Lycan's Affection

"His Highness has arrived the capital city!" Came the announcement. Eleanor turned to Conaan who seemed more or less used to it, his usual gait tinted with a bit of pride.

He didn't wait for the usual pleasantries however, and headed straight for the palace.

"You are back early," Brandon said as soon as Conaan stopped, then got off the ride.

He simply nodded before going around to Eleanor's ride. She had been preparing to get down and he suddenly came around, then scooped her off the ride, so she ended up in his arms, bridal style.

She blinked, swallowing hard as her eyes met his. His expression was unreadable, but she had always found it hard to read Conaan. He let his eyes dart across hers, before he simply leaned, and then let her go.

She stood, her voice clearing as she adjusted her dress.

"Have some rest," he said simply and turned away, with Brandon following quickly.

"Did something happen, Your Highness?"

"That damned Esmeralda set the children's village on fire. I need a hut set up tonight behind the palace. Make it scenic."

Brandon's brows furrowed in confusion. "She set the village ablaze? Why? Why would anyone want to do that?"

Conaan sighed as he exchanged robes into one for a bath. He did not seem quite ready for a bath, however.

"I do not care what sick reason she had. Set that hut up tonight, Brandon, and send her an invitation. Ask her to wear her best dress also."

Brandon nodded immediately. "I will. Also, Your Highness, once you were gone, Shadow sent a message. He has located the place the poison is made. He traced a few servants taking food twice a day to the workers. Turns out he is enslaving werewolf omega children to work in picking off the flowers, a major ingredient in the poison. I also heard his brother is in the dungeons."

Conaan gave a small smirk. "Alexander is a sinking ship. Let Shadow burn that place down, but let every child leave unscathed."

"Yes, Your Highness. But he asked for help."

"Help?"

"Some sort of distraction. The place is heavily guarded."

Conaan's eyes thinned hard and he gave a small sigh. "Did he say the coordinates of the warehouse?"

"He said it is tucked East of Polaris, in a dark untreaded corner of the pack."

"Then send a signal arrow to the West. They will need as many soldiers as they have if they are convinced we are about to attack from the West and probably have soldiers there. It should give him enough time to let the children out and set it ablaze."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Conaan simply nodded and started to walk away, but Brandon did not seem finished. He lingered around, his hands clasped in front of him, his eyes darting everywhere except Conaan.

"Do you have something to say?"

Brandon bit down on his lips. "About Eleanor's pregnancy..."

A small smile took over Conaan's face. It somewhat eased Brandon, but not completely.

"You need not worry. Is there anything else?"

He sighed, then moved closer. Conaan towered above him, and he bowed a little more, like he could not watch Conaan's eyes as he said it.

"You sent for the healers once you woke up, do you remember?"

Conaan nodded. "And?"

"Well, they checked the poison and have finslly gotten a list of its ingredients. They also found something..."

Conaan's eyes thinned. "A side effect?"

Brandon nodded. "They found one."

Conaan swallowed, then moved even closer. "What is it?"

"You might relapse. They said the cycle of the poison is a month, and within this time, if you survive the first, you might be able to go on a month before you are in danger again." Brandon looked up worriedly, tears glistening in his eyes. "It has been almost two weeks..."

Conaan watched him, his expression not changing much. "And what is a possible cure?"

"A sorceress said she had seen something like this before and a ritual has to take place. Eleanor, I mean your mate..."

"Do not bring Eleanor into this."

"She has to do it, Your Highness. I am sure if it was Alexander, she would do it, so why can she not do it for Your Highness? Why can she not prove how much she deserves a place by your..."

"Brandon! You are still talking to me."

Brandon swallowed, then took a step back. "I apologize, Your Highness."

"She does not need to prove why she deserves a place with me. I shall not endanger her for myself. That is final."

Brandon said nothing more, pained tears rolling down one cheek. He stayed bowing ad Conaan walked away towards the large bath house.

Eleanor sat up on the bed, feeling a little restless. Conaan had not said much to her, and she wondered what the private dinner with Esmeralda was all about. She swallowed, then pushed her hair back, tucking it behind her ears.

She lifted herself off the bed, then walked slowly out of the dimly lit room. Conaan's room was closed, and she lingered at the door, her lips sucked in.

She closed her eyes, then took in a deep breath and opened the door. The room was just as dimly lit, and she could smell the light tinge of flowers and mist from the bath house.

She walked in slowly, closing the door noiselessly behind her. She got closer, and she could see Conaan. He was laying on the bed, his eyes closed, his hair falling behind him to expose his face.

His brows were slightly furrowed, and she moved towards him. Gently, she got on the bed, then leaned forward, her eyes taking in every inch of his face.

The small cut to the edge of his left brow, and the slight tint of red on the tip of his nose. The small strand of hair resting on his eyelashes.

She moved her fingers, then carefully removed the strand. His brows immediately smoothened out, and she gave a small smile.

Satisfied, she started to turn away. Suddenly, she felt his fingers, warm against the back of her hand. She turned sharply, and his eyes were still closed, his hand resting on hers.

"Conaan. I did not know you were awake. I was just..."

"Closer, Eleanor." His voice was deep, sleepy, and she felt electricity course through her blood. Like someone under a hypnosis, she found herself moving closer, her body taking more control than her mind ever could.

His hand left hers and he gently tapped on the side of the bed right beside him. She took it, laying next to him, her face burying in the space between his neck and his chest.

"About today..." she started to say, finally letting go of what has been making her feel guilty.

"I can be here for two," he said simply.

She swallowed, then nuzzled even closer. His voice felt sleepy, his breaths fell even, and she was not sure he heard her, but she said it anyway.

"You don't need to."