Denial

A hand, eager and clumsy, brushed against the silky lace of her underwear. Callista flinched, the touch a stark contrast to the memory she craved. The woman's face, a forgettable blur of blonde, crumpled in wounded confusion. "Not feeling it?" she mumbled, a forced lilt masking the sting in her voice.

No. Not even a flicker. The stranger felt like a discordant note, a jarring contrast to the memory that burned bright in her mind: Athena's eyes, molten gold that sparked a fire in her soul, her voice a silky caress that sent shivers down her spine even in the memory.

The past week had been a relentless parade of forgettable faces, a desperate attempt to drown out the persistent echo of a single touch. Clubs thrummed with a frenetic energy, a stark contrast to the hollowness Callista felt within. She'd clung to the delusion of mere curiosity, a yearning for novelty.

But the lie tasted like blood on her tongue.

Not after the tremor that ripped through her when her eyes met Athena's across the arena, a molten duel of gazes that ignited a firestorm in her soul. Not when the brush of their thighs sent a jolt that scorched her with a primal awareness, leaving her precariously teetering on the edge.

When had this become her reality? So susceptible to a fleeting touch, powerless against a mere glance. A wry snort escaped her lips. Apparently, the famed Callista, slayer of shadows, had been reduced to a lovesick fool.

Unease prickled at her skin as her companion's hand drifted beneath her lace. Revulsion flared, hot and primal. With a jerk that spoke volumes, Callista rose, a choked apology tumbling from her lips as she flung open the door. The storm within her only intensified with distance, a tempest tethered to Athena.

This… this treacherous desire shouldn't exist. Yet, a twisted part of her craved the forbidden. Curiosity for the same sex wasn't the culprit, Callista realised with a jolt of horrifying clarity. 

It was Athena, all and every part of her. 

Athena, with her captivating golden eyes, her smooth and eloquent grace barely contained the primal hunger in her touch. A beautiful paradox, an intoxicating danger. How could she fulfill her mission under this consuming influence? Was she destined to become a cliché – a spy succumbing to the forbidden allure?

Neon lights blurred into a vibrant smear as she sped away. A kiss, a supposed means to an end for this bizarre attraction. But the kiss had ignited a kaleidoscope of her own emotions she never knew existed.

Nowhere near enough. Callista cursed under her breath. Dmitri's fate was a stark reminder. A single misstep could unravel everything, not just the mission, but her very identity. 

She wouldn't succumb.

That was what she thought, but her feet, guided by an invisible force, carried her to the fragrance garden once again. The scent of familiar lilies filled the air, a siren song she couldn't resist. Not, of course, that it held any particular significance. Certainly not a reminder of a certain infuriating someone's presence, nor the fleeting encounter that left a lingering echo within her.

Callista settled on a wooden bench, its rustic charm offering little comfort. Squinting at the unusually dense blanket of stars, she muttered, "Stars... are they always this... numerous? Or am I just seeing double?" 

A melodic chuckle shattered the silence. A voice, smooth as velvet, slithered through the fog of Callista's mind. "The stars are out in force tonight, wouldn't you agree, Astra?"

Startled, Callista spun around, searching for the source of the voice. A figure perched amongst the branches, bathed in the soft moonlight, sent a jolt through her. Princess Athena, a mischievous glint in her golden eyes, leaned forward.

"Drinking and smoking again, I see. Though," she inhaled deeply, a playful glint momentarily replaced by a flicker of something else, "the sweetness clinging to you isn't quite your usual brand."

Callista's breath hitched. Had the princess truly discerned the source of the lingering scent from such a distance? Words seemed to abandon her as the memory from the encounter earlier that week resurfaced.

"My personal life is hardly a concern of yours, Your Highness," she replied, her voice laced with a hint of defiance.

A subtle twitch in Athena's exquisite features – a telltale sign of the sting in the hunter's words. But as the princess schooled her facade back to her normal bemused expression, Callista swallowed, half-dreading, half-anticipating what came next.

"Perhaps not," Athena conceded, her voice dropping to a husky whisper. "But a certain... imprint left on a certain article of my clothing does pique a certain curiosity, wouldn't you agree?"

A low growl rumbled in Callista's chest, the words laced with a tremor, "It was a mere reflex. Nothing more." A bitter truth disguised as a lie.

A flicker of something akin to... disappointment? The emotion flitted across Athena's eyes as quickly as it appeared, replaced by her usual nonchalant facade. 

The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken tension. Athena's voice broke it, a hint of amusement lingering in her tone. "Come, Astra. The view from up here is truly spectacular." She gestured towards the ancient oak, an invitation both playful and challenging.

Callista, aware of the challenge, mumbled a hesitant, "No thanks."

A genuine smile, a rare sight that momentarily disarmed Callista, curved Athena's lips. With surprising agility, the princess descended the tree and stood before her. Before Callista could voice a protest, a strong arm encircled her waist. A playful glint lit up Athena's eyes as she propelled them both upwards in a single, graceful movement.

A gasp escaped Callista's lips as the cool night air rushed past. The ground fell away, replaced by a breathtaking panorama of stars. "A sight not to be missed," Athena purred, her golden eyes sparkling with amusement. "Now you know my secret hideaway."

Callista stole a glance at the princess beside her. Gone were the opulent gowns, replaced by a simple crop top that hinted at a surprising athleticism. An oversized denim jacket added a touch of casual allure to the princess's usual regal bearing.

A hush fell between them, punctuated only by the soft murmur of the night. The cool air carried the mingled scents of pine and wildflowers, a calming fragrance that soothed Callista's racing thoughts. Despite the inherent danger, a strange sense of peace settled over her as she gazed at the ethereal figure beside her.

After a thoughtful pause, Callista murmured, "This... academy. Do you like it here?"

A playful glint flickered in Athena's eyes as she glanced at Callista. "Careful there, Astra. One might mistake your words for genuine interest in this... undead being."

Callista's frustration bubbled. "A straight answer would be nice, Princess."

A soft chuckle escaped Athena's lips. Unexpectedly, she leaned in, the faint aroma of lavender shampoo tickling Callista's senses. A jolt of surprise coursed through Callista as the princess rested her head on her shoulder.

"Here, there's a simplicity I crave," Athena sighed, a raw honesty evident in her voice. "A chance to breathe, an escape."

"What awaits you beyond these walls?" Callista found herself asking, a question forming unbidden on her lips.

Athena nuzzled her neck, momentarily recoiling at a lingering foreign fragrance, a silent acknowledgement of Callista's earlier encounter. "Out there," Athena began, her voice a husky murmur, "it's a constant… struggle for power. Tiresome, truly." A hint of longing flickered in her golden eyes.

Callista felt a blush creep up her neck as a wave of surprise washed over her, mixed with a sudden surge from Athena's warm breath against her skin. "And companionship?" Callista's heart fluttered, the question strangely important to her.

Callista murmured, "Perhaps you haven't searched thoroughly enough." Memories of Indigo and Damien, the comrades who understood her burden and offered solace in her darkest times, flickered in her mind.

A thoughtful hush fell between them, broken only by the rustling leaves.

Athena's voice softened further, "There's a hidden sanctuary atop Mythshollow Woods, even more peaceful than this. Perhaps I could show it to you… someday."

A choked laugh escaped Callista, momentarily disarming Athena. "Must admit, Princess, 'Mythshollow' sounds more like a villain's lair than a place for stargazing," she teased, her gaze lingering on the vast night sky. "Though the company isn't entirely unbearable."

The princess's eyebrow arched as she straightened, the absence of Athena's weight on her shoulder a sudden loss. "Unbearable to merely tolerable, Astra? Now that's progress. Perhaps with enough interaction, I might even reach the dizzying heights of 'pleasant company."

A ghost of a smile played on Callista's lips as her eyes, betraying her thoughts, flickered to Athena's lips. "Don't tempt me, Princess," she muttered.

A seductive warmth bloomed in Callista's chest as her gaze drifted to Athena's lips. The urge to bridge the gap between them, fueled by the wine and the captivating presence before her, threatened to overpower reason. Perhaps, just one night of indulgence wouldn't hurt. Callista swallowed, her crimson eyes dilating with desire.

A single night should be enough.

Callista swallowed, her breath catching in her throat. But as she leaned in, a complex mix of emotions flickered in Athena's eyes - a flicker of surprise, perhaps a hint of something deeper. With a sigh, Athena brushed a stray strand of hair from Callista's face, a touch that lingered a beat too long. 

"You seem under the influence," Athena stated, her voice a low murmur laced with concern. "This wouldn't be a wise decision."

The hunter, her breath hitching, found herself enveloped in a brief unexpected warmth before landing back on the ground. "Goodnight, Astra," Athena murmured before swiftly departing, her steps resembling a hurried flight.

Callista grappled with the dissonance of Athena's words and actions. The princess's actions, tinged with a surprising gentleness, clashed dramatically with her prior flirtatious advances. This unforeseen turn of events left Callista both bewildered and strangely charmed. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she caught a hint of colour blooming on the princess's cheeks, a flicker of vulnerability beneath the playful mask. The encounter ignited a spark of curiosity within Callista, a yearning to unravel the enigma that was the princess.