(
@Lion ENJOY MY WORD VOMIT <3 ) Now M rated! For nekkid Shoulders.
It was on one of the more far away cities, but still, it warranted an investigation from the church. Sunniva was not pleased to have been chosen, in fact it had always felt a bit like a subtle insult, being the one who was sent to healers. Miracle healers who made their abilities public. It was always either mages or a con. This particular person was claiming to heal lost limbs and so she had been volunteered with a small group to go to this particular town and... Shut it down. As per usual when it came to suspected mages or con artists.
There was little room for miracles and if she herself didn't experience them almost daily she would have lost her faith long ago.
The second day of travel always had her irritated and tired. The guides - hand picked guards from the church - were quiet and every time she tried to strike up conversation she was rudely ignored. Of course they were still there, she could hear them breathing. The sound of a river was off in the distance and she turned her head to listen to it, something to break up the monotonous noise of horse hooves against dirt and cheap road. A loud forlorn sigh from Sunniva and she itched at her neck.
Orders were to change into commoners clothing and continue on, it wouldn't do well to alarm the people that she - A knight of the white lily - was on her way to investigate this mysterious healer. So, she was dressed in plain clothing, breeches, a loose white shirt and an awful wooly too-big cloak that she was sure she looked just hideous in. Something this itchy couldn't possibly look
nice. Finally, instead of the hood she had a soft cloth tied around her head to cover her eyes, her fiery red hair loose and flowing down her back in thick waves.
Sunniva hated it. She wanted her hood back. She wanted her hair out of the way.
It wasn't until too late she realize there was a cross bow bolt lodged into the metal chest piece she'd snuck on under her shirt. Slowly her hands - gloved by some not so awful fabric - went to it and she gasped, her head turning up reflexively though she saw nothing. No one. The sound of a cross bow and another bolt. The horse she was on gave a shrill cry and the sounds of a fight breaking out and before she knew it she was falling.
So was the horse.
Had they been so close to the ledge? The bolt snapped off, leaving the metal tip in her armor and before she realized what was
really going on there was a terrible weight on her legs and the sound of someone making their way down. Sunniva took a breath and calmed herself, and then she
saw. Trees, a steep hill, a river. There was no her though, not yet, that meant he couldn't see her.
He was going to kill her.
Panic set in and she reached towards the horse which was
far too light and pat at it until she found a few bolts. Many bolts. One lodged into the saddle dangerously close to where her leg had been. There was no time though and in a moment of desperation she stabbed herself in the neck with it, enough to bleed at least when she pulled it away - it would hurt for a while but she wasn't going to die from it.
There she was. Laying on the ground, pinned under the dead horse, holding a bolt at her neck. Looking deathly pale with that bright red hair fanned out around her head like a crown of sunbeams. Now was the time. Yanking the bolt away she tossed it aside and held at her neck, letting the blood seep between her fingers while she panted and reached forward towards the sound of foot steps.
"
Help me," she cried weakly, giving a quiet pant, a soft sob, playing down just how
well she was doing.
Hesitation in the foot steps, a shuffle of dead leaves, the snap of a twig and she felt a hand on her face, tearing at the blindfold before her head landed hard against the ground. Her hand was violently ripped away from her neck and the cloth was smeared with the blood, Sunniva made a point of not resisting.
Then he left. The footsteps retreated. A cry of victory from above and all she was left with was the sound of the river and the warm blood of a dead horse slowly going down the hill and up her back. Just the sounds of the river. With more strength than she thought she'd ever possess she slipped from under the horse, taking a moment to calm herself before she slowly rose, taking note of any aches and pains.
The worst was self inflicted and still dripping down her neck.
Right now she needed to live. So, she began to walk slowly back towards the way she'd come, staying as close to the river as she could with the blood stained clothes sticking to her skin and the metal chest piece. It wasn't until she saw the trees that she stumbled, landing hard on her hands and knees at being so disorientated.
It was a sign.
Sunniva heard noises. Enough for one person. Maybe two.
"Wait!"
Standing up quickly, weary, she didn't know how long she'd been walking, but part of her was frantic. "Wait, please, wait!" Her hands in front of herself to help her find her way back to the cheap road and there she stood, a bloodied mess, sweaty, dirty. Arms out to stop the person. Persons? "I am a Knight of the White Lily and there was an attempt on my life, I demand you take me to the nearest...
Where ever immediately."
It was a miracle she was even alive. Sunniva was truly blessed by God.
She had also been blessed with stupid weak willed assassins that wanted nature to do their dirty work.
[I actually did enjoy your word vomit. Well done.]
He was there for one thing only. Find the mage and drag him back. Alive if possible, but dead if necessary. Mercuxio personally preferred alive. It made for the extraction much more efficient. There wasn't a lot you could get from a dead person, save from the usual. He'd been tracking this man for weeks. And he knew there was only so far he could run.
This was where he was hiding, and this was where he would be rooted out. Or so was the plan. Mercuxio dismounted his horse. The black steed chuffed and wiggled his nose against Merric's head. The priest turned to look at him, patting the animal's cheek with a gloved hand. The day was quiet and he stopped off at a small clearing just a stone's throw from the road. But even that one was rarely tread. This was not a well-trodden path, and even the nearest town was a secluded hamlet that was not even on a map.
Not anyone else' maps anyway. Mercuxio unfurled his and examined it on against the horse's saddle. He mused quietly until he heard something that resembled a scuffle a few hundred yards away. In his immediate vicinity, he saw no one, not a body, not a soul. And just as quickly as the noises began, they ended.
Perhaps it was none of his business, and it was better to keep it that way. Better to not let anyone become aware of his presence. He led his horse slowly over to the nearby river. Water was always the best place to start. He moved toward the rushing stream, stopping at the bank and leaning down, pulling off his glove to take as drink at the crisp clear water. The horse did the same, lapping at it until he had his fill.
Mercuxio had rode all day earlier and all before that. He could use a rest, perhaps a bath even. He dunked water all over his face and hair, feeling hot in his armor and sticky. The one drawback of extended travel. He was determined to have this task executed quickly. He didn't have patience to wait around.
"Wait!"
He turned his head up and his eyes widened in alarm. A stranger draped in blood and speaking maddeningly and frantically stood before him. By instinct his hand flew to the weapon at his belt, but did not unhook that mace. Not yet. Slowly, he stood, as quietly as possible for it seemed this woman did not have her senses about her.
She could be bait after all, meant to ensnare the Confessor in a trap.
But in her desperation, it soon became clear she was not. Mercuxio slowly stepped forward, still wary, eyes checking his peripherals, and when he was near her, he slowly reached for her hands. "Don't fret," he murmured. "I'm a priest of the Church. Let me see your wound."
Blind as she was, her hands shot out and smacked his away though quickly, frantically she grasped for it. Holding her head down, Sunniva gave a sigh of relief and sank to her knees, pressing her forehead to his hand, her wounds would heal, but now she was grateful that not only had someone helped her, it was a priest.
"Thank God for you, Priest." Sunniva said before giving his hand a kiss and standing up, turning her head to present the self inflicted wound on. "They killed my horse, besides scrapes and bruises I am mostly unharmed. I did this to myself to make them think they shot me in the neck." Her hand went to her neck to touch at the wound, deep but not lethal. The blood had stopped, but it was tacky and dripping down her top.
Mercuxio remained still, as she scrambled for his hands and he turned his palms up to grip her hands, firmly but gently. Ice blue eyes inspected her features and where the blood dripped from. Had she stabbed any further in, she likely would have bled herself out. Still, it was a wound that could suffer the threat of reopening.
"Come, let me wash away the blood," he said, his voice calm, despite the quick connection of alarm that echoed through him. The scuffle and the violent noises. Now it made sense. He helped her up, helping her keep balance and kneeling beside the river, cupping the water in his hands and cupping it against her neck.
He whispered a soft prayer, and his hands turned warm, initiating the healing properties of the blessing of Sanctus. A gift that, thankfully, could be shared with another, if only for a moment. "Tell me of these assassins. Are they gone? Or do they remain in the area?" he asked, peering up a moment to look around just in case.
Sunniva pulled her hair over to the other side of her neck and let the priest help her, giving a sigh of relief. There was no resistance when he moved her to cup water to her neck and she pulled her long red hair out of the way, the tips having gotten wet in the river. "They rode away." Her voice was soft and while everything in her screamed for revenge, she knew that, in the presence of another holy person, it wouldn't do well to ...
Well. Want someone dead.
"One of them came to finish the job, but I was pinned under my horse." Sunniva removed her gloves and pressed her hands into the cool water, pressing them to her face, "He sought to let fate end me, but I am blessed by Ansgar again and... Now I'm here. We were farther ahead." Sunniva bit her lip after a moment, "Headed to a village where a healer is claiming to fix any ailment. I don't know... It might be the whole group. They may have switched with my guards or..." A heatbeat, silence, " they were my guards."
When he pulled his hand away, Mercuxio saw that her wound had healed. Good, one less thing to worry about. Looking upon her again, he listened for a moment, eyes no longer concerned with the threat of assassins. Well, not immediately anyway. Things could always turn for the worst when one least expected it. That was usually the best time for things to go bad.
He exhaled slowly, thoughtfully. "The village nearby, Kathrenac," he said. "A healer? And there you expected to do what, exactly? Whatever they were, their task failed and you are alive. What is your name?"
Healed. Sunniva pressed her hand to her neck, her eyebrows drawing together and her mouth pulling into a frown. That wasn't magic. If she could have looked at him in wonder she would have, instead she simply pressed her fingers to where the wound was and stayed silent. "I was sent there because the healer is a mage," she frowned, "Claiming to regrow limbs. Give back sight. I couldn't let them lie to the people because even though Ansgar is a giving and a wonderful God he can't do miracle such as that." If he could she would have her eyes. Sunniva frowned and rubbed her hands on her pants, turning away for a moment, running her fingers through her bright red hair.
"I am Sunniva Avarali, Knight of the White Lily." She stood up, her shoulders squared and facing ahead. "I need to report that my guards are traitors," She hissed the word like it tasted foul, her face turning sour. "They tried to kill me, I must see justice."
The healer was a mage huh. And she'd meant to track him and exterminate him herself? This clearly was not a job for a White Lily. "A healer? His name wouldn't happen to be Desmond Crane would it?" he asked gently.
A name?
"Maybe? I'm sure I was told at some point, I was sent to investigate but then they put this awful outfit on me and I've found myself too itchy to even think." As if realizing that what she was wearing was extremely itchy - now also sticky and covered in horses blood - Sunniva's hands went to her neck to itch at the neckline. It was still covered in blood. So was she.
It only made her uncomfortable feeling though and at least she wouldn't have to have the bloodstains washed from these clothes. Still why wasn't he more angry someone tried to kill her? Sunniva was very sure he would be furious if someone killed his horse and left him for dead. "You don't care that someone tried to kill me? You seem far too interested in this mage," She spat the word out like it was dirty. Why didn't this priest care about her. She was covered in blood, her only mode of transportation was dead. Sunniva's day was ruined.
"Who are you?" Her hands went to her hips and she gave her head an inquisitive tilt, "Really."
What the hell were the Lilies thinking? That they could send out a contigent of guards and one lone White Lily and except them to just waltz on through the forest without someone getting suspicious. At this point, Mercuxio had no doubt that the mage she was after was certainly the one he was after. Indeed, it was best to get her out of the way and leave the work to someone better suited for the job.
"I am a priest," he repeated, sighing a little. "Ansgar was watching you this day, Knight." He squeezed her hand. "I am Father Mercuxio. I agree it is best to get you out of the wilderness to safety. You're clearly shaken. Here, let me help you stand. And stop scratching yourself, you'll only make your anxiety worse."
When he offered to help her stand she pulled her hand away, giving him a face. Sure there were no expressive eyes, but her mouth was pulled into a frown and her eyebrows were drawn together. Then she stood up, sticking her chin out as if challenging him to help her again, "I'm not itchy because I'm anxious, I'm itchy because this is awful fabric." Sunniva snapped before she pulled at the large shirt, whipping off the soaked garment to reveal the metal chest piece she wore underneath. The dent on the side from the bolt that should have killed her if she hadn't lied about not wearing armor.
Onto the ground the itchy wool shirt went like garbage. The smell of blood was strong and she sniffed at her hands before sighing and going back onto her knees to stick them in the stream, swishing them around to get the blood off. She recognized his name but kept quiet about it and eventually she stood up again, pressing her hands to the armor chest piece she wore. "I've got my bearings about me now, Father Mercuxio. I've calmed some, please," Sunniva motioned to the river and turned, walking slowly until she touched a tree.
Sitting down at the base she took a breath and rubbed at her arms, "Continue as you were, I imagine you've been traveling for a while and would like to partake in the river, yes? It seems we've both had things ruin our days. I promise not to watch." A hint of a smirk at her little joke and she reached down to pluck at some grass, playing with it between her fingers.
If he wasn't going to care about people trying to kill her - perhaps it was part of a greater scheme? - then what use was it if she worried about it.
Mercuxio stared at her undressing in itchy desperation, eyes narrowed and slightly annoyed at her trivial antics. Certainly the shirt was bothersome, ignoring the facts that she'd just been attacked. And she was bothered that his concern wasn't more concrete. He inwardly sighed. Lilies were certainly not suited for activities such as these.
At her recovery, he simply bowed his head - not that she'd see it. Merric tilted his head thoughtfully, shaking his head. "No. No," he murmured. "You were the one has just suffered an attack. I believe you need the river more than I do. That dent...where the bolt struck I imagine won't help your breathing any. You ought to take that cuirass off. Then I will promise not to look."
He bowed again to her, and turned back to the saddle, moving some items around and considered for a moment simply leaving her here. She would find her way back no doubt. And how would she know he was simply gone? She obviously couldn't see. But he stopped that line of thought. He was a priest, and he made an oath to help others in need.
So he pulled the herbs and a roll of bandages from the saddlebags instead and turned back to Sunniva, kneeling beside her, and waiting for her to remove her armor. His eyes remained focused on where the cuirass had been dented. And just as he suspected there was bruising along that side.
"Yes, Father." The tone she took was more like a grumpy child talking to a parent and she went about with the buckles, fingers working quickly and skillfully. Though, she didn't remove it completely until she heard the man kneel beside her. A simple sleeveless shirt was worn under the cuirass and she boredly pulled up the side, exposing pale skin marred by a red mark, slowly turning darker with a bruise.
"It doesn't feel terrible, and I do hope you're wearing gloves, I'd have for you to touch my bare delicate flesh." Sunniva didn't explain why to avoid skin contact, though she'd hoped the right usage of the words would make him avert all contact past patching up her bruise. He was a priest, surely just the word 'delicate flesh' would send him blushing into the trees.
(( I'll tell you though! =D Skin contact has her seeing peoples pasts. So, if he ain't wearing gloves slap up a random old memory for her to see. It'll be fun, promise. ))
[I'm just going to assume he isn't aware she is seeing this]
The salve was first evenly spread across one bare palm and he let it make his hand sticky. The balm was cooling against bare skin, having a eucalyptus scent to it. Merric kept one glove on, because he'd neglected to take it off when she arrived. He said nothing, only gave a glance at her regarding her remark and pressing his hand against the forming bruise.
At his touch she would see the images of a kiss, a hungered one between a young man and a young woman. The sound of heavy breath, pants, lips brushing against one another. Hands wrapped around one another, groping and shifting through parted clothing, revealing a breast and a mouth pressing hotly against it.
And the image would vanish when he took his hand away, wiping off the excess salve and he wrapped the bruise with cloth. "To secure it. It will help soothe any soreness that comes with it."
[you're such a good sport. : D and no, he wouldn't know she was seeing that]
A quiet hitch of breath and the memories warred with reality. Sunniva knew the priest (was he really?) was helping her, though the brief moments he had his hand on her side... If she could go anymore red. Blushing wasn't a flattering look on her, but wen she remembered her mouth on a breast. A breast of all things. It was his mouth but for the few moments it was her mouth and as soon as the memory went away she simply... Went quiet.
There was lots of things to say but she needed him. At least for a little while. Still, Sunniva was very red and finally she cleared her throat. That memory would haunt her forever. Of all the things for her to get it had to be something as disgusting as... Eugh. "I request you keep further contact to a minimum, Father Mercuxio." A moments pause, "but thank you for the help, regardless."
Slowly, Sunniva rose her hand to her mouth to wipe away the ghost of feeling. Also because she'd rather think of how awful the back of her hand tasted that remember the memory. "May I ask from what age you've been a priest?" Maybe he's lived a full life and finally saw the way.
Or he was just a terrible person. Both were possibilities.
"As you wish, Knight of the White Lily," he replied in complete agreement. Merric washed his hands in the river, slipping his gloves back on before wrapping up the remains of the herbs and salve. Beat to not let that get completely dried out before it could be fully utilized. "What?" a glance back at her, when her question caught him somewhat off guard.
What difference did it make what age he was when he joined the priesthood? The question it seemed, was not so harmless. Or perhaps Merric had taught himself always to suspect the worst in most places. He put the herbs away, stashing them back in the saddlebags, gloved hand idly patting the cheek of his horse.
"Nineteen," he answered, turned back to Sunniva. "Why do you ask, Miss Avarali?"
Hm.
Terrible person then, well he could be a lovely person. Terrible priest. No matter, it wasn't any of her business and she quickly had to come up with some excuse or another. Slowly, Sunniva stood up and moved toward Mercuxio, careful not to trip. "I'm only curious. I've been with the church since I was seven. You sound old and seem worldly and I've always been interested in other people," a feigned shrug and she reached her hand out slowly, her finger tips brushing the velvety nose of the horse. "What's his name?"
The horse chuffed a little at Sunniva's unfamiliar contact. He wiggled his nose however, correcting her hand so that she pet the right spot. The black stallion was as astute as his rider and owner and although wary of the blind knight, he did not stir in displeasure. Another wiggle of his nose and he was expectant of proper scritches.
"Titus," he answered, gloved hand combing through the horse's mane. "Shall we get you through these woods to a town proper, Miss Avarali?"
A grin on her face and the unwanted memories were replaced by her trying to recall what horses looked like. Still, Sunniva gave Titus proper scritches and turned her head slightly towards Mercuxio's voice, the smile faded. Right. This wasn't about petting a horse. This was about getting back to safety. Or something like that. A small part of her felt guilty about the horse she'd been riding, dead on the side of a hill.
The other part was just glad it hadn't crushed her legs or killed her with it. "Of course. I would greatly appreciate that." Her hand dropped from the horses nose and she backtracked slightly back to where her cuirass was laying on the ground. Quickly she felt around for the dent, sighed and pulled it back on, pulling her long red hair from inside the armor. Sunniva assumed she looked as silly as she felt without that giant itchy woolen sweater.
"Alright. Am I to walk beside you while you ride your horse? I'm afraid I'd need a piece of string to hold onto so that I might follow you," Her voice wasn't biting - she also hadn't picked up the shirt - but the smirk on her face would hint to a Not So Sensitive person that she was teasing.
"Only if it pleases you. I understand close proximity to anybody is prohibited," Mercuxio said, climbing up into the saddle and pulling the reins into one hand. He turned in the saddle and smiled at the knight, but turned the horse around her and offered her a gloved hand. "Just above your face is my hand, grab it and I'll you up to ride behind me. Unless you prefer to walk. That is up to you."
"I do not prefer to walk, thank you." Sunniva said, grabbing his hand and accepting the help up onto the horse. Despite being blind, most of the motions were practiced ones and she had her leg on the other side of the horse in one smooth movement. "It isn't close proximity, by the way, it is skin contact. You weren't being facetious when you said I was blessed by Ansgar. I've more skills than just being an Adhara." Then, she went quiet, sitting up straight with her hands resting on her thighs.
Still, those people could be on the road. They knew what she looked like. It wasn't exactly a rare colour but the blood in her hair was telling. One look at her and they would know the blind lady they'd be escorting hadn't been killed. There was no mention of that, instead Sunniva stayed quiet and touched as little of the Priest as she could. The last thing she wanted was one of his memories. Yucky.
Mercuxio was mindful of the rider behind him. He knew he couldn't go back the way they came. Her assailants could still be there, a possibility he acknowledged. A deep frown set in then at the thought that the only possible form of civilization was the village with the mage posing as a divine healer. Despite wanting to get rid of this Lily - a blind one at that - what other decision was there.
The village was still a distance away. "Get comfortable back there," he said with a sigh. "It's going to be a long ride."
Sunniva also gave a sigh when he told her to get comfortable. How could she get comfortable? This was awkward and even if they went to the village, how exactly was she going to get back home? Sunniva knew that most people considered her a nuisance. No one wanted to deal with having to lead around someone who was blind, she barely liked dealing with it.
A hollow feeling in her chest and she dropped her head down, her face crumpling slightly. She missed her dog. If Pillow was here, he'd lead her back to safety. Or worse, he'd have been killed too. Today was just a bad day. Humbling in a strange way, how easily she could have died.
The aches and pains were setting in and she supposed she should be glad for Father Mercuxio's quick thinking on helping with the worst of the bruises. Also the wound at her neck. Sunniva sighed again and reached her hand back to scratch at the horses rump gently, "Thank you. I know that having to deal with me is probably the last thing you want to do - I know well enough from everyone else - but I appreciate you doing it anyway." Maybe not a terrible priest after all.
Blugh. Sunniva pulled a face, wishing she could see simply to get rid of the image of... Boobs. Terribly funny looking things. Who would want to put their face on those? Strange people, that's who.
What an odd thing? To be thanked in such a way. If she felt he considered her a nuisance because she was blind, that was simply not that case. Mercuxio did not appreciate being interrupted in the midst of a task he'd already been set on. And yet he decided he couldn't abandon her. So apart of his predicament was entirely his fault. But what kind of priest would he be if he left her behind to wander these woods?
"What talk is this? Humility from a Knight of the White Lily?" he asked, amusement dancing in his voice. He chuckled. "You were in need. And as you said, God favors you. Why were you surprised that you managed to find the help you needed when you needed it?"
Sunniva scoffed loudly and unashamed. "I'm simply a blind woman on her way to a miracle healer," She corrected, an eyebrow raised in challenge - though he wouldn't see it since she was seated behind him, "There are no Lilies here." Silently, a hint to go along with the general idea she'd been sent out with. Be blind. Catch the fraud. It was an easy job, except that there had been some sort of plot against her life. Perhaps it wasn't even hers, just her abilities.
"I was not surprised to find help when I needed it," Her voice had gone quiet, "I'm surprised by few things," the boobs from a priest were a surprise, "I'm simply expressing my gratitude towards you, Father Merc-" Sunniva's voice died and her fingers grabbed for the nearest steady thing, the back of Mercuxio's shirt. Going stalk still, Sunniva watched them from a distance. The voices were washed out, a hiss of air but she could see them on the horse. As black and as beautiful as she imagined Titus to be.
Gently she tugged on his clothing, leaning forward to whisper "We're being followed, right flank. A ways back," Slowly she frowned, "I don't know if they wish ill or if they're only traveling, I can't see it."
Thank god for the interlopers. Merric never was a fan of small talk. Much less with a woman that seemed to thoroughly enjoy the sound of her own voice. He'd been focused on the path through the trees, and had heard someone nearby. More than the sound of hooves stepping softly over underbrush. Titus kept walking, though his ear flickered to indicate that he heard it too.
"I know," Merric muttered between them. "We keep walking until they indicate their intention. For ill, I'll round about a tree closer to my right." He stayed quiet after that. By his guess at least two hundred yards. Far enough to remain hidden, but close enough to see.
And just when he heard the sound of an arrow in flight, Mercuxio smacked his heels into Titus' sides and the horse bolted. The arrow embedding itself into the bark of the tree on his right.
He knew?
Sunniva frowned at that. He was a Priest. What sort of Priest knew to ... A quiet huff and she went quiet, moving her hands from clinging to his back to wrapping around his midsection. The last thing she wanted to do was fall off the back of a damn horse. Sure enough, after much silence and easy walking the horse bolted and she clung to Mercuxio for dear life, giving a startled gasp and tucking her head against his back.
Which she vainly pulled back almost as quickly, he smelled awful. Like a sweaty horse, which was a fine smell on horses. Not so much on a human man.
Still there were more important things to attend to and Sunniva made sure she was appropriately clinging so she didn't fall off. "What sort of Priest are you?" She finally snapped, though the subject was quickly changed, why could she see the front of the horse from above? "I see-!" There was no time though, instead she reached up past Mercuxio, grabbed the horses reigns and gave it a jerk, sending them right. The bolt that surely would have hit the horse in the face plunked into the ground they'd turn from.
This was all her fault. The horse and the perverted Priest were in danger and it was all her fault. Maybe they were after him?
They must have been after him. Sunniva resumed clinging to his back and kept as silent as she could, though she kept more alert. Waiting for other views. Voices. Anything.
[Look. She's so prickly. Everything repels her. XD]
Now was not the time for explanations. Not from him and certainly not from her. For a second it struck him as odd that she said something about "seeing". A peculiar set of words for a blind woman, and certainly even one that claimed her gifts extended beyond that of an Adhara.
The horse was turnes roughly aside, Mercuxio nearly slipping off the saddle and taking Sunniva with him. He corrected just in time, pulling the reins back before him, Titus stamping the ground in fury. Merric pulled the mace from his belt and when he saw another man coming from the brush with a crossbow, he rolled his shoulder, arm coming back around and connecting with the man's jaw, smashing it and sending him to the ground.
There were more men in the trees, two bolts flying off in front of them, both tracing the ground in fire. "Titus!" The horse did leap, as the flames spread across a line, bounding over the fire and landing hard on the other side.
[ if she isn't prickly I may start to like her and if I like her I'll want her to be a good person D= ]
The familiar sound of a mace connecting with someone's jaw. Sunniva could appreciate that. In this situation could she ever appreciate it. In fact she wished she had her own and for a moment was tempted to ask Mercuxio for his. Still, it wouldn't be her mace. The leap of the horse caught her off guard and she tightened her grip. "We can't fight all of them," Sunniva finally gasped out, "I have no weapons." Also she was blind, but that went without saying.
Were they protecting that fraud? They didn't want to lose an easy way of money? Or maybe they didn't want to lose one of their few sources of healing. Either way, Sunniva wanted to find out later. This ambush would only work if they got caught and Sunniva prayed to God this Priest had more tricks up his sleeves or that Titus was a very fast horse.
Titus was a fast horae. One of the fastest Mercuxio had ever owned. But even fast horses could be slowed when the way was blocked and no clear exit opened up to them. The mount chuffed in desperation, steam forming from his nostrils as he intended to carry his riders to safety. But there were too many, and no matter the skulls crushed by Merric's mace there was always more.
And suddenly, a net was sprung around the pair and they were ripped from the horse's back. Titus too was pulled down and quickly commandeered by another. Merric lost his breath on the way down, gasping for air as he landed hard on the ground. The mace fell from his hands. And the net tightened around the pair.
"My my, what a catch today!" exclaimed one of the men. And another stepped forward, clearly in charge. "A priest and what...a nun? Having a tryst in the woods eh?"
"What should we do wif 'em Edd?"
"Why...we take 'em to safety. Only one town up ahead. Crane'd like to know who be snoopin' about."
Falling was never a fun sensation.
Sunniva's hands shot out to grab something, anything. There was nothing and she landed hard on her side, the one with the dent in it. Right on her bruise. A pained moan burst out of her and she curled up in a ball, hand pressing as close to the bruise as she could. Keeping her hands as close to herself as she could.
The last thing she wanted was to see these peoples memories. "He was being kindly, I stumbled on my horse. I was on my way to the town to be healed." It hadn't hurt too badly before, but the added bump made all the pain flair up at once and she had to give short quick breaths to keep the pain from her side. "Please, I'm but a blind woman, the priest was only protecting me."
The sound of something being picked up - his mace no doubt - and Sunniva tried her best to paint a picture of where everyone was based of their noises.
"I was only seeking to get back what God so cruelly took from me," Sunniva gave a gasping sob, pressing her hands to her face as well as she could in the net and began to cry. A weak willed sobbing mess of a woman. Usually always played well in her favor.
"Father will want to see you. Both of ya. Don't be frightened. Father will make it all better."
"He won't be happy to find them bleedin like this. He don't like rough housing."
"True," Edd replied, turning Merric's mace in hand, admiring thw handiwork. "We'll have to get ya fixed up. Snoopers or no. The Father will want to see you." He smiled a rotten grin at Merric and the dragged the pair along until they could get them righted and were soon stumbling along, cords wrapped around their wrists.
Well, at least they were being lead to where they wanted to go. Sunniva strained her hands agains the cords as she stumbled along. This was an extra awful day. The blood she'd gotten on her skin was itchy. The sweat was getting itchy. That stupid wool shirt left a rash around her neck and that was also itchy. Slow steady breaths. Deep breaths.
"Is Titus okay?" Gently she gnawed on her lip, not wanting the only innocent creature here to have suffered at all. There was no guilt for the Priest getting involved. The horse was another matter. Sunniva yelped when she was poked harshly in the side, "no talkin' Red. Y'all's can do plenty'o'that when we get you to Father." Sunniva made a noise that sounded something like a whimper, then she became quiet.
There would be no response from the priest. Not for fear of being reprimanded, but because it would do no one any good to speak. But one thing did gnaw at him. In fact it was that notion that was the only thing that broke his silence. "Why do you call him Father?" His tone waa addressed to whichever one that would listen, but it was Edd that turned around.
"Because he's Father. All our father. Ansgar, in the flesh." He sneered at Mercuxio then to Sunniva as if the blind one could see him. You never knew who could be faking after all. He certainly wasn't buying that crying snot woman guise. The only one that didn't seem to have tricks was the priest. But maybe he was the sneakier snake.
Edd sniffed and started to sing a hymn, loudly and soon all his men joined him. The horse being ridden along behind.
Ansgar in the flesh?
Sunniva kept her head down, letting her long hair hide her face while she went along. Being ignored was a little needle in her back, but then questioning the people that caught them made her wish she had eyes to roll. The hymn sent shivers up her spine - not because it was beautiful - but the sounds... It sounded more like a dirge to her and something primal in her was frightened, a feeling that she didn't acknowledge.
At least none of them had touched her.
A moment passed and she lifted her head, "That was beautiful," the words trembled out of her and she pushed her hair from her face with the backs of her hands. Slowly Sunniva turned towards the voice of the leader Edd and let out a careful breath, "Can Father heal everything? Is there a chance for me? Please? I just want to see again. The world is dark and empty without the light of Ansgar to grace my sight."
He was Father. He took care of them all, just as Ansgar always did. But he was real. Really real! A living form that could heal the sick and mad. He was everything the people of this village had been waiting for. And he would protect them. And they would walk with him in turn to the very gates of Heaven.
Mercuxio thought about this and felt his stomach recoil in disgust, that this mage had somehow manipulated these people into believing he was some divine being sent from above. It was blasphemy! It was...worse! Somehow, the blasphemy was only a small part of it that turned the Confessor's stomach. He knew he'd been sent to bring in Crane, but as far as he knew the Order had not been made aware just to the extent of the mage's activities.
Merric's thoughts were momentarily interrupted by Sunniva's continued pretense. One Edd had no intention of buying.
"Snoopers only slits and lashes. You can pick which one. Now, don't interrupt the Hymn. Tis Father's tune," he snapped and spit at the White Lily. "Sodding snooper."
Anger flared in her gut and her fingers tensed for a moment. Instead of lashing out though she leaned away and simply hung her head again. Mercuxio smashed one of their men in the head with his mace and she'd just been a passenger and they were treating her like... Deep breaths. Sunniva had to stop talking. Apparently they weren't buying the weak willed blind woman bit and while part of it was true - She was indeed blind - the rest was as far from the truth as could be.
So, she hunched her shoulders forward and let her head droop down and she thought.
They wouldn't need a way out until they were in that town. With that false prophet. She would show them the light of Ansgar. Take Mercuxio's mace and light them right up the sides of their heads, maybe take it all away if they yet lived. A hand touched her arm, wrapped around her forearm and she jerked away quickly, "Don't touch me!!" was snarled moments before she rammed her shoulder right into a tree.
Children. That man had children. Two little girls giggling and running into his arms. A kindly man who was doing this because that town was his home, these people were his family and Sunniva felt sick for a moment. The warmth of that memory had her frowning and quick enough she fixed her footing. He'd only been helping her avoid wandering in front of a tree. That memory meant nothing. There was no context and should it come to it, she would feel nothing if she had to end their light.
Sunniva was prepared for it. Their screams would be as much a dirge as their song was.
"They have to touch you," Merric hissed to Sunniva. "And they will touch you whether you like it or not. Scream again, and it may be your last. Be silent. Say nothing unless directly addressed."
"Listen to your friend," Edd said, snickering as he watched Sunniva. He leaned down and didn't touch her, but she'd be able to feel his breath on her cheek, and he sniffed the scent of her hair. "Blossoms. That's what we'll call you here. Blossom."
Merric glared up at the man, but Edd didn't seem to notice. They were taken then to the chapel. A large, tall building, well cared for it seemed even when many other homes seemed mere shacks compared to this.
No.
Panic jolted through her and Sunniva just wanted to curl up, there was a job to do though. Stubborn. Sunniva had to be stubborn. She said nothing to Mercuxio and while her insides churned with the idea of having to see more of these peoples memories she would remember they were just that. They didn't affect her. They wouldn't change her mind. Slow steady breaths through her nose and it wasn't until she heard Edd's voice so close to her ear did she recoil slightly.
A wince.
Again, she said nothing.
It took every ounce of willpower not to turn her head and bash her forehead into his nose. It would break so beautifully, one good whack and there would be warm blood on the both of them. Not yet though. Deep breaths. Steady breaths. They didn't know she was an adhara. They didn't think her anything other than a simple nun. A nun that was having a tryst with a priest of all things.
There were so many cards in her hand and it would be a waste to just throw them away to break someones nose. A glimpse from behind them, her long mess of red hair, her head down. The chapel in front of them the shacks of the homes beside it and Sunniva couldn't quite help the gasp that fell from her mouth. Despite the conditions of the rest of the town the Chapel was grand and indeed beautiful.
It was also probably where the target was. Good.
Mercuxio fell with a grunt, when a boot was planted into his back and he rolled onto his side. They'd both been shoved through the doors, and before him he could see the rows of pews, and the pulpit up ahead.
"Don't just shove them through the door. You nit!" Edd exclaimed as he helped Merric off the ground. Another man came for Sunniva. "Father will have your head!"
Once on their feet again, ahead of them, a man had turned around, coming from off to the side, and closing the door gently behind him. He was fully-bearded, his hair curly and though brown, had some hints of silver in it. He had a kindly look to him, and though he was taller than Merric, he was neither thin nor overtly built. "Oh? Guests! Please, help them in. Welcome, welcome to our village."
They were ushered inside, and presented before Crane, but not close enough. Crane remained by the altar of the chapel and he smiled kindly at the both of them. "And who might you two be?"
"Snoopers, Father Crane," Edd announced walking around the pair and bowing to the mage. Crane held out his hand and Edd kissed his ring, as one might do to a Bishop or a member of the clergy of higher rank. "Found 'em wandering the woods here. I thought you'd want to see 'em."
"Oh?" he murmured, turning to Mercuxio and noting his clothing. "A fellow priest? I welcome a brother in the house of God."
Mercuxio didn't know what to say. He hadn't been expecting such...hospitality, even after being sent through a chapel door. That being said he wasn't about to buy into it. "Thank you," he muttered, though his tone was lest than gracious. "You've been quite...hospitable."
"And your names?" Crane asked, his tone very much like an old grandfather's speaking softly to his grandchildren.
But at that Merric held his tongue. And simply looked at Sunniva.
Treated with a little more care, Sunniva fell flat onto her belly after being shoved through the doors. Her chin whacked against the ground painfully and she sat up slowly, another persons hand on her arm, another set of memories she didn't want. A fight with his wife, the voices were so fresh in her mind. The anger so potent. She'd screamed at him about this prophet being a mage and if he loved mage so much, just move to Serendipity.
After she was helped up, Sunniva ripped her arm away and kept her head down. So close. Sunniva just needed to be a little closer to make him sweat. Would he know it was from her? Sunniva hadn't heard any other women and a mordecai would have been noticed by now. Her heart in her chest thumped and as told, she kept as silent as possible.
Their names? "Our names?" Sunniva said softly, seeing herself for a moment through Mercuxio's eyes and she turned her head to him and lifted her eyebrow, frowning at him slightly before she turned to face the seemingly kind old man. "I am Samantha and this is Marcus, I... It's a pleasure to meet you, Father Crane." She gave him a low bow and held it, not willing to bring about the ire of Edd again. He may put his face near her face and she wasn't sure she could resist smashing in him in the nose with it.
Merric had considered blurting out the truth. Why lie if they were prisoners anyway? But he held his tongue and looked at Father Crane. The 'Father' bowed his head in greeting. "Welcome to Brisianntine," he said and gestured to Edd. "Shall we make our guests more comfortable?"
"No, Father. We don't know much about them. I think it's best for all of us if we keep them bound."
"As you see it," Crane said, bowing his head again. "You a priest, Marcus. That I can plainly see. But you, Samantha. Who are you? Why are you in the company of a member of the Ansgarian Clergy?"
"She's a nun," Merric quickly said. "She was traveling with me while I was making my way to a small village in the Hollow. The armor was meant for protection. The roads are rife with highwaymen."
Hurray for being kept bound.
Sunniva kept her head down and her mouth closed, though her hands were a give away. Occasionally she flexed them into white knuckled fists and she simply nodded along with whatever Mercuxio was saying. A nun. Well, at some point she was going to be a nun, so at least just their names were lies. Marcus and Samantha. Marcus and Samantha.
Maybe it would have been easier to be mute instead of blind.
Currently there were only voices, quiet shuffles, gentle movements. The voices echoed through the grand chapel and Sunniva slowly lifted her head towards the ceiling, taking deep calming breaths. One of them had to be the bad guy between the pair, they'd shun one and warm up to the other and Mercuxio had more advantages, like seeing, and the Crane fellows potential magic working around him. Maybe...
It was hard to motion to people when you weren't sure they were looking at you. "We have places to be, Father, if you would be so kind as to return our horse and remove the bindings we would be happy to spread the word of your being on our travels."
"Spread the word? Oh, no, we can't have that. If we told everyone, then everyone would just want to come here. And it's not as if we have plenty of food to go around. That being said, we always share with guests. The others are just setting dinner. Please, won't you join us. Edd, you can come too," he said and nodded to the man.
They were dragged through the door into the rectory at the rear of the chapel. The furnishings were simple, much like any other priest's might have been, and Merric was sure Crane was content in playacting the role of holy man to a T. He just hoped the food would be better.
oh joy.
Dinner time. While Sunniva was hungry, she wasn't keen on eating around strangers. It was embarrassing and more often than not she spilled things on herself. It would also not be polite to pretend to be sick, so Sunniva didn't put up a fight when she was dragged along, or rather, pushed along. Thankful for no onslaught of memories this time.
The dreams she'd have tonight. Sunniva physically winced at the prospect of sleeping. Since they were guests, they were seated first and their bindings removed. Sunniva was quick to rub her raw wrists but for the most part she was quiet. It hadn't gone to plan, she hadn't raised their ire. "Father Crane, your men believe you are Ansgar reborn, to simply be in your presences makes my heart flutter with joy." Sunniva smiled, trying her best to appear as innocent as a messy haired blind girl could.
Crane laughed. "Please. There's no need to flatter me. I am as much of flesh as you are," he quickly added. "There's no need to pretend this is some ceremonious occasion, for it is not. You are here by chance, but though you are guests, you are still strangers among us. Most of the villagers here know to be wary of such people."
He grinned at them however, just as the food was carried out onto the table. And just as Merric had expected. What expense was saved from décor was spent on food. There had to be enough here to feed ten people and their families!
Sunniva had the good graces to duck her head and nod, even managing to blush a little and before long she cleared her throat. "I regret to tell you that I am fasting at the moment," She didn't trust them. She didn't trust the food. Sunniva had gone without before and she could do it again. Too nervous to eat anyway. "I will partake in conversation and water, if you would be so kind?"
"Surely a long journey is the wrong time to be fasting," Crane said as he looked at Sunniva. "Please eat. I insist."
Sunniva gave a false laugh but inside she cursed, not having anymore excuses. The attempt at a fast had been her grasping at straws and she would just appear rude now and what did crazy people do to rude people? Sunniva bet they got eaten.
A few deep quick breaths and she simply nodded, "I suppose I can break my fast for you, Father Crane, and resume it tomorrow. It is a special occasion, it's not every day a nun such as myself gets to dine with one such as you." Her fingers clenched in her lap and she gave a quick smile before ducking her head back down, trying her best not to find the nearest knife and just... Snuff out someones life.
Potentially these are all terrible people.
With families. And homes.
Merric watched the exchange between the pair and when Crane's eyes fell on him, he met his brown ones with the cold ice of his own. The man tilted his head and furrowed his brow at him. "Is something the matter, Father Marcus?"
Merric wanted to throw the knife that was in his hand directly at him. He was certain he would get it into his throat. He would sink it into that loose thin flesh and pull it across. Easy. Except that there was no doubt that Edd and his men would be quickly upon him, either to prevent the attack, or to kill him in the aftermath.
"No," he said, and bowed his head. "The food smells wonderful. I'm afraid eating on the road, and in many inns, food leaves much to be desired. We have been out...a long time, as you can see. We don't have our proper table manners. Please. Let us bless this food. Ansgar the Brave, we look to thee for guidance and courage. That we may learn to shape ourselves into your image. We are but mortal men ...and woman...and could never know the full extent of your glory. Bless all that we have, from our clothing, to our food, to our homes. Thank you for all that we are, and all we may yet become. Amen."
"Amen."
It felt like blasphemy but still, she whispered her amen and kept her head bowed. The feeling of uselessness becoming more apparently as the time dragged on. Not only had she risked her own life but perhaps the Fathers as well. However, these people were not the ones from earlier and on some level, that worried her. Gently her hand pressed to her bruised side and she suddenly felt very tired, giving a soft sigh she shifted in her seat.
Maybe...
Sunniva let her head droop down and she went quiet and still.
"Blossom?" A rough male voice said and she felt a hand on her shoulder, a soft shake. That meant that one of them had chosen to sit beside her, hurray. Still, she stayed quiet, a rougher shake and she slumped sideways in her chair. "Uh..." The hand left her and she stayed slumped over in the chair, making sure to breath softly so that she seemed asleep.
Maybe she'd get out of dinner this way. Couldn't eat if she was sleeping!
It was Merric that stood and took Edd's hand away from Sunniva. "Please keep your hands to yourself in such a manner," he said, his look stern. Though Edd had bound them both not so long ago, he slowly rescinded his hand, placing it on the table and grabbing onto the fork as the meal was being served.
"She is a nun. And pure in the eyes of God. To touch her is a disgrace to God and yourself. Please keep your hands off of her," he said sharply.
"As you say," Edd replied, bowing his head. He glanced to Crane for approval and the man only gestured to listen to the priest.
"Thank you," he said and looked at Sunniva. Merric was the one then that adjusted her in the seat and took a portion of the duck that was served and nudged her to open her mouth. "Food, Sister Samantha. You need to eat. You haven't eaten since yesterday."
Sunniva wasn't one to swear. If anything she came up with colourful alternatives. So, when Mercuxio foiled her pretend sleeping plan she silently and mentally uttered a simple, 'well, fuck.' Sometimes, eyes were extra useful, you could glare with those. Instead, she just frowned deeply and adjusted herself in her seat. Damn this priest. Though, she appreciated his sudden agreement for people to not touch her, which was leaps and bounds better than his opinion of it before.
To go with the being weak and tired spiel she gently pushed away his hand, making a tired noise. Eventually she just sat up and squeezed her pants, teeth clenched. Fine. She'd play along. "I haven't. I'm afraid I feel faint." She gasped softly, taking the offered food and chewing swallowing and feeling humiliated and angry all while doing so. All of her attempts at lies were being foiled by this damnable priest. And the fake damnable priest. "Please, tend to yourself Father Marcus," her hand went out to the table and completely on accident she knocked over a cup.
Luckily it was empty, but still, her face heated with embarrassment and she took a breath and cleared her throat, slowly drawing her hands back"Perhaps I should... Not reach across the table. I'm afraid I don't know where everything is." Completely honest, her tone was sheepish and she gave a small apologetic smile.
A barking laugh did erupt, from the few other men that bothered to join Crane's table. They were wary of the priest as this so called nun. The armor and the looks the received from them were doubly suspicious and Edd had a feeling they weren't merely pilgrims. Why stray from the main road if they were? Certainly one might try to avoid bandits by taking detours, and yet one could easily attract said bandits by taking detours.
Soldiers were all over the place these days.
When Sunniva's face burned red, Edd quickly raised his hand to the man that dared laugh, throwing a piece of bread at him. "Shut ya yap, Rowan. Or I'll shut it for you."
"Edd!" It was Crane this time. "All of you show some respect! This is not your little copse of trees that you all crawl around in. This is the house of God! Now eat, and drink in silence if you have nothing to add to conversation."
Mercuxio watched them all, wishing he'd had his mace with him. Crane was so close. "So, Father Marcus." Merric blinked and turned to Crane. "How long have you been with the clergy? You seem awfully young."
"I have been a priest for many years," he answered slowly. "Almost as long as my friend Sister Samantha has been a member of the cloth. We met in the same rectory, trying to help the poor in the Western part of the Hollow. And remained friends ever since. What about you Crane? How long have you been here?"
Sunniva gave an ever so slight frown, Mercuxio was young? A not so well hid shudder at the memory he had unintentionally shared and she made a face before she quickly fixed her seating, her fingers just resting on the table. This was awkward. Usually Sunniva ate her meals alone and it was usually nothing fancy and now there were strangers around and it wasn't until she heard noise at her plate did she realize one of the men - Edd it must have been - was plating her meal for her.
More embarrassment.
Across the table, the Crane spoke up, "I've been here for a time," Which was delightfully vague and there was a pause. Sunniva frowned at her plate, the smell of food much closer than before and picked up her fork, not at all interested in eating. So she just sat there and listened. "It feels like I've been here forever, this place, this village - they feel like where I am meant to be," Father Crane took a bite of food and chewed thoughtfully, eyeing the pair.
Carefully, Sunniva took a bite of food and remained quiet.
"Perhaps I've always been fated to be here, to Shepherd them to the Light." There was a kind look towards Sunniva though she didn't see it. "You see now why we can't go telling everyone about my presence here, it would cause an uproar! One such as me hiding away here, to grace these people. It's hardly fair but... It is how it must be. Don't you agree, Father Marcus?"
No, he would not agree. In fact if any of this farce contained any grain of truth, it would be a greater sin to keep such a thing a secret. Ansgar was meant to be shared with all of his children. And if one man truly were God in the flesh, why hide it?
Clearly this man did not hide it. He believed himself to be what he said that he was. Mercuxio knew when to doubt. He was a Confessor, and would find the truth, even if blood had to be spilled in the process.
"Yes," he answered aloud, reaching for cup of water that was served in front of him. He sniffed it first, watching Edd watching him, and slowly took a sip. Just in case. He only wet his palette and let it linger on his tongue before he swallowed a bite of food. He smiled at Crane. "The people here seem awfully destitute. Surely they have farming or some form of steady income. And yet...your chapel, seems rather well cared for. I understand it is a house of God. But it does strike me as odd."
"My dear boy," Crane began, hands hands folded in front of him on the table, giving Mercuxio a fatherly smile, "You need not concern yourself with such things. If the people were unhappy, would they not raise their voices? They want to give to the chapel, it is by the graciousness of this town that you are being so well cared for." Again, he grew silent as he ate a bite of his meal, taking notice how little the two guests were eating. Pecking at it even, as it this meal wasn't good enough for them.
Really it was the other way around. They weren't enough to eat at his table. Crane wasn't a stupid man and Marcus and Samantha seemed more than what they said they were. Still, being polite was key and as long as they thought he believed them, all would be well. Crane watched the blind girl push the food around on her plate with her fork and did his best not to frown at her, that Marcus fellow would notice and probably say something about it.
"Edd," Crane began.
"Yea, Father?"
"When the meal is finished, take Father Marcus and Sister Samantha to our guest room, I imagine they're exhausted from their traveling." There was a nod from Edd, to which Mercuxio got a dirty look and Sunniva seemed to sink into herself slightly, ducking her head farther down to hide herself behind her drape of red hair.
"Yes, Father." The meal was underway and unless Marcus had more questions, Crane didn't push any topics.
Yes, he had plenty more questions. But none, he knew that would be prudent to ask in this point in time. There would be no point to accusations that would only result in his head being spilled out all over the floor and would lead this to be a futile venture. And he was wondering in part if this wasn't already one.
Mercuxio instead ate in silence, picking at his meal until it was cold. It was when Edd was finished that it was decided that they were too and they were quickly led to the room where they would be held as 'guests." Merric turned to Edd, just before the door would close, and he caught a glimpse of a wicked smile.
"What about our things?" he quickly asked.
"Get some rest, Father. You'll need it." And the door was bolted shut.
You'll need it?
Sunniva frowned and turned towards the door being bolted shut.
Quickly enough she moved to press her fingers to the door, sighing softly and finally pressing her forehead to it. Sunniva pressed her hands to the door and first traced it from one side of the room to the other, mostly ignoring Mercuxio's presence. Knowing how large the room was would be important. "I suppose you have some questions," She said softly, taking a few steps into the room, her shoulders back and her head straight.
Sunniva was referring to earlier, on the horse.
In all her silence, Merric had forgotten about her in spirit. And was only then reminded of her when she bothered to speak up. After all that inactivity during dinner. "Questions indeed. There seem to be an endless chain of those," he said with unbridled frustration. He sighed, hissing a little and turning to observe the room.
Two beds, thankfully. But not that it mattered really to him, because he didn't plan on sleeping in this room for long, if at all.
"You were sent to kill Crane weren't you?" he asked quickly. "But your guards were traitors, meant to kill you. Do you think it was Crane's men that got to you first, or simply a coincidence that your assassins would strike you the moment you were heading to this village?"
There was the room.
There was she.
Then, after a moment of disorientation she walked over to a bed and sat down with the confidence of someone who could see. Years of turning perspectives around had left her with little fear. Sitting on the bed, she crossed her legs at the knee and sat, finger combing her hair while Mercuxio spoke and she simply tilted her head and gave him a bored look.
Well. A bored face.
"I was sent to take care of Crane, yes" Sunniva resumed finger combing her hair, "No one was staring at me the whole time we ate dinner, so I'm guessing my guards are a long ways away and think they've completed their task. We hadn't seen anyone for hours, there was a steep hill, by all rights I should be dead, if not hit by a bolt, then crushed by my horse." There was a soft shrug for his benefit but the finger combing didn't stop, though her hand gently brushed against her neck. "One of them took proof, my blindfold."
Slowly her arms crossed over her chest, "You know an awful lot for a simple Priest." Her tone took on a steely edge, "Who are you."
"I told you who I am," he said, not about to answer any questions until his were satisfied. His displeasure was heavy in his tone, but it was useless in a situation like this.
"You should have turned back while you could. This is no place for a Lily, let alone a blind one. Crane is mine. There is no other alternative," he said with a sigh. There was of course, one clear alternative, but one that would lead them to a crossroads when all was said and done. Well, if they survived this village of all things.
"My name is Mercuxio. I am a priest," he said at last, staring off into one of the windows. "Of the Order of St. Agratha. A Confessor. I am to bring in Crane. That is why I'm here. In case it wasn't obvious."
Sunniva stood up quickly, her temper hot.
It hurt because he was right. This was no place for her. Maybe because of who she was, maybe because she was blind. There was little to do besides hold her hands at her sides. Having a temper tantrum while trying to appear like a grown adult was... Hardly productive. "What's that supposed to mean, Mercuxio?" It was a stupid name. He was stupid too.
Taking a few more careful steps forward she simply tossed her hair over her shoulder, "I am an adhara. Whatever prejudices you have against the White Lilies, my abilities are concrete." Frowning she lowered her head, "I can defer to your judgement, Confessor, but un---" Sunniva stopped talking and went quiet, frowning, holding a hand up just incase to silence Mercuxio. There were no footsteps to be heard but she could see their window.
See Mercuxio through it and she slowly walked towards it, poking her head around as it to peek out. Then she saw herself too.
It was a child and just as quickly as they were being looked at the vision went away and she pressed her fingers to the glass, now standing at the window. "I can at least help you, if you let me. I am capable of things you can't even imagine." There was a pause, "Besides, you're older."
Merric kept silent in her reverie, her actions strange, as if she was trying to 'see' out the window. in fact, if only he knew she was looking inside. Mercuxio approached her and put his hands behind his back.
"No prejudice against you or your kind," he said, his voice low and tone deep. To keep prying ears from honing in on too much. "You're far too ceremonial. You would've gotten caught even if you had made it to the village with all of your soldiers."
He sighed and rubbed a hand through his hair. "This is a mess."
If only she had eyes to roll.
"There were four men with me, they were my guards. I was a noble woman and I was blind and I was coming here to seek healing," Sunniva explained the plan, "Then, I would stop him from doing magic, since he is a mage, and we would collect him and execute him." She gave Mercuxio a sharp smile, before she placed her hands on her hips, turning around to face him, though she didn't need to for her own benefit.
Then she leaned in, choosing to ignore the comment about being ceremonial and just smiled at him. "It is a mess isn't it," another smile at him and she left him where he stood and sat on the bed, removing the cuirass and placing it on the end of the bed. "I wish I could feel bad for you but..." Sunniva turned to face him, smiling, "I'm afraid I am incapable."
"There's no need for sympathy," he said coldly. "And there are few alternatives. You wish to help. Very well. I'm sure you can come up with a plan to get close to Crane. He clearly doesn't care that you're blind. And neither do his men. Blossom."
A cold shiver rattled her spine and Sunniva just slowly turned her head, "You will not call me that." Such simple words but they felt cold and she hoped her tone carried appropriately. "I am blind, not inept." Then she carefully folded her arms over her chest and crossed her legs at the knee, "What do you suggest? I'd hate to step on your toes, seeing as how this is your mission now."
"First tell me your abilities. Clearly you're more than you appear to be. You stated you possessed gives beyond those I would imagine. Go on."
Sunniva gave a dry laugh, "Clearly, indeed." She sighed and tapped at the bed, bored with the situation. "I can see through your eyes. On your horse, I was looking down from the tree at us, I saw the cross bow, so I moved us." A tilt of her head and she gave him a smile, "Can you imagine."
Mercuxio actually grinned. He believed her, though part of him took it with a grain of salt. "You can see things," he mimicked and tilted his head. "Can you move them too? With your mind? What else can you do? When I helped with the bruising you...you acted funny."
Sunniva frowned, "With my mind? That's preposterous, that's no better than using magic," She snarled at him though quickly her back went straight and she turned her head forward and cleared her throat. She could move things with her mind, it frightened her but he didn't need to know that. "Helped with my bruise? I don't know what you're talking about. I was acting funny because I had a mans hand on my being." Sunniva gave a huff and crossed her arms over her chest and pouted, and while that was true in some ways, it also was mostly a lie.
Merric wasn't having that nonsens and moved to sit beside her. "And that disturbed you so?"
Sunniva shuffled down on the bed without turning to him, "Yes. It did. I don't take my vows as lightly as others do." There was a biting tone to her voice and she turned to him and smiled.
Merric scowled at her tone. And that only aroused his suspicions further. "And neither do I. An oath broken is a life forfeited. Your word is your law, break that and you've broken yourself. I'm glad to see at least in that, we are in agreement." He frowned at her and leaned in close enough, as if trying to see through her skull to her brain.
It was always strange to see herself so close up. From a distance as a mess of red hair, or a figure clothed in white and gold. A moment of vanity and she could appreciate how pretty it was, could appreciate how the looks were wasted on someone like her. Still, with surprising accuracy, she lifted a hand and flicked the tip of Mercuxio's nose.
"Back up, Marcus, you're in my space." Then her arms crossed over her chest and the world was black again.
Mercuxio inwardly hissed at how much bitchy was put into something to pretty, but such was this particular little package of White Lily. He leaned back and grinned, and sniffed. "You're clever. Which I'm sure you know already. You hold your cards remarkably close to your chest," he said, obviously commenting on her choice of positioning right now.
"Very well, we'll work together. Seeing as there isn't much other choice."
Sunniva didn't turn to him, she stayed where she was and simply tilting her head. "You already know more than you need to about me. My name, my abilities, my other abilities." Of course, she laughed quietly and turned to face him, an eyebrow raised to match her expression. "Was our working together ever a question? I don't want to die, you can see and they're actually willing to talk to you instead of oggle you every five minutes. I've never not wanted to work with you." Another smile, "Just don't touch me."
"I'll do my best to keep my priestly hands off your precious supple body," he said, rolling his eyes and turning toward the door. "Or perhaps we might use that body of yours to our advantage. Edd clearly favors you. Though that might simply be because you're a White Lily and nothing else."
Sunniva looked down at herself, pressing her hands to her chest feeling the fabric. The armor didn't have any indicators of her being a White Lily. "It's not for my chastity I don't want you touching me, that would have to be be forced from me violently and whom ever tried would have their eyes as torn out as mine were," The very idea of someone touching her like that sent her blood boiling and if red was a colour she could see the world would be bathed in it the way her anger flared up.
"I don't understand how Edd would know I'm a White Lily. I... I don't have anything to indicate that I am." Frowning she pat at her shirt again, did she forget a symbol? The shirt was plain fabric. How would he know?
"Excuse my poor choice of words. I meant that you were a nun. And there's little difference between the requirements of such stations."
Huffing out, Sunniva sighed growing impatient, "I don't understand how either of those things are attractive features. What matter is it if I'm a nun or a white lily, why would either of those things make me more attractive to that Edd fellow."
"Because to a man like him, you are fruit ripe for the picking," he said sharply. "And he won't need magic for that."
"Now I'm fruit?" Sunniva put her hands to her head and sighed, "I don't understand. Could you stop using metaphors and just tell me? I've lived in the church since I was seven, most vegetable and fruit metaphors are lost on me." Her tone was frustrated and she pressed her hands to her lap. A moments pause, "What lazy mage uses magic to pick fruit?!"
"He wished to have sex with you. Deep, rough, and probably one-sided sex," he said with an exasperated sigh.
The look of horror that Sunniva's face fell into, at any other time and on any other face, would have looked comical. "I beg your pardon? That's disgusting. He has children and a wife." Her fingers moved to clutch her elbows and she simply frowned at the floor, "I'd rip out his eyes if he tried anything. Sex is disgusting and useful for one thing. Procreation." Folding her arms over her chest she huffed out another little breath, "besides, shouldn't being a nun make people not want that from me?"
"Apparently he feels entirely otherwise," he said with a scoff. "At least he doesn't have much in his taste in women. But whatever assumptions might be had with that, we could use this to our advantage. Not to have him touch you no, but perhaps to give us information that might be beneficial to our station. If he does touch you, feel perfectly free to rip his eyes out. I don't care. They're all heretics."
His taste in...?
Sunniva frowned, "are you suggesting only disgusting married men would be interested in me?" It was her turn to scoff, "how about you wear my clothing and try to woo men. I'm sure you have just as much experience with a man as I do."
"First let's see what we're really in for," Merric sighed and plopped down on the other bed. "The people here clearly worship Crane. He is probably as close to God as any of them are likely to get. But maybe there's some one that doesn't buy everything he's selling. They are who we need to reach."
Apparently he wasn't interested in trying to tempt any of the men.
How surprising.
Her hands were in her hair again and Sunniva sighed quietly, though she had to laugh. "Buying everything he's selling? That's..." She smiled, "That's quite appropriate." Also funny, unexpectedly so.
"Well, there was someone outside looking into the window not long ago. Unfortunately, we're locked in here and the window doesn't open." Sunniva moved to lay on the bed, moving to push the cuirass off her mattress. A long drawn out sigh, "If it will help you I suppose I can... Be friendly... To one of Crane's men for information." The snear on her face was as vocal as she could make it, "I've no experience though and I will not act like a twittering fool."
Merric turned to her, furrowing his brow. "Why the sudden change of heart?"
Sunniva sighed and crossed her arms over her chest, "It's easier than picking out a single non-believer. I know I can't read people." Another sigh and she rolled onto her side so she was facing Mercuxio's bed. "Besides, we have no time and... While disgusting and I don't want to, I have a job to do here. Also you've given me permission to rip out eyeballs."
"I'm sure I didn't need to give you permission for that," he said with a short sigh. "But I'll trust your judgment on the matter."
Sunniva smiled, "You didn't need to give me permission but I'll feel much better about doing it if I can say 'Father Marcus let me do it'." Another soft sigh and she moved to rest her arm on her face, resting over her eyelids. "I can see peoples memories," she confessed softly, after having avoided saying it for a while, "One of the men has children, the memories are nothing but smiles and love."
Merric tilted his head at the revelation. "And what do you make of that?" he asked. "A loving family that believes as he does? Or questions why he devotes himself to a heretic and a fraud?"
There was an exaggerated shrug and she let out a quiet breath, "I don't see details. I see it as they remember it. Children running up to their father happily." Her hands pressed to her head and Sunniva sighed, "I don't know. I only want Crane. I don't want to hurt these people." Sunniva sat up and frowned at Mercuxio carefully. "Edd's wife is at odds with him, I saw a fight, perhaps she doesn't believe as he does."
"Perhaps she's not the only one," Merric murmured in thought. Finally he flopped down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling, noticing then the Spears of Ansgar painted across the top of each bed, an ironic reminder of where they were, and why.
"When Crane is finished who gets what?" he asked, curious. "We both want him dead, for likely the same reasons, but only one of us can take him. Who shall it be?"
A long drawn out sigh.
"I don't care. If it's so important to you, you make keep him." Sunniva's voice dripped with annoyance and she fluffed at her hair. "You will need me though, unless you're capable of keeping him from doing magic simply by being nearby."
Though she knew that eventually, it would be suspicious. Then they would look to her and Sunniva didn't want to imagine what sort of trouble she'd be in if they caught her.
He sniffed and just glared at her, certain she'd be able to tell somehow despite not being able to see. He didn't waste time closing his eyes and breathing softly, feeling more worse for wear.
"They didn't by the way," he added, feeling himself drifting off. "Kill my horse. I mean at the time of being captured. I hope they didn't afterward. I...remember you asked."
The tone of his voice changed and Sunniva could tell he was slowly falling asleep.
"I'm glad. Your horse has been the best company so far."
She said simply before she laid back down on her bed and pressed her hands to her face.
"Go to sleep, Father. I'll wake you if anything seems more wrong than it already is."
Mercuxio was already falling asleep, knowing somewhere deep down his body would regret sleeping in armor in the morning. However, it probably wasn't a good idea to take it off, just in case. When she said something, he blinked at her, feeling himself frown.
Having a blind woman keep watch, frankly, wasn't very reassuring. But his exhaustion won out in the end and he fell asleep without a sound.
It was tempting to go over and touch him again.
See more of his memories.
Learn secrets.
The other half knew that it would probably involve more breasts and sex and no thank you. Sunniva was not interested.
Eventually she drifted off to sleep and as usual, it was memories she didn't want. Things she didn't want to see. There was always more she got to see when she slept. The flashes of memories were one thing. The things she could instantly remember. The rest played out in her dreams and she found herself sitting up, giving a violent shudder while she fought the nausea.
These people didn't deserve life.
A careful breath and she stood up, trailing her fingers along the wall until she found Mercuxio's bed. Sitting on the floor beside it, she tucked her knees to her chin and rested her head against them. Usually she'd cuddle her dog. Unavailable as he was at the moment she listened to her unwilling companion's even breathing to calm her nerves.
Palms pressed at her temples and she gave another shudder. There was no time to sleep. The few movements down the hallway were obviously a patrol of some sort and Sunniva turned her head so she was facing the door if it was opened. Not that she would be awoken by any lights.
Not that she would be sleeping.
There was a moment where she was overwhelmed and she'd wished she'd been told to just go home and not bother. Still, now she could prove herself useful. Despite being blind. Use her God given gifts.
Eventually though, curled up as she was, with the even breathing of the man on the bed Sunniva fell asleep again with her head on her knees.
At the proximity of another body, and breathing closer than he remembered, Mercuxio did awaken. He'd always been a light sleeper. But this was a situation he was not comfortable in. And that lack of comfort kept him awake, and ultraware.
Or as aware as he could be.
He reached out into the darkened room and felt her head there. Quickly retracting his hand, he gasped a bit and felt her head again. "What are you doing on this side?" he hissed lightly, vaguely startled.
Sunniva turned her head slightly, trying to shake his hand from his hair.
"I had a nightmare. My dog isn't here and your breathing was calming." Her voice was soft, sleepy and she sounded very young. Nuzzling farther into her arms she gave a weary sigh, "I can go back." Though the tone of her voice heavily implied she didn't want to.
"Lie beside me then. What kind of lily are you to be scrunched up on the floor? Have some dignity would you." Merric reached down and nudged her shoulder.
Sunniva was too tired for dignity. After the day she had. Unable to see the bruises that littered her body, she knew she was absolutely covered in them. Silently she stood up, tossing her long hair over her shoulder before kneeling on her companions bed. It was just her dog, that was it. Climbing over him so she was against the wall Sunniva laid down, careful to keep her long hair out of the way before she curled up and let out a small sigh. "Thank you," were her sleepy words.
He stared at her in the dark, eyes finally adjusting and soon the sleep he so eagerly sought had left him. His eyes stared up at the ceiling, ears listening for any boots that might be drawing near. The room felt unnaturally cold, as if they were knee deep in spirits, as the superstition went.
At least he had his armor. And he wondered then if that would protect him from the evil of this place.
"Go to sleep," Sunniva whispered, forgetting herself for a moment before she placed her warm hand on Mercuxio's forehead. The moment of contact was too brief to see anything because just as quickly as her hand made contact she whipped it away. "I'll wake if anything approaches. You're more useful than I." Her voice was soft and she turned her head so she was facing her surrogate dog. "Sleep."
Merric flicked eyes to her. To her weird touchy weirdness. As if his flesh were made of prickly needles. "Don't you need sleep to?" he asked softly. "You seemed distraught when you ended up on this side."
"I'm human," Sunniva scoffed, "Of course I need sleep." Tucking her hands against her chest she snuggled up as far away from his as she could. Really missing Pillow. This whole trip was stupid and every passing hour was trying her patience. It would be easier to just go and kill that stupid lying mage and just leave.
"Sometimes the memories. They stay. I see flashes of what I want to see but... Not so nice ones come to me while I sleep." A sigh, "Normally I have my dog with me but... I couldn't bring him." There was an attempt to smile - not that he'd see it. "Sleep, Father, I'll keep you safe."
"He's safer, wherever he is," Merric said gently and turned so that his back was to her. But he scooted back enough so that he was making contact with her shoulder. "You sleep. I can't."
The small amount of contact was mostly unwanted. Still, there was comfort in it and she felt the littlest bit guilty about waking him up. Having been sleeping so soundly only to jerk awake violently at the movement of her... Sunniva sighed and remained quiet, before long, drifting off to sleep, the only thing having changed was her breathing.
Hearing her sleep almost put Mercuxio to sleep, but he kept his eyes open, eyes feeling heavy. And that was until he noticed a small head peering at them from the barred window. A young boy's eyes stared at him for a long moment. And when he realized Merric was watching him back, he ducked down below the windowsill.
Merric shot up from the bed, diving for the window and looking through it, kneeling on the bed Sunniva previously occupied. The child remained, unsure for a long moment before Merric knocked on the glass. "I mean no harm he said, opening it just enough where the bars allowed.
Sleeping soundly, Sunniva didn't notice Mercuxio leave the bed in frantic movements to get to the window. Instead she simply moved to his side of the bed where it was significantly more warm, curling up on her side into a little ball.
The young boy poked his head up from the window and stared at the strange man, doing his best to look into the room. The man seemed nice enough but the lady was small and gentle looking and for a few moments, the child wished it was her who had noticed him. Like she'd noticed him playing earlier that day.
"Are you here to help?" The child questioned softly, though the very same words were mumbled by Sunniva on the bed in a sleepy tired voice.
Mercuxio had certainly expected the child to run away, as all children did when a stranger was presented before them.
"I hope I can," Mercuxio said gently, blue eyes surprisingly gently. "My friend and I are here to do what we can. What's your name, young one?"
"Martin," The boy replied quietly, looking into the room and towards the lady sleeping on the bed. A confused look at the man and he took a step back from the window, looking around the building like he was expecting to get caught for doing something bad.
"Daddy's been strange since the Church-Man came," the words however, came from Sunniva in that sleepy quiet voice. The boy stared into the room for a long moment. His lips had moved, but it had been barely above a whisper.
"Is she a mage?" He the boy questioned, wide eyed past Mercuxio, looking frightened.
If a child could see the evil behind this man, there was no telling just how grave this situation had become. Perhaps it didn't matter now. All that was important was what they did - if they could do anything.
Merric's eyes flickered back to Sunniva's sleeping form. "No," he whispered back. "She's here to help too, like me. She's a warrior of the light. Martin, can you tell me just how strange your father has been acting?"
The little boys eyes widened and he stared into the room, looking between the pair before giving a hesitant shy smile. "A warrior of light?" He questioned softly, looking again, between the two. Then, Mercuxio's questioned processed and his face fell and he gave his head a shake.
The boy looked off to the distance, frowning, "Just... Strange. I can't explain it. Spending a lot of time here and then coming home smellin' funny. Sort of... Sweet and like... Burnin' flowers." The boy turned back to look at Mercuxio for a long moment before checking his surroundings again.
Sunniva sat up in the bed, "Incense." She supplied, pressing a hand to her stomach. It was always odd to wake up seeing. It was even more odd seeing and staring at someones face. Always odd to place a voice to a face, the Father Mercuxio wasn't that old at all. Then it was their door.
The movements were fast and Sunniva moved as quickly as she could to the other bed, kneeling on it, grabbing what she could of the sheets and putting her hand over Mercuxio's mouth - the sheet between her palm and his face - before dragging him down with her. Effectively spooning him.
Their door opened, a light was raised in the room and and then the door was quickly shut and locked again. "It wouldn't do well to make them more suspicious before we've hit daylight." Sunniva said quietly, the child forgotten. "Ask him which one his father is," She told Mercuxio quietly, removing her hand from his mouth and moving away.
Merric tensed at first at Sunniva's sudden movements. However, he remained still nevertheless, until the light eased away and Sunniva stilled her form. He turned to look at her and then slowly moved back to the window. It seemed the child had gone from all the commotion.
Until he saw the glint of wide eyes in the dark. "Martin," Merric whispered. "One more question. Which man is your father? What's his name?"
The question confused the boy.
"Dad."
Sunniva sighed loudly, the sound of her hand hitting her forehead was audible.
"No wait!" The boy hissed quietly, apparently distraught at disappointing the pretty red-headed lady, "It's... Uh... Uh... Edward. Momma calls him Edd or Eddy and and..." Another frantic look to Sunniva and she finally turned her head to... Well at herself and finger comb her hair through the boys eyes. It wouldn't do well to look like a stowed away rat.
"Thank you," Sunniva said quietly, offering the boy a small smile before it melted way, "Run! Now!" She hissed, turning her head to the side like she was looking past a wall. The boy bolted away, hopefully towards his home and sure enough, a sentry rounded the corner of the building outside. To distract him from the child she smashed her forearms against the bars to cause noise, which earned them a foul swear and a distant 'Shut up'.
Sunniva turned to Mercuxio, an eyebrow raised. "Now what's the plan. Do you still plan on having me..." The words tasted fowl and she practically gagged them out, "Seduce Edd? Get information from him?"
Mercuxio scowled, frowning at the dashed opportunity to ask the boy more questions. His curiosity had been a boon. And Merric didn't know they'd get another chance to scour his brain. But what he gave them was enough to go on for now. Edd did seem a little off-putting, and anything to get closer to that fraud was better than nothing.
He looked at Sunniva, frowning a bit. "Only if you're willing," he said. "Though in truth, I'd rather not. I don't like him. He'd push it, probably past anything you'd intrigue him with. We should talk to his wife, if ever we get out of this damn prison cell."
"I was willing until you said 'he'd push it'." Giving a frown of her own, though she couldn't see his. Sunniva crossed her arms over her chest and shifted, turning her head away. Sleep was a pleasant idea now and she resumed finger combing her hair.
Then there was a pause, "Push it how?" she leaned in slightly. "Like... Touch me? I guess I could handle that."
"It could be a great number of possibilities. I think, depending on how you respond to him. I'm sure you can more than handle yourself," he said, looking at her, considering her hair was probably one of the things that would draw Edd to her. It could work. It was definitely a possibility they would have to consider.
"He could touch you, kiss you. Probably with increasing boldness no doubt. Run his fingers through your hair, maybe even cut a piece of it off. He seems like the kind of creep that would do that. I'm pretty sure I know the answer to that, but have you ever been kissed before?" he asked, looking back at her.
The look on Sunniva's face turned more and more sour while Mercuxio rattled things off.
At the idea of someone cutting off her hair, she held it tightly in her hands and frowned even deeper. Like he'd be getting to cut her hair!
"Kissed?" Offended. Sunniva made a disgusted noise, "I took a vow of chastity and unlike some people, I take that seriously." With her hair tossed over her shoulder she folded her arms over her chest and shifted slightly, shoulders straightened and chin held high.
"So no. I have not done something as disgusting as kiss," A wrinkle of her nose, "Gross."
Mercuxio tilted his head, curious. "Never? Not even before you became a Lily?" he asked, though he didn't expect an answer back. Inwardly he laughed, just enough at the thought of her inexperience, and the current situation they were in.
But what she said last, attempting an accusatory enunciation, caught his attention. "'Unlike some people?' What's that supposed to mean?" he replied.
"I was found to have adhara abilities when I was seven, my father decided it was best to leave me at the church after they removed my eyes," A lift of her eyebrows, "So no, not even before I became a Lily because I've always been a Lily in one way or another." If she could glare or even squint, she'd have one so, as it was, all she could do was lean forward slightly and wiggle her fingers at him. In a surprisingly accusing manner.
"I see memories, remember?" A purse of her lips, "You... You... Fornicator."
Mercuxio just scoffed in amusement. Yes, she could see memories but he highly doubted she understood exactly what she was seeing. She could only focus in on a few details in the brief moment of contact. And perhaps whatever haunted her at night. But he wasn't going to be any more presumptuous than she was clearly prepared to be.
"Forncator?" he replied back, mocking her voice. "And what exactly did you see in this memory of me?"
"You were..."
Sunniva frowned down at her lap now, remembering. Instantly her face turned scarlet and she stuck her tongue out like she tasted something awful. "Y'know. Doing that. And... Right on her..." Sunniva frowned deeply, not enjoying the memory of his. Eugh. What use was even doing that. It was just a breast.
Folding her arms across her chest, she again, sat up straight and lifted her chin, "Something priests aren't allowed to do. Are you even a priest? Are you lying to me? "
At her imitation of him, he cracked up, but quickly covered his mouth to stifle the noise. With a huff, he inhaled and nudged Sunniva, before turning to her more seriously. "I did not lie to you," he said, gently. "I didn't have the luxury of being given to the Church by age seven. I am a priest. But I was not a priest all my life.
"I was very much in love once. It seems so long ago than it really is. But I felt I could do more for others, help other people by becoming a part of the Church. That is my old life. I have no regrets."
"Luxury?" Sunniva put a hand over her mouth to hide her smile. It was a bitter smile, "Indeed. It's quite luxurious to have your eyes ripped from your head and being left to the church because of things beyond your control. I'd suggest to to everyone." Unfortunately, she was unable to keep the sarcasm from her voice and she frowned at him for the nudge.
Love.
Another word Sunniva detested.
There was enough love in someone for one person. And that person was Ansgar. "It's good you've seen the error of your ways then, Father Mercuxio. Love in people will get you no where. Look where these peoples love have gotten them. Under the thumb of a disgusting mage." A snarl and she took a deep breath, letting it out in a huff. Then again, they didn't know he was a mage. How could they be so blind though?
"Why would Edd kiss me. What... What's even the point of that. It's gross."
Merric just shook his head. What did she know beyond her tiny little scope. All she ever knew was the Church. Perhaps that was all she would ever know. He pondered something for a moment, staring at her lips for a short time before sitting up in the bed and looking out toward the bars of the window. It was a shame these things were so secure against the wall.
At least the night air was cool. That much was nice.
"And as such, tis a useless conversation to those that have never felt it before. Like I said, it was a long time ago," he sighed, then glanced back at her. He curled his legs up in front of him, shifting in his armor.
"He might kiss you. To...sate his desire, perhaps. I don't know. You've never been kissed, I'm sure it'd be as easily detestable to him, to kiss one so inexperienced," he said. "Or to excite his desire. Kissing accelerates the blood stream, makes your heart pound faster, leaves jolts that course all through your body. Such sensations would shock you, I'm sure."
Sunniva gave a little 'hmph'.
"All of those sensations sound stupid and useless." What use were those. No use. Edd was stupid. So was Mercuxio. Taking a deep breath and frowning even more she moved her hands to her lap and pressed her palms to her thighs. Still she was in the simple tank top and breeches and she turned her face down to the bed.
"Detestable?!" It sunk in and she frowned at him, or where she thought he was from the weight of the bed. "I am not detestable. It's good that I'm inexperienced. Experience is for slatterns."
"Then you have nothing to lose, and only more to gain," Merric said. He yawned, growing tired and moving from her bed, toward the empty one on the other side. He flopped down onto it, the bed creaking beneath his weight.
"But if it is not something you will attempt, then we need not discuss it further," he said after a time, sighing, and closing his eyes.
A sneer.
This was for... To get that liar.
That filthy lying mage.
"Fine." She replied quickly, though having grown quiet. "I'll... I'll do it. I just need to know what information I should be..." A face was made and Sunniva quickly tried to mask it, "I should be seducing from him."
"How he knows Crane, and why he trusts him. And if you can, how Crane managed to crawl into the townspeople's good graces. Crane obviously isn't Ansgar reborn, but he must've proved it to some of those most devout. Anything we can learn will be helpful."
Making a mental check list - As opposed to a physical one she wouldn't be able to see - Sunniva nodded along with his words. How he knows Crane. Why he trusts him. The idea of... Seducing someone had her palms itch and she rubbed them against her legs, swallowing carefully while dread hovered in the pit of her stomach.
"Alright. Tomorrow." A pause and she relaxed the best she could before she went silent. Praying. Praying to God for strength to cast this mage away. Praying to God for forgiveness for what she had to do to get the proper tools. It would be easier to simply do away with the mage but...
"I can do this. I think." Edd would be expecting a nun. It worked. The added knight skills would be unexpected. "What... What do I do if..." Swallowing carefully, "How do I make him stop if he gets..." Sunniva trailed off, growing quiet, not quite willing to say the words.
Merric opened his eyes, glancing at her in the dark. Her inexperience may not be the advantage she thought it was, not if she had this many questions about it. He shifted off the bed and moved to kneel beside her. "Okay, look. I'm only going to do this for your own good. There's only so much explaining will help."
Merric made himself level with Sunniva. He didn't say it because he knew the objection had to be genuine. So he went for it and sealed her lips to his.
Was that a face against her face?
What was she supposed to do?
What was he doing?!
Sunniva's fingers twitched and for a second she leaned into the kiss, simply because it was weird and unusual. Never being one for new experiences, it was certainly unexpected and Sunniva found her second reaction quickly.
To violently push Mercuxio away from the bed.
"What are you doing?!" Bright red now, almost her whole body was over taken by a blush.
"That. Do exactly that if Edd pushes too much," Merric said matter of factly, as if it were nothing more than a run of the mill action. As if training a recruit.
"And that is a kiss. In case you didn't realize."
Sunniva frowned and licked her lips before remembering he just had his lips on hers and she moved her hand to wipe at them instead, still frowning.
"I know what it is. I... Don't know much but I'm not stupid." A snarl and she crossed her arms over her chest. Fine, push Edd if it ... Got to be too much. She could do that, right? Sunniva took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Yeah. She could. It would be fine.
Fiiiine.
"Why are there no women here. You could seduce one of them instead. You're not terrible to look at."
Merric slumped against the side her bed. "I wasn't trying to insinuate you were stupid. Though perhaps it was stupid of me to have done so in the first place. I apologize," he said, sighing gently and looking at her curiously. She was such an odd duck."
"What? You can't even see?" he muttered. "How could you even know that?"
"The little boy."
A tilt of her head, "When he was looking at me, I could see you." Giving a curious tilt of her head, "You're not nearly as old as you sound."
"Ah," he said and looked off to the darkness of the window again. "Well, if the opportunity of such arises, then I might take advantage of your advice."
He got up again and patted the edge of the bed. "We should sleep while we have the chance."
"I've gotten some sleep," Sunniva said softly, "I'll stay here and try not to... Wake you again." Her voice was full or regret for waking him earlier from her own nightmare.
It would be simple to avoid them with Pillow here. She wouldn't sleep. If she laid down, it wasn't like he would notice.
Impatiently she waited for dawn, for the familiar noise of birds, for the smell of the sun rising. As it was, it seemed a long way off and slowly she laid herself down on the bed, placed her hands on her stomach and waited. "Have pleasant dreams, Father."
Morning came with a knock on the door, and a soft click of the lock. It was a woman, a few years older than Sunniva came in with a hot trayl. She smiled at the pair and placed the tray on the table between the beds. "Crane is so sorry he couldn't join the two of you for breakfast, but he insisted that the pair of you enjoy a good hearty breakfast. Oh, but I didn't know if either of you preferred coffee or tea, so I brought one of each."
The voice jerked her awake and Sunniva sat up with a start. No nightmares. Though she blushed to remember her dream now that she was awake. Careful to curtain her hair over her shoulder.
It took some amount of effort to not snap that she would have preffered water but it wasn't the woman's fault she was here. "Tell father crane thank you for us," she said quickly, tossing her hair from her shoulder, face puffy from sleep and hair tangly. The blush still rested on her cheeks. The smell of outside was the only thing morning smelled like and Sunniva took a deep breath.
"I've always been fond of how coffee smelled, can't say I've tasted it though." The talking was a little louder than usual, she wasn't sure how exaughsted Mercuxio was. Here's to hoping if he wasn't awake already the volume of her talking would wake him.
Merric was awake, sitting up, and staring in silence at the young woman. She returned the gaze, face abruptly blushing and quickly pouring out the morning drinks.
"Well, I'll be sure to run your message along to the Father, Sister Samantha," she said and departed the room, quietly closing it behind her.
Merric shuffled over to the coffee and cracked his neck in the process. He made a face at the bitter taste, but it was a welcome sensation to the headache pounding in his skull. "Well, that was awkward."
Oh right.
Her name was Samantha.
Sunniva mentally winced at picking such a name. At least it started with an s. What was Mercuxio? Martin? No, that was the boy. Marcus? She couldn't remember. When Mercuxio spoke up, Sunniva gave a surprised little jolt and then another. Did he just break something?
"Oh, you're awake." She started lamely before she carefully made her way off the bed. Sure there were smells, but that didn't help her know where the table was.
"Why was that awkward and where is the table?" Demanding, she held out her hand and wiggled her fingers in a silent command to be guided.
Though they'd eaten dinner, Merric had downed very little of it. Certainly, Crane knew both of them did not trust him, and they would fear poison. But now that he saw food before him, Mercuxio could feel his stomach rumble and he went straight for a piece of bacon and snapped it between his teeth. It was so juice and delicious he was practically drooling.
He scarfed it down and saw Sunniva's hand. "I thought you could do well enough on your own," he said, munching on some bread, wiggling his brows at her fingers.
A sneer.
"You steal a kiss and now you won't even help me to find the table." Sunniva made a clicking noise with her tongue before she shuffled forward, listening to the sounds of Mercuxio eating. Displeased, was a good expression for her face. "Were you raised in a barn?" She finally said after knocking the table gently with a leg before seating herself and keeping her hands on her lap, she'd been forced to eat a little yesterday but today she would 'fast' like she said she'd been doing.
"It sounds like you were."
"You're not as much of an invalid as you make yourself out to be," Merric said, wondering if the food smelled even more enticing in her blindness. Despite her clear obstinacy, he served her plate in front of her, the smell of breakfast swishing up from the plate. "Which is good. I'm not much for baby sitting. They're much too lumpy."
He chuckled and carefully and strategically placed the fork before her. "Would you like coffee or tea? Oh wait, you said coffee right. Here, at least try it." He slid it beside the plate, watching her carefully.
Sunniva did the only think she could think to do after someone tells her she's not nearly as disabled as she let herself out to be. Her pink tongue poked out of her mouth towards Mercuxio before she placed her hands on the cup.
A careful touch at the rim of the cup and she brought it to her lips for a hesitat taste.
"Oh... Dear me." Sunniva's face crumpled, "that's positively awful." Though she brought it to her lips again anyway. "Why do people drink this? Do you drink this? I think you do. It suits your bitter personality."
"It is awful. But it is remarkably awakening," he added and stealing some of her bacon' "You should eat. We'll both need our strength. And I think they taste rather delicious. Here try this." He cut a portion of his own eggs and carefully held it in front of her.
Sunniva gave a strained smile in Mercuxio's general direction before she heaved a sigh and placed her hands on the table.
There was no part of her that wanted to eat this heathen mage's food.
Still, the brief flash of him holding a fork to her face full of food and Sunniva wished she had eyes to roll in distaste. She looked tired, her long red hair was a knotty mess no matter how much she tried to finger comb it and indeed, the food smelled tempting.
Taking the food into her mouth with precision no blind person possessed she chewed thoughtfully and swallowed. A brief expression of distaste because of where the food was from and she took up her own utensil and began to eat, taking sips of coffee in between. She could need her strength today if she was going to get information out of Edd or the worse could happen.
"So. Most people treat me like a simpleton because I can't see," She took the last piece of bacon from her plate and popped it into her mouth delicately. While she wasn't officially a lady Sunniva had the poise and attitude of one. "Do you know many blind people?" A grin was on her lips, "I can't imagine many of them are your friends if you do know them. You see, we're hard to charm with just good looks." Implying that Mercuxio was simply a pretty face with no good personality.
He didn't smile back. There were many uncertainties about the blind woman. She must be used to be others catering to her whim. Perhaps it was the mere mindset of the lilies, or just her in particular. Soon, however, a small grin came even if he knew she couldn't see it. Merric sipped more of his coffee and ate quietly for a moment.
"I don't," he answered at last, "I wouldn't call you especially delightful."
Sunniva flashed him that same bright grin, enjoying his sharp tongue.
"I'm not trying to be delightful. I wasn't raised to be delightful." There was a pause and she looked thoughtful for a moment, "I imagine if I wasn't raised by the chruch I'd be a simpering idiot like most of the nobility's children that aren't first born son's." Another small bite of food and she scraped her fork along the plate gently to confirm that it was indeed clean.
Another sip of coffee, another scrunched up nose.
"Good. Then at least we agree on something," he said, smile genuine this time, and finished his coffee and hers, pulling it from her hands. Mercuxio loudly "ahhhh"ed and finished his eggs. Hunger momentarily was sated. He wouldn't waste a meal if he didn't have to.
"That being delightful is a waste of time."
The frown on her face was obvious and she opened her mouth to gape because while she couldn't see she could hear just fine.
"Did you just take my coffee?" Her hand was flat on the table, the spot where her palm was warm from the cup that had occupied the space previously.
Not impressed.
"Are you serious? What are you? A peasant? Stealing anything you like?"
Mercuxio knew that would get her attention. "Oh, I'm sorry. Were you drinking that? I thought you found it bitter and unpleasant."
"I find you bitter and unpleasant." Sunniva pouted, not at all sure how to deal with someone stealing from her.
Taking a moment she crossed her arms over her chest and ducked her head down before moving away from the table. "And as a matter of fact, Yes, I was drinking that," Standing now she moved carefully to hover over Mercuxio, frowning down at him.
"I don't take kindly to someone taking my things."
"Well, I'd return it, but I doubt you'd find it's transformation any more pleasant," he sighed and stood when she tried to look down on him. "I'll make it up to you. For now, breakfast is done, and they left the door ajar for us to venture through. Perhaps we'll have a chance to take a look around town."
He stopped and shook his head. "Well, I'll look, and you'll see through the memory of it, I guess."
Sunniva crossed her arms over her chest and ducked her head down for a moment.
"I don't want anymore of your memories." The word fornicator was murmured under her breath in a nasty tone before she reached out and her hand hit his chest. Almost instantly she recoiled and took a step back, frowning some more.
"You think they'll let us leave? Are we guests or prisoners?"
He frowned, furrowing his brow. It wasn't like he wanted her to see any of his memories. She was awfully nosy even if she didn't want to be. By mere association of her gift, she was an inadvertent busybody. The notion actually made Merric laugh, and it was cut short by a swift snort.
"Ahem. I think we are 'guests' as long as we don't try to leave the town," he said gently and poked her shoulder to move along with him. He certainly wasn't going to hold her hand.
A frown and Sunniva shifted her stance, turning her head before she held out her hand.
"Don't you have gloves? I can't exactly follow you when I can't see."
"And can't you travel by the mere sound of my voice?" he asked pointedly, quirking a brow, though knowing she couldn't see his expressions. He wasn't going to hold her hand, dammit. Instead he pulled up a section of his coat, one of the tail ends and plopped that into her hand. "Hold onto that."
"I'm not a bat, you idiot." Sunniva snapped, holding onto his coat tail and giving it a tug to make sure it was, indeed, connected to something.
"Fine. I'll hold onto that." another tug to make sure and she smiled at him. "Thank you, Father."
"How you even wipe yourself is beyond me," he muttered, vexing at the thought of her ineptitude. How on earth was she even a lily? God, give him patience.
Merric was surprised to find no one about the chapel, no one more than a few laymen and women that went about cleaning the relics and dusting the pews. Crane wasn't even about. At least that much had been true. He opened the door to the exit of the church, relieved to feel sunlight on him once again. People were about, wandering and working, speaking and sparring, as if today was just another day. As if there weren't mad men on the loose.
"Well excuse me for being blind." Sunniva threw down the coat tail before she shoved Mercuxio aside and stormed towards where she mentally had the door, an arm out. It was a leisurely storming out and when her hand came into contact with the wall she dragged it along until, there it was, the door.
Insufferable.
This man was... There was no way this was a holy man.
Absolutely no way.
Wrenching the door open she left the room, going to the other wall and placing her hand against it. Cheeks flushed with anger she frowned behind her at the silence that followed because it meant she didn't slam the door. Angry. This was an awful idea. Now she just wanted to go home and cuddle her dog but even that was unavailable to her.
His footsteps to exit the hall while she stayed echoed in her ears and she made sure to go the other way. Away from that insufferable person.
It wasn't long before she found herself looped back around into the church and it was there she stayed. Mercuxio could do his exploring on his own like he preferred to. When, and if, Mercuxio returned, he would find Sunniva sitting at a pew with her head ducked down, praying for patience and grace. Praying that whatever happen be guided by Him. To keep her safe.
To, reluctantly, keep Mercuxio safe.
To make all of this just go away.
And as usual, she prayed to see. If only for a moment, just one more time.
He noted that she leg go and Mercuxio watched her wander off in silence. Well, fine. If she wanted to go off on her own and feel sorry for herself she was more than welcome to. But he supposed he had been more than a little harsh on her. Despite her pride, she had come to him for help and they were in this together, whether he liked it or not, and he wasn't going to leave her behind.
Mercuxio was gone for a few minutes, noting who lived where, who worked what. The town was quaint, intimate and homely. It was in an ideal location for farming, for fishing, for raising a family. For seclusion. The way it was built made the town center around the well, where he watched a woman gather water for her laundry, hauling the bucket along with a basket of small clothes under her other arm.
There didn't seem to be any standing army, not guard stationed here, as if the noble that owned this hamlet had long forgotten it existed. The people seemed content to be left alone. Merric probably figured there was a militia about, especially since Crane came to this place, but they were not soldiers. Just ordinary people.
Merric found his way back to the chapel, finding Sunniva on the pews. He quietly sat down beside her. "Sister," he said, voice gentle. "I...realize I said some things I shouldn't have. I'm sorry. We're here together and...the least I can do is be civilized."
The sound of someone beside her had her tense up.
Sunniva did not like unexpected company.
A brief nod of her head in acknowledgement towards Mercuxio and she simply pursed her lips, not enjoying his gentle voice or his apology.
"Indeed."
Sunniva said coldly, clearly holding a grudge.
"I was praying for patience." Her tone was clipped and she turned to Mercuxio, so she wouldn't have to project her voice. "Did you find anything interesting?" A tilt of her head and she pushed some hair past her shoulder, exposing her neck. Edd was off in the corner of the room, staring at them.
That was how ladies did that tempting thing right? Expose some skin?
He watched her expression, his own remained softened though she couldn't see it. Despite her attitude, she really was pretty. And he was also certain that if she still had her eyes, they too would be beautiful. It was a shame her personality soured so much of it. But perhaps that was merely his pride talking.
"I did," Merric said again, facing forward, though noting Edd's familiar shape in the corner. And the fact that she revealed a portion of her neck. He could tell the man's mouth must be leaving puddles at his feet.
"The rest of the village doesn't seem to have much a garrison, if it ever did. The people here are not very interesting. Idyllic if you didn't think they were all being mind-controlled. At the center of the village was a well, fairly typical, I think. In fact I think the town was constructed around it." He only glanced back to Edd, who was busy staring at Sunniva, and idly caressing his hand against the bulge in his trousers.
Merric felt himself grow tense and looked at Sunniva, remaining close. "In a church, no less," he hissed to himself.
So...
A plain town.
Lead by a fanatic mage who thought himself a God.
A tilt of her head and Sunniva pursed her lips ever just so and fixed her bangs to fall over her empty eye sockets. She supposed they both got off on the wrong foot. As much as she didn't appreciate his apology Sunniva shifted slightly.
"I apologise, also. I've been... Quite nasty and you don't deserve to have me take it out on you. I've made a terrible impression."
Which made sense. Her horse was dead, she didn't have her dog and Sunniva was sure she still had dried blood on her back. The clothing she wore did little to hide her body from Edd, the wooly sweater long forgotten by the stream and wearing a simple shirt that, while Sunniva was sure it was completely chaste and covered her figure, helped accent all the curves and the hourglass sway to her hips where it was tucked into her pants.
"What do you mean 'in a church,no less." Sunniva finally asked, confused, a tilt of her head, not unlike an inquisitive puppy. "That's... Where I'm supposed to pray, no?"
Merric didn't like the fact that he was bristling beneath Edd's observation of Sunniva. It twisted his gut sickeningly, and even more so to think that he actually had the idea of having her tease the bastard. He was surprised at his own defensiveness toward someone that he'd only known for approximately a day. Sunniva was of no relation to him, but stress and the threat of danger all around pressed them together under the circumstances.
Merric sighed softly. "Edd," he replied. "He's staring this way. More specifically at you. In a rather lewd manner. Perhaps that wasn't such a good idea, to suggest flirting with him. He's a wolf, and your his meat."
The tone Mercuxio used, while subtle, spoke far louder than his words and she frowned slightly before pulling her long red hair back over her shoulder.
"But he has a wife. And children." Sunniva spoke softly, turning to finger comb her hair, not quite understanding how someone could stare lewdly. Sure she knew the word but the specifics of it were lost on her. Still, his words had her worried and she moved closer and turn away from where she remembered seeing herself from.
"Then what do you suggest we do, Father?"
What could they do? Mercuxio did not know, but he wouldn't say that. Instead he grabbed Sunniva's hand, risking any visions she would see on contact and grabbed her other hand, placing it on the outside of his and sandwiching her initial hand between his. "We pray," he murmured. "For opportunity."
After a moment, Edd seemed to have enough of voyeurism and instead stalked forward, leaning over the pew beside Sunniva and nudged it a little. "Saw ye had a look around Father Marcus," he said, sniffing and looking between them. "How'd you like our little town? Hope it's nice enough for you."
Merric turned up from his prayer. "Hello, Edd," he said. "It was generous of you, to allow me to take a walk. Your town is lovely. Quiet."
"Yea. Sometimes too quiet. But that's how the rest of 'em like it. Almost feels like a damn cemetery sometimes," he grumbled, breathing a little over Sunniva. "Pardon, Father. Slipped out."
Merric released her hands and sat straighter.
"Crane said not have you in shackles, but if I had my way, I'd've dragged you along the back of that nag you rode in on. But Father Crane says you're to be guests in our town. So, I've decided to invite you both to dinner, in my home. The wife was curious about the visitors anyway."
At first she was entertained.
Did he think pressing their hands together would make their praying any stronger? Then the memories came and she began to recoil before forcing herself to stay. It would be obvious it she violent pulled away. Maybe they'd try to keep her from her only companion. Still, she frowned down at their hands, willing her mind blank. They would come back in dreams but at least those were easily forgotten.
The breath close to her hand he lean slightly closer to Mercuxio and when he let her hands go and straightened up, she placed them into her lap and leaned towards him. The idea of being dragged behind a horse had her blood run cold, anger bubbling in her chest.
The offer to dinner had her spine tingle and she offered Edd a kind smile, dipping her head to hide her face behind a curtain of loose red hair. "That's very kind of you, I'm sure your wife is a lovely woman, I'll leave that to Father Marcus though, seeing as how he is my guide."
And the last thing she wanted now was to be guided by Edd.
Merric could sense the tension. It was biting like cold steel. Now if only that steel could somehow lop off Edd's hard-on, or maybe just the head on his shoulders. Merric's expression was not overly eager either. "I hope you can understand my hesitation, Edd," he said. "You are not the...most hospitable man."
"Yeah, well. Sorry 'bout that. Be there at five o'clock, eh. Don't be late Father. It's the house three down from the western side of the square," he smiled, and winked at Sunniva. And thankfully taking his leave of them.
Merric's frowned only deepened. "I didn't say yes," he hissed. "But it seems our prayers were answered. An opportunity." He turned to Sunniva, and reached into his jacket, pulling a small thin dirk that had been hidden on his person when they were brought in. "Here. Just in case," he said softly, pressing it into her palm.
For obvious reasons, Sunniva missed the wink. Missed the cue's that would have had her angry and insulted. They were hear for the big guy. Not the little follower. How far could she go? How far would she go?
The thing pushed into her hand had her reflexively turn her head down to it. Her fingers traced over it, wondering what it was for a few moments before she snapped her head up. "In case of what," She whispered and for the first time there was fear in her voice. What would she need a knife for?
Why was he giving her a knife.
Sunniva tucked the dirk in her clothing, confused. Before she'd believe Ansgar would protect her but as the day went by in this little village she wasn't so sure anymore. Frowning, her hands moved back to her lap and she hunched her shoulders forward.
Maybe she wasn't cut out for this after all.
"In case worse comes to worse," Merric said and carefully led her to her feet. Mercuxio gently tugged her along with him. "LeLet's look around the village. See through my eyes if you can. Learn the layout. Never allow yourself to remain ignorant. Only fools let themselves die. I'm here. Don't worry."
Sunniva was curious as to how easily he suggested she look through his eyes.
It was a good idea though and she didn't regret telling him about her little talent, so she let him lead her and she took a careful breath. Normally seeing through another's eyes was involuntary but now she needed it and carefully she wrapped an arm into Mercuxio's, tucking their elbows together so he could lead her around.
A brief moment to press her cheek to his arm and sure enough, her mind light up at the sight of the church and Sunniva gave a little gasp, pulling her cheek away from his arm.
"It's lovely in here," She said softly, regretting on some level that it was such a splendid waste. Taking a breath she let herself be led and she frowned gently, "I am not a fool, Father, perhaps a little... Foolhardy." Sunniva pursed her lips and tried to memories where all the doors were, "Maybe a little rude. You're... Very kind to show me around like this."
Merric could be gentle when he needed to be. Even if now wasn't precisely the time for gentility. After all they needed to work together if they were going to make it through this. Securing her arm in his, Merric led them to the door, or would have if she'd allowed them to get that far. He paused, peering up at the ceiling. Despite their dire circumstances, yes, he would agree, it was indeed beautiful.
"I do not think you a fool, Sister. Though, frankly it is a relief to hear your admission on what I do think. Do not think I am trying to lead you because I think you incapable. But under the circumstances I will help you as long as you need it. This place is strange to us both."
Merric cleared his throat and paused his hand from patting hers. "And I'll try to refrain from touching you too much."
"Well, you lead me because I am incapable of sight," Sunniva teased softly, though quickly enough went quiet to concentrate. To see through his eyes. Indeed, it was a small town and Sunniva committed the layout to memory.
"It's just skin contact," Sunniva said simply, reaching out her free hand to grasp at nothing, " Though I feel faint enough with you so close as you are now." Indeed, the contact with Mercuxio - innocent that it was - set her heart up a few paces. Nervous. Sunniva didn't really like being this close to people.
"What's the knife for? Really?" Her voice was low while he looked around the village and she kept her mental map going.
Merric walked slowly through the village, down the steps toward the center square. Skin contact indeed. Well, that was good to know. Not that Merric had any intention of having more skin on skin contact with her than necessary. He just wanted to kill Crane and get the fuck out of here. How convenient that the so called "Ansgar Reborn" suddenly be nowhere to be found.
"Protection. I thought lilies were supposed to be armed to the teeth. But when I found you, you had nothing more on you than clothing. It is a failsafe. Why are you so surprised?"
Frowning.
Why was she so surprised?
"I was disguised. I wasn't even supposed to be wearing the cuirass. I was..." Supposed to die. That bolt would have gone between her ribs and she would have died.
Sunniva went quiet, and ducked her head down. No attempts had been made on her life since, which she was thankful for. "They didn't let me take my mace with me," She pouted simply.
Merric frowned as well, recalling how much of his own gear was on Titus. They hadn't found the dagger, but no doubt they were wondering why a priest and a sister were so well, armed.
"You favor a mace as well, eh?" he found himself saying. "Can you fight well, though you cannot see?"
"I've been with the church since I was seven. As soon as they found out about my Adhara abilities I began training." A tilt of her head, "I can fight well enough, I suppose." Sunniva gave a tilt of her head, "It's a flanged mace and I have a general idea where peoples faces are."
There was a shrug to her shoulders and a small smile, "I've been told sometimes it can be quite gory."
"It can be," he nodded. "Combat is not something to be taken lightly. Perhaps it is a blessing that you cannot see it. And if youccan't get the heady, anything else soft and squishy will do."
Sunniva laughed.
It was an entertained laugh and it light up her face like she was speaking about kittens.
"So I've heard! I imagine I'd be much more adverse to it if I could see exactly what that warm copper smelling stuff is, dripping down my face, no?" Another mental map of the town and she gave her own head a shake before she removed her hand from Mercuxio's elbow.
"The well is..." Sunniva spun around a few times before stopping, carefully tracking how many times, how fast she was going and then pointed off to her right, "Over there?" It was. Perhaps a little more to the right than where she was pointing, but the well was indeed 'over there'.
They stopped at the center of the village and Merric allowed Sunniva to explore on her own. "That is the well. Careful, it's not covered up. Don't fall in now."
"I'm not going to walk anywhere," Sunniva huffed, looking like she was trying to fluff up like an angry kitten. "I'm just... Trying to map this place out. If I manage to sort of... Get it figured out from all the angles it's not so bad." She pointed in some random direction - towards the church - and she sighed before pursing her lips, "If the well is here," she pointed to it, the church is "There. Yes?"
Her assertion was correct. He was glad she was capable of doing such small things on her own. Even if it seemed a bit taxing to do so. She had to survive with her condition. She'd been made a Lily somehow, and had kept her status.
"To the left is a bunch of chickens and goats," he said, crossing arms over his chest as he wandered beside her. "You might hear them. Or smell them anyway."
Sunniva turned her head over her shoulder to flash a smile at Mercuxio. The first real smile she'd been able to give to him. "I can do both of those things," the tone she used was teasing before she turned back, taking careful steps. It was a little difficult to walk unguided or without her dog, but she made do, though her arms were out a little wider to catch herself if she lost her balance or fell.
"Are they cute?" Sunniva finally asked after having tapped her foot against a fence - mostly because she moved her arm to make sure it wasn't a wall - "The goats, I mean. When I was younger, Mother had a little hobby farm and there were baby goats, cutest little things, now that I think about it, they were one of the last things I saw." She gave a little dismissive noise before crossing her hands over her chest and ducking her head down.
"I don't remember where the well is."
Was she...actually telling him something about herself?
Merric blinked at her, finding himself smiling, just a bit as he wandered beside her and laid his hand close to hers on the well. "They are cute. I admit, I've never thought a goat could be cute. But they are just teeny things, and gave little beards and everything. Although the smell...leaves a bit to be desired."
He chuckled. "They're little white goats...and now they're playing with the chickens."
"Playing!" Sunniva exclaimed smiling in his general direction, "surely you mean frightening." Though she swiped her hand to the side, bumping it against Mercuxio's before she snatched it back and holding it like it had been burned. She continued, "for a Duchess my mother was... Quite odd. There were a few cows, too." Clearing her throat and putting her hands back on the fence Sunnica turned her head down, her long red hair obscuring her face. "When are we do be attending our new friends dinner?"
Merric surprised himself. He smiled back in her enthusiasm, and was actually happy to see she was not completely made miserable by their captive experience. He smiled and yet it faded at the mention of what they were to do. Right, there was always duty to think of. Once Crane was dead, they were done here.
"This evening," he said and prodded her shoulder to turn her in the direction of Edd's house. "The church is back that way. And Edd's house is there. The well, is at the center of it all. Do you need to see it through my eyes again?"
Sunniva added Edd's house to her mental map.
"I..." Wanted to. Sunniva reached out a hand to touch Mercuxio's shoulder but quickly enough she snapped it back and placed her hands together in front of herself, "Do not need to. That ability is a crutch. I have a basic idea of what the village looks like which is more than most people without sight get at all." Her fingers twitched though, because she wanted to.
Greed was a sin though and Sunniva pressed her hands to her ribcage to keep them from just snatching at his arm.
"You've... Taken to my strange gifts rather well." Sunniva observed quietly, moving her hands down back to her sides, "They don't bother you?"
Mercuxio gave her a look, which unfortunately she'd be unable to see. He shrugged and leaned forward on his shoulders. "No, I can't say they do," he said, hearing his voice echo down into the darkness of the well below.
"Should they bother me?"
Slowly she moved her hand to her neck. Remembering that he'd helped to heal her and she gave a gentle tilt of her head. Sunniva pursed her lips, giving it some thought.
"I suppose not, now that I think about it. You did heal me even though I'm an Adhara." Her voice turned low, trying to be unheard by any possible eavesdroppers. "You seem to be blessed too." Sunniva smiled before she folded her arms over her chest and sighed.
"Do we capture him or do otherwise?"
He smirked at her, observing the places where her eyes used to be. He wondered if she could feel anything in those empty spaces. If pain radiated where her eyes used to be. If like the loss of a limb, she could feel the ghost of their presence.
"I am blessed. So to speak," he said, doing the same as she did. "My kind are given Blessings, gifts of Ansgar that allow us certain techniques or tricks in the fray. What you felt heal you was one we call Sanctus. Rejuvenation of the body."
He glanced around, and stared at Edd's house for a time spotting a woman looking out the window, then abruptly shutting the curtains.
"Kill, preferably. Although my superior wished me to retrieve a ring of his that he had as proof of the deed. Covered in his blood if possible."
Curiously Sunniva's hand uncrossed and she reached out to place it on him. It drew up his arm and over his shoulder. "Your kind? You seem human. Or are you like me? Except... Not a holy virginal knight of Ansgar." The tone of her voice took a teasing lilt and she pulled her hand away. It was much nicer getting along with someone than it was fighting with them. Little bickering moments apparently did nothing for her except make her more angry.
Who'd have thought.
"They stole my blindfold covered in my blood," she mentioned softly, "why not take the whole hand?"
"My kind if priests I mean," Merric said, wary of her hand. So she saw through touch, other than that weird psychic thing she was doing. He paid no mind to it, even suffering her teasing. He smirked, poking her cheek. "We can't all be so special, now can we?"
He chuckled. "Take his whole hand? I..hadn't considered that, but I think I like it. Oh and you can't see it, but I'm making quite the mischievous grin."
A moment to pause and lower her head. No. They couldn't all be so special.
Though, when he mentioned his mischievous grin, Sunniva turned her face to his. "I can hear it. Your voice sounds different when you're smiling, I've noticed." Her hand went back to her side and she gathered her hair over her shoulder to finger comb it.
"If they'd simply taken my head I'd be dead for sure, so yes. Take the whole hand." Pursing her lips Sunniva lifted her head, frozen like she was carefully listening to something. "Are we do be over for dinner soon?" Her voice was soft and she cast a small tired smile towards Mercuxio, "I find myself tired. The sleep last night was awful. There are too many people around."
He took her hands anyway and dragged her fingers across his cheeks to see how he was actually smiling. "I appreciate it though. I think that's the first compliment you've given me since we arrived, sort of," he said, releasing her hands.
"I think we ought to return to the chapel, first, get some rest, and then arrive early to Edd's house."
At the feeling of his skin under her fingers she froze, when she wasn't bombarded by memories she let her fingers linger. When he released her hands, she kept them on his face, examining his features with her fingertips, trailing her thumb over his lips to catch his smile. What would probably be intimate to someone else was only a way for her to figure out what he looked like. Sure she'd seen him through the boy's eyes, but this was different. This was normal for her.
"Lead the way, Father," Sunniva said, holding out a hand to be guided. Of course she could have walked herself - at least that's what she believed - but she was blind and it would be suspicious. "I would like some rest and then... To Edd's." And then... Then everything would be put into motion.
It was rather strange to feel her hands scoping over his face, roving along his skin, feeling out his features. Merric held his breath. Frankly no one had every done such a thing to him before. And it sent pleasant shivers down his spine. It relaxed him, and when it was over, he opened his eye slowly.
Once they were ready to move on, Merric led her to the chapel and back to their rooms, and he closed the door for privacy. Although one might wonder just how much privacy a priest and a sister needed. He knelt before his bed, saying a silent prayer and lying down to rest of his own accord.
There was no telling just how this would all play out, but at least they wouldn't be sleepy in the middle of it.
Obediently - strangely so - Sunniva followed suit. The door closing was a blessing and while she didn't give a prayer before she removed her boots and curled up on her bed - hitting her shins and giving a soft curse under her breath - she stretched all the same.
Hopefully Mercuxio would keep time because Sunniva, soon enough, was out like a light. So close to the edge of the cot that her long red hair spilled off the edge and pooled on the cold ground like a waterfall. One arm was flopped out, extended the whole way and soon enough the sound of her deep even breathing was heard except for the occasional hitch in her breath when the dreams crawled in.
It wasn't too long before she bolted up, hands pressed to her eyes in a panic, fingers pressing to the empty sockets, voice panicked, trapped in a memory. Her own for once. " Father, Papa, Please... I wanted to see, I want to see. I'm not a mage, please don't take my eyes. They're just lights. It's just lights." Her hand slammed against the wall and she jolted, turning as if to glare at the offending object before she cradled her hand to her chest, ducked her head and cried.
Merric jerked awake at the sudden sounds of Sunniva's dream. He had slept only a little, and it was hard won from tossing and turning in his hard cot. He had long since made himself accustomed to the bed of the rectories where he'd rested his head.
"Sunniva?" he whispered, shuffling off the bed and kneeling beside her. "Sunniva!" He reached for her hands, and grasped them and pressed them to his face. "You are okay! You were dreaming."
The voice that had been grating on her nerves only hours ago was a beautiful pull from her memories. Shoulders shaking and hands trembling she felt the object under her fingers. Gently she traced the features, the brow bone, down to his ear, her fingers passed over his hairline and finally down to his jaw. It was more of a thing to calm herself down than trying to trace his features and then she was back to his lips, before her fingers dipped to his chin and she slowly pulled her hands back away from his face.
A few shaky breaths and she shook her head.
"Memories." Her hands moved to her own face, passing over where her eyes were, "I wasn't born blind." Swallowing thickly she reached out again, fingers brushing his hair before she pulled her hand back, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you. Though... Thank you, Mercuxio. That was kind of you."
Merric closed his eyes, letting her fingers trace along his face. He kept his breath low, and finding the touch oddly intimate and opened them when she pulled away. He sighed and pulled his hands away, remaining near however.
"I think you mentioned that before," he said gently. "You know, you never said how, though. Why did you fear they thought you were a mage?"
"My father is an important man," Sunniva started, her voice low, "I was young. I told my mother I saw lights and colours around people. She told my father. He couldn't have a Mage for a child," her fingers clenched, "so... He demanded that the source of these lights and colours be removed." Her hand motioned to her eyes, then she gave a dry humourless laugh.
"It was discovered soon after of my abilities." Rubbing her hands over her legs to itch her palms, Sunniva dipped her head down. "I think guilt made him give me to the church, to be raised as a sister and then to become a White Lily. My father had his son. What use was a blind daughter?" Frowning, her mouth pulled tight. Most of what she was saying was saved for her dogs ears, a safe thing to be angry at.
Taking a breath she smoothed out whatever fabric was under her hands, "I resent him for doing this to me. I've been like this for as long as I've been with the church but... I'd much prefer to see through my own eyes, if I had any. Seeing myself through other peoples only really makes me notice how red my hair is." A lame attempt at humour, emphasized by the tired half smile on her face.
"A daughter he made blind, mind you," he said with a biting tone, not directed at her. "What a foolish man, to rush to such a conclusion, without a single thought to alternatives! I'm sorry you had to suffer that inequity. You're right to resent him, but don't let it eat at you. I'm sure you've thought it over yourself time and again, you don't need me to say it. We cannot change the past."
Merric dropped his head for the moment, wondering of his own father. If it hadn't been for the staying hand of his mother he would have been disgraced, disowned, or worse. He couldn't imagine the agony her father must have felt in believe his daughter to be a mage. Or in doing such a thing to his own flesh. Or how Sunniva must have felt losing her vision. There was more than one side to pain after all.
But he'd been fortunate in comparison. Still, as he'd said, the past was as is. All that mattered was now, did it not?
He smirked at her joke. "It's a lot like fire. Bright and burning. And too long to possibly be manageable. How do you deal with it?"
The biting tone surprised her. Sunniva folded her hands on her lap and listened, giving a small little nod. Not much of her life would have been different even if she did have eyes. Perhaps she wouldn't have been given to the church so early but once her Adhara powers had come to light she would be right where she was. A beloved child of Ansgar. Except perhaps more resistant. Sunniva had never entertained the idea of getting married and having children and she knew that a few of the well off Lillies had been counting on it.
"Fire." Sunniva repeated, lifting her arms up to cross them over her chest.
"Usually a Sister brushes and braids it for me." There was a pause, "Usually it's under a hood, now that I think about it." Her fingers moved to finger comb the the ends to keep it as tangle free as possible. Mercuxio was right though, it was very long and while she was used to having someone help her out - there was no one here and she could feel what a mess it was.
Sunniva simply shrugged, "I suppose I deal with it because it's the only thing I'm allowed to have control over and I like it like this." A blunt observation. While she was a devote Ansgarian, she was more or less aware she was simply a tool for the church. Aware that being such a tool was all she was ever going to be.
It was an odd question, but having her hair the way it was, wasn't going to aid in their survival here.
"Do you...need me to brush it for you?" he asked, a bit awkwardly.
Sunniva smiled slightly and held out her hands.
"I'd like that, but I don't have a comb." Tilting her head she pushed her hair over her shoulder still smiling.
"You know I'm capable of brushing it. The braiding part not so much."
"Then we'll have to use our fingers then," he said, and immediately damning himself for saying that. "Or you can brush it. And if you need help braiding, we'll make do. I imagine you need ties for it, yes?"
Sunniva frowned slightly. Why was he suggesting they do things with her hair?
"Does my hair bother you so badly?" She asked lightly while her fingers drew through the red mane of hair. A curious lilt to her voice, though there was a hint of a smile on her face.
He admitted it. It was weird. "I just think we'd be able to act more effectively if your hair was out of your face. It will be less easier to hold. Allow for clearer movement."
Sunniva smiled brightly.
"Are you worried about my hair being in my eyes?" Though she tilted her head, finding herself quite done with the finger combing. It looked a little better, "what do you mean 'less easy to hold'?" Her voice went a little quiet, "you mean... Grab it? To pull me somewhere?"
"Maybe. Should bad things happen, your hair won't become something that can be used against you," he merely suggested. "I want you only to be as prepared as possible. Obviously the logical solution would be to cut it off, but that does not seem to be an option. So we fix it, to be as less of a problem as possible."
Frowning, Sunniva pushed her hair over her shoulders, parting it with some difficulty, trying her best to keep everything in even chunks before she began to braid it.
"Also there would be a large amount of hair just... In the room." An idea she personally didn't find appealing. Sunniva made quick work of her hair, holding the ends of her hair to keep the braid in. Pursing her lips she pressed her hands to her pants and made a delighted noise when she found a tie. It wasn't the most gorgeous of braids but she'd made quick work of it and now it was out of her face and off her shoulders.
Finally with her hair tied back she fixed her clothing and brushed her bangs from her face.
"Well, is this better?"
"That works better," he said, smiling and nodding. "I believe it is time for us to report to Edd's house. You should lead the way, see if you know the layout."
Sunniva inhaled deeply before she rolled her shoulders and moved off the bed. First thing's were first. Getting out of the room.
So far, banging her shin into the table, she was mostly unsuccessful. Eventually she got to the room door, pressing her hands to the handle. Sunniva paused until Mercuxio took her hand and she led him through the church, making sure to stay by his side so that it wouldn't be too suspicious, the blind leading their pair.
While she was walking, careful steps to keep her mental map, Sunniva used her free hand to check for the little knife Mercuxio had given her earlier. It was where it should be and she visibly relaxed. Sure enough, true to her word, Sunniva guided them well enough to the door of ends house. Her hand reached out to follow the wall until she reached the door to which she knocked before stepping back and holding Mercuxio's arm securely in hers.
She didn't want to do this.
Sunniva kept her head down, petting at the braid over her shoulder and waited for the door to open.
Merric was quiet as she led them, and doing his best to remain as natural as possible. But nothing was natural about this situation. Nothing was normal and there was no point in pretending that it was.
Once they reached the door, Merric bowed his head when it opened, and it was Edd's wife, and she beamed at the pair. "Welcome to our home! Please please come in!"
Sunniva made a little attempt to smile.
This was not where she wanted to be.
She wanted to find Crane, snuff out his light and be on her way. Go back home. Back to the church. Back to her dog.
Away from the strange men that looked at her as something other than a Holy Sister. As something they could touch or fantasize about. Already she felt uncomfortable but the pair were ushered in all the same and Sunniva took a deep breath before walking in, steps careful, movements hesitant.
"We're just sitting to tea before dinner, I'm just setting the table now," His wife said, pressing a hand to Mercuxio's back to guide him to the sitting room. The house was modest, wooden floors, old well built furniture.
Sunniva was polite when she took a seat and she felt eyes on her. Edd was seated, a smoke of some kind in his mouth - she could smell it - and he gave a slow nod to Mercuxio before blowing out smoke. "Hello, Sister Samantha, Father Marcus. " he grinned, leaning forward to the little table to pour a cup of tea for them both - being a polite host and pressing the cup into her hands, fingers lingering just a tad too long to be polite.
Not wanting to rouse suspicion she took a sip of the tea and smiled, "Thank you."
"You've put your hair up, it looks nice. Nice long rope of hair." Another quip, a brief glance towards Mercuxio and Edd grinned widely, tweaking an eyebrow up as if challenging him to say something. Sunniva said nothing, simply sat with her head down, holding the warm cup of tea.
The welcome into the house had been a warm one. And Merric honestly hadn't known what he should have been expecting. It was a modest home and while Edd's wife had made herself busy with setting the table, Merric sat where he was directed and thanked them for the tea when it was served. He would not be rude, unless he had to be. Edd was not the objective here, only Crane was.
But now, Edd would have to suffice.
Merric had been sipping quietly amidst the exchange, eyes soon leveling with Edd's. "It is indeed. But not nearly as nice as your wife's," he said pointedly, eyes flickering over to her. "It nearly touches her bottom."
Edd leaned back and a small smirk flickered on his lips. "Yes, it does. I like it long. I think she looks lovely." Although he did not make it clear whether he was talking about Sunniva or his wife, Merric got the message. "Why are you here, Priest?" he asked abruptly, eyes flickering between Sunniva and Merric. "You don't belong. Why were you skulking around in our forest?"
Mostly she wanted to crawl into a hole and die.
Sunniva busied herself with her tea while Mercuxio spoke with Edd.
Sort of spoke with Edd.
Just being in the house made her nervous and Sunniva did her best to keep her breathing calm and her voice steady.
"I had a tumble on my horse, poor thing broke it's leg," She made sure to sound extra sad. It was only appropriate. "We were looking for a place to rest, which is when you found us in the forest," A believable lie, or at least she thought so. Sunniva leaned to the side and took another drink of tea, turning just so to catch Edd's eye. That was what she was supposed to do right?
Sunniva still had the knife.
"We're terribly sorry for intruding, I'm sure we'll be on our way once we've rested up. I find your town quite interesting, so far it's been lovely." Another shift, moving to thrust her chest out just slightly before she put her mostly empty cup back down after feeling for the saucer. Then she sat, hands neatly folded on her lap, head slightly down. Listening.
"Leaving town?" Edd suddenly guffawed, eyes lingering on Sunniva's bosom and her neck, so white, so pure, so vulnerable. Now with that pesky hair out of the way he could finally get a decent view of it. He smirked. "You realize as guests here, you'll not be going anywhere for quite some time." He smirked and looked over to 'Father Marcus'.
"Oh, it ain't my doing, Father. Crane's orders," he said, putting his hands up and his grin only widened. "I'm afraid you'll just have to make do with our hospitality, such as it is."
Merric, clearly wasn't pleased to hear this. He frowned and set the cup down. "You can't make us stay here," he said pointedly, straightening.
"You could try to leave. You won't make it far. These are our forests after all," he offered, and finished his own tea. Soon he stood, looking between them, although keeping his gaze particularly on Sunniva. "Is dinner ready, my dear?"
Merric felt his face grow hot with rage and wanted to strangle Edd right where he stood...
Quite some time?
Sunniva winced inwardly, though she kept her face passive.
The voice of his wife was heard from the dining room and she gave a positive "Yes, Dear!"
At least it smelled good.
Sunniva stood politely, if awkwardly.
She didn't know the layout of this house and she didn't know where Mercuxio sat. Sunniva flexed her hands nervously, head down before she brushed her bangs from her face and took a deep breath.
"Could someone lead me to the dining room?" She asked politely, hoping that Mercuxio would slip his hand under hers. Unfortunately, it wasn't Mercuxio's - she could tell instantly - and along with the hand under hers there was one at her lower back, guiding her.
"Of course, Sister, It's this way."
Edd guided her to the dining room, taking his time, his hand moving from her back to her waist. Sunniva had never felt so small and powerless and was glad when she was seated at the table, head down and hands on her lap.
"Oh, Sister...?" Edd's wife looked to her husband and he smiled. "Samantha, My Love."
"Sister Samantha, I do hope you like roast chicken, Edd's mother taught it to me when we were teens. The children had their dinner earlier so it's just us adults." She smiled and plated Sunniva's food before moving onto Mercuxio's then her husbands and finally her own. "We get so few guests in this town lately," A sly look to Edd but she smiled all the same.
"Darling," Edd started, looking at his wife, raising an eyebrow, a small hint to something.
"Oh yes! The wine!" She smiled and got the wine returning she looked to Mercuxio, "Are you allowed wine? It wouldn't hurt this once, would it? We bottled it ourselves."
Merric stayed behind, watching with growing revulsion as Edd took the liberty of taking Sunniva to the dinner table and help her find her seat. He needed to be done with this. And quickly. He hadn't even realized he'd taken a seat beside Sunniva, and had been staring at Edd for a long while, until he heard the quiet voice of Edd's wife speaking to him.
Merric blinked. "Oh, yes. We may drink wine. In moderation of course," Merric said, smiling at their hostess, all the while looking at Sunniva from the corner of his eye. The glasses were served. "Uh, thank you Miss?"
"Oh, please call me Jules," she said. She took her own glass and smiled at him, then her husband at the other end of the table. "So how do you two like our town so far?" she asked, voice polite and airy.
"It is lovely," Mercuxio replied, moving the glass lightly. "I've always like hamlets like these. So much more homely than larger cities. Have you been to any?" Referring to either Edd or Jules.
Sunniva - once - had partaken in too much once. It had made her dizzy and disorientated and it was about now she wished she'd felt like that. It seemed like a good excuse to leave. Taking the glass that was placed in front of her she politely took a sip, licking her lips before she quietly ate her food, listening to Mercuxio talk to Jules and Edd.
"I'm afraid I've never been far away from home," Jules replied smiling over at her husband, "Edd's been to Reajh once, He told me it was lovely there. The churches were grand and everything was huge." Another smile towards Mercuxio and she shifted in her seat ever so slightly, "I'm quite content here."
A smile to the pair that quickly faded and a side eyed glance at her husband, he gave a subtle nod and she smiled again, looking at Mercuxio. Then the wine. Then to Sunniva's half empty glass. Then to Mercuxio again.
"Like you said, it's more homely here. Everyone knows one another. There are no secrets in this town," A hint like any other, Jules smiled and looked to Edd who was frowning before he ate at his meal, "I'm sure you're used to hearing all sorts of secrets, Father, I imagine it can be quite emotionally taxing."
No secrets. Except the one where Crane was a fraud and all of these people were manipulated into believing he was Ansgar reborn. Mercuxio said nothing on the manner and merely smelled the wine before sipping it much like Sunniva did.
It wasn't a fine concoction, but he was careful about anything that he had to consume in this place.
"It can be, yes," he said, nodding to Jules. "I am a priest. Sworn to the Oath of the Confessional. But it is my job to help relieve others of their burdens."
Sunniva nodded along, sipped her wine and ate her dinner. Politely putting down her fork when she'd felt like she was finished - it wasn't like she could see her plate. The wine was finished as well and Sunniva simply sat and listened, swaying slightly on her chair - Perhaps the wine was more potent than she'd realized.
Not that she was used to drinking wine in the first place.
"You're a very giving person, Father Marcus," Jules smiled at him, casting a brief look towards Sunniva, "Oh my dear," She stood up, only to have Edd wave his hand at her to which she promptly sat back down. "Sister Samantha, I think you drank your wine too fast," Jules smiled slightly, even gave a small laugh.
"Perhaps she'd like to lie down?" Jules looked between Edd and Mercuxio before Sunniva shook her head, "No... No. I'm fine. I did drink the wine too fast, I'll just... Stay seated"
"Well, if you need to you can lay down on our bed, Edd can take you there if you choose to." Jules smiled again, looking to Mercuxio and his wine, a tight lipped smile, "Have you two known one another for long? You seem very close."
"About a year," Merric nodded, keeping his hand away from his glass. He saw where Jules' eyes went. And he was sure to remain by Sunniva. He didn't want her alone with Edd. This whole plan was a mistake.
"She's fine," Merric said, smiling. "She doesn't always know how much she's consumed. But she's all right."
He ate a little, finding himself not very hungry, but trying to muscle some more down anyway. "How is your family, Edd? Don't you have a son?"
Edd stiffened for a moment, looking caught off guard. "Martin? He's fine. Good boy. He went to bed early."
Maybe.
Sunniva pondered for a moment, the words they were saying nothing but white noise.
Couldn't exactly signal to Mercuxio that she was going to fake fainting. Maybe just ask him.
Yeah.
It could work!
Or it could back fire horribly.
"Father Marcus," Sunniva said softly, her voice a soft moan, she leaned ever so slightly, he head moving to rest on Mercuxio's shoulder, "I don't feel well. I hate to be rude," A lie, but they were undercover, "Would it be alright if you took me back to the church?"
If she needed to accidentally drink his wine too, she'd reach and do it. There was a general idea of where it was. Sort of.
Maybe accidentally spill it on his pants.
Then they'd have to go back.
Maybe. Unless Jules was in on all of this.
Sunniva mostly just wanted to go home from this terrible mistake.
"Oh, dear!" Jules said, standing. Edd rose to his feet too when Sunniva leaned her head against Merric's shoulder.
Mercuxio stiffened just enough and turned to her, so that her head slipped onto his collarbone and chest. "It's all right Sunniva!"
"Here let me help," came Edd's helpful words as he grabbed Sunniva by the shoulders, and pulled her to her feet. Merric stood at the same time, and caught Sunniva by the other arm.
"Please, I can help her. You don't need to bother," Mercuxio said, keeping his grip firm.
Dizzy and a little dazed Sunniva leaned heavily on Mercuxio. How much wine had been in that glass.
The jerk to stand up made her go from faking it to really feeling it and she leaned into Mercuxio, fav pressed to his chest.
"I really don't--" then she vomited up the wine and what dinner she picked at. All down Mercuxio's front.
He leaned back against her and firmly wrenched her from Edd's grip. Edd was red-faced angry. But he didn't make any further motion toward her when Jules rushed to Sunniva's side. "Oh, Sister! Please, let us help. Come this way, Father."
When the puke came. Merric, while displeased, was sure to keep Edd away. He still held Sunniva with one arm, and carefully pulled her along, as Jules led them to the spare room. And there Merric would remain as Edd's wife busied herself with finding a rag, some water from the basin and a spare shirt.
"Really, you don't have to fuss," he said.
"Nonsense," she said and gave him the towel to wipe his shirt off. He'd settled Sunniva down on the bed, sitting beside her, wary of anything else that might pop out of her.
Oh god.
She'd just puked all over the only chance she had of getting away from here unmarred and her face was burning with shame and the fact she'd just up chuckled everything. Sunniva suddenly felt very young and very far away from home.
Where ever home was.
A small gasp and she pressed a hand to her mouth.
"Father, I'm so sorry. I... I didn't mean to it... It just happened." Gone were her intentions of going back to the church. Now she just wanted to crawl into a hole and die. Fingers were trembling and she moved her hands to her mouth. Slowly, she lowered herself to the bed and curled up with her knees to her chin.
"I'm sorry," still she trembled, face red and full of shame.
"Please, would you give us a moment?" Merric asked, bowing his head to Jules. She nodded and vacated the room, closing it behind him. Mercuxio pulled off his jacket and shirt, wiping them off as efficiently as he could.
"It's all right, sister," her said. But looking over to her rolled pathetically in a ball on the bed. "Sunniva," he whispered. "Hey, come now. Accidents happen."
"Accidents don't... Vomit on their only... " friend? Companion? "Ally."
Sunniva didn't move from her curled up position, taking a shakey breath. "Maybe I should have been killed that day I found you." Pulling her knees tighter to her chest she heaved a sigh, "I want Pillow." Being her dog and, unsurprisingly her only friend. "I want to go home."
"Who's Pillow?" he went about asking, sitting beside her. He'd cleaned the shirt as best he could, and even wiped off some of the puke that remained on her face, and he gently pat her shoulder.
"You want to see this 'Pillow' person again, you have to pull yourself together. We'll get out of here, together," he said adamantly. "Come on. You've got to be strong."
"Pillow is my dog," Sunniva supplied the information a little lamely. The embarrassment mounted when he wiped around her mouth. Be strong he said. A moment of weakness had her curl her arms around him - ignoring the front of his shirt - and tuck her head against his neck.
"Okay," she said, muffled, "I... I can do that," Sunniva pulled away,"I still feel sick..." A careful breath, "maybe..." Her voice got lower, "maybe I could stay here. I'm sure Edd will check in on me, I could ask him questions about Crane."
[He's not wearing a shirt 8D]
No, Merric didn't like that idea at all.
"Are you- Are you sure?" He turned to look down at her. Maybe that wine was stronger than he thought.
[Whelp. Now it's dirty and scandalous and they need to get married.]
"It's the only thing I can help you do, right?" Sunniva tucked her knees tighter to her chin, she hadn't been anticipating Mercuxio to be topless so she convinced herself that, no really, she was blushing because of shame and not because she touched a naked shoulder.
"It'll be fine." Maybe.
Probably not.
Her voice got quiet, "I still have that knife-thing you gave me."
[Yeah we'll probably have to make the thread M]
"I know...but this was all a bad idea from the start," he sighed and brushed her hair from her face. "If Edd touches you in anyway, you stab him like the pig he is." He growled at the thought and looked at the door.
"What do you make of the wife? Do you think she's in on it? Or do you think she wants out, to get away from this town?"
[Well okay, if you insist!]
Sure she didn't have eyes but she still had eyebrows and they shot up under her bangs at the demand she stab Edd if he touched her. Wasn't this all Mercuxio's idea anyway? Was he all protective of her now? Frowning slightly Sunniva simply ducked her head and nodded though the question about Jules earned him a shrug.
"I don't know. She sounded happy enough and..." a tilt of her head, "He beats her when he's angry. I don't know. I think she's in on it. Maybe... There was something in the wine." Or she was just a total lightweight and she drank it too fast, but still, she felt sick and just awful and all she wanted to do was curl up on the bed and sleep.
"I don't know," Her hands went to her face and she sighed, "I don't know why I agreed to coming here if you were on your way anyway, I can't do anything but flash my neck at some pervert to get information."
"You can," he said, turning and kneeling before her. "You're a Knight of the White Lily. You're strong. You can. Have Faith. Please."
[Lame post is lame D:]
"Have faith?" Sunniva reached her hands out, fingers gently brushing along Mercuxio's temples. "I have droves of faith," a sigh and she moved her hands down his face to rest at his shoulders. His bare shoulders. Sunniva's hands lifted away quickly and frowned, "I'm very sorry I ruined your clothing. At least I can't see you? Does that make this less scandelous?" A poor attempt at injecting humour into the not so good situation.
After being quiet for a few moments Sunniva tried to smile, though she kept her hands firmly in her lap. "I can do this. Then we can get Crane and set this nice little village free from his liar's grasp."
"Good," Merric nodded and patted her shoulders. "Remember the knife. Let's hope you won't need it." He moved toward the spare shirt Jules had laid out for him - Edd's no doubt.
"I'll go out there, talk to Jules. If Edd comes in, ask your questions. Be wary."
"Wait!"
Her hands shot out and wrapped around his arm.
"What do I ask him? I'm about as subtle as brick to the face."
"Ask about Crane. Where he is. How he got these people to listen to him. He knows we're not exactly a Sister and Priest of the Church."
A slow nod and Sunniva gave his arm a squeeze before she laid down on the bed.
"Tell them I fell asleep?"
Then a long pause, "will you be leaving?"
"I'll be here," he assured her. "I'll tell them. Be ready."
A deep breath and she nodded.
Then she pretended to sleep.
Ask about Crane.
Where he is. How he got these people to listen to him.
She could do that.
Right?
Right.
It'd be fine.
Or it would be fine if she hadn't actually fell asleep.
He walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind him. "She's all right. She fell asleep. I hope that isn't a problem," he said.
"Its all right, Father. You handled it with remarkable grace," Jules said. "I do hope she feels better."
Edd stared at him for a time before, eyes flickering toward the door where Sunniva lay. "That's my shirt you're wearing," he commented.
Jules paled a little. "I-I gave it to him, dear. His own was filthy. Um, speaking of which, Father if you please." And took the dirty shirt from Merric's hand.
A long look to Edd and Jules turned to Mercuxio, "I could take you to see the garden in the backyard? I'll wash your shirt while we're there." It was a kind smile. The garden was also outside and on the otherside of the modest house. Edd grinned, "don't get my shirt dirty."
"I'll make sure Sister Samantha is all cozy, maybe bring her some water." And Jules smiled at Mercuxio and started to lead him away, while Edd grabbed a cup, poured some water into it and took it to the room. Though the long smile he gave to Mercuxio and the little nod of his head couldn't be more telling.
Jules began to guide Mercuxio to the garden, looking a little pale and a bit worried. Every now and then she glanced back at her guest and offered a smile.
But Merric didn't smile back. Instead he followed Jules in silence, listening, straining to hear all around him. But moreover the sounds from inside the house.
Meanwhile within, Edd knocked lightly on the door. "May I come in?" he asked, but all ready let himself inside.
The knock woke her up a little and Sunniva moved to sit up. Right. Seducing information out of Edd. She wouldn't go to hell for this, would she?
"Of course you can," she shifted slightly, chest thrust out a little and she felt the bed give to the weight of Edd sitting on it, the sound of the cup being place on the bedside table alerted her that he now had both his hands free.
He took in the image of the pale little Adhara, smirking all the while before he put a hand on her waist. To help her sit up, of course. "You're wasting yourself on the church you know, pretty little thing like you." His thumb movin up and down at her side had her shiver.
It was with disgust but he wouldn't know that, staring where he was.
"I've heard from a few men," she purred, shifting into his touch, "you work for Crane, right?"
"Mhmm,"
"Can you tell me where he is?"
"In his house, Sweet Thing. Why do you want to know?"
"What woman doesn't want to be closer to Ansgar reborn?"
Edd thought for a moment, his hand still traveling up and down Sunniva's side, dipping around to caress her lower back.
"You give me what I want and I'll give you want you want."
Sunniva stilled, felt herself go cold.
"W-what do you want?"
"Just a kiss, Sweet Thing, just a kiss."
"Okay, you tell me where he is and I'll give you a kiss."
Edd leaned in real close to her ear, so close his voice was a hot caress and she had to do everything to not jerk away and push him off the bed. "Under the church, man's got himself a fancy set up but he's got the only key." The feel of his lips on hers was just as weird as when Mercuxio did it. Thankfully Sunniva lived through the kiss, though the hand on her breast caught her off guard and she jerked away, only to have her chin grabbed and a tongue shoved in her mouth.
Violently she pushed Edd, shuffling away until her back was to the headboard, "that wasn't what we agreed on!" She yelled, only to be grabbed by the shirt. A ripping sound and his hand touched the bareflesh of her chest. The knife was out of her mind, fear gnawed at her belly and she gave him another violen push.
"Mercuxio!" A hand covered her mouth and she kicked wildly, a pained grunt and his hand connected with her cheek. "Mercuxio!" Forgetting that here, his name wasn't that. A jerk of her leg and the handle dug into her hip, a quick glance from Edd - her top ripped down the front exposing her breasts. Anger and rage bubbled through her, fear drove her actions.
It wasn't until the knife was buried into the side of his neck and his dead weight kept her pinned to the bed did she think of the consequences.
"Father, things are so strange around here," Jules found herself confessing. "Oh, goodness, I hope you don't mind me blabbering. I feel remarkably comfortable around you, father." She smiled. "Ever since Crane arrived our village seemed so much quieter. More peaceful you know. But....it's strange, its as if I don't remember anything else before that. I remember marrying Edd, my son. But to think how we ever got on without him, I don't know."
Mercuxio smiled a bit, helping her wet the shirt. The garden smelled of fresh moist dirt, and it was a mild comfort. "Hmmm," she murmured, looking at a crop next to her. "Damn. Excuse me, father. I mean, darn. My daisies are dying. Oh, and they've only just started to bloom, too. This is the second time this has happened." Jules pursed her lips and went about plucking a dead flower from the stem.
Merric knelt beside her. "Second time? I hear gardening takes a certain type."
"No, never! I've always been quiet good with plants, you know. My mama taught me how to watch the soil, to keep out pests. Which is why it breaks my heart to see my daisies dying. I worked so hard to keep them healthy. This time, I told myself. Hmmm."
Merric frowned though she tried to smile at him as she went about plucking off the petals of the dead flower and pressing them into the dirt. "Soil feels brittle. Like sand. I should water it a bit more, yeah? What do you think?"
"I've never been quite as good with gardening. Although my time as Brother gave me plenty of time to deal with farming. I never did get the hang of it."
"The soil wasn't always like this. Strange, I recall that. I really hope the earth isn't growing sour. That would ruin the rest of my garden. I'll have to pull some more water from the well."
Mercuxio roiled that thought over in his mind. But before he could properly process it, he heard his name. It sent a cold chill down his spine. And when he bolted from the garden toward the front of the house, he heard Jules calling 'Father Marcus' from behind him. But he didn't stop, not until he burst through the door of that bedroom. And found Edd lying dead atop of Sunniva.
And only faintly did he hear the sound of Jules' approach from behind.
Relief was just about the only thing she was feeling when she heard the door snap open. Easily forgetting about her state while she was in a panic.
"I didn't mean to!" Sunniva cried, rubbed tears from her face, forgetting that her whole top half was on display from her ripped tunic. "He wouldn't stop," Still her breathing was in short little pants and she was trying to push him off of her onto the bed.
"Maybe he's not dead," How much of a problem would this be if she'd killed someone? "Maybe you can heal him like you healed me."
No, he was definitely dead. And even if Merric wanted to heal him, he wouldn't. Edd was a bastard. But there was still the matter of Jules. As she came through the door, she saw Edd's dead body, as it rolled off Sunniva and landed with a thud on the floor. She didn't scream, didn't even utter a sound.
Instead she gave out a low slow breath and looked between Sunniva and Merric. The priest had moved toward the Adhara andwrapped arms around her to keep her decent. "I thought....that bastard would never die," Jules whimpered with a sigh of relief.
"Who....Who are you two?" Jules managed to croak out.
Sure she'd killed before.
Violently.
But it was with the intention to kill. Not while someone was going for more. The idea that if she hadn't do that, what could have happened had her trembling and she jerked violently when she felt something touch her. Almost instantly her hand moved to gently touch their face, the now familiar planes and contours of the face had her visibly relax and she let herself curl towards Mercuxio, trembling.
Jules's voice had her turn her head and Sunniva went pale, though her mouth dropped open and she shook her head.
"We're nobody. We're just... We're just trying to..." swallowing she went quiet and let her head duck down. Another tremble and she shook her head, "It's not important. The less you know the better off you'll be - for now."
"Crane is under the church. Edd.... Edd said Crane had the only key." Biting her lip she pressed her palms to her eyes and took a deep breath, "I don't want to do that again."
"You won't," Merric assured her, or tried too. Soon he was shirtless once again and carefully draped it over Sunniva since her current garments were rather ripped to shreds. "We'll find Crane. Don't worry."
"Are you...here to help?" Jules whispered.
Mercuxio turned to her. And he only nodded.
"Crane says he's...Ansgar Reborn...but He's... strange. I don't know what to think. He takes some of the girls, some of the young ones and...'initiates' them. For the Reckoning he says. I don't know what that means. He...." she stopped, looking at Edd then she spit on him.
"Crane is a mage, and he's taken control of this town. He is not Ansgar Reborn. He's just a man. Jules, is there another way into the basement?" he asked.
Jules gave her head a small shake.
"To work for him." A slow look to Sunniva and another hard look towards Edd's dead body, "Or be initiated."
Sunniva took in a quick breath and steeled herself. This was for the town. This wasn't about her or what she wanted. What use was she as a knight if she couldn't make sacrifices? It would free the town. Free Jules.
"Would he take me?" Carefully she fixed the shirt to hide her torso, "I hadn't... I hadn't understood what... What might happen, but now I do." that was a moment of panic, if she could be mentally prepared... Maybe this time would be better. Naivety and being raised as a church sister was hindering her, clearly. Gently she bit her lip, frowning at how much this little outing was going to chance her. Inside. Hopefully the outsides would be the same.
"What?" Merric said, turning to Sunniva. And not quite understanding what she meant. "Are you...volunteering? I doubt Crane has anything good in store for you if you do this. "
But they were running out of options and they needed to end Crane sooner rather than later.
"I am." Shoulders straight and chin up, she couldn't see but she knew what a regal stance was and she looked every bit her mother's daughter at the moment. Stubborn. Stern. "Better me than... Than some young village girl." Gently she moved her hand to Mercuxio's face, resting her palm against his cheek and trying to smile. Still her heart was pounding but if there was some good to do here, then Ansgar Guide Her, she was going to do it.
"I... I didn't know what... I didn't know what you were trying to tell me about what Edd might do." Then his hand was on her breast and she knew. Now, knowing was half the battle and she was going to win at least on that front. "He's powerless around me," A small smirk, a tilt of her head, "Remember? I... I'll either steal the key or... Open the door or something." Then she frowned.
"Or I'll kill Crane myself."
He could feel the determination in her voice. And he nodded to her then, her hand still on his face. They had no choice and it was their way in. And Crane would be stopped. Mercuxio had no doubt that Sunniva would be up to the task, in particular with the evidence of Edd sprawled out before them. "We'll get you in then."
He looked to Jules. "Jules can you get her inside?"
A nod.
Good.
Her thumb caressed his cheek in a silent thank you and she dropped her hand, slowly she turned towards Jules and waited.
"Yes. She's young. Pretty." Jules moved closer, hands out before gently grabbing Sunniva's, nudging Edd's body out of the way so they could leave the room. The body could be dealt with later. Plucking at the shirt on the girl, Jules smoothed her hands down her own dress. "I'll give you a dress," She tucked some of Sunniva's hair away from her face, "We'll bring you to the church. You need to believe though, If you don't believe they'll be suspicious and..." Shaking her head.
"I don't know what they'll want from you, but... When they come back, they come back... Different. They don't speak of it. Just that they've been blessed and are soon married." Jules sighed and rubbed Sunniva's shoulders, "You've had a frightful day and I'm sorry that it's only going to get worse. Come with me, we'll get you a dress."
It didn't take long for Jules to find something for Sunniva to wear. A simple dress, her hair in a coronet of braids now instead of the thick one down her back. Instead of a weary traveler she looked like everyone else, perhaps a bit fair and flushed, but Jules guided her to the sitting room.
"I can get you inside, Sister, but I can't get you out. Only you can do that." A weary look to the blind girl and Sunniva simply nodded.
"I can do it. I'm... Far more capable than you'd think." A small smile and she stood up, "Father? What... What about..." Her voice was quiet but she knew he was around somewhere and she knew that he knew her trailing off would be about the body in the room. Sunniva ducked her head down, thankful for the thick clothing Jules had lent her.
Mercuxio gave them some privacy as he thought of what to do with Edd's body. This evening had been eventful. Far more than the young priest had been prepared for. But he could deal with a body.
It was a faint relief that Jules had reacted the way she did. He used her bedsheet to wrap the body and as Jules took care of Sunniva, he took care of Edd. And dragged him quietly out to the garden.
Merric emerged a while later covered in dirt, panting lightly. "The deed is done. Is she ready?" he asked. And looked at Sunniva, the answer pleasantly clear before him. "You look nice. Remember the dagger." And handed it back to her.
Taking the dagger, Sunniva carefully tucked it into her skirts.
"Should..." Frowning slightly, "Should I be me? Not... The White Lily but... Me? Would that make me worth more or...?"
Jules tilted her head.
"What do you mean, Darling?"
"My parents are the Duke and Duchess of Folkvar. Maybe..." She licked her lips, "If I come to him as a Duke's daughter he may be more... Willing... To let me in. He seems to crave power and I am the first born, maybe..." Jules just stared before pursing her lips. Being young and of child bearing age seemed like more than enough check points in Sunniva's favor.
"I... Imagine he may be more susceptible to your presence."
"Father, do you think they'll know who I am this far out? You seem to know many things, did you know who I was?" While it wasn't a secret, it wasn't a widely spoken topic. If anyone knew anything about the children of Folkvar they were mordecai, a blind White Lily was simply splitting hairs.
"The daughter of a duke? I have to admit to myself, I did not," Mercuxio said with a nod, and moved over to her. "Be yourself in personality, but not abrasive. You want to lure Crane, remember. If you can end his fate, do so. But be wary. I don't know how the other girls will react to you doing so. See through their eyes. Do what you must."
He didn't like sending her out into the fray once more, but what other choice did they have. "What do you intend to do about the fact of your parentage? Do you honestly think he'll care?"
Jules looked to Mercuxio and reached for his hand, holding it between her own. "Crane wants control... Of course he will care. Please don't back out. I knew something wasn't right when he came here.... The water started to taste funny.... My husband.... Edd wasn't always like that. We loved each other once, before Martin was born, and when he was a babe. Something happened. I...feel all dizzy all of a sudden."
Mercuxio eased her into a chair before helping Sunniva, fixing a loosened knot on the back of her dress.
Not abrasive?
Sunniva was too frightened to be abrasive. If anything she was more calm and collected. Perhaps even a little nicer. Before she'd been angry and hurt. Now she was just afraid though she listened to Jules carefully. The water tasted funny? Had they had any water? Frowning down at her lap she was pondering on their breakfast and she jolted slightly when Mercuxio fixed the knots at the back of her dress.
Deep breaths.
"I'll go then..." Carefully she turned, catching Mercuxio's wrists in her hands before she drew them up his face, cupping his cheeks between them. Sunniva's hands were cold and she took a moment to calm herself and unfortunately for Mercuxio the most familiar thing at the moment was his face.
"I remember where the church is... I'll go... I'll... He'll figure out what I am sooner rather than later so... Listen for me?" Still she held his cheeks and she ducked her head down, breathing slowly to calm herself, "I ... " Licking her lips she rose her head, "I'll... Tomorrow. If I'm not back by tomorrow then... Assume the worst has happened." Whatever that may be.
There was that facial touch again. Mercuxio stilled himself and just focused on the feeling of her hands. They were soft and cool to the touch, and somehow calmed him from tension he hadn't realized was festering inside him. He was direct in moments like these. He was collected, he knew, and not prone to anxiety, but something about this made him want nothing more than to be done with it all.
Releasing a low, steady breath, he nodded against her hands. "Yes, I will. I promise I'll be there. I must find Titus as well. The rest of my gear is on that horse, gear I'm sure they've no doubt found," he said to her. He released her, Jules taking Sunniva to the Church. He remembered the boy, surprisingly quiet in the midst of all this chaos.
He checked on Martin, but the boy was sound asleep in bed, blissfully ignorant to the world outside.
Mercuxio left quickly, moving through the dark and avoiding the night patrols.
Titus.
Sunniva had forgotten about the beautiful horse.
A return nod and she was escorted to the church, head held steady, Jules guiding her by the elbow. Her touch gentle and Sunniva gave one last tremble before she steeled her resolve and took a steadying breath. Quick flashes of her image came from the doors and before long, the darkness of her vision was replaced with the church.
The sound of a door being knocked on and Sunniva felt gentle hands at her back, urging her forward.
"Just keep walking, there's nothing in front of you for a while."
Sure enough, a quick sight from Jules vision and it was a long dark hallway. A dark hallway leading to a door, light shining from underneath.
Sunniva made her way to the door, steps careful, quiet.
Her fingers found the door and she knocked.
"Who is it?"
It was a gruff manly voice and Sunniva quickly cleared her throat.
"It's Samantha, the sister that rode in with Father Marcus..." Sure enough, the door opened shortly and a hand took hers, guiding her into the room. A few different angles of herself told her that there was indeed more than Crane in this room.
"My dear..." He stroked her cheek, placed his hand on her shoulder.
Sunniva instantly prostrated herself, falling to her knees, head down. It gnawed at her to do it, but there were plans. Plans far more grand than her.
"I had dinner with Edd and his wife Jules," Sunniva said before she stood up, hands to her bosom, "They said that if I wanted to stay here I'd have to be initiated." Reaching out, Sunniva lightly took his hand, pulled it to her mouth and pressed her lips to his knuckles.
"Initiate me. I want to stay here. With you. With Ansgar reborn." The words tasted like bile but at the end, it would be worth it. The town would be free. Right? Sunniva's fingers trembled, though she played it off as excitement, they trembled for the unknown she was about to face.
Mercuxio slipped quietly back to the stables, having round it between two guards that were busy with conversation. Sneaking in wasn't a problem, but getting Titus out would be. It was a bit difficult trying to conceal a horse behind some bushes or a small sapling tree.
He saw a farrier's hammer on an anvil and took it firmly in hand. A hammer would be enough to strike them down. And when he saw the opportunity, Merric stepped forth and slammed it in the back of the head of the first guard. Before the other could shout, he rammed him hard with his shoulder, and knelt on his chest. With both arms raised, Merric dropped the hammer down on his head, repeating it until he felt the softness of the tissue beneath.
"C'mon Titus boy," he whispered, clicking his tongue a little, as he crept inside the stable and found his gear, rummaged through, and the saddlebags. The horse had been treated well, even brushed and fattened.
He brushed the horse a bit, before saddling him, and pulling him by the bit, just enough to circumvent the stable, going toward the back of the church. And he pulled his mace from the belt of the fallen guard, only having realized now he'd tried to claim it as his own.
Foolish bastard he was.
There was a goblet.
Sunniva recoiled, head down, the smell of blood mixed with wine had her wincing and she knew it was Cranes blood in there. Probably some sort of binding spell. Sunniva didn't know how magic worked just that it did not work around her, for which she was very glad at this moment. It hadn't taken him long to set up the initiating ritual - the idea of such lovely new meat was too appealing to pass up or leave until later.
Luckily he hadn't noticed his magic didn't work.
Yet.
A hand at her waist, urging her to drink and she took the goblet, wincing when she finished it up and placed the empty goblet down.
"Now, how do you feel my dear?"
Gross.
"I feel... Enlightened." Her voice was soft and breathy and she pressed a hand to her breast before she began to fan herself, feeling flushed. Hopefully she wouldn't puke up this batch of wine on poor Crane. It would blow her meager cover.
A shuffling of boots and a quiet command to leave and Sunniva found herself quite alone with the gentleman. The gentleman monster.
"Now, Sister Samantha." His hand at her back, guiding her around the room, through a door. It was like a mini apartment under the church it seemed, a safe haven. Who would storm a church? Heathens.
"Yes?" voice soft. Honey and silk to draw him in and then the biting knife of the blade.
"Have you always been with the church?"
"Yes. Since I was seven."
A delighted noise and his hand drifted up and down her back, guiding her along. The knife felt heavy at her waist and she couldn't quite wait to sink it into his face.
A sound of keys. Sunniva reached a hand out, placing it on his waist and he gave a curious look at her, a flash of herself, flushed, hair falling just so. Oh so temptingly. It was glorious.
"Now, Miss Samantha, why don't you go over there and take off your clothes?"
It was a snap.
"I am Sunniva and I am here to serve justice to the people of this town." Her voice was steady while she spoke and she reached a hand out, only for it to be slapped away. A dangerous smile and she heard him choking. "You drank the wine!" He gargled out while she went for her knife, the little thing that was already covered in so much blood. Not literally, of course.
"Adhara. Your foul magic is useless around me." It was a little scary to see herself through his eyes, but the grin only grew while his vision dimmed. It was the same force that kept the horse from breaking her legs. The same force that made the horse lighter so she could get out from under it.
"Unlike you, Ansgar really is on my side." Another smile, turning her face to him, another choking sob. Seeing herself was making her angry though. Why wouldn't it stop. Soon enough, unable to stop looking at herself she reached a hand forward. Eyes were such simple fleshy things and it was easy enough to jam her fingers into his eye sockets and she could feel his screams vibrate through his closed through when she ripped out his eyes.
It took perhaps too long for Crane to die. A bit like a vile diseased dog. Sunniva wiped her hand off on his shirt, moved her hand to his to feel for a ring.
Ah. There.
And the keys. Needed those.
Stoic. Sunniva was strangely stoic. Her fingers didn't tremble and she still felt angry. Perhaps it was the alcohol in the wine but slowly and carefully she exited his room, taking great care to lock the door. Still in his strange underground home she stood at the front door and waited. Was she supposed to wait for Mercuxio? Sunniva bit her lip, deciding that while he'd also had this mission she did too.
So, she did the most logical thing.
She left.
Careful to keep the keys and knife stuck in her skirt.
A few curious glances were sent her way, but the anger and the alcohol had her cheeks flushed and she meandered down the church hallway. The men not seeing the little blind girl as a threat. Where were they supposed to meet? Outside the church? The well?
Jules house?
The only keys to that room were in her pocket.
A dark smile drew on her face while she meandered away from the church, her steps slow.
He was going to rot in there. Alone.
Now, where was Mercuxio. She wanted to leave.
Though others glanced at Sunniva as she made her quiet exit, Mercuxio had not been far away. His approach however was not so quiet as he saw Sunniva in the dark, standing closer to lantern light. He didn't wait. Upon seeing her, and her stance, he knew the deed was done.
Or he hoped it was. But in lieu of him were shouts, sudden and loud.
Mercuxio dug his heels into Titus and the horse bolted along. And without so much as a word, Mercuxio swept a hand out to pull Sunniva up into the saddle with him. Crane's men would soon be in pursuit.
If she hadn't seen herself and heard horse hooves she would have been worried. As it was she was easily deposited onto the horse and it was almost second nature how she molded herself against Mercuxio, arms curling around his middle - the gore from Crane's eyes still under her nails. Still seething with rage she gave a shiver against his back but remained silent.
It was tempting to drop the keys.
Maybe deeper into the forest.
Throw them up into a tree.
Maybe into a river.
"His blood was in the wine," Sunniva said simply, "I don't know what kind of magic that is." Leaning back slightly, head tilting so she could speak over his shoulder, "Should I throw up again?"
Mercuxio was counting his blessings when Sunniva wasn't surprised and didn't stab him. He let out a bubble of air he'd been holding in when she settled into the saddle behind him. He wasn't out of the fray just yet and turned Titus hard on a right, leading down a dirt road that went back around the church.
"Don't throw up just yet, Sister," he panted, breathing hard, heat beating wildly in his chest. "You can puke when we've evaded them. For now, it's some hard riding. Hold your stomach. Please for the sake of us all!"
He pulled Titus up, as the horse rose up on his back legs and vaulted high over a wall and screamed as they came down hard on the cold wet ground. The sound of men was growing fainter, but Mercuxio wanted to put as much distance between them and this town as possible.
"Well I don't have to," she stated, pressing her hand to his chest, feeling his heart beating. Why wasn't hers doing that? If anything she felt sort of tired. Perhaps a little floaty. Though the horse vaulting over the wall caught her off guard and she tightened her grip and gave a surprised squeak, knees clasping the sides of Mercuxio's legs. Once they'd landed and Sunniva had her seat back she dug for the keys, quickly tossing them off to the side, low enough to get them into the dirt.
They'd find his rotting body eventually.
The ring was still carefully held and she snuggled into Mercuxio's back, moving her hand to again feel his heart.
That's what hers should be doing right?
Were her fingers supposed to tingle?
Maybe it hadn't been blood.
Still, he'd told her not to vomit though she was sure now would be the best time. Sunniva held on for all she was worth and while her fingers were slowly going numb she tightened her grip and counted Mercuxio's heartbeats, waiting for him to finally slow down. At least then, maybe, they'd be safe.
While she was focused on heartbeats, Mercuxio strained his ears to listen. They rode hard for several minutes until he could hear the labored breath of his horse. He pulled on the reins, Titus halting with a hard snort. Merric slipped from the saddle, dropping to his knees and he panted heavily.
He regained his composure and turned to Sunniva, leaning in and slowly hugging her, his breath catching and heart relaxing at long last. "I'm just glad you're okay," he murmured.
By the time they stopped riding, Sunniva's fingers went from numb to burning. When she felt Mercuxio slip off the horse she carefully got off too, standing there, leaning against Titus. Head resting against the saddle. The hug caught her off guard and Sunniva did the only thing she could think of. After his murmured words she nuzzled at his face before boldly pressing her lips to his, arms going up around his neck, body molded to Mercuxio. Sunniva said no words and the only movement was her tongue pressing against his lips, begging for entrance.
It was that sudden motion that startled Mercuxio. He had hugged Sunniva only relief, however temporary it may be. But to feel her lips coaxing against his, he pulled back just enough to look at her. A hand went to her face, cupping her cheek. "Sunniva, what are you doing?" he whispered.
"Kissing," her voice was soft and she dipped her head forward, pressing her forehead to Mercuxio's collar bone. Sunniva's hand pressed against Mercuxio's on her cheek and she leaned into it, his hand felt so cool. The kissing had felt nice, why didnt he want to? "Edd and Crane wanted kisses," slowly her free hand moved to press against Mercuxio's cheek, a small tremble, "they wanted more. Don't you? You're a man, right?" Right.
Right?
Her thumb caressed his cheek and she dipped her head down, giving another shudder.
"I am a man," Mercuxio said, nodding in confirmation. Her body felt nice against his, in a way that he'd missed in such a long time. He wrapped his arm back her, and buried his face against her neck, breath splaying gently across it. "But just because a man might want more, doesn't mean you have to be inclined to give it," he explained. He was content to just hold her like this, secure in the thought that after she risked herself, she was all right.
He was so cool. Sunniva nuzzled her face against his neck, letting out a shaky breath. The contact felt nice and she melted into the hug. "And? Do you want more?" she breathed, taking slow deep breaths. Something was wrong. Her mouth said some words that her brain advised against. "I think something is wrong," she finally whispered, pressing her warm forehead to his cheek.
Mercuxio let his hand splay across the muscles of her back. His lips buried themselves against her neck and despite himself, his form shivered at her touch. He wasn't sure what was wrong either, perhaps it was merely the stress of all this. "You drank an awful lot of wine," he muttered back to her. "You said his blood was in it. Just take a deep breath. You'll be okay, Sunniva."
Mercuxio kissed along her neck lightly. This was wrong he told himself, and settled into nestling his face against hers.
A deep breath.
The kisses made her shiver. Mercuxio was someone safe, right? He wasn't like Edd? "What if there was magic?" Panic set in her voice and she buried her head against his chest, letting out a little sob of breath. "I don't want to die. What if he knew? What if it was poison? Mercuxio, I don't want to die." The blood she could taste, but what if it was masking something? Or it could just be wine and Sunniva was a paranoid drunk.
He just wrapped his arms around her, hands rubbing at her back. He leaned his chin on her head. "I think you might be drunk, Sunniva. It's okay. You're fine. Body parts intact, sanity will return. Take a deep breath. We'll get back to the stream. We're close." He brushed away her hair. "Are you sure you don't want to puke?"
She did.
She really did want to puke.
Leaning into his hand slightly she gave a nod and abruptly turned around, taking careful steps towards a tree, slow wobbly steps. Finally her fingers touched rough bark and she slowly sank to her knees, patting in front of her to make sure she didnt have any clothing or her braid in the way.
It wasn't long after the sound of retching came from beside the tree she wandered too and after a few minutes she stood up and pressed her face against the tree, panting, red faced. Obviously her body had more than enough time to digest some and she felt it in her limbs, felt it in her head. "Can we go to the stream now?" Her voice was small and her skin was still warm and instead of the brave Adhara she knew she was, she just felt like a scared young girl.
Mercuxio wandered back over to her when she was done retching, and he took her by the hand. His touch was gentle and be helped her back up onto Titus and he walked the horse back down the hill, weaving between trees.
The stream wasn't far, thankfully, and when he felt his feet wading into water, he stopped, moonlight coming down through the trees. He helped Sunniva down, and led her to the water. "Just here at your feet," he said.
He too stooped down and cupped water, throwing it over his face and hair. It was freezing, but refreshing and just what he needed.
It didn't take long for Sunniva to follow suit, drop to her knees and press her hands into the cold water. It was a shock and she brought her hands to her face, pressing cooled flesh to heated. The noise that came out of her was a sort of sob but quickly enough she presse her hands to her face and took deep ragged breaths. "I don't want to be an Adhara anymore," a soft snarl, "I just want my dog and my bed."
Angrily she rummaged through the pocket in her dress and pulled out the plain ring Crane wore.
"Here. I took it from his hand after I ripped his eyes out."
Mercuxio turned to sit beside Sunniva, crossing his legs and dipping his hands into the water. He blew out his sinuses and dribbled the water from his nostrils. Sunniva's proclamation made him frown and he reached out to brush wet hands through her hair, brushing away loose strands.
His other hand took the ring and carefully he examined it. "You didn't take the whole hand then?" he asked as he pocketed the ring. "You'll get to go home soon, Sunniva. I'll deliver you there myself."
"It would have taken too long," she murmured, voice quiet. A quiet breath and she leaned into his hand, "really? You're not going to leave me for the wolves?" Though her tone took on a teasing note she gave another shiver and put her hands back into the water. Quickly enough her hair was down, braids on either side of her head and she pat at her clothing, or rather, the clothing she accidentally stole from Jules.
"Do you know how long it will take?"
"I don't leave people behind," he said, an edge to his tone. But he relaxed and moved to sit beside her. He sighed and brushed away the hair from his face. "It'll be a long journey back. I'm sure what remains of Crane's men will be after us. But a Confessor knows how to cover his tracks."
He smirked at Sunniva and looked down at her hands. "There's still blood under your fingernails."
It was a reflex when she turned her head down to her hands, frowning slightly. Blood. From his eyes. Again her hands went into the water and she picked at her nails. "Am I no better than a whore?"
He watched her scrape at her fingernails. His frown deepened. "No," he said. "You're an Adhara. A warrior of God. You did what you had to do."
"I did what I had to do." Sunniva frowned, ripping at her nails. Soon enough the blood under her nails was replaced with her own while she savagely ripped at her nails. "I feel dirty," she finally stated, lifting her hands from the water so her bleeding fingers added dripping sounds to the gurgle of the stream. A heaved sigh and she ducked her headdown, "Mercuxio. I'm tired."
Merric reached and gripped her hands and held them firmly but gently. "You're not. You're strong. You did what only you could do. Sunniva, I'm in awe of you. I mean that. You're stronger than I suspected, and you proved everyone wrong. In that lies your victory." He smiled and pressed her hands to his face so she could feel his expression. "Do you think you could muster down some water? Let's rest just a bit. Then we can be on our way."
As was her usual reaction to him putting her hands on his face, she ran her finger gently over his features. Caressing his cheek, drawing her fingers over his lips. Now, when more had happened it felt intimate and she let her fingers linger while she took a few breaths. "I can muster down water. Then rest."
Those things sounded nice. Gently she removed her hands from his face, letting her finger tips burst along his neck while she let them drop down. "Why are Confessors very good at hiding their tracks?"
Mercuxio was well muscled for a priest, he couldn't have a soft body for the demands his duty required of him. He had to.endure punishment of any kind, mental, phsycial, emotional, spiritual. But to feel her fingers traipsing across this features was unusually relaxing, releasing tension that had built up from their ordeal. They were not in the clear just yet after all.
He grabbed the water skin, thankfully still filled with the water from when he'd first come to the stream, and placed it in her hands. "We must learn to leave and come as ghosts, with nothing behind us. We are agents of the Church. We leave an imprint only when we must. You might say let not the left hand know what the right hand is doing, sort of thing. But that mightbe eexaggerating." There was a hint of humor in his tone.
Taking the water skin, Sunnica drank deeply. With a gasp and pulling it away she wiped at her mouth and gave a pleased hum. Though his words had her saddened. "So... We're never going to meet again, are we," it was a statement, "after you take me home. That makes me sad."
"No one in the world could say that. We can't say what the future holds." He watched her for a moment, then took his own sip of the water skin.
"You said you ripped out Crane's eyes. Why? Why his eyes?"
Sunniva was silent for a moment.
"Because I could see myself grinning. He was dying and I looked happy," she curled her hands around her middle, ducking her head down. "I didn't want to see it anymore."
"I think I understand," he admitted. Mercuxio pat her shoulder. "You weren't the only one that's felt like that. But that part of the task is finished." Mercuxio drank again of the water and found himself staring at Sunniva for a time. He smiled again, shook his head and stood moving toward Titus.
"They took my weapons and armor. I had to kill several of them just to get all of my things back." He pulled his coat from his saddlebags, and threw it over Sunniva's shoulders. "Are you ready to travel again?"
Sunniva flinched when she felt something over her shoulders, a few moments of frowning at nothing and she realized it was a coat of some sort. She was clothed, why the coat? "Thank you," She said quietly before nodding, assuming that he was looking at her when he asked his question.
"I am. I don't really have to do anything." Finally she stood up and reached out a hand to the horse sounds. Eventually she found the warm fur of his flank and she scratched her fingers against him, "Titus." She said, committing the name to memory. "I bet he's beautiful," She said, turning and smiling to her side, "A strong brave boy."
"He is," Merric confirmed, smiling as he patted the horse' mane. Titus turned his head to nuzzle in against Sunniva, nickering for pets and wiggling his nose. A spew of hot breath came out against her face, but it was quickly followed by another nuzzle. "He likes you. Which is good, all things considered."
"He's black, a stallion, one of the Briarheart chargers from coast. He can run fast and far and he likes biscuits," he explained. "Do you think you're capable of riding him? Would you like to try?"
Sunniva grinned brightly, though recoiled and wrinkled her nose at the horse breath, though it was shortly followed by a laugh and she nuzzled back into him. Nose rubbing against his before she leaned back again, pressing her hand gently to the horses jaw. "I'm sorry I don't have an biscuits for you, Titus," Sunniva said softly against his muzzle, pressing a kiss to the velvety nose.
"Of course I can ride him," Giving a lick of her lips she frowned, "I can't direct him though. The horse I had..." Slowly her head turned downwards, "Sort of... Knew." A careful breath and she squeezed her hand into a fist. That horse was dead. "They killed my horse," Sunniva pressed her fingers to her face, frowning slightly, "Do you think that if they had killed me, you would have found my body? It was on the way."
A strange mental segue, but Sunniva was curious.
That forced Merric into a moment of consideration. The priest shrugged. "It's possible. Though I would not know what I would have done. I could have left you well alone, or seen to a decent burial when my task was finished," Mercuxio mused. "I am an ordained priest after all. It would be my duty to lay you properly to rest."
He motioned for her ro climb up into the saddle, coaxing and aiding her where necessary. He followed suit, sitting behind her. "You can ride. I'll guide us if we're going to hit a tree or something," he said steadying the reins in her hands, and clasping them with his own.
That was a nice thought. "Thank you," Her voice was quiet and soon enough she was up on Titus, shifting to get comfortable. It felt odd to sit astride in a dress and she knew the skirt was hiking up along her legs, but there wasn't much room to care and she shifted forward so Mercuxio could ride behind her.
The smallest smile was on her face when he commented on avoiding trees and she gave a little nod. A quick nudge with her foot and the horse set off at a snails pace. Eventually, Sunniva guided Titus to a path and she listened for the rocks that littered the road, when it was too quiet she'd stir back to the sound of rocks. "Why are you having me do this?" She finally asked, voice soft, long having relaxed against Mercuxio's chest since sitting ramrod straight was making her abdomen ache.
Titus was remarkably lightfooted for such a powerful horse and the carrying of two riders. He walked along, keeping his breathing quiet and stepping around rocks in his path. Mercuxio's hands over Sunniva's on the reins kept the animal steady. Merric steered very lightly.
Mercuxio relaxed with the Adhara against him. "Um, I don't know," he admitted. "I guess it'd just help you feel better? Or so I assumed. You don't want to be coddled, you're doing pretty well, I'd say. Titus is used to.navigating in the dark."
Tired as she was, Sunniva let her head rest against his shoulder. There was a pause and she gave a small devious smile, snuggling her head against his shoulder, hands still on the reins but doing much less work. "Where do babies come from?"
And it was a question that had caught Merric off guard.
"Why would you ask such a thing?" he asked back. "Has no one ever told you?"
"Curious," she continued to play along, "you seem you might know." Then she gave a pause and sighed, "I know how children come to be. Sort of." A purse of her lips and she tilted her head, "do you have any children?"
These were very personal questions. "Consider your parents," he said. "They had sex. That usualle results in a child. But in answer to your question, I don't have any children."
A confused look passed over her features and she turned her head, "so... You've had sex. But no children." Her hand moved slightly under his on the reins, "so it doesn't always make children?" That was news and she frowned downwards at nothing. "Strange but interesting to know."
"There are certain preventative measures one might take to ensure a child does not result. Some generally used by those whose profession is to have sex with others, and be paid for it. A child would not be convenient from such unions," he explained thoughtfully.
Sunniva wrinkled her nose at the news, making a noise to display just what she thought of whores. "Interesting," she stated hesitantly. Useless information for her but interesting all the same, "do my questions make you uncomfortable?"
"Um....no," he answered and laughed a little. "I wonder though. Why are you so curious?"
"Who else am I going to ask?" She said softly, smirking slightly, "I've never lived outside the church. In fact, I don't think I've ever been away for so long."
"You make a valid point," he said with a nod. He took control of the reins from there, content to just let Sunniva sleep and nudged Titus to go off into a trot.
"Well, few priests would be so inclined to answer your questions. They would blush and sputter out scripture and you would have learned nothing."
"Are you blushing?" She asked softly, moving her hand to rest over his to steady herself. "Thank you for telling me." Sunniva paused and relaxed more until finally her hand fell into her lap and she was asleep.
One hand remained on the reins and the other secured Sunniva against him. He rode off more quickly, Titus bounding off through the trees.
One more jerky movement had Sunniva jolt awake with a gasp. Soon enough she relaxed again, placing her hand over Mercuxio's. "Where are we going?" She grumbles out, voice tired before she snuggled back against his shoulder.
"A farmhouse I had used as a base of operations of sorts," he said. They went off quite a ways, for what seemed to be a few hours until they rose through a hillock and found an abandoned farmhouse that Merric had been to. Dawn would be rising soon, but they would be safe here for.now.
A farmhouse.
Sunniva had never been to a farmhouse. It sounded... Rural. A few more times, she fell asleep, not deeply but enough to make the ride seem shorter. Having never been in such a situation she wasn't sure what to expect, but there was little conversation to pay attention to and fewer reasons to start one.
The first birds had begun to do their singing, which told Sunniva that dawn would be soon.
"Do we have to stay long at the farmhouse?" She finally asked, hours later, "Or are we just resting here for a while?"
"Perhaps at least until night fall. Although daylight travel wouldn't be that bad of an idea, if the coast is clear." Mercuxio slipped off the saddle and plopped down. He looked around, leading the horse into the connecting farmhouse. He helped Sunniva down, before taking off the saddle and saddlebags that were attached.
"How are you feeling? Do you think you could eat something?"
A day.
That seemed doable.
Finally off the saddle, Sunniva gave a groan before she wiggled her legs. "My thighs hurt, Titus is a lot... Wider... Than my horse was," her hands moved to her hips and she gave another groan, giving a few awkward steps around hoping Mercuxio wasn't watching her waddle. A brief turn to face him and she frowned after a moment.
"Yes. I could eat." While she wasn't hungry she knew she should eat anyway. Her hands pressed against her abdomen and she let out a slow breath. "You know, I've never been camping."
"What an odd thing to say! But it seems you haven't done a lot of things since the start of this venture," he commented and took a biscuit from one of the bags on the wall of the barn, he put it in Sunniva's hand. "You should feed Titus. He worked hard to get us here after all."
When that was done, Mercuxio helped Sunniva into the house proper. "Did you want to go camping? Sleep on the cold hard ground? It's very trying, which is why I'm glad I found this farmhouse. It has one bed, but you can have it. I do not mind."
Sunniva decided she much preferred horses and animals to other people. As nice as Mercuxio was, when she was given the biscuit and held it out for Titus, the horse happily munching away on it had her smiling and she couldn't help decided that the horse had been the best thing she'd met so far. The horse didn't care if she was blind, which was apparent when he accidentally lifted his head and whacked her in the forehead. A soft hiss and she scritched his nose in apology.
Soon enough they were in the farmhouse and she shook her head, "Not really. It's never sounded appealing. When you said farmhouse I figuered it was... A barn, I guess. Sleep on the hay." Gently she chewed on her lip, a lady would insist on sleeping on the bed but right now they needed rest and he'd already dispared at sleeping on the cold hard ground.
"Why can't we share it? I'm small, I won't push you off."
"We'll see to it when we get there I suppose," he said back. "Let's get something to eat first. I'm positively famished."
Merric moved through the abandoned house, at the supplies that had been left about, potatoes, bread not yet eaten. He sliced up a plate of spiced meat, and warmed them in the fire. He took bread and toasted it, followed by the sound of cutting and knives as he prepared sandwiches.
"Here try this," he said, placing the plate in front of her.
Carefully she listened, trying to imagine just what it was he was doing. Preparing food, obviously, but how? Imagining the movements kept her entertained and when he'd finally finished preparing the meal she reached out her hand and gently touched the toasted bread. A silent prayer was given and she brought the sandwich to her mouth.
A surprised noise and she chewed before lifting her head.
"This is good," She stated simply before offering a smile, "You're a Priest of many talents." There was a pause and she smirked, "Many secrets, too, I imagine."
Mercuxio shrugged away the figurative applause and pat her hand. "Thank you. You are too kind. I know it is simple, but this might be considered camping food," he said, smiling. "This is what we'd be eating on the road, huddling in the rain, spooning in the cold."
He chuckled at the last thought, but sobered when the food didn't go down so easy. A sip of water resolved it, but he stared at her for a time.
"Do my secrets bother you?" he asked finally, having been wondering for some time. "I mean that I'm not the sort of priest you believed me to be?"
Spooning in the cold?
Sunniva tried to picture what exactly they'd be doing with spoons in the cold. There was nothing. Taking another bite of the sandwich she was about to ask him what the spoons were for when he asked his question.
"No," she answered truthfully, "If anything it makes me more interested. Most priests I know are like me. Either afraid of the world outside of God or they were raised in the church, never got the chance to learn anything but from the good book." Sunniva traced an idle pattern on her leg, "I knew you weren't the priest I believed you do be when I saw your memory of..." She frowned, nose wrinkled, "Fornicating."
Finally, she couldn't take it, "What would we be doing with spoons in the rain? They're hardly big enough to keep us dry."
Mercuxio had listened intently. She spoke thoughtfully and while he didn't necessarily fear judgment, not from her anyway, he was thankful that she had none of it. In fact he slowly realized then that she was the first person he'd ever told outside of his brother...and outside of the only one he'd made love to. Whether that was good or bad, he didn't know.
He supposed it was too late to take it back now.
Mercuxio was going to go back to eating when she posed her question. He blinked and laughed suddenly. "Spooning is...well, you know how two spoons fit against each other when you put them away, one taking the shape of another and held firmly against it, that's what people would shape themselves as, one body snuggled up close to another, sometimes holding one. I supposed you can't really imagine it, or maybe you can. But that's what it is more or less. And done in the cold? That would be to keep us warm, sharing body heat and all."
"Oh. So... Not a literal spoon."
That made things a little less confusing.
"So... Like how we were sitting on the horse," She nodded, with no ill intentions it seemed innocent enough. The word snuggled she could do without but sharing body heat made sense. Sunniva wrinkled her nose at the idea of snuggling, something she was warned against, said it only led to God being angry at her. Snuggling was for married couples because that led to babies.
While he'd been talking she'd eaten most of her sandwich and she popped the last bit into her mouth and chewed. "I'm still tired," She finally sighed out, "and my legs ache, do we rest and continue later?"
"Yes we can slee first. I'm just as tired as you...perhaps a little less." Mercuxio finished his meal and helped Sunniva up. "Do you wish to bathe first? Both of us are pretty filthy."
Mercuxio took a pail from the side on the wall and set it by the door. "I can get some water from the well outside. You can have all the privacy you need."
Bathe?
Sunniva almost moaned in pleasure at the idea.
The water would probably be cold but she still felt dirty and while she knew water wouldn't wash it away,though maybe it would help? "Yes. Please. That would be lovely." Also she didn't exactly want to smell. "Should I do anything or... Just wait?"
"No, please feel free to make yourself comfortable, Sunniva. The bed is ten or so paces to your right. Just wait a minute." Merric moved frantically about and for several long minutes all Sunniva would hear would be the shuffling of cloth and tightening of string as he made a temporary divider.
He made no complaint as he went outside for water and returned with a pail full and a sponge and soap he had found. Setting it beside her, Merric handed her the sponge and soap and tapped the bucket so she was aware of where it was.
"Go on then, I made a divider for your uh privacy. Take your time."
While he was about with the shuffling Sunniva explored the room as best she could, making little mental notes and drawing a picture of it in her head. Her fingers drifted over the bed and she finally just stood and waited, played with the fabric of her dress. Then he was back and she had soap and a sponge in her hand.
"Thank you," She said, sincerely, before giving a small smile. Quickly enough she took to the ties of the dress before she took a deep breath, fingers dipping into the water to test how cold it was. After giving a few moments to make sure that she did indeed have privacy behind the divider she'd heard him making she went about removing the layers of the dress. It took a few minutes for her to find all the ties and undo them but soon enough the heavy fabric of the dress hit the ground, leaving her in the chemise. It was tempting to keep that on, but she'd knew she'd want something dry to wear when she finally slept.
Finally, she took her hair out from the braids and gave a sigh of relief.
The water was cold when she finally dipped the sponge into the pail and pressed it to herself she gave a startled gasp, then chuckled at her own sillyness. A shake of her head and she went about bathing, leaving her hair dry - she could wash that later. Finally, when she was done, she sat in the sunlight, letting it warm her side before she pulled her chemise and stockings back on, leaving the dress folded and held in her arms when she walked out from behind the divider.
"I'm finished," She said quietly, "Are you sleeping?"
Yes, she was alone. And Merric kept himself busy for the most part, hands working against his own clothing until he was bare from the waist up. He cleaned up the dishes and put away the used supplies. He went toward the hearth, throwing in a few more pieces of kindling.
"All right!" Turning round, Mercuxio peeked behind the curtain. "No, I'm not sleeping. Come here, you've got a soap mustache" Mercuxio smiled, wiping the soap from her face. He laughed. "You can warm yourself by the fire. There is some tea in the pot." He touched her arm breifly so that she might see the fire place and all the items beside it.
A soap what?
Sunniva rose her hands to wipe away the soap but Mercuxio beat her to it. Giving a sigh she took in the image of the fireplace before going over silently, kneeling down and pouring herself a cup of tea. Contently she sipped the tea. "Did we do a good thing?" Her voice was soft and she ducked her head down, red hair a curtain to hide her face.
She couldn't see, but Mercuxio still went behind the partition and disrobed. He paused bit at her words, using a spare bucket of water to dip the sponge into. He scrubbed it with soap before gently scrubbing up.
"The right thing? Yes, I say that we did. Why? Are you having doubts?" Merric's voice carried around the partition.
"Only for the innocents in the town," Sunniva said softly, rubbing her hands together before she took another sip of tea. "Mercuxio," she finally started, voice soft, "if you could do life over, would you still become a priest?"
What an odd conversation, considering he was bathing and the dirt came off him in droves. "If I didn't become a priest, my fate would be decided for me," he said. "I would have taken my father's place as Duke of Bellkrath. I was groomed from birth to succeed him...but I felt I could do more good joining the Church. I don't think I would... What about you? If you had say in the matter, would you have become an Adhara?"
Sunniva frowned slightly, eyebrows up. "What an interesting pair we are," she commented quietly, the children of Dukes. "If I had a choice? No. I don know if I'm me or what the church created." Resting her hands on her thighs, fingers bunching into the fabric of her chemise. "Though I imagine a blind daughter wouldn't be able to be sold for much." A dry laugh, "perhaps it's for the best I'm not married and have children, terribly painful business all of that I've heard."
"You love your dog," he commented. "That's you. I doubt the Church would beat that into you." He chuckled and started to wash his hair.
"It is indeed painful. I suppose there is some blessing in being an Adhaha."
"I love my dog," she confirmed, pulling her hair over her shoulder to fingercomb it. "I am blessed," her hand drifted from her hair to her abdomen. Was she really? Sunniva stood up, taking careful steps to move past the divider, entertained that he'd bother going behind it. Kneeling in front of the very undressed Mercuxio - of course she saw nothing. "Do you ever wonder what you're never going to experience? I'd never thought of it until the town. Those people being... Forced to be Cranes followers."
Sunniva had never been one for secrets or lying, "I liked the kissing - with you, I mean. I'm glad I got to experience it."
Junk. Just right in front of her. Just. There.
Merric did have pause, even blushing if not for the realization that she couldn't see. He rinsed off enough and took a towel to dry himself. "I suppose you have a point," he said, wrapping himself with a blanket and pulling the divider down. He set it on the floor and took a seat, helping himself to some tea.
"Then why were you so offended to learn I was not the pure priest I should be?" His tone was filled with mirth.
"I apologize if that made you feel bad," Sunniva stated, standing up to follow him, feet thumping softly on the ground. "I learned a lot in that town I suppose," taking a seat beside him she curled her knees to her chest and rested her cheek against them. "I'm confused now, I've never taken to curiosity before. I was always told that it sends you down dark paths and the only thing you should follow is the words from the holy book."
Sunniva snuggled into her knees, "have I sinned? Should I still be curious?"
Mercuxio did feel strange in response to her questions. But not uncomfortable. He had been sick with worry during their ordeal, afraid for her, that she might be hurt and he would be responsible for sending her into the fray. He knew she was capable. Adhara were supposed to be anyway. But to see that she survived, set much of worry to rest.
He scooted closer to her, and he listened gingerly. "I wouldn't say you have. Why would it be a sin to be curious? It is only natural, yes. We are human, we are flawed. I suppose it is only a sin if you let yourself suffocate to it. Our experiences mold us. We must work to become better for it. And who decides whether it makes us better...us, I suppose." He knew he didn't have all the answer.
He was a priest and Confessor, he'd killed people, crushed their skulls. He brooded over his tea for a time, sipping quietly before glancing at her. "I'm glad I didn't...completely disgust you," he murmured, giving a small smile.
Sunniva wrinkled her nose at him after he spoke, "Hate the sin, not the sinner," She repeated, "I was disgusted with... Myself." A confession, "Seeing that made me..." A deep breath, "Curious, I suppose. I'll never experience that, I'll never marry, so... I was curious and being curious about that is never a good thing." Gently she moved her hand to his cheek, drawing her thumb over the corner of his lips.
"You should smile more, you sound nice when you smile."
Merric found himself leaning in to her touch, he liked it. It made him feel good. She liked his smile though she couldn't see. He couldn't imagine navigating through the world without vision. It was a crippling blow to most people that could only tell the forest for the trees. He found his face blushing, heating beneath her palm.
"Thank you," he murmured, reaching up to cup her hand to his face. "You are nicer than I expected. I hope you take that as a compliment. We work better together under friendly demeanors than the nails we were treading on before."
He laughed and reached up to brush away hair from her face. She smelled like soap and wine. And that made him smile more. "You're not still drunk are you?"
"You're also nicer than I expected," A tilt of her head, pressing her cheek into his hand, "Then again, we didn't meet at the best of times." Then again, if they had met in any other situation except for where working together let them survive, would they have gotten along at all. The smile under her fingers had her grinning back and she tilted her head to his question.
"If I say yes, can I kiss you again?" A whisper, like there was someone to overhear her or strike her down for her boldness.
His smile smartened at the whisper, muscles moving under her hand. "If you really want to, I might be too drunk to push away," he murmured back, voice just as soft and he ran his thumb underneath her lip. Was it curiosity too? Strain? He didn't know, but he tried not to think about it at this moment. He leaned in instead and placed his lips softly on her, chastely, with curiosity of his own.
The kiss was innocent enough, leaning in slightly, her thumb caressing his cheek. Sunniva wasn't drunk, the wine had left her system hours ago, but if being drunk meant she was allowed to be curious and explore that curiosity she could pretend. If he was letting her be curious she pressed her lips to his harder, drawing her tongue along the seam like she had earlier and oh so gently, she placed her palm against his neck to feel for his heartbeat. Pulling back she smiled at him curiosity sated, "I don't know why they told me that was bad. It's kind of nice."
What she'd feel beneath her hand would pick up pace from that kiss. Chaste though it might have been, his heart thrummed in his ears. He smirked a little, observing her features. It was kind of nice. Maybe more than kind of.
"You learn quickly. It was good, for a beginner," he said, voice still low. He sipped his tea again, noticing her hand gone cold. He supposed she couldn't be bothered to think of tea right now. Merric braced her face between his hands now, feeling around the hollows her eyes until he could press gently into her temples.
"Is that all you were curious about?"
Her thumb caressed his pulse and she moved her hand to draw idle patterns at his collar bone and shoulder, "No," She stated simply. Sunniva swallowed, her own pulse picking up, "but everything else would be a sin."
Mercuxio let his hand drag down beside her neck, feeling her pulse quicken, and watching as his index finger drifted down toward her chemise, drifting lightly over the silken cloth. "Yes, I suppose it would," he said, voice lowering. He could see the shape of her breast as it protruded from the shirt, and he didn't stop his hand when it shifted toward her breast, boldly cupping it and letting his thumb caress over the nipple.
A hitch in her breath when he cupped her breast and Sunniva let her head fall forward, though she made no move to stop him. Heat washed over her face when her nipples puckered under his attention and she sighed softly, giving a shiver though not from the cold. "Mercuxio," She whispered, drifting her hand back up to his face before she leaned in for another kiss, "That feels nice," Her voice was soft against her lips and she shifted her torso to give him better access should he chose to take advantage of it.
It was all supposed to feel bad like when Edd had touched her. It was supposed to make her feel bad, like she was doing something wrong. Instead she felt heat in the pit of her stomach and butterflies in her chest and she pushed her fingers through his hair before leaning into to capture his lips again.
Heat washed through him as well, and he kissed her eagerly when she kissed him back. His hands were gentle, though touch was wanting, as he explored her pert nipples. He was eager in response, kissing her deeper than before, black hair damp from water, but warm now from the temperature that rose between them.
He did cup her breast, massaging it with a broad hand, the cloth her chemise was distracting however. His arm wrapped around her, pulling her in close, as his tongue sought hers, feeling his heart now drumming loudly in his ears. That and her breath were the only things he could hear.
It was engulfing.
Sunniva had never felt so much before in her life and she pressed against him willingly, wrapping one of her arms around his neck. Though she kept one hand against his face, thumb brushing against his cheek bone. "I don't understand," she panted against his lips, voice soft, "This isn't supposed to feel good." Confusion was written on her features, perhaps curiosity was a boon, before everything she was doing right now didn't feel awful. She didn't feel like the gates of hell were opening up for her. "I have butterflies and I feel warm everything," she whispered to him before pressing her lips back against his.
"Don't think about what it shouldn't feel," Mercuxio breathed against her skin. His lips grew hungrier by the kiss and he dragged them down her jaw, kissing lightly along her neck and throat, feeling the fluttering of her pulse and his arms pulled her up and over into his lap. Fire spread through them. Warm everything, indeed.
"Just feel," he advised, cupping her face and kissing her deeply, entangling his fingers into her hair beside her temple and tugging it lightly. He turned his face and she tasted sweet, like the tea, but the warmth of flesh was frankly maddening.
A surprised gasp and she was on his lap, knees on either side of his waist, her chemise pushed up high on her thighs. A trembling breath against his lips before she pushed herself into the kisses, just feel, he said. Sunniva had never done that before. Thrown caution to the wind, ignore the good book. Experimentally she rocked her hips against hip, 'just feeling'.
Her hands moved from around him to explore his chest, both hands moving at the same time, down from his face to his pecks, over his waist and up again. From what she could tell he was well built, perhaps surprisingly so but quickly enough she moved her hand back to his face, thumb trailing over his lips when he'd pull back from kisses. Just feel. Her hand moved down to her thigh and she slowly pulled the chemise up more, revealing the top of the stockings and a strip of bare thigh before she moved her hand back to his chest to gently draw her hands up and down the sides. "You're... Sturdy for a priest," She teased gently, in a soft voice.
He saw her legs and felt their smoothness. His hands, callused and rough, reached down and drifted toward the cloth of her chemise. From the silk between her remaining clothing, and the silk of her skin, he was hardpressed to find a difference. And he decided her liked her skin better. Mercuxio panted lightly against her lips, having turned his head up to look at her.
"You're uh...very attractive. For an Adhara," he said, mentally kicking himself for saying such a stupid thing. "I mean you're beautiful. But you know that. And if you don't. You do now." He plied at her lips, tugging them lightly with his teeth here and there and loving her response to her sensations. His hands pushed up the chemise, pushing it up to her breasts and letting his hands brush over her nipples. He pushed it up over her head finally, slipping off her and tossing it to the side. His hands could feely explore her now, pressing into her soft flesh.
She did know that.
Despite being blind, Sunniva could be quite vain and she just grinned widely at his verbal fumble. "I'm not..." she started but already he was pushing at the chemise and by the time she'd thought to warn him that she was quite naked under the chemise except for the stockings she still wore it would have already been quite obvious. His bare hands on her breasts had her breath catch and she pressed into his touch.
"I can feel my heart in my throat," she whispered, hands trembling against his cheeks. No doubt he could see how red her face was, though it was pleasure and uncertainty that brought it about instead of embarrassment or shame. "I want your hands on me," She whispered against his lips before she kissed him again and pulled but to gently draw her thumb over his lips, feeling for his expression before her fingers moved to drift over his forehead and cheeks.
His hands were more than happy to grant her request. Mercuxio moaned a little against her lips, his hands soft on her flesh, feeling along her back. His palms pressed in deep against the small of it until he wrapped it around her middle, shifting up to feel along her breast again. He cupped it again, massaging it and he shifted his hips underneath her.
Though he was still draped in the blanket, it wouldn't be much to shield against his member that was hardened beneath her. "Gods," he panted, moaning as he ground his hips against her, curving an arm around her so the small of her back was locked in an elbow, and their bellies were together. "Sunniva, I want you."
Sunniva's gut clenched at Mercuxio's words and she trembled all the same, every touch set off little sparks against her skin and she ground down against him for a moment in a daze before she realized just what it was between her legs. Her hands moved to his neck and her back stiffened, a gentle shake of her head and she let out a careful little sigh.
"I've never..." She swallowed, eyebrows drawn together in concern, "We're... We're not supposed to... " Slowly the heat cooled, though she didn't move away and his touches still made her tingle and she pressed her breasts to his chest, a little jolt of panic hitched her voice, "And I was told it hurts very badly to... To... And... I don't know how." And it was a sin. Currently though, it didn't feel like sinning, which meant that it wasn't. Or something. Still, she pressed her lips against his and a curious hand drifted down to his hips, fingers dipping beneath the blanket.
At her words, Mercuxio stilled and nodded to her. He understood the ramifications of deflowering her. That and he would not press the issue further. He was content to feel her body as it was, curiosity getting the better of him. Something made him tremble, however and he shivered when he felt her hand dip into the blanket.
Mercuxio's breath hitched in anticipation. He did not stop her, nor did he wish to. Kisses played along her lips. "It's okay," he murmured. "We don't have to do more than this. I...haven't kissed in a long time. I like kissing you."
Just as her hands were content to explore him, he was as content to explore her. His hands still cupped and massaged her heated breasts. But soon his mouth followed suit and he took a breast within his lips.
"I want to do more, I'm just afraid it will hurt." She finally said, voice trembling. When else was she going to get the chance? They both loved God and surely Ansgar would forgive her. Everything else had been nice, it still was and she gently tugged the blanket away, though her hands stilled and she arched her chest into his mouth. A soft cry and she ground down against him, feeling the heat pool between her legs.
Finally she tugged the blanket away so their groins were pressed together and with a look that was oddly concentrated she slid herself along him, frowning when the slickness of her womanhood made its self quite apparent, "oh... Oh no." She'd gone and ruined their strange little curious moment, quick enough she rose up on her knees, hand down between her legs, "Am I bleeding?" Panic set in her voice and she pressed a finger to herself and frowned when it didn't feel like blood and never in a million years would she have figured her body produced natural lubrication for fornicating. Pulling it away, she rubbed her fingers together, frowning.
"Is this normal?" She wiped it on her thigh and her face was flushed with shame, though still, her curiosity was greater than any shame. It wasn't like she could see the look on his face to know if he was disgusted or not.
If she thought he was disgusted, it was quite the opposite. Merric was breathless, in a haze. Was it from lack of this kind of contact with anyone in such a long time that drove him? This was wrong, he knew it, despite any attempts to soothe his worry.And yet, despite it all he didn't care. He did want her, he wanted her touch, and to feel her breath, and body rolling over his.
"No," he murmured. "It's not. Blood... it's your body filled telling you you're filled with desire... It's not bad. In fact, it can feel wonderful, astonishing...and there might be pain, but it melts into pleasure." He adjusted their hips and let his hand slip down between her legs, feeling the wetness there, and rolling his thumb along her clit. "If you feel pain," he whispered into her ear, "just tell me to stop. I'll stop."
A startled gasp and Sunniva jerked her hips away from his hand for a second before her hands moved to his shoulders before shortly burying into his hair. Goosebumps and the warmth of the fire had her tingly and she gave a startled moan into his ear after he spoke, a quick nod and she just wrapped her arms around him tighter. "That feels really good," She whined, rolling her hips against his hand, seeking out more of that strange pleasure.
Again, curiosity got the better of her, having never been one to explore herself she snuggled closer to him, one arm around his shoulders, mouth beside his ear while she pushed a hand down to join his between her legs. Her fingers drifted over his thumb and she gave her own clit a nudge, just to see if it gave the same response, the telling little moan and the gentle jerk of her hips. Sunniva took his hand and held it between her legs while she trembled, too many sensations to process. Pressing kisses to his neck, she caught his lips again, moving her hand to curiously wrap around his shaft, hands exploring gently before she pulled her hand away to move up his chest.
"If I'm filled with desire," she murmured against his lips, giving her head a curious tilt and her hips and gentle roll against his hand, "Why is it... All... Wet on the outside?"
He moaned too though he was pleasuing her rather than himself. To hear her whine with need, hitched up his breath. Mercuxio kept his hand slow and steady, working at her clit easy and gently. He focused on the trembling her body made, working his hand in rhythm with her his and not channeling too much pressure to quickly.
"I couldn't say without feeling inside first," he murmured, lips working sensually against hers. He turned elbow just enough to slip two fingers inside her soaking wet folds. "Yup, it feels pretty moist in there."
Again Sunniva arched away from the unfamiliar feelings. It was easy to be alarmed by everything, it was new and every little move made her breath hitch and her heart thump. "Moist is a terrible word," was all she could really think to say, it came out in a half chuckle and she curled her arms around his neck, even though she moved against his hand, looking for more of that strange pleasure that made her belly tighten.
It was strange, being able to feel every movement of his fingers inside her and she leaned back slightly, face flushed, hair a red halo around her head and shoulders, tumbling down her back in waves to end at the small of her back. She worked herself upon his hand, leaned back as she was, shifting herself to get him to touch all the right places she didn't know she had. Sunniva frowned, mouth slightly open while she breathed carefully, one hand gripping his shoulder. "Is this it?" she whispered, biting her lip flushed. She'd always assumed that hard thing between his legs was what was used but Sunniva was no doctor.
Mercuxio left a trail of wet kisses along her neck and throat. He let his fingers taste her still as she rode and writhed against him. He whimpered at the anticipation. "No," he murmured. "That would...involve my body...inside your body. This...part of my body, not my hands."
He turned to look at her, taking a hand of hers and shifting it down to his manhood, gripping it tightly. With a shift of his hips he coaxed her to shift over him, letting the tip tease along her folds, and holding his breath at the feel of her.
Oh.
"That's much bigger than your fingers," She said softly, and she let him shift her and she still gripped him, running the tip between her wet lips before she placed the head where his fingers had been. It was a gentle movement, guiding him into her and she sank down on him, breath hitching at the feeling. Luckily she was wet enough and curious enough that instead of a searing pain all she had to experience was a strange stretching sensation. Sunniva hesitated for a few moments before she simply sank down on him, giving a sharp gasp and digging her fingers into his shoulders.
"Let's just..." She shivered, trying to get used to the feeling - so foreign. Pleasurable but just enough of a stinging to keep her from rolling her hips, "Stay like this... Just a few moments." Carefully she smoothed her hand over his features, brushing her thumbs over his cheekbone and eyebrow, searching out his lips with her thumb before she pressed another kiss to his lips. "That didn't hurt as bad as I was told it would," She whispered against his lips, giving a curious rock of her hips, a startled gasp and she stilled upon him, fingers drawing idle patterns on the skin of his shoulders.
The moment she sank down into him, Mercuxio trembled and moaned her name, leaning back on his arms as the sensation of her snug sex wrapped all around him. "God!" he panted, turning into her touch as she inspected his face. His heart was just about to beat out of his chest. He could feel her heat all around him, nursing on his member.
"I guess...in the throes of passion....we just focus on what feels good." He kissed her back, lips tugging on her bottom lip until it pulled away with an audible smack. "if you are unsure...or want to stop...." He made the suggestion, but he hoped to Ansgar she wouldn't.
He slowly started to move his hips underneath hers. "It feels better when you move. Just like this." And began undulating his hips slowly against hers.
The movement of him under her had her tilt her head, a curious look on her flushed face. It didn't take long before she was rising and falling upon him on her own, head tilted back while she rode him. It occurred to her while she was rocking her hips against his that she was still wearing her stockings and she wondered just how wanton that looked. Every rise and fall was accompanied by hitched breaths against his lips, though before long her legs were burning and she simply rested upon him, buried to the hilt.
"My legs still hurt from the horse ride," She nuzzled his lips with hers, feeling the need to explain why she stopped moving, "Does it always feel like this?" Her voice was soft and she shifted her hips slightly, too keen on keeping the pleasure rolling to stop completely.
"Sometimes. If you were having a lot of sex. But there are different positions one might use," he said and wrapped his arms around her waist. He turned over and rolled to place her beneath him. He positioned his hands on either side of her head, pulling her legs up around his waist. He knew she still had her stockings on, and wondered if she cared to take them off. Not enough to stop their movement, it seemed.
It allowed him to do most of the work, plunging his hips in deeper, a rolling his hips as he slipped in and out of her warmth. "Do you like this? It isn't too much?" he asked, kissing along her jaw.
Sunniva let him move her and she readily curled her legs up around his waist, a little moan and a hitch of her breath when he pushed in and she squeezed his shoulder. Gently she pressed her hand to his cheek, feeling along his face, her thumb brushing over his jaw and cheek. From what she could imagine his expression was probably a lot like her own. Flushed. "I do," She gasped out, surprised at herself. This was supposed to be awful and painful but if anything besides the initial sting and the lingering ache she'd never felt so good in her life.
Her thighs trembled and she kept on hand on his cheek and pressed the other to his back, stroking up and down. A gentle roll of her hips to match his rhythm and she gasped when he hit somewhere good inside, "It's not fair," she whispered, movements picking up. Mostly she was talking to herself, barely realizing she'd said it out loud between the hitched breaths and the panting. "You feel so good," her thumb stroked his cheek bone and she moved again, head pressing back onto the floor while she rolled her hips under him.
Feeling her legs locking around his hips encouraged him to move a little deeper, feeling that spot that made her hitch up, and rocking it further. He moved in long deep strokes, feeling around where it affected her most. Indeed as she inspected his face, she would be right in visualizing him as pleased and as flushed as she was. Little beads of sweat started to form on his brow.
"You feel good too, Sunniva," he grunted, kissing her lightly. "Just feel. Tell me where it feels good the most."
Sunniva caught his lower lip between her teeth and gave it a gentle nibble before she moved her legs, spreading them wider and planting her feet so she could rock into his movements. "Right there," She whined, moving a hand to hold his bicep while the other still lingered on his face, brushing over his features. Every thrust in had her squirm and squeeze his arm, little hitched breaths and one good one had her knees clamp on his waist.
"Something is..." A moan and her face went taunt, squirming and squeezing his arm while her movements became jerky. A panting gasp and she arched her back, searching for more. This was probably why she was warned against lusts of the flesh, it was consuming and all she wanted to do was grab him and do it again once they were finished. "I need..." A soft gasp and she shook her head, not know exactly what it was she was after, just that by him being there and doing that would get her what she wanted.
Merric had pulled out when he felt his body grow taut, he spilled out beneath her, laying his head down against her chest and panting hard, trying desperately to catch his breath. He moaned in the resonance of pleasure before rolling off to the side and lingering beside her. He couldn't say anything, throat hoarse from the rushing of breath and he leaned in to kiss her, cupping her face and brushing away hair that clung to her face.
The tightness in her belly felt better when he was inside her, but her legs were still trembling and she came with a cry, fingers digging into his arm right before he came. Everything tingled and Sunniva lay on the floor, legs still open, body on full display to the room after Mercuxio rolled away. A shaky hand moved down between her legs and she pressed her fingers against herself, now that the pleasure was ebbing away a strange soreness was taking its place, still panting, chest heaving before she finished her small twitches and trembles.
"My mouth is dry," She smacked her lips a few seconds before she returned his kiss and then smiled. A devilish grin and she leaned in again to kiss him more boldly, pushing her fingers through his hair and wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Can we do that again before you take me home?" The tone of voice was conversational, like she was asking for tea and crumpets, but she pressed her forehead to his shoulder all the same.
"Perhaps. But only if you really really really ask nicely."
Merric hadn't shared a moment like this with someone in what seemed like a lifetime. And he was more than content to share it with her. He didn't care to fathom on the consequences at this moment. Everyone present was content with the moment - even Titus who happily grew fatter in the barn munching on hay before he farted then went to sleep.
He laughed lightly at the thought and pressed himself against her. "How far is your home?" he found himself asking instead. "Is it a long journey from here?"
"I'll have to think of something nice then," She confirmed, a smirk on her face. Sunniva pressed her fingers to his cheek, tracing his features again and she gave a gentle sigh though it quickly turned into a laugh. "Is it far from here? I don't know, I don't even know where we are besides in a farm house on the floor," A gentle frown and she wiggled her hips, "that... stickyness. On the floor." She cleared her throat, "was that me?"
"Well, where is home?" he wondered aloud, enjoying the feel of her fingers as they traced his features. He wondered for a moment if he was handsome to her, she knew he was young, but was he aesthetically pleasing.
"No, that was...um, me," he admitted with a soft blush. He smirked beneath her hands. "When a man has finished his ...erm, excitement, he...expels it outward from his body. In fact...that's the very essence that usually helps in forming a child. But it didn't end up inside of you, so you don't have to worry about that." He was embarrassed having to explain all this, but he supposed it just came with the territory.
In the back of his mind however, he voiced another thought. "Am I handsome to you?" he asked aloud. "When you saw me, through that boy's eyes, was I?" Not that he'd ever been concerned with his looks before, but he wondered how she pictured him in her mind.
"A church in Reajh," She stated simply, still tracing his features, enjoying the expressions he made while he spoke. "That's where Pillow is, so..." Sunniva shrugged, "That's home." Though it occurred to her that while it was home in the sense that it was where her things were. It wasn't really her home. Not since her family gave her to the church. When she felt him smirk, she did too, grinning and lifting an eyebrow for his benefit, "I suppose I can see why some married couples have so many children, if that's what it's like."
His question caught her off guard and she just froze.
Was he?
"I suppose you're aesthetically pleasing," Sunniva tilted her head, drawing her finger down the bridge of his nose before resting on his lower lip, drawing back and forth gently. " Yes. You're handsome to me," a purse of her lips, "You don't have very kind eyes, but your lips," she drew her thumb over the bottom one again, smiling, "I like when I can hear you smiling."
"What!? I don't have kind eyes!?" he said, laughing. "I'm a priest and I don't have kind eyes. That is so... I've never had anyone tell me that before." He chuckled again and leaned in to kiss her deeply, relaxing against her. "Thank you, I suppose. You have nice boobs. For an Adhara." He leaned in and kissed her again, letting one hand graze against the soft flesh of her breast.
"We can go to Reajh then, to take you to Pillow. What kind of dog is he? Or do you not know? I suppose it doesn't matter so long as he's there for you to hold."
"They're hard eyes," She said, drawing a thumb under one of them, trying to picture what they looked like from the brief flash of them that she saw. "Though I'm sure they look nice when you smile, perhaps they look better when you're not glaring at a child through a window," She smirked, though quickly she melted into the kiss and when he moved to graze his hand over her breast she caught it and held it there. "I like your hands there," she whispered against his lips, before leaning back, shifting slightly to face him better.
"He's a Connlaothian Tracker. A big snuggly boy. He sounds absolutely vicious when he barks." Thinking about her dog had her droop and she snuggled into Mercuxio before pressing the back of her hand to her mouth in a yawn, "Didn't you say there was a bed? I'm sure that's more comfortable than the floor."
"Yes, there's a bed. Just as comfortable as hugging a ferocious teddy bear of a dog," he murmured, smirking and sitting up. He took her hand and led her to the bed, taking the blanket that she'd discarded from his lap and he sat down with her, throwing the cloth over the pair of them. "Here. It's not as close to the fire. But the night gets awfully chilly."
Sunniva smirked at Mercuxio before she laid down on the bed, scooting to one side so there would be room for him too. "Last I felt it was dawn," She reached out a hand and it fell on his thigh, though she pat there anyway, "Now, let's do that spooning thing while we sleep, I'm exhausted," Tucking her head under her arm she curled up on her side and did her best to fall asleep.
That's right, it was dawn. Mercuxio mentally kicked himself for that laspe before scooting in next to her. He slid in just behind her, enough to hold her closely. "Sunniva....before on the horse you said something that struck me. You said that we won't meet again...and that made you sad. What did you mean by that?" he asked tiredly.
More than willingly she snuggled back into Mercuxio's warmth, her hand moving up and down his arm and she wiggled a big to turn around, shifting so they were face to face. "The world's a big place," Sunniva started, propping a knee up on his hip and curling an arm around his torso. It still struck her as odd how she didn't feel like she was doing anything bad or wrong, though perhaps it was high time she rebelled against something.
"As you can probably imagine I don't have many friends. Pillow, Titus, maybe you." she smiled, teasing slightly, fingers gently scratching up and down his side like she was trying to itch something. "So... The ones I do make, I suppose I cherish above others - which is wrong of me, I know. So... We won't meet again and that makes me sad. When would we? We're bound to the church." Sunniva frowned, "I'm probably going to be singing in the choir for decades for what I've done," A purse of her lips, "Maybe even forced to sing alone. They like showing me off. 'Ansgar's talented Sunshine,' because I taught myself how to play guitar." A shake of her head, "That man is taking the credit for everything."
The sarcasm was gentle in her voice, though bitter enough to be apparent, "Can you do anything besides maim, listens to secrets and make me feel tingly inside?"
It was a sad notion and frankly, Mercuxio was surprised that she considered him a friend. He didn't have many of those. No, his were acquaintances and contacts. He had few friends, indeed. And he supposed there was no shame in having a friend, especially an Adhara.
"Friends," he murmured. "I think I like that."
He let his thumb roll over the cap of her knee and he let it drift along her thigh.
"I can suck the magical gift right out of a mage. And I'm fairly decent on the piano," he said, smirking... "But I'm not good for much else."
A pleased little shiver ran through her when he held her thigh and she snuggled closer, though she smirked all the same. "Literally suck the magic?" She teased, tracing his lips with her thumb before she moved her hand to rest on his side, snuggling closer and enjoying the warmth of his body.
"You're good at plenty of things," she confirmed, leaning in for a chaste kiss, "You seem to be okay at doing that. Giving orders. Taking care of a blind woman that can see through your eyes," Sunniva shrugged and pressed herself flush against him, voice going quiet. "Sleep, Mercuxio, I'll try to not have any strange dreams that wake you up."
He was curious as to what kind of dreams she would have regarding their interaction. "You will have a restful sleep," he said, closing his eyes and drifting off. And soon he was asleep.
The day passed uneventfully, and soon evening crickets could be heard. Mercuxio blinked opening his eyes and wincing at a crick in his neck.
Sometime in the night she'd taken his hand in her arms and was snuggling it like some sort of lifeline. His knuckles pressed against her lips and it was the gentle subtle movements of him waking up that ha her leaving dream land. A thing she was glad for.
Pressing her lips to his knuckles she shifted her hips and curled in closer to the warmth. Sunniva found herself most unwilling to move away, but she threaded her fingers through his anyway and sighed. "Are you awake?" It was a soft voice, meant to not be loud enough to wake him up if he wasn't already.
Evening brought in a light airy draft that made Mercuxio pull the blankets up and over his shoulder. Her touch made him twitch a little and he shifted himself to face her. He rolled his thumb underneath her chin, opening his eyes at her breath and touch. "I'm waking," he said with a smile. "Are you awake? Oh, yeah, you can't open your eyes," he said in a teasing tone. "I'm only joking."
He kissed at her softly on the lips. "Did you sleep well?"
Sunniva stuck out her tongue just in time for the kiss so, to cover it up, she tried to make it deeper. Can't open her eyes indeed. What a tasteless joke. Then again, Mercuxio seemed to have as much humour in his body as rocks had bones.
"No dreams," Sunniva sighed, smiling, "It was wonderful." Her hand moved up and down his side, "The warm company probably helped." Shifting slightly, she stretched herself out, probably giving Mercuxio quite the show as she had never put the chemise back on. "And you?" She finally asked, sitting up, leaning on her arm, the blankets resting on her thighs leaving everything else quite bare. Sunniva knew it and was indeed, doing it on purpose, "Did you sleep well?"
"I did. Probably the best sleep I've had in months. I'm often running around one destination to another. Have I ever told you I have a half-decent singing voice? Or so I've been told." He stuck his tongue out at her and wrapped an arm around her waist. "My neck has a few kinks in it though. I know...it must be cold in here though."
He reached up and ran a thumb over a hardened nipple. "You need me to warm you up?" he murmured.
"I heard that," she said in reference to him sticking his tongue out at her. Lips were noisy things and she was about to reach for his face when he brushed against his breast. Sunniva flushed and shivered, rubbing her thighs together at the sudden jolt of lust. Instead of going for his face she held his hand to her breast, "Would you?" Sunniva shifted closer, lowering her head before tossing her mane of red hair over her shoulder, "I do find myself a little chilly." Licking her lips she loomed over him for a few moments before lowering her face to his, nuzzling their lips together before she pressed a kiss to his cheek and nibbled at the lobe of his ear.
"If your singing is anything like your moaning I'm sure it's wonderful." Leaning back up, a devilish smirk on her face before she placed her palm on his cheek, just waiting for it to heat up. Someday she'd catch him blushing.
Mercuxio rolled over with her atop him, coaxing her to straddle him. It didn't seem she needed much coaxing however. He wondered if earlier that morning had opened up something inside of her, allowed her explore more of her own will than she'd ever done before. He smiled at that, in a way unbecoming of a priest, but he was a little preoccupied to give it much more consideration than that.
He left his hands massage over the rounds of her breasts. "I can think of something." He moved up and kissed each breast, leaving wet traces as he roved back up her neck to her face, taking her lips in for a deeper kiss.
Sunniva took her place atop him eagerly, sitting at his waist before she shuffled down, her sex nudgeing against his ever so gently. Besides that, she didn't move except to slide them together her sex wet enough to make the movements easy. Indeed, something inside her had been woken up and why not explore when this was her only chance to. Already she was flused and heated, her fingers digging into his hair at the kiss. "I thought I had to ask really, really nicely for this," she whispered, smirking before she leaned back, "unless we're not thinking of the same 'something'."
"You can still ask," he grunted, shivering heavily underneath hers. He did moan, although it was soft and close to a whimper. He undulated his hips, feeling her wetness leave a slickened trail across his belly and soaking along him. "I mean, I was raised a proper gentleman, after all."
Frankly every roll of her hips made his eyes roll to the back of his head. And if she forgot to ask, he probably wouldn't have been alert enough to hear it.
While she always wished she could see, now she wished she could see simply to watch Mercuxio. Watch him writhe and moan and twitch. Sunniva rose up onto her knees, clasping his cock and drawing the head back and forth between her wet folds before she lowered herself so just the head of his cock was inside. A little gasping noise and she bit her lip, "pretty pretty please?" She whispered before lowering herself slightly and raising back up. "There's no one around, we can do whatever we want," she whispered before she lifted up entirely and she was almost empty, only to slide back down a little. Enough to tease. If Mercuxio wanted more he'd have to take it.
Mercuxio arched his back up into the teasing, feeling her body clasp then release him in never a full draw. He gripped the blankets in growing frustration, peering up at Sunniva through half-lidded eyes. "You cruel woman," he hissed, breath hitching when it happened again. He gripped her hips with powerful hands and slid her down on him to keep him there, but when that position failed to satisfy, he rolled them both onto their sides, hiking her leg up onto his hip.
He rolled his hips deep into her, working painfully slow, girth thick and puncturing deep. It was her turn to suffer. He might spare some mercy her way, if she was worthy.
Sunniva gave a low lusty laugh when he called her cruel.
This was hardly cruel.
Tempted to prove his words correct, he beat her to the punch and instead she was seated on him with a gasped out whimper. A shiver ran up her spine and her fingers flexed against his chest, mouth open and breath hot and short. The movement caught her by surprise and Sunniva gladly curled her leg over his hip, moving her hand to rest against his cheek, thumb stroking along his cheek bone while she writhed and undulated her hips to his movement.
"Mercuxio," Sunniva whimpered, voice soft while she tried to work herself on him and his torturous slow movements. "You're being mean," A smirk, a kiss and she gently bit her lip while she tried to pick up the pace.
"I am not mean," he panted, leaning into kiss her shoulder. His head parted her neck, mouth suckling on that tender flesh that resided there. "I am tempering you, measuring your limits." He moaned softly against her ear.
"Maybe you're just being wimpy." Now that was mean.
Gently her fingers dove into his hair, cradling his head while she held him close. "My limits?" Sunniva whined, curling her leg over his hip a little bit more to hold him closer. A tingling wave of pleasure had her tightening her grip in his hair, but just as quickly it was gone and she gave a frustrated sigh. "I'm only ever going to do this with you," She stated in a breathy irritated voice, "Why hold back?"
"This is the part where we kind of flirt, mid-sex, and kiss and try not to let our hearts explode in the process," Mercuxio said with a teasing laugh. He captured her lips, tugging on the bottom one as he began to move with greater force, each thrust harder than the last. He wasn't sure if she was still sore from the night before, but if she was he saw no sign of it.
He wrapped a hand around her rear, gripping the muscle there tightly before pushing her into each thrust, feeling his member strike deep within. The grip of her sex made him pant, breath hitched, whimpering and soon he was biting his own lip.
"Maybe the next time we do this I'll remember to play along," She panted against his lips. Unfortunately for Mercuxio, Sunniva was not a quiet lover. Each thrust was accompanied by a little gasp and her fingers dug into his shoulder. The soreness from their activities the night before accented the pleasure and she ground herself against him where she could. Carefully her hand drifted to his face and she caressed his lips before drawing him in for a searing kiss before she snaked a hand down between them, giving a pleased little moan when she found where he'd touched her the night before.
"This is warming me up nicely," She breathed against him with a devilish little smile on her face, rocking into his thrusts and her hand, "you have good ideas."
"Yeah? Good, because if you thought this was a bad idea, my sensitive manly feelings would be hurt," he said with a laugh, pulling her lips in for a succulent kiss. He didn't mind her moans, breaths, pants, and it only made each thrust all the more eager as he quickened his pace. He turned them over completely now, so that she was on her back and he nudged her legs up higher on his body.
"Gods above," he hissed, sweat beading on his forehead. "Can't have you cooling down now."
"You're hot enough for the both of us," Sunniva struggled to say, pulling him down to press a kiss to his sweaty forehead. "Right there," she cried out arching her back and holding at his back. Biting her lip, she took careful breaths before she licked her lips. "Fuck me," she breathed out, feeling herself tighten at the word alone. Taboo word. Taboo situation. Sunniva grinned, fingers tightening on his shoulders and legs tightening around his torso. Every rebellious streak that she'd ever pushed down was pouring forth and she arched her back again, trying to draw him closer.
Mercuxio drew himself upward, holding himself up with arms on either side of her waist. And began deep rolling thrusts, panting steadily as he started to get to work. He hummed soft moans, keeping himself in check as he fucked her harder. "Like this?" he groaned, working faster.
Frantic little nods while he moved above her. It was awful and wonderful and the fact that this was porbably the last thing she should have ever done made it all the sweeter. To experience something reserved for lovers. Of which the two of them very much were not.
The climax came as a surprise and Sunniva tensed and curled up under him, head thrown back but the rest of her clung into him while she shivered and trembled. His name was a gasping moan on her lips and she moved her shaking hands to his face, fingers gently drifting over his features.
At the feel of her body clenching on his was almost much more than he could resist. Mercuxio tensed himself and leaned his body downward, sliding out of her as he came and came hard. He didn't care for making a mess on the bed, but he didn't think of it. Instead he relaxed and laid down on her, panting against her neck.
He gave her soft kisses, smiling against her neck. "Ansgar have mercy," he begged softly, basking in the afterglow.
Sunniva cradled him against her willingly, her fingers drifting up and down his spine while she nuzzled at his hair as surely as he pressed his lips to her neck. Body still buzzing she sighed softly and relaxed, catching her breath and carding her fingers through his hair. " Neither of us have been smote yet, blessed Children that we are," Though Sunniva knew there would be consequences if anyone ever found out.
It made her think. About everything and she knew that was one thing they didn't enjoy her doing.
"You're a terrible priest, by the way." Sunniva said deadpan, moving to press a kiss to his head, though she was smiling all the same.
Mercuxio wasn't sure he believed sex was as bad as others often made it out to be. It was Church rhetoric, and though he was a priest, he couldn't fathom how it could be a sin. Not like this. Anything abused that took over the mind and will of another was to be avoided, naturally. But he was certain if he was going to be damned, it wasn't going to be for this.
He rolled them both over so that he was on his back on the small bed, rolling her atop him. "And you're the best most pure Adhara in the history of the Church and Connlaoth in general. I hope you can tell I'm teasing you," he said with a chuckle, warming to her expression and he poked fingers in her dimples.
"Of course I can tell you're teasing me," Sunniva stuck out her tongue at him and when he poked her dimples she took his hand and nuzzled her cheek into his palm, giving a quiet sigh. After a few moments she snuggled down and pressed her head to his chest, tossing her hair to the side to listen to his heart beat.
"I'll have you know that up until this morning I'd never even considered doing such a thing. It was disgusting and vile." A pout and she pressed a kiss to his chest, "At least it was supposed to be." She was quiet for a moment, "I don't think I've ever been as close to anyone as I am to you." Which was telling. While they'd been through an interesting event together, they hardly knew one another.
"I suppose that's a compliment," he said. But considering their current position, she wasn't wrong. "You know we can't tell anyone of this. They would burn us both. Disgraced. Whatever happens between us, stays here." He smiled at her, though it was sad and he brushed away her hair. "I wouldn't want to destroy your future, whatever it may be. You deserve better than that."
He kissed her brow, more affectionately than perhaps he meant to. "I wish you could look at me. Maybe..I'm just being vain. I wish I knew what color your eyes were," he said, tone genuine.
Sunniva gave a small hesitant nod, though she laughed at the idea of what her future held. What her past was. The Church. Always the Church. "I know," her voice was soft and she held her hand over his heart, feeling the beat beneath her palm, thumb gently passing over the skin
"My eyes were blue. A brilliant... Ocean blue. Like my mothers." Sunniva gave a sigh and snuggled in closer where she could. "My future is what it always was. I'm going to die a Lily." There was a contemplative look and she pursed her lips, "I suppose I'd like to be a Martyr. Go out in a blaze of glory and be remembered forever." An unamused smile and she gently trailed her hand along his chest, drawing idle swirling patterns along his collarbone and shoulder.
"I don't want to grow old. Not blind." Sunniva swallowed carefully, voice going thick, "Not alone."
"Blue eyes. Like mine," he said with a playful smile. He felt tingles where she drew circles along his chest, collarbone and shoulder. He hummed softly and gave gentle kisses to her brow. "Well if you hear a battle in the immediate area, rush in and execute a full charge. You are probably very dashing riding a horse across a field."
Sunniva pouted before she turned her face and lightly bit whatever flesh of his chest she could get into her mouth. "Teasing me. I wouldn't do it here. It'd have to be somewhere important. The blind Adhara with the fire for hair would be spoken about forever!" Then she pressed a kiss to the bit spot and nuzzled at it. "Do you? Want to be old?"
Mercuxio grunted when she bit him, although he wasn't adverse to the tingles left behind by the action. She wasn't used to rough play, or maybe she was just curious again. He smirked at the thought. Propping an arm behind his head, he got comfortable beneath her. "You know, I don't think I ever gave it much thought." He brushed his fingers through her hair with his other hand, running a thumb behind her ear. "No, I don't think I'd want to be old, decrepit and bent. We are young and we think and hope that our bodies will always be strong, but in the end, are we just waiting to die? Blah, never mind my pessimism." He chuckled and gently tugged at her ear.
"What would your life have been if you didn't have your abilities? I've always wondered how those worked, by the way."
What would have her life had been like?
Sunniva pursed her lips, nuzzling against the flesh under her cheek and reached a hand up to smack at his hand after he'd tugged her ear. "I'd have been married off," and she sighed, "I'd be able to see. Probably have a child by now, I imagine." Sunniva trailed her hand up from his shoulder, pressing her palm to his cheek before she tugged on Mercuxio's ear.
"None of those things I'll have now." A sad tone took onto her voice though quickly enough to lightly bit at his chest again, "Which abilities? Seeing or my anti-magicness?" Pressing a kiss to the bitten flesh she leaned up slightly and flipped her hair to one side, "I don't know. They just... Do. I am Blessed, as they say."
He smirked. "If I hadn't been a priest, perhaps we might have been the ones married together," he said with a snort. "The nobility are all so narrow that way. Blood's got to stay in the houses of old." He rubbed her back, spreading out his hands along her flesh. She was cool now in the night, even in the aftermath of the warming of their bodies. He smiled, feeling the tingle of that little bite remain.
And the effect it had on his body, despite the frown that took his smile's place. "Your anti-magicness," he said, "Start with that." For now he would ignore the hardness between his legs.
An odd idea.
Sunniva rarely thought of where she'd come from, only that where she was now was where she was going to be forever. As far as she knew her younger brother was doing well, ready to carry on the family name. There was no place for her, even if she wanted to go there. "I doubt it," A wrinkling of her nose and she stuck out her tongue before grinning, "You're old."
His words were in one ear and out the other and while she didn't have eyes, she gave him a look. One eyebrow up, a small smirk on her face. He could ignore the hardness between his legs, but it was poking her. She rubbed her thigh along him while she recalled his words. "It just... Happens. I don't even notice it. I guess I was an early bloomer because I was given to the church before I was ten. I went from catching frogs with my mother to... Hymns and being blind."
Feeling her skin shift along his tip sent shivers coursing up his spine and he could hardly pay attention to what she was saying. A few blinks and he honed in his focus. "So sudden. That's a lot to take in so.quickly," he said and leaned down to kiss her deeply, nibbling on her bottom lip.
Sunniva didn't miss the pause or the shiver and she poured whatever lust she could into that kiss. "Shocking to a child," she continued their conversation. Just barely. Gently she sat up, resting on her knees, hands drawing up her body from her thighs, cupping her breasts before finally she tossed her hair over her shoulder. Scooting down even farther she pressed kisses down his chest, giving gentle bites every now and then, giving a lingering kiss to his hip, before she swiped her tongue along his member.
A wicked grin, "I over heard some ladies talk about it," she starte to explain before she grasped his manhood and moved her hand up and down, "I figured if nothing leaves this room then why not?" Another swipe of her tongue before she sucked the head in for a moment, "unless you don't want it."
Mercuxio gasped, and held that breath for the duration of her exploration, until his skull began to thrum in lightheadedness. More shivers pulsed upward from below. "You've heard such scandalous talk?" he said with a curious smirk. "And what did those ladies say exactly. And feel free to elaborate if necessary," he said, breath low and eyes half-lidded. He moaned at the second swipe of her tongue, and did not wish her to stop. "D-don't stop on my account," and sucked in a deep breath.
"Haven't you?" A tilt of her head, hand moving slowly before moving up his body to lightly drag her nails along his abdomen, "Probably not. A lot of people seem to think I'm deaf as well as blind." Another swipe of her tongue and she took moved her hand back to work along the shaft while she took as much into her mouth as she could before she pulled away, resting her head on his hip while her hands explored his body.
Sunniva had found she quite enjoyed teasing him, a devilish smirk on her face while her hand gently trailed up and down, "Nothing explicit, just... Sometimes their husbands liked when they used their mouths." A lingering kiss to his hip and another little nibble at the flesh, "I like the noises you make," She whispered while her hand moved, grinning at him.
Her touch illicited gasps and soft breaths that had built up in easing tension. The heat of her mouth, albeit temporary was titillating and made his blood boil in anticipation. "The noises I make are..hmmmm, entirely your fault," he hissed. He smiled and peered down at her from where she lingered. "I admire your boldness." He buried fingers into her hair, arching his back into her touch.
"No you don't," she teased before she nuzzled the tip with her lips before she took as much as she could into her mouth, applying suction before she pulled her mouth away with a lewd pop. "You admire that I'm going to make the most out of this." Sunniva returned to the self appointed task of pleasuring him, fingers working what she couldn't fit into her mouth. After a few moments she worked at him harder, snaking a hand down between her legs before she rose her head. "I wish I could watch your face, I bet you're flush." A kiss to his hip, "biting your lip," and she pulled her hand away from between her legs, "look what you've done to me," displaying the evidence of pleasure on her fingers before she wiped it on his leg with a smirk before she went back to work, trying to illicit more moans and gasps.
He hummed with pleasure, trying desperately not to let his moans get the better of him. He managed very little and be let it outwhen he felt her mouth pop off his member. It throbbed weagerly, thrumming with pleasure. "God balls," he coughed out. Damn her if she wasn't right. Just as she mentioned biting his lip, he released his bottom lip, clearing his throat. "What!? No. You'll...You'll have to try harder for that," he panted, heavy breathing already making his throat raw.
But just as she set back to work, his teeth set into his lower lip again, before gasping out and throwing his head back in a loud moan. "What..what I've...gah!...done to you? You mean my moans get you hot?" From the cooling substance on his thigh, the evidence was clear. His fingers curled tighter into her hair, pulling it in clumps.
Sunniva lifted her head and grinned, "Of course. What else is going to?" Her words were hot against him and she reveled in the pain of the hair pulling, nipping at the flesh on his hip before she caught him back between her lips. This was enjoyable, if only for the noises he made. Each moan had her belly tighten and finally pressed a kiss to the head of his cock before she crawled up his body, pressing kisses up along the way until she found his mouth with hers and kissed him.
"I want you," She breathed against him, knees on either side of his hips. "What was that you said? My desire is clear," Gently she took his hand from her hair and guided it between her legs, giving a breathy sigh when she pressed his palm to her. "Make the most of being here with me," another kiss before she nuzzled her nose to his ear to gently bite at the lobe, "just like I'm making the most of being here with you."
He thanked the gods she stopped when she did, or she'd get more than she bargained for. Not only that he was thankful that he was finally able to breathe. He kissed her back, deeply, consumingly until she tore away and positioned herself over him just so. He felt the slickness between her legs and his own heart beat rapidly at the thought.
He moaned, even against her lips. And slipped fingers inside her. It wasn't all that slid within, however. After that he shoved his cock deep within, guiding her with one hand and keeping his fingers sliding in beside it.
Sunniva tossed back her head when he shoved deep with in her. A trembling little noise left her mouth and she moved her hands to her chest, fingers digging into flesh before she wriggled her hips to take him as deep as he could fit. Quickly enough she took Mercuxio's hand, threading their fingers together before she placed reached for his other hand and finally, held him down while she rode him in rhythmic undulations of her hips.
His name was a pant on her lips and she sat back up, still moving, taking his hands and placing them on her body. "Even though we're going to pretend this never happened," Sunniva whispered, breath coming out in quiet little gasps, cheeks flushed while she rolled her hips, moving her hands to cup her breasts - it was a little easier being shameless when you couldn't see them staring, "Are you going to forget it?"
Another hum of pleasure. He closed his eyes, letting her guide his hands, even as she pulled one out of her and began to ride him to her own need. He focused on sensation, on what it was like for her in this moment, to be unable to see and only feel. And his senses broadened and were cast aside. He held his hands to her breasts, grabbing her hands this time, and rolled his thumbs off the points of her nipples.
"They could gut glass," he gasped, panting hard against her lips. He leaned in, nuzzling against her neck, as his hips rolled beneath hers, and started to bounce her, harder, leaning in to intensify sensation. "I couldn't forget... Could you?"
Sunniva gave a surprised laugh, which was quickly followed by a high pitched breathy moan. "No," She nuzzled against his ear, cradling his head to her neck while she moved above him. "Never," Her hand moved to caress his cheek, fingers brushing over what features weren't pressed against her flesh. "I'll remember forever. A special secret. A moment to share." Sunniva turned her head and coaxed his head away from her neck so she could press her forehead to his, both hands on his cheeks while she writhed on him, biting her lip and tensing slightly.
A gasp had her tense up and she blushed hotly, turning away slightly, biting her lip though smiling all the same. "Is that what I look like?" A soft laugh was on her voice and for a few moments she stopped moving, seeing herself, flushed and naked, cheeks and lips rosy. Quickly enough she pressed her lips to his to catch him in a passionate kiss, curling her arms around his neck and pressing their bodies together more. "I want you to see me naked on top of you when you close your eyes," She gasped into his ear a dark hiss her selfishness and vanity shining through before she rose up slowly so he was barely inside her "When you're cold and lonely I want you to heat yourself up to memories of me," then she slowly sunk down, giving a breathy sigh when she was fully seated.
"Because no one will know but me," A kiss to his temple, "When we're far apart. When we never see one another again." She started to bounce on him again, hands running up and down his body, commiting every curve and hard plane to memory, "I'll remember this. The taboo. The feelings. The little sliver of real life I was allowed to experience." Tipping her head back she gasped, eyebrows drawing together in her pleasure, "I'm gonna..." She whined and rocked her hips harder, hands tensing on his shoulders, "Mercuxio, help me," a hesitant gasp, not really sure what she was asking for.
To hear such demands made his blood shiver, boil and tingle all over him. He said nothing in turn, focusing instead on the sensations she caused, inspired and earned in turn. He felt her body begging him, even before she uttered those fateful words, and he reached up to grasp a shelf nailed into the wall. He let her limbs cling to him, and used that wall to pull himself forward, getting as much leverage as he could to thrust his hips upward.
He gasped and panted before her before declaring, "I'm coming. Sunniva!" he murmured and barely angled his hips away from her, sliding out within her heat and bursting, falling into a shuddering heap.
Her name on his lips had her tingle and Sunniva gave a sigh of pleasure while she came down from her peak. Trembles and tremors wracked her frame and she made small noises to accompany the movements. While Mercuxio turned into a shuddering heap, Sunniva remained on her knees, head tilted back before she grinned and let out a long sigh.
Though soon enough she stretched out beside him, sweat cooling on her skin, breath still coming out in hot little puffs. "When do we have to leave?" she finally voiced, snuggling down in the bed. The cleaner side of the small thing, at least.
As they relaxed into the afterglow, Mercuxio had spilled out opposite her, catching his breath and closing his eyes. He could sleep for a whole day, in complete bliss and nothing could bother him. Her question made his eyes flicker open and he sat up, sitting at the edge of the bed and he used some of the covers to clean off his manhood. "Soon," he said, standing up and moving toward the fire.
He gave no thought to his nudity. What did it matter now? She couldn't see him. He busied out making some food, pulling out a potato and scraping it with a knife after dunking them into a bucket of water. He cleaned them and began to cut them up, and soon there was the popping of them being fried in a pan after a fire was made.
"Are you hungry?" he asked, looking back at her on the bed.
While he didn't care about his nudity because she couldn't see, Sunniva didn't care about her nudity because he'd already seen everything she had to offer. The words soon had the pit of her chest grow cold and she found herself quite unhappy with the thought of leaving. A little secluded section of being real. Or not being a church puppet. Sunniva simply sprawled out on the bed, leg tucked up while she rolled onto her stomach to listen to him.
His question caught her off guard and she smiled before sliding off the bed, tossing her long hair over her shoulder while she sauntered over to him like some sort of succubus.
"I find myself quite famished," she stopped when she felt the heat from the fire, slowly lowering herself onto her knees, feet from her forgotten chemise. Sunniva smiled at Mercuxio before she moved her hands down her body before resting them on her thighs, "must have been all that exercise." A brief smile, "Aren't you afraid of burns? I didn't hear you put on any clothes."
Mercuxio felt the heat of the fire tingle the drying sweat along his body. He wondered if it at all be a waste of time to clean up. "You're just as naked," he said, smirking and nudging his shoulder beside hers. "But we're far enough away and the potatoes smell good."
He looked her over for a short time, admiring the shape of her body, her breasts and wondering if it all went to waste. She wouldn't experience this again, well, according to her, and she was truly beautiful. He shook his head of such thoughts. He was a man for certain, but he was a priest and a Confessor. In this moment he had engaged in weakness, and now that he was sated, it was time to move on.
Stil...
He put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in against him. He kissed her lightly. "Will you think of me?" he asked.
Sunniva leaned into the kiss with a pleased little hum, snuggling in against him and rubbing her hand up and down his chest after he asked his question. Quiet for a few moments she tucked her head on his shoulder and smiled slightly, pressing as much of herself to him as she could. The contact was nice and while it was offered to her she was going to savor it.
"Will I think of you?" She returned, pressing a kiss to his shoulder. "When?" A quiet voice, "When I close my eyes?" A tease, "Or when I'm all cold and lonely and want to warm myself up?" Sunniva snuggled in, giving a quiet sigh and went quiet. "Yes. I will."
Leaning back slightly she moved her hand to his cheek, gently brushed her thumb along his cheek bone before she leaned in for a gentle little kiss. "Probably more than I should. Definitely more than I should. I know I'll miss you and I know there's nothing that will keep that from happening."
Mercuxio smiled in and hugged her close. He squeezed her to him, mulling over her admission. In truth, he would think of her too. Mercuxio did not easily forget, nor did he let go when a time seemed particularly significant to him. For now he would enjoy himself for what it was worth.
"I like you Sunniva. For more than your body. You surprised me in many ways, and I'm astonished at myself for not thinking much of you when we first met. You're a Lily and a damn good one at that. You killed Crane, and you dealt with everything that was thrown at you. I think you'll be just fine," he murmured and kissed her cheek.
He turned back to the oil and potatoes and flipped them about until he deemed they were ready, and he scooped them out, onto a plate.
Sunniva turned her head at the last moment so his kiss was to her lips instead of her cheek and she gave his back a smirk while he plated the potatoes. She'll be just fine. Of course she would be. A Duke's daughter. A famed Adhara. A Knight of the White Lily. "Was there ever any doubt I'd be anything but fine?" Sunniva smirked, still naked and still quite intent on making the best of the moment. The very best of their little secret situation.
There was no move to hide any of her bits and she stretched her arms high above her head, arching her back with a little tired squeak before she gave a sigh and relaxed. "It smells good," Sunniva smiled, "Will you feed me?" A joking request but she had to at least try.
"Doubt? Yes," he said with a laughing admission. "There was plenty of that, and maybe some still."
He smiled a bit and fixed her some potatoes. "I might be inclined to help but I think you can do it yourself," he said, smiling and snatched a potato for himself.
Sunniva wrinkled her nose at him. "You're not supposed to tell me there was doubt," Tossing her hair over her shoulder she patted at the ground, "Where's my chemise? You're the one that took it off and my breasts are quite chilly." A smirk and she patted at the ground some more, mostly sure it was in this direction somewhere.
"Oh you mean the chemise I'm currently cleaning my mouth with? Here, why don't you occupy your tongue with this delicious morsel. And I mean this potato slice," he said, offering one to her and popping it into her mouth. He was still enjoying their current state of affairs and his eyes roved over her body, eyes lingering in the space just above her legs.
Cleaning his mouth?!
Sunniva's mouth dropped open, appaled that he'd use her clothing! Not even her clothing! Jules clothing! To wipe his mouth! "You're doing - whaa?" Then there was food in her mouth and while she was flushed with momentary anger she realized he was joking.
Probably.
Hopefully.
A flash of herself through his eyes and she chewed the potato slice and shifted her seat to present more of herself for his viewing pleasure. Or whatever it was. "Like what you see, Mercuxio?" Sunniva frowned slightly, "too bad there aren't any mirrors around, I'd recognize you any where but... Not at a distance." Wiggling her fingers she paused for a moment to rub her thumbs over the tips of them. "Is it awful of me to think that if it could happen, I would allow someone to use magic to give me my eyes back?"
"I think my question would be, is it possible," he replied gently. He continued to feed her and himself with potato pieces here and there and he was thirsty for some tea. After making some, he returned to his spot beside her. "I don't know if asking for magical intervention would be wise... but I'm not sure magic is as evil as some zealots proclaim it is. Mages can't help being born the way they are. But those that use it to hurt and control others, certainly are evil.
"I don't think wanting your vision back is a bad thing. Would you seek out such a thing if it were possible?"
"If it was possible..." Sunniva nodded, "yes. I would." While the mood had dipped and Sunniva wasn't feeling as nearly frisky as she was before she rubbed at her thighs, resisted hiding her breasts and instead she tried to imagine what right now looked like. It was only darkness and she began to finger comb her hair, "it's not though. I am an Adhara." Angrily her hands turned into fists on her legs and she let out a shaky sigh.
"I didn't ask to be any of this. I want..." A careful breath, "what I had with you. I want... I want to have a husband and I want to... Roll around and make love with him on rainy mornings. Be excited about children together." A confession, to be sure, one she knew would never see the light of day because she knew once she left this building she'd be all work and no play. "I am owned by the church. I only know how to love God and perhaps... Perhaps my life is better that way." Lifting her head she rubbed at her arm, "sorry. Doing... What we did has confused me."
Mercuxio wondered if he too wasn't missing out on the fullness of life because he had devoted his life to the Order, to God, and the Church. He wondered if he ought to have taken his father's place as the rightful Duke of Bellkrath. His brother Jaime had taken it instead, being the only son left to carry on their name.
He frowned and leaned in to Sunniva. "I admit...sometimes I think the same thing. Sometimes, I wonder if I didn't cage myself to a singular existence because I convinced myself of some noble purpose." He turned his arms around her, curling them at the edge of her waist and he kissed her cheek, her brow, her lips. "Sometimes its only in moments like these that I feel real."
Sunniva grinned widely, lifting a hand to trace his cheek and push her fingers through his hair.
"When you're committing a sin against God with a White Lily Knight who's supposed to remain a virgin until the day she dies?" She teased, smiling. "I feel real right now too. Like I've never been myself before. Like I've always just been... A puppet. Some... Arm of the church." A purse of her lips and she nuzzled hers against Mercuxio's, gently biting his lip.
"We've chosen our paths," She whispered gently, "Perhaps you'll find a fork in yours and you can end up somewhere happier. Somewhere that you choose to be instead of... Where you're required to be." For Sunniva, there would be no such forks, her's was a singular path that only ended in death. One way or another.
He shivered visibly against her lips. His breath came out in a shudder and he gently let his lips play against hers, tenderly tugging at her lips as he kissed her sensously. "No God, no Church, no sin, nothing. Just you and me, human. This is what's real. In a time like this, this is all we can do," he murmured back against her lips, kissing her deeper, and pulling her body into his lap.
They could have been nonsense but Sunniva trembled at the words. No God. No Church. No Sin. What was she then, without the first two? What would the world come to without those things? Apparently much more full of kisses and nice touches because she more than willingly climbed onto his lap, tucking her knees against his waist and curling her arms around his neck. Her fingers pushed through his hair and she held his mouth to hers when she deepened the kiss, pressing her chest to his and pulling back with a soft sigh.
"I'm going to miss doing this," She breathed against his lips, giving a shudder and running her hands up and down his arms, "It seems you've woken up a dangerous part inside me that I didn't know existed." Sunniva gave a wicked smile, gently bit his lip, "You should feed it," she whispered into his ear, "Because it's hungry."
He chuckled against her lips. Her mouth tasted of oils, spice and potato. But in a good way. He still enjoyed kissing her, leaning into her attention until her last words. He grinned. "Oh, is that so? I might just have to check up on it then. I wouldn't want it to starve," he said with a soft grunt.
He coaxed her back, leaning over her and kissing at her chest. Where he kissed he softly bit, dragging teeth down her skin until he reached the sensitive flesh just above her sex. He breathed in deeply, kissing down and adjusting himself between her legs so that he might taste her. And he did just that.
With one side warmed by the fire and the other side easy to take in the night chill, Sunniva laid back on the ground easily. Giving little sighs and running her fingers through his hair, gently tugging at it when he bit or was somewhere unexpected. A reflexive clenching of her hand.
"Mer--!" Sunniva started when she felt his mouth in the last place she'd ever expect it to be. Sure she'd done that to him, but it hadn't even occurred to her that this was something that could happen. Keeping one hand in his hair, she let her legs fall open more, one hand drifting up and down her thigh before she moved it to press against her breast. Her fingers remained in his hair, running through it encouragingly. "I wasn't talking about anything literal," she moaned softly, "I was being metaphorical," though that was obviously a moot point now.
He listened only vaguely to her words, and he let her heat lure him deeper between her legs. He flicked his tongue across her clit, testing the waters at first, and peering up at her from where he resided. He gave a wicked grin and focused on that most sensitive point, tongue lapping and at times lightly sucking on the flesh of her thigh.
Sunniva had one hand in Mercuxio's hair and the other was pressed against her mouth, a knuckle between her teeth to keep her noises down. Though quickly enough she moved it away, if his moaning had urged her on, she supposed she'd do the same. Legs spread wide for him, toes just touching the floor she arched her back for him, fingers tugging at his hair. When he hit the good places she bit her lip and breathed heavily, giving little squeaks.
A full body flush, Sunniva gently removed her hand from his hair to press it to her belly, fingers dragging across her skin. "I can feel your grin," She breathed out, pressing her hand to her thigh, fingers twitching.
"Good. Then you'll know I'm thoroughly enjoying you having you at my mercy. At least like this," he chuckled against her sex before going in for seconds and lapping with full attentions. He let his hand shift just below him so that it was before the lips of her sex. His fingers circled around before slipping just inside and tenderly massaging her sensitive walls.
He was enjoying her squeaks her sounds and pressed onward until her body was his.
Enjoyed having her at his mercy.
Sunniva bit her lip and arched her back slightly when he went back to it, breath hitching at each pass of his tongue. Soon enough though, she was his. Both her hands were gently resting on his head and she did her best to not move too much lest he stop. Fingers petting at his hair and when it got to be too much she curled her fingers in it, letting out a low moan and biting her lip. "I'm gonna..." She started, her words drifting off into a low moan before she moved one of her hands away from his hair to clutch at her thigh, nails digging into the flesh.
At those words, and feeling her body tense up, he continued lapping eagerly at her, even moaning against her skin and pressing his fingers deeper into her.
A sharp cry and a tense shudder, Sunniva's nails dragged across her thigh and came with a husky moan, having pulled her hand away from Mercuxio's hair so she didn't pull it. Thighs trembling she moved her hands up and down her body before she wearily sat up. A bite of her lip and she moved her hand down to coax Mercuxio up and over her. "Make love to me. I want to pretend you're mine," her voice was low, "just for a little longer." Her fingers stroked his cheek and she moved to lay back down on the floor, arms open and hands out.
Mercuxio bade as she commanded, although the direction had been soft, slow and deep. He crawled back up over her form, hands planted on either side of her before he leaned down and kissed at her neck, mouth stealing hers for that time. He kissed her deeply, content to be lost in a moment of being human. Was it weakness? Was it sin? Maybe. But the consequences would be had when they occurred. For now, he was hers.
Sunniva took her fill of Mercuxio. Took her fill of being normal. Of being not being bound by duty. Not being bound by the church. On the floor in front of the fire she was just a woman and she was sharing a secret moment with a man. One that would remain deep inside her heart until the day she died.
It wasn't until she was fully dressed again the morning after did she let what she'd let herself do sink in. Tucking in her shirt to her skirts and pushing her hair from her shoulders, Sunniva hummed a tune to herself, finger combing her hair before quickly braiding it. Everything ached. It wasn't a bad ache, it was a delightful ache and she stretched her arms far over her head before she gave another pleasant hum and wished she could kiss him again.
That was done though. That was done forever.
Now they were the Confessor and the Adhara. Holy creatures sent to do Ansgar's work.
Sunniva had nothing else to live for but the Church and God. Now it was time to return to that.
"It shouldn't take long to get to Reajh, right? A few days?" A hopeful tone was in her voice when she spoke, loud enough to carry in case Mercuxio wasn't where she thought he was. While she enjoyed his company - perhaps too much - once he wasn't around it would be easier to keep herself from wanting his touches.
"A few days if we are quick about it," Mercuxio had said, running hands through his black hair. He tried not to allow himself to linger on the night before. The moment was passed and now it was time to move on. Even if perhaps some part of him didn't want to. He breathed out softly, turning his attention to the task at hand. Titus was soon saddled and ready.
And once mounted, he helped Sunniva up from behind him. "Where we are, there are many hills to go through. But I think we have enough gear at least to go through a few days, even in the outdoors. We'll just have to keep moving." He smiled at her for a brief moment, and before long nudged Titus. And the horse pressed on.
Sunniva was hesitant. Everything inside her didn't want to go back.
The journey was quiet, Sunniva wanted to distance herself. Mentally. Physically wasn't so much an option at the moment, riding double on the horse as they were. Still, what they'd shared was personal and Sunniva found herself interested in her new... Friend.
"What were you like?" She started, voice quiet, "Before you were a priest?"
What an odd question. And even more at a time like this.
"Why do you ask?" he replied, looking behind him briefly.
Sunniva laughed and shook her head.
"Because I'm curious, why else would I ask you a question about yourself?" A smirk and she nudged his side before going quiet and turning away, "But never mind if you don't want to answer. It's obviously not important." Sunniva licked her lips and leaned away, tucking her head down, "I apologize if I've overstepped any boundries."
He responded with a laugh in kind.
"No, no," he said. "I don't mind. It's just that people don't usually ask about me. Not about that." He reached back and pat her leg.
"I, uh, I was a typical young man, I suppose. I was a Duke's son. My life was laid out before me. I got into quite a bit of trouble as a child. I guess I did anything to make my own way."
Sunniva smiled slightly, "Trouble?" she sounded skeptical before giving an amused snort "I can't imagine it. What sort of trouble could you have gotten into?"
"Tormenting my sister like the monsters that little brothers tend to be. Climbing the rafters of the rookery." He laughed and threw his head back.
Sunniva smirked, "Me and my younger brother got along fine," she started, though quickly she turned her head down, going quiet. "I haven't seen him for thirteen years." Sunniva went still and sighed heavily, "Do you miss them? Your family?"
"Yes. Every day." Mercuxio grew quiet as she did and he reached down to pat her hand. "Adhara don't get any sort of leave of absence? Nothing like that at all?"
"I suppose they do." Sunniva shrugged before she ducked her head down, pulling her hand away, "At least when they have family that wants to see them. My mother would visit, my traveling was always too difficult." Frowning she sighed and tilted her head, "And then it stopped. I haven't seen any for a long time."
"That is...sad." He knew it didn't need to be said, but the words came out anyway. He gave a bow of his head. "I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry."
He cleared his throat and kept his eyes on the road ahead.
Sunniva smirked, "You missed my joke."
A simple shrugged, "They're not overly religious but my being blind and an adhara simply left no where for me to be. So they gave me to the church. A show of good faith, I suppose." Having never been raised as a duke's daughter to an age worth remembering, Sunniva couldn't imagine living in luxury.
"Why are you sorry? It's not your fault," A tilt of her head and Sunniva ran her hand up and down his side, intent on bothering him, "Unless it is?"
He gave a chuckle. Yes he suppose he'd missed it. "Not on purpose, mind you. Blind jokes shouldn't be funny. But they are," he chuckled and wiggled away from her touches.
"Don't tickle me. You're going to make me fall off the horse," he replied, but he couldn't hide the grin from his tone.
Sunniva found herself forgetting her little personal promise, the one where she'd distance herself from him. From their shared time together. Having never found herself connected to anyone - in any sense of the word - Mercuxio telling her not to tickle him caught her off guard and instead she moved her hands up and down his sides more.
"I wouldn't want you to fall off your horse," She stated, "I can hear your grin. The great Mercuxio, ticklish? It cannot be!" Sunniva grinned, leaving her hands on his side before she curled them back around and held on properly, "I promise not to tickle you any further. I suppose."
Despite his best effort he cackled with laughter and held on tightly to the reins. Oh she was determined to torment him then, was she? She could have her moment for now. He'd get her back.
"Great Mercuxio? I like the sound of that. Squire, continue to lavish me with compliments!" he said in jest, sticking out his chin.
Sunniva grinned at the laugh and was tempted to continue on with the compliments.
Instead she remained quiet.
"Your head is already big enough," she snuggled into his back and sighed, "I wouldn't want it to get any bigger. You might fall off your horse."
Mercuxio's smile faded as she felt her hold on him, burying her face into his back. He was quiet for a long moment although he did not remove her hands. He kept on like that for a time, letting her remain where she was. The weight of her body on his was comforting. And he found he was content to ride like this, going on in silence.
Sunniva soon fell asleep, face smooshed against his back and arms loosely wrapped around his torso. One rather jolting movement had her jerk away though and she sat up quickly with a soft gasp, hands tightening around Mercuxio's back. "I fell asleep," she stated, perhaps he hadn't noticed? No matter, if he hadn't noticed before he knew now.
"Did I sleep for long? I'm sorry." For a few moments she wondered why she was so tired, only to remember and quickly enough she turned as red as her hair, burying her face into Mercuxio's back and heaving a sigh. "Is it still daytime?"
"No, actually, it's nighttime," he said with a smile and pat her hands. He liked the feel of her head against his back, but he wouldn't mention it now.
"In fact, we can camp now, Sunniva. Get something to eat, drink some tea and sleep. I don't think we were followed out this far. We should be safe," he said, stopping Titus, and gesturing for her to slip off the saddle, before following beside her.
Should be safe.
Sunniva nodded slowly before catching her lower lip in her mouth. Easily she slipped from the saddle after Mercuxio stopped the horse and she took a deep breath. Just a few more days. Sunniva stretched widely before she pat her clothing down with her hands. "Mercuxio, if it's cold, can I sleep next to you?"
"It will probably be cold. So yes, you may," he said with a heavy breath as he heaved Titus' saddle from his back, and took the blanket down. A few seconds of shuffling and Mercuxio handed Sunniva a brush. "Want to brush Titus for me, while I set up camp?"
With brush in hand she gave a nod to Mercuxio before she tended to the horse. Sunniva spoke to he horse like he could understand her, talking about story's from the Good Book and asking him questions. By the time she'd gotton to his neck he was nuzzling into her hair and Sunniva was chuckling, pushing the horses nose away from her neck.
"Titus is a good boy, isn't he?" she questioned, though mostly it was to the horse. Half to Mercuxio. Having finished brushing him she just pet at his neck and nose, pressing kisses to his velvety muzzle. "You're a good nice boy, Titus," She whispered against him before she leaned in to give the horse more attention and cuddles. "Maybe I should just cuddle you, you're far more warm than Mercuxio."
At first, Mercuxio simply smiled at the attention the Adhara gave to the horse. Titus certainly was enjoying it, as the horse knickered and nuzzled against her. He wiggled his hose and stood proudly as she brushed him, basking under the attention of being made beautiful. Which he knew he was already, but this was just icing in the cake.
"Hey!" Mercuxio cut in at that last comment. "I'm standing right here! At least spare me some distance before you berate my character to my own horse."
Sunniva grinned brightly, still lavishing the horse with attention.
"I think he heard you, Titus," She shush'd the horse, turning her head over her shoulder and sticking out her tongue towards his voice. "Titus still loves you, even if he's more warm than you are," The horse gave a nicker and nuzzled at Sunniva's chin before she gave him kisses and started to step away, only to have the horse toddle behind her. "Where should I go?"
"Go? Where should you go what?" Merric asked lightly as he went about preparing stones around a small set of twigs and dried leaves. It would be nice to have a fire, although he would have preferred the shelter of the cabin compared to this. But he was not unaccustomed to being comfortable in the outdoors and making do with what he had. He set out blankets and a mat of sorts for them to sleep on.
Standing he took her hand and guided her over to be seated, soon settling down beside her. "Care for something to eat?" he asked, rummaging through their rations.
Sunniva stayed silent, letting Mercuxio guide her and when they were both seated she pressed their legs together. A small bit of contact. A reminder for her of what they shared. The taboo thing they shouldn't have. The fleeting moments before she rubbed her knees and let her hands rest in her lap.
"I... Yes. I would like that." Her hand rested on his leg for a moment - a moment too long- before she tried to smile and went about playing with the ends of her hair. "What were you like. Before you were a priest."
He turned to her, eyeing her hand for a moment. While it was odd, it was not unwelcome, and he didn't push her touch away. He instead pulled out a portion of bread and some dried to meat to eat and put them gently into her free hand.
"That's an odd question to ask," he murmured. He smiled. "I was a dutiful son. I was bred, after all, to take over my father's place as Duke. I was happy, a bit, or I thought I was for a time. I did what I was told...always." His voice grew a little distant, and he sighed. He smiled again. "What about you?"
Sunniva took a dainty little bit of the meat and the bread and pursed her lips, trying to imagine the man she'd come to know as doing what he was told... Always. It seemed odd that once he'd had a chance for something different but instead chose this. What had been forced upon her with little other choice had been a path Mercuxio had gone down willingly.
She was a little jealous.
The next bite of her sandwich was perhaps a little vicious and she chewed thoughtfully and swallowed before she replied.
"My mother had me out of duty and she always said that since she had to have children she might as well get to play with them." While Mercuxio's voice had grown distance, the smile on Sunniva's when she spoke did the same. A far away look in her expression, "We would catch frogs. In between lessons we'd go to the pond and find things. Feed the ducks." A deep frown, "And then the lights came and I was sent away." Sunniva's fist clenched so hard her knuckles popped and she took a deep breath.
"I didn't even get a choice." A snarl, " Is it wrong of me, Father? That I'm here by no choice of my own, but it's the only path I'm allowed to follow? There's nothing else in my future. Only Ansgar. Only..." A shake of her head, "Being an Adhara. A White Lily Knight. Some... Symbol incapable of doing anything." Another careful breath and she turned away, her back to Mercuxio while she silent resumed eating the meat and bread.
He may have chosen it, but it was a choice he hadn't known was going to bind him for the rest of his life. Mercuxio did not consider it as freeing as it might have been. The way she spoke had struck a chord in him. "Maybe we both are seeking some escape from duty, no matter how small," he murmured, feeling her distance. He understood more than he wanted to admit.
"Why do you think you are incapable of doing anything?" he asked gently.
Sunniva's mood had soured. The small taste of being herself had tainted whatever it was she had before. Cracked the case she'd made for herself. An escape from duty. "I'm blind, Mercuxio." Sunniva shook her head, curling her arm towards herself, head ducked down, "If I'm not this what else is there for me? A... Blind minstrel, begging for scraps? Beg at my parents to marry me off so I can... Have some disgusting old mans children?"
A simple shake of her head, "I didn't choose this and while I'm proud of what I am. What I've accomplished, there's nothing else for me." The silence grew and she finished her food before she turned back around, pressing her leg to his again and clearly pouting. "It just... I ..." Sunniva ducked her head down, pressing her forehead to her knees and covering her head with her arms, "I'm just having a moment. Realizing what's ahead of me and it's... All the same." A purse of her lips and she lifted her head, "I suppose it's better then being a mage... Or a housewife."
Mercuxio stiffened a little, wondering what his life would be like if he hadn't made the choice to go into the Church.
"What would you do, if you could do it over?" he found himself asking.
"Have you thought about leaving the White Lillies?"
"I wouldn't tell my parents about the lights," she said simply, lifting her head from her arms. "I would still have eyes. I'd be beautiful, I bet." A smirk and she turned her head, pursing her lips and raising an eyebrow.
"Leave the White Lillies? And do what? Be a nun? At least as a White Lily I get to do something besides pray and talk to poor sick people."
"I didn't say they were good options. But they would be your choices to make and no one else's." He grew quiet for a moment. "When I was a boy my father told me I'd make an excellent general some day. Our family's history stems deep into Connlaoth's. We've had Dukes, Generals, war heroes, even Grand Dukes on occasion. I felt like I was trapped. I used to climb into the rookery and be with the birds. I wanted to fly like one. I climbed too high once, fell, hurt myself quite bad. My father forbade me from going up there ever again..."
A tilt of her head and she shuffled closer to Mercuxio, frowning down at her lap before she chewed on her lower lip. Her shoulder pressed against his and she played with her fingers, rubbing her fingertips over her thumbs.
"I can't imagine flying," She said, tilting her head and she smiled towards the priest, "Did you listen to your father?" She paused, "You don't seem like the type to take orders well."
"I was a child," he laughed. He felt her shoulder pressed to his. Mercuxio leaned back against her. He chuckled, and tore some bread in his hands. "I climbed up when he wasn't looking. I never did manage to fly."
Despite that, he smiled and leaned his head against her shoulder. "I guess I never really changed. Stubborn to the core. Just like him."
Gently she offered comfort, threading her fingers through his hair and eventually resting her cheek against his head. "You should cherish those memories. I spent most of my childhood in a church," she frowned deeply, moving her hands to press at her face. "I sometimes wonder how I'd have turned out if I was allowed to... Be myself." A tilt of her head and she tapped at her lips in though, "probably end up a whore if we're being honest."
He frowned, lifting his head from her shoulder to look at her better. "Why would you be a whore?"
"Surely how much I enjoyed..." Sunniva cleared her throat, "assuming I'm still blind..." She shrugged, tilting her head and going quiet. "I didn't give it thought." Ducking her head down she was a little sad her Mercuxio pillow was gone.
Change of topic.
"Are we sleeping soon?"
He chuckled. "Eager to spoon with me are you?"
Sunniva went several shades of red, mouth opening and closing like a fish. Clearly she'd been caught.
"...No!" Sunniva tucked her head down, then added in a soft voice "not unless you're cold."
"The night will get chilly," he murmured, nodding. He put an arm around her regardless, pulling her close. "We can sleep if you'd like."
"Another day of travel, we should sleep now so we can wake up and keep moving with more light." It would be easier for the horse to move if there was light. Giving a content little sigh she snuggled in against Mercuxio and rested her head against his shoulder. "I think I'd like to sleep," she confirmed, touching at the ground before she smoothed out a spot on the grass and pillowed her head on her arms. It would be uncomfortable and cold but... Sleep would come swiftly. Who knew ridin a horse all day could be so tiring?
He smiled as she lied down. He stayed up a bit longer before dashing out the flames and turning down. But his sleep was short lived when he felt as if they were no longer alone. It'd been about a few hours since the fire went out, but the sensation grew and he sat up, moving toward Sunniva. "Wake up," he hissed. "We need to get moving."
Drowzy and with a quiet huff Sunniva sat up. A wrinkle of her nose. It didn't feel like the sun was out but she stretched anyway. "Is everything okay?" It seemed like a simple enough question. Or at least she hoped it would lead to a simple answer.
"I don't know how long it will stay that way," Mercuxio leaned in. He helped her up. "Something doesn't feel right. We need to leave." He began to pack everything up as quickly as he could, stuffing the saddle back onto Titus' back, before climbing on himself and reaching down in the dark for Sunniva to follow.
Catching his hand she was up and behind Mercuxio in little time, face pressed against his back and still very sleepy. "Did you have a nightmare?" She asked simply, voice quiet.
"I think our friends from the village may be arriving soon. Someone must've been watching us," he said, and pushed Titus on through the trees.
"Watching...?"
Sunniva tucked her face against Mercuxio's back, feeling blood rush to her face. Watching? Oh dear.
"I didn't see anything," She said quietly. Like an apology. Still, she hung on tighter and her voice dipped lowly so that, if there were other people around, only he could hear her. "I'll... Try to make sure no one is watching us."
"I think we're okay," he said. He knew he'd regret speaking too soon, and so kept the pace steady. His heart thrummed loudly in his ears, and soon it was all he heard, though he strained his ears to listen for their pursuers.
There was a rumble, a brush movement, the sounds of hooves beyond their own. Mercuxio hated being cornered by fear, but ittwisted and burned in the pit of his gut. The darkness of night left him little more able than Sunniva, and he was thankful Titus turned swiftly to navigate between trees as their speed increased. There was a shout from behind them, and he dug his heels in harder against the horse.
His heart was racing.
Sunniva pressed her palm over his chest, snuggled her cheek against his back and held on.
Even if there had been eyes to see out of it it was too dark and she simply held on. The hand at his chest made soothing circles - or what Sunniva hoped were soothing circles. Still, the shout had her head jerk up and she looked over her shoulder, even though she had no eyes and couldn't see regardless.
"Mercuxio," She whispered, hand still on his chest.
"I can't see anything. I don't know how to protect you." Her armor had been left behind when she'd changed.
"Maybe you Titus can outrun them." Her voice was confident in the horse. Titus could outrun anything, right?
Mercuxio held on tightly. No words came. Titus huffed white puffs of steaming breath. The night was so cold. They'd outrun them. They had too! He would not let them be captured again! Not by anyone! Titus soon turned full gallop. Or as fast a gallop as the stallion could manage, weaving between trees and soon moving downhill as those shouts grew louder and more desperate.
"We're going to make it!" He breathed out the words in a panted rush, holding on as Titus went even faster.
Was there any other choice but to make it?
Sunniva didn't even want to imagine what they'd do to them.
Should she suggest that he throw her off so he could outrun them?
Hugging Mercuxio closer, Sunniva snuggled in against his back more, holding her breath. Her thoughts turned to prayer. To Ansgar. To anything that would listen.
She didn't want to die. Not by an arrow into her back. Not after she'd just learned how to live a little. "Mercuxio," she breathed, hand slowly letting go of his front, "If you drop me you and Titus can out run them." Did she really want to live though, knowing she'd have to go back into the gilded cage?
Mercuxio could hear them surrounding them. Titus neighed in the dark. There was a gap in a wall of trees ahead, an open area, a field where grass was taller than Titus' head. Sanctuary? He didn't know, but the horse drove for it. His eyes stung andthere was a ringing in the air. Mercuxio didn't scream when the arrow struck his shoulder, nearest Sunniva's head.
"Don't you...Don't you fucking dare," were the words he spat out. He gripped the reins with one hand and grasped hers with the other. His shoulder weakened where the arrow dug deep. Blood soaked his clothing, the field growing closer. "We can make it."
The dull thunk alerted her and Sunniva turned her head to the noise.
Her hand was up and it gently bumped the arrow. Though instead of concern there was a jolt of fear. If her head had been a little bit to the side she would be dead. Still, her arms wrapped around his middle and she held on tight.
Arrows.
She'd never been struck with an arrow before.
"Don't faint," she pleaded, "not until we're safe."
Her hand was wet with blood and she let out a shaky breath. "C'mon Titus," she urged, holding Mercuxio tighter. He was her friend. Sunniva wasn't keen on cradling his head while he bled out. While waiting for her own demise.
He gripped the reins harder at her words. They urged him on, forming a ball of fire that turned deep in his belly. He felt sick, sweat stung his eyes, turning the light of the stars and moon into streaks of diamonds.
His hand continued to weaken on her hand, as another arrow struck at him, this time only grazing the metal of his armor. The shouts behind them grew deafening. Raw power coiling in the desperation of survival. He thought it was a dream before the grass parted in their passing. Titus knew how to hide, he could run long and far, he would save them.
Mercuxio panted hard, the horse slowing down just enough to catch a breath but moved on through the grass. Lower they went, plants and stalks towering above their heads. They weren't safe yet, but they would not easily be found.
Sunniva pressed her hand to his chest, feeling his heart beat. Feeling the rate of his breathing.
"Don't faint," She pleaded, "I know you're tired and you're hurting but you can't faint." The words were whispered and she steeled herself, arms going straighter and grabbing the reins over Mercuxio's hand. What could she do? A flash of something but it was too dark to make anything out. She couldn't see them, but she wasn't sure if she was looking for them or not.
Pulling out the arrow would be dangerous now so she left it as is, being careful not to bump into it. "What can I do to help you?" She pleaded in a soft voice.
"Hold the reins," Mercuxio directed. His breathing was too heavy, too fast. "I can't...hold on..." Gripping the saddle pommel, he steadied himself, as the horse navigated through the grass. The shouts behind then grew angry and frustrated, and more and more distant.
He could feel the soaked wetness of the cloth beneath the armor, chilling him in the cold night wind.
"I am," she whispered, shifting to hold him closer. Between her arms. Holding him between her legs, Sunniva let out little panicked breaths and tried to get closer. Hold more of his weight so he could relax. Was that good?
"I'm sorry," She started," I'm sorry. If I had just died before we met none of this would have happened. You'd have finished Crane off by yourself and..." A deep breath, it was one thing to murder someone in cold blood, but apparently someone being hurt and wounded by her was a whole other story.
Sunniva couldn't heal. She couldn't mend. She could tear and ruin.
"Just get us out of this," he panted. He was exhausted. Titus was already pushing through the denser part of the field, moving away from lit torches and the voices that hounded them. He leaned a little against her. Once they were through, Titus pushed through the thornbushes on the other side, giving a whimpering nicker as they scampered away.
Smoke touched the air, the field now being burnt ablaze.
Steeling herself, she nudged the horse along.
"You have to stay awake. Watch ahead," She nuzzed against Mercuxio again, an attempt to comfort. The fire had lit up some of their way. The thorns that got Titus had pricked at her legs too but it was a small price to pay compared to an arrow. Should she let Titus lead the way?
A gentle prayer. Whispered words that were drowned out by hooves. No doubt Mercuxio could hear them but they weren't for him. They were for her. For strength. For bravery.
Sunniva wasn't sure how long she urged Titus on for but the sound of soft trickling could be heard. Not a river. A spring? The sounds of being followed were distant. She couldn't even hear the fire. Would the forest burn down? The horse had stopped, his sides heaving and Sunniva rubbed at Mercuxio's chest, unsure if he was even awake or not. There had been nothing to see once they'd left field.
"Mercuxio?" She whispered, hand moving up and down his breast bone before pressing to his neck, "Merc?"
He had closed his eyes and the throb of his shoulder was starting to become too much. "I'm alive. I'm still awake." The sounds of water approached, rushing between stones and trickling down stream. He smiled, a little, and Titus wandered toward the stream instinctively. When he bent his head down to drink, Mercuxio slipped down from the saddle.
He grunted then, panting hard and fumbling with the straps of his pauldrons. "Break the arrow," he said.
Slipping off the saddle behind him, Sunniva took a deep breath and shortly after he demanded she snap the arrow it was snapped. A frown and she placed her hand on his back, "I'm sorry. Mercuxio," Sunniva rubbed at his good shoulder and helped him with the armor bits. "I'll help you..." A gentle frown and she gathered up the end of her dress. Quickly tearing off a strip. "At least there's water nearby, hmm? " again her hands were on his back and she sighed to realize they were covered in blood.
"Are you dying?" She whispered, finally.
Despite the pain, he was otherwise okay. "I am alive, still. For the time being," he said. He chuckled despite himself and wiggled uncomfortably through the cloth of his shirt. The taking out of the arrowhead would be the hardest part. He took his dagger, holding it for a moment.
"Can you rip it out?"
Sunniva have a careful little nod, feeling around the arrow. Hand pressed to his back, hands fisted around the arrow. The freehand smoothed up and down his back and Sunniva began to hum a hymn she remembered. To sooth herself more than him.
The arrow was ripped out and she tossed the arrow to the ground and pressed her palm to the wound. "I'm sorry, what do I do? Just... Tell me what to do."
He bit down hard on the hilt of the dagger when she ripped it out of him. Tears stung his eyes. With a whimper, he dropped it and leaned forward. Despite the hymn she hummed, he was comforted more by her presence. "You're helping quite a bit," he breathed. "Hold it just like that."
Mercuxio shuffled around in the dark, pulling out a cloth from the pouch on his belt. He handed it to her. "Clean the wound. There are...bandages in the saddle bags. He looked up to them, hoping she wouldn't fumble too much around in the dark.
Sunniva moved with eerie fluidity. The cloth was taken with little trouble and she went about cleaning the wound as gently as she could. On a whim she pressed a kiss to his other shoulder, resting her cheek against his flesh, her hand still pressed over the cloth.
"You got hurt," she whimpered, breath hitching.
"I think Titus got hurt too," her cheek was still pressed to his back and she rubbed his side in a little attempt to sooth.
"I have been hurt before," he said. But something warmed him at her words and he leaned in to her touch. He sighed, looking over to Titus, head turning to nip at the thorns stuck in his butt.
"You're all right?" he asked, leaning his head against hers. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm not hurt," she whispered, still holding the cloth to his wound.
A shuddering little breath and she rubbed at his back. "The arrow hit you instead of me," another comforting kiss to his shoulder and she leaned over him to press her forehead to his.
"Thank you."
Another chill. He held his breath a moment, eyes haggard as he looked at her. "We're all right for now. We should probably take a look at Titus before he chews off his own leg."
The clean hand went to Mercuxio's cheek and she rubbed her thumb along his cheek.
"Yeah," her hands moved to Titus, careful steps and even gentler hand movements. Slowly, carefully Sunniva went about pulling the prickles from his legs, earning her a few jabs on her own fingers. At least she hadn't gotten out of this completely unscathed.
"What do we do now?" She asked quietly.
"We wait," he said. Mercuxio wasn't as confident as he felt. "I don't think we can go much farther than upstream. Titus is exhausted." The horse glistened with sweat and he still breathed heavily from the running.
Mercuxio took the bandages from his own pouch and started to bind his own shoulder. It still hurt, but with pressure it would subside.
Moving to Mercuxio she reached her hands forward.
"Let me help," she whispered, flushed. Panicked. Sunniva chewed on we lip and ducked her head down after she took over the wrapping of Mercxio's bandage. After it was done sufficiently, everything feeling smooth and covered she dipped some of the torn cloth from her dress into the water and went about cleaning the dried blood from his back.
"You should rest," she whispered, moving to sit down, "you can rest against me. I'll stay awake. I can still hear."
He was thankful for her intervention. The bandage went on smoothly and he eased out his back as she finished cleaning it. "Thank you," he murmured again, feeling a bit pathetic. "I don't know if I can sleep. I trust you though. You will keep us safe." He turned to her, brushing a hand through her hair. She was stronger than others might assume. He knew she was capable, even if life robbed her of a singular vision.
"You're warm."
"You've lost a lot of blood, I think." Sunniva said gently, catching Mercuxio's hand.
"Rest," her fingers curled around his and gave a reassuring squeeze, "I'll keep you safe."
Mercuxio leaned into her touch. He nodded against her hand. There dragged his lips against the back of her hand before turning his back to her and leaning against her. "I'll try."
Sunniva curled her free arm around him, pulling him closer and resting his head to her chest.
"I'm sorry." She whispered again, pressing her lips to his hair, moving her free hand up and down the unhurt part of her back, thumb rubbing his hand. "I didn't want you or Titus to get hurt," a careful breath, "I just... Wanted to prove myself. That I could be something other than... A little church mouse who plays the guitar and sings in secret." Her voice was soft and she did her best to keep Mercuxio warm, her hands drifting over him where she knew it wouldn't hurt.
"You can," Merric said, shifting so that he was more comfortable. "And you are. We're in this together aren't we? I meant it." He sighed, ignoring his shoulder. "It's not your fault. They mean to kill both of us equally. It's nice that they don't discriminate like that."
"You didn't kill him though." Resting her cheek against him and finally calmed down a little. Sunniva took a careful breath, the nuzzling into his hair continuing. "We'll rest. We'll rest until the birds start to chirp or I hear something else, okay?" Her hand moved again, gentle movements, "I'll be quiet and you and Titus can sleep."
Titus gave a nicker and stalked over to lay beside the pair. The warmth of the horse was welcome, and he didn't seem to care he still had his saddle on. Mercuxio laughed. "He's beat. I guess I can try to sleep. We'll be on our way soon." He looked up at her, turning his head and kissing her briefly on the lips.
He laid back against her and closed his eyes.
The kiss had her skin tingling but Sunniva simply relaxed. They needed to rest. So, she waited. There no noises throughout the night that could alert her and finally, when she could hear the chirping of birds she gently moved her hands again. To lul Mercuxio from his rest.
The soft touch on his head made him shift from sleep. Aches throbbed everywhere when he tried to move, and the stiffness ofhis position made him grunt in ddiscomfort. Mercuxio opened his eyes. "Hello," he said. He moved with his good arm, the shoulder protesting anything more than a shoulder shrug. He sat up beside her. "Well, we are still alive."
"I told you I'd listen for anything," Sunniva said softly, running her fingers through his hair. A small smile when she remembered the kiss and she drew her thumb over his cheek. "The birds were chirping," she informed him, "If they hadn't I would have let you sleep longer." Her hand still on his cheek, she tilted her head slightly, "How's Titus?"
Titus gave a neigh as he roused from his sleep. He gave a nudge to Sunniva's head, nibbling affectionately as he stood, and shaking out his mane.
Mercuxio chuckled a little, leaning in towards her and kissing her brow. "Thank you. But did you sleep at all?"
The noise from Titus and the hair nibbles had Sunniva smile, and her hads moved to Mercuxio's face when he kissed her brow. Sunniva's thumbs trailed over his cheeks, moved down to trace his lips before she tilted her head up and his down and pressed a needy kiss to his lips. "No," she finally whispered after pulling away, "I had to listen. I had to keep you and Titus safe," her voice got lower and she sighed softly, "I can't do that while I'm sleeping."
Lips were soft against hers. The pressure of the kiss surprised him, but he eased against her. He sighed, opening his eyes. "You kept us safe. You kept us alive. We have to keep moving as soon as we are ready." He smiled and gripped her face. Hands smoothed her hair back as he leaned down to kiss her again, staying longer than before.
A needy little noise. Sunniva didn't want to stop kissing him. It was a strange comfort, she found, pressed so closely to someone but then she remembered what she was. Who she was and she pulled away, drawing her thumb over Mercuxio's lower lip before she sighed and nodded. "I'm ready to go when you are," her hand drifted to his shoulder, rubbing over the top of it, "How does it feel?"
"Stings. It's tense, but I can't dwell on it," he said. Mercuxio sighed tiredly and stood, pulling Sunniva along with him. He rolled his good shoulder, taking time to tend to Titus now that. The small thorns that had left small holes in his legs were wrapped, and Titus nuzzled against Merric's hair. He smiled and took some treats from the saddle bags. Titus nibbled on them, chuffing contentedly.
"We can leave now," he said, and once they were in the saddle, they were off again. His shoulder didn't move much, and he kept his good arm at the reins, navigating across the stream. "We should follow the water. It could lead to a proper town."
"I will follow you where ever you go," Sunniva said gently, smiling at her bad joke because... There was no where else for her to go. Her hand smoothed up and down his side and she avoided his wounded side. "A proper town," She said softly, "I don't have any money."
"I know where we can go that's a safe place," he said. Mercuxio settled in to the saddle, starting off the side of stream. Water trickled pleasingly, the very sound giving him a sense of calm. They were still deep in the woods, and within the reach of danger. He would not let them get caught if he had anything to say about it.
They traveled in silence for hours, following the stream until the squeak of a waterwheel churned through the water. There was the puff of chimney smoke rising through the canopy of trees. Merric's stomach growled and he looked back at Sunniva. "Farmhouse. Should we stop?"
It wasn't where he intended to be. But they were still miles from any real civilization.
Sunniva shrugged, leaning slightly to rest her cheek against Mercuxio's good shoulder.
"I don't know. Do you think we should? Do you look like a proper priest who will be welcomed by strangers?" A tease because she was still dressed in that womans dress and looked nothing like the Sister of the Church that she was. Sunniva could smell the smoke and she reached around to pat at his stomach, "We never ate breakfast, I'm sorry."
A small shudder, "I think I'm too tired to eat so... Yes. We should stop. Offer work for lodgings and food maybe?" Though she wasn't sure what she could do, and she paused and frowned slightly before leaning back, not wanting to hurt his shoulder further.
He looked down at his current state of dress, and the blood that stained the side of his armor. No, he did not look like a proper priest. He looked like a haggard warrior that would bring only trouble. His shoulder would not give him much more leeway to remove the rest of his armor. "I'm afraid we'll just have to go in like this, and hope for the best. Some real food and rest would be nice. And I'm sure Titus is exhausted."
The horse seemed to nod in agreement with that particular assessment. Mercuxio dismounted, landing softly on the grass, and leading Titus closer to the farm. There a woman was already waiting for them with a crossbow loaded and ready to fire.
Mercuxio put his hands up. "Miss," he said quickly. "We come in peace. We're just traveling through."
The woman was haggard, skin burnt from the sun, and hands callused over, hair tied back in a disheveled ponytail. "Get out of here. I want no trouble. I mean it! War's raging all over, and strangers here will just bring it."
Mercuxio looked at his wound, and then to Sunniva. "Miss, I understand. But we can go no farther. We're out of food, water, and my horse is on the verge of collapse. I have no right to ask you -"
"Damn straight you have no right!" She hissed and held the crossbow higher. "I barely got food for me and my girl. Ain't nothing to spare for you two!"
"Miss, I never take what I can't readily give back. If you give us shelter, only for a day, I will repay you. No harm will come to you or your child. Me and my wife here just escaped trouble ourselves. It's far from us now. Please, I beg you, we have nowhere else to turn."
Sunniva hammed it up a little, going so far as to nuzzle into Mercuxio's good arm and sighed, tilting her head a little to hide her face. It was fake, but his claim that she was his wife made her heart skip a beat, a surge of something going through her veins. Playing pretend. Licking her lips she lifted her head, gave the woman a sad smile and sighed softly.
No doubt Sunniva looked tired, hair a mess and pale. Should she talk? Sunniva stayed silent, though at the mention of the woman she tilted her head a little, frowning down at the ground.
"It's just the two of them?" No wonder the woman had a crossbow, licking her lips she sighed again. Not knowing how to help. This was an entirely new situation. Not dressed for her station or rank. Pretending to be a wife. Sunniva slid from the saddle, landing with a soft grunt. The woman gasped softly to see her face, eyes shut and she heard the woman shift the crossbow to point at her. "Please, Miss, just one night. That's all we ask. We'll be gone after we repay you for your kindness."
though, repay with what? Hopefully Mercuxio had an idea, because she didn't.
Mercuxio followed Sunniva a little and he put a hand on her shoulder. He wrapped it around her and pulled her against him. He said nothing, only stared at the woman for a while and curled his head into Sunniva's neck. The woman gave a grunt and put the weapon down. "Your sword, give it to me. You can stay. But when night comes you'll have to leave. God knows I've had enough nonsense to last a lifetime."
She gestured for them to follow and Mercuxio led Sunniva to the house. The woman instructed the girl that was hiding in the doorway to take the horse, and tend to Titus in the barn. The horse gave a chuff at the small girl that took him so dominantly by the reins, but made no protest, and pushed her along at the shoulder.
Mercuxio pulled the sword from his belt and handed it to the woman. "Sara's my name. That's all you need to know. My girl's Kit. And you are?"
"Merric," Mercuxio answered.
Oh... Merric wasn't his name. Was she supposed to use an alias too? A nickname? Was Merric a nickname? Did she have nicknames? Sunniva sought out Mercuxio's hand with her own, threading her fingers through his and finally, "Sunny. My name is Sunny." Awful name, but at least it would be easy to remember and she supposed it could be a cruel joke name from her mother.
Kit. Sara.
Merric.
Sunniva sighed before moving a hand up to press against Mercuxio's cheek, turning her head slightly to press her forehead to his chin. "What now?" She asked softly, letting her hand drop down to her side and wondered just how far their little charade should go. At least it wasn't so awkward to touch him now. In fact it was comforting in a way Sunniva wasn't really sure how to describe.
He smiled at her nickname. It was bad, but it was better that she introduce herself than he give something to her that neither of them would remember. Mercuxio thanked the woman for her hospitality. She showed them to a spare room in the rear of the farmhouse. "Supper'll be ready soon. It ain't much. Don't take nothing. I'll know if it's gone." She gave them a warning look before, closing the door behind her.
Mercuxio observed the quaint room, bed covered in furs and a small table in the corner with knick-knacks and he sat down on the bed, burying his head in his good arm. "We rest. That's what we came here to do. We'll have food. And maybe I can properly seal this wound." He looked Sunniva over.
"You'll need proper clothes. That dress is ripped to hell. I don't know if asking for pants and shirts is proper for a guest. She clearly doesn't like us."
Hesitant little steps, she sat beside Mercuxio carefully and heaved a sigh. "Merric," she started, figuring the walls were thin and what they were doing would be heard from a paranoid woman listening in anyway. "the dress is fine," Sunniva started to take it off though, damned if she was going to sleep in that! The exhaustion she was feeling staved off any hunger she was feeling and she worked at the ties of the bodice before she snarled and turned around, presenting her back, fingers working on a knot.
"Can you help? I don't want to sleep in this dress."
The dress was ripped and dirty and did nothing to give her real cover while traveling. No, she needed something thicker, better, and Mercuxio would find a way to give it to her whether she knew it or not. The bodice alone was irritating. He rolled his eyes nevertheless and helped her with her back. "You don't want to miss supper. That Sara wouldn't hesitate to put one in your eye, regardless of whether or not you need it."
He pushed it from the small of her back until it was firmly loosened.
Sunniva frowned deeply and loosened the dress instead of removing it completely. Once it was loose enough to be comfortable she snorted in amusement, "Well, if she's going to 'put one in my eye' it's good I don't have any, now, isn't it?"
He laughed, scooting over to give her some space on the bed. He fluffed her hair up with his good hand. "I suppose so," he said. "She could always put one in my eye, then one in your shoulder. This way it'd sort of even things out."
A grumpy grumble and Sunniva fixed her hair to the best of her ability, smoothed it down with her fingers before giving a huff and sitting behind him, pressing a hand to his back. "I would never wish anyone to lose their sight," She whispered, turning serious, "Can't you heal yourself?" She leaned in and impulsively pressed a gentle kiss to his spine, "The way you healed me?"
A chill coursed through him from the kiss. Merric turned to face her, looking over his shoulder. "I can, actually. But it requires a level of concentration I hadn't been able to hold since we left the farm house. With a meal, and a bit of rest, I should be able to tend to it." He smiled and reached up to caress a thumb under her lip, gently pinching her chin.
"You lost everything by that stream didn't you? When you were first attacked and I stumbled upon you?"
Sunniva's face crumpled slightly, eyebrows drawing together when she remembered her horse. Dead. Her fingers drifted up to her neck to feel the smooth skin and she gave a shaky little sigh, though she let it turn into a smirk. "Well, I lost another thing a little while after," she teased, finding that she was enjoying Not Church Crazy Sunniva for the time being.
"I... Yes. I suppose. It will be fine though, once I go back home. Everything will be normal again." a gentle shake of her head, "I suppose they were hired to... do that." A simple shrug, she hadn't seen them - hadn't bothered to look - so she'd never find them. Her voice dipped into a whisper, in case they were being listened to, "Thank you. For finding me. And healing me."
They'd taken some hard knocks, it was true. But for the time they had spent, Merric had seen Sunniva as a survivor. She couldn't see, and she still found a way to keep going. She lost her horse, her sanctity, and somehow, they were still going onward. Was there any other way to go?
He found himself smiling and observing her features more deeply, moreover the eyesockets that were hollow in her skull. His thumbs moved to caress the tender flesh underneath and he frowned. A part of him wished she could look at him properly.
"I don't know if things will ever be...normal. But we'll get through it. Every day is just another obstacle isn't it?" he chuckled. "It doesn't seem our lives are made for peace."
A soft gasp and her hand reached up to hold his own when he touched below her eyes. Or where her eyes were. A sensitive subject for her and she was glad that, while she knew people stared, they didn't speak of it. As Mercuxio wished she could look at him properly, Sunniva was jealous of anyone with the gift of sight. A gift cruelly torn away from her.
His latter comment made her smile and she ducked her head down, "I knew that the day they decided me having no eyes was better than possibly being a mage," Her fingers threaded between the hand on his good arm and she held it up, pressing her forehead to his knuckles. A thing she couldn't have begun to imagine doing a few weeks ago. Being so close to a man.
"I wish I could look at you," her voice dropped to an oddly intimate whisper. Like she was telling him some sort of secret before she sighed, "I imagine the journey would have been a little easier for you if I could see."
He noticed the drop in her voice. His belly grew chilled, and he inwardly frowned. But he only caressed her face. He kissed her forehead, sighing tiredly against her skin.
"I don't think it'd be any easier I'm afraid. But it's not more difficult if its any consolation."
Sunniva had found she enjoyed the little touches. The soft caresses. The little bits of comfort normal people shared and she didn't want him to pull away from her. It was a dangerous desire, because she'd quite miss having someone warm to snuggle up against. Someone warm that wasn't her dog.
"That is a consolation," she teased, smiling slightly, "So. We nap after supper then?" A tired question before she reached up and pressed a hand to his cheek, thumb stroking along his cheekbone.
"We can nap after supper. I could sleep for a week."
His face was cold and a bit draw. But he leaned in to her hand. He gave a tired sigh. Lips dragged along her wrist, giving a wet sucking kiss along her pulse.
A hitched breath and Sunniva made a quiet sound. "Merric," her voice was soft and she leaned in, "Are you more hurt than you're letting on?"
His kissing went down her wrist to her arm before pressing her palm to his cheek. "I'm not a vampire if that's what you're asking."
Sunniva turned her head to press her lips to his palm, "I'm sure I would have noticed by now if you had been one." Her words were mumbled against his hand and she held it to her face. A small smile, "if it makes you feel better I hadn't even considered that."
"The why ask if I'm more wounded than I am?" He breathed against her cheek, kissing softly against it.
Turning her head, she brushed her lips to his, breathing softly. "You don't want to worry me?" The words were soft and she pressed her fingers to his shoulder, gently pressing to his skin. "It's just your shoulder, right?"
"It's just my shoulder," he said and kissed her again, a little deeper.
A sharp intake of breath and she pressed closer, hands on his cheeks. "Merric," she breathed and nuzzled closer. "I don't think she would appreciate us doing this," still, she didn't stop. Sunniva moved closer, adding a strange hunger to the kiss. One she didn't recognize.
Mercuxio sighed and leaned his forehead against hers. "You're right. She wouldn't. It would certainly be rude to take advantage of her hospitality." He shrugged and straightened, working at the straps of his armor and peeling it off slowly.
He observed the bandage on his shoulder. There was a knock at the door.
"Supper's ready!" Sara said.
"I hope your hungry," Mercuxio said, and helped Sunniva to her feet.
Sunniva wasn't.
Though she smiled all the same and gave a little hesitant nod. "Lead me?" her voice was tired, and she looked more ready to sleep than she did to eat. Maybe she was thirsty. Mostly she just wanted to cuddle and go to sleep.
Mercuxio did lead her, coming out into the sitting room proper, and helping her get a seat at the table. The supper they were served was a light murky stew, with leeks and other vegetables peeking out of it. To him, and his hungry gut, it smelled divine. "Thank you, Sara," he said, bowing his head and looking at Kit across from him.
The little girl smiled at him, and poked at his hand, and the scars that lay across his arms. He shifted his arm away.
"Are you a soldier?" she asked, looking up at him bravely.
"Um, no," Mercuxio said, watching as Sara shook Kit by the shoulder.
"No need to ask such questions, Kit. It's no business of ours."
"But, Ma. I was just curious is all!"
"Hush now, and mind yourself."
Sunniva was silent while she ate, too tired and too hungry to partake in conversation. Instead, she said a quiet prayer and ate silently - though there was a hushed comment about her hair from the girl Kit to her mother. A little reminder for her to braid it later, she supposed. Sunniva finished her bowl of stew and gave a quiet content sigh. "I'm very greatful for the meal," she said softly before ducking her head back down, waiting for the meal to finish so she could finally have that nap.
Kit did little to hide her curiosity, and Sara was less than pleased with it. Mercuxio just chuckled, finishing his supper and bowed his head in thanks. "That was lovely, Sara. Thank you," he said and the woman just hrrrmphed, taking the bowls to the basin for clean up.
"I think we shall retire now. We won't be any trouble now." Merric smiled and led Sunniva back to the small room they were provided.
Sunniva let herself be led, steps quiet and she was even swaying a little. The click of the door and she gave an annoyed little sigh and began to pull at the ties of her dress, peeling it off her body until she was in her chemise. A bump into the bed with her leg and she sat on it, laying back with a contet little sigh, folding her hands on her belly. "Do you need help with your shoulder ?"
Mercuxio sat at the edge of the bed. "I think I can manage," he murmured and pat her leg. "Get some sleep." The bandages were peeled off a little bit at a time, and he put his hand to the exposed wound. He focused although he was tired, taking in a deep breath. He felt his palm grow warm and the skin of his shoulder slowly stitch itself back together. Merric closed his eyeswhen it was over and he shifted to lay beside Sunniva.
At his suggestion Sunniva rolled over on the bed, leaving what she thought was enough space for him before she tucked her legs up and felt herself drifting away. It wasn't until Mercuxio laid down beside her that she roused enough. Curiously her fingers moved to his shoulder, gently drawing her fingers over the wound. Curiosity struck her, "does the wound have to be fresh?" A quiet hopeful little question before she snuggled in against him.
Mercuxio turned so that he was facing her and he moved the hair from her face. "It helps if it is. Old wounds, scars, those the body must heal. My gifts are from blessed Ansgar, I can only use them to help those who need it most. I can't restore lost limbs or pain of the heart, but the flesh can mend. That's easy," he said softly.
Catching his hand from she brought his palm to her mouth and she rested it against her lips. A disappointed little sigh, of course it made sense. A brief kiss to his palm and she turned around, presenting her back to Mercuxio. Sunniva wanted to go home. "I didn't care about seeing before I met you," She softly, accusingly, "I was okay with... With the left overs of others. But..." A sigh and her arms curled up under her chin, "I want to see Titus. I want to see you." Sunniva sat up, still tired but angry.
"Why. Why would Ansgar make me some... Some Blessed daughter only to take away my eyes," Her hands fisted the cloth of her chemise and she ducked her head down, shoulders trembling, "it's not fair."
What words could he possibly say that would console her? He doubted there were many if any at all. He sat up and watched her frustration, one that he could not express that he shared. He didn't know what to do, other than reach across and wrap his arms around her. Her questions struck deeper than she'd know, or than he would say.
Why would God do such things? Mortals were never given more than they could handle, were never set upon paths they had no potential to flourish on. But there was no sense of fairness to life, and never would be. Mercuxio knew that despite his vocation, he did not have all the answers, but he strove to understand life more and more each day, and his place in it. He only hope that perhaps he could help Sunniva find hers.
At the feeling of his arms, Sunnivs gave a content little sigh and curled her arms around him as well. Sleepy again, though anger still simmered in her belly. She moved them so they were horizontal in the bed, tucking a knee on his hip before she snuggled down and pulled the lonely thin blanket over them. "I'm sorry," she whispered, "this is the only real taste of life I've had so far." She snuggled in against his chest. "I don't think I like it too much."
"You don't like the taste? Or real life in general?" he asked, trying to lighten the mood with a soft chuckle. His brushed his fingers through her hair, pushing it out of her face and kissing her forehead.
"Both," Sunniva paused, "I think."
"Perhaps because I'm so I'll equipped to deal with it," her hand moved up, resting on his cheek before she pressed her forehead to his. "Will you hold me while we sleep?" She asked gently, ready to turn away and curl up if he said no.
Merric nodded against her. "It's all I can really do for now," he said. He smiled and laid back, more comfortably in the bed. He closed his eyes, resting easily in the bed of furs.
Curling herself up against his side, Sunniva rested her head on his chest and found one of his hands. "All you can do for now?" Her voice was soft, muffled by her face smooshed up against him, "what's that supposed to mean?"
"Comfort you in your distress," he chuckled. "Not that my personality is particularly comforting."
Sunniva made a humming sound, "I like it." She snuggled in closer, pressing her front to his side and curling her arm over him.
"Thank you," he murmured, chuckling. His arms curled around her, stroking her spine.
Another pleased little hum and Sunniva's fingers moved up to find Mercuxio's cheek before she pressed a kiss to his cheek, "You're welcome."
Her touch sent chills down his back, and he leaned further into her. He wasn't entirely sure he should be so forward in this moment, for they were only here a single day, and would be taking advantage of the hospitality of their hostess. But if not now, when? The need grew stronger as he kissed her back, lips lingering on hers.
He wondered if it was only the stress of their ordeal, or the connection that they shared simply from their background, but it was there. One he would do well to ignore.
Fingers pressed through his hair and she gave a soft sigh against his lips, leaning in for another lingering kiss before Sunniva pulled away ever so slightly. "You should stop encouraging me," she teased, voice just barely a whisper. Nothing would come of this and if she were any other one she would, perhaps, be saddened by the idea. Sunniva was not and she knew that now was all she had, and she's never get it back again.
"Believe me, I'm trying," he said. He leaned into her touches, smiling despite the thought that they should pull away from each other. His eyes closed feeling the soreness of their travel at last. "I just haven't been kissed in a long time. Not with...need anyway," he murmured.
He relaxed into the bed, wrapping an arm snugly around her.
A last lingering kiss was pressed to his lips and Sunniva snuggled down against him, quite ready to fall asleep. "I've never needed before," she responded before she relaxed as well, pressed tight against him. Comforting, in a way, to have someone so close to her while she slept. A different kind of comfort than what her dog provided her. At least Mercuxio could talk. "Have sweet dreams, Merric," she hadn't decided yet if she liked the name he game himself, though.
It was comforting, much in the way it loosened feeling from his arm in the waking hours. He gasped, eyes shooting open as he wriggled from beneath Sunniva. "I-I can't feel my arm, Sunny."
That got Sunniva wide awake and she sat quickly, panicked. "What?!" She reached for his arm, pressing her hands to his shoulder to make sure everything was still there. "What did you do?!"
He laughed, although he winced as he rubbed at the skin and tried to return the feeling to it. "It just fell asleep when you were laying on it, is all," he said. "It's coming back now." He wiggled his fingers until the blood returned and the tingling in his fingers settled down.
A relieved sigh, "don't scare me like that." She flung her arm at him and the back of her hand connected with his belly before she snatched it away like it had burned her. Quickly enough she laid back down, relaxing, clearly still tired. "Do we have to leave?"
Merric flopped down beside her. He poked her side. "Probably not. But I do need to think of something to pay back our gracious hostess."
Sunniva caught his hand and curled her fingers around his while she thought, "I've never had to... Pay for anything before. Usually people just graciously gave us things because we're from the church." By the plural she was referring to herself and her companions - the ones that tried to kill her. "What would a woman like that want, I wonder?"
"My order...does not give out freely what it does not expect in return. From the priests of the order anyway. If we take food from one chapel, sleep and room there, we must give our time and patience. Work until even." He shrugged. "A woman like Sara probably doesn't need another burden to care for. Perhaps I can work her land a bit. Or at least compensate her for her trouble."
Sunniva bit her lip, wringing her hands together and sighing.
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Perhaps, if you want to. I heard an odd squeal in the waterwheel. Perhaps I can tend to that. You can help me check it out."
A simple raise of her eyebrow at the phrase 'check it out,' but she got the idea anyway and sat up. A little regret that she hadnt taken advantage of him the night before. Thinking like a true trollop, good on you. A little frown and she rubbed her forearms before ducking her head down, "I'll help with whatever you tell me to, Merric."
"But in the meantime I think the bed has a better place for us," he said and laid back down, pulling Sunniva toward him.
A surprised gasp at his statement and she gave the slightest of smiles. "Oh? Is it because I'm so warm?" She teased, voice just barely above a whisper.
He pulled her over him, hands splaying warmly over her lower back, pushing the cloth of her chemise up. "Maybe. It's a chilly morning, and I'm frosty all over."
Heat made her cheeks red and Sunniva sat up, hair a tumbled mess but it curled to her waist in brilliant red waves. The feeling of his hands on her back had her lean forward and she bit her lip briefly before running her thumb over his chin, "Are you planning on making me cold by taking my chemise off?"
He chuckled and sat up, his hands curiously dragging along the tips of her breasts beneath the chemise. "I don't see how I could, you feel very warm to me," he murmured.
Sunniva pressed her hands to his face, thumbs tracing his cheeks. At the touch of his hands her nipples pebbled and goosebumps rose on her skin, a little shiver racked her body and she let out a shaky little gasp against his ear. "I'm positively toasty," she smiled before turning her head to catch the side of his lips with her own, "Should I warm you up?"
Heat was already starting to flood his own body. And she would feel it beneath her if she paid attention. Not that it wouldn't be obvious all on its own. "Please? It's quite chilly in here," he murmured, leaning in to catch her lips properly in a kiss.
A soft noise, her belly tightened at his plea and she pressed herself into his kiss, arms curling around his neck and grinding down against him before her hands moved. It was wrong. This was wrong but then why did it feel so right? Sunniva pulled away briefly, hands at his waist before she moved to press her forehead to his, "I want you," Another little grind of her hips. "Too bad there aren't any mirrors around," She nipped at his lips, "I'd make you watch yourself."
Each grind of her hips invoked a soft deep groan from his throat, and he only grew hard at the heat that lingered but two pieces of cloth away. His arms gripped against her, his hunger growing. His kisses grew bolder, breathing softer. A smile spread across his lips. "Why do you want me to see myself? I like seeing you just fine. I do wish you could see me though. We should just try to keep our voices down..." hands reached beneath her chemise, finding that heat between her legs and stoking it.
An encouraging little wiggle and she spread her legs a little wider over his lap, lips pressing against his ear, "If you see yourself, I can see you too." Sunniva's voice dipped to a soft whisper, gently bitting at the lobe of his ear while she breathed softly. Her fingers moved to catch the bottom of her chemise, dragging it up over her breasts - but leaving it on just in case she needed to quickly cover herself. Still, she leaned closer, pressing her breasts to his chest and grinding down against his hand in gentle little movements - to avoid noises. "Shouldn't you be more tired?" Which was just as much a question she could ask herself as well.
"Oh well then, excuse my lapse in thought," Mercuxio breathed, half-moaning as he slipped fingers inside her, relishing in how hot she already was. His lips found their way as she raised her chemise, and lapped at the blushed breasts that were hiding underneath. "I'm just... about to get tired," he breathed against her fleah, panting as he removed the cloth of his trousers, pausing a moment in his ministrations.
A hitched breath and she tensed up and away slightly at his fingers pushing into her. Still an unfamiliar feeling she had to bite her lip and press her cheek to his before she moved back down, tight and hot. Biting her lip she let her head drop back, pushing her fingers through his hair and holding his head to her chest. "I'll warm you up," she whispered, "Warm you up and make you tired," the smirk was obvious in her voice and she ran her hands down his chest to meet his at his trousers before she tipped his head back up and kissed him again. Pouring every taboo emotion she was feeling into the hard kiss.
"Have mercy," he murmured, pressing into that kiss and sinking teeth into her bottom lip. He hadn't touched another in so long, the very feel of warmth flesh to his was intoxicating. Was it purely a physical need? Nothing more than the craving of human contact? Merric just knew that he wanted Sunniva then and kissed her with need. He cared for her well-being, even with the uncertainty of all that would come to pass. Even knowing what they were doing was cause for damnation of itself.
His hand trailed around hers to wrap around his manhood. His breath hitched when he removed his fingers from her heat, steadying his tip to slip within her.
"Never," she hissed into his ear, arms curling around his shoulders. Breath hitching, giving a tremble when she felt him. Sunniva moved a hand down, pressed her hand to his and slowly sank down, taking him into her heat. "Merric," She breathed, catching his lips again. Heat washed through her and she tipped head back, mouth open when she took him all in before tipping her head forward again, pressing her forehead to his "I don't like that name," she finally whispered. A little off topic, but she smiled all the same and gave a grind down with her hips.
He closed his eyes tightly as she slid down on him. He moaned softly, unable to contain the sound. Hips turned up against hers, grinding slowly and feeling every bit of her, shifting in her tightness. Mercuxio leaned in against her, chuckling a little as he worked within. "You don't like my name? I've been called Merric by most of the people on my life," he said. Arms gripped at her back, one arm anyway as his right slipped between them and tenderly rolled over her clit. "It's not as bad as Sunny."
"It doesn't suit you," a heated whisper and she rose ever so slightly before his hand moved and she let out a shaky breath. All the touches and caresses still felt like so much and Sunniva bit her lip and moved slowly and quietly, lifting up and sliding down while he worked between her legs. A needy little breath, each drift of his finger having her insides tighten. The chemise fell and the fabric against her flesh only added to the sensations. "Sunny is awful too," she breathed, gathering the fabric to pull it up again, "I've never had a nickname." The sound trailed off and she rose up, almost removing herself from in before she sunk down again slowly, a breathy hiss, "do you want to lay down or continue like this?" A whisper into his ear and she paused again, with him just barely inside her, curiosity in her heated breath.
"Well, you can call me whatever you like," he chuckled, breathing softly as she rose him. He paused too, considering. "Lie down." Carefully he rolled them over, and hiked her hips up, kissing her softly as they laid on their sides. His hand continued to slide along with her, wanting her body to tremble.
It was different.
Sunniva bit her lip, hands moving to clutch at the cloth of her chemise, arching her back before moving her hands to her breasts. Every little movement had her biting back noise and she moved one had to join Mercuxio's. Little minute movements of her hips, flushed cheeks. Eventually she clutched the back of his neck, her leg curling over his hip. Delicate fingers gripped his hair when the first tremble wracked her frame, breathing hard agaisnt his chin before swallowing and doing her best to be quiet. "Mercuxio," his name was a needy little whimper, barely audible but she moved her hands to his back and held him as close as she could. "Make love to me," she finally breathed out, their charade was being married wasn't it? Isn't that was married people did? Made love? "Please."
He stared at her in those words. The only other woman he had ever made love to was far from here, someone he had known his whole life. He touched Sunniva's face, rolling them both over onto her back and kissed her deeply. He moved then to her pleasure, pressing their bodies together so that they were one.
It was a slow gentle process, hitched breath and soft touches. Breath was heated puffs of air against his ear. There was no love but it wasn't the curious coupling of before. It was comforting and she moved her hands up and down his back, trailing her nails gently up his spine. Finally, when the sensations were too much Sunniva bit her lower lip hard, squeezed him tightly and went taunt holding her breath so she didn't cry out.
The soft sounds she made were mimicked by him. Mercuxio lay still over her when his passion came. He remained coupled with her, panting heavily as he held her against him. "You think we're warm enough?"
Chemise still bunched up under her arms, Sunniva smiled at him, pushing her fingers through his hair before she let out a shaky breath. Tremors still wracked her body and she revealed in being so close to him still, cradled against her as he was. "Are you?" She whispered against his ear, nuzzling his cheek with her lips and giving a little curious roll of her hips.
"I couldn't be warmer," he said and kissed her brow. He whimpered at the roll of her hips. She was warm and he snuggled against her, pulling the blankets up and over them.
Sunniva don't pull away, she only shifted slightly to get more comfortable with him above her. A content sound left her lips an she stroked her fingers through his hair. "Good," a brief kiss to his cheek and she slowly drifted off to sleep again, quite tired out.
He refrained from falling asleep on top of her, instead turning onto his side, but remaining coupled with her as he closed his eyes and felt himself drift off. Mercuxio did sleep, for a few more hours until the door was opened and Kit came in, staring at the pair with smiling eyes.
It was strange to wake up to sights and what a sight it was.
The two of them tangled together. Luckily nothing important was showing but Sunniva gave a little did her best to shimmy her chemise down while the sight from the little girl lasted. Sunniva had never had an awkward situation before - being very rarely caught in compromising positions - but right now she could do little more than gently pat at Mercuxio's chest to wake him up. "We have a guest," She whispered, unsure if the girl was there still or not.
"You need to get up," Kit whispered out of the dark. She pointed to the door. "Mama has a lot of work for you to do. You gotta give something if you're going to eat up all our food." She smiled though. "Mama's mean. Not me. I like you."
Mercuxio peered at her and sat up, pulling the sheet closer to his waist. "Thank you Kit. That's real nice."
"It wasn't all of it," Sunniva half whispered, looking quite displeased. Sunniva shimmied the chemise the rest of the way down before she stretched her arms up and finger combed her hair. Her hand moved to smooth up and down Mercuxio's back and she went a little pale and still when fluids went south. Sunniva was quick to remove herself from the bed, finding the clothing she'd left piled somewhere and quickly pulled it on. Sure it was still dirty and ripped but it was the only one she had.
it would do.
Sunniva did her best to fix her hair and quickly moved to the little girl, standing in front of her. "My husband needs to change," she said softly, holding out her hand for the little girl, "Why don't we wait outside, hmm?" A small smile and Kit ever so graciously led Sunniva out of the room, the door closing with soft click, leaving Mercuxio alone.
Kit didn't waste any time dragging Sunniva outside, holding her hand and tugging as hard as the small girl could. "Why can't you see, Sunny?" she asked her. "Are you one of those fortune teller ladies? Do you have a funny hat with a feather in it?"
Mercuxio changed, meanwhile, wiping down as best he could, before throwing trousers on. He watched them from the small window, staying quiet.
Funny hat? Sunniva gave a gentle shake of her head while the little girl led her along. Still, she smiled all the same and let herself be tugged along. "Something was wrong, so, to keep me safe I had to give up my sight." A pretty lie, she supposed. Sunniva crouched down and tucked some hair behind Kit's ear, "we can pretend I'm a fortune teller though, if you like." She took Kit's hand, feeling along the palm before she made humming and hawing noises, puffing out her cheeks and tossing her hair over her shoulder.
Turning ever so briefly to were Mecuxio was looking from and giving him a little smile when she saw herself.
"I'm good at pretending. Mama's says I dream too much though," she said. Kit tugged at Sunniva's arm to pull her through the grass to the side of the house. They weren't far from Mercuxio's view.
"I have a secret," Kit whispered. "Do you want to hear it?
What an oddly friendly child.
Sunniva let herself be tugged along by the enthusiastic kid. Crouching down, Sunniva reached forward to place a hand on her head before smiling and tilting her head. "Well, I suppose so. We'll have to be friends to share secrets." Sunniva smiled and turned her head, tucking her hair behind her ear, "what's your secret?"
Kit's eyes lit up. "Oh, friends! Yes! Friends tell each other everything. But me first." Kit moved around Sunniva and pulled over grown brush and pat the ground. "Papa's buried here." She took Sunniva's hands to touch the soft dirt.
"He was a mean, mean man. Scary sometimes. He used to hurt Mama. But he doesn't anymore."
"Well, I suppose someone who's passed away would have to be quite talented to still hurt people." Sunniva frowned slightly, turning her hand to hold Kits. Away from the dirt. "Let's go back, hmm?" Standing up she smiled down at the girl, feeling unnerved. "We can show Merric the secret, too? He'll be your friend, as well."
Mercuxio did emerge from the house, dressed in his boots, trousers and tunic, with a sack of garden tools and farm equipment over his shoulder and he wandered over to Kit. "You're right, Kit. Your mother is mean. But at least she let me have these lovely tools to work with."
The little girl laughed. "She wanted me to show you where the weeds are and to show you how to dig them up. I won't tell her you said that, I promise." She took Sunniva to Mercuxio, and picked up a garden hoe. "Do you know how to use this?"
Sunniva was led along an when the girl asked if she could use this, Sunnica drew a blank. This what? "I can sing and play a guitar. I'm sure if you teach me how to do it I'll be able to pick it up." She held out her hand and wiggled her fingers. "Say, Kit is an adorable name, is it short for anything?"
Kit laughed at Sunniva, in a playful childlike way and Mercuxio watched as the little girl helped Sunniva hold the garden tool in both hands and trained her to steady herself as she raked it forward and back, pushing the dirt to soften it.
"See? It's easy!" she said. She blushed a little at the mention of her name. "Katrina. I like Kit though. Shorter and easier to remember," the little girl said and moved to Mercuxio, seeing that she had to train him now how to properly hold a farm tool.
"Whatcha standing around for?" she laughed at him, and Merric found himself flushing. "You gotta till the dirt. Even I know that. What kinda man are you that's never worked land before?"
A very rich one. That thankfully, he refrained from saying.
Mercuxio was adorable when he blushed.
Seeing him through the girls eyes was a treat and Sunniva worked as hard as she could. Only sometimes being corrected by the girl. "Usually he lifts pens, Sweet One," Sunniva stated, smiling, "we've no land so it's easy to forget how to work it," Kit looked to Sunniva and she quickly got back to work.
The farm work went by slowly, and Mercuxio was dripping with sweat by the time the sun was high above their heads. Th ground was tilled and softened, and soon seeded and sown. Merric coughed, exhausted when Sara called them in for lunch. But there was a hint of something that had been absent from her face for some time.
A smile.
Sunniva felt gross.
Her clothing was stuck to her.
Her hair was stuck to her.
She could smell herself.
Mostly she was miserable and warm and everywhere ached and she rested heavily on the gardening tool she'd been instructed to use.
Very much a lady, she hadnt really done any hard labour.
Sunniva held out a hand, looking tired and miserable, "are we done yet?"
"Yes, thankfully," Mercuxio said and helped Sunniva inside once they were finished with the field work. Honestly, he was done acting the serf for the day. Although he never truly regarded servants as lesser than he, he certainly knew he had a new found respect for the work these kinds of people did. They did their bests just to get by and somehow it just wasn't enough most of the time.
He sat down after helping Sunniva find her seat at lunch, and sat at the corner to her left. Sara looked at the pair, and although she was skeptical of them still, she felt more at ease from the look of it.
A bowl of stew and freshly baked bread greeted his senses.
"Kit," Sara said. "You can say a blessing would you please."
Sunniva took in a deep breath and smiled.
It smelled wonderful and she placed her hands on her lap and waited for the blessing. The little voice popped up and recited Ansgar's prayer, thanking the land for the means to make the meal and god for providing them with light -or something. Sunniva kind of turned out, head drooping forward ever so slightly before Kit was done and she jerked her head out, carefully finding the utensils and finally managing to get the first bite.
"This is wonderful," she commented softly, surprised and pleased all at the same time, "Thank you so much for your hospitality."
He didn't eat right away. Instead Mercuxio watched Sunniva manage to get the food into her mouth. He knew she was capable when she had to be, and he could only wonder what it must be like to have to envision things through other people's eyes.
"You're welcome," Sara said, knocking him out of his ponderings. "You're...pleasant company. I...guess I ought to apologize for my rude greeting earlier."
Mercuxio ate quietly, looking to Kit as she shoveled the food into her mouth by the spoonful. "Hmmmm!" she hummed, smiling at him with a mouthful of bread.
He found himself barking a laugh, which caused Sara to shoot him a sharp look.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't laughing at you. Your daughter is very expressive."
Sunniva quietly ate her meal. Once she'd figured out the correct distance to eat appropriately she just made do. The meal wasn't the fanciest thing she'd ever had but she was hungry and by virtue of being worked for it was one of the more delicious meals she'd had. Sunniva took a deep breath and kept out of the polite conversation, one hand in her lap, the other just putting food in her mouth.
When she was finished, politely the bowl was pushed away and the spoon was placed on the table. A polite little nod and she simply sat and waited for the rest to finish. Though, that didn't stop her head from bobbing up and down, fighting sleep. That was probably the most physical work she'd ever done in her life.
Merric noted her physical tiredness. But noting the dishes he moved to collect them.
Sara on the other hand stood up and took the dishes first. "I can handle clean up. So can Kit. But first she can help you to your room. You've had a long day, you need some rest," he said.
Merric hesitated at first before he turned to Sunniva, taking her by the hand and helping her up. "Come on, dear," he said, holding her close.
Sunniva sat up, shoulders straight, head tall.
A sort of alarmed look was on her face but without eyes she just looked a little strange, though quickly enough her head ducked forward and she had to fight sleep again. The soft voice of Merric jolted her from her Not Sleep again and Sunniva sat up, her hand slipping into his easily and she practically melted into his touch.
He was so warm.
And Sunniva practically melted against him.
"Is it night time?" She whimpered, "Can we go to bed?" She pressed her face against his chest and leaned heavily. He could lift her, right?
Feeling the increasing weight of her against him made Merric support her further. He was tired too, and he could feel it in more than just the physicality of his body. The soreness was starting to set in, as was the evening, and the cold was coming in through that drafty house.
Gods, did she have jelly for legs or something?
He turned to the side to put an arm beneath her knees, lifting her up and carrying her to the room Kit had directed to at the end of the hallway. He could drop and fall asleep in an instant. But a nice hot cup of tea did sound nice right about now. Instead he gently set Sunniva on the bed.
"It's time for rest," he said. "I'm sure beat."
The lift up caught her a little off guard - perhaps she was being clingy. Still, she couldnt help but curl into the warmth Mercuxio's body provided and she tucked her head against his neck as sure as his arms wrapped around him.
Once she was placed on the bed she went about undoing the buttons. The ones at her wrists, the ones at her neck, and she only finally flopped down onto her back, arms spread with a sigh of relief when her garment was mostly off.
"Can we sleep forever?" She whispered in a tired sleepy voice.
"I don't know about forever. But I think we'll have a chance for a decent night's rest," he said with a chuckle. He loosened the clothes he was in to get more comfortable.
He crawled over her to lay against the wall, boots off his feet, wearing just the simple pants and shirt that were not quite as dirty as his other ones were.
"You don't wan to sleep forever. I would want to wake up with you again," he said.
Sunniva had mostly peeled off her clothing. Her dress and boots were in a ball on the floor and she rolled onto her stomach, arms curled under the pillow, quick to snuggle in. She stretched a leg over just enough to rub her calf over Mercuxio's leg.
Simply because she liked the contact.
"You can wake up with me here," she mumbled, "i just wouldnt wake up. Sleep forever and a handsome prince can kiss me and we'd go live happilg ever after," her words were muffles by the pillow but the little teasing smile was evident on her smooshed face.
Mercuxio pushed the few tufts of hair from her face that covered her eyes. Or lack of eyes. He was soft in his touch, thumb rolling over her cheek.
He laid on the extra pillow, propping it up behind his head. "Would a kiss wake you up?"
Sunniva gave a soft laugh, mostly it was a strange noise of breath but she moved her hand to smooth over his before she turned her head to nuzzle against his palm. Holding it to her cheek.
"Well, from a Prince," She teased and let her hand fall away from his, "As handsome as you claim to be, I don't think you're a Prince." Sunniva shuffled closer but didn't touch him aside from her calf to his leg, where it would remain until he moved. "I suppose if you really wanted to you could try though, but I know I'm not sleeping, because I can see in my dreams."
"Wow, that wasn't the least bit insulting at all," Mercuxio said, sticking his tongue out at her though she couldn't see it. He chuckled, rubbing his thumb along her cheek and mouth still. "I'm not a prince sadly. I'm just a priest. I'm just a Confessor. I'm just the lowly son of a duke."
He pulled her in closer to his chest, leaning in and kissing her lightly. His touch was curious, gentle, but no less warm, sweet, inviting. "What do you dream about?"
Sunniva smiled, a pleased little blush on her cheeks before she breathed a gentle laugh, though it turned into a breathy surprised gasp when she was pulled closer. Moaning gently into the kiss, which she returned eagerly. Again with the sweet feeling of can't and not allowed. It made the kisses all the better, she found, that they were stolen.
"The sun," She breathed against his lips, leaning in for another stolen kiss, "The sky. The ocean. The way grass looks when the wind blows," Sunniva leaned away and turned her head towards the ceiling, "The way light looks when it's coming from a candle. I haven't seen any of that in years but... My dreams remember for me. My dreams remember what the sun looks like."
"I don't mean to crush your dreams but isn't it a little counter-intuitive to stare at the sun?" he asked with a chuckle. Mercuxio just admired her features for a moment. He didn't want to move away, even as she seemed to gaze at the ceiling.
"So can you feel what I look like?" he asked. He took her hand in his pressing it to his cheeks. "Is it something you can envision? So that you can dream of me."
Sunniva scoffed at his sun comment. Of course she wouldnt look at the sun. That hurt. She smoothed her thumb over his cheek with a sigh, rolling back over onto her side to cup his cheek with her other hand. "Sort of," she said, voice soft as her fingers drifted over his face.
"Do you want me to dream of you?" She whispered, "can't imagine that being fair. You'd have to dream of me, too."
"I suppose if I possessed a great deal of vanity, I would want you to dream of me. I just...think I am often forgotten. It's strange...I never realized how alone I really am," he said. "I would dream of you." He leaned in to kiss her brow.
Sunniva grew quiet and was far more pleased about the kiss to her forehead than she probably should have been. It was... Nice. "Hopefully only nice dreams," She whispered, snuggling in against him and tucking her head under his chin. Apparently, she was as bad at 'backing off' as she had suspected she was. Sunniva was selfish, it seemed.
"I won't forget you," She whispered, nuzzling at his neck, "I may not dream of you - probably turn into clouds - but..." She sighed and held herself close to his chest, "I won't forget you. Ever."
The physical exhaustion was soon building up. His mind was overly tired and eyelids were too heavy to blink. When he closed them finally, he drifted off into a deep sleep, and curled his body into hers to keep the warmth between them.
He breathed quietly, feeling his body relax. It'd been sometime since he'd shared a bed, and he forgot how good it could feel, even in the quiet of the night.
Sunniva didn't sleep for a while, but she snuggled in tight against her companion and eventually, it took her. There were dreams. The sun. The sky. And, she assumed, looking at the strange face in the field of yellow flowers, was Mercuxio. Sunniva pursed her lips at him, in her dream, he didn't look a thing like she imagined him looking like. Sure he was handsome but... She'd just get him to look into a mirror again.
Though she'd found her use of that particular power waning. Perhaps because she hadn't been using it often except on accident. Still, it wasn't until Sunniva looked down to see herself naked, the yellow flowers were piles of gold and where Mercuxio had been was a fire breathing dragon. Demons behind it. Fire. Darkness.
Darkness forever.
Sunniva's fingers pulled at the fabric in her hand and she gasped awake, her voice sharp. "Mercuxio?" She whispered, dread in her belly, her fingers smoothing over his chest, "Mercuxio, are you awake?" Her voice sounded on the verge of tears but, sadly for Sunniva, she could not shed them.
Mercuxio was no less still in his slumber. The thoughts that ran through his mind tumbled in on one another. He breathed deeply, chest caving in in a hollow of distress. His family in disarray, his sister gone. The fires of war on his doorstep and there was nothing he could do to help those he loved. A gentle sob escaped his parted lips. Each breath was labored, and somewhere someone was calling his name.
A blink, a gasp, and he opened his yes, half-expecting the bed he was in to be on fire. "Huuuh!" he gasped, slowly turning to find Sunniva next to him. The only fire he saw as that of her bundle of hair. And it brought along a powerful gasp of relief. "God above," he said.
He reached a hand up and cupped her cheek. "I am here, Sunniva," he said. "Just...stirring in my sleep."
Sunniva let out a shuddering sigh, pressing his hand to her cheek firmer, nuzzling it, pressing her lips to his palm before she sat up and leaned forward to press her head to Mercuxio's chest. Just in case. He felt like a man. His heart beat like a man. She nuzzled in closer, arms winding around what she could of him. "Your heart is pounding," She whispered, voice soft, her own dream all but forgotten at how tense her new friend felt.
"Did you have a bad dream? Aren't we a pair," She teased, laying back down - but this time most of her torso was on his chest and she curled in tightly against him.
"Bad dream was putting it lightly," he found himself admitting. He was still shaken by the images that passed before his eyes. Mercuxio wrapped arms lightly around her, resting his head against the crown of her skull. Her red hair half buried his face, but he found it comforting.
He breathed gently against her. Oh how he'd forgotten the touch of a woman, the touch of another. Even if it was brief, he couldn't deny his human need for that contact for so long. There was only so much he could do. Mortality bred the fear of loss, of death, or time reaching it's inevitable end. "I dreamt the world gone mad... More than it already is. My father dying, my sister taken by mages... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you with the details."
Gently, and she hoped soothingly, she smoothed her hand over his chest, nuzzled against his skin and pressed her lips to the flesh over his heart briefly. "Well, I dreamt you were a terribly beast, and then I went blind." Her voice grew dry at the end, at least she woke up still blind.
"You can tell me," she whispered, hand moving gently, "perhaps it will help you sleep."
He laid back with her, turning his body so that she was laying atop him. He was grateful for the warmth her body have him and he pulled the blanket up around him. The way her hand shifted against his chest made something shift in his gut. Mercuxio kept himself in check though and focused on brushing back the loose strands of hair that drifted down her face.
"I dreamt I was going home... But my home wasn't how I remembered it. People I knew, people I cared for were dead... It was hard to look away, their faces were pale, waterlogged," he breathed gently. "I saw my father dying... I cried. I haven't spoken to my father in a very long time.... What do you think that means?"
Sunniva's hand didnt stop moving, she snuggled tighter against him and tried to recall the images. "Perhaps you simply miss your family," she supplied in a whisper, hand moving along his side to rest at his hip. "Can you sleep again? Are you awake now?" She gave his hip a squeeze, "cold?"
Mercuxio's breath hitched. He whimpered lightly and leaned into her touch. He kept the blanket snug around him, closing his eyes and focused on touch. What was it like to be unable to see? To envision only what your imagination created.
"I'm a little cold," he murmured. Merric brought her hand around his hip to his backside and he slid his hand down her side, carefully bracing the soft flesh of her breast.
Sunniva's heart picked up and she gently moved her hand over his on her breast. The fabric seemed to make it more scandelous and she shifted slightly to pull him closer. "I think there might be a draft," she whispered, pursing her lips and blowing cold hair to his neck.
"Do you feel that?" She smoothed her hand over his backside and tucked her leg over his hip. Another breath of air against him and she leaned back, "might be a ghost, even." She leaned in, moving her hands up his neck to cup his face and draw him closer for a chaste easy kiss. Stolen. Forbidden.
Maybe thats why it tasted so sweet.
"Want me to protect you?"
"Some say a ghost used to come into my room when I was a child. Story used to give me chills," he said, breath hitching. Mercuxio rolled his thumb over her breast, turning his head in to kiss the side of her neck once, twice, and shivering against her. "You're very warm..."
His hand squeezed the flesh again, feeling the nipple harden beneath his touch. "This fabric is awfully cool. I think you'd be a lot warmer without it." He slowly shifted his hand to push her clothing up and drag his hand along her belly and underneath to her skin.
Sunniva gave a throaty chuckle. "Warmer without?" She sat up on him, fingers gliding down his chest to her night dress before she pulled it off. "I think you were fibbing," Sunniva pouted, tilting her head, "how exactly do you plan on making up for lying to me?" Her voice was low, but she sat with her hands on her hips and her chin in the air.
Mercuxio wiggled his hips beneath her, adjusting her weight on him until he was comfortable. He smiled up at her, hands dragging up along her sides. "Whatever you want me to do," he breathed, leaning up on elbows to bring him up to her chest.
He kissed along her neck, letting his arms to snake around her.
Sunniva bit her lip, pressing her chest to his. Again, tempting fate. Again, breaking the rules. Again, going against her word to God. That was pushed aside though, at the closeness and the kisses and she pushed her fingers through his hair and turned his face to hers for a kiss.
"Take me," she pleaded, voice husky, "I want everything you can give me. We'll have to jam it all into what little time left we have together, right?" Another kiss and she gave a needy grind down against him, "I dont want to be myself. Not here. Not with you."
"Jamming it all in is a bit descriptive don't you think?" he moaned amidst a smile. He pulled her down for a needy kiss, having grown hard against her. He didn't want her to be anyone else but herself, he saw only a woman that wanted, needed.
Mercuxio held fast to her, grinding hips up against her. "This night is ours."
"An apt description," she panted, fingers digging into flesh to hold him tight to her, swallowing thickly she shuffled down slightly, hands moving to Mercuxio's clothing to push it down and away. Shoving at the shirt he wore, "I want to feel your heart pound and your breath pant. The heat against my ear. You pulse against my skin," Sunniva leaned again to give him a chaste kiss, "can we do that?"
Clothing didn't stay on his body for long and when it was removed, he was bare to her scrutiny. He moaned lightly, closing his eyes to focus in on the heat of her body, wanting. "I think I can manage that," he panted as he turned them over to pin her body beneath his. His hands remained firmly planted on either side of her head.
He kissed her deeper, body hungry and eager for release. Legs were poised between hers and he urged her to squeeze him tightly against her.
Hands gentle, she smoothed them up and down his torso, feeling for anything out of the ordinary. Little scars, mostly. Sunniva of course gasped softly when Mercuxio flipped them around. A tumble of hair and she was on her back, her rule breaker tucked between her legs.
A moment to reflect, shift her hips, reach down and feel him. Sunniva leaned up for more kisses, grinding up against him, to feel him push inside, the heat of his body entering hers. His name was a whisper on her lips and she pressed her fingers into his hair while her legs curled around his back to keep him close.
No more words. Just touch, and it was enough.
Mercuxio rolled his hips in steady, deep motions, making them one again and again. He kept his breaths quiet, remembering that they were not in a house alone. It made it more exciting, perhaps, this fear of being caught, of being expelled from here. He didn't give any mind to the potential threat of others discovering his actions, that they would see it as his corruption, or that of tainting a Knight to the White Lily.
They were nothing more than people here, play acting the couple on the road. Mercuxio still kept himself quiet, refusing to be louder than the heavy pants and soft breaths that came with their rutting. He kept her close to him however, wanting to hear her every sound.
The stolen moments would be locked away as a nice memory. She knew that. Spoken to no one. A secret memory shared between the two of them. An unspoken bond. So she gave everything she had in those secret moments, writhing against him, arms wrapped around his chest, mouth tucked against his ear.
His name was a soft promise on her lips and she held him as close as she dared, legs tight around his hips. Unable to keep completely quiet, hitting her crest, she turned her head and bit down on Mercuxio's neck, holding him tight and giving needy rolls of her hips and grinding her teeth down when her pleasures were too much to bear.
In the stillness that followed, Mercuxio blinked down at her in the dark. He shuddered in the cool air that touched his sweat covered body. Hands brushed back the hair along her face, gently tracing the empty flesh of her eyelids and frowned. She could see in ways he couldn't, yet that did nothing to detract from her beauty.
The following morning, Mercuxio awoke early and knowing the previous night would not, and could not happen again. Already he'd proven his weakness, and his mission had been completed. He knew he couldn't dawdle any longer, but he wouldn't leave Sunniva behind. He would have to take her to the nearest cloister of Adhara.
He sat beside the bed with a tray of food on his lap. "We have to leave soon," he whispered. "Kit and her mother are still asleep. We shouldn't wake them."
The stirring woke her and Sunniva rolled onto her side, contemplating a moment to just curl back into the warm body beside hers and pretend her life and world didn't exist. It was oddly disappointing when that wasn't going to happen. She knew it wouldn't. Emotional ties were bad, she knew that. Sunniva sat up and had pulled her clothing back on quickly, fixing her gown and moving her clothing until it felt natural and comfortable.
They had to leave soon and Sunniva nodded.
Yes. They'd delayed too long. Got distracted by primal inappropriate things.
"It's time to stop playing pretend," She said, mostly for herself but loud enough for Mercuxio to hear and she smoothed her hair back until it looked presentable a quick braid. Sunniva didn't want to stop playing pretend and she hated how her chest ached at the idea. Selfish. Stupid and selfish and she deserved the pain. "We should make haste," She nodded in agreement, "You lead," She teased softly, "I will follow."
Back to basics, and the intention with which they met in the first place. He was a Confessor, and she a White Lily, both bound by duty to the Church, and to the Orders by which they stood. With the mage dead that they were both after, all they had to do was get back home.
Mercuxio nodded to her and finished getting himself ready. It was still dark when they left by horse. Titus had gone restless with being cooped up for so long, and with it, they rode off into the dark, through the trees and spraying mud everywhere at the horse's speed. Mercuxio would follow the road until it broke off in a small copse of trees, and there they crossed a field, covered in an ever thickening forest.
There was a Chapel not far from here. A White Lily sanctuary no less.
The time for playing pretend was at an end and Sunniva squared her shoulders.
Chin held high despite her blindness.
"We're never going to meet again, Are we?" It wasn't a question, so much as it was a statement. Why would they ever meet? What would be the occasion? Sunniva didn't know how she felt about that. Saddened, to be sure. She'd found a strange companion in Mercuxio, someone who... Showed her things she never really should have experienced.
Set a flame to something Sunniva hadn't even known had a wick to light.
"It will be odd, to be cloistered again," She shook her head, "I'll have to report my guard. They're what got me into this mess," A shake of her head, so much work to do in the future. "Thank you, Mercuxio, for all you've done. I imagine you'll have me dropped off soon, yes?"
"Yeah, we'll have to part soon," he murmured. He felt empty inside at having said it, but there was no use in dwelling on it. They had met by some turning of fate, they were alive, and they were mostly well. Merric would not admit it, but he would miss her. And hoped that if they ever did meet again, it would be under better circumstances.
He stopped just before the turn into path that would take them to the cloister. "Sunniva," he murmured. "Thank you. I'm glad to have met you... You saved my life as much as I've saved yours. You'll be all right." He leaned in and gently kissed her cheek before turning down the road to the chapel, where they were met by nuns.
Sunniva chuckled.
"Of course I'll be all right, that was never in question," She smiled, gave a pretty blush at the kiss to her cheek and... Breathed. Her chest felt tight. She'd enjoyed her foray into humanity. The few moments where she wasn't a slave to the church and her status. The secret would remain and she ducked her head down after a moment.
No doubt she was a sight.
Would they even recognize her?
Probably.
"I'll miss how you say my name," She finally whispered, looking a little grim. How many people actually said her name? Not many. Mistress. My Lady. Lady Avarali. White Lily. Adhara. Swallowing, she kept her head down and turned it slightly at the sounds of the nuns speaking.
"I'll need help getting off the horse," She decided, wanting to extend the goodbye for as long as she could. Perhaps one of the only people to ever find her to be human as well and she took a deep breath and waited, "Then you can see me off to the nuns. No doubt I'll be scrubbed clean and dressed in whites," Sunniva found she quite missed her hoods.
Mercuxio wouldn't be so cold as to simply leave her. Even if he wanted to, even if it would be for the best. Any further lingering would simply prolong the ache. He'd learn to call her his friend, one of the few he actually had in this world that knew him for all of who he was.
He was pained at the thought of losing it.
He helped her down from the saddle, smiling down at her and embracing her gently and tightly to him. Just as the nuns approached them, he let go and walked with Sunniva toward the Rectory. "I just want to make sure she's all right," he said.
"Father, you can't come here. Men are not allowed within the cloister if they are not in prayer. We will take care of Lady Avarali from here," Sister Sarai said.
The warmth lingered from the embrace and when he guided her to her fate.
Sunniva let out a shaky sigh, head ducked down.
"I'll be fine, Father," Sunniva said gently, reaching for his forearm to give it a squeeze, "Thank you for all you've done for me. Tell Titus goodbye and I hope to meet him some day again soon," She smiled and was slowly guided away, her fingers not leaving Mercuxio's arm until she was too far away to reach. Sunniva's chest ached and she quickly moved her hand to her neck, hating the strange hollow feeling there. They were never going to meet again and it pained her to think, but it was probably for the best.
Finally, at the last minute she turned around, smiling sadly and waving "Good luck on your journey, I wish every happiness to your future!"
"Farewell, Lady Avarali," Mercuxio waved back. He watched her for a time as they dragged her off. He felt something churning inside of him, a waning feeling that made his chest ache.
He moved back to Titus and mounted the horse. Although the animal seemed reluctant to move. "I know ol' boy. You want some rest too. We'll find some respite soon. I promise you." He turned the horse and directed him back out of the gates, which were promptly shut behind him.
[COMPLETE]