A growing sense of nervousness muddled his mind as he and Lessa continued on toward the western exit of town, which they reached a short while later. This didn’t last, for the moment they left the gentle lights of the city at their backs and began to make their way down the long, dark road that led to Caedmon’s estate, Alistar recalled the life-and-death battle that had been forced on him just a short while ago and sobered slightly. Expanding his magical awareness and beginning to cast casual though perceptive glances at his surroundings, he reprimanded himself for letting his guard down, especially in the presence of someone so important to him.
“Is something wrong, Alie?”
“Just keeping an eye out, is all.”
He reached out and grabbed her hand with subconscious surety, wanting to guarantee that he could pull her out of harm’s way in the event that such an action became necessary. It was only a few moments afterwards that he realized how the move might have come off to her, which caused a blush to return to his face. Not only had she not pulled back, but her mood seemed to have improved.
This feeling, he thought, focusing on the pleasant sensations of affection that currently defined him. I’m sure she feels it, too.
Leading her along, he was reminded of all the times that a teary-eyed Kaila had forced him to hold her hand as he’d led her through either the darkness of Crystellum’s abandoned tunnels or through its lower, forbidden levels. As they reached the section of the road where the large oak trees began to line its sides, he wondered if he would feel a similar pleasantness if he were to hold Kaila’s hand now that he was nearing manhood. Too many emotions arose from the thought, so he pushed them from his mind and continued to enjoy the quiet, midnight stroll, warmed by his swordsman’s aura and the lingering effects of the Lawson’s ale.
Sure enough, only a few house servants were still awake by the time they arrived at the estate. This didn’t spare him from the teasing, allusive comments that Harold and Rayson threw his way when he and Lessa walked through the estate’s eastern gates, the two currently working the nighttime posts as per the rotation that Caedmon had set for the six private guards that were currently under employ at his home.
“You were right,” said Lessa as they drew up to the manor house's main entrance. “I don’t sense many people up and about.”
“Thankfully,” he sighed. “Else we’d probably hear more of what those two were saying.”
Alistar led the way to the nearest staircase that connected the first and second floors, though Lessa didn’t follow him up the first few steps.
“What is it?”
“I was hoping to sleep in one of the basement rooms.”
“Oh...right. Come on, then.”
This time it was she that reached for his hand, the two walking side-by-side as they worked their way through the manor and descended to its lowest level.
“Which one would you prefer?” he asked, uncharacteristically on edge as he began to point out the rooms that boasted the more comfortable beds.
“The one at the end.”
There were only two rooms at the end of the hallway, the one that he had recently moved into and the one opposite it.
“Okay.”
Both grew quiet as they covered the last bit of distance to the room in question. When Alistar went to open the door, Lessa pulled at his hand and nodded towards his room with a bit of shyness to her silver eyes.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“I meant yours, Alie.”
Turning to face her, he hesitated despite his sudden excitement and elation.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Lessa.”
“Why is that?”
Her feminine features stuck out in the dim lamplight of the stone corridor, a warm glow settling on the flawless complexion of her beautifully angled face as her long, pale lashes blinked up at him in a bashful manner. With her wide eyes fixed on his own, he felt as if the entire world consisted of her flushed, expectant expression.
“You’re betrothed to another,” he said honestly, hating the words that left his lips. “If you share my bed tonight, I’m worried that… I fear it’ll bring problems to you and your family.”
“Alistar,” she said, using his full name for emphasis. “Do you think I care for their opinions at this point?” She stepped toward him, pulling him closer to her with the hand that held his.
Now that their faces were nearly touching, he was mesmerized by the light floral scent that always seemed to follow her around, of the soft, rhythmic breaths that left her cute, symmetrical nose.
“But…we’re not married.”
While he wanted nothing more than to follow through with his excited thoughts, it was taboo among the aristocracy to participate in intimate relations before marriage, particularly for women. This was doubly true for adultery, which in some senses defined their current desires. The only things that were holding him back at this moment were considerations for Lessa’s reputation.
She lowered her gaze, though quickly leveled it off once more. “With any luck, Lord Edgar will call off the engagement if he learns of this. If he doesn’t, then at least…at least my first time will be with the man I love.”
He remained quiet, both overjoyed and saddened by her words.
“Alie, I’m aware of your feelings for Anne.” Her eyes became wet, liquid threatening to spill from the edges of her eyelids. “But I also know how you feel about me. I know I’m being selfish, but…but I’ll be leaving for Valay soon, and I’ll be forced to bear Lord Edgar’s children whether I want to or not. Just grant me this one wish, please, so that I can leave without any regrets. Or at least without—”
He raised his free hand and touched a thumb to her lips, silencing her with a heartfelt stare. “It’s not becoming of a lady to beg.” Sliding his thumb to the side of her face in a slow and sensual manner, he let go of her hand and pulled her in by the waist, a surge of elation filling him as he planted his lips atop hers. When they parted a moment later, he said in a quiet yet willful voice, “If you’re to bear any man’s children, then they’ll be mine.”
Her eyes spoke of a mixture of relief and remorse, as if she felt that her fate had already been sealed and that there would never be a future where the two of them might make a family as older, more mature adults. Mirroring his words from earlier, she said, “Let’s not think of that right now. I’m quite tired, so why don’t we head to bed?”
He kissed her again, revelling in the sweet sensation. “I won’t let that Edgar get his way. Even if you have to leave for Valay in the coming months, the marriage won’t take place for quite a while. I’ll figure something out during that time, even if I have to take you away from there myself. I promise you that.”
She put on a sad yet hopeful smile, knowing how seriously he took his promises. “I’ll be waiting, then.”
Taking a step back, he opened the door to his room and then picked Lessa up with careful hands, the candles coming to life as he brought her inside and then laid her down atop his bed without breaking eye contact. Inebriated though he was, he had no trouble stirring the surrounding air so that the door closed with a firm click. Simultaneously, he prevented the flickering candle flames from being blown out.
“W—wait,” she said, both nervous at the intimacy and impressed at his casual mastery over his magics.
Hearing the break in her voice as he laid her down upon the bed, his heart skipped a beat. “Is something wrong?”
She tugged at his cloak, which had been pulled taught when she’d settled atop it, nodding at her boots a moment later.
“Ah, of course,” he said, blushing.
Stepping away from the bed, he watched in silence as she removed the cloak and then kicked off her boots, all of which he gathered and then placed by his bedside. As he removed his own boots, Lessa stood up and then nodded toward his dresser.
“I don’t suppose you have any spare pajamas? I’ve never liked sleeping in my daywear.”
The look in her eyes and the tone of her voice were more than just a little bit stirring. Walking over to his dresser, he fumbled with two sets of pajamas as he heard the soft sounds of buttons being undone, of silk sliding over smooth skin and then dropping to the floor with muffled whispers. Suppressing a gulp, he turned to see Lessa standing shyly in her undergarments, a secure wrap of cloth binding her breasts as well as what looked like a thinner, much shorter version of his own bottoms, both clean and white as if they had just been laundered.