Dark Desires

Chapter Four

They made it back to the castle only an hour after sunset. Taliesin found Theron on a balcony, staring up at the sky. Corvina was standing between them, "Do you ever wish you could fly? Or just disappear," she whispered.
“All the time.” Theron replied almost too quiet for her to hear.
She sighed and pushed herself closer to the edge and gazed at the stars. Theron's hands itched to push her over and get it done, but Taliesin stepped behind her to protect her and hesitantly rested his hands upon her waist.
Theron glanced at his friend again, struck with confusion and guilt once again. He didn’t want to hurt Taliesin who was a brother to him. The fact that Corvina had him wrapped around her fingers only made his hatred stronger. He knew he should hurry and get it over with before Taliesin got too attached. Instead he returned to staring at the sky. Corvina leaned against Taliesin, "I think it's time we rest. Will you call for my masseuse Theron?" He nodded and was about to get up when Cerridwen came in followed by the masseuse.
“I’ve already brought her, my lady.” She said to the queen.
"Cerridwen, you take such care of me. How did I become so blessed with your presence?"
“It’s nothing really. Theron you will be taking the night shift. Taliesin, after I take the queen to her room I’ll show you where you will be sleeping.” Cerridwen said.
Corvina walked beside the smaller woman and before parting she pressed her lips to Cerridwen's forehead. Theron and the masseuse watched the affectionate display and followed the queen into her room. The masseuse set to work.
“Your grace, should I guard the entrance and the hall for you now?” Theron asked, unsure if he was to guard inside the room or out.
"No thank you. I dislike being alone in the dark. I'm sorry to bother you with my whims," she replied as she went behind her screen and put on a lacy black nightgown and a silk robe before laying on the bed for her massage.
“It’s no trouble at all. I’ll guard you well.” He replied, purposefully ignoring the lace that had shown when she laid down. They were all quiet until the masseuse left.
After he left she sat up drowsily, "Theron, will you talk to me," she asked.
“What do you wish to talk about?”
"Anything," her voice was slightly husky from exhaustion, but she stood and walked to where he sat. "What makes you so sad," she whispered curiously.
Theron glanced up at her, clearly shocked by her question. He looked away quickly, his throat constricting to the point he couldn’t talk for several moments, “Many things.” he answered vaguely.
She ran her fingers slowly from his cheek to his chin and lifted his face so she could see him in the moonlight. The lace of her nightgown brushed against his leg and her robe slid off her slim shoulders. He couldn't help, but think she looked a bit like a goddess in the light of the moon. He remembered bitterly that deities were as cruel as they were beautiful. "I hope you find some peace or at least solace soon," she murmured and gently pressed her lips to his.
The contact of her lips on his had more of an effect than he had expected or prepared for. His face turned bright red and he kissed her back passionately, losing himself for a moment. Corvina blushed and pulled away as easily as she could. She brushed a lock of his hair back and smiled softly, "I should rest, my angel, but maybe you should wait outside tonight? I believe you've deflowered my lips of their purity. I leave it up to you though." She walked back to her bed and crawled in. Theron noted the innocent way she hid under the covers, and pulled them over her head.
“Y-yes.” His voice cracked and he cleared his throat. “I’ll be right outside the door if you need me.” He hastily reassembled his composure. His face was still red and his lips tingled. He was disgusted with himself for letting her affect him so much. Corvina spent the rest of the night huddled in her covers trying to ward off the feeling she had gotten when he kissed her back. Sure she had pressed her lips to his, but she had never been kissed, much less kissed that passionately. She unsure of what to do anymore, but the dark terrified her as Theron could hear the queens soft sobs from outside.
Still disgusted with himself and only growing more so he sighed. He couldn’t stop himself from calling through the door. “I’m still here. Don’t worry. You’re safe.”
"I-it's alright," came her shaking reply from the other side. She quieted a bit more, but Theron's hearing was sharp from years of hunting and he could hear her soft whimpers and choking sobs.
Her sobs struck a chord in him. The sound reminded him of when he had first found Taliesin, a small shivering teen running from danger. Doubts started to bubble within him and he gritted his teeth before walking inside the room. He scooted a chair near her bed and sat resolutely. He scolded himself for being so weak.
After a while of whimpers the young queen twisted wildly in her sheets, "Let me go," she begged before she fell from the bed. Theron got up and gently woke the queen from her nightmare before helping her back into the bed without saying a word. He was feeling a wild torrent of feelings and didn't trust himself to speak. Corvina gripped his hand, "Please don't go. I can't take the dark tonight? A-at least light a candle if you leave."
“I’m not leaving.” He assured. She settled back down and Theron could see how vulnerable she was. How easy it would be to end her life then and there. He had a knife or he could use his hands. Corvina's head rested so her forehead touched his hand and if he moved his fingers just a bit her lips would press against them.