In Lost Dreams the Four Were Bound

32 - Neris - Morning Interludes

All along her body, Neris felt the dim haze of morning light permeate her being. Shifting beneath her silken sheets, she stretched and writhed, arching herself forward and back. An impish grin broke across her face as her back basked in the warmth of her lover. Davnian's claw gripped her breast as he stirred beside her.

Without a word, she brought his left hand to her lips. With a kiss, she let go and slipped out from beneath the sheets. The brisk morning air prickled her skin, the first rays of morning light scattering over her obsidian figure. Davnian grunted as he sprawled over her spot. Looking down at him with her rusty-red orbs, she smiled as he cracked open his left eye. The icy marble in his skull stared at her as his waking features betrayed his drowsy fixation. Chuckling, she made her way to the wooden slats of her window and, with a small effort, forced them wide open.

"Gods," Davnian said as the full glory of the morning sun pierced the room. Dust and pollen clung to the light as it drifted throughout the room.

"Too much?" Neris prodded as she pranced back toward the bed. Blocking the sunlight, she watched as he struggled to open his eyes once more.

"My eyes are still having problems adjusting," he murmured, kicking at the sheets. As the blankets slipped away, she snickered as his thin, ivory frame fell limp atop her mattress. She saw his flesh prickle as the air gripped him. "Amused, are you?"

"Just entertaining the thought of keeping you that way," Neris teased as he buried his head in her pillows. "Maybe watch you squirm with a mouth full of pillow?"

"As entertaining as that sounds," Davnian said, lifting himself from the mattress, "I think there are other things we must tend to." She noticed his bony frame had regained some of its tone as his shoulder and upper arms forced his torso toward her.

"It's always business with you, ne vahr," Neris hissed as she half turned. Bright sunlight poured over her right side while a stream of golden rays pummeled the tossing man. He growled, jerking himself upwards and tilting his head away from the light. "Still, I suppose you have the right of it," she said.

"I'm glad you agree," Davnian replied as he blocked the light with his right hand.

"So, off to that little room with its tables and shuttered windows once more?" Neris wrapped her arms around herself, feigning tempestuous scorn as Davnian struggled to his feet.

"We left the books there. Besides . . ." He lowered himself to his knees, fetching his discarded garments with his twitching arms. "We both know it's safer there than here."

"Is that so?" Neris ignored his rationale as she strolled over to his beleaguered frame. With a heavy sigh, he looked up at her. Laughing, he took her arm as she helped him stand.

"Neris." Davnian's voice was quiet as he stood beside her. Her canine ears perked up, the blackened folds of her loose skin arching toward him.

"Yes?"

"Does something feel off here?" he asked, his claw still upon her arm as he stood at her side. "Does something feel unnatural? This tree? This village?" His eyes turned toward her, concern covering his pallid features.

"Things have always felt off for me, Davnian," she whispered.

He let out a small laugh as his eyes scanned her hardening features. The ghost of the man from last night had returned, a visage that haunted his features before she had teased free his inhibitions and worry.

"I've seen that look before." He smiled as he brought his claw to her hand. As his mottled fingers fumbled over hers, her red eyes were cold upon him.

"Where was that?" Neris's voice was hollow, feeling scorned by his haste.

"The last time I left you," he said, a sullen half-grin etching itself on his face.

Taking a deep breath, Neris cooled her breast as he plopped down upon her bed. She closed her eyes as he struggled to dress. Folding her arms across her breasts, she opened her eyes and strolled to where he sat. She narrowed her eyes as he finished wrangling his pants about his waist. She hated acting this way, but in all the years since he had disappeared, she could never quite place the feeling of loss she had felt. But with this simple gesture, his focus upon some new goal, she was able to comprehend what a younger woman could not.

"Before you begin your derision, let me say one thing," Davnian said.

"And what would that be?"

"When I left, I broke your heart. I took away a fancy that you had only begun to dream. But even then, you understood something that I know you understand even now."

"Are you trying to tell me how I felt? How I feel?"

"No, Neris. I'm telling you I felt it." He reached up and placed his claw upon her outstretched hand.

A moment flashed before her as a brief painting of their final reverie replayed across her features and sight. The moment he bade her farewell, leaving her with his final warning danced within her head. The disgust she felt was matched only by that reflected in his present being as she saw her own reflection reaching out from the bedside. Gasping, she stepped back, watching the dream fade as she slipped out of reach.

"Gods, what . . ."

"You felt it last night when we embraced each other. Those flickers of feeling the other, the touch and passions reflecting across our minds and bodies," he whispered. She shook her head, shirking the distant past as thoughts of their lustful evening filled her brain. Neris felt unnerved and betrayed, but his words echoed through her as she remembered how it felt to lose herself. This wasn't the first time he had shared her thoughts or touch, but never had it been so strong. So overwhelming.

"I know," Neris said, trying to regain her composure.

"I trust you, Neris, and I know you trust me," he said as he stood up. Garbed in a vestment of gilded red-and-blue stripes, Neris couldn't help but grimace as his blue eyes fixed upon her. That same concerned look, full of empathy and compassion. It made her sick. "You know I wouldn't be this deterred over some trifle."

"You truly vex me, Davnian." Neris chuckled to herself as she turned away from his gaze.

"Thank you, Neris," he said as he passed by her.

"It's bad form to leave a woman scorned," she said as she watched his crimson-draped frame ease toward the door.

"I'm only across the way, Neris," he called back. "Providing I make it across the bridge."

"Ugh. Just wait outside while I dress," she said as a wave of ease bathed her breast.

"Very well," Davnian said, turning toward her.

She shot him a frosty, dispassionate glare as he cracked a crooked smile. Then she commanded her demeanor once more, easing her posture as he ogled her one more time. With narrowed red eyes, her sinful nature overcame her turmoil once more.

"I believe I said outside," Neris said, turning away from him.

"I'll be waiting," Davnian replied.

As the door creaked open and closed, Neris studied the loose garments on the floor. She had no clue what to choose for the day. In the end, she knew what it would be. Something flamboyant and preposterous, risqué, and seductive. Like always, it would be something that would draw all eyes to ogle and leer. Something no one could ignore.