What lurks in the dark

Chapter Two.

Leo made his way outside, he was tired from his journey, but even more exhausted from the men, women, and that god awful wine that was served at the party. But that didn’t deter him one bit. He needed to see her, he had to see her.

“She had to be in the garden,” he thought because it is the only place that this path leads to. And indeed, after walking quietly through the trees, and taking in the calmness of the night, he found her.

He froze, holding his breath, taking in the sight of the beauty who stood ahead of him, completely oblivious to his presence.

The stars shone brightly, further illuminating her feature. A gentle breeze blew through the night, gently tickling the stray strands that ringed her face. The moon was bright, giving her a glow which wasn’t eerie in the slightest. Linaria stood motionless in front of the bed of roses she visited earlier. The darkness did little to obscure its beauty.

He was spellbound. Leo continues to stare at the beautiful damsel who had caught his eyes earlier. He noticed she wasn’t with a companion, neither did she look like she was expecting someone else. She was just out here for the silence, calm and peace.

He watched as she took everything all in, with a faint smile on her face. He had a wonderful view of her from where he stood, he could see every feature of her, but she couldn't see him. The moon shone brightly on her features, emphasizing her beauty. She was stunning. Anyone looking at her would be unable to identify which of her characteristics stood out the most; her beauty could not be highlighted. Simply put, she was ethereal.

He also watched her halwa in awe. they are the streak of lights surrounding her entire frame, not that she could see it, but he could. It is one of his magical abilities to able to see and know ones magical strength, and strength of ones swordsmanship, and looking at her right now, she does have much of it. He has seen ladies that posses remarkable swordsmanship before and have magic, but he has never met one who wielded both this much at the same time.

Leo gazed at her eyes, they shone with joy, they still held deep grief and sorrow. He was enchanted, no transfixed at how her jet black hair complimented the only of the night, with only a faint light of her halwa shining on the hair. He watched as the loose tendrils encircled her face before she let her hair fall down her back. Her hair fell to the middle of her back. It was in an unusual shape, one he'd never seen before. Leo’s gaze wandered as he took in her appealing physique. She wasn't skinny, but she was obviously curvaceous. She had been greatly gifted in the physical department, and her dark hair looked stunning against her pale complexion.

He slowly emerged from his hiding spot, her back towards him, he tapped her shoulder. “You shouldn’t be out here all alone”

“Why?” She asked turning around.

“For your own sake. You wouldn’t know know what might be lurking in the dark, waiting to attack.”

“Precisely why you followed me out here, isn’t it? To stands as a hero, to protect me from all that might tend to attack me. Or did you think of me vain enough to assume or believe rather, that you and I, standing all alone in this garden, at this time of the night is merely a coincidence.?” She smirked.

“Mmhhh” he nodded in appreciation, “I’m Leonizodel, Leo for short. You are?”

“Oh I know clearly who you are your highness. As for who I am, it is a shame you do not know. I do not plan on telling you. You’ll have to figure that out yourself,” She said, inclining her head a bit, as a sign of respect.

“Have a wonderful night Mi Xyse” she bowed her head, and turn to leave.

“You know, it will be a shame indeed if I didn’t know who you are.” He said, tapping his forefinger to his chin in a mock sign of thoughts. “Let’s see, I know for a fact that this garden is only accessible to family, or a few workers and loyals of the palace....”

She stops walking, but doesn’t turn around.

“You are adorned in silk and diamonds, which automatically cancels you from being a worker. Maybe a loyal then. But as far as I know, we have only six families that are loyals in this kingdom, and I know them all, you’re not part of any.”

She turned around, her eyes twinkling with mischief, barely holding herself back from bursting into laughter. “Do not bother yourself much Mi Xyse, you have had a tiring day indeed, it will be good for your health if you go to bed right now, rather than stress your royal mind.” She turns around to leave again, but this time, he physically stops her, holding her hand and turning her around to look at him.”

“You are right on every account. But I suggest you let me finish my assessment of you, before you leave.” He looks her deep in the eyes, and continues. “You see, we’ve struck out that fact that you are neither a worker, nor a part of the loyal families, which leaves us now with one more option to explore, family.” He released her hands, and took a step back to access her face clearly. “I would be confused as to which part of the family you belong to, is it Mimou’s part, or Pappou’s part. But your uncanny resemblance to my Aunt Pandora, gives me my answer, Linaria.”

She made an exaggerated intake of breath and then smiled. “It’s good to know you’ve inherited the sharp senses of my uncle, Cousin”

“And it is good to know that you have quite the sense of humor,” He smiled.

“Oh, it’s not just the sense of humor. I have the sharp senses too. The observation, and the alertness.” She returned the smile, the mischief back in her eyes. “The observation to notice how you could not take your eyes off me nearly all the night, and the alertness to be conscious of your presence, the moment you stepped into this garden.”

“So you see, cousin, it is not just sense of humor that I possess, but the sharp senses too. Now I’ll take my leave, because we might be cousins, but we are man and woman, and we are of marriageable ages, so it will be such a scandal for someone to walk in and find us alone here, especially at such an ungodly hour as this.” She turned around to leave, and without turning back to look at him, she said, “Good night cousin, I hope you reswell.” And with that, she walked out of his view, and the garden.

Leo stood there for more minutes watching where she had left. Indeed she is a smart woman. He might have underestimated her, for she is beyond just beauty, magic, and excellent swordsmanship.

And when Leo went to bed that night, all he could see was Linaria, and the movement of her mouth saying “we are man and woman, and we are of marriageable ages....”