Lycan's Affection

Eleanor sat on the large bed, her hair still a little damp from the bath she had just taken. She let it fall freely around her, her eyes going quickly over the poetry book Conaan had been reading last night.

She had not seen him after her little mishap, and she knew he was most probably attending to duties all over again, trying to keep the kingdom in order.

She gave a small sigh, then slowly stood up from the bed, tying her hair up in a ponytail. She would go downstairs to check on him and see.

The palace was quiet as the rest of the banquet was cleaned away, returning the palace to its quiet glory. Slowly, she walked downstairs, towards the main chamber.

"Lady Eleanor?"

She turned swiftly, and Brandon was standing behind her, his hands clasped behind him.

"Oh, Brandon."

"Yes. I was just going to come up."

Her brows furrowed. "His Highess is not there. "

"Yes, I know. I needed to tell you something."

Eleanor felt her heart start to race as she moved forward. "What is it?"

"About Anderson amd the late king's death. I overheard something, but I thought it would be best to tell you after the celebrations. I have not told His Highness yet."

She nodded, urging him to continue with her eyes, her body tense.

"From what I heard, Anderson might have done something to force King Javier into writing that scroll. As it is, with the right amount of pressure and Esmeralda in tow, the council can form an appeal which would be hard for His Highness to refuse."

"What do you think he did to King Javier? Poison him?"

Brandon shrugged. "I will try to find out more. As it is, he is buying time too, searching for his daughter. His Highness has placed him under strict guard, and about that, I need to report to His Highness."

"Report what?"

"He left last night. He bribed his guard and left. I know His Highness will lose it once I tell him, but I do not really like him losing his temper so much. Could you at least prepare something to calm him while I tell him? I, afterall, cannot hide it."

Eleanor nodded thoughtfully, as Brandon gave a polite bow and started to walk away.

"Brandon," she called, turning back to him.

"Yes?"

"Since when have you known His Highness?"

Brandon blinked once, than slowly brought his palm. He flattened it so it was facing downstairs, then gestured to the height approximate to just below his knees.

"Since you were both children?"

"Yes. My father used to be King Javier's chief of army. He always brought me around, and His Highness, then was as troublesome as any child could get. We often got in trouble because of him, and he would use my name to skip a few royal lessons."

Eleanor smiled. "Explains why you worry so much for him."

Brandon nodded. "I have seen him through everything. The deaths, the loss, the times when he used to sneak out to see you over a fence. He is unarguably my best friend. And even though he does not like to show it, I know it is a comfort to have someone worry for him. It is not all roses being king."

Eleanor nodded slowly. "You are right. Thank you, Brandon."

He nodded again, then walked away. She watched as he entered the general chambers. Silence ensued for the longest time, before she heard the hiss.

"How could that have happened?" Conaan asked, his brows furrowed, the petition he was reading falling beside him.

"He apparently bribed the guard. The guard is outside, awaiting punishment."

Conaan clenched his jaw. "These sort of idiots are the type to leave the war ground to save themselves. Cast him away."

Brandon nodded. "Yes, Your Highness."

Conaan leaned back, sighing. It was annoying how little inconveniences kept popping up every other minute.

"Your Highness?"

He opened his eyes to Brandon again. "Yes?"

"I believe Lady Eleanor wants to see you. I ran into her on my way here."

Conaan nodded, fighting the heat that rose up his cheeks. Brandon gave a knowing smile, then walked away. Once the door closed, Conaan stood, fixing his robe around him.

The stairs seemed endless today, and he made his way to Eleanor's chamber. He stopped by the door, then knocked once.

"Come on," Eleanor said, struggling to catch her breath from the mini run.

She turned, just as conaan walked in.

"I heard you called for me?" Conaan said, walking closer.

She swallowed. "Well, Your Highness..." she trailed off as he came to stand in front of her, his body radiating heat. She swallowed, feeling herself go red, her heart racing hard.

"Yes?"

She looked up, meeting his eyes. "Well, I...I thought you were pretty fatigued from last night. Ad you did not get nearly enough sleep."

"How do you intend to remedy that?" He asked, his voice slightly teasing.

She swallowed, the words all jumbled up in her mind. Maybe if he was one step farther away it would be easier to form coherent thoughts.

"Well, I...uhh...I heard Lavender helps in calming you. I was thinking of giving you a massage."

His brows perked. "A massage?"

She nodded immediately, then grabbed his hand, stopping for a second to savor the electricity that shot up her arm. She turned to him, and his eyes were lowered to the point of contact.

She swallowed hard, then pulled him to the edge of the bed.

"I will send for some lavender oil."

He didn't reply as she turned around towards the door. He suddenly caught old of her hand, and brought her back to him, his hands wrapping around the small of her back.

His face buried in her stomach, his eyes closing. He took in a deep breath, her fingers filtering into his hair.

"I am not sure if having you around is meant to soothe me or agitate me. But stay nonetheless. I would rather be agitated by your presence then your absence. It is the only thing I hate about you."

She nodded, moving even closer. "You worry too much, Your Highness. For everything. For everyone. You barely have enough time to think about yourself."

He chuckled a little. "It does feel good to know you are worried for me."

"Of course, I am. I should be worried for you."

He shook his head. "All I want is to make you happy. Not worried. Happier than any other woman has ever been. Happier than any other thing can ever dream of making you."

"Who said I am not happy?"

He slowly looked up to her, his hand slowly tracing up her side, his touch delicate. "Closer, Eleanor."

There was practically no distance between them and she gave a small sigh, then shuffled closer, earning a small chuckle from him.

"I have a bad feeling," he murmured, his eyes a little distant.

She shook her head, her fingers slowly massaging his scalp. "It will be fine, Your Highness."

He did not reply, but he could feel it in his bones. He could sense blood, death. He could sense war.

He held on to her even tighter, knowing that if there was one thing he would protect, no matter what happened, it would be her.