[Evischoul]

It had to be the slowest kiss he'd ever had, the most uncertain. It wasn't like before where he'd grab her and hold her against him. He was scared of hurting her, scared of even touching her, and yet he couldn't help himself. And she wasn't turning him away, wasn't punching his lights out for hurting her. She seemed receptive, welcoming even, and V just didn't have the willpower to toss her out on her ear as he should. As her fingers tangled with his, V's other hand slipped around her neck to cup her nape, her hair spilling over his skin like silk. His thumb moved to brush against her jawline and he studied her face nervously, searching for some sign that this was a huge mistake, something, anything to give him the drive he needed to pull away. Her eyes closed, her hand soft on his arm, soothingly cool compared to the heat his body tended to throw off. She looked so inviting with her face upturned and her lips parted expectantly...

V groaned, his own eyes barely open as he covered her mouth with his. She tasted so damn good. If he believed in any kind of heaven, she'd be his.

It was over all too soon. He didn't want to let go of her so he didn't. He did let go of her hand, but with every intention of wrapping his arm around her hips and lifting her against him for another kiss, and just because he wanted her in his arms. And if she didn't shove him away or scold him, he was going to sit on his bed with her in his lap and they were going to have a conversation about just how censored up this thing with them was. Because she deserved to know how much trouble she was inviting for herself if she let him into her life, and this wasn't going any further until she truly understood how dangerous this could be for them both...

Aethereality † Piper's Boutique

[Nymphadora]

He was being so tender, his touch soft and delicate. His hand's brushed against her skin as if she was nothing but the petal of a flower, to delicate to hold tight. While she liked the danger and roughness that he could easily handle her with, feeling how soft he could be, how gentle, it was enough to make her melt in his arms.

Clutching at Vicious as his lips pressed to hers, Nymphadora's heart skipped as she kissed him back. Leaning her body closer towards his, wanting nothing to separate them, she found herself lost within the moment, her lips caressing his in a way that invited more. Before she could do anything further to increase the heat between them, V pulled away from her ever so slightly, his hand slipping from her grasp. Opening her eyes softly, gazing down into his, she softly bit her lower lips, sadness and need overwhelming her.

Before she could pout, or even think about being upset that their moment was over, she found herself being drawn into his lap by his arms wrapping around her waist. As her breath caught, excitment welling within her chest, Nymphadora looked at Vicious adoringly, swallowing the nerves in her throat. Sitting in his lap... wasn't something she thought she'd ever be doing. It seemed to be something that screamed intimacy. Something that she didn't think Vicious was interested in.

Smiling softly, gazing into his eyes, Nymphadora wanted to reach out and caress his face. She wanted to do as a girlfriend might do. But she withheld, her eyes casting down to her lap. She'd come here to find out what his problem was, why he'd treated her so horribly in the bar, then suddenly left the cafe. She wanted to know these things. She needed to know them. But he sat there, so soft and, loving even. She couldn't bring herself to ask. Only to simple enjoy the fact that he'd pulled her into his lap.

Unable to control a part of her needs, Nymphadora leaned closer to Vicious, shifting her weight to rest against his chest and shoulder. She liked their closeness, and craved more. So much more.

Piper's Boutique & Nymphadora ¤ Dafont ¤ Aethereality ¤ Kate Beckinsale

[Evischoul]

Now that he was about to speak, he could barely remember what he'd intended to say. He hadn't realised how intimate it could be to hold a woman this way. Plenty of women had been in his lap before, usually tavern wenches helping him get drunk and pad out the inn's coffers, but it was different this time. He wanted so much from Dora and all of it made him grimace with the realisation that he was already in way over his head. He'd thought he could tug her out of his life like a splinter, just toss her away and pretend she was just another girl but he realised now he didn't want to do that. Or at least, while part of him did for self-preservation, mostly he just... He was so lonely, so ready for friendship, companionship... He had no idea what was happening between him and Dora but he wanted to find out how deep it went.

Clearing his throat, V's eyes shifted rapidly as he avoided looking at her, trying to find something interesting for his gaze to fix on. "Nym - " She leaned against him, fitting so neatly on his lap and distracting him. Clearing his throat, he started again. "Do you know why I was sent to find Xanthorra?" He rather doubted it. He at least hadn't told her and he doubted Xanth would have either, but he couldn't remember exactly what she'd witnessed when he first arrived. He knew she was smart but he had no idea just how intelligent she was, and how much she could glean from his branding ceremony. He didn't want to scare her with too much information, not to mention that he wasn't fond of the sound of his own voice, so if she already knew anything they could gloss over it and fill in the blanks.

Aethereality † Piper's Boutique

[Nymphadora]

It was odd. Not really weird, but very odd, sitting in Vicious' lap, him sitting on his bed. It seemed like more should be happening, or they should be in a different place. The living quarters that was given to him was just as large as hers, although decorated differently. They could easily spend time in the living room, or even out on the patio. But she'd woken him when he was sleeping, which lead to them nestling down on his bed. Their position was, just as interesting. He'd pulled her into his lap, something that she'd not been expecting. And she'd chosen to not only allow it, but lean against him and cuddle.

As she sat, her eyes closed softly enjoying the peace of the moment, Nymphadora thought about everything that had happened. From the moment they'd met, from how he was this strange, perverted man, that turned into this... amazing god. The fact that he was as god. It was scary. Was she even allowed to feel like this? She might have been chosen by Xanth to be an Aide to her, but she was just the goddess' creation. In a way, she was Xanth child. Was Nymphadora tempting fate? Or finding herself in the middle of something, she truly couldn't handle?

But he felt so real. His arms around her, his breath on her skin. The way he flared in anger, and spoke with tenderness. He was flesh and blood, and there to be loved. There to love. But why her? Why not another like him? She could never equal his strength, his mental capabilities. He was a god, and she was not. But it just felt so good to be in his arms. The way he made her feel. That was it... he made her feel. He made her... happy, and angry. He made her sad, and elated. She was... everything when she was around him. But, was he when he was around her?

Opening her eyes softly, staring at the wall beside them, Nymphadora subconsciously leaned closer to V, her hand moving to grip at the fabric of his shirt. Hearing his voice rumble beside her, she blinked softly, refusing to move from her spot. Even though she wasn't exactly a tiny girl, she was still small sitting in Vicious' lap. It wasn't a small that made her look short, but rather a small that made her look fragile. Thinking a moment, she spoke softly. "Just what was said in front of me. Something about... Xanth's father." Pausing as she thought about that night, she'd been distracted, but she clearly remember Vicious saying Xanth was a runaway. "You came here to bring her back... didn't you?" It was important. Xanth was her goddess... her reason for being. But it didn't make her feelings for Vicious diminish. Nothing could do that.

Piper's Boutique & Nymphadora ¤ Dafont ¤ Aethereality ¤ Kate Beckinsale

[Evischoul]

V nodded, lifting a hand to brush her shoulder gently, reassuringly, almost... asking forgiveness. It was stupid. He'd just been doing his job, a task assigned to him as punishment. If he'd refused, Abdiriz would have killed him or found something all the more torturous to punish him with. It wasn't even like he'd known Xanth. censored, he didn't even know her now. The only reason he hadn't dragged her off kicking and zapping all the way back to Tanakheim was... Well okay so it wasn't likely he could have even done it, but the only reason he had chosen not to was because he figured she was the lesser of two evils. And so far she was. She'd left him alone for the most part, hadn't made any demands at all save he keep his mouth shut. She hadn't even asked him to kill that censored Scribe, that had been all his idea... though maybe she would have, had she known about him.

But sitting here, seeing the look on Dora's face when she realised his purpose in Elysia, knowing her protectiveness of her 'goddess', V couldn't help feeling as if he'd betrayed her.

Looking down at the fabric of his vest rumpled in her fist, he smiled wryly. It was eery how her hand was over his heart...

Clearing his throat again, V mentally shook himself. He wasn't sure what the censored was going on with them but losing his mind wasn't going to help either of them. "She fled an arranged marriage." He was sure Xanth wouldn't want any of her 'children' to know she was a runaway, and certainly not a princess who'd refused to do her duty. It would completely capsize any romantic notions she'd invented about her arrival but he didn't give a censored about shoring up any myths Dora might have about her boss. "I'd..." He coughed, feeling like a schoolboy with his first crush asking for his first date. "I was a stupid youth an arrogantly thought Abdiriz wouldn't actually mind me deflowering one of his daughters. I was wrong. My punishment was to find Xanthorra and bring her home."

Saying it aloud made him realise how ridiculous it sounded. She'd no doubt question why he was complaining at such a light punishment and she'd probably be right to scoff. But he'd been on this censored search for millennia, never once allowed to return home, unable to settle along the way. Until he found this place, where a combination of lust, defeat and despair convinced him to try and find an out. One that didn't involve being skewered.

Aethereality † Piper's Boutique

[Nymphadora]

Nymphadora listened silently, her heart calm, her breathing soft. He chest rose and fell gently as she continued to sit in V's lap, her fingers curled around the fabric of his shirt. The subject they had found themselves on was one of great importance. Knowing things about Xanth that no other knew, knowing she was who she was because of her past, and seeing it as not a follower, but a fellow living being, it was rather amazing. She should have been blown away. Shocked and awed. Everything about what Vicious was telling her, she should have held it tightly to her memory, and reacted upon it as any normal person would have. Anger perhaps. Rage that her goddess was nothing more than a bored being with teenage issues and super abilities to entertain her. Or sadness. Sadness for the fact that her goddess, her best friend, her surrogate mother figure, was supposed to be forced into something no person should ever be, and forced to leave her home because of the tyranny of her father. Or the most rational feeling of all. Fear. Fear that everything she'd ever known, anything she'd ever lived and cared for, it was all based off nothing. Xanth was just as human as she, with the same issues as she. Before, she could have thought of her as a goddess. A woman that would always be there, and would never leave. But there was a real possibility, that her goddess could walk away, and never return. Xanth could be stolen from Elysia. Vicious was here to do that very thing.

And yet, with all these things to think about. With all these possibilities that could be running through her mind, all Nymphadora could think about, was the girl that Vicious spoke of. The one that caused him the trouble that he found himself in. She wondered who it was, and what their connection had been. Was it something big, or something small. Was he in love? And why did he leave her. Why hadn't she followed him.

As the plethora of questions rained down on her head, Nymphadora blinked softly, her voice remaining silent. She wanted to say it... she wanted to ask him. She wanted so many things. Moving away from him just enough to look into his eyes, her own deep blue and searching, Nymphadora continued to gaze in silence, her heart thudding in her chest. Swallowing the lump that formed deep within her throat, she parted her lips slightly, words itching to be released, but too jumbled to form. "Vi... V..." She couldn't say it. She couldn't get out what tortured her mind. Instead... "Kiss me."

Piper's Boutique & Nymphadora ¤ Dafont ¤ Aethereality ¤ Kate Beckinsale

[Evischoul]

Why couldn't she react the way he'd expected? She surprised him at every turn, far more accepting of his brutish ways than he could ever deserve, gentle and tender and welcoming. Though there was something to be said for the way she looked, her physical appeal off the charts, V really thought he could be attracted to her no matter how she looked because there was something about her spirit, something beautiful.

She was silent for what seemed ages and he swallowed. This shouldn't be so censored hard. It shouldn't matter to him how she reacted but it did.

He expected a hail of questions, about his home, about Xanth, about the trysts with Aurorra that had brought him such punishment. Instead... censored, she blew him away.

"Kiss me."

He was obeying before he realised what he was doing, yanking his head back and closing his eyes almost in despair. Hell, he was in despair - despair of ever figuring out what kind of control she had over him. "Dora," he groaned, opening his eyes with a sigh. "I'm a censored. I'll bring you nothing but grief. Why are you even here?"

Aethereality † Piper's Boutique

[Nymphadora]

Leaning forward, just as Vicious did, Nymphadora's heart skipped, her body ready to be ravished as he no doubt had with the Tanakheimein princess. She wanted to ignore everything she heard, ignore what he was trying to do. She wanted him to understand, that it didn't matter, none of his past mattered. If she had to bring up things from her past, and let everyone judge her as well, she'd never ever be liked or admired. She knew that for a fact.

But there seemed to be something different about the way the Vicious was bringing up the past. Like he had to do whatever he could, to prevent her from looking at him as she wanted to. From looking at him as he should be looked at. He wasn't just a warrior, some war crazed brute that could do nothing but kill and maim. There was so much more to him. She'd seen it. He'd shown her.

As he yanked back, his jerking movement's causing her brow to furrow, Nymphadora looked into V's face, disappointment and frustration growing. If he didn't want her in the same way she wanted him, then fine. But the least he could do was tell her the truth. If she saw something within him, that he had no interest in seeing in her, all she wanted was to know. Then she could leave, and leave him be. All it took was a single sentence. Hell, even a specific look, and she'd be gone. It took all she had to sit here, feeling every muscle so close to her. She wanted him in more than one way, and with each passing moment, he was making it more and more difficult for her to deal with.

Swallowing her thoughts as he groaned her name, Nymphadora couldn't help the lurch she felt within her stomach. What followed though, she couldn't have seen from a mile away.

Eyes widening at each word, tears stung her eyes before she could have a chance to shut them out. On one hand, it was comforting to know that he thought highly of her. While on the other, it also seemed as if he didn't want her where she was. In his lap... in his room... in his life. Locking her eyes with his, Nymphadora swallowed the lump in her throat. "I'm here because..." Letting out her breath, she tore her gaze from his, staring at the fabric of his shirt. Forcing herself to continue, she kept her gaze averted. "I'm falling for you." Closing her eyes, her cheeks flushing madly, Nymphadora's fingers subconsciously clutched desperately at his vest, waiting for her heart to calm.

He thought he was bad for her... but she couldn't understand how when she felt as she did in that moment.

Piper's Boutique & Nymphadora ¤ Dafont ¤ Aethereality ¤ Kate Beckinsale

[Evischoul]

As her fingers tangled in the fabric of his vest, V squeezed his eyes shut. With those four little words she'd stolen his breath and shaken him to his very core. He'd hoped desperately for this to be nothing more than lust, physical attraction... companionship at the most. He'd tried to convince himself it was just loneliness on his part, maybe even on hers, that there was nothing beyond the most basic of physical and emotional needs.

He'd tried to push her away because he was afraid. Not the fear of physical danger for himself, something he'd long ago overcome. Maybe not even truly fear for her, despite his worries. He was afraid of what it could mean for them both if he let her get too close.

He'd been dead inside for so long. At least, he'd tried to be. He'd tried to shut himself down, focused on his anger as fuel to get him through his search for Xanthorra. He'd fed his hatred of Abdiriz because better that, better a death wish goal to exact revenge and end the tyrant's grip than any hope of it ever ending. It was easier to dream of killing the censored once he was done, and dying in the process, than it was to hope that he could find a home and someone to love at the end of it.

But he'd been so lonely in spite of it all, so empty. It would be so censored easy to fall in love with this woman, the first person to show him any kindness, any compassion, in millennia. He couldn't help but want that... but it scared him too. How much of his emotions were based on his loneliness, and how fair would it be to give her any form of hope if it wasn't real?

It felt so real, though, so damned real.

Lifting a trembling hand, V started to touch her face gently but paused before his fingertips made contact. She was so beautiful, so gentle. So brave to tell him something like that when she had no idea how he'd use it, if he'd use it against her. She trusted him so deeply already when he'd done nothing but confuse her and upset her. How could he reward her courage with cowardice?

"Dora... censored, this is insane. You're insane." There was stunned laughter in his voice and his mouth curled into a self-deprecating grin, one filled with awe as he stared at her, ducking his head in an attempt to see her face, her eyes. His trembling fingers brushed at the blue-black hair curtaining her face, trying to tuck it back behind her ear out of the way. "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, Dora. No idea. I, I'm..." Who knew talking about emotions could be so censored terrifying?

He moved his hand to cup her cheek, wanting to tilt her face up to his. Forget words, they caused him nothing but trouble. He'd swear blind they were invented to annoy him and trip him up. But actions...

Bending his head, he moved to kiss her, a kiss that would be filled with passion and tenderness, a kiss that with any luck would say everything he couldn't say with words. That he was falling for her too and, censored if it didn't scare the censored out of him. That he wanted to find out where this was heading, that he was done pushing her away. And that if anyone, anyone ever threatened her, he'd wipe them off the face of the censored planet. No matter who they were.

Aethereality † Piper's Boutique

[Nymphadora]

It was out there now. She'd said it... and there it was. Lingering. Taunting her. Laughing in her face for being such a fool. She'd done the unthinkable, and simply told Vicious what she couldn't keep inside any longer. It was idiotic, and childish, and weak, but she couldn't stand just... sitting here, him flat out telling her that it could never work, when he knew nothing of how she truly felt for him. Hell, she didn't even know herself. She couldn't say she loved him... she didn't love him. At least, not in the full sense of the word. She was falling for him, that was more than obvious, but apparently he needed to hear her say it.

Keeping her eyes closed, she pulled her hand to her lap, releasing his clothing. The silence between them seemed to thicken in the air, her heart surely beating loud enough for him to hear. She'd opened her mouth, and let loose a subject he probably didn't want to hear. Of course you wouldn't want someone your trying to get rid of, tell you they were falling for you. If he pushed her away now, he'd look like and censored. But she didn't want him going into something for the wrong reasons. If he felt something for her too, no matter if it wasn't as strong as she felt, then exploring what could happen was the least he could try and do. But if he felt nothing... if he wanted nothing... then she didn't want it either.

Squeezing her eyelids shut more tightly as his hand hovered near her face, Nymphadora tried to ignore the presence she felt. Unsure of what he was wanting, not daring to look into his eyes, afraid of what she'd see, there was nothing she could do but wait. Wait for him to push her away, both literally and not. Fighting back tears that stung her eyes, feeling as if she knew what he'd say before he said it, she felt it plunge down her cheek as he spoke, his words confirming what she already knew. Swallowing a sob, not wanting to burst into tears before she could port away, Nymphadora's eyes opened as V's rough hands brushed against her skin, pushing back her hair. Lifting her gaze to his, her heat leaping in her chest, she held her breath, confusion obvious as she searched his eyes.

Within an instant, everything changed. The words he spoke, although not direct or detailed, they carried such a weight, one that lifted hers off her shoulders. As if day turned to night in the blink of an eye, any tears that fell from her eyes were that of excitment and happiness. Smiling softly as he tilted her chin, her heart thumping rapidly against her chest, Nymphadora leaned closer into Vicious, her lips parting slightly as he bent down to kiss her. Eyes closing as emotions flooded into her body, she lifted her arms to wrap around his neck, moving to push herself further into V's embrace. Loosing herself in the passion and need dwelling deep within their affection, her hand moved to thread through his hair, her lungs depleting rapidly as she melted into his arms.

Everything was perfect. He was perfect. And despite how he thought she was making a mistake... he wanted her as she wanted him. It felt... so damn good. Lost in the moment, her mind and body so in tuned with one another, her sense on max, Nymphadora's body began to softly fade, her element taking advantage of the energy swelling within the Nymph. Noticing her lack of touch, both giving and receiving, Nymphadora pulled from Vicious' kiss, her eyes opening to lock with his as her form took shape once again, her lungs filling with the air that had been lacking.

Breathing hard, her eyes flicking between his as she ignored what had just happened, Nymphadora moved her hand to gently rest against his chest. "V... take me." She breathed heavily.

Piper's Boutique & Nymphadora ¤ Dafont ¤ Aethereality ¤ Kate Beckinsale

[Evischoul]

V was blown away by their kiss. He wasn't sure if she'd heard what he was trying to say, or if he'd even said what he wanted to say, but the kiss sure as hell said something. He felt like he'd been blasted by one of Abdiriz's lightning bolts, only it was so much better. Dora could zap him any time she wanted and he'd always come back for more.

The instant she started to disappear, V's hands were clutching at her in an attempt to keep hold of her. He was suddenly filled with desperation at the thought of her leaving and never coming back. Had she misunderstood? Did she think he didn't want her after all?

Feeling her resolidify in his arms, V sighed heavily, reluctantly releasing her from their kiss as he regained his breath.

"V... take me."

A burst of air erupted from his lungs and he snorted in surprise. He knew she could be forward and liked that in her, shyness only got a person so far before they hit a brick wall, but censored, did she have to stun him so damned much? She was going to kill him with an overdose of lust at this rate.

Grinning wickedly, V reached sideways to grab a fistful of bedclothes, his eyes never leaving Dora. With a single yank, he tore the bedclothes off the bed and waggled his eyebrows suggestively. "You better tell your boss you're taking a couple days off work."

OOC: Fade to black...

Aethereality † Piper's Boutique

[Nymphadora]

Thought Vicious spoke of a couple days, Nymphadora found herself in front of his fireplace the next morning. Legs pulled tightly to her chest, her shirt loosely draping her body, her hair tousled, though still calm, she gazed into the roaring element, its sparkle reflecting in her eyes. The nights were cool, and the days warm, but the atmosphere seemed to shift with one's desire. Of course, it could have just been the need for something warm and cosy that made her think it was rather chilly, either way, she'd struck up the match and lit the logs nestled gently in their rack.

Leaning forward slightly, her arms tucked under her bare legs, Nymphadora's hair fell forward from the motion, causing her to lift her arms and tuck it back behind her ear. It was interesting how good a fire could feel. And yet, how painful it could be. Tilting her head softly as she gazed into the crackling blaze, she wondered what it would be like to control such an element. Leaning forward even more, she gently blew toward it. Any normal being, her distance would have been too great to effect it. Had it been a candle, it would have flickered from the breeze, yes. But the fire had taken on a life of its own, and was past such control. This being however, had an element on her side. As her soft blowing extended toward the fire, a small gust of wind accompanied it. Upon impact, the fire roared angrily, biting back and licking with walls in fury. Widening her eyes, Nymphadora leaned back, pulling her legs even closer to herself. She had the form of a phoenix, one that loves fire and everything to do with it, but to be able to skillfully control it... she couldn't imagine. She'd lit herself on fire... had she not been concentrating on shifting, it could have caused massive harm to her. Possibly death.

It was hard to imagine something so... unrestricted, so violent, being an element that her fellow Nymphs could control. Sure, it had its allure, but it did nothing but harm. Yes, in death, there is also life, as she herself knew all to well, but to bring upon only death, another credited for its life, how horrible must a life like that be?

Loosing herself to her thoughts, she wondered if thats how Vicious felt. It was sad to think of him as only a destroyer. He was so much more than that. So much. He saw something in her, and something in himself. She just hoped it was enough to keep him around. Hoped she was enough.

Piper's Boutique & Nymphadora ¤ Dafont ¤ Aethereality ¤ Kate Beckinsale

[Evischoul]

Rated 16+

V was vaguely aware of Dora leaving the bed but was too deeply entrenched in his sleep to do much more than spread out more across the mattress, a hand seeking the warmth she'd left behind. Sprawled diagonally, his wings in full view and draped across the king-sized bed as he lay on his front with his bright red hair fanned out across the pillows, it was probably a wonder there'd been any room for Dora beside him. He was a mattress-hog.

He groaned later, his hand squeezing around a fistful of bedclothes as he slowly turned over to peer at Nymphadora with one eye barely open. "Get back here, wench." His voice was little more than a sleep-riddled whisper. "I'm not done with you." But as he lay there blinking the sleep away slowly, he realised how forlorn she appeared and frowned. Spending the night with him wasn't meant to put that look on her face.

Propping himself up on one hand with a knee bent, he scrubbed his free hand over his face and climbed out of bed to stretch, his muscles bulging as his neck cracked. Frowning as he crossed the room to her, he dropped onto his butt behind her, moving to cage her with his legs, his knees bent and his elbows resting on them. "What's wrong?"

Aethereality † Piper's Boutique

[Nymphadora]

Nymphadora was actually content for once. Things seemed to be going right. She'd come here to find answers, to know what was wrong with Vicious, and why he was treating her as he had been. She'd thought the most she would get was an explanation, or actually, a brush off. He'd seemed good at giving those. And although it had turned out to be her that had confessed her feeling toward him, the end result was amazing. He'd not come out and said he'd felt the same way... actually, he'd done near the opposite, telling her she was insane. But his actions... the look in his eyes when she said what she said, and then how he touched her and held her after. It was amazing. She wasn't sure where it left them... if they were going to try anything, or perhaps this was a one time only thing. Unlike others... Chenoan specifically, she didn't think asking him where they were heading was a conversation that could come easily. But in all honesty, she didn't even want to bring it up.

Lifting her head at his words, not quite catching what he was actually saying, Nymphadora felt her senses weaken, her eyes locked upon the fire before her. It wasn't often she became blank, zoned out like she was now. It felt like she should be hearing something... or feeling something. Something was just off in general. Furrowing her brow slightly, Vicious' frame slipping around hers. Leaning back, wanting to rest against his chest, Nymphadora let out a soft sigh, smiling weakly as she looked up from the fire. "I'm fine, just feels like theres something I should be doing... or sensing.."

Twisting her body slightly, her wings adjusting to fit comfortably behind her, Nymphadora lifted her hand to gently caress his cheek. gazing into V's eyes lovingly, she felt her heart skip a moment. "V... I..." Before she could finish her thought, a rather sharp pain erupted in the pit of her stomach, causing her to wince. Not sure where it was coming from, her hand moved to flatten across her stomach, her eyes closed as she leaned forward. Feeling it happen once again, a small voice entered her mind, the pain vanishing almost instantly. Opening her eyes, staring into the fire, she spoke franticly. "Oh god, Inimicus..." Moving to get up, her hand aiming to use Vicious' arm to help her, she grabbed for his hand once standing. "Come with me." It wasn't an order, but not a request either. The pain she felt could have been just... her body telling her Inimicus was injured, or it could have been a warning. And Vicious... he'd protect her. Even if she didn't need protection, him being there would make her feel... safe.

Piper's Boutique & Nymphadora ¤ Dafont ¤ Aethereality ¤ Kate Beckinsale

[Evischoul]

Rated 18+ for sexual content.

If anyone tried to tell him he could be tender or gentle, Vicious would scoff and then punch them in the face. After the fiasco that had resulted from his love affair with Xanthorra's sister, a love affair that had pretty much ruined his entire life, he'd refused to see women as anything but temporary bedmates to be used and thrown away when he was bored with them or it was time to move on to the next hellhole dimension. The irony was that deep down, he'd always dreamed of finding a good woman, settling down and having a couple dozen kids. Deep down, kept hidden under layers and layers of muscle and training, was a romantic. One Vicious liked to pretend didn't exist.

He'd thought that romantic part of him had died after Aurorra. In retrospect they obviously weren't meant for one another anyway. He'd convinced himself she was kind and soft and nurturing when buried inside her was a passionate warrior princess just begging to be released. He'd probably even known that about her all those centuries ago but he was young and reckless and determined to have her. The threat of her father finding out had probably made her all that much more alluring, come to think, although she hadn't needed all that much help. Comparing then with now, knowing how she'd firmed up both physically and emotionally, he wondered if they hadn't been meant to be friends more than lovers, and as he sat there before the fire wrapped around Dora, the glow of the flames and the scent of jasmine combining with his sleepiness to make him feel way more mellow than he usually did, he wondered if maybe they could be friends now. Even if she did know all his buttons and when to push. Seeing her again... He'd gotten a kick out of their verbal sparring, the kind of kick he'd felt on the battlefield as little more than a kid, that the hadn't felt in centuries because whatever fights he'd gotten into had utterly lacked passion.

But seeing Aurorra again had made him realise some things he probably wouldn't have realised otherwise. Like the fact that back then, he'd fancied himself in love with a gentle, caring girl... and now, here in his arms, was the genuine article.

Dora... was everything he'd imagined Aurorra to be back then. There was steel at her core but it was surrounded by layers of kindness. Even knowing he was a danger to her, she'd put Xanthorra's life above her own. He'd seen her try to help a guy who'd leered at her like she was a piece of meat.

He wasn't a mindreader like the upper levels but he'd known right away what Dora was. And he was very much afraid that he was falling for her. Hard.

As she leaned back against his chest, V lifted a hand to trail it up and down her arm, literally marvelling. He didn't just see the beauty on the surface. He wasn't going to lie, especially not to himself, to say that she could look like a warthog and he'd still feel this way. Her being a Nymph, being so hot, censored, it helped. But as hot as she was, as good as she smelled... it didn't mean squat in the end. He'd have bedded her and tossed her out on her ear just like always... except he'd seen the beauty on the inside too.

"I know something you should be doing," he told her, his voice wicked and suggestive. All he really wanted to do was sit here with her in his arms, sheltering her from whatever had put that look on her face and that tone in her voice. Someone like Nymphadora shouldn't ever be sad, it was a crime against nature. She should be dancing through the forest or around his quarters, laughing happily. Preferably naked for his viewing pleasure.

Pressing his cheek into her palm, V's eyes near closed, bare slits as he studied her face. He didn't know what she was about to say but part of him was glad she didn't get to say it. Whatever this was, it was moving too fast. Way too fast.

Her gasp made him jerk, the pain of it so clear as she bent over it. Vicious stared at her rather dumbly with no clue how to react. He was a god. Mortals to him were weaklings put in his path to censored him off, not creatures to fret over. Dora, though... He knew she was more than a mere mortal but he had no idea how far Xanth had gone or what could hurt the Nymph.

"Inimicus? That better be some kind of pet, woman, or so help me I'll censored slice him from gut to throat." He couldn't help it. He was possessive, just as most of his kind were. As long as she was sharing his bed, he'd better be the only male touching her but the panic in her voice made him almost berserk with jealousy. His eyes were suddenly glowing, his hair literally on fire as his wings and tats burst into full view. He followed her up onto his feet, a low growl rising from his throat as she told him to go with her.

"You're censored straight I'm coming with you. censored." The insult was aimed at Inimicus, whoever the censored was, but his heated gaze didn't leave Dora's. Reaching out to grab her around the waist and yank her against him, he manifested his sword in the other hand, his swordbelt and boots appearing with it. censored, it was good to be a god sometimes. "Let's go, woman."



Aethereality † Piper's Boutique