Chapter Fifteen - The Art of Control

Chapter Fifteen – The Art of Control

I could feel the sun beating down on my from the window. It felt nice on my bare skin as I lay on the bed, eyes shut, trying my best to fall asleep.
I must have dozed off for an hour or so because it was dark when I was suddenly awaken by a gentle rub on my shoulder.
“Get up dear, it's nearly dinner time and you need to be presentable.” I heard Melony's voice and my eyes immediately opened. I looked up at her, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.
“I don't have any other clothes though.” That being said Melony walked me to the closet where mountains upon mountains of clothes had been stocked. Any color you could ever want to wear was there. A chill of excitement went down my back. I was really starting to like this place.
Melony gave me a quick reminder to hurry before heading out the door. The door happened to open before she walked out and Jurah walked in.
“Dinner's about to be served. Is she ready yet?” I heard him ask Melony. His voice was firm, but still carried with it the smoothness I remembered from before.
“She just needs to get dressed your majesty.” Melony curtsied before exiting the room.
Your majesty? Did that mean their kingdom had a king? Was Jurah their king? Funny. I hadn't heard any of them call him “Your majesty” before.
“What's wrong?” I noticed him looking at me intently. I stared back into his gold eyes and couldn't help but smile.
“Are you a king?” I asked, curious to see if my assumption were correct.
“Why, yes.” His mouth curled up showing his perfect teeth. “I'll leave you to dress. Please be there as fast as you can.” He closed the door gently.
I turned to the array of clothing and picked out a silk blue dress with lovely flowing sleeves. Next were the shoes, then the make-up. Luckily they had placed some in the drawers of the sink. When I was done I opened the door and began heading down the hall to Saeron's room. I had just remembered I had no clue how to get to the dining room and hoped Saeron knew where to go.
I knocked on his door several time, but he never answered. I went inside his room, but he was nowhere to be found.
“Dang it!” As I closed the door to his room I heard someone coming from behind me.
“I thought you might like to know where the dining room was.” I wheeled around to see Jurah walking calmly towards me. This time I noticed his outfit, brilliant royal blue jacket with a dark under outfit, all of which was lined with fur. His hair was perfectly combed into place. “You mind if I walk you there, Dante?”
“Not at all.” I was relieved to know I wouldn't be wandering the halls of the castle for the rest of the night.
We made our way down the hall in a somewhat rushed manner. I could tell Jurah wasn't one to be late for dinner. He suddenly took my hand and pulled me forward fast. I blushed when his hand gently grabbed mine.
“Sorry. It's just that we need to be there soon.” I looked up at him as he spoke to me kindly, his eyes not leaving the path he was on.
We soon made it to the dining room and everyone, including Saeron, was already there. I took my place by his side and waited for what would happen next.
Around the room I noticed heads of different wildlife. Deer, elk, dragons, and...a weird bird thing with horns. What exactly lived here?
“Let's all have a toast,” Jurah's voice boomed as he lifted his glass. “To the new found member of the Jyot kingdom and to Dante as well, who can stay as long as she likes.”
Everyone cheered and clanked their glasses together except Saeron. He sat on the chair, at least five feet taller than everyone else, still in his tiger form. I watched with a chuckle as he lapped up the drink from his glass.
Soon the food was served. Everything looked unimaginably delicious and came out steaming hot. Desert was even better. Cakes, cookies, smoothies, candies.
Saeron and I shared our story with everyone and there were shocked looks all around the table when they realized I was a Silvani.
“I read about Silvani's,” Crom played with his pudding mindlessly as he spoke. “Only a few can exist in this world at a time. Their the reason why strange things happen in this world.”
“I don't plan on hurting anybody. If anything I want to help.”
“Sometimes the person can't help it.”
“What do you mean?” I had never remembered the Temple Keeper saying a Silvani couldn't be controlled, only that they lay dormant inside the person.
“Occasionally a Silvani will possess the human and do as they please.” Crom's voice was dark and everyone looked worried. “But it's usually only when a person has a lot of hatred in them. So you should be okay.”
I breathed a sigh of relief and everyone went back to eating. Later it was their turn to tell their stories.
“Where should I start?” Jurah mused to himself. “Several thousands of years ago Jyot people lived in the jungles as tigers, never knowing they had the power to control their transformations. Though they were stronger than most tigers they still couldn't match up to the armies of people who hunted them. Eventually we learned how to control our transformations and hide ourselves among men, but by then only a few hundred of us were still alive. Later a Jyot by the name of Larz Drokson decided to find and lead the remaining Jyot's to this island where they made a kingdom. But a war broke out soon after and the Jyot's numbers quickly diminished. King Larz was killed and a new ruler rose to become leader, my uncle and Annie's father, Eisner Forge. He was a harsh ruler and we lost several good people because of him, but in the end he got what was coming to him and now we are all that's left of the Jyot people.”
“If it weren't for you guys finding me I would have never knew I had such a history. I would have never known I actually belonged to people who still existed.” Saeron's eyes glowed with gratitude.
“You can thank that Temple Keeper, he's the one who told us where to find you.” Zayn added in.
“How did you know to find me in the first place.”
“A letter was left by a former Jyot telling of a child who was taken to a land near here. It wouldn't say where, but we were determined to find you. And we did.” Jurah finished with a content smile. “I think it's time to head off to bed.”
We all said good bye to each other and headed off to our rooms. It was nearly midnight when I looked at the bed and laughed. I knew it wouldn't do me any good to try and sleep alone. So I headed down the hall to Saeron's room and found him shirtless, looking in his closet, in human form. I smiled at him as he turned to look at me with loving eyes. I ran to him, his arms folding over me giving me warmth.
“Can I sleep with you tonight?” I begged. He smiled warmly and picked me up in his arms. He walked me to the bed and gently lay me on my back.
“You can sleep here whenever you like.” He said softly before kissing my forehead. My body tingled with arousal and became hot. “Maybe you should get on some pajamas first.” He suggested.
My feet lightly tiptoed out of his room, down the hall and into my room.
I was looking through the closet when I heard a knock at the door. I responded with a “Come in,” and continued to look for something to wear to bed. I assumed my guest was Saeron so I didn't think much of it when he brushed his hand against my back to get my attention. Instantly I knew it wasn't him.
I turned about to find Jurah dressed in a robe and slippers. It seemed quite contrary to his character from what I had seen previously: a well fitted suit that just screamed I mean business.
“I just wanted to personally see if you had everything you needed here.”
“I think so, thank you.” I tried my best to make my words audible. I could feel my face heating up. Was I really that swayed by him?
“Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything,” he said with a smile. He caught a strand of his hair and pushed it back into place. “I'll be happy to help.”
“Thank you.” Thankfully the words came out clearly. I watched as he walked toward the door then stopped abruptly.
“Might I make a suggestion?” He said as he made his way to the closet. He pulled out a pink silk pajama set and held it up to my cheek. My face immediately began burning and I prayed to god he didn't notice. “This color would go nicely with your complexion.” He smiled warmly as his gold eyes looked into mine and I instantly felt my heart beat drumming faster. I closed my eyes and breathed out, but it didn't help. I felt his hand lift from my skin and opened my eyes to find him at the door.
“Good night,” his words rolling off the tongue. I struggled just to get mine out.
“Um...good night.”
I waited for a moment, just to make sure he was gone from the hall and then headed back to Saeron's room dressed in the pajama's Jurah had suggested I wear.
“What took you so long?” He squeezed me against him playfully. He scooped me up into his arms and took me to the bed again. This time he got in with me. He pulled me on top of him and gazed up at me, his eyes filled with love.
“So, I have a question for you.” I tucked my hair behind my ear. “What name do I call you now? Saeron or Taj?”
“I'd imagine, after calling me Saeron for so long it would just be easier to stick with that name.” He smiled and kissed me lightly on the cheek. I wished it had been the lips.
I rested my head down on his chest and listened to his beating heart. I was surprised at how erratically it beat. Was he just as aroused as I was?
I felt his hand go to my side and my eyes closed with pleasure as he rubbed it gently. Suddenly my eyes instinctively shot open and my skin burned hotter than ever. I could feel his hand still rubbing me, but now on my bare skin. I smiled and closed my eyes again as he trailed up and down my back. I was burning hot, but I was enjoying every minute of it.
He suddenly stopped and laid me down beside him. He put his hand on my neck and began trailing his fingers all around it. I closed my eyes in ecstasy, the feeling driving me crazy. Suddenly his mouth pressed against mine and I melted. Before I knew what I was doing I had pulled his body closer to me, my hands rubbing his neck and back as our lips stayed locked and our eyes stayed closed.
I was trying to take off his night shirt when he stopped me, stopping everything we were doing.
“What are you doing?” He asked with concerned eyes.
“I don't know,” I felt a little embarrassment that I had tried to de-clothe him. He looked at me for a second, his eyes unsure, before he rested beside me.
“I'm sorry.” I tried to catch my breath. It was hard to breath after so much excitement.
“No, it's okay. It's just...I'm not ready for that yet.” He smiled at me, obviously trying to make me feel better.
“That's fine.” I said softly. It really wasn't. Why wasn't he ready for anything? Just about any guy would have taken this opportunity.
“I really care about you. You know that right?” He pulled me close to him. I smiled and nodded. “Good.” He gave me a peck on the lips.
That whole week Saeron trained hard with Crom, and each night he came back disappointed in his abilities. He had accomplished the ability to control his transformations for a little under an hour, but it still wasn't enough to satisfy him. He was beginning to get discouraged and it was worrying me.
One night I decided I'd get dressed in something nice and head over to Saeron's room to make him feel better. I picked a short satin pink dress, combed my hair and put on my make-up.
As I walked along the wide and dimly lit hall I started to notice a figure leaning against the wall a few paces ahead of me. I tried to ignore whoever it was as I passed by, trying my best not to look at the person. The sound of footsteps startled my concentration and without thinking I looked behind me.
I saw the god-like figure pause in his footsteps and cock his head as though he was wondering what my next move would be. I was now glad that the halls were so dimly lit because my cheeks were beginning to redden from the sheer sight of him standing that close to me.
“How's Saeron doing?” Jurah's voice sounded concerned.
“He's not been very happy lately.” I confessed. I looked down at my bare feet. A hand gently pulled my head back up and my gaze met the honey colored eyes before me. I blushed even more from the touch of his hand.
“I'm sure he'll be better in no time.” His words touched me, making me feel more confident about what I was doing. I was sure my idea would work now.
I entered his room with a smile on my face only to find him shaking violently, desperately trying to hold his human form in place.
“Don't strain yourself!” I yelled at him with concern. “Just wait till midnight.”
“No!” He barked back at me. My eyes widened both in shock and fear.
“Saeron, it's okay. You'll get it.” I tried to assure him. He continued to try.
“Please, just let me concentrate. I'd appreciate it if you didn't give me orders!” His voice boomed back at me. I knew he was only frustrated, but my heart instantly hurt when his words cut into me.
“I'll just wait here then,” I sat on the bed, trying my hardest not to cry as I watched him changing back in forth, from tiger to human, cursing each time he couldn't stay in his human form. I fell asleep watching him and didn't even know if he had come to bed later.
I woke up in the morning feeling okay, but knowing deep down that something still felt wrong. The whole day me and Saeron never said a word to each other and I could feel us growing further and further apart. I was starting to worry. Did he not care for me anymore?
I became even more worried when I came to his room that night and he wasn't there. I lay down on his bed and fell asleep waiting for him. During the middle of the night I felt him get into bed, but I was too tired to remember anything else.
The next morning I woke up a little later than I had planned. The sun was already high in the sky. I turned around to see if Saeron was still asleep or not, but all that was left were ruffle sheets.
My eyes widened and I got out of bed. I began looking for him, but he was no where to be found in his room.
Where had he gone?