Throne of Blood and Moonlight

Chapter 2 Throne of Blood and Moonlight By Ruth Nalio

Weston…

I laughed again. “You are certainly a strange female.”

“I might as well make the most of what time I have. You are doing me a small favor, you know.”

“Really, and what is that?”

“The longer you keep me, the less time I have to spend with Devin.” She said in a disgusted tone.

“Who is Devin?” I countered, not knowing why another male's name caused my sudden anger that I had to tap down.

She frowned and glanced at me from the corner of her eye. “My father’s advisor, and my soon-to-be husband.”

“You do not like him?”

“I like you more than him and you kidnapped me.”

“Is he ugly?” I asked, guessing at the vanity of a princess.

“Oh no, he is very handsome. I just don’t like the way he makes me feel.”

“How does he make you feel female?”

“Slimy, trapped, and cold.”

“And you don’t feel trapped with me?” I countered, not sure why I cared.

“Somewhat, but in a different way, you are not smothering. You’re aggravating, but you are a Lycan.”

“And what is wrong with Lycans?” I demanded, feeling defensive.

“You are all uncivilized, it’s the dog in you,” She said simply.

“Really, and I have been uncivilized to you?” I countered, trying to stay calm.

She thought for a moment. “You kidnapped me, that is not very civilized.”

“I have not done anything brutal to you, most kidnappers would.”

“Yes, that’s true.” She agreed.

We were in the shade of the trees again, but she was still walking slowly. “Are you sure you will be fine?” I asked in concern.

She smiled at me. “You don’t want me to die. I guess that would ruin things for you though. I will be fine, give me a few moments.”

I shook my head. She was very odd, not complaining, or trying to escape. “You really don’t mind being kidnapped do you?”

“I do, I just see no point in fighting it at the moment; I am too tired.” She glanced at me and I noticed her silvery eyes for the first time. They were the same silvery moon color of her cloak. I truly looked at her face now, noticing that it was a small heart shape, framed by wavy black hair. She glanced at me again, “What are you looking at?”

“I just noticed the color of your eyes. It’s very odd.”

Her features hardened. “Now you are being rude.”

“I don’t mean to be, female, I didn’t say it was a bad thing, they are very beautiful, just odd.” I corrected her.

“I wish you would stop talking to me now.”

“Ah, but female, if we talk you can tell me about your castle, it’s quite beautiful.”

“I am not that stupid; you are trying to learn things about my castle so that you can get into it.”

“Ye are a smarter female than I gave you credit for,” I said with a small smile.

“How long until we reach your home?”

“My castle is 3 days from you if you travel all day and most of the night. If you travel just at night it’s a week.”

“How big is your castle?”

“Very big. I have guards at every side.” I told her, knowing she was now digging for information.

“So it’s secure?”

“Yes, you will not be able to escape,” I informed her.

“That’s not why I was asking.”

“Then why were you asking? You think your father will be able to get into my castle?” I countered.

“Yes, one way or another, he will get into your castle and kill you.”

“I think you are wrong, female. Once he knows I have you he will agree to whatever I say to keep you safe.”

“How do you know that he cares that much for me?” She countered.

“You are his only child from what I gather.”

“How do you know he will not just agree to things to get me back and then once I am safe, he won’t change his mind?” She asked.

“I’ll have to think on that. Perhaps I should just keep you as a permanent hostage, to ensure his good behavior.” The idea was somehow very intriguing.

“He will not go along with that. The moment he finds out you have me he will be knocking at your castle doors.”

“He will have to knock at night; my castle is set on a hill, in full sunlight,” I said, showing how little I believed her threat.

“I will find a way out to him and lead him into your castle to kill you.”

“You talk of this so calmly, like it could actually happen.” I mused.

“You are just a bunch of stupid mutts; I do not think it will be that hard to defeat you.”

“Female, I must warn you now, you cannot talk like that in front of the rest of my pack, they will not take kindly to it.”

“I will take my chances.” We fell into silence for the rest of the day. I noticed that she began walking slower and swerving some and decided she must have been tired, for it was night.

“We will stop up here for the night.” I led her to a cave hidden behind some trees and bushes. Once inside she sat down on a rock and looked around the space. “There isn’t anything to sleep on other than that pallet there. I used this cave on my way through.”

She looked at the pallet I had pointed out and then at me. “Where are you going to sleep?”

“I don’t need to sleep; lie down and get your rest, the morning will come early.” I walked over to her and took off the rope I had bound her wrist with. “You will sleep better without that.”

She eyed me wearily, “Thank you.” I nodded and walked to the front of the cave. I heard her move around and lie down on the pallet. I sat down with my back braced against the wall of the cave and relaxed once her breathing evened out as she fell asleep.

Stella…

I had lain there for over an hour pretending to sleep before I finally decided to open my eyes. Weston was asleep against the wall. I got up as silently as possible and made my way to the entrance. I stopped just before I would have stepped out to look at Weston again.

He was massive and must have been over six feet when standing. He had shaggy dark blond hair. He had a square jaw and perfectly defined cheekbones. My captor was indeed very handsome. I closed my eyes and took a step out of the cave.

“You had best be going to relieve yourself, female, I am not in the mood to chase you down.” I jumped at his words.

“I thought you were asleep.”

“No, just relaxing.” He opened his eyes and looked me up and down. “You are very quiet. You know what gave you away?” I shook my head. “Your scent.” He smiled. “You forgot I am a Lycan.”

I rolled my eyes. “If you don’t mind, I would like to relieve myself.”

“You have two minutes to get back here before I come looking for you.” I hurried out of the cave. Drat the man, I was going to attempt to find my way back home but not now. There was no way I was going to get far enough in two minutes, especially when I did have to go.

I was making my way back to the cave when Weston stepped out in front of me. He crossed his arms and looked at me. “Don’t look at me like that, I was on my way back.”

“Are you even going to sleep, or were you just hoping I would let my guard down and you could escape?”

“I don’t even know where I am!”

“That is not the question I asked you, female.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yes, I am going to sleep.” He nodded his head then stepped aside. “Bloody mutt,” I mumbled as I walked by him and back into the cave. I curled up on the pallet and closed my eyes. I was tired, I just wasn’t sure I would be able to sleep in this situation. I wanted to escape.

A warm, heavy hand settled on my shoulder and gently shook me, “Wake up Stella, it’s time we move.” I waved at the hand, not realizing where I was until I rolled over and off the small pallet. Weston gave a soft chuckle.

“Bloody hell, do you have no manners!” I snapped as I jumped to my feet. “You don’t laugh at a princess, ever!” I glared at him.

He shook his head, “It’s daylight, let’s go.”

I glanced at the entrance to the cave. “There is not very much light in the sky.” I crossed my arms and glared at him once more.

“The sun is rising, it’s time to go, do not make me carry you.” He warned.

“Fine, you bloody huge mutt.” I stepped over the pallet and proceeded to walk to the cave entrance.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me around to face him. “You need to stop, female, before I get tired of your insults.”

I sighed, “Do you really think I care? You are a mongrel, I am a Vampire, that is all there is to it.”

“I am a Lycan, and you do not see me calling you a leach.”

I shrugged out of his hold, “Lycan, mutt, mongrel, it’s all the same to me.”

He narrowed his eyes, “Female, you had best listen to me.”

“I thought you wanted to get going, not lecture me.”

He sighed and pulled me out of the cave, “You are a very odd female, I don’t understand you.”

“It’s not for you to understand, I am your captive, nothing more.”

“And yet you continue to point out that you are a princess.”

“And you continue to point out that you are a bloody Lycan.”

“You don’t seem to understand what that means.”

“And you understand what a princess is.” I countered.

“Yes, my captive, princess.”

“Yes, but still a princess.” I snapped. I glanced around, looking for a way to get away from him. I gave an inward sigh when there was none.

“So you keep saying. It will take a lot longer than three days to get to the castle at this rate, can you run a ways?”

I looked at him for a moment before it sunk in. “Yes, I am a Vampire, and therefore very fast, do you think you can keep up?”

“Female, do you forget so easily? I am part Vampire as well.” He pulled out a rope. “I am going to tie us together, that way I do not lose you. You will have three feet of slack from me, you had best keep up.” I glared at him as he tied the rope around my waist and then around his own. He smiled at me and started running, pulling me into motion.