Evening Tales: Dark Academia Short Stories

Stay.

My skin was soaked through. Every part of me ached and longed for rest, but how was I to rest with him so near?

I entered my tent after retiring from the victory feast early. Once again, I had led my troops to victory. Distant cheers and happy shouts rose around me. Sighing, I doused some of the candles: my tent was large but I did not need so many. I hated seeing the blood drench my fingers and clothes. How many nights would the faces of my victims haunt me?

"Your Grace?" A firm voice sounded from outside of my tent.

"Yes?" I answered.

"May I enter?"

"Enter."

The flap to the tent swayed and lifted open. There he stood in his bloodied armor, his muddy blonde hair a mess. He clutched the hilt of his sword that rested at his hip, his brows drawn together in a stern manner.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I just..." He shook his head. "I came to check on you. You looked so shaken at the feast-"

"I am fine, Daniel. Thank you for your concern." My heartbeat quickened as he took a step closer. Just knowing he was alive was good enough for me.

"Allow me to help, Princess?" He said, motioning toward my bloody arm.

"It's not my blood." I replied, looking down at my feet. Would he think I was a monster? All of those people that I killed-

"I insist." Daniel strode over to the table nearest to me which held a small wooden tub of water. Dunking a cloth into the bin, he motioned for me to come closer.

I sighed and pulled myself up onto the table, giving him my arm.

"We all have to do it you know," he looked up at me, his brown eyes meeting mine. "Kill. It's part of the job." He dabbed at my arm, the blood coming away in swirls on my skin.

"I know, but that doesn't make it right."

"You're skilled, you know. It would be a shame for you not to be out there. You lead us to victory every time."

"Thanks," My cheeks flushed and I prayed he didn't see.

I winced as his cloth found a small wound on my forearm.

"Sorry." He said softly.

"It's fine."

We sat in silence as he finished cleaning the exposed blood and dressed my wounds. We were both weary and sore from the day of fighting, but some force kept us together in that dimly lit tent.

"Your turn." I said, hopping down from the table.

He threw his hands in front of him and shook his head, "Your Grace, you should rest-"

"How many times must I ask you to call me Leah?" I scolded and he dropped his arms in submission.

"Perhaps once more." He smirked and my heart fluttered.

"Sit." I commanded. My fingers fumbled for the clips on his armor. I removed his chest piece, which revealed a tattered undershirt stained with crimson. My hands moved quickly, detecting any wounds or cuts. There were a few minor ones that I began to dress and clean.

"You puzzle me." He whispered. I looked up from my work to find his eyes on me. I flushed and let my hair fall into my face.

"How so?" I asked.

His hand closed around mine, his other hand meeting my chin and lifting my face to his.

"The woman who makes armies tremble and her enemies bow...blushes at my presence." He whispered, eyes searching mine.

"You have a way about you..." I started but trailed off, too flustered to fathom words.

"I may know the feeling." He smirked and brushed his thumb over my bottom lip.

Our faces were just inches from each other, each of us too afraid to take the next step. I was a princess and he just a soldier after all. His eyes lingered on my lips before a dark cloud washed over his features.

"Goodnight, Your Grace." He mumbled, and turned away from me, striding for the exit of my tent. My heart raced wildly. No. That could not be it, could it?

"Wait." I whirled. He stopped but did not turn to face me, "Stay. I do not know if I can spend the night alone. Not after today. Not after...everything I did."

He turned to me, a wild sadness in his eyes. He was inches from me before I could blink.

"You have the least to fear of all of us, my lady. You are brave...and righteous." He spoke determinedly, a fire in those brown eyes of his, "And you...you just," He stopped short as his features softened. He was breathtaking.

"Thank you," I muttered, our eyes still on each others.

In a moment we were both reaching for each other, our lips meeting each others in a wave of desire and longing. He pulled me into him and held me as though if he let go we would never see each other again. I sighed a breath of relief as he held me tight, our kiss becoming heated. We had both wanted this for so long.

We stood there wrapped into each other's embrace, not knowing where one ended and the other began. My knees gave way to exhaustion, but before I could hit the ground I was in his arms. He carried me breathlessly to the small bed covered in furs, resting me on it gently as though I might break. He smiled lovingly at me, brushing the hair from my face.

"Will you say it?" I asked, my lips burning.

He smirked as he sat on the bed next to me, stroking my cheek. He leaned down and kissed me once more. I entangled my arms around his neck, my fingers exploring his messed hair. I never wanted this to end.

"Say it." I whispered, a soft moan escaping my lips as he sucked on my neck. He smiled to himself as he trailed kisses up to my ear. His breath against my skin, his hands resting on me, all made my body burn and ache.

"Leah." He whispered, "My Leah," I smiled and bit my lip.

His eyes rested on my lips once more as he let out a low grunt, covering them with his.

"Stay with me?" I asked breathlessly.

"Always." He replied.

And I knew he meant it.

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Long time no see! So sorry for the delay. Things are a bit crazy here and when I am stressed I don't write very well, so I've been avoiding it.

I will update as often as I can.

I actually just published a new story inspired by "A Dance With Your Enemy" and a few other stories in here, if you want to go give it a read! It's called "The Raven Lord"

Thank you for your love and support, it means the world.

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