Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Chapter 19 - Under A Hunter's Moon

Kieran's POV

 The small postern gate is heavy, but she is not a vogue cover girl though she  Certainly Looks Like  one, and it opens for her with only the briefest murmur of protest. Her footprints are clear in the wet grass, mine are not. I followed her across the courtyards down to the steps and beyond castle walls. The earthly smell of the land, I'll treasure the taste of it for the rest of my life. Nother has looked more precious to me before my first sight of moonlight hovering over the moutains in the evening sunlight, painted with its verdant- yet alluring glow.

She jumps when I accidently  set foot on a twig, like she'd been so deep  in thought.

"I didn't mean to startle you, Majesty," I said in a mocking tone. 

Darina moves close to me, not touching. The air is cold, and slightly damp. "You didn't. I'm used to come out here alone in evenings and watch the moonlight overthe forest."

I shifted, it seemed cowardliness to shy back from an enemy, but the woman made it so damn hard to think of her as one.

"Here it is, then. The place is all yours."

"Don't be cynical. It suits you about as well as  politeness  would suit Cornelia ."

I laughed, couldn't stop myself. "Forgive me, dear Queen."

"Dear Queen will consider your appeal ."

I may be breaking my vows as a hunter, but I won't abandon them altogether and it's best to avoid temptation. I promised myself that Darina’s opinionated, royally spoiled attitude is not going to sway me in any way, or her strange allure put any road blocks in the plan I’ve already, seen succeeding in my head. Let her believe I’m totally stuck in her carefully woven trap, all she want. And how bad would it be, spending days in a palace, grander and sophisticated than a bloody Ritz Carlton. And it’s hardly my fault if she seems to believe it’s her own little Taj mahal as well.

“This extending vacation, is really getting on my nerves.” I told her as we walked through the narrow road, that headed towards the nearby small village nestled at the foot of the Poiana Rusca Mountains. No, queens don’t walk, they glide. Darina glided through abandoned left lawn of the castle while I followed behind with my tongue sweeping the ground like a fool. If I ever fall for this woman it would mean only one thing, total annihilation of self. What if it’s not so bad? What if its like what mom used to say, after every hurricane comes a rainbow! Will this ever be my chance to be totally lost in love or will I get destroyed by it. What the hell is wrong with you Kieran, when did you became such a slave for your emotions.    

“Then you won’t like what I’ve plan to show you, I’m afraid.” Her cheery mood fired me up like silk caught in fire.

“This may come as a surprise to you, but in the outside world people have to do actual jobs than sitting on a throne to earn money.”I glanced at Darina and was again surprised by the animation in her face. She never showed it if she was fired up by the rude comments I was making since morning. Last night was a mistake even whilst I could not bring myself to repent it, a terrible, terrible mistake, and one that would tarnish my reputation among hunters gravely, if any of them catch a wind of it. If dad finds out about it, it would be the final nail on my coffin.

  The woods that flanked the muddy road on both sides were still and cold. Though it was yet twilight, it was thick as pitch. I could name some of the trees as maple, birch, and Oak.  Darina pointed me a massive willow tree and said they are sacred to the people of the woodlands. Like I'd give a damn about what is sacred to them and what not.

In the week glow of the rising moon I caught myself staring at her slight form, the almost angelic curve of her nape. The way wind blew her hair around, which seemed fairer and brighter than the moon. It was no wonder next to a beauty such as Darina, the moon pales and fades.