Lycan's Affection

"When are you going to leave?"

Conaan looked up, then gave a sigh, resignedly removing his hands from around her. "That is one reminder I did not need."

Eleanor gave a small sigh, then passed her hand through his hair once. "How about...you take a day off sometime and we can practice archery together?"

His brows lifted. "Archery?"

Eleanor nodded, moving away from him. "I have not practiced archery in a while."

Conaan stood up slowly, his hands going behind him. "I am pretty expensive for a practice session with."

Eleanor gave a small chuckle, as she leaned on the wall, deliberately flipping her hair away. His smile grew as he slowly covered the distance, making her straighten, her back straight against the wall.

"What...what is your price?"

He did not reply as he moved closer, his hands coming to each side of the wall she was standing against. Her breath hitched as she realized how trapped she was, her eyes wide.

"Are you really willing to pay it?" His voice was low, deep, and she felt her blood immediately start to boil.

She swallowed. "I guess you need to name it, and I will see."

He laughed, his eyes flicking up to hers. None of the humor reached his eyes as the swirling green had turned dark with intensity.

"You do not have to ask, Eleanor. You know what I want."

She swallowed, her breath stopping in her throat. Before he could reply, he pulled her further, catching her by surprise. She let out a small gasp as her hands wrapped around him instinctively, her eyes looking up to him.

His face tilted to the side, his eyes taking her in.

"Your Highness..."

He leaned further, his breath caressing her skin. The tip of his nose touched the pale skin of her face, his hand coming over to support the other side of her neck.

"For now, I would be content with my name."

She swallowed, his fingers drawing art only he could see on her skin. She felt her knees go fluid under her, his face pressing even further as he moved lower to her neck, letting his nose caress her jawline.

"Your...Your Highness..."

"Say my name, Eleanor." He placed a trail of small kisses on the long line of her neck, his lips leaving drops of fire everywhere they touched.

Her fingers tightened around his robe, her eyes closing. "Your Highness, I..."

"Mhm." He replied, his voice raspy.

She swallowed hard as he continued with his assault, one hand still balanced on the wall.

"Co..Conaan..."

He gave a small chuckle and slowly, almost reluctantly pulled away. She immediately drew back on the wall, her chest heaving, her eyes wide.

"We can go for archery practice," he said simply, his eyes carrying a glint of mischief.

Before she could organize her thoughts to speak, he was gone, his hands clasped behind him.

Eleanor struggled to breathe, her hand coming over her chest, her eyes blinking rapidly. She turned to the door, like she thought he would miraculously appear from it again.

But he never did, and she was not sure if she was grateful or disappointed.

Conaan wrote slowly, his hand balanced on the padded pillows, his eyes thin. He still could not shake off the feeling, and he found it even more unsettling with every minute.

"Your Highness?"

He looked up, his eyes flicking up to meet Brandon.

"It is just you."

"Were you expecting someone else?"

Conaan shook his head, then grabbed a clean napkin and dabbed slowly at his face.

"Do you feel sick?" Brandon asked, his voice tainting with worry.

"No. Do not worry too much."

"I can not help it. You have not done anything regarding the poison..."

Conaan looked at him, and he stopped speaking.

"I am okay."

"I am sure Eleanor would not want to be a widow. We do not want to lose you, Your Highness. And the pressure from the council and Anderson...we can not guarantee you will not lose your temper. It will only weaken your body faster." His voice was almost teary, as he grabbed on to a dark skin book he was holding.

"Is that why you sent me to Eleanor?"

Brandon swallowed. "If there is any one who can calm you, I figured it would be her."

Conaan took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a second. "I can punish Anderson for sneaking away from his house arrest, am I right?"

Brandon nodded, His expression showing his displeasure towards the way Conaan brushed off the matter regarding the poison. But he already looked really displeased, like something else was upsetting him.

"Yes, you can but...I do not think you should worry about him. His daughter is yet to be found, and before that, he is only making plans in advance."

"Are you suggesting I buy time?"

"You are unwell, Your Highness."

"I am not unwell. And even if I am going to be, I need to clear off all of those people that would make life hard for Eleanor. The council, Anderson...Alexander."

Brandon swallowed. "What do you intend to do?"

Conaan's eyes thinned. "Where is Zak?"

Brandon's brows furrowed. "Chief of defense?"

"Yes."

"Well, I...I am not sure. There is no war..."

"Well, get them back to the training ground. Make sure they train day and night, and train to win."

"Do you think something is going to happen?"

"I can feel it, Brandon. And I do not remember ever being wrong."

Brandon nodded. "I will deliver your message immediately."

He lingered for a while, his eyes studying Conaan. Conaan turned, his brow raising.

"Is there something else?"

Brandon shook his head. "It is nothing. Your Highness, can I check on Lady Eleanor?"

"If there is anyone who does not require my permission for that, it is you."

Brandon gave a small smile, then bowed as he walked away.

Eleanor was filling the large glass vase by Conaan's bed, a small smile on her face. The flowers needed a bit of grooming, and since she did not do a lot, she decided to do it herself.

She cut out the overgrown parts slowly, letting it fall to her feet.

"Lady Eleanor?"

She turned to Brandon, her eyes wide. "Brandon. You are here. Conaan is..."

He nodded. "I know. I got the information you wanted."

She swallowed her eyes reading his. He looked sullen, his eyes rather sunken. Brandon was not his usual self, and all the mischief and amusement he used to show was gone.

"Tell me."

Brandon swallowed, then brought his fingers to his eyes, dabbing slowly. "Anderson...this is the journal I found in his home. His Highness had placed him under house arrest, and in the normal searching procedure, I found it. He is not aware that I took it."

Eleanor looked down at it. "You seem to know what is in it."

Brandon swallowed. "Beta Grayson..."

"What about father?"

Brandon blinked rapidly. "He played key part in the death of King Javier."