Zeleone/ Teskna

Chapter Two.

Aressa decided to take Veyron to a stream deep in the forest. She found it once while playing hide-and-seek when she took a wrong turn and got lost. There was a shallow pool with warm water in the center and there was a beautiful waterfall off to the side which connected to the pool. The water was clear and steam emanated from it in waves. 

She glanced behind her at the towering male. He was nearly twice her height. That was what it felt like to her. He was like the tallest tree she had ever seen. His eyes were boring into her. She could feel the heat of his gaze on her. He wasn’t ogling, simply watching. She was thankful that he at least had his man-parts covered. She didn’t want to endure teasing from her friends should they get discovered. You always need to keep your bits covered, the Elders reiterated to them. Don’t be grotesque. We tease, not offer. Over and over. Again and again. The teachings were completed over a hundred years ago, but they were still fresh in her brain. Aressa assumed that was the whole point of it all.

She didn’t bother waiting for the male before climbing into the pool. The warm water felt like heaven against her skin. She busied herself with unravelling her hair from the debris and ties she had rammed into it. Once loose, she shook it out and more twigs and leaves fell out and into the water. She sighed and closed her eyes, leaning back against the stone ledge. She felt her pointed ears twitch and knew the male was joining her. 

“So?” she inquired, with a smidge of attitude.

“You haven’t asked me anything.” His deep voice answered.

Aressa opened her eyes and glared at him. “I’ve asked you many things which you have not answered. Take your pick.”

Her eyes widened when she saw him reach down. His hands came back up, holding his tattered pants, which he tossed to the side. He offered her a lazy grin. She rolled her eyes in response and crossed her arms in wait.

“Well, I’ve been trapped in that mirror for… oh, I don’t know. I’m guessing probably over 500 years. I was born in 1457. It was a much different time. The women are still beautiful, of course.” Veyron lowered his gaze to her chest which was just above water level. Aressa crouched lower into the water and narrowed her eyes at him with a scoff.

“So it’s been half a century. You couldn’t help yourself when you saw me? And why were you trapped in there to begin with?”

“Like you said, I'm a criminal. The symbols etched on the frame- they're keeping me from escaping. As for seeing you, I don’t know why I did what I did. I've seen plenty of beautiful women since being imprisoned and have lain with many. Yet something drew me to you. And you were so responsive. I apologize. I will make sure next time I put my hands on you it will be because you’ve allowed me to.”

Aressa snorted. “I will never be asking for your touch, I can guarantee that. As for what you said about the symbols- I’ve seen them. They glowed under my fingertips.”

“You saw the engravings?” Veyron moved closer to her in the water to reach for her and she shrank away from him. He held his hands up in acquiesce and stepped back, leaning against the wall furthest from her. “No one can see them. It’s.. it’s just not possible.” He took a deep breath. “From what I gathered, your friends didn’t seem to take notice of them when they were freeing me from the box.”

“They would have mentioned anything unusual.” Aressa pondered. She started scrubbing her body with her hands, getting rid of any dirt or grime from the day’s events. She usually bathed in one of the shower rooms but once in a while she liked a nice soak. "What horrible thing have you done to be trapped in a mirror?"

“Do you know what I am?” he asked as he watched her. “I’m a Gargoyle. Statues of the Lore. Some would call us guardians. We turn to stone in daylight."