I eschewed a carriage or cab, indeed I lived such a short distance from the Inn that a walk, even in as cold a clime as this, was the better option. The snow and ice was dreadful and I was wise enough to note that without Boreas' arm to grasp I might've had some difficulty traversing it in my heels. Tucked in tight against his leather coated frame I had the distinct realization that he made me feel small, feminine. It was an odd sensation for me as I was no short woman and the heels I chose normally contributed to my stature. Watching my breath fog before my lips, I couldn't maintain the breathy threaded quality to my voice, "Thank you."

He smelled musky, the way masculinity was intended to smell. A heavy arm wrapped around her with a surprisingly gentle touch, keeping her close and tight against his side. Ice and snow crunched beneath his boot, falling victim to his heavy stride as he navigated them across the slick cobble stones. He glanced up frequently, though it was a wonder how he could see anything at all through the sable tint of sunglasses. "The pleasure's mine, darlin'. It's been a while since I've been able to enjoy the company of a woman as pretty as you. The least I can do is get you home safely, though I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that the deed was rather self serving." He grinned, and it was as slick as the snow. "If I get you home safe then there's a good chance that I might run into you tomorrow night."

The sound of crunching snow had drawn my gaze downward and I was mesmerized by something so simplistic yet poetic in its contrast. Our steps had synced, my elegant bronzed heel starkly feminine in its arch as it settled in the snow next to his imposing booted foot, the flash of the silver spurs adding a malevolence to his masculine gait. Immediately I found myself assaulted with the image of us, twined together, our bodies negative reflections of each other's. What would it be like to take a man such as this as a lover? A shuddered at the curl of heat the thought induced and my body was wracked by a sudden series of shivering tremors. Thankfully the cold air was easily to blame as I quickly looked directly ahead as if getting my bearings, "My loft is just down this street." Angling us in the intended direction.

He moved against her, the sudden angle of her steps causing him to brush along the curve of her hip. He enjoyed it, and if she took a glance his way she would have found a rather pleased smile at the unintended caress. Again, there was a warmth that permeated from him, something that seemed soothingly unnatural. He knew this part of town well, as his eyes fixed on the building that was their obvious destination memories were rekindled from just the week before, when he visited a tenant on the top floor. A balance was due and it seemed that the man lacked motivation to pay up. Luckily, motivation was Boreas' specialty. The swift passing of a rather out of control carriage brought them to stop just across the street from her building, the tensing of his arm drawing her even closer as he took a half step back, shielding her from the slush kicked up by the hooves and wheels with the length of his coat.

"A gentleman." I breathed against his exposed throat, cradled as I was in his arms only seconds after my lurid fantasy had been spurred to new heights by the simple brush of his body against mine. I was unaware that his own mind had wandered into darker, seedier places. "And here you would've had me believe that you weren't." I found my heartbeat picking up its pace at the nearness, the feeling of being encased within his masculine presence. I could see my balcony just past his shoulder, the warm honeyed glow of my apartment beckoning just past the windows. I'd be wise to say my goodnights here, to take the final steps to civilization and security alone. He was a stranger. A self-proclaimed rough and cruel man. Yet, I found myself reluctant to see him go. Did I dare? An invitation to extend our evening could easily be misconstrued into some intimate promise and in this land of lawlessness I would be on my own with my consequences.

He held her gaze firmly in his eyes, the narrowed frames doorways to a darkness hidden deep inside. He flipped his shades closed and pushed them into the breast pocket of his coat, though did not dismiss the hand once its task was done. No, he wasn't the sort for longwinded flirtation and excessive teasing. He could do it for a while, though in the end he was a primitive creature who followed his appetite. The hand that hovered between them slid forward to stroke her soft cheek, the callous caress scraping across her porcelain smooth flesh in a manner that only heightened the danger. He didn't hesitate, not waiting to see if she accepted his touch, and with tilt of his head and a forward lean sought to claim her lips with his rugged mouth, still so close - flush against the swell of her body - that she could feel the quickening of the pulse that trembled within his chest.

I would later chide myself for being acutely aware of where this was headed. I was no foolish young innocent who found herself caught up in a moment where her inhibitions had grown weak. I'd wanted to kiss him from the second he'd smiled that slow lazy smirk and drawled 'darling' at me. And there, protected against the cold and the wind by the raging heat of his body and the inferno of my own desires, I felt unencumbered by the weighty self-analysis or social norms that might have stopped me from exploring this moment to its fullest. The biting cold of the RhyDin was forgotten as all my senses could handle was right there before me. His lips were rough, no gentle velvet of a lover born. A man's lips claimed mine and I offered only encouragement in a sound that suspiciously might have been a whimper of need. Thankfully I was focused entirely on the rugged taste of him or I might've felt a pinch of self recrimination at so cliche of a response.

He kissed her, searing her lips with a desire that rage inside of him like an inferno. There was no romance in that caress, only the satisfaction of a starved arousal that progressed from a startling impact to the invasion of tongue within her mouth. He licked her, suckled and kissed her. It dripped with a primordial heat that exchanged whispers and perfume for clenching and sweat. He pulled her even closer, vagabond hands descending to cup her backside through the thin matieral of her dress and expose her to the truest testament of their torrid enticement, which, while sheathed beneath his clothing, stood stout between their hips.

I was caught. Ensnared. Though why I should be startled by the ferocity of his desire would annoy me at a later time. He had not once exhibited himself for anything more than what he was right now. A man. And this man had needs. Needs that lashed my own as if a whip stirring me to passion. I suppose I should've been offended that his kiss descended so quickly into the rough pawing of uncouth actions, but I found myself responding to his gripping hands with a womanly undulation and a frantic gasp that broke our kiss. I would never describe myself as panting even as my breath came in ragged gulps and my body might have indeed demonstrated otherwise. I was seconds from inviting him up to my loft to finish what he had so effectively started. Taking a step back from him was difficult, made moreso by the wicked pressure of cold wind - shocking contrast to the warmth of him. Through parted lashes, I knew my gaze had to contain hint of the smoldering emotions held within. I said nothing. Simply filling my gaze with him, this my Non-Gentleman Escort of the evening.

I bit my lip. It was a necessity to keep the invite from spilling free. He was right. I knew damn well what he was and what I wanted to do with him was only heightened by the realization. My twilight gaze drifted over his body and my lip slipped free from my teeth, slickly wettened, glistening as I smiled, a slow cat lapping at cream smile even as I took a step back, "You're right Boreas. I'm pretty sure I know exactly what you are." My twilight eyes finished their painting of his body despite his bidding not to, and found his black heavy gaze, "And I hope I'm not wrong as it promises to be something we both will enjoy." My bronzed heel stepped back off the curb and into the street.

Slowly, as though his lips poured across his rough visage, he grinned at her. He held her gaze for a long time, though only so that when he dropped his line of sight it was obvious and potent. He molested her with that stare, allowing the touch of his gaze to linger and study the most indecent of parts. She could feel the weight of his stare upon her throat, the swell of her breasts, the arch of her hip, the length of her legs...it was depraved and pure. He took a step forward, mirroring the
: pace of her backward stride, though kept his hands firmly implanted with his coat. "You ain't wrong, darlin'." He whispered. "Of that you can be sure."

"Prove it to me." I felt my body's desire to preen and arch beneath that gaze as potent as some men's hands. It was dangerous I knew. I was quite suddenly playing with the beast and I couldn't contain the thrilled joy I felt at such a thought. "The Dragon's Belly. Drinks. Tomorrow night." I had stepped fully into the street and was backing across its length, though later I might wonder at the realization that I never once thought to look for traffic, so intent was I on the possible collision of sin before me.

He stopped. He had to. Had he continued there would have been no going back, and with the fury that raged inside of his mind...inside of his loins...he would have had her skirt up around her waist, plunging inside of her on the stairwell. He smelled the air, the cold chill tinged by the aroma of her lip gloss that resided upon his lips. "Fine." He said with a nod. "Midnight." He watched her for a moment longer and then pivoted smoothly about on his heel. He started away, the crunch of snow a prelude to the jangle of his spurs. He still had work to do, still had people to motivate...though he couldn't deny that he would be distracted by the vision...the remembered touch and taste...of Tasha Van Blaudin.

I listened to the wail of the wind outside my apartment and felt a sense of urgency. A painful welling tightened my chest and made it difficult to breathe.

My reflection in the mirror revealed the slender column of elegance that I had wrought out of careful application of the perfect dress, coiled hair, and skillfully painted features. The heels, oxford black and white, were hidden by the sinful fall of black silk that hugged my hips and long legs. The corset cinched taut my waist and guaranteed me two more inches to my hourglass shape. I had carefully dabbed my favorite scent there in the valley left accentuated and offered by the black and white satin covered whalebone.

The fur stole awaited to drape the exposed shelf of my naked shoulders and I paced toward it, the gloves already adorning my hands and the hat and veil afixed atop my head.

His scent overwhelmed me. I felt him there, a presence of intensity that nearly stole my breath, but as I spun in excited greeting I realized I'd imagined it.

Sir, my sweet cat, plaintively questioned my breathless gasp and I found myself faint with desire.

I needed to see him. With a sudden sick ferocity I had to see him. We had left each other only this morning, as had become our ritual, and yet I felt as if it had been too long. A madness inducing length between our touches.

I knew what was bothering me. I knew what had me on such edge. The Date Auction loomed before me. A silly lark that I had no problems agreeing to, not really, but when I'd mentioned it to him he had laughed that dark smoker's laugh and I had felt my stomach drop out. There had been a mocking edge, a hint of something I couldn't quite grasp. He had made love to me with the same wicked ferocity but I had sensed a change.

I'd wanted to ask him to be there.

But I didn't.

I couldn't.

And suddenly the idea of mingling amongst others while strung out on Boreas, seemed an insurmountable task.

I gathered my fur about my shoulders and stepped out into the cold blustering wind that nearly tore my breath from my lungs.

I meant to head for the Plaza, but my steps took me toward the Inn. Took me toward him.

The wind ripped at me and I felt the painful loosening of the pins in my hair as the cute hat was ripped free from my dark tresses and sent them spilling about in a wild cloud. I left it as surely as I left my sanity. Gathering my long skirt in my hands I cared little for the length of leg I shared with the world, my garters exposed surely as I ran in an unseemly and uncharacteristic haste.

My breath panted in a white cloud on each needle sharp exhale and I felt my lashes freeze with tears brought on by the cold.

And still I ran.

Toward him.

Skidding around a corner, my satin gloved hands grasped the railing of the porch and hauled me up the slick stairs. The door opened and caught by the wind to slam outward. I fell through the portal and froze at the empty sight of the Inn.

My heart thundered in my ears, my vision dimmed as I sought a breath, my satin gloves sliding against the black fur of my stole as it slipped free from my shoulders.

And there...at the bar.

He had turned toward the sound of my entrance and I found his soullessly dark gaze with my own twilight one.

Crimson lips, stained by the merciliess whip of the icy wind, parted and I breathed finally the name of my insanity..."Boreas."

The moon hung, heavy and swollen, against the black backdrop of the night sky as if it had been hung there forgotten by some godchild that had moved on to other interests with a fickle disinterest in its former toy. By its side swung the lighter, softer hue of the milky second moon of Rhy'Din. Not for the first time I paused in my walk home to admire the pair with a wistful sentiment. The celestial couple mocked my lone solitary figure even as I worshiped their connection. The streets near the Central Market of Rhy'Din were well patrolled and I passed yet a second set of watchmen who regarded me closely.

It was a warm and sticky night yet I did not concede my modesty by many degrees, glove-less, of course, and veil-less I still possessed a small pillbox hat atop the rich coil of dark locks, the strict confines of my chosen hairstyle kept the nape of my neck and shoulders bare as the halter style dress, with its sweetheart neckline, contributed to the desperate seeking of my heated skin for cool air.

Even in this heat I wore nylons, though the rich denier was so fine and sheer as to simply be mist upon the turn of my calves and well-shaped ankles. The buckle of my heels strapped securely across the tops of my feet. I offered a nod to the suspicious guards and one lowered his own head in an appreciative sweep of my curved and presentable body. I didn't mind him the look, after all, I sought it. I was a woman who chose to admit that she enjoyed the admiring glances of those who possessed an interest in her. The secret smile that curved my painted lips was an acknowledgment of his thoughts.


The meeting had run a bit longer than it should have, though that really didn't bother him. The Legacy wanted to know about the head he collected - about the creature that it belonged to. As it was, for every bit of knowledge they had about the Cambions, there was a hundred things they didn't know, and that didn't sit well with Boreas. He liked being in the know. He liked answers, and it seemed like lately all he had was questions. Tons of'em. The door swung open and a billow of smoke produced a haze for him to emerge through, the cloud adding a sense of mystery to his arrival along the streets. As always, he found the distant watchmen, never wanting to cross paths - if for no other reason than to avoid being hassled. It was with that glance that his breath stilled in his throat and his eyes became entranced. The celestial writhe of that body in motion couldn't be denied, and he was familiar with it in just enough ways to recognize it even from that distant. He caught sight of the guards appreciative glance and instantly wanted to cave the man's face in, but that would wait for another time. He saw the direction she was heading, the expanse of cobblestone before her, and made a wide circuit around to circumvent her destination. He stuck to the shadows, trench coat aiding in his clandestine travel, and notorious spurs silenced.

He certainly was pretty and I felt a momentary pang of self derision and amusement as I realized how severely a certain man had shaped my tastes. Never again would I find interest in such clean boyishness. Overwhelmed for a moment by the image of the rough edges and black as night lawlessness of my chosen lover, I didn't answer immediately. Using the lull as an excuse I let my twilight eyes drift over this would-be hero and considered relying upon my Second Sight for assistance but it was intrusive and I possessed manners that were stroked into response at his own gentlemanly ways, "In Rhy'Din, is there such a thing?" My smile was a slow sedate spread of my lips, a silver screen vixen with the gentle nod of my coiffed head toward the club not far from where we would stood, "Besides, I'm meeting my friends." Deliberately I added, "They're expecting me any minute." I'd hoped a person would exit or enter in that moment so I could pretend a familiarity or recognition that would assure this young man no matter his intentions that I was not alone, but the door to the bar remained unopened. "Thank you for your concern, Officer." Politely demure tones edged with just a hint of dismissal.

A paragon of rectitude, the Watchman flashed a smile that showed white teeth, as flawless as the rest of him. There was a momentary lapse in his reply, allowing for a moment of appraisal beneath the twilight gaze, before a step forward encroached upon the space she occupied. He smelled good, fresh, unspoiled by wickedness...perhaps as she had once upon a time. "It's my duty, ma'am. Perhaps I could escort you?" His eyes were upon the graceful column of her throat for a long time, with the tip of his tongue seen in the quick moistening of the parched tiers. "I would be very much obliged."

I stood my ground, seemingly un-bothered by his nearness despite the flicker of unease that settled upon me as a shroud might cover the dearly departed. I was tall for a woman and aided by my heels I was able to meet his gaze squarely with my own. After but a moment I nodded my assent as if it were simply mannerly to do so, "How very thoughtful of you. Is this a service the Watch is providing for all its citizens?" The gentle inflection of my voice deliberately keeping the tone modulated to avoid coyness. Not waiting for his answer I turned on my heel so that I was at his side and deliberately coiled my arm about his as if we were simply engaging in a Sunday stroll. Gently I took a step in the direction I intended to go, encouraging him to walk with me toward the bar that still beckoned with a questionable hint of sanctuary.

"It has always been the duty of the Watch to aid the citizens of Rhy'din in any way possible." A stock answer, one he'd been trained to say. Her pivot to his side was met with the curl of his arm, drawing her to his side, tucking her against him, and he fell into step beside her. It seemed then that he realized where exactly she intended to go, and though it had only been three steps at that point, the strength of his stride wavered. "Pardon me, ma'am, but are you sure that is the place where your friends were wanting to meet?" He glanced to her, eyes once more cascading down the curves of loveliness she possessed. "A woman of your stature seems above such a place."

Boreas walked with them, if not but twenty or so feet away, engulfed in the darkness so completely that he felt lost at certain points. Granted, that could have been just the way looking at her made him feel. It didn't matter, though, because the way she held the Watchman's arm made him lust for many things besides her, namely blood and pain. It had been too long since he'd been in her company, and for this guy to just waltz in and take her arm was driving him crazy. He reached for the pack of smokes in his pocket though didn't take them. He left them there.