inn, now looking around the town without onlookers to stare at him. As well as perhaps looking for the right spot to have his men build Thea's new shop.

Continued

It had been a few days since Darkmere visited Thea's small town, with a few more men showing up to work. The shelter was already done by now, but what was sure to get a glance and probably some gawkers. Was the fact that Darkmere himself along with his sons had showed up, taking the lead in building her new shop. Making it big enough for her to store what she needed, a large enough room for her to make her various potions as well as a room for her to sleep in if the need struck her. As well as it being mostly lit up by oil lamps or just a hint of magical energies, perfectly tuned to Thea's own magical aura.

It certainly had the town talking. Some were talking about how wonderful it was to have such a kind king. Others were gossiping about what Thea had done to warrant such attention. Even still, more defended Thea against the gossipers, proving she was rather looked up to in their little village. Once more the White Witch lingered at the edge of the crowd, watching from afar as they put the finishing touches on it.

Those defending Thea weren't only from the town, as some of the soldiers that she had been kind to defended her as well. As Dark took a break from working on it to slowly make her way towards her, with a towel slung over his shoulder. Not minding that the people tended to scoop out of his way, before he came to a stop in front of her. "I do hope you like it."

She couldn't help but watch as he neared, one corner of her lip pinned between her teeth. She smiled all the same and gave him a firm nod once he came to a stop, having not listened one way or another to the talk of the town. "It will serve our people very well... thank you."

He noted her biting the corner of her lips as he drew closer, as for once he seemed more casual. Giving her a slight glimpse into what type of king he was. With him ignoring the faint whispers still going on around them. "I hope that it serves you very well, and you are welcome." Turning to motion towards it as if to invite her to head towards her new shop.

She gave him a respectful bow of her head, unable to hide the smile on her face. Maybe he wasn't so scary after all, she thought. As he motioned toward it, she nodded and headed for the shop, excitement rising within her before she reached it and stepped inside.

He shook his head when she bowed her head towards him, before turning to follow her towards the shop. Just in time too as it seemed his sons and men had just finished when she reached it and stepped inside. Dark followed her inside, waiting at the door so she could look around by herself.

She clasped her hands in front of her mouth, masking a soft gasp that left her. Slate eyes wide, it seemed like despite her shape changing abilities, she had taken to remaining in her natural born form when he was around. Stepping further inside, she ran her hands over the newly made setup, counters and tables, cabinets and other equipment. "It's...wow. It's perfect." She murmured, breathless.

He clapped his hands behind his back as he watched her moving around the shop, with a hint of a smile to catching she seemed to remain within her natural form. He also noted how she made sure to brush her hands over everything. "One more thing." Murmured as he finally moved from the door, carefully slipping by her and motioned her to follow. With him leading her to the bedroom, and pushed the door open. A rather simple one at that, yet it already house the things she had under the canopy behind her aunts' house. All that remained to be done was for the shop to be stocked.

"The woodwork, while newly made, still holds old soul to it.It is wonderful..." She murmured, mostly to herself. A brow perked as he mentioned one more thing and she followed behind him obediently. She stopped in the doorway, frozen as she looked in awe around the bedroom. "This...is for me?" She tilted a look toward him.

"We try to capture the spirit of who ever we build for." Aside to her before looking to her as she followed him in a very obedient manner. Getting a slight quirk of the brow, before letting the moment pass. Which was followed in time with a light smile and nod. "All of this is for you. This is your new shop and home."

She pressed her lips into a thin line but even that couldn't keep her mouth from curving upwards. She stepped further into the room, spun a slow circle and faced him with a grin. "My own bedroom... my own shop... I can do so much for the people with this..." She murmured and with a little bounce, let herself freefall back onto her little bed, giggling. After a moment of giggling, she sat up and tried to hide a grin. "Th-thank you, m'lord. I can't say it enough."

Once again staying near the doorway to her bedroom, as he had enough manners not to step inside without her inviting him in. Though a light hint of a smile showed to her being utterly thrilled to having her own place to call home now. "That you can." Murmured softly before a light chuckle followed her flopping on the bed. "Welcome, Thea." Now turning to leave. "If you require help in stocking the shop. Just ask and tell us where you want everything placed."

As he turned to leave, she blushed deeply and slowly stood up, brushing her hands over the crocheted skirt she wore. Her midriff was bare and she gently adjusted the bottom edge of the knit belly shirt worn. "I... should be able to do so myself. I've asked too much of you and your men, now it is time for me to return the favor..." She said softly, looking after him as he sought to leave.

If he had caught her blushing as he turned to leave, there was no mentioning of it just like before. With him noting that her midriff was in plain sight for a moment, till she adjusted her clothing. "Very well. I shall leave a few soldiers here to help keep an eye on the town, as well as helping out where they are needed." Over his shoulder as he slowly headed towards the door, till her mentioning returning the favor. "How so?" It at least got him to stop.

Continued

It got a rather obvious shiver out of her and she squeezed her eyes shut tightly. Still not moving or trying to pull away from him despite every instinct telling her she should. Biting at her bottom lip, she gulped, her head tilting ever so slightly to allow him better access to the milk expanse of her throat. "I...only...only briefly..."

Smirking fully now to caused her to shiver hard with him missing her closing her eyes tightly, as well that she remained in place. With him figuring she would move away from him, and ask him to leave. His brow did rise to her tilting her head as if offering her neck to him. "I see." Murmured to her own words. "Perhaps one day I shall let you know what it is like." Whispered into her ear before he leaned back and started to turn to leave again, the sultry promise left to linger in the air.

A soft groan left her lips as his whisper tickled her ear, her eyes slowly reopening as he leaned back and went to leave again. She hadn't the slightest idea of what to say to that and all she could do was simple stare after him, dumbfounded but curious all at once.

The groan from her got him to smirk yet again, yet this time he kept his back to her. With him continuing towards the door, as he kept the fact that his eyes had shifted to a faint hint of red now. "Until next time, Thea."

She stared after him as he walked away, her feet rooted to the spot. Making no move to follow him, she finally reminded herself to breathe, hoping to ward off the lightheaded and dizzy feeling she had. Her soft voice spoke after him, "Yes m'lord."

]

cont...

She squeaked softly as he kept her from moving the chair backward. Her eyes went as wide as saucers and she stared at him as he neared, breathing rapidly as she tried to get her heart rate under control. As he spoke, she considered his question, two answers coming to mind immediately. Yes and I trust you. While both were true, she wasn't sure which she should say. "I...I...yes..."

Smirking more at her, to the point she got a nice good look at his fangs, when her eyes opened widely. Listening to her breathing and heartbeat as both quickened to him being so close to her. "Why?" Coming to a stop finally as his nose just touched the tip of her own.

Despite his fangs being on blatant display, her eyes were locked on his eyes and nowhere else. She swallowed slowly and went quiet as she considered that question. "B-because..." She murmured, unsure of how to phrase her response. "I...please don't hurt me..."

He kept his eyes upon her own, as he stayed nose to nose with her. Slowly allowing his eyes to start that shift from gold to a faint blood red. "Because?" There was that damn purr from him again as he moved his hand from the chair arm, and started to bring it up. Aiming to catch her by the neck, lightly for the moment.

She stopped breathing as his eyes changed, her breath held in with a swell of her chest. Her bottom lip quivered faintly and she bit at it rather hard to stop it. Perhaps enough to break the surface and bite her lip open. She gasped as he caught her by the neck and she let out a soft whimper, shutting her eyes tightly. "I don't want to die..." Torn between trusting him and wanting to run for her life, she let out the held breath and with a quick motion brought one of her hands up, something within her grip pressed against his chest. It seemed she was wielding a small crucifix with the implied expectation that it would have some profound compelling effect on the king and hopefully give her enough room to flee.

His brow rose at her when she held her breath when his eyes changed, yet remained right where he was at for the moment. With his eyes moving to her lip when she bit hard enough to break the skin. Allowing her scent to further tempt him all the more, before looking down at her hand to his chest. Catching sight of the small cross she wielded, causing him to smirk and slowly started to pull back. Yet kept a hold of her neck, aiming to make her move with him.

"But...why isn't it..." She murmured, confused. She tried to press it against him once more, a soft whimper leaving her lips as he pulled back but didn't let her go. The grip on her neck had her eyes going wide all over again and she looked into his eyes once more. "Please..."

"Because those stories only work on those from the realms that they come from." Murmured back to her as he was amused that she tried it again, before shifting to back her up towards his desk. Giving her the choice to remain lower than him, or push herself up on to the desk. "Shhh."

The cross dropped from her hand and clattered weakly to the floor. As he shifted her back toward the desk, she tried to shake her head at him, clumsily walking backwards and completely lacking any amount of grace she had shown before. "Oof." She muttered when her rear hit the edge but she didn't move atop it, still standing close to a foot shorter than him. "P-please..."

Still holding her by the neck to make sure she couldn't get away from him, before shifting to use his other hand to lift her up. By wrapping that arm around her, pressing her up against him for a moment. "Shhh." Murmured to her as he sat her on the desk, before pressing his other hand against her back. As well as using his thumb to tilt her head back and away from him.

Her breath came in short gasps, panicked as she knew better than to try and pull away from someone so strong when they had a hold of such a sensitive area. As he pulled her up against him, she froze briefly and then whimpered as he set her on the desk. Her heart was pumping hard to try and keep up with her panic but she didn't move an inch other than how he tilted and positioned her, her eyes shutting once again.

Feeling her breathing coming in short gasps, as he watched her eyes fill with panic. With a smirk as she chose not to fight him off, before he pressed more on her back. Keeping her in tight against his frame, before leaning down towards her neck. Hearing her whimpering out as well, followed with a slow graze of his fangs along her neck. Just to see what reaction he got, and just where that weak spot was.

His breath was hot along her skin but her flesh was already burning up with some strange and twisted combination of fear and excitement, curiosity and panic. Like a little bunny caught in a trap, she went perfectly still saved for her frantic breathing. As he grazed his fangs along her neck, she gasped out and jerked hard, her hands lifting to try and press against his chest and push him away.

Continuing to let his breath tease her neck, with him continuing that slow graze of his fangs along her flesh. As well as inhaling her scent and listening to her increased breathing and heartbeat. "Lower your hands." Murmured when she tried to push back against him. "Or don't you wish to finally know what it is like?"

Her flesh carried a faint scent of lavender with a trace of sage. The blood that flowed through her veins held a scent of old power, pure and unadulterated, a sweet sort of scent. The melody of his murmured words was enough to lull her into a strange sense of security and as her lashes fluttered over her eyes, her shoulders drooped and her hands slid down his chest and then dropped to the edge of the desk.

He took note of that scent of lavender and sage on her flesh, yet it was the scent of her blood that interested him. With a smirk crossing his lips, before continuing to graze his fangs along her flesh. Waiting for the right moment, right when she allowed herself to freely voice what he was doing to her.

She shivered slowly with the next pass of his sharp eye teeth over the sensitive baby soft skin of her neck. Her head remained tilted and her heart continued pounding, pumping hot blood through her body at a rapid rate. "I trust you..." She murmured ever so softly.

He smirked to her shivering softly before he finally bite down, actually trying not to hurt her to much with it. Even as his hands either pressed or grip a fraction harder to keep her from yanking back. Followed with him sealing his lips around the new marks and starting to suck on them, and feeding from her.

It hurt, don't get her wrong, but not as bad as she thought it would. Like a pair of hard beestings or something. She let out a startled gasp and her hands came up to his chest again. She didn't push him away though, instead her fingers curled against the front of his shirt. Another shiver went through her, a quiet groan leaving her as he held her tightly to him to feed from her.

Smirking faintly against her flesh to that startled gasp, as he continued that slow feeding from her. With him feeling her shivering against him, as well as hearing the groan, before starting to rub his hand against her back. His thumb on the other hand started to rub the front of her throat.

Her hands tightly grasped the front of his shirt, completely unaware that he was smirking. Another groan left her as his thumb rubbed over her throat and his hand along her back. The closeness of their bodies and the slow drinking of her lifeblood, a fluid that thrummed with untapped potential and power. Slowly the panic subsided and her frantic panting slowed, leading to a surprisingly drawn out purr leaving her lips.

He continued to smirk as she gripped at his shirt. As he continued the feeding as well as the motions of his hands and thumb, with him pressing more against her if possible, just as that purr slipped past her lips. Not at all seeming in a hurry to pull back from her at all, allowing her to dwell in the darkness that was probably taking over her mind now. It would be pleasant to let someone join him for once.

Intoxicated, her thighs parted and one ankle hooked around the back of his thigh, allowing her to be rather close to him, her motions seemingly occurring without her realizing it. Her eyes had fallen shut and from time to time she would shiver and shudder against him, soft purrs humming on her lips.

Finally pulling back from her as she drew, when she started to wrap herself around him. Slowly licking his lips at her, allowing her to see it if she opened her eyes. Then leaned down to lick her neck clean. "Hello."

A soft whimper left her lips as he pulled back just as she had finally relaxed and slipped a leg around him. Begrudgingly she opened her eyes just in time to catch him licking his lips. It was enough to get another shiver out of her as she felt a soft trickle along her neck. Until he leaned in to lick her neck clean. A little groan in response to his greeting.

Smirking down at as he moved his hand from her neck to start running along her leg. Now looking down into her eyes again, with his hand still running along her back. Feeling her shiver getting another against his frame, with him tilting his head. "What are you thinking, Thea?"

Ever so slowly she lowered her leg from around his to let it dangle from the desk's edge. Her eyes closed for a moment and when she reopened them, her irises were nearly pure white, almost indistinguishable from the whites of her eyes, accented by a pinprick of a pupil. "I'm not..."

Thea had spent the next couple of days in a relative daze, slowly traipsing through her daily routine in a fog. She had plenty of smiles for those in her village though and they were all pleased that she had a shop of her own now. She had just closed up for the day, locking the patron's entrance and putting up the closed sign before heading back to the home connected to the shop. Stepping over the salt line, she brushed her hands over the silver cross on the door. There was a faint scent of garlic in the doorway as well as residue from holy water and while she wasn't sure if it would do her any good, she may as well try.

Dark had left Thea alone during those next few days, sure to have the poor girl thinking that it was some sort of dream or nightmare that the King had drank from her. Yet he would appear just within her shop after she had closed it up for the night, just in time to see her heading off towards the home part of the shop. Smirking to her gestures as well as the salt and scent of the garlic, before moving to slowly follow her. With a brow quirked to the silver cross and the hint of holy water. "Rather interesting things you are trying." Stopping just short of her protections.

She froze in her tracks, her hand on the door and her back to him. His voice sent a gentle shiver down her spine and at first she didn't turn to face him. It took her a moment to get her startled heart rate to return to normal but eventually she swallowed and spoke. "I did not expect to see you here..."

Smirking to her freezing in her tracks as he noted the shiver that raced along her spine, with him taking a step forwards. One hand lifted to press a hand to the door to keep her from trying to shut it, not that he could just appear in her room. "Would you prefer that I leave?"

She heard each and every step as he neared and she took a deep breath, holding it deep within her lungs. Glancing to his hand on the door, she exhaled the held breath and slowly lifted her gaze to him. "I did not say that." She said softly.

"True." Murmured as he slowly took a full step towards her, keeping his hand on the door for the moment. With his eyes staying on her, before moving to her eyes when she looked up at him.

She ever so slowly lowered her hand from the door, conceding his victory to him. Another slow breath was taken and she looked into his eyes for a moment before dropping her gaze and slightly bowing her head. "...have I angered you?"

His brow rose as she lowered her hand from the door, before stepping further inside and shut the door. Watching her the whole time, before taking a step towards her again, and aimed to lift her eyes back up towards his own. "You have not."

She didn't move or step back or try to get away from him. Instead she clasped her hands in front of her and kept her head bowed until he lifted her eyes up to his. Biting at her bottom lip, she blinked once or twice. "Offended you then?"

He took note that she wasn't running from him and tilted his head at her for a moment. With a glance over his shoulder towards the door, then back to her with a smirk crossing his lips. "Amused me a bit with your attempts to keep me away. Why?"

She saw this smirk and frowned slightly, certain that such measures either would have kept him out or angered him for the fact that she had tried. Her teeth bit harder into her lip and she tried to avoid his gaze again. "I was...afraid..."

He merely found it amusing that she had tried it when her little cross failed her days before. With his fingers curling a bit around her chin to keep her looking up at him. "Afraid of what?"

Her shoulders sagged as he kept her chin in place but even with her chin held, her eyes stayed down. Her fingertips fidgeted a bit with the drawstrings on her skirt and she shrugged softly. "...of you I guess..."

"And why are you scared of me?" Now leaning down towards her, sure to get her eyes to snap back to him. With him keeping a hold of her chin, as he watched and listened. Seeing if her heart would start thumping against her chest again.

As he leaned down toward her, she stiffened visibly and her eyes went wide as she looked up at him. "B-because you...seem to get...some sort of enjoyment...out of tormenting me..." She murmured sheepishly, her pale cheeks pinking even in the dim lamplight of her room. And yes, her heart was already pounding again.

Smirking to her snapping her attention back upon him as he remained so dangerously close to her now. "Perhaps, but deep down you seem to enjoy that someone can get you to feel things that you never felt before." Murmured back to her as he listened to her and her heart pounding again.

"So you w-want me to be afraid?" She asked softly, her breaths coming in short bursts to accompany her racing heart. Her foot tapped anxiously and she seemed to be contemplating pulling away from him.

"I do not." Murmured in return, as he continued that hold of her chin, and dared to lean in closer. Now nose to nose with her, just to see if she'd jerk away from him or remain in close.

As he leaned in further until they were nose to nose, she let out a soft whimper and tensed further but didn't seem to act on pulling away from him. Her eyes were as wide as they would go though and she stared at him unblinkingly. "Then what do you wish for me to feel?"

Now remaining nose to nose with her, with a slight fanged smirk to her soft whimper and to her tensing further. "Hmm. Tell me something first. What is racing through your mind right now?"

The first glimpse of those sharp fangs got a louder whimper to come from her and she shivered slightly at the memory of the first time he had sank them into her delicate flesh. "I...I don't know m'lord...I g-guess...that I'm confused...."

Now showing off both fangs to her whimpering out louder, as his hand shifted from her chin to her neck. With a few fingers brushing over the faint marks where he bit her days before. "And what are you confused about?"

She tensed as his hand shifted to her neck. The marks were still faint but just slightly visible if you looked for them. She seemed to be healing up rather well though. "About...what you want..."

Still showing those fangs to her as he noted her freezing up again when he caught her by the neck. "And what do you want from this?"

She held rather still has he seemed to be amused by her reaction to the whole situation. Her response to his question came without hesitation and carried no innuendo or alternate meaning, just what she said. "I wish to please you m'lord..."

Tilting his head more as he listened to her and watched her. "Then no more trying to hide from me, or trying to come up with ways to keep me away." Murmured to her.

Trying to steady her breathing and heart rate, she failed in that endeavor and gave him a weak little nod. "Yes, m'lord. You have my sincerest apologies, it will not happen again."

With that promise on the books, the night became one of discussing the darkness and the King's part in it all. They spoke of how she might help and at last when the subject returned to the two of them together, in time, words faded in favor of a tangling of bodies, a sensual surprise for both of them, neither thinking the night would take such a turn. The hours passed and as they learned of one another in every sense of the word, fatigue finally set in and sleep drifted over them both.

three months later, the Red Dragon Inn?

The click of the door shutting behind them muffled the din of the common room below. She exhaled a held breath and bit at her lip, fingers latching the lock before she stepped away to set her items down on the rather crowded table full of books and parchment and lists and bottles. She clasped her hands in front of her and lowered her chin, awaiting him to say the first word.

Turning to face her once they were both in the room, with a tilt of his head as he watched her. Faint blues looking her over rather slowly for a moment, as he seemed to be waiting for her to set her things down. Once she had done so with him taking a step towards her, and moved a hand up to catch her chin. Slowly lifting her eyes up towards his own, not yet saying anything at the moment.

She heard each footstep as he neared and still she didn't lift her chin until he made her do so. When he finally made her meet his eyes, he might be able to see a faint hint of tears glistening at the corners of her eyes but she was holding it back rather well. She didn't even tremble with the restrained crying. Instead she simply met his gaze and waited for him to speak first.

Tilting his head as he noted the hint of tears in her eyes, as he shifted his hands to cup her cheeks. With his thumbs to brush against her flesh to catch any stray tear that tried to fall. "What is wrong, Dray?" His tone softer than it had been in the previous times they had spoken.

No tears fell thankfully and she looked up at him without an answer to his question. Words didn't seem to come easily to her and she swallowed hard as his hands cupped her cheeks. "N-nothing is wrong, m'lord. I am sorry if I embarrassed you with my clumsiness..."

He continued to cup her cheeks as well as letting his thumbs brush against them. Taking note that she hadn't let any tears fall, as well her having a bit of trouble speaking. "You didn't embarrass me." Murmured softly to her. "Now why do you look as if you wish to cry?" Lowering down now towards her, keeping his faint blues on her greys.

Greys had washed out to a near white shade, empty. Her lips thinned into a tight line and she went quiet in response to his question. It had been that obvious, she really had hoped it hadn't been. She swallows slowly and her shoulders lift for a soft shrug. "It does nae matter, m'lord. How may I serve you this evening?" She glanced around the room quickly. It really wasn't set for entertaining guests but she could maybe improvise.

Taking notice to her eyes going to a near white shade, getting him to sigh softly yet didn't cause him to withdraw from her. "Tell me, Dray." Murmured again to her again as he kept her as the focus at the moment as he continued to brush his thumbs against her flesh.

She did not like being put on the spot like this. Not used to being asked about herself, certainly not by him. "Spilled tea. It is nothing to cry over." She said evenly, putting up her best smile for him as she aimed to slowly slip away from his grasp.

He took note of that before shifting to keep her within his grasp. "Very true." Murmured back to her with his hands moving to try and catch her at the sides, aiming to keep her from escaping. "Did I do something to hurt you?"

He should be careful, she has rather ticklish sides. Catching her at them had her twisting and gasping out, a tight giggle of reflex coming forward. "N-no, m'lord. I am fine, I assure you. I promise."

Tilting his head to her giggling and twisting, with an actual smile crossing his lips now. Lightly trying to tickle her side now. "Please. Tell me." Murmured to her as he would shift to try and keep with her.

"Guuuuuaahhhhhhh! No!" She cried out as he tickled her sides more, her voice rising as her hands clamped down on his and tried to pull them away from her sides to keep him from tickling. "P-please, don't tickle. You already take my breath away without stealing it in such an evil way..." She admitted softly.

"Yes." Slowly smiling more to her crying out to being tickled, as well to it getting her voice to rise. With him stopping more to her words than to her managing to grab his hands. "I have?" Murmured to her as he shifted to take her hands within his own, and looked around to see if her room had a chair.

"Please no..." She whimpered the words softly. As he stopped, she took a few deep breaths of relief, glad he quit. The little inn room had a chair at the desk, a regular straight back unpadded wooden chair. Otherwise there was a small dresser, a cluttered desk, a bedside table and lamp, and a neatly made bed. She went quiet and sighed. "I should not have said anything m'lord. Please disregard."

"Yes." Murmuring back to her, with a squeeze to her hands as she took in those deep breaths, as he started to back up towards that little chair. While trying to coax her into walk with him as he walked backwards. "Please, Dray. Tell me." Murmured to her again as he did wish to know.

She let him pull her along as he backed up. Dropping her gaze to her shuffled footsteps, she sighed and shrugged gently. "It is nothing. It is not my place to question your motives nor your needs, I am simply here to serve you."

Slowly sitting down in that unpadded chair, with him following it up by trying to pull her to sit sideways in his lap instead of straddling it. "Dray." Still speaking in The King's Language on her name. "What is it that you wish to say?"

She sighed as he pulled her down into his lap, their afternoon spent together quickly coming to mind. Cheeks reddened and she didn't move an inch once she sat. "I do not wish to say anything, m'lord. I would like if you would see this."

He shifted to slip one arm around her shoulders with the other merely resting on her lap, as he recalled their afternoon together. "Very well, Dray. I shall not push you to talk, even though I would like for you to speak your mind."

"My mind does nae know what to think!" She said with an exasperated sigh, lifting her hands to push them back through her hair. Letting her fingers tangled at the back of her head, she sighed softly and shook her head. Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself. "I am fine, m'lord. What do you wish for this evening?"

That got him to tilt his head as he continued to just hold her for the sake of holding her, waiting for her to settle again. "Dray. I can tell there is something on your mind that you wish to say. It might help if you just speak freely. That is what I wish for this evening, for you to talk to me."

She seemed to be thinking it over for quite some time, breathing quietly as she tried to figure out what to say. But when she spoke, it came out in a quickly spoken jumble, "Ymm so desa cbahd fedr oui, so raynd ryc paah cryddanat fedreh so lracd. E ghuf oui suinh vun ouin muccac yc E tu. Yht E tu hud vyimd oui vun caagehk cumyla eh dra ynsc uv yhudran. E zicd... fecr E fana y bynd uv fryd ryc rambat oui caa dra mekrd. Yht E vayn dra tyng uhla oui hu muhkan taas sa ved du cryna ouin yvvaldeuhc." Seemingly pouring her heart out in her native tongue until she ran out of words and hushed with a soft sigh. Translation: ?All my time spent with you, my heart has been shattered within my chest. I know you mourn for your losses as I do. And I do not fault you for seeking solace in the arms of another. I just... wish I were a part of what has helped you see the light. And I fear the dark once you no longer deem me fit to share your affections.?

He was giving her the time needed to try and gather her words, with his brow rising to her using that language. Waiting for her to finish as he caught that she was pouring her heart out towards him. "E ghuf E ryja paah nydran tecdyhd fedr oui, yht yd vencd tet caag oui uid vun cumyla. Oad oui ryja paah uha uv dra uhac dryd ryc paah rambehk sa du caag dra mekrd ykyeh, yht oui ryja hudrehk du vayn uh caaehk dra tyng ykyeh. E fecr du luhdehia cbahtehk desa fedr oui, Dray. Dryd ec ev oui fecr du luhdehia du cbaht desa fedr sa." Murmured softly back to her. Translation: ?I know I have been rather distant with you, and at first did seek you out for solace. Yet you have been one of the ones that has been helping me to seek the light again, and you have nothing to fear on seeing the dark again. I wish to continue spending time with you, Thea. That is if you wish to continue to spend time with me.?

As she slowly regained her composure, she defaulted back to Common. "The dark will come for me once I'm left to deal with me and mine." She murmured softly, her shoulders sinking as her gaze fell to her fidgeting fingertips. "You will rise from this, m'lord."

Watching her as she listened to his words and followed her back to the Common tongue. "I am the dark, Dray." Murmured softly to her as he continued to hold her. "Do you still wish to spend time with me?" Point blank asking her now.

She shook her head gently. "Not what I mean, my king." She said softly and bit at her lip. Considering his question, she gave a soft nod. "So long as it pleases you, m'lord." Softly spoken, barely above a whisper.

Moving the hand on her lap to catch one of her hands. "I know what you meant." Murmured softly to her with a light squeeze to her hand. "Does it please you to spend time with me, m'lady?" Murmured just as softly.

As they played ring around the rosie with their words, she sighed softly. Her gaze followed his hand catching hers, watching as he squeezed it and giving him a gentle squeeze in return. "When it pleases you, yes it does." She said back.

Another game of dancing around with their words, as he gave her hand another squeeze. "Do not take into account if it pleases me. I want to know if it pleases you, and only you."

"And I am telling you that I directly derive my enjoyment from yours. You, my king, are the one that matters and so long as you are happy, then so am I." She said with another exasperated sigh.

His brows rose to that as he tilted his head for a moment, letting the words bounce around in his mind. "I see." Murmured after a few moments before shifting to move his hand up to catch her cheek. Another shift to allow them to look at the other just looking into her eyes now.

She quieted as her words sank in, quietly sighing until he caught her cheek and shifted her face to make her look him in the eye. She nervously licked her lips and swallowed to try and make her mouth not feel so terribly dry. But she sat there like a good girl, not moving, not fighting him.

Not saying anything back to her as he slowly shifted to draw her in closer towards him, with him tilting his head. Aiming to draw her in for a kiss, as well as allowing her to shift herself as she wished to do now.

She nearly melted against him as he drew her in to kiss her. Falling prey to his charms and easily pushing aside her doubts and worries. As if nothing else mattered when his lips grazed hers. Slow to warm up, eventually she slowly kissed him back, gentle featherlight brushes of her lips to his.

Slowly shifting to hold her in her melted lean against him as they slowly started to kiss the other, with no moves from him to do anything more than that at the moment. With his other hand moving from her cheek and along her side to her hip. Just letting the kiss linger between the two of them.

A soft and surprisingly pleased purr left her lips as he kissed her and let it linger, his hand running to rest at her hip getting a soft shiver from her. Ever so slowly, she broke the kiss and exhaled a soft breath against his lips, brow pressing to his since she didn't want to pull away.

A soft growl left his lips as the kiss continued to linger between them, with him noticing that soft shiver from her. Still making no move to progress things further than the kiss, before she slowly broke it. With a soft breath of his own brushing against her lips, as he seemed to have no intent of letting her slip away.

As their kiss came to an end, she sighed softly and closed her eyes with her brow resting to his. Enjoying the change of pace, however temporary it was. One hand gently rubbed against his upper arm, her careful fingers lightly caressing him. "What do you wish for, m'lord?"

Keeping his eyes closed as well as their brows rested together, with one hand rubbing against her arm and his other against her side. Carefully so not to tickle her. "I thought at one time I knew what I wanted, but it seems that every time that I seem to have it. Something happens to steal it away." Murmured to her.

She went quiet as she listened, his words resonating with her. It seemed a trend in her own life as well. She finally leaned back just barely to give him a small and sad smile. "You, my king, deserve nothing but your wildest dreams to come true. I know that they will...but in the mean time, how may I fulfill you this evening?"

He slowly opened his eyes when she leaned back a bit, with a slight frown from him to seeing her sad smile. "Perhaps they will, or perhaps they will not." Murmured rather softly in return now pondering her words. "This." Murmured as he continued to just hold her.

two months later...

The trips to the castle were becoming less daunting in their frequency and as the stable hand took the palomino horse off of her hands and to the stable, she brushed off the leather breeches and made her way inside. A cross body bag had been slung over her back, carrying her necessities for her latest trip to Nosgoth's center. The castle's help had become less stiff and more friendly with her and she smiled cheerfully here and there from under the hood of her cloak. Her first stop would be the room she had been given for use therein the castle, stopping in to unload her bag and calm herself before her report to the king.

Dark's trips to and from the castle, with some of them taking him to Thea's hometown as well as other regions of his lands. He was slowly starting to enjoy those visits to her home, as well as when she came to visit the castle. The dark veil that had been over Nosgoth, had slowly but surely started to lift with the people getting back into their old habits. With his own mood even starting to show it as he appeared more friendly again towards others.

Once everything was settled in her room, she set her now empty bag on a nearby chair and slipped out of her room to seek him out. She still wore her hooded cloak, the fabric swishing behind her as she walked, the hood up and obscuring her face. Still she offered out cheerful greetings for those she passed, ignoring the faint murmurs that trailed behind her. At last she reached his quarters and hesitantly lifted a hand to knock at his door.

He was as he usually was, sitting at his desk as he read over the reports, as well as signing off on what was needed to be sent out. Handing them off to his sons whom were gathered, with each taking one before moving to the door just as she knocked. Each one would nod to her in passing, with it being Zack of all people to held the door open for her to let her step inside and shut the door once she had done so.

She stepped to the side of the door as she heard the men within, gulping audibly as she heard them near the door to depart. Head bowed and still hooded, she gave a little nod and soft murmur of greeting to each as they passed before looking up to see Zack holding the door. He received a respectful bow, after all he seemed to be there in official capacity rather than for fun before she quietly stepped past him. "My thanks m'lord." She said softly as he shut the door behind her. Once it was only she and the king, she exhaled a soft breath. "Hello, my king."

Gabe and Raz both bowed to her as they had heard about the woman, but neither held an opinion on what their father and her did on those visits between them. Zack bowed in return. "Welcome, m'lady." Allowing his manners to be used, before he moved up to catch his brothers. Meanwhile, Dark looked up to hearing Thea's voice and nodded lightly to her. "Dray." Murmured to her as he moved to his feet.

"Tyngsana." She said softly, her hands clasping in front of her as she bowed her head to him. Her fingers anxiously fidgeted for some reason or another and if he listened he might be able to heart her heart pounding furiously. As he moved to his feet, she unclasped her hands and lifted one as if to say he did not need to rise. "I've come to report that it... it appears that we've accomplished our initial objective and I believe t'would be best if I returned to the Cuidr Luycd and we... did nae continue our... whatever you wish to call this between us..." She seemed to want to cut right to the point of her visit.

Watching her as she bowed her head to him as well as her fingers fidgeting in place, before slowly moving to sit back down to her gesture. As she spoke, one brow rose as he leaned back in his chair. "That is good to hear, Dray." Murmured to her before taking note that she wished to end things between them. "And why do you wish to end things between us?"

She stayed standing and as he sat back down, her hands went back to being clasped in front of her, her arms hanging loosely despite the tension she carried in her shoulders. Her hood was still up and her features were still cloaked in the shadows within though she exhaled an audibly unsteady breath. The fidgeting of fingers returned once more and she went quiet despite his question. It took her a few moments to compose herself but eventually she spoke. "I do nae believe it to be within the best interests of the kingdom for us to indulge in anything more than a business partnership, should you wish to hold any stake within the shop." After all, he had had it built for her and she still very much so felt as though she owed him. Again she went quiet.

Continuing to watch her for a few moments longer, as he noted the tension and that the fidgeting had returned. Not saying a word to her as she spoke her mind, only to tilt his head at her. "What we do between each other is between us. It is of no concern of anyone else's." Now moving to his feet and started towards her. "The shop is your's to do with as you please, and I merely had it built for you to do as such."

As he got to his feet, she took a step back toward the door, her hood rustling as she shook her head underneath. As much as she craved his touch, she knew it would be her resolve's undoing if he got near enough. Her voice quivered when she spoke again, "It is improper for someone of my station to be of anything consequential to one such as yours." She murmured unsteadily, still backing up as he approached.

Still watching her as she started to back up from him with every step towards her that he took, and continued that slow walk towards her. As he seemed to have developed a need to keep her close. "You keep looking at everything through these supposed stations in life." Murmured to her as he aiming to catch her by the chin. "Why do you feel that you should be inconsequential to me?"

Her back gently bumped the door when she had no more room to backup and as he caught her chin her hood fell back. Along the right side of her face and down her neck, a deep bruise marred her typically pristine flesh. Purple and black and blue, the edges had just begun to turn a faint shade of greenish yellow as if she had tried to will it to heal before she came to him. Her right eye was swollen nearly shut and her left was red and puffy from crying more than likely. Bruising lined her temple, down her cheek and jawline, and ended with long thin bruises that could have easily aligned with strong fingers around her throat. She flinched away from him, turning away and grabbing for the door handle without an answer for his question. It seemed she figured that would be enough.

His other hand came up to press against the door when she back up against it, keeping her from being able to open it no matter how hard she would try. When the hood of her cloak fell back and revealed what she was trying to hide, it got one of his brows to quirk as his hand moved from her chin to palm that bruised side of her face. "Who?" A simple question as he aimed, if he was allowed to try and heal the bruise that was upon her features. A rather soft soothing healing spell being used.

"N-no one..." She hissed out the words through clenched teeth as his hand palmed the side of her face. She tried once more to pull away from him, her hand feebly grasping the door handle like she somehow had a shot at not having to answer. A soft groan left her as the healing spell flowed into her. It was slow on the uptake, conflicting with her own internal energies, just barely fading the nasty looking blow.

"Who?" Said a bit more firmly to her as she hissed out that answer to him, as he shifted to keep her trapped at the door. Watching as the healing spell slowly seemed to be doing it's job, as he tried to change it to work along side her natural energies.

"A mob... in one of the villages..." She murmured softly, her voice breaking as she tried to hold back tears. Wincing as she felt a small fracture in her cheekbone begin to heal, she shuddered a bit with the pain even as it was mending. If his spell extended any further, he might tell that her face was only the start of it. "I... they... we... the marks on my neck... your marks..." It was hard for her to come up with a cohesive answer for him but she was trying, "they said I... I was bewitching you... that I was to blame for the darkness... I had to run..."

"Which?" Yet again a simple question as he continued to heal her, now with his thumb caressing her cheek as it took place. As he wasn't rushing her to answer him as he would make the spell stronger if needed to heal her further. If she looked up into his eyes, she'd note that at the moment his focus was fully upon her.

"Asanymt Kmah... small village... in the forest..." She mumbled, a mixture of pain and relief mingling on her expression. Her shoulders trembled as the magic worked through her and she swayed unsteadily on weak legs. Lashes fluttered over eyes so pale they were practically white and she kept her gaze averted from him, ashamed to have him see her in such a sorry state.

He nodded lightly to hearing the name of the town, as he continued to stay focused on healing her of the various injuries that she had done to her. His other hand moved down to slowly move her own hands to press against his chest, allowing her to curl her fingers against the fabric there. "That is enough. I shall have a talk with them." And what a talk it would be.

Bruising in the face and around her throat was paired with nominal fractures throughout her torso. Her wrists had deep lacerations as though she'd been held by rope or metallic shackles too tight around delicate flesh. Wincing faintly as he moved to pull her hands to his chest, her fingers shook and settled against the front of his shirt. Swallowing hard, she bowed her head again. "I do not wish harm to come to them... they... they were blinded by fear... and ignorance..."

He took note of each and every wound and injury that marred her flesh, as he could already guess that she had been through a very bad experience. "Very well. I will send someone else to send them help." Murmured as he moved to coax her into moving with him now, as he backed up towards the chair he had been sitting in.

No matter what awful things had happened, she still wished only for good to come to the people of Nosgoth, aware that she would martyr herself if it so meant further peace and prosperity to the recently darkened land. The adopted homeland had given her so much and in turn she was willing to give her all. As he tried to coax her to the seat behind the desk, she looked up at him just briefly. "I... I wish to retire to my... quarters... p-please." Quietly whispered before softly adding, "if you... care to join me... your presence is always w-welcome."

He had noticed that about her, that she would do anything for the people of Nosgoth. Perhaps that is why he felt the need to keep her close the way he had been doing. "You may stay here with me tonight." Murmured softly back to her. "That is if you wish to do so." His hand was still upon her cheek, with his thumb still moving in that caressing motion.

"In... your office?" She asked softly, confused. Tipping a look up further as he kept his hand upon her cheek, she leaned into the touch, not nearly as pained as she had been upon arrival. Her heart still ached though and she feared she would before long need to revisit the subject again.

That got him to look around for a moment, and got a laugh from him. Surely to get her to smile to hear an honest laugh from him, before he looked back to her. "Hmm. Perhaps a walk through the garden is in order. Go change and I shall meet you out there." Shifting to open the door for her.

As he laughed, the confusion lingered on her expression but at least she gave him an unsteady little smile. He had a laugh that sent her heart leaping into her throat and it was always a pleasure to hear it. With his suggestion, she gave a small nod and slipped out through the held open door to return to her room and change out of her riding clothes and into something more suiting.

The laugh had come upon as he noted that in the moment they had shared, when he was healing her. He had forgotten that they were in his office, but smiled a bit to her as seeing her smile. Even if it was a small one was something he had come to like seeing, now watching her as she moved off to change. As he moved to the master suite to do the same.

She quickly hurried away from him and back to her room off of the main hallway. Within, she made quick work of shedding her riding outfit, the breeches and billowy top draped unceremoniously over the back of a chair. Quickly, she dug through the trunk at the foot of her bed to pull out something better for a walk in the garden. A beautifully made dress was pulled out and smoothed with a pass of her hand before she stepped into it and tugged it up over her aching shoulders. Clasping the back, she checked her hair in the mirror, dabbed on a touch of makeup and with a deep breath, slipped back out of her room.

He shook his head for a moment as she rushed off to change. Once in his room and shutting the door, as he started to shed the clothes that he had worn, something more simple as he had spent the day inside. Yet when he had finished changing and moved down to her door, with a knock. When she opened it, she would see him dressed in a more formalish manner as well as something fitting a walk through a garden. Now offering his arm to her. "Shall we?"

She looked terribly surprised by his arrival at her room, staring at him rather stunned for a few moments before blushing deeply, the right side of her cheek still faintly bruised. She had wrapped a thin scarf around her neck to conceal the lingering marks, bruise and fang mark alike, there as well but soon she slipped out of her room to join him, taking his arm with a bow of her head. "Yes, m'lord." Hoping she had dressed appropriately.

He caught that look of surprise from her, which got him to smile at her as he noted that most of the bruising was gone now. As well as noticing that she was covering it up and the bite marks, yet didn't say anything. Bowing his head back to her as she took his arm. "You may call me by my name." Murmured to her as he walked with her through the castle towards the exit facing the garden.

"I... I know m'lord..." She said softly, preferring to keep the use of his name to when it was just she and him. People already thought strange enough things about her, she didn't need them trying to pry even further into their business. With a gentle bite of her lip, she looked over her shoulder almost paranoid despite the fact this was his home and she shouldn't worry about being followed. Instead, she tried to look forward to the fresh air that the garden would afford her.

"Very well, Dray." Murmured back to her as he wouldn't push the subject any further, as he noted that some of the people that worked at the castle had already started their talks of rumors. "No one will hurt you here." Whispered as he glanced down to her for a moment, before leading her out into the garden. Which was the largest in the whole kingdom in terms of a private one, as just about every type that grew in Nosgoth was there. Arranged to be very pleasing to look at.

She was quite a fan of gardens, this one in particular. It was legendary, known all around the land for its beauty. She couldn't help the smile that formed on her lips as they stepped outside. Her free hand was lifted to brush back a strand of hair that had taken on a faint gold tinge to it, her eyes shining a brilliant cerulean blue. "They might have followed me..." She admitted softly, sheepish in the fact that she could have allowed such a thing. Quickly changing the subject, she remarked, "This is beautiful..."

If she looked up to him, she'd note that he was smiling as well at the sight of the garden as well. Many knew that the king and his family had been the ones that tended to the garden, as he looked down at her. Noticing the subtle changes in her, before moving to lead her through a slow walk through it. "If they did. They would be foolish to do so." Murmured softly in return to her. "Thank you. My family are the care keepers of this garden. It took many years to do so." Another whisper.

She looked nearly angelic with the gold and the blue, the hues matching the sapphire of her dress. "I do not believe they'd be so bold as to near the castle... surely they would fear your wrath." For all the good the king had done for Nosgoth, his wrath was also as notorious as his generosity and the people in turn both feared and revered him. "It is positively even more beautiful than the tales told. They speak of it far and wide, you know..."

What a pair they made at the moment. As she looked more angelic and him playing the role of the dark brooding king. "Still. It is troubling that they would do such a thing, more so when they know of what has happened." Murmured as he did have that gentle side towards his people, yet if needed. He could literally be a bastard as well. "Thank you." Murmured again as he would stop and let her smell the flowers if she wished.

She hadn't even been aware of the change, seeming to have drawn on the lingering remnants of his energy within her from his healing spell. "I do nae know if they all know the truth, my king." She mumbled softly, lips pressing into a thin line until they went pale. While she had only briefly caught glimpses of his more bastardish side, she knew it was not a side she wished to cause flare. Here and there she paused to linger amidst the beauty of the garden, turning slow circles to take it all in and commit it to memory like a mental photograph of it all. "You are certainly welcome. Thank you for letting me experience the beauty first hand..."

Nor was he going to mention it as she made a lovely blonde, as well as being lovely in her own right. "That is possible, perhaps I should pay them a visit and explain things." Murmured as he would pause when she did, not at all rushing her. Knowing that she had seen that other side of him, as had many over the long years. "Anytime you wish to walk through the garden. You are allowed to do so." Murmured to her again as they reached the middle, where there were places to sit down and a fountain in the middle of the central area.

"Just... please do nae hurt them... I could nae forgive myself should harm befall anyone of this land..." She pleaded, knowing that his legendary temper was dangerous and quick to boil over. She also knew if she disclosed what they had done to her that no words would be able to save those savages. Her eyes lit up when he gave his consent for her to visit the garden whenever she chose. Overcome by excitement, she crossed a line she wouldn't typically in public and threw her arms around his neck and gave him a thrilled hug. "Oh thank you..."

"I will try not to do so unless they provoke me." It was the best that he could offer to her, as his temper did have moments of coming rather quickly. Mostly if someone acted foolish around him, but at the moment. He was more focused on putting her at ease, with a light smile showing to her eyes lighting up to being allowed to come to the garden when she wanted. "Welcome." Shifting to lift her up in that hug to let her legs dangle, as he normally wasn't affectionate in public either.

She quieted, biting her lip to keep from saying more. Knowing those who had hurt her were at risk of a rather painful punishment. Biting her lip gently, she tried to relax again and as he lifted her up to hug her further, she giggled softly beside his ear as her feet dangled. Before being set back down, she aimed to brush the faintest and most discreet of kisses to the side of his neck, surprising even herself as she blushed deeply and averted her gaze from his. "Tis a beautiful garden, I hope to experience its beauty oft."

That was more than likely the case that they would face a harsh punishment for what they had done. Once he had her dangling in his arms, with a light smile to hearing her giggling. One hand moving to lightly caress her hair, as well as one moving to run along her spine with him tilting his head a touch to the kisses she placed to the side of his neck. "Tis just one of the beautiful things about this land."

Dropping the subject completely, she hoped that maybe she could distract him away from it and keep him from doing anything too terrible. As he held on to her rather than putting her back down, she sighed softly, her breath brushing over his neck as he caressed her hair. Worried about the possibility of the castle's staff seeing them in such an embrace, she softly cleared her throat and leaned back just slightly from her closeness. "Aye, tis. I am pleased to be able to experience so much of it."

Letting that subject disappear to the back of his mind for now, as she seemed to be good at getting his mind onto other things as of late. As he continued to hold her within his arms, as he slowly moved towards one of the benches to sit down. At the same time he shifted her to sit sideways in his lap. "You have earned it, as a small thanks for what you have done for the kingdom." Pausing to fix his eyes on her where she'd note they were a full sky blue. "And for the help you have given to me as well. If there is anything that you ever wish for. Just name it."

The tips of her toes skimmed over soft grass as he carried her toward one of the benches. Though she worried about being seen, she couldn't help but fall hopelessly into the endless pools of sky blue, the clarity in his gaze drawing her in until there was nothing but him. Pink filled her cheeks and her lashes fluttered momentarily. "I've only done what any other would..." Modest to a fault, she mumbled softly. "There is nothing I wish for, so raynd. I am grateful for all you have given..."

He tried to keep her up off the ground as much as he could, before waiting for her to resettle herself once she was in his lap. As he looked back into her cerulean blues, with a smile as her cheeks started to pinken. "But most wouldn't of taken the time that you have." Murmured to her as he held her close as he tilted his head to that one word. "Very well." Murmured as he made sure if she looked around, she could easily see the scenery around them.

She found herself comfortable in his lap, like it was the most natural thing in the world. A lick of her lips, an almost nervous motion in response to his smile. It made her all melty and butterfly-ish in her stomach. "Sure they would have..." Her breath caught in her chest at the realization of what she had said previously, what she had referred to him as, and she looked away, training her gaze on the beauty around them rather than the look on his face.

He found it rather comfortable to have her sitting his lap, as it was like for her. The most natural thing in life, as he looked back to her again and kept his eyes on her own. "More than likely not in the ways that you have." Whispered to her as he moved a hand up to turn her gaze back to his own, not allowing her to try to hide what she had called him. "You wish to remain close, even if others think otherwise."

"I'd like to hope that any with my gifts would do as I have done..." She murmured softly, blushing rather deeply at his continued praise. As he drew her gaze back to his, she focused her eyes on his lips or his nose or his chin, anywhere but on his eyes directly. Slowly exhaling the breath that had hitched in her throat, she gave him a small nod. "I've wanted nothing more than to serve you, my king... in any capacity you deem me fit..."

"You have done so." Murmured softly back to her as he continued to keep his eyes upon her own, as his hand cupped her cheek now. His eyes took in her features in turn, as he tilted his head to her words again. "Then you shall be allowed to stay as close to me as you wish." Pausing to let his eyes flash for a very brief moment. "And if any has the opinion otherwise. They will learn that they have no say."

She hummed softly as his hand cupped her cheek. Slowly she lifted her eyes to meet his, catching him just in time as his eyes flashed. Causing her to jump slightly. Her eyes widened momentarily and she slowly nodded. "Very well, Tyngsana..." Softly, quietly, barely loud enough to be heard.

He growled ever so softly back to her as he started to move his thumb along her jawline and chin. Once again aiming just a faint amount of his healing powers to finish the previous job. "Do you wish that, Dray?" Murmured back to her. "To stay close to your king? Your raynd?" The last question asked just above a whisper.

She closed her eyes for a moment, leaning into the caress to her jawline and chin, the gently healing powers doing much to finish off the job and fade the ugly marks that had marred her pretty face. Giving him a slow nod to the first question and then to the second. The third stopped her heart just momentarily and her eyes went even wider. Going still, her breath held, she bit at her lip and then slowly, ever so slowly, leaned in to place her lips to his for a gentle and tender kiss. Perhaps that would answer it.

Tilting his head to her closing her eyes and leaning her cheek into his hand and to his touch as his other hand moving to catch one of her own. Aiming to hold hands with her during their own private moment, before a smile crossed his lips to the reaction he got out of her to saying that word. When she moved to lean towards him, as he made no move to stop her and started to kiss her back. Seemingly getting his answer.

She hoped and prayed to all of the gods far and wide that maybe on that secluded bench in the expansive garden that maybe they were truly alone and she didn't have to worry about eyes on them, but she figured that was probably wishful thinking. But she was in his lap and he was caressing her hands in such a way that she couldn't help but melt against him. Her lips moved against his, her tongue parting his lips to massage his tongue with a slow swirl of practiced motions, her lips teasingly tugging on his bottom lip in between. Hands gently squeezing his.

Her prayers and hoping where answered as they were in fact all alone at the moment, leaving them to show the other how they felt. As his eyes slowly shut as well and allowed himself to be lost in that kiss with her, squeezing her hands in return.

Her soft hums were caught by the cushion of his mouth, coming out as a low hum instead. She released one of his hands for the sake of adjusting the flowing skirt of her dress to make it so she could twist and straddle his lap, one knee to either side of his legs. Taking his hands again, she resisted pulling away from him, wanting to draw out the contact between their mouths for as long as possible.

His low and soft growls were mixing with the soft purring mewls that echoed against his lips, as he shifted his hands with her as she moved to straddle his lap. When she took his hands, his would guide her own to allow her arms to wrap around his neck. Followed with his hands moving to wrap around to her back, letting the kiss linger till they needed to breathe.

Her arms slipped around his neck and her fingers slid up into his hair, toying with the strands and winding them around her fingertips. As his hands slid around her back, her lips hungrily pressed to his like he was the very air she was quickly needing. At last she had to break away, groaning softly as she pulled her lips from his. Her chest heaved gently with each deep breath taken of precious air and even as she caught her breath, her lips lingered near his, a fraction of an inch away.

As she started to toy and play with his hair, his hands moved to rub against her back, before opening his eyes slowly when she pulled away with that groan. Taking in deep slow breaths of his own, as a light smirk crossed his lips. "Seems that is a yes." Whispered to her.

Her eyes stayed closed for a few long moments, savoring the lingering feel of his mouth against hers. Eventually she opened her eyes and slowly looked up at him through a veil of lashes. A deep blush infiltrated her cheeks and she nuzzled her nose against his. Still catching her breath, she gave him a small nod. "It would please me..."

Keeping his eyes open as he watched her lingering so close to him. Now locking eyes with her when she finally opened her eyes, and smiled to her starting to blush. Followed with a hint of his nose nuzzling against her own. "It would please me as well."

"So long as it pleases you, I am yours..." She mumbled against his lips. He was like a drug she couldn't get out of her system and she craved him something fierce. A soft purr hummed on her lips and she kissed him again.

"And for as long as you wish to be near me. I shall be your's. It is settled." He declared and drew her in to a comfortable embrace, content to enjoy the beauty of the evening, both hers and that of the garden.