Athena In Gold

XXIII - Orchids

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When I enter the hallway I immediately halt.

Nicholas was looking around and when his eyes land on me, I could see the relief on his face. However that relief didn't last long once I hear the door behind me open.

I knew Carlos was standing behind me, probably having a staredown with Nick.

"You shouldn't leave such a beautiful lady alone."

I close my eyes once Carlos spoke, almost wanting to push him back inside the empty ballroom and lock him in there until the morning.

"Goddess knows what sort of things could have happened to her." He added and I twist my head and look up at him with a stank look. "Same time tomorrow?" He winks and I push him away with my hand before making my way to Nicholas.

I hold onto Nicholas's arms as I realise he's too busy glaring at Carlos to even do anything. I could sense the murderous intent radiating off of him.

He only finally looked at me once Carlos had walked off.

His finger raises my chin up to face him as he notices my expression. "I'm going to bury that guy." He tells me with a smile tugging on the corners of his mouth.

I gave him a feint smile just for the effort he put to fix my mood despite him being irritated himself. I get caught off guard when he holds my hand and pulls me away off to somewhere.

"Where are we going?"

"To get some fresh air." Nicholas answered. "And to keep you far away from Carlos. Far enough that you won't somehow end up in the room together again."

I scoff in laughter. "He's not interested in me in that way." I inform him. "I think he's just curious about my relationship with Altheo." I bring up.

"He's too curious for his own good." He added bitterly, completely uninterested in what Carlos had to say to me."

We end up getting in a car, Nicholas driving along the grape farms that Altheo's family owned. It was one large field out of many. The fields were just far enough that the palace seemed like a doll house.

There was a near full moon tonight. By the time my birthday arrives, it'll be a full one.

"I'll hold your stuff."

I knew exactly what he was saying. I turned to him with a big smile on my face.

I haven't shifted in so long.

I had told Nicholas to wait a few meters away as I stripped off my clothes behind a large tree.

Soon I heard bones cracking, shifting into my animal form. My senses were so clear I could hear a dragonfly landing on top of the water of a nearby stream.

That was an exaggeration but you get the idea.

I could see twice as much stars in the sky and smell everything in the wind.

It's been a while.

Azula roamed over the fields at top speed, howling at the moon. Receiving one back from a stranger. Probably a rogue or something. I decided to return to Nicholas. It was best to head back rather than interact with a possible rogue.

I approached Nicholas and tried snarling at him. He kept still and only admired my form. Placing a kiss on top of my nose. Retrieving my dress from him, I ran over behind the same tree.