I hear his footsteps toward me. I swallow. Anticipation and nervousness—I hear my heart hammering in my chest. I close my eyes for a while and then a splash. I open my eyes to see his head bubbling over the water.
"Come and join me, Lyrica," he coaxes. "But be sure to remove all your clothes. I can't be the only one naked here."
For a few short seconds, I almost gave in to the temptation to be naked and jump into the river with him. Instead, beet-red, I stand up. I hurriedly wear my clothes despite them being uncomfortable as it clings to my body.
Calais watches me and I feel the pounding in my heart get louder. "I… I would like to take a bath alone. And… Uhm… I—"
Shit! I look at the horse. I am so embarrassed that I want to run away from this situation! And I know I am panicking. My mind is cloudy. This anticipation is too much. I want him, but I don't think I can handle it! I adore him as a character too much, and now that we are about to happen, I can't handle it! I need more time for this! To prepare my heart!
Then, I hear splashing again and the unmistakable arms that wrap around my body. I tremble at the contact. When he licks the side of my neck, a delicious shiver travels from my neck to my heart, and my stomach.
"Are you running away?" he asks. I struggle, but he keeps me in place. "Don't you want me to?" he whispers.
"I do!" I blurt out. "But, I know you are not in love with me, so I…" That's not true, that's not the real reason! My heart is thumping so much that more than this, I feel like I will go crazy!
He sucks at the side of my neck, and I squeal. I touch his head to get him away from me, especially when I can feel him on my back. "I need more time…" I say, breathless.
He takes a deep breath and loosens his arms around me. For a minute, he didn't speak.
"Calais?" I ask.
"Don't escape. I will get my clothes. You can take a bath in the house," he says.
I nod vigorously.
"Then we can talk about writing this promise of marriage, hmmm?" he asks.
I nod again. He lets me go, but I keep my eyes away from his form. When he stands in front of me, he is fully clothed, despite his wet clothes. He pulls the bridle of the horses and offers his hand to me.
Gingerly, I accept it, and we walk hand in hand towards his property.
*************************
The front yard garden is even more beautiful than the Pellegrini's. There are a lot of flowers in different colors and the grass is so green that I'd like to take my shoes off to feel them under my feet.
If the garden is pleasing to the eyes, the main house is even more so. It even rivals the Duke's house. It has white walls with columns and bright-colored windows. If the Dunnett's mansion is shrouded in mystery and darkness. Parcell's property is blessed with light and a refreshing quality. It seems so open, so kind, and cozy. If I live in a place like this with Calais, I don't think I would have the drive to return to my world.
"How is it so far?" Calais asks.
"Beautiful," I whisper, breathless at the beauty of his state.
"Great," he says. "If you are going to live here, how many days do you need to prepare it?"
"Prepare what?" I ask.
"From danger?"
"Oh, okay," I say. I can't think of anything else. The only thing that's in danger is my heart if he continues to treat me like this. "A day maybe?"
"For the meantime, I will take care of the defense. You have nothing to worry about."
We climb the front stairs, and he pulls me with him towards the front door. It is a white ornate door with embedded vines running through its edge. It's even more amazing upon a closer look.
"Master Calais."
The unfamiliar voice startles me and I move closer to Calais, almost hugging his arm to my body. He looks at me, confused at the way I jump at the voice.
"This is Duke's Dunnett's daughter, Lyrica. She is my fiancee," Calais introduces. "Lyrica, this is Marilen Felton, our head servant."
Marilen is a small old woman, graying hair, a petite frame, eyeglasses that hide the sharp eyes that are currently scrutinizing me from head to toe. I can feel it. I can see the hatred in the way she scours all over my body. The animosity wriggles under my skin and I shudder from it. I grimace and this time. I hug Calais' arm tightly to my chest. If I am going to live here, I will make sure she will be out of my way.
"Ahm, Lyrica?"
I look up at Calais. He's blushing and is looking away from me.
"I can feel all of you. You really should stop seducing me," he whispers.
I move a bit further away from him, but my left hand is still tightly squeezing his right hand.
"Is this really that Lady Lyrica Dunnett? She's very different from the rumors," Marilen speaks. Her voice is grating and sounds strict. Feeling afraid again, I hug Calais' arms to my chest, not caring about how my actions affect him.
"This is that Lyrica Dunnett. The magic she has is proof of that. And besides, I will know how my fiancee looks regardless of how unkempt she is."
I look up at Calais. How did he become familiar to this old woman? Everything about her is scary!
Calais groans and takes his arm from me. I feel nervous. Without that security, I shift my attention to Marilen and prepare myself. I can activate my magic in a split second. I'm certain I can defend myself from her.
Suddenly, Calais goes behind me, but before I can even ask, he lifts me and my arm goes to his shoulders.
"Wha—what?" I ask, confused at what's happening now.
"Madam Marilen, stop scaring my fiancee. Even with a personality change, she is still a very powerful mage."
Marilen bows at him and says, "I understand, master."
I flush and look around. Marilen is looking at me in Calais' arms and the maids are nudging each other and pointing at the way I am being carried by him. So, getting more ashamed by the second, I hide my face in Calais' chest.
"Now, prepare a bath in my room. We are both filthy from magic practice."
"Your room?" Marilyn asks.
"Yes, 'my' room, Marilen," he commands. "Where else?"
"But you are not yet married…"
"We will soon, right, Lyrica?" he asks me.
I nod against his chest and whisper, "Yes, but please, just put me down, or carry me wherever there are no people."
Ugh! I want to escape this embarrassing situation now. And so, as Calais walks, I wrap my arms around his neck.
"Uh, I forgot. Madame Anna Pellegrini sent me food. Can you bring it to my room? It's left by the river."
"Yes, master."
And to me, he asks, "I hope you don't mind?"
I shake my head and only hide my beet-red face in his chest.