0 comments/ 2644 views/ 0 favorites White Dove Ch. 01 By: FirstTalkingRiddle Winds are howling in the pitch-black night as the hound howl in the distance. The chase for the doves will continue until the doves are found alive or dead. Alaric holds his dear friend close in the tallest tree they could find to hide in but Aisling can't hold back her tears anymore for she was terrified of the large black hounds that have torn apart her people and dined on them like game. She can still remember the images of her father savagely ripped apart as he cried for mercy when she was a young girl. The King has no mercy in his ice-cold soul. For years, he had gathered the doves like cattle and enslaved them to become his entertainment. Alaric was strong but Aisling always had the ideas he could not forge in his head himself. The hounds drew closer and far in the distance, there were faint torch lights dancing in the dark. Aisling could not bear it she tried to run but Alaric's grasp was on her too tight. She tried to get him to let go but he would not for he was too afraid himself to let go of her. "Please I need to run." She says as her red eyes gleam from her tears in the dark. "No we will not. If we run now we'll get caught." He said as he brushed her snow-white hair out of her porcelain face. She nodded in agreement, as she held him close and prayed to the gods to have mercy on them. She grew tired of praying and the howling of the hounds grew less audible. Alaric wrapped his dark cloak around her as she shivered from the wind. He laid his head upon hers as she slept in his arms as he searched for a plan in his head. They could go through the riverlands, make their way to the sea, and take a ship to the dragon desert. The sun may hurt their delicate snow-white skin and blind their eyes but they would be safe from the main lands of the Kingdom of Peril. It was once a kingdom of marble and it is rulers were a great family of doves. They called it the Kingdom of Deirandai but now it lays in ash and smoke. Aisling knew she needed to leave she only waited when she was grown enough to defend herself. She waited for her eighteenth birthday and trained hard in secret. Now at twenty, she is swift and deadly as a viper. Alaric barely even remembers what he called home once. His eyes grew heavy but he could not sleep until he knew that he and Aisling were safe. As Aisling slept he felt her the twirl his locks of long white hair around her finger gently and smiled as he realized in that moment that they were finally free. He was responsible in making sure she was safe now and he is determined to do that. After a few hours she awoke from her slumber yet, she was still tired. She looked up to see her friend passed out against the tree and about to slide off. She quickly pulled his limp body to adjust him. Her eyes felt sore and heavy from crying. She reached for Alaric's cloak and covered him gently as she laid he head on his chest. He was always the one taking care of her but he did not even try to think about himself. The sun was rising in the red and pink sky as the birds sang their song. She knew they had to move now as she sat up and stroked her dearest friend's face. "Alaric, we must go now." She said as he slowly awoke. He hid his face in his cloak from the sun for a moment. "Alright, give me a moment." He said as he yawned. Aisling nodded as she slung down the tree fluidly and winced at the pain of her tired ankles. She walked around the tree to scout for any enemies. Alaric jumped out of the tree and thudded onto the ground on his feet. He gave her a cloak in his bag as they walked ahead. "I think the river lands are our best choice to get to the sea as long as we wear cloaks." Alaric says to Aisling in hopes that she will agree. "I agree I think we should take a ship up north to the Mountain Dwellers." Alaric paused and looked at her astonished. "Mountain Dwellers are no laughing matter Aisling." He says in a dark tone. "Did I look like I was trying to humor you? If we go to the ships near the sea, we will be caught right away. We go north." She says firmly. "They are giants Aisling, brutal and savage!" He said as he grabs her arm firmly. "The king said the same about you." She made her point and continued walking ahead. Alaric scowled at her and clenched his large fist. She knew how much the king tormented him by making him fight his own people for entertainment. A large scar was across his chest from when one of his people slashed him with a sword, but the young dove fought harder and drove his sword through the older dove. He was only fourteen at the time when he killed his kin. Now at twenty, killing repulsed him more than anything in this world. He vowed to himself that once they were safe he would never murder anyone ever again. Aisling turned around and sighed as she realized her words had hurt her friend. "I apologize my friend. I did not mean to upset you." She said sincerely as she walked closer to him. He looked in her red eyes and nodded as he accepted her apology. He could never stay angry with her too long and right now, they needed to work together. He knew she had the better plan but part of him did not want to linger in the Kingdom of Peril anymore. Aisling smiled warmly as she put the hood of her cloak over her head and held out her hand to him. He smiled back and took it as she led them on to the river lands. They only had a couple gold coins on them and Aisling hoped they would be enough to buy a small boat. By dark, they made their way to a tavern and decided they needed some rest. It was dark enough for people not to notice their albino skin under their cloaks. Aisling felt uneasy as people stared at her and Alaric curiously. As they made it to their room, they realized there was only one bed. As the tavern woman left Aisling Walked over to her and blocked her way out. Alaric stiffened from the sudden movement of his friend as he reached for his sword. "You did not see anyone tonight. No one rented any rooms tonight and you will bring our food to this room. You will lay it on the floor and you will knock three times. You will leave. I will hear you if you bring anyone else with you. It would be a pity to make you watch your children die in front of you." Aisling says coldly as she presses a dagger against her throat. "Do you understand me?" The tavern woman nods as she stands still. Alaric looks disgusted by the threat and reaches for his pocket. He pulls out a pouch of gold coins. Aisling eyes him with a headshake. He glares at her, walks over to the woman, and takes Aisling's hand away from the woman's throat. "Three coins for your trouble from my friend. I suggest you go by her orders because I will not be able to stop her." He says cautiously to the woman. Tears stream from the woman's eyes as she nods and walks out the door without hesitation. Alaric slams the door behind her and whips his head to Aisling. "What in the hell was that?" He exclaimed as he took the hood off his head. "She could have told the guards of our whereabouts. I did what I had to." Aisling said as she avoided eye contact. "She knew nothing and now you just jeopardized our whereabouts with your actions. She wouldn't have known anything was afoot until you did that!" He growled at Aisling. Aisling's head lowered as she sat on the bed. Her hair slid in front of her face as if it were to avoid them from the argument. He sat in the chair next to a small table that was across from Aisling. Alaric knew she meant well but those actions cost them from being secret. He heard a slight whimper from Aisling and sighed as he walked over and sat next to her. She burrowed her face in his chest as he held her. "Sleep you are overwhelmed my friend." He said in a quiet and relaxed voice, "I will keep watch since I'm the one with a sword". To Alaric's surprise, Aisling shook her head in protest and just hung onto him like a child. She was tired of hiding and being ashamed of herself. He knew she just wanted to be free and she could not bear it if they were caught. She could not suffer another night being the King's pet. He used her for his own torture and fun while she begged and pleaded for him to not touch her. That only led to more trouble for her. In that moment, Alaric despised the king for his cruelty. The king has made it so hard for her it has put her in more danger. "Aisling, you must rest." Alaric says softly. She looks up at him with tears still flowing from her ruby red eyes. "If I sleep, all I will see is he. If I stay awake, you will always be there." Aisling says as her hand caresses his face gently. They were never able to express any affection to one another. Alaric sighed in relief since he began to have doubts about her feelings. He gathered enough bravery as he could as he grabbed her face in his hands as gentle as he could as his lips met hers. At first, the kiss was as gentle as a light snowfall then the kiss became as wild as a lightning storm. The next thing Aisling remembered was her on her back and Alaric biting softly at her neck. She began to moan as she played with his long snow-white hair. They cherished the moment as they took their time not knowing when the next day would come for them to do this. Alaric ripped the cloak off her and began to undo her dress as he became more aggressive. Alaric noticed he was already topless as she was faster than he was. Alaric began to lower his head, as he was shy of letting her see his battle wounds. She noticed his pain as he stiffened and smiled softly at him as she softly pushed him on his back. He eyes grew sad and weary, as she looked at him most vulnerable. She traced the scars from whips and sword slashes. He winced only from what she might think. He opened his mouth to say something as she leaned down and began to kiss every scar on his chest softly. He lost all train of thought and just watched her. "Why?" He softly spoke. She sits up and leans over his face with her lips just inches away from his. "I because every man has his flaws and that can be beautiful as well as ugly. You are beautiful." She says softly as they kissed fiercely. Alaric pulls her onto his lap as he begins to pull the fabric off Aisling's snow-white skin. He reveals her curvaceous bodice as he caresses down her hips to her thighs as he pulls her to him closer. Aisling slowly grinds on his hips as she moans at his touch. She grabs his hands a guides them to her breasts as her grabs them eagerly. The harder he squeezes her plentiful chest the more her moans become louder. Alaric kisses her to muffle her moans as he begins to realize this is not the time. He groans as he begins to stop, lays his head on her neck, and kisses gently. "This is not the time or place Aisling." He says softly against her neck. "What do you mean?" She says as she faces him and moves a lock of his hair out of his face. "We're not safe. If we are not alert guards will crash through our doors with me unarmed." He said as he begins to feel regret for stopping. "You're right." She sighs and presses her forehead to his as they regain their breath. The passionate kisses became less as they began to calm down. Aisling sat up and began to dress as Alaric stared one more time at her beautiful body. She turned around to see him stare and gave him an impish smile. She walked to him and touched his chest softly as he kissed her head. "Get dressed before I change my mind." She laughs as she plays with his soft hair. Alaric does what she says as the door knocks three times. Aisling pulls her dagger out and slowly makes her way to the door to press her ear against it. Alaric grabs her and throws her on the bed with his sword drawn as he puts on his cloak. He opens the door gently to see an empty hallway. His heart is racing as he looks for any sign of danger. Aisling tries to look but Alaric blocks her view from the bed. Alaric grabs the tray slowly as he stares at the entrance. He shuts the door quietly and puts the tray on the table as he sighs in relief. Aisling walks over to him and pulls the cloak off his head as she touches his hair. She knows he is more exhausted than she is. He has been alert all day with barely any sleep last night in the forest. She grabs his hand and guides him to the bed. "Sleep, I know you are exhausted. You'll be of no use if you are not at your full strength." She says as she gets him to lie down, "I won't do anything foolish I promise". She undoes the small braids in his hair as he begins to fall into slumber. She lies with him as she grows tired herself. Her eyes slowly close as she lies with her mate. They both came this far and they would be damned if they were to return to that kingdom. She fumbles with a small vial in her hand. It had a dark purple liquid inside and it was just enough for her and him. If the guards were to catch them, she was not going to give them the chance to kill them.