Heirot

Knight's power-glazed eyes followed her hands atop his. "I apologize for my meager composure," he murmured. "I had hoped to make our joining last all night." His nerves were still twitching and throbbing with the memory of her. "I did not expect..." his voice twisted into a near-moan as he thought of what her body did to him. He had to cut off his words and pull in a deep, composing breath. He arched over her and drew her tightly into his arms.

Tenele smiled, nuzzling into his embrace. "That's alright," she whispered to him. "Maybe next time you can last all night." She pressed a gentle kiss to his shoulder. "There will be a next time... I'm glad you are happy, Knight." She curled her arms around his back. "It would be a shame if I fell asleep with you like this, on your one night of freedom until the next full moon. But, I am so comfortable with you like this. I'm happy that I can be like this with you... I'm happy I can make these memories with you."

Knight's muscled form seemed to ripple with a shudder at her mention of lasting all night next time. "Truth be told, I'm afraid it might be the opposite. After this....just thinking of you may put me in trouble." He took a deep breath of her hair, seeking to calm his body and achieving the reverse instead. His handsome, angled face slid to the crook of her neck. In a near-whisper, he continued, "I am grateful to you, Tenele. Thank you for considering me. For choosing to know me. You could easily and justifiably do neither. It would be perfectly understandable to turn from me and use me as a mere guardian. I would be glad even for that, but to be allowed to care for you...to be considered by you...it is beyond imagining."

Tenele smiled, stroking fingers lightly down his muscled back. "That's the way my heart works. I could not just use you, it is not in my nature to use people. At first I was nervous by you, but something about you... I trusted you, and because I trusted you I care for you. I love you." She kissed him gently. "And I am happy to be loved by you in return."

Knight's whole being seemed to glow with pleasure at her words. "I love you. I love you, Tenele, greater than time and deeper than darkness." His lips brushed hers before he slid to his side next to her. A muscled arm slid under her neck, the other draped around her waist as he wrapped himself protectively against her side. "There is no need to entertain me. It is sweet to feel you sleep beside me."

Tenele curled against him, resting her cheek against his skin. "Sleep sounds like a good idea," she murmured. After the day she'd had, sleep was definitely a good idea. "If I fall a sleep and morning comes, will you disappear... Like faze out and let them take control when your limit is up? Or will you wake me to send you away?" Tenele hated sending him away. While it hurt him physically, seeing him hurt drove a knife through her heart.

He picked up on the pain in her voice and raised his head to study her. "I'm sorry...if it were possible to dismiss myself, I would," he acknowledged, stroking her hair back with long, smooth fingers. "I will wake you when the time comes. I don't wish to take your mortal lovers past their limit." He showed her a slight smirk. "I imagine you'll want them whole when I am gone.

Tenele nodded, but she didn't say another word on the matter. Instead, she tried to push the thoughts from her mind completely. The Queen's Maiden curled against her God-like man, and let herself relax until she finally fell asleep against him.

Knight's fingers traced slowly along her shoulder while her breathing slowly evened out beside him. It was a long time before he felt willing to close his eyes to the sight of her, and longer still before he was willing to stop listening to her soft breathing and fall asleep. Wrapped to her like living armor, Knight the guardian slept.

It was pre-dawn when the dull ache began to rise like hunger through his perfect form. His pulled his eyes open reluctantly, dragging fresh salt air into his lungs. He reached out and brushed his fingertips against Tenele's cheek. "Tenele. My sweet Tenele," he murmured playfully, fully enjoying the privilege of waking her. Apparently Atul's side had won out, as far as the manner of waking preferred.

Tenele blinked her eyes open slowly, pressing her cheek against his hand. It took her a moment to register that she was looking at Knight and that she wasn't dreaming. But, the night before came flooding back to her. She smiled. "Good morning," replied, stretching her body against his. Then, her brow furrowed as she suddenly knew why he was waking her. "Its time..." And, now came the part she dreaded.

Knight's smile dropped along with hers. He didn't want it to be like this for her. "I will go in the other room. You needn't watch," he said quickly. His lips pulled in a careful grin. "I want you to remember me like this."

Tenele grabbed hold of his arm. "Don't," she gasped, reaching up to touch his face. "I can do this... I can. I have to get used to this." She sat up slowly, drawing the sheet around her like a cloak. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, and then his forehead. "I'll remember you like this, like last night. I'll think of you and I will see you soon. Good bye..." she whispered. "Sagra ne ero."

As soon as the words were spoken, Knight's body went rigid. He choked back a gasp and wrenched over, breaking her gaze to keep her from seeing the wildness in his eyes. A moment, and then it was over. Tenele was surrounded by a flurry of silvery sparks, a quiet room, and the breaking of the waves outside.

Vlad swooned for a second as he was returned to his seat at the table. The sturdy desert furniture kept him from falling over like a bad drunk. Clasping his head, which he realized was throbbing, he peered around the room and let his surroundings settle into place. He felt drained, like a human after a too-long sleep.

Atul appeared near the kitchen. His legs buckled and he fell back against the wall. He pushed off, stumbled to the table, and flopped down into a chair. He rested his head in one of his hands while the other drummed impatiently across the table top until his vision cleared. "That never gets any better," he muttered.

Tenele heard their voices. She thought she should greet them, but her heart felt heavy and her throat tight. So, she stretched out across the pillows, drawing the sheet around her and over her silver hair. She knew she shouldn't be sad after something so beautiful had happened. After a minute she stood up, taking the blanket with her around her shoulders, and stepped out of the bedroom and into the dining room.

"Good morning."

Vlad's scarlet eyes rose to the sound of her voice. The sight of her helped clear his head. Knowing from last time what dismissing Knight did to her, he shoved up from his chair and crossed the room to pull her into a hug.