Lycan's Affection
Not Long Enough

Conaan held on to Eleanor as the bodies were moved out of the Palace. His hands were stained yet again, and he gave a small sigh. This was the last thing he saw himself doing immediately after waking up, but the elders had not really given him much of a choice.

"Conaan. Are you okay? You could have..."

"Oh, I am perfect," he said with a small laugh. "I needed to be reminded of what I am."

Eleanor gave a sigh, then broke into a relieved smile. "I do not believe anyone would forget what you are, Conaan."

He raised a brow, turning to face her fully. "Do you remember exactly what I am?"

She gave a small blush. "Well, of course, I do."

"Mhm. Remind me."

He leaned even closer, his hand resting on the curve of her waist, his eyes holding hers.

She swallowed, the proximity messing with her head. He seemed to realize it, and he leaned even closer, his breath teasing her.

"Or... should I be the one reminding you?"

Oh, of course she remembered. Her body remembered. Her soul never forgot. Her heart beat it every second.

"Hm?" He urged, leaning slowly to her neck. Her eyes closed, and she knew there was something intense, something beautiful, something she really loved about kissing amidst all the blood of the few people who had wanted to continue with the resistance.

His lips grazed the skin of her neck, then slowly moved closer, his hand now resting on her back as he pulled her further to cover the distance.

"Conaan, I-" She started to say but was cut off by a weak voice.

"Your Highness?"

Conaan stopped, then turned to the stairs. Eric was holding on to Matthew's weak, pale frame.

Eleanor gasped, while Conaan took a step back, his eyes thinning. He was not sure how to feel about Matthew. He knew he needed to like the boy, considering he did everything to get him the cure and risked his own life. But he looked so much like Alexander. Too much.

"Matthew!" Eleanor said, tears filling her eyes.

He turned to her with a big smile. "Eleanor."

Eric slowly brought him down, while Eleanor covered the distance to the foot of the stairs. He soon reached her, and she wrapped her hands around him tight, her fingers lacing in his hair.

"You have done well, Matthew. You have done so well."

He stayed in her embrace for a while before Conaan emerged behind them, clearing his throat. Eleanor smiled at him as she broke away from Matthew. They were face to face now, and silence fell between them.

Matthew slowly bowed his head. "I am sorry for everything -"

Conaan cut him off, his hands wrapping tight around him. "You saved my life. Not just once. I am grateful."

Eric broke into a smile. "We pledge to you, Your Highness. As long as -"

Conaan said with a small laugh. "I will keep the both of you, but you do not owe me anything."

Eric shook his head adamantly. "No, Your Majesty. We will stay by your side. No matter what. You used to have just one, but because of our kind, you lost him. We will never be able to replace him, but we will stand by you. Allow us to, Your Majesty."

Conaan had slight reservations, but one look at Eleanor, and he knew he had nothing to fear.

"Lead him to one of the chambers and pick one for yourself," Conaan said, eager to have his moment alone with Eleanor again.

Eric nodded, then started to.lead Matthew away. He suddenly stopped, then turned to Eleanor.

"Jenna," he started to say, "she wants to speak to you."

Eleanor nodded, knowing that it would not be completely good. Conaan raised a brow.

"Who is that?"

"Your healer. She is the appointed priestess."

Conaan nodded, then gave a small sigh. "I will take a bath, then. And I will wait for you."

She nodded, and he leaned to her, then placed a small kiss on her forehead, his fingers pushing her hair back. She watched as he ascended the stairs, a dreamy sigh escaping her lips. It was beautiful how far they have come, from her vehemently refusing who she was, to finally realizing there was no place like home, to fighting by his side.

Jenna was sitting on the floor when Eleanor entered the healing room.

"Jenna," she said, causing the girl to stand.

"Your Highness."

"Thank you. Conaan is awake now. Is everything fine?"

Jenna smiled a little wistfully. "I was supposed to be Meredith's replacement. But... it is gone now."

Eleanor's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

She sighed. "My punishment... is that I am no longer appointed. I know whomever is chosen now, will come on her own."

Eleanor took in a shaky breath, then nodded. "I will take care of you."

She immediately shook her head. "No, Your Highness. I would prefer to go back home with my brother."

Eleanor nodded. "Allow me to give you a gift, then. Anything of your choice."

Jenna smiled. "I would like a moment with Eric."

Eleanor's brows furrowed. "Is he... the reason?"

Jenna looked down at her feet. "Yes. I made a mistake."

"Then why do you want to leave him too?"

Jenna swallowed. "Because it is only right that I do. I do not know if he still -"

"I do," Eric suddenly said, his chest heaving. He looked like he had run back, his lips parted, his eyes wide. "I still want you, Jenna."

Eleanor gave a knowing smile, then slowly walked away, closing the door behind her. She stopped for a while, hearing Jenna break down, and Eric's low voice as he tried to coo her.

She smiled to herself, then walked away, leaving them to their private moment.

Eleanor decided to fix a meal for Conaan before going to him, and she was done by sunset. Matthew was feeling even better, and Jenna and Eric were nowhere to be found. She knew they probably needed the time alone and did not bother.

She watched the servants set the dining hall and then proceeded to take a long bath. For the first time ever since Conaan slumped, she found herself decking up again.

Her dress was a dark sea green, the sane colour of Conaan's eyes. He was not in the chambers or the bath house, and she walked down to his private balcony.

Conaan was standing there, wearing a white robe. His hands were clasped behind him, and his hair cascaded down his neck.

"My love."

He turned to her, then broke into a small smile. "Eleanor."

She came up behind him, her hands wrapping around him, her eyes closing. "I missed you. I missed this."

He brought a hand to rest on her hand that was on his chest. "Even the ones who leave hurt, Eleanor. I missed this, too."

She smiled, basking in his warmth. "I made your favourite sweets."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. And I have decked up your best out of all of them in a green dress."

He broke into a laughter as he turned to her, then slowly pulled her to him. He pinned her gently on the balcony rails, his hands curled as he caressed the edge of her face.

"What do you say I kiss you right here while all of the kingdom watches?"

She smiled, her fingers tracing his neck, knowing just how insane she was driving him. "I say... what are you waiting for?"

He broke into a smile, then leaned to her, his hands cupping her face, his lips parting.

"I love you, Eleanor."

She felt her breath hitch, her eyes meeting his. "I know."

He smiled. "I would do it all over again."

She nodded. "Till eternity, huh?"

He leaned even closer, so each and every word was a kiss on its own. "Not long enough."