Truth Within Lies, A Dark Romance (completed)

A Gift

It's been a long process with this one, but it's finally done. Edits are finished and the new edition to "Truth Within Lies" has been completed. This standalone story dives deeper into Aurora, what she is and the relationship she has with the darkness. You don't have to read the entire series to enjoy this glimpse of the truth and lies, so if it seems like you are missing something you just might be. :) I'm trying to keep the stories from having the exact same scenes/scenarios. There is definitely overlap and gaps because of it. I hope I covered enough of it. If you want more action you should go hunt down the others that cover an array of genres. 

.......

    Her mind drifted walking through the palace halls heading toward the courtyard. It was the quickest route to the stables, and today was no day to waste time. A gift had arrived late in the evening and the rumors of it had already spread like wildfire amongst the staff and court. She quickened her pace. Her fingers gilding across woven tapestry after woven tapestry stopping on the gilded frame of her mother's portrait. She paused for a moment, slender fingers tracing the shape of the portraits pale face, stopping briefly on her painted hands as if she was holding them. The memory of her mother had faded over the years, lost to time like so many other things. This was expected when someone so young had lost someone. Everyday she would stop before this painting as if desperately trying to hang on to some part of the woman who had given everything to bring her into this world.

"Where are you headed so early?" A friendly voice rang in her ears snapping her out of whatever fog she was in.

"I want to see it." She beamed, a little bit of mischievousness in her eyes.

"It?" He raised his eyebrow quizzically toying with her. He already knew what it was and who sent it. There was no possible way he didn't, he knew everything. She smirked softly pressing past him to the open courtyard door. He shook his head softly knowing no matter how much protest he made he could never stop her. A gentle smile rolled across his face as he watched her skip away. She was no longer the little girl that needed his protection, she had grown into a beautiful young woman that would one day leave this place and possibly him behind. He followed a few steps away, the smell of rose, lavender, and jasmine dancing in the air tucking away the faint hint of apples that had just begun to ripen. He wasn't sure if he would ever get used to the sickeningly sweet smells that teased his nose. This place was nothing but a constant reminder of how different their lives were from hers. He couldn't wait for summer to descend into winter. The cooler months had their own smell, but at least he would no longer have to endure the constant assault of such pungently strong foliage.

Lost in thought his eyes never left her. Constantly scanning and listening for anything that might bring harm to the ray of light that danced from flower to flower humming as she went. She had grown into a captivating creature who's form taunted him. She was built wide and lean like a dancer. Arms toned from sword fighting and archery, legs long and thick from riding. Her skin was like honey, kissed by the sun. Thinking of her in such a way made his stomach knot, she was more like a little sister than a woman, but there was no denying she was a woman.

He stopped trapped between the rose bushes as they assaulted him with a deep fragrance that seemed to be a direct attack on his nose alone. He rolled his eyes, maintaining his composure in front of the enemy. He would not so easily be moved by the advisairy. She would stop at the fountain as she always did. Each time she halted here seemed to be less and less of a pause as though the memory that stopped her feet had all but slipped away. A memory that would forever bring a single tear to the corner of his eye. This was the place of the last good memory she had of her mother. The place where her instructor brought her to ride the pony her father gave her. The place where her mother could watch while she rested in the warm sun on a bench made just for her. He blinked away a tear and the memory of the queen, closing her eyes for a moment. He still recalled how fragile and light she felt in his arms as she drifted away. The queen was the only one that truly accepted their presence in the kingdom. It was as if her fading soul knew and understood, or maybe it's that the king and queen had their own fated love story.