• Mature • [Endor] Black and Blue

[Velaine Krome]

Black and Blue

63rd of Zi’da, Arc 717

It had only been one trial since her arrival in Endor and Nathaniel had already left her in this unfamiliar fortress for his mines. She wouldn’t go as far as saying she was lonely – Maderson had been painfully welcoming despite her shock, barely letting the young woman out of her sight. But the Krome had certainly felt mildly uncomfortable when she was expected to navigate through her betrothed’s family without him. Not to mention she could only take some much of being paraded around like Nate’s trophy wife.

Velaine ran her hands across the thick quilt that would serve as her blanket for the trials to come. While the fabric was smooth and offered more than enough warmth, the young woman found herself longing for the soft furs of her own bed.

For no reason, she was suddenly reminded of the talk she had with Nathaniel in the carriage. How would she feel if the fates decided to play its tricks on her and made her an Endor instead. What if she really had to spend the rest of her life in these harsh mountains? No more serene forests or windy cliffs. Berengar was nothing like her family’s estate or Cairnroch fortress.

Then she heard the commotion outside her room. Sounds of running footsteps, more than one person. They were certainly loud enough for her to decide to open her door to see what was going on. Servants were rushing by carrying things she didn’t have the time to identify.

Curious, she called out to one of them to stop. “What’s going on? Did something happen?”

A young maid, pretty and about her age, bowed hurriedly. “Yes, my lady. Something happened in the mines. Lord Endor is hurt and coming back here.”

Velaine didn’t even bother to grab her coat as she followed the servant towards Berengar’s main hall. From the scars on Nathaniel’s hands, the young woman had guessed that his work probably came with certain risks.

The she-wolf stopped abruptly as she took in Nathaniel through the open doors. It seemed like he just dismounted from his steed. He was standing and talking. That was a good thing. Perhaps she had been overreacting. Velaine finally took in their ragtag group as entirety. His men were certainly at a worse condition than him. One in particularly was wrapped in bandages that were already soaked with blood.

At a glance, the green-eyed man seemed fine. His face was clearly beaten, but there wasn’t much other than the reddening around his eyes and his split lip. But then there was the blood. Dark red blood painting his shirt. It wasn’t as if she had never seen gruesome scenes before, but the sight of the Endor like that was enough to make her stomach drop.

Rushing down the steps, the lady paid no mind to everyone else, making a beeline for her betrothed. Velaine launched herself at him, her arms wrapping around his neck. She paid little mind to the soot and grime covering him. Feeling him against her, his warm breath on her skin had a surprising effect on her. Her imaginative mind had came up with worst and his solid presence washed all her worries away. “Saints, what happened? They said you were hurt and I–” She cut herself off, realizing what she sounded like.

She told herself that she was worried over the alliance between Krome and Endor. Had Nathaniel perished, everything she had done was for naught. Still, the relief of tension from her body and her features was obvious as she pulled back to look at his face. Her eyes churned between dark blue and forest green, a small hint to her mixed feelings.

It took a moment later that Velaine realized she might be hurting him by her embrace. “Are you alright?”

[Nathaniel Endor]

They had never anticipated being gone for so long. Originally they had made the 2 break trip to the mine's as soon as the sun cracked over the horizon. The trip had been smooth but upon their arrival, they had been assaulted. Instead of making a simple assessment and being back just after breakfast, Nathaniel had been swept into a clean up all morning and early afternoon. They had managed to head back mid afternoon after Nathaniel had spent several breaks with Tomas Seey. He had been muddling through all the information of the day while heading back to Berengar. In the process, he had forgotten all about his split lip.

The horses were brought right up to the steps of the main estate where the group disembarked and helped the wounded soldier into the main hall. Dripping blood was normal for these floors. Some of the older maids with medical skills were quick to sit the injured down and start removing his armor and garb. The man groaned and was pale from the blood loss. Marshall stood next to Nathaniel, the two of them murmuring.

"He will be ok right?"

"That was a mighty sharp point m'lord. We will get him over to Florence as soon as possible. These ladies can change his dressing in the meantime. We will need to go back out in the next trial or two. Those men need sorting before they can resolve themselves to try that again.

"Agreed," Nathaniel grumbled, not impressed with the amount of work that would have to be done to undo all of the damage. By now, many of the younger girls had come to fawn over the injured and investigate what had happened. Running a hand up his face and through his hair again, Nathaniel was far to preoccupied with the trial's events to pay any heed to them. In his younger years, he would have posted about it. Yet the death of a good man left his disheveled.

"Incoming."

Nathaniel barely had enough time to turn around and register that Velaine was bull rushing him before she latched onto him. He stumbled backwards, taking on her full momentum. As soon as they made contact, he couldn't help but feeling the rest of the world melt away. Nathaniel tilted his head to bury his face into her neck and hair, gripping her as if he felt like he might not have come home. Maybe he truly felt that. Audible noises from the crowd brought him back to reality and he lifted his head ever so slightly. Her words were a rush of emotion and it make him smile softly before he lowered her to the ground.

"I am alright Velaine. A lot happened this morning, but this is the risk when you deal with uninhibited and unruly men. Some of them have nothing left to lose..." Nathaniel's voice trailed. Now he seemed to have things to lose. The thought was almost painful. Marshall nudged him, stepping around his shoulder to hide Velaine from the other soldiers that were joining.

"My lady. Pardon the statement, but you do not seem appropriately dressed to be in the same room as some of these men. Might I suggest you take Lord Endor somewhere private to tend to his wounds."

"That is unnecessary Marshall, I can take care of my-" Nathaniel caught site of Velaine in her entirety at that moment. What was with the two of them and night gowns? There were so many questions welling up within him. Why was she still in her nightgown? It was practically evening. Did she just enjoy being close to him in her thinnest garments. A light dusting of pink established itself on his fuzzy face. With all the traveling, he had not been able to appropriately trim his beard. He seemed much more bearish at this moment and the protective sense was coming out strong in him. Marshall was right. She was indecent. No other man should have been able to see her as such.

"Lead the way Velaine."

[Velaine Krome]

Nathaniel held her tightly, tighter than she had ever been held before. Velaine sunk comfortably into him, closing her eyes for the briefest moment as the last drops of worry were flushed out of her system. She breathed him in, the scent of steel and earth and something distinctly male. A part of her wondered what she would do had he truly been hurt.

When Nathaniel said he was alright, Velaine didn’t exactly took his word for it. She scanned him one last time, but saw no other visible injury. “But the blood...” By the sheer amount of it, the young woman would have guessed it was enough blood loss to end someone’s life.

He reassured her so easily, smiling over her. Velaine took another trill to eye their surroundings. Men and women had poured out of the fortress, busying themselves with the injured men. While their movements were hurried, but there was no panic or surprise. Everyone was perfectly calm and did their job. Like this was a common occurence.

It was puzzling enough that she looked up at Nathaniel with a cocked eyebrow. “Does this happen often?” Was this supposed to be the norm for her? Seeing the Endor covered in blood every time he returned from his mines?

“My lady. Pardon the statement, but you do not seem appropriately dressed to be in the same room as some of these men. Might I suggest you take Lord Endor somewhere private to tend to his wounds.” Marshall had came out of nowhere. From his manner, it was obvious enough that he was trying to use his bulky figure to hide her from other’s view.

Looking down at herself, the female Krome cursed mildly under her breath. At the rush of adrenaline, Velaine hadn’t given a moment’s thought about what she was wearing when she came runnjng. Though in her defense, it was nowhere near as revealing as the one she had worn during their encounter in the forest. It was still a flimsy thing, but at least it was better with its less see-through fabric and long sleeves. Velaine had specifically packed it once she decided that she would go to Endor.

If someone dared to gossip about it, she was simply going to use the distraught lover excuse.

Taking her betrothed’s hand, the she-wolf pulled him into the Endors’ estate, eager to avoid the curious eyes. Her embarrassment had came in like a massive wave. Velaine certainly wasn’t being at all ladylike when she had thrown herself to Nathaniel. No doubt Maderson would hear about it. She should have known better. She did know better. This wasn’t the first time her betrothed made her lose some common sense.

What’s happening to me?

She paused mid-step, turning on her heels to face him. “This is your home, you know. I honestly don’t know where we should go.” The young woman would have to learn the layout of the structure soon. She would hate having to wonder around and getting lost like a fool. “You’ll have to show me around one of these days.” Wherever he decided to take her, the Krome would follow without much question, trying to remember the turns along the way.

Velaine squeezed his hand lightly as they walked through the halls. The brightness in her usual personality had mostly returned. “Will you tell me what happened?”

[Nathaniel Endor]

Nathaniel did not really have a lot of time to address her questions. She clearly had them, given his physical appearance. He looked down at the blood on his shirt. The man had been a basic, small time crook. Now he was dead and he was going to have to explain that all to his future wife. The whole situation was rather refreshing though. Maderson had stopped coming down when events like this occurred. Having someone worry about him made him feel a little different about the situation. He wasn't a man that had nothing to lose anymore. In fact, it was quite the opposite.

For the first time, Nathaniel felt like he had everything to lose.

Her hand was smooth against his scarred palms; another accident from the mines. Nathaniel pursed his lips and allowed her to drag him up the stairs the way she had come. Marshall would have things covered. Once they were upstairs and out of sight from the general Endor servant population, she paused. It had been rude of him to leave her here for such a long period of time. The original plan was to go out and assess the state of the mines and return just as she had noticed he was missing. Then he would have properly introduced her to Berengar. Instead, that plan had been punched in the face. Literally. "We'll go to my study..."

It was the room next to where she had been sleeping. He anticipated that she would notice the closeness as they passed the door she had exited. Nathaniel pushed the heavy wooden door open, allowing her entrance before stepping in and closing the door behind him. The study was connected to the bedroom by a door. There was a iron key sticked out from it; Nathaniel had been polite enough to lock it when she had retired the evening before. No need to have either of them mistakenly enter the other room.

As she looked around, she would find a heavy wooden desk. The front of it was decorated with trees and fighting bears. A tall window allowed light to shine directly onto the uncomfortable chair. There was a couch with a pillow and blanket strewn across it. Clearly he had slept here last night. While she inspected the room, Nathaniel began to pull the shirt over his head. If she was going to make a big fuss over the blood, he would have to get rid of it.

"We have had a recent influx of men, criminals and slaves. Since I have been gallivanting in Andaris and Venora, I have not been able to lay down the law with these newcomers. They attempted a coup to either capture or kill me I supposed," Nathaniel stated flatly, chucking his shirt into the corner before sitting down on the sofa. He gingerly touched the bottom of his eye, pulling back as pain erupted across his face.

"That blood is not mine. A man, one of the criminal miners, killed the man that had me pinned. It's his blood..."

Nathaniel lowered his face into his hands, shuddering at the memory now on repeat. The eyes had widened in shock before dimming and dilating with death. He had slumped over him, blood dripping off the sword and onto his face and chest. It was not hard to imagine why his white shirt was now red. The foreman remained there, tilted forward as he tried to work off this feeling. She would be able to see the few jagged scars on his back where he had suffered additional damage from past fights. "He is dead and I probably could have prevented it..."

[Velaine Krome]

Nathaniel easily directed her to his study. She was surprised when the door he opened was the one right next to hers.

The young woman paused before she slipped inside, inspecting every inch of the place. Her suspicions proved to be right. On one side of the wall was a wooden door, connecting to the other room, her room. Velaine had thought that the chambers given to her was exceptionally lavish, for a guest room. She had merely brushed it off since Endor was a wealthy house, probably capable of spending a bit more to make their guests comfortable.

No guest room would be connected to a lord’s study. She had been given Nathaniel’s own room.

A quick inspection of the sofa gave her another piece of the puzzle. Saints, she had been sleeping on his bed while he was forced to rest on a measley couch. After her days cooped up in a carriage, the respite on an actual bed was heavenly. Nathaniel couldn’t even rest properly in his own home.

Velaine swallowed the growing lump in her throat as she turned to look at her betrothed. Again and again he gave to her, provided her with things she didn’t even ask for. The Krome opened her mouth to verify this, but snapped it shut when she saw Nathaniel easing his bloodied shirt off him.

It wasn’t as if she had never seen a shirtless man before. But the thought that this shirtless man was probably her future husband made the heat rise up to her face. Fortunately, Nathaniel seemed too preoccupied to really notice the young woman’s surprise.

He gave her a very brief explanation, nowhere near to satisfy her, as he sat on the couch. A coup to either capture or kill me… Again, the Endor said this with so very little concern that Velaine realized just how common this occurrence was. He didn’t seem the slightest bit concerned that people were out for him. His job was to get them to obey. Meanwhile, Velaine had fled her own home, away from the people that wanted to do her harm. She imagined a ring of hardened criminals surrounding him, threatening him. Not a pleasant thought.

“He is dead and I probably could have prevented it...”

A knock made her broke her gaze away from him. Reluctantly, she walked over to the door and opened it slightly, just enough for her to stand in the space while blocking the view inside. It was the young maid she had seen before, the one with the pretty features. The girl was carrying two basins, one filled with ice and the other with water, along with some cloths. “My lady, some things for the lord’s bruises.”

For some reason, Velaine felt like she couldn’t let anyone see him like this. So distraught and… vulnerable. There was something raw about him, something strangers should not be able to witness. Especially not a maid with curious eyes, so clearly trying to look pass her and peek inside.

“Thank you. You can give it to me, I’ll bring it inside.” Velaine extended her arms, reaching for the bowls.

Much to her surprise, the girl retreated a bit. “It’s too much trouble for you, my lady. I shall set it inside and be one my way.”

“I can do it,” the Krome said, this time more firmly. The dismissal within her voice couldn’t be clearer and the maid bowed with flustered cheeks before giving her what she wanted. As expected, balancing two basins was a challenge, but she managed to close the door with her foot and returned to the couch.

The Endor still hadn’t moved, his face buried in his hands. She could see the soot on his skin, the stains of blood that managed to seep through his shirt. Then there were the scars on his back, jagged and faded. Velaine had never imagined that noblemen would have scars like that. How many times had his life been at risk? That he came to this very fortress covered with blood?

It took another heartbeat before she decided what to do. Velaine knelt down beside his legs and placed the supplies on the floor. One towel she let soak in the water and the other she used to bundle some ice. Gently, she pulled his hands off his face. It was important to let him know that she was there, that he wasn’t alone.

She placed the towel-wrapped ice in the Endor’s hands. Whatever it was going through his mind, Velaine knew she had to distract him. Make him think about anything else but the memories that made him shudder like that. So, Velaine let her hand rest on the side of his face and made him look at her. It reminded her of that moment they shared in the forests of Krome.

Her fierce blue eyes locked with his green eyes. She saw the pain there, the grief and regret. Velaine was supposed to have a way with words. She was supposed to know all the perfect things to say, to make people feel exactly how she wanted them to feel. She studied psychology for saints’ sake. Yet, when she truly wanted to, Velaine didn’t know how to ease Nathaniel’s distress. All the elonquent words turned to ash on her tongue. She didn’t know how she could help him.

But she would be damned if she didn’t try. “You didn’t kill him, Nate. There’s no way you can possibly know what would happen, no way you could have prevented it.” That was what she could honestly conclude from his brief story. That another man had been the one to spill all that blood. She didn’t try to pry, knowing that he would tell her what he needed to. Still, the words sounded clunky to her, not nearly enough. She should have done better.

Her eyes searched his face, trying to see the slightest twitch of his muscles that might tell her what he thought of her words. Instead, Velaine spotted the dark specks of dried blood across his neck. Getting off all the blood that made him feel guilty seemed like a good start. Slowly, she pulled her hand away from him, planning to reach for the wet cloth.

[Nathaniel Endor]

He barely noticed the knock, or Velaine answering the door. Lord Endor barely moved, unwilling to remove his hands from his face in fear he might visualize Yani's shocked face and wide eyes as warm life escaped his chest cavity. Nathaniel recalled that he had tried to move his lips to form words. Dry, soundless words. He hadn't been able to get out any of them before he expired.

A bit of the water sloshed out onto the floor as Velaine had tried to move everything in herself. The ice clinked against the ceramic bowl; he did not flinch. It was only when she reached up to remove his hands that he was obligated to look at her. Directly into her eyes. They were the most clear blue he had ever seen before. Pools of serenity that invited him to relax, to sink into her. The subtle hints of concern could be traced along the glassy edges. It wasn't tears, but she was feeling something about his distress. It pained him to see her worry. He couldn't avert his eyes; he didn't want to. Instead, a feeling welled deep within him that he had not felt in many arcs.

The big bear wanted to cry.

He could have prevented it. Nathaniel could have kept his dumb ass in that saddle and watched the fight from a distance. He could have taken the warning that had come bits before seriously instead of allowing the adrenaline to fuel his desire for a fight. What if it had been Marshall that had been speared through with the blade? Nathaniel would never have been able to forgive himself. Biting his lip, he reached up to place his dirty hand over hers, pressing his cheek into her warm palm. Before he could say anything, she was moving away from him. Desperately, Nathaniel reached forward and clasped her wrists. It could have been far more aggressive, but his touch was light.

"Please," desperation laced his voice. He lowered himself onto the floor so that he was kneeling next to her. Both arms snaked around her, sinew and muscle tightening as he moved. Nathaniel buried his face in her hair, hiding his grief and vulnerability. "...that can wait. Just, talk to me. Do not leave me..."

Velaine smelled heavenly in his opinion. Despite having been traveling for many trials, he could still imagine the forest around her by her smell. It was earthy and warm, with hints of coniferous trees. They had been betrothed for little more than a season and his feelings were already blossoming in a way he could not control. Loyalty had always been a trait he embodied and it had shown in his lack of messing around. Nathaniel found that he always wanted to give to her because of the unseen strength she provided him just with her presence was astounding. He clung to her, massive hands wrapping around her waist and cling to her hips. "I do not want a bath. I just want you..."

[Velaine Krome]

It seemed like she didn’t help at all. While Velaine hoped that the weight on his face might fade just a little, her touch seemed to have opened up a dark maw from inside of him. His eyes would have cracked if they were glass, the desperation pushing through. Perhaps she had said the wrong things, made him feel worse.

But then, his hand suddenly shot out when she pulled away. It didn’t stop there. The Endor knelt in front of her and had his arms around her before she knew it. Velaine was frozen from the surprise, but soon recovered to let her arms circle him. She could feel the heat of his skin through the thin fabric of her gown, the heave of his chest with every troubled breath he took. There was no doubt that Nathaniel was a stocky man, all broad-shoulders and corded muscles. Yet, he felt almost fragile in her embrace.

When the young woman had heard of what her betrothed did for a living, she had definitely imagined the figure of a harsh, ruthless foreman. He was tasked to keep a group of criminals in line, so she doubted that he would be very pleasant about it. These men were forced to work under him and she didn’t imagine that they would share any sort of connection between them.

But here he was, regretting the loss of one of those men so acutely.

Velaine let him settle for a few moments, before finally turning her lips to his ear. Again, she felt like words alone wouldn’t do much good. “I am not going anywhere.” One of her hands lowered, her thumb tracing soothing circles on his back. Experience told her that her touch could serve to relieve his tension, ease him if only the slightest. “In case you didn’t notice, we’re betrothed. You will likely be stuck with me for the rest of your life.” The last part she said lightly, trying to lift up the mood the slightest bit.

Nathaniel Endor… Her feeling towards him was something she couldn’t make sense. She had been forced into an engagement with him and that lack of freedom had infuriated her. Still, it was impossible to deny the connection they had ever since they shared that impulsive kiss. Then there was the wanting that flared when their bodies touch. He could be coarse, yet kinder than she derseved. He was dominating, yet also respectful of her. It felt impossible to pin him down, to define him with a single word.

Sard it all. Things were spiraling out of control.

Something stilled inside her when she heard his raw words. “I just want you…” Such a simple string of letters, yet it touched her core. It wasn’t as if she had never heard them before. More than a few men had uttered them to her, all in an effort to woo her. They wanted something from her. People always wanted something. Sophia wanted her beauty to sell it for fame and riches. Xander probably wanted her for some dream he had concocted of Krome and Rynmere. The way Nathaniel said it… It made her think that he wanted all of her. Not her body, but her presence. He kept giving and giving and never asked her for anything, never even hinted at it before.

Velaine hesitated. What if she couldn’t give him what he wanted? Even when this man had opened up to her, she feared to do the same. People had failed her before. People who should have been there when she needed them most. Her own flesh and blood. That should be enough lesson to her. There was no one she could count on this sarding world but herself. It would have been easier if she felt nothing for him. A lie, a smooth smooth lie would easily slip out of her mouth. It would be much better than what she had.

“Then you can have me. All of me.” Her voice was soft, barely neglible, even though they were pressed against each other. The words made her feel vulnerable, like she had foolishly lowered her defense for him. She probably did. Yet, that truth tasted like a lie. How could he have her when she had so many things to hide from him?

How did it even get to this point? They were strangers just a mere season ago. Now, she felt breathless in his arms and helpless in easing his pain.

“Nate,” she sighed, sounding almost as desperate as him. “Tell me how I can help you.”

[Nathaniel Endor]

Even though he knew she was warm, she felt cool against his fiery skin. The collection of his rage, fear, anxiety, and remorse were settling into his increasingly reddening skin. Her words were relaxing, but it was her gentle touch upon his back that made him realize just how tense he was. How many times had he come home, covered in blood, only to find that no one was there for him? His mother had stopped coming down arcs ago and he had learned to simply cope with the situations. Nathaniel had dealt with the loss of men before, but the recent seasons had brought more bodies than stone and ore. Ultimately, he was losing his grasp on the situation and that weighed heavily on his mind. His shuddering emphasized just how vulnerable he felt in that very moment.

Nathaniel was content to remain there; the two of them wrapped in each other's arms. He did not realize just how much impact his desperate words carried and was too solemn to care about her silence. When she did speak, her words almost shocked him and he lightened his grip ever so slightly in fear he might break her. Eventually he began to lean back so he might explore the deep pools of blue that met him. All of her? Ever since that moment in the forest he had wanted to claim her as his. Now that Velaine was offering her in such a situation, he did not want to take advantage of her.

It felt wrong to do so.

He slumped backwards, releasing her before doing so. His feet popped out from under him and fell to either side. "Being here is helping Velaine. The mines are complicated..."

The man thought carefully. If he told her, then he would be opening her up to all the horrors of his line of work. The amount of stress and worry it might cause could have a series of side-effects he never intended. Could the risk be too much for her to stay with him here in Endor? To stay with him at all? It was worth it in the end, as he needed someone to talk to most of all. "This is not the first body. Velaine, I have been having trouble in the mines. There are these Fear Feeders; worms that cause a person to hallucinate if exposed to their noxious gas. I've already lost eight men. Yani was the ninth man I lost in two seasons. Granted, he was killed by another miner, but that is besides the point. I met with Professor Straylor, a biologist in Andaris before the soiree. He has given me some information, but I am still unsure of where to go from here. It's, frustrating. Between that and having you worried about this..." Nathaniel touched the spots of dried blood that had transferred to his skin.

It was all a bit much. Nathaniel swallowed hard, feeling cold without her arms around him. The bear looked up at her pitifully again. "For the first time today, I felt fear. Never before have I had something to lose. With you here at home, I have everything to lose now."

[Velaine Krome]

Velaine could feel the Endor reacting to her words, almost stiffening in her arms. He even went so far as to pull back to truly look at her. His green eyes were wraught with surprise and something else she couldn’t quite catch. Had she said something wrong? Though admittedly, Velaine hadn't been elonquent in her effort of soothing him.

Fortunately, Nathaniel’s distress seemed to ease. He let her go slowly and she tried not to feel too disappointed. He was steadier now, the cracks carefully sealing itself. She wondered if this would be the only time he let her see into him so deeply.

The young woman finally relaxed between her betrothed’s legs, reaching for the basin of water. Nathaniel began telling her about what it was that distraught him so. She edged closer toward him as he spoke, a hand on his shoulder to keep him still as she used the wet cloth to wipe the blood from his neck. It closed the distance between them and it took everything for her not to flush so obviously.

Of course, Velaine hadn’t imagined that works in the mind would be one that could be safe. Nathaniel’s family ventured deep to coax out the valuables of the earth. She had never been in a mine before, but she could imagine the darkness, the claustrophobia. The earth could choose to swallow them up whole and there would be nothing they could do. Nine men. Nine lives. Each of them taking a toll on him. Then... fear feeders? They sounded terrible, feeding the worry inside her chest.

All her questions evaporated when she heard his next words. “For the first time today, I felt fear. Never before have I had something to lose. With you here at home, I have everything to lose now.”

The young woman froze at his admittance. Shite. Why did he have to be so... open? To her… someone who had learned to keep the doors closed – so that she would never be disappointed again. What they had was an arranged marriage. They weren’t supposed to truly care about one another. It took a moment later for her to look Nathaniel in the eyes. He meant it, she could tell. Every word.

Their faces were mere inches against each other and she could feel his breath teasing her. Saints, even with the soot and blood, looking at him made her heart race. It was like he knew precisely how to make her defenses falter. Every damn time. With his damned sincerity and his damned kindness.

There must be something about Nathaniel that prevented her from thinking straight. Something, anything. Because that something made her tilt her head up to press her lips against his. Their first kiss had been brief, far too brief, yet it was enough for her to recognize the taste of him and her body reacted to it. Velaine had been unsure then, but now that she knew that he felt something for her... She kissed him deeply, one arm slithering around his neck to pull him to her.

Was she that desperate for someone to care for her? That couldn’t be it, right? Elrik had told her he loved her and she didn’t react like this. Sure, she kept close to him because she slowly began to care but it was nothing to the raging storm in her heart right now. This was confusing and foreign and maddening.

Velaine had thought that she was the one more in control than the Endor. Yet, evidence probably said otherwise. Every time they kissed, she was the one who initiated it. Not him. And it was stupid. What had Celeste say that trial? Falling in love was an inconvenience? That she should make him addicted to her? As much as she wanted to tell herself that she was only using him, what she felt was...

No. She couldn’t think about that. Not now.

She broke away for a moment, desperate for a gasp of air. Words slipped out of her mouth before she could rein them in. Images of her betrothed struggling in a pool of blood flashed in her head. “Then you better make sure you always come back to me.”

[Nathaniel Endor]

Nathaniel's body reacted to her cleaning as he stretched his neck to one side so she might wash him better. He had taken the time to wash his hands of the blood prior to interrogating Tomas Seey, otherwise known as Rafael Warrick. Another topic he would have to broach with his beloved.

Crushing his eyes shut and raising one hand to cover them, he thought back on that. Beloved? Was he so raw that he was realizing just how much he cared for the woman between his legs. This was a political engagement. Never before had he loved a woman. Was all this confusion signs of falling hard for a woman? Lower his hand to support his weight again, he angled his gaze to watch her despite his stretched out neck. Ser Pretty Boy would have known what these feelings were like. He saw it on his face at the soiree. The way he looked at Darcy, his passive possessiveness over the Venora...

The same way that he held Velaine and watched her from across the room.

Sard... Her face was much closer than he anticipated when he returned his head back to the position it had previously been in. She was a bit disheveled, but gorgeously so. He found that he liked the wild look she had. Bed head became her. Her choice in sleep wear was modest but sexy to him all at the same time. Women before her preferred to be scantily clad or nude. They were always enticing him to do more. Velaine enticed him to want more and kept it a breath away from him.

At least, until she kissed him.

She was in complete control in this situation because his arms were tied up bearing both of their weights. He closed her eyes, drinking her in as his body responded in ways that he had been trying to deny all this time. Be a gentleman, not the manwhore. Every little cell within his body burned for her; screamed to show her exactly how he felt. There was a sharp pain that thrummed through his being when she broke away.

“Then you better make sure you always come back to me.”

The fire erupted within him and he couldn't stop what he did next. Nathaniel pushed forward as hard as he could while tucking his legs at the knees. Barreling her over until he was over her, covering every inch over her upper body in the shadow of his broad shouldered torso. "You have my sarding word that I will come back to you Velaine. Always. I will not leave the woman I love alone. Ever."

There, he said it. Before she could speak he captured her lips in an equally if not more maddening passion than she had before. She was practically trapped, but he did not really think she would mind this time around. The last time he had tried to come on to her, she had slapped him. This time he was putting it all on the line since there was only one real out aside from accepting it.

Releasing her he gently lowered himself down onto his elbows, running some fingers through her hair to allow it all to sink in. Nathaniel could imagine his brutish nature was showing in that moment, but he didn't care. A passionate brute was better than one without feelings.