Evening, Day 9, 'Tonio's Apartment



>`Tonio walked over to her and laid a hand on her shoulder, "But now

>is not one of those times.  Usually when I want peace and quiet I

>leave the warren.  That way I can ensure that I will not be

>disturbed.  Come, have a seat.  I was going to prepare a light snack

>for myself, but I am more than willing to make something for you as

>well."

>

>Xanthia sat and nodded and `Tonio sat down beside her, "Before I do

>that, is there anything else that you wish to speak to me about?"



"N...No..." Xanthia stammered, reflecting how in an odd way 'Tonio was not 

much different than Oldreth. Both liked to leave the warren when troubled. 

But 'Tonio was so different as well. The young redhead's mind reeled in 

confusion.



"What is it?" 'Tonio asked. "You look troubled."



"When you leave, you do return, do you not?" Xanthia asked.



"I am here, as you can see." the Knight replied. "Let me go make us that 

snack," he said with a friendly wink as he turned to enter the kitchen.



A few minutes later the handsome young rider returned bearing a tray of 

assorted foods. "I wasn't sure what kind of snack you prefer," he explained.



"This is wonderful," Xanthia responded, reaching for an apple. She clasped 

the round red fruit in both hands, much as a child would, her eyes gleaming 

with a strange grateful glee as she bit into it. Immediately she felt 

consumed with guilt. "I'm sorry... I should have waited til offered. I was 

too forward."



"No, it's all right. Enjoy!" 'Tonio encouraged as he himself bit into an 

apple, "They are indeed very good."



"Very," Xanthia beamed.



Several awkward minutes passed as Xanthia ate in silence, her mind still 

mulling over the events of the day and her relationships past and present. 

It was curious how Th'rin was so upset by the mention of 'Tonio's name.



'Tonio was the first to break the silence. "You haven't said much."



"I was just thinking..." Xanthia replied.



"Oh?"



"About people and things." Xanthia leaned forward and picked up the cold 

drink which awaited her on the tray and took a long drink. "I enjoyed the 

mating flight today."



"As did I," 'Tonio responded.



"And..." Xanthia blushed and tried to hide behind her glass, "I enjoyed 

after the mating flight, too."



"Good," 'Tonio chuckled, "I'm glad. There's no need to be embarrassed, 

however."



"We did nothing wrong?" Xanthia queried, looking for reassurance.



"Absolutely not. Why do you ask?"



"It's... Th'rin... he got upset when I told him we mated. But we did 

nothing wrong, right? And Th'rin is mated to Merissa, not to me so I don't 

understand? None of this makes any sense. The only thing that makes any 

sense right now," Xanthia confessed, "Is you."



As she made her confession she looked deeply into 'Tonio's eyes, an act 

highly unusual for the young healer who normally avoided eye contact as if 

it pained her. And normally, with very few exceptions, the emotional 

discomfort that came with looking directly into a person's eyes was so 

great that it was indeed painful for the redhead; and even when she did 

succeed at comfortable eye contact, it was but the briefest of glances. But 

for some reason she could not make herself pull her gaze away from the man 

beside her. Indeed, she felt drawn to him like a magnet.



All thoughts of Th'rin banished from her mind as she gazed upon the gallant 

rider she'd mated with mere hours before. Before she realized what she was 

doing, Xanthia craned her neck forward and upward. Her tongue ran nervously 

over her lips as they parted just slightly before coming in contact with 

'Tonio's own. She kissed him deeply, running her hands through his hair as 

she inhaled his intoxicating scent.



<NRPG: TAG Chris! ;> >



Respectfully submitted by:



Morgan

The heart and soul of Xanthia & Maxima, et al