Story Recap: In their youth, it was Prince Nuada who first tipped the both of them over the daunting threshold of self discovery, on the eve of Nuala's first fertility cycle, no less. Now that he's had a taste, he hungers for more.

Dedication: To Maki82 for your kind review that spurred me to start and finish this chapter in a single day! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it! And thanks to Flint and Feather for letting me bounce ideas and canon off you!

Mo Leth-aon

By Scarlet Willows

Hidden Amongst The Flowers

The next day, the festivities were still in full swing. The celebrations and rituals of the vernal equinox were sacred and the feasts and revelry (and nighttime debauchery) would last a fortnight at least. Many a Fae would conceive during this time and some would share wedding vows on this most blessed holiday. Nuada knew his sister would not be ready for those rites this cycle, but he was eager to discuss their eventual nuptials...and discover other pleasures to share with his leth-aon. He'd expressed to King Balor the previous night his readiness to make his commitment to Nuala permanent...and his father had acquiesced to allow Nuada to begin the courtship rituals.

The elven prince had woken the morning after his and Nuala's shared pleasure, simultaneously more relaxed and wound more tightly than he'd ever been. They'd not only shared a long-awaited climax last night, but the sight link as well, which meant their connection was growing. Which meant there were only new and forthcoming ways he could torture pleasure out of his sister. He was tempted to stroke his morning hardness to its eventual end, but held off in lieu of funneling his desire to Nuala. He resolved to drive her crazy until he could feel her touch herself.

He'd risen earlier than usual, before the moon had exchanged its place in the skies with the sun, before the servants stirred and readied the kitchens. He'd donned his simple training robes and headed to the arena to work off his knotted energy in solitude. He could feel that Nuala still slumbered peacefully. It comforted yet frustrated him. He wanted her to feel as coiled as he did; to feel as breathless and needy for his touch as he was for hers. As a lion that has tasted man-flesh, it can no longer be content with the gazelle. So too, he hungered. But he knew the importance of etiquette, proper conduct, and courtship befitting a royal prince. His sister was not some nymph he could have his way with whenever he liked. He knew Nuala would not want to miss out on courtship, and he would not want to deny her those experiences...even when all he wanted to do was bury his face in her hair to inhale the fragrance of her fertility. To grow their bond until he could project himself into her mind and fill her up twice over. To hear her mewls as he sank into her for the first time, stifling her cries with his kisses. To see her eyes glow blue when he made her heavy with his heirs.

But first, the niceties. He'd send her courting messages coded in flowers to ignite her desires and deny her the kiss that haunted their lips until she begged for it. He wanted to feel her ardor, her curious explorations, see her body again through her eyes...and show her his. They needed further instruction on how to build their leth-aon connection - that much was clear to him - and he made a note to schedule further tutelage with the high priests before the day was out.

By the time he'd worked out the worst of his energy and built up a healthy sweat, the sun was just starting to peek over the horizon, dusting the arena in hues of pinks and yellows. He returned to bathe in his chambers just as the servants were preparing the morning meal. He changed into fresh, casual tan attire and went to seek out the fairies for a floral arrangement.

Nuala awoke feeling unusually rested. She yawned, donning her silver slippers and robe, and opened her curtains. The heavy indigo drapes revealed floor-to-ceiling windows that framed a gorgeous view of the surrounding green forests and the gilded sunrise. The golden dawn reminded her of Nuada's ravenous gaze following her every move at the fete last night, and she blushed immediately at recalling their actions that had followed. Or rather, his actions that she'd allowed. She admitted to herself - for she was not in the habit of lying, even to her own mind - that she had liked the sensations he'd wrought and her body's answering ache. A needy throb that had followed her into this moment, she realized. And as demure and innocent as she seemed, she was curious to see what more could transpire with this...initiation. This new knowledge.

But uncertainty lingered at the edges of her mind. She loved Nuada with all her heart, to be sure. And there was no other she trusted or desired more. But she'd heard a maiden's fertile scent could drive a Fae wild with yearning; that this time of year drove males to base instincts. She did not want her first time to be base. She did not want her prince to lose his renowned control. She did not want to forego her dignity in lieu of following carnal desires of the flesh before a commitment...no matter how tempting. And she did not want her brother to think her so easy, that she would be bewitched with a taste of pleasure...even when she ached to feel more.

Nuala clutched her hand over her heart. What had she done? What had she allowed, at such a dangerous time of year, when thoughts were easily clouded by the scent of ripeness and the promise of sex on the air? The princess wasn't sure if she was ready for this change, for this new knowledge of each other. It could never be undone. If she knew her brother at all, then she knew he would always want more.

Her heart leapt into her throat at a sudden fear. Nuada was a warrior, a conqueror...many elven soldiers were known not only for their battle conquests, but for conquests between the sheets as well. What if, as Nuada's leth-aon, she was the easiest conquest of all? He'd mentioned marriage last night, but what if she wasn't exotic or lewd enough to hold his impulsive curiosities? What if their sexual awakening drove him to discover the pleasure of others. She didn't know if she could bear to feel that. As fear began to grip her with icy tendrils, a soft knock resounded on her door.

Drawing her silver robe closer for propriety's sake, she padded softly to the door and opened it a crack. A fluttering fairy, no larger than two feet with skin like leaves, was hovering at her entry, clutching a bouquet. The arrangement of different flowers sported hues of purples, whites, and pops of red. "From his highness, Prince Nuada. Especially chosen," chirped the fairy in the Common Tongue on a voice that tinkled like chimes, carrying an ethereal breeze. It bowed to her, its transparent, veined wings buzzing briskly.

"Thank you," Nuala smiled genteelly and accepted the bouquet before closing her door. Her eyes alighted on the flowers and their hidden meanings; as a creature of nature, reading the language of flowers had been taught alongside her mother-tongue. And she beamed as she recognized this as a courting gift. She smiled at the tiny white blossoms of the alyssum, the contrasting color of the camellia, the vibrant phlox, and the delicate lungwort; but she gave special pause to the ethereal spheres of alliums...and she almost missed the hint of geranium. Nuada was expressing his gratitude and love...and he wanted to see her. Most likely in their usual spot, away from prying eyes. She wasn't so sure a meeting just now would be in their best interests with all the fertility magic infusing the palace and befuddling the senses. But maybe...maybe they just needed to talk and all her fears would be set to rights. She looked at the alliums, reassured by Nuada's message of his willingness to be patient.

She bit back her nervousness, inhaling resolve. She plucked the geraniums and weaved them into her hair before her handmaidens spied them among the floral arrangement. She'd just finished braiding the sides of her tresses - joining the two plaits in the back atop loose hanging locks - when her handmaidens entered to dress her for the day in a simple gauzy cream gown embroidered with gold flowers at the hems. She chewed her lips and wrung her hands, sitting at her vanity as the maids went about tidying her room and serving her breakfast. If they interpreted the message of her leth-aon's flowers, they wisely did not comment.

As she suspected, Nuada was waiting for her in the grotto, a seldom trekked garden outside the palace - lush, teaming with life, and untamed. Untamed like her prince. He was leaning nonchalantly against the stone arch leading into the grotto's mystical depths - where they used to play as children, hiding from their nursemaids. The prince looked up from his thoughts as Nuala approached alone and she became awash with his joy as he took in the sight of her, alighting on the geraniums in her half-braid.

"I see you received my flowers," he smiled easily, caressing the blossoms in her hair as he closed the distance between them. Her breath caught at his handsome countenance and relaxed aura. Her earlier fears seemed silly when Nuada smiled upon her with such focus, running his fingers through her loose hairs. As if only she existed. Surely his eyes were fire incarnate and she would burn under his heavy gaze.

Her heart fluttered and she nodded. "Thank you, mo leth-aon." She curtseyed, as was polite, but hesitance remained in her eyes.

Nuada took her gently by the hand, softly ordering, "Tugainn," as he pulled her into the privacy of the grotto. All sound of the outside world was muffled the further one went into the garden, save for birdsong, the hum of crickets, or the chittering of woodland creatures. The colorful lights of pixies floated in the bushes and sprites danced upon the lily pads in the trickling fountains. The overgrown willow trees blocked out most of the sun and created an air of intimacy...of anticipation. The twins hadn't visited the grotto in some time, especially when they'd had no need for privacy, and Nuala's stomach clenched at the subtle insinuation.

Nuada turned to look at her heatedly, but said nothing as he led her to a moss-covered bench. They sat down and he kept Nuala's hand in his while her heart stammered. She knew he could feel it. He was quiet for some time, rubbing his thumb along her knuckles soothingly, staring at their joined hands - his large and calloused and hers fine-boned. "Thank you," he spoke finally, his voice deep and sure. "For last night," his tone dropped an octave, taking on a husky quality. His eyes narrowed pointedly, simmering.

Nuala squirmed under his scrutiny. If she hadn't seen his skill, he could easily imagine that Nuada's enemies surrendered to him by his gaze alone. Or many a maiden, for that matter. "You're welcome," she bit her lip, gently pulling her hand back to herself to fold demurely in her lap. As one removes their hand from the lion's claw. She could feel the thrumming of her brother's anticipation and desire and didn't want to inflame him more than her scent surely had. "Nuada, I...I..." Her voice faltered and she lowered her lashes. Her panicked breaths surely drew attention to her breasts pressed against the dress fabric and she became self-conscious.

"You regret." He stated softly, his eyes caressing every part of her. He softly, slowly ran the back of his fingers along her cheek and down her neck, seemingly lost in the act of touching her. Nuala could feel his breath catch as he dragged his hand down her arm, his thumb barely brushing the side of her breast.

"No, I...I just..." She tried to block her feelings, but the ocher rose to her cheeks, betraying her nerves.

"You're afraid," his molten eyes pierced her and she could hardly breathe. She lowered her lashes, unable to hold his gaze for long, and nodded. "I felt it earlier. But why?" Nuada lifted her chin with his fingers gently. "You know I will never hurt you. You know I would never force you."

Her gaze shifted away just as a dragonfly flew past and the willow fronds swayed in the slight breeze. She couldn't take their connection for granted; she needed to put this into words. "I...I have loved you forever-"

"And I you, sister," he interrupted, his brows furrowed in concern.

She placed her hand over his to stay his words. "Let me finish, please. I have loved you forever. I have been in love with you...forever. Growing up as leth-aon, I never even looked at anyone else. There is no other for me but you. You have always been my whole world. My everything. But...you are a raging fire, Nuada, consuming everything in its path..." She sighed, glancing at him to gauge his emotions, which he had tightly reigned in with a carefully blank face. "I know it is expected that we will marry. I have never questioned this. But...what if I'm not enough to sustain your fire? What if you tire of me?"

"I would nev-"

"Please, let me say this and then I will forever hold my silence on it." Her hand found its way to his thundering heart, the only indication of his mood. "It is not uncommon for kings and princes to have harems or to experience various delights in the arms of other Fae. Had we not been twins, you would have surely bedded many maidens and entertained many suitors, as is your right. I would not begrudge you this." Tears were lining her eyes, stinging as she fought to contain them, though her voice never wavered. "But for me, there is no other. I feel you may come to view me as a shackle, one day." She chewed her berry-colored lips, looking at her fidgeting hands in her lap as she gathered her thoughts. "You have only just seen me in this new light...a light I have always seen you in. You never once talked about our future together. I even doubted your interest in it. I thought...perhaps we might become the 'Tragedy of Lithine and Sinder.' This came upon you suddenly when you smelled my fertility. I do not wish to ensnare you with this or burden you... If...if you want someone else-"

Nuada turned his princess' heart-shaped face to his with a firm hand, eyes hard, mouth set. He brushed her trembling lower lip with his thumb to silence her. "You have always been beautiful to me, Nuala. The most beautiful. Even when I was focused on studies, I blocked my secret desires from you because I thought you weren't ready. Clearly, we are not as connected as leth-aon should be if we can hide any of our feelings from one another. We will not become that tragedy. Let your doubts fade from your mind, Nuala." He kissed her forehead, closing his eyes, and breathed her in. "Yes - your scent, among all the others, is what opened my eyes and ignited my ardor, too-long repressed. I'm sorry - I could hold it no longer - but I would have burned my own hands if you had indicated your distress. I do not feel I have been ensnared by the spring cycle. An no other maiden's scent has ever awoken the same response in me. Rather, I feel what was always inside me suddenly unleashed." He gripped both her delicate hands in his, his eyes passionately serious. "We are fated, my sister, and if I am the all-consuming fire, then I shall burn us both until there is naught but ash. I only burn for you. You and no other." He wiped away her silent tears with his thumb and kissed the trails they'd left, resting his lips at her temple and curling his arms around her possessively. "If I have to spend eternity proving my devotion and love for you, then I gladly will. Teachdail ban-ridir." Nuala shivered at the endearment. The elven prince kissed her temple, trailing his hot lips to her sensitive pointed ear. His breath made her shiver in his arms as he whispered, "I did not know I was sleeping through life until last night. I saw you and realized I have always wanted you. And what I want...I get." He nearly growled as he kissed her ear lobe briefly, nipping it with his teeth and sucking it into his mouth. The princess shuddered, gasping as Nuada's hand slid none-too-innocently over her thighs. "You have awakened something inside me which cannot be extinguished." Her brother's dark, insistent lips trailed over her cheeks, to the corner of her vermillion petals, his words ghosting across them like a caress. His hand gripped her thigh through her gossamer gown, drawing up to her feminine heat, causing Nuala to quietly pant in nervous anticipation. "I only hope to awaken the same flame inside you," he whispered, his tongue darting out to lick the corner of her slack mouth as he cupped her sex in his palm.

Nuala gasped, shuddering almost violently. To feel him at her core; the heat of him - so scalding! She hadn't realized she'd clutched his arm so tightly until she'd felt the pain of it in her own arm. She turned to face him, her heart pounding and breath quivering nervously through parted lips. He gave her no quarter, his lips hovering over hers, sharing her anxious breath. He continued to rub minute circles into her sex while his aureate eyes locked with hers, the diaphanous material of her dress gathered at the apex of her thighs. "Nuada," she gasped, voice barely rising above a whisper, cheeks flushed with color.

"I can feel your fear, but you haven't pushed me away, dear sister. You may; it is your right." His sultry sigh seared her skin, reminding her of her own control. "But you don't know if you want me to stop, do you? You clutch me to you, because to stop is just as unbearable." She'd never heard his voice so silky, so achingly deep as he spoke her thoughts, and she fought to steady her heart against the tortuously sensual onslaught. Even through the layers of clothing, she could feel her sex melt and respond. "I am a patient man. Tell me to stop, Nuala, and I will," he breathed, eyes narrowed to her lips, awaiting her rejection. When none came, the elven warrior leaned impossibly closer, a hair's width from uniting their lips for the first time. He shuddered, eyes heavy-lidded, drunk on her pleasure, her uncertainty, her innocence, and her scent. "Tell me to stop." He brushed his lips teasingly against hers, feather-light, denying her their first kiss even though they both ached for it. She knew Nuada could feel her need, just as Nuala felt his. His hand between her thighs pressed more insistently and Nuala almost lost herself before his next words shot fear through her. "I could take you here, now, hidden amongst the flowers, and no one would be the wiser. Tell me to stop...or I may take this where you are unready to follow."

She shivered, tears brimming her eyes as she did as he commanded. "S-st-stop...please." He slowly withdrew his hand and righted her skirts. She wasn't ready to lose her virtue, especially out in the open where a chance passerby could see. Surely she'd bleed the first time and she'd have to limp all the way back to the palace in her cream dress, stained for all to see. She shuddered at the thought, but her sex still throbbed with unfulfilled arousal regardless.

The sylvan prince kissed her forehead, as much to comfort her as to calm himself, even though she longed to feel his lips on hers. They both panted, clinging to each others' forearms, catching their breath at the threshold they'd almost crossed.

"Will you not kiss me?" Nuala asked boldly once she had found her voice. She quirked an eyebrow in a tease, "We seem to be doing things out of order, brother."

He chuckled, a rich sound that made her heat throb even more. He leaned towards her glistening, rosy lips and hovered until Nuala was straining for the connection. The portrait of pure, maidenly innocence. Then he whispered, "I'll kiss you...," he placed her own hand shockingly on her own sex, "when you touch this for me. When you make yourself come for me. Only then will I kiss you." His smirk was devious as he kissed the corner of her mouth and left Nuala in the grotto, confused and aching with need.

The next morning, Nuala received a bouquet of purple mezereon and irises contrasted with red poppies and sprigs of mistletoe from her leth-aon. Their meaning made her thighs clench, her heart quicken. Shortly after, Nuada pressed on their scar and deliberately traced his lips, taunting Nuala with the kiss that could be hers.

To Be Continued...

Cultures across the world have always assigned different meanings to flowers and plants, but the use of sending messages via flowers became so popular in the Victorian era that they even published flower dictionaries with their meanings. These are the meanings of the featured bouquets, according to www. allflorists . /advice_ (take out the spaces):

(First bouquet)

Alyssum - Worth beyond beauty

Camellia - Gratitude, Perfection

Phlox - Our souls are united

Lungwort - Thou art my life

Allium - Unity, Humility, Patience

Nutmeg Geranium - I expect a meeting

(Second bouquet)

Mezereon- Desire to please

German Iris - Flame

Red Poppy - Pleasure

Mistletoe - Kiss me

Gaelic terms (learngaelic . net):

Tugainn - come along

Teachdail - future

ban-ridir - wife of a knight