The Gift. Now, it is what we call the magic that passes down through the Dulavelle daughters. The original purpose, however, was something completely different. It was the name of a spell given to us by the gods so that species could share their magic with each other. Depending on how the giver wanted to gift another person, the passing of magic could be a permanent thing. If they only wanted to give it for a night, then it would be so. Any normal creature, when giving a part of their magic, would lose that part themselves. However, a leader of a race can take a bit of magic from all their people and gift it to another. Meaning that no one is left without their power once the transfer is complete.

~The History of the Gods.

Three Years Ago

The whole of the next day I am in my room, working away. I almost forget that I had promised to go with Kai into the woods. When I stand up from my desk, I stretch, my muscles cramped from where I had been sat at my desk all day. Quickly, I get changed. Getting into a simple outfit of trousers and a leather, hooded coat. It is early evening when I meet Kai. Razan and Nishka dance at our feet before we quickly sneak out. We don't talk much as we rush through the city in the dimming light. My hand clasped in Kai's as I lead the way. I push him into an ally as we near the gates, holding up my hand as I watch the guards near the entrance.

"Got a plan, Princess?" he asks in my ear.

"Of course," I reply, smiling at him. For a few moments, we wait. I watch closely, not taking my eyes off the guards. At just the right moment, I pull Kai out of hiding and we rush toward the gate. Sneaking past as the guards talk to some other city folk.

"Hey!" one shouts, seeing us. I giggle and pull Kai's hand, starting to run. We disappear into the woodland quickly, the little pups racing ahead of us. Adrenaline pumps through my body as we race through the trees. I know our guards though. I know they are too lazy to chase after us. I had made sure Kai wore relatively normal clothes to the capital also, meaning they don't realise he is one of the Lupine. Especially as we both had our hoods up. The pups also just looked like huskies. Finally, we come to a stop, still laughing.

"Why did you want to come at night, anyway?" I ask as we start walking hand in hand. "Any normal woman would be suspicious," I continue. He laughs and looks up.

"When you have Lupine senses, the forest is a beautiful place when lit by the moon," he tells me. I look up at the sky. It is slightly cloudy. The clouds a bright golden pink as the sun starts to set.

"It's probably going to rain," I say. He looks down at me.

"No it isn't," he says confidently. I laugh and don't answer back.

"Well," I begin, "if there is enough moonlight for your eyes to adjust, you're just going to have to describe it to me," I tell him. "You're my eyes and ears tonight because unlike you, I find being in a forest in the pitch back a little daunting..." I sigh. He laughs and puts his arm around my waist, pulling me into him.

"I will try and change that," he beams. 

"Uh huh," I answer and we fall into silence, watching the pups play. Nishka runs over to me and rolls around by my feet. I crouch down and tickle her. She licks my palms. Razan, getting jealous, jumps onto her, nipping at her ears. "Razan," I scold, picking up my wriggling pup. He licks my face and nudges into my neck and hair and I laugh, my fingers running through his soft fur. Then, he's moving too much for me to hold and I practically drop him. Nishka sits much calmly in Kai's arms. Lovingly nudging his face and licking his nose. Razan barks and jumps up at Kai's legs, trying to get her to play. He lets out a dramatic sigh and puts her down again, the two taking off once more. Kai takes my hand again and I look up at him, smiling. For a brief moment, panic spreads through my body. Soon, he will be leaving and I'll never see him again. However, I push it down. I would rather feel what I am feeling now, in this moment, than to not feel it at all.

"Ana," he begins and I turn my face to look up at him.

"Yes," I answer.

"I know you don't want to talk about the trial," he starts and I look away, closing my eyes. He pauses as if asking for my permission to continue.

"Go on," I sigh.

"Who do you think your father will choose for you?" he asks. My throat dries and I clench my fists.

"I don't know," I gulp. "Probably Kristoff," I sigh. Kai stays silent for a few moments.

"What about that other young man your age, whose father you got on the council?" he asks.

"Emlyn?" I ask with a smile. He nods his head. "Yes, that would be nice," I say. "He'd be a good King. He'd look after my sisters. Why?" I ask and turn to look back at him.

"I just want to leave knowing that my princesses will be safe..." he sighs and I feel tears come to my eyes.

"Kai," I sigh and close my eyes, not knowing what to say. We fall into silence and continue the gentle walk through the forest, watching the pups play.

"If you don't mind me asking," I begin. "Do the Lupine have arranged marriages?" I ask.

"Not really. When Lupine wed, it is usually with a mating bond," he says. My eyes widen. "So obviously, both parties have to be completely willing."

"What about you as a Solavar? I heard that when a Lupine leader marries, their partner rules with them equally?"

"There are certain expectations that need to be met and my Alphas and council have been wanting me to hurry up and find a wife," he chuckles.

"Why? I thought that ruling the Lupine doesn't go down through generations but with whoever is the strongest and has the most support at the time."

"That is true," he begins and stops as he tries to find the words. "There are Lupine families," he begins. "Who have had many of their name rule the Lupine throughout the years. They actively train their children to one day take control. There are four main ones. For the last three hundred years, the only people on the Lupine throne has been a Lupine from one of these families." I nod my head.

"So they are strong?" I ask. He nods his head.

"Very," he tells me. "They chose their partners very carefully to ensure the strongest children to give them the best chances of taking over one day." I gulp.

"By killing you?" I ask.

"Perhaps," he shrugs as though it is nothing. "There are some that would like to see me off the throne. However, at the moment, I have a lot of support." I nod my head, but can't help the nervous flutter of my heart.

"So you're not from any of these families?" I ask.

"No," he replies. "I grew up on a farm about one-hundred miles from the Lupine capital," he tells me. "When I was six, my father took me to the castle and sold me."

"He sold you?" I ask in shock. He laughs.

"It wasn't that bad," he chuckles. "It was so I could have a better future. He sold me to Solavar's second. He trained me over the years and I became his top student. When I was twenty-one, I was leading the Lupine military and had worked my way into becoming a favourite for the new Solavar. The Solavar before me was starting to go a little... funny and paranoid," he stops and sighs. "He was losing support and he knew it. Members of two of the four families were starting to plot and battle between them with who should be the next Solavar or Lunavar. The other two families had no champions at the time. They did not want to see the title go to the others if it wasn't going to them. So, they decided to back a new champion."

"You?" I ask. He nods his head.

"I had already had experience in leadership. I had many victories under my belt and was undefeated in combat," he smiles. "I also had good relationships with a lot of the Alphas."

"Alphas?" I ask.

"Like Nobles here," he explains. "They each have parts of the Northern lands to govern and look after." I nod my head. "So," he continues. "Whilst the families plotted and fought between them, they didn't realise that I had already gathered the majority of support from the people, the Alphas and the other two families. Before they could do it, I went to the throne of the Solavar and challenged him. I won with ease and was crowned the new Solavar within the day. The two families were not happy," he chuckles. "Because my name is a new one," he begins, going back to the pressures of marriage, "My Alphas and council want me to have a strong wife so I can start a new family of my name." I nod my head.

"What is your family name?" I ask curiously.

"Varian," he replies. My eyes widen and I smile.

"Malakai Varian," I say softly, nodding my head. "It has a nice ring to it," I say.

"Thank you, Illyana Dulavelle," he replies and I laugh before letting out a soft sigh.

"So, do you have anyone lined up back home?" I ask him with a soft voice.

"I have a couple of options," he replies. "One of the families wanted their daughter to take the throne and be the Lunavar. I put a stop to that," he laughs. "But, now they are trying again," he sighs. I nod my head. "My Alphas and council say she is a good choice. She has a strong family behind her and will birth magnificent children," he says as he rolls his eyes. I look away and sigh.

"Do you want to marry her?" I ask.

"It wasn't really about whether I wanted to or not," he sighs. "It's is more about starting a new family that can be strong leaders before I am challenged for my throne." I nod my head.

"Do you think you'll be challenged?"

"I already have been and I will be again. I have won every time so far and I still have the majority of the support of those needed," he shrugs. "I will continue to have that support whilst I win," he tells me. I nod my head.

"A dangerous game," I reply. He nods his head.

"That is what leadership is," he sighs. "I hope to rule for a long time," he tells me.

"I hope you do too," I say and look up at him with a smile. He laughs. Nishka comes bouncing up to us, followed by Razan.

"Of course, now that I have my wolf," he grins at the pup. "That puts me in an even better position."

I bring him back to the waterfall where we cleaned the blood off after the attack. The sky is dark blue now and I can't see too well any more. I can hear the sound of the water though. And the sound of the wind fluttering through the leaves. I let out a long sigh. The moon has risen and is bright. Occasionally clouds cover it though. I let out a shout as Razan jumps into the water, soaking me. Kai laughs and holds me close. Digging into his pocket, he pulls out a pouch, opening it. My mouth waters instantly.

"Is that onion bread?" I ask him. He nods head and hands me some. I sigh happily as I rip a bit off and bite into it. "You'll have to take lots of food back with you," I smile.

"If your father lets us," he comments. I shrug.

"I'll convince him," I reply, then groan as Razan runs out of the water and shakes off his fur in front of us. He then dives for me, trying to get some of the bread. I let out a little scream and fall onto my back, trying to protect my food. Giggling as he nips at my fingers and licks my face. Kai laughs and pulls him off me, chucking him to the side lightly.

"You little monster," he says to my pup. I laugh and tear him off a little bit, chucking it to him. He snaps it out of the air and devours it instantly. I finish my bread and lie back, looking up at the sky. Watching as the clouds cover and uncover the bright white moon. Now the only light source as the sky goes black.

"Are you going to describe to me what it looks like with Lupine senses?" I ask softly, turning to Kai who lies next to me. I can hardly see him. He laughs and stands up, holding out his hand.

"How about I show you?" he replies. My eyes narrow as I take his hand. "Close your eyes," he says, his voice a soft whisper as he pulls me closer to him. I frown but do as he says. My heart rate flutters as he takes my hands, his fingers slowly circling my wrists. The touch nothing more than a gentle tickle. An odd warmth fills my body, starting at my wrists. I frown again as my heart races in my chest. He mumbles words under his breath in a language that I can't understand. "Open your eyes," he whispers in my ear. "Slowly," he chuckles. I do so and gasp.

"You gifted me with Lupine vision?" I ask as the moon rises and casts a silver light over the forest.

"It isn't permanent," he tells me. "Just for tonight." I am not really listening to him. My eyes are wide as I look around the forest. The light from the moon allows my eyes to adjust and see more in the dark than what should be possible. The water of the falls ripples with glowing silver sparkles. I can see the owls perched on the branches of trees and the bats as they dart past. Then, there are the trees. The leaves are almost as silver as the moon as the light bounces off them. The trunks are the same. Never before have I seen the world like this. My throat is dry as I take it all in.

"It's..." I whisper. Kai chuckles behind me.

"Something else," he replies.

"This is what you see, every night?" I ask, turning to face him. He nods his head.

"It is. A little less if the moon isn't as bright, but yes," he smiles. My eyes fall on his face. I take everything in, wanting to see him in this new light. His dark brown hair is tied in a messy bun at the back of his head, leaving a few strands poking out. The neat line of dark hair that follows his angular jaw and surrounds his full lips. His olive skin that seems also seems to have the same silver glow from the moon. Then, there are his eyes. Neither gold nor green but a strange mix of both. Just like Nishka's. I smile and blush a little when I realise I have been gawking at him for the last two minutes.

"Sorry," I whisper awkwardly. He laughs and I can't help but do the same as I hide my face in my hands. Kai takes my hands again and pulls me closer to him.

"You have nothing to apologise for," he tells me as he moves a stray strand of my hair behind my ear. I shiver at the slight touch of his skin against mine. His hand stays on my cheek as I move a step closer. My hands touch his chest as I go on my tiptoes. My heart is racing and beating loudly in my ears as our faces are only inches away.  I look into his eyes and smile, remembering the kisses we shared the other night. The memory of his lips against mine has my heart racing even more as we lean closer.

Our lips touch and I melt into him. His hands fall on my hips and he pulls me closer. The kiss deepens and I reach up and wrap my arms around his neck. I pull away slightly, out of breath before laughing. We don't part though. A cloud covers the moon and I look up. The silver glow around me disappears, but I can still see fairly clearly. Like if it was early evening. My eyes fall back to Kai.

"You know," he laughs, "I never thought I would get to kiss a princess," Kai chuckles in my ear. I laugh bury my face into his chest.

"I never thought I would get to kiss anyone I actually was attracted to," I tell him. He doesn't say anything. He just pulls me against him even tighter. I close my eyes, soaking into his warmth and never wanting this moment to end. Our moment is interrupted by a fat raindrop landing on my head. I snap my head up and look at the sky then at Kai.

"Not going to rain?" I ask him. He laughs and a few more big drops land over us. Before I know it, it is absolutely tipping it down. I let out a squeal and grab Kai's hand. The ground sloshes beneath my feet as we start running. I start to shiver as cold waterfalls down my back. The pups bark ahead of us, jumping up to catch the raindrops.

"I thought I was the guide!" Kai says next to me. I laugh.

"Do you know the way to shelter?" I ask him, now having to shout over the rain as it hammers against the leaves.

"No," he replies.

"Exactly," I say, picking up speed as water drenches through my coat. After about ten minutes of running, we come to a small cabin. I quickly open the doors and rush inside, closing it behind me. Panting from the run and shivering from the rainwater now drenching me. I push away from the door and go over to where there is dry wood on a shelf and quickly stack it in the fireplace. Then, I light it.

"What is this place?" Kai asks as I stoke the fire.

"It is just a little shelter for hunters," I say, looking around. It isn't a big space. It is just a cube with wooden walls. There isn't even a bed. Just a wooden bench against one wall and a pile of blankets. There is also a metal rack to go in front of the open fireplace and a rug over the wooden floor. Still having the Lupine sight, the fire seems even brighter. It casts Kai's skin in a warm glow. My eyes fall on the little droplets of water trickling over his smooth skin. Some falling from strands of his hair that now hangs over his face. Seeing the water droplets illuminated by the fire, dancing over his tanned skin is oddly beautiful. Kai looks at me with a similar expression, his eyes on me intensely. I lick my lips and look away from him, my heart fluttering. I go over to the windows and pull the curtains around them shut.

"Lock the door," I tell Kai. He turns and does what I say. When he turns back around, I am pulling off my coat. I smile at him.

"I'm soaked," I say and hang it over the rack in front of the fire. "So are you," I say, gesturing to his clothes. He laughs and starts undoing his jacket. Stopping as I unbutton my trousers and start sliding them down my legs. I smirk at him.

"Everything okay?" I ask him innocently.

"Yes," he replies as his coat comes off. The water had soaked through it and his ivory shirt is wet and sticking to his chest. I watch with a gulp as he removes that too, leaving him shirtless in front of me. My eyes look over his muscular, smooth chest. The skin warm and glowing from the flames. The tattoo over his pectoral following the shape of his body so elegantly. I gulp and bite at my lips. He walks close to me, his body inches from mine as he hangs his coat and shirt over the rack. I can feel the heat radiating off him and I can smell his scent mixed with the rain. I look down at my shirt which is black and soaking. I undo the buttons with slightly shaking hands. Kai watches me, his Adam's apple bobbing. I slowly pull it off my body and hang it on the rack. Now, I am left standing in nothing but the material wrapped around my breasts and the little shorts I wear beneath the trousers. I step around Kai and reach for the blankets, lying them on the ground.

"Your trousers are wet, Kai," I tell him. "You should let them dry with the rest of your clothes," I say to him. He raises an eyebrow and smiles, his eyes looking over my body.

"I'm not wearing anything underneath," he tells me, his voice deep and husky. It has me gulping. I smile at him.

"I don't think that's going to be a problem," I say to him. He stares at me for a few moments and then reaches his hands down, undoing the little chords on the front of his trousers. I watch as he starts to pull them down, my heart racing in my chest and my stomach fluttering with nerves. When they are off, I look over his muscular body, taking everything in. His beauty, his strength. A slight flush plays at my cheeks and he smirks at me. I look back up into his eyes and take a step forward. Still looking at him, I put my hands on his stomach, feeling the muscles of his abs. He shivers at my delicate touch.

"Illyana," he says softly as my hands move up, his skin smooth beneath my palms.

"Yes," I answer with a whisper.

"We shouldn't..." he says, "your father... I don't want you to be punished..."

"I won't be," I whisper back, smiling up at him. My hands moving up over his pectorals toward his neck and then onto his face. "But I am not going into the Queen's Trial," I begin, "wondering what it would have been like between us" I till him as I lean closer, my breath tickling the skin of his neck. His hands fall on my hips and he licks his lips. I look up into his eyes from beneath my lashes. The look he gives me has my body tingling. I continue my little talk. "I am also not going to give Kristoff the satisfaction of being my first, should, through circumstances I can't control, I manage to come out victorious." Kai gulps and I bite my lip before placing another kiss on his neck, feeling his racing pulse beneath my lips. "If it is pregnancy you worry about, you don't need to. I have been taking a potion that stops all of that for a while now," I explain. He bites at his lips, gazing down at me intensley and I smile. "I want," I whisper, placing another delicate kiss on his neck, "you," I say. Then, I putt my hands on his shoulders and push gently. He doesn't resist and goes onto his knees in front of me. "So what are you going to do about it?" I ask as I sit on his lap, my face now in line with his. He looks into my eyes. Then, his lips are on mine. I wrap my arms around him as he kisses me deeper than any kiss I've shared with anyone before. His hands move up my body and tug at the material around my breasts. In a few seconds, Kai is throwing it away. I let out a gasp and bite my lip as he touches my newly exposed skin. His hands calloused and rough, yet his touches gentle. His eyes look down to my chest and he begins to kiss my neck. I tilt my head and upper body back so he has more room. Gasping as he kisses delicately across my skin, biting and nibbling the more sensitive areas. My fingers dig into his hair and he looks up at me, his huge arms wrapping around me. The feel of being in his embrace is like nothing I've ever felt before. It is exciting. His body so huge compared to mine. Yet I also feel safe. He lifts me off him and lays me onto my back, his hands moving to my little shorts. I lift my hips so he can start pulling them down. They slide slowly off my legs and Kai throws them to the side. His eyes move over my body and I feel the most exposed I've ever felt. Yet, the way he looks at me has my body tingling with excitement. He looks into my eyes and leans over me, his lips finding mine again. My hands start moving over his back, feeling the muscles beneath his skin. He groans as my fingers dig in and squeeze. Then, he starts trailing kisses down my neck again. Delicate and teasing little licks and nibbles. He carries on further. Meanwhile, one of his hands starts moving up my thigh slowly. His lips continue to travel down and I am now breathing heavily. His eyes find mine and he grins. I little whimper comes out of my mouth as he teases me. I reach down, my hands pulling at his hair.

"Kai," I practically plead. He laughs and stops teasing. His lips and hands starting to explore my body. I gasp, my back arching. My heart is really racing now and my breath comes in pants. Kai continues to caress, kiss, lick and nibble me and I start to shiver beneath him. One of his hands reaches up and runs over my torso and breasts. His touches leaving burning trails behind them. I let out another gasp, my mouth opening into an O shape as pleasure spreads through my shaking body. My breath comes in pants and Kai leans over me completely again, his lips finding mine. He kisses me hungrily, our lips moving together and our hands roaming each other's bodies. Then, he pulls away, not going too far. I can feel his breath tickling my face as I look up into his eyes. My body twitches as he moves against me. Everything so sensitive to his touch. My head tilts back and I let out a long moan, my eyes not leaving his as he slowly pushes into me. A long groan leaves his mouth, making his chest rumble.

"Kai," I whimper. He doesn't move for a few moments, giving me a little bit of time to get used to him. He moans, his eyes bright and hungry as I wrap my legs around his waist. His lips find mine and he kisses me slowly, passionately. As he does so, he begins to move his hips. I let out another whimper against his lips, my hands and nails digging into the skin of his back as my hands run down it. He breaks off the kiss, resting his forehead on mine. Continuing with his slow, passionate movements that has my body humming with pleasure. Our breaths mix and he brings a hand to my face, stroking the skin softly. I keep looking into his eyes and we smile at each other, both of our breaths coming out quickly, hot against the other's faces. Our bodies humming with pleasure made all the more intimate as keep our faces close and look into each other's eyes.

I don't know how long we spend entangled in each other's arms and exploring each other's bodies. I lie in Kai's arms, my head on his chest and one of my legs lying over his. Our skin hot to the touch and both of us catching our breaths. We don't speak. We don't need to say anything. His fingers move in gentle circles over my shoulder or across my upper back as I have my arm over his chest. He is careful not to touch any of my injuries. Not that they are as angry anymore. I close my eyes and let out a happy sigh, snuggling deeper into his embrace. He kisses my head and I smile.

"How long is it going to take you to get through all that paperwork?" he asks. I tilt my head and look up at him and laugh.

"I'll try and stall as much as I can," I say. He laughs and kisses my forehead again. I tilt my head and place another kiss on his lips. Then I lean my head back in his chest again and close my eyes. Unable to stop smiling as I soak into his warmth.