A Palace Balcony and Other Locations

Chapter One: A Palace Balcony

It was the night of the full moon, and you were pleased with your timing. As soon as the moon had begun to peak past the dark clouds of night, your lineup of crystals and tools had come to a neat display. On the top of the balcony railing they lay, where they would be undisturbed for the night.

The plan was to come outside and set all of your wares to bathe in the moonlight, then go back inside and retire for the night. However, the view of Vesuvia from the palace was breathtaking. A chill breeze wrapped around you and pulled your attention to the tranquility of a city at night. You lingered a moment longer, breathing in cool and crisp air, letting the moon's energy cleanse you as well. You felt your magic swell within you, heightening your senses. Maybe that's how you became prematurely aware of the presence of Lucio.

You couldn't help but wonder what he was doing as you began to relax against the balcony barrier. You closed your eyes and thought of him fondly, of his features, his voice, the way he held you close to him- you started to ache for his touch or even just his presence.

Your eyes were still closed, and your breathing slowed as you found yourself in almost a trance powered by the light of the moon. You heard his steps walk up the palace stairs, his boots sending quick clicks down the hallway.

Then you saw him. It was foggy and dreamlike, a new sort of vision, but you saw Lucio. He was headed towards the balcony you were currently on. You reached out for a more solid point of him to focus on, your hands blanketed in a chilled breeze. Then, it was there. You thought of his warmth and your entire body temperature changed.

You were suddenly warmer as if someone had placed a blanket around you... or a fur cape. You felt him, just as he felt himself. How his heart beat impatiently with the anticipation of finding you. You felt your heart quicken as a result and goosebumps traveled up your arms. You realized you had begun to feel his emotions on top of your own. His desires, his past thoughts about you. You dug deeper into them, which sent a pang of sexual desire to your core. You could hear his thoughts now, as clear as if he were behind you, " If I climbed all the way to the fourth floor and she's not here... Fuck, I need her to be there... I need her... If she only knew what I thinking about during dinner with the courtiers... Especially after Valerius' comment about her... Oh, I'll be sure to tease her in front of Valerius soon enough... How cute she would be trying not to come undone in front of him... It would finally shut him up..."

You didn't have much time to wonder what had happened at dinner, as you now actually heard him. His quickly paced steps were coming closer, and you were then even more excited to see him. 

   As the doors to the balcony opened, you spun around, eyes opening. You hadn't realized that you had been holding your breath until you tried to speak. You attempted to settle back down, composing yourself well enough. He looked perfect tonight. He was illuminated with candlelight behind him, in front of him with the moonlight. His hair was pushed back, and your fingers longed run through it. His shirt was unbuttoned lower than usual, and you couldn't help but gaze at him for a moment.

"However can I help you, Count Lucio?" You hummed, letting your eyes drink him in before turning back to face the city. Now that he was here, you could more strongly sense his emotions.

"Oh, my dear," he started as he strode towards you, pressing his chest against your back. He moved hair behind your ear, leaning down to continue on, "I could think of several ways you could assist me right now..."

As he touched you, the connection you had made to him grew, and you became overwhelmingly entranced in the mixture of both of your energies. Your brow furrowed, trying to figure out how to calm yourself down. His touch felt even more intimate, and his breath on your ear made you physically shiver.