A Place to Think-continued

[1<3[)r@I<3]

When her hand slid around to the back of his neck, pulling her closer, his desire flamed higher. He didn't want to do this but he did. He wasn't thinking at all anymore, just feeling and reacting. The strength of his desire frightened him enough that he tried to fight it off. It wasn't right, what they were doing. Not yet. He wanted to stop, but couldn't find the will to do so. He was still struggling with it when Sarah turned her head to the side breaking off the kiss. When she asked him to wait, he couldn't quite make out the words over the sounds of their hearts beating so hard. But the plea in her voice rang through loud and clear. He fought harder for control, gaining just enough to raise his head far enough to keep their lips apart.

He reached up to take her hand from his neck, bringing it around to place a gentle kiss in her palm. He waited a moment for his heart beat to slow to something close to normal, then opened his eyes. He released her and stepped back, desire still burning in his eyes as he gazed at her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. I didn't want it to." He sighed and shook his head. "This is my fault. I should have known better." He began to cry quietly, tears simply flowing down his face. "I should have been able to stop. Can you forgive me?"

[Graebelle]

Her breath came out in a heavy sigh when Rhys pulled his head away, feeling more confident that they would be able to control themselves from then on. They had both been so close, so terribly close to letting go of all those rules against this sort of thing. She tried not to think about how it would have been to be able to continue on without restraint since it would do her no good, only test herself further, and she was sure she didn't need anymore of that. As Rhys slid her hand from around his neck, a faint smile formed on her features, cherishing that gently placed kiss against her palm since she wasn't sure when she'd be able to handle another like the one they had just shared. She'd have to be a little more careful after this.

They both took a moment to catch their breath, and about when she felt she was under a better, more stable control, she felt Rhys move away, giving them both a little distance. Sarah remained still, looking over at him and catching the desire still there in his eyes, sure she had a similar look herself, though possibly not as strong now that she had found her self control. At first, his words confused her, since he made it sound like something bad, or inappropriate, had happened between them, though things hadn't quite made it to that point by the time they stopped. When his tears came Sarah's expression fell, though it was quickly replaced with a small smile and almost a laugh, which she successfully managed to hold back. "Rhys," she said, taking a step towards him and reaching out to rest her hand against his cheek again. "There's nothing to forgive. I don't blame you for a second, and you shouldn't either. You weren't the only one to...get a little caught up," she answered, a touch of embarrassement in her voice since she hadn't expected her own reaction. Her expression took on a bit of sadness. "Don't cry, please," she said softly, shifting her hand across his cheek to brush away the tears there.

[1<3[)r@I<3]

She smiled at him. He had come so close to breaking a boundary that he didn't even want to think about it, and yet she smiled. When she told him there was nothing to forgive, that she too had been a little out of control, he felt a little better about it. But just a little as the embarrassment in her voice dampened the affect her words would have had. Her hand on his face helped him calm down, allowed him to put what had happened, and what had not, into perspective. Since nothing had really happened beyond one not so little kiss, he supposed she was right. He would have to work on controlling himself better though, or it might go farther. Especially if the next kiss happened any time soon.

The slight hint of sadness on her face as she told him not to cry and wiped the tears from his cheek made him want to hold her all over again, though he knew his control was far too shaky for that. Instead he leaned his face against her hand lightly and forced the tears back. He would do anything she asked. And what she wanted was for him to stop crying. He managed a small smile hoping to make her smile again. He really wanted her to smile again.

He wanted to give her something, but for a moment he couldn't think what. Then he realized he did indeed have something that was his alone. Something he could give her that would mean more, perhaps, than most things would. He had a ring with a carved bloodstone set in it. Sure, the metal had a falcon engraved on it but the symbol on the stone was his. Falcon for the House, wolf for himself. His smile widened and took on a secretive look as he slipped it from his hand and then reached up to pull her hand from his face. He turned her hand palm up and placed the ring within, keeping it hidden. Then he closed her fingers over it and backed away, waiting to see how she would react to the gift.

[Graebelle]

She could feel him lean his head against her hand as she touched his cheek, could see his attempt to still his tears. A small smile touched her face as he attempted one, glad he was willing to try and not be so upset. Like she had said, things hadn't been his fault. They just needed to be careful was all. Maybe by the time she needed to leave for her aunt's house she would be able to get another kiss, without things moving too quickly and too far. At the moment she couldn't be certain; only time would really tell that.

That had really been all she had been expecting, just some change from him being sad. She would have been happy with that alone, but seeing his smile grow, hiding something, almost made her nervous. What was that for? Why did she feel like she was missing something? Her expression turned slightly puzzled as she looked at his face, trying to read any hints that might have been there and failing. Her eyes fell instead to her hand as he pulled it from his cheek, holding it palm up between them. Sarah could feel the slight weight of something being placed into it, but Rhys had it thoroughly covered so she wouldn't see as he wrapped her fingers around it. She looked up at him in puzzlement as he took a step back before looking down at her closed hand, unsure for a moment just what she held.

Slowly, she opend her closed fist, and her breath stopped short when she saw what it was. A ring. It was quite lovely, unlike any ring she had seen before, and she broke out into a surprised yet delighted smile. "Oh," she murmured to herself, turning it over to examine the carving of the stone and the engraving along the band. A wolf and falcon. She had been there in the village long enough to realize what the falcon stood for, though she wasn't too certain about the wolf. It hardly mattered. Rhys had given it to her, and that was what really counted most. "Thank you," she said with a bright smile up at him, settling her focus back on the ring again. Had her faith in herself been a little more solid, she would have wrapped him in another hug, but it still felt too soon for that.

[1<3[)r@I<3]

He watched as she opened her hand, revealing the ring within. The surprised and delighted smile that appeared on her face caused his heart to skip a beat. She smiled up at Rhys, thanking him, and looked down at the ring again. He thought for a minute while he watched her with a happy smile on her face. He nodded slightly, reaching a decision.

He took the ring and held it so that the stone was facing up. "Its me. Father never really knew how well he chose when he had a wolf carved on the stone. He never thought beyond the fact that even a lone wolf is a superb hunter. But it isn't the creatures hunting skill that impressed me. Not then and not now. It is both warrior and guardian, fighting to protect it's family." He paused for a moment, taking her left hand, before continuing in a softer voice. "I think the part that impressed me most is that they are such faithful creatures. They mate for life." He slipped the ring on her left ring finger as he spoke, asking without actually saying what he meant. He couldn't seem to say what he wanted, so he went around it. Asking in another way.

[Graebelle]

As she held the ring in her hand, turning it slightly to catch the firelight, Sarah smiled brightly. She couldn't believe she had been given such a gift, and though she didn't know the value Rhys put on it just the fact it came from him was value enough for her. Though she did worry just the tiniest bit how she might keep it from her Aunt Rebecca. As hairbrained as she could be at times, she could surprise you with how observant she was, and usually when you weren't expecting it. Deciding not to worry about it now, she quietly shifted her gaze from the ring to Rhys as he took it back momentarily, holding it stone side up as he spoke.

So there was some value behind it. A representation of himself. It only made her smile a little brighter to know she would be carrying something around that stood for him, though it would have anyway even without knowing this. It was interesting to hear this information about the wolf that tied so well with himself, information she hadn't even really known or learned. You didn't learn much about this from reading the fantasy books she had. The smile on her face turned slightly suspicious as he took her left hand in his own, but it slowly began to fade to shock when he continued to speak quietly, placing the ring onto her finger as he did so.

Her eyes remained glued to the ring on her left hand for a moment, the reality of what was happening slowly settling around her. There seemed to be a greater significance to this ring than she had first imagined. Could he have really just proposed to her? Not exactly in the usual words, but in a round about way? It felt like she couldn't breathe for a moment, only able to stare at the ring and struggle for her mind to work properly. "Rhys," she managed to whisper, the air to actually speak still unavailable to her. Tearing her gaze from the ring up to look at his face, understanding mixed with uncertainty. "You don't mean..." Sarah wasn't willing to let herself believe he had really asked her just yet. But she did hope, greatly hoped, that he had, and it was visible as she looked up at him. It just seemed too good to be true.

[1<3[)r@I<3]

He watched as she stared at the ring as though she couldn't look away. He was beginning to feel nervous, thinking she might want to say no, when she whispered his name. Sarah looked up at him and he could see that she understood what he had said but was unsure as to what he had meant. When she spoke again, not finishing the question, he realized that she had known what he meant. Perhaps she didn't believe it? Or maybe she couldn't. Then he was hit with a rather sobering thought. What if she didn't want to believe it? But the hope on her face told him that she did want to believe it. That she wanted it to be true.

He smiled softly, the love shining in his eyes making the shadows of his past fade until they almost disappeared. He reached out to brush her cheek with a feather light touch. "Yes, love. That is what I mean. At least, I think it is." He glanced away for a moment before looking at her once more. There was a slight blush on his cheeks when he continued. "I was trying to ask if you would....That is....Will you marry me?"

[Graebelle]

There was a pretty visible change in Rhys when he looked down at her, the smile that was on his face reaching his eyes. It was almost like there wasn't anything in that head of his bothering him like there usually was. The haunting shadows that hung around him were practically gone, giving him the appearance that he was truly fine, and Sarah was delighted to know she had a part in it.

Her heart gave a little flutter inside when he gently brushed her cheek before it felt like it was trying to climb out of her chest. He had meant what she thought, that he was proposing to her in differen words. The smile on her face grew slightly when he drew his gaze away from her then back, noticing the light blush that had settled over his cheeks. When he asked her right out, she couldn't help smiling even brighter, stopping herself from chuckling. "Yes, Rhys," Sarah replied, nodding her head as if just saying it wouldn't be enough.

[1<3[)r@I<3]

He watched as her smile grew brighter, feeling like all was right with the world. And when she said yes, nodding her head as if to emphasize her words, he knew it was. His smile matched hers and he wished there was a way he could tell the entire world of his happiness. He scooped her up like a bride being carried across the threshold and spun around, laughing joyfully. Then he set her back on her feet.

He reached out with his left hand, intending to brush her hair back behind her ear. His sleeve slipped back on his arm, revealing the small cut on his wrist. He jerked it back down quickly, trying to hide it. His smile faded a bit and he couldn't quite keep the guilt off his face. He hoped she hadn't seen. He really didn't want to have to try and explain it. It really wasn't that important, and he didn't want her to start worrying. Besides, he had promised to try harder to avoid thoughts like the ones that had led to that little cut. Maybe he could distract her? "Shall we go for that walk now?" He hoped it would work.

[Graebelle]

He was happy, just as happy as she felt. The look on his face, the bright smile mirroring her own, seemed to chase all the demons away, leaving him looking as if there truly wasn't a worry for him at all. And for the moment she knew there wasn't. As it was, her own thoughts swam with the idea of spending the rest of her life with him, being his wife. It was almost a tough concept to wrap her mind around, but at the same time she knew she could easily adjust. After all, it would be Rhys she would be married to. For him, she would do just about anything.

As he picked her up and turned a circle, she laughed as well, quite sure she had never known a joy like this before. What could compare with this special event? The bright smile remained on her face as she was set on her feet again, looking up and over at Rhys as he lifted a hand towards her face. He seemed to change his mind about it at the last moment, quickly pulling his hand away, and she could see his expression change, the brightness fading slightly and guilt seeming to creep in. She felt the slightest bit suspicious there was something she didn't know, but didn't say anything about it. If she tried to steer the conversation away, then things might not be so happy anymore. And she was really enjoying the happiness.

For the moment she was willing to go along with his distraction, forcing the off of her face and letting her smile grow bright as before. "Sounds lovely," she replied, turning a little toward the door. She didn't really plan on their walk being very long, though, since Rhys didn't need to be out for long and she herself would eventually need to return to her aunt so she didn't worry. Aunt Rebecca... How was Sarah going to tell her? What would she think? What might she do if she found out? Worry creased her brow for a moment, but she tried to send it away, feeling as if her attempt to do so was rather unsuccessful. Still, she tried to smile as she waited for Rhys to lead them out.

[1<3[)r@I<3]

He caught the faintest hint of suspicion from her and thought she might call him on that small cut. When she didn't, he felt relieved. If he was lucky, it would heal before she truly saw it. If not, well, if she asked he would tell her. He would probably tell her anyway when he had had enough time to become more certain of himself. He didn't want to repeat it just because he talked about it. If he waited long enough, maybe she wouldn't worry about it. His guilt eased when her smile brightened again. It seemed she wasn't bothered much by whatever she had seen. That made it easier for him. It meant he was off the hook for now.

He grinned when she agreed on the walk. He took her hand as she turned toward the door and was about to turn himself when he saw the worry on her face. The grin faded away when she tried to smile around the worry. He didn't know what was making her worry so much. He hoped it wasn't him or anything he had done.

"Don't worry, love. Everything will work out fine. You'll see." He squeezed her hand gently and turned toward the door. He looked back at her as he led the way to the door, searching for some sign that her worry was fading. "We'll make it work out fine. Nothing in this world can stand in our way. Who knows, maybe we can change the way people look at couples like us. Wouldn't that be nice?"

He opened the door, flinching back as the bright light hit his face. He'd forgotten for a moment how painful it could be at first. He normally took it slower when he went out, allowing his eyes to adjust to the brightness of the light. He shook his head, took a deep breath, and started out into the sun.

[Graebelle]

She tried to force another smile at his attempt to reassure her, and it worked for a moment, but it was short lived. It faded rather quickly, her mind continuing to warn her just how difficult it would be for them. Even if she could get her aunt's understanding there was still the rest of the town that would possibly know as well. Would things go so far? Distracting herself by listening to Rhys while he spoke, following him towards the door while she held his hand, Sarah let herself get swept up in the possibility things could actually go well through all of this. Smiling a little easier, she looked at him, thankful for his reassurance.

When they reached the door as he pulled it open, she watched him closely, catching the way he flinched back from the sunlight as it spilled through the opening. She bit back another bit of worry, reassuring herself this time that Rhys would be fine for a short time out in the sunlight. Besides, they could stick to the trees during their walk. They could make it work. As he led the way out of the cabin, Sarah followed, adjusting much easier to the bright light outside. Blinking, she glanced around the small open area, getting another look of it in daylight. "It's so lovely out here," she muttered quietly, turning where she stood to glance behind her at the cabin with a smile. Would they stay here once everything was said and done? It was a pleasing thought, and her worry began being replaced by thoughts of the future.

[1<3[)r@I<3]

For the first time, he regretted spending so much time in the sun yesterday. Normally it didn't bother him to overdo it. He just waited until he wasn't so sensitive anymore. But now....now he had a reason to go into the light. Now he had a reason to be careful and avoid over doing it. If he over did it, he'd pass out. If he passed out, Sarah would worry. Which meant he couldn't spend as much time out today as he would like. And certainly not as much time as Sarah deserved.

He gazed at her, doing his best to ignore the discomfort the light was causing him, as she turned back to the cabin and remarked how lovely the small clearing was. He could feel her worry fading and had to smile. "Yes it is. But not as lovely as you." He'd been right. She was just as lovely in the sunlight as she had been under the moon. He began to question whether or not he was what was best for her. He doubted there was a man alive that loved her as deeply, but he couldn't give her what she deserved. She deserved a life in the sun. All he could truly give her was a life under the moon. It didn't seem fair to do that to Sarah. But he couldn't give her up. Not unless she told him to.

As his own worry began to surface, he winced. His control over himself couldn't handle worry and keeping his discomfort at bay. Not that the latter would have lasted much longer, in any case. It was beginning to be painful out here. But he would stay out as long as she wished. Even if it was longer than he should. And he knew he would reach that point shortly. He wondered if he should.....

He spotted something he hadn't expected. A flower, blooming earlier than normal. The star shaped bloom was tiny, not much larger than the tip of his finger, and almost pure white save for some violet veining along the petals. He made his way over to it and pulled it up gently, careful not to break the roots. He placed it in his left hand, pulling up his sleeve to avoid damaging the fragile plant even though it meant revealing the cut he had been hiding. Placing his right hand in front of the flower to shield it form the slight breeze caused by his movement, he carried it over to Sarah. "Look. The first flower of the year. I know its not much, but its a start." He held it out to her as the world swam before his eyes for a moment. He would have to get out of the sun soon. But he didn't want to. Not really. Because Sarah belonged in the sun.

[Graebelle]

Unable to fight back the smile that automatically came to her face at Rhys' compliment, Sarah turned the full force of her bright expression on him. It was going to be great fun building a life with him. True, they had barely had much time to get to know one another, and they had met hardly a day before, but the connection between them was still strong and she was sure could only grow stronger. Rhys was a kind, considerate individual with the manners befitting his status within a noble house. She did have to admit he harbored his haunting past a little too much, and apparently had trouble with this which had been made apparent by his handing over of his blade. Still, she couldn't ever recall caring so much for someone as she did for him, human or not, and knew, as he had already said, they would make it work out fine.

Thoughts bouncing back and forth between the future and the now, she recalled having seen the pond under the pale light of the moon and wondered what the little watering hole would look like under the light of day. No doubt just as beautifully sweet as everything else here in this little fairy tale glade. Just that thought alone, of once again comparing her life to a fairy tale, had her smile stuck in place as she stepped around the side of the cabin to peer around for the pond. And there it was, nestled just where it had been the previous night, the ripples on the surface glinting in the light. So peaceful. Sarah could already envision herself sitting out here beside it, reading quietly to pass the time. Surprising how easily she slid herself into this new life of hers.

Rhys' approach had her turning in place, her breath catching at the sight of the fragile little flower cradled in his hands. It was so small and beautiful, seeming so perfect in this magical place that she almost wished he had left it planted where it had been. Still, this way would be good. Now she could place it where she wished, somewhere she was sure it would thrive and create more lovely blooms to look upon and bring color to the clearing once spring really settled in. "We'll need to find a special place for this little beauty," she said quietly, gently taking the flower herself--eyes flickering to the small cut along his wrist--with a smile up at Rhys. Watching the way the sunlight touched his hair, she knew this must not have been the most comfortable experience for him. She had nothing to compare it to herself, but she guessed moving somewhere shadier might help. "Come, we'll move under the trees," she said, taking his hand and leading him into the shade. It was cool beneath the cover of the trees, the feel of the sun not so warm against their backs. Walking slowly and quietly, her thoughts returned to her aunt, but this time there was a considerably less amount of worry. "How do you suppose I should tell my aunt?" Sarah questioned after a moment's silence with a half smile, actually rather curious to hear his opinions on the matter. Her marriage to Rhys was going to happen one way or another, but she just hoped the process to it would be as easy and painless as it could be, for all parties involved.

[1<3[)r@I<3]

When she took the flower, smiling up at him, Rhys felt his heart leap. This was what he wanted for all time, and he answered her smile with one of his own. He knew it was impossible, that time itself was against them. But they had decades ahead of them, he knew, and that would be enough. It would have to be. The thought of so short a time with her caused a hint of sadness to creep into his smile. He didn't bother trying to hide it. There was no point since it would likely show in his voice if he did. And he was so tired of hiding behind the mask of cool indifference that he had built up over the centuries. Tired of acting as if he felt nothing, even when it seemed that he was about to break. Of searching for reasons to go on, to continue living, when all he wanted was to rest.

Her statement of finding a special place for the flower made him laugh quietly. "It needs no special care save a gentle touch. That sort does best where others don't. It is stronger than it looks, surviving when others succumb to drought or inundation. And its already in the most special place I can think of." He winced again at the pain of being in the sun and was starting to feel dizzy but hid both well. But Sarah must have picked up on it somehow as she took his hand, suggesting a shadier spot and leading him beneath the cover of the trees.

His pain faded and the world stopped spinning in the dimmer light, though he didn't like that Sarah hadn't brought anything to protect herself from the cooler air. It didn't seem to bother her, so he let it pass for a while as they walked slowly among the trees. There was a chill in the air that he hadn't expected and he began to worry that she might catch a chill here. He considered her question as he removed his shirt, draping it about her shoulders before answering her question. "I...don't know. I never thought about it. I do know that it won't be easy though. Even if she accepts it, the telling in and of itself will be difficult." He paused, thinking hard about what should be done. "It would be best, I suppose, to just come right out and tell her. Unfortunately things are rarely that simple, and I have no experience with this sort of thing. I'm not even sure how to tell my brother." He shrugged in an admission that he had no answer for her. "To be quite honest, I'm almost afraid to return home. Damon may decide to lock me up for my own good. I...I think I had him rather more worried than usual when I left last night."

He rubbed his arms against the chill in the air, freezing when his hand met the brand. His eyes widened as the memories of that day rose again. He was lost to the present, lost in a world long since dead and gone. He could feel the throbbing in his head from the blow that had left him unconscious, the ropes so tight they almost cut into his flesh. He felt the summer sun burning down on him and his own confusion at what was happening. He could feel the heat of the fire, smell the hot-metal scent of the iron in the fire. He struggled against the ropes that held him fast as the man approached with the white hot iron, and heard his father's voice speaking from the shadows. You should have done as you were told boy. There was a sharp, searing pain in his arm and the smell of burning flesh. Then everything went black, the blessed darkness cutting off the pain. Rhys whimpered as his left hand closed over the brand and he collapsed, out cold before he hit the ground.