Looking for books

[Isra Varousse]

“Yes, that must be it,” I agreed, smiling.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I chuckled.
"Well, what else could if be if not that." I said in jest opening the carriage door once we had reached it.

[Isra Varousse]

“I don’t know, so it must be your charm,” I said, smiling at him and then stepping up into the carriage. I moved to the far side of the seat and waited for him to join me in the carriage.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I chuckled and sat next to her before closing the door and ordering the driver to take us to House Prevost.
"Do you not normally enjoy reading? Or is it simply your lessons that you don't like to read for."

[Isra Varousse]

“I find it hard to just sit and concentrate on reading. I like to be doing something with a little bit of activity at least. If I have free time I usually sculpt,” I answered.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

"Really, sculpting." I said some what surprised. "I would have never guessed that of you."

[Isra Varousse]

“Nothing elaborate, usually just little animals from clay. My room at Jasmine is filled with them,” I said, smiling. “Why does that surprise you so?”

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I shrugged a little.
"Will you promise not to take offense if I tell you?" I asked looking down at my hands.

[Isra Varousse]

“I promise,” I said, now incredibly curious.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I kept my gaze away from her for a moment before looking back at her awkwardly.
"I hate the Night Court." I said plainly. "Not adepts mind you, but the system, the idea of having to pay to be with some one." I looked at her then glanced away, wondering what she would think of me now.

[Isra Varousse]

I smiled softly, not at all offended by his words. “The Night Court isn’t for everyone, for scores of reasons. It is there for those who wish to enjoy it.” I reached out and laid my hand on the books he’d bought. “The same way a book store is there for those who wish to go inside. No one should ever feel pressured or obligated, it should be a true desire.”

“But that still doesn’t explain why you were so surprised that I sculpt.”

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I smiled happy that she wasn't mad at me.
"I suppose I just didn't think adepts did much other then pleasure patrons. I've never known an adept personally thought. Once when I was younger I came to the Night Court and contracted an adept and well..." I shrugged looking at her. "She just didn't impress, all goo goo and doe eyed. 'Yes my lord, how may I please my lord'." I mimicked the girl.
"I have no need for that, nor any desire. I suppose I just lumped all adepts into one."

[Isra Varousse]

“Rather like people lump all Shahrizai together?” I asked with a teasing smile.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I laughed then and smiled lopsidedly.
"Yes, exactly like that. Insufferable fools." I said deliberately meaning me and shaking my head a little. "You're not at all what I would have thought an adept would be like."

[Isra Varousse]

“I’m going to take that as a great compliment since I know what you thought adepts were like,” I replied, laughing softly and leaning back in the seat. “I am glad I could change your mind a bit about adepts though. Even if you don’t agree with the Night Court, it’s good to know you don’t think us all subservient fools anymore.”

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I smiled.
"I just have a problem with the idea of paying to be with some one." I said looking at her, I leaned back to and slumped down in my seat, my feet touching the seat on the other side of the carriage.
"I mean if I want to be with a woman I want her to be with me because she wants to, not because I paid her to." I said looking up at her.
"And you've made it so I won't ever look at an adept the same way again, I can assure you that."

[Isra Varousse]

“I never take a patron because they are paying, no matter what,” I said, turning my head to look at him. “I only take patrons because I truly desire them, and they desire me as well. An assignation should only be entered into for the sake of shared pleasure, never for money.”

My smile grew. “You know, there are a few days a year when adepts are free from the constraints of contracts and able to be with whomever they wish. Perhaps you should visit the Night Court on one of those days…let yourself get lost. You never know what you may find.”

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I looked up at her for a moment and then shifted so that I was sitting properly again, but this time I turned into her, my arm laying over top of the seat behind her, my face serious.
"Can I tell you the truth Isra." I said softly.

[Isra Varousse]

“Of course,” I said, my voice as soft as his as I looked at him.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

My gaze darted between her eyes, and then to her lips and then back at her eyes, then searching her face for a moment before darting between he lips and her eyes, finally coming to rest there.

"I very much want to kiss you right now." I said seriously, my gaze locked with hers before darting away, my head turning to look at the seat across from us.
"But I can't."

[Isra Varousse]

I felt my breath catch at his words. My hand came up, my fingers gently touching his chin and turning his face back so he was looking at me.

“Why can’t you?” I asked softly.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I let her touch me this time, my body craving it, needing it.
"Its....its a long story." I said reaching up and taking her hand in mine and lowering it slowly. "Part of which is that I haven't been with a woman in ten years." I chuckled a little at the fact of it.

[Isra Varousse]

“It’s just a kiss,” I said softly, gently. “Nothing more than that, no promises of anything else. I promise I won’t expect anything more. I’d very much like for you to kiss me though.”

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I held her hand tight, but not too tight, in mine and sighed.
"Its not you I'm worried about." I said looking down at my hand touching hers then back up to look at her. "The problem is that I'll want more. More then you can give me."

[Isra Varousse]

I smiled softly. “I understand,” I said. “I hope you don’t mind that I feel honored that you want me, or mind that I want you as well.”

[Azriel Shahrizai]

I lifted her hand to my mouth and kissed it, the only thing I would allow, the only thing I could dare at that moment. My body was pulling me fiercely and I could feel the slightest hardening at my member. Its not that I never ran into beautiful women in my travels it was just that I was so afraid that it would end up the same way...as her. I couldn't let that happen again. And besides, all the women I had been around, they were only interested in the one thing. Take their pleasure and run back to the husbands or families, love for love's sake in their mind. But I couldn't, and I couldn't be with some one that wasn't whole heartedly going to be with me.

"I'm sorry." I said softly looking up at her. "I really am, you have no idea."

[Isra Varousse]

“Don’t be sorry,” I told him in a near whisper. I could still feel the heat of his lips on my hand. “I meant it, that you desire me is an honor, truly.” I smiled tenderly. “I hope this doesn’t mean you want to call off our meeting next week, I am still looking forward to discussing books with you.”

[Azriel Shahrizai]

"Oh no." I said smiling then. "You still have to put up with me." I chuckled softly not wanting to but releasing her hand.

[Isra Varousse]

“Good, I think I can handle it,” I said, smiling wider. The tension of the moment was passing with ease, I hoped. I did want him, achingly so, but I also did understand and respected him for sticking to his morals. I had known plenty of men who would have kissed me and then tried to convince me into more without a contract. In truth, I wouldn’t have protested much if he had tried.

[Azriel Shahrizai]

"Good." I said softly.

My resolve was gaining and I was feeling stronger, but the fact that it had been so long since I had been with anyone was making my body betray me most horrid. I smiled to her though trying to think of something to say then the shape of her lips or the way her hair ruffled in the wind.