Wandering through the woods (tags: Phoebus)

Phoebus rode his horse through the woods, his eyes lazily scanning his surroundings. It had been five months since he and Jasmine broke things off and ever since, he had thrown himself back into his work despite what she had asked of him. Though he had started taking better care of himself just like he promised, even as he continued to work more than ever. He was finally starting to look healthy again, regaining the weight and muscle he had lost. A sigh flew past his lips as he pulled his horse over towards the river, hopping down and he stared out over the water. It had been almost a year since Odette had gone missing and he seemed to be the only one left looking for her. His guards had tried to help him as long as they could, but the kingdom needed them so he ordered them to return to their daily duties. Phillip had taken over but suddenly, he was handing things over to John but Phoebus found it better not to question their reasons. He had kept to himself ever since he and Odette were found out all that time ago, finding it better to just stay under the radar until the rumors dissipated.
At the sound of a voice coming from the woods behind him, Phoebus turned and narrowed his gaze as he tried to see through the darkness of the trees. He left his horse securely tied to a tree before he slowly took steps into the woods. The branches tugged at his loose white shirt but he ignored them, keeping his gaze focused in the direction of where he had heard the voice. "Hello? Is there someone over there?" Phoebus pushed a branch out of the way but his body froze at the sight before him. A blonde woman stood a few feet away from him, her hair tumbling down her back as it was coming out of it's braid. Just the sight of her from behind immediately reminded him of Odette but he pushed those thoughts away, seeing that this woman had indeed been through a tough time by the sight of her clothes. "Um miss? Are you aliright-" His words halted to a stop when the woman turned to him and every muscle in his body tensed. He stared in disbelief, fighting the urge to fall to his knees. "O..Odette?"

Phoebus flinched when she said his name, still not believing that she was finally standing before him. Before he knew it, her body was pressed against his in an embrace and his arms moved up to wrap around her back. When she pulled back to look at him, he brought one hand up to caress her cheek. He let out a relieved sigh as his fingertips came in contact with her skin, a small smile crawling onto his face. "You're real..I can't believe it, you're real. Where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you and I thought-" His words broke off and he lowered his gaze from her, his grip tightening around her waist. It had been so long and he had no leads that he was beginning to think that she was dead. No one else seemed to want to look for her anymore after six months but he swore to keep looking until she was found.

His eyes widened when she had asked how long it had been. Where was she being kept that she didn't know how long it had been? And he'd have to track down this bodyguard and beat his ass for taking her for so long. "You really don't know? It...it's been almost a full year since you disappeared. Everyone was so worried but after so long, they must have thought it was a lost cause." Phoebus raised his gaze and took in the sight of her body against his. "Your family is fine. Prince Phillip took over for a while but he's turning things over to your brother now. Though I must admit, I haven't been around the castle much so I don't know about your mother..." At the mention of her father being dead, Phoebus felt his gaze soften and nodded. "I'm glad your captor told you as much. Who took you and how did you get free? All of my men are accounted for but I swear I will find this bastard and he'll pay for this." His gaze hardened once more, his hand moving up to her shoulders as he looked down into her eyes.

Phoebus shifted at her words and shoved his hands in his pockets. At least that man was gone now and she was safe but he couldn't help but wonder what made her words cut off like that. Had she fallen in love with someone? Her captor? He sighed and pushed the questions out of his head, glancing over at her when she said she had missed him. After all this time, he didn't even know how to react around women, much less her. It had been a little over five months since he and Jasmine broke things off and he hadn't been around another woman since. He was losing his touch..not that it mattered. Odette was still the princess after all and he had made a promise to her brother as well as her mother that he would keep his distance. "Let me..Let me take you by my place and get you cleaned up. I'm sure I have something that you can wear. Then I'll take you back to your mother." Phoebus slid his arm loosely around her waist, keeping his gaze averted from her as he took her back to where his horse was waiting.

Phoebus sighed when she stopped him and her hand rested on his arm. He tried to shrug her off but he knew she wouldn't let it go. His problems were nothing compared to what she must have been through but here she was, still caring for him. He didn't deserve that. "It's nothing, really..just petty thoughts. I haven't stopped looking for you all this time and I got sucked into it. Jasmine must have gotten sick of it and..she left me. I've kept my distance from everyone since then. My main concern was finding you, even after everyone else had given up." He met her gaze, finally letting down his walls for the first time in months. Phoebus had spent so much time looking for her and now that she was here, he was almost exhausted with relief. Everyone had thought she had been killed but he had refused to accept it. She was alive and breathing somewhere. And now he had her.

Phoebus stared down at her,a small smile trying to tug at his lips but it barely showed. When she pulled away, his arm reached out and grabbed hers like she was going to disappear again. He pulled her body into his, his gaze searching hers before it flicked down to her lips. Before he knew it, he leaned down to meet her, stopping only just before their lips touched. He suddenly realized what he was trying to do and frowned before pulling away. "I'm sorry..we should get you cleaned up." Phoebus cleared his throat before he pulled back, hoisting her up onto his horse. Before she could protest too much, he climbed into his position and ushered his horse out of the woods and towards his home.

Phoebus kept his eyes ahead in the road as the went, trying to focus on something other than the feeling of her against his body. He couldn't even remember the last time he had laid with a woman it had been so long but he couldn't use Odette. She deserved so much more, despite that he knew of her feelings for him but after a year...did she still have them? He couldn't deny that he had nothing in return, after all he had nearly killed himself from working too hard trying to find her. Once they finally reached their destination, Phoebus was almost relieved to get her body away from his but when she turned to him, he froze. Her lips neared his and without even thinking, he leaned forward until they pressed together, his hand moving to her hip as they kissed. He took in the taste of her for a moment before he forced himself to pull back. "I'm just glad you are safe.." He leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers once more for a second before he hopped down from his horse. Phoebus lifted her down and lightly draped his arm around her waist as he took her inside. The fire was still going in the fireplace just like he had left it only a few hours earlier, illuminating everything in the room with a faint glow. Papers were scattered across the table and he moved over to them, hastily cleaning up his little mess. Five months alone made him lose his need to clean up but he still tried. "Do you want me to draw you a bath or something? I'm sure Jasmine left behind a dress or something you could wear for now..."