It was already late in the afternoon when Calithar's carriage rolled in through the main gates of the quiet palace. There had been several disputes over the blacksmiths production of tools all over the land. This was because they claimed the materials delivered to them were of low quality. Calithar had been out all day addressing the matter and contacting neighbouring states for trade.
The torches lining the pathway flickered softly in the evening wind, throwing shifting shadows across the stone walls. The ride back from the council hall had been long and filled with endless discussions and grievances of the people. All he wanted now was complete and total rest.
The carriage came to a halt before the grand entrance. The footman came down from in front of the carriage and opened the door fro him. Calithar stepped down with the slow, steady grace that came naturally to him. A few servants that stood at the front of the palace bowed and retreated silently. He gave them no mind. The day's activities weighed heavily on his shoulders, but more than that, he wanted to rest.
...........
Calithar walked into the palace and headed straight for his chamners. Inside, he pulled off his cloak and tossed it aside, unbuckling the golden clasps that held it together. Next came his slightly damp with sweat shirt. His torso flexed as he tugged it off and let it drop onto the back of a chair. Then his boots and his trousers followed until only his shorts clung to his frame.
He walked toward the bathing chamber. The moment he stepped inside, warm steam wrapped around him. The great marble tub in the center looked almost like a small pool, filled to the brim with steaming water. Scents of herbs and flowers drifted upward into the air. Lavender, rose petals, coupled with exotic herbs filled the bath. It was the kind of bath that only the royals could enjoy. The kind that loosened every knot in the body and was meant to clear both the muscles and ease the spirit.
Calithar stepped down into the water without hesitation. The heat enveloped him instantly, seeping into his skin and easing the tightness in his shoulders. He sank lower until the water reached his chest, then submerged fully, letting the warmth close over his head.
For a moment, everywhere became silent.
When he came back up again, water streamed down his hair, plastering it across his chest. He dragged a hand back through the long, silver blue strands, slicking them away from his face. His eyes closed as the herbs did their work, their fragrance into his lungs. He leaned back against the smooth edge of the tub, exhaling slowly.
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted. Her name pressed into the quiet of his thoughts like an uninvited guest.
The memory of her wide eyes staring up at him took over his mind's eye. The softness in her voice when she spoke and the softness of her hair on his body. He swallowed hard, tilting his head back against the stone edge. He had not heard any news from Seraphine, and in some strange, guilty corner of himself, he was glad. Every day that passed without her was another day Elena remained here, safe, untouchable and within his reach even if sometimes from a distance.
His chest tightened. He should not think like this. But no matter how many times he told himself to let it go, the truth pressed against him painfully: he wanted her, so damn badly.
The thought of her leaving clawed at him and he felt angry just by thinking of it
Calithar dipped lower into the water, shutting his eyes, as though drowning could silence his desire. He wanted her there with him. In his arms sinking into the hot water with him.
When he rose again, he took in another deep breath, feeling the weight of the water trickle down his chest.
Minutes passed before he finally stood.
Water cascaded down from his frame, illuminating every line of his body by the soft glow of the lanterns around the bathroom. He stepped out of the bath slowly not minding the droplets of scented water clinging to his skin before falling to the marble floor. His long hair clung to him and slid down his back all the way to his chest.
He reached for a towel and wrapped it around his waist. The fabric clung to his hips and he reached out for another one. He started to dry his hair with it when he suddenly paused in his movements.
A sound barely noticeable like a shuffle of feet was caught in his sharp ears. It was lighter, patting softly on the floor. His eyes narrowed. Without wasting time, he pulled on a loose grey linen robe and a pair of loose pants. The robe slipped across his shoulders, exposing the hard plane of his chest. His eyes flew to the hilt of a blade resting by the door, but he didn't take it. Whoever it was, he already had a suspicion.
He left his chambers and followed the faint sound down the hall, through a corridor dimly lit with candles. The soft patter of feet's brought him to the tall double doors of the library.
Calithar pushed the doors open.
A small figure stood near one of the shelves, going through a book. Her hands traced the spine of the book as though she were worshipping it.
"Elena."
His voice rolled across the vast room in a rumble.
The girl jumped, spinning around with her eyes wide opened. For a heartbeat, she froze. Then her gaze moved; first to his face, then lower, to where his wet hair plastered across his chest. Her eyes lingered too long on the bare skin beneath the open robe, on the ridges of his torso, and lower still…
She snapped her head away feeling her cheeks get hot.
"I—I was just looking around," she stammered, curling her hands against her dress. "I didn't know you were already back."
Calithar chuckled in amusement. The closer he came, the more her heart thundered in her chest. She could smell the faint, fresh and intoxicating herbs on his skin
When he stood before her, she couldn't help but look again. He was too close... too overwhelming.
And then his hand moved to her face. "How can you be so endearing." he asked grabbing both her cheeks gently. Elena felt the warmness of his skin pool onto her face making her blush all the more.
He caught her waist next and drew her against him in one sudden motion. Her head pressed against his chest and she could hear the faint beat of his heart. She gasped softly bringing her hands forward and pressing against him, but he gripped her wrists.
"Why am I always drawn to you?" he whispered in a seductive tone like he was completely entrapped by her.
His mint and warm breath of his words brushed against her ear and Elena's knees felt weak. Slowly, she looked up. His eyes were fixed on her, burning with am intensity she had never seen before in him.
Her lips parted in shock, but no words came.
"Cal..." she started but was immediately cut off.
Before she could think, he bent his head and his mouth captured hers in a soft kiss.
His lips pressed against hers with a gentleness that contrasted with the strength of his hold on her. The world seemed to vanish, leaving no distance between them. Just his warmth, the taste of him and the thundering of her heart.
Elena's hands lifted without thought, pressing lightly against his chest. She could feel every hard line of muscle beneath her palms, feel the heat radiating off him. Her breath caught in her throat as the kiss continued. Calithar in return, tightened his grip around her waist and pulled her body even closer to his.
It was getting deeper and deeper until... she panicked.
No!
This was so wrong!
She broke the contact, pushing lightly against him. Her chest rose and fell quickly and her flushed face came into view, enticing him the more
"I—I should go."
"Elena—"
But she had already slipped from his arms, hurrying out of the library before he could stop her.
Calithar stood still, watching her scuttle out of the library. He dragged his hand through his wet hair, frustration coursing through him. He could still feel the ghost of her lips on his and it only made him more annoyed. She was like a drug he wanted to be intoxicated with deeply.
........
Elena raced to her chamber, closing the door behind her before sinking to the floor. Her hands trembled as she pressed them to her mouth. She could still feel his lips there. The weight of his arms, the strength of his chest, the way he had kissed her...
Oh no!
What am I thinking?!
Her mind had betrayed her. No, her entire body had betrayed her!
Damien's face appeared before her in that instant as if to remind of her betrayal. Though she can't say she loved him but she did care about him and with the mark, it was like a connection was forming between them.
But she had just kissed another man!
And enjoyed it!
She shook her head vigorously to dispell the thought. 'What is wrong with me?! Get a grip!.'
Tears pricked her eyes. She felt like a traitor.
Yet… she couldn't deny the truth. She felt safe here, in his kingdom. The people treated her with kindness. The maids spoke to her freely, some even joined her in her chambers to play with her as though she were one of them. It was different here than in Zerethane. Different in a way that unsettled her.
And now they had kissed...
She turned onto her side, curling against the cold floor. A sharp ache tore through her chest and she gripped it, trying to remove the gnawing feeling.
"Why am I like this?" she whispered to herself in the empty room.
Calithar sat by the window with his hands resting against the panel, facing the dark room inside. His hair was finally dry but his robe still hung loose around his shoulders. His eyes burned into the darkness within but his thoughts were fixed on only one thing—her.
He had crossed a line tonight, and he knew it. But when he closed his eyes, all he could feel was the memory of her lips, soft and trembling against
his. The thought alone made him almost lose his self-control.
Meanwhile, it was still day in another part of the world and a historical event was about to go down...