Gone

After Quill's short tour, due to him being needed by someone he had called into his office, and then him going off to speak to them, I'm back next to the lake, concentrating hard on the way the kelpies dive down in the waters, then reappear. I use raw meat to entice them, the smell of blood catching their attention.

More than once, the kelpie tries to take my bracelet. I don't scold them for their nature; they're tied to me because of the bridle I managed to catch. My reflexes from moving my hand away have also improved, and I take great care to ensure that the chain never slips off by accident.

Someone behind me clears their throat, and when I turn, Cersei is there, a blank expression on her face.

"Your betrothed wishes for you to clean up and have supper with him. It will just be the two of you in the great hall." she says, and I nod, wiping sweat off my brow.

Today, Cersei has her hair pinned up in a small bun, wearing a long overcoat gray blue overcoat that's buttoned to her chin. She had her sleeves rolled up, wearing tan long pants underneath. As I stare at her outfit, the gleam of metal catches my attention, and there I see her sheathed sword.

"Why do you stare so much?" she asks, breaking my thoughts as I look back up at her. She seems annoyed, and my cheeks flush, as I straighten up.

"I just admire you." I blurt out, and even Cersei is confused, as she tilts her head, not knowing if I'm jesting or not.

She turns on her heel, walking off, and I run behind her, feeling sweaty and gross.

New Puerto has gotten warmer in since my stay, the sun banishing those thick gray clouds. And since most of my time has been spent outside training with the kelpies or outside watching the twins, and Xolo spar, I've gotten a bit tanner in my pale complexion.

I don't bother making conversation with Cersei. She still regards me coldly, but not as she once did. Her steps are quick, not waiting on me really, more like she's trying to hurry and leave my company.

As we reach the estate, Lip wanders out, holding a leather book, and scribbling something in it with a half-cut pencil. His curly blonde hair is damp, and smoothed back, wearing a gray tunic with black pants. Lip bites his bottom lip as he frowns and crosses out something in his journal.

"Hello Lip!" Cersei says with a little bit too much enthusiasm. I watch as she smooths out the bottom of her overcoat, hands to her sides, the sword clinking gently against her belt.

Lip looks up, distracted, his eyes landing on Cersei.

"Oh, hey Cersei. What are you doing out here?" he asks, eyes flicking to me, and then back to her.

"Alpha requested I take Lady Cecelia back into the estate for an early dinner since they are to leave tomorrow." she answered, red spots appearing on her cheeks.

Lip nods, as he gives us a small smile. "Oh, that's right they're heading back to Ovylian. Do you know how long you're going to be over there? I mean our knights and new squires should be back before then, but you never know."

Seeing that I had taken his attention away from her, Cersei's face clouded over, her gaze on the ground as she crossed her arms.

"We will be gone for about two days, maybe three at most and head back as soon as possible. Now, it you'll excuse me, I must take my leave now." I say, Cersei stepping to walk me back.

I hold out my palm to her, and she looks at me confused. "I can make my way back. I must freshen up before dinner, but why don't you and Lip discuss who all will be kept here to watch or such?" I say, and I can see Cersei brighten just a little.

She curtseys, pulling Lip by the arm as they head off together. Already Lip looks like he's in deep discussion with her, not pulling away from her grasp.

I stare after them, and then quickly head back inside.

I too must get ready for my date.

Quill is waiting for me in the smaller garden areas when I'm readied. A picnic is set up, a thick blanket on the grass. Candlelight's, and the faint smell of roses is added in, and I pause to admire it.

He smiles at me softly, his curls smoothed back, wearing a white button up, and dark blue pants. He holds a rose out to me, and I smile, taking it as his lips touch my cheek.

"You look beautiful." he says, taking my hand and kissing the top of it. I feel my cheeks reddening, and I look away.

"This is so beautiful. Did you set this up?" I ask him, and he nods.

"Are you hungry? I've prepared us some food too." he says, as he leads me carefully over the soft grass, my heels almost sticking in.

"Yes, very much." I say, sitting on the ground, and adjusting my skirts as Quill sits across from me, handing me a plate, and then serving me some cooked meats, green beans, and mashed potatoes. My mouth waters, and when he hands me a spoon, I eagerly dig in.

Quill serves himself, and for a bit watches me. I'm so focused on my food, that when I look up, I'm startled to see that he's laughing a bit.

"What's so funny?" I asked, smiling at the sound of his laugh. He reaches over, and wipes off some mashed potatoes from my lip, sticking his finger in his mouth.

"You had a little food there." he replies, and I blush.

"Sorry, I was a bit famished. I skipped lunch while I was practicing with the kelpies." I explained, wiping my mouth with napkin that he handed me.

"You're really pushing yourself on training with the kelpies you've acquired." he said, giving me another spoonful of mashed potatoes.

"I'm trying. I don't want to be helpless when Mason decides to attack again." I reply, biting into my bread roll. It's nice and flaky, and I try to savor it, instead of gobbling it down.

"I really wish you wouldn't worry so." Quill says, his jade green eyes on me full of concern. "I don't want you thinking that I can't protect you."

"It's not that Quill." I say, as I place down my empty plate on the ground, wiping my hands with a napkin. "All of this that's happening is because of me. I wanted to humiliate Mason as he done me, and I thought after the shock wore off, he'd learn his lesson, and leave me alone. But now, seeing the lengths he'd go to...I'm truly regretting it, and dragging you along with me." I admitted, clenching my skirts in my hands.

After a moment, Quill reached out and place his large, and warm hand atop of mine, making me look up.

"I know it wasn't...usual the way we became engaged, but I don't regret it. You deserve far more than what Mason was willing to give you." he replies, and a lump form in my throat, as his gaze softens.

"How can you...be so kind to me?" I ask him, my voice cracking a bit.

Quill smiles as he tilts my chin up to him. "Because I truly care for you and fall a little bit more in love with you with each day we spend together."

My heart is pounding in my chest, blood flowing through my veins. I don't control what I do or even stop it; I lean over and kiss his lips. Quill freezes like he did the first time, his hand still holding my chin. After a bit, he kisses me back, hands straying to my back, as he slides his hand up and down between my shoulder blades.

I tremble, feeling that strange sense of longing come over me, and deepen the kiss, holding his face with both hands. I can feel the light stubble on his chin, and jaw, the way he tastes faintly of wine, and the smell of roses, and food on him.

Kissing him isn't enough though; I want more of him. I lean forward to him, holding on to his face and then sliding my hands on his strong shoulders, loving the feeling of his strength. He makes a strange noise, pulling me closer on his lap, the plate falling over on to the picnic cloth.

He holds on to me tight, and it's still not enough, I want more of him, the need so strong, and demanding, I put my hand under his shirt, feeling the muscles of his stomach.

At this, Quill catches his breath, the muscles in his neck taut. His breathing is shaky as he pulls back from me and looks into my eyes.

"I think that's enough for now." he says, his voice strained. I can feel his body worked up against mine, and disappointment hits me.

I realize then the I'm sitting on his lap, his legs outstretched on the picnic blanket. My face is in flames as I blush, and Quill chuckles as he kisses my cheek.

"Come on," he says, placing me on the ground, and standing up as he hoists me on my feet with one hand. "We have a big day tomorrow."

I follow after him, taking one last look at the gardens, and the night sky, stars winking down at me. Looking to the long lake, a kelpie dives back down in the waters, the only notion that it was there in the first place was the sound of water splashing.