Allur

"I thought I might find you here."

Serenity turned to look over her shoulder at the owner of the clam deep voice that greeted her. She was in her demi-form, with beautiful bold white feathered wings springing from her shoulder blades. She closed them against her back as her eyes fell on the handsome Prince.

She smiled at Theron as he approached her in the private garden just outside of the Den. She often took refuge, late in the evening after most of the palace had fallen asleep, in the private garden. There were few who even knew that Theron had a small garden connected to his chambers in the Den.

"I hope I am not intruding," she replied as she stood up to face him. Her wings fluttered behind her back as she faced Theron. He was wearing simple blue slacks and a white button up shirt. She couldn't help but smile at his handsome features. His purple eyes gleamed at her with longing. He gently reached out to her and stroked her cheek.

"Never," he responded as he leaned forward. He hesitated for a just a moment before kissing her slowly on the lips. His hesitation bothered her. What would prompt him to hesitate? "You've been using your magic again."

"Yes," she replied. "I thought the garden needed some color."

She turned and motioned to the beautiful purple flowers that had sprouted all around the oak tree at the center of the garden. The purple flowers reminded her of Theron's eyes. That is why she planted them.

"They are lovely," he whispered as he stroked the sides of her arms with his fingertips. She folded her wings against her back and he watched in awe as they disappeared against her skin. She turned back to face him and they were gone as if they were never there.

He leaned down and kissed her fiercely on the lips. His hands crawled up her shoulders and around the back of her neck. He gently brushed her soft feathers that mixed in with her silver blond hair.

He pulled out of the kiss with a deep sad expression in his purple eyes. Serenity held her breath as she stared at him, her own expression growing sad. A heavy weight grew in her heart. She understood now.

"You're ending this?" she whispered in surprise.

"I must," he said. "I am leaving for Allur in the morning. My father has ordered my men and I to protect the border. Panthers are harassing the citizens there."

Serenity nodded her head but could think of nothing to say. Theron continued in her silence. "Terron has spoken for you. He has asked Father to make you his…"

Serenity's eyes flashed at him. "Then the rumors are true."

She had heard for weeks that the King planned to give a young bird to his eldest son as a birthday present. Most of the birds believed that it would be Serenity. As a dove, she was one of the rarest and most beautiful birds. It had been rumored that the Crown Prince had asked for Serenity on multiple occasions.

"I attempted to lay claim to you," he added. "If I bring you with me, even secretly, it will be against the King."

Serenity nodded her head again as a coldness entered her body. It felt like cold water was rising around her, encompassing her body and steadily she was going to start drowning. She appreciated Theron's attempt to claim her as his own, but she knew it broke him to do that. She knew he did not want to claim her—she was not his to claim. He saw her as an equal, her own person who gave herself willingly to him. But if he didn't try to claim her, she would end up in his brother's power and that would break him even more.

She turned away from the Prince to stare at the beautiful strong oak tree. She crossed her arms around her stomach as it tied in knots. That was the place she had first met Theron. She was a young child and he was older, but not by much; he was lying under the tree in his Siberian tiger form. She was captivated by his beautiful white fur and powerful large body. As a child, she returned to the garden secretly many times in her bird form so she could sit high in a tree and watch him rest.

They shared many tender moments below that tree. He would lay on the dry grass in his tiger form and she would lay against him, smothering her body against his lavish fur. There were times they would sit together and she would use her magic to grow flowers for him, or heal his wounds from training with his soldiers. It was under that tree that they made love for the first time. They both freely succumb to each other desires. She had hoped that under that tree they would always find love, even if it was secret and forbidden.

The purple flowers that she had grown for him began to wilt. Theron heaved a sigh and touched her shoulders gently.

"Serenity," he whispered her name with such desire that her heart broke.

She broke free from his grasp, without turning to him, she marched away leaving the garden. That was the last time she saw Theron before his brother's birthday. A few weeks later she was branded with Crown Prince Terron's mark.

***

Serenity blinked as a sharp knock on her chamber door brought her back to reality. She looked over her shoulder and muttered for the individual to enter. Jemma bustled into the room carrying numerous garment bags. Serenity moved away from the window towards the sparrow. Jemma placed the bags on the large puffy bed. The two women began to open the bags silently and move the clothes into the wardrobe.

Serenity was thankful for the new clothes. She appreciated Theron providing her with many beautiful things to wear.

"I know it's hard dear," Jemma said gently to break the silence. Serenity glanced at her with curious eyes. "I was taken from my family when I was young. But being with Prince Theron is the best place to be, even if you are his personal slave. He is unlike any other tiger. Most of his men are polite and nice as well."

Serenity said nothing and nodded. It was clear that Jemma did not know Serenity's true relationship to the prince. She was not worried about being in Allur with Theron. She was thankful for it. She knew that it was the safest she would ever be and that she would be viewed as a servant, not a slave.

What she did fear was finally seeing Theron and confronting the feelings they previously shared. He had left the Den so abruptly that she had no time to mourn him. She felt as if he had abandoned her, left her for his brother to claim. She understood his position – how it would look if he adamantly fought for her or what it would have done to the entire realm if he had secretly taken her against the King's orders. But a part of her would never forgive him for leaving her behind.

"Serenity?"

She blinked and looked at Jemma with high eyebrows. "Yes," she said quickly. "I'm sorry. What did you say?"

"His Highness asked that you have dinner with him tonight."

"Oh," Serenity cringed. It had only taken three days. She had hoped he would leave her alone longer. "Just us?"

Jemma nodded. "In his chambers."

Serenity bit her bottom lip. "I will bathe and dress myself, thank you. I'll be along shortly."

Jemma nodded again in acceptance and left the bedroom without another word. Serenity bit her bottom lip as she looked out the window again, her mind lost in thoughts of the Theron from her past. She was sure he was different now, just as she was. She chewed on her lip while her thoughts wondered to dinner. She was not sure what to expect.

After a warm bubble bath, she dressed in a sheer black gown. It was a tank top dress that fell all the way to the floor. The top of the dress was detailed and structured like a corset. There were extra layers of material over her breast and in the skirt so that too much of her skin was not revealed. The dress appeared to be see-through in the right light. She pinned her hair half back, so that her shoulders were covered by her flowing silver white curls.

She emerged from her bedchamber and looked around the dark corridor with a deep frown. She wasn't sure where the Prince's room was. She glided down the hall in her black sandals to make her way down to the dining hall. At least there, she would be able to find someone to help her.

"Serenity."

It was him. She froze mid step on the stairwell, gripped the railing and turned back to see him standing only a few feet behind her. He looked as magnificence as she remembered. His thick brown hair fell in front of his eyes and down to his shoulders. He instinctively brushed it out of his eyes as she stared at him. Serenity took a slow breath as she met his deep purple eyes. She had never seen eyes like his. And now she only remembered them from her dreams. But instead of looking at him with unwavering love, she looked at him with deep betrayal.

Theron stood tall holding his hand out to her. He knew he had hurt in the worse way; an unforgivable way. He could only imagine the trauma she had experienced in the last year since he had been gone. He expected her bitterness. He hoped that she would somehow find it in her peaceful soul to forgive him.

Against her better judgment, Serenity took Theron's hand. He held it tightly, staring at her as she stepped back up the stairs to him. Her breath caught as his other hand touched her waist gently. She cast a dark navy blue glare on him. Theron couldn't help but smile at her. He missed her eyes. He missed the way they looked at him with every emotion she contained. He felt that her emotions, compassion and empathy were her strongest traits.

Serenity could only stare at Theron. He was wearing black slacks, black button up shirt and a black vest. The darkness of his attire made his pale skin all the more vibrant. She studied his stern jaw line, thick neck and noticed fading black strips on his skin turning to gray. She blinked and looked back at his eyes. He had just returned from his tiger form. Was that how she didn't hear him coming down the hall after her? Was he silently pawing down the carpet hunting her?

It had only been seconds since he called her name, but she felt like she had been staring at his gorgeous face forever, just as she used to. She sighed and pulled her hand out of his.

"Please, your Highness," she said in a strong voice that did not tremble despite her anxiety. "Lead the way."

He bowed his head and offered his arm to her. She did not take it as she looked around the hall. She wasn't sure what sort of relationship he wanted to present to prying eyes. Despite the tender moment at the top of the stairs, she felt that she should present herself as his inferior, his servant. She did not want any word of their true feelings or relationship somehow making its way back to the Den.

Prince Theron seemed to accept her notion and guided her down the corridor quietly back to his bedchamber. He opened the dark maple double doors and allowed Serenity to enter the room first. She looked around the suite with a small smile. They had entered a lavished sitting room with dark grained wood and rich navy blue carpet. Across from the bedroom door was a wide window that stretched from the floor to the ceiling with a door in it, leading outside to the balcony. It was the perfect angle to watch the sunrise in the morning. The curtains that hung around the window were navy blue. To the left there were two short steps that lead to a landing where the bed was. To the right there were two closed doors. Serenity assumed they led to the wardrobe and the bathroom.

In the center of the sitting room stood a two person dining table dressed with a tablecloth, fine dishes, a wine bottle, two empty glasses and a single candle. The comfortable looking couch and arm chair were pushed out to the edge of the room. Two chairs with fluffed cushions on them stood around the table. Serenity glanced at Theron with raised eyebrows.

"Don't flatter yourself," he said with a smirk. "I welcome every woman to my home this way."

Serenity smirked and shook her head. That did not surprise her at all.

"I appreciate you welcoming me like other women," she said softly as she moved to her chair. He pulled it out for her. Once she was sitting he made his way around the table and took his own seat. He picked up the bottle of wine that sat on the table and filled their glasses.

As if on cue, the chamber door opened and a Bali tiger appeared pushing a cart full of food. The tiger was dressed in white robes. Serenity assumed it was the chef himself. She bit her bottom lip and looked down at the plate. The Bali tiger served two beautiful plates of stuffed eggplant. Serenity looked at it in surprised. She was starving, but did not expect Theron to present her with such a delicious looking meal. The chef excused himself, leaving the cart with other food on it: bread, fruit, cheese, vegetables.

Serenity looked at Theron sharply. She was a vegetarian, but he was not. Where was his dinner?

"My eggplant is stuffed with beef," Theron said as he picked up his silverware and began to cut into his food. How did he always manage to read her mind?

Serenity picked up her silverware and began to eat. If she ate she didn't have to talk just yet. She took a sip of her wine as she stared at Theron who seemed content sitting in silence as much as she did. She couldn't help herself. Her curiosity and jealousy got the better of her.

"Have there been many women?"

Theron laughed loudly at her question. "Your jealousy surpasses your anger."

Serenity shook her head. "My anger knows no bounds, your Highness."

Theron frowned slightly before taking a sip of his wine.

"It was a coping mechanism at first," she continued. "At first I tried to want the things he did to me in an attempt to forget you and in some warped way make you jealous. I hoped he bragged to you about me that way you knew what you were missing—"

"—I have always known what I was missing," he retorted. Serenity leaned back in her chair with a heavy sigh. "No one needed to tell me. What would you like me to have done?"

Serenity eyes light up at his direct question. "The same thing you did to the Bengal in the field."

Theron frowned. "You know it's not that simple."

"It could have been," Serenity spat. "You have no idea the torture I have endeared for the last year. When you found me in that field I was hoping the Bengal would kill me. When you brought me back , I hoped that your father would kill me for trying to escape. I want to die because of what he did to me."

Theron's expression grew dark. "I am truly sorry. I do not expect you to forgive me. I cannot forgive myself."

Serenity frowned but nodded. She folded her hands on her lap but continued to stare at the Prince. "What do you expect of me?"

"I expect you to live here," he said. "To stay in the palace for your safety. Most of the soldiers here are more respectful than those at the Den, but I do not want anyone to think you are over stepping your station by moving freely. So please, stay in the palace. You may go as you please, when you please. You owe nothing to me."

Serenity looked down again as tears welled up in her eyes. Was this how he would try to redeem himself? Give her as much freedom as he could without freeing her completely?

She heard him move in front of her and quickly wiped her cheeks with her napkin. He was at her side, kneeling next to her. She caught her breath as she stared at him. What did it mean for a Prince to kneel next to her? She was nothing – at least the world saw her that way. She was a slave. Used by the cruelest of men to satisfy his never ending pleasure. Abused when he was angry. Thrown away when he was done with her…

"Don't," she whispered softly touching his shoulder. He took her hand and kissed her knuckles delicately.

"I wish I could have saved you sooner," he said softly. "I wanted you to be able to save yourself and I had hoped in some ways you would. I never meant to leave you for dead…" He stood up to his full height. His warm hands stroked her cheek gently as she stared up at him with sad, wide eyes. "I hope someday we can both learn to forgive."

Serenity looked down for a moment. "Please sit down," she said. "You need to finish your dinner."

He gave her a weak smile. "Is it possible that you haven't changed?"

"I have changed, your Highness," she said slowly. "I have grown harsh and impatient."

"I don't blame you. I have grown impatient as well."

"For what?" Serenity asked calmly.

"For the King to die, so that I can kill Terron and take the throne."