Amber - 2001-05-17
he could hear his heart beating, her cheek against his chest feeling so strange, so unreal, yet so right at the same time. She felt so safe, so sheltered here in his arms, held tight against his strong chest. It was a strange, almost frightening emotion.. She'd never met anyone like him. He didn't get into a fit over his ego that she'd saved him, like some of her courtiers would have, but seemed grateful instead.. Her heart still raced from the danger, a little shiver of fear still worked its way down her spine..
When he pulled her away, she was a bit surprised, even more so when he kissed her again. Emotions flooded through her, pleasure, fear, happiness, surprise... so many, so varied it left her stunned. He was so gentle, so sweet.. He made her feel so wanted, like she actually mattered, besides the fact that she was some high ranking royal lady... It made the last two days worth it.
Any thoughts were put on hold by the touch of his lips on hers, his hands soft on her cheeks. She found herself blushing slightly, giddy with the emotional highs that she was experiencing. Was this what she heard of in the tales, the legends that Cornelius had told her, listened to in the many ballads sung by the visiting bards? Was this.. love? Whatever it was, it made her feel so happy yet so afraid at the same time. She found herself trembling ever so slightly, putting her arms around him. She wanted to stay close to him, to feel the warmth of his body.
And then, suddenly, reality set in to her mind, her father's voice booming through the halls of her memory, dimming the bright summer sun and making the breeze cold as memories of that day flooded back. She pulled away from his embrace, fear flooding into her eyes. "Wait.." She whispered. "Stop.. We.. we can't.. Trevor we can't do this..." Tears burned in her eyes, tears of helpless anger and pain. "We can't.." She whispered again, burying her face in her hands, shoulders shaking slightly.
Laura - 2001-05-18
After the nobleman has spoken to Azari to give the news that Sir Ainsley was dead, Azari was in shock. She didn't believe what the man had said. She asked for further information. He had said that there was a hard blow and he had gone down. No man was left standing.
Spellbinder - 2001-05-18
revor was thinking that this was a moment to be cherished forever. Selene’s lips were so warm against his and he could feel her tremble as they kissed. There was something different about kissing Selene as compared to other girls he had kissed before. Perhaps it was her innocence and her discovery that she enjoyed his lips that made the difference. Not to mention the knowledge that she was forbidden fruit. A royal that should be beyond his reach, impervious to his charms.
Just as Trevor was sure that he had finally penetrated Selene’s defenses and inbred aloofness the door once again slammed in his face. Was there no escaping her past? He looked up at her and saw the pain and fear in her eyes and manner and wanted nothing more than to hold her and protect her from the demons that tormented her. His heart went out to her as he spoke quietly. “Selene, what’s wrong? Have I done something to offend you.....or your father?” The last came as a flash of intuition. He noted how Selene stiffened at the mention of her parent and knew he had been accurate in his assessment.
He slowly stood and faced Selene. The knight placed his hands on her heaving shoulders. He gently placed his finger under her chin and lifted her tear stained face so he could see her eyes.
“Selene, how long will you let him run your life? When will you decide for yourself what is right or wrong?” He shook his head as he recalled the events of the past few days. “You have surprised me with all that you have done so far. I’ll just bet your father would not believe a word of it.”
Trevor stepped back, his eyes mocking. He spoke in a calculating, demeaning fashion. “After all, you’re just a little, helpless girl who needs a big, strong man like him to protect you and do things for you because you are incapable of fending for yourself!” He placed his hands on his hips as he spoke, his eyes now angry, challenging Selene to react. “Is that what you are, LADY Selene? Hmmm? Just some toy to be played with, but never taken seriously? I thought that’s what you were when I found you. Just some spoiled little rich girl who got herself lost while doing whatever it is you spoiled little rich girls do while out riding DADDY’S horse.” Trevor snorted and turned his back on her. “Because if that’s what you are, then go home! Run to daddy! I’m sure he’ll be so happy to see his little girl-toy return so he can feel important.” Trevor stalked toward his strewn armor sullenly and began to gather it together.
Cooling off somewhat, he turned toward Selene and said quietly, “But if you are half the WOMAN I believe you are, then you’ll stay. Stay and prove to him and me that you are something more than a plaything.”
He slowly walked back to her, took her hand and murmured, “Stay because....because I want you to.” He looked her in the eye as he spoke, his expression one of gentle pleading.
Amber - 2001-05-21
She endured his harsh words, her eyes closed slightly, not responding though his words stung her, sparking anger in her. She bit her lower lip in an effort not to retaliate, to let loose with the words she wanted to call him right then. She was not weak, and she was not helpless! She'd more than proven that, in her own eyes. She knew that she could take care of herself.. It.. It was just so hard to be so far from everything she knew, all the things that had been ingrained to her.
She didn't move as he gathered his stuff together -- half of her wanted to scream and throw something at him, the other half simply wanted to leave, to run back home... But she wouldn't. She couldn't let herself. That would be giving up, admitting defeat, and he was right. She couldn't do that. It would undo everything she'd worked so hard to attain.
His next words were gentler, soothing slightly the ember of anger that had formed at his previous words. She lifted her head to look at him, her teal eyes dark, tears glimmering softly on the edges. She was still a bit angry, but his words touched her. Still,.. she had to make him see, had to explain her reaction...
"Do you know what will happen?" She asked softly, pausing a moment before continuing, her words coming out in a tumbled rush. "Trevor, if my father finds out about this, .. he'll hunt you down! My father hates outsiders, especially those who threaten his power. And you're so wonderful, that I just know he'd hate you too.." She met his eyes again, holding his hand in hers, a single tear slipping down her cheek. "I don't want anything to hurt you Trevor. I don't want anything to happen to you. You don't deserve it.. I can't put you in that sort of danger, especially not now, not after everything that's happened..."
Copyright (c) 1999-2001 Abigail Laughlin and the members of the Circle of Stone.