Chapter 7
It was not long till the spring flowers pushed their way through the winter snows. But it seemed to Marcus that the winter had not been so desolate with his new beautiful flower by his side. As much time as he could possibly spare he spent by Elwyn's side. He usually found her out in the gardens, even though he assured her she didn't need to work she continued for the sheer pleasure of tending the warm tilled earth. When she wasn't caring for the vast gardens in the center of the villa he usually found her sitting in the high branches of a tree with her needlework or sitting behind piles of books in the library.
The more time they spent together, the more he saw her smile and it seemed as if some weight began to lift from her shoulders. When they were together they were always wary of the prying eyes that were all around. They rarely had time alone, as she still slept most nights in her own room, not wanting people to begin talking more then they already were. All had realized that Elwyn's position was somehow elevated now that the velvet collar around her neck was gone, but most believed it only because she had become Marcus' personal play thing. So the lovers contact consisted of casual caresses and the occasional stolen moment when all else were asleep.
He had given her free movement anywhere in the villa and all of the servants had come to accept that she was a presence that wasn't going away. Most approached her with a mild acceptance but such was to be expected considering the events that had transpired in the last fourteen years. Once the elves and humans had gotten along as brothers and sisters, lived and traded together before all had become bitter with the aftertaste of war. No longer were the elves welcome in human cities, nor the humans welcome at the Elven citadel.
The villa soon became busy with preparations for the spring celebration of the equinox, a time traditionally when all celebrated together not as servant as master, but each as equals honoring the balance of the world. Vines were draped along the banisters and flowers of every color and shape were on the tables and draped in the door ways. Pitchers of clear cool water would be set on the table, but many would remain untouched as the wine flagons continued to be refilled. The most delicious dried and fresh fruits, cheeses and vegetables would be set at every table, though few would sit and eat a proper meal. The musicians would begin to play early in the afternoon and dancing would go on long after the lamps had been lit.
The gaiety was at its finest during the sunset, saying goodbye to the chilled spring months and welcoming the warm days of summer. The villa was alive with music and laughter before Marcus realized that Elwyn was no where to be seen. He had been so preoccupied with the job of playing the host that he hadn't even noticed she wasn't taking part in the festivities. As he moved through the crowds, his eyes always searching for a glimpse of her auburn tresses or a flash of those sapphire eyes. He searched the entire span of the celebrations and couldn't find her. Panic welled in this throat making it difficult to swallow. He jumped as he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned quickly seeing Bronwyn behind him. He had been so lost in his thoughts and concerns that he hadn't heard her behind him. Bronwyn merely smiled and pointed towards the balcony away from the festivities, and turned to continue tending to the many guests.
Marcus walked quickly over to the balcony and a sigh of relief escaped his chest as he saw her standing there. She wore a long blue toga that brushed the ground as she walked. The fabric, gathered at several points over her shoulders and arms with gold clasps left teasing glimpses of her bare skin. Her long auburn hair highlighted like waves of fire in the light of the setting sun that shone gold, red and deep violet behind the soft cover of clouds.
As he walked to her, her head turned a fraction, glimpsing who it was from the corner of her eye and a soft smile curved her lips. She did not move, letting him come to her. He quietly wrapped his arms around her waist, and her hands covered his as he pulled Elwyn closer till her back rested against the cold metal of his chest plate. He pressed his cheek to hers as he silently gazed out at the setting sun, watching as the reds turned to purples, and the gold's turned to blues. When the sun finally set below the horizon he glanced back over his shoulder. The festivities were in their prime. All were dancing and the music was loud enough that the walls vibrated softly with the tune. They wouldn't be missed. He clasped her hand and gently lead her silently through the hallways till the door of his large room shut behind them.
As the door shut he pulled her to him and kissed her with all the pent up passion since their last escape weeks ago from prying eyes. She barely heard the lock click behind him as her arms moved to wrap around his neck, pulling her up into the kiss. All thought drained from their minds, falling back onto his bed as their cries of pleasure were drowned in the music and laughter echoing down the halls.
Chapter 8
It was long after the sun had risen before she opened her eyes. She felt his arms around her and turned her head, her eyes blinking to adjust to the light pouring in the room from the open windows. How strange it was to sleep so close to another, she thought. She moved one finger down the side of his cheek softly, feeling the soft stubble that had grown during the night. Elwyn felt him shift slightly in his sleep, but he did not wake.
Turmoil threatened to overrun her inner thoughts. But as she gazed into his sleeping face she willed herself to begin believing in hope again, and perhaps even, in love. Things that had for what seemed like an eternity been far from her reach, mere myth and fairy tales told by a glowing fire. She sighed softly and lay beside him, gently stroking his chest now and again, making sure not to wake him. She watched him sleep, admiring the contours of his face, his still youthful complexion. And even the small worry lines that were beginning to form here and there, homage to the experienced warrior he was.
Finally he shifted restlessly and his eyes began to open. She smiled as she watched the sleep fade from his eyes, looking more like a child in that awe of waking from a night of blissful dreams then the man he was.
"How long were you watching me sleep?" Marcus murmured as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"Long enough" she said with a smile, leaning close to brush a feather soft kiss to his lips. A soft groan escaped his lips and his hand snaked behind her neck, holding her close for the kiss as he deepened it. He wrapped the other around her waist and pulled her so she lay flush on top of him, feeling the morning evidence of his arousal pressed intimately against her.
She pulled back and a soft blush crept over her cheeks as she looked down into his eyes. "Already?"
"I can never be sated when the well of life is here before me. I must drink." He said with a mischievous grin and began to place soft kisses over her neck and the upper curve of her breasts. She ran her hand back through his hair in a gentle caress and gave a slight tug, so he looked into her eyes.
"You already have my heart you rouge." He looked at her somewhat surprised, as it was the first time she had expressed that she might return the feelings that dwelled in his heart.
"Do I Elwyn?"
She couldn't help smiling slightly with the doubt in his voice. "Yes...you do." He leaned up and kissed her fiercely. A soft moan echoed from her throat as his hands began to wander down her body. She pulled her lips from his and began to kiss slowly down his chest, letting her hands explore every inch of his body. Her lips began to tease his belly button and her breasts brushed softly against his arousal
"Ahhh...Elwyn" he murmured.
"Yes?" she asked with a grin as she ran her tongue over his abdomen and trailing lower, teasing him with each breath against his sensitive flesh.
"Nothing..." he murmured as he lost himself in the sensations.
"You were about to say something. What was it?"
A shiver ran thru his body and his hands moved back through her hair, obviously having problems thinking due to her ministrations.
