The Waning Hour

Chapter 9. A Whole New Truth

Elizabeth let out a soft yawn as she tried to rub the sleep from her eyes. Her whole body screamed as her head gave way to a constant throb. This was her evidence that last night was not just some horrible dream. No, her dearest brother was still gone and her father still held the same hate in his eyes that she saw last night. The memory of her father's orders of exile was still fresh on her mind.

Her father, exile, that's when it hit her. With a sudden boost of adrenaline, Elizabeth hopped up from her spot on a stranger's couch, confusion and fear taking hold. If she was exiled than that meant she was not in her cottage back home. And if she was not in her cottage back home than that begged the question of, where was she?

Last thing she remembered was Niklous hauling her off into the Mor. Heat flushed her cheeks at the very inappropriate notion of being in a man's house with out a chaperone. God's where was Denise when she really needed her.

"Ah, I see you are awake. You must be hungry, please eat." A very cheery and very feminine, voice snapped Elizabeth from her panic. A small relief flooded her knowing there was a woman present. She was a proper lady after all.

"Where am I?" Elizabeth asked curiously as she looked down at the coffee table full of tea and sorted finger sandwiches. Her stomach growled in protest as she turned her eyes back on the soft voice in front of her.

"My home of course. Now before you get upset know that I am a dear friend of Niklous, and that I promise as long as you are here you will be safe." Juniper smiled as she took her cup of tea and sat back down in her arm chair by the fire.

Elizabeth's mouth hung open, only really hearing half of what she said. God's above if Denise could see the woman before her right now, well she would probably faint in pure shock. White silk hair hung down to her waist accompanied by the purest skin, free of any blemishes. Her eyes, milky white seemed to sparkle as a smile spread across her blood red lips.

This woman was by all definition a woman in Elizabeth's book. It wasn't just because of her huge bust or curvy features, no, it was in the way she wore her sultry green dress and black heels. Everything, Even down to her neatly polished nails screamed elegance. Staring a little longer at her bust had Elizabeth feel rather lacking and embarrassed. So this is what a real woman was. God's strike her now.

"Cat got your tongue?" Juniper chuckled as she elegantly swirled her spoon in her cup.

"I apologize, where are my manners. I just, well I have never seen a woman like you before. You know with such huge....and hips like.... well...." Elizabeth started stammering as she slowly sat back down upon the cozy couch.

"What are you trying to say?" Juniper teased as she placed her spoon down gently upon a teal napkin.

"Oh nothing bad it's just..." Elizabeth couldn't seem to get any words out as she folded her hands in her lap. Her nerves were getting the best of her.

"I can see why Nikki has his eyes set on you." Juniper laughed, earning a flush of red to spread across Elizabeth's cheeks.

Suddenly the front door burst open giving way to a very devilished Niklous. His eyes seemed to rake the room till finally settling on those soft blues he found himself so familiar with.

Elizabeth watched him let out a relieved sigh, at the same time she seemed to let out one of her own. Her eyes greedily soaked up his image. Tussled hair tied up with strands running a stray seemed to match his half buttoned shirt and wrinkled dress pants. The whole look gave her the opinion that he hasn't slept one wink. The true give away was the dark circles shadowing his eyes. The man was a mess.

"You know I wish you would stop doing that. I don't understand why you brutes need to be so dramatic." Juniper sighed as she walked past the two transfixed lovers, closing her front door gently.