Private Tales The Horn Calls

[Oakley]

"You do, yet you'll do anything but speak it."

The way she stepped up to him now reemphasised what he already knew. It was everything not to claim her mouth and cut off her words, but instead he only growled back at her.

"I fought beside you. You are proud, fierce and fearless. It's.. stunning, and I would never tire of seeing you shred your enemies limb from limb, Princess.. But we both know that here is different." his brows knit and he exhaled sharply from his nose as he stared at her, leaning closer.

"You may prefer that I wasn't here, that I had never set eyes on you or that I didn't exist at all.. But I am, I did, and I do... So what are you going to do about it?" his eyes narrowed.

 

[Glendora]

Hand snapped up, fingers sharply enclosing around his jaw. Even as her contact with his skin stirred something feral inside of her. "Don't you dare ever try to say what I might prefer." Her grip was firm but not bruising. She'd gently tilt his jaw from one side to another. Eyes roving the planes of his face. Her moonlike eyes finding his silver ones.

"I would like your help," she relented, fingers finally releasing him. A small hesitation before she said the next part. If he hadn't sworn an oath to her, she might not have been so open. Even though something deep inside her told her she had no worries about trusting him even if he hadn't sworn his fealty - his very life, to hers.

"I run a network of spies in this court and if ever discovered would be my execution or worse. A large part of this network's job is to help smuggle females out of this court." They went to different places. Mrs. Lusce was a big part in that. So was Ianthe. No matter how much she trusted Oakley, even with his oath, she would nto share other names. Besides those he already suspected.

It was a measure to protect them and him.

For a brief moment, she looked tired as she considered him. "Tonight is a job to get one of them out."

 

[Oakley]

His gaze remained fixed upon hers as she snatched hold of his face and reprimanded him, a muscle tightening in his jaw as she studied his features. He said nothing, only breathed. The scent of her having already ensnared him, made him flood with adrenaline, but this wasn't a trap he'd dare wriggle out of. He'd willingly fucking die in it.

'I would like your help'..

Surprise creased at his brow, having clearly not expected her to want anything to do with him, let alone request his help. He had already sworn such things, and so he didn't need to bother confirming that whatever she wanted done would be done. As she went on, though, his brow rose up and his lips parted in silent awe, and so much so suddenly made sense.

"Fuck." he frowned, his gaze wandering her form as his shoulders rolled against the building tension in them. He didn't deserve her, not nearly, but it wouldn't stop him from wanting.

"Tell me how I can help, and it'll be done." he promised with a slow dip of his chin, his eyes still on her face.

 

[Glendora]

Nodding, she stepped away from him. Head turned so he wouldn't be able to see the frown on her face at what the action caused her to feel. Snatching up some clothing, she would disappear behind a changing screen as she began to undress.

"We'll leave at midnight. It's a Lord's townhome in the city. It's his eldest daughter set to marry another duanan. He'll be away on business so we should only have to contend with the household head." Unless the fiance was around. "I know you're capable in a fight," head peeked out from behind the screen for a moment before disappearing again.

"And you're good at tracking, we might need that." If their target wasn't there. They only had tonight as a window to get her out. "Are you good at distractions?" Finally, she'd exit, wearing a skin-tight black bodysuit with a hood attached. An outfit clearly easy to disappear into the darkness with.

 

[Oakley]

His gaze followed her behind the screen, an invisible thread of feral instinct tugging at him to follow, but his muscles tensed with resistance and shuddered at the thoughts on his mind. He was certain the Princess knew well how tortured he was, and he was even more certain that she enjoyed such knowledge.

How the peacock preened at her acknowledgements of his skills, his chest puffed just a little and his cheek dimpled as he'd been about to say something cocky when the sight of her in .. that, robbed him of speech and of breath. His expression paused, his hunger renewed, his jaw hanging open ever-so-slightly. Oakley Farrow was not easily flustered, nor was he ever speechless. There was always some cheeky or charming remark waiting behind his teeth but right now, his silvery eyes rolling over her form, he was awestruck.

Breathe, Oak..

The fae swallowed hard and drew a sharp breath, his hand lifting to squeeze at the back of his neck, the skin there near scalding to the touch.. "I.." he stumbled, and nodded hurriedly as he dragged his eyes to the floor and cleared his throat.. "Whatever you need."

 

[Glendora]

Glendora was about to admonish him for looking at her like that. But then she thought better of it. "Oakley," she purred, saying his name for the first time. Her fox-like smile wobbled for a moment at the taste of his name on her tongue. But she didn't stop as she neared him, her finger jabbing him lightly in the chest and trailing it upward so she lifted his chin to his eyes would meet hers.'

"Do you think you can keep it together out there? Or should I order you to stay here?"

She'd never order him to do anything. Just the thought of his oath made her sick. Because she'd been forced to yield to that kind of power her entire life just because she was born a different gender.

But he didn't know that.

 

[Oakley]

As she spoke his name, especially like that, Oakley clenched his jaw so tightly that his back teeth ground together. His gaze was predatory as she approached him, taking in every muscle as it shifted under the particularly tight fitting garment that she'd chosen to squeeze herself into.

The tilt of his chin brought his stare back to her eyes, her face, his attention back to the plan that she was now involving him in. His mouth had gone dry and his throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, his head shaking quickly.

"I'm coming with you." he answered in a low rasp before clearing his throat. "Princess." his lips twitched.

 

[Glendora]

Eyes narrowed on his own as his lips twitched. She snapped her hand away from his chin and stepped back. "Let's go then." She muttered and flipped the dark cowl of her outfit over her head, carefully tucking away her moonbeam hair.

"You have the luxury of being able to walk in the open. I will be cloaked in shadow or disguise," pausing at her chamber doors, hand on the handle, she looked over her shoulder. "Remember, you are a night court citizen now, so act like it." With a quick inhale, she turned the knob and stepped out. She'd stick to the shadows, not even needing to use her magic. The dark cloak made her nearly invisible against the frigid, rocky, damp landscape of the court. At this time of night, there were not a lot out on the streets.

Certainly no females.

A few drunken males. A handful of city guards. She moved swiftly and surely, trusting that Oakley would be able to keep up or track her just like he had to find her - if he needed to. She didn't want to put to much distance between them, though. In case he ran into trouble from one of the few citizens out and about. But she could see the soft glow from second-story window panes of their target up ahead.

 

[Oakley]

He didn't need to see her to know where she was. He could feel where she was, as though an invisible thread existed between them, tied around a rib that tugged at him each time she drew further away. All he'd have to do was follow it as he had done all the way to the Night Court. Her scent drifted to him in the cool night air, making him bristle under his black coat.

Oakley drew up his collar as he strode with an air of defiance through the court, his silver eyes snagging on clusters of males, many of whom he had to smother his impulses to attack as he passed them. Those who caught his eye were met with a quiet snarl of disdain, but otherwise he remained silent as he continued to follow Ora's lead.

 

[Glendora]

As they got closer to the townhouse with the glowing light from a pair of windows coming upstairs, he'd find a sudden, sharp tug on his coat. Ushering him into the dark shadows of an alleyway. Here they were more protected from the constant cold of light mist and frigid winds that rocked their island.

Though their location and the shadows of the night would be enough, she still stood within the frame of his body so those on the street would never know she was there.

"I need you to knock on the door. Can you distract them while I climb up?"

 

[Oakley]

"I mean I could.." Oakley rumbled down at her as she stood so close against him. He wasn't used to such cold, and he was both enjoying the closeness of her and trying to refrain from shivering. "Or, if you wanted to stay in this cosy little alleyway for a little while longer, I wouldn't be against it. I could do with some warming up." he teased with a flash of a grin.

 

[Glendora]

An exasperated huff escaped her lips as she looked up at him. A flash of ire in her luminous eyes. "I don't think you could handle my warming up," she intoned, trying not to breath in as much of his scent.

Her palms pressed flat against his chest and she went to nudge him back.

Only the sound of drunken males walking down the straight made her reach right back to tug him close again.

"Goblin spit," she growled and once again used his body as cover.

 

[Oakley]

"Is that so? I'm afraid I'd need to test that theory to be quite sure.." he answered coyly. Her touch against his chest was branding, the warmth of her touch seeping through his jacket, shirt and skin. He grunted as she pulled him back in again and he braced his forearms on the wall at either side of her head, grinning from ear to ear.

"Admit it. This was your plan the entire time, Princess.." he purred, his lips mere inches from hers. He pulled in a deep breath, and something deep in his chest growled with the urges he was forced to resist.

 

[Glendora]

Eyes like moonlit steel stared back at him, dipping to his mouth that was so close to her own. And his grin. Before flickering up to that cocky-look in his eyes. The drunken males stumbled by the alley, one stupored-gaze spotting Oakley.

"Oy, got a good one back there?" He hollered, the end of his nose twitching. "Could pay yah handsomely for a go when yer done." His friend paused and looked back at them as well.

Glen stiffened, her fingers tightening on the black coat that hung around Oakley's frame.

"Don't do anything stupid," she whispered to him. And with a breath, her features smooth as those two drunken males stalked closer toward them. She used the same appearance when she'd met Oakley the first time.

 

[Oakley]

The grin he wore melted from his expression the moment the male's intentions were made clear. He bristled. The wolf bristled. And all he could think of was the coppery taste of blood between his teeth as he tore their throats clean out. He stared back at Ora intently as she whispered to him, watching her features shift. The memory of their first meeting shuddered through him and he swallowed, trying his best to rein in his rage for the two males he listened to as they stalked nearer.

His hands pressed in hard against the wall at either side of her, caging her protectively..Possessively against the wall as his silvery gaze shifted to the side.

"This one's mine." he said in warning.

 

[Glendora]

"Come on, maybe we should-," the one male tried to tug his friend away from the alley.

"Nahnahnah, she's a pretty one, see?" The other male chuckled and shook off his friend, stepping ever closer. Failing to see the veritable hackles raised along Oakley. Glen held her breath and lowered her head. Her gaze.

An act of submission.

But her hands only tightened along the sides of Oakley. As if she could will him in place. Keep him from causing a national incidence. Her nose scrunched ever so slightly, smelling the reek of alcohol on the other male's breath from her. By that smell it was a wonder he could walk upright at all.

And that same, stupid male was so bold as to clap his hand on Oakley's shoulder as he came up behind him.

 

[Oakley]

His muscles tightened, strengthening the cage he held around her, but pure, scalding rage rose up into his chest like bile as the male staggered closer. That he thought he could dare even breathe so close to her, let alone touch her. He felt Glendora's grip tighten on him. Somehow he doubted she was afraid of this intoxicated scum, and so the message was clear..

"I told you... This one's mine, and I'm not done with her." he warned, but the drunken male took no heed of it.

Oakley obeyed until he could stand it no longer; until the hand slapped down on his shoulder, until the male was far too close to her for his liking, and with such intent. One hand left the wall and swept back, gripping him by the nape of the neck and thrusting his head forward into the wall with a dull crack..

 

[Glendora]

She could feel Oakely's warm breath cascading across her lips. Down her neck. That anger to his tone. A shiver ran down her spine that had nothing to do with the constant cold-damp of the Night Court. She sensed it coming before he even moved.

Oh no.

As the crack resounded from the other mail hitting the wall, Glen smoothly ducked beneath the arm that still protectively pinned her against the brick wall, she took advantage of the other male's shock. Even as he went to stumble back.

"Wwha- yo-you," her fingers went to a pressure point on his neck and behind his shoulders. A precise hold and maneuver. From someone very well trained. Nearly instant with her touch, he slumped to the ground at her feet.

Lips pursed together, staring at his unmoving form before her gaze lifted back to Oakley.

The air shimmered behind her as the alley would look empty from any passing by on the other side.

For once, there was no admonishment that came from her lips. Just practicality. "We need to move them together so it looks like they were fighting."

 

[Oakley]

He watched as the second male slumped to the ground, his shoulders tight with the same wild rage that burned in his eyes when he looked back at her. His chest rose and fell, his heavy breaths the only sound until she spoke.

Oakley had been braced for her ire, though held no apology in his expression. His jaw remained tight and his fingers curled into fists when he gave a silent nod. She would no doubt scold him later, but she would have no apology from him then either.

He stalked close to her, his silver eyes surveying her. The sort of anger he felt wasn't one he was used to. He had never felt out with his own control, but this was something primal and so deeply engrained into his very soul that he doubted there was any taming it. She was his, at least to some part of him, the part that was already so irrevocably devoted to her. There was no way he was going to be able to sit idly by and watch anyone touch her.

A quiet huff escaped him. He cared little about the bodies at their feet, but he did as she asked and dragged the second male to where the first lay bleeding out onto the cobbles, arranging them in such a way that might look like they'd been involved in some drunken brawl.

"Lead on, Princess."

 

[Glendora]

No.

She was not ready to lead on.

And he was not ready to follow. The two bodies at their feet were evidence of that. And for a moment, she didn't know if the anger she felt simmering beneath her own skin was her own or...

Impossible.

"What is your problem?" Stepping up to him, she would go to put her hands upon his chest and shove him sharply against the wall she'd just been pinned against. No one from the street behind them would see as she kept them shrouded in illusion.

"Do you wish to become a prisoner of the night court? Do you wish to be found out as a spy and hanged?"

Her nostrils flared.

"You need to be more careful."

 

[Oakley]

Oakley's silver eyes blazed with a mix of defiance and frustration as she pushed him against the wall. He didn't flinch under her touch but met her gaze with equal intensity.

"I know the risks," he replied, his voice laced with a hint of resentment. "But I can't stand by and watch you in danger, knowing what they wanted to do to you." His fists clenched at his sides, his muscles taut with the pent-up energy of his anger.

"You think I don't care about your mission? You think I'm reckless?" Oakley's voice rose, filled with a raw emotion that he struggled to contain. "I'm not a fool, and I know the consequences. But fuck, I can't just ignore what I feel for you."

His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken truths. Oakley knew he was crossing boundaries, risking more than just his own life. But he couldn't deny the fierce protectiveness that surged within him, intertwining with his devotion to her.

"I'm sorry," he finally said, his voice softer but still tinged with determination. "I'll be more careful. I'll try to rein in this rage, this ... possessiveness. But understand, Princess, that my loyalty to you runs deeper than any duty or cause. It's a part of who I am."

His gaze searched hers, hoping she could glimpse the sincerity in his eyes. He knew their situation was precarious, but he couldn't deny the bond that had formed between them. No matter the consequences, he was unwilling to let her face the dangers alone.

 

[Glendora]

She was breathing hard. Her muscles coiled and ready to explode. As if she'd need to fight Oakley right here in this alley herself. But truly, she was fighting something else. Something she didn't want to look at or acknowledge. Something she couldn't afford to give into right now.

For both their sakes.

She released her hold on his chest and quickly stepped back. "What do you mean it's part of who you are?" She breathed. Did this go into his magic? How he was a hunter. A tracker? Or was he referring to...that thing she didn't want to face yet? He'd already sworn an oath to her.

She grimaced.