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| Passion's Flame | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alexander jogged quickly down the halls to her large silver doors and slowly pushed them open to see her standing by the firelight. He could hear her sniffling and it was obvious she had been crying about something. He heard her mumbling about something and leaned quietly closer to hear better. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Molandra wishes me to wear white, but how can I? White symbolizes innocence and purity and I am neither of those, not when I have saved Alexander's life out of my own benefit. I marry a man I have never met, a man who marries me simply because I am beautiful and powerful and am something unattainable by any other man. How can I wear white to a wedding I do not approve of? Oh, Alexander. Why did you have to come into my life? Why now? Why not after I was married and had more control over my emotions? The fates are cruel and uncaring!" She slammed her hands into the walls of the hearth, crying out in frustration. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alexander took a small step into the room saying, "Chilandrea, forgive me." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| She turned and screamed with fright at his sudden appearance. She stared at him, not sure of what to say. Finally, wiping her eyes, she spoke. "How long have you been there?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "That doesn't matter." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "But, you cannot be here. Not again, not now." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I want to be here." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You promised me you wouldn't come back. You promised me! Why did you return?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I saw you." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What?" she asked, thinking he had seen the same dream. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I saw you on the battlefield. You were there during the battle yesterday and I saw how you frightened away the other army." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You are deceived. It could not have been me that you saw. I was here. I know nothing of your battle or the opposing army." She sniffled, looking down at her feet. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You were there! I saw you! You cannot deny it. I know you saved my life. The army was unbeatable and I would have certainly perished that morning if you had not been there to save us all." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You cannot be sure it was me. What if it were some other apparition before you?" she asked looking up with more tears in her eyes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Because," he said, stepping closer and peering deeply into her eyes, "you turned and looked at me, you looked into my soul. I know you saw me. Please tell me the truth." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Looked into your soul? How absurd." She couldn't look away, locked in his gaze. She could feel her heart pound with fear. What if she did let him into her heart like in the dream? What would happen if she let him love her and they kept it secret? She wouldn't be able to hide it for long, her wedding was approaching quickly and there was nothing she could do to stop it, nothing Alexander could do. It would be hopeless to resist the order once they discovered them, but was there a way to hide it? And what if the dream had been some sort of suspended reality? Was all that they had said to each other really wait they felt? Her chest felt as if it would tear open while she thought of all the possibilities. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I was there," she said looking away, trying to fight the losing battle. "I couldn't let it happen. I saw your death on the battlefield and it nearly killed me. I couldn't let it happen. I couldn't let you die like that." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I knew it, you saw my death. And the army? Were they phantoms or were they real?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I cannot be sure. All I know is I saw you dead and I couldn't breathe. My whole body ached with fear and I couldn't even think of anything else. I projected my image onto the field, trying to keep your entire army from seeing me so that only the opposing army would run with fear. I had no idea you would see me." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "But you keep telling me that you could not love me. Why would you save a man that posed a threat to you and your kingdom?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| She could hold it in no longer. She kept her eyes lowered and stepped forward to within a foot of Alexander. "I promised to follow the rules of my order by the book." She raised her eyes, slowly rising over his feet to the belt that held the hilt of his sword and dagger, across his broad chest and finally to his eyes. "But now, I cannot help but follow my heart." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Her arms snaked up and laced around the back of his neck, pulling his face to hers where their lips met in a passionate, long-awaited kiss. Neither fought it at first, embracing one another as the world around them thundered and seemed to spin into a fury. It was just as it had been in the dream. Alexander became dizzy with the intoxication of the kiss. All at once he was thinking of never letting go, running away with her, bedding her, keeping her for himself for the rest of his life, but then he thought of the consequences of this, his brother's marriage to the same woman. How could something that felt so wonderful be this treacherous? Merrick would be furious with him, the order would have him killed, and he could never let anything happen to Chilandrea. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| He stopped the kiss, pushing away from her and making sure they were not touching. "Chilandrea, we cannot." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Here eyes still red and slightly puffy from crying, she gazed at him in wonder. "What? All this time you've been telling me of your love, your loyalty to me, your obedience and how you wanted to marry me. Now that I have broken the law of my order, you tell me this cannot be?" She stared after him, and anger slowly crept into her eyes. "Have you just realized that what you were striving for is not worth the penalties? Are you afraid for your life now that you've won my heart?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I don't care for my life. My death would only cause you pain, and that is what stops me." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| She glared angrily at him. "You lie! I knew it couldn't be true! You only wanted what I could give you if there were no consequences on your head. You'd rather break my heart than risk your precious neck!" she yelled, turning away and storming into her bedchamber. "You were trying to make me change the law!! I told you I couldn't even if I wanted to!! How dare you attempt this!" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Nay!" he cried, running after her. She went to slam the door, but he grabbed her by the elbow and forced her to look at him. "Dammit, Chilandrea! Can't you see that this is not about saving me? I love you!" he shouted. Suddenly, his voice became quiet. "I only came here to tell you that I am glad you saved me and that you let me know how you felt, because you mean the world to me. I want to possess you more than anything. I want to live inside you forever," he breathed, drawing her closer with each word. "I would hold you in my arms just so I could keep you safe and warm. But, you told me what would happen to you if I should lay a hand on you. Of all the things I would risk in my life, I would rather make you angry; make you hate me by saying that I was simply led by my loins and not my heart. I would not risk your well-being for our love." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| He dropped her arm, but Chilandrea would not allow him to leave just yet. She held him close, keeping a firm grip on his shoulders. "But did you not also promise to obey my every wish?" He peered deep into her eyes with a tortured expression. "If I asked you to love me, to hold me, to risk my well-being for our love, just for the happiness of the time we're together, would you?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "But why? I've already disobeyed you more times than keep my vow. I came here, did I not?" She wouldn't reply. "You would give up your power, your title, your entire life to be with me for a few days? If they catch us, they would kill me and leave you in a ditch somewhere to die." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I don't care anymore. No life is worth this much pain. You're on my mind constantly. I can't seem to do anything without thinking of you and what it would be like to be with you. The time we spend together before we are discovered will be better than control of all the kingdoms in the world. I would rather spend two weeks in your arms than a lifetime as the richest and most powerful priestess. I don't even want to hide our love. Please, don't break my heart now." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| He examined her eyes for any sign of doubt, but found none. "I don't want to hide it either, but how would they understand? You were so intent on keeping us apart..." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "But I cannot hide it any longer. When I began this pledge to become a priestess, I wanted so dearly to live my life in solitude so that I could concentrate on what I needed to do for the kingdom. But once you entered my dreams... it all faded. I want you as much as you want me, but I'm willing to take the chance. Please... take the chance with me? We can make them understand!" she cried, realizing that those were the words spoken in the dream. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| She awaited a response as he kept his gaze fixed on hers. He took a deep breath, labored with thought, leaned closer and softly kissed her as he came to a decision. "You're more powerful than I thought, you know that?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| She smiled and kissed him again, pulling her body against his. She whispered, "I can be more powerful than you've ever dreamed. But only if you let me." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kissing more passionately, pressing her soft slender body firmly against his, he said, "Then may the divine have mercy on our souls." Their breathing quickened and they could feel each other's hearts beating fast and hard in their chests. His fingers combed lightly through her hair, sending a tingling sensation through her scalp. She could feel his arms around her waist, sliding against the silky fabric of her dress. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chilandrea could feel the excitement inside her growing rapidly, and her entire body pulsed with desire. Their lips twisted over each other, devouring each other hungrily and all that mattered to her was being with him, no matter how long, or how secretive it had to be. She loved him. He loved her. It was all that mattered. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chilandrea opened the clasp on his cloak, letting it fall to the floor, and reached for the ties on his shirt. "Don't let me go, Alexander. Don't ever let me go." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I would never leave your side even if you asked me to." She smiled, knowing for sure now that he'd had the dream. She could feel him hold tighter around her as she undid the knot at his neck, loosening the cord that ran through the opening of his shirt. Halting their kisses, she stared deeply into his eyes, took his hand, and led him to her nearby bed. They sat on the edge and she continued their advances when he asked, "Are you absolutely sure? Is this what you want?" She did not answer, but slid her hand under the loosened area of his shirt, dragged it downward along his chest and stomach, letting it open his shirt completely, and kissed him gently. He did not question her further. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Their breathing became rhythmic, deep and throaty and she could feel all her inhibitions disappear. His lips slid over her smooth skin, down her neck and back up the other side, his fingers on the back of her dress toying with each tiny button as he pulled them open. His hands found their way up to her shoulders, gently pulling back the fabric of her dress, leading him to kiss every inch of skin he revealed. A small whimper of delight left her lips, causing goose bumps along Alexander's skin. Chilandrea lifted her arm out of the sleeve, wrapped it around his neck, and continued to allow him to slide the silk from her body. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The fabric fell easily to the floor. His kisses were hot and seared her warming bare flesh. She pulled his over shirt off his shoulders, his undershirt over his head, tossing them over the edge of the bed. His belt and scabbard soon followed making a soft clank on the hard stone floor. Chilandrea could hear herself giggle. Alexander looked up at her with a slightly mischievous gleam in his beautiful green eyes and gently pushed her onto her back. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soon enough, both of them were free of their clothing, holding each other in an embrace no incantation could break. Her slender body leaned in close to his, powerful and strong, rising to each touch of his lips. His warm breath tingled across her skin. She could feel his tongue barely touch her skin searching down to her bosom, stopping to caress the tip of her breast. Her back arched slightly as he touched her in ways that made her gasp. She could feel an intense heat escalating between her thighs. He felt his own heat, a tension growing stronger and stronger to the point of eruption as he held her tight. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| He buried his face into her neck, kissing her hungrily as she felt his warmth inside her. She gasped at the pinch of pain, but soon let out a sigh of pleasure as their passion made them one. Alexander had brought her to a place no other could take her, and they writhed about in the sheets worshipping each other. Chilandrea could think of nothing but keeping this feeling with her forever, bodies entwined together, hearts and souls as one -- no thought pleased her more. Her hands clawed at his broad, muscular shoulders and down his back. His movement inside her stirred the passion within her, causing moans and sighs of pleasure and delight. Her fingers danced through his thick black mane of hair. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| She rolled in the bed with him, pinning him beneath her, allowing her to take control. She towered above him, tossing her hair about her, moaning louder and louder. He sat up, holding her close, kissing her collarbone and sighing with her. By now, their bodies were slick with sweat and shined in the minimal candlelight. She held his head to her chest letting her feel each and every breath he took. His grasp tightened, clenching her hips and pulling them toward him, pushing himself deeper inside her. They rocked back and forth, to and fro, sighs becoming moans, moans becoming grunts, grunts becoming shouts. And all at once with an immense scream of desire, their bodies were arched together, tense and still for a moment before heaving a great sigh and collapsing into each others' arms. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| They lay together, panting and exhausted, silent. Though her heart beat faster than she'd ever felt it, she was calm. "I've heard of this act before, but never heard its name. What do the people call it?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Um... bluntly, it's called sex." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No, I mean the nice way to say it." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Oh. Making love." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Is it always like this?" she asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| He stared at the ceiling a while before answering, "I've heard of it becoming so intense, yet I had never experienced it. Mind, I have only known a small portion of women in this way, and never so personally as I know you." Gazing into her eyes with an honesty she had only seen in innocent children, he followed with, "And that makes it all the more better." Pulling her closer, he kissed her, whispered into her ear, "I love you," and began it all over again. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| On to the next chapter! Back to the start... |
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