<span style="color: #FF0000">The days wore on. The prince was distant, though the excuse was he had to get everything ready for their wedding. Maria was left to her own devices, though both the twins and Ivor had made good on their promises and she was taken on a tour of the country side. It was on the return of such a trip that Brad stood outside by the gates....waiting for her. <br/><br/>Ivor pulled his horse up before Brad, for a moment the two locked eyes, while the Prince kept his nervous steed in check. The prince was the first to grin, before a stable hand took the reigns of his horse and he dismounted. <br/><br/>â€œYou must be that Ranger, right?â€ <br/><br/>His tone for the first time displaying an arrogance and superiority towards Brad, â€œI owe you my thanks for bringing my <span style="font-style: italic">finace</span> to me.â€<br/><br/>It took all that he had to not punch the cocky prick in the face, especially at the inflection in his voice when he mentioned Maria as nothing but property.<br/><br/>â€œIt was my pleasure,â€ he said with a slight bow and a smile that held more meaning than it should, and which was not lost on the Prince who arched a brow at the other man. <br/><br/>â€œI am sure you took pleasure in it, after all it was your job. Has my father settled the debt to you yet? I am sure you wish to be on your way back home to your woods as soon as possible.â€<br/><br/>â€œI have spoken with your father, the King, and we have come to terms that were agreeable to both parties. As for my departure that is not until I am full healed,â€ Brad's tone polite in a mocking manner. Especially, in the way he made sure to pronounce and enunciate each word properly. <br/><br/>Ivor just stood there a moment, his pride and curiosity warred with one another as to whether to try and press for more information. â€œWell then, you should be here in time for the royal wedding. I will be sure to save you a seat in the back,â€ and with that he walked away. <br/><br/>Brad was left there to watch the Prince walk away before he focused back on Maria, who had been helped down by the twins, that then were quick to run off for their own fun. â€œThought you said the Prince was nice?â€ he asked with a chuckle and a smile.</span><br/><br/>It felt like everything had come to a standstill, with how slowly her days dragged on. Daily, she made it a point to at least poke her head into Brad's room, even if only for a moment, before flitting away. And, when not with him, her mind often wandered back to him, and wondering how he was doing. Occasionally, she even went so far as to get Simprina to find out exactly how he'd been feeling, and if anything had changed. Thankfully, she always came back that he was on the mend.<br/><br/>One thing she felt conflicted about, however, was the amount of time she'd been spending with Ivor. Of late, he'd been more distant, getting things ready for the wedding, but that meant her mind could wander. Wander over to things she shouldn't be thinking about, to a person she shouldn't be thinking about, to feelings she shouldn't be thinking about. She should have been getting to know her future husband, but instead was finding ways to sneak books into her chambers and trying to convince her lady-in-waiting that there were other things she could be doing that didn't involve needlepoint.<br/><br/>Like horseback riding.<br/><br/>When her betrothed and his brothers finally took her on the tour they'd promised the first night, she was excited. It meant getting out of the castle, out of the stone walls and into the sunlight. It meant getting to know the kingdom she'd be lording over, its landscape and what came with it. Of course, the twins kept her occupied with banter and Ivor with random facts about the place, but nothing was nearly as interesting as seeing<span style="font-style: italic">him</span>standing outside of the gates.<br/><br/>Her eyes widened a touch, having to suppress a smile as her heart began to hammer wildly in her chest, gaze flitting from Ivor to Brad, noting the slight stare off before the Prince dismounted. However, her gaze dropped when he spoke, eyes focusing pointedly on her saddle, as she heard the twins mumbling something behind her, a sort of commentary, including something about the look that Brad sported. Soon, though, the exchange was done and the twins were helping her free of her horse, for which she was grateful as she'd not have been bale to on her own. A hand smoothed over her skirts, resisting the urge to make sure her hair wasn't ruined or out of place as she finally lifted her eyes back to his.<br/><br/>â€œ...I don't believe I said that specifically...â€ Maria replied quietly, the smallest hint of a smile on her lips. â€œBut he has his moments, much like everyone.â€ A pause. â€œI'm glad to see you up and out of bed. I take it you're feeling well?â€ Why was she being so...awkward? She couldn't seem to get into a proper groove with talking to him, and she couldn't figure out why.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">He huffed and looked over his shoulder in the direction the Prince went then back to her, â€œMore that I got tired of being on my ass, so I just got up.â€ He chuckled and stepped toward her, â€œYou look....â€ he struggled for the word that would not be too personal. â€œNice...â€ he said after a moment.</span><br/><br/>As he stepped closer, her breath hitched, her chest sort of swelling with the action before it halted its movement, her heart hammering wildly in her ears as he commented on how she looked. Truth be told, she hadn't paid too much attention to what she'd been wearing, but, when he mentioned it, she had to concede that Simprina had subconsciously made her look better on a day where she'd want to, purely on happenstance.<br/><br/>The violet of her eyes was brought out by the dress she wore, the golden fabric inlaid with various shades of purple. Her golden hair had been twisted and spun about her head, a few curls falling in just the right places. The corset (despite how much she hated it), had managed to make herself look thinner and lift things to be more...appealing; That last thought she shouldn't have had in the first place, but she did nonetheless.<br/><br/>â€œ...Thank you...â€ she replied, though she was almost a little sad he'd only used â€œniceâ€ in what he thought. â€œNiceâ€ was such a plain word, was such a boring word. She almost felt like she should have tried harder to look better than just â€œniceâ€. â€œWell, since you just didn't want to be on your...â€ A hand gestured to where the offending word would have been. â€œ...What did you want to do? Could you handle a stroll?â€<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"I see they put you back in one of those accursed corsets," he chuckled and held his arm out for her to take. "If you would not mind making sure I don't fall on my ass? Then a stroll would be very much welcomed," he said with a smile.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Beautiful. Gorgeous. Stunning. Breathtaking</span> Those were the words he wished he had used, or more the point that he could use. But none of it was possible, not with what he knew would be happening between her and the prince. Even the mere thought of him with her, upset Brad more than he would admit not only to her, but even himself.<br/><br/>"So, how is the garden? Flowers in bloom, yet?"</span><br/><br/>â€œIt wasn't the Reeces that forced me back in one...â€ she started, accepting his arm. â€œIt was actually my family. When they'd heard what'd happened, they sent me new things, and Simprina, my lady-in-waiting; I'm guessing they sent her to make sure I put this torture device on, but it's nice to have her here.â€<br/><br/>And as they walked, and he asked about the gardens, she smiled. â€œThe flowers are starting to open up, but they aren't fully in bloom yet. The roses are furthest along. Irises aren't too far behind, them! They should be in bloom soon enough.â€ Her voice was fairly excited, ready for some more of the familiar elements of home, the gardens one of the places she liked to walk back home.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">The smile that came from her excitement was half-hearted, if only because he focused more on the fact that her family had been in contact with her. Even sent her items and her old maid, which while he did appreciate the way the corset accented and lifted certain parts of her, he could not help but think about the trouble they were in getting off in a hurry. <br/><br/>Unless of course you had a knife handy. <br/><br/>â€œSo, your family heard about everything that happened? What happened to those guards who abandoned you?â€ he asked in a tone that lost his playfulness and became rather serious. Had nothing been done to those cowards, then perhaps he would travel back there and show them what happened to those who deserted their posts.</span><br/><br/>His sudden seriousness had the smile melting off of her face as she thought back to what Simprina had relayed to her.<span style="font-style: italic">â€œThey were sorry to not have been able to protect you better,â€</span>she'd said.<span style="font-style: italic">â€œThey're sorry the bandits broke through their ranks, but they're happy that you managed to get there with only the ranger.â€</span>Maria had been at a loss for how to reply, remembering particularly well how they'd just stood there and let it all happen.<br/><br/>Falling silent, rather than outright lying about what'd been done, she changed the subject. â€œIs there anywhere in particular you want to walk to? Or something you want to see?â€<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">He sighed and allowed the subject change, more because he hated to see her smile leave her face. â€œI am mostly just enjoying the fresh air and the company,â€ he said carefully, as he did not want to over step his boundaries. â€œHave you found a favorite place, yet? A place that you enjoy to just go to and sit?â€ he asked with a smile. <br/><br/>Another time, he would ask her about the guards, or ask another to get the information he needed. Then he would track each and everyone of them down and remove some key parts. If they wanted to act like cowards and not the men of honor they were supposed to be, then he would take away what made them men.</span><br/><br/>There was a mental sigh of relief as he allowed the subject change and didn't push for what'd been done. As she figured he wouldn't exactly be happy with the result, she wanted to avoid the subject like the plague and focus on enjoying the fresh air and conversation.<br/><br/>â€œActually yes,â€ she replied, glancing over at him for a moment before focusing back in the direction they were walking. â€œThere's a fountain I like to just...sit on the edge of, or at least somewhere near it. The view itself is beautiful, and the sound of the water is soothing. I imagine it'd be the ideal spot to read if I were allowed...â€  Another shrug, and her hold on his arm tightened the smallest, subconscious fraction. â€œAnd I like to wander the maze. I seem to find new passages, and twists and turns, each time I go in it.â€<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">He smiled at her enthusiasm, â€œI am not up for too much walking so, perhaps just the fountain?â€ The way she gripped his arm a little tighter made him smile all the more and he had to keep himself from pulling her closer. <br/><br/>This was so wrong in so many ways, but also right in just as many if not more. They were just...friends. Which meant they could hang out and spend time together, right? It was something that friends did with one another. Spent time with one another, talked...touched...hugged...kissed...<br/><br/>A silent growl at himself for allowing his mind to run away with such thoughts. He had to keep focused, had to remember where the line was, where he had to keep it and where he needed to keep her. â€œSo...what have you been managing to read?â€</span><br/><br/>She nodded, smiling up at him before forcing herself to look away and focus elsewhere. â€œThe fountain it is, then,â€ Maria confirmed with a smile, carefully steering him toward it.<br/><br/>Oblivious to his own inner thoughts, she focused on his question. â€œNothing really good...It's like a fort in there, my actions and possessions monitored. If not by the royal family, then by my ladies. The only book I managed to read was something of a history book, with information about the surrounding areas...â€ Her nose wrinkled at the thought. â€œWhile I like to be informed, much to the world's dismay, that book has bored me to tears. And you should see what they've written about Veruu! It's absolutely horrid how they've portrayed us, even if I shouldn't be surprised!â€<br/><br/>Her other hand was moving more excitedly as she started outlining exactly what was wrong, the agitation clear in her features as her eyes grew more stormy. â€œApparently we're compared to trolls! The fictional character! We're supposed to be mean and covered in warts, with an evil disposition! We're supposed to stomp around, and be completely dimwitted with no redeeming quality whatsoever!â€<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"That sounds about right," he said wtih a grin and braced himself for the smack he was sure to come.</span><br/><br/>That earned him a look, her hand smacking his arm before relinquishing hold on it completely and striding ahead indignantly. â€œNo redeeming qualities...â€ she mumbled. Of course she knew he was teasing, but damn it, that wasn't even right, siding with the bias book.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Going to leave an injured man to hobble along on his own?" he called after her. Hand on his chest, he gave a convincing groan and even stumbled slightly. All the while he watched her out of the corner of his eye, due to the fact his gaze was now on the ground as if he were in pain.</span><br/><br/>She stopped in her tracks, barely looking over her shoulder to see what he looked like. As he stumbled, she rushed forward, panicked that he'd actually started to hurt, grabbing hold of his arm to make sure he didn't fall. â€œ...If this was a trick to get me back here...I really will leave you,â€ she threatened.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">His arm gripped her suddenly and held her against him, "Would you really leave me?" he asked with far more emotion and weight to those words than he meant. But, he could not help himself. With her so close, he had to grab her, had to hold her...just had to feel her and be near her.</span><br/><br/>The sudden movement caught her off guard, unable to fight against the way he'd pulled her in close; Or was it for lack of<span style="font-style: italic">wanting</span>to fight it? But she could barely breathe, barely think, so close to him suddenly, flush against his chest, eyes locking with his while his question sank in. And, as much as she knew her answer wasn't what she should have said, she wasn't going to lie to him. Her head started to shake before her lips parted to verbalize it, the action small as though afraid to move much lest it break the contact, the moment, somehow. â€œ...No...â€<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Before he knew it, his lips had found her own. Soft and sweet, it lingered for a moment. Long enough for his free hand to reach up and cup the side of her face, to hold her close. Just as the urge to deepen it took hold he broke the kiss with a groan.<br/><br/>"Maria....I...." he was not sure what to say or if he should say anything. It was wrong. So, very wrong, but he could not help himself.</span><br/><br/>Her heart fairly jumped out of her chest when his lips met her own. Eyes drifting closed, a hand slid up his arm coming to rest on his shoulder as the rest of the world melted away. Had he not broken it, she'd have kept kissing without a thought or a care for the rest of the world, for where they were.<br/><br/>But he had broken the kiss, his groan pulling her out of her thoughts, out of that moment of bliss, breath shallow as her tongue darted out nervously over her lips and pulled the lower in.<span style="font-style: italic">He what?</span>she thought, confused. Did he regret what he just did? Rather than ask him what he'd not said, she closed the gap with a kiss of her own. This, too, was a soft kiss. A sweet kiss. She'd kick herself later for being so forward, but for now...<br/><br/>...She'd indulge.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-style: italic">This was wrong. They had to stop, they should stop.</span><br/><br/>Then why did he kiss her back? Why did his tongue slide across her lips to seek entrance? Why did his hand slip lower to hold her against him?<br/><br/>Because he had not stopped thinking about her since that night. She haunted his dreams and was the only thought when he was awake. He wanted Maria. Wanted her so bad, that he would risk death for just one more kiss, one more caress, one more embrace. <br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">This is wrong and I don't care</span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Just a little longer...</span>she told herself, as her lips parted, her tongue slipping out to meet his own. Her other hand had joined in the fray, sliding up his arm, coming about his shoulders to meet her other behind his neck, trying to somehow hold him closer even as her mind was telling her to stop.<br/><br/>If anyone saw them, he'd end up killed. He'd already been hurt because of her, and yet...<br/><br/>He was kissing her back. His tongue had sought entrance into her mouth. His arms had pulled her close. If he'd not wanted to...<span style="font-style: italic">No! Stop justifying it!</span>she thought at herself, even as her fingers tangled in his hair and her heart threatened to hammer out of her chest. But it felt right, just being held by him...let alone the kiss, the touch... It all felt so right, she didn't want to end it, and wasn't sure she had the strength to end it.<br/><br/>She just prayed no one would see them until after either one of them got the strength to break the embrace...or until after whatever happened, happened.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-style: italic"> Oh God....we have to stop....we have to stop...</span><br/><br/>With a groan he broke the kiss, though his face lingered close to her own. â€œWe...can't...,â€ he panted out to her, his hand ran up through her hair. â€œI want to....I really do....I want you so bad....but....we...,â€ he groaned and kissed her again. This was hard, it was wrong and it was hard to stop what he wanted, what he knew she wanted. <br/><br/>Another groan and he broke the kiss, â€œNot...here...we can't do this here....â€ he panted to her, his breath barely there as his chest heaved with each breath. â€œNot...now.....later? I can come to you....later?â€<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"> This was wrong and stupid but he just could not be away from her anymore, could not deny what he wanted. What they both wanted.</span></span><br/><br/>He'd broken it. BrÃ¡dach had managed to break it. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she struggled to breathe, struggled to keep from begging him to forget what they shouldn't be doing. But, the thought was broken off as he kissed her again, her hands almost desperately clinging to keep it from breaking again...<br/><br/>Only for it to stop a second time.<br/><br/>And then the prospect of meeting later. Her mind instantly started running over schedules, over what she knew about who would be where, wanting to be able to see him. Needing to be able to see him. She gave in and gave him another kiss, only to this time force herself to pull away. â€œWhen? Where?â€ she asked amid her own pants, not willing to move any further away from him than she had to.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Another kiss and he moaned, when she broke it he growled. Then he forced his mind to focus on the question. <br/><br/>â€œTonight....back here?â€ then because he could not resist the urge he kissed her again, his hand slipped lower to pull her more directly against him. This was so wrong and he still did not really care, all he wanted was her, regardless of what it meant. Another groan as he broke the kiss, â€œCan you meet me tonight? Here?â€</span><br/><br/>This time it was her turn to moan, kissing him back as he pulled her in all the further. It made her head swim, her entire body feeling light, almost debating dragging him off somewhere and damning the consequences.<span style="font-style: italic">Maria! Stay on point!</span>she berated herself, tongue darting out again as the kiss was broken, barely able to breathe. â€œI can...I can meet you here...â€ she panted, with a shaky nod.