The Eagle Princess

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

There was a storm that had begun brewing outside. Larissa had been warned, on her way out here, that Methone was known for its large storms. Still, she was surprised by the force of the thunder, lightning, and wind as it raged outside of the open balcony of Kaz's darkened room. The occasional flashes of light illuminated where rain lashed against the stone, but the small step off prevented it from flooding inside, and the overhang above the opening kept it from blowing in. Only the scent of the raging storm rushed inside.

Kaz, accustomed to the storms from being raised here, continued to sleep through it.

Larissa, only knowing such raging storms from the near yearly water spout that formed out over the ocean before making land, had woken almost instantly. She was sitting up in the middle of Kaz's bed, looking outside over his body that separated her from the edge of the bed. Sometime in the night, he had put her body between himself and the wall.

She felt safe. But she also felt trapped. It was an odd combination that was only made worse by the soreness between her legs, a result of his lovemaking. It didn't really hurt, but sitting in the bed brought it to the forefront of her attention as she watched the storm rage outside.

A particularly loud rumble of thunder seemed to rock the stone palace itself. Kaz mumbled something in his sleep, rolling over and touching her hip, but he didn't wake up. Larissa watched him for a minute. Or, at least, what she could see of his silhouette in the darkness.

Was she really going to do this?

Part of her screamed yes, and was excited to do it.

Another part of her, a far more pessimistic part, told her that she wasn't ever going to get anything better, and she should just accept this life as it was given to her. Kaz had proven his strength of will in the face of her. What did it matter if she had such a hard time trusting the truth of his words? He proved he was physically capable, if nothing else.

"Rissa?"

His mumbled, sleep warmed voice was nearly drowned out by the storm. Kaz, unable to wrap his arm around her properly, was disturbed from his rest. He lifted his head and frowned sleepily into the darkness. Lightning struck outside, making him turn over. He blinked against the brightness as he sat up in bed. He frowned at Larissa, concerned.

"What's wrong, my heart?" He asked, kissing her bare shoulder.

"Such a strong storm," she murmured softly. "Storms like this only come once a year back home. They tend to leave a great deal of destruction in their path."

Kaz ran his fingers through her hair, across her back, as he kissed up her neck sleepily. "Not to worry. This sounds worse than it is. Lay back down."

"Kaz?"

"Hm?"

"...28."

"What?" He lifted his head, frowning. "You-! You actually kept count?"

Larissa laughed. "No. I counted down to 28, then I lost track. We'll say the ones after that were free."

Kaz laughed, wrapping his arms around her, bringing her close to his chest. "28, left huh. I better be careful about taking them. That's entirely too close to zero."

Larissa mumbled something as she turned. She grabbed hold of his head and kissed him. Short, punctuated, she came back again.

"27."

"Ah!" He cried out in dismay. "Rissa, don't wast my- umph!"

She flipped over onto her knees, kissing him again. Short. Harsh. She didn't let it last.