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She ran through a dark forest as fast as she could, chased by something she couldn’t see…
Invi sat up in bed, eyes wide open and heart racing from the unsettling nightmare. It was just a nightmare, she told herself as the faint morning light crept past the heavy curtains covering the windows, fear and dread melting with it. Her frayed nerves slowly settled, but it was of no use.
It would be impossible to find sleep again, and even if she did, servants would soon stride down the halls to start their day. Granted, they were ‘quiet’, but to Invi, it might as well be a whole battalion marching. Noise aside, if she somehow managed it wouldn't last long either. A maid would shortly drag her from under the covers and usher her into the bathtub in the adjoining room.
She sighed and stretched before sliding off the bed, searching for a robe. She pulled the fabric over her arms and set off for a quiet stroll in the garden. Her feet remained bare, and her nightgown dragged on the ground as she walked. It was just a nightmare, she repeated as her feet carried her through the ornate iron gates, a hand trailing the old stone walls to find her way around. She strayed off the path, wanting to feel the grass beneath her. The soothing smell of lavender invaded her nose, and she turned to a secluded corner of the garden where it grew.
Absorbed in her wandering, Invi overlooked Dilan—one of her guards—following her from a distance. She didn’t notice him until he stood behind her, his heavy boots and walk giving him away.
Invi smiled and turned to him.
***
A scandal...
It would be a scandal if Invi were caught in such a compromising position. Did she care? Maybe, but it was a challenge to be sound of mind in her current predicament; she was literally between a rock and a hard place, pressed against the sturdy garden wall with Dilan towering over her, his arms tightly around her waist.
"Dilan..."
"Hmm?" he murmured against her collarbone. "Milady..."
"Are you sure of this?” Her eyes darted to the path behind him. Not that it was any use.
They had engaged in carefully planned trysts, but never something as dangerously spontaneous as getting intimate outside. She didn't fully oppose the idea, but for heaven’s sake, anyone could walk into them like this.
“If we're seen—
"I'll face the consequences," he said, pressing his lips close to her breasts. "May I?"
Invi nodded, his words easing her somewhat. As a lowborn, he knew what he could lose and decided it was worth it. So be it.
Dilan didn’t waste time. He parted her robe, his eyes focused on her chest as he pulled on the gown's thin cords, slowly undoing them. She wished she could see him right now. Truly see him and not just recall a memory of his face; to witness that expression of total concentration on a mundane task that made her laugh. She couldn't, yet for everything she couldn't see, Dilan gave her more to experience with her other senses.
He brushed his lips on her neck, teasing as his hands slipped along her back. Strong. Persistent. Like vines climbing garden walls. Invi shivered, her lips pressed together, holding back a gasp. Dilan felt it. His mouth hovered over the beauty mark on her neck teasingly before kissing it. He knew exactly how to please her, attentive and precise with her body to the point it was overwhelming and overstimulating as if he had a map of her weaknesses. That attention, that single-minded focus on worshiping her…made her ache with want. It didn't help that his admiration and devotion were palpable in every touch.
She had never felt more desired or loved than with him.
“I want you, Milady…” he whispered, his strong brogue bleeding into his words. It was difficult to hide it when aroused.
She wished he didn't have to hide it, but she understood his reasons. His social standing meant trouble for him wherever he went. Discrimination and disdain followed him everywhere despite his bravery in war. At least he shouldn't have to hide this part of his identity.
Invi slowly pulled the loose top of her gown, her breasts slipping out of the garment. Dilan took over from there. His hands roamed down her body, exploring her curves and contours as he trailed kisses between her breasts, a man on a mission to please. He stopped just above her navel and looked up. Invi cupped his face and nodded again, granting him permission to continue. He pulled the fabric down to her hips before pressing his lips on her bare skin. Kiss after kiss after kiss sent shivers through her body, stoking the fire burning in her lower abdomen. He nibbled just below her navel, a delicious and familiar weak spot.
“Dilan…” she moaned, running a hand through his dark locks and pulling lightly.
It was their sign. It meant: Take your time but hurry, I need you.
He continued pressing kisses on her abdomen, another moan leaving her lips as she pressed impatiently against his mouth. His hands moved up her body, caressing her sides as he went for her lips. He wanted to savor every moment with her, even as he felt the urgency of their need.
“Dilan, please…” she whispered impatiently.
Dilan growled in satisfaction, pressing an open-mouthed kiss on her collarbone. “Do you want me now, milady?”
“Yes, please… ”
Their lips met in a frenzy, his rough hands massaging her breasts tenderly, working on her desire. Invi stood on the tip of her toes, pressing against him and deepening the kiss as she sought more of his touch. Oh, how she wanted to be completely bare against him right now. To feel his skin brush hers unrestrained and melt into his warmth.
Judgment slipping, she swiftly pulled on her gown and let it fall to the ground.
Dilan broke the kiss immediately, his eyes all over her body. “Milady, as much as I would like to..." He reached for her robe and draped it over her shoulders for modesty. "We're not in your bed-chambers."
"It's alright. No one wanders in here this early. They're still at morning tea, probably," she said, leaning in for a kiss.
He held her by the shoulders, stopping her efforts. “There’s still a risk..."
She blinked twice. It wasn’t fair. He started it, and now would leave her wanting more than was proper for a lady. “What happened to: Faint heart never won fair lady. Do you remember that?”
Invi sure did. Those were Dilan's words when he convinced her to chase the impossible with him. Well, he seduced her, but that wasn't the point.
Dilan opened and closed his mouth. “An ounce of prudence is worth a pound of wit, Invi.”
“If that were true, I wouldn’t have dared to fancy you, Sir Dilan,” Invi said, her cheeks warm in embarrassment.
He eyed the path leading to them in thought. Well, they were at the southmost wall of the garden, a secluded and unfrequented area. Even if anyone wandered in it would still take time to get there. Part of him was hesitant, and the other was busy thinking about how long it had been since he lay with her. A fortnight or two, perhaps? No, it was much longer if he couldn't recall. He approached her with a smirk.
“You admit it, then?" He cupped her face and tilted her chin. “You do fancy me, milady...”
Her blush deepened. Dilan pulled her into a tense kiss, still holding back. But she wouldn’t have it. Invi moved her hips against his, feeling his obvious erection. Her hand slipped down his tight trousers, and she palmed him gently. Dilan groaned into the kiss and finally loosened up. He pressed against her hand, showing his need and wanting more. Invi teased further, venturing into his underwear. Her hand closed around his cock, pumping him slowly.
Dilan snapped. He haphazardly pulled off her robe and pressed her against the wall. His eyes explored her naked body briefly. The simple lilac underwear she wore caught his attention. He'd never seen this one before. Then again, his eyes were always on her and not on what she wore. He pressed a finger against her core, teasing before pushing the intimate fabric aside and brushing her folds directly.
By the gods...she's wet already…
His large fingers entered her, slick coating them generously. Invi bit her lip at the wanted intrusion. It felt good, so achingly good as he pumped them in and out of her. The wet sound spurred her to move her hips. Dilan took it as a sign and eased a third finger inside her. Her breath hitched, a moan caught up in her throat, and her legs began to fail as she felt him stretch her.
Oh…Dilan…
Pleasure surged through her similar to running across a fresh spring field barefooted. She clenched involuntarily around his fingers. “Dilan…just…”
Dilan understood her need and withdrew his fingers. Invi removed her underwear. He undid his trousers and lowered them just enough to release his erection. Then he lifted her, her back firmly against the wall, and his hands in a bruising grip on her hips. He pressed the tip against her entrance, feeling the delicious heat radiating from her core.
She moaned. “Dilan, don’t tease me.”
“I’m making sure you’re ready, milady,” he said, looking into her eyes as he pushed himself inside her with a hiss.
Invi gasped in pleasure. Her arms hung around his neck, and her legs wrapped around him. He didn't wait much longer and set a slow, steady rhythm. She followed his lead, moving gently to meet his efforts, each thrust building in intensity. He leaned in, whispering sweet nothings in her ear, his heavy accent ever-present and seductive. His hand went through her hair, undoing the loose braid she kept her long hair in at bedtime. He twisted some strands in his fingers and pulled gently on her hair.
She moaned, eyes fluttering shut. It only made Dilan all the more devoted to their pleasure—harder and hornier in words of the vulgar tongue. She was exceptionally ravishing in this state of disarray, naked and bathed in morning light, her breasts bouncing freely before him. For him. He wished he could make love to her forever.
But alas, he knew he couldn’t. The most he could aspire to was being her secret lover. He made it his mission to make her feel as loved as possible within reason, giving her all his passion and devotion in moments like this.
His breathing grew heavy, and he kissed her hungrily, their bodies and lips molding together as one in search of relief. He came with a grunt, his seed spilling unashamedly inside her. She gasped with pleasure, her body trembling with delight as he filled her. Her orgasm washed over her wildly, and she clamped her legs around him for need of holding on.
They stayed locked for a moment, staring into each other's eyes. I love you, he wanted to profess in his mother tongue while Invi panted for the breath he stole from her. Coming down from her pleasure, Invi smiled softly, her eyes twinkling with a silent understanding. He pulled her into a long aching kiss before setting her down gently.
Invi stumbled, and he held her. "Did you forget how to walk?" he teased, tilting her chin for a fleeting kiss.
She frowned. “Watch your tongue, Sir Dilan. You might lose it.”
“You need a bath, milady," he said, pleased at the mess he made of her. "Maybe I could assist you with it..."
"Sir, Dilan...how dare you insinuate such a thing?"
He laughed, and she flashed him a genuine smile before lowering her head.
Dilan didn't push it. Her time was up, and she needed to return to the manor before anyone looked for her. He quietly gathered her clothes and helped her appear prim and proper. Well, as appropriate as one could look still clad in their nightgown at this hour. He held her robe, and Invi slid her arms into it. Then Dilan smoothed her long hair with his fingers before braiding it loosely. He glimpsed a purple ribbon on the ground and picked it up with a sigh. It must have fallen off her hair.
“What is it?”
“I forgot to braid it in," he said, thumbing the silky ribbon. "I haven’t seen this one before…"
Invi faced him. “I got it at the market after you were sent off last time. It reminds me of your eyes…like that pretty stone you gave me.” She paused, trying to recall the name of the precious stone in her top drawer.
“Amethyst,” Dilan offered, handing her the ribbon.
She refused it. “I want you to keep it.”
“Milady?”
“I realized you don’t have anything of mine,” she said.
Dilan stared at the ribbon. It smelled like her hair. He certainly wouldn't mind keeping it. He smiled and gently tucked it into his pocket.
“We should get you back now...”
Invi nodded, and Dilan held her hand, guiding her out of the garden. As soon as they made it out, he remained behind her to not raise suspicion. They headed to the stairs at the back.
"Dilan...is there anyone around?" she asked.
Dilan eyed their surroundings. Not a single soul was in sight. "No..."
She stood on the first step and turned. Dilan approached her for one last kiss. She kissed him back, feeling the warmth and tenderness in the embrace before they parted.
"I'll see you around, milady."
"Likewise...Sir Dilan."