Lycan's Affection

Conaan closed his eyes as the water filled the bathtub again and he sank lower, his lips slightly parting. The light scent of musk filled the large bath house and he slowly sat up again, his upper body coming above the water.

"Your highness, you have not responded to the invitation from earlier."

He turned slightly, a small smile curling his lips. "I will, by tomorrow's sunset. Do remind me."

The servant nodded and slowly walked away. Tomorrow's sunset. It was a prospect Conaan looked forward to.

Eleanor watched as a few servants got rid of the sharpened arrows, her heart thumping hard for no reason. She needed to practice more, because she knew one wish from a Lycan would cost her more than asking for one favor would.

Slowly, she let herself off the bed, realizing she was still wearing the clothes she had come in.

"You look beautiful in red." Xander had said.

It hurt her heart to even think of him.

"Where is Conaan?" She asked the last servant to gather the last few arrows. He looked up and bowed.

"He is in the bath house. I will take you to him."

It didn't quite register. The wolves were modern humans, and used showers. Even though they did not let technology get to them like phones and cars, they had modern style boutiques and living amenities.

She immediately nodded, following behind the servant too.

"Your highness," he announced as they got to the door.

"What is it?" Came the voice from within, but Eleanor had no patience. It was already sunset, and that meant she did not have much time. Much more, it became freezing cold over here at night, that much she knew.

Without letting the servant speak, she pushed her way in, opening the door wide.

Conaan was standing by the edge, a robe wrapped around him, his hair falling down his shoulder. She gasped and immediately turned around again, her hands going to her face.

"What do you want?" Conaan asked, not in the least bothered. He already had a robe around hin, and his upper body was not quite a thing to be ashamed of.

She swallowed. "I..I want...to practice. Let me practice."

He chuckled. "Practice?"

She swallowed, realizing he already had the upper hand from their positions. She looked like the cowardly little captive, he, the domineering king.

She swallowed and turned back to him. "Yes. I need to practice."

She never let her eyes drop below his face, but even that was a bit disturbing. The scar on his face, the jagged lines, and the way it had slightly missed his eyes. She gulped as he took a step closer.

"You really do want to go home. Impressive."

"And as soon as I can." She answered, causing his left eye to twitch.

He nodded. "Then why wait till tomorrow's sunset? The sun is setting right now too."

"It makes me think you already have an advantage."

"I am the one whose privacy got invaded while I was taking a bath, Eleanor. Quite trusting of you, don't you think?" He turned to the servant and he immediately scurried away.

She swallowed. "Will you really let me go home if I win?"

He nodded. "It also translates to me not taking it easy on you. I will not spare a thrust just because you are beautiful."

He moved away from her, and took a pair of shorts. She stayed turned away from him, her brows furrowing at the fact that he had thought she was beautiful.

The servant soon came back with two swords, and handed them both to Conaan.

His hair was now only damp, and fell in wavy strands to the top of his shoulder. He handed her one and stepped back, his eyes tracing the sharp edge of the steel blade.

"How much harm do you think this can do?" He asked, chuckling a little.

He was talking more than he liked to, more than he would.

"A lot," she answered, before taking the first swing towards him, her feet carrying her efficiently. He was distracted, and she thought she had the upper hand for the first few seconds. But just before she got to him, he raised his sword horizontally, blocking hers.

They were face to face below their swords, and he gave a small smile before pushing her away. His push was gentle, and even she could feel it.

"You said you wouldn't go easy on me."

"Noted."

She moved forward again, this time lifting a little higher so she could attack. He moved to her side, and blocked her sword just before she could get it to his shoulder. This time, he let her go hard, and she gave a small yelp as she fell backwards.

"I can not have you cracking your head open now, can I?"

She swallowed as he held her hand, breaking her fall. She lifted herself up, and without allowing herself time to breathe, attacked again. Her frustration showed in her face as he blocked each one, her steps taking her further and further. He moved just as they got to the edge of the bath house, and she missed her step again as she tried to get one thrust in.

This time, his hands wrapped around her waist, bringing back her body to him, his hand letting go of the sword so it clattered noisily to the ground. She could feel his body behind her, his heart thumping hard.

The amusement was now gone, and he slowly moved his hand to push her hair away and bring it down her back. She turned slightly to meet his eyes, and she swallowed hard.

"Have I lost already?" she asked, her voice low.

He brought his hand to hold her shoulders, and brought her backwards to him, his breath hot against her skin.

"No, I lost."

She tried to turn, but he held her back, his breaths short and rapid as he inhaled her scent. "What are you doing?"

"The same thing I did that gave me this scar, Eleanor. Trying to get you to stay home."

She swallowed hard, her body quivering a little.

"Are you scared that I know? That you, Eleanor, delta of the wolves...is actually...lycan?"

She turned to him, her eyes wide, letting his hands fall away from her. It now came back to her violently. The memories, and why she had given him the scar.

"Conaan." She was breathless, her eyes wide.

"Hello, mate."