And What I Found There - Book Two

46. Mine

My eyes flutter open, lurid gray light filters down through the opening in the cave over the glowing blue pool, the lights dance over us. Vyndren is leaning against the wall, eyes still closed. I'm cradled in his arms with my head resting on his shoulder. Sleeping in his arms was the best sleep I've had in forever, I think. I smile faintly and cuddle closer.

I hardly ever want to move... but now my thoughts drift back to Court and the pressing deadline of the nearing Labors.

And I mean, there's only eleven days left till I have to start them and secure the Vorpal Throne.

"I'm gonna miss you, Chief..." I whisper as I stare with dolor at the pool of rippling water.

"Don't," he nuzzles at my temple.

"How can I not? I freakin' love you, you crazy boy," I smile as I gaze into his fiery eyes.

"You're the crazy one," he smirks faintly. "I mean, it's easy to see why I'm in love with you, but what's really insane is that you actually kinda like me," he winks as I blush. "And I'm a monster, remember?"

"Not really a...a monster, more like a seriously misunderstood guy with a clip on both shoulders," I lovingly caress his sculpted arms. "But they're still really great shoulders," I marvel.

He rolls his eyes, now gently kisses me. "I love you, my sweet Adara."

"What does that mean anyway?" I ask with a soft laugh. "My sweet? What? I'm cute and cuddly? Or I'm...tasty?" I flush when he smiles.

"I just mean you're the kindest, most beautiful and compassionate creature imaginable," he kisses my temple and my nose before he kisses my lips again.

"I'll definitely miss this," I smile as he kisses my throat. He runs a hand through my hair and slides his other down the side of my skirt, following the curve of my leg. I feel a little flushed and breathless as he gently lays me down on the ground and moves over top of me, hungrily kissing my throat. "Vyndren," I anxiously slide my hand over my throat, nervously worrying about if the Thirst will seize him and make him bite me spontaneously. I definitely can't afford that.

"Sorry," he whispers, he's panting softly as he leans back.

"Maybe you need to hunt," I swallow hard as I meet his eyes glowing with bloodlust.

"No, no," he says breathlessly and snatches up my hands. "This...I mean, I'm fine." He's trembling now though with the Thirst as he kisses my hands. His kisses steadily become more primal and starved and I feel his fangs sharpening against the side of my palm.

I wrench my hands away. "Um," I blush, looking around, unable to meet his lustful gaze. "We should go... I mean, the others will be looking for me, they're all probably anxious to get back to the Palace... I for one have a ton of training to do -"

"Right," he quickly agrees. "Right," he repeats more softly. "Yeah, we should... leave...I guess?" He pauses and stares at me, his eyes are so focused on me, they make me blush. "And try to make as much good time as we can in order to get you back before the Labors." He says briskly, moving off me. "They're in what, two weeks from now? Less?"

I wince. "Something like that... Ugh. How am I supposed to do this?" I exclaim. "I'm like, soo underprepared and overwhelmed! There's eighteen life-threatening Labors I have to accomplish! How am I supposed to survive?" I anxiously glance at my Dark Rider. "I wish you could help train me. I mean, you have actually fought and killed a Jabberwocky before! You're the one who should be teaching me! Can you like...give me some pointers or something? No one else in Court has ever fought a Jabberwocky before."