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| Shards of a Broken Heart | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By Richard LeBlanc | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chapter Five: the one | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back in the village - Nathan had taken her to the local tailor. Although they held true to their story about her falling into the lake and her clothes being damaged thusly - few were believing. After a short while they just gave up. At least she had clothes more appropriate and fitting now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I am so embarrassed," Bethany groaned covering her face with her hands. Nathan quietly laughed as he moved her hands down. The two laughed quietly as the other patrons of the inn laughed at the jester that was on the stage amusing them. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Perhaps - a walk?" he suggested. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I'd like that," she replied. The two got up and left the inn. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A short while later - the two were deep into the snow-covered forest. Above them - the sky was blue and save for a few wispy clouds - the sky was empty. The midmorning sun - made all of the white sparkle - giving it an almost magical glow. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I will never get used to this," Nathan remarked. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "This? What do you mean?" Bethany asked. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "All this snow - where I come from - it only stays for a season - then it goes away," he explained. She looked at him as though that was the strangest thing she had ever heard. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "A time where there is no snow at all?" she asked. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You don't believe me?" he rebutted. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "That sounds so strange. I don't think I can remember not seeing at least some snow covering everything," she admitted. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Well - where I come from - the cold season doesn't last all the time," he remarked. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You mean - you aren't from around here?" she asked. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Yeah - my home - was - way across the sea," he replied as they continued walking through the forest. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Sounds like quite a place," she commented. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You know what they say - every place is exotic unless you live there," he replied. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "True - but tell me a little about that place," she requested. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Okay - there is a winter season there - very much like here. But - then - it slowly begins to fade - and everything that looked so dead during that season of snow and ice - begins to come alive. Then - the temperature gets warmer - flowers - plants - everything begins to bloom," he began. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Sounds beautiful," she stated. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Then - just when you started getting accustomed to the warm weather - it starts to change. The leaves change colors and fall to the ground," he began. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Leaves?" she asked curiously. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "That's right - there are only evergreens here - things like pine needles only flat," he explained. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Oh - what happens then?" she asked. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Then the winter cycle takes a hold of the land again," he answered. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Sounds weird to me," she began. "So what are the people like?" she asked. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Not much different than they are here - although," he began as his mind raced back to those turbulent times when he lived there. "Although there was - is a lot more fighting," he stated seriously. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Is that why you came here?" she asked. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "In a manner of speaking," he admitted. "Why so curious if I may ask?" he asked. She blushed a touch and looked away. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No reason," she lied. He quietly laughed and shook his head. "You just saved my life and all - I just wanted to learn more about you," she added. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "So - tell me - Lady Bethany - why in this time we have been together - have I not heard the sounds of men at arms and search parties from your home? Surely your husband or betrothed must be worried sick," he asked. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I have no husband - and I would be overjoyed if my parents would stop trying to marry me off," she replied with a smirk. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Sounds like you have some tales to tell," he began. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "About the people they tried to marry me too - don't get me started," she replied - rolling her eyes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I am sure that they just want what is best for you," he reassured. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I know they do - which is why I question their sanity for the people they have picked. I mean - is it so selfish - so odd - that I want to meet that special person on my own?" she asked - her voice distant. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Well - you know," he began but stopped. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Know what?" she asked. He reached over and covered her mouth with his hand. A wave of fear began to grow within her. He then pointed to her right. Her eyes panned over and saw a small family of deer making their way through the forest. He slowly moved his hand. "Wow - I've never seen one up close," she whispered. The deer looked over and saw them. Nathan shook his head and smiled as they hurried away. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Sometimes - it is best not to say anything - when you encounter something beautiful. Because even the most quiet of word - can sometimes harm it," he said with a sigh. He looked over and saw her looking at him. "What?" he asked hesitantly. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "That was beautiful," she commented. He smiled. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "A friend of mine was a bit of a poet - the others picked on him - but he was a good guy. He told me that when we were in a cave that had all sorts of crystals hanging from the walls and ceiling," he replied - admiring how calm the forest looked. "Every now and so often - whenever I see something breathtaking - or eye catching - I think about him," he added calmly. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What happened to him?" she asked. He sighed and looked down at the ground. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "We - got attacked - wolves," he stated looking at his wounded arm. "By the time we scared the beasts away - it was too late for him," he answered. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I'm so sorry. Sounds like he was a close friend to you," she stated. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "He was - the others couldn't see - how gifted he was - because they just thought of fighting," he replied. He shook his head and smiled. "But - when I think about him - his outlook on things - life - I swear I can see him standing in the shadows - or - swimming in a lake. I know it must sound silly," he began. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No far from it," she interrupted. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Sorry - I tend to babble from time to time," he stated. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Don't be. At least you are talking about something interesting. Most of the people that talk to me brag about the fights they are in - how good they are and the like. I mean - if you are so good at something - why do you need to constantly remind people?" she remarked. He quietly laughed - seeing him laugh made her laugh too. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I don't think I have met anyone quite like you," he admitted. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "That goes both ways," she stated. The two looked at each other for a few awkward moments. "Uhm - you - you have beautiful eyes," she stated. The two slowly leaned forward and began to gently kiss. They slowly backed away. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I - hope I wasn't being too forward," he began. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No - I wanted you to kiss me," she admitted. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You did?" he asked. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "That so hard to believe?" she asked. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Sort of - I'm not exactly what your parents would deem a dream catch," he pointed out. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Ah - my parents. I know they mean well - but they have no clue as to what I want - or who I want," she replied. Nathan reached over and held her hands - brushing his thumbs across her open palms. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "And what - or who - do you want?" he asked curiously. She looked at his hands and found herself modestly blushing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I - I don't know. Someone - sort of like - you?" she replied hesitantly. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I'm no good though," he retorted. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "How so?" she challenged. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Okay - I live day to day. I can't promise you a future to the likes that you would be accustomed too," he began - he lost his train of thought as he noticed her staring at him. He quietly laughed and looked away. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You are better than all of the people my parents have arranged for me to meet - combined. None of them would have dove into a lake to save me. None of them would have talked to me like you have. That means a lot to me," she admitted. "Do - do you want to head back?" she hesitantly asked. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Back to the village?" he asked. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Uh huh," she answered modestly. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "The inn?" he asked. She modestly nodded. "Are - you sure about this?" he asked. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "As sure as I can be," she answered softly. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "If that is what you want," he began as he lifted her up and cradled her in his arms. She laughed a bit - but when he leaned over and started to kiss her - the laughing stopped as she gave in to the moment. "That - is what you will get," he whispered. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I'd like that a lot," she whispered as he carried her back towards the village. Within what felt like moments - the two were back in their room at the inn. He carried her over to the bed and gently placed her down. Her heart raced as she watched him walk over and lock the door. He began to unbutton his shirt. She modestly looked away. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Are you sure about this?" he asked curiously. She couldn't speak - but she passively nodded. He smiled and walked over to where she was sitting. He extended his hand to her and helped her to her feet. Her heart continued to race as he walked around - and stood directly behind her. "If you have second thoughts - at any time you let me know - we stop," he whispered. She felt his hands slide up her hips - then slowly moved up to her breasts. She gasped a bit then slowly placed her hands on his. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| He then leaned forward - his hot breath tickled her neck before his lips began to gently kiss. Bethany closed her eyes as sensations she had never experienced before began to grow inside her. Her eyes opened when she felt one of his hands move from her breast. She looked down and watched as his hand began to undo the buttons and ties that held her dress in place. A part of her was scared - but the rest of her was already too lost in the moment to stop. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The front of her dress fell open. She stood motionless as she felt his hands trace their way up to her shoulders. A shiver ran down her spine - as she felt her dress being moved over her shoulders - exposing more and more of her bare flesh. Then - slowly - he began to pull her dress - slowly down. Once her arms were free - she modestly covered her chest. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Second thoughts?" he asked quietly. She blushed as she shook her head. He slowly turned her around so that she was now facing him. His fingers cupped her chin and tilted her face up so that she was looking at him. He leaned forward - and once again they kissed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As she succumbed to the moment - her arms moved from her chest and slowly wrapped around him. As they embraced each other - Nathan undid the last of the ties that held the elegant dress up. It fell like a weight to the floor. But so entranced in the moment was she - that she didn't even notice. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In almost a dreamlike motion - she felt herself slowly falling back onto the bed. She watched as he knelt down at the foot of the bed - and slowly parted her legs ever so slightly. She gasped as she looked up at the roof. She felt his lips - ever so gently - touch her virgin body. She felt his strong hands slide slowly caress her body as emotions and sensations both scary and exciting washed over her. She closed her eyes. Her fingers gripped tight the covers to the bed. The more he touched her the less control she seemed to have over her body. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Quiet moans escaped her lips. Her body writhed with each impassioned touch and kiss. It was then that something began to churn in her - an urgency she had not felt before. She gasped and moaned as her entire body began to tense up. It was as though a wave of fire was washing over her. Both burning and sating her on levels she knew not existed. Then - as suddenly as it had come - it began to subside. She quietly gasped. Her chest heaved with each labored breath as though she had run a race. A race she had won. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You like?" Nathan whispered. She was too out of breath to reply but nodded calmly. "Do you want more?" he asked curiously. Again she nodded. It was then that she felt him slowly crawling up the bed. She opened her eyes and saw that all of his clothes were off. She watched as he leaned over and began to gently kiss her sensitive breasts. She closed her eyes and ran her fingers through his hair. He moved further up her body. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| She felt him - ever so slowly enter her. She gasped a bit and tensed up as the new sensation surprised her. He leaned over and began to kiss her neck as he had before. She closed her eyes. Her body relaxed. She slid her hands down his muscular back as their bodies - slowly became one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As he slowly made love to her - time seemed to melt away. Nothing mattered save the way he touched her and caressed her body, mind and soul. It was then that another wave of urgency began to grow inside her. It was similar yet different to what she had experienced before. This sensation ran deeper and began to spread outward from the very core of her being. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As if sensing her need - he picked up his pace - but taking care not to rush. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Is that okay?" he whispered. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Yes," she quietly gasped. She reached around him and held him tight, he let out a quiet moan as his entire body began to tense up. It was then that something inside her caused her body to all but explode. She moaned as she gripped onto him for dear life - until the sensation finally - slowly passed. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nathan leaned over and gently kissed her. The two held each other close as they slowly drifted off to sleep. Seconds later - the man that had been sent to spy on her peeked in from the window. He watched as the sleeping couple and shook his head. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "He isn't going to like this," he muttered as he discretely faded from view. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To be continued... | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||