| |
|
He silently pulled his shirt up to show her the large bruises there as well. "But don't worry, baby. It's nothing I didn't deserve. I ran off without notifying anyone and even as the king, that's not okay." He muttered, shame written along his face. "She'll continue to do it until I start listening or she gets the crown. Neither of which are gonna happen, so I'll have a few new scars. It's really alright, baby" He muttered, lying about it being alright. It hurt like the Devil Himself had placed a torch on his face and chest with every movement |
|  |
|
| |
|
Adele examined the wounds, concern written on her face. It turned to anger when Caelan spoke of his mother like everything was fine, and his own mom wasn't hurting him. "It's not all right!" Adele said, eyes flashing. "You're her only son, she shouldn't be treating you this way! If we see her today I am going to give her a talk about parenting..." She threatened, fingers curling into fists. Then, realizing what was more important right now, Adele relaxed her hands and calmed, telling herself that she could deal with his mother later. For now she needed to help Caelan with his wounds. She gently took his hand and said, "Let's go get you healed up. It won't take long. Then we'll figure out what to do next." Adele led Caelan out of the castle and into the woods, far enough in that she felt comfortable transforming. Adele breathed in, preparing herself, then began. |
|  |
|
| |
|
"Darling..." He protested softly, complying anyways. He sighed and followed her, staying quite still for the whole process. "Are you tired after you heal someone, love?" He asked softly once she was herself again. "I'm curious about you" |
| |
|
| |
|
Adele went through the process of shifting into wolf form, healing Caelan, and shifting back into human form silently and skillfully, as if she'd done it a thousand times. Which, in fact, she had. When Caelan spoke, she looked down at her hands, almost embarrassed. Talking about herself as a Mevaita always felt strange. "Well," Adele said, thinking. "I don't feel tired, not in that way. I just feel... Drained. As if I've been tingling all over, and suddenly that tingling feeling disappears. Almost... Empty? And it's not just that. Healing, and transforming in general, makes me feel almost like I'm looking down at myself, not really being myself. Sorry, that probably makes no sense." Adele's cheeks grew red, and she looked down at her hands again. |
| |
|
| |
|
"It makes perfect sense, darling" He said, cupping her cheeks gently and tipping her head up to meet his eyes. "You're so beautiful, my love" He added quietly after a while, pressing his lips to her forehead gently. "My gorgeous goddess" He said, kissing along her neck and letting his hands drop around her waist |
| |
|
| |
|
Adele nodded, trying to believe him. It didn't make sense to her. She had read every book she could find about mevaita, and even dared to ask her mother about it once. But nothing told her what she should feel or what to do. When Caelan took her face in his hands, she gazed into his eyes. She saw that he had been telling the truth about it making sense, and that she was beautiful. Well, she already knew that part. He'd told her enough. Adele brushed off the feeling of frustration about being a mevaita that threatened to take over and let herself live in the moment. Here, with Caelan. "Well, I don't know about being a goddess, that's a little far," Adele laughed gently, leaning into his caresses. She moved her hands up to his shoulders and hung them around his neck, enjoying just being there with him. That was all she needed for now. His comforting presence and assurances that she was normal, and okay. |
| |
|
| |
|
"You're my goddess. The only one I'll ever worship" He said softly, pressing one final kiss to her throat and holding her close. "Would you like to spend the night at our place?" He asked softly, rubbing her back in a circular motion as he murmured the words in her ear |
| |
|
| |
|
Adele blushed at his comments, though she knew he spoke the truth. And she loved him even more for it. She hummed and thought about the question he'd asked, considering for a moment before deciding. "I'd rather stay here, if that's all right. Like I mentioned before, I'd like to have a word with your mother... And right now I need some comfort, not living out in the wild. And I'd like more time with you," she added, moving her hands to play with Caelan's hair. She leaned in and kissed him, saying all she wanted to with that gesture. I love you, Caelan. Right now I need you. |
| |
|
| |
|
Caelan nodded and kissed her back for a long moment before eventually gently pulling away and resting his forehead against hers. He took a deep breath and took her hand, leading her back toward the castle. They walked in and Caelan's mother instantly spotted him. He shot a warning look of 'don't react' to Adele as his mother stormed toward him. She instantly struck him across the face while her own face was red with rage. He winced in pain and recoiled, his head snapping to the side from the force. "Young man, just because you are now king doesn't make you superior to my words!" She roared, striking him again and again as blood began to trickle down his cheek. He simply nodded, his voice quiet and inferior. "Yes, mother" He breathed, fear laced into his tone |
| |
|
| |
|
Adele followed Caelan into the castle, walking next to him. She was mildly surprised at how courageous Caelan had made her. She used to cower as they walked through these halls, and now she was striding beside him confidently. But as soon as his mother appeared, the feeling of courage left Adele in a heartbeat. When she struck Caelan, though, that bravery flared back up and she ignored his warning look and stepped in front of him, facing his mother defiantly. Adele put her hands on her hips, and spoke in a strong tone. "I am astonished that you would treat the king this way! Clearly you don't care that he's your son, but being king should give him some right of safety! In fact, just the fact that he is your son should have some effect on your additude! Hitting Caelan won't help you get what you want, and it's only making your case worse! If you want to try again, be my guest. But you'll have to get through me first." Adele spread her arms to the side, as if daring Caelan's mother to attack her. |
| |
|
Bright Sunshine with a few High Clouds
