Winter Vixen

Smitten with the Vixen

"Are we there yet?" his sister Cora groaned. Nouren and Cora looked almost identical, except his sister’s hair was darker than his, but they had the same steel eyes as their father. They were a year apart, Nouren a year older, give or take a few days.

"Stop your grumbling dear, it's not lady like," her mother gently chided.

"But mom, it's taking forever!"

"Cora, listen to your mother." Nouren looked between his father and sister, and watched her slump against the carriage seat with a huff.

"How long will we be in the Patet Kingdom, father?" Nouren asked.

"It shouldn't be more than a month, depending on how quickly the wedding can take place. King Regus knows very well that a king shouldn't be away from his kingdom too long," his father replied, his grey wolven ears twitching in irritation. The long ride in the carriage had everyone restless, and Nouren would have loved to stretch his legs. The inviting green fields they had been passing were perfect for an all-out sprint.

Just then the driver knocked on the little slat before opening it.

"Your Majesties, we have arrived at the Patet Kingdom." And the slat closed again. Cora looked out the window excitedly, bouncing in her seat, her sandy colored ears perked up as far as they could go. Both his parents breathed a sigh of relief, and straightened their clothes.

"Cora," Nouren growled. "Please remove your tail from my face."

"Oops!" She exclaimed, and tucked her tail around her waist. "Sorry brother, I'm just so excited!"

"I can tell," he yawned, stretching out a bit. His grey ears perked up as they heard the gates open, and finally had come to a stop.

"May I present their Majesties, King Torren and Queen Casandra of Caelum Kingdom." His father emerged gracefully and stepped out, helping his wife down from the carriage. "Prince Nouren, and Princess Cora." Nouren stepped out and turned to help his sister down, who was nothing like her excited and childish self earlier. Her face was expressionless, calm and composed, her grey eyes taking in the crowd before her. When she caught sight of her groom to be however, Nouren caught the glimmer of excitement in her eyes. Her ears were held against her head in a royal manner, and she held her hands together. Nouren stood beside her, and listened to the two kings greet each other.

"Come! You all must be tired from the journey. We can catch up more at tonight's feast!" Regus exclaimed, and walked inside his castle with Torren. Casandra quietly chatted to Flora about the coming wedding, and Cora talked to Liam, a hint of excitement in the undertones of her voice. Nouren sighed, following behind everyone.

'One day,' he thought to himself. 'One day it'll be me getting married.' It wasn't that he was lonely per se, he had his best friend, and friends he grew up with over the years. But he craved what his parents had, the kind of love that went deeper than friendship. The kind that could read your mind and finish your sentences. The unconditional kind that had you falling back in love with every touch, every loving gaze, and every kiss.

Everyone was shown to their rooms, and Nouren acquainted himself with his guest room. He got himself cleaned up, and spent the afternoon grooming his tail and picking out his clothes. When the time came for the banquet, he dressed, cleaned his teeth, fixed his hair, and put his crown atop his head before being escorted to the dining hall. He sat and listened to King Regus, and clapped for his sister. He really was happy for her, and felt she was lucky to be engaged with someone they had known since they were pups. He just wished it would happen for him too. He was beyond ready. 'Nouren, you're a hopeless romantic, you crazy fool.'

The room died down, and beautifully haunting music started to play. Out of nowhere, a small woman leapt out from behind a gold curtain, and Nouren was mesmerized. She was significantly smaller than most female wolves, her white ears pinned flat to her head as she sailed gracefully through the air. The silk ribbons made her look like she had wings almost, and she glittered in the most beautiful way. Her tail was shorter, but her ears were bigger than a normal wolf. Nouren’s eyes widened, realizing she wasn't a wolf, but a fox.

'A white fox!'

He knew the Patet kingdom had foxes as their servants, but he had never heard of a white one. Her slender body was moving and dancing in ways that stirred him, her flashing blue eyes captivating him. By the time she was done dancing, Nouren thought he was going to implode. Her gaze swept over them casually, and she took her turn bowing to the royals. When she saw him, she paused for a moment before bowing to him. He was smiling, impressed and smitten, trying to clap without being too enthusiastic about it. When all he really wanted to do was jump to his feet and holler like the rest of them. He watched her go, and knew he had to talk to her.

'You’re in trouble now, boy.'

~♧~

Nix was seated at a small table, dressed in a simple but beautiful blue dress that made her eyes stand out even more. Her mother had fixed her hair, and left it half pulled back. It was wavy from her previous braid, cascading down her entire back. Nix and her mother sat with some of the other slaves, ones that tended to the dining hall, serving food and cleaning up messes. However, they were not so friendly to either of them. The others sat as far away as they could, whispering about Nix.

"Her fur is so unnatural…”

"Must be nice, to be the favorite…”

"Had to have slept her way through…”

"Maybe it's a disease…"

"Ew, she better not give it to me!"

Nix swallowed the food in her mouth, then pushed her plate away, too disgusted to keep eating. Her eyes were narrowed and it took all she had not to snap her teeth at them. 'They have no idea what I'm even like, or how much I can’t stand being here.'

Her eyes snapped over to them when she heard the word slut, and she let out a low warning growl. Nix felt her mother lay a hand on her hand, reminding her silently that they were just words. She remembered her mother saying many times, ‘Let them talk, we know the truth. We will survive, like always.’ But the truth of it was that Nix had no idea why she was so different. Her mother refused to talk about it.

After everyone ate, the slaves scurried off to resume their kitchen duties, which left Nix and her mother alone. She let out a sigh, and relaxed in her chair, slightly sinking into the cushion. She watched some of the nobles get up and start dancing, their tails gracefully swirling around them as they spun and twirled. Sometimes Nix wished she had a longer tail, but was grateful to have a small one when she would hear the wolves occasionally yowling in pain when their tail got stepped on.

"Would you care for a dance?" a soft, manly voice asked, and Nix nearly jumped out of her chair.

“Maybe, when my heart starts beating again," she scolded, and turned to see who was talking to her. She felt the blood drain from her face, horrified. "Your Highness, please forgive my rudeness," she fell out of her chair to her knees to bow, her words rushing out of her trembling lips. "I did not think you would have come to the slaves table." She whimpered when she felt hands on her arms, and her fear turned to surprise when Prince Nouren was gently pulling her to her feet. Nix missed the look of confusion on his face, but he quickly brushed it off.

"It’s alright, you don't have to kneel, my apologies for scaring you." He let her go once she was on her feet again. "Your performance was amazing," he purred, his voice tempting her to lean closer. She felt heat in her ears, and she was thankful she had fur over them. Her cheeks however, were blushing a deep shade of pink.

"Thank you, your Highness. A compliment from you is most pleasing." Nouren smiled at her response.

“What is your name, fair lady?” he asked, and she blushed even further.

“Nix, your Highness,” she told him softly. Nouren then held his hand out to her.

"Would you care to dance with me, Nix?”

She felt like she was in a dream, her mind reeling from his question. 'Is this even okay? Am I even allowed to dance with a prince?' She hesitated, her hand reaching out, but not quite taking his hand.

"It’s okay," he whispered, and gently took her hand in his, whisking her away. Nix looked back at her mother to find her beaming with happiness, but she could read her mother like a book, and saw a small layer of worry underneath. "Forgive me, I'm a little rusty with the Patet dances. I've learned them, but it's been a while since I've had to dance them." His open honesty had her guard lowering, and she let a small giggle escape.

"It’s alright, I can show you again, if you'd like." She shyly took his hand in hers, and could feel the eyes of nobles and slaves alike boring a hole into her back. Nix felt like she might combust. She looked down nervously, and Nouren gently lifted her face to look at his.

"It’s okay, ignore them. I want to dance with you," he spoke softly, his steel gaze warm and gentle. Nix could feel herself zone into him, and soon forgot about everyone staring. She led him into one dance after another, breathless and laughing. For the first time in Nix’s life, she felt like a normal person, not a slave to a dangerously mad king. When they were done dancing, they were leaning on one another, panting and giggling like children. Both of their tails and ears drooped from exhaustion, and they couldn't help but smile at each other.

"That was the most fun I've had in a while," he breathed, his panting slowing. She nodded her head in agreement.

"It’s the most fun I've had with anyone in my life." The second she said it, she wished she could take it back. 'Why would you say that, you nitwit?' She scolded herself. She looked away from Nouren’s gaze, embarrassed with herself.

"Well, I'm glad I got to spend this time with you," he purred, his sultry voice making Nix’s knees weak. "Can we spend more time together?"

Nouren’s question caught her off guard, and it brought her back to reality. 'He's crazy, wanting to spend his time with a slave. It would hurt his reputation.' She bit her lip and stood up, folding her hands in front of her. She started to fidget with her fingers.

“Nouren I-"

"Nouren."