The Spark in the Dark

Chapter 14

While Samantha continued to tell Wes and Marion her story, Nicholas was lying down on the ground soaking up the sun and sunning his wings. He was listening to Samantha's story but never pointed out the parts she left out like their interactions in the wine cellar and the training room.

When she was finished both Marion and Wes bombarded her with questions like; was it very different then Terrasen and were the high Lord and lady similar to Aelin and Rowan. They stayed asking questions and Samantha answered then politely. Almost too politely. Nicholas looked at Samantha and although she looked calm, somewhere, deep down he could feel her annoyance and that her patience were running thin.

"I feel like a swim," he said to no one in particular. Wes looked at him incredulously "you want to go for a .... swim?" Nicholas noosed. "Yes is there a lake or a pool around here." Marion nodded and pointed to a circle of trees. "Yes, it's in there." "Perfect." Nicholas said standing up. He held out a hand to Samantha. "Care to join?" Samantha looked at him for a while before taking him hand. "My pleasure." Then the two of them walked off towards the lake.

When they got behind the cluster of trees a huge, glistening lake was in front of them. Nicholas stood watching the lake before he looked Ed over to Samantha who was stripping down into her undergarments beside him. "What are you doing?" He asked with a raised brow. "Well I'm not going to swim in my clothes." She said and then looked down at his shirt and pants before returning to meet his gaze. "Are you?"

Nicholas gave Samantha a wicked grin and pulled off his shirt followed by his pants leaving him in just his undershorts. He looked over to Samantha and gestured to the lake "ladies first," he said. Samantha just rolled her eyes before taking a run and jumping into the lake. Her head popped up a minute later. "You coming?" She yelled. Nicholas laughed and walked over to the edge of the lake. He dipped his big toe into the water. It was freezing. "You know the water pretty cold I think ill just," but before he could finish his sentence a bubble of water popped over his head, drenching him from head to toe. He looked into the water to where Samantha was giggling like a mad man. "I thought your powers were ice and fire?" He asked. "You thought correct, but there is so much more you don't know about me." Nicholas slowly walked into the water the temperature rising the closer he got to Samantha. When he was standing right in front of her he said in barely a whisper "Well I'd love to know more."

He reached out underwater and his hand grazed Samantha thigh. She let out a small whimper and wrapped her arms around his neck. She wrapped her legs around his waist and Nicholas's hands went to her backside. Just as he went to close the gaps between their lips a strong wind pulled them apart, or pushed Nicholas away from Samantha.

Nicholas opened his mouth to say something but before he could he heard Wes shout "mind if we join?" Although Nicholas didn't know why he asked as he was already stripping, Marion doing the same beside him. The two jumped into the lake and joined Nicholas and Samantha.

~

The four of them were sunbathing after just getting out of the lake. None of them had gotten dressed yet as they didn't see the need in wetting their clothes. Marion squealed from where she lay beside Samantha. "When did you get a tattoo?" At that Wes stick his head up and looked to where Marion was examining. Right there on Samantha's right hip was the small, intricate design of the night sky.

Samantha's cheeks blushed and she shot Nicholas a small glance only he noticed. Nicholas grinned and lay back down. "Oh I... uh... got it a while ago." Samantha said. "Do Aelin or Rowan know?" asked Wes. "No," replied Samantha. "And I'd like to keep it that way." Wes and Marion both nodded.

"Well it's getting late, I should go home. Don't want the entire night court to storm your lovely kingdom looking for me," Nicholas said standing up. Samantha, Wes and Marion all stood up too.

The four of them now dressed in their clothes said their goodbyes. And as Wes and Marion began walking towards the castle in the distance Samantha stayed behind. "I suppose you'll be back next week?" She asked. "That was the deal," Nicholas smirked at her.

The next thing Samantha did surprised Nicholas. She moved close and gave him a quick hug. "Until next week," she said. When she pulled apart she shifted into her hawk form and flew away.

Nicholas stood their staring as she flew away. Only when he could no longer see her did he winnow home. He stood at the gates of his house. When he walked in his parents were sitting on the couch in the front room, cuddled together.

"Where did you disappear today?" asked his mother softly. "I went to visit a friend." He replied. Nicholas yawned and said "I'm heading up, goodnight." He walked to the couch and gave his mother a kiss on the cheek. His mother and father both gave him a small smile as he walked towards the stare. As he walked up the stairs, a wide grin on his face, he couldn't hear their whispering. All he could hear was the soft laugh of a far princess in a far away kingdom.