Last time on Blind Hope

"Thank you," she whispered as he helped her into the vehicle. It was just them, with William driving. Horatio and Hector had taken a different vehicle. When the car began rolling away, Hope asked, "Did I upset you? Earlier, when I asked about the use of titles."

"No, my sweet. I was just... caught off guard. People don't usually disagree with me." He paused. "Well, accept for Horatio, but that's his job." Hope nodded, but didn't speak anymore. She was the Queen. Wasn't it her job to also disagree when she though necessary?

"Majesties, we're here," William announced. "We've arrived at the palace."

~~~~~~~~

Hope felt her breathing increase as they arrived at the palace. She felt the car roll to a stop, and grabbed on to Dorian. She sniffed the air as he helped her out of the car, but nothing was familiar. She didn't expect it to be.

I wish Vivian were here, she thought, looking around. William had already described the palace, but she knew nothing would be better than to actually see her home. Dorian quietly lead her up a step of stairs and what she imagined to be a grand set of double doors. If only someone would tell her something. They continued to walk around, and her confusion grew. There were steps, and hallways, and people, but nothing was familiar.

Hope finally pulled Dorian to a stop. She knew Horatio and Hector hadn't followed, but William had. She could still smell him. "Dory, will you describe were we are? I don't like feeling this disoriented." She bit her lip and looked around, sniffing the air.

"Yes! Of course!" Dorian seemed surprised, but instantly began described things as he walked, and walked slower. Hope grinned from ear to ear, feeling better about where she was, and able to full take in the smells of the palace. She let her hand drag along railings, tables, walls, and anything Dorian described that seemed touchable. Finally, they arrived at their quarters, and Dorian dismissed William. "We're here, my sweet. The place where we live."

Dorian threw open the doors and lead Hope inside, pride shinning in his eyes as Hope felt her way around, touching everything. "I didn't notice you touching things so much before."

"I knew where I was." Hope responded, simply. "But I'm in a new place. I'll be feelings things for a while. I'm sorry if it seems strange, but feel is the best when it comes to figuring out a places layout. Smell works to keep me from running into things, most of the time, or gives me direction." Dorian nodded, sitting down the sofa. It made perfect sense to him.

"Right now, we're in the living area. To your right is a door which leads to the master bedroom." Hope felt for the door, and nodded once she found it. Vivian had managed to place braille dots on all the door handles in the pack-houses she visited most often, but that would be to much to ask of the castle. Hope determined to remember all the rooms and doors. She turned back around towards Dorian and stared in his direction. "What is it?"

"I... it's just," Hope laughed lightly, shaking her head. "This is strange." She used her hands in front of her to make her way to him and plopped down beside him.

"You can ask me anything."

"I figure things out by touch," Hope paused, tapping her finger nervously against her leg. "I was just hoping that maybe I could do the same.... to you." She grew still and bowed her head. "I don't know a thing about you, and I can't look at you. Can I... can I touch you? Your face, torso?" Dorian felt his heart rate speed up at the thought of her delicate hands roaming his body. His face heated up, but he knew just by looking at her that Hope wasn't asking for anything sensual. She wanted to figure him out. Nothing more.

"Yes. I... I would like, let! I, just yes. Do it." Hope giggled. "Or, wait. Someone might walk in, and it would look weird." Dorian scooped Hope and and managed to take her into the master bedroom. He sat down on the bed, and Hope straddled his lap.

"I like this. I feel so close to you. Like I can see you." Dorian looked anywhere, but at her. He like it to, but for different reasons. "You are smelling different again."

"How are you so innocent?" Dorian took his shirt off and took Hope's hands in his. "Here." He placed her hands on his chest, right on a scar. Hope focused entirely on where her hands traveled as she roamed his torso.

"So many scars," she murmured. "I like how they feel. Tough, but soft too. Like you. Was it a battle?" Dorian stared down at her with pure admiration and love in his eyes. How could she say things like it meant nothing and yet touch his soul?

"Yes, I've been in many, many battles, for the throne and for werewolves. Hunters became a problem a few years ago, and that is where most of my scars come from. Stories for another time." Hope nodded understanding and moved her hands up to his chin. She slowed down, and gently let her hand trace his face.

"More scars. Are they from burns? The hunters again?" Dorian took her hands off of his face and kissed the back of them.

"Yes, my sweet. Hunters." Hope whimpered.

"I don't want you going near them again." She placed her hands on his face once more and traced the eyes, the nose, the mouth. "I will remember this forever." She pushed herself completely against him, and began rubbing his back. Dorian inhaled quickly, looking up.

"Sweet, I think you may want to stop." His breath quivered, and he felt himself hardening. "Sweet?" Hope huffed in frustration.

"This isn't right. I don't feel connected at all! I need you! I need the sparks!" She jerked her shirt off, and pressed against him. She relished the feel of her skin touching his, and the sparks that jumped between them. "This. I like this."

"I do too." Dorian's voice was strained. His eyes flashed back and forth between him and his wolf. He wanted her, but in a completely different way than she wanted him. Hope's eyes also turned into a more heightened silver, but Dorian didn't notice. He was busy trying to control himself. Red took over from Hope and began rubbing herself on him. "Ar-are you scenting me!?" Dorian yelped, looking down. Red gazed up at him, and Dorian lost it. Her eyes were the perfect silver. "My sweet wolf, I will take you right now if we don't stop."

"Well, I'm not stopping." Red purred, and pushed Dorian down. "Do you want to stop?" Everything inside Dorian screamed excitement, but he knew it wasn't time. She hadn't met the pack. She hadn't been accepted. She hadn't even consented. So Dorian forced his wolf down, and gently pushed Hope off onto the bed next to him.

"Now isn't the time, Red. And you know Hope just wanted to figure things out. Give her back to me." Red obeyed, and Hope's eyes clouded again, but still remained the beautiful silver that Dorian loved. "You have an interesting wolf, my sweet."

"Thank you, mi amore." To Dorian's surprise, Hope wasn't embarrassed at all. She actually looked a little disappointed. "But you should know that Red doesn't act without my approval." Hope sat up and felt around for her shirt. She found Dorian's instead and pulled it on. "I'm taking this." She found her way out of the room, and when the door shut behind her, Dorian fell back on the bed, his hands flying to his burning face.

"What the heck?! Did she literally mean she wanted me!?" He sat up, gasping. "She backed off because I didn't give consent!?" He groaned, and leaned forward over his knees. "How can I be so stupid?" He shook his head. "Horatio can never know."

~~~~~~~~~~