iliana amaranth

She's habitually paradoxical, a parallel perpendicular;

In the gentle dim light of the darkness, Sebastian's voice took on a certain tonal quality Iliana hadn't quite known before. She couldn't quite place it. No one had ever talked to her like that. Like she could feel it trickling along her skin as gently as his touch. It made her feel different, no strange, no all different kinds of conflicting feelings that confused the sweet young fae. She felt her heart jump leap within her chest, to the point she was aware of it! Like it was a wild frenzied doe crashing in the forest. The tip of his nose pressed against the sensitive near translucent skin of her inner wrist which sent a strange trembling feeling up her arm and through her torso. She was not even slightly cold in the least. In fact, the young woman felt hot, her cheeks a reddish hue.

So very few touched the strange girl. Especially not like that. It was almost like her body was not her own. He was nothing but smooth, gentlemanly. A real one. Not like those who were so good at pretending. Sebastian's voice was like the gentle darkness, the simply enveloped. It was a lovely voice. She found herself staring, her curious metallic eyes all but watching his every move before he caught her with his very gaze as it pinned her in place. That look was full of intensity as his mouth parted, the sight of his sharpened fangs caused her heart to jump and race impossibly faster. She didn't pull away. She watched with an entranced expression... as the simple feel of his fangs brushed against her skin brought forth a tiny gasp she could not control. Oh, it tickled!

The pale-haired fae questioned his favourite flavour was, her features expressive in a look of question and pure curiousity. How did she smell like that? He said she did and she believed him. Oh, she would believe every word! What on earth was his favourite flavour? How was she it?? She could not help that girlish giggle that escaped her lips. Or the sheepish way she rose her shoulders in an almost bashful way. He wasn't going to.... Taste her was he? Still, she didn't pull away. She should have been scared. Right? She should have been. But her racing heartbeat had nothing to do with fear. His accented words escaped him in that same dark chocolatey kind of way, like she just might like the flavour of it. If someone could do such a thing as eat words. Maybe that was what he meant. The charming dark prince hardly skipped a singular beat, sating her curiosity. Fae, Darling. He had said. How it hardly seemed to settle within her busy mind, her metallic gaze all but lowered to his smiling lips.

Oh, that smile was so princely! He was a prince after all, why shouldn't it? A dark fairytale prince that wasn't at all like anyone else. Yet he hardly stopped there, as if he took that question seriously. She was sweet like dessert! How her cheeks coloured more, a shade more than before. The idea of being dessert both intrigued her and baffled her all at once. If she was dessert, why wouldn't he like that taste? WHO didn't love dessert?? It felt like a wonderful compliment, oblivious that he spoke about her like she was a meal to be had. She stared at him curiously, as if trying to piece together some confusing notion her mind couldn't quite grasp before... they made it to their destination. That was SO fast. They were wonderful drivers. That moment all but shattered as she all but vaulted excitedly out of the SUV, regaining her own composure in the process, if her excitable nature could be described as composed. It was like that moment was lost, never transpired as she seemed fixed upon her forest that beckoned sweetly to her.

Iliana seemed absolutely oblivious to the concern the driver and his security possessed for their prince. What was there to be worried about? They were in the best place after all. She popped her head in once more to thank them profusely, declaring them excellent at their job, whatever that entailed! She slipped away like she was fuzz from a dandelion on a breeze. This was where she felt safe. Far more than that club, than within those city limits. Even her apartment could not compare.

Sebastian seemed to say some extra long goodbyes to his friends while she listened so closely to the sound of something far off in the distance Could her animals sense her already?? How she began to wander down that path, Sebastian forced to follow her eager steps. They only made it so far before she all but grasped his hand, his powers still working to ensnare her within them, not that she fought them or even aware of them. Iliana all but tugged him further and further... veering off to where there was no path to lead them. The bushes seemed to reach out for them with their limbs, the moon's pretty glow peeking from behind the canopy overhead.

She could sense them and hear them. Her animals. Her companions. A herd of deer chatted in their mysterious way, nervous of an unfamiliar predator within their home. They were so painfully still... and concealed by the thick trees and dense foliage. She was careful to avoid that thicket, taking the way she knew better than any other place. In fact, she had made her own trail, her own delicate feet had left their own narrow wear marks that she followed. After a moment of that forest seemingly closing in on them, it was like it suddenly opened up. As if it had sighed a content sigh, welcoming the pair home. It allowed Iliana to walk side by side. She snuggled up with the English man's arm, as if he provided her comfort, one she hardly needed here. Birds began their cryptic rumblings that the fae seemed happy to ignore. How she used to be fixated with that sound and their words... but her mind... was focused on something other than the forest and its creatures for once... but Sebastian's fangs, at least for the moment. How it was so difficult to rid her mind of them... and the gentle feel of them on her skin.

She was certain she could prick her finger on them should she touch one! A question burned inside of her, she did not hold it back as it escaped her. It earned her a chuckle, the sweet sound sent a bid or two from their roost. They were so scared and jumpy tonight! Well, not her. Not when she was near him. She cast him a sidelong glance, upwards to see his smiling face. Did he ever bite himself? What a peculiar question that was! One that he answered with ease. "So you like them then?" She questioned, oblivious if it was rude to talk about them so blatantly. "I think they are way better than my ears.." Her free hand instinctively reached for her pale blonde locks that concealed those dainty points. Those ears... that prompted so much attention. So many people looked at them funny, looked at her funny.

The pair chattered happily away, well.. mostly Iliana did. She pointed out the animals that were nestled away, hidden. Most notably an owl who had quite a few choice words or them. How rude of him! She swore she heard the owls faint laughing on a breeze, but it was almost as quiet as its beating silent wings.

Sebastian's words halted her abruptly as she all but stared at him. He loved deer?? So did she! Although one could argue she loved just about ALL the animals. "They are far nicer than that owl.. They are shy gentle creatures. Quick to startle and are so quiet at first.... but then when you get them talking... you have a friend for life." She prattled on, as if talking to animals was the most normal thing in the world. To her it was.

It was when they finally came to that familiar clearing and yet.. She found herself fretting over one thing. She took him from his club. Yes, he didn't really seem to be having that great of a time, he was just sitting there, staring intently at his phone. But still, he might have enjoyed it more after he had danced! Even she regretted that she missed that opportunity to lose herself to that entrancing music. She dropped his hand suddenly, moving into that clearing as if searching for something. Where was everyone?

It was then Iliana whirled around on the tip of her toes, the move itself was light and almost dancer-like. Did he just ask to dance without music?? How the thought exhilarated her! After all, princes were excellent dancers and could dance practically everywhere. That was what they did, right?

Did she want to dance? Of course, she did. "I really do." She uttered quickly, drawing forth another breath before she continued on. "I know... a lot of dances. Twirl until you can't.. The butt wiggle. Annd... I saw people do this unusual dance once. They looked like they were having such a fun time. They all just jumped around in a big group. They looked so funny, but they were happy.. Oh, and I was forced to learn some boring fancy stuff once before... I thought dancing was supposed to be about expression.. Not a million rules. I never liked those silly balls." She could have jumped from foot to foot she was so excited. "What is your favourite? I want to dance that.." Could she? Would she know the moves? She was quite sure she could learn them.

She moved further into the clearing, facing him but backing up... One fluid step, her back straight and yet her eyes followed him, never leaving that handsome prince even though she moved away from him. What was she doing? Perhaps she planned to be a mirror of him from afar. Wasn't that how she would learn?

"Teach me." She finally said with a smile, stopped in her tracks only to curtsey deeply. See.. she told him she could.

barefoot in nightgowns, that's how she dances in the rain;