Athos couldn't escape from the image of Ora crying in his mind. He would give anything to make her smile again. But after hearing the uproarious news of her sudden engagement, even he wasn't sure how to accomplish that.

"For the love of gods!" he cursed.

"Sire, here is the wine you requested."

Athos took the glass from Luther

Athos took the glass from Luther. He hoped the bitter taste would allow for a slight distraction. But all he could picture was Ora wearing another man's ring on her hand.

Crash!!

Athos didn't even flinch as the wine glass crumbled in his hand. Blood began streaming down his hands and arms.

"Sire!"

He held up his injured hand.

"Forget it."

"Are you alright? You seem rather distracted lately, if you don't mind me saying," Luther pointed out.

Athos stared out his window, taking in the eternal night sky. He sighed.

"Have you ever been in love, Luther?"

The servant shook his head.

"No, Sire. I can't say I have."

Athos grimaced. "I was once. Or, I thought I was."

"What happened?" he asked.

"Time, Luther. Time reveals the truth in everything. Time is all creatures like us have. And as time went by we began to see through the cracks in each other's character. Long story short- we didn't like what we saw."

"I'm sorry his majesty had to experience something so unpleasant."

Athos smirked.

"We all make mistakes, my friend. Come to think of it, I will even admit to rushing hastily into things when I was younger with my ex-wife. But, never was I robbed of my choice as to whom I would marry."

Luther broke his deep train of thought. "Is that why Lady Ora is so upset?"

Suddenly Athos was brought back to the present. He snapped his attention towards his servant. His eyes blazed a fiery shade of red.

"How do you know that?" he hissed. His claws grew long, ready to attack.

Luther pointed upward.

"Sire, I believe she is singing. Right now."

Athos listened closely and followed the noise up.

"You're right. It is her."

The melody that played through his ears was not like the one from before. It lacked excitement and wonder. Instead it was filled with sadness.

Without a word, Athos vanished from the castle and made his way up to the mortal realm.

. . .

Athos watched from afar as Ora continued to sing. Her rhythms of anguish clashed against the winds. He noticed the sky above them had swirled with dark, ominous clouds that warned them of a looming storm.

"Ora!" he called out.

But, the girl could not hear him over the wind. A rumble of thunder shook the ground.

"Ora! We have to go. It's not safe out here!"

Still she could not hear him. She continued to sing and twirl around the fountain as if she were hypnotized.

The sky lit up and before they knew it- a sharp blast of lightning hit the trees around them. Ora stopped singing to watch the dazzling light strike the treeline. She had never seen something so wild in her life.

Suddenly a horrible sound ripped through the air. Both their eyes pulled up to the tallest tree where the sharpest branch stuck out.

Ora gasped in fear as the sharp branch crashed downward, straight for her.

"Ora!" Athos screamed against the wind.

With his inhuman speed, he traced to her side and snatched her away before the branch hit the ground. He covered her body with his own like a shield.

She opened her eyes to find Athos looming over her. His eyes shined a bright red. He peered down at her in seething rage.

"What are you doing out here?" he shouted in anger.

All she could do was speak his name.

"Athos," she whispered.

"God damnit, woman, you could have been killed! Do you have any idea how furious I am with you right now?!"

Ora couldn't keep from smiling up at him.

"You came back."

"What are you doing out here in the middle of a damn storm?!"

"Athos."

"What?!"

With what strength she had left, Ora reached up to pull his head down to hers. For a moment, all of his anger and frustration melted away. In turn his heart nearly bursted out of his hollow chest as she kissed him passionately and deeply.

Athos pulled back for a second to collect his thoughts

Athos pulled back for a second to collect his thoughts.

"Ora," he hushed.

He brushed her hair from her face only to find tears forming in her eyes.

"Oh, Athos," she wept.

"What is it? You're safe now," he assured her.

She shook her head gently.

"Safe, yes. But not free."

For a brief second, Athos could have sworn he saw a light flicker in her eyes. A kind of light he hadn't seen in centuries.

(If you like the story so far please feel free to comment or ask questions!)