Private Tales Upriver

[Eislyn Gray]

Lips kissed back against his like it was the first time. On those clifftops. Hard to believe that was only a few days ago when it already felt like a lifetime passed. Warmth blossomed from her chest as her torso met his.

Pressed so close.

It made her cheeks warm. But there were no guards here or other people to judge them. To judge her. Her fingers snaked around his sides and up his back. Heart threatened to leap right out of her chest. She felt his muscles shift beneath her as she drew in.

She explored his mouth, hands explored his back. She'd seen him naked. She knew what lay beneath his clothing. A glimpse of scars and a life lived. A glimpse of muscles and skin.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

A soft, content murmur escaped their lips with what little air he was able to capture. Rayth held her close, tight to his chest, warm, safe. Eislyn was a woman who had clear standards, some likely from her own morals whilst others would come from the unwritten laws of decency followed by the royalty.

They were a long way from any courtiers with prying eyes. It felt as if anyone nearby who would recognise them would only be interested in capturing them and not judging them.

He was a tactile man, as keen to explore through touch as she was. He traced the graceful curve of her neck and shoulder with one hand, whilst the other kept enough pressure on her back to hold her close but slid up her spine. In this moment she was his world. Nothing else mattered.

He wondered if anything else ever would as much as her.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

Breath hitched in her throat as his hand moved. Goosebumps and warmth were left in his wake. Just when it felt like her heart couldn't take much more pressure, she felt it swell within her chest. Golden hair shifted along her cheeks, shoulders, and neck as she pressed another slow, lingering kiss against his mouth.

His mustache and beard tickled her face.

She wondered if his lips would always have that hint of salt on them.

And she couldn't think about being anywhere but his arms right now. Tucked and pressed into the muscles, curves, and dips of his chest. His arms cradling her in. Delicate fingers splayed over his back drifting to hug around the back of his hips.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

A gentle wind ran through the woods. The trees sighed with the contentment he felt deep down. Rayth allowed him to think selfish thoughts as a rain of leafs fell beyond the window.

Did they have to leave this place today? It felt like their own personal sanctuary. Would it really hurt to stretch out their food for an extra night? He knew it made no real sense but he clung to the idea of pretending they were alone and safe together for as long as possible.

Rayth's fingers flexed against her hip. A promise of how he could hold her tight to him through the night. His lips broke from hers with a heavy pant, the warmth of his breath fanning across her lips.

Rayth opened his eyes to hooded slits, slender windows into the turbulent passion that lay below the surface. But even now, they were coloured with a touch of humour.

That same hand at her hip slowly rose, tracing the curve of her waist before he gently lifted her elbow. Curiously, he pries her arm away from him until he held her out out to one side.

"Tell me," he whispered hoarsely. "Do you miss the grand courts? I do miss the dancing sometimes."

 

[Eislyn Gray]

If she was snow, she'd be worried that gaze of his could melt her until there was nothing left. A silent, questioning look eclipsed her face as her hand moved. She didn't fight it though. Since the porch, they'd been dancing in a different way. Following his nudging, she found herself at his side.

Lips felt tingly and slightly bruised as a small smile tugged up the corners.

"Are you saying you're well versed in the art?" She tried to imagine Rayth as a boy. Before he was lost at sea and before he chose to stay at sea. Was he made to take lessons as part of a royal family? He'd find the palm of her hand slip into his.

"Or will you be taking me on a less formal adventure?"

She'd heard about the revels sailors from ships had.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

"I wasn't considering doing a sailor's jig to the sound of silence, no," he mused. "And I am woefully out of practise."

They were already engaged in a dance of sorts. A slow circling of one another, Eislyn taking tentative steps, still unsure how she had ended up with this partner.

A moment of silent contemplation and he put his other hand at her waist. It was a very long time since he had been shown how to dance.

"Now..." Rayth led with his left leg. He took them through nothing more than a single sweeping step and a half turn. As ever, he moved with an effortless grace despite slowing down the motion.

"I have all kinds of adventures in mind," he mused. With her pressed tight his lips were just above her ear. Silken strands of her hair that had fallen loose danced to their own song as he spoke.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

Eislyn followed, long skirts swirled around her legs and brushed against his. His breath sent a wave of tingling heat where it brushed against her ear. She wanted to respond but found she couldn't. Throat had closed up. She was torn between battling her own nerves and not wanting this moment to end. Not wanting to leave Rayth's side. Not wanting to feel his hand leave her hip.

"You don't seem out of practice at all," she finally managed, a hushed whisper, head quarter-turning toward him and trying not to focus solely on his lips.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

Another few steps, a turn and he came to a halt. The sole of his boot hissed across the floorboards as he dragged it to its final position.

He smiled back at her. "I cheated and chose easy steps," he admitted. "If you were to ask me for a tavin quickstep I would simply fall over my own feet." To fall with Eislyn Gray did not sound so bad.

Despite seeing her look, he cruelly denied her to kiss she might have sought out. Instead, with both arms around her waist he pulled her flush to his chest. Rayth set them in to a gentle rocking motion. The kind of state one might find a couple in on the dance floor long after formality had been left behind. Lazily turning to whatever music was still being played.

"This is still nice," he whispered over hear ear once more. There was no further warning until she would feel the warmth of his lips, gently pressed just below her ear. Slowly, the scoundrel started to chart a path down the graceful curve of her neck.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

Such a simple gesture. A simple motion. Swaying together. Eislyn found herself against him again. Warmth enveloping her. A simple movement but one she was far from used to. Silently and internally, she fought against how she'd been brought up.

Publicly, this never would've been allowed to happen.

And what Rayth did next.

She gasped and felt herself stiffen a moment before relaxing. Slowly unwinding with each press of his lips. Blonde wisps of hair would tickle against his face and move aside as an inclination, not quite natural, offered him easier access. Her fingers rose and tangled into the base of his hair.

She wondered if it would get easier. If she'd ever worry about propriety less. Or if it would always be a part of who she was.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

He felt even the subtle change as she stiffened beneath his touch. Rayth left the cool marks from his lips along the curve of her neck, breathing across them until the moisture wicked away. It left goosebumps where he had kissed her.

Promises were important. Even the word of a scoundrel counted for something. Rayth couldn't remember exactly what had been said now, but he was certain he had offered not to push her too quickly. It was hard when he was drawn to her like this.

The yearning he felt for her was almost an ache.

Eislyn seemed to relax, tilted her head to offer him more. He continued on the course he had set, across her shoulder. Gentle kisses became more fervent, he even scraped his teeth over her skin, just above her collarbone.

Rayth would not rush. Even if they only had a few hours it was plenty of time to worship her in near silent supplication in any way she would let him.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

Lips pursed with the sudden drag of his teeth across skin. Not enough to break. Maybe a small bruise later. But her eyes remained hooded-slits. Nearly closed. Face upturned partially to the ceiling of the cottage. Delicate fingers pushed into his scalp, stroking into his hair.

The smallest shiver ran through her. No, more a tremble. Partially of anticipation.

And for once, she was glad Geelyn hadn't followed them. Glad Rayth had not left her. And glad they were alone. And she told herself that she'd be strong enough to tell him when to stop. To tell him when she was no longer comfortable. She knew it would come, eventually.

But for now she didn't want him to step away. Didn't want to lose his touch.

It was hard to remember a time when Rayth wasn't there. And it ached to think of a time when he wouldn't be there.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

He hid from the world. Together they had shut themselves away. In his mind he hid the rest of the world from himself. All their problems, the ever growing list, and everyone who was against them was neatly tucked away. That door too, was closed for now.

He had rushed into many adventures, but not this one. There was no joy to be had in skipping the steps of this dance. No need to leap and tumble when they could glide.

Rayth kissed his was across the gentle ridge of her collarbone. Eislyn had tilted her head back so accommodatingly. Would she trust him, tilted away and so exposed? Kiss by kiss he worked his way across to the hollow dip below her throat.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

The princess felt the tickle and rough scratch of his beard much lower than where his lips were. Could he feel the rapid rhythm of her heart? The sudden intake of breath, becoming shallower in and out of her chest and through her throat? Fingers drifted down the sides of his neck and to his shoulders.

He saw her as naive.

He'd told her as much.

And she knew he had so much more experience in things like this. And as she had that thought she hated it at the same time. She didn't want to think about all the girls he'd had before her. Didn't want to think about how it was hard for her to give up control. To not be the one in charge. To follow in a dance she barely knew the steps of.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

New steps, a different beat. The only way to lead was to give the right cues and direction for your partner to follow. Rayth took it slow enjoying where they had found themselves so far.

Parting his lips wide, his warm breath would fan across her throat before a whole stretch of skin was encapsulated by his mouth. With luscious proprietary he explored what she offered to him. He kissed and he nipped, even dragging the tip of his tongue across bare skin. All the while listening to her breathing, feeling his pulse flutter against his lips.

His right hand no longer gripped her hip tight. Flattened against her curves, his palm slowly drifted lower. Inch by inch, not towards the hem of her skirts, just towards the fullness of her curves. Always listening for the cues she offered up in turn.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

She felt herself melting against him. Into him. She wasn't sure if her grip on him was so she wouldn't fall due to weak knees or to keep him close. The swipe of his tongue made a surprised giggle slip up her throat.

She wasn't expecting that.

And it tickled.

And unfortunately, Rayth's hand hit a landmine. It wasn't his fault. It was those men from the Spine. And while his grip was nowhere near their's, it dredged up a memory. The feeling. Greedy hands dragging her down. Touching and pulling where they shouldn't. And it had nothing to do with Rayth. Eislyn would just have to address her own demons...hopefully, in time.

She stiffened immediately. Palms pushed him away and she stepped back with speed that even surprised her. Immediately, she felt ashamed.

"Rayth," she began, not sure what she would say.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

He stared at Eislyn, open mouthed. He had expected a vocal protest at some point but not such a sudden rebuttal.

"Okay?" he went holding his hands out to his sides. "Okay," he added with a slow nod.

"That was my fault," he said quickly, feeling suddenly ashamed of himself. She had seemed to be rather enjoying everything up until that moment.

"I could...excuse myself a while. Go and look around outside..." he offered, thinking that perhaps she would rather be rid of his company for now.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

Hand crossed her torso awkwardly, fingers curling around her opposite arm. She felt impatient with her own feelings. Her own shame over what happened to cause her reaction.

Those men from the Spine, they hadn't been her fault.

But she was upset that the memory and experience still seemed to have power over her. She was angry. And ashamed. And impatient all with herself.

"Wait," eyes implored him to stay. She took a half step toward him. "The men from the Spine...it's...not your fault." Her own shame and embarrassment. Her frustration because she actually wanted Rayth's touch. "I was reminded of a memory I thought I'd mastered."

 

[Rayth Keirn]

Rayth wasn't going anywhere quickly so there was no need for haste on her part. He hadn't meant to force her hand by the suggested, but had felt the need for some distance between them with the shame he had felt.

Rayth nodded slowly, not initiating contact after what she seemed to be implying. He wasn't entirely certain what he felt now. A slow burning anger had flared to life, the fire beneath everything else he felt.

He turned and sat on the edge of the bed and tried to smile at her. He looked a few years older with the innocent joy wasn't present in his eyes.

"You have not been blessed with great fortune in life Eislyn," he observed. It seemed a rediculous understatement.

"Are you alright?"

 

[Eislyn Gray]

While he could sit, she could not. She remained standing, unsure. Feeling more vulnerable than when he’d held her in the pools. It was strange how different movements stirred up memories while others did not. The one hand at her side clenched into a small fist.

Did he see her as less whole?

They’d already talked about it. The assault. But with the reminder did he see her in a different light? Did he regret staying with her?

Fingers slowly unclenched.

Verdants lifted to meet his. “I thought I was. I’m sor-,” the apology caught on her tongue. If she apologized for it, then would she be giving it power?

Shame colored her neck.

“You didn’t do anything wrong.” Eislyn thought she was stronger than this. And that’s where the shame came in. She was letting herself down and in turn, letting Rayth down.

“I’m stronger than what happened.” Words perhaps to convince herself more than him.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

Rayth very nearly told her that she didn't need to apologise. She seemed to have decided that herself before he could.

"You are," he agreed. "But it's okay if it still plays on your mind. Moments like that...even when it doesn't hurt any more there will still be a scar."

Rayth frowned and looked down at his hands. He tried to think of what moments had truly shaped his life. Rayth had run away from his own family and yet what had been ahead of him that had seemed to terrible? An easy life working for the church. Eislyn had endured despite how she had been treated. His eyes fell to the iron band on her wrist.

"I don't think I'm much of an expert at dealing with adversity when I really think about it. But I'm here for you," he added with a shrug. He wished it was a problem he could defeat with some swordplay or another grand adventure, but this was not one of those.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

He was here for her.

Those words meant the world to the fleeing princess. She doubted he’d ever know how much they truly meant to her in that moment. He wasn’t leaving he didn't see her as...less

Arms fell back to her sides. Slowly, she sunk down next to him on the bed. She made no move to touch him. Not yet. Then slowly, her hand reached out, fingers lightly touched one of his wrists.

“Thank you.”

She hoped he would pick up what was behind her touch. More than her words. It was trust. And a quiet longing.

 

[Rayth Keirn]

Rayth very slowly and deliberately reached across his body with the other hand. He laid it across the same wrist and place just a fingertip over hers. It didn't need more than that to make the connection again.

He hadn't been thinking of the men who had captured her over the spine. He hadn't been thinking of anything beyond Eislyn inside that moment.

Offering to leave likely wasn't the thing she had wanted to hear from him.

"I can't believe you walked onto the Paragon with your head held high. I suppose you did have your heels to throw..." The smile that came with his words was exceptionally tentative.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

"Never underestimate the shoes," verdant's lifted to meet his. She made no flinching move. She didn't shy away from his touch. Just the opposite. Her shoulder leaned lightly into his arm.

Her own tentative smile flickered in his direction as she admitted.

"I may have also had a hidden knife on me."

And luckily for Rayth, she hadn't had to use it. Of course, she'd had other protections in place. But again. She couldn't let the men from the Spine. Her experience there, take over her life. She constantly chose not to let it.

"We have an hour or so before dark. Do you want to try and rest before we get on the road?"

 

[Rayth Keirn]

"Where exactly have you...never mind," he replied with a shake of his head. At least she hadn't tried to stab him. He didn't want to imagine a world where she had been distressed by her captivity to the point where she threatened him with a blade.

"You get some sleep," he offered, slipping off his shoes.

"Can I lie here?" he asked. She might not have wanted to be treated any differently, but he had to ask the questions. She was obviously still a little shaken, perhaps by her own sudden reaction as much as anything else.

 

[Eislyn Gray]

There wa a hidden smile in her eyes as she caught Rayth’s wonder about the knife. It was fun to think she had surprised him. He hadn’t made it easy. Along with Geelyn and the captain.

“Yes,” she answered in response to his question. She didn’t hesitate. She was glad he still wanted to be close. Because she still wanted him to be.

Withdrawing her hand from his, she quickly slipped off her own boots. Legs drew up and she scooched to one side of the bed. Curling up on her side, she faced him and the door. Blonde hair shifted down her back and shoulders as she adjusted her head on a makeshift, thin pillow that was actually a folded blanket. She didn't know if she could sleep with the light outside.

For a moment, she let verdant pools linger on Rayth before closing.