The discussion in the library concluded after an hour.
After spending another half hour downstairs in the tea room, Alex was ready to leave. Although he really liked Lady Cordelia and found her voice pleasant, her flirtations were too much.
Maybe, I shouldn't have kissed her hand. She is looking at me such puppy eyes. It's making me uncomfortable. At the same time, I kind of want to give her adorable little head a rub.
Felicia and Liam, on the other hand did not wish to depart so quickly. Sensing his sister's desire to spend some alone time with her man, Alex decided to leave them be and stay with the Marquess and her daughter.
Lady Cordelia was thrilled to have Alex's attention on her. As such she decided to impress him by playing her flute.
Marquess Lydia was very impressed by her daughter's determination and considered Alex a good match for a husband. After all, who wouldn't want to become a mother-in-law to the future Grand Duke of Del Montague!
The melodious sound of the flute faded away as Liam escorted Felicia out towards his favorite spot in the gardens. They remained silent, simply enjoying each other's company as they walked under the pavilion towards a small man made pond. The area around it was surrounded by immaculately cut grass and large carved stones.
As Liam led Felicia closer, she could see that the water in the pond was so crystal clear and beautiful, it invited one to jump in. Gentle flapping had her looking back up. She saw a beautiful red-eyed Loon descend from the sky and land in the water. It briefly looked at her before yodeling. The sound was like a wolf's howl. Both beautiful and haunting.
Liam pulled at her hand, causing her to walk forward again. She did not even realize she had stopped to watch the aquatic bird. Something about its red eyes, the way it was swimming aimlessly and its mournful yodeling struck a chord within her.
It reminded her of herself when she was trapped in the mists.
Shaking off the unsettling feeling, she allowed Liam to pick her up by the waist and place her on top of the large stone slab. He propped himself up and took a seat next to her. Out of instinct, she leaned into him. In turn, Liam wrapped his muscular arm around her shoulders, drawing her even closer to him.
Felicia had so many things she wanted to say, but she did not wish to ruin the beautiful silence. Her previous worries appeared distant now that she was nestled in his arms, under the sun. Even the gentle breeze carrying the sweet smell of flowers seemed to be unique to him. As if she could only enjoy it with him.
They stayed this way for a while, before Liam started absentmindedly playing with her fingers, tracing shapes on the knuckle of her thumb.
"Liam--"
"Felicia--"
They both chuckled.
"Go ahead, my enchanting Saintess," Liam whispered into her ear.
Felicia flushed red to the tips of her ears. Combined with her flaming red hair and bright green eyes, the sight was tantalizing. Liam wished she was naked so he could see where else her flush had spread to.
Felicia had every intention of speaking her heart, but she was too embarrassed to look at him while saying it. She pressed her red face into his sternum. "Liam, I love you very much. I don't know if we were fated to find each other because that's what it feels like. I cannot understand how I could feel so strongly for someone in such a short period of time."
Liam beamed, though she could not see it. "I feel the same way, Felicia. From the moment I looked into your emerald eyes, I was lost. I knew then that I had found what I didn't know I was looking for."
He tightened his arms around her. "When I heard about how you had failed to regain consciousness after getting attacked at your former nanny's residence, it felt as though my world had tilted on its axis. I could not focus on anything else. I had to see you. I had to confirm with my own eyes that you were indeed recovering before I was able to regain my balance."
"I worry for you, Felicia." His voice got deeper as he pulled her onto his lap. "Knowing the threat you face and what you were made to endure in your first life, I can't help but worry that even with all of your foresight and preparations, history may indeed repeat itself."
Felicia stroked the side of his neck. "Fate can be a cruel mistress, Liam. At times, I feel despair trying to drag me down. But I know that I am not alone this time. I have Alex. My brother will never abandon me. And that gives my dark world some light. And I also have managed to sway both you and Constantine. This also gives me hope."
Felicia pulled back and looked into his eyes. "The worst thing for me would be to end up all alone again. I can handle anything but that."
Liam grabbed her hand and pressed it to his lips. "I will never abandon you, Felicia. That is my vow. Whatever fate has in store for us this time around, I promise you will never be alone."
Felicia arched her neck and placed a kiss on his lips.
Liam kissed her back.
What was meant to be a soft gesture quickly turned aggressive as their bloods heated in unison. It felt like a powerful incense had been ignited directly inside their lungs; they could not pull away from each other.
Their bodies swayed.
They finally parted when they needed air, but didn't pull away. Liam began peppering kisses along Felicia's neck as she ran her hands through his hair. Her neck and chest were more sensitive than her lips and she couldn't help but moan softly at the sensation of his caresses. She gasped in shock when she felt a hardness pressing against her butt.
She felt a brief flare of panic and tapped Liam on his shoulders. "Liam, stop. We are being watched!"
Pulling back, Liam followed her gaze and saw one of his family's knights' watching them. He gave the man a stern glare, to which he bowed and promptly walked off. He understood the warning.
Felicia quickly pulled herself off of Liam and breathed a sign of relief when she saw that none of her father's knights had decided to tag along and supervise them.
Liam rubbed his face as he tried to clear the haze of lust which was still fully settled over his mind. "It's a good thing you stopped me, Felicia. For a moment there, I forgot we weren't behind closed doors."
Felicia chuckled nervously as she pressed a hand to her erratically thumping heart. "It's a good thing the knight showed up. Or I wouldn't have stopped you."
She rubbed her red face. "My goodness, I was practically straddling you! How shameless! I am sorry for not acting the part of a proper noble lady."
"You do not need to apologize," Liam replied, awkwardly. "I forgot to control my body for a moment there as well."
Felicia scooted closer to him. "Can we keep kissing? I really enjoyed it."
Liam blushed. "I did too, but that's not such a good idea. My uh..." His words trailed off as he pressed both hands over the juncture between his legs.
"I don't think I can kiss you without wanting to do more, Felicia." Liam spoke in a husky voice.
Felicia looked away from the heat in his eyes. She too felt the same way. Their not so innocent smooching had awakened a desire within her. One that had caused her nipples of harden.
"We should head back inside," Liam stated as he hopped off the boulder and turned to help her down.
She stopped him, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Liam, I do not wish to marry Prince Constantine."
Liam signed and lowered his head. "I know. I don't want you to marry him either. I wish you were a free woman so I could pursue you openly. But, it's a royal decree." He looked back up at her. "You cannot refuse it."
"I respect him. Much like you, he's fair minded and kind. But I do not want him. I want you." Felicia licked her lips. "I met you first and my mind was already made up."
Liam lifted Felicia off the boulder and set her down on her feet. He pulled her into an embrace, enjoying the way her soft form fit perfectly against him.
"Dammit!" He quickly pulled her away when he felt himself grow hard again.
Felicia chuckled. "Can you not control that?"
"Normally, I can." He cleared his throat and turned his head away. "Constantine would treat you well. Your married life with him would be a peaceful one. Even if there is no love, you would still be happy. I'm certain of this."
It was killing Liam to say all this, but he had to come to terms with the reality of the situation. This could very well be the first and last time he and Felicia shared such an intimate moment.
"Would you not be bothered watching me marry him?" Felicia asked.
Liam kept his back to her. "I would be greatly aggrieved by it, but....as long as you are safe and happy, then I would find a way to reconcile my possessive emotions."
Felicia wiped away a tear. "Let's return inside."
Upon hearing her wobbly voice, Liam grasped her face in his hands and pressed one last tender kiss to her lips. Rearranging his expression, he tucked her arm around his and led them back into the manor.
From behind, Felicia heard the same mournful yodeling of the Loon.