-Victoria-
Months had passed with little fanfare. After our light show, and many other's just like it, I had finally managed to control my magic. Finally the lessons Professor Zekora was teaching me helped and I was making progress. I continued seeing Professor Ethar as well as introducing him to Ani and Anna to help them with their problems. But all of that ground to a stop when the festive season arrived.
Everyone went home. I mean everyone. From students to teachers to the cooks in the kitchen. I was the only one left. Well not the only one. Despite the importance of Yuletide, Azax stayed behind with the blessing of his father. When he was showing me to the kitchen the first day, after informing me how everyone was gone, I remarked on how strange it was.
"Yuletide, or more importantly the winter solstice, is a very important time across all of Evania," Azax explained, "The kings renew their dedication to their kingdom and bless everyone. You spend the whole day with family and share your magic with each other. It provides you with strength for the coming year."
"But you're the prince, don't you need to be there for the blessing?" I asked, "And shouldn't I go to Varezia to receive the blessing there?"
"I asked about that while everyone was preparing to leave," Azax informed me, "The headmaster was adamant that you remain here saying you hadn't received the blessing before and didn't have need of it now."
"That's hardly fair." I said.
"That's what Zekora and I said but there was little we could do," He explained, "Technically, since your mother is still on the run in the human realm, you are a ward of the school and under the care of the headmaster."
"Is that why he was able to just stick me in the basement and change my schedule?" I couldn't believe it.
"Exactly," He confirmed, "Zekora is spending Yuletide at the Varezian Palace to work with Ustrea so she plans to talk to the King about changing guardianship over to her since she is your mother's friend. My father is prepared to back him up if the headmaster tries to pull anything funny."
"But what about you?" I asked again, "Don't you need to go for the blessing? You are the prince."
"I'll be attending the blessing and then returning here," He grabbed my hand, pressing a kiss to it, "I couldn't leave you alone."
I blushed a deep red causing him to chuckle. We continued down to the kitchen hand in hand. Once we got there, Azax sheepishly admitted he didn't know a thing about cooking. It was finally my turn to laugh at him as I whipped us up some lunch.
Azax spent the rest of the day showing me around the entire school. From the Aivorian dorms and common rooms to hidden passageways and secret chambers. As it got closer to dinner time, he wrote a note and sent it off with a messenger.
"What was that?" I asked.
"A surprise," He answered, "Just meet me in the central hall in about two hours. Be sure to wear something nice but warm."
Nice but warm, I thought. Whatever we were doing had to be outside. I returned to my room and decided to shower. I dried my hair, pulling it into a simple braid. I chose a nice pair of blue jeans with a plain white t-shirt over which I had a soft red sweater. Black lined boots with matching hat and gloves finished off the look.
When I finally emerged into the main hall, I had to laugh. Azax stood there dressed near identical to me but in a blue sweater instead of red. He pulled me in for a sweat kiss once I was close.
"You look wonderful." He said, backing up to admire me.
"We look exactly the same." I laughed.
"Our sweaters are different colors." He defended.
"But that's the only difference," I said pulling on his belt loop so he was close enough to wrap my arms around, "I didn't think this place knew what jeans were."
"We keep informed on innovations in the human realm that would benefit us." He informed me, resting his hands on my hips.
"Does that mean I'll get proper cell service and WiFi soon?" I asked.
"I wouldn't hold your breath." I giggled at this kissing him again.
"So where are you taking me?" I backed away grabbing hold of his hand.
"Someplace few have seen." He said pulling me out into the courtyard.
We walked our way through the courtyard coming to the main gate. As Azax passed through, it was like I hit a wall. I rested my hands against the invisible wall while Azax looked on. He was shocked at first but then his eyes narrowed in anger.
His hand glowed blue as he reached back through the barrier, grabbing my wrist. The blue energy had barely coated my whole body when he yanked me through. Now both past the gates, we stared at each other as wide grins took over our face. It felt like we had just staged a jail break.
He guided me through the woods. Deeper and deeper until we came to a cave. I was a little nervous about entering but Azax just pulled me closer, creating a ball of light to hover above us. He nugded me and I took the cue doing the same thing.
As we journeyed farther into the cave I spotted a light in the distance. It wasn't bright like sun more a soft glow like the moon. As we got closer, Azax allowed his light to disappear and I did the same. We emerged into a massive cavern filled with trees, flowers, a waterfall, lake and even a fake sky making the roof appear to be night sky.
"Wow," I breathed, "What is this place?"
"Come see." Azax said, pulling me towards the massive tree in the center.
Carved into the trunk of the tree were the initials A&V with a heart around it. At first I blushed thinking Azax had come in and carved our initials into the tree. He just laughed and hugged me close.
"It stands for Alune and Vebras," He explained, "The princess and prince of old. This was where they would meet."
"How did you find this place?" I asked reaching out to touch the initials.
"Not long after my powers were unlocked, I was angry and afraid," He shared, moving to sit below the tree, "My mother was still in the palace and I had no idea what to do with myself. I just wanted to get away and hide from everyone. I blinked and I was here. I spent hours here until I got hungry and began to miss my father. As soon as I thought about going home, I was there."
"That must've been a shock to everyone." I said sitting next to him.
"No one believed me when I explained where I was," He continued, "It wasn't until I was able to go back there and see the initials and explain them that they understood. People had been searching for their secret meeting spot since their death but no one ever found it."
"I'm sure they tried to get you to take them here, right?" I asked.
"They did," He agreed, "And I tried but no one has ever been able to even see the entrance. They'd see me disappear but would walk right over the entrance like there was a hill there. My father tried breaking the illusion but it was too strong. It's believed Alune used the kingdom's magic to create it."
"But I saw it," I pointed out, "And I'm here."
"Yes, you are." He agreed kissing my hand, "Have to wonder why that is."
"Azax…" I began but was interrupted when he made a picnic basket appear out of nowhere.
"Let's enjoy our night by the waterfall." He said pulling me up and linking arms.
We did enjoy a lovely picnic by the water. The note he had written earlier was for the kitchen staff at the palace who prepared all our favorite food. We ate and drank, genuinely having a good time together. Once we had finished, Azax had asked if I wanted to take a swim.
"It the middle of winter," I pointed out, "The water has to be freezing."
"Feel for yourself." He gestured to the lake.
Dipping my hand in I realized the water was very warm. Before I could ponder whether I'd actually go swimming or not I felt a force shove me forward into the water. I surfaced quickly, spluttering water while Azax laughed on shore.
With a glare, I stuck out my hand and summoned my magic. I focused on pulling him towards me by the ankle. He and I were both shocked when an invisible force dragged him across the grass and right into the water. I began to worry when he didn't surface after a while. I screamed when a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind.
Azax dragged me back under. We wrestled in the water, splashing and dunking each other. At some point we had managed to wash up on shore. I pinned him beneath me, both of us out of breath. Overcome with temptation, I leaned down and covered his mouth with my own.
The kiss was hot, sloppy, like we were starving for each other. Our positions quickly reversed as Azax took control. His hands raked down my body and back up as he wedged his knee between my thighs. I broke the kiss, releasing a loud moan, grinding down on his leg.
His hands traveled up under my shirt, fiddling with the fastens of my bra. I pulled on his shirt, desperate to touch his bare skin. He obliged, pulling both off in one fluid motion. I took a moment to admire him. I knew he was fit but to see it made a world of difference. Water dripped down his chest and over his abs disappearing just below his waistline. I wanted to lick it off him.
I pulled him back down into another scorching kiss. My nails raked up and down his back leaving red lines. His hands returned to their exploration, beginning to uncover my stomach. He pulled back just enough to allow me to sit up to remove the shirt.
Before we could get my shirt up, a loud bell filled the cavern. Azax froze narrowing his eyes. He quickly stood, drying himself as he did and pulling his shirt back on. I just sat there confused.
"Someone has tried to enter my rooms," He explained, "That alert was a detection spell I set up."
"Always interrupted." I said with a sigh, fixing my bra.
"I'm sorry," He replied pulling me to my feet and drying me at the same time, "But I really do need to go investigate."
"It's alright," I kissed him on the cheek, "I understand. I'll even help you."
"Thank you," He pulled me close, "Hold on tight."
In the blink of an eye, we were in front of Azax's room. We looked around and Azax checked the barriers finding nothing having been disturbed. He did sense a magical signature which we followed from his room to the central hall where it disappeared. He seemed troubled, so I grabbed his hand pulling him into an alcove nearby.
"You need to relax," I said wrapping my arms around his shoulders, "I know you're worried."
"No one else should be here," He explained, "Least of all near my room."
"Would picking up where we left off help?" I asked with a cheeky smile.
"It wouldn't hurt." He said with a sly smile of his own pulling me even closer.
We joined in another kiss. Things started to heat up and our hands started to roam once more. It felt a little wilder being in what is usually a public area.
"We have to find that girl." A voice said out in the hall.
We stopped once more, eyes wide. There was only one girl they could be looking for. But why?