It is already lunchtime when I find myself running after Calais on horseback. He suggests racing. I decline because the way to his house is unclear to me. But when he kicks his horse to a full gallop, I can't help but run after him.
Before long, my competitive spirit gets a hold of me. Giggling along the way, I gain speed and slowly catch up to him.
Suddenly, he stops beside a river and I pause. I watch him tie his horse to a tree and he walks towards me.
I frown at him. "What is it?" I ask.
Instead of answering, he reaches for my waist and lifts me, putting me down on the ground. I use his arm as support and laugh when I almost fall to the ground. Lyrica's body is no longer used to this much physical exertion.
"What? You're tired already? Didn't you mention a full day of activities?" he teases.
"Who says I am tired?"
He grins, takes his shirt off, and is about to take his breeches too when I stop him.
"What are you doing?! Why are you being naked here!?" I ask, looking around. There is no one. The river is on our left, with thick bushes on our right.
He removes my hand and says, "Don't worry, no one comes here. This river runs along Parcell's property. Now remove your clothes too. Let's take a bath on the river."
He tries to pull my shirt up, but I struggle against his grasping hands, ashamed at what he's trying to do. Does he have no shame!?
"I say stop!"
"It's hot, and your earth magic makes us so filthy. You know that we both need to take a bath. If we enter the house like this, the maids will be mad."
I look down at my clothes. He's right. Both our shirts are caked with mud. My long sleeved shirt is no longer white. Sensing my hesitation, he takes the opportunity to remove my shirt and throw it into the river.
"Calais, seriously!" I scold, as my arms automatically cover my chest.
I turn from him and am about to take my clothes. When he hugs me from behind, I flush. "What are you doing?" I ask. His hands wind around my waist, with my back being warmed by him.
"Warming ourselves before we jump into the water," he says, his breath tickling my ear.
"It's hot already! We don't need it!"
He ignores reason and reaches for my pants, chuckling, "Now, let's get this pants off too."
He starts to unbuckle my pants. "Stop," I say, struggling against his massive arms, but I am panting now and I know my face is so red that I'm grateful he's behind me.
My hands reach for his hands, but his hands and arms are so hot that I feel like I am being scalded instead. He might have felt it too, because the next thing I know, he is already lifting my head with his right hand and forcing his mouth into mine. There is no sweetness and gentleness in it this time. He pries my mouth open and I copy the way his tongue dances around mine.
For the first time, I feel the need to have all of him to me. I want him to deepen the kiss. I want him to continue without breaking the kiss. I want my body closer to him—to the point where we can meld into each other—like how our tongue melts into each other. I want more of him. More. And when I feel his arms successfully unbuckle my pants, I turn to face him.
"Calais?" and then a gasp. "Lady Lyrica?"
Calais pulls back and I groan at the separation of our lips. Then I feel his hands pulling up my pants, putting it in place.
"What?" I start, but then I see him pale over something in front of us.
I look at the cause of disturbance and see Eliana frozen in front of us. Her cheeks are red and she's holding a wooden box—of food, probably.
"Eliana?" Calais whispers. And that tone of voice somehow breaks my heart. How could he use such a voice, when we are in the middle of a passionate kiss?
"Ah!" Eliana jolts awake. "I'm sorry. I didn't know. I thought you are alone… I, my mother said to give this to you. So, uhm, I, will just leave it here and, uhm, enjoy!"
This scene, I am afraid of. I take the pants that Calais is holding. I know what's next to come. He'll run after her and leave me here alone. I stop the sob that's coming. Calais might have offered marriage to me, but I will only be second in his life. I need to accept that no matter what I give up for him, I will not fully own his heart. Besides, I am inside the story where he is devotedly and helplessly in love with another woman.
I watch Eliana leave the area. I take a deep breath and whisper to him, "You can go and follow her."
I try to get away from his hold, but his arms around me only tighten. "Why would I go?" he asks.
"Aren't you going to follow her? Ain't she the love of your life?" I ask. "I can see it in the way you look at her."
Finally, he let me go. I secure my pants and stoop down to get my shirt, which is on the side of the river. Now, what should I do? Return alone to the Duke's house again? I just hope that no one will try to kill me this time.
Suddenly, I hear the rustling of clothes behind me. Holding onto my drenched shirt, I look behind me to see a fully naked Calais standing over me. I exclaim and cover my mouth. I look him over from head to toe and back again. No words come out of my mouth. He definitely suits the role of a third party, perfect muscular body, handsome face and that crotch. I redden, my eyes lingering too long on his crotch.
Forcibly, I raise my eyes to his. He holds my eyes and watches my expression as I regard all of him. I purse my lips and open my mouth.
"I… ahm…"
He smirks and I feel ashamed at the way I ogle him. I look away, especially when he steps closer to me. Seriously?! What now?! And I know… I am fucking panicking!