Crowns of Flame and Ice - Book One

(37) The Leaf of Vengeance

The next morning I awoke, stretching my arms and legs. And, for once, I was smiling. Today we'd venture into the town to look for our clothing for tonight's ball. It was to be a grand event, some lord's daughter's birthday, I was more looking forward to the cake. I let out an excited little giggle, one I most likely hadn't made since I was four, and hopped out of bed.

Quilo's door was only a little down the hallway from mine. There hadn't been any rooms that joined in the middle as there had been in Vauxhaven, so instead, he'd taken the one next door. My feet quietly tapped on the wooden floorboards as I tiptoed towards the door. Once I was outside I gently tugged on the handle and slipped inside, careful not to make any noise as I slowly shut the door. I intended to wake him up, either by pouring a bucket of water over him or simply just slapping him across the face as payback for teasing me yesterday. His room was fairly similar to mine. A single bed pushed up to one wall, a dark brown bedside table and a desk. Buttery light filtered in through the large window, the sun shining buttery light into the small room.

when I crept to the end of the bed, I found it empty. Perhaps he'd gone for a run? It seemed unlikely that he hadn't told me. I frowned, then noticed a leather-bound A4 book. Padding towards where it lay on the desk I reached out my had to pick it up, then stopped. I'd hate it if someone rifled through my things, I so was not about to do the same to Quilo. No matter how much I wanted to snoop.

Letting out an agitated breath at the realisation that I wouldn't be able to chuck a bucket of freezing cold water over Quilo I began heading towards the door, then stilled. I heard slight shuffling noises filtering through the slightly open bathroom door. Needing to make sure it was in fact Quilo and not some burglar, I peeped around the door. I had no idea why I hadn't questioned why a burglar would be in the bathroom but it was a little too late to think about that now.

Quilo stood in the room, alone, with his shoulder facing me. He was slightly tilted so I couldn't see his front, not that I needed to. Water droplets travelled down his bare muscled back and then lower, to his very well-formed ass. I gulped. I couldn't see much in the faint light but I noticed his familiar scars, the same ones I knew had been caused by me. Quilo shuddered and I followed his hand down to where he moved it against himself. I had to cover my mouth to suppress my gasp. I had read about this in that damned book he'd given me all those weeks ago but I hadn't realised it looked like this. Not that I could actually see much, but the way he was panting and moving his hand I had a very good idea of what it was that he was doing. I should go... I should leave him to, well, himself. Should've but didn't.

I let out a tiny noise as Quilo began moving his hand faster, his breathing mirroring the movement. Quilo didn't show any sign that he'd heard me and I let out a breath of relief. He twitched slightly, muttering something under his breath. Then with a quiet shout and a groan he jolted, his head thrown back. I'm sure I was wrong, I must've been wrong, but I could've sworn he'd groaned "fucking princess" as he came. Damp heat flooded between my legs.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Two hours later we stood in the centre of a busy street, surprisingly full looking shops surrounding us. The little cobbled tiles that paved the walkway were all a dusty grey colour, I wondered whether they had been carved from the rock of The Zaith Mountains. I shivered at the thought of that vile place. Quilo threw me a smirk, "cold princess?" I blushed as I re-lived the last time I'd heard that fucking name. He raised an eyebrow at me but before he could speak I stormed forward, narrowly dodging people as I passed. Pretending I hadn't seen him this morning was not going to be easy.

A warm breeze skittered across my face now that we had passed the cold snow. I was glad for it, the fact I could now wear the clothes I wanted to without getting hypothermia. Although I really was not looking forward to hiding in the shade all of the time so I didn't burn under the sun. Various shops passed us as we walked past, restaurants, cafes and... "Quilo." My eyes were fixed on the building before us as I tapped his shoulder, "Is that... is that what I think it is?" He looked over at the cafe, large plants sat in the window. "If your thinking whether it's a plant themed cafe slash shop then yes." I squealed, doing a little happy dance in the middle of the street. I got some very strange looks from passers-by, but I really didn't care. I was stood a few meters away from a fricking plant cafe.