Beauty Marked

Beauty Marked Part 30

Anxious, excited, nervous, elated. All the different things I felt as I woke up with Talus’ warm arms still around me. As I opened my eyes, I felt him pull his arms away. His skin brushing against mine left a tingle that seemed so fleeting. It was as though he didn't want me to know he’d been holding me. I couldn't help but feel disappointed; But I guess I couldn't blame him, after this moment together neither of us knew what was going to happen. Today was the day that I was to learn who I was and hopefully everything else about myself and the world of the marked in which I belonged.

Talus made it clear that after this, his job would be done. Just the thought had my heart pounding, in my head I was already trying to think up ways to extend our time together. He clearly didn't seem to hate me as much as he did when we first started traveling together. I knew I was attracted to him, and now, for some reason I couldn't help but feel a ...connection to him. Was it going too far to think that? Was it possible that maybe, he felt the same way? I instinctively touched the star crystal necklace he’d given me.

“You awake yet princess? We’d better get ready to go.” I smirked slightly at the mention of the nickname I wasn't a fan of. For some reason despite the fact it still bothered me, it didn't as much. As I sat up and looked at Talus my dress sleeve slipped off my shoulder. A blush rose to my cheeks as I thought about how the scene must have looked. Talus’ eyes widened a little before he looked away and got up out of the small bed. “I’ll uh.. let you get ready. I’ll be downstairs.” As Talus got out of the bed his hair was disheveled in a cute fashion and he was still shirtless. I blushed a bit more and found myself looking away. “Yeah, uh...good idea” I muttered not knowing what to say. I noticed a bit of a small smile as he grabbed his shirt and his jacket before heading down the stairs, leaving me to myself and my thoughts in his room.

The night didn't seem long; and while sleeping in Talus’ arms made my heart pound I didn't at all feel in danger, uncomfortable, or anything like that. Sure I was even aroused, a little bit as he had pressed himself against me, but as we settled into the night and I knew he wasn't going to try anything and was trying  to make me comfortable. I did feel comfortable with him. Did he want to do things to me last night? Was it at all possible that last night he wanted more? I didn't know. I felt that I’d drive myself crazy as I thought about all of this while I got ready. Fixing myself up in the only semi-presentable dress I had left with me, fixing my hair in a decent fashion. Goodness is that what my hair looked like when I woke up? I thought. It was voluminous, all over the place, and embarrassing knowing Talus had seen me that way. I pushed the thought from my mind as I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs I heard Talus and Quinn were talking to each other. “Your father would be real sore if-” Quinn seemed to start in a sympathetic tone “I don’t care what that man has to say about me. He’s the reason I’m being hunted down in the first place.” Hunted? Did he mean by more than just humans? When we met the succubi- what did Mena call him? An ‘elite’; that certainly didn't seem like the title of someone being hunted. But it wasn't as though I could really ask him about it either.

I cleared my throat as I neared the room, not wanting to walk in on anything more. Talus quickly regained his cool by running a hand through his hair, redressed with his shirt back on and his jacket on top of it. Quinn smiled at me as I came into the room seemingly knowing that I had tried to be polite by not eavesdropping any further; but not saying a word of it. “Morning miss, I take it this bozo made sure your sleep was comfortable?” He motioned towards Talus who crossed his arms. “I slept fine, He was a true gentleman. Thank you though.” I said trying to suppress a blush. ’Why did I say that?’ “Him, a gentleman?” Quinn said with a smile and Talus shrugged as if he was used to all of Quinn’s belittling comments. “I've done my share of saving damsels in distress” Talus said slyly as he looked at me. “Ready to go?” He changed to serious in an instant.