Scar waited by the little dying tree on the edge of the square thinking he should have chosen a better meeting place. The sad little tree just reminded him of his own sad state of affairs. His face was unwaveringly harsh as the sun started to peak over the trees. The capsules of dust magic sat in his pocket, and the frozen rose gleamed in the rising sun. It wouldn't melt, no matter how the heat of the sun warmed it. He was starting to get nervous that she had changed her mind when he caught sight of her.
She was wearing a dark grey silk cloak with a hood. As she saw him she smiled and pushed her hood back. Her hair was pinned in a loose braid in the back of her head. Small tendrils escaped brushing the sides of her cheek bones and softening her look. Beneath her cloak he spotted glimpses of a fitted black corset with a blue fitted skirt that flared at her ankles showing off her high matte black heals. By the time she reached him his throat had run dry and he was afraid his voice would come out utterly wrong. She folded the black lace carisole she had been carrying and tucked it beneath her arm. He smiled at her charmingly and cleared his throat, "Nadine," he handed her the rose and she took it from him gently.
"Its beautiful Edward," she said softly before looking at him.
"Not nearly enough to compete with you," he smiled and offered her his arm. She took it and glanced at his attire appreciatively. He was dressed in clothing that suggested great wealth and he looked comfortable as ever. Like he was born to wear exspensive clothes and nice shoes. She just could not figure him out. He led her off down the road a little ways and they came to a small cart.
"I rented it for the day," He turned and grabbed her by the waist, her eyes captivated him, but he managed to tear his gaze away and lifted her onto the platform. Releasing her immediately, "The horse is old as dirt but steadfast and reliable." He smiled and patted the rump of the cart pony as she beamed at him.
"Where are we going?"
He smiled at the curiosity in her voice and climbed up next to her. Reins in hand he glanced over at her,
"It's a suprise."
He was sitting just an inch away from her he could feel the warmth of her thigh.
"You seem full of suprises,"
"What do you mean," he asked suddenly nervous.
She twirled the rose in her hand and smiled at him. "Its just," she set it down on the bench between them. "You showed up to a party at my father's estate looking penniless and now you look like a true nobleman driving a farmers cart." She glanced at him shyly hoping she had not offended him.
He only gave her that dashing smile that made her stomach feel tight.
"I wanted to impress you. " he said simply tucking a piece of hair behind her ear and placing a soft kiss on her cheek. Turning to the road he clicked the reins and the cart rattled forward. She touched her cheek before folding her hands in her lap and watching the sun set. The ride was beautiful. He kept the pony at a moderately slow pace until they came to a stop on the side of the rode. He got out and helped her down relishing the feel of his hands on her hips yet again. As he lowered her to the ground he remembered their kiss and he quickly released her; grabbing a few worn blankets from the small trunk in the back along with a brown paper bag. He gently took her carisole and cloak.
"The forest is pretty shaded you shouldn't have need of these."
"It will be nice to enjoy the fresh air and sunlight." He smiled and offered his arm once again she held up a finger before removing her heels and carrying them in her hand. Her other hand came around his arm lightly and she said, "Im ready when you are."
About a mile in she bit her lips as she stepped over sharp rocks and pine cones and he halted the walk. "Here," he steered her to a smooth boulder and ordered her to sit down.
"I'm sorry, I should have worn my riding boots. I'll break an ankle with these useless things," she dangled the heels in front of her before dropping them on the ground.
"Don't worry we're almost there," he reassured her, then he had an idea, "Wait here I wont be long. He walked two more miles and put down everything in front of a very small, but crystal clear lake. He flicked up a rough green blanket and impatiently watched it fall softly to the ground, and topped it with a softer red one. Hastily he arranged the chilled wine and cheese plater he had packed. He jogged back to find her sprawled out in the sun.
The sight of her on the boulder, her head titled back in the sun, her shoulders bare, made his jeans tighten, and he had to grit his teeth to steady his resolve. Her eyes batted as he approached her, "I was beginning to think you had forgot about me she said standing and brushing her skirts. He gulped as her hands brushed over her hips and thighs. What was he? A boy? He shook his head and walked up to her,
"Forget about you?" In a smooth motion he scooped her up in his arms and grabbed her heels, "Not a chance" she giggled at the unexpected moment.
The walk was twice as long with her in his arms but he didnt mind. She talked to him about the fact that her father thought she was at a tea gathering and that afterwards she was suppose to be visiting Alia another noble woman whom her father approved of her visiting and he laughed at her impressions of the woman, whom Nadine apparently disliked. By the time the got to the picnic area he had set up her cheeks hurt and he settled her down on a blanket next to a wine bottle and cheese.
The lake was beautiful as she took it in. They both drank in the site for a moment. The lake sat in the deep breath of a valley a small stream trickled into it father up one side of the hill and large trees cast shadows between the rays of dappled sunlight. Birds chirped the distance and the gentle trickling and bubbling of the water soothed them both. A metal button spun softly in his hand.
She sat up and looked at him mischievously, "A full sized bottle of wine for the two of us?" She rolled to her knees and he bit his cheek at the sight of her. Her tan shoulders were a beautiful honey color even in the shade and as she leaned forward to grab the wine bottle, her breasts threatening to spill from her corset. She sat up and turned the bottle in her hand before popping the top off.
He rested a hand at the back of his head sheepishly, "Nadine, I uh..." she looked up at him worriedly , "sort of forgot the glasses."
Her face softened into a wide grin and her hair flashed in the sun as she leaned back and laughed at him, "Edward, the look you had on your face had me worried." He began laughing with her and she tilted the boddle back and took a deep drink. She made a face. She scrunched her nose, it was cute.
"See, we dont need a glass," She handed it to him. He smirked and tilted the bottle back. The breeze blew softly over her bare skin and she sighed her cheeks rosy. It was hot outside and soon they were both sweating. They ate the small wedge of cheese as they talked about her good friend Skye Black. He sat on the blankets fiddling with a silver button as she talked.
"I'm sorry you must be tired of my nonstop babbling."
He was looking at her intensely. "I love watching you talk," he smirked at her to lighten his next words, "your voice is soothing to me."
She smiled and nodded at his hand, "What's that,"
He looked at the button suprised that he was holding it, "Oh this?" A quiet sadness took over his strong face and a sad smile rose to his lips.
"Its all I have left of my mother." He tucked it back into his pocket.
"I'm sorry for your loss."
He shook his head, "Dont be. It's been a long time, and I never really got to know her properly. She died when I was quiet young, Infact, I was less than a year old."
Her heart ached for him. The wine bottle sat empty between them and she pushed it aside before moving closer.
The capsule in his pocket felt heavy again. He had planned for them to finish the wine and then snap it beneath her nose. He had hoped that a tipsy Nadine would be less distracting. Less questions in her gaze.
She looked into his eyes and held his hand in hers, squeezing it softly.
"I cant imagine growing up without a mother,"
It turned out that she wasn't any less intimidating to him. If anything she was more distracting, the questions in her eyes more intense. Half intensified by the bedroom eyes glances he caught in between the questions and now concern.
He stood and walked away from her, "It wasn't all bad," he lied throwing her a dashing smile. He pulled his shirt over his head and rational conversation and thought blew away on a gentle breeze. They were both a little tipsy, their faces flushed and their bodies loose and hot.
He began unbuckling his pants and she panicked covering her eyes,
"Why are you getting naked?!"
He laughed, "I'm melting, I'm just going for a swim in the lake."
"Oh," she fanned her fingers and peaked between them to see him tossing his clothes over a tree branch and sauntering toward the lake in his underwear. She dropped her hands and watched him throw his arms forward as he dived into the water. She leaned back into the shade and watched as his head emerged from the water. He shook his head and droplets flew from his hair.
She smiled as they made eye contact his eyes and body daring her to join him before the words came out of his mouth.
"Join me?"
She smiled as she stood and sauntered towards the lake barefoot.
He watched her intensely as she circled to a rock in the shade and rolled her skirt up. Her legs were a killer sight, long, tanned, and perfect. He noticed a small scar on her left heel as his eyes trailed up to the middle of her thighs. She stopped and looked at him with intense eyes and slid her legs in the water up to her knees.
She sat on the rock and smirked at him teasingly.
His trance broken he swam to her.
"Is this close enough?"
He swam until he got to shallow ground and stood. Water slid down his muscled front she looked him up and down once and then met his gaze intensely as he neared her. He felt the same excited thrill as he got on the streets before doing somthing dangerous.
He walked right up to trapping her as he put his arms on the rock on either side of her and leaned in. His face inches from hers he stopped to search her eyes. She batted long lashes at him and leaned in. Their faces inches apart they both stopped and looked into each others eyes. He spoke roughly, "You'll always be too far away."
He didnt know why he'd said it. He had meant to tell her simply no maybe kiss her, but he was frozen.
Her face turned soft, consoling him.
"What do you mean Edward?" He felt himself recoil from her. He needed space, he needed to regroup. Damn those eyes of hers. He pushed off the rock and waded out of the water. He pushed the empty wine bottle and platter off the red blanket and swiped it. Patting his body dry he pulled his pants on and buckled them sitting on the rough green blanket moments later. He tossed the red blanket away suddenly wishing he was somone else entirely.
She frowned in confusion and rose to walk to him. Clouds were passing over them now the day was getting colder.
"Edward, is somthing wrong?"
He looked up to see her kneel between his knees; her gaze worried, but beautiful as ever.
He didnt know what to say so he stared at her. She frowned at the scars on his flesh. Words failing her. She wondered what kind of a man he was to have all those scars. She sat forward and planted a lazy kiss on his shoulder her breath fanned his back and then his neck as her lips touched down again. He felt her tongue warmly dart out to taste his skin, he was surprised to find that Nadine Ravenglass was not a shy noble woman.
In fact, he was becoming more and more sure that he had never met anyone quite like Nadine.
Her eyes met his and his blood ran hot as he grabbed her chin and kissed her roughly.
It began to rain lightly as they kissed. Suddenly it didn't matter to him who he was, the only thing that existed in his mind was the enchantress in front of him. His hands reached out and grabbed her waist dragging her closer. Her hands tangled in his hair and water ran down his chest and shoulders lazily. He reached up and began gently removing the glass fasteners in her hair until it fell down her back. Her hair was soft and a wave of citrus hit him. He wondered faintly if she was, in fact, a witch. It started to rain more intensely and they broke away heavily breathing as the rain dripped down their bodies in streams now. He looked up at the sky. It was going to be a bad storm.
"We should get out of here," She smiled at him and he smiled back as he pulled her to her feet. He ran around grabbing everything and pulling on a shirt. He threw everything that wasn't hers under a tree and scooped her up.
"What about the other stuff."
"I own the lake, I'll be back for it later."
Her eyes widened in suprise as he swiftly moved through the trees and brush.
"You own it?"
He flashed a smile as his dark hair fell into his eyes dripping wet. A sense of pride flared as she smiled incredulously.
"Suprised again?" He felt his pockets getting wet. He put her down under a large tree.
It was his last chance to use the capsule. If he left the protection of the trees branches the capsule would be ruined.
He opened her cloak off his arm and tied it behind his neck.
"What are you doing?"
"Come close." He flapped the cloak over her and swept her up again, sheltering her beneath it before heading back out into the storm.