Escaping

[Leyna de Somerville]

I laughed. "I am going to have to make a list of all the questions I think you will answer 'Noche' to and see if I'm right," I said, smiling. "Mine is the pendant that I wear most of the time, the sigil of Elua on one side, Anael on the other. My father gave it to me when I turned ten. It has been passed down in my family for longer than anyone knows, it is a link to my family no matter where I am."

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

For some reason that statement reminded me how young she was in some ways. "It sounds like you miss your family a great deal," I said sympathetically. "But it's good that you have a way to keep them with you."

[Leyna de Somerville]

"I miss them, but in a different way than I thought I would. It might have something to do with the events that have occurred since I have been away from them, but what I miss the most is the normality that existed before I came here alone. I miss the peace and safety that seemed to abound then. I miss my mother and father too, but not in the way I thought I would. I thought I wouldn't know what to do if something bad happened, but I have found I am more capable than I realized."

I chuckled softly.

"Forgive me, I didn't mean to sound as if I was bragging," I said, smiling.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"That's the time when people on their own make or break, when crisis occurs. It sounds like you've learned your own strength." Smiling, I leaned over quickly and kissed her cheek. "Your family must be very proud."

[Leyna de Somerville]

"I hope so," I said, smiling. My cheek burned from his kiss and I tried not to concentrate on it.

"When was the first time you were away from all your family?" I asked him.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"When I was sixteen, I was sent to live with the army so I could get some practical experience and I got my own home and lands. Since then I've been away from my family a great deal, and learned that family is defined by what you carry with you wherever you go," I answered her.

[Leyna de Somerville]

I smiled at his answer, trying to imagine what he must have been like at sixteen.

"And what defines your family?" I asked. "What do you carry with you?"

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"My memories, my nature, my sense- all of those came from my family," I said with a slight smile. "I was born who I am, but my family shaped that into what I have become. I think that, along with eternal support, is what makes a family."

[Leyna de Somerville]

"That's beautiful, and I agree," I told him, reaching over and squeezing his hand.

The walls of the City were growing closer, and I was not looking forward to having to leave him while we went about our duties. I wished I had suggested a much earlier time for dinner.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

I squeezed her hand in return and cast my gaze at the much-nearer city walls. "Thank you," I said, kissing the back of her hand lightly. "Looking back, this ride seemed so short."

[Leyna de Somerville]

"Yes, it does," I agreed. "Perhaps it is because we managed to stay on the horses and not roll around in the grass this time." I smiled and brought his hand to my lips, kissing it as he had done mine.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"Yes, but I suppose it was a good ride anyway," I said teasingly, letting my fingers stroke the palm of her hand. Dinner was going to be an interesting proposition with as much tension as we'd managed to build up.

[Leyna de Somerville]

"Yes, it was," I said, grinning. "We've done enough talking that we won't feel guilty later when we are doing none at all."

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Eyes flashing with lust, I said, "I agree- there are times for talking, but times without it are just as good. And we'll have yet more talking to do over dinner."

[Leyna de Somerville]

Dinner was going to be torture, hopefully the food would be distracting enough I thought as we passed through the wall and into the City.

"I am looking forward very much to dinner and afterward," I told him. "I shall have to make sure I wear something that tears away easily."

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Smothering a low, growling moan I let my eyes flash over her in pure lust. "I guess I will have to do the same," I said as steadily as I could. "Though what we would make it home in I have not a clue."

[Leyna de Somerville]

Chuckling softly I told him, "I was think more of the tearing off after dinner. We would likely get banned from Désir if we did it there."

We had arrived at the street I needed to take to get home.

"You are welcome to come home with me if you don't have things to attend to," I told him, my voice somewhat rough with desire.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"I know," I said slyly. "But how will one of us get home to where the rest of our clothes are?"

Looking at her, her skin almost alight with passion and her voice filled with it, I said, "I would love to go with you, but I'll have to come back to the Palace later and dress." Not to mention arrange a few other things, I thought to myself. Leaning closer, I brushed my lips across hers.

[Leyna de Somerville]

I leaned into him, kissing him deeply, trying to store up enough of the feel and taste of him to last me through until I saw him again.

"This may be the longest afternoon of my life," I told him when I pulled back.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

Laughing slightly, I said as I pressed my lips to her ear, "I meant that I will come home with you and just leave a little later- unless, of course, you've changed your mind."

[Leyna de Somerville]

I laughed.

"No, of course I haven't changed my mind. I guess my mind is a little distracted and not thinking clearly," I told him.

I turned Soir down our street and started us that direction.

[Nicanor de las Aragonia]

"Good then," I replied as I let her lead the way and then caught up to her. One day she would be the death of me, but what a way to die. The streets seemed to fly by as we walked, anticipation speeding up time.