The seven Duchies of Central Rynmere and their respective baronies, cities, towns, villages, and landmarks each overseen by a Duke of one of the seven noble families and ultimately controlled by the King of Rynmere.
That stung. It stung enough for him to tense up, driving the point of his spear into the bark. It cracked beneath the point and bits dropped onto her shoulder. To be seen as everyone else saw him, as everyone perceived him to be, by the woman that was supposed to be his wife actually caused him internal pain. Last night, as he had lain his the strange bed beneath thick furs of their forest, he had the balls to think that this might have been a saving grace. Someone might be able to learn to care for him and he might be able to care for someone in return. Contemplation had turned into wishing that their relationship could be something that would save him from the corruption that had festered under Mother's overbearing nature.
Apparently he had been wrong.
The nagging voice in the back of his mind told him that he could change her point of view. Stop now. Cease and desist pushing her buttons. Years of reinforcement prevented that voice from winning. If she really wanted to get to know him, the him that everyone knew him to be, then she could have her knowledge. He pushed himself in closer until his hips were pinning hers against the tree while twisting the spear to chip off more bark.
"I suppose we have a lot to learn about each other, Titania," Nate growled, his eyes getting darker with each passing thought of how he could affirm her suspicions about him. "Maybe you need a man to throw his weight around, put you in your place. By all means, if you do not agree with me, run home and tell your parents the betrothal is called off. We were both forced into this situation; I never expected to marry for love. I, perhaps like yourself, love my people and will do what is right by them. You need me..."
...as you need her. The voice of reason chimed in, gnawing at the back of his brain. He ignored it. Nathaniel made very deliberate eye contact with her, licking his lips thoughtful and drawing them into a smirk. As far as he was concerned, he was winning this fight.
Velaine Krome had spent enough time studying people, whether it was watching the nobles of Rynmere or sitting through her class Ne’haer, to know that her words had struck him deeper than she intended to. Why though? While she had been somewhat offended when Nathaniel basically called her stupid, her feelings were nowhere as strong as his when she had called him brute.
Something inside him snapped. She didn’t need her magic to see that. Nathaniel suddenly rammed his spear roughly and she could feel small pieces of the bark falling onto her shoulder. While they had been standing close enough, the man surged forward until every inch of them was touching. Her heart pounded in her chest – he probably could hear them – and blood rushed to her face. It was even more difficult to ignore the way his hips dug into her.
This was probably her fault. Partly, at least.
Oddly enough, Velaine did not feel a drop of fear coursing through her system. It made no sense. Any sane person would have been quite afraid in her situation. Trapped between a stranger and a tree. An actual weapon driven into the tree behind her. Yet, her mind had this unwavering belief that the Endor would not hurt her. Even when her senses could clearly discern his threatening manner. It was not based on any sort of logic, but she just… knew.
“I don’t need to be put in my place,” she hissed, meeting his eyes with fire that burnt in her own. The Endor had been the one to tell her that he was surrounded by too many agreeable women. She had actually believed him. Now, it seemed like his anger had changed his opinion. “All my life all people wanted to do was put me in my place. Be pretty so we can find you a lord to marry. Keep your mouth shut when the men are talking. Just stand there and be pleasant to look at. Is that what you wanted me to be for you? Some docile wife eager to please you whenever you wanted?”
At the mention of her need for him, the female Krome pressed her lips together. It was true and they both know it. Her family was struggling while his wasn’t. Velaine would have never sacrificed her freedome if it wasn’t to heal Krome. It was infuriating.
His smirk widened into a full blown smile when she proclaimed her position. She did not need a place? That was a good and promising retort to his previous statement. There was a fire in her. That vivacity was pure and, frankly, desirable to him. Nathaniel wanted to see that fight, and it certainly continued as the angry words poured from her mouth. Once she was done, a silence fell between them. Even the birds were not chirping and the wind had fallen still. Nature was waiting with abated breath.
With the one hand still propped over her head, Nathaniel left his other arm relax. The spear point was dislodged from the bark and he even went as far as to drop the weapon in a show of defeat. Keeping the proximity between them, the bear broke his gaze and dropped his head to the left of her head so that he was pressing his forehead against the tree. His mouth was at the level of her ear so that he might hear his whispers. Private words solely for her. Not the wolves, the bears, or the squirrels would be privy to the information that he shared with her that trial.
"No," His voice was low and careful, a polar opposite from the aggression he had showed moments ago. Clearly her statements had yet again affected him somehow. In less than a trial, the woman had gained almost complete control over him in his eyes. "I do not want that. All my life, women have knelt before me. They have begged like whores and have actually been prostitutes from time to time. I would never, ever desire that of you. The day that happens is the day that fire within you is doused."
He moved his head ever so slowly, so that the stubble on his cheek my scratch lightly at her neck and face. He didn't really know how she would react to his desires; his need for her affection. It was most likely the most vulnerable position he had been in since the collapse. There would be many more to follow. "I do not know you Velaine, but I would like to know you. I like this woman that stands before me in her nightgown, barefoot in the snow, arguing with a weapon imbedded in a tree next to her head. That is a woman that I would do anything for."
At first, she was taken back by his growing smile. Velaine had expected quite a few reactions but that was not one of them. The Endor finally let go of his weapon, letting it fall with a heavy thud onto the ground. He dropped his head beside her, the heat from his anger seeping with every passing moment. She could only listen when he finally spoke.
Speechless. That’s how Nathaniel had left her after his proclaims. His whispered words soft and gentle. It felt wrong to let the silence stretch, to let his words stand unanswered. But there were no words to express her surprise, her disbelief. Her relief and gratitude. Everything he said sounded true, like he meant it from the depths of his heart. She had hoped that she would at least be able to live with this marriage, yet here was a man that wanted her fire. Wanted this part of her that so many people wanted to hide, that she herself wanted to hide.
Perhaps there was no answer. Not through words.
It was improper, inappropriate. They were a man and a woman no better than strangers. She knew nothing about him and vice versa. Yet, her heart trembled at what had just transpired between them. It went against all logical thought, but may be sometimes she needed to stop thinking. There would be no witness to see what had happened to the pair. This moment would be their own, a bit of memory she would keep in heart for the trials to come.
Her delicate hand reached for the side of his face, her thumb brushing across his cheek. Yes, she did want to know about this man, hardened by something she would find out one day. When words had failed her, she knew her body would not. She pulled the Endor to her. Carefully, as if they were both made of glass, she pressed her lips against his.
Nathaniel willed her to say something. Anything at all would have quelled the anxiety he was suddenly feeling. He had put himself out there and the trills were beginning to kill him. His heart was pounding in his chest and he suspected she would be able to feel his pulse. It quickened when she moved her hand to his face. Hazel eyes flashed as his head was tilted to face hers once more. Words would have been nice, but what happened was pure bliss.
Her lips were soft and pulled from him a different emotion than he had felt with any other woman. He could not name it, nor did he want to at the moment. Nathaniel simply wanted to drink her in. The hand that had been on the tree above her head snaked down and into her hair while the other reached around the small of her back to keep her close to him. He deepened the kiss as much as he dared; too much and he would have started to cross a line he wouldn't have been able to stop himself from. It was neither a polite, chaste kiss. This had need behind it on both ends. Nathaniel had to pull himself away three trills later if only to prevent himself from doing worse.
"Velaine, I, uh-," Nathaniel stuttered lowly, searching for something to say. Maybe he should apologize for earlier? Insinuating that she was anything less than a proper lady had been a low blow. Bringing it back up was probably a bad idea. Slowly he took a step back, never once taking his eyes off hers. He searched for his weapon with his toe, finding that it had rolled a few inches from where he dropped it. It was as good excuse as any to break the eye contact. He dropped down to pick the weapon up, burying it's butt one last time in the dirt before offering his hand.
"We should get back and get you warmed up. I'm sure our mothers will be wondering what happened to us," Nathaniel stated calmly. He doubted Maderson was really concerned, especially if she was already talking shop with Sophia over coffee. If anything, she might have been overjoyed by the display this morning. No, he would not tell her. His relationship with Velaine would be political to his mother's eye as long as he could help it. If she thought he might be happy, then she might sing a different tune and destroy the relationship.
It was brief, but nonetheless more than enough to send her heart thundering.
The young woman let him pull her closer, more than willing to let herself sink into the kiss. Her hand rested on his chest, feeling the beat that matched hers. His arms, strong around her, was surprisingly gentle. It was quite insane how swiftly they had switched from arguing into something else entirely. She couldn’t decide if it boded well for the journey that lay in front of them. Hopefully so.
Truth be told, the Krome would have let the kiss stretch far longer if Nathaniel hadn’t pulled back.
She could not stop a smile from growing as she watched Nathaniel’s effort to gather his thoughts to say something to her. If she didn’t know any better, Velaine would have said this was an entirely different man from the one who had so aggressively pinned her against the tree. Unlike him, the young woman had no trouble finding her voice by then. “Next time we do this, let’s try not scream at each other’s faces as an opening. And I will really appreaciate it if you never point your weapon at me again. Ever.”
Velaine glanced up in the sky, wondering how long it had been since they left. No doubt someone would note her disappearance soon enough. “We probably should.” She took his scarred hand, noting how warm it was. “Don’t want people to start coming up with stories about so soon.”
You two are animals. Wolves and bears, apparently. Wild things who are struggling to find their places within their noble Houses, within their new relationship, within themselves. Good stuff. And a kiss! You two will definitely have some interesting issues to work through as a couple and I look forward to reading every word of it.
Velaine Krome
Points
XP:
15 | These points can be used for magic.
Fame:
N/A
Loot
That first kiss medal, tho.
Injuries + Overstepping
N/A
Knowledge
Skill Knowledge:
Defiance: The Elements Have Soothing Effects
Defiance: Temporary Resistance to the Cold
Defiance: Going Shoeless Helps
Defiance: Calling to See What the Elements Are Seeing
Defiance: Calling the Earth to Look for Someone
Tracking: Following Footprints
Etiquette: Covering Yourself from Your Betrothed’s View
Etiquette: Inappropriate to Kiss a Man You Barely Know
Psychology: Riling Someone Up
Psychology: When Someone Snaps
Discipline: Don’t Look Intimidated
Seduction: Kiss as an Answer
Other Knowledge:
Nathaniel Endor: Wields a Spear
Nathaniel Endor: Nearly Speared You
Nathaniel Endor: Ogling You
Nathaniel Endor: Wasn’t As Gentlemanly
Nathaniel Endor: Snaps at Being Called Brute
Nathaniel Endor: Wants Your Fire
Nathaniel Endor: First Kiss in the Forest
Nathaniel Endor
Points
XP:
15 | These points cannot be used for magic.
Fame:
N/A
Loot
That first kiss medal, tho.
Injuries + Overstepping
N/A
Knowledge
Skill Knowledge:
Fieldcraft: Keeping the Core Warm
Hunting: Noticing a Track
Hunting: Noticing Noise Behind You
Polearms (Spear): Intimidate Wife, Don't Kill Wife
Polearms (Spear): Adrenaline Tightens the Weapon Arm
Polearms (Spear): Spears Roll When Dropped
Polearms (Spear): The Sweeping 180 Degree Spin
Polearms (Spear): Also a Supportive Walking Stick
Psychology: Being Honest and Sincere
Meditation: Taking Time to Think About One's Actions
Etiquette: Nightgowns, Men, and Forests Do Not Mix
Etiquette: Escorting a Lady Home
Seduction: Expressing One's Feelings in a Romantic Setting
Other Knowledge:
Velaine Krome: A Girl Worth Fighting For
Velaine Krome: Shared a Kiss
Velaine Krome: Vivacious
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