Death Princess

Chapter 12

AN: This is Ryker AKA Dermot Mulroney.

As her sobs had turned to quiet sniffles, Yeniya could hear the frogs croaking nearby and the crickets singing. Leaning closer, her hands on his biceps, her cheek rested on his chest, her nose brushed the fabric of his shirt, she inhaled. The fragrance of the mossy trees hit her nose and the scent of something else sweeter than citrus, a heady mixture of soap and man. Lyon's arms around her, she felt safe, safer than she had ever before. A sighed left her mouth, as she welcomed the thought.

Looking up, she saw his face, shadowed by the moonlights ray, heightened his lean face making him more handsome than she ever thought. With his brows furrowed and his eyes intense, his gaze was from afar. When he had noticed that she was staring at him, he looked down and gave her a smile that had recently became her all time favorite. She gave him a smile of her own and saw him draw a sudden breath, the loop-sided smirk replaced the carefree smile. He broke eye contact from her which made her think if whether she did something wrong. But the thought quickly fade away when his hand at her back began to stroke up and down.

"Are you now alright, cara?" He murmured. His hand on her back was a distraction but a thought managed to surface to mind.

"Cara?" Thinking back, she remembered him calling her that many times before but she did not know what it meant. "What does that mean?" Her voice croaked at the end. It was hoarse and raw as if she had screamed from the top of her lungs. Refusing to give in to his hands, she squeezed his arm on her hand.

"It is a Latin word for beloved. But if you don't like me calling you that, then I can just.."

"No, no, no, don't. It's just that.." She began to explain but hesitated on the end. She closed her eyes as warmth began to rush toward her cheeks.

"It's just that?..." Lyon repeated for her, completely oblivious to her embarrassment.

"It's just that I like it." She whispered so softly in hopes Lyon would not hear her.

"You what?" Lyon asked again, leaning closer to her as if it could help him hear her clearly.

"I like it." She said louder, eyes still closed.

"Come again?"

"I like it. She repeated louder than before, a prickle of annoyance lingered on her mind.

"Hmm? What did you say?" And that was all it took her.

"I SAID THAT I LIKE YOU CALLING ME THAT! GEEZ, ARE YOU DEAF OR WHAT?!" She screamed. But when she'd realized what she did, in horror she quickly covered her mouth with her hand. She was never one to raise her voice over a simple argument. The action surprised her.

She opened her eyes, expecting Lyon to be angry on her outburst but saw an all white teeth grin on his face. Her mouth gaped open when she had realized that Lyon was only making fun of her. I am such an idiot! Of course, he had heard me the first time I said it! He was a werewolf after all. The creep!

"You! You.. you horrible jerk!" She exclaimed, hitting his chest with her small fists. On her outburst, Lyon cracked up in laughter, his laugh sending a funny quiver through her. She was about to pull out from his embrace when he said his apologies.

"I'm sorry, I just find you cute to tease. Please forgive me." He said, wiping a tear that had escaped his eyes. Did he find my outburst so amusing that it brought tears to his eyes? It only made her angrier. Pulling her body away from him, she remained silent.

"Look at me, cara." He said to her in a voice that Yeniya could not say no to. Damn him! She stopped resisting and lifted her head. The sight she had seen was a sight to behold. In the darkness with only the moon to shine the night, his eyes glowed brightly. A gasp escaped her mouth.