Spirits of the Earth

"Stop, you fiend!" Maya screamed, running in hot pursuit of the thief, skirts hitched up to her knees and gripped in one hand, parasol in the other, and chest heaving with her panting breaths. "I demand you stop at once!"

The man had had the absolute gall to snatch her hand bag, an intricately beaded, beautiful piece she had purchased on an excursion to Essyrn with her mother. It had cost a pretty penny, too, but more than that, it was authentic! Hand crafted by a famous Essyrni artisan whose name she couldn't recall at the moment, but that was beside the point. It was new and it was precious and how dare that stinking thief touch it!

She shuddered to think of the greasy, dirty fingerprints he was leaving all over the bead work!

The moment that man snatched her bag, she had taken off after him without a thought. Her escort, an older, experienced soldier, had tried to stop her and had run after her, but she was smaller and shorter and had quickly been swallowed by the crowd, lost to him as he, tall and in plate mail, got held up by the masses.

But she didn't care. Her thoughts were not on her safety, but on getting her stuff back--and, clearly, the thief had not really expected to be chased down by a girl in a tight bodice, shoes unfit for running, and elaborately plaited hair that had since fallen loose in the chase.

"Yer crazy, lady!" the thief laughed as he turned a corner and headed down an alley, but that just infuriated Maya more. How dare he taunt her! Turning down the same alley, she paused briefly to catch her breath, adjust her skirts, and then she was after him again.

"Gods, woman, give up!" the man shouted over his shoulder at her--which turned out to be a mistake. He tripped over a pile of rubbish he hadn't seen and landed on his knees.

And that was all the time Maya needed.

With an angry yell, she smacked him about the head with her parasol just as he started to rise to his feet. "Give it back, give it back! How dare you, you horrible man! Give me back my bag!"

        Sean Alexander Gautier didn't spend much time in the city. Most of his time was spent in the wooded areas nearby. Plenty of places to perch up and put an arrow through a passing riders purse. But when he had goods to sell, he had to visit a fence, and his usual buyer was Quinn Murrow. A few bits and baubles, a fancy seal, and a signet ring had gotten him all the gold he would need for the dry goods that would supplement his meals of wild game and foraged plants for the next month. His life wasn't glamorous, surely, but it sure was fun, and he enjoyed the freedom.
        As he was snaking through the crowds he caught sight of something rather peculiar. A snatcher was plowing down the street, knocking over passerby's, causing quite a ruckus, and clearing the way for his tiny pursuer. A brown beauty, with an expensive dress and a painted face was close on his heals, waving around a parasol and screeching at him to stop. Her hair looked ridiculous to Lex. To him it looked like a heaped mess of curls with enough beads and feathers to be a birds nest, but he could appreciate the way curves of her body bounced in her haste. The thing that really drew his attention though was the riches. She had enough gold and gems hanging from her to last Lex a lifetime. Too bad she was drawing so much attention to herself, and was in a crowded street.
        As luck would have it, and perhaps Lady Luck had a hand in it, the snatcher turned down a small alley. As the tiny woman ran in after him, the crowds lost all interest. Lex reached up and grabbed the cross post of the awning he was next to and scaled the side of the building. Once on top, he hopped across to the next roof, and did what Lex of the Wood did best, he perched. The crook, down below, had now become the prey, and was being pummeled by the screeching noble. He pulled his collapsible bow free, with a quick shake he had it snapped open, and he had an arrow knocked and flying in an instant. Then a second, and a third.
        What the strong willed woman didn't seem to realize, is that dark alleys are rarely safe, and if a thief led you there, then even more so. Thump, thump, thump, the three arrows pinned the snatchers partner to the wall at the back of the alley. A fourth arrow through the lady's dress and wedged between paving stones had her staked in place over the snatcher and a fifth took the parasol out of her hands. Down he leaped from the roof, and went to the man pinned to the wall. He had a sizable gold purse, filled with ill gotten gains. Then he turned to the woman he had been ignoring and the dazed man she had been clubbing. He snatched up the woman's purse and rifled the contents taking everything not of value to him out and dumping it on the dirty alley floor. Then he offered the purse to the woman.
        "Hello my Lady," he said with a large grin, "it seems I've saved your life, that you foolishly were throwing away by running after this miscreant." He kicked the snatcher in the head as he began to rouse. No need for him to get his wits about him and start struggling. "I'd like payment for that saved life now. I think all the gems and gold around your neck and on your hands will do nicely. In the purse please. It looks large enough to hold it all, and it looks of value as well. Might fetch a good price."

Maya had the parasol raised over her head, about to whack the thief over the head yet again, when the whoosh of air and a thunking sound grabbed her attention. She froze, head snapping up, as a second thief cried out in alarm as he was pinned to the alley wall by several arrows. And then, whoosh, a fourth arrow tore through her dress and pinned it to the ground, and a fifth took her parasol!

Before she could register either shock, horror, or outrage at this twist (and horror that there had been another thief, and that this could have ended very, very badly for her), a third man dropped down and...and...

And he had the gall to start rifling through her things! And dump her belongings on the filthy ground!

While claiming he had saved her!

Which, yes, he had. Maybe. Except now he planned to rob her blind in the name of payment?!

She stared at him, mouth agape. In the back of her mind, she knew she should be terrified right now. After all, the man had just effectively taken out two people and was now staging a robbery, and that was something that should scare most anyone. But she was far too flabbergasted to register fear. This man had the nerve to help her when she hadn't even asked for help and then steal from her?!

She didn't know how long she stared at him. It felt like a long time before she could speak past the scandalized rage bubbling up in her chest.

"How dare you!" she finally sputtered and, without thinking, she took a step toward him, intending to either slap him or grab her bag (she wasn't sure which!)--but she jerked back, her dress held by the arrow. With an angry sound, she grabbed at her dress and began to tug at it. The ripping sound that followed made her grimace. There would be no repairing this.

"How dare you, you unchivalrous cad! Now you listen to me, sir! You're going to put everything you tossed out right back into that bag and you're going to pay me for the damage you did to this dress, and not to mention my parasol! Which, by the way, was an import! And you are going to do that because if you don't I'm going to scream, and then my guards will come and I'll see you hang for assault and robbery! I had everything under control!"

        The expressions that passed across the woman's face only made Lex smile wider. By the time she was yelling, he was quite toothy. She definitely was pampered and proud. Just the kind of mark he loved best.
        "MURDER! MURDER! CALL THE GUARD! MURDER!" Lex belowed at the top of his lungs. Then he stood silent, and it was easy to see that nobody had bothered to pay any attention at all to what was happening down that alley. Perhaps it was his magic sword, and the pure good luck it gave him. Maybe it was the dark alley, and not even the guard would want to come down here. Who could really know. In the resounding silence, Lex bent and picked up the parasol. Just his luck it was completely unmarred by her beating the poor fellow, it had remained clean in it's tumble to the ground, and his arrow had barely made a mark in it. Import huh? It would sell nicely. He tucked it in his belt without a word, and turned his smile back to the flustered woman.
        "Your dress looks very expensive. I'm sure even with that damage I could get a good price for it." Lex quirked his smile to one side and gave the woman a sly look. "Now will I be stripping you down to your slip, or will you just be giving me your other valuables without trouble?" He shook the purse at her in emphasis and wagged his eyebrows at her. "So what'll it be Miss...?" He held the word as if asking her name. It was only polite that introductions be exchanged, even in such a situation.
        A pebble bouncing on the pavement alerted Lex to motion behind him. As he turned, the recently pinned thug came at him. Or tried to. The man tripped, falling at his feet, smacking his head on the ground, and falling unconscious. Lex turned back to the woman and gave her a shrug.
        "What can I say? I'm the luckiest man alive."

When the man started bellowing, Maya at first stared at him as though he'd lost his mind and then, slowly, dreadful realization dawned. She darted a look at the mouth of the alley. No one was coming. Had no one heard? Blast it, where was that useless man when she actually needed him?! Couldn't he tell she was in trouble? After all, she had chased a thief down all by herself and surely he knew that could go badly!

Looking back at the thief, her face fell, some of the anger draining away as she realized no one was coming. And that he was putting his filthy paws all over her parasol!

And suggesting horrible, salacious things!

That brought the anger right on back.

Turning away from him with a dark blush, she clutched both hands to her chest, both to shield herself--and keep a good grip on her necklaces. "It's Lady Lekari to you! And you will be doing nothing of the sort! If you have any honor at all you'll--!"

The stumbling thief drew her attention and she froze, watching, not sure if she should warn the man because the stumbling thief might be worse, or keep quiet and hope both thieves quarreled so she could get away. Turned out, the answer was neither. The fool knocked himself out instead, which helped her none.

Glaring back up at the thief, she reached down and pulled at her dress again. It was a well made dress, indeed, but right then she wished it could have been a little flimsier because it was refusing to tear!

"As I was saying!" she continued, huffing as she continued to yank at it. "If you have any honor, you'll let me go now! In fact, I will...I will give you some gems, yes. That seems fair. As thanks. I will give you some gems, you will return my bag and my parasol, and you will let me go. And in showing my gratitude, I will not have you hanged, and will..." She sighed. "I will not turn you in or report your foul deed and will instead speak of you as a hero and not a dirty, perverted fiend. You get to live and go away a little richer for saving me. That's my final offer!"

        Honor. Thieves with honor. Who had heard of such a thing. This wasn't a child's tale of noble thieves and damsels. Well Lex supposed he did have a bit of honor. He did only rob those that could afford the robbery. He did his best not to hurt anyone either. But with his spectacular luck, since he stumbled upon his blade Lady Luck, he had no problems getting out of sticky situations and winning at dice was a breeze. He jangled his own coin purse, and that of the newly unconscious rogue, and decided that he had made enough profit for one day. He quickly picked up the Lady Lekari's things, dusted them off and placed them gently back in the purse. He eyed her for a moment and settled on the piece he wanted. It was now that he turned on his irresistible boyish charm.
        "I will accept your terms," he said with a small smile, "but I wish to select the one piece of jewelry that I want." He stepped in closer to her and took her hand gently in his. "This small ring," he twisted it between his fingers. White gold by the look of it, set with a small but exquisite gem that matched her eyes. "The color is magnificent," he looked into her eyes as he said it, and brought his lips to brush the back of her hand, just as a nobleman would. "Do you find this acceptable?"

Truth be told, she had not expected that to actually work.

Blinking at him in surprise, she relaxed a little. He was...in agreement? She watched as he picked up her discarded things, and her eyes narrowed slightly. Maybe it was a trick. He had seemed very insistent on robbing her blind seconds ago; was this change of heart sincere?

Maya didn't like the idea of him picking the piece he took, but she clenched her jaw and held in her knee-jerk protests. It was better than the alternative, she reminded herself, so for now, she would deal. And later...later, she would get even.

But for the moment, she returned his charming smile with a smile of her own, and the blush that tinged her cheeks when he met her eyes was not feigned. She had to admit, for all that he was a horrible, filthy cad, he was pretty good at being charming, and he wasn't terrible to look at, either. She wasn't fond of the kiss, though, because charm or not he was a dirty thief and who knew where those lips had been and how dare he think he could charm her after terrorizing her!

All in all, it was such a shame. Such a shame that he was going to have to hang. If only he could have been charming when he'd first rescued her, things might have gone much differently for him!

"Quite acceptable," she said with a cool smile and a flutter of her lashes, deciding to lay on her own charm. "It is yours, a token of my gratitude. Thank you, my brave, unlikely knight." And then, pausing, she added, "But what should I call you?"

        Lex was pleased with the immediate outcome. No use getting fat off the riches of one woman with such ease. Even as she began her eye fluttering he slipped the ring from her finger and handed Lady Lekari her purse. The man she was standing over began to stir again, and another kick to the side of the head had him seeing more stars.
        "My name Lady, is Sean Alexander Gautier, of noble blood, but not noble birth," he gave the proper bow and bent knee for a man of his fathers bloodline. He had not been taught this in a finishing school as a true noble would have, but rather from watching them, getting on about their business, never noticing a servants son. Even the servants child that was a bastard son of the Lord of the manor.
        "You, Lady, may call me what you wish, but the wanted posters call me Lex of the Wood." He kissed her on the mouth and then dashed away, scaling the wall quickly, and just in time. Her heavily armed and armored guard finally had found her. At the top of the wall he set his mask in place and pulled up his hood.
        "Good man, next time do not delay," he called out to the bodyguard, "the Lady's parasol." He tossed the object, in an underhanded lob, running off before seeing if the man had actually caught the expensive accessory. His toss was definitely accurate, there was no doubt about that. Now he just needed to blend in and find his way quickly out of town and to the forest, where he would be all but invisible.

Maya stared in shock as the man--Lex of the Wood--darted off, and she had to admit...

That hadn't been a bad kiss.

She scowled after him and her attention was only drawn away by the sound of heavy footsteps. Her body guard had finally deigned to show up!

"Well it certainly took you long enough!" Maya said, rounding on the guardsman as he caught her parasol. "Now hurry up and get after the monster! I want the entire guard on him. His name was Lex of the Wood and and he tried to rob me, Connor! He was going to take my dress and everything! And he kissed me and was very inappropriate!" She crossed her arms with a huff, parasol in the crook of her arm. "Any longer and I may have been naked and pregnant. Now get after him!"

The guardsman have her a bewildered look, his eyes moving to the two unconscious thieves on the ground, but Maya snapped her fingers to get his attention. "Stop looking at them, I don't care about them. They were incompetent idiots, as you can see."

"My lady, I cannot go after him yet. Not until you're seen to safety and--"

Maya waved impatiently to the marketplace beyond the alley. "There's a lady selling fruit across the way. I'll stay with her. Just hurry up and get him! A dangerous animal like him absolutely cannot remain loose on the streets! Now go, that's an order!"

With a long suffering look Maya's way, for Connor was all too used to her shenanigans, the man bowed low, turned, and took off out of the alley to head off after the thief, hoping to use a different route to cut him off.

Maya shook her head and rubbed her temples. Why was everyone around her so damned incompetent? Even half the thieves that tried to rob her did their jobs embarrassingly bad! Slinging her bag on her shoulder and popping open her parasol, Maya started to head out of the alley and jerked to a stop.

Her dress was still pinned to the cobblestones.

With a loud series of unladylike curses, she grabbed the dress in both hands and yanked at it hard, grunting and pulling, until--rip!--a large side panel of the dress tore right off, exposing her shift underneath.

Yes. That man was in sooo much trouble.

Hefting her skirts, Maya turned on her heel and walked, chin up, out of the alley, looking proud as one could with their undergarments exposed on one side. The only thing that made things a little better for her was that she could hear a sudden commotion in the streets that announced that Connor had gotten his act together, after all, and had summoned other guards to get in on the hunt.

        Lex was only a few streets from the edge of town. Of course he was on the building tops, so it was clear of obstacles, but the route was circuitous. Hoping the gaps between shops and homes, Lex rushed for the safety of the wood. He could see below that guards were now in pursuit of him. So Lady Lekari had lied. He should have known she wouldn't let him go so easily. He had saved her life, and decided not to rob her, and this was his payment. Perhaps the kiss was going too far. He couldn't help himself though. He knew it would put her off, and amusement mattered most to Lex.
        Two roofs to hop and he would be making his way to the tree line. The guards were clearing a path to pursue him, and some had even come to the roof. A few well placed shots slowed his rooftop pursuers and it looked like he would soon be in the clear. He was looking over his shoulder and didn't notice the out of place brick in his path as he ran. His toe caught the edge of it and he fell. Tumbling through the air, Lex caught sight of two arrows that would have taken him in the side of the head had he not tripped. Lucky him. He smashed through a window of a shop and skidded across the floor through the broken glass. And wouldn't you know. The place he crashed into was being held up.
        The robbers had the shop keeper and a few patrons up against a wall while they raided his lockbox and riffled through his goods. When Lex smashed through the window, time seemed to freeze for a moment, the robbers stopping to look at the newcomer, nobody moving. Then the guards that had bee chasing him came crashing through the front door. Where there had been inaction, now everything was moving at double speed. The robbers turned to meet the guards, blade to blade, everyone losing track of Lex for that moment. He used that opportunity to find his moral code, and decided to cut the bindings on the hostages. After that was complete, he headed out the back of the shop and ran for the edge of town. Only one street stood between him and freedom.

Connor's order had traveled down the line fast, and the city guard was quick to action.

While some had orders to pursue the fugitive directly, others set out to block the city's closest exits. Archers took up position atop the walls and waited, searching for signs of the criminal, and Connor had sent another to return to Maya and keep watch. She had been the target, and despite what she'd said, they were taking no chances. They found her near the fruit stand where she'd promised to be and quickly escorted her back to her palanquin despite her protests. Guarding her was the priority, and seeing that she was promptly, and safely, returned home.

Connor, meanwhile, took to horseback. It was quicker than on foot (especially in his armor), and people moved out of the way quicker when there was a one and a half ton destrier coming their way.

It wasn't long before he reached the street bordering the wood--and it would be just his luck that the wanted man came sprinting his way right as he reached it.

Drawing his sword, he leveled it at the man. "Halt!"

        Halt? That sounded like a bad idea. There were guards hot on his trail behind, and this huge mammoth of a man on a beast of a horse in front of him. Lex had no time to think. He didn't like killing if he didn't have to, but his life mattered a bit more to him. He reached to his magical quiver and it gave him the exploding arrow he needed. Without really aiming, and without breaking stride, he shot the arrow at the foot of the horse. An explosion, more flash and smoke than real fire, went off as the arrow struck the ground. The horse reared up in panic and as it did the next two arrows Lex had fired hit their marks and began spewing smoke. He didn't see if the armored fellow was thrown, but he wasn't sticking around to find out. In the cover of the smoke he dashed passed the panicked equine and leapt into the trees. As he scaled the first and leapt to the next, his magic gear would now make him all but invisible, a blur of movement streaking through the leaves. Lex found a strong branch, high on a tree, and he perched, facing the town. He'd watch his pursuers fail at locating him from this vantage point.

Connor wasn't thrown the first time his horse reared, but the second and third flash threw his horse into an all out panic that sent him crashing noisily to the ground.

He scarcely avoided having his head smashed by his horse's pounding hooves, having the sense to roll away just in time as his destrier charged past. While the horse could handle combat and noise, the flashing light on top of it all was too much for even a well-trained war horse, and Connor was left behind in the smoke, coughing and cursing and struggling to scramble upright while weighted down with chain mail and armor.

By the time the smoke was fading and Connor was to his feet, surrounded by several guards drawn by the noise, the criminal was gone.

One of the men had his horse, and he snatched the reins from him as soon as he came close. "Don't help me! Find him, dammit!" he snapped, and with a grunt he mounted his horse again and took off.

The bastard couldn't have gotten far.

        A few guards ran right under Lex without giving him a second look. To them he appeared to be part of the tree he was leaning against. The magic of his elven made equipment was handy like that. He pulled an apple from his pack. It was the only food he'd gotten from town. He had planned on buying all the supplies he'd need, but saving and robbing that knockout noble woman had derailed those plans. He couldn't help it that he was hungry though, so he bit into the flesh of the bright red fruit.
        Another group of men searching for him passed beneath and Lex decided it was time to move. Using great caution, he crept up higher into the tree and moved out to the end of the thinnest branches that would support his weight. He then hopped into the next tree over and began to make his way over to repeat the process. With practiced movements, Lex was quickly making his way around to the main path into town, all the time, eating his apple.
        When he reached the main road, he found to his pleasant surprise, a covered wagon rolling into the city. He leaped from the tree and dashed up behind the wagon to discover that it was filled with crates, and he'd easily fit amongst them. He climbed aboard, discarding his apple core into the bushes as he did. He settled in easily, and the wagon was soon making its way toward the stalls he had not long before fled. When he saw Maya, he climbed from his hiding place and made his way into an alley to watch her. He'd wait for her to return home, at which point he'd confront her. She had not kept her word, and he was annoyed at that.

After the harrowing experience of the day, Maya was in no mood to dawdle. Her servants did their best to help make her decent (after awkwardly pointing out that her shift was showing; no one really wanted to be the one to do it, in case her embarrassment came in the form of anger) and then they were off, back to her lavish home with all due speed. It was unsafe to linger long, after all, with that brute on the loose!

Once she was home, Maya dismissed her servants and retired to her chamber. Her parents weren't home; they had gone on a business trip to Essyrn earlier last week, and she was still upset that she hadn't been able to go. But as luck would have it, she'd come down sick and was still recovering when they had to leave, and both mother and father had deemed it a good idea for her to stay home and rest.

Which meant staying here, in this boring old place! When she could be in Essyrn! Essyrn, with its dreamy, scantily clad men...even better, perhaps she could have even seen a show at the Colosseum. Scantily clad, muscular men. Gods, that would have been nice.

Instead of being stuck here, alone and bored. And getting robbed, of all things! Her dress was ruined now! That wouldn't have happened if she could have gone to Essyrn, and she was going to let her parents know it!

With a sigh, Maya stripped down to her thin shift and tossed the ruined dress just outside of her room for the servants to collect. Then she went to her mirror and took down her hair piece by piece, letting it fall down in black waves.

The thief was already out of sight and out of mind. Connor would deal with him. Either way, he was no longer her problem, but a past inconvenience.

        Lex had not been waiting in the alley long when Maya's servants arrived to attend to her and take her home. The whole song and dance as they pointed out the ruined dress amused him greatly. She of course knew everything they were pointing out, she had lived it, but this was how spoiled nobles were. They had to behave oblivious to their own embarrassment or else face the fact that they were no better than the common folk.
        Soon they were carting her off to her manor house. They moved fairly quickly for how packed the streets were, if he weren't so lucky, he wouldn't have been able to keep up on foot. He hustled after them, doing his best to also stay out of sight. No need for him to draw the attention of the city guards. The house she lived in was not as lavish as he expected from her attitude, but it was still far more than was necessary for anyone. He never understood living with so much excess. Spending his youth in such opulence, though from the side of those that lived invisible lives, he found the practices of nobles to often be quite disgusting.
        It didn't take Lex long to find the right window, and with his ability to climb, it was no problem to find his way into her room. The window wasn't even latched, so secure she was in her big house with her servants and guards. He sat in her room, watching her undress. She was completely oblivious to his presence, letting down her beautiful tresses. He usually preferred tall women with boyish figures, but he couldn't help enjoying Maya's womanly shape. In her thin slip, he could see every curve of her body. He was completely enthralled, she was gorgeous. Then he spotted the fruit bowl. Was that a banana?! He always wanted to try one of those. He got up and crossed the room right behind her, in full sight of her mirror and plucked the yellow piece of fruit from its place amongst other exotic imports.
        "Do you mind if I eat this?"

Maya had just finished brushing her fingers through her hair and was getting ready to change from her shift into something she could lounge more comfortably in when...when there was a man in her mirror.

With a cry of fright, she spun around so violently she knocked half the things on her dresser onto the floor and stared, wide-eyed and pale, as she came face to face with the thief! Here! In her bedroom! Eating her fruit!

Pressing herself back against her dresser so hard her mirror fell over, she drew a deep breath and screamed bloody murder.

        Supremely confident that her scream would draw little attention, and that if it did, he'd find himself in little danger, Lex sat on the table and peeled the banana. His first bite was tentative. Then when he discovered he enjoyed it, he made the thing disappear in four quick bites. He'd have to get another one at some point down the road. That was just too good not to have more. With his snack finished he waited for her to take a breath from her scream to interject before she could continue.
        "Why must you make such a ruckus," he asked, tossing the peel into a nearby waste bin, "and you've made quite a mess. If I had intended to hurt you, I would have done it and been off before anyone was the wiser. If I intended to rob you, I would have waited for you to sleep and stolen away with whatever I could carry." He pulled off his right boot and shook a tiny pebble from within. He wondered how they managed to always find a way in. Even as lucky as he was, pebbles still got in his boots. He replaced the boot and reached over to the fruit bowl again. Pomegranate was a bit messy, so he pushed it aside for the kiwi. Perhaps he wouldn't mind being rich if he could have lots of exotic fruit.
        "I hope you don't mind," he said insincerely as he began to remove the fuzzy peel from the fruit.

While the thief ate her banana, Maya screamed twice more. Hands gripping the edge of her dresser, she tapped her fingers against the wood restlessly. Any moment now and someone would come. Her servants would have heard that! And they would come, and so would the guards. Aaaany moment now! She took a breath, then another, and then filled her lungs, ready to let go again when the thief--she'd already forgotten his name, or if he'd given it in the first place--cut in.

And acted for all the world like he wasn't worried about her servants showing up--like she knew they would! Any moment now. They were on the way now, she bet!

"Then what do you intend, sneaking into my bedroom like this?! Robbery and murder aren't the only things a woman has to--ah!"

She hugged herself, abruptly aware that she was standing before him in naught but her shift, and turned sideways to hide what she could. Her face heated and she glared at him through her fear. Okay. Her servants really should have been here by now. With the way she'd screamed, for all they knew she could have been brutally butchered! Weren't they the least bit concerned?!

As the thief concerned himself with the kiwi, Maya began to inch away from her dresser, intent on reaching the door. She never took her eyes off him. "This is entirely improper! And creepy! And you need to stop touching my things!"

        Although he was quite intent on his acquisition of her fresh fruit, Lex did not miss the inching movement Maya made toward the door. He actually laughed out loud, his smirk had never left his face, and this was quite amusing.
        "Woman, why do you bother to try and run from me," he asked through his laughter, "before you could get two steps I'd be on you." To prove his point he leaped from his spot on the table, grabbing her and tossing her, not too roughly to the thick rugs that covered the floor. The kiwi, abandoned on the table had left its juice in his hand, that Maya now had pressed against her partially opened mouth. With the one hand across her mouth, he held both of her small hands above her head in his other, and pinned her legs beneath his. At nearly a foot taller than the diminutive woman, and over fifty pounds heavier, there was no way she'd break free, no matter how much she squirmed or bucked. The casual grin never left his face. It all was just a joke to him, a fun little game. He put his mouth close to her ear and spoke at a whisper.
        "If anyone came for you now I would not hurt them, I'm not so cruel to hurt common folk. But if I were, I'd slay them with great ease." He motioned with his head to the bow across his back, the one he had not drawn when he fired off his arrows in the market. "That ones magic, puts my arrow in the heart of my target without any effort. No man or woman stands a chance against Heart Finder." He lifted his head back up to look into Maya's beautiful eyes, still outlined in kohl. "Such a beautiful color, like leaves at the start of summer."
        "Well Maya," he had not forgotten her name, "I simply came to tell you that it's extremely rude to break your word. Even a spoiled noble girl should know that. I rescued you, and released you with little trouble, though I could have taken more than your worth from your own hide. I know where you live. I myself live in the trees, by choice mind you. Oh no, I'm about to go on a tangent, that would do neither of us any good," he paused in his speech and looked into her eyes. He did not see understanding, only fear. "Poor girl, you have no idea what horrors this world holds. Your maidenhead will remain intact. You are much too lovely a flower to pluck without permission." He gave her a wink, and a warm kiss on her brow. "I'm going to release you now, and return to that kiwi. Then I'll help you clean this mess, which I assume will be me cleaning while you fume. Then we will chat about civility and manners, which I've found you to be lacking, and I'm a knave."
        As quick as he was on her, he was off again, and far enough away that she could not strike his manhood in any random flailing she might do. True to his word, he returned to the kiwi. "This thing is really sweet, what's it called?"

It was one thing to chase down a scrawny thief in a busy marketplace, and quite another to be hunted, alone, in her own home.

Maya screamed again when he grabbed her, but it was cut short when the thief tossed her to the rugs and covered her mouth. She struggled as he pinned her, screaming against his hand. But he still managed to catch both of her hands in his and pin her legs, leaving her squirming uselessly. Her screams soon faded to breathless whimpers.

If his intent was to scare her, it worked. Trapped beneath a much larger man who was proving that he could do whatever he wanted and she'd be helpless to stop it, her only reaction was pure, primal terror. Maya hardly heard a word he was saying over the blood rushing in her ears, the short, panicked breaths through her nose, and the racing of her thoughts. Those words she did catch did not help matters any and it wasn't long before she was trembling. He'd come back for her! He'd stalked her down and come back for her and now he was going to rob and rape and murder her! In some particular order! Where were her servants?!

She stared up at him, tears filling her eyes and smudging the kohl liner, and whimpered again when he kissed her brow. Still, he said the magic words. He was going to release her? She about sobbed with relief, and the instant he got off of her, she scrambled back away from him and pressed her back against the wall, arms wrapped protectively around her knees. She didn't dare move after that, in case he changed his mind.

Still crying, she almost missed his question. But after what he had just done, it was so absurd she raised her head and rubbed at her eyes, smearing the kohl even more.

"I-it's...it's..." Her breath hitched on a sob. "It's called kiwi, you monster!"

        Lex scrunched up his face at the word monster, and looked over at the crying Maya. For the first time since entering through her window, his smile slipped. He felt guilty that he had terrorized this beautiful creature. He had a feeling she hadn't heard much of what he said as he pinned her to the ground. He was gentle, but that probably didn't help much. She was a spoiled noble after all. He gulped down the kiwi in two quick bites and used her wash basin to clean the juices from his hands. Then he started to clean up the mess she'd made when she'd spun around in terror.
        "I take it you heard nothing I just said," he looked at her guiltily, "I'll just highlight the important part where I alluded to the fact that I'm not here to hurt you. I won't hurt you. I rarely hurt anybody. I'm actually a nice person. I just rob wealthy people that have way more than they could ever use. I'm wanted more because I humiliate them than hurt them." He continued picking up the mess. The mirror was completely intact, either that was great craftsmanship, or his luck had extended to it for some unknown reason. Perhaps she would have tried to use a broken shard as a weapon. No matter, he picked it up and put it back in its place. Her tiny bottles of scents and her makeups had made a bit of a mess, she'd likely toss out that rug. He wasn't sure laundering it would get rid of the hodge-podge of smells.
        "Perhaps you should wash your face, your crying had ruined your makeup, and as endearingly beautiful as it makes you, I'm sure you'd prefer to get the salt and kohl off your face." He approached her tentatively and offered his hand to help her stand. "I give my word that I'll remain a perfect gentleman. At least for a little while." He winked at her and gave her his most charming smile.

Maya looked at his hand, then up at him, and then back. He hadn't yet convinced her that he was a nice person, or that he wouldn't hurt her, but he had stopped smiling when he looked at her. And he had cleaned up her things. If anything, though, that only confused her because if he meant no harm, why had he scared her like that? Or broke into her home!

After a long pause, she pushed his hand away and climbed to her feet on her own, though her legs were shaking. "Don't touch me," she said, wiping new tears from her eyes and trying to steady her voice, though it still trembled. It was hard to go from sheer terror to calm again, and her heart was still racing. She folded her arms over her chest again. "Don't ever touch me again."

Through sheer willpower, forcing her legs to remain steady, she straightened her spine and made her way to the wash basin and splashed her face with water. Her face, indeed, did look like a wreck, the kohl making her eyes look bruised instead of highlighted, and washing her face gave her something to do while she tried to calm down. She dabbed her eyes with a cloth, taking the kohl with it.

"What do you want?"

        Lex didn't really know how to respond. He had come because she had been rude, because she had broken her word and caused him a great deal of trouble. Now though, he had terrorized her far beyond what he had intended, and he felt guilty about that.
        "I don't want anything actually. I was annoyed that you had broken your word and sent guards after me. I had not meant to scare you so profoundly, I guess you're a bit more sheltered and fragile than I had expected." He couldn't help admiring her beautiful face. Now that it was clean of the mask that noble women wore, he could appreciate it better. Her eyes were the gorgeous center piece to a masterfully crafted work of art. The gods had taken extra care with her.
        "You know. You look much more beautiful without all that face paint," he went to her wardrobe, and pushed through until he found her robe. "As much as I enjoy the view, and it is lovely," he handed her the robe, "I'm sure you'll get angry at me if you don't cover yourself soon."

Maya snatched the robe away from him and quickly wrapped herself in it, blushing. "You said you would be a perfect gentleman. A perfect gentleman does not look," she said sharply, holding her robe closed.

She took a slow breath in, held it, and let it out just as slowly. She felt a little better now, a little calmer, though she still felt jittery and shaken and unsafe. And her servants still had not come. That was starting to really worry her, because what if...what if something had happened to them? What if he had done something, despite saying he meant no harm? She didn't like the idea that she was truly alone here.

Looking at him finally, she fiddled nervously with a strand of hair. "And please, I am not fragile. I think any woman would be scared if a strange man showed up in her room--while she was undressing, I might add!--and pinned her to the rugs! And that is exactly why I called my guard! You robbed me! And then you followed me home! You are dangerous. Honestly, you were an utter and complete imbecile to think I'd ever bargain with the very man that robbed me, much less keep my word when my choices were cooperation or something worse!"

Then, realizing what she'd said, her eyes widened and she pressed her lips together.

        "You were an easy mark, those men had intended to kill you and take everything you had." Lex went back to the fruit bowl and began rooting around. He quickly found an orange and started peeling the thing as he continued his strange encounter with Maya.
        "Had I not come along you'd be a naked corpse and those men would be out free," he sat on the perfume stained rug, tossing peel into the waste bin. "I ask for no thanks, I am a thief myself, and my intentions were not altruistic in nature. I simply feel that when someone gives their word as bond, it should be held. I'm not big on breaking promises." He popped an orange wedge in his mouth before continuing. "And that look of caution on your face is wasted on me. Like I said when you weren't listening, I would never steal your maidenhead. I think I could convince you to give it to me willingly, given enough time, but I may steal a kiss now and again." He gave her another charming smile and wink.

His words relaxed her a little, if only because she found them so ridiculous! True, he had a valid point in there somewhere about the part where she would have been in worse trouble had he not intervened, and he did at least admit he wasn't all pure, but she got stuck on the part where he seemed to believe he could seduce her. She barked a laugh, the sound a little hoarse from all her screaming.

"Oh please!" Maya said with a roll of her eyes. "As though I would be so cheap! And with a criminal no less! I would be insulted if it weren't so absurd."

She adjusted her robes and gave him a look, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "For one, I happen to be saving myself for someone noble and charming and...well, and probably someone very strong and clever! A warrior of some sort! Someone with muscle and brawn who can lift me one-handed and--" She paused, glowered at him.

"And as you can see, you do not meet the qualifications. Not to mention this person would not have robbed me! No. That is not how it works. How it works is he would rescue me from the bandits, sweep me off my feet, whisper sweet nothings, carry me home in a swoon, and--and, well, a lady never tells. As you can see, you and I, our particular narrative took a wrong turn somewhere at the part where you 'rescued' me and proceeded to harass me for my things."

        Lex's grin grew across his face as Maya so boldly challenged him to seduce her. He'd have to spend some of his sizable savings on some noble attire. He'd dig up the signet ring of his fathers that his mother had pilfered for him when they left his estate. He knew how to behave as a noble did, and he'd show her as much at another time, but right now he could show her how strong he was.
        He rose from his place on the rug finishing the last of the orange and wiping the juice from his face. He stepped around Maya to reach the wash basin, he doubted getting her sticky with orange juice would make her very happy. Then he turned to her smiled in his charming way, gave her a small nobleman's bow, and proceeded to sweep her off her feet, in the way heroes were supposed to carry damsels. She was even lighter than he expected, but he braced her well. Expecting to be pummeled shortly, he didn't want to drop her. While she was still shocked from the movement, he moved toward her chaise lounge. Hopefully he could set her there gently before she started hitting him.

Maya's eyebrow arched and her eyes narrowed when the thief bowed to her in the perfect imitation of a nobleman. "What are you...?" But before she could finish her question, he'd literally swept her off her feet.

"Ah!" Out of pure reflex, she threw her arms around his neck to hold on. The action was so unexpected, so random (to her, at least!) that it was several seconds before her mind caught up with the present. The thief had her halfway to her lounge before she began to protest.

"What--what are you--?! What do you think you're doing? Unhand me! Unhand me right this instant, you fool!" she said, and began to pound at his chest and kick her legs.

        As Lex was expecting the struggle, he was prepared, and Maya was not dropped due to her sudden and violent motion. He did not want to just flop her on the floor when he set her down, and so he continued to make for the chaise. When he arrived, he gently lowered Maya onto the lounge and stepped back giving a proper bow accompanied by, "M'Lady." He had spent many days observing the nobles that visited his fathers estate, and since leaving, still found watching the pomp and frill of the well-to-do, entertaining. Mimicking the movements perfectly was no hard feat for a man so in control of his own body. It was not as if it were a complicated dance, even so, he was a good dancer too. It was unfortunate that that grace did not extend to pugilism. No matter, Lex was an expert with a bow, skilled with a sword, and used words like knives. His fists very rarely came into the equation. Here with Maya, it was his charm he was attempting to disarm her with. Strength of arm was not necessary, but it helped with flashy gestures of manliness.
        "Is my Ladyship comfortable? Or shall I fetch her another pillow?" He put on another disarming grin, and gave Maya yet another charming wink. This was clearly all very fun for him. A game really, and he was ever so good at those.

Set gently on the chaise, Maya tugged her robes close to her body and stared at the thief, utterly baffled by this turn of events. Suddenly, he was acting the part of the noble gentleman--and without the clumsiness of a pauper. Her jaw dropped before she could control herself, but then she gave a sniff and looked away, pulling her hair over her shoulder and playing with it anxiously.

"Are you mocking me now?"

        "Of course I'm not mocking you," Lex replied, his smile never wavering for a moment. He sat where he stood, losing his noble stance quickly. Just because he could mimic them, didn't mean it was something he enjoyed.
        "Your fruit has done little to abate my hunger. Would you care to join me out for a meal? I could snare a coney or put an arrow in a pheasant."

Maya continued to gawk at the man as more absurd statements spilled from his mouth. She scoffed and rolled her eyes skyward. It was difficult to hold onto fear when the subject of that fear was behaving so...ridiculously.

"You consider snaring a thin, gamey hare going 'out for a meal'?" she asked flatly. "How dull. And what on Earth makes you think I'd want to join you after the trouble you've caused me?"

        "Well I'm pretty much the luckiest man in the world, so I think I'd catch the fattest rabbit you've ever seen," Lex gave Maya a shrug along with his response, "and why not offer you a meal after treating you so poorly. To make amends." He looked back toward the fruit bowl, but it was lacking in anything that would truly dent his hunger.
        "Unless you wanna call a servant to bring us a meal. I just need some meat."

"I would call my servants, but for some reason they weren't coming when I was screaming my head off, so I'm not sure they'd hear me now," Maya said with a slight pout, still feeling rather put out about that. Didn't they care? She might have been worried something had happened to them, but the fact that the thief had suggested she call for them meant he hadn't harmed them.

Though he'd also made it clear he didn't just go around hurting people, so...

With a soft huff, she turned on her side to face him, expression flat but pensive. "So you truly want to apologize for your wretched behavior, do you?" she asked, and quirked her lips in a smile. "Hm. Very well! Then I suppose I'll let you take me out."

Sitting upright and straightening her hair, she rose to her feet gracefully. May as well. There wasn't much else to do after being abandoned here when she could have been having fun in Essyrn, and for all that the man aggravated her, he was at least more interesting than these lonely walls. And if he truly wanted to apologize? Well, she might accept it, if it was a good enough apology.

Striding past him to her wardrobe, she dug around in it, looking for a new outfit. "Of course, my soldiers are out there hunting for your head, so that could be problematic. But if you agree to be my servant, perhaps I could call them off. You seem to have that down already, anyway, for some reason. How is it that a dirty thief like you knows how to behave so proper?"

        "Your servant? For today you mean? Please explain. And if you had listened when I introduced myself, I have a nobles name, and noble blood in my veins. I'm one of the many bastard children of house Gautier, Sean Alexander Gautier, madame. Son of a serving maid." It was well known in Adela that Lord Gautier took whatever woman he wished to his bedchamber. The man was a scoundrel, and a rake. His noble blood and title were all that kept him from the gallows. He most likely had more bastard children than any man in Adela.
        "If I'm to be your servant for the day, what will we do about my dress? It's a bit woodland for a noblewoman's manservant."

"Of course for today," Maya said with a scoff. "In any case, we'll just have to find you something--wait. Did you say House Gautier?"

It was obvious Maya hadn't been paying attention to most of what he'd said; her hearing was rather selective when people weren't talking about her. A bastard child, hm? She supposed that would explain some things.

"Hm. Interesting. As I was saying, we'll just have to fetch you some suitable clothes. So if you'd go wait outside, I'll finish changing and see what I can do."

        "Wait outside?" Lex asked Maya, "why don't you use that fancy gilded changing screen and get dressed back there? I doubt it would go over well if your servants came upon me waiting outside for you to change."

Maya gave him a sly look, chin lifted. "Because I don't trust you not to peek."

        Lex gave Maya a bored look. "As ravishingly beautiful as you are, I will not peek. I have been called a rake, but I am not without manners." He headed for her door anyway, opening it gently and peeking out. The passage was clear. He opened the door and stepped out. "Do be quick." Lex closed the door lightly behind him, and stood as a guard would, outside the room.

"Hmph. Beauty takes time," Maya said as Lex went out the door. "I will finish when I finish."

As soon as Lex was gone, Maya skirted behind her changing screen and pulled on the dress she had selected, a pretty Adelan made thing with a sweeping neckline that was made of rich red dyes and splashes of decorative blue embroidery about the hems, done in a geometric pattern. She checked her hair when she was finished, primped and touched up her makeup (for it had been ruined from all that crying), and then went and opened her door.

"Done. Now hurry up and get inside! Also, since we're apparently doing this crazy thing, what was your plan for getting outdoors, hm?"

        "Had you taken any longer I might have dosed off standing here," Lex slipped into the room quickly. "I thought you had shot down the wilderness adventure, of me catching food, you're not really dressed for it," Lex mentally noted the amount of bust she was showing with that neckline. "And aren't you wanting to make me change so that I can pose as a servant? I refuse to give up my magic sword or bow, no matter the circumstances. I sleep with the things attached to me."
        He moved toward the window, "This is the way I came in, this is the way I'd exit. With my exceptional luck, there is no way it could go wrong. I'd have no trouble scaling back down, but that dress might make it difficult for you."

Maya huffed like the answers to his questions were the most obvious things in the world.

"You said you wanted to take me out to eat, did you not? Not hunting, obviously, but somewhere. As far as clothes go, the easiest way to get servant's garb--without you getting caught!--is through the servant's entrance, which is outside yonder. And obviously, I'll be fetching them for you once we get out there. You may keep your weapons, because what kind of bodyguard would you be unarmed?"

She brushed off the front of the dress. "As for how we get out there? That's your problem, not mine. You're the one who wanted to do this, so you figure out how to make it work, because I'm not changing this dress. And if you ruin this dress, you will regret it."

        Of course Maya would not change, foolish of Lex to even consider that. The window was the best option he could think of, but there was no way she was going to be able to climb down dressed like that. Too bad he couldn't fly. Then a thought struck him. He was lucky, foolish at times, but always lucky. He pulled the bow from his hip and snapped it open with a strong shake. He reached up to his quiver cleared his mind, and let luck guide the arrow he drew. He nocked it to the bow string, pulled, and let fly. It sailed down to the ground and exploded into a huge cloud of down on impact. He couldn't help but smile at that. He didn't even know he had an arrow that turned into feathers.
        Luckily the expenditure of it's magic had been silent, but he could see the feathers slowly winking out of existence. It seemed they would not last long. With haste he collapsed the bow and went over to Maya, sweeping her up into his arms again. To the window he went, and as he jumped, he pressed his mouth to hers. There was no better way to keep her from screaming. Lying safely on his back in a pile of slowly disappearing feathers with Maya in his arms had not been a situation he imagined finding himself in, but here he was, and it had been fun.

Maya watched him shoot his arrow in confusion, because she wasn't sure how that would help their situation. Which, of course, would be a real tragedy if he couldn't work out a solution. Oh yes, that would be a huge loss--

Her thoughts cut off, because that was when he scooped her up and headed to the window.

"What? What do you think you're doing?" Why wasn't he stopping? She didn't see a ladder or anything! It wasn't like he shot the arrow to make a zip line like in some tales! And then he was on the window's edge and her heart lodged in her throat. "Wait! What are you doing?! You're not honestly thinking--?! LEX--mmph!"

She had started to scream, but his mouth was on hers, and down they went, plummeting two stories to land in an explosion of feathers. For a moment Maya still clung to him, their lips still pressed together as she lay sprawled against his chest.

Then her face colored and she jerked back, sat up, and smacked him across the jaw. "You phenomenal fool! What are you thinking, you wretched rake!"

        Lex smiled in his way, and rubbed at the spot where Maya had struck him.
        "I needed you not to scream, and that was clearly the best way to get the quickest result. Plus, after today's earlier kiss, I knew my punishment would be worth the taste of your soft mouth."
        Lex propped himself on his elbows now, since Maya was still on him, and he didn't want to dump her to the ground.
        "Any chance you'll let me stand darling?"

Maya scowled and gave him one last smack on the chest before she slid off of him and rose to her feet with a huff. "You cad. I knew I should have had your head, but instead, I'm cavorting about with you like a madwoman. Remind me why, because I'm starting to reconsider."

She adjusted her skirts and patted at her hair, which she was still wearing down but had pinned back some flyaways with decorative clips and pins. Feeling that she had lost none, she placed a hand on her hip and regarded Lex coolly. "I'm waiting."

        "Because under the antics I'm charming, and I have dashing good looks?" the smile on Lex's face grew with his comment. "Or perhaps it's because the life of a noble is boring and dull, and I bring a thrill of adventure to the day."
        Lex stood, brushing away feathers and picking them from his hair. They would vanish with enough time, but they were tickling him now, so he did his best to fetch them all from his clothes, doing a bit of a dance as he reached up the back of his tunic to clutch at a straggler.
        "I think given enough time, you'll start leaving the fancy clothes behind so you can run and swim and really enjoy the wild aspects of life I can show you. I may even venture deeper into your gilded world of nobles if it means good compromise."

Maya let her shoulders slump, chest heaving with a sigh, because as much as she was loath to admit it, his words rang true.

For Maya did love travel, and the thrill of the Essyrni Colosseum, and experiencing new things, and she was bitter about being left behind. But even the little adventures she'd had had been safe adventures, with her parents or an escort--and she supposed this was safe enough, as well, though more daring since her escort was a thief. And some part of her found that thrilling, because she was excruciatingly bored.

Even their arguing was kind of fun. Certainly more exhilarating than lazing about her room!

She perhaps didn't even mind the kisses so much. Of course, she could not say that. That would not be proper. No, the proper thing was to act like she hated it, and to play coy. After all, he was a dirty thief!

"Hm. Perhaps," was all she said, and blew a feather away that had been floating her way. "Perhaps I am bored. That's a fair assessment, so we'll go with that. Best keep me entertained, then."

With a little smirk his way, she walked passed him and started to head around the corner of the building. "Now stop playing with feathers and hurry up! We...oh. That's convenient."

For right around the corner, some clothes had been hung up on a clothesline. And among the clothes were a servant's liveries.

Not another soul was in sight.

"How odd."

        Lex was not shocked at the sight of the clothes. His luck was always coming through, always. He knew without measuring, that the garments would fit perfectly. He stepped up to them and pulled off his cloak, spreading it out on the ground. He began to pile his belongings onto the fabric, his mask, gloves, the collapsible bow. Then he pulled his tunic up over his head, without a thought of modesty. His seemingly sleight build, was surprisingly well muscled. Rather than the large, bulging muscles of a broader man, Lex had tightly woven muscles carved of his flesh. He was slender and graceful, with an underlying strength born of hard work, and a rough life. Scars from several whippings as a boy, latticed his back.
        He pulled the servants shirtsleeves from the line, donned them and buttoned quickly. The vest with Maya's house crest on it came down next, and Lex pulled it on without checking the fit. As he knew it would be, the vest was the perfect size. His hunter's greaves would not do either, so he he kicked off his boots and pulled off his pants, again without thoughts of modesty, and tossed them in the pile of his things. The shirt and vest covered to his mid thigh anyway, but it would have mattered little to Lex. The man had no shame. The fine trousers hanging from the line slid on without effort, and he tucked the shirt into them. It took him a moment to lace them, as he preferred pants with clasps, and then he readjusted his sword belt to fit over the vest. He retrieved his magic quiver, and slung his longbow across his back. To Lex it seemed odd that a servant would carry a sword and a bow, but as long as it made Maya happy he wouldn't complain. He didn't enjoy her tantrums.
        He hung his gold purse from his hip and then rolled his cloak, with all his things in it. A last wiggle of his bare toes before he slipped them back into his soft leather boots, and he was ready. He tucked the bundle behind a bush. He knew it was not the best hiding place, but he was confident his luck would hold out. Hopefully he wouldn't have to draw his bow, since he was leaving the small one behind. Heart Finder would kill his target without effort, but that was not always what he desired. He'd have to rely on swordplay if he must fight.
        Lex turned to Maya now that he was finished, and he stood in his best servants pose. "Do I look the part m'lady?"

If Maya was modest when it came to herself, she was rather lecherous when it came to others. Particularly, you know, a well-sculpted man.

So when Lex whipped off his shirt, she just stared. She knew the decent thing to do would be to act affronted and scandalized and look away, but she had never been a good actress, and that went entirely against her nature. Besides, she spent much of her time in Essyrn; it didn't bother her to see other people in various states of undress, and even she wore much less when she was there, where that was the norm, even if she could never be quite so brave as to wear the sheer clothing so popular among the wealthy Essyrni. And so she watched, scarcely blinking.

Why not? He must not mind if he was doing it right there.

He was lighter-skinned than she normally went for, but there was no denying he was a looker. Though those scars...she winced at the sight of them. What stupid thing had he done to earn those? After all, he was a thief, so it must have been something stupid and illegal. But soon all that was covered up, and he was going for his pants, and Maya waited expectantly--

And frowned. It was a shame that shirt came down so low.

When he was finished, Maya touched a hand to her chin and looked him over, head to toe and back. "Not bad. You clean up decently," she remarked, downplaying all the thoughts she'd been having while he undressed. "Now, are you ready? Where are we even going?"

        Lex looked at Maya, who was obviously sizing him up. She wasn't even sly about it. His grin turned slightly lecherous, but he let none of it show in his voice.
        "Dressed like this? I have no idea. I don't do restaurants. But I have a sack full of gold I have yet to spend, and I'm sure you have a suggestion. Just know I will be eating too, not just watching you eat, as sexy as I find a woman eating, so make sure its some place that will serve servants."

"Hmm..." Maya put a hand to her chin and thought for a moment, then waved a hand.

"We'll head to market, then," she said. "They'll have plenty there, and I'm sure we can find a sunny place to sit. It's too nice a day to be indoors, anyway." And she wasn't a fan of taverns here. She found the food generally repulsive, but the market always had fresh, good things--and often sweets, too.

"Don't act like it's your money you're spending, though," Maya said as she started to march onward, leading the way to the gates with her head held high. "You took my ring. That ring is worth ten times more than whatever you'll spend here today."

        Lex grinned in his usual way. "I don't think I'll have any trouble acting the servants role m'lady," he bowed to Maya. A slight exaggeration in the movements, but not much.
        "How do we get out of here without scaling the fence?"

Maya came to a grinding halt and stood there, not turning to look at Lex yet. Her cheeks turned a darker shade as she realized then that she had forgotten a very crucial detail. She didn't make a habit of sneaking out without an escort, though. She never had before, and even this hardly counted, for Lex was her escort now. Her escorts always did everything for her, so she never had to think about it--even the little things, like getting through the gates, because they always opened them for her.

She looked ahead at the gate before them and craned her head back to judge the height. It was maybe ten feet tall, but it looked mammoth right then.

With a frustrated sound, she looked at Lex. "You're my escort. You figure it out."

        Lex couldn't help but look crest fallen He was supposed to get Maya out of here? It was her home, she couldn't just walk out? Of course not. That would be too easy. So he solved the problem in his usual way. With an arrow, and a little luck.
        The guards were not where they should have been. Some disturbance along the wrought iron fence probably took them away from their posts. So Lex used the unobserved moment, and pulled an arrow from his quiver. He did not string it to bow, but instead thrust the tip into the lock on the gate. The acid released from the arrow burned away the mechanism inside and with a gentle push Lex opened the gate.
        "Shall we?"

Maya watched Lex as he worked, and when he thrust an arrow into the lock and it opened just like that, she gawked. Now, she was no expert on how these things worked by far, but...how?

"You didn't even have to pick it," she remarked, staring at the open gate. "How did...? You can't...you have to turn keys in locks, even! You can't just shove arrows in things and have it work! Or turn into feathers! Or..." She shook her head. "Explain yourself! What are those arrows?"

And how was it there was never anyone around where they should be? She wanted to ask that, too, but wasn't sure it wouldn't come across as paranoid. That had to just be in her head.

        "Magic," Lex said it in a loud, exaggerated whisper, and waggled his fingers at her to play up the mystery. He let a small laugh bubble up from his chest as he turned and walked out the gate.
        "It's not the arrows so much as the quiver. It uses magic to create any arrow that's ever been stored in it. Lots of people have used the quiver over the years, and they've put all kinds of special or magic arrows in it. I just utilize them." He continued walking, not really watching if she was following.
        "You will have to replace that lock though, I melted it."

Maya's jaw dropped. "You melted it?! And how am I supposed to explain that?!" she demanded. "Now anyone could walk on inside! We are finding a new lock today while we're out. I don't know the first place to look for one, but as my lock-melting servant, I'm sure you do. Perhaps you even have a magic--" She waggled her fingers at him. "--arrow that can fix it!"

With a huff, she walked on after him and waited for him to shut the gate. "I can't believe you. I ask you to find a way, so you destroy my property."

        Lex, true to his lacking care attitude did not shut the gate, and waved off her comment about buying a new lock. He knew that was impractical. The lock was built into the gate. She'd have to hire a skilled artisan to come install a new one.
        "You're a noble aren't you? You don't explain, you point and give orders and simple folk fall over themselves to comply." He stopped walking, remembering once again that he knew not where he was headed. Market was such a general word, where the poor shopped and where the rich shopped were drastically different, and there was so much between.
        "Perhaps you should lead to the stalls you frequent, and I will simply put up the coin. Should I wave down palanquin carriers?"

Maya huffed and couldn't help but stamp her foot. This man was positively frustrating. "As nobility, I shouldn't have to tell anyone anything. They should be attuned to my needs and subtle signals and offer! My servants know what to do without me having to even tell them."

Of course, that was because she'd grown up with them and they knew her, but that was beside the point.

"But fine. If you want orders, I can give orders. My first order is, shut the gate! You are my servant. You weren't raised in a barn. You know simple things like how to shut doors behind us."

She swept past him without waiting for his compliance. "The next order of business is...yes. Fetch palanquin carriers. I have my own, of course, but we're not going to deal with them. They wouldn't recognize you, and they would be suspicious."

        True to form, Lex continued to smile, but showed that a smile can express annoyance. He trotted back to Maya's gate, and closed it, though it was not secure. Then he jogged a ways down the street to fetch a palanquin. Maya probably preferred carriages, as most rich people did, but on the narrow, body filled roads of the marketplace, she'd need a smaller means of travel.
        Shortly after, Lex returned with the nicest public palanquin he could locate. The six men carrying it, lowered it off their padded shoulders to the ground for Maya to enter. Lex offered his hand with a bowed head, holding the side of the palanquin open.
        "M'lady, your transport awaits."

"Hm." Maya looked the palanquin over and gave a dainty sniff. "Not terrible. I suppose it'll have to do." Hers was, after all, nicer in her opinion. But she would just have to endure!

Placing her hand in his, she stepped inside and took a seat, arranging her skirts about her legs and leaning back against the seat. "To the West-End marketplace," she told the carriers--which was the market she had been to earlier when she'd encountered Lex.

For it was a lovely market where many nobility frequented, with items of the highest quality. Of course, that also made it a prime target for clever thieves.

        Lex walked along the side of the palanquin as the carriers trotted along the road. It didn't take long to reach the market, and as they went the streets became filled with people. People meant purses and pouches filled with gold. It meant hands and necks with jewelry. Lex was more the highwayman type, stealing this way though, was easy enough for him. His manual dexterity had been excellent since childhood. He practiced sleight of hand tricks to entertain himself and his mother. Now he was lining his pockets with the excess of the wealthy people walking around him. The livery of a servant helped him in a way he hadn't imagined before. He was even more invisible than before. Perhaps he would keep them. Being invisible in town was always a challenge. He couldn't just pull on his cloak and mask and blend in like he could in the wilderness.
        Lex spoke into the palanquin to Maya as they moved deeper into the market, "what stalls would you like to visit today m'lady?"

Oblivious to the pick-pocketing going on, Maya reclined in her seat and gazed lazily out at the passing buildings. She glanced over at Lex as he spoke, and waved a hand in a vague direction.

"There is a vendor up ahead that sells exotic goods. Imported things. I'd like to see if he has gotten any new Essyrni goods." And then, her eyes narrowing a little, she added, "I would also like to see about getting a new ring."

She waggled the finger, now empty, that Lex had taken her ring from. "It feels naked."

        "Of course m'lady," Lex said with a smile in his voice. He then leaned close to Maya in her palanquin, whispering so the carriers could not hear. "I will happily follow you around all day, playing servant, but I have only volunteered my money for your meal. You must purchase anything else you want yourself. Did you remember your coin?"

Maya opened her mouth to say something, then froze with her mouth dropped open and eyes wide with realization. She shut her mouth with a soft clicking of teeth and looked away from Lex with a huff.

"I didn't want to buy anything else, anyway," she said. "The meal will suffice."

Indeed, she had not remembered her coin.

        Lex could tell that Maya was disappointed that she couldn't do any shopping, so he decided he'd do a little something for her. He wasn't sure yet, but he'd find something to please or entertain her. As they moved among the crowded streets Lex continued his larceny. Many pockets were growing lighter with his passing, and the nobles and their guards were blind to him, dressed in servants livery as he was. One man carried six pouches of gold coins on his belt, a needless display of wealth. Lex bumped his guard, and the guard bumped the nobleman. Before the guard could get out an apology and point his finger at Lex, he was being reprimanded fiercely by his employer. People turned away or averted their eyes, embarrassed for the bodyguard, while the bodyguard himself was staring at his toes. The fat nobleman didn't even notice as Lex cut the purse strings on one pouch and made away with the whole thing. He had likely just doubled his money.
        Working in the town like this, with his luck, could get Lex a much larger take each day. Normally he avoided town though, too many people. He preferred the quiet of the trees, and just robbed the nobles and wealthy merchants that traveled through the woods. Occasionally he stole from bandits and highwaymen. He got a great deal of pleasure from lightening the pockets of brutal criminals that inflicted needless violence upon others. He had yet to meet anyone as skilled with a bow as he. So disabling anyone in the woods from afar was an easy task for him.
        As they trekked toward the stalls that Maya had requested, Lex noticed an archery contest taking place down a side street. He moved close to the palanquin once again so that he could whisper to her discretely. He grinned at her as he leaned in anticipating that she would enjoy his offer, be entertained, and have money to spend.
        "There is a test of a bowman's skill down the road there." Lex told her, "If I were to enter as your servant, you would win a sizable purse. Nobody out shoots me. Not ever." His grin grew as his confident whispers reached Maya's ears. He added something a bit sweeter to hook her, and appealed to her boredom. "You'll enjoy the show, I assure you. And if I should miraculously lose, I'll spend my whole purse on gifts for you."

Maya spent the majority of their trip silent and surly, a little embarrassed that she hadn't thought to bring her coin so she could actually purchase anything--and far too proud to demand they go back to fetch it. So she tried to act like she didn't care, that it was beneath her, and sat back with her arms folded as she watched the world roll by. Stupid, stupid. If Lex hadn't been so distracting, she wouldn't have forgotten! Blasted man!

She was growing rather bored by the time Lex stepped up to the palanquin again, and she tried not to look too excited about getting to talk to someone. Palanquin rides were convenient, but they were also rather lonely.

Turning her head in his direction, she arched an eyebrow coolly--and then leaned forward with interest despite her attempts at cold disinterest. Lex had her hooked just like that. If he won, she'd have spending money, and if he lost, she'd have spending money! That worked for her! And either way she was certain to get a show out of it. That would surely be more interesting than just browsing around the market.

With a slow grin, Maya drew the curtain back all the way and waved her hand to catch the bearers' attention. "Stop! Change of plans. We'll be attending the archery contest down the road," she said, and the palanquin bearers quickly changed course.

Turning her attention back to Lex, she smiled. "You'll really win that purse for me?"

        "I rather enjoy your smile," Lex told Maya, "this sulking you've been doing is not becoming of a lady." He smirked at her in his usual way, and walked at a trot beside the palanquin as it was carried down toward the contest. He'd never heard of an archer better than he, except in legends, and he had the best bow in the world. If fired at a nonliving target, the magic was useless, but the craftsmanship was amazing.
        "What shall my name be for entry m'lady? I can't be Lex of the Wood for this."

What a flatterer. Maya smiled brighter at his compliment , though her expression soon turned thoughtful at his question. Ah, good point.

"Hmmm..." Maya pursed her lips as she considered that, and then she shrugged. "What about Alexi of House Lekari?"

Too obvious, maybe? Well, she never claimed to be good at picking pseudonyms!

        Definitely obvious, but Lex trusted the sword on his hip to make everything work out just fine. Alexi, servant to house Lekari, was going to shoot better than any other entrant. As they approached the area the contest was being held, Lex approached the promoter and paid his entry fee. There were many other competitors, and by the look of it, a few were highly trained huntsman. Nobody would be expecting a mere servant to take the purse.
        There were bookies taking bets, and the odds set for Lex to win were the worst. So he did what anyone that was confident they would win would do, he bet on himself. Not too much, just four gold, but with the odds as they were, he'd win two hundred gold pieces. The bookie smirked at Lex, who returned his smile with a genuine one of his own. Betting was soon closed, and the facilitator called out for the contestants to fall in line. They were numbered at random for their turn fire, and as luck would have it, Lex would go last.
        Each round of firing would eliminate half of the entrants. Everyone stepped up with confidence at their turn, firing at the target ahead of them with a bow and arrows provided by the game coordinator. Well, no matter, it was better he not fire Heart Finder. He'd never tried firing it at an inanimate object. Perhaps this was his luck working for him, perhaps the bow would pierce the nearest heart to what he fired at. He stepped up, the thirty second, and final entrant to shoot. He took the bow, aimed at his target, and fired. He tried his best to not shoot to well, and his shot turned out to be the sixteenth best. He'd just barely made it to the second round, perfect.
        The next round went much faster. He was sixteenth to go, and everyone had shot mostly as well as they had the round before. The crowd was barely paying attention when he stepped up. He carefully chose his arrow, to the annoyance of the coordinator, took his time aiming as well. When he finally fired, the crowd quickly quieted down. He had out shot eight of his opponents, and was in to the third round. The announcer called out his own shock, and that it was likely a fluke, and everything moved on. The third round was watched a bit more closely. As the first seven contestants fired, everyone watched raptly. Their shots were all very close, but one of the huntsman had fired his third bullseye, and everyone expected he'd win. Lex took up the bow at his turn and the crowd half watched, believing his placement a thing of luck. Perhaps it was. If his luck had not been working for him, he probably would have hit dead center with every shot. He was careful and precise in his method again, and he felt the top three contestants watching him. Suspecting his true skill. He took aim and fired, striking inside four of the other arrows. He placed as the last to move on to the next round again, something that now everyone believed he'd done on purpose.
        His usual smile was absent from his face. Instead Lex, was stern of expression, he did not want to seem to be gloating. The crowd was half excited, and half grumbling. They of course wanted a good show, but many of them would lose money if he won, and he was going to win. The other three competitors did not look pleased either. Lex hoped that the competition between the three of them would keep them from uniting against him. One could hope. For the final four contestants, the competition changed. They would each get three shots, and one archer would be eliminated each time. The first man stepped up and drew selected his arrows and fired them in quick succession, clustering them tightly near the center. The second archer stepped up and followed the same process firing almost as well as the first. The third contestant took a bit more time with his selection of arrows, and firing them at the target. He shot better than the man before him, and knew he was safe.
        Lex approached the firing line, took as much time as he had before, and fired his arrows precisely. His cluster was predictably just good enough to pass, and the eliminated archer cursed and stormed off. Lex was just glad he hadn't become hostile. When the next round began, the firing order was mixed up at random. Lex would fire second, just after the archer to have come in second the round before. The archer was clearly nervous when he stepped up, and he dropped one of the arrows as he was selecting for his shots. Finally, he found the nerve to collect himself, and he fired his arrows. The starting shot was a bullseye, his first of the competition, the second, right next to it. It appeared that the pressure was serving him well, until he let his third shot fly. It was off by quite a bit, and he deflated in disappointment. He walked away from the competition, not even waiting to see the outcome. He knew that he'd be eliminated. Lex came up, made his three shots with a lot less consideration, easily having a better score than the man before him. The huntsman, made three nearly perfect shots, not relaxing even with such an easy pass.
        Being that last two competitors, Lex and the huntsman were made to shake hands. Then they were to take turns firing. One shot each, back and forth, until there was a clear victor. The huntsman, having shot best the whole contest, was given the choice of to shoot first or second, and he chose second. Lex took up his position, drew his arrow, and fired without much effort. His shot was good, but not expert. The huntsman fired with his usual calculation, putting his arrow beside Lex's, purposefully drawing out the game. Lex, shot his next arrow, and it struck just inside, the huntsman's. So it went, for three more shots each, the arrows just barely inside the previous, until the huntsman struck a bullseye. The crowd had been silent up until now, and many thought the competition over, that Alexi, servant of house Lekari had lost, but he amazed them all into stunned silence. He stepped up, drew an arrow at random, drew back, looked over to where Maya watched from, and let fly without looking. His arrow struck true, splitting down the shaft of the huntsman's and driving into the target.
        After a few moments of silence the noise exploded all around, and the announcer had to shout to get the people to calm down. The huntsman had another shot. He stepped up, aimed with great precision, and fired. His arrow struck next to Lex's knocking it from the target, and kept the contest going. Lex stepped up, grabbed an arrow without consideration, and fired. Again he split the shaft of the huntsman's arrow. The huntsman, was not pleased as he stepped up and fired again. His arrow struck against Lex's again, but this time it did not hold, and Lex's did. He was defeated. The crowd went wild, and Lex turned to bow to them. As he did, he saw a few faces looking past him with shock, and he knew he was in danger. He spun around, contest bow still in hand, drawing an arrow from his own quiver, and firing on instinct. His shot collided with the arrow speeding at him, and the huntsman stood in dumbfounded shock. Another arrow to bow string and Lex let fly, then another right behind. The first pierced the huntsman's hand, the second his knee. Guards rushed in to grab the now wounded man, as he still attempted to flee.
        "Ladies and Gentleman," the announcer cried out through the noise, his voice magically amplified, "our winner, and hero of the day! Alexi of house Lekari!"

As Lex entered the contest, Maya was carried into the audience. Once the palanquin was lowered, she exited with the assistance of one of the palanquin bearers and pushed her way to the front for a good view. It didn't involve much actual pushing, however; the audience was made up mostly of commoners, and they were quick to recognize her as nobility and get out of her way.

There she stood to watch the tournament play out, rather happy for this diversion. It wasn't quite as interesting as the Colosseum battles (though Maya had never attended the death matches; she didn't have the stomach), but it was fun! Of course, she tried to maintain an air of being critical, like this mere peasant tourney was beneath her, while inside she delighted in the show.

At least, until it was Lex's turn, and he did...passably good.

What the...?

Hadn't he spent all their time together boasting?!

She frowned and crossed her arms beneath her ample chest, eyes narrowing as she watched--and as Lex only barely squeaked by. Blasted man! He was representing her House! Was he doing this on purpose, to get a rise out of her and shame her? Or had he just been that overconfident? Either way, he was going to make her look like a laughingstock!

...Except, Maya realized abruptly, he'd made it to the second to last round.

Squeak by he had done, but he was still in the final four.

And then, it was just he and the huntsman.

That got Maya's attention again, and she watched, rapt, as the final two contestants faced each other down. Back and forth they shot, and if Maya had been sitting, she would have been on the edge of her seat. How had Lex managed this? Was he actually going to win? But that other man was really good, too, and--

And there it was.

Victory!

Which meant the pot was hers and--

The huntsman had his bow leveled at Lex, an arrow drawn and ready to let loose at his back.

"Lex!" Maya yelled, her voice drowned out by the gasps of the crowd, and thank the gods, but Lex picked up that something was wrong. She held her breath as he spun and shot the arrow out of the air, and cringed when he put two more in the huntsman.

What a stupid move that had been!

As Lex's victory and heroism was announced, Maya broke off from the crowd and rushed over to Lex, coming up beside him and laying a hand on his arm. "You actually did it," she said, trying not to look as impressed as she felt. Inside, she was thrumming with exhilaration, but she'd always been taught not to give all her cards away at once, and that it was a good idea to make men work for one's adoration! "Well done! Though it seems not everyone thinks so," she added with a sour look at the huntsman, who was being hauled away.

"Can't imagine how he thought he'd get away with that! Toss him in the nearest prison. An assault on a servant of House Lekari is an assault on me!"

        Lex smiled at Maya with her congratulations, and his smile grew at her anger toward the huntsman. As she yelled for his imprisonment, he politely excused himself to find the bookie. When he found the man, he already had his winnings in a leather purse for him. He handed the sack of coins to Lex with a big grin, then tossed him a smaller sack that jangled as Lex caught it. "What's this," he asked the man.
        "Just a little something extra as thanks," the bookie gave a small laugh, "you're the only person that bet on you. We raked in a bundle on all the losses you caused everyone." The homely man laughed a deep booming laugh as he walked away. Seems Lex had made a little extra, and the crowd didn't riot at their losses. May have been as a result of the great show, or at least because of his heroic shots to save his own life and disable the huntsman. He found his way back to Maya, now a much richer man, and bowed to her like a proper servant.
        "M'lady, I have won the day for you," no sooner had the words left his mouth, than the contest organizers approached with the purse she won for entering her servant. His odds on the bet had been fifty to won, and he'd got himself two hundred gold, but the purse for first place had been more than twice that. They brought it to her in a small chest, five hundred Adelan gold pieces. Enough for a peasant family to live comfortably on for their entire lives. A drop of water in the ocean, compared to the wealth of nobles like her, but more than enough to enjoy a bit of shopping.
        "Congratulations Lady Lekari, on winning first prize," one of the officials said to her, "We hope that you might enter your servant at this years harvest festival. We're supposed to be getting entrants even from Serendipity this year." The three men in charge, bowed to her as servants presented the chest.

"I'll be most sure to enter him into that contest, not to worry!" Maya said before she even realized what she was saying. The words just rolled off her tongue in all the excitement of the day. Gods, she hadn't realized just how big the prize was! Not a bad reward for a bunch of peasants to have assembled.

And then, turning to Lex, she gave him a smug smile. "A bunch of willowy Serenians should be nothing to you, correct?"

        "There's no man alive that could out shoot me when m'lady's honor is on the line," Lex said, with an appropriately deep bow to Maya. He really was good at playing the part. His youth, spent as a servant in his fathers household, added to the years of observing the people he plundered, had given him more than adequate knowledge. With his winnings today, he'd be able to buy the appropriate attire for visiting Maya. He'd have to dig up the signet his mother had stolen when they were thrown from his fathers house, but that was no trouble. Entering her world was going to be a fun adventure.
        "If m'lady is ready, should we get her shopping underway?"

"Of course I'm ready," Maya said with a snort. "I've been ready. What else would I do here? Come, let's be off! This coin is heavy and needs to be spent."

And with that said, Maya turned on her heel and headed back to her palanquin, which she boarded with the help of one of the carriers. "If we're done here, let's be on our way! Hurry up, now! Get that chest loaded!" she snapped, and as soon as her carriers got her winnings into the palanquin, they lifted her and promptly bore her back the way they'd come, up the side street and back toward the market.

        Lex fell in beside the palanquin, easily keeping pace with the footmen. He decided it was best not to pick any more pockets. Especially now that he had a fat purse. He directed the carriers to take Maya to where she could spend her money on fine clothes and other luxuries. He knew that was what she'd want. She was predictable that way. He'd buy himself a tailored gentleman's outfit while he was at it.

It wasn't long before they'd made it to the marketplace, and once there, Maya ordered the palanquin lowered so she could disembark. Helped down, she adjusted her skirts, brushed some errant hairs from her face, and turned to face her "servant".

"I'll be walking from here, so keep close," she ordered, as she took off at a brisk walk. Being carried was nice, but if she was going to browse the wares, she wanted to do so at her leisure--and be able to touch and examine the items at will. Of course, she could just order her "servant" to bring her items to examine, but it was too time consuming, having to explain and describe what she wanted.

But for now, she knew exactly what she wanted as she headed for where she knew her favorite Essyrni trader was. All she needed to do was follow the scent of exotic perfume.

The woman was there, as she always was, with several tables laid out with a spread of various goods, from fine clothing and fabrics, to trinkets and vials of perfume. She even had a few rolled-up rugs on the ground near the tables. Brightening at the sight, Maya hurried over to the tables and began to browse, first checking out the clothes she was offering--and seeing that one of her favorites was still there.

One of her favorites, indeed, but something she definitely didn't have the guts to wear. Because while the robe--which hung off the shoulder--was gorgeous, of a dark blue fabric with many tiny gems sewn into the fabric so they glittered like stars in the night sky...it was also completely sheer. But maybe if she found the right outfit to wear under it?

Pursing her lips in thought, she examined it for the fiftieth time, debating.

        "If m'lady would accept the opinion of her servant," Lex said, stepping up to his temporary mistress, "I think that would be an excellent purchase." He imagined Maya wearing it as it was meant to be worn, with little beneath it. Her breasts pressing against the sheer material made for a pleasant image in his mind, and his internalized lecherous grin was wide. "I have heard Essyrni dancers wear something like this when they perform," he didn't mention that his sometimes lover, Karis, would wear something like it for the nights he snuck in her window. "The material would be perfect for sleeping on the hottest of evenings," evenings hot with passion. It wasn't only his grin that grew as his thoughts continued down such a lascivious path.

"Hmm..." Maya looked it over, then looked at Lex with an arched brow. Part of her wanted to snap that she hadn't asked his opinion, but she held the words back, because Lex seemed to appreciate the garb and...well...

So he wasn't her usual type, but Maya wasn't blind and he definitely wasn't unattractive, either! If anything, all this adventuring only made him more so in her eyes, though she would never admit to that. He was below her station, after all! And a thief! Yet there was something appealing about a rugged, dangerous man.

Which explained her fascination of, and attraction to, Essyrni gladiators. And most of them were slaves! Far, far below her station! Lex may be no gladiator, but he was something.

"That's what I was thinking," she finally said, not dismissing his opinion, but not admitting he'd swayed her, either. "Very well! I'll take this! Fetch my coin, Alexi!" she said with a snap of her fingers.

        Lex did as he was bidden, returning to the palanquin. With quick instruction and tossed coins of his own to two of the footmen, and they were soon carrying the small chest for him. They brought the lightly gilded lock-box to the stand Maya was waiting at, and Lex opened the vessel before his Lady.
        "M'lady," was all he said, with a small bow, and he stood waiting beside the young maid. It was best he be free to guard her, if anyone got the idea to rob her of her riches. So as he stood, he scanned the crowded bazaar, and rested his hand on the hilt of his magic sword.

With the chest secured and brought over, Maya turned to the seller. "How much?"

It was an exorbitant amount, but considering the quality and that it was an import, and considering her new riches, Maya didn't flinch. She fished out the correct amount and handed it over, and soon the merchant was wrapping the garment up so it wouldn't get damaged. That taken care of, Maya happily took the item and motioned for Lex to take care of her coin.

"I'd been looking that over for weeks," she said, hugging the package to her chest. "I have no idea what I'll do with it, but I suppose it'll be nice to wear to bed, if it stays warm through the night. Well! I think I'm done here! Really, that's all I wanted to come here for, to see if it was still here. Oh! Never mind. One more stop!"

And with that, she headed across the way to a merchant selling rings, and began to browse through them and try them on. Her finger was feeling rather naked.

        Chest closed and locked, Lex and the footmen followed after Maya. They stood behind her as she browsed, and Lex scanned the crowd for any that might try to prey on Maya. He'd much rather be looking at the jewels, and making some of them his own, without paying of course, but now was not a good time. One hand on his sword, his other played with the ring that he'd taken from Maya. He decided then, that he would not sell it unless he was in dire need. It would go toward the collection he would need to look the part of a Noble. He occasionally glanced over his shoulder to check on Maya's progress.

Maya settled on a new ring, one inlaid with emeralds. With more money paid and a new ring keeping her finger warm, she turned and headed back to where Lex stood waiting.

"Now I'm finished," she announced, and flashed her hand in front of Lex's nose so he could admire her purchase. "Elegant, is it not? Now then, let's be off! All this shopping has made me hungry."

        Lex fell in with Maya, as she headed back to the palanquin. "It's okay I guess, if you like that sort of thing," he was starting to figure this girl out. Give her all the praise she wanted and you were her plaything. Make her work to impress you, and you could control the relationship. Throw in some danger and mystique, and she'd be easy to reel in. She'd prove a challenge, but he was the luckiest man alive after all. "I prefer a simple elegance," he told her. He reached into his pouch and pulled out a ring that he carried there. It was a plain platinum band, set with three gemstones. The largest, in the center, was a one carat, round cut, dark red jacinth. It was flanked by two white diamonds, half a carat each, trillion cut, and pointing away from center. The under side of the band was thin, it tapered out as it came around to the stones that were set into it, hugging them almost flush with the setting. It was an old ring, but it had been cared for well over the years. The ancient piece had belonged to a relative that died long before his grandmother was even a thought.
        "This is more my taste," Lex said, showing Maya the ring. He turned it in his fingers to display it, then slipped it back in his pouch. "It will be given to my future wife," he adopted a far off look as he spoke, seeming to think of some far of time or place. Arriving back at the palanquin, the footmen placed her money inside, and took up their places to prepare to carry the young noble lady.
        "Where would m'lady care to eat?"

Maya deflated and dropped her hand back down to her side, though she hid her disappointment with an annoyed huff. Annoyance and loftiness was her default defense, to act like she wasn't as interested in, or affected by, something as she really was.

"Hrm. That is rather a more fancy ring than I'd expect the likes of you to carry," she admitted, eying it while trying to feign disinterest. "Though I can't imagine very many decent women being interested in a rogue, so good luck, I suppose."

With a swish of her skirts, she climbed into the palanquin, and soon it was raised above the bearers' heads. "Let's be on our way, then. I don't actually know many places  to eat, outside mine and others' homes, but I suppose we can try one of those taverns commoners frequent. Besides, good food would probably be too rich for your stomach."

        If that was the case, it was best Lex do the guiding. Not just any tavern would do. He'd need to take her somewhere up class enough to be safe for her but where they'd serve him. He knew just the place. He moved in close to let Maya know he'd direct the palanquin carriers, then he called out to the men at front.
        "The Lady wishes to visit the Sweeping Nag," he told them. As they walked toward the tavern, Lex continued scanning for any criminal element. Better safe than sorry. The short trip was uneventful, though it did take longer than he would have liked. Carrying the palanquin through crowded streets wasn't the quickest way to travel. When they arrived at the Sweeping Nag. Lex went forward to the doorman. He told the man that Maya required a curtained booth with a table large enough to hold her small chest without obstructing a fine meal for two. The doorman passed word to a serving girl and soon the host was bidding them to enter.
        "M'ladies table is ready," Lex told Maya through the curtain of her palanquin. He directed two of the footmen to carry the chest in for her, and stood ready to escort Lady Lekari inside.

The Sweeping Nag?

Charming.

Yet by the time they got there, she actually was starting to get hungry, and when Lex finally announced they had arrived at their destination, she was more than eager to get out and stretch her legs. She took Lex's hand, lifted her skirts, and stepped down out of the palanquin. The scents wafting out of the tavern didn't smell bad, but they were definitely different, and she had to admit to a little curiosity about how the other side lived.

Unlike Lex, it didn't occur to her that criminals could be an issue. She was far too wrapped up in her own head, and comfortable in the belief that nothing bad could happen.

"Hmm. Interesting," she remarked as they headed for the door. "And you're certain this place is decent, and won't give us..." She cleared her throat. "Certain unspeakable stomach conditions?"

        In another situation, Lex would have rolled his eyes at Maya. Instead he simply smiled and nodded as he led her through the front door, emblazoned with the dancing horse that was the taverns namesake. The tavern had much better lighting than the ones he frequented, and the decor was of a much higher caliber. The furnishings may not have been as fancy as exclusively wealthy patron dining establishments would have had, but they were still expensive. The rich smell of meats cooking, mixed with the sweet scent of wine and ale in the large common room. Lex led Maya as the serving girl directed them.
        They were directed to a mid sized booth, along a side wall. There was plenty of space for the footmen to place the chest, with Lex and Maya still able to fit comfortably. Lex held back the crimson curtain first for the footmen, after they placed the chest at the back of the table, Lex gave them enough coin for a drink and directed them to a nearby table to wait.
        "Enjoy yourselves, but remain sober enough to carry Lady Lekari home."
        As the footmen went on their way, Lex held the curtain back again, allowing Maya to slip into the booth. He asked a passing serving boy what the day's special was, and ordered a glass of their finest wine for Maya. Sending the boy off with his order for honey mead as well, Lex slid into the booth across from Maya.
        "They have venison steaks, coney stew, roast pheasant, and lake flounder," Lex told Maya as he sat, "which would you like me to order for you?"

The place wasn't fancy, but there didn't appear to be any roaches skittering about on the ground, so that was good, Maya supposed. Walking with Lex into the building and to their seats, she waited until the chest was secured and Lex held the curtain for her before sliding into her seat. Folding her hands atop the table, she looked across the way at Lex and pursed her lips in thoughts.

"Hmm...I'm not sure..." she admitted, and rested her cheek on her hand. "What would you suggest? Are you familiar with this place? If so, which of those options is the least offensive?"

The serving boy arrived then with a bottle of wine and Lex's mead, and set both down on the table. He set a glass down, as well, and poured the wine for Maya, then bustled off again--but not without telling them to pull the cord hanging from the curtains when they had decided on what they wanted.

Maya sniffed the wine skeptically, and then took a small sip--and paused, seeming to consider it for a moment.

"...This actually isn't bad."

        As Maya sipped her wine, Lex took a deep gulp of his mead. He smiled at her surprise that the wine was good. It would not be cheep, but his betting had paid well enough, plus he still had his take from picking pockets, that he could sell. He took another long swig without answering Maya, and gave a contented sigh. The sweet taste of honey mead always pleased him. Instead of answering Maya he simply pulled the cord to summon a waiter. Lex's hand had barely left the cord when a pretty young woman came to arrived. Lex gave her a pleasant smile and slight nod in greeting, and then placed his order.
        "Bring us one of each of today's fresh dishes," he told the young woman, "the venison steak should be medium, extra vegetables in the coney stew, extra crispy on the roast pheasant, and plenty of lemons for use on the lake flounder." The serving girl made chalk notations on a board in her hand as Lex spoke, nodding as he ordered. "I'd also like a piece of each type of fresh fruit you have on hand, and a pot of mint tea." He was paying after all, might as well enjoy himself, and make sure that there was plenty for Maya to choose from. As the serving girl left with the order, a small boy arrived with another mead for Lex, just has he was finishing his first, great timing. When the boy walked away, Lex turned back to Maya with a grin.
        "You can try them all this way," Lex told Maya, "Sample from each one, eat whatever you like. Fruit is always good, and the mint tea will cleanse your palate that you can enjoy all the individual flavors. Does this please you?"

And once again, Maya was surprised.

Because Lex went and ordered basically everything the place had! She looked at him when the server left, one perfect eyebrow lifted, and flashed him a lazy smile. She didn't want to act too impressed or anything, and really, for someone of her station, a lunch spread like that was child's play. But for a common thief, the man knew his stuff, and knew how to order. And here she'd half been expecting gruel.

She took another dainty sip of wine. "This does please me," she said coolly as she set down her glass. "You're not altogether ignorant or classless after all. Which I suppose shouldn't be surprising--you did say you were Gautier's bastard."

Tilting her head, she eyed him curiously. "Did you spend much time among his House?"

        "Most of my good manners come from observing, not from lessons," Lex told Maya. "I was fairly young when we were thrown from there. My mother was afraid Gautier's drunken beatings would kill me," he said. "After a particularly bad one, she stood up to him and after beating her as well, we were thrown out." Lex took a long drink from his mead before continuing, "she didn't live many years after that." Lex wasn't sure why he'd tell Maya this. Perhaps it was her naive ignorance. It didn't matter why he opened up, but now his mood was not so pleasant, and his ever present grin slipped from his face.

"Oh. I...see..."

Well. That got awkward fast. Maya looked across the table at Lex, eyes wide, then abruptly cleared her throat and took to playing with the wine in her glass, watching the purple liquid swish about as she swirled it. She took a long sip that drained it, then reached over and tugged at the cord.

"I think this calls for more wine. More mead?" The server was there in a flash, and Maya turned to them. "Ah, yes! More wine for me, and more mead for him, on the double!"

        Lex smirked at the way Maya ordered the server to get drinks. Really all she had to do was poor herself more from the bottle they had left on the table for her. Lex reached over and did it for her. It had been a fresh bottle so there was plenty remaining. The serving boy returned quickly, with another bottle of wine, and a mug of mead for Lex. He placed the ordered items on the table and was gone without a sound.
        Pulling his mask of perpetual good humor back in place Lex, smiled widely at Maya, and her second bottle of wine. "If you finish all of that, you'll likely be sick," his grin only grew at the idea of Maya in such an unclean state. "Whatever you don't drink, I'll be happy to help you with once we return to your home." The food arrived then, carried up by the proprietor and a few of his staff. They placed the spread out before Maya and Lex, and cleared away anything unneeded.
        "I hope you will enjoy what we've prepared for you," the rotund man said, "if you need anything else, don't hesitate to call on us." They all left then, closing the curtains again, to leave Maya and Lex in mock solitude.

"...Ah." Maya had felt awkward enough that she'd forgotten about the first bottle of wine, and now they had two. Well. He was paying for it, after all, so it wasn't her problem. He had offered!

"Well, the more the merrier and all that, I suppose," she said with a wave of her hand. "Of course I don't plan on drinking it all. Or even much of it! I would never allow myself to get to such a shameful state. I know what I can handle."

Anything she may have said after that was cut off by the arrival of their food. Their massive amount of food. It took up much of the table, and Maya stared at it all with wide eyes. It was enough to feed a family far larger than hers!

"I fear I'll be full before I've even had a chance to sample it all," she said, as she looked over the massive meal and tried to figure out the neatest, cleanest way of approaching it.

        Lex reached for the pot of hot tea, and poured some into a small ceramic cup for Maya. He reached across the table of food to place it in front of her, and inclined his head. A wealthy noble Lady surely knew it was for cleansing her palate between flavors, so he didn't bother explaining. He then took up the open wine bottle and topped of Maya's glass. He smiled and inclined his head again, then saw to himself.
        He did not wait for her, he was too damn hungry. He'd had some fruit in Maya's room, of slightly better quality than what they had brought him her, but fruit burned off quickly. He eyed the selection they'd brought. Not as exotic as what Maya had had either, but it would make a good desert for when he finished with heavy meats he'd ordered. He took a slice of each piece of meat and a few of the garnished vegetables from each plate. The small pile sat on one the small empty plates that had been brought to the table for just this purpose, and his grin widened before he dove in hungrily. Even eating quickly, he managed to maintain the air of nobility he wore for Maya. He'd not give her reason to insult him, if he could help it. His manners were perfect, even at a fast pace. He didn't mind the blended flavors one bit, so he ignored the mint tea himself for the moment.

Maya followed Lex's lead, and daintily selected a small portion from each of the plates of food. She arranged them neatly on her plate, careful that nothing touched, and when everything was in its proper place, she started to nibble at her food. She made sure to use the tea each time she changed from one item to the next, because unlike Lex, she didn't like to mix flavors, and didn't like different items to touch! She was very picky about her food in general--as a personal quirk, not because she'd been raised that way. Her mother, especially, liked to tease her about it.

While Lex was fast, Maya was slow and meticulous, though she noted he wasn't sloppy, at least. For the unwashed commoner type, he was rather good at this! And the food he selected was...surprisingly really good, too.

"This actually isn't terrible," she said at last, breaking the silence before she took a sip of tea. "I'm surprised."

Lex was mildly amused by Maya's words. It didn't surprise him that she had such a limited point of view. Nobles were often like that. It was an unfortunate reality, but it didn't bother Lex. Little did. Her words elicited a smirk from him and he continued eating. Once his plate had been cleared, he gulped down the remainder of his mead. It's sweet flavor was perfect to compliment the rich meats he had just consumed. He nearly released a belch, but caught himself, remembering the company he was keeping.
        He smirked at himself and reached for the still hot tea. He cleansed his palate with the steaming beverage, and then pulled the bowl of fruit closer to himself. He was pleasantly surprised to find a couple of strawberries. He pulled the top off one and put the fruit in his mouth, munching it happily. As he chewed, he took a pomegranate from the bowl and began knocking it roughly with the flat of his knife. Once he was confident that he had loosened the fruit inside he used the knife to cut into the skin and cracked it open. Many of the kernels were loose and fell easily onto his plate and into his hand. He popped them in his mouth, crunching the tart treats.
        "I'm glad you're enjoying the food here," Lex said to Maya. "It's the richest tavern in the city. Well the richest tavern that you'd be inclined to visit." Lex smirked at the thought of taking Maya to a tavern, that catered to noblemen and their erotic proclivities. She probably wouldn't even be comfortable talking about such a place.

Maya gave Lex a shrewd look. "And what is that supposed to mean?" she asked, taking another dainty sip of tea.

        "Well the only places to eat that are fancier than this, and much more expensive as well," Lex told Maya, leaning in close to make it more dramatic, "are the nobleman's brothels," he finished in a whisper.

"Oh, how disgusting!" Maya said, drawing back from Lex with a sour look. "Ugh. I'm sure you would know all about that, wouldn't you."

        "Actually," Lex told Maya, "I have been a guest at such establishments, but I have never taken pleasures with the sex workers. There just happen to be a lot of rich men that are easy to steal from in such places, and they are not likely to tell anyone about being robbed. They'd have to admit to frequenting such places." Lex gave Maya a wink, and went back to his pomegranate.
        "Would you like some fruit?" He offered her the bowl, which still contained a strawberry, some grapes, a few cherries, and an assortment of other common tree fruit.

Plucking up one of the cherries, Maya raised a skeptical eyebrow at Lex. "A man skilled such as you at thievery, who can sneak into a noblewoman's home without drawing the guard, expects me to believe his only motivation for frequenting brothels is the money? That's rich."

She popped the cherry into her mouth, pulling the stem free and twirling it absently between her fingers.

        "I am skilled at many things," Lex corrected Maya, "not just thievery." He lifted another cut of meat onto his plate and began to slice it into bite sized hunks. "I enjoy challenges. Paying for a woman's company is cheating. I don't want a woman to give herself to me because she's paid. I want her to desire me as I desire her. I want mutual enjoyment, not obligation. Why pay for something I can enjoy earning through conversation and friendship?" He began eating the meat, as he let his words settle in.

Maya discreetly spit the cherry pit out into her hand and set it aside on her plate. "Hrm. And here I believed most thieves were just thieves as a quick fix. Why work an honest job when you can steal, correct? Why work for someone's affection when you can pay?"

Maya took the last strawberry, and when she had finished that, she took a sip of tea and went back to her meal, trying the salmon. It was pretty obvious that if Lex was hinting anything by his words, it was lost on her.

        "I don't just steal from anyone," Lex told Maya, "and I help the impoverished of the city. I take from those that have more than they could ever use, and give it to those in need. Sure I keep plenty for myself to live on, but I don't live a life of excess, and I never steal from someone that it would hurt."
        His meat gone, he grabbed a plum from the fruit bowl and bit into it. The juice of the ripe fruit ran down his fingers, and he had to use the linen that had been provided. "I don't steal because it's easy. I steal from the most guarded places, the most difficult to get into, and from highly protected caravans. I like challenges. The more difficult, the more enjoyable it is to tackle. It's the same with women. The more difficult to woo, the more we will both enjoy the outcome."

Maya snorted at that. "I'm sure they don't enjoy the part where you leave them after you've won your 'challenge' and claimed your prize," she said dryly.

        Lex almost felt stung at Maya's words. As if he'd be such a cad, a rake, that he'd run out on a lady. "I have never been so crass," he began in his defense. "I am always a gentleman. I never claim my prize, only simply to retreat. Most times my prize is little more than a few kisses. None the less, I am much more prudent than that. I never take more than I am offered, and I am always at a ladies service should she desire my company." He fiddled with the locket the was hidden beneath his tunic, as he finished the plum, and then he moved back to eating fish and meat.
        "Though I am a rogue by trade and reputation," Lex said to Maya, "I am always a gentleman when it comes to matters of the heart."

"Hmm," Maya said, eying Lex shrewdly. That answer was not quite what she expected, and it made her think a little differently about his person. He had looked legitimately bothered by the accusation--which was interesting. A person who truly viewed women as conquests would have soaked up such a statement and used it as an opportunity to boast, wouldn't they? And they certainly wouldn't refer to it as a matter of the heart.

"That's interesting," she said, expression softening just a little, "and not quite what I was expecting." She took another bite of her meal. It was the closest she would come to an apology. Nobility never apologized, after all.

        "I have found that more Noblemen are cruel in their conquests of women," Lex told Maya. "My own father's many extramarital affairs are well known by all. Many nobleman have mistresses and illegitimate children. I've overheard young nobleman bragging about how many women they've taken to bed, and about taking young noble ladies maiden head's."
        Lex claimed the grapes from in the bowl of fruit. He felt a bit agitated, though he did his best not to show it, it did cause him to eat even more than usual. "Common men can't afford affairs, and many of them marry for love, so they wouldn't have an affair to begin with."

"Hmph. Well. My parents married for love," Maya said, and finished off her wine, "and they're nobles. Not all nobles are miserable in their marriages. I certainly plan not to be!"

        Lex gave Maya a wide smile, and said without a hint of sarcasm, "I hope that works out for you." She was an interesting person. So closed off from the world, as many young noblewomen were, naïve, and ignorant of the truths of reality. That wasn't totally her fault, and he didn't hold it against her. He just hoped to educate her a bit, maybe get her to open her eyes, and if he was really lucky, charm her into spending some time kissing him. "In my experience, love is a wonderful thing."

Maya tilted her head, curious. "Oh? Then you're in love?" She paused a moment, and then added, "Or were?"

        A gentle sigh betrayed any idea of denial. Lex reached to his chest to touch the locket that hung around his neck. Instead of brushing it aside, he decided that honesty would probably work to his benefit here. Women loved good love stories.
        "Karis Astrakaia, my childhood love," he told Maya. "If I were a true noble, and not just a discarded bastard, she and I would be married. Lovely Karis." Lex sipped at a new mead that had appeared at his elbow, and looked distant. Best to make Maya pull the details from him. The more she got invested in the story, the more impact it would have on her. That wasn't being too manipulative. Just the right amount.

Maya was intrigued, indeed. Leaning forward a little, she waited for more, and when he didn't give it, huffed impatiently. She motioned with her hand for him to continue.

"And? What happened? Did you ever tell her your feelings? Did you two...kiss?"

"Karis was my best friend as a child," Lex told Maya. "her father had business with mine, and so we played together on the estate. Hide and seek, tag, or childhood games," he paused to sip his mead again. Licking his lips he continued, "one day, when it was my turn to hide, she found me behind a large topiary. I broke into a run, if she didn't catch me, she'd be it again. She was always the faster runner, so of course she caught up. She tackled me to the ground, and as we rolled about giggling, she kissed me on the mouth," Lex smiled, remembering the moment fondly. He pulled out his locket and popped it open to see the pictures inside. How the painters made such tiny images look so accurate he did not know.
        "We didn't think there was anything different about us, we were children," Lex snapped the locket shut and let it fall to dangle against his chest. "We held hands, chased each other around, and there was an occasional peck on the cheek or mouth. I was six when it started. As we got a bit older, Karis would only hold my hand in private. She would look around to make nobody was watching before she'd let me kiss her," his mood was much less pleasant as he thought of how things began to change. "When I pressed her for a reason she tried to explain that she was a noble and I was not. My father was a noble, so I didn't understand what the problem was. I didn't know about illegitimacy then, I was ten," Lex took a long pull from his mead, to give himself a moment.
        "It wasn't long after that, that we were discovered by a nursemaid. Karis kissed me as the maid came around a corner. She threw a fit and dragged Karis away," his eyes were tearing up at that point. "She never came back after that, and I got one of my worst beatings that night. The beatings increased, and two years later mother and I were thrown out. Free of my father, I took it upon myself to find Karis. It wasn't until after mother died that I learned where the Astrakaia's lived. The first time I snuck into the estate to see her, I scared her half to death. Dressed like a ruffian, she didn't recognize me. When she finally did, she tackled me, heedless of her beautiful dress, and the dirt I was covered in. She kissed me, and not a child's kiss. We were thirteen. That's when the real romance began."

Lex told his tale, and Maya didn't interrupt once. She listened, enraptured, and felt a slight surge of jealousy. As silly as it was, she felt a bit envious of this Karis. Oh, it wasn't like she'd never been kissed by a boy--or a man, rather. But the kisses she had experienced had been ones of curiosity, not real passion--or love. She couldn't imagine what that must be like, loving someone from childhood into adulthood and beyond, or experiencing the excitement and danger of such illicit, secretive meetings.

Or having someone love you so much they were willing to risk their very safety for just a kiss.

It was, without a doubt, among the most romantic things she'd ever heard.

Maya realized when he was done that she'd been holding her breath, not wanting to miss a single detail. She let it out slowly.

"Do you still see her?" she practically whispered.

        Now this is when Lex really took on a somber expression. He looked down at the table and pressed his hand to the locket at his chest. "Eleven years ago," Lex began, "her father married her off to a much older man to secure a business deal." Lex looked at Maya to make sure she was still enrapt, gazing into her eyes. "For seven years we had hidden our secret rendezvous. Sharing our love, our passion. We were so careful, and I saved every penny I could. She secretly gave me large amounts of her stipend, that I could tuck it away to save. The plan was to run away to Serendipity, start a life of our own. She was willing to give up her noble life for me." He broke their gaze at that point, wiping away tears that were welling up again. He was not the crying type, but he did his best not to hold back his emotions. The more tender his heart, the better, as far as the theory went.
        "If she weren't forced into an arranged marriage before we could make our move, we'd be raising a family. Instead, our love has become even more secret. Her husband would likely have us both killed if he knew of our secret meetings, as rare as they are. Almost a year ago he took her with him to Essyrn, and they have not returned." Lex sighed, then took a long drink of mead. "I ache at the loss of her."

"Oh, Lex," Maya sighed when he was done, eyes full of sympathy as she looked up at him, and shining with unshed tears. It was always a terrible thing to see a man cry, since they so rarely did, and that he was crying over his lost love? Gods.

"That is...that's too sad, it's too...that's so unfair! To lose the love of your life to someone she doesn't even love, just because you're not a real noble..." Her lip trembled. "And for her to be just...married off like livestock! My parents would never do such a thing to me!"

Well. She hoped not. But it was a worry that lingered in every young noblewoman's mind, and she was no exception! She looked away to discretely rub at her eyes. She hadn't expected to get so invested in his story, but she could easily put herself in Karis's place.

Eyes drier, she looked back to him. "But ah, how lucky she is. To have you, even if she can't have you."

        "Love is wonderful experience," Lex said quite sincerely, "and I hope you get to have the real thing. Even if it ends in heart wrenching pain. It's worth it. To only touch heaven for a moment, goddess it was worth it." He took another swig from his quickly emptying mug, and he felt his buzz warming up. Best he not have any more after this one.
        "How about you m'lady, any romances at all? A creature as lovely as you must have had some sort of adventure in love."

"Nothing like that," Maya said with a pouting sigh. With a huff, she rested her cheek on her hand. "And no adventures. I've kissed men before, certainly, but not out of love."

With a slight blush, she looked away. "It was because he was attractive, and I wanted to be able to say I had. But to have someone love you, and to love them, and to go to such lengths to be with them..."

She let out a wistful sigh. "Never."

        Lex reached across the table and put his hand on Maya's. He looked deep in her eyes, locking her gaze with his. A small solemn smile spread on his lips, and his eyes were soft. "You will," he told her, "and it will be the most beautiful and wonderful thing you've ever experienced. The loss hurts every day," Lex's expression grew a bit more mournful, "but I'd gladly trade one hundred painful deaths for the joy of the love I felt." His smile brightened then, and his hand moved to brush across Maya's cheek. "Love is amazing."
        Lex withdrew his hand slowly, and returned to his honey mead. While her heart and mind were still set on his story, and her romantic thoughts of love, he quickly changed the subject. Off balancing her would make those thoughts linger in the back of her mind. He'd be sure to be just slightly flirtatious, and give her longing glances that she'd just barely catch. If he could warm her up to himself a bit more, perhaps she'd melt into a few willing kisses. She had lips he'd love to nibble on.

Maya couldn't help it. When Lex's hand brushed her cheek, she shivered under his touch and her heart beat a little faster. For a moment she held his eyes with her own, her breath caught in her throat and mind stilling, and she noticed--not for the first time--that he had a wonderful smile and nice lips. But there was no way that gesture could mean anything; it was probably entirely casual. After all, he was in love with Karis.

...And why on earth was she thinking like that, anyway?!

He was a thief and a scoundrel!

If a very attractive, dangerous, intriguing one...

Catching where her thoughts were going, her face heated and she looked back down at the remnants of her meal and resisted the urge to touch her cheek. "So I've heard," she said, and finished off her wine. "I'm sure everything  is much better when you're in love."

        "Everything is better when you're in love," Lex replied. He glanced up at Maya, taking another pull of his mead. He set the mug down, and leaned back. "And the kisses will melt you."

Maya let out another wistful sigh, her face still flushed from all the romantic thoughts floating about in her head. The men she'd kissed had been good, no doubt about that, but they had also lacked passion. Well, not necessarily even passion, for they had been very enthusiastic! But she had felt very little. She imagined emotions, and real love, added much to the experience.

"Well," she said, and wiped her fingers off on a cloth. "Now I'll just have to go and fall in love."

        Lex's usual grin was a bit warmer, and really reached his eyes as Maya expressed her need to find love. He leaned across and lightly picked up her hand, he placed his other hand on the back of it and looked into her eyes tenderly.
        "If only it were that easy," he said longingly, "it tends to not be where you want to find it, and sneaks up on you from behind. You cannot hunt it. You must be open to it finding you."
        As he'd been holding her gaze, he'd slowly brought her hand across to himself, and he leaned in, not breaking eye contact, to graze the back of her hand with his lips. Then he smiled warmly, and gently took his hands away from hers, leaving her hand extended toward him in the air. He slowly, but with purpose, moved back to his nearly empty plate.
        Acting as if the moment had not happened, Lex took a bite, and then casually asked Maya, "would like to watch the sunset with me this evening? I know a beautiful place nearby, with a spectacular view."

"...Yes."

The word slipped out before Maya knew she was going to speak, surprising even her, and her heart fluttered in her chest like moths around a flame. Which was, perhaps, exactly how she felt--like a moth inexplicably attracted to something she should perhaps avoid, because it was as dangerous as it was warm and attractive.

Gods! What was she thinking?! This was a man who'd robbed her and then gone on to track her down and assault her in her very bedroom! She was a noblewoman! He was a ruffian! A noble-born ruffian, perhaps, but one nonetheless! Her servants would be wondering where she was by now, surely, and besides that...to go off alone with this man? To be with him at nightfall?

She touched the top of his hand where she could still feel the press of his lips, then folded her hands in her lap.

"Perhaps. Maybe. But it hardly seems proper! I'll remind you that you robbed me and tracked me to my bedchamber! We're in public now, so it's safe, but how do I know you won't try something funny once we're alone and it's dark?"

        "You have my word of course," Lex said with a charming smile. "If that is insufficient, you can bring a chaperone if you like." He paused to take a drink from his mead and leaned back afterward. "Though it will be much less fun if you have a nanny there to care for you. Half the fun is the sneaking out and getting away with it. Propriety is for stuffy old nobles who have no perception of real fun."
        Lex popped a couple grapes into his mouth, watching Maya's face closely. He was hoping she'd take the bait, that she'd want to prove she wasn't stuffy, and wanted real fun. Getting her heart to flutter was easy enough, the slight color on her cheeks had given that away, but this was a more difficult endeavor. He was extremely lucky, but it took real tact and manipulation to guide someones decisions like this, not luck. "If you rather go alone, back to your boring room, while your parents enjoy their trip, I will not take offense. You'll be in my thoughts as I watch the last of the suns sparkles dance across the water."

Stuff?! Old?! Those were two things she was definitely not! And she most certainly did not require a nanny! And come to think of it, he had a point! Her parents had left her here and were off having adventures of their own, and what would she do back in her room? Sit?

Watching a sunset with a cute boy definitely sounded more interesting, even if said cute boy was a bit bad.

...But wasn't that a part of the reason she was still even around him? Because he was interesting?

Maya would never in her life admit it, but she found the sort of safe danger he offered...very appealing.

She pretended to debate it, and then gave a light shrug. "I'll accept your word," she said, "knowing that, of course, should you be less than honorable, it'll be your neck in a noose."

But it was clear she was saying that just to say it, by the smile that betrayed her and the excitement that danced in her eyes. She would never, ever admit that some deep part of her hoped he would be less than honorable.

        His bait taken, Lex gave Maya a crooked half grin. "Well then it's settled," Lex drank the rest of his mead in one long swallow, and set the glass aside. "We should deliver your things back to your home, and we can both get changed. I'm sure you'll prefer something more practical. Perhaps you have a split riding dress?"
        Lex ate a few more bites of potatoes and lamb. Then a piece of cheese and a wedge he cut from an apple. He was obviously in no hurry, and he was slowly making the ridiculously large amount of food disappear. "It'll take us about an hour to walk to my spot, but sunset is a good ways off. Is there anything you'd like to do before we set out?"

"I do have a riding skirt I could change into. And I had no plans for this day, until you swept me up in your nonsense," Maya said as she nibbled a piece of fruit. She wasn't hungry anymore, but it gave her something to busy her hands with.

"By that I mean, I...am actually not sure what there is to do out here? What would you do to kill time? As you might imagine, a noblewoman fills her day with different diversions than the common people."

"I spend most of my days at work, not at leisure," Lex told Maya. "When I take a rare day off, I usually lie in the sun or swim if it's hot. In cold or wet weather, I usually stay in a tavern or inn." Lex looked at the food on the table. They'd eaten a great deal of it, but there was still quite a bit remaining. He called for the serving girl, and she arrived shortly.
        "Please wrap what can be, in waxed paper or parchment, and pack it for a picnic. My Lady would like all the fruit we have here, and a bit more put in. Some dried meat please, and the unopened wine, along with some cheese and a fresh loaf of bread. If you haven't a basket, or a runner to fetch one, you can send one of my lady's footmen." Lex placed the necessary coins in the girls hand, and a generous tip, and she was off. Moments later, there were other servants there to clean away the dishes to the kitchen.
        "Perhaps we can just take a long slow walk through the nearby wilderness," Lex suggested. "Then we can have a snack, and watch the sun go down."

"Hmm," Maya said after a moment's thought, chin resting on her hand. "That sounds agreeable to me. Wilderness, though. You don't mean deep wilderness? I'm not too fond of the dirt and animals, and I'd rather not get eaten by a bear."

She looked down at her clothes and brushed her fingers along the folds of her dress. "This is rather expensive, you know. I'd prefer not to soil it--even if I do have ample replacements."

But though she fussed, it was mostly just to keep up appearances--so as not to admit out loud that the idea of a wilderness stroll and sunset picnic sounded delightfully romantic.

        Lex was quite manipulative, and had laid on lots of charm. Some subtle, and some not. Maya had taken most of it easily, she truly was naïve. She was beautiful though. So exotic. She needn't be the brightest, if her parents arranged a beneficial marriage for her.
        Lex did feel a bit sorry for her though. With that naïveté, she would be in line for a rude awakening, when her suitor was not as gentle, or considerate with her, as Lex planned to be.
        It wasn't long before a basket filled with all they had asked for, was delivered to them. There was even a small skin, filled with ice, to keep the fruit fresh. It always paid to be generous and kind to others. His luck surely helped as well.
        Lex escorted Maya back to her palanquin, set the basket in beside her, and directed the footmen to carry her home. A quick change of clothes when they got there, and they could be off on their romantic date. Lex didn't plan on telling Maya it was a date though. At least not until he was covering her in kisses.

Soon enough, they arrived back at Maya's home, and strangely enough, none of the servants or guards seemed to notice them yet again. It was kind of unsettling--or would have been, if Maya had been thinking about that and not their upcoming forest stroll.

She headed quickly for her room, sternly told Lex not to peek, and slipped behind her changing screen after grabbing some clothes from her wardrobe. Before long, she was finished, and emerged from it dressed in a forest green gown that matched her eyes and left one shoulder bare. It an Essyrni design and hugged her shape snugly, though it was made of an opaque fabric. She was not so bold as to don one of the sheer gowns. That was just plain indecent, anyway!

It wasn't much more appropriate for a forest trip than her previous dress, but at least the color matched the locale!

"Much better," she said as she emerged, and headed for her vanity so she could apply a fresh layer of paint to her lips, and touch up the kohl around her eyes.

Lex was capable of being a gentleman, and so waited patiently, without peeking at Maya while she changed. When she emerged, he immediately was pleased with her attire, as inappropriate as it was for the trek. At the very least, she would have to wear practical shoes. Something flat and comfortable, that wouldn't destroy her feet while they walked.
        "You look stunning, Maya," Lex told her, in a genuine tone. He stood from the window seat he had chosen to occupy, and crossed to her vanity, where she was about to apply cosmetics. He laid a hand on hers to stop her.
        "You should remove what you're already wearing on your face," Lex said. "The forest can get a bit misty, and it'll make your paints run. You don't want it to ruin that gorgeous dress. Besides," he said grinning at Maya in her reflection, "I already know you're gorgeous, there is no need to paint your face for me." She was a beautiful woman, that didn't need paint her face, sure. Lex also secretly hated the taste of the stuff. As he was planning on kissing that face, he thought this the best way to avoid getting it in his mouth.
        "Do you have comfortable shoes for walking," Lex asked. "When we arrive at the spot I'm taking you, you'll likely want to be barefoot. Until then, you don't want to wear out your feet."

Maya paused with her brush hovering just before her lips, and she arched one meticulously shaped eyebrow at Lex's suggestion. Hm. Perhaps he had a point. She would look hideous if her makeup decided to run and smear.

She smiled at his compliment and reached for a wet cloth, dabbing at her makeup and gently removing the kohl, rouge, and lip paint. "Oh, I know. Makeup is just to enhance what's already present, not create beauty from ugliness," she said, and flicked the cloth back onto her vanity. But despite her words, her cheeks were tinted red, and that was certaiy not rouge.

"I doubt I'll go barefoot, though. Who knows what's hiding in the mud and grass?" And she strode to her massive wardrobe and picked out a pair or flat shoes, also green like her dress. She had shoes for practically every occasion and outfit, and thought it a crime not to match by color.

Slipping them on, she placed her hands on her hips. "Well? Is this acceptable for a nature walk?"

        "It's not what I would have chosen," Lex said, "and I am glad it wasn't my choice to make. You look stunning. Perhaps you'll want a coat. It can get chilly when the sun goes down, and I have only the one cloak."
        Lex turned from Maya in time to see a servant inspecting the damage done to the lock on the front gate. They'd likely come check on Maya soon. He needed to slip away for now, and this was the perfect time to fetch his things.
        "I believe you will be having company soon," Lex informed Maya. "As soon as you can get rid of them, meet me at the servants entrance to the grounds." He picked up the picnic basket and walked right out her door. He was wearing servant livery and Luck was always on his side. Sure he had no idea how to get out of her house, but he'd figure it out.

When the servants came to her room, asking if she needed anything, she waved them away with a yawn, telling them she intended to spend a quiet evening alone and that if she needed anything, she would call. She waited for several minutes after they were gone, then slipped on a warm, fur-lined cape and tip-toed from her room.

Fortunately, the servants' schedules were consistent, and she knew them by heart. She'd never had a reason to sneak about, but knowing that information now helped her avoid notice as she found the little side door that the servants used to enter her home, and made her way through the corridor and out into the yard.

She found Lex, dressed as a servant still, and headed over to him, skirts and cape swishing. "We should hurry," she said. "I believe they're fetching tools to fix the gate now, and it won't be long before they're here."

        Lex had his things bundled under his arm, picnic basket in hand. With his other hand, he took Maya's and began a quick trot to their exit. They met no one on their trip out, and lucky for them, the single small road out of this side of town was empty at this time of day.
        Lex hurried them along. He towed Maya at a speed that was just barely comfortable. Once he was sure they were a safe distance away he slowed his pace, and led the young noble woman off the path.
        "I'm going to change now," Lex said setting down the basket, "Hold this, and do not set it down," he unbelted his sword, and handed it to Maya, "it's magic is very powerful, but only works if in someone's direct possession."
        Without waiting for Maya to turn away, Lex began to remove the servants livery. Being back in his woodland garb would make him feel a lot better. Lady Luck was always on his side, but he still had habits from before he'd acquired the magic blade.

Lex was in such a rush, and Maya was not a lady used to running--except, of course, when it came to thieves stealing her prized possessions. Granted, they did need to be speedy, but was it really necessary to practically tear her arm off?

She was panting lightly by the time they stopped, and sweating beneath her fur cape. Lex was, begrudgingly, correct; if she'd worn makeup, it would be ruined by now. With a deep breath, she tucked her hair back into place and was about to ask if THIS was their destination  (and if so, she was terribly unimpressed) when Lex handed her his sword--

And then started to undress, while she was still juggling the sheathed blade.

Her face flashed hot and she let out an indignant squawk. "LEX! A little warning, if you please!" she snapped, and turned quickly on her heel.

But not far enough that she couldn't watch him from out of the corner of her eye.

        "I did say I was going to change," Lex said through the tunic he was pulling over his head. "I think your attention may have been elsewhere at the time."
        It didn't take Lex long to strip out if the servants attire and pull on his own clothes. Maya didn't get long to look at his slender and tightly muscled body. Scars from years of being beaten by his father, followed by a rough life of survival on the streets, ran across his body. A few small bruises from his run through town, could be seen on his back and upper arms.
        Once he was finished, Lex turned toward Maya and gave her a wink and a smirk. It wasn't too hard to see she had been peeking, but Lex did not object. The more interest she showed in his muscled body, the better chance he had at getting a few kisses.
        "Shall we go," Lex reached out to take Maya's hand.

"Yes, two seconds before you did! That is hardly a warning. And to do it out in the open before a maiden's eyes! That is hardly proper," Maya said with a sniff, even as she stole looks at his chiseled form, and its many scars.

Why did the scars just make him more...interesting? More alluring? Perhaps it was the implied danger, the added ruggedness. Either way, by the time he was done, her pulse was beating a lot quicker.

She looked at him fully then, dressed in his own clothes, and took his offered hand. "Lead the way," she said, not considering just how risky this was, going into the woods alone with a man she'd only just met--and a criminal at that!

        The magic of his armor enacted, taking on the patterns of the wilderness as Lex and Maya walked through the woods. The elven boots on his feet hid traces of his passing, though they did nothing for the tracks Maya left. The hood of his cloak pulled down, left its magic dormant, the cloak appearing as one of plain grey material. Lex's wooden mask hung around his neck, a smooth polished brown without holes to see or breathe through. Both the mask and the cloak would take on similar patterns to their surroundings, should Lex put them on, making him all but impossible to spot. Being very familiar with his home, the woodland areas of the region, gave him yet another advantage over anyone that might seek his bounty. Today he used that knowledge, and a bit of luck, to lead Maya down beautiful paths bordered by flowering plants.
        Lex lead Maya by the hand. A casual grip on her hand, to speed her along, his pace started brisk. As he slowed for her to look at the loveliness that surrounded them, he laced his fingers through hers.
        "It's beautiful, isn't it."

[This is the most bizarre glitch ever. |: When I click this topic, I see your post, but looking from my bookmarks or from the Ketra forum, it shows me as the last poster in the topic?? THIS IS SO WEIRD.]

---

It was beautiful, not just in sight, but in smell, too. The many flowers along the path filled the air with a sweetness that rivaled even her favorite Essyrni perfumes, and she breathed in deeply as she slowed to take it all in. It was so green here, save for the splashes of red and purple and orange from the flowers, and birdsong and the rustle of leaves in the wind gave the forest its own kind of music.

Maya wasn't really aware of the exact moment they went from holding hands to interlinking fingers. Just that she noticed it when she squeezed his hand in answer to his question.

"It's gorgeous," she breathed. "I've never really been this deep in the woods. Too many nasties, my mother always said. Basilisks and bears and such, not to mention the dirt." But right now, as she looked around her, she wasn't thinking much at all about the dust coating her dress and shoes, or the flies flitting around.

Of course, now she was thinking about bears and basilisks.

Turning to Lex, eyes wide, and squeezed his hand tighter. "There aren't any of those out here, right? Bears and basilisks and wolves?"

        Lex smiled at Maya's innocent fear. He thought about explaining that all three of those animals, bears, basilisks, and wolves, were very territorial. They were all out here somewhere, but they didn't much like each other. They also didn't accept others of their own kind within their territory. A single basilisk for instance, was known to claim fifty square miles. They were solitary creatures, though they could sometimes be found in pairs during mating season. Larger groups, called colonies, consisted of three to six lizards, were rare, and mostly found in mountainous regions. The scarce few found in the forests were imported from their native deserts. They preferred hot and dry environs. Knowing about animals in the area was part of what made Lex the master of the wood.
        "We are very unlikely to see any predatory animals," Lex explained, "we'll likely see some adorable squirrels and rabbits though." He smiled at Maya warmly. There was no need to worry her needlessly, by telling her they were more likely to see bandits and rogues than wild animals. If by some strange happening, they came across such villains, they would likely retreat at knowing he was Lex of the Wood. If not, he could easily handle most situations.
        Lex led Maya further along the path, pointing out the more colorful fauna. Some blue-tailed spotted deer, a rare breed magically created long ago, crossed the path not twenty meters ahead of them, a truly lucky encounter. A Red Breasted Robin and Blue Jay, both not native to the area, were two more lucky sights.
        Along their walk, Lex shifted from holding Maya's hand to a more intimate guiding hand at the small of her back. He'd occasionally shift it around to her hip, drawing her in close as he pointed at some especially beautiful bird or flower. Then he slide it down her arm and interlace his fingers with hers again, drawing her on or off the path, to look at something more closely.
        When they finally arrived at the pond, Lex led Maya close toward the water. He stopped at a point where the grass was being overtaken by thick moss. He set the basket down, as well as the table cloth they had been provided when they made the large purchase. He spread it flat, after checking for rocks and twigs, and bade Maya sit.
        "This is my favorite spot," Lex told the young noblewoman, "the sun hits this pond perfectly as it sets over the hills."

Maya wasn't an idiot. She knew exactly what Lex was doing as he oh so subtly caressed his fingers down her arm, raising goosebumps in their wake, and when he touched her hip. She had flirted with her share of boys and kissed a few, as well, and she had learned early on that playing coy and hard to get was great fun. She liked being chased and wanted and desired, and it made it all the sweeter when they couldn't have her like they wanted to.

Did she want Lex to want her, too? A criminal? Apparently she did, despite their rocky start--for she remembered his kiss and found herself drawn to his rugged roughness, his strange blend of gentlemanly yet dangerous. A safe sort of danger. It was different, and he was different from the sorts she usually socialized with.

A forest date (oh, she knew this was a date, though she was feigning ignorance!) was also a welcome, if unorthodox, change.

Scandalous, too. Her parents would murder her if they knew!

She gaped at the wildlife, genuinely intrigued (she'd never known blue tailed deers existed!) and leaned in closer to Lex when he pointed out wildlife she had never seen before, side pressing against his, and when he held her hand she squeezed his back, letting him lead her along. She started to forget about the little burrs that got stuck in the hem of her dress or the dust coating her very expensive shoes and realized, somewhere along their walk, that this day was the most fun she'd had in...gods, months.

And when they reached their destination, she hadn't thought what she'd already seen could be outmatched--until she saw where Lex had lead her.

Gaping at the scenery, she kicked off her shoes when Lex bade her sit, and fanned her skirts out around her legs as she settled on the makeshift blanket. Was this how common folk entertained themselves? Because this wasn't half bad, despite the dust and gnats.

"It's gorgeous," she admitted, gazing at their perfect view of the hills, before she gave Lex a sly, challenging look. "Do you bring many pretty girls here?"

        Lex could honestly say, "no, actually, I haven't." He thought of the one time he brought Karis here, and his perpetual grin wavered for a moment. He brushed the thought aside, as he brushed out a few wrinkles in the tablecloth.
        "I've not brought anyone here in years," Lex told Maya. "If everyone knew of my secret spot, it wouldn't be very secret." Lex spread the food from the basket across the cloth in front of them. It mostly consisted of fruits and cheeses. There was some bread, and some of the meat as well. They had made a sizable dent I the food at the tavern.
        "We can snack, and watch the sunset," Lex said, cutting the cheese into thin strips. He then cut the bread and meat into similar slices. Then he began to wedge some of the fruit.
        "After the sun has disappeared, I'll show you something amazing about this pond."

"Oh? Then I should count myself as lucky, hm? Then I suppose you also don't meet many girls by breaking into their homes and terrorizing them in the streets? I feel very special now."

Maya smiled at him as she said it, and plucked up a piece of bread and cheese, nibbling daintily on it. That was when his hinting about the pond piqued her curiosity.

"Oh? What's amazing about the pond?" she asked, and scooted a little closer to him.

They didn't have long for the sun to set. Lex poured Maya wine, into a heavy ceramic mug, about half full. She likely couldn't hold her liquor. As much as he wanted to relax her, he didn't want her incoherent or even worse, sick. He snacked as she did, and when the sun began to dip, he took a small lantern from his bag and set it up. He didn't light it yet, as it would disturb the lighting of the sunset. He moved near to Maya, chewing on a sprig of mint, and slipped his hand into hers as the sun set behind the hills.
        The sun caught in crystalline formations on the top of the hills and threw a rainbow of color across the water for a few seconds. It was breath taking, but it wasn't what Lex had been speaking of. With the sun gone, the darkness slipped in. At the deepest point of the pond faint light began to stir. Slowly serpentine shapes began to move, of varying colors ranging from white to red with so many shades of yellow and orange between. There were at least fifty of the things, and as some drew close, you could see that they were a rare fae creature known as sun serpents.
        They were a passive creature. Some called them fairy eels, but that name included the equally rare moon serpents that came in shades of blue, purple, and green. The difference between sun serpents and moon serpents was more than just color. The fins of a moon serpent flowed like gossamer wisps of silk, and sun serpents fins looked like dancing fire. And, while both gave off a light that was eerily beautiful in the night, sun serpents also gave off heat. The heat of fifty sun serpents in such a small pond was enough to warm it, and the vapor could be seen in the cold night air.
        "Would you like to take a walk," Lex asked, pulling off his boots and stockings and rolling up his breaches over the bottom of his leather armor. He reached to the lantern, lighting it, but closing the hood so only a sliver of light would escape, marking the blanket for their return.
        "The water feels wonderful on your feet, and the moss is quite soft without being slick." He stood, extending a hand to Maya.

For once in Maya's young life, she was rendered utterly speechless, and more than a little impressed.

No, not impressed. Awed.

The sunset took her breath away, and those glowing serpents in the water? Spirits above. She couldn't speak, could scarcely breathe as she watched their flowing shapes, the way the light caught on the water, the way the rising steam and the reflection of the light off of it made the area look even more misty and magical.

It was truly like something out of a dream--and it made her belly flutter as she realized, oh yes indeed, Lex was definitely trying to woo her.

And, as she held his hand and watched the wonders before her, she had to admit it was working. Rough start or not. Gods, she really was a fool for handsome men, and to be with one so dangerous as him? But he had kept his word, and never hurt her even though they had been alone plenty before this. Maybe he truly was sorry for frightening her earlier.

But she wasn't really thinking about that, or the risks, for their trouble earlier had long since been chased away by the magic of what she was now witnessing. And when Lex spoke, she startled as though snapped out of a spell, and looked over at him as he removed his boots and stockings.

Walk around here? Barefoot? She hadn't done such a thing since she was a child getting scolded for dirtying her dress, or chided because she might step on a bee or nail or get calluses on her feet. At first, her reaction was to balk at that--but what could be the harm, really? So after a pause she turned her back to Lex as she rolled off her own stockings so as not to flash too much skin.

She might be half Essyrni, but she had definitely not inherited her mother's views on nudity. And even her mother had had to adjust herself to Adelan culture.

Finally, she adjusted her skirts, took Lex's hand, and rose to her feet, still standing o the makeshift blanket.

"Those...those glowing serpents," she said after a pause, still watching them. "They don't bite, do they?"

For they were beautiful to behold, but not all beautiful things were safe.

        Some beautiful things could prove quite dangerous. Maya could turn out to be very dangerous for Lex. He found himself more than a little attracted to her. Maya's naïveté and ignorance of the world made her fun to tease, but also to teach. There were so many things he could expose her to. Being drawn into her world ran the risk of running into his father, or many other nobles he'd rather avoid. Not to mention, there was his very complicated relationship with Karis.
        Lex led Maya to the water, freely stepping in without hesitation. "They're perfectly docile," he told her. "Even if they are attacked or harmed, they will not become aggressive, fleeing instead. It's the reason for their rarity, and slowly dwindling numbers. Nobles take them for pets, and they don't do well in captivity. They are meant to swim free with others of their kind."

With her free hand, Maya hitched her skirts up to her knees so they wouldn't get wet, and when Lex stepped in first and didn't get attacked, she dipped one foot into the lake. The water was cool, but it felt nice and soothing, not too cold, and after a pause she brought in her other foot.

"What are they exactly?" she said, watching the serpents' shapes twist in the water. "I've never seen anything like them..."

        "I can't say what exactly with full certainty," Lex told Maya, "but they are fish. Magical fish, but fish none the less. Some believe they were created by the magical experiments of a Mage. Others say they came from faerie, brought by Fae that traveled here before humans were born into the world. Some say that they are a freak of this new science called 'evolution' or some such."
        It was clear that Lex wasn't overly concerned with the origins of the fish. He was just happy to enjoy their beauty, as well as Maya's. He kept stealing glances at her, the joy of her enrapture contagious, her beautiful face, bringing him his own awe. He unconsciously caressed his thumb along the inside of her wrist as they walked, and he found his eyes lingering on her lips. Luckily her attention was mostly on the pond, and the slowly increasing temperature of the water.

"I see," Maya breathed, enraptured as she watched the faerie fish swim--though not so enraptured that she didn't feel the caress of Lex's thumb, sending pleasant little chill up her arm. She didn't so much care about the science stuff, which was beyond her, and she had sort of stopped listening after a moment, because the touch of his hand had grown...distracting.

She sneaked a glance over at him--and noticed he was watching her. Startling, she cleared her throat and looked back to the pond, though a little heat rose in her cheeks at being caught catching him.

"It feels like it's getting warmer," she noted instead, and took another step in, until it came to her knees, though the hem of her dress soaked up some water as a result. "Is that just me?"

        "That's the fish," Lex told Maya. "They warm the water, but not too warm. The plants and other animals wouldn't survive if it got much warmer than pleasant bath temperatures." Following Maya into the slightly deeper water was allowing the water to soak into his breeches. He'd be cold on the walk back, but her delight was worth it. He just hoped she wouldn't get too wet or be too miserable as her dress wicked the pond. He led her to a large, flat rock that sat low enough into the water that Maya could let her legs dangle into the warm water while she stayed mostly dry. It was in direct sunlight all day, and so it was quite warm itself.

Maya took a seat on the rock and carefully bunched her dress up around her thighs, just above her knees, and let her legs dangle in the water. Once she was certain nothing in the pond would bite her, she lost her apprehension and was happy to lean forward and gaze into the water, watching the faerie fish lazily swim. For now, though her dress was a bit wet, she hardly noticed; her seat was warm and so was the water, she was surrounded by beauty, and she was on an adventure with a dashing criminal.

Definitely a far better way to spend the day than in her room!

...and she definitely hoped Lex would join her.

"You know a lot about wild things, don't you?" she asked idly. "Where did you learn it all?"

        "When I lived in my fathers manor, I had a tutor," Lex told Maya. "Only once a week, but still more often than most commoners have." He climbed upon the rock next to Maya, his fingers finding hers, and lacing between them. "When I was not made to work, and not free to play, my mother would read to me. Not children's tales, but books for the learned. She wanted the best for me." Lex's smile was conspicuously absent as he told his tale. He told Maya about sneaking into the school that the lesser nobles sent their children to. That using his mothers teachings of how to read and write, that he studied to better himself. He told her that on the occasions he was able to see Karis, when they weren't making love, she would share books with him.
        Lex had found any means to better himself, absorbing every bit of information he could find. He taught himself to hunt, to fight, to use a sword. Every day, he still strived to be the very best man possible. As much as he despised his father, he praised the sharp mind he inherited from him, along with the will his mother passed to him. Together, they gave him the best advantages a low born man could hope for. He didn't have much in scholarly knowledge, but he was smart in other ways, skilled in other ways. With those as his primary weapons he had made friends, connections, and earned most of his gear in trade.
        Well equipped and skilled in the ways he was, he chose to take from those with too much to care, other than for their wounded pride. Especially the ones that preyed on those of lesser standing. He never killed, or maimed, but then again, many of the wealthy considered a damaged pride much worse than death.
        "So when a gorgeous beauty such as yourself, caught my eye, I couldn't help but get close to you. Even if the excuse I required was that I rob you. I'm so very glad that I did. This day has been splendid."

"Really? So that's why you robbed me?" Maya said with a sly smile, her eyes meeting his. "Is that how you normally get a pretty girl's attention? You're very lucky, you know. I called the guard on you, and had they caught you, you'd no doubt be hanged for such a crime. There are much safer--and easier!--ways to grab a lady's attention, I assure you."

She paused, lips pursed, and squeezed his hand. "Though I daresay that this has been the most exciting day I've had in a long time. Nay, ever. Even if you did scare the life out of me. I suppose I'll forgive you that."

Perhaps it was a sign of her sheltered naivete, but the possibility that he could have much more sinister intentions never occurred to her. If he truly was a hardened thug trying to woo her into false sense of security, she was playing right into his hands, romanced by the epic, storybook drama of it all. It was probably a good thing that this was Lex.

Peering up at him, her smile turned softer. "So when you're not trying to catchthe notice of ladies, do you fancy yourself a rebel hero, such as from the stories? Stealing from the wicked to help the poor?"

        "I do what I can," Lex said, "I do spend my money at smaller shops and help those I know really need it, but I'm not some romance character." He said the words as he moved closer to Maya. "You are so beautiful when you smile." There was no transition in his speech, no segue to the compliment, he just put it out there. "I'm going to kiss you now, if you don't object."

He was going to kiss her?!

Maya's face heated, her eyes going wide, and the prim and proper part of her shouted that she should object, that this was hardly proper, and that he was for all intents and purposes still a criminal. This was crossing so many lines! She had already crossed more lines than she could count! This was the man who had robbed her! Who had stolen into her room! Who had tempted her into sneaking about and traipsing through the woods!

But the words didn't seem to want to come, any protests catching in her throat, and all that came out was a breathless, "Oh?" as she dared him to do exactly as he promised.

And dared herself to let him.

        Lex did not reply to Maya's 'oh' or hesitate to do as he'd said. He brushed a stray hair out of Maya's face and and leaned in slowly, keeping his eyes on hers. As he drew in, he slowly closed his eyes, and gently pressed his lips to hers. Lex was kind with his kiss, it was not too long or too short. He pressed his hand into the small of Maya's back to guide her into him. When Lex pulled away he smiled at her with real light in his eyes for the first time all day.
        "Would you like me to continue giving you kisses?"

It wasn't the first time Lex had kissed her. He had already kissed her twice--three times if a kiss on the brow counted. But this time was different; this time, it wasn't stolen from her, and she was a participant.

His lips met hers, warm and soft, and a little shiver shot down her spine as she felt his strong hand on her back, guiding her in. She happily yielded to him, her eyes closed, her palms resting against his chest, and as she tilted her head and gave his lip a gentle nibble, it might become clear to Lex that prim and proper and modest Maya was no stranger to kissing. There were many boundaries she hadn't crossed--her Essyrni mother had always stressed the importance and value of chastity--but that didn't mean she'd never had any fun.

With her clothes on still, thank you!

Especially when she was in Essyrn surrounded by so many muscle-bound half naked men.

When Lex pulled back, she sat back with a shaky breath that she had been holding and stared up at him, her cheeks flushed but eyes bright. Oh, this was so bad--

But that was also what made it fun.

"I won't object, if that's what you're asking," she breathlessly said.

She couldn't just say yes, after all! She didn't want him to think her loose.

        Lex did not respond with words, but drew Maya in closer. His lips were soft against hers again. Growing more firm with each successive kiss. Gentle nibbling and a touch of his tongue against Maya's lips. When their tongues grazed against each other, electricity ran through him and he pulled Maya in more firmly. Lex broke off kissing her mouth to run his lips down Maya's jaw, to her throat. He kissed along to the side of her neck, and then ran the tip of his tongue up the ridge of her ear. Lex pressed one last kiss into Maya's lips before he broke their embrace and stood from the rock.
        "Would you like to return to our blanket, where we can spend our time in a bit more comfort?"
       

Oh my.

He was a fantastic kisser.

A soft whimper escaped her lips and her hands curled against his chest as she pressed in closer. It had been a long time since she had last kissed like this, and that made it all the sweeter, made her crave it more. Even more thrilling, strangely, was who she was kissing. An outlaw. Gods, she could get in so much trouble for this, and they were outdoors where anyone might pass through.

...unlikely as that was, of course. But the mere illusion of risk was enough to get her heart fluttering and blood rushing in her ears.

And then his mouth dipped lower, and though she missed the taste of him, she was soon melting under his touch. She all out clung to him as he kissed her neck, let out a soft moan when he reached her throat, and squirmed and held him tighter when be teased at her ear. Gods, it seemed ridiculous now that she had been so terrified of him before. How things had changed...

"...what?" she breathed when he pulled away, her voice soft and expression slightly dazed. Oh, she hadn't wanted him to stop! She blinked, bringing a hand to her throat where she could still feel the heat and tingle of his lips, and could feel the flutter of her own wild pulse. She let out a slow breath, her dark skin flushed and warm. "Probably a wise idea. The rock was starting to dig in most uncomfortably."

She held a hand out to him as she rose, finding her legs a little unsteady.

        Lex lead Maya by the hand, with some speed. They really hadn't walked very far. Mostly they had meandered slowly and had arrived at the end of their short walk without purpose.  Now they had purpose, to feel each other's lips. Lex was careful not to pull his date off balance, having noticed her unsteady rise. When they arrived at the blanket, Lex sat with his legs crossed and pulled Maya in across his lap. He wasted no time in tucking his mouth in under her chin and kissing Maya tenderly.

"Oh!" A bright, hot blush stained Maya's cheeks when Lex pulled her into his lap, but she did not protest or squirm away. Instead, her arms looped boldly around his neck, fingertips grazing along his skin--and then she did squirm when his lips met her throat.

This was entirely improper. Why, she was practically behaving like a common harlot. But it was just kissing, and what lady wouldn't want to feel a dashing man's lips against her own? She only had so much time to be adventurous before she was married off to someone respectable, after all, and above all else Maya wanted to be wanted.

Tilting her head back to let him work his magic, she let out a breathy sigh. "You, sir, are a magnificent kisser." And she gave a little tug on his hair to pull his head back up so she could recapture that mouth with her own, the flick of her tongue against his lips showing she had some practice herself.

        A bit more kissing was all Lex could handle. His body wanted more from Maya, but his heart lay elsewhere, and he would not try to take from Maya something she wanted to save. With one last deep and passionate kiss he gently lifted her from his lap, and the erection that was digging against her thigh, and stood. He offered his hand to help Maya to her feet, and then went about packing up their evening picnic.
        "I think it's best I get you back before someone notices you're gone. Even my luck only goes so far."

Maya blinked up at Lex in confusion when he suddenly switched pace, just like that. One moment all she knew was his lips, the next and he was lifting her off of him, drawing things to a sudden and disappointing halt.

She stood there awkwardly as he packed up their things, fingers laced together, and licked her lips where she could still taste him. Watching him work, she frowned. That was true, she should get back home before it got too late, but he had ended things so...so...abruptly, enough that it made her head reel.

"Was I not good enough?" she asked bluntly. "Was that boring?"

Lex paused in his packing, turning to Maya with a consoling smile. "Oh sweet Maya. You are wonderful, the kissing is wonderful. It's just that," he hesitated, not wanting to let her in, "It's so good I want more, I don't want to stop. I want to pull off your lovely dress and get to the treasure beneath." Lex went back to his packing as he continued.
        "I know from our earlier conversations that you've never been with a man like that, and I don't want to take from you what you're not ready to give." Lex took a deep breath and pushed forward, "and I think I actually very much would like to get to know you, and woo you, but my life is complicated. I'm a noble bastard with quite a bit of Serenian blood living as an outlaw. Plus there's my realization that I want to know you, want to find out if I'll love you, and with the emotional tornado my life has been, that terrifies me."
        Lex finished his packing and looked over to Maya, his wall of smiles and charm falling away. The insecurity, fear, and turmoil, were written plain on his face for her to see. "I've known you a day and already I want to know if I'll love you? This isn't some trite play put on by a bunch of powdered actors pandering to nobles. This is real life. What real person ever wanted to fall in love in a day? This was just supposed to be a distraction, a bit of adventure!"

...Not the answer she expected.

Maya's cheeks flushed at his words, at his bold assertion that he wished to get beneath her skirts, heat spreading up to her ears and down her neck. It shouldn't have been so shocking to her--what man didn't? She was gorgeous! She just sort of assumed that of course men wanted her. And yet it was, perhaps, because she actually cared about his opinion that she found his words flattering and exciting in a fresh new way.

And then things got deeper. Unexpectedly.

Maya's eyes went wide.

He...wanted to know if he could love her?

Maya froze and just stared at him, the temperature in her veins rising, meeting his tortured look with one of shock as her heart did a flip. For a moment, she couldn't think, couldn't speak. What did one even say to that? What was she supposed to think or feel? Being the object of one's desire was one thing. Being the object of one's affection--even potentially--that was entirely new.

Luckily, Lex filled in the emptiness.

"It...it was both distracting and adventurous, I will say," she said slowly, still trying to register what just happened. And maybe it was just that her body was still burning after their closeness and kisses, but... "But you know, there can be more of them. More adventures and distractions. More days."

She cleared her throat and straightened her dress, tossing her hair. Oh, but she didn't want to seem too needy. Too desperate.  It wasn't becoming of a lady and besides, if he rejected the idea...well, it would be far less crushing and embarrassing if she didn't seem so keen on the idea. Like it was just a casual suggestion, no risk involved.

"At your discretion, of course. You did a fine job of blending with my servants."

But despite her outward coolness, her heart was beating fast, her mind focused on the word "love". And would she want him to love her? Did she want to find out?

        "Let's get you home."
        Lex smiled faintly as he took Maya's hand, lacing his fingers into her. He lead her back to the city, at not too brisk a pace. He enjoyed her company, and the feel of her hand in his. He recounted some of his more well known criminal escapades as they walked toward the Tent City that surrounded the Common Districts of Ketra. The truths were much less amazing than the exaggerated tales of angered nobles, or excited commoners. This area of the Tent City was active tonight, so their presence wasn't strange as they made their way through the temporary structures toward a common district. Caravans, Adelan nomad tribes, and various other travelers, came and went frequently from Ketra, changing the layout and inhabitants of the Tent City frequently. None of the people they passed were known to them, and it was unlikely that they'd see any of them again.
        Not long after entering the Tent City, Lex and Maya reached the first permanent structures of Ketra. The homes and small shops they passed were mostly dark, with the occasional tavern or inn lit and lively. Lex didn't lead Maya back to the gate they went through to leave the Blue Lily District earlier, instead he lead her to a long stretch of unguarded wall. There was a long forgotten false panel there that quietly slid aside when Lex pressed in the proper brick. Once inside, Lex stepped on a switch and the panel slid shut again, with barely a sound. Magic lanterns flickered to life almost at once, illuminating the short tunnel. On the other side, Lex once again stepped on a switch, and the lanterns snuffed out as another door slid open. Once through, Lex closed it behind them, and Maya found herself standing just three estates away from home.
        "I hope you don't mind the shortcut," Lex said to Maya, looking her in the eyes for the first time since they had begun the walk back. "I didn't want to risk the guarded entrance at night."

Maya did not recognize the route they took, and for a moment she wondered if Lex even knew where he was going. Only a moment, though; he knew this city far better than she did and as they wove through the tent city, she felt woefully lost. But she only ever went anywhere with an escort, and the farthest she ventured was the market.

She stuck close to Lex, practically glued to his side so she didn't get lost, and felt rather like some adventurer by the time they got through the secret tunnel (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Al-889M7_CQ).

"No, not at all. I didn't even know that existed," she said with a smile up at him. "Though I'm surprised! You weren't worried about the guards before, even when I screamed. Why now? Not that it's a complaint. I liked that route best, even if it was, sadly, quicker."

She let out a sigh. "Must I go back already?"

        Lex returned Maya's smile, leaned in and gave her a soft kiss. Then he took the lead, hand on the hilt of his sword, like he was her bodyguard and she was out for an evening stroll.
        "It's nearly tomorrow," Lex said. His head swiveled, searching for any threat. They were extremely unlikely to come across anything dangerous in the Blue Lily District. He really just wanted to keep up appearances. "It's not good to push my luck too far. If any of your servants noticed you were gone, or noticed that your gates locking mechanism has been melted, your estate will have told the city guard and they'll be looking for you."

"I suppose that's true," Maya said with a sad sigh. "They would come looking for me when I don't want to be found, but ignore me when I'm screaming my head off for help, wouldn't they?"

Her mouth twisted in disdain. "It's really not fair. We really ought to hire new guards. Speaking of which, I really was being serious. About you blending with the servants. If you're looking for any work..."

She trailed off, shooting him a coy look from the corner of her eye, one hand twisting a thick lock of her hair.

        "You know I don't need the money of course,"Lex said to Maya. He didn't see her coy looks, or any expression or body language she used. He was ahead of her, playing the bodyguard. He could hear it in her voice though, and knew she wanted an answer in the affirmative. "I will keep the uniform, and use it when I need to blend in. Would you like me to return tomorrow?"

"If you're not doing anything else, I suppose," Maya said, not wanting to sound too eager. "Do you have the time to spare?"

        "After today's winnings," Lex said, "I won't have to work for a good amount of time. I could live off of my take for several weeks. When will your parents return home?" He quickly glanced back over his shoulder to make sure Maya was keeping pace with him as he walked.

"Another week, at least," Maya said, and picked up her stride to catch up. "Why?"

        "It would be best if I avoided your parents for now, and it'll be harder for you to sneak away without guards if they're home." Lex explained. "I may have magical luck, but luck only goes so far."

"This is true," Maya said with a sigh. "Then I suppose this means you should take advantage of that 'magical luck' while you can, hm? Though...what about after?"

She frowned. "Do you plan to leave once they do return?"

        "The only plan I have is to get you home safely tonight, and to get a goodnight kiss before I leave," Lex said in matter of fact way, though the smile could surely be heard in his voice. "Beyond that, there is no plan. I'll see you tomorrow, and we'll see where it goes from there."

The mention of a "good night kiss" and the promise to see her tomorrow was enough to shave off some of the disappointment of receiving a less than concrete answer. It brought a smile to her own lips, and she reminded herself that even if their adventures turned out to be short-lived, they were still fun and exciting and the kisses were nice! Besides, it's not like it would come to anything, right? He had his Karis--even if he had said some very confusing things about love and her.

His heart was with Karis. That's what Maya told herself, reminded herself. If she just held that firmly in her mind, she could still have fun with him and not worry about getting too attached. Right?

It was just a bit of fun.

"Ah, living in the moment, I see," she said. "I suppose that's the best one can ask for. Very well! Just try not to scare the life out of me when you visit me tomorrow. The first time was enough!"

        The rest of the walk was silent, and uneventful. The gate had apparently gone unnoticed, which could be good or bad. Lex led Maya to her window, drew out two arrows that were attached by a silk cord, and shot them together. They struck right below the sill, and from them grew a rope ladder. He smiled at Maya as he gestured to the silk rope. There was a little sadness lining his usual mirth.
        Before she could make a move or say a word, Lex was in her space. The sorrow was deep in his eyes as he gazed into hers. Then he pulled Maya into an embrace and pressed his mouth into hers. He stroked her hair as he kissed her, and his other hand slowly slid down her back until it reached her skirts. With practiced dexterity, he managed to manipulate the fabric so that he could feel the round of her bottom, and he pressed her into himself with a little squeeze as his kiss grew in intensity. Then as quickly as it had begun, Lex broke off the locking of their lips, and took a step back. "If you asked, I think I'd actually stay the night with you. Which is a rare thing for me. But I don't think we're quite ready for that. Not after only a day."

Maya's heart beat a little faster when Lex suddenly pulled her in for a kiss, his lips warm against hers--and surprisingly soft, for someone who lived so rugged. She melted into it, pressing into him, amazed at her own boldness. Oh, she had been plenty bold before; she had gotten her share of kissing practice in Essyrn, and had even allowed them to get a little more handsy than was proper. But it had all been over her clothes, so it wasn't really crossing any lines; just toeing it, playing chicken with it.

So when his hand lifted her skirts enough to feel her bottom, she gasped, but she didn't jerk away. She was okay with toeing that line.

She was just surprised she was doing it with him. He wasn't even normally her type! But okay, light-skinned or not, he was handsome and strong.

And had charisma for days.

She licked her lips when he pulled back--and had the decency to blush at his brazen words.

Oh my. Really?

"It sounds like you're hoping for a different answer," she teased with a wry smile, reaching around to straighten her skirts. "But your instincts are correct, sir. I won't object to another kiss, though."

And she leaned in and kissed him again, giving his bottom lip a teasing nibble, before she broke it and met his eyes. "Tomorrow, then?"

        Lex was a little shocked by Maya's boldness as she stole another kiss from him. He was the thief, and accustomed to being the one doing all the stealing. He did steal another touch of her butt before she pulled away though. "Tomorrow then?" Maya's beautiful eyes gazed into his as she asked him, and Lex couldn't help but answer, "tomorrow."
        The thief made his way back out of town, to his hidden tree house, not far from the main road. There he slept on a fine down mattress, wrapped in fine blankets and furs, with the night creatures to sing his lullaby. The next morning he made his way back to Maya, who he was happy to discover still asleep. Posing as a new servant he was able to whisk her away at an opportune time and take her out for a lovely breakfast.
        And so it went, Lex and Maya spending their free time together, going on what amounted to several dates and outings. Sharing kisses, and some light petting, was one of the highlights, but Lex found himself just enjoying Maya's time. She may be shallow, and spoiled, but she wasn't stupid, and her flavor of humor and wit was growing on him more and more. She was a little silly in her ignorance and naivety, but that had its own charm, and she didn't doubt him when he told her the truth of how the world was. It was on one of their evening walks that Maya mentioned the upcoming Winter Solstice celebrations.
        "I'm well aware of them of course," Lex said as he lazily stroked the back of Maya's wrist. "It's one of my best nights to make coin, and since I've been spending so much time with you, I really do need to refill my purse."
       

"Oh...well. That wasn't quite what I had in mind," Maya said with a slight wrinkle of her nose.  "I was more thinking that we could attend together. You as my 'servant', of course, to preserve appearances, but there's ample opportunity for us to, you know...have some time to ourselves. There will be thick crowds; I doubt anyone would pay us much mind, so..."

She looked up at him through her eyelashes. "Does that sound like something we can do? I know you may be low on coin, but I still have my winnings, so I don't want to hear any excuses. This only happens once a year, after all."

But stern as her words were, she was smiling hopefully, hoping he would say yes. These last few weeks had been fun--wonderful, really--and though she had told herself not to expect much, because his heart was with another...

No, no. She certainly wasn't getting attached. This was just a bit of fun, that was all! And she certainly didn't go to bed with a pounding heart or have trouble sleeping because she was thinking of the day. It was just a diversion. That was all. He was hardly her type!

Really.

        Lex couldn't help but smile just a touch. He was growing rather fond of Maya. Not enough to forget about Karis, but certainly enough that she wasn't on his mind nearly as often as she had been. Absence only increased fondness for so long. Eventually that void would be filled by someone new. Though Lex didn't think about it, and would have denied it outright, he was definitely becoming attached.
        "If my Lady so desires, I will be there by her side." Lex was unsure he could refuse Maya at all. The way she looked up at him with hopeful eyes. A barely suppressed smile. Ample bosom pushed up. She was adorable and alluring all at once. How dare she set such a magnificent trap. He stopped in his stride, pulling her to a stop. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her passionately squeezing her bottom lightly.
        "I'll look forward to it," Lex said as he broke their kiss. "I'll be sure to plan on stealing you away to any dark corners I can find."

Maya shivered with delight as he pulled her into his arms, melting into his kiss as she matched his passion. He was fun to kiss; tall as he was, she had to rise on her toes to meet him, and she rather loved that. He made her feel tiny and dainty--not that that was difficult to do, with her own diminutive height.

She pressed into him when he squeezed her bottom, making a soft sound of pleasure, and felt the kiss ended too soon. But it always felt like that, lately. Like the more she tasted, the more she wanted--though she was loath to admit it, especially not to him.

"Such a scandalous thing to say," Maya teased, and nuzzled her nose against his. "A lady of my upbringing would never do such a classless thing."

        Lex laughed, pulling Maya atop him as he dropped to the grass. The clothes always stayed on, but Maya no longer shied away if she felt his arousal when they were embracing. She had begun to dress a bit more practical for when they went into the wilderness, and this evening, as she fell atop him, he was not buried in layers of fabric.
        Maya's bosom pressed against him in a delightful way, but he was more interested in her beautiful eyes, and her delicious lips. His mouth was on hers in a second. He nibbles and sucked as he kissed her. "Yes that is definitely something you won't ever do."

Maya squealed when Lex pulled her down with him, landing sprawled atop him with her face close to his, her breasts practically spilling from her bodice. She had definitely begun to dress more simply, but that didn't mean more modestly. If anything, she had started to show more skin, her necklines dipping ever lower and showing more shoulder.

"Never, ever." she murmured between kisses, looping her arms around his neck to press in closer. "And definitely no running off with strange men. Such impropriety! Oh, how people would talk."

        Lex ran his hands over Maya, touching her everywhere she would let him. He had coaxed her into expanding her boundaries a bit, but his hands remained over her clothes always, and never touched her “down there.” Bosom and buttocks was okay, as long as it wasn’t too much, and though there had been some light grinding, his hands were not allowed between her legs.
        Maya’s lips kept Lex sated and he thought of Karis less and less. He tried not to think about not thinking about Karis. That always turned his mood sour, but that wasn’t a problem today. Maya’s green eyes entrances him, and he enjoyed losing himself in them. Her ebony locks curtained around his face as she lay atop him. The way she smiled and giggled with such innocent joy melted away the walls of ice he hid his heart behind. And when she came in to kiss him, taking what she desired from him, his heart stopped.
        With each kiss Lex lost a little more ground in the fight of not feeling. Maya had been a mark, then a bit of fun, soon after that a curiosity, and now finally his doom. As he corrupted her sensibilities she was taming him. Eventually they would likely meet somewhere in the middle, at least until their world views, or her expensive lifestyle tore them apart. It might even be the return of her parents that would end this affair, but that didn’t matter. Lex could feel the pull and see the doomed path, but he didn’t care. He was enjoying falling in love, and his soon to be broken heart wasn’t enough to stop him, wasn’t enough to keep him from hoping it could be different this time. For now Lex would enjoy the way Maya occasionally swiveled her hips to grind against his arousal, and the feel of her bottom in his hands, and her hot laughter against his skin. Most of all he would enjoy the way she gazed at him longingly after she kissed him. The winter solstice would be a beautiful night for together, and Lex honestly couldn’t wait.

Maya spent the time leading up to the Solstice either preparing for the Solstice, or spending it with Lex.

It was all so dangerous; this was the longest she'd ever fixated on any one man; usually she grew bored or the trip simply came to an end. But Lex kept her interested, and there was no end to this "trip". She knew in the back of her mind that she was attached, that her feelings had grown beyond mere fondness, but she didn't care to stop it, or care to think about the future or how dangerous this was, emotionally and otherwise. She was enjoying living in the moment and throwing caution to the wind, as she often did, and what would happen would happen.

When the night finally arrived, Maya was prepared. She better have been, for she had spent the day getting ready. She wore light makeup, for she'd learned Lex preferred that--just a bit of pigment to her lips, a bit of kohl to bring out her eyes--and she wore her long hair down and loose to invite his fingers running through them. She kept her shoes practical, but her dress...

It wasn't entirely practical for a cool night. She opted to fuse Essyrni fashion with Adelan, choosing a lush red top that bared her midriff and exposed her ample cleavage, embroidered elaborately with gold thread, with a red skirt of the same material. She covered her shoulders with an Adelan-made shawl, something that would keep off the chill--and that was large enough unfolded to cover both she and Lex.

If needed, of course.

She adorned herself in gold and silver bracelets and anklets, and dangling jade earrings to compliment her eyes. Checking herself over in her mirror, and hoping to catch a glimpse of Lex in it, she added one final touch--a gold hairpiece fashioned to look like intertwining branches and styled to be worn just off center. She fluffed her hair, giving it a stylishly tousled look, and then turned to wait for Lex.

It had been a long time since she'd gone out into town for the festival, but as she headed for her balcony to look out on the town, she could see the faerie lights glowing colorfully in the trees. Ketra always went all out.

        It wasn't difficult for Lex to sneak past the servants. Sneaking was a big part of his life, plus he had luck on his side. When he reached Maya's door, from inside her house, he entered without a sound. This was the first time he'd ever used the door, so Maya would not expect it. He approached her from behind, and before he was within arms reach he spoke.
        "If you look that good from behind, I'm excited to see the front." Maya's surprise was clear as she jumped out of her skin with a gasp. She turned, the annoyance that he had startled her melting from her face almost instantly into joy. "You're even more gorgeous than usual," Lex told her. She really was simple in the right ways and so sexy. He himself was dressed like a Serenian nobleman in the styles of Adela.
        Perfectly coiffed hair and a clean shaven face made him look young but distinguished. His dark brown coat over a matching vest and dark green shirtsleeves were embroidered to look like dragon scales. More embroidery in fine gold thread styled as flames, was stitched along the hem and sleeves of his coat, and his dark green pants were neatly tucked into shiny black boots. A gold and ruby brooch of a dragon decorated Lex's lapel, wings spread and breathing fire. The new scabbard he carried his luck in hung at his hip from a black leather sword belt. Both were decorated with gold. Both hands were decorated in gold and ruby rings, though his sword hands rings were much smaller.
        Lex stepped to Maya, took her hand, and twirled her. He took in every inch of the beautiful woman as she spun. "Truly, you are stunning. I was hoping you'd bare some skin for me tonight, and it seems my dreams have been exceeded. You might find it a bit cold though, so I've brought you a gift." He reached into his coat and pulled out a thin gold chain. He gently removed Maya's shawl, and turned her away. She lifted her hair without instruction and Lex put the chain around her neck. The chains length was just so that the jewel it carried hung just above her cleavage. A stunning opal, black with some sparkling white along its outside and a swirling of reds and oranges at its core. The gem was magical, and Maya could immediately feel warmth spread through her entire body. He'd been holding onto the opal for quite some time, and it had cost Lex the last of his money to have the stone set.
        "I hope it lives up to your standards."

The opal was gorgeous--and it more than made up for the theft of her ring, which she had since forgiven even if she did like to tease him about it now and then. While back then it had been a frightening and enraging experience, she could now look back with amused fondness. Who would have thought that they would become this, when back then she had as good as ordered his execution?

How awkward.

Smiling, she touched the opal gently as its warmth coursed through her, chasing away even the tiny chill from her room. But though the necklace was striking, what most drew her attention was Lex himself, and she found herself staring.

He was...achingly handsome. Oh, he'd been ruggedly handsome before this, but he cleaned up nice. He looked like a nobleman, moved like a nobleman. Where had he even gotten such fine attire? It was probably best not to ask--and hopefully, if he'd acquired the garb in a questionable manner, it wouldn't spring up and bite them this evening.

"It certainly does. But more importantly, so do you," Maya said, and made an obvious show of looking him over head to toe. "You...look like a prince."

She reached up, caressing her fingers along his smooth jaw and down his neck. "You could fool the King himself."

        Lex snatched Maya up into his arms. He leaned in and pressed his mouth into her throat. He didn't want to mess up the tint she'd placed on her lips. That was likely to get him in trouble, even if she liked it. Down her neck into the top of her cleavage Lex kissed, sliding a hand up her back while the other squeezed her bottom. Right at the edge of when she'd stop him, Lex pulled his mouth away from Maya and released her with another little twirl.
        Lex stepped back, gave a proper gentlemanly bow and extended his hand to take Maya in escort. "If the lady pleases, I will walk at your side this night." The nobles would rarely venture into the festival, instead having parties and balls that the commoners were not welcome at. So they would be safe to wander the stalls and games and dancing that happened through the streets. Or at least that's what they hoped. Lex would once again show Maya how much more fun you could have if you weren't so concerned with being proper.

Maya was breathless as Lex twirled her, flushed and bright-eyed as he went from scandalous to gentlemanly in a blink. Oh, she did appreciate being man-handled by him, and it was growing more and more difficult to keep her boundaries enforced. She had caved on several of them already, let him push the line back a bit farther, let his lips travel a bit lower--but she had to stay strong! Respectable! Had to think of her future husband!

All things she didn't truly care about when she was with Lex. It was growing difficult to care about faceless hypotheticals when she had Lex in the flesh, in her arms.

"That does please me," Maya said when she could speak, taking his hand in hers. "In fact, I demand it."

She flashed him a smirk and a wink to show she was teasing, something that was also coming more naturally to her of late. She pulled him in closer and flicked a look to the door. "Are we using the window or the door tonight? I'll admit I'm unaccustomed to the door, so this was surprising. But I wouldn't want you to dirty your attire."

        Lex led Maya to the door. "Luck is with me," was all he said as they stepped through the portal into the corridor beyond. As they walked through the manor, the houses servants were always just passing. Down a side path they could be seen walking or around a corner was the sound of retreating footsteps. With luck, they didn't run into a single person all the way to the front gate. Just outside was a small carriage. Just nice enough to be allowed in the noble quarter, it was driven by a very Adelan man. His tribal roots clear through his Serenian garb. He wordlessly opened the carriage door for Lex and Maya, and after they were in he drove the carriage toward the festival.
        Lex spared no time pulling Maya into his lap. With the curtains drawn, they had complete privacy as she straddled him. He kissed her face, and her neck and pressed his fingers into her back and squeezed her bottom. She looked so divine, he was filled with more desire to tear her clothes from her body than ever previously. He still avoided Maya's lips, letting her be the one that smudged the ink.
        "Do we have to go," he asked between kisses. "We could find a dark place to spend the night kissing. I so love the taste of your lips on mine."

"Yes, we have to go," Maya said, and captured his face between her hands as she pressed her lips to his, nibbling and sucking and ruining her makeup. It would be gone by the time they reached the festival, but Maya didn't truly care. It was for him, so he could ruin it. Besides, she had brought some with her, tucked inside a pouch she wore under her skirt. She could reapply it later so he could muss it up anew.

"This only happens once a year," she continued, letting out a little gasp as she arched under his hands, and ground against him in the process. Her hands glided to his shoulders for support and she kissed him again, hard, and dared to move her hips against him just a little harder, just a little more urgently. They were both clothed, so that was fine, right? Him in breeches, she in her skirts and underpants. A little was okay. If she had to be good, she could be a little bad in a safe way. She kissed his neck, nibbled at his earlobe.

"But that doesn't mean we can't still steal away when we've seen all we want to see." Another kiss, fingers curling into his shoulders. "I want to dance with you tonight."

        Lex let out the smallest sound at Maya's grinding. His arousal hard against her, it was a delight to feel her. The dress pants he wore were thinner than the ones he normally wore, the material letting him feel the lips of her sex against his member. His desire to tear off her clothes grew, but he controlled his passion. His hips moved only slightly as Maya controlled the pace of her grinding. Lex explored Maya's mouth with his tongue, as his hands wandered, touching skin in places it was usually covered. A hand slid up her thigh, squeezing gently as it did. The other rubbed her bottom, squeezing it softly through her skirts, feeling the line of her unusually small underclothes.
        Normally she wore those things that went half way down her thigh, but not tonight. He could feel that they didn't even entirely cover her bottom. Perhaps they were Essyrni styled as much of the rest of her outfit. Wherever they were from he liked them, they covered less skin. That gave him a better chance at feeling warm soft flesh in places he normally wasn't able to.
        Lex reached under Maya's skirt in his most daring move yet, moving the fabric of those skirts away completely so only her underwear were between her sex and his breeches. Maya even let him touch the bare part of her bottom, and bury his face in her bosoms. He was feeling quite lucky at how far she was letting him push the boundaries when he remembered his sword. Still belted at his side it was still blessing him with unbreakable luck.
        All at once Lex stopped. No longer did his hips swivel. His hands came out from under Maya's skirts.  He kissed her a few more times, with less passion as he slid her off his lap to sit beside him. He didn't know if the sword worked like that, if it would help him get lucky with Maya, but he didn't want to risk it. At her confusion he simply unhooked his belt and set it aside. Then he pulled her back on his lap, but not into a straddle. He could feel the moisture from her sex, and his, soaking through his pants. Better not to have to deal with wet breeches. His kisses continued, his hands wandered less, but they still caressed across her exposed flesh.
        "I love the taste of your mouth," Lex said between kisses. With a wink and a smile he told Maya, "there are other places I'd love to taste if you'd only let me."

Things were escalating quickly, growing hotter, and she knew she'd relaxed some boundaries drastically as his hands wandered beneath her skirts and touched places usually forbidden, but she didn't care to stop him. She would halt him if he went further than she was ready to go, but for now she enjoyed it, let herself grind against his erection and shudder at the delicious friction. She was growing wet, could feel it soaking her undergarments (and his breeches), but that was what layered skirts were for, she supposed. Tonight was a special night, so why not indulge a little? And her excitement only grew at the fact that they were enjoying each other in a carriage--how scandalously clandestine could they get?

It was just starting to get good--a little too good--her lips swollen from kisses and from biting down on them to keep from moaning when, abruptly, he stopped. His hips stilled, his hands retreated, and Maya looked up at him in confusion and alarm as he slid her off of him.

What? Had she done something? Gone too far? Or maybe it was...the other girl. The woman he'd told her about, the one he loved. Concern bloomed within her, and an unexpected spark of jealousy, but before the emotion could truly take root, Lex removed his belt and pulled her back into his lap.

...Oh.

Was that just uncomfortable?

...Hah. Of course. Of course it wasn't the other girl. She wasn't being paranoid or anything. Wasn't like she cared about that. Ahem.

Now sitting sideways across his lap, she could no longer grind against him, but that was probably for the better. The break (and the worry) had cooled her blood and her passion, and she looped her arms around his neck to hold him and kiss him with more tenderness than heat. Though that heat soon returned in a blush at his next words.

"Other places?" she repeated with a raised eyebrow. Oh, she knew exactly what he meant. A man in Essyrn that she'd traded kisses with had whispered the suggestion into her ear, but she had most certainly not been interested in more than just kissing at the time. She just knew a lady probably wasn't supposed to know, though, and it was fun playing coy.

        Lex could tell Maya was playing coy, and he knew she was extremely turned on. The sword was no longer influencing his luck, so Lex pushed the boundary again. He lifted Maya from his lap again and dropped to the floor in front of her. “There are so many places I want to kiss,” he told her. Maya’s skirts were still ruffled and bunched above her knees so lifting her leg and kissing her bare ankle was a simple task. Lex kisses and nibbles his way up the side of her calf. He spread her legs, pushing her skirts up further to kiss the inside of her thigh. He bit her there, a little harder than usual, in a slow sensual way. Then Lex pulled Maya forward so that her ass was barely on the bench, ducked under her skirts, and put his mouth against her sex.
        Maya’s undergarments were soaked with her arousal and Lex could taste her through their thin fabric. He put his fingertips at each of her ankles and traced them up her legs as he tongued her clit through her wet panties. When his hands were up under her skirts he slid his fingers under the underwear and pulled them free of her hips. He had to pull away as he slid them past her knees, and then lifted one of her slippered feet out of them. The drenched panties were left to dangle around one ankle as Lex went back under Maya’s skirts to feast upon her. He lapped up her pooling juices, and sucked the excess moisture from her dripping pussy before moving up to her clit. While he had only ever had sex with Karis, kissing a woman’s sex was something Lex was a bit more experienced with.
        Lex deftly used one of his hands to hold up Maya’s hood as he pressed his mouth against her pleasure button. He gently sucked it, rubbing it with his tongue. His other hand was rubbing the opening of her slit, dipping the tip of his thumb in on occasion. Lex licked and sucked, reading Maya’s body and breathing, maintaining the movements that elicited the most response from her. He knew they didn’t have long, so he he pulled out all the stops in pushing Maya toward orgasm.

Was she really going to allow this? Maya thought about it as Lex knelt between her legs and kissed her ankle, considered it as he pushed her skirts up and traveled up her calf, her thigh. Her breathing hitched, lips pressed together to hold in a small noise when he bit her inner thigh, and her hands raked through his hair, mussing his style. She could stop him whenever she wanted. She knew he would respect that. But his teeth against her skin, his breath a hot tickle, his lips caressing and teasing...

They all made a very strong argument.

He pulled her forward and ducked beneath her skirts, and the instant his mouth was on her, she knew she didn't want to say no.

"Lex," she breathed, voice low, hushed, face hot, because though they were in privacy she feared the driver might be able to hear. With her skirts in the way, she could no longer grab at his hair, so instead she bunched her hands up in her skirts and leaned back in the seat, gasping as he teased her through her undergarments, which were now utterly ruined. Her hips jerked, her eyes fluttering, and it seemed impossible that it could get better--until she felt him slide her undergarments down, off her hips, off one leg...

"Oh!" she gasped, hips bucking, when he touched her with no barriers between them. It was good, shockingly so. She had explored her body on her own, and she knew how to satisfy herself, but this? It was different, better, like he knew her body better than even she did, knew exactly how to touch it to make her writhe. The excitement of knowing it was him touching her probably played a part, but a tongue and mouth also felt vastly different from fingers, and sucking was far more intense than rubbing. And when his fingers joined with the process, dipping teasingly as his mouth worked its magic...

She gasped, grabbed at his head through her skirts, her body trembling and tensing and breath alternating between frantic pants and not breathing at all. Oh no. Oh no. It was good. Too good. Dangerously so, the pleasure building sharply and threatening to crash over her. She squirmed, tried to speak, but all that came out were little moans. "L-Lex...Lex, wait...!" Oh gods, she was going to come. Oh no...

"Lex, Lex, gods, wait, I'm--" She cut off, biting back a moan, and sucked in a trembling breath. "Oh gods, wait, I-I'm--I'm gonna scream," she gasped, and lifted her skirts to bury her face against them, muffling her voice as her body seized, her legs tight against his head and body shuddering with pleasure.

        As Maya climaxed, Lex continued administering pressure on her clit with his thumb as his mouth slid down to drink in her come. As the trembling began to abate Lex pulled his head out from under Maya's skirts to look at her. Panting and a bit ruffled, she glowed with the pleasure he'd given her. He kept his hand on her pussy, gently rubbing it, keeping her in a state of lesser excitement. He pulled a kerchief from his coat wiping any excess that had gotten on his face instead of in his mouth. While Maya was in her current state of pleasure he moved to kiss her, still keeping a thumb gently rubbing at her clit, his hand becoming more and more slick with her come.
        As his lips pressed gently against Maya's, Lex eased a heavily lubricated finger inside of her. It slid right to that magical spot inside of her that felt best. Lex could feel the texture of it, and he rubbed it vigorously, while his thumb worked her clit. Their mouths locked together kept her moans and whimpers from escaping as Lex quickly worked Maya to another orgasm. In the throw of the passionate moment, Maya's dress had slipped out of place, and one of her breasts had spilled out. Lex took the opportunity to cup it in his hand and gently kneed it as he brought his mouth to suck and nibble at the nipple.
        After her orgasm eased passed, Lex brought his hand out from under Maya's skirts and proceeded to lick it clean. Then he used the kerchief to wipe it and his face dry. He straightened his hair as Maya sat panting, and once he was done he helped Maya straighten her dress.
        "I'm so glad you let me taste all your best places," Lex said, leaning in to kiss Maya on the mouth again. "Especially on those lovely lips." Lex double checked the condition of his coat and vest and then tucked the refolded kerchief away. "What do want to do about your underclothes," he asked as he picked up his sword and began buckling it back on. "We'll be there soon and they are quite soaked through." Lex said the last bit with a thoroughly smug smile on his face, and a little eyebrow waggle at Maya.

...Oh dear. As Lex resurfaced, face glistening, Maya's cheeks flushed hot as she realized, erm, why his face was wet. Edging toward mortification, she opened her mouth to apologize, but he didn't seem to mind. He simply wiped his face with a kerchief and continued to gently rub her, chasing away the flash of insecurity and replacing it with pleasure. This pleasure was a slower building one--but not for long.

He kissed her, and she could taste herself on him, but rather than be disgusted as she might have expected outside the situation, she moaned against him and deepened the kiss--and then tensed with a gasp and a quick jerk of her hips when she felt his finger slide inside her. She had experimented a little; she'd touched herself and knew what felt good, but when she'd slipped a finger inside, it hadn't felt like much at all except vaguely uncomfortable. But Lex? Her blush darkened, her breath caught, and her soft moans turned to a sharper whimper as he did--that, stroking something inside her that created a new, deeper kind of pleasure only heightened by the rub of his thumb. She had no idea it could feel like that. She threw her arms around his neck, clinging, beside herself with new sensations and grateful for Lex's muffling lips as the pleasure sharpened and intensified, her hips rocking against his hand, her legs trembling and tensing. It was too much.

She didn't think it was possible for it to get better, but it did, and it wasn't long at all before she cried out against his mouth as her body shuddered and sex spasmed. He broke the kiss and went to her breast, and she slapped a hand over her mouth to hold in her moans as she rode the tail end of her release--and as his tongue and mouth explored, her body hypersensitive now.

Finally, she calmed, the trembles easing. She was still panting, her pulse was still racing, and she wasn't sure how she was going to walk after all that. She certainly didn't have it in herself to care that her breast was exposed and her dress was a rumpled mess, but Lex helped get her presentable again. Thank gods for that. She slumped back in her seat, hands raking through her hair, mind reeling as she thought about what they had just done (and the fact that she had no regrets about any of it), and only snapped out of it when Lex spoke.

What?

Oh.

Her eyes widened, and she leaned forward to glance down at the floor, and the undergarments still wrapped around one ankle. Oh...dear. Flashing a look back up at Lex, face flushing, she shook her head. "Well, we can't leave them here!" she whispered, as though now she was worried about their driver hearing. "And I can't really wear them, either! I didn't exactly plan this through and bring extra!"

        Lex smirked at Maya, clearly smug. He bent down from the seat opposite her and lifted her leg out of the underwear. He held the fabric up for her to see how thoroughly wet she had made them and his smile grew at her embarrassment. Then Lex pulled out his kerchief again and folded the undergarment into it. He slipped it back into his pocket at sat down next to Maya. He gave her one last passionate kiss before reaching up to pull back the curtains of the carriage and let in the early evening air.
        "You know," Lex said to Maya, squeezing her thigh through her dress, "I now have easier access if you want me to put my mouth and hands there again later."

Maya's blush was bright as Lex showed off her underwear, and she cleared her throat awkwardly. He looked so smug. And she supposed he had a right to, after that, but he also wasn't the one doomed to have to wear soggy underwear! Because that was the only option she saw at the moment and--

Oh. Thank gods he was a gentleman.

She sighed into the kiss, relief flooding through her that was soon followed by a thrill at Lex's words. Easy access, hm?

She arched an eyebrow, lips quirked. "We shall just have to see how the evening transpires, won't we?" she said, in a tone that suggested it was totally happening again, and it was only the open curtain that stopped her from kissing him. Instead, she laid her hand over his where it gripped her thigh and tilted her head. "Perhaps you can show me...other things, as well?" she added, and looked away, her face starting to burn.

Her words came out lower, softer. "Like what a lady might do for a man?"

        The carriage had already been working through some of the streets where festivities had spilled from the main events. The laughter and general carousing grew louder as Lex and Maya drew closer to the festival proper. When the streets began to reach the point where it wouldn't be possible for the carriage to turn around, the driver stopped and stepped down. He put out a step for Lex and Maya to use, and opened the door to the carriage. Lex stepped down first and turned to lend his hand to Maya. After straightening up, it wasn't apparent that Maya had just climaxed twice on the ride over. Luckily, Lex has also thought to open the curtains, so the smell of her wet sex had escaped with the breeze.
        Lex tipped the driver and extended his arm for Maya. "I am but an escort for you this evening, Lady, not your lead. I will follow anywhere you like, you must only show me the way to your hearts desires."

Maya reached up to fix her hair, combing her fingers through it to tame any wild strands. Though she had been going for a tousled look in the first place, she wasn't going for all out "roll in the hay". She needed to look somewhat respectable, even if she had purposely worn clothes that were easy to navigate.

She took Lex's arm when she was satisfied and flashed him a smile. "Oh, I planned on it, m'lord," she said. "I think our first stop is the dragons."

Tightening her grip on his arm, she tugged him along through the crowds, a goal clear in her steps. Most people parted quickly when they saw them approach, spotting their noble attire; the last thing they wanted was to offend the rich and powerful. Maya quickened her pace each time she saw an opening, and though she was trying hard to contain it, it was clear she was excited.

The last time she had joined in the common celebrations was...spirits. Years ago. She had been a child on her father's shoulders, at the age where he was claiming she was getting too big for that but was still willing to oblige. But she still remembered this part, and hoped they weren't too late.

In the town square, a massive bonfire had been set up, though it was not yet lit (luck was with them, apparently!), and a thick crowd had gathered around it. And in the center of that crowd, standing around all that kindling, were the hulking shapes of dragons, one at each cardinal point.

Their riders were with them, some sitting astride them in their saddles and harnesses, some standing beside them. They each held a small drum, beating it to a slow, steady rhythm. Above the square, more dragons circled, casting winged shadows on the ground below as they flicked in and out of the light.

Maya pulled Lex into the crowd and squeezed between revelers, eager to get closer. "It's better when you're close," she called over the crowd to Lex, and huffed. "And I can actually see that way. Why does everyone have to be so tall?"

Short girl problems.

        Maya led Lex through the crowds with more ease than was normal. Commoners often avoided troubling nobility, but on a festival night that was quite a bit rarer. Through the crowds the sword led them, Lex enjoying every minute, but also realizing that he was missing out on so much loot. While nobles were rare in the streets, there were still well to do merchants and traders worth his attention. It was unfortunate he wouldn't have time to pick all their pockets, but that didn't mean he couldn't get some loot.
        Every time they passed someone with expendable wealth, Lex hoped for good fortune. A few times a coin flipped into his path and he snatched it from the air without hesitation. One was even a Golden Sun. He even had the extremely good fortune to feel something fall into his pocket. Drawing it out he discovered a beautiful braided ring of mithril, adamantine, gold, obdurite, and platinum. The five braided metals signified magic, and the five gemstones, a ruby, amethyst, sapphire, emerald, and topaz set into it, likely confirmed it. A piece to examine later.
        Maya was now pulling Lex through the tight mass of bodies crowding toward the dragons. They passed two young noble men, who both lost their coin purses without noticing. Then Lex bumped into a young Adelan tribal. An inexperienced pickpocket, the boy dropped a purse he had just snipped. The man was close by, and was realizing his purse was gone. Lex bounced the pouch up into his hand off his toe and slid it into his vest. As he did so he pulled out one of the others he'd stolen and handed it to the boy. It may have been a bit heavier, but it was distinctly not the purse belonging to the man, and so the Adelan boy couldn't be accused.
        "Be a bit more careful boy," Lex whispered as Maya tugged him along. "Practice makes perfect." He flashed the adolescent a smile as he snipped another coin purse with such ease, the kid giggled with delight before melting into the crowd.

Maya was oblivious to Lex's illegal activities, and oblivious to how he'd just saved a boy. She was single-minded in her goal, and the crowd jostling around her stole all her attention. For a moment, she was stuck, the way ahead blocked by the men and women packed tight together, but then one man in front of her turned to leave, too claustrophobic to handle it, and the way opened up.

She pressed forward, drawing Lex behind her, and beamed back at him when they found themselves in the front.

"Made it," she said. "Be sure to use your elbows if anyone tries to cut; they can be awfully pushy. I really ought to have brought my parasol. No one wants to get whacked by a parasol."

But it would have been cumbersome, and this way she could lean back into Lex and draw his arms around her waist, hands holding his. It was just a bunch of commoners all around them, and everyone was watching the dragons. Who was going to notice or care?

And then the drumming began to increase its tempo, and Maya's hands tightened on Lex's. "It's starting," she said, but her voice was drowned out by the sudden roars and screeches of the dragons, on land and in air, as the drumming reached its climax.

Tongues of flame filled the air, different colors, different temperatures, orange and red and blue and white. It poured onto the kindling and shot into the sky as it caught and crackled and sparked, and above the square the airborne dragons joined in, breathing fire skyward.

To mark the darkest, longest night of the year, they would keep the fire burning bright through the winter. The dragons were only part of the initial ceremony; it would be up to the healers and priests of Sanctuary to keep the fire lit, though townsfolk were encouraged to bring their own offerings and kindling to burn. As the dragons stopped, and the flames went from wild to controlled (with a little magical help from the dragons), some townspeople stepped forward.

Many people had already come with offerings and they tossed them into the fire and bowed with respect. Others curiously approached the dragons, who were often so unknowable, so untouchable outside public ceremonies like this. But as the ceremony had officially concluded, both rider and dragon had relaxed, and some of the riders even beckoned children over to come pet the beasts.

Lex fondly remembered coming to the festival as a child. His father always went to one of the large parties held by nobles, and this gave the servants of the house their freedom for the night. Karis's father let her come and run around and play. He was a kind and loving man, and he let Karis be a child. If not for bad business deals and the debts his wife created, Lex doubted he would have sold his daughter into the marriage she was stuck in.
        When they came to this festival, this was Lex's favorite part. The powerful dragons and their riders were a boyhood fantasy. He often played at being a rider. Karis would point out that only people with special powers could be riders, but Lex didn't care, he was going to be one someday.
        Karis would pull Lex along to all the booths and games, winning with such ease. As a man he recognized how easily the games were rigged and that she only won because she was the child of a prominent nobleman. That didn't take away the sting of never winning. Perhaps it made that sting worse, since he was the bastard son of a noble and his servant. That was perhaps why the riders were his favorite part. You didn't have to be noble to be a rider, and being a rider made you better than noble, truly elite. He had been among the commoners that gave offerings to the flames, and he'd continued to do so every year.
        When the ceremony was complete Lex pulled Maya along as he approached the blistering heat. Seeing nobles approach the flames, most of the commoners stepped aside. He released Maya's hand as he stepped closer to the flames than anyone else dared. Normally he came at the end of the night to perform his ritual, but he was here now so he might as well do it now.
        Lex dropped to one knee bowing his head. He said a prayer to the spirits of Adela, a murmur only he could hear. He reached into his boot a pulled out a knife, then drawing up his sleeve, he cut a small line into his forearm across a scar that had been the same spot he always cut. Taking a clean cloth from inside his coat, Lex tore it in two. One half he dabbed at the wound, the other he used to bandage it. The cloth with his blood Lex gave to the fire, his offering to spirits. Bold or desperate, it was the same offering he'd been giving since boyhood. The first time it had been a kerchief with blood from a skinned knee. Afterward he had come up with this new way.
        Sleeve back down, blade in his boot, Lex stood and returned to Maya. He got a few odd looks but not many. His was not the strangest display that would be seen by far, it was probably slightly more strange being that he was dressed so finely. That was okay by him. He looked nothing like his wanted posters, and he was with a woman that he perhaps loved. The night would be perfect.
        "Have you ever pet a dragon," Lex asked as he offered his arm to his date. "I think tonight is a good opportunity for that."

Lex's offering also drew a look from Maya, though hers was more concerned. He had just...cut himself. A blood offering to the spirits? Such things weren't unheard of, but she found she didn't like the idea of Lex hurting himself.

And to offer blood, a piece of yourself...that was a powerful prayer. What was it he wanted? Maya herself had no offering to give; she had forgotten about this part of the festival, had spent too much time socializing at fancy dances during this time. But besides that, she...pretty much had everything. What more did she have to ask for?

She snapped from her thoughts when Lex approached, wanting to ask him about that, but also knowing it was rude; spirituality was such a private matter. So she bit her tongue and took his arm, and soon he asked a question that made her forget, anyway.

"Pet a dragon?" she echoed, and snapped a look to the huge creatures. "Ah. No. Unless kaadir count? But nothing so big as those. Have you?" Her eyes were wide, a little fear in them. A kaadir was one thing, and those were scary enough! But a dragon?

One of the four dragons standing by the fire was a huge brute of a beast, with blood-red scales punctuated with swirling veins of green and black. He was built like a rock, with wicked, bony spines down his back and two sets of long, straight horns growing from his head. All muscle and spike and bone, his long tail even ended in a spiky club. To put it plainly, the dragon looked rather terrifying, and most people were avoiding him and approaching the much gentler, sleeker looking dragon off to the right, whose white scales shone iridescent in the firelight.

Attending the spiky male was a young woman (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=19329.0) dressed in ceremonial armor, her helmet off to reveal short red hair and a pretty face that was clearly Adelan. She looked bored, watching the festival-goers flock to the other dragons as she leaned against her dragon's thick, trunk-like leg.

But she perked a little when she saw Lex and Maya as the two drew closer to the area. She had witnessed Lex's offering, and saw him speaking to the girl. There was a line around the other dragon, so she cupped a hand around her mouth and spoke over the chatter. "You there," she said. "Would you like to meet Jasper? Siren looks a bit swamped."

        Lex laced his fingers into Maya's. He lifted her hand to his mouth, placing a kiss on it before leading her toward the big dragon. Jasper looked very cool, just the type Lex would have loved as a kid. Siren was pretty, but Lex preferred scary. "I think you'll love it," Lex said to Maya. "I used to pet them every time as a kid."
        As they reached the dragon rider and her partner, Lex offered his hand in greeting. Dragon riders were, at least in his opinion, above everyone on the social ladder. It would be rude not to introduce himself. "Sean Alexander Gautier, of house Gautier. It's a pleasure to meet you and your partner Jasper."

There was a brief pause and a lifted brow as Lex introduced himself as being of House Gautier. Who didn't know about them? His name didn't ring any bells, though, but it also wasn't like Khaiya really kept up to date on politics except where it immediately affected her. But everyone knew the Lord of that House was trash, even if no one dared speak it. It was nice to see that some good eggs had come out of it.

"Well met. I'm Khaiya Stone," the dragon-rider greeted as she took Lex's hand, and though her looks were very Adelan, her accent was Essyrni. Above her, Jasper purred his own greeting, deep and gravelly, and Khaiya couldn't help but quirk an amused smile when the girl Gautier was with shrank back a bit.

"Jasper also says 'hello', and I promise he doesn't bite," she said. "No need to be afraid, miss...?"

"Lady Maya Lekari, of House Lekari," Maya said, straightening up again and lifting her chin. "And I'm not afraid." He was just big! And sounded threatening! Why couldn't they pet the smaller, prettier shimmery one?

"Of course not," Khaiya said, and stepped aside so the two could get closer. With an amused rumble, Jasper lowered his head down to their level, red eyes, slit-pupiled like a snake's, regarding them both curiously for a moment.

"I'll take chin scratches now," he said, and Maya jumped in surprise at the fact that he could speak. In their heads, true, but all the same! "I'd take belly rubs, too, but it's far too cramped here for that." He let out a disdainful snort, ruffling both their hair.

        "It's her first time," Lex said to Khaiya. "I've been coming every year since I was a boy. It's one of the few times that degenerate father of mine lets his household free of his constant demands." He stepped forward to scratch Jasper on the chin. Such heavy Serenian lineage was apparent in Lex's features, but he was thoroughly Adelan in his soul. He truly loved the dragons and the cultures s of his homeland.
        "Come Maya," Lex said. "I'm sure Jasper won't object to two people petting him." He gave Maya a wink and then returned his attention to Khaiya. "I notice your accent is not Adelan, though you certainly look more Adelan than I. How old were you when you lived in Essyrn?"

"The more, the better," Jasper said, and Maya sucked in a breath when he bore all those sharp teeth in the draconic version of a grin. Unfortunately, being a dragon, it looked less friendly and more hungry. "There's plenty of me to go around."

Khaiya raised an eyebrow at Jasper, but then motioned Maya closer. "He really won't bite," she said. "Please. Or I'll have to hear about it all night."

"Everyone's scared of me and no one loves me," Jasper said, sniffing.

Khaiya rolled her eyes again. "Please."

Maya shot a look at Lex, who looked quite at home petting the beast, and with a deep breath she inched closer. She really didn't like being so close to those teeth, but he hadn't bit Lex, so after a moment's hesitation she reached out and laid a hand on the dragon's chin.

He was surprisingly warm to the touch, his scales rough and bumpy like a rock, but not sharp enough to take off skin unless one was actively trying. Curiosity soon outweighed nerves as she gave him a little scratch--and Jasper purred in pleasure between the two of them.

At Lex's question, Khaiya froze, for a moment staring back at him like a deer in torchlight. Then she blinked and shook her head, as though checking herself, and smiled. "I was...born there," she said carefully. "I lived there until I was thirteen."

        Lex smiled in return to Khaiya. He caught the lag in her response and the slight oddity to her tone. There was something hidden there. Best not poke at it. "I've thought about going there. Anywhere to escape my fathers influence." He scratched at Jasper with both hands now. "Perhaps Serendipity, though I don't know how I'd fit in there. I may look quite Serenian, but I am strongly Adelan. My mother loved Adela and taught me all about the tribe of our territory. I dreamt of being a dragon rider."
        "Maya is half Essyrni. Her parents are currently on a business trip to Essyrn."

Jasper rumbled happily at the scritches, and his tail even started to sway--which was kind of dangerous, considering it was a barbed club. But he was well aware of his size, and conscious of all the squishy people around him, and made sure not to get carried away. He closed his eyes and tilted his head so Lex and Maya would scratch where he wanted, his front claws kneading the ground like a cat.

Maya relaxed a little and mimicked Lex, using both hands now as she grew bolder. It helped that his behavior was so...harmless. It was difficult to be scared of a creature that was basically acting like a giant house cat, and it was strangely...cute. A word she never thought she would think of a giant lizard.

"Essyrn is beautiful," Khaiya said. "But Adela is much better, in many respects. Perhaps you could become a rider, if it's something you wanted. You could always be tested."

       "I don't have any of the abilities required to be a Dragon Rider," Lex said. "Many nobles have their children tested young. Even bastard children of servants." There was no venom in his tone, he stated it as fact with perhaps some resignation. He'd never be a Dragon Rider. It wasn't in his pure Serenian blood. He hadn't even inherited any fae traits. No magic or psionics of any kind. It was a good thing he had found Lady Luck.
        "So Lady Lekari, how is your first experience with a dragon?"

"A shame," Khaiya said mildly, deciding not to pursue the topic further--especially as the subject of his legitimacy came up. No, that was delicate terrain, and even if he didn't sound upset, it was best not to piss off a Gautier, bastard or not.

Maya had been ignoring their chatter, entranced by the dragon, but at Lex's words she peeked over at him and beamed a smile. She had relaxed the more she "pet" the creature, convinced now that it was safe, and excitement had soon overridden uncertainty.

"Wonderful!" she said, laughing. "He's so warm. I always expected them to be cold for some reason, like--" She paused and looked up at Jasper, suddenly aware that what she had been about to say might be...offensive. The creature was intelligent.

"A lizard?" Jasper supplied, and Maya flushed at his words. "It's quite alright, m'lady. We are made of similar matter, but we are like unicorns are to horses, like phoenixes are to eagles. Some dragons are cooler, depending on their element. I come from the earth, so my blood runs hotter."

        Lex laughed at that. He'd pet many of the dragons as a boy, and a few years prior had seen Siren perform in the lighting ceremony. This was his first time seeing Jasper, and he wouldn't forget the big guy easily. He'd wanted a sleek, fast flying dragon, with wicked talons, and a razor tipped tail. Boyhood dreams. Now he was simply happy to get the chance to meet them on occasion.
        "I've not missed a lightning ceremony since my first one as a boy," Lex said to Jasper. "This is the first one I've seen you at. How are you liking it so far?"
       

"I like it. I get to be the center of attention," Jasper said, puffing out his chest. But then he let out a soft snort and deflated with his next words. "But I feel like I scare people. They go to the others as their first choice, but not me."

Maya winced, feeling called out, for she had been just as guilty of that. To be fair, though... "I am nervous of all dragons equally," she said, and quickly added, "Not anymore, though! You are magnificent. I've just never been this close to a dragon before; I've only ever seen your kind from afar."

"Jasper's still a baby, really. Only eleven," Khaiya said. "I've known him since he was a hatchling."

Maya's eyes went wide and she shot a look between Lex and Khaiya and the the dragon she was petting. "Eleven?"

"Excuse you. I'm a grown adult," Jasper said with a huff that ruffled the three humans' hair. Then he turned his eyes to Lex. "Did I do well for my first time?"

        "You did great," Lex said. "Had I not come every year and been slightly obsessed with dragons, I wouldn't have known it was your first year. It was flawless." He scratched a few more times, and then Lex stepped away from Jasper. "We should probably be on our way now. There's much to do, and this is Lady Lekari's first time at the public festival." He then proffered his arm to Maya. He looked over his shoulder at the nearby crowd, and noted a small gathering headed their way. "It seems our interest has drawn the attention of others," Lex pointed out. "It seems you'll be getting plenty of attention Jasper. It was lovely to meet you both. Perhaps we'll meet again Khaiya. Have fun Jasper."

Jasper puffed with pride at the praise, and would have been happy to just stay like that the rest of the night if they didn't have to leave. At first the big dragon wilted, disappointed that his attention-givers were leaving, until Lex pointed out the approaching crowd. It seemed that the more nervous among the crowd just had to see them demonstrate that it was well and truly safe before they were assured, but now that the ice was broken, Jasper would likely not want for any attention the rest of the night.

He flashed a toothy, draconic smile at Lex as Maya took his arm to leave. "Thank you. I hope to see you again next year!" he said, as Khaiya waved to them.

Arm looped in Lex's, Maya peered over her shoulder as they walked away, getting one last look at the dragons. "All this time I imagined them as fearsome brutes," she said, wonder in her voice. "No one ever told me they were basically just giant talking puppies. I would have been less afraid had I known."

        Lex led Maya away, toward the booths with food and games and souvenirs. His fingers stroked across the back of her hand as they walked and talked. "Jasper was quite like a giant puppy, but all the dragons have varying personalities, much like people. The oldest among them often are very patient and treat us humans as a parent does a child. Some though are impatient, and see us a s not much more than a nuisance. Not all the dragons are pleased with the bonding and the riding." Children ran past to head toward the dragons, they wanted their turn petting them.
        "What's next," Lex asked. "Should we get something to eat, play games, or perhaps you're ready for me to take you some place dark and cover you in kisses. Perhaps I can kiss you between your legs again?"

Maya flushed red at Lex's words, that statement immediately transporting her back to the carriage ride, and the fun they'd had there. She snapped a look around the area, as though making sure no one had overheard--but with all the noise and clamor and distractions all around them, Lex could have shouted and it was unlikely anyone would have paid attention.

She squeezed his hand, her heart fluttering in her chest.

"Where would we even go?" she whispered. "There's people everywhere."

        It did seem that there were people everywhere, and it would be hard to find a secluded spot. Maya had just confirmed, whether intentionally or not, that she wanted more sexual gratification. It was a good thing Lex was so lucky.
        He turned down the nearest street, not thinking about anything except finding a nearby spot where nobody would find or bother them. Then he randomly turned again, and again, and again. A fifth and final turn brought them to a collapsed arch. There was just enough space, that if a person of Lex’s build crouched low, they could slip past. Lex did just that leaving Maya right outside as he went under the broken stones. He wanted to be sure that his luck wasn’t coming with a dangerous surprise. That happened from time to time, but the reward was always better.
        Lex’s eyes widened in amazement at what he found inside. Obviously long forgotten, the small courtyard was overgrown. The plants had returned to their wild nature, but the beauty was not lost. So many flower bushes and exotic plants had reached out from their planters to spread through the grass. The vines were running rampant climbing all the walls. In the center of the whole place was a beautiful tree, a thick moss carpet growing beneath in its shade.
        “You need to get in here Maya. You’re gonna love it.”

Where Lex was taking them, Maya didn't have a clue, and she didn't get a chance to ask as she hurried to keep up with him, taking several steps to his every stride. They turned, again and again, until Maya was certain they were lost. At least, she would be lost if she was on her own, but he seemed to know what he was doing!

Finally, they stopped, and Maya waited as Lex slipped beneath the arch. She glanced around the alley, a little nervously; this was the sort of secluded place she was always warned to stay away from (a warning she'd failed to heed that fateful day when she met Lex!). But when Lex called to her, she turned back to the arch and, doing her best not to dirty her skirts, crouched low and slipped into the room.

Her eyes widened at the sight, a hand resting on her chest.

"Did you know this was here?" she said in awe, straightening up and brushing at her clothes. She turned in a slow circle as she took it all in, green eyes wide. "It's beautiful. What was this place?"

        “I had no idea this was here,” Lex admitted. “Lady Luck guided me.” He turned and took Maya by the hand, leading her around as he explored the place for the first time. There were a couple windows and a door that had been bricked off from the inside at some point. The garden had likely changed owners but the new owner either didn’t want it or didn’t also own the buildings that bordered it. There could be any number of reasons why the garden had been forgotten. With the collapse of the arch, and no will or means to repair it, the place had likely been abandoned for years.
        “I don’t know why this place had been lost, but now we’ve found it. It’s our spot in the city, our secret.” Lex pulled Maya close and kissed her, their lips pressed together softly. “So what would you like to do in this beautiful secluded spot? Should I kiss you lower, or would you like to get a taste of me?”

Their secret spot in the city--that had a wonderful ring to it, the idea that there was something that was truly theirs alone. And what a place! It was the sort of place she should balk at; after all, it was abandoned and overgrown and in ill repair. And yet, there was a romantic, wild beauty in it all as nature reclaimed space in the city, untouched and forgotten until now.

Hopefully it would remain that way.

She was snapped from her gawking when Lex pulled her in close and pressed their lips together, and with a happy sigh, she looped her arms around his neck and snuggled in close. What a romantic night, and to think it was only beginning! Dragons and secret hideaways and...illicit carriage rides. Just as the memory started to warm her cheeks, Lex spoke, and the heat spread down her neck.

A...taste?

Oh. Well. Back in the carriage, she had asked what she could do for him, but she had been high on passion and low on inhibitions. Now that she had her mind back, she also had the capacity to blush. In the heat of the moment, it had seemed so much less crude and far less intimidating! Strange how desire heightened bravery.

"I...er..." She cleared her throat. Spirits, how brazen and unladylike she had been! But the desire had been real, and it still was, even if nerves had settled in since her brain had cleared. She blinked up at him then looked back away. "I'm afraid I wouldn't know what to do..."

        A broad grin spread across Lex's face at Maya's new shyness. He kissed her more fiercely and slid his hands down her body. "Don't worry," he told her, "I'll guide you, but first." Lex dropped to his knees and lifted Maya's skirt, finding her uncovered sex. "I want to taste you again."

"Lex!" Maya gasped, her hands shooting to his hair and gripping on, her eyes going wide and flustered. "Not while I'm standing!"

She'd fall! Spirits, but she had been sitting when he had "kissed" her there earlier, and her legs had trembled so violently there was no way she would remain standing.

        Lex only smiled up at Maya as he climbed under her dress. "Lean back against the pillar," he told her, as he moved to press his mouth against her sex. He could see that she wasn't yet slick with desire, not dripping wet as she had been earlier. That just meant he had a opportunity to taste the freshest dew from her sweet flower. He trusted she'd find support against the pillar as he opened her petals to press at the bud within. Gentle rubbing of his tongue against her clit, and then as she began to shudder and shake from the pleasure he re-positioned himself. His mouth lower, his tongue sliding and massaging her vaginal opening as his thumb moved in to stroke the clit. He wanted to taste every bit of her orgasm as she came to climax. He licked and sucked and rubbed, keeping his movements steady, building her up until she gave him that sweet nectar he wanted. He didn't take his mouth from her as he lapped every drop, tasting her thoroughly.

Maya had two choices: lean against the pillar, or collapse. So she chose to lean back as Lex vanished beneath her dress--and got to work. It amazed her how quickly he found all the right spots, amazed her how quickly he could get her trembling, and as she leaned back for support, she gently grasped at Lex's head through her dress, needing something to hold onto. It wasn't long at all before she began to tremble, the heat building between her legs, threatening to turn into something overwhelming--but then he changed rhythm and position and it interrupted her just long enough to delay her climax.

But not for long.

Alone in this secret place, they didn't have to worry about keeping quiet, but Maya still clamped a hand over her mouth just in case. It felt good, too good, and once again she worried she might scream if she wasn't careful. She writhed where she stood, struggling to stay upright and not slide down the pillar, one hand on Lex's head, the other muffling her moans as his tongue licked and his thumb stroked, driving her wild, and leaving her craving more even as, finally, he tipped her over the edge.

Her breath caught, her cry stifled behind her hand, and every muscle stiffened and trembled as she came against his mouth.

        The taste of her was divine, and Lex wasted not a drop. He stopped his clitoral ministrations and Maya's trembling eased. He pulled away from the honey pot, having sucked away all the nectar, licking the remnants from his lips. He came out from under her dress, with a smug look of satisfaction on his face. He knew what he did, knew that she had thoroughly enjoyed it, and he drew great pleasure from that. After standing, Lex gently pulled Maya, her legs trembling, into an embrace. He kissed her softly on the mouth and then guided her away from the pillars and collapsed arch. Behind the lone tree was a small bench and the grass in front of it the least overgrown with any flowers. They sat there, and he kissed her more. Until all her weakness and trembling faded away.
        Lex gazed into Maya's eyes, and a devious crooked grin spread across his face. "Now my dear, I think is the time for you to express your affection for me and your gratitude for all that I do for you." His devious grin quickly turned soft. "Only if you're up to it of course, and I promise to guide you gently."

Oh, what had she gotten herself into? But Maya was nothing if not curious, and in the afterglow of passion, she was definitely feeling more adventurous, and reckless. Besides, it didn't seem fair that Lex had done so much for her twice already and she had done nothing for him--yet. She wanted to make him feel good, too. Wanted to touch him.

...She certainly wouldn't mind seeing him without his clothes.

That didn't mean she wasn't still bashful. She blushed at his words, that devious grin sending heat to her face and her groin, but she nodded through it and leaned in to kiss him hungrily.

"I am," she said against his lips, and leaned back so she could peer into his eyes. "So guide away."

        Lex kissed Maya hot and hungry. Biting her lip and pulling her in closer. “Well let’s start with looking at it and touching it.” Lex leaned back from Maya and began undoing the the buttons of his breeches. His erection was pushing against the fabric, visible beneath, as he pulled them open to reach the laces of his small clothes. A few quick tugs and his cock practically sprang free of the fabric, flopping free and standing at attention. His erect cock had nearly pushed free of his foreskin, and with a gentle push he released his swollen glans completely.
        “Would you like to touch it?” Lex lifted Maya’s eyes to his. “Examine it however much you like. When you’re ready I’ll show you how to stroke it. And as your courage builds you can put your mouth on it.”

With a mixture of fascination and shyness, Maya watched Lex undo his breeches and smallclothes, her skin going white-hot. She had felt Lex's erection while making out with him before, but she had never actually seen a man's penis. Soon enough, though, she had gotten an eyeful, and her eyes widened at the sight as the heat in her face grew molten. Yet she couldn't avert her eyes.

So that's what it looked like? It was...strange. And kind of intimidating. For a long moment she just stared at it--not in lust, but in curiosity. Then she drew a deep breath when he spoke, inviting her to examine it, and bit her lip.

"Alright, then," she said, and flashed him a look. "Though I daresay this hardly requires courage. I'm not afraid. I've just never, well..."

Hesitantly, as though unsure, she reached down and ran a finger over him, and was surprised to feel how soft the skin was. She had been expecting something, something tougher for some reason, but it was like velvet. "Interesting," she murmured, gently sliding a finger under it and lifting it, so she could see it from all angles, and then she blinked when she saw liquid glistening on the tip.

"What's going on there?" she asked, lifting an eyebrow.

        "That glistening dew is a sign of my arousal," Lex told Maya. "Like my touch arouses you getting you wet, this drips from me at your touch. It's very mildly salty. Like the slight taste of salt on your own skin."

"Oh," Maya said as she continued to gently touch him, running a finger along his foreskin. "I see. It's...huh. It is much softer than I imagined," she admitted, flushing again as she voiced aloud that it was, indeed, something she thought and fantasized about. "And how, ah, should I touch it?"

        "There are many ways to touch it that are pleasing," Lex explained to Maya. "You can caress it, as I do along your neck in that way that makes you shiver. You can very gently scratch it," he showed her by gently scratching her arm. "When I please myself I grip it and slide my hand up and down," he demonstrated the motion on himself. "I use different amounts of pressure at different stages in my arousal. A firmer touch when my penis is softer, a lighter touch when it's harder," Lex then demonstrated the amount of pressure he was currently using on Maya's fingers. "It's hard for me to properly show you the exact amount of pressure, as I automatically adjust to how good it feels in that moment. You'll learn to read my body language, and I'll also guide you with my words." He caught her attention, bringing her eyes to his. "I expect the same from you. If you want more of something or if something hurts or you don't like it, speak up. I love you Maya, I want you to enjoy it as much as I do." The words had left his mouth before he'd even considered what he was saying. It had slipped, but he knew he meant it. There was no taking it back now. Not exactly the setting or circumstance he would have chosen to have that admission. So he decided to just own it. Lex leaned in and kissed Maya passionately before she could respond at all. Then after breaking that long passionate kiss he looked her in the eyes again.
        "Promise me you won't keep quiet to try and make me happy. I don't want the woman I love to suffer silently because she thinks it will make me happy. I'll be very unhappy about that."

Maya listened as Lex explained and demonstrated, taking mental notes and committing it to memory, though the true test of course would be in application. It didn't seem too difficult, though, and it relaxed her even more to know that he would guide her in the moment, too. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him (she had seen grown men crumple and cry when hit between the legs!), and she wanted it to be good for him, as good for him as it was for her.

Then his tone shifted, more serious, and she met his eyes as he told her to speak up.

And said those four words that made the world stop.

I love you, Maya.

In her head, everything went quiet, except for those words echoing in her mind. Had he said that? Had he really said that, or had she misheard? But what about Karis, the rather doomed love of his life? The one he said he would always love, and would love no others. Her head reeled, her breath stilled, and her blood rushed in her ears, rumbling like thunder. She was still frozen when he pulled her into a heated kiss, and she melted into it, her belly fluttering like so many butterfly wings, her body hot all over.

I love you, Maya.

He broke the kiss at last, and Maya looked up at him, lips parted and breathless, cheeks warm, and green eyes shining brightly. She tried to speak, but something caught in her throat, and it took a second try to force it out. "I promise," she whispered, and pulled him into another fierce kiss. "Do I seem the sort to be quiet about anything? Of course I'll speak up."

But it was good for him to tell her, otherwise she might not have thought to do so.

She kissed him again, hands cupping his face, and then kissed his neck and jaw, over and over. "I love you," she said. "I didn't want to say it. I was keeping it inside. But I do." She had just been so afraid to admit it, afraid of his attachment to Karis, afraid of getting hurt.

        Lex's stomach did flip flops and he felt so very happy, and so depressed, afraid, sick, and he smiled through it, clinging to the happy. Don't think about Karis. Don't think about how you swore to love only her. Don't think about the necklace around your neck, resting against your heart. It's okay to love again. He'd deal with the guilt later. Right now he just wanted to enjoy this moment with Maya. So he leaned and kissed her again. "I love you Lady Lekari. You have stolen my heart as surely as I stole riches from you the day we met all those months ago." He kissed her again, and again. While his lips were on hers he guided her hand to his cock and pressed on her fingers until the pressure was just right. Then he guided her first few strokes before he stole away his hands to rub her breasts through her dress.

Maya couldn't believe she was doing this. She couldn't believe she had said that. She couldn't believe he had said that! Maybe he was only talking with his groin; that was a risk. But she wanted to believe he was talking with his heart, and so she let herself believe and hoped she was right.

There would be time for thinking later. Time to think about what it meant for a noblewoman to love an outlaw, and all the logistics and challenges and practicalities of it. But for now, she just let herself feel, her heart swelling with her words and lips swelling with his kisses. And with it, the uncertainty melted away, too. She kissed him deeply and without reservation, and when he guided her hand to his cock, she didn't shy away. She let him show her what to do, and when he released her hand so he could touch her breasts, she kept up the rhythm he had set.

She couldn't believe this was happening. She couldn't believe what she'd said. She couldn't believe it was true. He wasn't her type at all--and yet she couldn't imagine life before him, and a future without him seemed crushing. She had experienced infatuation many times before, and sheer attraction based on looks, and she had kissed many men who had been everything she enjoyed physically, but none had made her miss them as much as she missed Lex on those days when he was away, and none had felt like coming home when she was with them.

Maya was in trouble, and she knew it, but she didn't care. If she was in love, then so be it.

"Is that okay?" she asked between kisses as she stroked him.

        "It's wonderful," Lex said, as he moved to kiss Maya's neck. "Are you content with that my love," He said between kisses, "or would you like to try your mouth?" His massaging hand gently pinched Maya's nipple, rolling it between his fingers as he grazed her clavicle with his teeth. "Anything you want my dear."

He had used his mouth on her, so why wouldn't she return the favor? And she felt like this has been simple enough, so surely there couldn't be much to the other. In any case, all the attention he was giving her neck and breasts certainly made her distracted and willing to agree to anything, and she shuddered as he pinched her nipple, leaning into his kisses.

She sucked in a breath, shivering with pleasure, hand still keeping its steady pace. "Tell me how," she breathed, and drew his head up with her free hand to press her lips to his, nibbling along his lip.

        Those were wonderful words for Lex to hear Maya say. The motion she made with her hands was pleasant, but not much. She would need more practice at it to be able to bring him to climax with just her hand. "You'll want to get comfortable on the grass in front of me before you begin. That will free up your hands to assist you as needed. You can use licking to caress it gently, slide your wet lips along it to similar effects, and when you put it in your mouth you'll use your tongue and lips at once. Though it's often referred to as sucking you don't really suck. More just slide it in and out in a smooth rhythm." He thought he was finished with his explanation when he remembered something important. "Oh, and try to avoid contact with your teeth. A gentle nibble or graze can be pleasing but too much can be painful."

"Very well, then," Maya said, blushing hotly as she gave Lex one final kiss and slid from the bench, settling onto the grass. That honestly didn't sound so complicated. Just...lick it and put it in her mouth? It was a little intimidating, but...

"Just, ah, tell me if I'm doing okay?"

With a deep breath, she took it in hand and looked it over for a moment, working up the courage to go for it. She worried about its taste, or accidentally hurting him, or just being terrible at it as she fumbled through it, but after a pause and a breath, she looked up at Lex and leaned forward, giving the shaft a curious lick.

She was surprised to find it just tasted like skin. She didn't know what she was expecting, but that emboldened her, and curiosity drove her onward. She watched Lex as she experimented, licking along the underside, up to the tip, and licked her lips before running them down it. Was that really all there was to it? It wasn't so bad at all.

After a moment, she carefully drew the tip into her mouth, then popped it back out. "Am I doing this right?"

        Lex shuddered at all of Maya's touches. It wasn't the best he'd ever had, but it was still wonderful, and the fact that it was Maya made it that much better. Emotions made everything more complicated, but they did wonders for pleasure too.
        "Am I doing this right," Maya asked, and Lex let out a little sigh.
        "It's wonderful. You're wonderful," Lex said as he touched Maya's face lovingly. "Just know that when I tell you to stop that it's to prevent you getting a mouth full of my seed. While many women will catch it in their mouths willingly and swallow it down, I don't expect that of you. I love you," and the smile he gave her then was full of love, and free of expectation. All he wanted was to share this time with her.

A mouth full of his...seed? Maya had no idea what that referred to, but considering the way he phrased it, it sounded like that wasn't a thing for beginners, and so she nodded.

"I understand," she said, even if it was only a partial understanding, but she imagined she would learn in time. She smiled up at him, relaxing a little more. There was no pressure here, and that made it a little easier and a little less embarrassing, even if she still felt awkward.

Dipping down again, she slipped him into her mouth again and began to slide him in and out, her hand gripping him lightly to keep him in place. They were shallow motions; she didn't take him in too deep, focusing on the tip, and noticed he tasted more salty than before, probably from the moisture she had asked about before. But it wasn't a bad taste, it was just...him. And there was something about this that was deeply alluring, much to her surprise. She may not have been getting any direct pleasure from it, and yet...

She liked that she could make him feel good, even if she wasn't good at it yet.

        Lex was a little out of his mind. What Maya was doing felt great, he just wanted more. She was doing this for the first time ever, and he wanted it to be an easy going learning experience, but he also wanted fuck her throat and cum in her mouth. He watched her work, and used his hand to gently guide her motions to give her a better rhythm, and adjust the pressure of her hand. She adapted well, but the one thing he was nervous about telling her was that deeper was better. She was sweet and understanding, and she'd said she loved him, so he decided it would be fine, as long as he used the right words.
        "What you're doing there is wonderful," Lex told Maya. "When you're ready, taking me deeper in your mouth and throat will vastly increase my pleasure. Please don't hurt yourself with the effort though. I don't expect you to be able to take the whole thing down like a sword swallower on your first time."

Deeper? Maya raised her eyes to Lex's curiously, seeming to consider that for a moment. She didn't answer him with words; instead, she dipped down lower, taking  more of his shaft into her mouth, her hand sliding further down to make room. When she felt the beginnings of a gag, she stopped and slid him back out, coming up for a deep breath of air.

"That will definitely take some getting used to," she said, wiping her lips with her hand as she held back her cough. That would have been unattractive, and she was trying her best not to make a complete novice fool of herself. "But I think I get the idea. Does that feel nice?"

Without waiting for a response, she slid him back between her lips and took him in deep yet again, but this time she knew about where to stop before it got uncomfortable. She gripped him gently in her hand as she bobbed on him, sliding along his shaft as she moved, embarrassment for the moment replaced with determination. He had made her feel wonderful—and she wanted the same for him.

        Rather than reply, Lex let out a small groan of pleasure. He leaned back his head in delight while his hands found Maya's hair and neck, stroking as she sucked his cock. He hummed his pleasure as she worked, beginning to lose himself in his mounting delight. Her motions were steady and the pressure even, making up for her rough technique. As he grew close to his climax he found himself, and focused on not letting that happen yet. Maya didn't know about the surprise she'd get filling her pretty mouth if Lex let her continue to the end, so he placed his hand on her cheek and whispered, "that's enough for now my sweet. Any more and you'll have my seed in your mouth."

Maya looked up at Lex in surprise, her cheeks flushed and expression slightly confused at his words. He wanted her to stop? Seed would fill her mouth? She assumed that wasn't literal.

She pulled back slowly, releasing him, and licked her lips. She felt a little breathless, a mixture of excitement and exertion.

"You don't want more?" she asked with a tilt of her head. "Was it decent?"

        "It was better than decent." Lex's cock was throbbing with anticipation. If Maya just gave it a few for strokes he'd burst. He wanted that release, but her mouth wasn't the right place for that yet. He lifted her chin and bent to kiss her. "If you finish me off without some preparation it can be very messy," he told her. Then he beckoned her forward, coaxing her onto his lap with more kisses. "I won't put it in unless that's what you want." Lex wanted to assuage any fears Maya had. He wanted her, but he wanted her to be ready and happy that she chose to move forward. Drawing up her dress as he guided her to sit, his pulsating member pressed against her wet slit. Their sexes pressed together, Lex kissed Maya deeply. His hands wandered, rubbing her breasts and her ass. He guided her hips as he began to grind against her, helping her learn that sliding her pussy on his cock would feel good for both of them. "Let me know if there's anything you want me to do," Lex whispered to his love. "Or if anything gets too intense I'll ease up. Just let me know."

An electric thrill shot down Maya’s spine as Lex guided her to straddle him, his hardness pressing between her legs in a way that made her shiver with anticipation and nerves. Oh, he had assured her that he wouldn’t do anything without her consent, and she trusted him to be true to his word. The problem was, she wasn’t certain she trusted herself.

Already, she had gone so much further with Lex than she had ever planned. She had flirted, teased, and kissed her share of men, but the fun of it was being wanted and craved. Those men had been attractive, but not marriage material. It had just been for fun, but nothing that would spoil her for her future husband. Her mother had instilled her with some Essyrni values.

Now, the roles had been reversed. She was used to being hungered for; she wasn’t used to being hungry.

Yet she kissed Lex like she was starving, her face flushed, as her hips moved eagerly under his guidance. She was surprised at just how naturally it came to her, surprised at just how easily she was willing to wantonly grind on him half naked with no barriers between them. But he felt so good, all heat and pleasure, and as she slid along him and felt him prod against her entrance, it occurred to her just how easy it would be to lose herself to him. A shiver went through her, her mouth capturing his and nibbling lightly on his lip, small whimpers and gasps escaping her, though muffled against his lips.

Would it be so wrong to have him?

Part of her knew it was unwise to make decisions with her emotions high and her head fuzzy with pleasure, but at the moment she couldn’t be bothered to care. He loved her. He said he loved her. And spirits, but she had never felt for someone the way she felt for Lex. Gasping as she rocked against him, she pressed a kiss to his neck, right below his ear.

“What if...what if I said I wanted you?” she murmured, and gave his neck a light nibble. “Would you take me right here? Outside under the stars?”

        Lex's heart was pounding away in his chest. This moment was so thrilling. He had never loved anyone other than Karis. She had been his world. While his love for her was still somewhere inside of him, it was muted and small, almost a memory of love. This new feeling for Maya was full and bright, loud and full of passion. He wanted her, and wanting her made him consider changing his life. He considered what it would be like to give up being a thief. Going legit would be hard. He was an infamous outlaw. He was well known for not killing anyone that he robbed and stole from, but he would have to pay massive fines or face the hangman's noose. Neither sounded very appealing to him, and that sort of thought was a bit of distraction from this amazing and intense moment. Focusing on what his hands were doing, where his lips were kissing, on the slick lips sliding on his shaft, that was a better use of his attention. Then Maya spoke.
        What if...what if I said I wanted you?" she murmured, and gave his neck a light nibble. "Would you take me right here? Outside under the stars?"
        His heart almost stopped, while his breath caught in his throat. If his erection could grow any harder, it did, or it certainly felt as if it did. The throbbing in his member had surely grown. "You'd need to be completely sure. If you think you are, I will take you right here under the stars my love. And if you change your mind once we've started, just tell me and I'll stop. You have no obligation to follow through. If you get scared or it hurts, or anything, you tell me. Of course we'll need to start slow anyhow, since you've never had anyone inside of you."

Lex's sudden shift in tone, from one of pure passion to one of gentle concern, was enough to bring Maya back down to earth. At least a little. The passion was still there, the desire no less intense, but her head cleared enough for her to actually think.

At least a little.

She paused, blinking up at him, and her face burned a little hotter. Was she actually sure? Or was she just leaping blind and headfirst into an exciting new experience without considering the consequences? Probably a little bit of both, but what was wrong with that? Nothing, she decided. And if anything, him checking in on her, reassuring her and even giving her an out, only helped in her decision.

She managed a small smile, reaching up to caress behind his neck before guiding him in for another kiss, though softer than the others. "I'm certain," she said. "So long as you're gentle, of course. And so long as you don't leave me after. But barring that, I'm completely sure, and I'm completely sure nothing about this is scary." Her fingers threaded into his hair, idly playing with the strands.

"Promise you'll stay with me, and I'll promise to be honest." She paused, pressing her forehead to his, and gave him the sternest look she could muster, which wasn't very convincing with her face flushed from passion. "You've stolen my heart, damnable thief, so take good care of it."

        Lex's first response was to kiss Maya with even more passion. His next was to gently lift her as he stood and moved to lay on an area of thick, soft, mosslike carpet that grew beneath the tree. "I'm not going anywhere," he told her. "I'm trying to think up a way that I can keep you forever. Let me know if you have any ideas."
        Lex was on top of Maya now. While she had been giving him oral pleasure he'd kicked off his shoes and pushed his pants and small clothes all the way off. Now he pulled off and tossed aside the rest of his garments. He knew getting Mayas dress off would take more effort, so he didn't bother, instead just lifting it up so that the fluids from their sex would not get all over it. Then he grabbed his throbbing member and began to gently rub the tip against Maya's dripping wet opening. She was so wet, he had no doubt sliding inside her would be fairly easy. Lex just had to convince her to relax so that there would be minimal pain. He pushed the tip of his cock against Maya's clit, rubbing it vigorously as the fingers on his other hand dove inside her, scooping out the moisture held within. He rubbed her juices along his shaft, lubricating his cock before pushing just the tip inside Maya. He kept it there pulling out a little and gently sliding it back in getting a little deeper each time.
        Lex worked his cock in very slowly, kissing Maya all the while. Once the entirety of his cock had finally been worked into his lover he paused there. He didn't thrust or gyrate, he just kept the cock fully inserted while he kissed and groped Maya. "Let... me know," Lex said between kisses," when you're ready for me to really start."

In all of Maya's fantasies and daydreams, she had never once imagined her first time with a lover would be outdoors, in a courtyard, on the ground beneath a tree, completely out of wedlock, right in the middle of a festival--oh, and that her lover was a criminal. If her future self had told her past self that this was how she would give away her virginity, she would have recoiled in disgust and disbelief. No way. That didn't sound like her at all. After all, she had always fancied it would happen the usual, proper way: on silken sheets, surrounded by wine and flowers, on her wedding night.

Yet as Lex laid her down on surprisingly soft, thick moss beneath the tree, the stars shining through its branches in a clear black sky, she couldn't help but think this was far more beautiful.

He wanted to keep her forever, he said.

Well, right now she couldn't help him with ideas. She could hardly think at all, not when Lex was naked atop her, her dress bunched up around her hips, her legs spread as he moved between them. Her heart beat faster as she peered up at him, feeling the heat of his body on hers, and though she had told him there was nothing scary about this, she would have been lying if she said she wasn't a little nervous. And then she felt him rub against her and her breath hitched, one hand pressing to her mouth to hold in her gasp, prepared for pain. She had of course heard stories from her married friends, had heard it could hurt before it felt amazing, and that it was just something she needed to bite her lip through—and so she didn't anticipate the shock of pleasure that shot through her when Lex pressed against her clit. A whimper escaped her, her hips jerking, her hands grasping at his arms, and soon she was positively squirming as his fingers teased her with the promise of what was to come even as his cock stroked her.

Oh spirits, she wanted him. Was he going to tease her like this much longer? She was breathless when she felt him shift, felt his fingers replaced by something larger. His mouth covered hers and her arms wrapped around his shoulders, clinging to him, and her soft cry of, "Oh, gods," was muffled when he sank into her. It was only a little, but it was more than she was used to, and it hurt a little as she tensed—but not nearly as much as she expected, more of a slight stinging stretch than the searing pain she had been warned of, and still he was moving, easing out and sinking a bit deeper, all throbbing heat. Her thighs squeezed against him, her mouth moving hungrily against his as she sought distraction, little wincing whimpers leaving her with each movement when she wasn't holding her breath in anticipation. And then she felt him go still.

His hips were flush to hers, and she could feel the pulse of him deep inside her, and the residual sting of her body accommodating him. She held as still as he did, almost afraid to move (and not quite sure if or how she should move, anyway) as she fully registered what they were doing, that he was inside her—and the feeling of him filling her so fully  only made her blood run hotter.

As did his words.

"I...I think I am?" she murmured against his lips. As ready as she would ever be. She trailed her nails down his back, lightly grazing. "It's, ah, a little sore...but I expected that." Another needy kiss, her teeth gently nibbling his lip. "I was ready when I told you I wanted you."

        Lex was excited by Maya's words. She wanted him, and he wanted her. He didn't want it to end. He also wanted to hammer away with great speed and force, the racing pulse of blood in his ears intense with his desire. He held himself in check. Maya was not some lady of the night you just filled up and paid for your fifteen minutes. When you cared for someone, you cared about their pleasure, their experience, as much as you did your own. So his strokes were gentle, slow. There was a slight roll in his body, minor rotation of his hips. When his thrusts pressed their pelvises together Lex would grind against Maya, doing what he could to stimulate her clit in this traditional position. He also kissed her gently, sliding his tongue into her mouth. Almost languidly his tongue would slide against hers. The gentlest nibbles of her lips, just hinting at the desperation of his desire and the possibility of the pain his teeth could inflict.
        Lex's hands were not idle as he made love to Maya. They wandered, seeking skin to caress. He rubbed at her breasts, caressed her neck, stroked her hair. Sliding one hand behind her head,  Lex was able to gently tilt Maya's head away so he might have the opportunity to kiss and bite her neck. With only the slightest graze of his teeth against Maya's neck, Lex would then kiss and gently suck on her neck. He didn't want to mark her. His desire, his hunger, pushed him to bite harder, fuck harder, but he held himself back, only speeding up a little, making sure Maya felt good.
        "How are you doing beautiful," Lex asked of Maya. "Please tell me anything you need or want. I want this to be perfect for you."

There was some discomfort as Lex began to move, and Maya's breath hitched, but it wasn't bad so much as new as her body adjusted. He was as gentle as she could ever hope for, and the more he moved, the more she relaxed, and the more he kissed and caressed her, the better it became. It was difficult to feel pleasure at first as for a moment she was caught up in her own head, in the sensation of him being inside her and the anticipation of feeling more pain before it got better--but then his hips moved in a way she could only describe as magic, and a surprised gasp left her lips. She clung to him tighter, body tightening with a shiver she felt clear to her toes. Oh.

And then it hardly hurt at all, the ache just vague background noise as she focused instead on that bright new feeling when he sank in and ground against her. Her arms tightened around his shoulders and she kissed him back, breathlessly, tongue dancing against his and only stopping when he pulled back to tease her neck, her body arching against his lips and breath coming out in a whimpering moan. This was so different than what they had done before--better, different, new, a little scary, but spirits she wanted him, and now that she had him, she didn't think she could ever let go.

Her eyes fluttered open at his words, and she let out a trembling breath. "It...it is perfect," she said, reaching out to take his face in her hands, drawing him back to her so she could press their mouths together. "It's with you."

She captured his lips again, whimpers trapped between them, fingers running through his hair. "I...I want you to show me what you like..."

        "We'll wait for a bed, and you to be accustomed to having me inside you before I show you what I like," Lex whispered in Maya's ear. "I don't think your first time is when I should give it to you hard and fast." Lex smiled into Maya's neck as he finished his words. He kissed her more, interlacing his fingers with hers. Lex lifted his head to look in Maya's eyes, the grin on his face one of true joy. "I'm so happy we're doing this. I've wanted to tell you I love you for days, but I was afraid it would scare you away. Now I feel your heart beat against my chest and it's like it's my heart as much as I know my heart belongs to you." 

If it were possible for Maya's blood to burn any hotter, she would have flushed at his words and the visual they inspired: the two of them tangled together on her bed while he pounded into her. Of course, he was likely right, and she appreciated his gentleness now as she tightened her fingers around his and whimpered against his lips.

And then, right on the tail of saying something so lewd, he surprised her with his sweetness. She looked up at him as he peered down at her, and she let out a breathless laugh even as her chest squeezed with pent up emotion. "You couldn't scare me more than when we first met, you scoundrel," she told him breathlessly, and gave a little experimental roll of her hips that made her eyes flutter shut. "This...this is certainly not how I believed things would go..."

        Lex had been holding himself right on the edge of ejaculation. He was so close to orgasm, but he wanted it to last longer. He also knew he should not plant his seed inside Maya. There were ways to prevent pregnancy, but he did not know if Maya would be open to him cumming inside her. Well it was probably best he ask now, since he wasn't sure how much longer he could hold back. Especially after that roll of her hips. He enjoyed that too much. He almost lost his composure. He slowed his thrusts and looked into Maya's eyes as he spoke to her.
        "My sweet love, I am nearing the end of my stamina. If I continue on I will burst," Lex gave Maya a little kiss and smiled at her. "If I do so inside you, you will be filled with my seed. There are herbs, teas, and magic that you can use to prevent you from becoming with child, but even so, for the meantime you will have my seed inside you. Would you rather I not fill you with my orgasm?"

Lex's words and slowing pace made Maya's eyes flutter open to peer up into his own, a look of confusion crossing her face. She was too distracted, too caught up in the new and intense sensations, that for a second she didn't understand his words.

His words registered a second later as she fought to catch her breath, and the confusion only grew—until sudden realization clicked and her eyes went wide.

Ah...yes. His seed. He had mentioned that before, that it was messy—and, oh right, there was the issue of children.

That had been the very last thing on her mind during all this.

"O-oh...I...I think we had better be safe, love," she said, voice a little shaky with need. He had slowed—right when she really started to enjoy the way he felt! She bit back a whimper, trying not to squirm too restlessly, and pressed a needy kiss to his lips. "But...what of the mess?"

        "Huh?" Lex was confused by Maya's response. "I'm not sure I follow. Be safe?" He cocked his head bewildered, and then it clicked. "Oh, you mean you don't want me to get you pregnant. There's no risk of that, I can bring you tea later tonight or in the morning that will prevent pregnancy. I'll also get you a magic charm that prevents it, so you don't have to drink the tea all the time. As for the mess, I have a handkerchief that you can use similarly to menstrual padding."

Maya considered his words—perhaps not as lengthily as she should have, but she was very much distracted at the moment. But he said there was no risk, and just as she trusted him with her heart, she trusted him with her body as well. 

Pulling him in close, she clung to him tightly, her lips against his ear. "Stay, then," she whispered, flushing at her own words. "Stay inside me."

        "Yes my love." He had Maya's consent, and that was all that mattered to Lex. So he thrust into her. He kissed her passionately, his tongue seeking out hers. He breathed deeply of her scent, pulling her exhaled breaths into his lungs. They were all that mattered in this moment. He kept at it, holding himself back only just, waiting for her next orgasm. As Maya next climbed and created that peak of pleasure he let himself release. One, two deeper, longer thrusts, grinding his pelvis against her as his cock exploded. Hot cum splashed inside her as she too was orgasming, their fist time having sex, making love, their first simultaneous orgasm.
        Lex was so full of joy, and so empty of energy. He nearly collapsed upon his lover, but held himself up just a bit. He was out of breath, and his cock was slowly deflating. "I love you Maya." He kissed her beautiful lips, looking into her bright and beautiful eyes. "I never expected to fall so in love with an insufferable, spoiled, rich brat. I never imagined you were so sharp, and so lovely," he leaned enough to be able to place a finger over her heart, "in here. You have changed me over the past few months in ways I never expected. I couldn't be happier."

For a few moments, everything ceased to exist but the wild scent of Lex, his heat against her, in her, and the white hot pleasure building within her core until it was hard to breathe and all she could do was cry out against his mouth. All she could do was hold on helplessly, her knees pressed tightly against his hips and hands gripping his shoulders until, suddenly, she saw stars. Maybe real ones, with the night sky above them, but at that moment it was difficult to distinguish between the two.

She cried out, trembling beneath him as he tipped her over the edge, but even through her own climax she could feel his body shudder. Was he feeling it, too? The sudden release of tension that left her breathless, pleasure coursing through her clear to her toes.

Lex finally stilled, which gave her a chance to fill her lungs. But she couldn't even begin to speak  and would honestly have no idea what to even say. He broke the silence before she had to try, though, and she looked dazedly up into his eyes—and couldn't help but laugh breathlessly.

"Oh, you do have such a way with words," she said, at first feeling a flash of offense (even if it was true) before he rounded it all out in a way that made her melt anew. She gently took his hand in hers, the one that had touched her heart, and brought it to rest against her cheek, nuzzling against him. "Likewise, who knew a dirty rotten criminal could be so sweet, so genuine. I'm glad you stole from me that day. It wasn't just a ring you took—I just didn't know it yet." She gave him an impish smile, still flushed with passion, before she pressed a kiss to his lips.

"I love you, too. You absolute devil."