Moon Of Gold

Chapter 12: Our hearts beat as one

      I turn the doorknob and quietly push the door open. Placing a foot out, I pull my head through and look around. I spot Julian and he signals me. I slowly close the door behind me and follow him.
    We head down the stairs and he takes the lead. I silently follow him. I hope this isn't going to get us both killed or worse. At the same time, the questioning way he was acting earlier worries me. Is he uncomfortable here? I know there are a lot of women around him and only one guy, Silvaus. They also haven't made a lot of sense with what they've been telling us. Even with me. An odd bunch they are.
    We stop at an odd-looking hallway and he advances towards the door. It sits nestled between the walls with no other doors. He opens it and I follow him inside. I close the door behind me and look at him.
    Julian reaches into his pocket and takes a piece of paper. I stare at it a little horrified. There was a noticeable spot of dried blood on it. He hands it to me and I stand there, bewildered.
    "Huh? Wait...what? Where did you get this?" I ask him, frowning at the paper.
    He stands there silently for a moment. "I might have accidentally found something out" he responds, looking at the nearest bookshelf.  I turn head and examine it. One of the books seemed to stick out of the shelf. I press my fingers to its dusty hard spine. I glance at Julian then back at the book. "It's a secret room or something isn't it?" I acknowledge, taking my hand off the book. He nods, glancing back at the paper. "The note...it was down there. Did you go any further?" I then ask. He looks at me and his face goes pale. Well paler than usual.
    "Yes, I'm really concerned. I think someone is hiding something. The note was next to...an actual dead body. I only grabbed the note. I later found a fountain and something was calling me Prince of Blood. I saw these...dead white glowing eyes. I never ran so fast before" he explains, rubbing his forehead.
    I stand there then glance at the book again. They were hiding something and someone died down there. My suspicion has never grown so much. Apparently, there was some monster or being down there. It called Julian the title they called him. Prince of Blood.

***

    We walk up the stairs. I stay a few steps behind him, slowing my pace. We reach the end and he turns back to me.
    "Sorry about worrying you. I just had a lot on my mind. Especially, this mess. It's hard to trust some people. Well, for me that is. Um... goodnight" he apologizes, swiftly turning away.
    I quickly grab his hand. Oh god! What was I doing?
    He turns his head and stares at me in concern. I stare back, waiting for an answer. I take a step back and glance out the window. The moon is sitting high in the sky, sending light through the window. I look back at him.
    The moonlight illuminates his face and I notice his soft eyes staring back at me. I don't really people would agree with me using this word. He's beautiful. Not even handsome. Yes, I'm using the word that women usually have said about them.
    I find myself gazing into his eyes. Longer than usual. His eyes widen and a tint of pink flushes his face. Then without a single word, he pulls me into his arms.

***

    I silently hold her tightly. We haven't hugged in a while. This was different though. I felt an odd connection almost magnetic. Pulling us together.
    I look down at her. "I-I meant to tell to something" I stutter, hearing my voice slightly tremble. "I enjoy our time together. I'm serious when mean that I'm sorry. I didn't want to make you feel some type of way. You know I get stressed out easily" I whisper, looking into her eyes. They have this soft look to them almost mesmerizing. I find myself gazing back and my breath hitches.
    She rests her head on my chest and closes her eyes. "I enjoy being with you too" she pauses then looks back up at me "Will you be okay if I...tell you something?" She asks, in a mere whisper.
      Worry clouds my mind when she says this. What could she possibly mean by it?
    I raise my eyebrows and slightly tilt my head. "Hm? It won't scare me. I promise. At least I think it won't" I whisper back. She quietly looks away then back at me. "I think I might...be in love with you. There was always something weird about you."
    Did she just? I have no idea how to react to this. I wasn't prepared for this...at all.
    I didn't respond and she slowly brushes her fingers up to my face. Ophira gently brushes her thumb on my cheek. I close my eyes and feel her hands gently cup face. My heart beats in sync with hers's and I find myself leaning in.
      I open eyes and Ophira presses her nose to mine. She giggles and I smile down at her.
      It has never occurred to me that this was going to happen. It feels so...wonderful. I didn't want it to end. This was the first time in my life where I felt overjoyed. Not from a gift but from intimacy. Something I thought I wouldn't ever experience with someone.
     Ophira wraps her arms around my neck. She bites her lip and glances away for a brief moment. "So...do you want to?" She asks, lightly taping a thumb on my collarbone. I raise an eyebrow and stare at her. "What do you mean...oh! Um...they'll probably hear us. I don't think I'm quite ready for that" I answer, scratching the back of my head.
      "No, you weirdo! Kiss is what I meant. Where on earth are you thinking right now? I never would have imagined you saying that" She gasps in surprise, "You really are something else. I swear."
      I gulp and nervously laugh. "I'm sorry. I'm not particularly good at knowing what women want. You should have just told me!" I groan.
      There I go...breaking the mood.
      "Just close your eyes you dork" she whispers while laughing a bit.
      I shake my head and snicker. She leans in and I shut my eyes. My body grows stiff as her hair tickles my face. Then she leans away. I open my eyes, raising an eyebrow "Are you alright?" I ask.
       Ophira nods and squeezes my shoulder. "Yeah...I got nervous. Maybe you should start" she suggests, looking away from me shyly.
      I quietly obey and lean my face in. I close my eyes and press my lips against her's. My heartbeat quickens and her hands trail down to my waist, pulling me close. I feel her hands ruffling my hair. There's this warm sensation I feel spreading across my body.
     She deepens the kiss and bites down on my lip. I moan and she suddenly backs away. My eyes shot open and Ophira stands there, staring at me. "I-I...sorry. That was unexpected. I didn't think y-you would do that" she stutters, panting. Her face flushes and I gaze back at her. "Why did you stop? I didn't want you too" I answer quietly, my eyes fixated on her lips. For some odd reason I don't want this to end.
      Ophira narrows her eyes then backs into a wall. "Kiss me" she commands. I lean towards her and press my lips against hers once again. She wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me forward.

***

      My back presses up against the wall and I nibble on his bottom lip. Julian presses up against me, kissing me passionately. His hands trail down to my hips and he bites down on my bottom lip a little too hard. I tolerate the pain as he draws blood. A strong warmth spreads throughout my body. I kiss him back then the warmth disappears. He breaks away from me. He covers his mouth and looks away. His eyes flash red then back to normal and he shakes his head.
      "I'm so...sorry. I don't know what came of me. I got a little excited" he apologizes, profusely.
     I gingerly touch my finger to my bottom lip "Don't. It's fine. Thank you" I whisper, burying my face in his chest. "I'm the one that got carried away. We're in a hall, to be honest. I wasn't thinking" I quietly laugh.
      He chuckles and holds me close. "We should actually get to bed. Well, nap for me that is" he says, looking down at me. I smile and pull away.
      I plant a quick kiss on the cheek and turn away. "Goodnight" I whisper back to him. Julian gazes back at me with a smile. "Goodnight...my love."