Lycan's Affection
The Trip

"I have made preparations for everything. As usual, everyone has been told that you will be out of the territory for a while. I believe they will be at their truest." Brandon said, as he clipped the cuff of Conaan's sleeve, then looked up to him.

Conaan seemed a little distant, but his face had a certain lightness to it.

"Your highness?" Brandon finally said, waving his hand around a little.

"I can hear you, Brandon," he finally said, letting his eyes look up to the assistant's.

Brandon smiled. "I thought you were occupied with more...pretty things."

Conaan only gave a small chuckle. "I definitely am," he muttered under his breath, but it wasn't quite enough for Brandon to hear.

He turned to the large mirror once again, taking on the simple appearance. The robe was silk, but not the extravagant type of silk. His hair was let down on his sides and his back, and he had a black headband on his forehead.

He swallowed as his reflection in the mirror was interrupted, and Eleanor's appeared behind him.

She was wearing simple clothes too, her hair tied up in a messy bun. She had nothing on her face and was in her most natural state.

"Good morning," she said, watching his reflection.

"We can go now," he replied simply, but kept his eyes fixed on her reflection. It was easy to be lost in her, but he wouldn't let himself do it so often. Lest he would get addicted, even more than he already was.

Eleanor gave a small knowing smile, then nodded, her eyes fixed on his reflection in the mirror too.

Both had completely forgotten about Brandon, till he cleared his throat, his voice carrying an unmistakeable tinge of mischief.

"This reminds me very much of the mating ceremony in the sacred waters. You would look in and see the face of the lycan who would be your mate."

Conaan swallowed, then turned away from the mirror. "You have become very talkative, Brandon. Now, go."

Brandon laughed, then gave another mischievous bow. "Yes, your highness."

"Is that how it was done?" Eleanor asked, walking slowly to him.

Conaan nodded. "Yes."

They were finally face to face now, Eleanor standing at least a foot shorter, her head tilted up to meet his eyes.

"So you looked into the water and..."

"Yes," he replied before she could finish, clearing his throat a little.

"I do feel like I should go too. Look into the water and see my mate."

Conaan's eyes thinned as one brow shot up. "Why would you want to go there?"

"I was...I just wanted to see how it worked. It sounds...fascinating."

He let his eyes watch her for a minute, yet never quite making eye contact. He swallowed, then nodded. "We can visit the temple on our way. It is right before the capital gate."

Eleanor nodded and he walked away, leaving her wondering if she had said the wrong things once again.

"Thank you, Stella. Keep an eye on them longer. I will pay you more."

The lycan omega nodded with a bow as she accepted the pouch, then turned away and left the small house Esmeralda had managed to get. It was located right at the edge of the capital where the smaller houses generally were.

She brought her hand to her lips, her brows furrowing thoughtfully.

"Eleanor wants to look into the sacred water, does she?"

She suddenly stood up, her feet carrying her quickly out.

The journey was rather slow and lowkey, and most of the escort Conaan normally used were left back at the palace.

It was just him, Eleanor and a few trusted servants. They took the luggage, but left them alone most of the time, making it seem like they were just a normal couple enjoying a small trip.

"Why do you do this?" Eleanor asked, collecting a small jar of water from a servant. She drank slowly, then gave it back.

"It started when a disease stated to wipe out the pearl city. It is the smallest city, and the distance from the capital is at least two days. No one reported it."

Eleanor nodded, feeling her head become a little light. She shook it off, thinking it was probably fatigue, but the journey had just started.

Conaan had given her enough time to eat and get ready, and the journey that had been scheduled for morning was only starting roughly an hour to noon.

"And then?"

"There were only dead bodies when father decided to send me to a scholar who had retired there. It took years to bring the village back to life and get inhabitants in it."

Eleanor nodded. "It must have been horrible."

He shrugged. "It was."

Eleanor swallowed, then brought her fingers to her head, feeling the dizziness wash over her fast.

Conaan turned, and he immediately stopped, holding her arm. "What is wrong?"

She swallowed, then opened her eyes to look up to him. His face was distorted, like two faces merging into one. She shook her head, and he held her tighter, bringing her closer to him.

"We will rest here," he said, his voice lined heavily with worry.

She immediately shook her head and moved away from him. "No, I am fine. It was just a bit of dizziness."

Conaan's hand came up to the side of her face. "Are you sure?"

She nodded, but then shook her head again, to ward off the dizziness. Conaan sighed, then squatted in front of her.

"Get on my back."

One of the servants suddenly emerged. "Your highness, we could..."

"Get on my back, Eleanor."

She nodded, feeling too dizzy to even protest. She let herself lay on his back, her hands coming to either side of him. Gently, he pulled her closer to him, then stood gently up.

She leaned further into him, resting her head on his back.

"How do you feel?" Conaan asked as he started to walk slowly. They were nearing the end of the capital city, and he decided to stop by the temple so Eleanor could catch a breath, and look in the waters too.

"I feel okay," she answered, letting out a small sigh. "Am I not a bit too heavy for you?"

He simply shook his head, then made his way down to the temple.

It was a large, white dome building, made in a large circle of white solid bricks. It was vast and unoccupied, and the sun bounced off the sparkling waters that surrounded the building.

"Is this the temple?" Eleanor asked as she straightened on his back, taking it in.

"Yes. Have you never been here?"

She shook her head. "I never came here. I should have come earlier."

He nodded, as he entered the large building. It was cold inside, and he gently leaned to the floor. Eleanor got off his back, then slowly sat on the sparkling marble.

He knelt in front of her and removed the outer coat he was wearing and immediately wrapped it around her. He pulled her in, his hand moving invisible hair strands behind her ear. "Are you fine now?"

She nodded immediately. "Yes. I...feel much better."

He nodded. "Rest here, and we can continue on our way tomorrow."

"No, Conaan. I want to see the waters. I feel much better now, I promise."

He gave a small sigh. "I will take you to see it, then. But we will continue on our way tomorrow."

She nodded, and he straightened, taking her hand. She hadn't gotten on her feet when a voice interrupted them.

"Conaan, Eleanor! I didn't quite expect you here. I heard you were out of the territory." Esmeralda gushed, walking to them like they were friends reuniting for the first time in ten years.

Conaan said nothing as he helped Eleanor up instead, then gently helped her into his arms, bridal style.

"Oh no! Is something wrong with our dear Eleanor?" She started to stretch her hand to Eleanor, her face contorted into an expression of worry.

"Hands off, Esmeralda."

She retreated like she had been burnt, then looked up to Conaan, a hurt look on her face. "Conaan, I was just..."

His expression stopped the rest of her words, and she moved back with a sigh.

"I know you both hate me, but at least, accept my help. I am here with a friend who used to practice medicine. She would be able to help."

Conaan looked down at Eleanor who seemed to have grown a lot weaker, her face now flushed red. He could send for his own physician, but it would take long, especially since his healer was an aged woman.

"Bring her to me," he said simply, then laid Eleanor back on the floor. Her eyes were now closed, and kept his hand under her head to support it, his other hand gently caressing her face.

Esmeralda broke into a smile, then bounded off. She soon returned with another woman in tow. The woman was middle aged, and had a defect in one of her legs, causing her to limp a little.

"I will check her," she said simply without even acknowledging him. Conaan did not mind, and he adjusted so Eleanor would be resting her head on his lap, his hand still on the side of her face.

Esmeralda stood by, her face set in a smile as the physician leaned to Eleanor, and took her hand. She checked her pulse points and her neck, then brought her hand to her lids.

They were closed, and she opened them, then checked for something only she could understand.

Slowly, she sat back, then looked up to Conaan. "Are you her husband?"

His brows furrowed, and he looked down at Eleanor. "Yes. Is there a problem?"

She shook her head. "No. Congratulations."

Esmeralda's smile grew a little wider. "Congratulations? She is sick, Carol!"

Carol nodded. "It is a desired type of sickness. The one every man.."

"Go straight to the point, woman. What is wrong with my wife?"

Carol smiled again. "I checked her pulse and...I could feel a second one."

"And?" Conaan asked, hoping the woman would not finish what he thought she was about to say.

"She is pregnant. Your wife is going to make you a father soon."