It was Milfred, her personal attendant, who found her when Noelis's first Heat hit.
Noelis was out in the gardens collecting herbs when she felt it. She knew the signs well, having watched the others go through it. She felt a wave of nausea and the sky above her was spinning. She made her way out of the garden and back into the West Wing when she collapsed on the carpeted stone floors. Milfred and some other servants were walking the corridors with the laundry when she spotted her Lady on the floor. She called for help and it was Fabien who came and carried her back to her chambers.
Rowena, Alarie and Faelynn were lounging in their shared Atrium when Fabien walked in with a conscious Noelis. They had all experienced the heat and could recognise the signs but none had such a strong wave in the initial stages.
Noelis had either been in the bed or in the Atrium with the help of Milfred or the other Tributes, barely able to take down any food.
It would have been much worse had she not had company. The Voice in her head was a constant source of companionship accessible only during her sleep.
"You seem to be pretty sick. Shouldn't you go and see a doctor? If it's money you need I can..."
"I have enough money for a doctor thank you. Anyway, I know what's wrong with me. It'll pass in a few days."
"Have you had this before? Is it a chronic illness?"
"Baldrick, you're beginning to sound like my old headmistress."
So she had attended some kind of Academy. She must be noblefolk, something he'd suspected anyway from the way she spoke and the words she used.
"Alright dear Milde. I need to get going soon but if you need me..."
"Where are you going? It's the middle of the night."
"I have some duties to attend to. Some idiots trying to cross over our borders."
"So you're someone... important then."
"Just another slave to the King I'm forced to serve." He didn't sound like a slave. Even with his brash talk, he couldn't fully mask his high status. Royal blood - she knew enough about that.
By now both had established that they were each talking to real people who existed somewhere, perhaps closer than they thought, perhaps further. Each had shared few details of their identities which was enough to evidence that either they were "important" enough not to want their identities known, or had something to hide.
Almost a week had passed and there had been no word or visit from Bellatrice or her people.
"That biatch definitely knows about your Heat. I've pestered Fabien every day and night and I have no doubt he's reminded her over and over again. This morning, Alarie and I went to the East Wing to inform her majesty only to be stopped. To hell with it! Who says you have to spend your Heat with Prince El. Just take Fabien!" Fae exclaimed.
Rowena tensed at that last remark, her heart sinking at the possibility. Noelis and Fabien went back to Academy days and Rowena had tried hard to suppress the jealousy she felt while watching the two banter, teasing each other with the ease she could not.
No sooner had Fae made her remark, the door to their Atrium opened with a thud.
Rowena turned with dread, expecting to see Fabien who was probably done waiting too. He was an Ardenne royal so it made perfect sense that he could take the Heat instead of Elarion.
But it wasn't Fabien who walked through the door. It was Elarion.
"About time," Fae muttered but loud enough for Elarion to hear.
The others scurried off leaving the place empty besides Elarion, who still stood in the Atrium. Noelis tried to get off the chaise lounge where she was lying to properly greet the prince who she hadn't seen for months. The legs gave way and she fell to her knees. Her nightdress stuck to her body with sweat even though the girls had helped her change just an hour ago.
Elarion looked at her with darkened eyes. She looked like she was barely holding it together.
By Gods, how could they have left her in such a state. Why had no one informed him?
He hated the Heat. Having been through it with Alarie and Rowena he knew what to expect. He didn't like how it took control of his mind and body with raw desire. Elarion liked control and despised how his body yielded so easily to the power of the Heat. But at least it hadn't lasted long so this time would be quick too.
As before, the Heat must have taken a hold of him because he felt a rush of blood, gathering between his legs within seconds of looking at her.
He had briefly hesitated before he stepped into Noelis's private chamber. Elarion hadn't seen this Tribute of his since the welcome banquet Bellatrice had arranged for the new Tributes. That had been four or five months ago.
It was without question that Elarion would be taking the Heat from his three new Tributes. Bellatrice knew the protocol. With the weakened Shield, they needed as much Manna from the Tributes as possible and getting all the Heat they could from the new Tributes was vital at this point. Bellatrice should have informed him about Noe's heat days ago. Not informing him was a punishable offence. Bellatrice had never acted out of line and Elarion had not given her cause to doubt his loyalty and love for her.
Pushing the thought aside, he looked at the flushed Tribute who lay on her knees unable to get herself up. Elarion had overheard the guards of the East Wing lewdly laughing about how they'd enjoy taking that last Tribute's Heat instead of Elarion. So they knew about it as did everyone in Bellatrice's Wing. Such lewd chatter between men about a woman he cared little for should not have bothered him but he felt angry as he imagined her in bed with them. Before he knew it, he found himself heading straight for the West Wing.
Trying to compose himself as best he could, he gave his hand to this Tribute to help her up. Her white cotton nightdress stuck to her feminine figure revealing her curves through the now see-through fabric. This unintentional seduction drove him wild and he struggled to maintain his control.
Noelis looked up into the prince's face. She couldn't bear it much longer. The Heat had taken control of her mind. The weakness she felt from not eating for the past two days disappeared at the touch of Elarion's hand, a surge of energy rushing through her.
She pushed the prince with a gentle yet firm hand so that he fell onto the lounger she had been lying on — he wore a look of surprise but the expression was not one of disdain, simply desire. She noticed the bulge between his legs and gently placed her right knee between his legs whilst her arms wrapped around his neck. She felt his thighs tighten and his heavy hand resting on her lower back.
Fingers curling beneath his chin, she brought Elarion's gaze to hers.
In a bout of senseless arousal, he bit her shoulder now completely exposed as the strap of her dress slid off. She moaned and he continued to trace the line of her throat with his lips and tongue.
She closed her eyes and let him devour her with a hunger that matched the Heat inside her.