“i poisoned my skin, my lips. so that every time he touched me—every time he kissed me, he took sickness into his body. i had to purge it from my skin, then heal the burns the lye would leave. every single time. it was well worth it.”
Elain sat on the bank of the river, chiffon skirts pulled up above her knee. Toes dipping in the cool clear water. Flexing her toes as the water flowed around and in between them. Fingers busying themselves in the soft blades of grass. Fresh and alive in the springtime air. She could feel the warmth of afternoon burning into her gown. With ease, she could move to the tree across the way. Complete with an overhang of leaves high above, keeping her from the heat of the sun.
That was too close. Far too close to Lucien. This proximity was too close as it is. Whereas mere months ago Elain avoided him for her selective reasons. Which consisted of grieving the loss of mortal life and adjusting to an immortal one. Once Elain discovered the two of them healing from their pasts was easier together she deemed her distance selfish. Lucien had only called it necessary. They may have never reached this level of comfort and affection had they forced themselves.
Now Elain avoided her mate for want. A silly reason to be sure. Elain had the vision of the two of them accepting the bond. She didn't have to know the exact location. When her visions came to life there was a tingling sense of recognition inside her mind's eyes. The sensation did not strike thinking of tackling him here by a riverbank as he hunted for fish. Instead of moving closer, she would sit watching him and enjoying the pleasant view.
But damn the cauldron and the mother it was not easy. Not when he stood in the water looking like that. Her gaze once again drifted to the reddened hue of his hair. Pulled back and up with a leather strap. Was it intentional it was the same color as her eyes? Elain wasn’t sure. It caused her cheeks to turn a shade of deep pink regardless. Similar to the deep blush of her gown. A few strands of those fiery locks she enjoys braiding, fell away dusting along the cream-colored tunic he wore. Elain focused on Lucien, rolling the sleeves up to his elbow. The fabric secured around his arm, showing off the toned muscles in the lower half.
Her mouth parted a tinge watching how his arm flexed, muscles tighten and loosening readying himself to snatch down and grab another fish. After every fish he caught, Lucien had the utmost audacity to groan and roll his head side to side exposing his neck. A neck she wanted her lips on in the worst way. Did he taste of autumn she wondered? Of cinnamon and crisp apples or something more robust? Small embers inside her desperately ached to be a roaring fire consuming her entirely.
Elain continued her exploration of the stunning view. Noticing how the crystalline waters splashed against the fawn brown slacks. Causing the fabric to stick against his skin. Elain could not help but notice the muscled thighs underneath. Heart racing wildly inside her chest. Sweeping her tongue along her lips as Elain shifted her weight, brushing her thighs against each other. A silly, feeble attempt to ease that wanton ache.
“Would you like to help flower or continue to admire the view?” Lucien quipped, a taunting grin on his features. A deep russet eye met her own. Embers flickered in his eye. Yet his metal eye stayed focused on the waters.
“Who said the view was anything worthy to admire?” Elain retorted. At the rapid turn of his head, Elain held in a giggle. Lucien blinked once, twice before laughing.
His laughter warm and bright like daylight itself burst out from him. It was one of her favorite things about him. The way he tilted his back and his shoulders shook when he laughed. Lucien’s hands resting on his waist when he did so. It never ceased to bring brightness in her smile, warmth to her chest. The sound was unlike anything she’d ever heard. One she was perfectly content with hearing until the end of time itself.
Shortly after the two passed the awkward stages of being around one another, they quickly fell into step with jabs and remarks. It was a side of her not many witnessed. Though they bantered daily, he always blinked as it caught him off guard. As if this were a mere dream. Typically she would lay a hand to his arm, a gesture signaling this was real.
Lucien turned in the river, wading through the water towards her, “Well if that’s the case.” Elain kept her eyes locked onto his ready for his next move as he approached. A grin wide like a fox as he settled himself next to her. Brushing her warm brown tresses off her shoulder, the heat of his breath against her lobe. Elain took a calming breath ignoring the way her skin prickled at the sensation, “then there must be something amiss with your scent, Elain.” his tone dropped at her name on his lips. The goosebumps and throb below increased from that. As much as a gentleman she knew her mate could be. Times like these made her think of shoving him into the rushing river. If only to gather her wits.
"You can try to shove me in the river 'Lain. You will fail." He teased.
"You don't know that." Elain huffed.
"Oh but I do."
She turned fully facing to argue her point. Elain's mouth opened and closed several times, seemingly losing the ability to speak. Focusing on how close Lucien was. A mere breath away from her, feeling the heat of his body within this proximity. Dancing embers in his russet eye burned with intensity fixated on her. Elain could only stare, marvel at the goldenness of his skin. Even the scar on his cheek held a gruesome elegance. Her gaze drifted to the smirk pulling up in the corner of his mouth, the firm yet softness of his lips. Elain bunched the fabric of her gown, resisting the urge to take his face in her hands and kiss him soundly.
“Nothing is wrong with my scent.”
“No?” he chuckled with amusement.
Elain glared her cheeks a deep shade of scarlet. The seer could form words icy enough to match Nesta. When it came to haughty expressions, she failed. Humorously at that. Lucien sniffed the air around them. “Of course not.” adjusting the rolled cuff of his sleeve. Elain zeroed in on the action. "You only want me. And denying yourself due to a vision." Lucien stood heading towards where he was last in the river.
"That's not fair!" She stood to follow him. The water soaking her gown instantly. Threatening to slow her pace as the skirts became heavy twisting around her legs. Elain prevailed, reaching him in seconds.
Lucien paid her no mind. Staring at the river. "You're right. It's not for either of us. Now." He lifted a finger to his lips. indicating to be silent. "You'll scare the fish."
"I don't care." She hissed. "You're the one who's… who's...Riling me up!"
That pulled his attention. "I was fishing. You're the one sitting in the grass fantasizing." Her cheeks burned. "Unless you want to help me. Go back to the bank and we can finish this later."
She didn't want to wait. "Fine." Elain grabbed her skirts moving to Lucien. "What do I do exactly? Stick my hand in the water?"
His metal eye whirred, brows rising in surprise. "You wanna fish?" She nodded. "Come here then" the velvet smoothness of his tone faded into gentleness as he said. "Watch the rocks."
Elain did as instructed, paying close attention to the rocks on the ground. Feeling the slick and sharpness of them poking her feet. Lucien extended a hand to her. She took it, slipping her palm sliding against his well-worked one. Ignoring the way her heart sparked at his thumb brushed along her knuckles. Lucien tightened his grip, helping Elain the last few steps placing herself in front of him. Steadying her with a firm grasp on her waist.
"We just...look at the water?" She whispered, staring at clear waters, noting the mud, rocks, and the few fishes swimming about.
"For the most part." His chin grazed against her shoulder. Leaning over Elain, peering into the river, "it's about timing. Knowing the path, the destination. It doesn't matter how the fish gets here. Only that it does and then you snatch it."
"Why do I get the feeling you're not speaking of fishing."
He chuckled again. The sound would be her undoing. "Because I'm not." He paused. "Well not fully." Elain let out a small laugh. "Fate has been designed. It can't be altered. The road may change but the destination remains the same. It doesn't matter if we accept the bond whenever we wish or according to your vision. It's your choice Elain. I support it. Whether today, the vision or in a hundred years."
"Thank you." It was all she could say. At the moment Elain didn't trust herself to speak more.
"You're welcome." They were silent for a time. Listening to the gurgling of the river and the gentle breeze bristling through the leaves. "We can have sex without accepting the bond."
"Lucien!"
"Stating a fact flower."
"I know." Elain swallowed, losing herself to the heat of his touch on her waist. The tips of fingers gently tapping her side. His scent swirling around her, like autumn leaves in a breeze. And his face a kiss away from hers. She refused to turn in his arms, no matter every part of her screaming in protest. Opting instead to place her hand over his, sliding her fingers in between. Instinctively leaning into his chest.
What were they doing? right. Fishing. They were fishing. Supposedly.
"Fishing."
"Right. It is about timing and patience. Knowing when to strike. See that one?" The hand on her hip splayed on her stomach. Keeping Elain flush to Lucien as he pointed in the distance to a grey fish swimming towards them. She gave a brief nod. "Count to ten in your head then drop your hand and grab. Eyes on the fish."
Lucien started the countdown from ten. With each number, his splayed fingers curled against the soft gown. His voice lowered and lowered his cheek gravitated to Elain's. The warmth of his body pressed to hers. By three she gave in. Turning in his arms only to find Lucien wasn’t looking at the fish or the river at all. But her.
"You're supposed to be watching the fish." He said fingers trembled to find a home beneath her chin.
Elain's shrugged, "Slow learner." Her lids fluttered close briefly, Lucien lifting her chin.
"Indeed." Inching closer. An eye flicked to hers concern laying in them as he searched her eager wanting ones. "Do you want me to stop?"
"No."
His lips slanted over hers. Slow, tenderly claiming her mouth. Elain tugged on his tunic, deepening the kiss as the fire inside her glowed brightly. Hands traveling up around the base of his neck. His tongue brushed against her mouth. Elain parted her lips with a blissful sigh granting him the access he's craved so long. As Lucien wrapped Elain in his arms, holding her tightly. She felt it. The sudden weariness in their bond echoing the nerve stricken heartbeats. As if they stopped he'd wake and this would all be a beautiful nightmare. Elain sent loving thoughts down the bond in reassurance. That she chose him. Now and forever.
It was all the encouragement Lucien needed to sweep her in his arms and carry her to the riverbed. Elain peppered kisses along his jawline up to his scar. "I hate her," she murmured against his cheek.
Lucien halted Elain still in his arms both of them snapped to the voice being cleared ahead of them, "Yeah me too. Try being stuck in a ring on her hand." Jurian commented leaning against the bark of a tree. A foot tapping the barrel with fish inside. "I see hardly any fishing was done."
"Go to hell Jurian." Lucien commented winnowing them away. As Elain held on, she felt the tinge of recognition in her mind.
