Their time together had begun in turmoil. He had given in to the dark urge to own her, and she was determined to only become a part of him, not belong to him. A time was created for them, a time for them to join and be one unto another.
But, before this time was created, there were many wars, many battles fought between them, many times they struggled with and against each other. Each determined to have their own way. Each wondering who was the stronger. Who would control the other.
Until one day they realized to be the victor, both would have to win, and both would have to lose.
* * * * * * * * * *
She saw him in the distance and quickly hid. She knew it was him because of his bearing and the manner of his dress. He had taken her once and she was not willing to repeat the incident. He called himself the One True Darkness and that alone frightened her. His promise to take her into his darkness and never release her was even more terrifying. She watched him drawing closer on the lonely trail and tried to hide under an overhanging tree limb. Her somber gown blended with the shadows and she felt safe from discovery.
As he rode past her, his horse suddenly sidestepped and snorted. Her startled gasp, even soft as it was, gave her away. Reining in the stallion he turned and looked directly into her eyes and slowly smiled.
"Well, well, well - my pet has come to meet me." he said with a husky drawl.
She plunged from under the tree, slapping at the horse's head to spook him and ran down the trail. Darkfall struggled to get the high-spirited stallion under control and sent him galloping after her.
Cynna looked back and a sharp scream spilled from her throat at the closing sight behind her. He laughed at the look of fear on her face and leaned down to effortlessly grab her with an arm around her waist, dragging her across the saddle in front of him.
She began to kick wildly and thrash her arms around, hoping to slip from the saddle and hide again. His only response was to tighten his grip and pull her hard against his chest. The sound of his laughter in her ears angered her and she swung a hand to connect sharply with his cheek.
The laughter stopped - suddenly - and he snarled softly into her ear, "my kitten has become the vixen, and as with all wild things must be tamed properly.".