Silver Lining, Pt. 6

    He lasted three days. Aurora was surprised he lasted at all. After the third day of playing the compliant patient Sebastian insisted he was fine and wanted to be on the road. Aurora agreed that they should stay for the rest of the week at least yet Sebastian wouldn’t hear it. Finally Nana simply told Aurora to be on their way loading Aurora’s herb pouch with more herbs and potions. Relenting Aurora agreed. She and Sebastian set out on the fourth morning walking past the children who became friends and admirers. As they crested a hill outside of the town going north Aurora turned and waved goodbye to Nana who she knew was watching. As Sebastian walked ahead of her down the hill she sighed as she watched the town feeling a familiar longing inside her.

    “Why didn’t you stay?”

    Aurora turned around to see Sebastian staring up at her from the bottom of the hill. She drank in his image as the sun played off his brown hair glinting like gold. His arm with still in a sling but with his swords on his hips he looked everything like a warrior ready to fight. And his leather pants that were tailored to his legs for easy movement and his linen shirt that flapped in the open wind showcased his sexuality. Aurora breathed slowly as she drank him in feeling a curious sensation spread through her chest.

    Keeping her breathing steady she went down the hill to him smiling, “You’ll be killed without me.”

    He watched her as she walked by the stance of her shoulders and back showing the power of a warrior yet the swish and grace of her hips showing the power of a woman. He watched as strains of her hair fell from that frustrating braid/bun framing her face. He knew it would make her eyes pop and wished she would turn around so he could see. When that desire filled his head he deliberately shook it out of his mind biting his tongue to keep from forming the words. He had no business feeling anything for a vampire let alone Aurora. He paused thinking that should have been the other way around, right?

    “What’s the matter with you? First you wanted to do now you’re dragging your feet.”

    Sebastian looked up to see her standing with her hands on her hips blowing strains of her hair from her eyes. He was right, they did pop. Suddenly he felt an urge to go to her and crush her to him. Whether to embrace or something, he couldn’t say. With deliberate control of his feet he forced himself to walk calmly to her as he spoke.

    “Lost in thought, sorry.” He caught up to her and they fell in step together each trying to ignore the pull and sparks between them, for sure thinking the other did not feel it. To pull his thoughts away from her revealing top, if you could call it that, Sebastian cleared his throat and tried again, “No I meant earlier, why didn’t you stay 30 years ago? What happened?”

    A dark look fell over her eyes as her mood became somber, “It was nothing really. Some monsters were killing the townspeople so I went and killed them. I left after that.”

    “Why?” The question came out before he could stop himself asking himself why he even wanted to know.

    Aurora glanced at him surprised at his curiosity. She cleared her throat and looked straight ahead, “I knew someone followed me. I knew they saw me kill the monsters and while it wasn’t apparent I was a vampire right then I knew rumors would fly. The townspeople’ve already been through the tragedy of another monster. They didn’t need the anxiety of another.”

    Sebastian watched her closely as they stepped down another hill. He knew what he wanted to say, what he should say but he wasn’t sure why he was even hesitating. Without missing a beat he widens his stride to walk slightly ahead of her as he whispered, “You’re not a monster Aurora.”

    Aurora blinked at him. It’s not like there weren’t some people who didn’t consider her monsters. Those who’ve she helped out during her travels over the centuries hailed her as a hero even. But to hear those words from Sebastian, to even see what could pass as a blush on his face made her smile. She felt a warmth spread through her beatless heart and knew parts of the answer from before. She cared about Sebastian very much.

    The days turned as they walked in comfortable silence from then on, sometimes even hitching a ride on wayward wagons traveling north. It would take another two weeks on the already two weeks they’ve traveled to reach the Whitelands. Villages and towns would start becoming sparse as they get closer and closer to the top of the world. Luckily they were able to hitch one last ride to a small tracking village on the edge of was considered the Heaven Kingdom. The Kingdom lays claim to any ground that’s green and the place they were going was nothing but frozen ice. The village up ahead was the last one on this northern trail and the whiteness of the lands ahead were visible from here.

    The wagon stopped and Aurora and Sebastian jumped out thanking the family of five for the lift. The three young boys quickly labeled Sebastian as their hero and pestered him with questions the entire ride up. Aurora laughed inside her cheek knowing he was happy to have some peace of mind as the family drove off. The family disappeared around some huts, heading to their distant relatives they were visiting, leaving Aurora and Sebastian on the edge of the village. Aurora turned to Sebastian studying him up and down. She was glad to see he no longer needed the sling, his shoulder long healed by now. It still pained him when he trained too long in the mornings while he thought Aurora wasn’t watching. She knew it still hurt and wish she could help. She finally took notice of how cold it was and even though he refused to show she knew he must be freezing.

    “We should get you some fur clothing. It’ll only be colder the further we go up.”

    He crossed his arms trying to play it off when he was secretly warming his chest as they walked into the village, “What about you? You’re wearing less than me.”

    “I don’t feel it anymore.”

    He slowed his steps as he watched her going to the closest person to ask about fur clothing. On their journey north they slowly became companions as they traveled, talking here and there but Sebastian can’t remember one single thing he learned about here. She was a vampire, yes but he had no idea how long she’s been one. It was said that vampires only drank blood, never needing food again yet Aurora cooked all their meals and ate together with him. The first few nights they traveled he slept with half an ear to make sure she wouldn’t sneak off to drink some poor soul dry. She never did. In all the days they’ve traveled together he has never seen her desperate for blood or taking his or even coming back with blood on her lips. The fact that she was a vampire completely slipped his mind till moments like these.

    Aurora was able to purchase identical clothing of fur boots, pants, and coats. Even though she did not require additional clothing if she only bought clothes for Sebastian the people would begin to raise their eyebrows. There was little chance they would ever find out what she was but she did not wish to risk Sebastian’s life for traveling with a vampire. After handing the seller some copper coins and a few strips of wild meat from their hunts she gathered the new clothing and went back to Sebastian. She turned around to see him standing directly behind her, staring at her intensely.

    She stumbled slightly at his heated gaze, “Wh-What?”

    He was quiet for a moment and Aurora was beginning to fear something was wrong when he spoke, “Who are you really?”

    She was confused at that as she tilted her head, “What?”

    Whatever thought was holding onto his head he seemed to shake it out. He muttered something about nonsense and took the clothing from her quickly wrapping a coat around himself. Walking off in search for a meal still muttering to himself, Aurora stared after him. She couldn’t help but wonder what has gotten into him. She pulled herself out of her own thoughts as she raced after him, pulling on a coat for appearance sake herself.

    As they walked Aurora tried to ease the tension rolling from his back, “It’s been so long since we’ve slept inside. Why don’t we get a room for the night before we head out?”

    “Hmm? Yeah that’s fine.”

    He waved a hand at her, still lost in his thoughts as Aurora rolled her eyes. She asked a few villagers and they were able to point her to the only lodge in the village, the rooms even come with a meal. With Sebastian not paying any attention to where he was going Aurora ended up pulling on his sleeve, dragging him to the building wondering what it was that was going on with him. They walked inside to a room with a fire ablazed against the chilly air. The woman behind the counter smiled showing her missing teeth as Aurora ordered two rooms and meals.

    “I’m sorry dear. I’m afraid we’ve only got one room left. A lot of hunter stayed behind for the new season.”

    “Oh well, I guess that’s alright.”

    The woman tallied off the cost and Aurora dug out the last of her coins to pay. She was thinking of how she should make some money while the woman rambled on about something about the room. Neither of them paid attention, lost in their own worlds as the woman lead them to a dining area to eat their meals. As the fresh food and hot beverage were put in front of them their thoughts were forgotten as they ate. After their meal of pickled pig and hash they sat and drank mugs of hot mead as the sun set sharing pleasant conversation. An hour after it set the woman from before told them the dining area would be closed for the night and they must head to their rooms. She gave them the key and directions on how to get there.

    Going up the stairs to the second floor they found their room at the end of the hall, Aurora unlocking the door. Sebastian shut the door closed behind him as she got the fire going and turned when the room was lit. He stopped when he saw the lone bed in the room. It was big enough for a couple and clearly used by couples. Aurora was calm as she started pulling her furs off setting her pouch on a chair in the corner. Sebastian felt his throat tighten as he tried to swallow.

    Swallow the frog his throat creaked as he spoke, “You can have the bed. I’ll sleep on the floor.”

    Without even looking at him he saw her smile and wave a hand, “No need. I need to go scouting anyways. See you in the morning.”

    Quick as a flash, dressed only in her usual pants and breast strap she opened the window and vanished into the growing storm. The village would be covered in snow by the morning and Sebastian quickly shut the window sighing. Leaning his forehead against the glass he felt the cold of it steam against his hot skin. How stupid could he be? He saw a single bed and jumped to conclusions. He was ashamed at how he assumed they would be forced to share a bed and was even more ashamed at feeling disappointment that they hadn’t.

    Angry at himself he pulled the drapes, nearly yanking them off the rack as he turned away. Throwing a few more logs in the woodstove he threw his new fur coat off and pulled the quilt down. Kicking his shoes across the room he laid on his back with his hands behind his head staring up at the ceiling feeling the cold air lick at his hot skin. It took a long time for him to sleep and longer still for that sleep to be restful as he couldn’t help but wonder at his desire to lay in bed with Aurora. He had flash and visions in his dream of a silver hair warrior, even waking up with an image with Aurora under him as he made love to her, her silver hair spread out on the bed.

    When he woke he felt more tired than when he went to sleep. With that last image playing in his mind he groaned in his hand as he sat up. What the hell was he playing at? He wanted a vampire. A vampire! Groaning, sick with himself he threw his feet over the edge of the bed feeling the cold wood beneath his feet. It was then he noticed how cold the room was and looked up to see the fire had long died out. As he got up to rekindle the fire he blocked the images from his dream back into the dark corners of his mind. With the fire going again a noise from behind him sounded. He spun around in alarm reaching for his sword at his hip but grabbed nothing. He scanned the room, trying to remember where he put it when he spotted it by his boots on the floor. He ran to them, grabbing one just at the window opened.

    “Oh, you’re up. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to wake you.”

    Aurora climbed into the room covered in snow. The wind howled outside, throwing snow into the room as she closed the window against the storm. She turned back to see Sebastian panting, holding his sword up as his naked chest glinted in the firelight.

    “What the hell is your problem?!”

    She blinked, tearing her eyes away from his gleaming skin, “What?”

    Lowering his sword he held it at his side as he walked to her, “How long have you been gone?” He grabbed her wrist and was startled at how cold she was, “What the hell?!” Before she could say anything he dragged her to the fire plotting her on the ground before it grabbing their furs, gathering them all together.

    “Sebastian, Sebastian it’s ok, it’s not hurting me.”

    He didn’t hear her. He sat down behind her, pulling her in between his legs as he wrapped them both in the furs.

    Aurora freaked, trying to get up, “What-What are you doing?!”

    Her cheeks flared as she felt his hot breathing in her ear, “You need to warm up.” She started shivering as sensation after sensation from long ago assaulted her, “See, you’re shivering.”

    She wasn’t shivering because she was cold. She shivered some more as his arms came around her, pulling her closer against his chest. Her skin felt electrified as the made contact. His breathing became heaver on her ear as he brought her closer. Aurora could barely think straight as she became acutely aware of everywhere she and Sebastian touched. She didn’t want to admit it but when she saw the single bed she had a flash of the two of them making wild love together. She had imagined being him with days and now he was holding her. Aurora stilled her muscles intending to enjoy whatever this was as long as she could.

    She felt like death. She was as cold as death! That terrified him more than he wanted to admit. All he could think of was making sure she was ok, bringing her back to life. Nothing mattered but the woman in his arms. She was in his arms? He suddenly became acutely aware of Aurora sitting still in his lap. She was breathing deep and slow, her breast brushing against his arm as she breathed. He felt his head lit on fire as his nose filled with her sent. It was something wild, like nature yet smelled sweet and gentle. He became aware that he was squeezing her; she was trying to say something. He quickly loosen his hold.

    “I’m sorry. I just…”

    He let his words die as he leaned his forehead on her shoulder. Her skin still felt slightly cold to the touch but she no longer felt like death and for that he was grateful. Aurora turned her head to find her nose deep in his hair. She was amazed at how soft and smooth it was and shocked herself at taking a small whiff of his scent. It was earthy and sung of strong masculinity. Trying to play it off and remain calm as her blood roared in her head she cleared her throat.

    “It’s ok Sebastian. My body no longer generates heat so when I’m in cold places my skin becomes cold.”

    “But I’ve felt your skin being warm before.”

    He spoke as he looked up then stopped as their eyes locked, their mouths a breath away. The heat from the fire was nothing compared to the heat between them. Aurora’s eyes widen their silver color softening as she stared at his lips. His became as hard at the gem they resemble watching her lick her lips. He moved in closer, Aurora placing a hand on his hot chest. Whether to stop him or brace herself she’ll never know. Suddenly a wolf howled outside the window breaking the spell between them. Aurora broke their eye contact first as she tried to clear her dry throat. She tried backing out of his lap but he still held her firm in place. She looked up about to tell him they shouldn’t. A painful look was in his eyes, stopping her words on her lips.

    “You’re still cold.”

    Her throat felt as dry as the desert as she stared at the pain in his eyes. Her heart wrenched, knowing she caused it yet not sure how. She tried to smile and failed, “I’m fine.” He thought she would try to move again but she only turned to the fire to watch the flames dance. She whispered, “But I can stay.”

    He felt his body harden, pulling his arms tighter around her. He brought her back to his bare chest and nearly sighed as he felt her warm skin against his hot skin. They stayed there for the rest of the night with Sebastian quickly falling asleep. With him snoring peacefully on her shoulder Aurora tried to get up but every time she moved he automatically held her tighter. She raked her brain to figure out what was going on and yet she was purely content to enjoy the night in his arms.