Lycan's Affection

Conaan's lips parted as the rain eased up outside, giving way for a bit of the way overdue light of dawn to come through. His eyes watched the mist, his chest slightly heaving.

"Conaan?"

He slowly turned, his eyes taking in Eleanor. "Yes? Have the soldiers returned?"

Eleanor swallowed. "No, I...they have not returned yet. They have not sent a message either."

Conaan's jaw visibly clenched, and he turned away, his heart picking up eben faster. The rain was almost gone now, and his hand smoothened out his hair, his lips sucked in.

"Conaan. Please rest. I assure you, it will be fine. I sent a lot of them and..."

Conaan slowly stood up, then turned to her. "Eleanor."

Her eyes lifted to him, and there was guilt hidden in them, her eyes quite remorseful. "Conaan. I apologize. Truly, but I will make sure..."

"Come help me wash my hair," he said simply, his eyes holding hers. "My hands feel weak."

Eleanor immediately nodded, and she followed behind him. He said nothing, then walked slowly to the bath house. It was warm, and he immediately went in, his chest heaving.

"Conaan, I will bring the oils for your hair. Please wait."

He did not reply, and she walked away, leaving him alone. His heart raced in his chest, and his eyes closed, a hand coming over to his chest.

He gave a small sigh, trying hard to concentrate on anything else, anything at all that was not Brandon, or the sinking feeling inside of him.

Jamie sighed, then tapped Jenna once more. One hand was lodged in his mouth, biting down his nails. He sighed as she did not reply yet again. She had been immobile since last night, ever since she had fainted.

It was weird, and even Eric had not returned home yet. He sighed, then stood up, lightly pacing the room. He turned to her once, then sighed. It seems there was no option. He would have to take her to the nearby healer.

He went back to her, picking her up bridal style. He walker briskly to the door, just as it suddenly opened up. Jamie moved back, his eyes lifting to the new person.

The man had his hair pulled back, his eyes wide, his breaths coming out in ragged spurts, his hand clasped over his stomach. There was blood filled on his hand and all over the place his hand had clasped, and he swallowed hard, his chest heaving as he looked up to Jamie.

"Help me," he murmured, his hand holding on to the door knob. "I have to..."

Jamie swallowed, his eyes widening as he took in the man. He looked extremely like the person he had seen during the few times he had seen the king, Conaan.

"Are you His...His Majesty?"

The man shook his head. "I am...His Highness's shadow. My name is Shadow."

Jamie's lips fell open, and he immediately put Jenna back, then ran back to Shadow. He wrapped his hand around his shoulder, then started to lead him inside.

Shadow swallowed, then slumped to the floor, his breaths coming in short bursts.

"I...I will bring a healer."

"No," Shadow said, stopping him. "I am a shadow lycan. I will heal on my own."

He immediately nodded, and Shadow turned away, his eyes falling on Jenna. Jamie swallowed.

"She is sick. I am taking her to the healer."

Shadow nodded. "I am sorry for intruding, but I currently can not be around His Highness as I am injured."

"I understand. Shadow lycans take the form of their owner. But once injured, especially if the owner is powerful, it might kill them."

Shadow sighed. "You are intelligent. I will tell His Majesty about you."

Jamie shook his head. "It is quite okay, Shadow. I will...take my sister away."

Shadow did not reply, and he walked away with Jenna. Shadow's eyes squinted as he watched Jenna's face, his hand pressing down on his wound.

He was taking longer than normal healing on his own, and he gave a small sigh. Conaan can not see him now, and it bothered him. He closed his eyes and lay back down, a small breath escaping him.

Eleanor was behind Conaan, a towel in her hand as she dried off Conaan's hair. He was wearing a loose robe that fell around the stool he sat on, his eyes fixed on his reflection.

"Do you feel better now?" Eleanor asked, leaning to his ear.

He turned to her, his eyes meeting hers so close their lashes touched.

"Thank you."

Eleanor gave a small smile. "What do you have to thank me for? This is my responsibility. To ensure you are fine."

He nodded, then slowly leaned closer and upwards, lightly kissing her eyes. They closed under his lips, then fluttered open as he slowly moved away.

He gave her a faint smile, his hand gently cupping her right cheek, bringing her to him.

"It feels like it has been centuries," she said, her eyes closing, her hands holding on to his hand, gently massaging it.

"I need you to know, Eleanor. That you need to wait for me. No matter where I go, as long as it is not with you, I shall return. As long as you are somewhere else, I will come. It is the most selfish thing I will ask of you, but my affection is selfish and you have all of it."

She smiled, pressing her lips lightly to his. "Do you even need to ask? I..."

"Your Highness!" The yell was deafening, and Conaan immediately pulled away, his eyes wide.

"Did something happen? I will..."

"No. Let me go there."

Eleanor nodded, then watched as Conaan stood up, then immediately walled behind him. He walked briskly, his chest lightly heaving, the urgency in the yell transfered to him.

He got to the door, then hesitated, his hand slowly holding the knob.

"Conaan?"

He didn't turn, but nodded, then opened the door. Just as he stepped out, blood splashed from nowhere, the blood bathing him, falling on his face and bare chest, as Brandon's body fell right at his feet.

Brandon's eyes were closed, his chest and back torn open, strangled, in his hand a clutched letter, and very dead.