Chapter 14
If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again
But when he blinked, only two glowing golden eyes welcomed him. Rather, they had an unwelcoming gleam to them. She was annoyed that he made her get up to give him an answer. He only interpreted that she was annoyed with Desmond's conduct. "Lady Bailey, it's truly a wonderful moment to look upon such a beautiful countenance!"
Praising her as he bowed as he would to any other state guest. Rather, how he handled pretty female state guests. Praise them, flatter them, and they'll be more forthcoming to him. Often giving him coins or jewels as gifts for his hospitality. Unfortunately for him, Avery wasn't that kind of person. When he raised his head back up, all that awaited him was eyes that could stab him if they were daggers.
"E-Emperor Jeagerfang has sent me to take you to the Crystal Wing. You'll find better comfort there rather than this lowly side." Flustered, he fumbled out the decree the Emperor had given him. Even in his opinion, he believed it was a good decision to move her there. The crystal wing was the luxury wing that housed only the most important guests of the Empire. The grounds made up of one-seventh of the castle's hilly estate. Only the best maids were posted, the most disciplined guards, and only the finest furniture. Not to mention, the expansive courtyard and its planters
That's not the mention the... bonus perks.
Anyone staying in that wing could even murder or **** the maids and the Empire wouldn't bat an eye. That was the testament to the status of those allowed into that wing. It was the Castle's pride after all! Only, Avery dumped a bucket of cold water on him.
"As Desmond said the last time, I said no." Though her voice was soft, almost a melody to his ears, there was a drip of anger coloring it. He felt pleasant listening to it, only to have his veins frost over at her rejection. He felt embarrassed and a ting of indignation over her rejecting the castle's pride. "Lady Bailey, the Emperor wasn't asking if you wanted to. He was ordering you to-" for a moment, he felt all the air leave him and his vision blacken.
Crash!
The sound of shattering glass filled the air around him before a gust of cold wind embraced his whole body. His vision returned and the starry sky greeted him along the first snowfall. As if welcoming him, the snowflakes kissed his head momentarily as the stars twinkled. Then, he felt his chest hurt, then his back.
It was over in a few seconds, but he couldn't understand why he was looking up at the sky, or why he couldn't move. Only that he thought this sky was oddly beautiful, as more snowflakes fell and hugged his body.
And that was the last thought he had as the screams of maids and stewards filled the air. It had taken no more than ten seconds for him to fly out the window and lay mangled on the Imperial Plaza floor where the window overlooked. It took another ten seconds for the guards to react to the situation.
Tens of knights began moving with haste, their clinking armor almost merging into a jingle as their shouts spread to other guards, then more. The entire castle became a hive of activity, torches lighting and whistles blowing. And it only took them a whole minute to figure out where he'd fallen from.
Avery had already closed the door the moment he had flown out of sight into the night air. For a moment, she blacked out when her blood boiled at the words he spoke to her. She didn't know why it riled her up, but it did. Her blackout lasted only a few seconds, enough to see the old man flying out of sight and her leg touching the ground. It took a heartbeat for her to figure out what had happened. Oddly enough it felt good, scary, but good. Desmond who had gotten up to spectate whatever schemes his family had brought was freaking out. Panic in his voice he yelled, "That was my father's Head Steward!". The words only served to please her more.
No one was going to order her to do something against her wishes, or so she thought.
The pleasure of kicking that 'scum' out the window lasted only a few moments until she felt dirty from touching him with her foot. Like bugs crawled on her feet and legs. She began to strip the dress off as she listened absentmindedly to Desmond. "Avery! You can't just kill people whenever you want!". 'Right, and they could make her do their bidding?' She retorted in her head but didn't voice her thoughts. Even she knew something was changing in her, or maybe she had always been rash?
At this point, he didn't fuss over where she changed, well, so long as she wasn't doing it in front of other people. Not that it wasn't a sight to behold, but he was already baptized in her fire. The fire of baking her nude body in his mind at the river's shore. Then being forced to strip and thrown in a cold river. He figured he'd just stop questioning it.
He continued his plead. "... Just promise me you won't do it without consulting me first." He wasn't sure if she heard the storm brewing out there, but there was a huge one. She ignored him. "Where's your bedroom?" A couple of outfits were in her hand, appearing in her hands in a mixture of light particles and golden flames. "Over here." With a sigh, he led her over to the bedroom door that was adjacent to the hearth that occupied the wall by the couches. As she was about to go through, he stopped her with a gentle hand on across her stomach.
"Look... I can understand why you did that, but that wasn't a justifiable reason to kill the man." Avery looked at him for once since it happened. Even she understood this, but she couldn't help herself savor what she did. Yet, when she saw that worn expression on his face, she felt bad for feeling pleased. For a moment, she struggled in her heart. "I just want you to talk to me before you do something stupid. When you killed that golden knight back in the valley, I thought it was justified, but not with the steward. There was no honor in killing him..." Desmond added.
After a back and forth in her head, she sighed and relented. "Okay..." She softly said, her golden eyes which glowed under the firelight dimmed slightly with shame. Desmond wanted could see her feelings. He wanted to give her some comfort, but he wanted her to think on it.
There was a loud pounding at the quarter's entrance. "Open up my lord, I have to speak with you. Please, open or I'll have to force myself in!" Desmond looked at her, she shook her head. "Do what you have to do then, I'll... go change." She opened the bedroom's door and walked it, closing it behind her.
Desmond sighed with relief, hoping there wouldn't be any more death tonight. He walked over to the entrance and opened the door. The sight of two Silver Knights, two of his personal guards that stood guard just by the entrance way into the hall to his quarters. "Yes?" He already knew what they were here for them. The wind howled behind the two men as a snowstorm began to brew and snow came through the broken window.
"We came to speak to you about the Head Steward.". He let them into the room and a Golden Knight walked into the room behind the two. Desmond didn't notice him but figured he'd be around the corner.
"We know he to your quarters to speak with you and Lady Bailey." One of the silver knights spoke up. These two knights had been there at the valley so they both held her in high regards. However, the golden knight was a wet-behind-the-ears Heavenly Knight. "I have come to arrest the person who killed the Head Steward!" His voice dripped with contempt for Desmond.
...
The whole ordeal was finished up within the hour. The silver knights having to escort the rowdy golden one away since Avery couldn't be touched. Even if she could, what would they do? Demand her arrest? She already killed the Emperor's steward for trying to order her around. If he was killed like that, why would they bother? Avery behaved the rest of the night as well. Taking Desmond's words to heart, she eventually apologized to him, but she refused to apologize to the emperor.
The next morning, Desmond woke up. The hearth in the bedroom crackled softly. He didn't remember lighting the heart, but there it was. Its orange light dancing across the room as he laid on his side. He turned over and saw Avery sleeping soundly under the bed covers. She laid on her side, facing him. Her peaceful sleeping face warmed him slightly. Her white hair an avalanche of snow on the pillows as her chest rose slightly and fell softly. The fire's light cast a warm shadow over her face as the light danced on the wall above her. He never remembered going to sleep with her, but he wasn't complaining...
He never noticed, but she had long eyelashes that fluttered as she dreamed, if she was dreaming. He began to wonder if she was dreaming, what was she dreaming of. Both of them were petite in their own respects, almost a foot of space between them. The same thick red and gold blanket covered them both. For a moment, he wanted to move closer. He had a strange desire to feel her warmth. To wrap his arm around her peaceful sleeping body.
Once the sleep left his mind, he pushed those thoughts away like they were the plague. He had to admit, he did like her. How much though? How much did he fear her? It was a battle in his heart would have to sort eventually. Sighing inwardly, he slid the blanket off himself as not to wake her before he swung his feet over before firmly putting them on the fur rug below. Or so he thought.
"Take your feet off my tail." Desmond stiffened at the voice. He looked down. A lion-sized silver wolf laid sprawled out below him. Fenrir never bothered to lift his head when he spoke. "Now would be a good time." Desmond realized he was just staring at the wolf in a daze. He lifted his foot before moving it over to the floor. "Sorry..."
Fenrir only blew air from his nose in response and flicked his tail away. Desmond turned his attention to the fire burning in the heart. "Who lit the fire...?" Desmond asked. "A maid came in the middle of the night," Fenrir responded curtly. "Why is Avery in my bed..?" Desmond moved his feet and scratched Fenrir's back. He took to that well as he stretched out before answering "When the maid came in, Avery was laying on the couch. Poor lass. Avery nearly cut her head off. Both of them were startled." Fenrir readjusted himself so Desmond's toes scratched another place.
"Anyways, they got over the situation, but she decided to slip into your bed. She said she'd rather sleep somewhere more comfortable." Desmond chuckled before he stole a glance at the sleeping girl behind him. "Did she have maids before?" His soft voice, almost a whisper. "No, Master did most things by herself. Things she couldn't, the other master's assisted her with. We did very little besides attending to her parents and fight alongside her." Fenrir seemed to tire of Desmond's foot and sat up, Desmond retracting his foot.
A window above the bed's headboard was caked in snow. The outside black as ink, but enough moonlight to highlight slivers of white racing towards the ground. If he strained his ear, he could probably hear the faint howls of the blizzard, but he didn't feel like it. Both of them sat in silence before Desmond broke it. " I didn't know Primordials had parents. I thought they've just existed..." Fenrir finally turned to look at him. His eyes scanning his, seeing if that was supposed to be a joke.
What were a few heartbeats felt like an entirety before Fenrir responded, "As far as I know, each Primordial has a parent. Though their bodies in this world weren't real... Avery's body now is her real body now though." Desmond's brows furrowed, his head tilting. "What do you mean by... not her real body..?" Fenrir sighed, strangely, his mouth never moved when he spoke. Desmond just registered that.
"Don't worry about it. Avery will probably tell you sooner or later. Either way, it's not too important to the now or future." Fenrir laid his head down in an attempt to sleep. It was almost ten minutes before Desmond spoke up again. "Does Avery celebrate Christmas?" Only the pops of the fire answered. Fenrir didn't stir again. "Fenrir...?" Desmond toed his tail but failed to get a reaction. Yet again, only the fire answered his question.
"I do." A soft, honey-sweet voice answered him. This time he jumped on his toes and accidentally stomped on Fenrir's tail. Fenrir leaped up, which caused Desmond to fall backward onto the bed.
His head landed on Avery's mid-section, his back on the mattress and his legs dangling off the edge. He composed himself for a moment before realizing his head landed on Avery. Quickly turning to his left to see her face. Two topaz eyes stared back through half opened eyes. "Y-You're awake..." He muttered. "Mm." It wasn't much in the way of a morning greeting from her though. "How long have you been awake...?", "Since you moved the blanket."
He felt embarrassment burn in his cheeks. He looked away quickly. " I'm going back to sleep, it's too early to be up." he took a quick glance at her and noticed her eyes didn't have their usual lively glow. They glowed faintly with a hint of melancholy as she shut her eyes. Not wanting to stay embarrassed, he lifted his head off her and laid back down.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, Desmond missed the two clear crystal lines flowing from her eyes.
. . .
The morning rays illuminated the lounge in Desmond's quarters. Two maids stood off to the side as Avery sat huddled in a blanket and Desmond looked out at the snow that blanketed his courtyard. He sipped at a bowl of chicken soup while Avery stared at a bowl of fish soup that she hadn't touched. Her hair was ruffled on her right side and two golden eyes glanced up through half-open eyes, charming the maids. She propped her chin on her right hand as she turned to look outside into the now snowy tundra.
The early morning conversation with Fenrir still knocked around in Desmond's head. He pondered on the body comment but came up with no luck. He wanted to ask Avery what he had meant, only, he didn't know how to approach the question. In the end, he put it to the back. She treated him fairly well, leagues difference than what his family treated him aside from his mother. He would rather wait for her to tell him.
While Avery was stuck in her morning lull, Desmond in his internal struggle. A loud knock echoed from the entrance. Avery let out a reluctant moan then pulled the blanket over her head. She was sick of hearing knocks at the moment.
Before one of the maids could answer the door, Desmond's bastard father along with a younger man opened the door without permission and strode in like they owned the place. The maids could only back to up the wall and bow while announcing their already unwelcome presence.
"The Emperor and the First prince have arrived!"
Author note: My child wrecked my Skullcandy headset and I wrecked headphones by accidentally washing them. One side works, though it's annoying that I can still hear people.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
But when he blinked, only two glowing golden eyes welcomed him. Rather, they had an unwelcoming gleam to them. She was annoyed that he made her get up to give him an answer. He only interpreted that she was annoyed with Desmond's conduct. "Lady Bailey, it's truly a wonderful moment to look upon such a beautiful countenance!"
Praising her as he bowed as he would to any other state guest. Rather, how he handled pretty female state guests. Praise them, flatter them, and they'll be more forthcoming to him. Often giving him coins or jewels as gifts for his hospitality. Unfortunately for him, Avery wasn't that kind of person. When he raised his head back up, all that awaited him was eyes that could stab him if they were daggers.
"E-Emperor Jeagerfang has sent me to take you to the Crystal Wing. You'll find better comfort there rather than this lowly side." Flustered, he fumbled out the decree the Emperor had given him. Even in his opinion, he believed it was a good decision to move her there. The crystal wing was the luxury wing that housed only the most important guests of the Empire. The grounds made up of one-seventh of the castle's hilly estate. Only the best maids were posted, the most disciplined guards, and only the finest furniture. Not to mention, the expansive courtyard and its planters
That's not the mention the... bonus perks.
Anyone staying in that wing could even murder or **** the maids and the Empire wouldn't bat an eye. That was the testament to the status of those allowed into that wing. It was the Castle's pride after all! Only, Avery dumped a bucket of cold water on him.
"As Desmond said the last time, I said no." Though her voice was soft, almost a melody to his ears, there was a drip of anger coloring it. He felt pleasant listening to it, only to have his veins frost over at her rejection. He felt embarrassed and a ting of indignation over her rejecting the castle's pride. "Lady Bailey, the Emperor wasn't asking if you wanted to. He was ordering you to-" for a moment, he felt all the air leave him and his vision blacken.
Crash!
The sound of shattering glass filled the air around him before a gust of cold wind embraced his whole body. His vision returned and the starry sky greeted him along the first snowfall. As if welcoming him, the snowflakes kissed his head momentarily as the stars twinkled. Then, he felt his chest hurt, then his back.
It was over in a few seconds, but he couldn't understand why he was looking up at the sky, or why he couldn't move. Only that he thought this sky was oddly beautiful, as more snowflakes fell and hugged his body.
And that was the last thought he had as the screams of maids and stewards filled the air. It had taken no more than ten seconds for him to fly out the window and lay mangled on the Imperial Plaza floor where the window overlooked. It took another ten seconds for the guards to react to the situation.
Tens of knights began moving with haste, their clinking armor almost merging into a jingle as their shouts spread to other guards, then more. The entire castle became a hive of activity, torches lighting and whistles blowing. And it only took them a whole minute to figure out where he'd fallen from.
Avery had already closed the door the moment he had flown out of sight into the night air. For a moment, she blacked out when her blood boiled at the words he spoke to her. She didn't know why it riled her up, but it did. Her blackout lasted only a few seconds, enough to see the old man flying out of sight and her leg touching the ground. It took a heartbeat for her to figure out what had happened. Oddly enough it felt good, scary, but good. Desmond who had gotten up to spectate whatever schemes his family had brought was freaking out. Panic in his voice he yelled, "That was my father's Head Steward!". The words only served to please her more.
No one was going to order her to do something against her wishes, or so she thought.
The pleasure of kicking that 'scum' out the window lasted only a few moments until she felt dirty from touching him with her foot. Like bugs crawled on her feet and legs. She began to strip the dress off as she listened absentmindedly to Desmond. "Avery! You can't just kill people whenever you want!". 'Right, and they could make her do their bidding?' She retorted in her head but didn't voice her thoughts. Even she knew something was changing in her, or maybe she had always been rash?
At this point, he didn't fuss over where she changed, well, so long as she wasn't doing it in front of other people. Not that it wasn't a sight to behold, but he was already baptized in her fire. The fire of baking her nude body in his mind at the river's shore. Then being forced to strip and thrown in a cold river. He figured he'd just stop questioning it.
He continued his plead. "... Just promise me you won't do it without consulting me first." He wasn't sure if she heard the storm brewing out there, but there was a huge one. She ignored him. "Where's your bedroom?" A couple of outfits were in her hand, appearing in her hands in a mixture of light particles and golden flames. "Over here." With a sigh, he led her over to the bedroom door that was adjacent to the hearth that occupied the wall by the couches. As she was about to go through, he stopped her with a gentle hand on across her stomach.
"Look... I can understand why you did that, but that wasn't a justifiable reason to kill the man." Avery looked at him for once since it happened. Even she understood this, but she couldn't help herself savor what she did. Yet, when she saw that worn expression on his face, she felt bad for feeling pleased. For a moment, she struggled in her heart. "I just want you to talk to me before you do something stupid. When you killed that golden knight back in the valley, I thought it was justified, but not with the steward. There was no honor in killing him..." Desmond added.
After a back and forth in her head, she sighed and relented. "Okay..." She softly said, her golden eyes which glowed under the firelight dimmed slightly with shame. Desmond wanted could see her feelings. He wanted to give her some comfort, but he wanted her to think on it.
There was a loud pounding at the quarter's entrance. "Open up my lord, I have to speak with you. Please, open or I'll have to force myself in!" Desmond looked at her, she shook her head. "Do what you have to do then, I'll... go change." She opened the bedroom's door and walked it, closing it behind her.
Desmond sighed with relief, hoping there wouldn't be any more death tonight. He walked over to the entrance and opened the door. The sight of two Silver Knights, two of his personal guards that stood guard just by the entrance way into the hall to his quarters. "Yes?" He already knew what they were here for them. The wind howled behind the two men as a snowstorm began to brew and snow came through the broken window.
"We came to speak to you about the Head Steward.". He let them into the room and a Golden Knight walked into the room behind the two. Desmond didn't notice him but figured he'd be around the corner.
"We know he to your quarters to speak with you and Lady Bailey." One of the silver knights spoke up. These two knights had been there at the valley so they both held her in high regards. However, the golden knight was a wet-behind-the-ears Heavenly Knight. "I have come to arrest the person who killed the Head Steward!" His voice dripped with contempt for Desmond.
...
The whole ordeal was finished up within the hour. The silver knights having to escort the rowdy golden one away since Avery couldn't be touched. Even if she could, what would they do? Demand her arrest? She already killed the Emperor's steward for trying to order her around. If he was killed like that, why would they bother? Avery behaved the rest of the night as well. Taking Desmond's words to heart, she eventually apologized to him, but she refused to apologize to the emperor.
The next morning, Desmond woke up. The hearth in the bedroom crackled softly. He didn't remember lighting the heart, but there it was. Its orange light dancing across the room as he laid on his side. He turned over and saw Avery sleeping soundly under the bed covers. She laid on her side, facing him. Her peaceful sleeping face warmed him slightly. Her white hair an avalanche of snow on the pillows as her chest rose slightly and fell softly. The fire's light cast a warm shadow over her face as the light danced on the wall above her. He never remembered going to sleep with her, but he wasn't complaining...
He never noticed, but she had long eyelashes that fluttered as she dreamed, if she was dreaming. He began to wonder if she was dreaming, what was she dreaming of. Both of them were petite in their own respects, almost a foot of space between them. The same thick red and gold blanket covered them both. For a moment, he wanted to move closer. He had a strange desire to feel her warmth. To wrap his arm around her peaceful sleeping body.
Once the sleep left his mind, he pushed those thoughts away like they were the plague. He had to admit, he did like her. How much though? How much did he fear her? It was a battle in his heart would have to sort eventually. Sighing inwardly, he slid the blanket off himself as not to wake her before he swung his feet over before firmly putting them on the fur rug below. Or so he thought.
"Take your feet off my tail." Desmond stiffened at the voice. He looked down. A lion-sized silver wolf laid sprawled out below him. Fenrir never bothered to lift his head when he spoke. "Now would be a good time." Desmond realized he was just staring at the wolf in a daze. He lifted his foot before moving it over to the floor. "Sorry..."
Fenrir only blew air from his nose in response and flicked his tail away. Desmond turned his attention to the fire burning in the heart. "Who lit the fire...?" Desmond asked. "A maid came in the middle of the night," Fenrir responded curtly. "Why is Avery in my bed..?" Desmond moved his feet and scratched Fenrir's back. He took to that well as he stretched out before answering "When the maid came in, Avery was laying on the couch. Poor lass. Avery nearly cut her head off. Both of them were startled." Fenrir readjusted himself so Desmond's toes scratched another place.
"Anyways, they got over the situation, but she decided to slip into your bed. She said she'd rather sleep somewhere more comfortable." Desmond chuckled before he stole a glance at the sleeping girl behind him. "Did she have maids before?" His soft voice, almost a whisper. "No, Master did most things by herself. Things she couldn't, the other master's assisted her with. We did very little besides attending to her parents and fight alongside her." Fenrir seemed to tire of Desmond's foot and sat up, Desmond retracting his foot.
A window above the bed's headboard was caked in snow. The outside black as ink, but enough moonlight to highlight slivers of white racing towards the ground. If he strained his ear, he could probably hear the faint howls of the blizzard, but he didn't feel like it. Both of them sat in silence before Desmond broke it. " I didn't know Primordials had parents. I thought they've just existed..." Fenrir finally turned to look at him. His eyes scanning his, seeing if that was supposed to be a joke.
What were a few heartbeats felt like an entirety before Fenrir responded, "As far as I know, each Primordial has a parent. Though their bodies in this world weren't real... Avery's body now is her real body now though." Desmond's brows furrowed, his head tilting. "What do you mean by... not her real body..?" Fenrir sighed, strangely, his mouth never moved when he spoke. Desmond just registered that.
"Don't worry about it. Avery will probably tell you sooner or later. Either way, it's not too important to the now or future." Fenrir laid his head down in an attempt to sleep. It was almost ten minutes before Desmond spoke up again. "Does Avery celebrate Christmas?" Only the pops of the fire answered. Fenrir didn't stir again. "Fenrir...?" Desmond toed his tail but failed to get a reaction. Yet again, only the fire answered his question.
"I do." A soft, honey-sweet voice answered him. This time he jumped on his toes and accidentally stomped on Fenrir's tail. Fenrir leaped up, which caused Desmond to fall backward onto the bed.
His head landed on Avery's mid-section, his back on the mattress and his legs dangling off the edge. He composed himself for a moment before realizing his head landed on Avery. Quickly turning to his left to see her face. Two topaz eyes stared back through half opened eyes. "Y-You're awake..." He muttered. "Mm." It wasn't much in the way of a morning greeting from her though. "How long have you been awake...?", "Since you moved the blanket."
He felt embarrassment burn in his cheeks. He looked away quickly. " I'm going back to sleep, it's too early to be up." he took a quick glance at her and noticed her eyes didn't have their usual lively glow. They glowed faintly with a hint of melancholy as she shut her eyes. Not wanting to stay embarrassed, he lifted his head off her and laid back down.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, Desmond missed the two clear crystal lines flowing from her eyes.
. . .
The morning rays illuminated the lounge in Desmond's quarters. Two maids stood off to the side as Avery sat huddled in a blanket and Desmond looked out at the snow that blanketed his courtyard. He sipped at a bowl of chicken soup while Avery stared at a bowl of fish soup that she hadn't touched. Her hair was ruffled on her right side and two golden eyes glanced up through half-open eyes, charming the maids. She propped her chin on her right hand as she turned to look outside into the now snowy tundra.
The early morning conversation with Fenrir still knocked around in Desmond's head. He pondered on the body comment but came up with no luck. He wanted to ask Avery what he had meant, only, he didn't know how to approach the question. In the end, he put it to the back. She treated him fairly well, leagues difference than what his family treated him aside from his mother. He would rather wait for her to tell him.
While Avery was stuck in her morning lull, Desmond in his internal struggle. A loud knock echoed from the entrance. Avery let out a reluctant moan then pulled the blanket over her head. She was sick of hearing knocks at the moment.
Before one of the maids could answer the door, Desmond's bastard father along with a younger man opened the door without permission and strode in like they owned the place. The maids could only back to up the wall and bow while announcing their already unwelcome presence.
"The Emperor and the First prince have arrived!"
Author note: My child wrecked my Skullcandy headset and I wrecked headphones by accidentally washing them. One side works, though it's annoying that I can still hear people.
But when he blinked, only two glowing golden eyes welcomed him. Rather, they had an unwelcoming gleam to them. She was annoyed that he made her get up to give him an answer. He only interpreted that she was annoyed with Desmond's conduct. "Lady Bailey, it's truly a wonderful moment to look upon such a beautiful countenance!"Praising her as he bowed as he would to any other state guest. Rather, how he handled pretty female state guests. Praise them, flatter them, and they'll be more forthcoming to him. Often giving him coins or jewels as gifts for his hospitality. Unfortunately for him, Avery wasn't that kind of person. When he raised his head back up, all that awaited him was eyes that could stab him if they were daggers."E-Emperor Jeagerfang has sent me to take you to the Crystal Wing. You'll find better comfort there rather than this lowly side." Flustered, he fumbled out the decree the Emperor had given him. Even in his opinion, he believed it was a good decision to move her there. The crystal wing was the luxury wing that housed only the most important guests of the Empire. The grounds made up of one-seventh of the castle's hilly estate. Only the best maids were posted, the most disciplined guards, and only the finest furniture. Not to mention, the expansive courtyard and its plantersThat's not the mention the... bonus perks.Anyone staying in that wing could even murder or **** the maids and the Empire wouldn't bat an eye. That was the testament to the status of those allowed into that wing. It was the Castle's pride after all! Only, Avery dumped a bucket of cold water on him."As Desmond said the last time, I said no." Though her voice was soft, almost a melody to his ears, there was a drip of anger coloring it. He felt pleasant listening to it, only to have his veins frost over at her rejection. He felt embarrassed and a ting of indignation over her rejecting the castle's pride. "Lady Bailey, the Emperor wasn't asking if you wanted to. He was ordering you to-" for a moment, he felt all the air leave him and his vision blacken.Crash!The sound of shattering glass filled the air around him before a gust of cold wind embraced his whole body. His vision returned and the starry sky greeted him along the first snowfall. As if welcoming him, the snowflakes kissed his head momentarily as the stars twinkled. Then, he felt his chest hurt, then his back.It was over in a few seconds, but he couldn't understand why he was looking up at the sky, or why he couldn't move. Only that he thought this sky was oddly beautiful, as more snowflakes fell and hugged his body.And that was the last thought he had as the screams of maids and stewards filled the air. It had taken no more than ten seconds for him to fly out the window and lay mangled on the Imperial Plaza floor where the window overlooked. It took another ten seconds for the guards to react to the situation.Tens of knights began moving with haste, their clinking armor almost merging into a jingle as their shouts spread to other guards, then more. The entire castle became a hive of activity, torches lighting and whistles blowing. And it only took them a whole minute to figure out where he'd fallen from.Avery had already closed the door the moment he had flown out of sight into the night air. For a moment, she blacked out when her blood boiled at the words he spoke to her. She didn't know why it riled her up, but it did. Her blackout lasted only a few seconds, enough to see the old man flying out of sight and her leg touching the ground. It took a heartbeat for her to figure out what had happened. Oddly enough it felt good, scary, but good. Desmond who had gotten up to spectate whatever schemes his family had brought was freaking out. Panic in his voice he yelled, "That was my father's Head Steward!". The words only served to please her more.No one was going to order her to do something against her wishes, or so she thought.The pleasure of kicking that 'scum' out the window lasted only a few moments until she felt dirty from touching him with her foot. Like bugs crawled on her feet and legs. She began to strip the dress off as she listened absentmindedly to Desmond. "Avery! You can't just kill people whenever you want!". 'Right, and they could make her do their bidding?' She retorted in her head but didn't voice her thoughts. Even she knew something was changing in her, or maybe she had always been rash?At this point, he didn't fuss over where she changed, well, so long as she wasn't doing it in front of other people. Not that it wasn't a sight to behold, but he was already baptized in her fire. The fire of baking her nude body in his mind at the river's shore. Then being forced to strip and thrown in a cold river. He figured he'd just stop questioning it.He continued his plead. "... Just promise me you won't do it without consulting me first." He wasn't sure if she heard the storm brewing out there, but there was a huge one. She ignored him. "Where's your bedroom?" A couple of outfits were in her hand, appearing in her hands in a mixture of light particles and golden flames. "Over here." With a sigh, he led her over to the bedroom door that was adjacent to the hearth that occupied the wall by the couches. As she was about to go through, he stopped her with a gentle hand on across her stomach."Look... I can understand why you did that, but that wasn't a justifiable reason to kill the man." Avery looked at him for once since it happened. Even she understood this, but she couldn't help herself savor what she did. Yet, when she saw that worn expression on his face, she felt bad for feeling pleased. For a moment, she struggled in her heart. "I just want you to talk to me before you do something stupid. When you killed that golden knight back in the valley, I thought it was justified, but not with the steward. There was no honor in killing him..." Desmond added.After a back and forth in her head, she sighed and relented. "Okay..." She softly said, her golden eyes which glowed under the firelight dimmed slightly with shame. Desmond wanted could see her feelings. He wanted to give her some comfort, but he wanted her to think on it.There was a loud pounding at the quarter's entrance. "Open up my lord, I have to speak with you. Please, open or I'll have to force myself in!" Desmond looked at her, she shook her head. "Do what you have to do then, I'll... go change." She opened the bedroom's door and walked it, closing it behind her.Desmond sighed with relief, hoping there wouldn't be any more death tonight. He walked over to the entrance and opened the door. The sight of two Silver Knights, two of his personal guards that stood guard just by the entrance way into the hall to his quarters. "Yes?" He already knew what they were here for them. The wind howled behind the two men as a snowstorm began to brew and snow came through the broken window."We came to speak to you about the Head Steward.". He let them into the room and a Golden Knight walked into the room behind the two. Desmond didn't notice him but figured he'd be around the corner."We know he to your quarters to speak with you and Lady Bailey." One of the silver knights spoke up. These two knights had been there at the valley so they both held her in high regards. However, the golden knight was a wet-behind-the-ears Heavenly Knight. "I have come to arrest the person who killed the Head Steward!" His voice dripped with contempt for Desmond....The whole ordeal was finished up within the hour. The silver knights having to escort the rowdy golden one away since Avery couldn't be touched. Even if she could, what would they do? Demand her arrest? She already killed the Emperor's steward for trying to order her around. If he was killed like that, why would they bother? Avery behaved the rest of the night as well. Taking Desmond's words to heart, she eventually apologized to him, but she refused to apologize to the emperor.The next morning, Desmond woke up. The hearth in the bedroom crackled softly. He didn't remember lighting the heart, but there it was. Its orange light dancing across the room as he laid on his side. He turned over and saw Avery sleeping soundly under the bed covers. She laid on her side, facing him. Her peaceful sleeping face warmed him slightly. Her white hair an avalanche of snow on the pillows as her chest rose slightly and fell softly. The fire's light cast a warm shadow over her face as the light danced on the wall above her. He never remembered going to sleep with her, but he wasn't complaining...He never noticed, but she had long eyelashes that fluttered as she dreamed, if she was dreaming. He began to wonder if she was dreaming, what was she dreaming of. Both of them were petite in their own respects, almost a foot of space between them. The same thick red and gold blanket covered them both. For a moment, he wanted to move closer. He had a strange desire to feel her warmth. To wrap his arm around her peaceful sleeping body.Once the sleep left his mind, he pushed those thoughts away like they were the plague. He had to admit, he did like her. How much though? How much did he fear her? It was a battle in his heart would have to sort eventually. Sighing inwardly, he slid the blanket off himself as not to wake her before he swung his feet over before firmly putting them on the fur rug below. Or so he thought."Take your feet off my tail." Desmond stiffened at the voice. He looked down. A lion-sized silver wolf laid sprawled out below him. Fenrir never bothered to lift his head when he spoke. "Now would be a good time." Desmond realized he was just staring at the wolf in a daze. He lifted his foot before moving it over to the floor. "Sorry..."Fenrir only blew air from his nose in response and flicked his tail away. Desmond turned his attention to the fire burning in the heart. "Who lit the fire...?" Desmond asked. "A maid came in the middle of the night," Fenrir responded curtly. "Why is Avery in my bed..?" Desmond moved his feet and scratched Fenrir's back. He took to that well as he stretched out before answering "When the maid came in, Avery was laying on the couch. Poor lass. Avery nearly cut her head off. Both of them were startled." Fenrir readjusted himself so Desmond's toes scratched another place."Anyways, they got over the situation, but she decided to slip into your bed. She said she'd rather sleep somewhere more comfortable." Desmond chuckled before he stole a glance at the sleeping girl behind him. "Did she have maids before?" His soft voice, almost a whisper. "No, Master did most things by herself. Things she couldn't, the other master's assisted her with. We did very little besides attending to her parents and fight alongside her." Fenrir seemed to tire of Desmond's foot and sat up, Desmond retracting his foot.A window above the bed's headboard was caked in snow. The outside black as ink, but enough moonlight to highlight slivers of white racing towards the ground. If he strained his ear, he could probably hear the faint howls of the blizzard, but he didn't feel like it. Both of them sat in silence before Desmond broke it. " I didn't know Primordials had parents. I thought they've just existed..." Fenrir finally turned to look at him. His eyes scanning his, seeing if that was supposed to be a joke.What were a few heartbeats felt like an entirety before Fenrir responded, "As far as I know, each Primordial has a parent. Though their bodies in this world weren't real... Avery's body now is her real body now though." Desmond's brows furrowed, his head tilting. "What do you mean by... not her real body..?" Fenrir sighed, strangely, his mouth never moved when he spoke. Desmond just registered that."Don't worry about it. Avery will probably tell you sooner or later. Either way, it's not too important to the now or future." Fenrir laid his head down in an attempt to sleep. It was almost ten minutes before Desmond spoke up again. "Does Avery celebrate Christmas?" Only the pops of the fire answered. Fenrir didn't stir again. "Fenrir...?" Desmond toed his tail but failed to get a reaction. Yet again, only the fire answered his question."I do." A soft, honey-sweet voice answered him. This time he jumped on his toes and accidentally stomped on Fenrir's tail. Fenrir leaped up, which caused Desmond to fall backward onto the bed.His head landed on Avery's mid-section, his back on the mattress and his legs dangling off the edge. He composed himself for a moment before realizing his head landed on Avery. Quickly turning to his left to see her face. Two topaz eyes stared back through half opened eyes. "Y-You're awake..." He muttered. "Mm." It wasn't much in the way of a morning greeting from her though. "How long have you been awake...?", "Since you moved the blanket."He felt embarrassment burn in his cheeks. He looked away quickly. " I'm going back to sleep, it's too early to be up." he took a quick glance at her and noticed her eyes didn't have their usual lively glow. They glowed faintly with a hint of melancholy as she shut her eyes. Not wanting to stay embarrassed, he lifted his head off her and laid back down.Fortunately, or unfortunately, Desmond missed the two clear crystal lines flowing from her eyes.. . .The morning rays illuminated the lounge in Desmond's quarters. Two maids stood off to the side as Avery sat huddled in a blanket and Desmond looked out at the snow that blanketed his courtyard. He sipped at a bowl of chicken soup while Avery stared at a bowl of fish soup that she hadn't touched. Her hair was ruffled on her right side and two golden eyes glanced up through half-open eyes, charming the maids. She propped her chin on her right hand as she turned to look outside into the now snowy tundra.The early morning conversation with Fenrir still knocked around in Desmond's head. He pondered on the body comment but came up with no luck. He wanted to ask Avery what he had meant, only, he didn't know how to approach the question. In the end, he put it to the back. She treated him fairly well, leagues difference than what his family treated him aside from his mother. He would rather wait for her to tell him.While Avery was stuck in her morning lull, Desmond in his internal struggle. A loud knock echoed from the entrance. Avery let out a reluctant moan then pulled the blanket over her head. She was sick of hearing knocks at the moment.Before one of the maids could answer the door, Desmond's bastard father along with a younger man opened the door without permission and strode in like they owned the place. The maids could only back to up the wall and bow while announcing their already unwelcome presence."The Emperor and the First prince have arrived!"Author note: My child wrecked my Skullcandy headset and I wrecked headphones by accidentally washing them. One side works, though it's annoying that I can still hear people.
