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Ish’talla Side
Andr'ial and Ati'yya
Chapter 02 : 13
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“Then I will send out informants to gather who has been particularly interested in these two.” Andr’ial sighs. The urgency and price on the bounty his younger sister has sent out was causing a political stir within the Northern territories. Why does he always have to be the one to clean up her mess? Why can’t his brothers be held accountable as well? He’s sure that would mean someone would be willing to go find them first then come back alive. “I should have gone to war…” He shakes his head with a smirk. “Then I would not have a permanent residence for others to hunt me down at when she pulls this kind of thing.” “And if you find them?” “If I am required to seek them out, I will attempt to locate any bounty hunters first then will either kill the lot of them or turn them over to the western lord for political leverage against her. I am hoping it does not require travel, Ati’yya would not do well away from here. She is not used to it yet and my sister’s sands would kill her.” Andr’ial smirks. “That and my hypocritical sister does not believe in Siren ownership, yet she had slaves to answer her every beck and call plus a personal pet who obeys her will. It would certainly turn into an argument.” “Io’fayl never did like when my Father would bring over his… I believe she would have felt differently about the males if she had been exposed to one.” Hir’itel chuckles. “You know you are welcome within my home, cousin. You do not need to return to him. Both you and In’irda will be safe here.” “But I’ll never be able to save face. He will shun me from everything, and he can still take In’irda, she is his. He would probably do so out of spite. So I will be left alone and broke, never able to leave your residence. I appreciate the offer but there is no way it can be done. I would prefer In’irda be somewhere that she felt safe and she had another to commune with. She likes Ati’yya...” Hir’itel sips his wine with a sigh. A small sly smile forms on Andr’ial’s lips. “If the need for travel arises, I will need a caretaker for my lands and my servants. He could not shun you for a favor and he could not step onto my land without political backlash because despite family lines, I am still the owner and I choose who enters. Hir’itel laughs. “If it comes down to that, we can discuss it. I’m sure In’irda would love to spend time with Ati’yya. You know I would take care of her.” As hard as he tries, he cannot hide the feelings of lust for his cousin’s Siren. He would love to bed her just once… Andr’ial frowns. “Ati’yya will be joining me. I will not leave her, I will find the best routes to keep her from becoming dehydrated, even if it requires southern travel. I would ask you remove all thoughts of ever having her alone. It will not happen.” “You shouldn’t become so attached to your pets, Andr’ial…” The silver haired man rises, annoyed. “These creatures are far beyond simple ‘pets’ and they deserve better treatment than what they get. In’irda is not an animal, pay attention, her thoughts and behaviors are as complex as your own.” “We teach them to be like that, Andr’ial. Don’t fall in love with her, that’s the worst thing you can do, they can’t return it-” “I am done with this conversation. I will take care of my sister. You may stay as long as necessary to keep In’irda safe, but I will be returning to my chambers.” Andr’ial storms off as his cousin shakes his head with a smirk.
 Which is what she has done, but this doesn’t mean she has started to develop any feelings for Andr’ial as the other Siren has said. After all, he is still her captor, he is still a male that has stolen her life from her and forced his will on her time and time again. He is still a male from race that is not her own… and while it’s true he has begun making her feel things she cannot ever remember feeling even with her own suitors, it can’t possibly mean she’s developed any true feelings for him beyond that faint fondness for his presence that she had been sure was only there due to her circumstances . But … as blue slitted eyes slide over to meet golden yellow filled with a knowing look, she finds herself wondering if that fondness could actually be something more. Even if it was though, from the way In’irda talks - it would not wise to allow herself to care for him no matter how he treats her as it seems that on top of the cruelty and simplicity of his people, they cannot see her own kind as anything other than what they are treated as; mere ‘pets’. I really… do not understand them the blue haired Siren sighs soon after. I do not understand why any male would court yet not court, act as a suitor yet not wish to become a mate. Their kind… I do not think I will ever understand why their actions and their words do not coincide… It is who they are. They live in a world of deception and lies. It is apparently far easier to act kindly to someone’s face yet hate them behind their back than it is to simply come out and say what they feel. So it is no surprise to me that this inability to say and do what one actually means extends to all aspects of their lives. They- The golden haired Siren’s words are interrupted as Andr’ial opens the door to his chamber, very obviously annoyed. White pupiless eyes fall on Ati’yya and his anger melts instantly as he walks over to his bed where the two females sit. He was glad In’irda looked as if she felt better, but he missed his blue haired Siren in all her beauty. In’irda stands, bowing her head as he comes close and trying to ignore as the silver haired man leans down to gently and lovingly kiss Ati’yya on the lips as if he were her lover and her equal. After several minutes he turns to the yellow haired Siren to speak as clawed fingers unconsciously move over Ati’yya’s shoulders. “Hir’itel is waiting for you in the dining hall. I have told him you are welcome to stay here as long as needed to keep you safe.” In’irda bows in thanks, nodding once to indicate she understands before taking her leave, squeezing Ati’yya hand to show her appreciation as she passes by before making her way to the door and closing it behind her slowly. Once she has entered the hallway she sinks against the wall to the floor, not wanting her master to see how she is unable to stop her tears. Blue slitted eyes slide away from the door soon after it’s been closed and up to meet pupiless white as Andr’ial slides onto the bed besides her. A smile forms on his lips as clawed fingers rise up to brush along the contours of her face, following the line of sky colored locks and down to her chin. She closes her eyes just briefly as his fingers skim over the surface of her skin until she feels his lips once again touching hers, claiming a soft kiss that she can’t help but return. She meets his gaze once again when he finally pulls just slightly away before sitting up and crawling forward to climb into his lap, long legs straddling his muscular own. The horned man’s breath hitches just a little as webbed fingers trail to his face to begin her own slow exploration while a thoughtful look paints her pretty features. As she slowly traces along the lines of his face, In’irda’s words play back through her head. She… does not think she feels more for this male than the fondness that’s begun to take hold… and even that fondness, she’s sure is simply there because he has become the only familiar presence here in this strange land beyond the yellow haired Siren herself. Though… as her fingers slide to his lips and she skims across the line with the very tips of small claws, she wonders if it that is even possible. Even though he has begun acting as a true suitor would act, she knows that in his society she is considered his ‘pet’ and even though In’irda has said that he treats her differently than the others of his kind would, how can she know for sure that he does not see her as this as well when all is said and done? Andr’ial smiles as webbed fingers cross his lips and he kisses them before reaching for her hand and pressing her palm to his mouth. He wishes she could understand him, he would do nothing but tell her how beautiful she is, how much he enjoys her presence and that she is part of his life now. How sorry he is for taking her but also how glad he is that she is here and that she accepts him finally. That he will protect her from harm and do everything in his power to make her happy. But what if Hir’itel is right and he is developing stronger feelings for her? It wouldn’t be acceptable to think of a Siren as anything other than a pet and he himself is unsure he can. He has already forced so much on her, is all she displays true affection or is she just fulfilling her role as she has been told to do so he won’t harm her again? He has no real way to ask her how she feels. His own fingers reach up to move sky blue strands away from slitted eyes, watching his own movements before white eyes lock with blue. “What are your thoughts, little fish? What goes through your head?” He presses his hand to the side of her face and she smiles slightly, closing her eyes as she leans into his grip. Andr’ial loves how delicate she feels, so small and helpless in his arms, he loves feeling it’s his responsibility to keep her safe. He sighs as he brings his forehead close to hers. “I wish I could tell you everything you make me feel…” Blue slitted eyes close momentarily as they remain locked together, the horned man’s forehead resting gently against her own. She wishes she could understand his words... she wants to know what he says to her when he speaks. She has learned his name, learned the name he has given her, learned some of his words but none of it enough to truly understand yet. She wants to ask him what his true intentions are… whether he truly wishes her to be his companion, to be a mate or if he is simply treating her as others would treat her kind when they are not being cruel. What does he see when he looks at her beyond the role she has learned her kind are to his? She wants to ask him this and much more, but… as blue slitted eyes reopen and webbed fingers slide up into long strands of silvery hair, she wonders if asking him would do her any good in the end. To his people, to him, In’irda has said their kind are property… slaves… objects to be desired, used, bought and sold. And even though he has been treating her so kindly, even though he has acted as a suitor would act by protecting her, touching her gently and caring for her, she is still not one of his own and he is not of hers. In his world she is a ‘pet’ and he is her ‘master’. If she were to tell him that she does not want to be his ‘pet’ any more than she wants him to be her ‘master’ would he understand? Would he understand that she does not want him to court her if he has no real intention of being her mate? That she wants his feelings and his intentions to be as real as hers to him would be? She knows he will not understand her but she tries, speaking softly in a way that catches his attentions. White pupiless eyes open a moment later to meet her gaze and she pulls slightly back without relinquishing her grip in his hair. She tries to tell him that she is growing fond… that she does not want his actions and his meanings to be as all the others in his race has shown her they could be. That if he does not want her as a true mate, he should not treat her as such because she does not want to be hurt by him in that way… she asks him to please show her that he is not as his people are, to prove to her that he is not cruel. “Some day…” He smiles. “We will understand each other and your beautiful words will have meaning.” Andr’ial lies back, pulling his Siren into his arms and holding her close as he tries to put the thoughts of his irritating family and the new responsibilities he must take on soon out of his head. For now, he only wants to hold Ati’yya and listen to the waves of the ocean beyond his balcony. His hands reach for hers, inspecting the delicate webbing between her fingers with his own as she settles against him. The horned man’s lips seek the crown of blue locks and he takes in her scent, a hint of the oceans she came from still mingling in with his perfumed oils. He loves that little hint of the sea and hopes she never loses it. “I should not feel for you… you should only be a pet.” “I do not know what to do with you should I have business in the south. I will not leave you here but the world is big and far worse than what you witnessed last night. My little sister’s castle in the sand is far from water and the oil will not work as well.” A small sigh leaves him. “But I would prefer not to think of this now. Only of you and the sea.” Andr’ial wraps his arms around her as his eyes close, blocking out all but her. She smiles softly as strong arms grip tighter around her lithe body, blue slitted eyes closing and her head shifting down against Andr’ial’s chest. Even though his words are lost on her still, she hopes that some of hers have gotten through. More and more she is finding how much she is beginning to enjoy these moments just as she enjoys feeling protected and held. She is also finding that she does not want it to end…
 Making it to the end of the hallway, she peers cautiously out once again to find the great room before her empty. A slight smile forms on her lips as her sky colored gaze settles on the sun lit scenery peeking through an opened arched doorway at the far end and a moment later she’s darted out towards it, intent on reaching her goal. But just as the Siren makes it past two white statues she’s caught, the loudest of surprised yelps escaping her lips as she’s lifted free of her feet and spun around. Webbed fingers swiftly wrap around Andr’ial’s neck as both of their laughter spills into the air before he completes the spin and hoists her up over his shoulder, continuing his steps towards the opened archway to carry his Siren out into the mid day suns. Andr’ial nips lightly at Ati’yya’s hip, her small chirp of mock annoyance bringing a large grin to his lips. Heavy boots carry them out to the rear courtyard, filled with fountains, statues and thick bushes. White eyes falls on a figure of a Siren, something he once found beautiful, now very ugly in comparison to the real thing. A small frown crosses his lips as he realizes the sculptor created the hands wrong. They were devoid of the delicate webbing he loves and the claws were bulky and thick compared to the fine points Ati’yya had. He paid quite a sum for that piece of junk. Walking past, he heads over to the largest fountain, swinging his Siren off his shoulder and watching as she splashes into the shallow pool at the base. Sky blue locks stream behind her as she gracefully swims the instant she touches and white eyes watch with fondness as she circles around a few times before surfacing. The ends of blue strands glide along the surface as she walks towards him, hips swaying just above the waterline. “I cannot say enough just how much your beauty entrances me.” He smiles as she blushes slightly. One of the words he had been able to teach her in the past week had been ‘beautiful’. He wanted her to know just what he thought of her. Webbed fingers slide up to touch at the horned man’s chest when she reaches him, bracing to allow herself to rise up on her toes in order to touch her mouth to his own. Clawed hands slip easily to her hips as Andr’ial gladly takes the kiss he’s being offered and she can’t help smiling against his lips as that same kiss rapidly begins to deepen. She can still feel the heat beneath her skin that his words had caused, an odd sort of sensation she’s becoming increasingly familiar with as she learns more of his language and the meanings of the things he tells her. She still cannot understand a lot, but there are words he’s made sure she does know. He’s told her that he finds her beautiful and each time he says it to her, that warmth spreads like wildfire. She has come to like the way he makes her feel, that fiery sort of tingling he can ignite in the same ways she seems easily able to ignite in him as well. Blue slitted eyes reopen to meet pupiless white as the kiss slowly breaks and she slides her arms up and over broad shoulders, her lithe frame lifted out of the water soon after while her legs wrap around his waist. Leaning in and tilting her head as Andr’ial turns and seats himself with his Siren holding tight onto the fountain’s ledge, she nips playfully at his chin to pull an amused laugh from his mouth. Pulling back once he’s settled with her in his lap, she brushes at silvery strands and tells him that his words have made her happy and she wants to hear them again. She speaks slow for him, allowing him to catch what he can of her own language so that he’ll understand. During the last week he’s been teaching her his, she’s been trying to teach him hers in return and while her own language is much harder for him than his is to her, he has still been able to grasp onto a little and that has been making her very happy as well.
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