Chapter 65

~Mael~

He went back to the meadow, and right where he pulled the sprout, he dug his hands into the earth and pulled out a purple Hearthstone. The Hearthstone is a part of yourself. That's why he didn't want Kamari to claim land, at least not yet. This Hearthstone would be part of him if someone were to find and crush it. It would take a toll on Mael. And there was no way he was giving anyone an upper hand on his; he was the only one who could keep it safe. Mael takes it into his forest near the shade plant that started his first land claim. The land is their lifeline. Aneth was far too curious about it. It's good Mael threw him off by pulling out the plant. Mael sighs and lays down near it. His thoughts of Kamari pledged him. Sitting idly by, waiting for the right moment, was torture. Ultimately, he had to dethrone Aneth to have her, but he wasn't stupid; Mael knew that Aneth had kept his position for a long while for a reason. From what Mael knew, Aneth could deflect magic but now has gained the ability to use it: A mimicry. That wasn't good for Mael; he doubted any of Aneth's pride wanted to feel the sting of magic. Mael shudders at the thought. Being hit by magic is like being zapped by lightning. 

But he wasn't giving up. He had come too far and waited too far, too long. And Mael knew he would be an asset, he is the last surviving Shade and out lived them for a reason. Mael became good at gathering information, from being passive, standing a little closer than usual, to prideful pretending to do something mundane, be he heard everything. Now he knew how Aneth "charged" himself. Kamari. It surprised Mael that none of his pride mates had thought how cutting Kamari off from Aneth would weaken him for a challenge they could win. Or maybe they weren't able to get close enough without getting their asses kicked.

Mael had coaxed Kamari out before; she loved his little paradise. And if he tied it to learning, she would be all the more enticed. A dirty trick? Yes, but Mael wasn't okay with sitting and doing nothing anymore. Tricks were one of his attributes, part of his personality. Far be it for a Shade not to be so sly. Kamari's next lesson started soon, and he happened to be planning on stealing her away for a while. The pride didn't know precisely where his forbidden land resided, so he could keep her long enough for Aneth to weaken. However, he risked Kamari being livid with him. Mael would deal with a feisty female Shade; he had done it before. Mael reaches towards a midnight sky full of stars as if he could pluck one out of its eternal home. Stars guided his way; they always had, and he relied on them entirely. Being in a pride wouldn't be easy for someone like him. 

Solidarity came with control. Mael liked having things his way, maybe a little too much. He controlled everything in his Eden. Outside of it, he had no say. And in a pride, the hierarchy would test his patience. The constant fight to stay by Kamari's side made him think he might be a one-woman type of Dragon. Sharing wasn't his thing, but Good Goddess for Kamari, he'd deal with it. He would still have his Eden to come to but never reveal where it was to others. Expect Kamari. She knew, and he felt she knew how precious his land was, and he felt she wanted it to be her little secret. 

Mael sighed and then stood; the night had always been a companion to his nature. He was slipping through shadows, walking amongst those who thought nothing more of him than being a passerby. It was far too easy for him to reach the castle undetected, but for all Mael knew, Aneth wouldn't be far behind if Kamari was alone. With ease, he ascends the castle wall where he knows Kamari stays. Mael waits a moment or two, listening for Kamari's other Pride mates. 

Mael hears nothing. With a sly look on his face, he slightly peaks around the window to see Kamari brushing her hair in the mirror, and no one, not even her whelps, was around. He found it strange that he knew the right moments to pry, but he didn't complain; it helped him out. Mael quietly sneaks in and sits at the window seal, admiring Kamari's beauty. "Such mesmerizing things shouldn't be kept in stone walls, love."

Kamari's head whips around to him, her eyes wide but a smile hidden behind them. He wiggles his fingers, "Did you think I would stay away?" Kamari shakes her head with a pursed-lipped smile, "I think you have a death wish," she walks over to him, close but not close enough for Mael. He looks into her eyes, wanting to pry out the Shade inside. "Quite difficult to give in to your true nature crammed in a castle, don't you think?"

"My duty is to my people. Nivillia is where I belong." Kamari says, wrapping her silk robe tighter and slightly chilled from the breeze. Mael shakes his head, "No, that's just what you tell yourself. You shove darker parts of yourself into the back of your mind, hoping it doesn't rear its head. Egg you into temptation, but sweetheart, locking a natural part inside of you never ends well." The looks Kamari gave him told him she knew he was right, though she still hung on to an annoying thread.

Kamari presses her lips together, her eyes locked with his, his heart quickening every second he's in her presence. "I know what you're trying to do, Mael." He raises a brow and acts clueless. "Oh?" Kamari leans into him. " You're trying to steal me away, aren't you?"

Mael can't help but see the wicked smile on his lips as he shakes his head. "Never." The images that flooded his mind were not innocent. Having her so close made his restrain pull taunt; one little move and it could snap. "Would you let me?" Mael's voice is soft, luring, "For a night, would you come to my forbidden place where I only let you into?" He watches as Kamari's eyes search is own, she chuckles softly, "Your the true definition of snake you know that?" She steps closer, her eyes never living his, "You always wait; you hunt silently, slithering against shadows until you find the right moment to strike." 

"I'm very good at it." Mael gives her a cheeky smile that elicits her beautiful laughter. "Don't make me beg Kamari; I'm more than willing to get on my knees." Mael drags his eyes up and down the curves of her body. Kamari notices, then gives him a bitten-lipped smile, "You tempt me to see if that's true…" Kamari holds Mael's gaze as he watches her closely, he can almost feel that he has her, reeling her in slowly. 

"I did not pressure you to come with me last time. You did willingly. And, I suppose I could teach even more inside the land I've grown for myself. So, will you come with me?" Mael's heart beats a mile a minute, just waiting for that one-word answer he needs to have. Kamari swallows hard. She breaks eye contact with him, and he feels slightly lost in the ground he covers with her.

"I can't, Mael. I promised Aneth I wouldn't do lessons without him." Kamari gives him a meek smile, "Maybe you'll be able to teach me in the meadows again?"

Mael tried not to let his smile falter, but his Dragon roared in frustration. He half hated and admired her restraint because of a spoke promise. He clears his throat, "I suppose." But Mael had grown to the point of less patience and more action, and making this one move might backfire on him, but he was willing to take the chance, even to weaken Aneth in the slightest. 

He sighs and stands up. "I adore your conviction, my love." Kamari gazes up at him a look of innocence. Those eyes might have swayed him before. He was far too close to what he wanted, his hand cups her cheek, she slightly leans into it. "But sadly," he pauses for a moment, taking in the way she looks at him now verse how she'll look at him later. He leans into her ear and whispers, "I have to break it."

Before Kamari can pull away, Mael bites her neck, filling her system with his venom. It wouldn't kill her, but it would silence her and make her slightly unconscious. He hauls her over his shoulder and quickly races back to his Eden, where he'll keep Kamari for a few days. Aneth will weaken, and Mael will do what he does best.

Poison him.