Wings of Grace

Chapter 6

Later that afternoon he decided he would venture to the woods he now owned.

As soon as he approached an open clearing, he came upon a lovely scene a beautiful young lady wolf was dancing there. She seemed so charming and graceful, and Antoine immediately fell in love with her, well, perhaps not real love, but at the very least he was infatuated with her.

Each day at about the same time Antoine arrived at the same spot, hoping to catch a glimpse of her again. His presence remained undiscovered until, on one visit, his foot happened to snap a twig. She was startled, but unafraid, though a little embarrassed at having been discovered on someone esle's property. He shly introduced himself and she did the same. "my name is Luna", she told him, and the long conversation began. They told each other about their lives and he also admitted that he had been there watching her secretly for a number of days, and she seemed pleased to hear this. She was very impressed with him too, with both his life story and his gentle manner.

She thought to herself, "Silverglade has been good to me so far, but this one is entirely different. I like this.. I feel so much more comfortable with him."

Luna knew that as long as she lived in Silver's home, she would be carefully watched, if not by him, then by Shadow or one of his employees, whose presence she felt even when she didn't see them.

She also realized that getting away for some personal time would be difficult. She delicately explained this need to Silver and, surprisingly he understood and agreed that she needed a little freedom. Had he been aware that she had been secretly arranging trysts with another, his kindness could have quickly turned to rage; she had witnessed this on several occasions and certainly did not wish to be the recipient of such anger. What Silver was capable of doing was something Luna didn't want to test.

But still this fox, Antoine, had displayed no such traits so far. He was gentle and fun-loving, and she felt safe with him. She knew how he had been let down by those he loved and she was determined to do what she could to bring him happiness into his life. It would be risky to keep meeting him, but she was willing to chance it.

At each rendesvous Antoine would bring her some simple token to Luna. One day he presented a handful of wild flowers; on another was a daisy-chain for her head. He even surprised her by singing a song to her in french, a tune he learned as a child. Maybe h didn't have the greatest singing voice, but she appreciated his efforts.

Realistically, Luna couldn't begin to compare these little gifts from Antoine to the elaborate jewels and gowns that Silver lavished on her, but she knew the items from Antoine had come from the heart. He knew she loved wildflowers and music and of course dancing... perhaps she could coax him into trying that with her.

Several days later as Luna was working on a new dance step, she saw Antoine headed her direction as usual. She boldly reached out and took his paw n hers and led him into the clearing. Humming a simple tune to provide music, she introduced him to some waltz; to her delight he was ready for this and unexpectedly reach his other paw around to hold her closer as the whirled around to the beat of her song. She gazed up at him and he leaned down, putting his muzzle against her hair.

The young couple did not hear the horse's hooves along the path. SilverGlade was out for a ride and had witnessed the pair as they danced. He kept what he saw to himself for the time being never mentioning it to Luna when she arrived back at his home. Silver was thinking, "So this is where she goes every day, and why!" His jealiousy and rage began to invade his mind. But he allowed life to go on as normal. After all, he devised his own master plan and he needed Luna there in order to complete that plan.

Antione had been deliberating, actually arguing with himself if he should tell Luna about his castle. She must have at least view it from the clearing and wondered who owned it. Should he confess that it belonged to him, and should he invite her there for a visit?

Of course he ment no harm to her, ye he found feeling of guilt creep over him... what if she belonged to another? They had never talked about matter like that during their many conversations. To believe she was his alone could be assuming too much. It might out her in danger if someone saw them together and he certainly wouldn't dream of doing that. Well, he would at least mention the property and how he had obtained it. That part of his life he had not discussed with her. He'd tell her later...

Antoine gathered enough courage to ask Luna where she had lived, and her answer made his blood run cold. "SilverGlade didnt rescue you from the lab, he had been employed there, and your now living in his home! Be careful Luna, be very careful!"

Stories about Silver's work at the lab had been spread around by a certain fennec fox whom had several nasty run-ins with him, and these tails had reached Antoine's ears. How much was just that (tales told in anger) and how much was true Antoine didn't know; he decided not to have Luna visit his home at this time.

Their meetings in the woods continued. One day Antoine arrived early and took advantage of the time to practice his swordplay. To his surprised Luna had slipped out of the bushes and proceeded to spar with him, feigning moves and countering whatever he did with exceptional uncanny skill.

When the session was over, they both stood there laughing, not certain who to call the winner. This was a side of her Antoine had never anticipated, this could become adventurous some day, he thought.