Spirits of the Earth

Einin tried on several dresses before she settled on The One, a pretty dress done in white and violet, that came off the shoulders and showed just a hint of cleavage. Or, well, it would have if she'd had much to show, but her bodice did give it its best effort. Still, she liked the design, and it would work for a day wandering around outside. The material wasn't too heavy, and the sleeves ended at her elbows, so they wouldn't get caught on anything. Perfect faire garb, she thought!

But as she looked at herself in her mirror, she wondered if, maybe, she should change. She reached up and tugged the sleeves up to cover her shoulders, then pushed them back down, frowning as she compared. Too much? Was her neckline too low? It wasn't as low-cut as the dress she'd worn to the ball, but she still wondered at her choice. Argh! Why was she even concerned about that? It was a nice day out! It would be nice to feel the sun on her skin, and there was nothing wrong with that!

She checked her hair one final time, though she was sure it wouldn't stay in place long, for it was a little breezy out. She had spent most of her time debating what to do with her hair, whether she should pull it up and out of the way or wear it down, and had finally settled on wearing it down and loose, with a few locks pulled back into a single braid that trailed down the center. It was a simple style that had taken more time to decide on than to execute, but she thought it looked nice. Not too flashy, but not too plain, either.

Not that she cared about that or anything, of course!

"This must be a very special faire," her handmaiden commented as Einin fussed at her vanity, entering the room to collect her linens. She had finished Einin's hair half an hour ago, and looked amused to see her still debating. "I don't think I've ever seen you take so long."

"What? No way. I've taken this long before..." Einin said as she put on a simple necklace. Too much for a faire outing? She took the necklace back off. "And it hasn't been that long. I just haven't been to a faire in a while. I don't want to over or under-dress, you know. How do I look?"

"Like a lady that's going to be late if she doesn't hurry!" her handmaiden told her, and when Einin snorted, she added with a smile, "You look lovely. Now go! Master Handelaar is waiting downstairs."

"He is? How long has he been here?" Einin's pulse quickened, and she told herself it was because she didn't expect him here yet.

"I'm not sure, dear. I just glimpsed him when I was coming back here."

Einin fiddled with a lock of hair, then tossed it over her shoulder and grabbed her handbag. "Guess I better not keep him waiting, then," she said, and rolled her shoulders back like she was preparing to march into battle. Heading out her room, she trotted down the stairs, heading  over to where he was and smacking him lightly on the arm with her bag in greeting.

"About time you showed."

Ryk Handelaar, wealthy merchant, knew exactly what he'd wear. It was the same thing he wore every day. The only difference would be the color of his vest and the matching color trim on his coat. He had chosen purple for today, and the color stood out beautifully against his white shirtsleeves. He pulled on his coat, and straightened his cravat, hiding any evidence of the white shirt beneath. Down his stairs he went at a trot, and out the front door to the prepared carriage. He enjoyed the ride from his merchant estate to the Noble Beirne manor.

It was not a long ride, and as they pulled up, a Beirne servant was waiting to open his coach and welcome him inside. Lord Beirne was thrilled to see Ryk, and came to chat, shaking his hand vigorously, discussing a little business. He also mentioned that the Beirne's were going to be at the festival themselves, after all Lord Beirne had been one of the man proponents of the idea. Ryk had masterfully manipulated several nobles into 'coming up with' the idea. His Wolves would line their pockets, and the people of the city would get a reprieve from their daily lives.

Lady Beirne came to usher her husband away, wishing Master Handelaar a good morning, just as lovely Einin was descending the stairs. Ryk caught sight of her from the corner of his eye, and turned to watch her descend. She did it with little grace of a lady, seeming more rushed than she need to be, but still she was beautiful. His eyes did not leave her once as she came down the stairs. She greeted him in her usual rough fashion, never one to over sell being a lady, hitting him with a little purse.

"It seems to me that I am right on time," Ryk said with a smile, "and you are looking very lovely Lady Beirne. I would wait eternity for one such as you to grace me with her beauty. Are you ready to depart m'lady?" He offered Einin his arm in a very gentlemanly way, inclining his head toward the door.

"Uh huh," Einin said with a grin, taking his arm. "I'm sure it wouldn't be a lonely eternity, considering you could wait at the Lech. As for me? Of course I'm ready. I've been ready."

He didn't need to know about all her last minute adjustments.

Looking up at him as they headed out the door, she arched an eyebrow when she got a better look at his attire. Purple trim? No way. He couldn't have known.

"We match," she said, blinking. "That's a funny coincidence."

"Indeed it is," Ryk replied, "did you have someone spy on me and see what vest and coat I set out last night? I did choose this last night after all." He gave Einin a small smile. The chances were she's wear pink or lavender or another soft, feminine color. Purple was a safe choice to match any of them. "I'm just glad you didn't wear orange or yellow, we wouldn't have matched at all then."

Einin made a face. "Ew, no! Orange and yellow look terrible on me," she said. "Makes me look jaundiced."

Tossing her bangs out of her eyes, she lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "Anyway, yes, you caught me red-handed. You now know my secret! I sent a little bird to spy on you because I desperately wanted to match you, because...I don't know, just because! I am deeply invested in your fashion choices and planned this down to the thread and totally didn't just decide on this dress last minute."

Ryk guided Einin down her front steps to the waiting carriage. Her servant closed the door for them after they had entered and taken their seats. Ryk then reached for her hand, taking it lightly in his.

"I am pleasantly surprised that you went out of your way to look so gorgeous for me," he brushed the back of her hand with his lips, "I am truly honored by the display. You are a wondrous sight to behold." He released her as they began moving and he looked out the window to be sure they were headed down the route he had specified the driver take.

"I was out late on business, and so I chose sleep over breakfast today," he turned to her smiling, "I hope you don't mind a stop at a bakery. They have the most delicious sweet breads, and pudding filled rolls. I would love for you to try one. This whole day is at my expense by the way. I see you brought a purse, but I will not have you pay for a thing. A lady never pays when a gentleman calls on her."

Taking her hand back, Einin folded her hands in her lap and looked past him, out the window at the scenery rolling by. She tried to will herself not to blush, but that was a skill she had yet to master, and she hated how her face betrayed her. "I dressed for me," she muttered, but even as she said it, she felt like she had been caught in a lie. She just wanted to look decent, was all. Nothing wrong with that!

She had just begun to notice that the route they were taking was not the direct route to the faire when Ryk spoke up, and she couldn't help but perk at the word 'bakery'. Oh yeah. One would never find her turning that down! And then, at the announcement that this day was on him...

"Is it? Oh, good!" Einin said with a shit-eating grin, and opened her purse to show that it was empty, save for a comb and a pocket mirror. "That works out fabulously, because I didn't bring any money! I sort of figured I could weasel stuff out of you, and besides..."

She swung the little handbag by the strap, twirling it on two fingers. "...it's pretty foolish, in general, to carry money in such an obvious place, don't you think?"

"Yes," Ryk said with a smile, "it is a foolish place to keep coin, but ladies tend to do it anyway. You could easily handle a purse snatcher though, so it would not be as foolish for you." He reached into his vest then and pulled out a finely crafted dagger, with a polished hilt that would fit perfect in Einin's hand. It was in a leather sheath, on a very short strap.

"This is for you," he pulled the dagger out to show it to her, then placed it back in it's holster. "It goes on your thigh, for when you cannot carry your sword, such as today. If you lift your skirts, I will put on just above your knee. Then you can adjust to a better height, where you likely prefer I not place my hands." His grin was crooked then, a sleight touch of his lecherous charm slipping through. Of course that was completely intended. He made it very clear, every day, that he found her beautiful and wanted to put his hands on her for more than just her training.

"Well?"

"Uh..." Einin stared at Ryk, then at the dagger, and then back at him, and for a moment she couldn't respond, because a very intrusive thought slipped through--curiosity over what it would feel like if he touched her. The thought came unbidden, startling her, and she let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding and quickly shook her head. Her eyes dropped back to the dagger as though afraid he could read her thoughts.

"Er, that's...that quite alright. I'm pretty sure I can handle that! Though, uh, thanks for the dagger," she said, and held her hand out for it.

Ryk handed it over without complaint. His grin quirked a bit as he shrugged at Einin's decision to put the dagger in place on her own. Maneuvering the dagger into place on her own very well might give him a peek at her under garments, and those would be a clue to how far he could push the boundaries today. A lady only wore pretty undergarments if she intended them to be seen. The more lace, the better his chances. But she better move quickly, as they would be at the bakery shortly, and it would not do to have anyone see her with her skirts hiked up. Even if he was sitting across from her when they spied her that way. Or perhaps especially if he was sitting across from her when they spied her that way.

Taking the dagger, Einin set it on the seat beside her, threw Ryk a look. "Look away, will you?" she said, and twisted her body so the side as best as she could before she pulled her skirts up to the knee. She fiddled with her dress to try to carefully arrange it so nothing else flashed, though it still felt...immodest...to be showing off so much leg, and because of that, she hurried.

Well, hurried as much as she could. It wasn't exactly easy strapping on a dagger when she was trying to expose as little as possible and her skirts kept wanting to fall back down (the bumpy carriage ride was not helping). Worse, when she glanced out the window get an idea of where they were, she saw the bakery approaching.

Which meant her choices were, hurry up! Or...be left holding a dagger she really shouldn't have her hands on.

She chose to hurry, lifting her skirt up a little higher and quickly strapping the dagger on, then tugging it up higher as she tried to find a position where the sheathed blade would rest comfortably along her thigh without hitting her knee. Glancing at Ryk, she fixed her skirts again and then tried to adjust it through her skirts, because it needed to go near her upper thigh, and there was just no great way to do that without showing a lot more than she wanted to. But the carriage was slowing, and she was growing flustered, because her attempts at not showing anything were just slowing her down. With a curse under her breath--she did not want to be caught like this, either!--she finally gave into frustration and yanked her skirt to her upper thigh, quickly buckled the straps, and then yanked them back down again.

"Bloody hell! That didn't have to be that difficult!" she grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest and looking anywhere but at Ryk.

If he had been paying attention, he could have easily gotten a peek of her shorter shift, which she had tried to keep hidden, but which had inevitably flashed. And it was, indeed, trimmed with pink lace.

From his careful peripheral vision observation of the squirming, and struggling Einin went through to position the dagger without showing off her lovely legs, which she showed off gloriously, Ryk caught sight of her pink lace slip. Even slightly sexy undergarments like that one were designed to make a woman feel good about a man seeing her in it. Her frustration with the struggle led to a bit of colorful language, and his smile grew at such unladylike behavior.

"Such a pretty mouth can form such foul words? I am amazed at your many talents," his smile grew a bit more innocent as he looked her over. Her skirts were slightly disheveled, but nothing a bit of standing up wouldn't fix. Luckily the carriage had arrived at their destination. Ryk opened the door and stepped out, offering his hand to the young Lady Beirne.

"The bakery awaits my dear."

Einin took Ryk's hand and hopped down out of the carriage. She rolled her eyes at him, grinning. "Oh, c'mon. Like you haven't heard worse from me," she said, and gave her skirts a little shake to fix them. It was true; her language could get quite colorful during training, provided it was just the two of them. Frustration brought it out of her as readily as stubbed toes, but she still didn't like swearing if her parents were around.

As they headed for the bakery, she took in a deep breath, and the wonderful smells of fresh-baked bread and sweets filled her nose and made her belly rumble. "I don't know how I've never been here before," she said, taking another deep breath. "But this? Makes me really glad I tied my bodice looser. Beat you there!"

Releasing Ryk's arm, she lifted her skirts and trotted along past him, racing for the door.

Ryk watched Einin race past and jogged after, watching to catch glimpses of her stockinged legs. They had such a lovely shape, and led to such a lovely rump. She beat him to the door, as he was not trying to win, but getting there just behind her, he reached for the handle, pulling it open for her in a chivalrous manner.

"After you gorgeous," Ryk smiled and gave Einin a polite bow before she entered. Was that extra color in her cheeks he noticed? As Ryk entered behind Einin, the baker looked up from the dough he was kneading, and greeted them with a wide smile and a wave.

"Welcome back Master Handelaar," the baker said, quite pleased to see Ryk enter, "such a lovely guest you've brought me this morning." The baker directed his next comment to Einin, "he's come once a week, at least, for the past several years, and never brought a companion." He pounded his fist a few more times into the mix before abandoning it to come to the front counter.

"What can I get for the both of you today?"

Einin had been about to gloat over her "victory" when Ryk opened the door for her--and, indeed, her cheeks did warm at the compliment. Hoping he wouldn't notice, Einin turned and bolted inside, once again feeling strangely off balance. Of course, compliments did have that effect; they left her feeling awkward on a normal day, but coming from Ryk lately, they left her feeling even more flustered.

It was just how he was, though, right? Lecherous and flirtatious? Trying to get a rise out of her? But it didn't mean anything, right?

Except when the baker mentioned she was the first person Ryk had brought here before, despite being a regular...

"Never...?" she repeated, that familiar nervous flutter returning. She glanced over at Ryk, then looked away just as quickly, and when the baker cleared his throat, she abruptly realized she'd just sort of been standing there dumbly.

Right. He'd asked a question!

"Oh! Ah, do you have any cherry tarts?"

"Cherries are only just coming into season, and are a bit expensive," the baker began, "however, I received a crate of them in the wee hours of the morning as I was just arriving. They came with a note asking that I prepare some cherry tarts in honor of the festival." The baker finished relaying the story with an authentic belly laugh, that shook through to his core. "Perhaps someone knew you were a fan?"

The Baker winked at Einin, giving the clear message that he knew the cherries had come from Ryk. He went to the back to fetch a tray, and brought some tarts to the front. Some were only minutes old, wafting their hot scents up into the air, mixing with, then overpowering, th smell of sweet custard, and lemon.

"I have replaced the usual almond flavored cream with a plain sweet cream, and I have a few variations," the baker set the cooling tray on a rack on the counter for Einin to see. The little tarts were just big enough for two bites. All of the pretty little crusts were filled with cherries but they were styled and decorated in a myriad of ways. Some were sprinkled with sugar, some drizzled with chocolate, others swimming in a red -likely cherry- syrup. It didn't stop there. The crusts were hand crafted into different shapes. Stars, hearts, flowers, suns, and different geometrical shapes.

"You can have two, on me," the baker said with a smile, "one for being the first guest of Master Handelaar, and one for being so beautiful."

Einin's cheeks were nearly as bright as the cherries in the tarts, for the message in that wink was clear, and it set her head spinning. This had all been planned! Meticulously, at that! And that Ryk had managed to be observant enough to suss out, and remember, one of her favorite fruits (her other being peaches) just for this? How long had he been thinking about this?

That had to cost a lot, too!

"What a merry coincidence," she said, forcing her voice to steadiness and pointedly not looking at Ryk, because her heart was beating fast and she wasn't sure what her face might betray. All the things he'd given her over the last week or so. All the little jokes about her falling in love with him, or about wanting to marry her. All the touches, too, but she had convinced herself he was just trying to get a rise out of her, but that kiss...and now, a crate of cherries for tarts, and bringing her where he'd brought no one else.

She swallowed, staring at the fresh tray of tarts laid out before her but hardly seeing them.

Were those just jokes?

"These are all really lovely," she finally managed to say, forcing herself back to the present as the smells hit her nose. "I...wow. Thank you. They really look amazing, it's so hard to choose! Ah...I think...hmm...this one--" She pointed to a sun-shaped one drizzled with chocolate. "--and this one." She pointed to a flower-shaped one covered in the red syrup.

The baker reached down as Einin pointed, and plucked each of the tarts she indicated from the tray. He handed them to her with beeswax coated, gossamer thin paper. After she had taken them he waited expectantly for her to try one, but Ryk spoke up first.

"Fill one of your paper trays with an assortment of them," Ryk told the baker, "and I'd like my usual vanilla custard filled, maple éclair." Ryk put twice the coin of what he'd requested on the counter along with an additional order slip for delivery to his home. The Baker scooped the money into a drawer before heading off to grab the éclair and a stiff paper tray with a raised lip around it.

The baker handed the éclair to Ryk in the same paper and he immediately took a large bite of it. The smile that spread across his face and the sigh of pleasure were distinct signs pointing to the quality of the pastry. The baker loaded the tray with a tightly fit thirteen tarts, which he handed to Ryk, whose hands were now empty as he finished the delicious treat for breakfast.

"That was delicious. I'll have another sir."

As the baker returned again with another pastry for Ryk. The morning rush of patrons began to flow in, and the bakers two assistants walked in from whatever task they'd been at in the back.

"Good luck keeping up with the crowds from the festival," Ryk waved a farewell to the baker, who nodded and quickly returned to his dough. "Well we should be off before it gets too crammed in here to move," he said to Einin, pointing toward the door with his confection. "Shall we?"

Eager to try them out, for Einin hadn't had cherry anything since they'd last been in season, she had just taken a bite of the syrup-covered one when Ryk ordered a tray of them packed up.

She almost choked, but for the sake of both herself and the baker, she swallowed it down. It was delicious, the perfect combination of sweet and tangy, and if Ryk was buying those for her...gods, he was spoiling her! Not that she was complaining, but this whole situation was more than even she had expected.

"This is fantastic, thank you! By far the best tart I've tasted," she said, and nearly finished it off with another large bite before she remembered that she was in noblewoman mode right now. So she took a smaller bite, holding the tart daintily with her fingers over the paper in case it dripped, and nodded a goodbye to the baker (for her mouth was full!) as the crowds pressed in and Ryk directed them to leave.

"Mhmm!" she answered, licking syrup from her fingers as her other hand held the second paper-wrapped tart. So much for being all noblewomanly. Heading for the door, she skirted around the milling crowd and waited for Ryk to get the door for her before she stepped outside.

As she headed for the carriage, she took a bite of her second tart. "Clearly, you must like your women fat," she said around the tart, eyes closing in pleasure. "Because as you should be aware, those tarts won't last long in my vicinity. You better hide them!"

Ryk grinned internally at Einin's unconscious, and likely unintentional, encouragement to pursue her. He did not like his women fat though. There was little doubt in his mind that that would be a problem though, when he took a look at her mother. Lady Beirne was nowhere as gorgeous as her daughter, but she was decently thin and attractive for a woman of her age.

"I hope you'll be eating them," Ryk said with a grin in his voice, "I'm not the biggest fan of cherry. I'll have one or two, but I much prefer peaches and strawberries."

As they approached the carriage, the attendant opened the door for Einin. Before following her in he stopped to offer a tart to the man. "Have a tart," Ryk said, "and take one to the coachman."

After entering behind his beautiful prey, he sat and offered her the tray of tarts.

"I can think of plenty of ways to make sure you get all the exercise you need to stay fit. Many of which are fun or pleasurable."

With her second tart finished off and her fingers licked clean, Einin took a seat in the carriage and carefully arranged her skirts so they didn't get all bunched up. When she looked back up again, Ryk was offering her the tarts.

Gods, her weakness, revealed!

"Didn't I tell you to hide these?" she laughed as she selected a third tart, trying the one she hadn't tried yet--the simple one sprinkled with powered sugar. His comment about exercise earned him an odd look, head tilted and brow furrowed.

"Huh, really? Because I can't think of any," Einin said as she took a bite of tart, his comment flying over her head. "Your drills always leave me sore and bruised. They're useful, yes. And I do enjoy them! But I wouldn't exactly call it pleasurable. Though, on second thought, I suppose they are..." She took another large bite to finish it off, and swallowed before speaking again. "In an abstract way. The pleasure is in the progress!"

Ryk was finishing his éclair as Einin ate her third tart. Powdered sugar dusted across her lips, and he languidly reached across, lifting the sugar away with his finger. He put the finger in his mouth, sucking away the sweet white dust, and gave Einin a crooked grin.

"I was thinking of other exercise," he said with humor in his voice, "something with equal vigor and less clothing. One of my favorite activities, that I hope to share with you soon." He finished by popping an entire tart in his mouth, and licking the syrup that had dripped onto his lower lip.

Einin couldn't help but watch, transfixed, as Ryk sucked away the sugar, and she licked her lips where he'd touched--an unconscious action--as she felt her blood growing hotter. Oh dear. That was...not right. Not right at all.

His comment was even worse, and it soon had her staring at him, mouth dropping open though no sound came out. What did you even say to something like that?!

"Oh." Einin's voice came out small and breathless, her eyes wide and skin flushed. Then, as though remembering herself, she kicked his shin. "You're going to have to keep hoping, Handelaar!" she snapped, and scooted toward the window, folding her arms and turning her body so she could look out it. "Because that is never happening. Our engagement is to be fake, remember?"

But window or not, she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, and couldn't help but wonder how he made such a simple gesture look so alluring, or why his words made her heart race.

"Ouch," Ryk rubbed his shin, and feigned ignorance expertly. "I don't understand why swimming, is so forbidden," he said to Einin, with a confused expression. "Or what it has to do with our future engagement." He picked up a cherry tart with chocolate and bit the thing in half. Swallowing the mix of sweet cherry and chocolate, Ryk continued his well performed charade.

"I have a small pond on my property, and I was hoping you'd join me for a swim in a few days," he said kindly, with a warm smile. "How does that sound to you m'lady?" He popped the other half of the tart in his mouth and began to chew as he waited for the magic of his performance to melt her ice away.

"...Sw...swimming...?" Einin repeated, turning slowly to stare at Ryk in horror. "You were talking about...about swimming?"

With a groan, she sank her face into her hands as though if she couldn't see Ryk, she was invisible to him, too. Sweet mother of Kia, where was her mind?! When the hell had it started drifting there?! And why? It was all his fault, clearly, but she didn't know how to blame him for this one--looking back, nothing he said was dirty.

It was all her, and that was the horrifying part.

"I think that could be arranged," she mumbled into her hands, massaging her temples. "Though I'm not much good at it."

Ryk smiled wide at Einin, "Well then Lady Beirne, it would be my pleasure to help you improve," he placed a hand on her chin, coaxing her to look at him. "It will be good for Owl to be a strong swimmer. You never know what sort of situations you'll end up in." He released her chin placing his fingertips higher on her cheek, only just lightly. "I imagine you look most fetching in swimming attire," he flashed her a sweet smile as he slowly brought his hand back to his lap. His attention returned to the tray of tarts, and he nudged it in her direction.

"Enjoy another, but save room. There will be many things to eat and drink at the festival."

Coaxed to look up at Ryk, Einin lowered her hands and smiled sheepishly. He had a good point. So the swimming would be more training then, really. That made sense. Very practical! It would be pretty horrible if a situation required a speedy escape across a river and she drowned or something, which would be her luck, because she hadn't gotten to swim much at all. In fact, she couldn't think of the last time she'd been in a body of water deeper than her bath tub.

"I'll have to buy swimming attire," Einin said, aware of his fingers on her cheek but trying hard not to respond. It was easier to think when he withdrew his hand--but also not really, because in mentioning swimming attire, she had realized that meant he would be in swimming attire, too--and if the cut of his clothes were anything to go by...

Einin grabbed another tart and took a bite, needing a distraction now. "Last one! Take them away!" she said, and waved her hand at the tray with a laugh. "I hope you're not opposed to carrying me again, because at this rate I may end up eating until I'm sick. Tomorrow's lesson better be extra strenuous to make up for the damage I plan on doing today!"

Ryk gave Einin another charming smile.

"It was my pleasure to carry you," he informed her, "but I doubt you lack the self control to keep yourself from getting sick." As he spoke the words the carriage began to slow and the sounds of the festival were nearly upon them. Finally coming to a complete stop, the attendant opened the door for Ryk and Einin.

"After you m'lady," Ryk gestured for her to exit, and upon following her out, found that the faire was in full swing earlier than he expected. The profits would be excellent.

Ryk brought out the tray of tarts and handed it to his attendant. "Share the remainder with the coachman, and then see the festival." He gave the attendant a platinum coin, and then spun one to the coachman as well. "I'll return shortly before sundown. If I need you sooner, someone will find you for me I'm sure."

He turned back to Einin, checking to see if anything had caught her eye yet.

Something had, indeed, caught her eye.

While Ryk was addressing the coachman, Einin looked around at the sights around her--and then gasped, a grin breaking out across her face. "Oh! Ryk, look!"

Without waiting for him, or looking to see if he was following, she lifted her skirts and took off through the crowd.

Her quick sprint ended at a low fenced-in area arranged into a little obstacle course, ending in a corral. A corral containing five young pigs, of different colors, from pink to black-speckled. Leaning her arms on the fence, Einin peered in at them. Pig races! They had pig races! How adorable!

Pig races? Pig races. Ryk walked over to meet Einin at the fence. He looked in at the obstacle course and the penned swine.

"This really appeals to you?" he asked her, "I thought the exploitation of poor helpless creatures such as these would offend your sensibilities." He motioned to the clerk to come over.

"What are the odds?" Ryk asked the scribe. The man looked over his notes and rattled off the numbers to Ryk in quick succession. Ryk placed his bet, handing a few gold coins to the man in exchange for a writ.

"Einin, sweetheart, which porker you wanna bet on?"

Turning to look at Ryk, Einin snorted and rolled her eyes. Leaning in closer to him with her hand up near her mouth, she kept her voice low, as though afraid the pigs might hear.

"Ryk, I save people. I eat pig," she told him flatly, and glanced at the pigs after she had said it, then back at him. "Though these ones are really cute! This seems like it'd be much more fun for them than just laying around in mud all day! And who knows, maybe it keeps them lean enough to skip the butcher. So really, contributing is just helping them!"

Leaning further over the railing, she reached a hand down and laughed when a wet, muddy nose pressed into her hand. "Oh, gross! But aw, you're so cute I don't even care! Ryk, I'll take this one," she said, pointing to the one that had gotten her hand muddy, the black spotted pig.

She hadn't paid attention to the odds, but winning didn't really matter to her.

The clerk and Ryk gave each other a knowing look, and Ryk even laughed a bit. He handed the man a single gold coin, and the writ he gave Ryk, Ryk in turn handed to Einin, along with a purple handkerchief.

"I bet that your pig would place above third," he told her, " that way you have some chance of winning. Even so it'll be a big payout. Your pig has never placed. His odds are a thousand to one that he'll get first, a hundred to one that he'll get above third."

Ryk looked down at the milling pigs. The one he'd bet on stood aside from the others, solid pink. It was the sure win. His four gold coins would turn into twelve when it won. If Einin's pig placed, the one coin would turn into a hundred, a thousand if it somehow managed to win. Too bad the stall wasn't one that belonged to the Soot Wolves. He could have the game, the numbers rigged, so that she'd win. The elation of winning would put her in a good place. A malleable place.

"The race will begin shortly," Ryk offered his arm to Einin, "perhaps we should find a better place to watch from?"

Taking the handkerchief, Einin cleaned off her hand. That done, she placed her hand on Ryk's arm. "He's never placed, but that doesn't mean he won't!" she said with a grin and a dismissive wave of her free hand.

"Odds, schmods. Someone's got to root for the underdog! Or...underpig, as it were. Maybe he's never placed before because no one's believed in him. He just needs a little encouragement, like anyone else."

Looking around the area, she pointed toward the bales of hay that had been set out to serve as seats. "How about there?" she said, and before he could answer, Einin tugged him along, and once there, she let go of his arm. Instead of sitting on  a bale, though, she climbed up and stood on it. It was a better view that way; she could see the whole track without someone's head getting in her way.

"The view's good from here."

Ryk smiled up at Einin as she stood on the hay. Here they were, at pig races, surrounded by people of lower class. There was an area set aside for the highborn, and the rich, but she hadn't even noticed. She just wanted a good view to watch her pig from. He climbed up beside her, supplying her hand should she need it to keep her balance as she craned her neck. The race would begin shortly so he checked his writ one last time. He'd bet on I Win So They Won't Eat Me. The pig had lost very few races, usually placing at least second in those. Einin's porker was Bacon Is Delicious. He hoped that the creature could finally pull off top three. Einin would be walking on air if her hammy won her a purse of gold. Happy girls were less suspicious of a mans motives. He silently sent a prayer to Kia, though he didn't actually believe in that religious mumbo jumbo.

"Keep your eye on Bacon Is Delicious," he told Einin, pointing to her pig. He watched from his perch, as the race announcer called out that the race was about to begin. The pigs were pushed into their starting boxes, and when the starting bell was rung, the pigs were set loose to run through the course.

"Bacon Is Delicious? That's his name?" Einin said, making a face. "That's just wrong. A pig, named Bacon Is Delicious. Isn't that like cannibalism?"

But she turned to watch, keeping her eyes on her chosen hog, and raised up onto her toes to get a better look. Without even thinking about it, she grabbed onto Ryk's forearm for balance. "I've never actually done this before," she said, and laughed. "I know they're just pigs, but this is oddly exciting! My mother would never go for this. Gambling and all that. Not to mention the smell. I've been to the faire so many times, but I never really got to do the...ah...the common things, I guess you could say."

Her smile turned sheepish. "I kind of always wanted to do this."

And then the bell rung, and the pigs were off, running as fast as their short little legs would take them.

"Ah! Look at them go! I never knew they were so fast!" Einin exclaimed, and bounced in place, cupping her free hand to her mouth. "Go Bacon! You can do it! Go, go, go! Faster, so you don't become bacon!"

Two of the five fell back, apparently finding something edible on the track, leaving I Win So They Won't Eat Me, What A Ham, and Bacon Is Delicious in the running. Though Bacon was last, he was certainly giving it his best effort, and soon he started to catch up to What A Ham.

"Look at him! What did I tell you? Always go with the underdog! Hurry, Bacon! You're almost there!"

Pigs are pretty intelligent creatures, and as they ran along through the course, their intelligence was apparent. The course was cleaned before each race to ensure that the pigs wouldn't get distracted. Pigs weren't just smart though, they were better at sniffing things out than a bloodhound. The two pigs stopped and started sniffing about, and when they found something they started to shove at each other to get at it. The thing they'd found was a rat, a live rat. That rat, when getting attacked by pigs, decided to abandon its hiding place and run.

Lucky for Bacon is Delicious, the rat ran the wrong way, thus drawing those two pigs away. Pigs were weird. Why they wanted to eat a live rat was anybodies guess. Fact was that now Bacon is Delicious was going to get at least third place. That was a hundred coin purse. He smiled inwardly at that. Einin would be thrilled. I Win So They Won't Eat Me was so far out in front, it didn't matter to him that Bacon is delicious was over taking What A Ham. He watched in silence as Einin's under dog sped past the other pig. His pig crossed the finish, most of the crowd cheering at the win that everyone knew was coming. A few people were distraught at their loses, but when Bacon is Delicious crossed second, Ryk looked over to watch Einin's reaction.

"YES!"

Einin threw both fists in the air and did a little hop--and just about lost her footing on the bale. With a gasp, she grabbed onto Ryk's arm again and laughed, delighted, and bounced in place while squeezing him tightly. Turning to look up at him, she positively glowed with excitement.

"A hundred to one and he got not only third, but second! What did I tell you? He just needed encouragement! Didn't I say that? Hey, I should do this more often! I'm not half bad at this gambling thing, even if I'm using your money to do it! We should find something else to bet on! Wait. I won. I get money for that, don't I?"

She blinked at that, looking oddly surprised, even though it seemed obvious. And it was obvious, sure! It was just, with odds of a hundred to one, that would have to be a fat amount of coin.

And while Einin was wealthy, her parents controlled the money.

Ryk smiled at her excitement. It seemed Einin belonged among the common people. She expressed herself without holding back. His goal may be to seduce her and trick her into loving him, but he found it very likely that he would care deeply for her. It was too bad that right now it was just business, though bedding her would definitely be a pleasure. He stepped off the bail and turned, offering her a hand down.

"Indeed, you've won," he smiled up at her, "come now and we'll get your winnings. I will only take the one coin I fronted you, but I still insist on paying for the date. The ninety-nine gold coins are yours for another day. I won twelve gold when my pig crossed first. Not as fine as your winnings, but I tend to make the safest bets."

Still smiling, Einin took Ryk's hand and hopped down. "Oh, you can take more than that! Since it was your money that won me that, and since you are paying for..."

She trailed off, something clicking in her mind then.

"Back up. Did you just call this a date?"

Ryk smiled that smile that you give a child that's just figured out something simple they'd been struggling with. He hadn't realized she didn't know this was a date. When a handsome, wealthy man, asks a young woman to accompany him to a local event, without chaperone, everyone is going to think he's courting her. Of course it was a date. Though she was supposed to be engaged, the engagement hadn't been made public yet. One would expect a young noble lady's parents to gossip and tell all their friends about their daughters secret engagement, but Ryk had attacked that problem quickly. He planted the seed of doubt, and with his frequent visits along with her training, he was sure the Beirne's were secretly hoping that their daughter would break off her engagement, and marry Arca's most eligible bachelor, Ryk Handelaar.

"Darling girl," he said to Einin, "the pleasure of escorting you at the faire will be viewed by all as a date. I feel it only appropriate that we not disappoint your adoring public." He brushed his lips across the back of her hand with a bow as she stood there before him. "Now I think we ought to collect our winnings my dear."

In retrospect, it was so obvious it hurt, but Einin hadn't been thinking like that. Ryk was her teacher, and her rival, so she had been thinking in those terms. Like this outing was just another fun adventure, like the brothel visit. Ryk had made his usual remarks then (though they had been far more lecherous, while today they were more complimentary) as he was now, so it just hadn't registered in her mind as different.

In retrospect, that was such a foolish, naive way to think.

Of course to literally everyone else in the world this was a date.

It made sense for it it be a date, too, so their engagement seemed more natural.

That nervous flutter returned when Ryk kissed her hand, but her skin tingled under his lips. It was all just pretend, though, right? All just an act?

But something deep inside told her this was dangerous territory, and that she hadn't been as careful as she thought, nor nearly as guarded as she should be. Yet she pushed it away, and ignored the warning that the line between real and pretend was perilously thin.

The quick pace of her heart was testament to that.

Kia, what was wrong with her?

"...Yes. Ah. The earnings. Of course!" Einin said, voice quieter than intended. Gripping the writ Ryk had handed her, she slipped her hand free, spotted the clerk, and turned to head toward him. She needed a little distance, just for a second, just to clear her head. And as she presented the slip to the man, he smiled, looked it over, and soon began counting coin into a little purse.

If it was time and space away from Ryk that Einin needed, she wasn't going to get it very soon. As she sped away, Ryk followed close behind. The clerk was counting out her coins when Ryk overheard something.

"We lost a lot of money because this pig broke his odds," some of the race organizers were standing around Bacon is Delicious, talking about the animals second place finish.

"Ten people bet on him placing, TEN! We're out a thousand gold. We need to make some back."

"What are the odds he'll do it again. People will bet on him more now and lose."

"And if he does miraculously win? He's not sure fire, we have to give good odds on him to draw bets. He wins and we're finished."

"Well you know we can always sell him to a butcher."

Ryk had heard enough, killing the pig because it did too well? That was ridiculous. Most of the time he wouldn't care about some animal, but pigs were smart, and Einin had bet on that very pig. He walked over to the fence near the race officials.

"Hey there," he called to the men. They paused in their conversation to look over at him. "You're gonna sell that pig? How much?"

"How much?" a fat man parroted, clearly annoyed, "we're gonna sell him to a butcher, not some spoiled noble."

Ryk Handelaar, was known for brash behavior. So when he jumped the fence, trotted through the mud, drew his sword and placed it to the mans throat, he was not afraid of the rumors that would follow. A sour grin spread across his face as the man's associates backed away slowly. Bacon is Delicious, sensing the tension ran off squealing.

"I am Ryk Handelaar, the wealthiest merchant in Arca," Ryk explained to the man, in a very calm voice, "I am not noble, and not spoiled." He pressed his short sword harder into the mans neck drawing a trickle of blood, "I was born poor and have worked hard to be as filthy rich as I am." He withdrew the blade and placed it back in its sheath. Then he reached in his vest and pulled out a sheaf. He wrote a note on it with a stick of coal and shoved it into the man's hand.

"That mark will get you five hundred gold coins upon delivery of Bacon is Delicious to my estate," he looked into the man's eyes, a very serious expression on his face. "If you fail to deliver my pig to me, I will not be pleased. You will regret crossing me." Ryk walked back through the mud to the fence and hopped over. He reached for the primper, and used it quickly, returning his clothes to their former splendor.

Einin had not overheard the exchange.

But when gasps rang out and she turned in time to see Ryk hopping the fence and putting his sword to a man's throat, she held a finger up to the clerk to signal, "One second!" before she darted to the fence and leaned on it to listen in.

What she heard perplexed her.

He...he was buying Bacon Is Delicious?

Not just buying the pig, but just about coming to blows over it! Whatever it was, it was serious enough that he'd cut the man!

Einin felt like she had missed something crucial.

When Ryk returned from that...random bit of business...Einin folded her arms over her chest, tilted her head, and arched an eyebrow at him.

"So," she said, conversational. "You just menaced a man into selling you a pig."

"Well they were going to have him butchered for nearly winning," Ryk replied to Einin as he straightened his coat, "and he called me a spoiled noble. I don't ever let an insult slide. It lets people believe you are weak."

"What? They were going to kill him? For winning? Why?" Einin shook her head, baffled--and feeling kind of guilty for betting on the pig, as though it was her fault it won. If she'd known it would be butchered for winning, she wouldn't have bet on it! "That doesn't even make any sense. Don't you want them to--? Ugh. People are so strange."

But then her expression changed, less confusion and more realization, her features softening. She put her back against the fence and leaned against it. "Speaking of strange...so...now you have a pig?" She bit her lip, fighting back sudden laughter, because the thought of Ryk buying a pig to save his pride was just...pretty damned funny.

"What are you even going to do with a pig? For that matter..." Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him, not in a glare, but as though she were studying him. "I never would have placed you as the sort that would do something like this..."

Ryk looked over at Einin, leaning on the short fence. She had a very commoner way about her. How was it that she was raised a noble lady. Her tutors must have had their hands full.

"Well the pig lost them a great deal of money by doing so well," Ryk looked into the pens and saw the men collecting Bacon is Delicious. "He probably was bet on by people that need to take risks, or those that simply thought he was cute, as you did. Regardless of why they bet, they won. Selling him to a butcher would insure they don't lose more money because of him and get some of their losses back." Ryk walked to the man that paid out the winnings and handed him his writ.

"You've never been to my estate," he stated the fact to Einin without looking over to her, "I have many animals there. I have an especially fascinating cat. You'd probably prefer my snow white fox though. They are both very popular with my visitors. B.I.Del," he said the pigs new name all together, Bidel, "will have a happy home there."

"I didn't know you kept animals."

Granted, he had never brought that up until now, and if it was common knowledge, it was very possible she had heard it mentioned--and forgotten it. Einin had known Ryk a long time through her family, and though he had intrigued her from a young age with the weapons he wore, and drawn her eye because he was attractive, it was only very recently, when she had discovered that he was Rufus, that he became truly interesting to her. Anything she'd been told about him before that fateful had more than likely been lost.

Einin tilted her head to the other side. "What's the cat like? You can't really say I'd prefer the fox if I've seen neither! Though the fox sounds really pretty. Are they tame? Ah, and you'll be careful that they don't, erm, eat Bacon--I mean, Bidel--right?"

Bidel will be very well cared for," Ryk told Einin, "he will want for nothing. That fat man that insulted me will never have meals as fine as that pig will enjoy." Ryk smiled at that. "As for the other animals, they will not harm Bidel. The dangerous ones are penned, and the fox and cat are both smaller than the pig."

The clerk counted out Ryk's twelve gold coins and handed them to him. Einin still had not received her winnings and they remained half counted in a small purse.

"Perhaps you should get your money?" Ryk smiled at Einin, "there is much left to see and do." He stepped back, giving her space to do her business with the clerk.

"The cat is very exotic," he explained, "It is striped a vibrant red with a deep almost purple color. One eye red, the other golden. When I saw her as a kitten, I just had to have her. I call her Vermelho."

"Vermelho," Einin repeated as she headed back to the clerk. "A striped cat. Is it like a...hmm...what do they call those cats that live in jungles? Tiger, I think? Is it like a smaller one of those?"

For though she'd never seen one in person, they'd appeared in some of the stories she'd read. Generally translated stories brought from other nations where, she imagined, those kinds of animals lived.

Turning back to the clerk, she signaled for him to continue, and though she watched him count, her attention was on Ryk.

"I've heard those ones are really dangerous. Is she full grown?" she asked, and then, as an afterthought, added a little more quietly, "Do you think I could see them?"

The clerk finished and Einin took the little purse he handed her.

Ryk listened to Einin, noticing the underlying excitement at his exotic animal collection. "It's just a bit larger than most domestic cats," he told her, "and most tigers are orange and black from what I hear." As Einin received the purse of coins, Ryk offered his hand in escort. "You may come to my estate any time you like for a tour. I would gladly show you the animals that live there," he gave her another pleasant smile, "and I look forward to swimming in the pond with you."

Without really thinking about it, for she was so wrapped up in the talk of exotic animals, Einin took Ryk's offered hand and walked with him. At his mention of swimming, she barked a laugh.

"Oh, you say that now," she said with a wide grin, "but that's before I drown us both because I don't know what I'm doing."

Ryk smiled at her. Einin was amazing in her ability to underestimate herself. Swimming was not the most common skill, especially for a woman, but she would learn quickly. There was also the pleasure he would get from her swimwear. She needed a tailor for it, so he would recommend one.

"I doubt that you will drown, and you will not take me down with you," he smirked at the idea. "I think I have the perfect tailor for you," he told her, "I have a tailor that makes lovely swimwear for ladies. It's based on Essyrni garb. The colors he works in will look marvelous with your skin, hair, and eyes."

Einin froze at that, stared at Ryk, and couldn't help but blush.

"Essyrni clothes? Uh. Aren't they the ones that wear sheer clothing?" She paused and gave him a flat look. "Or no clothing?"

"They are indeed the ones that wear such garments," Ryk confirmed, "but the swimwear is only based on the shape of their clothes. It doesn't use the sheer fabrics of the Essyrni. You have nothing to worry about there." He led Einin down the road toward the stalls selling various goods. "I'll send the tailor a message to go to your estate tomorrow."

"The shapes of their clothes? And, uh, are the shapes decent?" Einin asked, and then realized she wasn't wording that very well. Of course Ryk would say they were decent. He had a very different idea of decent than she did.

"It won't show much, ah...skin, I mean? No more than what's appropriate?" Kia, she hadn't even gotten fitted and she was already fretting. She had been a child the last time she'd done any swimming, and of course baring skin was different when you were young! But as an adult, she had a hard enough time showing her legs!

"Nobody but myself and some servants will see you in the scant garb," Ryk smiled warmly at her, "when you fall in love with me and we're married," he carried on, leaving Einin no time to object, "you'll bear more than a little skin." He laughed at the comment to ease any tension she might be feeling. "Don't worry so much. When you're swimming you're not supposed to wear an overabundance of clothing. Your back will be bare, as will most of your legs. Even the most modest of swimwear that's in fashion now bears the arms and legs, and many bare the midriff as well," Ryk gave Einin the most reassuring smile he had. "You, who have such an elegant, and beautiful figure should not be worried. You are such a lovely young woman."

Einin was pointedly not looking at Ryk, for her skin was on fire, clear to her ears, and the thought of exposing even that much skin to him had her heart pounding. His comments didn't help keep her mind in clean places.

"Eheh...hah...yeah," she managed to get out as he broke the tension with laughter. She risked a glance up at him, caught his reassuring look, and looked away just as quickly. Maybe this whole swimming plan wasn't a good idea. Though why was she thinking that? It was just swimming. And as he'd said, those were common fashions. Of course swimming wear would keep your legs and arms bare, otherwise the fabric would weigh you down.

Einin rubbed the back of her neck, staring at the ground as they walked. "I'm not really...worried," she said, silently squirming at the series of compliments. "I just, uh...I haven't worn so little like...ever."

"Well I'll be wearing even less than you," Ryk told Einin simply, "so you can focus on that instead of how little you're wearing, and we'll begin swimming lessons as soon as your anxiety passes." He steered her toward a booth with kites, and other paper crafts. "Would you like to browse my dear?"

That broke the tension. Einin gave Ryk a sharp nudge in the ribs. "Oh yes, because you're so distracting, and I want nothing more than to see you half naked. You're ridiculous."

She stuck her tongue out at him, then turned with a flare of her skirts to browse the table, glad to be off that awkward subject and onto something safer. It helped her calm down, and gave her mind something else to focus on--because it had been going places she wasn't so sure about, and didn't really want to think about.

Locating a colorful kite that was designed to look like a dragon, she pointed it out to Ryk. "Have you ever flown one before?"

Ryk pointed to a kite shaped like an owl, with wide wings. "I thought that would suit your tastes more than a dragon, little bird," he smiled at Einin knowingly. She loved her bird theme. "I have flown them, but not for the simple act of the flight. I used them to carry things over walls and other boundaries." Ryk turned a few paper lanterns on their hooks. "The delicate craftsmanship is astounding."

"Oh!" Turning from the dragon, Einin rushed to examine the owl. She lightly touched its wings, a genuine smile curving her lips. "I didn't even see this one! This is gorgeous..."

And she did so love owls. It would be no surprise to anyone that they were her favorite bird, which was why she chose the alias and the theme. She chose a horned owl for herself, because she thought them more intimidating, but the kite was of a snowy owl which were, admittedly, her favorite kind of owl. Ryk had guessed correctly; his white fox probably would be her favorite, for there was just something about snow-white animals.

"So you used them for messages and things? I assume nothing so intricate as these," she said, still admiring the kite. "I'd be afraid of flying something like this. It's too pretty, I'd worry about damaging it."

"Children fly kites like these, without worrying about the damage."

Ryk browsed through an assortment of other paper crafted goods. Flowers, boats, animals. They were done in varying colors and textures and sizes.

"These really are amazing. Not just for the skill to craft them, but the patience." Ryk turned to find Einin closely examining the Snowy Owl kite. "Would you like me to buy it for you? We can have it sent to your home. Then I'll show you how to attach it to your window so that it sails up in the wind."

Einin's face lit up at the offer, and she beamed a smile up at him. "Ah! I'd love it!" she said. "And I'd love that! I wouldn't have even thought to let it drift outside my window. I was just thinking about displaying it in my--oh. Er..."

Moving closer to Ryk, she cupped her hand near her mouth and leaned in close to his ear. "Uh...it just occurred to me, but, ah...that won't be too obvious, will it? If you know what I mean?"

Ryk quirked his eyebrow at Einin. Then gave her a smile as what she asked dawned on him.

"I somehow doubt," he began in an amused tone, "that a snow white paper owl kite, drifting in the wind outside the window of a young noble lady, is going to tip anyone off. The masked vigilante, is a brown, horned owl."

He turned to the stall keeper, "how much for the snowy owl, the golden fish, and the sun?"

"Three silver your lordship."

Ryk didn't bother correcting the man about his lack of a title as he counted out coins. He handed the man seven silver for the trouble he was about to request.

"Have them delivered to the Beirne estate. A gift for the young Lady Beirne." He turned away from the vendor, and back to his date. What you like to see next m'lady?"

"When you put it that way, I sound paranoid," Einin muttered with a sheepish smile. And maybe she was, a tiny bit. A masked vigilante could never be too careful about maintaining their mystique!

But soon, whatever worry she'd felt melted away when Ryk bought her not only the owl, but two others, as well. She hadn't gotten a look at them before, but as the vendor moved to pack them up, her eyes widened at the sight of them.

They were beautiful.

"Oh...whoa...thank you! Those are gorgeous," she told Ryk, and smiled up at him. "Jeez. We're not even fake-engaged and you're already spoiling me. Be careful, or I'm going to start expecting this on the regular!"

Still grinning, she grabbed his sleeve to tug him along.

"When I was heading toward the pig races, I overheard someone mention a maze," she said. "So that's where! Sounds like fun, right? And hey, could be good practice if I'm ever tossed into a giant death maze like some damsel in the stories, only I wouldn't be a damsel, I'd be the one trying to rescue the damsel that got stuck there!"

Ryk smiled at Einin's happiness. He did enjoy seeing her lips perk up into a bow, and she had such nice teeth. That was a rare quality.

"I will enjoy buying you the gits as much as you like receiving them," he followed after her as she tugged him toward the maze. "Besides, a woman as gorgeous as you deserves to be showered with gifts." Einin pulled Ryk along and her directing his movement gave him the opportunity to look around at the Scavenger Wolves around them. Business was looking good. Plenty of marks were getting taken with ease.

"As for the maze my dear. I'd happily get lost with you anywhere."

"Well, I don't plan on getting us lost!" Einin said as she tugged Ryk along, reading the signs that had been set up to guide people to the various areas. There were no words on the signs, since many people couldn't read, but the images painted on them were informational enough.

The maze, for example, was a drawing of a spherical labyrinth. Einin headed in its direction, still clutching Ryk's sleeve.

"There's a strategy to getting through mazes! Or so I've heard. Though to be fair, I didn't bring any twine, so I suppose that's irrelevant. I guess that's a sign that I should pack some for Owl, because you never know. Better to be over-prepared than under-prepared, right?  Oh! There it is!"

The maze was built from stacked bales of hay, stacked high enough that it would be impossible for any human to climb over the walls, much less see over them. And for a maze made from hay and set up for the faire, it looked rather large. Which was great, because Einin was hoping for a challenge.

"Wow...they did a good job," she said, looking it over and locating the entrance. She pulled Ryk toward it. "Let's see how fast we can do this!"

Ryk followed silently along, letting Einin lead him along. This amused him well enough, but he really found it pointless. He could easily scale these hay bales with his magic gloves and boots. Even without them, he didn't think it impossible. Especially with his bag of tricks. He supposed that would probably be cheating though.

As Einin dragged him through the maze though, he would wait for an opportune moment. If they found themselves alone in a dead end he would pull her to a stop. He would talk to her softly, touching her face. He would gently back her against the hay, whispering to her sweetly. He would kiss her again on the mouth, softly, then more urgently, pulling her into his arms. He just had to wait for his moment.

The maze, as it turned out, was better built than Einin had anticipated. Twice she lead them down the same path as before, and then on a path that just took them back to the entrance. Setting her jaw, Einin tried to make a mental map of it before grabbing Ryk's sleeve and trying a different path than before.

"Definitely need to remember to pack twine," she told Ryk as she realized that she was, indeed, getting them lost. In a faire maze. Turns out, she was much better at navigating the drawn version.

It was just beginning to look hopeful, like they were on the right track and not about to loop around to the beginning, when a right turn opened up into a dead end. With a sigh that sent her shoulders slouching, Einin turned back around to exit.

Ryk stopped, he tugged back on Einin, bringing her to a stop as well. "You know Einin," he said softly. He drew her toward him, and lightly brushed a loose hair out of her face. He brushed it across her face with the back of his fingers, and tucked it behind her ear. "You are very lovely you know." He slowly eased her toward the hay wall, "every day," he continued softly, "I look forward to watching you move. You are so graceful." As he pressed her against the hay he moved closer to her, speaking at a whisper, "Such a beautiful face," he moved his face close to hers, "Such beautiful lips," his mouth was an inch from hers, the scent of his mint breath there. "May I?" then he licked his lips and kissed her.

Drawn to a stop, Einin blinked in confusion and tilted her head, waiting for what Ryk had to say--and needless to say, she didn't see it coming.

At least, not at first.

The light caress against her cheek when he pushed aside a lock of hair was her first vague warning, and the way his voice changed, growing softer, tender. And the words spilling from his mouth? Einin stared up at him, felt the blood warm her cheeks, and backed instinctively as he eased her toward the hay wall. "W-wha...?" To her, it came out of the blue, this change, and it threw her completely off guard. She knew how to deal with his groping, but this was another side of him she had no defense for, and no experience with.

And she didn't even realize he was trapping her until her back hit the wall, and bits of hay poked her. Startling, she glanced both ways, then back at Ryk, and her heart beat a frantic rhythm as he pressed closer, her eyes dropping to his own lips as he spoke. Oh gods. Oh gods. He was so close, and she knew she should move, but she found herself rooted in place, unable to think of much beyond how close he was, so close she could smell him, and her pulse wasn't just racing in anxiety but also with some deep, forbidden thrill, and then--

His mouth was on hers before Einin had the sense to respond.

She made a muffled sound against his lips and grabbed onto his shoulders, intending to shove him away, but then the tension drained from her tightly grasping fingers and instead of pushing, she simply held on. Gods, what was she doing? The thought raced through her mind even as she tasted the mint flavor of his lips, even as her mouth moved clumsily against his, even as the muffled, surprised sound gave way to a soft moan.

What was she doing?

Ryk had a feeling Einin would respond positively. She'd been less hostile toward his flirtations as of late. His kiss slowly turned from gentle to more urgent, he pressed his body against hers, against the hay. Then he drew back, drawing her into his arms. His mouth left hers and moved to her neck. His kissing was not as fierce as Ebony's, he was smart enough not to leave a mark on her unblemished skin. Then his lips were back on hers, his tongue slipping into her mouth. He pulled up on the back of her skirts, moving his hands beneath so he could find her soft skin, and her firm young buttocks. Perhaps he wouldn't have to wait to bring her swimming. Perhaps she would give in to his touches right here and now.

Einin's mind reeled, even as her fingers clutched at his hair, and she was certain he could feel her heart pounding in her chest as his body pressed against hers and the hay prickled along her back. When he pulled back, she was panting, but she didn't have long to catch her breath, because then his lips were at her neck and she whimpered and clung to him tighter. It wasn't like with Ebony; he wasn't trying to devour her. But her skin burned under him, his touch drawing pleasant shudders, and her breath hitched--and then his mouth was back on hers, and she tasted his tongue.

It was madness. Pure madness. And she didn't know what she was doing, except that her lips parted for him and her nails dug into his back, even as some far away voice told her she needed to stop this, needed to end it. But she slid her tongue experimentally against his and--

"Mmph!" Einin felt his hands slide over her bottom, skin on skin, and her eyes fluttered open with a jolt of realization even as desire tingled between her legs. Oh gods. Oh dear Kia. What was she doing? She turned her head to break the kiss, breath coming in shallow gasps, and reached for his hands.

"R-Ryk!" It came out breathless, not as firm as she'd intended, her words failing as her hormones dominated.

One hand massaged Einin's butt, and the other came up to turn her head so that her lips were back on Ryk's. Once their mouths were again interlocked, his hand found its way back down, stopping at the small of her back. He pressed against her, making her arch her back. Her bosom heaved against him and he held her tight. She was wonderful in his arms, and he didn't want to let her go. "I like it when you say my name like that little bird," he whispered through his kisses, "say it again."

He hiked Einin's skirts up completely, then picked her up. Using the hay to help support her, Ryk spread her legs and wrapped them around his waist. He pressed his hips against her, pressing his groin into her crotch. Not much fabric separated them. If he had his way, soon there would be none.

Before Einin could say more, their mouths were locked together again and any protests were drowned as she arched against him. Her hands still gripped his forearms, but their tight hold slackened, even as her mind rebelled. It was going fast. Too fast, way too fast, and she found herself kissing him back and nibbling at his lip before she even knew she wanted him--before she even realized the effect his constant flirtations had on her, and what they had been building up toward. Yet that was what made it so hard to stop him, because her mind couldn't keep up with the things he was doing to her, and the new waves of pleasure that flooded her. She wanted to stop, but didn't want to stop feeling this, and when Ryk spoke she shivered.

Stop it. End it. This had gone way too far!

"Ryk...! Ryk, please..." Why couldn't she finish the sentence?

But then he hiked up her skirts and Einin gasped, jerked and went to yank them back down, but before she could he'd picked her up and she found herself pushed against the hay. Her blush darkened as he wrapped her legs around his waist, and she opened her mouth to say something, but Ryk pressed his crotch against hers, and the sensation surprised her as rough fabric rubbed against just the right spot.

Einin grabbed onto Ryk's shoulders and curled against him, face buried against his neck, legs gripping him tighter; a sound somewhere between a gasp and a moan escaped her, her breath hot against his skin. She clapped a hand over her mouth in mortification--because more wanted to come out. Oh gods, he felt hard against her, was that--? She squirmed, and that only ground them together more, and she realized with some faint clarity what they were doing--what she was doing, her skirts hiked up, legs spread, and Ryk--

Oh gods.

And they were in the maze.

She struggled a little more, breath catching at the friction--the wonderful, wonderful friction--and had to bite her lip to keep the sounds in. She shook her head hard at pushed and Ryk's shoulders. "Ryk..." Not like this, not like this. "Ryk...Ryk please...wait!" she gasped.

Ryk stopped his grinding, and relaxed his hold on Einin. He helped her stand, and pushed her skirts back down. His hand gently swept aside the many loose hairs that had fallen into Einin's face, and he kissed her softly one last time, his hand on her chin.

"I'm sorry," he whispered softly, "I didn't mean to get so carried away. You just fill me with such desire." He stepped back from her, giving her the space and time needed to collect herself. In the mean time he adjusted his own misaligned clothing. He brushed a bit of hay from his person, and shifted his erection into a more comfortable position, making sure Einin would notice as he did so. "I hope you will continue our date," he said as he waited, "I would very much like the pleasure of remaining in your company."

Blessedly, Ryk stopped.

And when Einin's feet were on the ground and her skirts smoothed back down, she had to lean back against the hay because she didn't trust herself to stand. Her legs were shaking; for that matter, her entire body was trembling, heart pumping and breath quick with some strange mixture of excitement and shock at what they'd just done.

What she'd just done.

And gods, when he kissed her again, she didn't pull back. She didn't respond, either--but she didn't trust herself to. She didn't even know how. It sounded genuine--but it also wasn't entirely his fault. He'd asked. And she had just...

Let it happen. Responded. She hadn't known it would go so far so fast, and how quickly and easily she'd gotten swept up in the moment--and how tempting it had been not to stop--scared her. What they had come so close to doing scared her. And with Ryk. With Rufus.

Her head swam. When had she started to feel that way for him?

Did she feel that way for him?

Einin was relieved when Ryk gave her space, but his erection did not go unnoticed. Realizing she was staring, she jerked her eyes away and focused on fixing her mussed hair. Oh gods. His breeches had been the only thing between them. If she hadn't stopped him...oh gods. She wanted to disappear. Just sink into the ground for the next few years. How the hell were things supposed to be normal after that, when her lips were swollen and she could still feel his touches, and the wet heat he'd created between her legs? She swallowed and took a deep breath.

"I...um..." She rubbed her face, tried to think straight, and raked her fingers through her hair. "Ryk...what...what just happened?" And then, realizing that wasn't exactly the best question, she shook her head. "I...I thought this was fake. The date. The teasing. The...the everything."

"Einin, beautiful girl," Ryk said sweetly, "Why pretend and be lonely? You're beautiful, and sweet. You should be treated as such. You are a gorgeous creature, many men desire you. Most lose interest in marrying girls that are reaching their eighteenth birthday, but that doesn't stop them from talking of bedding you. My dear," he stepped toward her slowly, "I would be a fool not to desire you, and more foolish still to not make sure that an exquisite flower like yourself, didn't enjoy my company. Other men will think of you simply as a conquest to brag about," he placed a hand softly on her face, "I will never tell a soul about making love to you, and I will treat you as an equal, a partner. Not simply a tool for my own pleasure. I am fond of you Einin. I would not disgrace you, or the magnificent gift that would be being your first," Ryk caressed his finger along her ear, "and I would not stop until I knew you were satisfied." He said those last words as a whisper, his lips again close to hers as he tipped up her chin. He did not touch them to hers though. He touched his finger to her lips instead. Then he stepped back, took her hand in his and kissed it. "I will care for you all your life Einin, and allow you all the freedom that your lifestyle requires."

Einin searched Ryk's face with wide eyes as he spoke, mind reeling. Kia, he was on e hell of a wordsmith--and it worked, for as he touched her, just those little touches, she found herself craving more. It was true. Their arrangement would be ideal, as they'd discussed before. Freedom, respect; she had been around him long enough to know that he would treat her as an equal, for he always had.

But...feeling things for him? Marrying him in earnest?

Making love to him?

Her belly was full of butterflies. She had always found him attractive, but this desire? Was this new, or had it just been hidden? Its intensity was startling, and she shivered as he traced her ear and said such bold, dangerous things. Had this all really started with Rufus and that kiss? She hadn't been able to get it out of her mind, and everything after had just...continued it. But it was Rufus, the literal criminal overlord of Arca! And Ryk, a known womanizer.

Yet even knowing that, she found herself disappointed when he touched her lips rather than kiss them.

Einin licked her lips, a little breathless from his words and the effect they had on her.

She had to pull herself together.

"...Hah. Yeah. Magnificent gift. So you lift my skirts in a dead end of a faire maze," Einin said at last, latching onto that and trying to diffuse her own odd maelstrom of emotions with humor. She laughed, the sound forced, awkward. "Where anyone might come by. So romantic, all that scratchy hay. Exactly where I'd want my first experience to be." She picked some hay from her hair. Yet true as her words were, she couldn't shake the intensity of the moment, the passion, and how in that moment she hadn't cared. In that moment, it had been to forget time and place. Even modesty.

She ducked her head, remembering how he'd felt against her. How she'd wanted to feel more.

Rubbing her arms, which she crossed over her belly, she shook her head. "Ryk...how can Owl...how can Owl be with her enemy?"

There. Logic. She needed to hold onto that thought, because otherwise she might get swept away.

"Symbiosis," Ryk said to Einin simply. "The Soot Wolves steer away from violent crimes, and I have no objections to you fighting crime." He drew her arms away from her body, taking her hands in his. "Don't think so hard. Something like this has never been done before." He gently pulled her into motion, leading her out of the dead end. "Let's enjoy the day, and each others company. There is much to see, and many more gifts for me to buy you." He kissed the back of her hand as he led her along. "First we have to get through this maze. I think you were leading me through?"

That made sense, too.

Maybe...maybe it could work?

Einin had seen what Rufus did, and what Ryk did. She had seen him rescue a woman no one else would have given the time of day. She had even seen the way he treated the other whores--well, giving them more money than was required, romancing them, and they seemed to like him. She had thought, back then, that maybe he wasn't terrible. Giving food to orphans, protecting vulnerable women, giving people jobs. He said he didn't tolerate murder or rape. But he and the Wolves still robbed...

But...maybe?

Pulled along, Einin walked with Ryk, still feeling a little shaky, but not as much as before. She just felt strange, filled with some sort of weird, giddy energy, and when he pointed out that she was supposed to be leaving, she cracked a weak smile.

"Oh. I guess I forgot..." And then she leveled him with a feigned look of accusation. "Bit distracted."

Taking his hand, she took the lead again. For some time she was quiet, lost in her thoughts and not really thinking about the maze she was navigating. Finally, she spoke up. "So. This is real. You meant all that?" She didn't look at him. "Ryk...if we...if we were together...would you still visit the Lech?"

"I think if Ryk Handelaar married the lovely Lady, Einin Beirne, and still visited the Lifeless Lech, as a customer to the ladies, the talk would not benefit my business dealings," Ryk told her. It was a practical point of view. He was all about image. Einin really was a lady the other men joked about getting to bed. If he had a gorgeous creature like her at home and was out paying for sex, his reputation, and hers, would suffer. "I have a persona to maintain as Ryk. Choosing to get engaged, and married would shift the direction of my image. I would have to be devoted to carrying such an image. I can't be seen as disloyal. That would hurt business, and would make you a joke whispered about behind closed doors. I would not do that to you."

He did mean the words, and it was a logical conclusion, but that didn't make it completely true. He had only spoken of Ryk, and his image. He had said nothing of Rufus, and even if he had, there was always Theo. She didn't know his real name, his real identity. He could promise things in the name of Ryk, in the name of Rufus. As long as there were no promises as Theo, he could tell her the truth, and still do what he wanted. It was all about the words he said that made the statement truth or fiction.

"When you are engaged to Ryk Handelaar, wealthy merchant, you are the only one he will lay with."

Something about his wording got her. It would not benefit him. He could not be seen as disloyal. All third person, all about how it affected him, all about the persona he needed to maintain. Brow furrowing, Einin pulled him to a stop.

How had he gone from breathtakingly seductive one moment to dry and clinical the next?

"I'm not asking about your persona," she said, looking up at him. "I'm not asking about your image. I'm not asking about how it benefits you." She tilted her head. "Is this...is this just about your image?"

Ryk recognized his mistake as Einin dissected his words, and he decided that using the truth here might be best. With the right spin of course. He stepped close to her as she looked up at him, waiting for his answer.

"It is much more complicated than that my dearest," he said in a sweet voice, "every choice I make must be carefully weighed and calculated. This is about my life, my survival," he twisted his face in a pained expression. "If anyone ever discovered who I am, I would not live long," he said in hushed tones, "assassins would seek my head until I had fled to the ends of the earth and back. What woman can I trust with my secrets? I am forever alone in this struggle. You, my dear, are an amazing blessing. Someone I can trust to keep my secrets and share my bed and my life. I always think of my survival, and maintaining my image as Ryk is a big part of that. That is part of why I have never married. I could have. But who could I trust as I trust you," he looked deep into her eyes, giving her the truth. As much of the truth as she really wanted to hear. "I just happen to be able to trust one of the most desirable women in Arca. A woman who is not just trustworthy and beautiful, but strong, intelligent, independent, and vibrant. I am truly lucky. Even if your morals are questionable," he gave her his humorous half smirk, "who would have thought I'd come to care for a noble that's as straight as an arrow?" Hopefully charm wrapped in flattery and topped with humor would diffuse her doubts. He hadn't yet given her body the intensity of pleasure that he could later use to flood her mind and prevent these ideas. He'd need to get her under him as soon as possible. Get her swooning hard, sweep her into a marriage, and take her to his bed as frequently as possible throughout it all. Seduction would only have power over her so long. He needed to cement this contract fast, and if worse came to worse, get her with child. Then there'd be no further issue. She was just going to be a longer game. A virgin with strong morals that he needed to maintain a caring relationship with would have to be handled delicately. He did care for her after all, so he was sure he could find the patience to treat her with honor. He would be getting title and a moldable lover, who just happened to be gorgeous. What deal could be better worth the long play?

"Questionable morals," Einin repeated with a snort and a roll of her eyes. But judging by her wry smile, his words (and flattery) had allayed her doubts. It made sense, put that way. And hadn't she considered and weighed the same issues in her mind? Wasn't that the obstacle she'd been facing for a while now? She hadn't wanted to marry for several reasons: one, because it would most likely be arranged, and she couldn't stomach the thought of laying with someone she might not even know. And two because...who could she trust?

Who could she be herself with? Who would actually let her follow her aspirations?

She could understand that. Ryk had even more to lose than she did, and a far more complicated network to keep track of.

"Consider the feeling mutual, in any case. I never would have imagined I'd fall for a crooked man."

The words slipped out before she could stop them, and she bit her lip as though to take them back.

Ryk smiled at the slip. He didn't feel guilty for the realization that Einin was going to fall in love with him. He was using her, but he would treat her well, she would want for nothing, and he would sate her desires more often than she could ask. After all, having a beautiful young lover that you didn't take for a romp in the sheets at least once a day would truly be a waste. He would feast on her body, and he could almost taste her already.

Closing his eyes, he brought his lips slowly and gently down to hers, kissing her softly. He so enjoyed doing that. Her lips were so very soft, and her mouth tasted wonderful. She was lovely, and he really did count himself lucky. As he parted from her he smiled at her again, "Lead on my pretty little bird."

Einin leaned into the kiss, her own eyes shut, and when Ryk pulled back she looked away and licked her lips. It was going to take some getting used to, all this kissing, and she wondered how long it would be until it stopped feeling awkward. Ryk tasted good and his lips felt magical--she wasn't really sure how he did what he did, only that she tried her best to mimic it--but she just felt clumsy.

For that matter, how long would it be before this felt real? Before she got used to the idea of this? Used to her own feelings?

It all felt so weird. Exciting, scary, and weird, but only because she wasn't used to it. She'd always distracted herself with other pursuits, and the noblemen she'd met, she found dull. Lust? Liking someone? Liking Ryk, Rufus? Kia help her. She needed it, and still felt unsettled to have spoken it out loud.

With a nod at his words, Einin turned, grabbed his arm, and once again pulled him along. They were making some headway; she didn't recognize this part, so they had to be going in the right direction. Another dead end, and Einin turned them around and forged forward--and then she saw it. The exit!

Picking up her pace, she tugged Ryk along. "Finally! That took longer than I thought." And with a look his way and a raised eyebrow, she added, "I blame you."

"I assume complete responsibility," Ryk admitted, "for the wonderful things that delayed us." His acceptance of the fault was of course an acceptance that their time in the maze had been pleasant. He did however feel the need to point out that she had been complicit. "The way your hands gripped at my back though, did urge me forward." He gave Einin a playful grin as she drew him along.

"So now that we're out here," Ryk made a sweeping gesture to the faire around them, "with all these witnesses to protect you from my lust," the words came out in a loud whisper, "what would you like to do next?" He finished his question with his usual charming smile. He jangled a coin purse in his free hand, as he still held onto Einin's with his other. He would have liked to pull her by that hand into a dark alley where he could sate his lust for her, but he reminded himself that he needed to be patient. Give her a bit of fun, a bit of romance.

Einin lightly punched Ryk's arm when he mentioned how she'd clutched at him, a mortified blush spreading down her neck as the memory of all that flooded back full force. It still didn't feel fully real, that that had happened; it could have been a dream, and it still felt strange that she had participated. But it had felt amazing, his weight against her, the feeling of his muscle and strength and heat...

She shivered. "Keep your voice down," she whispered back, looking around them guiltily, as though they might have witnesses. Then she cleared her throat.

Distractions, distractions. She certainly needed one!

She pointed. "There's bobbing for apples!" she suggested, pointing to an area where they had that and other little faire games. She nudged Ryk in the ribs. "I could use a snack. Come on!"

"A snack?" Ryk asked, "but it has barely been an hour since you had your fill of tarts," he pointed out to Einin, "It seems lust boosts your metabolism. I'll have to keep our larder well stocked when we're married. I don't want you to waste away." His teasing was spoken softly as he followed after her. He took great pleasure in the color that spread across her cheeks. Knowing that she wanted him, but that she was shy about it was fun.

"If you go putting your pretty face in barrels of water to fish out fruit, the care I took not to muss up your makeup will be for naught." He had been careful, but he had still eaten all the coloring she had used on her lips.

"If you need a snack, I will gladly buy you anything you desire."

"...Haha," Einin said, understanding his implication and giving him another punch to the shoulder. "Anyway, I'm not really hungry, I just thought it'd be fun! And even if I was hungry, I wore my bodice loose for a reason! Though I guess you're right...I forgot about the makeup, honestly."

She frowned. She had put on more makeup than usual, finding she wanted to look extra pretty for the faire--extra pretty for Ryk--and water would be a great way to turn it all into a runny, unflattering disaster. Her shoulders slumped. "Well, there are other games! What about that one?"

She pointed to another stand where the object was to hurl small bean bags at targets, and if you knocked over enough, you won a prize of some sort. She hadn't looked to see what was being offered, but it seemed mindless and silly enough!

Ryk smiled at the new suggestion. It would be fun to watch her, and it would be a decent training exercise. He'd eventually get around to teaching her throwing blades, but bean bags would work for a first effort.

"Good choice," Ryk said enthusiastically as he followed Einin toward the booth, "Owl could use a thrown weapons course. Plus I'm really good at that sort of thing."

As they approached the booth Ryk spoke up to the man at the booth.

"The Lady Beirne, would like a hand at your game sir," Ryk smiled at the man, "I will continue to pay until she succeeds fully, or gives up. At either outcome I will then play one round myself." He then placed his first coin on the counter, and motioned for Einin to take her place at the counter.

"M'lady, the game awaits."

"Would you look at that. Fun and practical!" With a grin, Einin strode up to the counter--and she couldn't help but give Ryk an incredulous look at what he told the man.

Until she succeeded or gave up?

Her grin widened. "I could end up bankrupting you," she said as she picked up the first bean bag. "You know I won't give up, so let's hope I succeed!"

The goal, as it turned out, was to knock down five targets--large smiling, plush animals that were heavier than they looked. She had eight bags to accomplish that with. Her first throw had the bean bag glancing off one target, barely nudging it, and her second missed it completely. Hrm. Einin's eyes narrowed in concentration, face scrunching up, and she closed one eye and took more careful aim. This time she hit a target right in the center, but didn't throw hard enough to knock it over; it tipped, and then righted.

"What the--!? I hit that! I totally hit that!"

Now it was a matter of pride. With an exasperated sound, she squared her stance, pulled her arm back, and threw as hard as she could. Two more hits, and she finally took out the one, leaving her with three bags. Ergh. It was impossible to meet the goal on this try, now. Unless she found a way to knock some into the others? That was what she went for next, and missed one throw, glanced off another, and almost tipped over the last one.

This was more difficult than it looked.

She motioned for more bean bags. "Stupid little animals," she muttered, picking up a bag and bouncing it in her hand. "Looking all smug." And she threw again, aiming for their smiling faces, finally taking down another, but feeling like she was doing something wrong. "Not so smug anymore, are you? Hrmph."

Ryk watched amused. Einin had no practice and she didn't know that the targets were made to be very difficult to tip over. Really, throwing knives was only vaguely similar to this. The technique involved in knocking over the targets here, was more akin to skipping stones. It was about speed, force, and angle. He decided not to give her any tips unless she specifically asked, and that was unlikely. She was stubborn and independent after all. He did enjoy watching her though. The effort she put into it only raised his desire for her. Strength and beauty in such perfect balance, were hard to achieve. Dylanna had been the only other woman that he enjoyed this much. Perhaps in time he'd come to love this young woman. No, it wasn't likely. He denied his deep powerful love for Dylanna, keeping it buried inside. There was no way he'd let himself love this girl. He cared for her, but never could it be love. She was a tool. She would be a well cared for tool, but a tool was all he could let her be. He wouldn't get attached again. He wouldn't have his heart broken.

Thinking of Dylanna, however briefly, had soured his mood, and his lust was gone. He shook himself loose of the darkness that crept through him and tried to return his focus to Einin. She was beauty in motion.

"It seems you'll get them all eventually," he teased.

Pride and stubbornness kept Einin from asking for tips. If she was going to get them all, she was going to do it on her own! By her third round, she had figured out that the head was the best target; they were too grounded at their center, so it was like hitting a wall. Hit their head, though, and it tipped them back. But you had to hit them hard enough to knock them over completely, otherwise they'd just pop back up.

She had also figured out that overhanded throws didn't work so well. The key was throwing sideways, and taking careful aim. The problem was power and speed, and she wasn't really used to throwing things. Hit a target with a sword? Okay. Hit the damned smiling animal with a bean bag? Not so okay.

She finally knocked over a third. "Oh, hush! I've got this! I think," she said as her bean bags were refilled. She took a deep breath, carefully aimed. "I think I know what I have to do..."

Her fifth round was where she finally had some real luck. She tossed the bag, missed, but her second throw hit a plush animal hard in the face and it went down--and stayed down. "Aha!" She grabbed two bags, concentrated, then threw one in the same fashion, hit the fifth in the face, and, experimenting, threw the second right as the target began to rise again.

It fell back over, and Einin thrust her arms up in victory, all five targets downed. "Finally!" She spun around to race Ryk, beaming. "Did you see that, Ryk? That last one? I didn't expect that to actually work! You can't tell me that wasn't awesome!"

Smiling at her joy, Ryk gave Einin a nod, "I'm very proud of your success m'lady. Your adaptation to the situation was commendable," his smile broadened as he continued, "now watch a master at work."

He put his coin on the counter and received his projectiles. Like Einin he threw his bags sideways, but with a bit more technique, and flare. He did not aim for their faces however, but rather their bases. He picked up the first bag by the corner, making sure not to trap any of its contents between the fabric. He twirled the projectile similar to a sling and snapped his arm out sideways like a whip. The bag shot threw the air with enough force that when it collided with the bottom of the target, it was knocked off the stand. He continued the process, one bag for each target, knocking them off the counter they stood on. The man running the game did not look overly pleased, as he had when taking the coins for Einin's tries. When the last target had been knocked to the ground, Ryk turned to Einin with only the smallest of smiles.

"It has taken years of practice to perfect that technique," no need to mention that usually he was tossing deadly and injuring a living target. He bowed to the applause of a few children that had been watching his throws. Then he turned back to the man at the booth. "How many targets must I knock down to get the best prize in the booth?"

"Twenty-five," the man said with a frown. At a copper a try, the man wouldn't even make a silver piece from someone as skilled as Ryk. To lose one of his best prizes this early in the day, would not be great for a man of low means. Ryk pulled a gold coin from his pouch and flipped it to the man. He was surprised at first, then pleased. A gold coin was more than enough to cover the price of the prize. He set the targets up and Ryk tossed.

After knocking down the additional twenty targets he needed to win the best prize, Ryk's arm was a bit tired. He had missed twice on the last five targets, but had succeeded at knocking down four sets in four tries. Rotating his shoulder and rubbing at the muscle, he turned with a proud smile to Einin.

"Well m'lady, claim your prize."

Einin watched as Ryk annihilated the targets like they were nothing, and studied the way he held the bag, the way he positioned himself, the way he tossed. The bases, huh? She wouldn't have thought of that, and wondered if she had the throwing power to take them out that way. She'd have to give it a shot!

In the meantime, though, she observed, mouth dropping open, and when he finished, Einin gave him a quirky grin and joined in the applause.

"Show off," she said, without knowing that was just the beginning.

Because Ryk then proceeded to knock down twenty more targets.

Well. That was one way to make her victory seem puny. By that point, Einin had completely forgotten that there even was a prize, so when Ryk spoke up, she looked at him blankly for a moment before it clicked. "Oh! Right! Thank you!"

But when she went to claim her prize, the man running the booth pulled out, to her horror...

A plush animal (a rabbit, to be precise), complete with a wide, stupid grin.

"...Oh." She forced a smile. "Oh, how...lovely!"

Ryk gave a satisfied expression at the sight of Einin's forced grin. She now had a cheaply made stuffed rabbit. At least it wasn't some ridiculously giant thing. That would be unpractical. Who would want a plush thing as big as them? Good thing that wasn't a thing or anything.

"I'm glad you like it so much," Ryk said to her, "You'll be carrying it around all day." His crooked grin expressed well his amusement at her disrelish. "Would you like me to win you another? From something that doesn't require that amount of force from my arm It's tired." His expression grew even more playful, "perhaps I could win you one at every booth. Then you could take home a carriage full of prizes."

"Oh! No! I couldn't possibly ask that of you!" Einin said quickly. Too quickly. She kept the happy smile plastered on her face and hugged the cheap rabbit to her chest.

"If I had a bunch of them, why, that would cheapen the gift! This one wouldn't be so special anymore, now would it?"

"Then perhaps there is something else I can give you," Ryk said in a seductive manner, his voice hushed so only Einin could hear him. He flashed her a lecherous leer, waggling his eyebrows at her. Then a real smile cracked his face, and humor showed in his eyes. He gave a little chuckle, and extended his hand to Einin.

"Where to now m'lady?'

With the events of earlier still teasing at her mind, this time, Einin caught his meaning immediately. Her face reddened, her eyes widened, and her gaze jerked to the booth maintainer, then back to Ryk, before she slapped him on the arm.

"Be quiet!" she said, voice hushed, and added in lower tones, "And don't get too excited. I, for one, am waiting 'til marriage."

Taking his hand, she once again began to lead the way, pulling him along as she willed her expression back into something more neutral, even as his words sent a forbidden thrill through her.

"Well you should handle that fake engagement," Ryk whispered, "I don't know how long I can contain myself." He smiled as Einin lead him away. They were headed toward more games, and just beyond were more booths with trinkets and small goods.

"Would you like to try your hand at another contest," he asked as he followed Einin closely, "or perhaps you'd truly like something to eat?"

"Well, you're going to have to manage for a while longer," Einin said as she lead the way. After all, she hadn't even said anything about marriage. She still wasn't sure about that, and still had a lot to think about, to wrestle with, and it was getting easier to think with the thrill tapering off a bit. She couldn't go into this hastily; she had to consider everything, really consider it, and especially consider if this was something she truly wanted.

Marriage wasn't just a game for her. And she had loved his touches and kisses--there was no denying that--but to give herself to him completely? Attraction was definitely there, but as far as her feelings went? Her head felt fogged and muddled with uncertainty. The logical side of her brain said it would be the ideal partnership, but she didn't just want a partnership. She wanted love, and to be in love. She couldn't marry, much less lay with, someone she didn't love.

Was she really falling for him? Could she? She certainly desired him...she guessed...but it had all happened so fast, and she still found that confusing. Right now she was thinking she could never do that--and yet, in that moment, she almost had, and that unnerved her.

She grew a little quiet, the jokes about marriage--jokes that weren't really jokes, considering what they'd discussed--sobering her a little as she began to think about it in earnest. She definitely needed to slow down.

"Maybe a snack," she said at last, and took a deep breath, the sweet scents of fresh food catching her nose. "A snack and then more games?"

Ryk strolled along with the young Lady Beirne, idly stroking his fingers against hers. It was an unconscious movement, drawn from a long forgotten memory of his mother. So much pain and strife of surviving Zantaric had drowned out the single happy memory of his childhood. His hand remembered the motion though, as soon as another hand was in his.

The smells of the food pleased him. Sweets, and meats, and sweet meats. There were cauldrons and spits and bread ovens, fires blazing, cooking the food that the folk around him were eating. Most of the nobles and the wealthier patrons of the faire would retreat to upscale eateries or nearby estates to take their meals. Ryk and Einin would eat among the common folk, neither of them fearful or disgusted by the lowborn revelers.

Ryk sighed as a particular scent reached his nose, "pork," he grinned hungrily as his mouth began to water. "Would you like some suckling pig?" he asked Einin, "I know I do. And some potatoes to go with. Or does something else appeal to you?"

This place was so exciting, and so lively! So much different from the stuffy meals she'd taken before among nobility. Here, it didn't matter how she ate, or how much, and the food smelled greasy, sweet, and delicious. Of course, she also noticed that she and Ryk were drawing stares, and she was pretty sure it wasn't because they were holding hands. In their fancy clothes, they were rather out of place here.

She cut her eyes back to Ryk when he spoke, and her mouth dropped open at his words.

"What? Eat pig? After saving cute little Bidel?" Einin asked with a hand to her mouth, feigning wide-eyed horror. "How could you suggest such a thing, you monster!"

But then after a second's pause a giggle slipped out from behind her hand. Einin nudged Ryk with her elbow. "Just kidding. It's not Bidel, so sure, sounds good!"

Because as cute as pigs were, and as adorable a pet as Bidel would likely make, pigs were still food, and they were still delicious.

Ryk led Einin to a stand with pork in all its many styles. They were serving the food on wooden dishes, and giving wooden flatware, and there was a place to deposit it when you were finished. It was either very good or the cheapest thing around, this was evident because of the many people milling about. As they approached the booth, they got more stares, but the people simply parted for them. They weren't used to doing anything but deferring to the wealthy. Who knew what someone with money might do if you stood in their way. There was a short line, and Ryk stopped where it ended, even though the common folk seemed to expect him to just walk past. He addressed a nearby patron eating from his wooden bowl.

"So, how do you like the food? Is it good, or just inexpensive?"

The man looked up from his meal, and when he spotted Ryk he jumped, his eyes going wide. It was obvious that he hadn't expected to see what, to him, appeared to be a nobleman addressing him, with a young noblewoman in tow. A pair of nobles? It was nerve-wracking! Like any peasant, he was afraid of saying the wrong thing.

Swallowing down his bit of food, he cleared his throat. "Oh, it's good and it's inexpensive, m'lord," he said, and quickly added, "but mayhap only to a simple man like me, who's used to swill and doesn't have your finer tastes, m'lord."

It was clear he was trying to cover all his bases, that he didn't want to say it was good in case the nobles didn't like it, but didn't want to say it was bad in case they tried it and did.

Einin frowned at the way he fidgeted, at how nervous he seemed. Did...did nobility really terrify the common people so? She looked up at Ryk, back to the peasant man, and then flashed him her warmest smile and pat Ryk on the arm.

"I'd say judging by the smell and the people, it has to be tasty!" she said. "And pfft. There's been plenty of rich foods I haven't cared for! I'd wager whether something tastes good or not has little to do with one's station. We should give it a try!"

"Oh I agree," Ryk said to Einin, still facing the man, "When I was a very poor merchant I had some meals that I would say were some of my best. Thank you for the information," he said to the commoner, putting out his hand for a shake. The peasant looked at it hesitantly them vigorously rubbed his hand against his pants, attempting to make it clean. In truth it probably came away dirtier. When the man took Ryk's hand to shake, Ryk palmed a blue Soot Wolves token into his hand.

Different tokens were good for different things, and most people of lower stations knew where to take them to spend. The blue token would get the man a good meal and a hot bath in a Soot Wolves owned establishment. When their hands parted the man looked at the token with a bit of shock before he quickly pocketed it and looked around to make sure nobody saw. It would not do to lose something that valuable.

Coming away from the exchange with a dirty hand, Ryk reached into his vest and made quick use of the primper. Just because he treated everyone equally, didn't mean he needed to share their filth, no matter how unfortunate the reason for it. The line moved forward and Rufus stepped forward, drawing Einin in closer.

"You have a grip on your coins?" he whispered, "this is an opportune place for a thief to find his mark."

Einin hadn't caught the coin's exchange, for she had been busy looking around at their surroundings. Her parents wouldn't be caught dead in a place like this and if they had it their way, neither would Einin. Yet for all the times that she'd come to the faire, this had to be the most fun she'd had--and not just because of, ah, the things that had happened. That she still had to navigate and figure out, but as for the rest?

Maybe it was just because she was new to it, and hadn't witnessed much of the unglamorous bits, but it seemed like commoners had more fun at these things!

Her attention snapped back to Ryk when he drew her closer, and when he mentioned the coins, she gripped them tighter and shifted the plush rabbit a little to cover them. "Oh! Oh, right. Still got them!" she whispered, and nodded to where she she held them, inside her hand purse. It was a bit awkward carrying around such a large amount, when she normally knew better than to carry anything she was afraid of getting stolen. Especially since all the excitement of the day, she'd forgotten to be very careful.

Hopefully the ugly rabbit was a good enough shield!

"I guess we kind of stand out, huh?" she said as the line moved again, suddenly aware that not all the looks they were receiving was awe or unease. Some of it was hunger.

Or, what Rufus would call predatory.

"Might as well paint a sign on us saying this is where the money is."

"You really needn't worry overly much," Ryk told his little bird, "I would likely see any approaching threat before it reached us. Most Soot Wolves know to steer clear of me," he explained, "but it happens on occasion if they are new," he gave a shrug as if getting robbed didn't really matter. His eyes made another quick sweep of the crowd, "The Soot Wolves don't abide the presence of criminals outside the organization but it happens. There are those that are new to town, slip through the cracks, or are put into motion by desperation or opportunity."

He stepped forward as the line moved again.

"So you got me all worried over nothing, is what you're telling me," Einin said, sticking her tongue out at Ryk and elbowing him in the side. "Just teasing. I know what you mean. And if you weren't here, all the more reason to be cautious."

The line moved again. Just one small family ahead of them, now.

"I feel kind of guilty, though. Guarding my money like this with all these people around..." she muttered, voice lowered, as she glanced at all the revelers with their dirty, old clothes and thin bodies. "It's not like I was hurting for it." Though it had still been exciting to win it, because it was actually hers, and not her parents'.

"Vigilance is important in our line of work," Ryk explained, "you never know when things are going to go completely the opposite of everything you expect." He waited patiently behind the family as they ordered and got their food, his bright blue eyes never stopping their survey of the crowd. They didn't rush around from face to face, checking hands and pockets. He had learned to view the world through periphery, focusing on the edge of his vision. With practice, a person could see a lot more without moving their eyes much at all.

"So what would you like when we get our turn to order?"

"Well, you got me all in the mood for pork and potatoes, so I'll go with that!" Einin said, and nudged him. "What about you? What're you getting? You should get something different so I can steal some of it."

"Well potatoes are extremely versatile, and they soak up the flavor of the pork and the seasonings so well," Ryk seemed pretty happy about the upcoming meal. "I may not have the ability to do more than roast an animal on a spit, but I know how to appreciate good food," he said to Einin with a smile.

"So I haven't yet heard what magic items you chose to keep, or what we took away," Ryk said, bringing up the subject of her secret room, "anything fun or especially useful?"

"Yeah, well, I still think you should get something different so we can try more things," Einin said, before Ryk drew her attention to her room.

Right! That!

Her grin widened as she looked up at Ryk, bouncing a little in place. That's right! He didn't know, did he? And they had dug up some really neat things.

"I kept a lot of it! I'm not sure everything is useful, exactly, but--okay! So there's this dagger, right? Looks like an ordinary dagger, nothing special, kinda plain. But as I tested the sharpness by cutting something, it froze the thing! That's right, a dagger that freezes anything it cuts. Pretty nifty, huh? Sounds like it'd hurt, too...anyway! Then there was that staff. Okay, nothing too useful there--it, uh, it throws sparks, basically. Might be busted? But it's still neat! BUT, the best thing of all? And you'll love this..."

She squirmed in place, practically bursting with excitement. "A deck of cards! I did some research, and I think they're from Thanatos? The writing kind of looks it--Fuiyin cards or something, they're called? They use them for fortunetelling. So I was told they were magical, and I figured, right! For fortunetelling, probably. Makes sense, yeah? But then I dropped one. And I just about wet myself because a bloody wolf burst out."

She laughed at the memory, covering her mouth with her hand to stifle the sound, and then clapped her hands together. "It's an illusion! It's a literal deck of illusions! Whatever you throw down, the image on the card appears! After I just about died I could see that it was fake--I can spot illusions, you know, since that's my thing--but boy, was it unexpected. It's a one-use only deal, though. The picture vanishes after you use it. But that's by far my favorite."

"That sounds fun," Ryk said, with his crooked smile, "I bet there are plenty of situations that could come in handy. We'll have to see if we can find someone that makes them. That way you'll never run out. Can't be cheap though."

The family in front of them had their food and moved to the side, away from the stand, to eat standing among everyone else. The proprietor of the tiny food empire stood ready to take their orders, but seemed a bit nervous. Ryk gave the man a disarming smile as he stepped up to the outdoor counter. It seemed to work, but only just. The man's expression eased but he still wrung his hands together.

"Hello M'Lord, what can I get for you and the fine Lady today at this wonderful faire?" The mans voice was just a bit shaky, but he covered it well enough. The workers behind the counter all looked a bit worried as well. It was not often that folk dressed as finely as Ryk and Einin ventured among the common folk.

"It's just Master, not Lord," Ryk informed the man, and that seemed to ease him more "thank you though. Your food smells wonderful, and the crowd seems to be evidence that it tastes good as well," he flashed another smile, not too much charm put into it though. Common folk trusted you less if you tried too hard. "I would like some of that stuffed tenderloin with carrots and onions. The Lady Beirne," Ryk motioned to Einin, and the word Lady seemed to make them all nervous again. It was sort of the point though. Let them know that he was wealthy but not noble, but that he brought a Lady with him. Word would spread amongst the commoners like fire, and many would recognize him. Ryk Handelaar, wealthy merchant, had brought Lady Einin Beirne to eat amongst the commoners. He was already somewhat popular amongst them, and he would make Einin's a name they loved and trusted as well. Ever the tactician. Ever plotting his schemes.

"The Lady Beirne," he said again, "would like the pork shoulder with stewed potatoes. Which is what I was planning on ordering, but she wants to eat from my plate and needed more variety. Women," Ryk gave the man a knowing look, followed by a chuckle. This eased the mans tension once again, and he laughed himself, feeling more at ease. He called out to his workers to serve the food up with haste, and told Ryk the price of his food. It seemed low to him, and Ryk thought the man might be giving him a discount for being wealthy, which made absolutely no sense. So Ryk gave the man an entire gold piece, which put a shocked expression on his face.

"A piece of advice from one working man to another," Ryk said with just a touch of humor in his eyes, "if you know your customer can afford a higher price, and they don't know what's fair, over charge them." He gave the man another smile, and this time it was returned. Now it would just be a moment while they waited for their food to be served and brought to the counter.

Are you excited to eat," he asked Einin, "because I am. Those pastries did little for me."

Like a proper noblewoman, Einin stood by and let Ryk deal with the ordering, giving him a look when he made his 'women' comment. In any case, for a place serving food to commoners, it all smelled amazing, and by the time Ryk had finished and they had moved off to the side to wait, her stomach was making interesting noises.

"Honestly? Those pastries filled me up pretty good, but you know what they say about having an empty leg." She shook one of her legs and tossed Ryk a wink and a grin. "I keep my left one hollow for situations like this!"

Ryk gave Einin the proper amount of amusement in his expression. She was an interesting girl. Perhaps he shouldn't have her spend too much time with the rough people of his world, or around commoners too often. She seemed the type to pick up their bad habits. She was so at ease with him, she was forgetting to play the part of a Lady, which wasn't too bad around these people. If she were to behave that way around the nobility though, and her parents might think he was a bad influence on her. That would not do. He did like it about her though. After a moment of thought though, he let it go. She was smart enough to keep up the facade in the presence of important company.

A moment later, their food was brought by the man that had taken their order. Ryk handed Einin her wooden bowl and fork, and then dipped a finger into the juices at the bottom of his. It was hot, and delicious. A satisfied look grew on his face and he pulled a silver coin from his purse.

"This is for your cook," he handed the coin to the man, "this is amazing. How does he manage to get such flavor," Ryk trailed off into silence as an idea came to him. "I want your entire team of cooks at my manor tomorrow. The Handelaar estate. Arrive early. You will have the run of my kitchen, and we will feast together."

The man looked shocked, then pleased. "Yes sir, tomorrow, it will be our pleasure."

"And perhaps Lady Einin will join us," he smiled at Einin, "how does that sound to you?"

Oh gods, that smelled amazing! When Ryk handed Einin the bowl, it was an effort not to just shovel right in. Though she was around common folk, she couldn't eat like she could at the brothel. For one, she didn't want to mess up her clothes, and for two, she was dressed as a noblewoman. The commoners would notice if she ate messily, and they would be expecting her to be prim and proper.

So even though her mouth watered, she took up her wooden fork, speared a wedge of potato, and nibbled daintily at it, careful not to drip juices.

Kia's tit, this was good. She blinked in surprise and finished off the wedge, having expected something far more plain, and had just swallowed it down when Ryk made his announcement.

Whoa. That was certainly going to make Ryk look good among all these people!

Dabbing at the corners of her mouth with her fingers, Einin smiled. "Of course I'll join you! That sounds fun!" She took another little bite of potato. "Especially if it means getting more of this. This is excellent. Compliments to your cook."

Ryk stepped away from the stand, leaving the man beaming. It would be nice to have a good hearty meal in the comfort of his home. Having Einin there would be a nice change. He rarely had company that he truly enjoyed. Though with other guests about, it would likely not be an opportunity to bed her. The troubles of playing the host. Well she would be over to go swimming soon enough, and then he'd have his chance. It was a moment he looked forward to, and Einin may not know it yet, but it would be a moment that freed her from the narrow ideas of her life. As the next customers stepped up, Ryk lead Einin a short way to the side.

He ate with practiced care, using a knife from his vest rather than the supplied fork. He cut the pieces of meat, carrot, or onion, then skewered them and brought them to his mouth. He was enjoying his meal thoroughly, but he knew Einin wanted to try it, so he didn't rush. After a few bites, he offered his bowl to her.

"The tenderloin is stuffed with stale old bread that absorbs the broth and juices of the meat. It is fantastic."

As Ryk offered his bowl to her, Einin held her own bowl out to him. "I'm not going to be able to finish this all, so have at!" she said as she broke off a piece of his tenderloin and took a bite. Stale old bread, huh? It sounded gross, but Ryk seemed to be enjoying it, and it wouldn't kill her to try it.

She was glad she did, because it was delicious.

"That's really good," she said, and took another bite of it, paired with onion. When she'd swallowed it down, a funny thought hit her then--completely childish, but she couldn't help it, and with an impish grin, she speared another onion and ate it with relish.

"Now we've got onion breath," she said, fighting back laughter, and pretended to puff a breath at him. "Bet you really want to kiss me, now."

Ryk gave Einin a mildly amused expression and continued eating in silence. He made short work of the sample he'd taken from her dish, and then moved on to his own food. It didn't take him much time or effort to make a headway through the serving of meat and vegetables, and he savored every bite. Some of his best meals had been when he was poor. Wealth brought extravagance, and with it an abundance of ostentatious behaviors and practices that tended to drown anything of real substance. Even the food at the Lifeless Lech was an effort to make its patrons feel like they were touching on an opulent lifestyle. This was like the home cooking he never experienced, growing up without a proper home. This was another cost of a misspent youth in Zantaric.

With his food nearly finished, his onion breath still intact, he looked to see how Einin was faring. He was curious to see how well that hollow leg was serving the dainty lass. She had eaten more than he expected at the brothel that night, but she had been Tanin then. Now she was the Lady Beirne.

"Getting along well?"

"You know," Einin said without looking at Ryk, a dry smile on her lips as she stirred her fork through the juices, "I pretty much set you up there to be like, 'you're right, I do want to kiss you, our passion cannot be defeated by mere onions!' And before you try to backtrack, it's too late to recover now. Moment's passed. Opportunity's lost."

She stuffed another bite in her mouth, swallowed it down, and then, with a satisfied sigh, offered her bowl out to Ryk with raised eyebrows to see if he wanted the rest. She had dealt the meal some damage, but she still ate less than she could have. In the privacy of the carriage, she'd happily stuff her face, but with so many eyes on them, she regretfully stuck to her role.

"I fear if I eat more, my leg will burst at the seams."

Ryk took the offered vessel from Einin, and dumped it's contents into his before stacking his bowl inside it. Two forks sitting in his bowl made it a bit crowded as he skewered bits of food with his dagger. He didn't speak for the first few bites, letting the silence stretch. He had seen the easy come on, but he had something better in mind. He raised his eyes from his meal to meet her with a smile.

"You just wait until I finish this and I'll show you why I didn't make such a silly comment."

"Haha, nope! As I said, it's too late now!" Einin said, and crossed her arms over her chest before turning her face away, feigning haughtiness.

"Or maybe...maybe onions are the legendary weapon that can pierce the enchanted armor of our...of our..." She waved a hand. "...whatever this is."

Ryk took the last several bites with more speed. He didn't want Einin to have to wait on him. He gulped down the brothy substance at the bottom and walked over to deposit the bowls in the designated area. When he returned to Einin's side he took her by the hand and led her through the crowds toward a narrow space between to buildings. He lead her just out of sight of the crowds and then showed her a tiny vial from in a hip pouch. He unstoppered it and pressed his finger over the opening before tipping the vial. After the contents spilled against the covering finger, Ryk tipped it back up and put the finger in his mouth. He replaced the stopper and stowed it back in his pouch then leaned close into Einin.

"Just one," he whispered, his breath fresh with mint again, before he pressed his lips ever so gently against hers.

Einin blinked in mild confusion as Ryk silently led her away--until she saw they were headed toward a secluded space. Her heart did a little flip. Er, she hoped he realized she was serious about what she'd said! Kissing was one thing--and she was learning that she rather enjoyed kissing Ryk, and kind of had since that first tense moment between Owl and Rufus--but the other things he'd done? Quite another! Even though she'd been swept away in the moment, she knew she wasn't ready for something like that--and she had morals!

Yet, ever a thrill-seeker, something about all this sneaking around was exciting. She never thought herself capable, and that this was Rufus? Gods, what had her life even become?

And so, hidden in between the buildings, she watched Ryk pull out a bottle, and soon his onion d breath issue was taken care of. Except, Einin realized with a blush, hers wasn't, and when he leaned in she abruptly wished she'd skipped the onions because oh gods, how embarrassing, and--

Her thoughts cut off. "Just one," she agreed breathlessly, voice hushed, before his mouth was on hers and her eyes drifted shut. Gods, this was still so crazy. She couldn't believe she was doing this. But he tasted good, and he smelled good, and she even liked the way he felt as she leaned into him with one hand on his shoulder and the other curled against the back of his neck. Maybe this could work. Maybe they could be something entirely new.

Weren't there stories of heroes redeeming villains? Through love, even?

His lips on Einin's, and only the barest touch of their tongues, and the magic of the green substance passed into her mouth from Ryk's. It swept threw her mouth, spreading a gentle tingle, like a million little fairies dancing their slippered feet acros her tongue and teeth. They dissolved anything foreign to the human body, reaching all the places that modern dental hygiene missed, and more. It quickly passed, and in it's place was a pleasant minty taste along with the fresh feeling of a clean mouth. Ryk slowly broke the long kiss, smiling knowingly at Einin.

"Chora calls it refresher."

Einin's eyes flew open at the sudden, pleasant minty tingle that rushed through her mouth. She made a surprised sound against Ryk's lips, and when it was over, and Ryk had broken the kiss, she licked her lips. No more onion taste. Well, that took care of that!

"I can see why," she said, still holding onto Ryk and peering up at him with a smile. "You know, if Chora's ever feeling generous, I wouldn't mind some of that. Though I guess this is one way of getting it."

"I'll get you some," Ryk told her. He stole another quick kiss before removing his hands from Einin's hips. They had wandered there on their own as he'd kissed her. As he stepped away from her to exit the narrow passage a large man stepped in to block the way. He pulled Einin in close behind him without a moment of hesitation, and his hand flew to the hilt of his sword, though he did not draw it. He slowly backed away from the man, but stopped and gripped Einin's arm as he heard scuffing from behind them.

"How sweet," said a voice from behind him. Ryk turned around to see and pulled Einin in against him, holding each of her shoulders, "a couple fancy nobles looking for a place to steal a few kisses. Well I think you have something we want to steal."

"What's your name Wolf?" Ryk asked with a level, confident voice. There were two of them back there, the big one in the exit made three. Not bad odds. Of course there could be more above. If there were, and if they were not Wolves, as Ryk suspected they weren't ,they'd draw the attention of the Soot Wolves, and aid would be close at hand.

"I ain't no wolf," the rogue replied, confirming Ryk's suspicions, "we here is all Mountain Cats. We're gonna push those dogs out of Arca. It's been theirs too long."

"When I move, little bird," Ryk whispered into Einin's ear, "you press yourself as flat as you can against the left wall. Arms across your chest, hands around your throat."

"Well kittens," Ryk then said, much louder than necessary, "it seems you'll all be dying here."

While Ryk's hand flew to his sword, Einin's flew to hers--except it wasn't there, and she quickly covered the gesture by clutching onto Ryk when he moved her behind him. Shit. Of course something like this would happen when she wasn't geared up for it...

And when she was supposed to be a Lady.

Mountain Cats? It was a rival gang, she gathered, but not one she'd heard of before. Sticking close to Ryk, Einin flashed him an inquisitive look--a look she quickly schooled into a nervous expression, because she was Lady Beirne the noblewoman, not Owl the adventurer, and any noble lady would be terrified in such a situation.

And so as the Cat spoke, she adapted, fell further into her role. She pressed closer to Ryk for protection, eyes wide and one hand clutched to her chest as she cowered. "R-Ryk...?"

Not that she wasn't nervous as she took in the three men, because she was. Caught unarmed in a bad situation, she felt uncomfortably vulnerable--and irritatingly helpless. If she were Owl, she could be helping Ryk! She could be doing something and fighting alongside him!

Instead, she had to rely on him protecting them both, while she played her utterly useless part.

With a fraction of a nod at his words, Einin took a deep breath and readied herself. She had no idea what he had in mind, but she was ready to move as instructed the moment he flew into action.

        The Mountain Cats did not like Ryk's words. The one blocking the exit growled behind him, but luckily held his position. The other two came rushing down the alley. There was just enough room for the men to move, shoulder to shoulder, swords already drawn as they came. Ryk turned away from the two rushing men, his back to Einin as she would be moving. Without his gloves his movements were not magically sped along, but his years of experience did not fail him.
        A flurry of blades, six throwing daggers in all, were pulled and flung at the large man. He expected no such attack from a dressed up noble, and so made no move to block or deflect them. Six daggers struck home, to chest and throat. A look of shock bloomed across his face as he clutched at his wounds. Forward he toppled, gurgling on his lifeblood, but Ryk did not see it. He was already turned back around, short sword in his right hand, lead by the longknife in his left, in its usual underhand grip. He moved forward, angled with his left foot in front, toward the two men who had slowed at Ryk's quick actions, and the death of their compatriot. Seeing Ryk's confidence, they paused and looked at each other. Before they could choose their course Ryk was leaping at them. He swung his longknife in an upward slash at the man to the right, knocking his sword up high. A quick downward jab, left the longknife buried to the hilt in the Mountain Cats heart. The final rogue took a panicked swing at Ryk, his sword sweeping through the air where his neck had been only a moment before. Ryk was ducking low into a backward spin to his left. He used his now empty hand to steady himself through the slide, and finished the spin with a thrust of his short sword. The blade struck true, sinking into the mans abdomen, and out through his spine.
        As the man fell back off Aestival, Ryk noted that the blood was the near black red of a quick death. He walked over to retrieve Hiemal from the heart he'd left it in, and then cleaned both blades on the dead mans tunic. After stowing them at his hip once more he returned to Einin, who was watching him now. He stood silent in front of her for a moment before letting out a deep breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Had he really not breathed that entire time? That was unlikely, but it sure seemed that way. This girl was the likely cause of his nervousness, he had worried for her. He pulled her in gently into an embrace, pressing his face into her hair, smelling her scent. He may not love the girl, but he cared. That was rare for him, and he felt it a weakness. Best to keep it a secret.

As soon as Ryk moved, Einin pressed herself against the wall, arms crossed over her chest, hands around her throat, and body as flat as she could get it. And there she remained, unmoving, trying to make herself as small as she could and praying she didn't get caught in the collateral--though she trusted Ryk, and trusted him to keep her safe.

The fight that followed was quick, but hard to watch.

She had faith in Ryk, for she knew how he fought, but her breath still caught in her throat as the men rushed him--and she wasn't sure she breathed much at all when the first man fell over, turned into a human pincushion. She winced, shoulders jerking with every blow, every slash, fearing Ryk might get hit--and it was tempting to look away as things grew bloody, but she forced herself to watch. This was her new life. If she was going to become a knight, if she was serious about being Owl, she had to grow used to this.

Because she knew, one day, she might have to kill.

So she forced herself to watch them die.

It didn't last long; Ryk was a master, and these were but petty criminals. But when it was over, Einin remained rooted to the spot, the blood drained from her face, her breathing shallow. She felt...

As embarrassing as it was to admit it, she felt ill.

She'd seen dead men before. But she'd never heard the gurgles of the dying, the snap of a spine as a sword cleaved through it, the wet sounds flesh made when it was cut into, or seen so much blood. Well. So much blood that was attached to people. Jarrett and the bloody room was different; that was blood without bodies, sickening but in a different way.

Moving a hand from her neck, she covered her mouth and swallowed hard against the rising lump. Nope. She was not going to get sick over this. Not in front of Ryk. Yet when he pulled her into an embrace, she let out a shaky breath and curled into his warmth, and he could probably feel that she was trembling--a bit of a delayed reaction as the adrenaline hit. She buried her face against his neck and sucked in some deep breaths, hands on his back and gripping at his clothes.

"You okay?" she asked. "They didn't get you?"

        "Not a chance," Ryk told Einin, "only one of them even managed to attack before they were slain. Each of those tow only took a single thrust to finish. The big man wasn't even prepared. They probably had no training and little experience." He looked around the alley as he held her, listening for any sounds of approaching feet. It seemed as if they were alone, but one could never be sure. He was even more vigilant now that they'd been attacked, and if they needed to escape, Ryk was already planning for it in his mind.
        "We won't be exiting the way we came in," he told her, "I don't want anyone to notice that we came out of an alley that corpses will be found in. We'll take one of their swords for you, and head deeper in. We can come out through a side street, then head back to the faire. Nobody will be the wiser."
        Ryk pressed his face back into her pink locks. He stroked Einin's hair as gently as he breathed in her scent. The adrenaline of the fight and her trembling vulnerability aroused him, so she could likely feel it against her hip. He moved his face down to her neck, where he kissed her lightly.

Einin let out a relieved breath and nodded against Ryk's neck. She hadn't thought he'd been hurt, but the fight had happened so quickly and she had wanted to be sure. In any case, his words soothed her. She liked the idea of having a sword as they went through the alley--though hopefully she wouldn't have to use it.

This dress didn't really have the mobility for fighting.

"Okay," she said, taking a deep breath to get her bearings, for she really didn't want Ryk to see how much that had affected her. Did they have to die? Then again, Ryk didn't just kill people without reason; he hadn't killed the man that had murdered those women, and these ones had looked keen on murdering him.

And there had been three of them, and Ryk had been protecting her.

She was trying to push the thoughts from her head, trying to tell herself to get used to it, when Ryk kissed her neck. Einin shivered, sucking in a breath and clinging a little tighter; she liked it when he kissed her there, the sensation both ticklish and sensual, but though the pleasant feeling chased away some of her anxiety, they were still near corpses.

And then she froze when she felt something...vaguely familiar...pressing against her hip.

Uhh...

Another shiver went through her, and she shifted awkwardly, her face burning. "A-ah...Ryk...?"

        Ryk chuckled, knowing what it was that had Einin starting to get worked up. He couldn't help that his body was expressing itself so well. It was partially her fault too. She was so soft, and smelled lovely, and her innocence appealed to him. He leaned back from her, giving her a look of innocence.
        "I can't always control it," he told her simply, "you are very desirable, and this entire situation has put me in the proper mood for it," a warm expression grew on his face. One of caring, if not love. She was such a sweet thing. Was he really bringing her into his world? Well, to be fair, she had stumbled in on her own. He was just directing her down a path less likely to get her killed.
        "I may not be able to control how my body reacts," he said her softly, "but I can choose how I respond." He put his mouth to hers again, letting the stress of the situation melt away as he held her in a passionate embrace. He did not let himself get carried away though. He kissed her only a few times before slowly releasing her. As he moved an arms length away, he reached out to wipe away a little smudge of color from her lips. He had eaten most of the makeup earlier, but it seemed a little had remained. No longer. That last touch was now on his finger, her lips their natural color. The color he preferred.
        "Come now," he instructed, turning down the alley. He walked over and picked up the swords of each man, inspecting them closely. The one held by the Kitten that had threatened them, was far superior, and he dropped the other one back onto the ground. This sword was not like the cavalry saber used in noble duels, the style of blade he was training Einin with. It was a longsword, about two and a half feet in length. That was close to the size of her sword, but the balance was different, and this sword was a little heavier. It would have to do for now.
        "Well this will be yours for now," he turned back to her and handed her the sword, hilt first across his arm. "I plan to teach you to use one eventually, but your previous knowledge will be sufficient."

The situation had put him in the mood? Blood and fighting? Still a little shaken, Einin could only stare, incredulous, at Ryk. "What about this situation puts you in the--?" But then Ryk was kissing her, and she melted against him, letting the sensation of his lips and tongue, the warm press of his body, and his familiar scent chase away some of the tension.

Maybe she could understand it, after all. A little.

But they were still kissing near corpses, and he was still hard against her, and her mind and body warred with each other, torn between enjoyment and concern, between passion and repulsion, between wanting to continue tasting him and wanting to put space between their bodies and stop before it went too far--for the events of earlier were still fresh on her mind, and still made her blood burn hot. Ryk stopped before she had to put an end to it, though, and she took a step back to catch her breath--and pointedly avoided looking at the ground, because she knew what she'd find there.

She couldn't wait to get out of that alley.

Taking the sword Ryk handed her, Einin tested its balance and gave it a test swing. It was heavier, and not nearly as well made as the one Ryk had given her, but it would do for now, and she felt better having a weapon in her hand. More secure, less useless. She slid closer to Ryk and adjusted her grip on it.

"Do you think there'll be others?" she asked, keeping her voice low.

        "Probably not," Ryk reassured her, "they would have come by now I'm sure, if more were nearby." He stepped away from Einin, moving passed the corpses. His tread was light, making not a sound as he moved forward. His hands were empty, blades sheathed at his hip. He could draw them if they were needed, but throwing knives would be his first defense if bandits approached. Better to take them out before they got too close. Einin didn't need to be put at risk if he could avoid it.
        At the first juncture he paused, putting back a hand to halt Einin's approach. So focused was he on his task he did not notice that he touched her breast. The contact was light, and only brief, his hand next moving to his mouth as he turned his head to her, making a shushing gesture. He edged forward, looking both ways quickly. He then signaled to follow again, making a right turn down toward the side road that would lead back to the main festival area. A couple meters from the road he stopped. He turned back to face Einin then, pulling a throwing dagger from his jacket.
        "Wait here, watching the way we came, while I check that the street is clear," he more ordered than asked, "and when I call to you drop the sword here and hurry along after me. If you see someone, call out to me and get low so I can throw this at them," he told her, indicating the knife in his hand. Before departing he leaned in and kissed her again.
        "For luck," he said, then smiled as he dashed off.

Einin stopped when Ryk halted her, startling a little at the sudden gesture--and then glancing down, slowly, when she realized where his hand had ended up. On her breast. Einin scowled and took a step backward, about ready to casually remind him that she had a sword, but just as quickly as it had happened, Ryk moved his hand away and made a shushing gesture. He hadn't even looking at her until then, so this, at least, must have been an accident. She decided to keep quiet on the matter, but reached up with her free hand to give her bodice a little upward tug, reminded of how much flesh she had chosen to bare.

Gods, she had wanted the attention, and attention she had gotten.

She followed on Ryk's heels as they continued through the alley, and stopped again when told to stop. And when he kissed her, she grinned when he pulled away. "Your luck or mine?" But already he was off, and she had her role to play, so she turned to face the alley and lifted her sword, because the last thing she wanted was to be caught off guard.

With Ryk's back turned and Einin's eyes on the alley, neither of them saw the Cats that pursued from above.

Not until a wickedly scarred man dropped down in front of Einin, short sword in hand.

"Ryk!" she yelled, parrying the Cat's strike and retreating so she could give Ryk space to work--but her back bumped something fleshy. A second Cat grabbed her from behind, one hand grasping her wrist and twisting until she dropped the sword, while another hand covered her mouth. The man wrenched her around so she was facing Ryk, using her as a human shield, while the first Cat relieved her of her purse.

"Don't," the first Cat said, pointing his sword at Ryk, "even think of throwin' that little toothpick there. Try and stick us, we stick her, ya hear?"

While he spoke, the man holding Einin drew a knife with his free hand, and Einin gasped when he wrenched her head back to the point of pain and pressed the blade to her throat. She clawed at his wrist, wincing, and locked eyes on Ryk from over the man's hand. Oh shit...

"I seen what ya did to my boys back there," the first Cat, clearly the ringleader here, continued. "Gimme one good reason why I shouldn't carve ya both up, too. Maybe I'll let y'all go in one piece if the price is right. Rich noble like you's gotta be loaded. So c'mon. How much in your life worth?" And then, with a sly grin, he flicked his blade in Einin's direction. "How much is your lover's life worth?"

The Cat holding Einin laughed and said into Einin's ear, voice a stage whisper, "Guess you're gonna see his true colors here soon, eh? Better hope he's not a cheap date!"

Eyes still locked on Ryk, Einin shook her head as well as she could with the Cat covering her mouth. Sorry, she wanted to say. But please, please don't do anything hasty! Because her mind was racing, and she thought she might have an idea, but it was crazy.

        Ryk turned as Einin called out to him, but before he could throw, the Cat holding Einin had her shielding him. Ryk calmly put his throwing dagger between his teeth as they spoke, and pulled his gloves from behind his blade hilts. He pulled them on without hurrying, letting the foolish rogues posture. Once the gloves were on, he took the blade from his mouth and another slipped into his other hand from some hidden fold in his clothes.
        "Here's how this is going to work," Ryk began, "if you let the Lady Beirne go, and retreat with haste, I promise not to kill you myself. You'll want to hurry though, because if you don't run fast enough, they will catch you." Ryk readied himself, measuring the movements of the cats, and noting the number of shadows coming from the roof.
        "You see," he explained to the fools, "your greatest mistake was using the rooftops. You've attracted the attention of some angry Wolves."
        Sounds from above drew the eyes of Mountain Cat holding Einin. Ryk let the two daggers fly, and like lightning he was running behind them. One buried into the bandits hand, and he dropped the blade he had used to threaten the noble girls life. The other took him in the face and he let out a blood curdling scream as he reached up to clutch at it. Ryk's speed brought him quickly to Einin, who he tossed aside roughly, more concerned with her life, than the state of her clothes. His short sword was in hand, and after punching the ringleader in the throat, he brought his sword up to parry the blow of another Cat.
        Up on the rooftops, steel rang on steel, and blood was spilled, but the Soot Wolves had the fight in hand. They outnumbered the Mountain Cats, and were better equipped. They weren't a ragtag band with cheap armaments, they were a well organized machine. A slain Mountain Cat fell from above, landing behind the two Ryk faced, and the others in the alley began to flee. They had no loyalty it seemed. His Wolves may be generally self serving, but they would usually stand together.
        Ryk parried another blow from the Cat, as the leader of the group recovered from the punch to the throat. The Cat attempted a feint to bring Ryk's sword out wide to his right. Ryk let him believe he'd been caught in it, but as the rogue brought his sword in to make the kill, Ryk drew his longknife to parry the blow. He smoothly changed the direction of his short sword, thrusting it into the side of the mans neck.
        The ringleader had his longsword thrusting at Ryk now, his shield held ready to block a counter attack. Ryk knocked the feeble thrust low and swung Aestival hard against the shield. He battered hard at the shield, over and over, the magically forged metal cutting into the wood. Hiemal, the longknife turned into an overhand grip now, sought flesh around the edge of the shield, occasionally knocking a sword thrust aside. Ryk paused in his battering of the shield to draw back his foot, and kick the bottom of the splintering wood with all his might. The rogue was put off balance by the kick and stumbled back, Ryk again driving at the shield with Aestival violently. The rogue fell back, skidding on the ground, his sword skittering away from his grasp.
        Ryk kicked the shield aside and sheathed Hiemal. The rogue scrambled backward and reached for his sword but Ryk planted his foot on the offending hand. The rogue cried out as the bones in his fingers broke, and when he reached for a dagger at his hip, Ryk kicked him across the face. A tooth and blood sprayed from his mouth and Ryk reached down to grab the dagger and fling it away. The man's sword hand would likely be ruined now, but Ryk wasn't taking any chances. The rogue clutched at his broken fingers, sobbing through the pain. Ryk pulled one of the potions from his vest with his free hand, and held it up for the man to see.
        "This liquid will mend your fingers, and you'll likely be able to hold a sword again," Ryk wiggled the bottle, sloshing the potion inside. "The Soot Wolves do not like Cats in their city, and if you promise to leave I will give you this."
        "I-I- I p-p-promise," the man stuttered out. Clutching his broken fingers to his chest he reached out for the tiny vial with his other hand.
        Ryk swung Aestival out quickly, severing the hand at the wrist. It fell to the mans chest with a wet thud, as he let out a bone chilling cry. Ryk unstoppered the vial with his teeth and knelt on the man's chest as he thrashed in pain. He poured it into his mouth, getting half of it on his face, and soon the mans screams subsided. His wrist had healed over now, a stump, his broken fingers whole once more as well. His face was pale, and he looked down at his severed hand, the pain of its loss gone, but the feeling that it should still be attached, very real.
        "You will hold a sword again," Ryk told him, "but you will never steal again in my city." The wealthy man, that was sometimes a brutal killer, bent down and retrieved Einin's purse from the now one handed bandit. He strolled back to her where he had left her, the silence of the watching Wolves thick in the air.
        "How do you fair my sweet?"

It was lucky Ryk acted, because Einin had been planning a far more foolhardy bid for freedom--a maneuver that could have either gone very well or ended very badly. But before she could act, the bandit screamed and released her, and then Ryk was there, tossing her aside and out of the way. She fell, tearing her dress in the process, but stayed down and flattened herself to the wall, and there she remained until it was over.

Until the last man, minus one hand, stopped screaming.

That wet plop as his hand dropped to his lap, and the spurt of blood from severed veins...that would stay with her for some time...

"I fare...well. Better than them," Einin answered darkly, still curled on the ground and making no effort yet to stand. Her legs were shaking and she wasn't sure she could stand just yet without losing everything in her stomach. She didn't like this. She really didn't like this. This level of violence was new to her, and on top of that, she was dressed as a lady, and felt as vulnerable as one. She couldn't move properly in these clothes--slower, encumbered--and that man had grabbed her so easily. She had been ready to bite him and thrash free, call up some magic to hamper his sight, but...

It was frustrating, and scary. All that blood, all those people slain, and how easily that bandit had taken her. It was not only frightening, being taken hostage and held with a knife to her throat, but humiliating. She didn't like feeling helpless, and the last person she wanted to be helpless before was Ryk. Ryk, who had just saved her life, and cut them down so effortlessly.

Gods, she felt stupid, like she had failed some sort of test...

Einin waved a hand at Ryk, her other hand going to her mouth. "Just give me a moment," she said, and after a pause and a shaky breath, she forced herself to her feet. Her dress was dirty, and torn where she'd hit the ground (better it than her!), but she didn't care about that. She brushed it off and leaned against the wall, not looking at Ryk, and certainly not looking to see what the body count was.

Those screams had been terrible.

        Ryk began to reach a hand out to Einin and noticed the blood splattered across his sleeve. He had been about to hug the girl again, and he was likely covered in blood spray. He reached in his vest to grab the primper, cleaning himself, then Einin, with two quick taps. Her dress still had the minor damage of her fall, but she was whole, and that's what mattered.
        He didn't look back at the three corpses, or the man he'd left living, as he took Einin's hand and slowly lead her out of the alley. It didn't matter any longer if someone saw them exiting the narrow passage. The Soot Wolves would be moving in now, stripping the corpses of everything, even their scalps, and then dropping the bodies into the sewer tunnels. They had heard, and seen, the exchange with the ringleader. They'd let him carry back the message of Ryk Handelaar, wealthy merchant. The Wolves may not know which Wolf he was, but they knew he was among their ranks, and they knew the Red Wolf valued his partnership with the Soot Wolves. He made them all a bit richer than they otherwise would be. They would probably strip the one handed rogue of anything of use before they let him leave though. Waste not want not.
        There were few people on the road anyhow, and their attention was focused on getting to the festivities. It was unlikely they would remember seeing Ryk and Einin, and it was unlikely it would matter anyway. He reached out and stroked a finger across her pale face. Even washed out from witnessing the events in the alley, her complexion was lovely. Her lips had an especially cute pout to them now, and he wanted to kiss them. So he decided he would. He didn't care who saw them. He was Ryk Handelaar after all.
        "You're beautiful," he said to Einin, before he slowly drew her in and leaned in with the intent of kissing her once more.

Once they were out of the alley, Einin could breathe again. She didn't look back as they walked and only focused on what was ahead of them, and once the air smelled of meats and sweets instead of blood and filth, she felt...mostly okay again.

And at the very least, she felt okay with the deaths of those Cats, now that she had witnessed first hand that they were no harmless, petty thieves. Ryk had had no choice; it had been in self-defense.

Still didn't mean the bloodshed and loss of life didn't bother her, and she was still working to compose herself when Ryk touched her face. Einin blinked up at him, and a little color returned to her face when he called her beautiful, and she started to laugh hoarsely, but was cut off by a kiss.

She grabbed onto his arms out of reflex, and despite the stress that had knotted her muscles, despite the fact that they were not in private, she found herself pressing into the kiss, even though her first impulse had been to draw back. In a strange way, the contact was reassuring in its gentle  familiarity--and for a second, it helped her forget the horrors she'd witnessed. But then she drew back a little, slightly breathless, and peered up at Ryk.

"Now? Really?"

        "Really. Now," Ryk kissed her again, tasting Enin's lips thoroughly. Her innocence was delicious, and he savored it, "what better way to celebrate surviving than intimacy." His pause in kissing her was only momentary, bringing his lips back to hers. He was gentle, not fevered. The calm of this moment made all the more sweet by the chaos and violence of a few moments previous. He did not drag out the embrace too long, letting her free of his arms, and surveying their surroundings. They were not far off from the booths and stands of the faire, and it would be a good idea to continue their day. Let the fun of the sights and sounds wash the death away.
        "We should celebrate with a drink," he told her, taking her hand in his, lacing his fingers in hers, "would you like that? Something bubbly."

Anything Einin might have said was silenced by Ryk's lips, and her protests melted. She hadn't  felt much in the mood for kissing with all that blood still fresh in her mind, but Ryk was gentle and soft, and the contrast between that and the violence was enough to melt her. Some of the trembling tension left her, her muscles relaxing, and then she found her lips moving against him, her tongue shyly tasting him. She still didn't feel a very confident kisser, and still didn't know if she was doing it right, but like all other areas of her life, she was also determined to improve.

And what better teacher did she have than Ryk?

Her body warmed at that thought--her sword-fighting teacher, and now this?--and when Ryk released her, she licked her lips and reached up to fix her hair. "I'll admit, that did help a little," she said with a little smile, glancing up at him. Gods help her, all those years of eying him from afar, and here she was, kissing him. It seemed unreal. She never would have guessed that little crush and intrigue would have turned into this.

Maybe she was thinking about this the wrong way. They were alive, and that was, indeed, reason to celebrate.

Celebrating with a drink sounded extra wonderful.

"Bubbly, and strong. I'd like to forget the alley," Einin said, and gave his hand a squeeze. "But not strong enough to forget this day." With a little grin, she nudged him. "I'll try not to make a fool of myself, but no guarantees!"

        Bubbly and strong. That was not the sort of drink to be found on this end of the faire. Ryk lead Einin back into the stands, and booths, and the crowded streets. There were few acts to be seen, but plenty of games on this end, but as they moved that changed. The quality of the materials the stands were constructed from improved, the clothing of the attendants improved, and the performers grew more numerous. Fire breathers, snake tamers, jugglers, acrobats, jongleurs, sword swallowers and so many others. They wore bright colors to catch the eyes of the passing crowds, and a small circle of watchers enclosed each one. Not a few were Soot Wolves, and many Scavenger Wolves weaved through the crowds, finding their way into the purses of these more wealthy revelers. Ryk walked like an alpha, and most of the thieves avoided him. It was never a good idea to try a man who seemed so naturally confident in such a crowd. One little hand crept toward his purse, daring the order of the Red Wolf to not steal from Ryk Handelaar, wealthy merchant. Ryk paused in his walking, pulling Einin to a stop, and grabbed the grubby little urchin's hand.
        "Well if it isn't Elijah 'Fingers' Trebaol," Ryk said, bending to looking straight into the eyes of his little prisoner, "Rufus told me that if anyone dared pick my pocket it would be you. I could smell you from a mile away twerp." Ryk released Einin's hand and reached into his vest to fetch the primper.
        "I know you take pride in your stink," Ryk told him, "well here's your punishment." He tapped Elijah with his little toy, and the weeks of grime were swept away. Elijah's previous fear of being caught, turned to a shock of pure terror as he found himself clean. Primper tucked away, Ryk pulled out his tube of refresher, uncorking it with his teeth. He got a bit on his finger while Elijah stood, dumb struck into inaction. He hadn't even noticed Ryk had released his wrist. Ryk pushed the finger with refresher in the boy's mouth, quickly retracting it as not to be bitten. The effects of it's magic seemed to startle Elijah out of his fear and he made an awful face as he spit, trying to clean the minty freshness from his mouth.
        "Much better," Ryk said, "now you look like a proper little noble in that attire. Best watch your own purse now boy, you look like a mark." Ryk laughed as he straightened, the twelve year old boy running off in terror of his new found cleanliness. That would teach him to go against the word of the Red Wolf. He hoped the boy would someday become a senior Wolf, at least Omega. He'd make a great leader to the Scavengers if he could grow past his impetuous nature, maybe even Red Wolf was in his future.
        Now that that little distraction was handled, it was time to find them some expensive champagne.

Einin was laughing as the little boy bolted away, hand over her mouth. He looked so terrified! Though less terrified of being caught than of being clean!

"Boys and baths," she said with a shake of her head. "I'll never understand what's so revolting about being clean. Poor thing looked utterly traumatized, like cutting off a hand would have been kinder--wait." She lowered her voice. "The Wolves take in children? Really? Isn't that dangerous for them? What if he gets caught by someone who will take his hand?"

And he was young! All of the Wolves she'd seen before had been adults, but a child? Starting in such an organization that young? Gods...

        "Nobody will take his hand," Ryk said laughing, "his initial shock was that anyone caught him at all. Fingers is the best pickpocket we have. Few but me could have caught him, and really I'm lucky he didn't react by tossing an explosive in my face. Probably the shock that I knew his name."
        Ryk didn't immediately respond to her inquiry about Elijah's youth though. It was a tough subject for him to debate. As Theo, Ryk had been a child on the streets of Zantaric. Arca, was by far a paradise by comparison, and since Rufus took over The Soot Wolves, things had improved. It was reasonable for her to have her doubts though, and it was best he explain why it was good that children were Wolf Pups, instead on their own.
        "We take in orphan's and runaways that would otherwise be out on the streets," he told her, his voice tense, "We train them in our craft, but in others as well. They work for their keep, but they are treated well, and fairly. I don't allow harm to come to my Pups."

"Pups, huh?" Einin said with a lopsided smile. "That sounds kind of cute, when you put it like that."

Taking Ryk's hand again, she sighed. "I know there's worse places for them to be, and I know for them it's about survival. It's just sad they have to be on the streets at all..." However, she knew this was a rather heavy subject. Ryk's tense voice was proof enough, and this probably wasn't the time or place for a debate about ethics. After all, they were Ryk and Einin now, now Rufus and Owl; they had to be careful about what they talked about, lest the wrong person overhear.

Not only that, but she wasn't really in the mood for heavy things. Not after the alley.

She needed a distraction.

And so, with a bright smile, she pulled Ryk along.

"I don't know where you plan on taking me for the drink, but we should walk along this way!" she said, pulling him to the side, where they would have a good view of a fire-dancer as they walked past. She watched him twirl his flames, making it look so effortless, and she realized, after a moment, that he wasn't even twirling anything. He was a mage, and he was conjuring.

"I've seen people that do that with little balls attached to strings," she said as they walked by. "I always thought I might try it one day."

        "Well you can do it any time you like," Ryk said smiling, "a little illusory magic on balls at the end of tethers, and you can practice without fear of catching things ablaze."
        He continued to walk with Einin, scanning the crowds for his people. Watching them work. He was like a shepherd amongst his flock. A flock of Wolves is sheep's clothing. The take would be great today. Everyone would have a little extra money to burn. That made Wolves happy, and happy Wolves were easy to convince to maintain peace, avoid violence. Over the years he'd been showing them a better way, a safer way. Less death meant the authorities weren't as pressed to catch them. Not that they ever could. There were guardsmen amongst the Wolves, and others may not be, but took bribes. He had the gold, he made the rules. He knew that his organization of The Soot Wolves into a well oiled machine instead of the mindless animal it had been, would eventually draw attention. He just hoped by then he'd have a few more cities under his thumb. Cerenis was reportedly coming along, though the Mountain Cat presence there was strong. He was trying to convert them. He didn't want open bloodshed, but it was looking more and more likely. There was something in the Cats keeping them from seeing the up side to joining forces. He'd converted most other small gangs in the two major cities to join the Wolves. It would work out one way or the other, in time.
        Hopefully Einin hadn't been talking. His thoughts had drifted away, and his attention had been on the crowds more than her. The last thing he wanted was to offend her.
        "Let's get you that drink," he said smiling, hoping she didn't notice he hadn't been listening. Maybe she had stayed silent as they walked, just watching the performers.

Fortunately for Ryk, Einin hadn't been speaking. She had gotten distracted watching the performers, and pondering over Ryk's suggestion. Illusion magic made a lot of sense! For some reason, Einin hadn't considered it until then, and had instead been considering live fire. Sometimes, the most obvious solution was the easiest to miss.

Yeah, illusion first, then actual fire, when she was sure she wouldn't catch herself on fire. Besides, it would be good practice for her magic, because that would require a slightly more advanced illusion, and she did need to test the limits of what she could do.

She was mulling that over, and watching a woman swallow swords as they walked, when Ryk spoke. Jerking a little, and hoping he hadn't said more, she flashed him a smile. "Oh, sorry! I was just..." She motioned to the sword swallower. "Distracted. That stuff's crazy! How does she not cut herself? Anyway, about that drink! Do you know any good places? I mean, I'd even settle for ale or mead or something."

        Ryk walked a bit telling Einin about the sword swallowers.
        "They use dull swords," he explained, "even the tip is a bit rounded. There is still danger of course, but Branwen there is an expert at it," Ryk looked over to see where Einin was looking now. What new attraction had caught her sight.

"Hah, you even know her name. Is there anyone you don't know?"

Even as Einin spoke, she was watching the performers. This seemed to be the richer part of the faire, judging by the people and the clothes, and the performers were doing their best to capitalize on it. Up ahead, she saw a man lean in and kiss a snake on the nose--a snake that was reared up, a strange hood flared around its head. Einin's grip on Ryk's hand tightened, because she was sure the man was about to get his face bitten, but he pulled away unharmed, and the circle of people around him applauded.

"Dulled swords, you say. So that snake must be harmless, too, huh?"

        "If that snake bit that man in the face, he would be dead in moments," Ryk informed his date, "he's just skilled at his craft. He hypnotizes the snake with sounds and motions. If he misstepped, it would cost him his life."
        Ryk noticed a rather nice stand, with the occasional noble approaching and then leaving with a glass. That had to be expensive. Real glasses. He lead Einin up to it to discover that it was not glass but ice. A mage was using his magic to make ice flutes. The base and neck were wooden, but ice for the top. Ingenious.
        "Quite a profitable idea," Ryk said to the man, "wood so the nobles won't freeze their precious fingers, ice to keep the champagne cold and to look fancy for the nobles. Plus they have to drink fast so it won't melt in the heat. Get's them drunk faster, and spending more money. Ryk Handelaar, wealthy merchant," he put out his hand with the introduction, and the man took it readily, smiling.
        "Tiberius," the young mage replied, "I'm a mage from the academy. I have affinity for water and fire. I use fire affinity to pull the heat out of the water once I use my water affinity to shape it." The young mage pushed his blue tinted hair from his pale face, drawing attention to the flame orange of eyes. Ryk wondered at what fae lineage the boy had inherited.
        "Well it's young minds like yours that interest me," Ryk said smiling at the boy, "I'd like to have you to my estate tomorrow for dinner. The young Lady Beirne here," he gestured to Einin, "is to be my guest. She and I would both love to hear about your studies. I may also be convinced to contribute to your tuition if I like what I hear." Tiberius was positively beaming at Ryk's words, "for now I'd like to buy four of these ingenious glasses of champagne."
        "Of course," Tiber responded with glee. He demonstrated his skill, shaping the water onto the top of the wooden handles, then pulling the heat from them they froze. He poured the champagne and Rufus handed the boy the silvers he owed, plus a writ with his invitation to the next nights dinner.
        "I hope you'll be there Tiberius," Ryk said as he handed two of the drinks to Einin. He then picked up the other two for himself, downing one in a long draw. He placed the empty glass back on the counter and sipped at the second one.
        "You can count on it Master Handelaar," Tiberius said enthusiastically. Ryk smiled at the boy as he led Einin away by the elbow. She had her hands full after all.
        "Better not take too long with those, they're going to melt."

"Dear gods!" Einin laughed, and took a long gulp from one glass, nose wrinkling at the bubbly sensation. It felt so strange, but pleasant, though she had to drink it down fast; the flavor was definitely not her favorite. "It's like you're trying to get me tipsy! Not one, but two?"

But with a little shrug, she downed the rest of that glass, quickly before it could melt  in the sun. This was definitely not watered down stuff, either. Her second glass was already starting to melt, water dripping down her wrist. "I suppose I did say I wanted a strong drink. Oh well! Whatever happens after this, I'm blaming you. Cheers!"

And with that said, she sipped down her second glass, and flicked the water that had dripped onto her hand at Ryk's face with a grin. She was already starting to feel it; she blamed the bubbles. Well, that and herself for drinking it fast. As Ryk had observed, a melting glass was a rather clever ruse to get people drunker faster. Worked on her!

"Sounds like it's gonna be a full house tomorrow," she said, letting Ryk lead her along, still holding both of her melting glasses. She licked some of the ice. "Soon enough, you're gonna have invited the whole town. Maybe get those jugglers over there, too, while you're at it!"

        "Do you want the jugglers there?" Ryk asked, looking for the color in Einin's cheeks to show the alcohol was working it's magic. She was gonna love the faire even more once she was into the drink. He sipped more slowly at his second glass, holding it in a way that the water would drip away. The ice wasn't thinning too quickly, but he still wouldn't be able to enjoy it a leisurely pace. He reached over to Einin and took her empty ice flutes and tossed them aside. No need for the girl to get her hands all wet. Then he handed her a handkerchief to dry off.

Taking the handkerchief, Einin dried off her hands and handed it back. "Do I want the jugglers there? Are you seriously asking me that? Because I hope you're prepared for the answer, because that's a--whoa!"

Einin cut off with a gasp, then jogged off ahead of Ryk, a little wobbly, because the stuff really had gone straight to her head, as bubbly alcohol was wont to do. Ahead of them, surrounded by a half moon of spectators, was a female contortionist, and she was currently bending her body into a pretzel. It was almost like she lacked bones completely. "Ryk! Ryk, look!"

        "Yes, yes," Ryk said smiling. She was apparently already on the upswing from the bubbles. Oh the magic of bubbles. He placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned close so she could hear over the oo's and ah's of the crowd, "that's Jaheira. Does she not look familiar? You saw her sister swallowing swords. At events like this they ply their true talents, the rest of the time they take money for sex and snatch up secrets useful to the Wolves," he paused to let the information reach the machine of her mind. He could almost hear the gears turning, as he slapped a hand reaching for Einin's purse. He secretly put out a silver moon to the little Pup whose hand he struck, then she was away, weaving through the crowd.
        "So about those jugglers?"

Einin didn't notice the near robbery. She was too busy watching Jaheira bend until she was standing on her own shoulders, her mouth dropping open as she watched. How? She looked back over at Ryk, realizing he'd been talking.

"Wait...they work at the brothel? That's a shame, they're so talented...oh! The jugglers! Right!"

Grinning back at Ryk, Einin shrugged. "Sure! Hire 'em! Why not? We've got cooks and a drink-maker-person, so why not performers to round it out! And you have the animals, so we've practically got an entire troupe!"

        Ryk smiled at Einin's enthusiasm. She was beautiful and innocent, and he would be stealing that from her as soon as he could. He gave her a quick peck on the lips, right there in the crowd, and then took her hand. He took her back to the Jugglers' circle and watched their act for a bit. The three of them were very talented. Flaming batons, blades, and spiked cudgels flew between them with speed that they made look easy. Why weren't they Wolves? He'd have to look into that. Maybe they weren't locals. When one of the three left the group for a moment, Ryk approached him.
        "Hello there good sir," Ryk said in greeting, offering his hand to the performer. The man took his hand in a firm grip and shook it, "does your trio do personal shows?" At Ryk's question the man nodded and pointed to a well dressed woman that stood in the shadows. Ryk walked passed the juggler to where the woman stood and once again offered his hand, "Ryk..." but she cut him off.
        "Handelaar, wealthy merchant," she finished for him, "I know who you are Master Handelaar," she said with a sneer. "You walk about like you own the place, but you're just a puppet for the Wolves that run this city," if only she knew the truth. Ryk smiled at her words, not put off by the fact that she knew him. He wanted to be well known, wanted his name to be loved, and feared, whispered by everyone. "What do you want here Master Handelaar?" She almost spat his name, apparently she was not a fan of his.
        "I wanted to hire the jugglers for a personal show," he told her, finally letting his unshaken hand drop, "and one of them directed me to you."
        "What scheme are you working sir? What danger are you putting us in?" She seemed very offended by the proposition of working for him, and he didn't understand it. It puzzled him, and puzzles were something he took pleasure in solving.
        "No danger," he said simply, "I am having guests over, and wanted to invite your performers. They would be paid, of course, but they would also be my guests and partake of the feast."
        "Feeding commoners? Sounds like a scam," the woman said. She sure was paranoid. Something must have happened in her past to cause this. Perhaps if she accepted the invitation he could learn of it. "How much does it pay?"
        "How much do you expect to make today?" Ryk asked her. She paused, seeming to think it over. If she exaggerated too much, he might lower his offer of payment. If she gave too low a number, she may cheat herself of more money.
        "Ten moons," she came back. That was a rich amount by the standards of common folk, even for the four of them. What Ryk was about to offer would likely send her head spinning, but he didn't want her to be able to refuse, and he had noticed that one of the jugglers was eavesdropping on the exchange.
        "I'll pay you one hundred suns." Ryk told her, without so much as blinking. To him the amount was trivial. Most of the trinkets he carried on him had cost him more than that. The primper alone had set him back one thousand. The woman's eyes looked about to pop out and she stood silent with shock.
        "We'll take it," said the juggler walking over to offer his hand for Ryk to shake. The woman made spluttering sounds and the man shaking Ryk's hand waved her silent. "Don't mind our sister," he said to Ryk, "Viconia is not fond of wealthy folk, even the popular ones."
        "That's quite alright," Ryk assured the man, "I take no offense. I am not overly fond of us either." He and the man shared a laugh, and then Ryk told him where to find his estate. After a short exchange, Ryk gave the man, Minsc was his name, a writ for entrance to his estate. Then he went back to a spot where he and Einin could watch the show for a bit.

Einin stood back to let Ryk work, content with watching the act while he did his business. Which, of course, didn't mean she didn't eavesdrop. This transaction did....not go so cleanly, from the woman's body language and expression. Ryk was smooth, but it was clear not everyone was a fan.

Yet in the end, he returned victorious, and Einin flashed him a wide grin because they would have jugglers at their thing tomorrow! Why jugglers? Kia help her if she knew. It just sounded like a fantastic idea in the moment.

"Haha! You really need a new spiel," Einin said, leaning her shoulder on  Ryk's as he came to stand with her. She deepened her voice, trying to imitate him, and puffed out her chest. "'Ryk Handelaar, wealthy merchant!' When everyone starts quoting you, you know it's time for fresh material. Maybe Ryk Handelaar, filthy rich merchant! Oh! But you got the jugglers! Tomorrow is going to be so amazing..."

And then, expression turning thoughtful as she watched the performers, she added, "I bet I could juggle knives." Grin widening, she leaned up and kissed his cheek. "Can you juggle knives? You're really good with them."

        Ryk smiled at the girl, then grabbed her and pulled her close for a real kiss. A couple people gave them odd looks, but most paid no head, just watching the performers. He released Einin suddenly, after biting her lip just hard enough to give her a tiny twinge of pain to contrast the pleasure of the kiss.
        "Juggling is not a skill I am confident enough in to use dangerous objects," he told her, "but I became masterful with wind instruments as I made my way here from Zantaric. I entertained at taverns and inns to earn free lodging along the trip. Let's go."
        Ryk Handelaar, wealthy merchant, was enjoying this looser side of Einin. He lead her back to the champagne stand, where Tiberius gave them a happy wave.
        "Two more Tiberius," Ryk said as he placed the coin on the counter. The boy mage pushed back his blue hair once more, then worked his magic, molding the water. It froze into ice with a crackling sound and Tiberius poured in the champagne. Ryk handed Einin her glass, then tapped his against it and took a deep swig.
        "This is very good quality stuff Tiber," Ryk said to the boy, "how did you ever afford so much of it?"
        "One of the teachers at the University has been hoarding it in his study," Tiberius explained, "me and some of my friends, we nicked it. Last night. Every case the old codger had hidden away. He's gonna be cheesed off, but he'll never know it was us."

While Einin wasn't drunk, the alcohol had dulled her inhibitions just enough. Just enough that, in that moment, if she cared that they were kissing in front of people, she certainly didn't care enough to stop him. There was a feeble moment of protest, a brief, "Wha--?" when Ryk grabbed her, but once their lips met, it melted away, and those other people ceased to exist. She grabbed onto his arms out of reflex, breath caught, and gasped against his lips when he bit her. It didn't hurt, not really, but it was surprising and strangely thrilling, that odd contrast of sensual and rough.

She reeled a little when he released her and licked her bottom lip where he'd bitten her. Gods, it was so inappropriate, but she hadn't wanted it to end.

She was finally understanding what all the fuss was about.

But Ryk had other plans in mind, and she followed as she was lead along. "I didn't know you could play instruments! You should play one! I'd like to hear that," she said, and then laughed when she recognized where he'd brought her.

"More, Ryk? Ahaha. Kia's toes, I hope you brought some of that potion or I'm going to really fail at ladylikeness. If that's even a word. It is now," she said, and happily accepted the champagne. It had successfully chased away her darker thoughts, and why not? Being tipsy was actually pretty fun, and she might as well enjoy it, since Ryk didn't seem to mind letting her indulge!

She downed it quickly, before she could be put off by the flavor. Then she leaned against Ryk again, and as he talked to Tiberius and tried to have his serious conversation with the boy, she smiled mischievously and lifted her glass up higher before touching the ice to the back of Ryk's neck.

        The ice sent a chill through Ryk's body, and a small shiver ran down his spine. He set his empty glass on the counter and turned from Tiberius to Einin, gently grabbing her wrist and taking the empty glass from her. He pressed the ice of it to his lips, chilling them thoroughly, then he kissed her hard on the mouth. Pressing his cold wet lips to hers with passion, tasting the champagne on her mouth, was exciting. He turned his head back to Tiber, after kissing Einin and gave the mage a smirk with the inclination of his head. Then he was leading her away, showing her the performers, showing her a good time as he tugged her along.
        "Would you like to watch more performers," he asked her, "or would you like to sneak off and enjoy a bit more time alone?"

The cold added an interesting sensation to the kiss, and by the time it ended, Einin felt a little dizzy. She wasn't sure if it was because of the champagne, or the magic of his mouth, but either way, it became very hard, very quickly, to think about much else.

So when he lead her off and asked whether she wanted to watch the performers or sneak off, the answer was pretty easy.

"My feet are kinda sore," Einin said, making a face. "Women's shoes, for the record, are really not all that comfortable. Never wear them if you don't have to!" And then, realizing what she'd said--and having a nice visual image accompany it--she burst into giggles and pressed her face into Ryk's shoulder.

"Not that you would! I don't think. Where was I going with this? Oh, yes! We should sneak. Sneaking is fun and exciting! I'm an expert at sneaking, you know, and I'd like to kiss you more." The words tumbled out, tongue loosened by alcohol, and she flushed red as soon as they left her and covered her mouth with her free hand.

"Those were supposed to be inside words," she mumbled behind her hand. Maybe it was silly to be mortified about saying out loud that she liked the very thing she'd been spending a large part of today doing, but admitting it out loud felt...different.

        Ryk quickened his pace, pulling Einin along, a goal in mind. There was a home nearby, one he knew was nicely furnished and would be empty. The owner was in Adela for the season, the staff given the time off. It wasn't large, by any means, but it was all the space they'd need. He tugged Einin down a side passage, around to the rear entrance. From his vest he pulled a nondescript key shaped from a bone. Quite literally, a skeleton key. Into the lock it went, a quick turn and the door was open, ready for them to pass through. Ryk pushed it open, locking it behind them, and soon came to a stop in the drawing room.
        A table rested against the wall, some trinkets of probably sentimental value arranged on a lace cloth. Ryk picked up the cloth, bundling the items quickly and set them aside. Then he lifted Einin to sit on the table and quickly pulled off her shoes tossing them to the ground. Off came his jacket, and it joined the shoes, before he grabbed her face and kissed her fiercely. He let his lust free, and he pulled her body in tight against his, his tongue and lips seeking hers feverishly.

Einin practically had to jog along beside Ryk to keep up with him as he lead her along--though she had to be careful, because gods was she tipsy, and she stumbled into Ryk more than a few times on the way to that home.

Before she could ask what this place even was, though, Ryk ushered her inside and made quick work of the trinkets on the table. Einin blinked. "What are you doing--oh!"

He lifted her up onto the table, and then--well, there went her shoes. Guess he'd taken her complaint to heart! Which she was not complaining about. With a happy sigh, she flexed her cramped toes and watched him curiously--and felt butterflies stir nervously when he removed his jacket.

"Ryk..."

Then his mouth was on hers, and she was pulled flush against him, and it was all she could do to keep her brain working as her hands slid over his shoulders and her lips and tongue met his. It felt hotter this time, more urgent, and she clung to him, her eyes closed with pleasure as she tasted mint and champagne.

Gods.

"Just kissing," Einin managed to gasp out between kisses, for she had not forgotten the missing jacket, and it had sent a flood of nerves and excitement through her--though mostly nerves. She liked this, and even when things had escalated beyond what she was comfortable with, it had felt good, good enough she almost hadn't wanted to stop--but, admittedly, she was a little afraid of that extra step. The thought of baring herself to another person was intimidating, and she'd heard the act hurt the first time. But this? This she could do.

And drink made her bolder.

Einin threaded her fingers through Ryk's hair and caught his bottom lip with her teeth, mimicking the nip he'd given her earlier. It was clear that just like in swordplay, she was a rather quick learner, and just as in fencing, this was no different--she wanted to learn, and wanted to improve. She'd liked the nibble, so why wouldn't he? She soothed it over with her tongue and kissed him more tenderly after, her breathing quick, breathless. "Is that okay?"

        Ryk did not answer her question with words, just with more kissing. Einin's flesh was warm and soft, his fingers tracing lines across her skin. They were soon finding the pins and clips in her hair, removing them neatly and setting them nearby. There were not many, with the way it was cut, there was little need. Free of anything obstructing his hands, he slid them through her hair, tugging it slowly, and gently, but firm. Then he gripped it tightly and moved her head to the side. His lips moved to her neck, where he bit her sensually, then kissed and sucked at her flesh. He dragged his tongue along the line of her jaw to her ear. He played with the lobe, flicking his tongue against it then pulling it gently with his teeth. He let just enough of his breath escape into her ear, across the wet path he'd made to prickle her senses. With a breathy voice he moved his mouth to her ear again and whispered, caressing her neck with his fingertips as he did so.
        "How about I promise to keep my pants on, and you let me show you how mush pleasure you can receive without me penetrating you?"

Oh Kia, yep, he'd found her weakness. A weakness Einin hadn't even known she'd had until Ryk had exploited it earlier--and exploited it again now.

Einin sucked in a breath as Ryk's lips and teeth played along her neck, toes curling and hands sliding down to grip his shoulders hard. She whimpered and bit her lip, desperately trying to keep quiet, but her breath still escaped her in sharp gasps and her body trembled with the effort it took not to squirm. Even then, despite her efforts, she couldn't help the breathy, "Oh!" that left her when he bit her neck, a sound somewhere between a gasp and a soft cry, and then she did squirm, nails digging into his shoulders through his clothes. Gods, his mouth truly was magic, and by the time he reached her ear, she was clinging to him hard, his breath raising goosebumps and his nibbles sending heat flooding through her body, which was flushed with passion. She gripped him tighter and wrapped her legs around one of his without even thinking about it, and he didn't even have to tilt her head for her, for she arched against his mouth, loving how it felt.

Then his breath was tickling against her ear and she laughed at the sensation--and then froze when the words registered.

Those words sent some of that heat straight between her thighs.

She cracked her eyes open and leaned into Ryk's fingers. "Wha...what do you mean?"

        "How about you trust me," Ryk said, loosening the laces to Einin's dress just enough, "and trust that you'll enjoy everything, and still be pure for your wedding night." He cupped her breasts in turn, massaging them through her dress with on hand, while the other worked at the laces. Once they were loose enough, his lips and tongue moved down her neck to her clavicle. Then lower, as he tugged the top of the dress down. His kisses making a trail into her cleavage, their eventual destination obvious.

Einin's mind raced, and so did her heart. She had no idea what he had in mind, and that filled her with a combination of anticipation and intimidation. This was an area in which she had little knowledge, and though she was impulsive in most things, this was brave new territory, and she had no map. Besides, it was easy to be impulsive when you were doing things--it was a whole new level of trust and vulnerability when it was someone doing things to you. Intimate things, at that.

"I...I trust you, I just--ah!"

She gasped and closed her eyes, biting down on her bottom lip again as Ryk's hands found her breasts, and her body was quick to respond, nipples hardening under his fingers as she arched into his hands, lips parted. Oh gods. This was actually happening. And yet, she let it happen, because she did trust him, and she was curious. And then cool air hit her breasts as Ryk pulled the top of her dress down, and Einin looked up at him--and then quickly looked away, shy and wishing the room were darker. Her hands fluttered upwards for a moment, clearly fighting against the twitchy impulse to cover herself, because he was looking at her--she was exposed!--and--

And he was kissing her.

It was a wonder Ryk couldn't feel her heart hammering wildly in her chest as he kissed her--or maybe he could. The sound was loud in her ears, dizzying, but even more dizzying were the sensations his lips created. With a low moan, Einin found a use for her hands and gripped his hair tightly. She closed her eyes again, too shy to look at him, still wanting to curl up and hide, but torn between that and pleasure as he moved lower--and wanting him to move lower.

"Oh gods..." she whimpered, pressing into his kisses, and covered her mouth with one hand as soon as the words escaped.

        Ryk's hand fondled Einin's right breast, massaging it, kneading it gently, rubbing the nipple with his thumb and forefinger. His mouth was on the other, tongue swirling around Einin's puffy, pink areola, flicking across her hard nipple. Then he was sucking at it, rolling the stiff little button gently between his teeth. He blew across the dampness his saliva left on her skin, and he watched as goosebumps rose across her skin, her nipple stiffening further. Then he switched, making the same motions, giving each of her perfectly pert and perky breasts equal attention.
        "They are perfect," he whispered, more to himself than her, his mouth returning to them. His hands never stopped working, one always stroking her, caressing her, pressing at her flesh. The other worked at her clothing, first pulling one of her arms free of her dress, then the other. Any time her hands moved, he guided them gently to his neck, his hair, giving her something to hold as he worked to pleasure her. With both of her arms free he starting pulling her skirts up. He'd slightly rock her this way and that as he kissed her. He would return his mouth to hers, his tongue exploring her mouth again and again. Then move it to her ears, her neck, her breasts. He played with her hair, pulling it gently, keeping the sensations, the types of stimulation, changing as he hands juggled tasks.
        Finally he had her dress confined to her waist, all of it pulled up or pushed down, so her bare ass was pressed to the table, and much of her flesh exposed. Her garments situated just as he wanted them, his hands were free to give her body all his attention. He kissed all the way down her abdomen, twirling his tongue in her navel, then kissed all the way back up to her mouth, the entire time his hands fondling her breasts, playing with her nipples, keeping them erect. Then he took her hands and wrapped them around his back. He pulled her in close, kissing her softly, then pressed his hard cock against her clit. Only his clothing separated them, and Ryk gyrated against her as he kissed her. He paused to pull off his vest, tossing it to the ground, and unbutton his shirt before pulling her against him once more. He enjoyed the feeling of her flesh against his, and their two rapidly beating hearts seemed to make music together. He gripped her ass with both of his hands, pressing her hard against him as he rotated his hips. He wanted her to feel what it was like to feel this wonderful pleasure, knowing that she'd imagine how much better sex would be. How much better it would be if he were inside her.

"O-oh!" As soon as Ryk's mouth found her breasts, Einin forgot her modesty. She couldn't think clear enough to be modest, pleasure and alcohol chasing the thoughts away as he sucked on one nipple and then the other. And when he commented on their perfection, she let out a breathless laugh, once again feeling that brief tug of self-consciousness--before it was chased away again by his hands and lips and tongue, her laugh trailing off into a moan.

It was enough that she scarcely noticed how he was removing her clothes, exposing more and more of her. Or rather, she noticed--but at this point, she didn't care. Oh, the nerves were still there, but more powerful still was the desire he stoked within her, and when his mouth returned to hers, her kisses were hungry, demanding, as she found herself craving his touch.

She only realized how bare she was when he began to kiss down her belly, and she jolted, alarmed for a second--when had that happened?!--but then she was writhing against him, her belly sucking in under his lips as she gasped for the breath he kept stealing, her hands squeezing his shoulders. It was all happening so fast, but this time she let him sweep her away, even as Ryk moved between her legs.

Kia help her, but she wanted him.

Einin cried out as Ryk gyrated against her, as he moved against that familiar spot, and it wasn't long before she had her legs wrapped around him, shameless in her passion. He'd taken off his vest and unbuttoned his shirt sometime during this, but it all seemed a blur as she she clung to him, her breasts pressed against his bare chest, her face buried in his neck as she cried out against his ear, her breath hot on his skin.

"Ryk...gods...!" He was so hard against her, stroking her through his clothes, and the effect it had on her was obvious as she grew wet with desire--and left behind a damp spot on his breeches. She clawed at his back, her hips grinding against his as she panted and cried out against his neck, trying to keep that pressure between his cock and her clit. This was horrible. Absolutely horrible. Feeling his cock through his breeches as he thrust against her, trembling with pleasure, she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if she did let him take her. What it would feel like to have a man inside her...

It was just a little cloth...

It couldn't hurt that bad, if it felt so amazing right now.

Einin's hands slipped down further and she grabbed onto his ass and bit at his neck, before leaning up and capturing his mouth with hers, her moans muffled by Ryk's lips. "That...that feels good," she whispered when she broke the kiss.

        "Good," Ryk breathed, his tongue trailing the ridge of Einin's ear. He made short grunts, and small moans of his own, deep in his throat as he worked his cock against her. He could feel her moisture soaking through his pants and smiled to himself working harder. He slid the bulge in his pants against her, parting her lips some. His trousers were growing slick as he continued his gyrations, and he was grinding into her harder and faster. He new the sustained motion would begin to rub her raw, the fabric of his pants not meant to be a tool for pleasure. He wanted her to be pushed over, wondering if she'd ever experienced an orgasm. Boys were prone to self pleasure, but from what he heard, girls were less inclined. He bit her lip just a bit harder than she'd felt from him before, then he parted from her. He took her hand and pressed it against his cock so that she could feel it throbbing as his heart raced.
         "That's yours when you want it," he told her, "all you have to do is ask."
        He stood her up on shaky legs and pulled her clothing up over her head. She stood now in just her stockings and before she had time to feel exposed he swept her up into his arms, cradling her, and carried her to a settee. He sat her down gently and then brought his mouth to hers, his hands pushing her loose hair back. His mouth moved to her neck, then her chest and breasts, his hands massaging her scalp, then her jaw. He continued moving down, kissing her flat stomach, then her hips. As he kissed her hips and the tops of her thighs his hands parted her legs, and his fingers found her wet mound. He touched it tentatively with his fingers, sliding their tips between the folds of her lips, pushing back her hood to rub at her exposed clitoris. He was doing his best to draw sounds of pleasure from Einin's mouth.
        After only a few moments of gentle strokes from his fingertips, he pulled her legs apart wider and placed his mouth on her wet cunt. His tongue slid between the folds of her sex, and he pulled at them with his lips, enjoying the flavor of her desire. He could taste her innocence even more than on her mouth, and it was sweet. He sucked at her, savoring the moment, then used his fingers to part her. He used his tongue against her clit, licking it with the skill of an experienced lover, making use of his entire mouth to bring her pleasure.

Einin was crying out in earnest as Ryk redoubled his efforts, her hips moving faster against him as he worked her harder. She scrabbled at his shoulders, the sensation growing more intense--but then he stopped and she yelped when he bit her, a chill racing down her spine--and a little disappointment filling her. Why had he stopped?

And then he pressed her hand to his cock, and she flushed a darker shade--which felt kind of silly in retrospect, since he'd been touching something far more private than her hand just then.

She bit her lip and looked up at Ryk, breathless. She could ask right then. But...she shouldn't. Not until she was married and--whoa!

Suddenly, she was bare, but Ryk swept her away before she could try to cover herself. It felt different standing there before him naked, instead of pressed up against him...mostly naked. And when he laid her out on the settee, she moved her hands over her breasts and closed her legs, suddenly feeling uncomfortably vulnerable--especially naked like this, with Ryk clothed. Heart beating fast, she started to curl up, feeling herself start to freeze--but Ryk's mouth found hers, and his hands were touching her, and the tension faded out of her as pleasure replaced fear. She laid back, panting, and trembled when his hands moved lower. There was a brief moment of shy resistance when he parted her legs, her bottom lip between her teeth, hands curled, and breathing shallow--but then his finger slid between her folds and over her clit, and she let her held breath out in a whoosh. Her hips jerked, pressing against his fingers, and she bit her knuckle, not quite sure what to do with her hands, not quite used to these powerful new sensations--and not quite prepared for the sounds he'd draw out of her, as his finger soon found just the right rhythm, and her eyes fluttered shut with a shuddering moan.

That soon grew louder when he spread her wide and lowered his mouth to her.

Einin was far from a quiet partner--which was also news to her. It wasn't long before sharp, sobbing moans escaped her as Ryk's mouth explored her, one arm stretched over her head to grab the arm of the settee in a white-knuckled grip, her other hand tangled in Ryk's hair. She writhed, body tense, back arching and hips lifting against his mouth as her chest rose and fell with frantic gasps. It was beyond anything she had imagined, beyond anything she could have ever anticipated, and she trembled and curled her toes as his tongue and fingers drew out sensations she hadn't thought possible. Shameless, she opened her legs wider to give him more room, one foot propped on the settee and the other leg hanging off the side.

"Oh gods...oh Kia...!" she cried, tossing her head and gripping him tighter. Her throat was growing raw from her cries, her hips squirming under his tongue, and she had the vague thought that gods, she hoped no one else could hear--but she couldn't control it. "Ryk...! Oh gods, please!"

She didn't want him to stop, she never wanted this to end, but a pressure was building between her legs as he tasted her, and soon both hands were thrust into his hair and her head was thrown back, breasts heaving as she arched. Something was happening, something was changing, the pleasure growing more intense, that pressure building, and Einin clapped a hand over her mouth right as her thighs clamped against Ryk as it all came to an overwhelming head.

Einin let out a sobbing cry as she peaked, her body tensing as she shook uncontrollably. She pressed both hands to her face to cover her mouth and clenched her eyes shut and squirmed under Ryk, unable to stay still as she rode out her release--which was, indeed, quite unexpected, as it was, indeed, her first. With one hand, she grabbed at his shoulder, needing something to hold onto, and when she lowered her hand to get some air, she came up gasping.

        Ryk, eased up on Einin, his hands slid under her to massage her buttocks, helping relieve the tension her body experienced with her climax. He gently lapped at her, taking in the sticky sweet taste of her pleasure. As her movements slowed he kissed the inside of her thighs gently. He moved up her body kissing her tenderly, sucking at her skin, licking the perspiration that dappled her flesh. His fingers danced up her body and his kissing followed. He bit her nipples, not quite to the point of pain, soft now at the expenditure of her lust. He tickled them, making them stand erect again before moving on to her clavicle, her neck, her jaw. He finally pressed his mouth against hers, with an intensity to match her dwindling orgasm. He peeled his shirt back and draped it across the back of the settee. Then he took her hand and slid it between them, cupping his still hard cock in her palm. He left her hand there, moving his to her sex where he ever so gently rubbed against her clit with a knuckle.
        "I think there's time for more," he told her, burying her in more kisses, "turnabout is fair play."

Ryk's ministrations both relaxed her, and kept her aroused all at once. For a few moments, she lay there heaving for breath, feeling rather boneless and managing only weak sighs as he kissed her along her body--though the little bites at her nipples drew a hissed breath, and she tilted her head so he could kiss her. She felt...sated. Relaxed. Good.

And if he kept touching her like that, well...already she could feel herself recovering.

She turned to match his kiss, mouth working tenderly against his--and then her eyes widened when he pressed her hand against something quite familiar.

Oh!

"What...um..." It was a little hard to think with Ryk going back to stroking her, stoking those embers back to sparks, even if it was a light touch and not the frenzied contact of earlier. Einin swallowed, feeling a little put on the spot. It was true...he had, ah, done a lot for her, and hadn't done anything for his own pleasure, and she was curious about that, too, but...well...

Her voice came out a near whisper as she darted a look down at the bulge she was cupping through Ryk's pants. It was kind of mortifying to admit that she didn't know what the hell she was supposed to do with the thing she was currently touching. She squirmed a little, trying not to be too distracted by where Ryk's hand was.

"H-how do I...?" She bit her lip, glanced down at his crotch again, and flushed, growing flustered.

"Sorry...I've never really--well, ever, ah..."

        Ryk kissed Einin's neck as she stumbled over her words. He knew she was completely unfamiliar with any sort of pleasure techniques, but that didn't matter. She wouldn't even know the difference between cut or uncut. Her lack of experience didn't worry him though. She was already very talented at kissing, and they hadn't been at that long. He'd show her, he'd guide her along. He kissed her mouth to silence her stuttering. Then he smiled at her.
        "I will be patient, and very gentle," he said sweetly, "you should take it out to start with. I promise not to take your maidenhead unbidden, but you will find it impossible to work with wrapped in my pants and smallclothes."

Ryk's assurances calmed Einin, but it was still intimidating. She hadn't even known her own body, so to get to touch Ryk, who was breathlessly handsome (and knew it) and had an endless wealth of experience on her...it felt a little daunting, especially after what he'd done to her. How could she match that? She felt clumsy, her nerves returning, and she was still trembling in the afterglow--but if he would be patient and wouldn't judge her (and so far he had done neither), then maybe she could do this.

She met Ryk's eyes, blushing, and nodded. "Alright, just, er..." She smiled sheepishly. "Don't laugh."

Einin pushed herself upright and, despite everything they'd just done, felt the urge to cover herself again. Now that she was no longer distracted in the throes of pleasure, she felt just naked--which was ridiculous, worrying about being looked at when Ryk's mouth and hands had been...everywhere, and when she was already craving more of his touches. With slightly shaking hands, she reached out and began to unlace Ryk's breeches. When they were loose enough, she paused, then slid a hand inside, under his smallclothes, and her breath caught as she felt him with no clothes between them, surprisingly soft flesh stretched over rock-hardness.

After another brief moment's hesitation, she gripped his cock and slid him out of his pants. Then stared, her hand cradling him, and blushed darker. It wasn't like she had never seen a penis before, but never on a grown man, and certainly not erect.

"Oh...wow..." Tentatively, but ever curious, she wrapped her hand around him and slid her hand along his shaft, feeling him from base to glans. Gods. To her, he looked huge, and felt it, and she quickly became aware that she was quite naked and slid her knees together, feeling even more exposed.

Still touching him, she glanced at Ryk, eyes moving briefly over his bare chest (he had felt so good against her) before finding his face. "This actually, um...fits?"

        Ryk gave Einin a reassuring smile then leaned in and kissed her on the mouth. He slid his hand between her now closed legs again and rubbed gently.
        "It fits here," he said against her mouth as his fingers pressed against her sex, "and it fits here." He touched his other hand to her mouth as he pulled away from the kiss. Then he moved a hand to each thigh and rolled at her stockings. With the way she sat, he could not move them much, but he exposed more of her legs. He tickled his fingers across her skin, then squeezed at the flesh of her thighs, kneading them as he gently pulled apart her closed knees. He slid his hands to her stomach, and pressed his thumbs into her abs. They were firm from all the exercises they did, but still covered with a layer of soft flesh. He really took all of her in with his eyes now that he had the chance.
        "You are a gorgeous little bird," he told her sweetly, "you needn't be so shy. You are exquisite my dear." She really was strikingly beautiful, and so delicate. Ryk pulled Einin in a bit closer, adjusting her like a doll. He fondled her breasts again, leaning in to place his mouth on them once more, then moving his mouth to hers. He helped her position her hands, one at the base of his shaft to keep it standing, the other wrapped around it. He guided her hand in a stroking motion, helping her get into a good rhythm. Then he moved his hands back to her, one touching her breasts, the other between her legs. His mouth was hot and hungry against hers, and he was determined to have his fill of her.

Ryk's hand slid between her closed legs, and Einin's breath hitched when his fingers pressed against her. She shuddered at his words, which wreaked havoc on her imagination and got her desire flowing, her eyes fluttering shut as his hands moved over her again, kneading at her thighs, pressing at her belly, and it wasn't long before her breath was coming in soft pants. He had coaxed her legs open, but she slowly spread them a little more, forgetting some of her shyness as she drank in his touch.

And as he spoke to her, his words emboldened her--and sent her heart racing. Little bird. She decided, right in that moment, that she liked that nickname. Once a taunt, it was now affectionate, intimate, and as he touched her, she could believe him. She knew she wasn't ugly, but she also knew all her imperfections, and to be like this with another person, with Ryk, scarcely a thing between them and her body bared completely to him--it was dizzying, and thrilling, and scary, and new. But she cracked her eyes open and saw how he was looking at her, and she managed a little smile.

"I like it when you call me that," she said, voice quiet, and she shivered as his mouth found her breasts again. "A-and when you...when you do that..."

A breathy moan left her and she arched against him--and almost forgot what she was doing to him until his mouth covered hers, and his hands adjusted her grip. It brought he back to the task as he showed her how to move, and when he let go she continued, even as her mouth worked feverishly against his. She moaned against his mouth, body on fire as he rekindled that intense desire, and her hips rocked encouragingly against his hand as she spread her legs wider and nodded against him, letting him know she wanted it. She broke the kiss, but only briefly, because a second later and her lips were on his throat, teeth grazing his skin before she sucked lightly, remembering how she'd liked it when he'd done it to her before she leaned up and nipped at his jaw, a little harder than she'd meant, but his fingers were distracting, and her passion was building.

"Gods, Rufus--oh." She froze a moment, breath hot against his neck, and let out an airy laugh. "...Ah, Ryk...sorry!" She kissed him again, cutting off her moan, and sucked on his bottom lip. A thought struck her as her hand moved over him, something he said earlier clinging to her mind, but she had to work up the courage to bring it up, first.

        Using quick, practiced motions Ryk pushed down his pants, his smallclothes going with them. He kicked off his boots as his clothes reached his ankles. Now he wore less than Einin in her long stockings, he was completely nude. He took her hands in his and lifted them around his neck, then he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her on top of him. Her knees bent, straddling his legs, he pulled her forward until her sex pressed against his. Sitting together, chest to chest, hearts beating in time, he pushed against her ass, making her grind against him. He didn't have to be inside her to feel the slick moisture of her desire, and it made it easy to slide her along his shaft. Her breathing felt faster even than his own as he worked her gently against him in a steady rhythm. He wanted to slide into her to take her last bit of innocence, but he had promised, and it was important that all his promises to her be kept.
        After a few minutes of gentle movement he stood and lifted her, wrapping her legs around him. He carefully knelt, and laid her on the ground. He pressed his body down against her, kissing her gently. He took her hands in his, lacing his fingers through hers, and lifted them above her head gliding them through the plush Essyrni rug they were laying on. His cock rubbed against her clit, the the mingling moisture of both their bodies lubricating the ambulation. His movements were not too fast or hard, he wanted to enjoy this as long as he could. He'd likely have her in this position again after dinner tomorrow evening, but he had her now, and he wanted to drag it out. He sucked at her neck, long, pulling pressure that would leave bright red hickeys that she'd have to cover with her illusions. It was lucky she could do that, because next he bit her. He was slowly building the intensity, so the pain would be gentle, mingling with the pleasure the rest of her body felt. That didn't mean his teeth wouldn't leave marks.
        "I'm going to use my mouth to pleasure you again," he whispered to Einin, his hot breath on her neck, "would you like to try using yours on me? At the same time?"

Soon, Ryk stood bare, and Einin's eyes widened as she drank in the sight of him--and for a moment she forgot to breathe. He was gorgeous, and she still couldn't fathom why he had picked her--but now, today, she knew why he had gotten his reputation, and knew that everything that was said of his bedroom skills were true. Hours ago, and she would have never imagined she'd be here right now, naked with him, touching him and being touched, and when she could breathe again it came out shaky with need. Hours ago, and if he'd suggested it, she would have smacked him.

But now here they were, and he was completely naked, and so was she, and wait, hadn't he said he'd keep his pants on? Though she had been the one to undo his trousers, hadn't she? But before her mind could go much further, he pulled her into his lap, and she gasped sharply when she was made to straddle him--and when she felt something press against her sex, only with no cloth between them. Oh gods! Was he...was he going to...? She gripped him tightly about the neck and with a soft whimper she buried her face in his shoulder as he made her move, breathing in his scent. She felt the smooth slickness of his cock gliding between the lips of her sex and she nipped his ear, her breath coming out in hot, quick puffs against his skin. Her legs trembled as her hips rocked against him, her heart pounding, and she could feel his own pulse when she pressed her lips to his neck. She should stop this. There was nothing stopping him from taking her and yet, he didn't--and yet, some forbidden part of her wished he would, soft, pleading sounds leaving her whenever she felt him press against her entrance, but not enter. This was maddening, and her nails dug into his bare shoulders, leaving behind half moon indents.

And it only got worse.

For soon she found herself on her back against a plush rug, and Ryk was atop her, her hands held above her head, and he was moving against her, over her, still teasing, and her squirming grew more desperate, more needy, legs spread and toes curling into the fibers of the rug. Her hips bucked up against him as his cock slid over her clit, her eyes clenched shut in pleasure and her lips parted, chest heaving as she arched up into him. Oh gods, she wanted him, but she felt helpless beneath him, pinned as she was, only capable of writhing restlessly and gulping in air between her cries. It was so wrong, but gods, he had touched her in every way but one, and as he rocked against her in imitation of the act, playing her body like a well-loved instrument, she tried to press against him harder, tried to tell him with her body what she wanted.

That she wanted him.

Because she was fast tumbling past the point of caring and her cries grew more desperate as,  fingers threaded together, squeezed his hands like she was holding on for dear life--and it certainly felt like it. She threw her head back as he sucked and bit at her neck, arms tugging against his, muscles tensing and relaxing--not in any real effort at escape, but because it was hard to hold still, pain and pleasure mixing into one confusing, thrilling cocktail.

"Ryk...Ryk, I..."

But before she could say the words, he was speaking, and she cracked her eyes open at his question, chills racing down her spine as she watched him as he moved. Gods, at this point, she was willing to try anything he suggested--and she had been curious to try that, anyway. But at the same time? She licked her lips, then leaned up and captured his mouth with hers, teeth grazing his lips and tongue slipping inside, demanding, wanting him.

"Y-yes," she breathed, still moving her hips against him, because a familiar sensation was building and her breath was coming faster. "Please, just...hurry!"

        Hurry? Ryk could do that. Einin wasn't tiny, but she was sleight, and with his strength he could toss her around like a rag doll. He gripped her tightly and rolled to his back pulling her on top of him. The motion almost had him sliding into her, so slick were they from the motions of their almost sex.
        "Turn," was the only word he spoke as he helped her lift off of him, helping her turn quickly. Her back and her ass, her amazing ass, were now facing toward him. He grabbed her legs and pulled her, sliding her toward his face. The motion was so fast and sudden, she tipped forward, but he knew she'd catch herself. He pulled her by her legs more, then lifted her ass up so she was supporting herself on her knees. He slipped his arms under her and continued moving her until her knees were above his shoulders. Her wet, pink pussy pulsed with heat and desire and he brought his mouth to it. He wrapped his arms around her, hands gripping her ass, spreading it and kneading it as his mouth went to work. Her previous climax and the drawn out motions he'd put her through had left her extremely wet, and he drank in the taste of her greedily. He could feel the muscles in her tight, virgin sex, flexing, contracting, fluttering with spasms as he worked at her. He was sure to tickle at her clit enough to keep her right at the edge, but never enough to push her over. Not yet. He wanted her to desire it so badly that she would press her mound down against his face, trap him so that he must satisfy her to be free. Then he'd give her that release, but not before.

Finding herself on top of Ryk and helped to turn around, Einin flushed but quickly did so--and then yelped in surprise when Ryk yanked backwards on her legs. She pitched forward but caught herself on her hands, and shifted when he pulled at her, adjusting herself as he guided her back--and blushing hard as the position left her feeling utterly exposed. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting when he'd suggested this, but it had sounded like a good idea when he'd whispered it against her ear.

And when his mouth found her, she remembered why it was an excellent idea.

"O-oh!" Her legs trembled and nearly buckled, but she kept upright, teeth digging into her bottom lip as his hands kneaded her bottom and his tongue and lips sent heat radiating through her. Panting, she let her head drop, her hair falling around her shoulders in a tousled mess--but before she could get too lost in the sensations, she remembered she wanted to return the favor, and she reached out with shaking fingers and encircled his cock.

"I...I hope I'm, nngh...half as good as you," she gasped, hips rolling against him as she slid her hand along him as he'd shown her--and she realized in that moment that she was genuinely worried that she would be terrible at this, because she wanted to hear him moaning the way he made her. She didn't like doing anything badly, and this area was no exception, and with a little toss of her head, she threw her hair back over her shoulder and leaned in, pressing her lips to the glans in a soft kiss before she tasted him with her tongue, experimenting, getting used to the idea of using her mouth on him. He felt smooth against her tongue and tasted of salt, and she moaned against him as he worked against her clit, her hot breath puffing against his wet flesh.

The thrill of it all, the passion and pleasure as her release approached but didn't peak, made her bolder, and after a moment's hesitation she stroked her hand over him, took a deep breath, and slowly took him into her mouth. Her hips rocked harder against Ryk as she breathed out her nose, moaning around his cock and shifting her weight as her legs felt ready to give out, but she did her best to suck on him as he sucked on her, drawing inspiration from him--because if she liked it, he would, too, right? She didn't take him in too deeply, lips wrapped around the head, for when she tried she felt like she'd choke, but she stroked what her mouth didn't cover and swirled her tongue against him, hoping she was doing this right, and not just making a fool of herself, because oh gods, he, at least, was about to undo her.

Her thighs squeezed him lightly, hips working against him more frantically--grinding against him without even thinking as she got lost in the sensations and tried, desperately, to work toward a release that was so close, but just out of reach. She changed hands when her arm got tired from supporting her weight and came up for air once, body shaking, and then wrapped her lips around him again and moved against him quicker, and he could likely feel her frustrated whimpers as he drove her crazy.

        As Einin's mouth and hands began to work at his cock, Ryk struggled with not thrusting his pelvis up. He made small motions on occasion but mostly remembered not to. This was her first time, and since he was busy pleasing her, he couldn't direct her technique. She seemed to be doing fine anyway. There wasn't much to it really. Sure, there were women with lots of experience or who had trained in the art that could bring a man to climax quickly and not lose a drop of his seed. He had no such expectations of his young lover. She would improve with practice, and he planned on giving her plenty of chances to. Already she compensated for not being able to take in his full length by using her hand, and she twirled her tongue in perfect motions.
        He tried not to be distracted by her sucking, focusing on his own task. His tongue bathed the folds of her sex, flicking across her clit. Her once still hips had started to gyrate, and buck, her legs trembled. She brought pressure against his mouth and he retreated, not letting her reach her peak. He pulled at the lips of her sex with his mouth, drinking in the flow of her desire. He loved the smell of her, sweet with just a slight musk. She was so clean and pure, no man had been inside her, and reveled at being the first to see her nude, to taste her. He'd be the first to take her, filling her with the entirety of his member. He knew that he would barely fit, and that she'd feel pain at first, but he'd go slow. He'd be as gentle as he could until her body got used to having him inside her. He couldn't wait, and his excitement drove his efforts further.
        He buried his face against her, pressing down on her ass so she couldn't move it much. His tongue moved against her clit vigorously, and he shook his entire head quickly, side to side, to increase the speed of his motions. He knew she had to be close, she'd been moaning and grinding against his face. Her more enthusiastic sucking drew moans from him as well, and they vibrated into her with his mouth clamped down on her pussy. His own hips began to rotate slowly as he grew distracted with the spasms of her sex, but the motions were small. The heightening of her pleasure raised his own temperature, and the heat of his desire was intense. He wanted to feed her the entire length of his cock, but he knew she wasn't ready for that. Perhaps though, she'd be willing to bring him to climax with her mouth. She seemed to be getting the hang of it, and oh how he'd love to get her through all her firsts in one day. In the mean time he had an orgasm to pull from her, and he went to work with great effort, deciding that he wanted her to have this one now, and he'd make her demand from him the next one instead.

Einin gasped when, quite abruptly, Ryk really went to work on her when before he had been denying her, holding her release just out of reach. She tensed, body jerking, her surprised sound muffled against his cock, and she had to release him so she didn't accidentally bite him as her body seized up. She held onto him, though, hand still working over him, and tossed her head back and arched her spine, her cries coming loud and desperate, practically begging him for the climax that was rapidly approaching as the fingers of her free hand gripped the rug beneath her and her hips moved as much as they could with him holding her. She pressed her sex against his face to draw out more of that intense, fast-building pleasure, eyes clenched shut as all she could focus on was what he was doing to her, her hand stilling on him, and then--

She came hard, the intensity taking her breath away before she cried out in ecstasy. Her limbs turned to water and she curled forward, her chest dropping onto his belly and face pressing against his thigh as she sucked in air and shook, her muscles tensing and releasing.

"Oh my gods, Ryk...how...how do you do that?" she gasped, and when she felt she could move again, she pushed herself back up with an effort. She wasn't done, yet, and she liked the sounds he'd started to make and the way he'd started to tense and move, as though trying to control himself, because it sounded good coming from him and told her she was doing something right--and it wasn't fair that he'd reduced her to a trembling mess twice.

Taking him in her mouth again when she was relaxed enough she wouldn't bite him, she went back to sucking on him, her hand caressing his shaft, and then lower, grazing his balls. Her jaw was starting to grow sore, so she drew away briefly and dragged her tongue over him instead, giving herself a brief rest before taking him in her mouth again, her head bobbing a little as she found a pace that was comfortable for her.

        Ryk road out her spasms, keeping a tight hold on her even as she fell limp against him. The whole time she writhed he drew the moisture of her climax into his mouth, savoring the taste of a job well done. He rubbed his lips on her sex gently, and when she had fallen limp he eased his grip and relaxed his neck. Resting his head back he looked up at her swollen lips, red from the friction of his face against her, and gorged with blood. He brought fingers to it, parting it gently, looking at the tiny piece of flesh that signified that she was still whole, still innocent. When she brought her mouth back to him, he ceased his examination of her, tensed as the pleasure of her sucking spread through him. He slid his hands along her sides and up to her back caressing her as she quickly became adept at her task. The better she did it, the more motion it elicited from him, the more sounds he made. Short closed mouth sounds of pleasure came from his throat as she worked at him. His hands continued to caress her, even fondling her breasts and playing with her nipples. She was such a quick study, and she seemed to pick up on his signs of pleasure, doing just the right things. When would rest her mouth, licking the length of his shaft, it would draw a shudder from him, and the occasional graze of her teeth made him gasp. Soon his mouth was pressed against her leg. His kissing and biting growing in intensity as her mouth brought him pleasure. He knew it wouldn't be long now, and so he warned her, this was her first time after all.
        "A man's, ah, seed is," his words came out in gasps as she worked at him, "ah, hot," and increased an octave, "and sti-i-cky," he was stuttering now, "and sa-a-lty, ah, and there will be a-a-a lot." His last words came out in a rush and he gripped her thighs, "any second now."

Turnabout was, indeed, fair play, and Einin listened to the sounds Ryk made and the way his body responded to her ministrations, and adjusted accordingly. She did more of whatever got the better reaction, and less of what drew out weak responses, and shuddered as he continued to fondle her as she worked--which only urged her on. She was determined now, a goal clear in her mind, and was rather enjoying this little switch in dynamics: having him be the one tensing and squirming beneath her.

She only wished she could watch his face as she worked him, but for now, this would do, and for now, Einin was just enjoying having the most powerful man in Arca gasping under her mouth.

Her breath came sharply out her nose as he kissed and bit at her leg, and when he started to speak, reduced to stutters and gasps, she couldn't help but smile around him. But she didn't stop. She wasn't quite sure what he meant by seed, though she'd heard it mentioned before, but she knew she'd gotten quite wet, and he'd handled that, so she didn't think it would be a problem if men did something similar. He already tasted salty, and she didn't mind the flavor, and just knowing that he was so close to the edge only made her work him harder. Her hand tightened around him and moved a little quicker, and she increased the pressure of her lips and sucked gently but firmly, her tongue pressing against his glans. Her other hand gripped his left thigh, nails digging in a little, and she breathed out sharply as his hands gripped her own thighs tightly.

        Ryk gripped at her legs tightly, biting his own lip hard, burying his face against one of her calves. It was all he could do to control himself, containing the desire to thrust hard into her mouth. She was so unexpectedly good at this, and he held out as long as he could, dragging the sensation on. He didn't want to come yet but he knew he wasn't in control, Einin was, and she was about to get a mouth full of spunk for her efforts. The twirling, the stroking, the sucking, he couldn't hold it in any longer.
        "Oh gods," he gasped, "Einin, here it comes."
        As he lost control, cresting the peak of his pleasure, his body tense with the anticipation, a violent shudder passed through him. His cock throbbed hard, pulsing as it shot his hot load into Einin's mouth. He wasn't sure she'd be able to hold it all in her mouth, or if she'd swallow it all down gracefully. It didn't really matter to him though, hidick pumped shooting it, and spasms wracked his body as he kept himself from thrusting. As the wave of intensity broke, he shuddered and whimpered softly. He kissed her leg and caressed her gratefully.
        "Oh Einin," he said chuckling with delight, "you are amazing my dear. I know I've taken you over the top twice already, but how's one more time sound?" His erection, which had only slightly dwindled with his climax, was now back at full attention, twitching in anticipation.

Unfortunately, Einin couldn't answer him at first, because needless to say, that was not quite what she had been expecting--even though it was everything Ryk had warned her it was.

She choked in surprise as hot, thick liquid filled her mouth, and she jerked back in surprise and clamped her mouth shut, but some still spilled out the corners of her lips and she reached up to cover her mouth before it could drip down her chin. Oh gods. Oh gods! What was she supposed to do with that?! She held it in her mouth, eyes wide, and glanced around for somewhere to spit it, but there was nowhere she could see, and she wasn't about to just let it spill all over the rug! Oh gods. Oh gods. It didn't taste bad, but it was salty and new, and didn't exactly taste good, either, and holding it in her mouth was was making it worse as saliva added to the thickness, and--

Shit.

After a moment of panicked deliberation, hand still covering her mouth, she did the only thing she could do and swallowed it down, then coughed and gagged after.

"Oh! Oh, whoa, you did warn me!" she said when she could speak again before swinging a leg over him and rolling off of him. She flopped onto the rug on her back, stretching out next to him, and then burst into laughter when she realized how ridiculous that was. How embarrassing. She wiped at her lips and turned her head to look at him, smiling sheepishly, her cheeks flushed from exertion--and from his praise. Amazing, huh? She ran a hand through her hair and arched her spine to stretch, then turned onto her side and curled closer to him.

"Again? I...well..." Her eyes moved to his erection, and she bit her lip and lifted up a little so she could lean over him and press her lips to his mouth. "I think I could live with that." And her lips quirked in a smile before she kissed him again, tenderly at first before building in passion, one hand going up to stroke his cheek and the ridge of his ear.

        Ryk returned Einin's kisses tenderly. She was a lovely girl, so sweet, a beautiful smile. He was very lucky to be sharing this time with her and he knew it. He pulled her closer as he turned on his side pressing his hard cock against her opening. She was still so wet that she parted easily, but he didn't slide it into her. He paused in his kissing to look in her eyes as he spoke.
        "I want you Einin," he told her sincerely, "I want all of you. I want to be inside you little bird," he gave her a small kiss at the use of her pet name, "it will hurt, at first, and you will bleed, that is true. But I promise to be very gentle, and take it slow. And I also promise that you will enjoy it thoroughly. It's up to you. You just have to tell me to put it in you."
        He waited for her response, hoping she'd say the words he wanted to hear.

Ryk turned against her, and Einin gasped as she felt his cock slip between her legs and press against her sex. Her pulse, which had finally started to normalize, quickened at the sensation and she moved her hips instinctively, sliding him against her in that way she enjoyed. Oh gods. Instantly, she was reminded of what she had been debating when he'd pressed her to the rug and moved against her, and the thought came flooding back then--forbidden, but so tempting, and when Ryk spoke she met his eyes and blushed.

Because it was like he'd read her thoughts.

She shuddered at his words and licked her lips, the feeling of him between her legs quite distracting, and she knew this wasn't a decision she should make lightly, that she should wait, that she should draw the line here--

But gods, they'd already done so much. After that, what was one more final little leap? She worried about the pain; she hadn't known much about sex before today, but every girl heard horror stories, but...it couldn't be that bad. What they'd done so far had been amazing, and what was a little pain? She didn't like the idea of bleeding, but it couldn't be worse than anything she'd suffered sparring, and this was Ryk.

She trusted him; he hadn't lied once.

And if it was going to be anyone, gods, then why not him?

Breathing a little shallow with excitement and nerves, Einin pressed her mouth against Ryk's again, then his jaw, neck, and finally brushed her lips against his ear. "I...I want you, too," she said quietly, and nuzzled against his neck, hiding her face in a sudden jolt of nervous shyness. Her hand trailed over his chest, curling against him. "Just...um...go slow, okay?" she said, and then looked up as a sudden thought hit her. "A-and I don't, er...I don't want babies, so...so be careful. And try not to make me bleed?"

        True to his word, Ryk was gentle. He slowly slid into her, inch by inch, retreating each time, letting her glistening moisture thicken across his shaft with each small thrust. He measured her breaths, her tension, watching the expressions on her face, moving forward only as he thought she was ready. It was a long process, but eventually his entire length was in her, all eight inches. He held it there inside her, not moving, and kissed her gently. He caressed her, and played with her hair, and fondled her breasts, keeping his shaft motionless inside her. He'd wait until she was relaxed, until she had adjusted to his exceptional girth. Of course, if she began moving first then he would match her. He wanted this to be wonderful for her, wanted her to love the pleasures of sex.
        "You're so beautiful and sweet little bird," he said as he kissed her, "are you doing okay?"

It hurt, but not as badly as the stories would have her believe, for true to Ryk's word, he was gentle, and slow. That initial penetration wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't a bloody nightmare, either, and Einin clung hard to Ryk as he worked himself inside her, deeper and deeper, her breath coming out in shuddering gasps and small, soft whimpers escaping her when he moved, her eyes clenched shut as he withdrew and then went a little further each time. A few times, he drew a sharp sound and a wince from her as she stretched around him, flesh stinging, and she pressed a hand to his hip to slow him. But otherwise she let him control the pace.

Gods. He had looked large, but he felt even bigger, and she was tense, which didn't really help--but she was slick with desire and that certainly did. But despite the discomfort, there was also wonder as he filled her, because this was what it was like, and oh gods, he was inside her--and that realization made her burn with arousal.

And then he stilled, their bodies pressed flush together, and Einin held very still, her breathing shallow and hands shaky where they squeezed Ryk's shoulders. It felt better now that he'd stopped, and she tightened around him a little, feeling him inside her and shivering. So this was what it was like, that strange sense of being filled, the throb of their bodies where they were joined and the sense of vulnerability that came with it. She sucked in a deeper breath when his hands found her breasts, relaxing a little under his caresses, and when he spoke she cracked a shaky smile and pressed her lips to his.

"I-I'm okay," she said as she lifted her eyes to his, still gripping him tightly with one leg draped over his hip so he could fit between her legs. Her face was a little tight as her body adjusted to the sensation, brow knit, and her heart pounded against his chest. Shifting a little, hissing when he moved inside her as a result, she glanced down between them to try to see where they were joined. "A-ah...is that...is it all, uh, in?"

        "Yes," Ryk said with a smile, leaning in to kiss her as she tried to see. He gently rolled onto his back, keeping his pelvis pressed to hers. She was now on top of him, and he helped her sit up with minimal friction to the point of their joining. He smiled up at her, again taking in the sight of her beautiful form.
        "Now you can see where you're wrapped around me."
        He slid his hands up her body, stroking across her ribs with a light caress. He watched her face, trying to discern what she was thinking. The he began to give her breasts his attention again, making her nipples stand erect.
        "You are in control of your motions little bird," Ryk told her simply, "rock back and forth at whatever speed until the pleasure helps your body relax."

Einin gasped when Ryk turned, and suddenly she found herself astride him. She stared down at him, flushed with passion and a little embarrassment, for the position left her feeling oddly exposed--but, at the same time, it also gave her a good view of him stretched out beneath her, all hard muscle and laced with scars, and she liked that she could watch his face.

Shivering a little at his words, and at the caress of his hands along her body, she dropped her eyes and looked down between her spread legs. She sucked in a breath at the sight of where his pelvis pressed to hers, only a little of his cock visible as the rest sank up into her. "O-oh...so it does fit..." she breathed, and met his eyes with a small, lopsided smile. She still couldn't believe it. He had looked so large...

It was becoming a little hard to hold still, though, with the way Ryk was playing with her breasts, but for a second, she felt nervous to move in anticipation of pain, and still self-conscious in the new position. And yet, at the same time, she felt grateful that he'd given her this--the ability to set her own pace. With a deep breath, Einin smoothed her hands over Ryk's firm chest and belly, tracing scars and hard muscle with her fingertips, before she braced her hands against him and, slowly, began to move.

Her face tightened at first and she bit her lip, her breath hitching as the movement stung. It felt a little awkward; she wasn't used to moving like this, and she could feel it in her thighs. But after a little gentle, tentative rocking, her expression began to relax, turning to one more of concentration as discomfort began to transform into something else, as she began to feel more than just pain but the slow slide of him moving inside her, and as she tried to find a motion that worked. And then, leaning forward a little and rolling her hips, her mouth fell open and a soft gasp escaped her as he pressed against a part of her that sent a jolt of pleasure through her. His touches were certainly helping, and as he played with her breasts, she shuddered, and continued to roll her hips, circular, grinding her clit against his pelvis and feeling him move inside her. She didn't yet try to thrust on him, and still kept her movements tortuously slow, still getting used to the sensation of being filled, but the more she moved, the more her body adjusted, and the better it began to feel, and soon her breath was coming out in small pants, both from exertion and the building pleasure and dwindling pain.

Her eyes fluttered shut and she leaned forward more, pressing herself against his chest and kissing and nibbling at his neck and shoulder, breath hot, as she continued to grind against him. "Oh...gods...you feel good now," she gasped against him between kisses.

        With her leaning down to against him now, Ryk caressed Einin's back and her buttocks. He also played with her hair, and returned her kisses enthusiastically when her mouth found his. He moved as little as possible, not wanting to disturb her rhythm yet. He did bring his hands to her ass though, kneading it as she rocked against him. He gave her a little slap, testing her response. He knew that the mixing sensations were pleasant, but she'd be unfamiliar with the idea of spankings during sex.
        "If that feels good for you," he said to her, "I'm more than happy to slap this perfect ass more," he slapped it again, a little harder this time, and then caressed her to mix the pain and pleasure.

The pain was almost forgotten at that point, pleasure the dominant sensation, and Einin was rocking her hips a little quicker, her bites a little sharper, with low moans escaping between panted breaths. She loved how Ryk's hands felt on her, in her hair, stroking her back, kneading her ass, and with her lips on his skin, she breathed in the scent of him--the scent that was beneath that of soaps or oils that was distinctly him.

She was starting to get really into it when Ryk slapped her, and Einin jerked and yelped in surprise. It didn't hurt--quite the contrary--but it was surprising and it brought fresh color to her cheeks, because had he just spanked her? And then he did it again, and this time she felt the sting and let out a sharp moan, the sensation a surprisingly delightful contrast to everything else she was feeling as all of her senses were engaged in the act. But her face burned hot, even as her back arched and she flexed around him, even moving a bit more vigorously, and she wasn't sure whether to admit she liked it, or be humiliated that he was spanking her!

Lifting up a little, she caught Ryk's hands and pressed them down to the plush rug. "Master Handela--ah!--Handelaar!" she gasped, and did a terrible job of looking stern while gyrating on him, doing her best to bite back the whimpers he was drawing from her. She leaned down and kissed him hard on the mouth, muffling another moan against his lips. "How very--ah!--how very ungentlemanly..."

        Now that Einin was moving more vigorously Ryk started to gyrate and rock along with her. He easily matched her rythm pulling away when she did, thrusting when she did. They seemed to read each others motions easily and soon he was letting out throaty grunts of pleasure.
        He soon sat up, and as he did he wrapped Einin's legs around his waist. The momentary break in motion eased his pleasure, giving him more time to enjoy it before reaching another peak. He held her firm ass tight in his hands and slid her against him in a rocking motion, showing her how to move in this new position. With her legs wrapped around him, she had to use different muscles, but she knew her body well. She was soon helping him with the work, using her own arms and legs to pull and push herself, while Ryk used his hands, gripping her ass, to move her. He kissed her greedily, tasting the still present mint in her mouth. Her soft breasts brushed his chest in the motions, her nipples caressing him. He bit her neck again, next to a large hickey that had formed from his earlier sucking. The sight of the mark on her flesh aroused him more, and he proudly imagined the many more he'd be leaving on her.

Ryk began to thrust up into her, and Einin yelped in surprise and clutched him harder, clawing his shoulders where she clutched him. It felt better when he matched her, and soon she was crying out in earnest as she rode him, no longer just rocking on him but also lifting herself along his length and sliding back down--not deep thrusts yet, but slow, shallow ones that still left her breathless. And then Ryk sat up and pulled her into his lap, interrupting her slow-building rhythm, and she let out a frustrated whimper because all that rocking had finally started to build up toward something--but then Ryk grabbed her ass and moved her against him, and her disappointment quickly vanished.

Legs wrapped around him and chest pressed against him, she held onto his shoulders and moved the way he guided her, legs and arms flexing as she slid along his length. It was awkward at first, but she soon fell into the rhythm Ryk set, and she cried out as the new position had Ryk stroking her at a different angle that had her moaning loudly as he hit just the right place, and it wasn't long before she felt that familiar pressure returning, building deep within her where their bodies connected. She dug her nails into him hard enough to leave behind red marks as she kissed him back fiercely, teeth digging into his lip to the point of pain, and when Ryk bit her neck, her nails dug in deeper, head tilting back, and legs tightening around him as her sex clenched him tightly and her muscles tensed.

But sex, as it turned out, was rather hard work, and despite her effort to build toward release, she began to slow. Unused to such a position, her muscles began to ache and tire. It was a little easier with Ryk helping her move, but she still began to lag until it was mostly him doing all the lifting, while she just held on.

        As Einin slowed from the exertion, her arms and legs slackening their grip on him, Ryk used his legs to help lift her. With his arms and legs lifting and dropping her along the length of his shaft, the pace of their sex did not slow. Her whimpers and moans of pleasure encouraged his efforts, and he rocked her body against his with more fervor. He was climbing toward the peak of his pleasure again, and the tightening walls of her sex felt amazing. He knew this likely meant that she was nearing another one as well, and that was further encouragement.
        He lifted and dropped her faster and faster, now rocking back and forth himself with the effort. His grunts were growing longer and louder, becoming moans. His breaths were coming faster and faster, sweat was running down their bodies in rivulets. The ecstasy of each thrust was becoming immeasurable. He would not be able to contain his pleasure much longer. He bit and kissed at her fiercely, greedy for the taste and scent of her. Her bites on his skin were amazing, the pain perfect contrast to the sensations of their sex. He was going to fill her with his spunk, any moment now, and he hoped she'd enjoy the sensation.
        When the moment was upon him, Ryk's grip on her ass tightened. He rocked her harder and faster. When he reached his climax he pulled her in tight against him pressing his mouth to hers. The kiss was hard, mouth closed, and a loud moan of release was trapped between them. His cock pulsed with the pleasure of the moment, his hot ejaculate splashing into her with each involuntary flex of his member. His throaty moan turned to a whimper as he ceased their motion. His kissing become sweet, almost affectionate, rather than the lustful kisses of only moments before. He held her tenderly, stroking her hair gently, his hard rod still giving occasional spasms from climax.
        "Oh Einin, he whispered sweetly, "I am so happy we're doing this together. You are an amazing lover little bird."

Einin may have been slacking, but Ryk compensated for her, and soon her back was arched, head thrown back, and she was screaming her pleasure as Ryk lifted and dropped her, his pace growing quicker, harder, and her moans growing more desperate to match. And when his own grunts joined hers, it only excited her more. Gods, he felt amazing, her sex stretching around him with every powerful thrust, her hard nipples grazing against his chest with every rise and fall, and as his thrusts grew in intensity, so did the sensations, and it wasn't long before she was sobbing with pleasure.

It was that one final thrust, the sensation of Ryk's cock pulsing inside her, and the unexpected warmth that spread up into her, that sent Einin over the edge. With a muffled scream against Ryk's mouth, her nails raking over his shoulders to leave behind red welts, she climaxed, her body tensing and trembling around him. She pressed her body hard against his, hips still rocking to ride out her release even after he'd stilled. That rush of heat was new--but considering what she'd done to Ryk earlier, she had a good idea of what it was.

Gasping for air, Einin finally slumped against his chest with a whimper, her breathing uneven, shaky, as her body trembled in the aftermath. Her pink hair was plastered to her face and neck where her skin was slick with perspiration, and it felt like she would never stop shaking. She felt exhausted, and sore where he was still buried, but it was a pleasant ache, a reminder of what they'd just done.

Curling in against Ryk, her arms around his neck, she leaned her forehead against Ryk's, eyes still shut, and let out a breathless laugh. "Really?" she asked, voice a little hoarse from her cries. "Oh, good...because I just feel silly."

She leaned in and pressed her lips against him then, then kissed the corner of his mouth, then his neck, the movements lazy, languid, in contrast to the passionate kisses of moments ago. Her hands caressed the back of his neck, playing with his hair. "Gods...that was..." She buried her face against his neck, her next words coming out a near whisper. "I'm glad it was you."

        "Me too little bird," Ryk said, smiling into Einin's kisses, "me too"
        His fingers danced up her back, caressing her sweetly, his lips played on hers. He brushed the plastered pink tresses free of their perspiration, and blew lightly on the moisture. She was such  a beautiful young woman. While Ryk did have ulterior motives, he was very happy to be enjoying  these experiences with Einin. He would treasure this time with her, in his own special Ryk way. He licked her lips with his sharply extended tongue, like a little whip he brought up across them both. Then tapped the tip of her nose with a finger playfully.
        "I hope you don't think we're finished though beautiful," he said to her, his smile growing broader. "I still have plenty of energy, and filling you with my seed has renewed me." He tipped her backward, giving her a soft, deep, kiss. His slowly softening member, growing hard once more.
        "I have more wonderful things to show you," he told her, as he laid her back and climbed atop her, "like the way a man makes love to his wife."
        With those words he let his weight rest on her, thrusting into her slow and gently, kissing her softly and stroking her hair. He began to make love to  her, the quick passionate sex passed. He'd please her slowly, letting her rest bit before fucking her hard and fast again.
        "You're so beautiful Einin. How do you not see it?"

Tired and sated, Einin was content to just be held and caressed. She relaxed under his touches, goosebumps raising where he blew on her skin, and she cracked a small smile and leaned into his hands. As she began to spiral down from her high, her pulse and breathing normalizing, she...really couldn't believe what they'd just done. What she'd just done. She and Ryk had really just--gods. But before her mind could really begin to process it all, Ryk got her attention with a tap on her nose, and she blinked owlishly up at him.

"Wh...what?" Einin started, but cut off with a yelp, suddenly on her back with his mouth covering hers, swallowing her unspoken words. He felt renewed?! Einin didn't even feel like she could stand after what they'd done, much less go again!

But then he was on her, pressing her into the plush rug, and she gasped and arched her hips when he thrust into her again, his words sending heat rushing through her body and pulsing between her legs. Show her how a man makes love to his wife? Oh dear gods. Her heart raced, her hands sliding down over his back, and her legs opened wider to receive him, knees bent and feet pressed to the rug. Her hips moved instinctively, rising to meet each slow thrust, and she tilted her head back, exposing her throat, her lips parting with a soft moan. She felt tender, and a bit sore, but as he moved so sensually against her, it began to slowly rekindle the fire. Her eyes drifted shut as she savored the lazy pace, needing the break.

"Oh gods!" she gasped out, voice rising a little at the end when he slid in slowly again. "How are you...a-ah...how are you still going?" She tangled her hands in his hair and gripped the strands, then gently used her grip on him to pull his mouth to hers. Her kisses were hungry, but they were sweeter, more tender, lacking the animalistic intensity she'd felt in the throes of passion. Instead of devouring him, she was content to savor him, taste him.

Lips brushing lightly against his, she peered up into his eyes. "I-if this is...ah...if this is how--is love-making...what was it before?" she asked, brushing her fingers along Ryk's cheek and down his neck, trailing back to his shoulder. Another shivery sigh left her, and she nibbled on her bottom lip. It felt different when he had her under him like this, trapped beneath the weight of his body, and she rather liked how he felt pressed against her like this.

        "Lovemaking is tender," Ryk said sweetly, "fucking," he thrust into Einin hard and fast, but just once, before resuming the gentle movements. "Fucking," he repeated, "is about pleasure and not much else."
        He continued his slow and gentle lovemaking. She was slick with her own moisture, and the spunk he had filled her with, letting him glide with ease. The motions were smooth, and even, drawing his length halfway out of her before thrusting it back in. Her lips were swollen from their mad kissing, and he was much more gentle now. He gently sucked on her lips and tongue, and kissed her face and neck delicately. He was savoring her beauty. Her innocence was so lovely that it tugged at a part of him that he tried to deny. It was possible that he could love this girl if he let himself. That could be dangerous though, for both of them. He'd have a weakness, as if she wasn't becoming one already, and she'd be a target.
       He slowed his thrusting even more, drawing himself nearly entirely out. When he thrust back into her, ever so slowly, he buried himself to the hilt and pressed hard against her clit with his pelvis. He gyrated, gently grinding against her before slowly repeating the process. Through the entire process, he caressed her neck and face, and played with her hair. She was so beautiful, and sweet. How had he managed to trick this intelligent creature into this? Lucky for him she lacked any experience in the world. He'd take care of her though. She'd be his little bird,  and he'd let her fly.

That hard thrust was unexpected, and Einin's soft pants turned into a sharp yelp, her nails raking down Ryk's spine and her heart thundering with excitement. She clung to him even after he fell back into his slow rhythm, and slid her hands to his shoulders to hold on. Well, that answered that question!

"I--nngh--I see," she said, her voice a little higher, for it was rather hard to organize her thoughts, much less hold a coherent conversation with someone, when they were pinning her to the ground and working their cock slowly inside her. She could feel every inch of him as he moved, and through the dizzying pleasure, her mind reeled. Lovemaking, he'd called it. Like a husband makes love to his life. Did that mean...? With a shiver, she closed her eyes and sighed into his kisses, enjoying the gentle caress of his lips to her mouth, her neck, and she slowly slid her hands down his arms to seek his hands where she threaded her fingers through his.

Maybe she could marry him, after all...

It wasn't long before Einin began to move restlessly against him, soon finding his movements tantalizing yet teasing, because while it felt nice, and while she had been tired, she wanted more. And when he began to slow down further, pulling almost all the way back before sliding slowly back in and grinding against her clit, her hips bucked against his as she writhed restlessly against him. It was nice letting him be in control, and had been pleasantly relaxing for a time--but there were also, as it turned out, drawbacks to not being in charge. Such as being unable to set her own pace, unable to move quicker when she needed it--and being, essentially, at his mercy.

"R-Ryk...?" Einin hands slid down to grip his ass as she worked her hips restlessly against his, grinding her pelvis against his to seek more pleasure, trying to tell him without words, and with her body, what she wanted. With his hips pressed into hers, however, her movement was restricted, and she squirmed under him and reached for his face with one hand. Kissing him hard, she wrapped one around his waist and pressed against him to try to urge him on.

"Ah...you can, um...you can move more..."

        Ryk only smirked at Einin, kissed her softly, and made her suffer through two more languid thrusts. Then without warning he began thrusting fast and hard with earnest. There wasn't an ease of transition, it was from full stop to full tilt, driving into her with all the speed and force he could muster. His kisses were once again hard and fevered, more lust in them once more. The slaps of their bodies meeting were audible, and without the aid of his potions to heal her, Einin would likely have bruises on her legs and thighs. Ryk was not overly rough in his thrusting though, he didn't want to hurt his little bird.
        He drew her hands into his, and laced his fingers into hers, keeping her pinned in a sensually submissive position. His thrusting made her beautiful little breasts bounce, and her hair flutter about. He was really plowing her with all he could bring to bear, and he bit into his lip with the efforts. He was sweating from the exertion, more even than their training elicited. He could feel the perspiration pooling in the lines of muscles in his back. He shook himself, like a wolf trying to throw off water, not stopping in his thrusting. He released her hands and brought his hands under her, half lifting her into him and biting at her neck. Then he slowed, easing his pace, until he stopped.
        Thrusting his hard cock deep into her, and keeping it there, Ryk grabbed Einin's left ankle and pulled it across to her right. He now had her on her side, her as pressed against him as he slowing thrust into her again, gradually picking up the pace. He liked being able to see her face and reach out and fondle her breasts while feeling her firm young ass against him as he thrust. Not only did he play with her pert tits, he also caressed her and pulled her hair sensually. He put two of his fingers in her mouth for her to suck as he drilled into her with his tool.
        Eventually he began to slow again, he turned her more in the direction he had before, helping her prop up on her hands and knees. How many positions had they been in now, without ever removing his dick from inside her? Before beginning his thrusting he reached his hands between her legs and rubbed at her clit with his fingers. Next his hands slid up her belly, and he leaned toward her back as he fondled her breasts again, pinching at her tender nipples. Soon after, he put a hand around her throat, gentle but firm, and one gathered her hair, pulling back her head. He leaned far to kiss her mouth, as he gently forced it to a place he could reach. Then he began to thrust, slowly, as he held her face there, his hands preventing her from turning her head away. He kissed her hard and bit her lip slowly increasing the pressure until she made a sound of pain. He finally released her and drew back, caressing her as he went.
        Ryk gripped her hips tightly, and drove his cock into her. Faster, faster, faster, his arms pushing as his hips arced away, then pulling her in as he thrust forward. The speed was greater than what he could achieve simply laying on top of her, and he enjoyed every thrust. Once again the slaps of their meeting bodies was audible, and her ass rippled with the force of it. Every sound she made drove him on harder, and faster, her pleasure was the fuel to his fire. As he fucked her from behind, he thoroughly enjoyed the view of the angles of her back, and of course her perfect ass. He slapped it. Then again a few thrusts later, a bit harder. Then short time after, he gave it a real hard slap that he followed with a hard squeeze. He caressed the red hand print he left on her, tracing the rising outline of his fingers.
        After pounding away at her for a few minutes he wrapped an arm around her abdomen to support her and helped her rise up so that her back would be against him. He drew her hand down her stomach, across her sex, to feel where he entered her. Both of them were slick with the juices of their joining and it now coated their hands. He slid her hand down further, after thrusting a few times, so that she would now be cradling his balls. He moved his hand on hers to show her the way to massage them gently. He then moved his hand back up to rub at her clit as he fucked her like that, each of them expanding on their partners pleasure. His other hand moved up, now that Einin had her balance, to rub at her tits. He kissed her neck and shoulder, and her mouth when she gave it to him, never pausing in his ministrations.
        "Little bird," he began inquisitively, "do you like the way I fuck you?"

Ask, and you shall receive. Einin was expecting more force, but she was not expecting zero transition--and nothing could have prepared her for the way Ryk took her then.

Those first rough, hard thrusts took her breath away, a mixture of pain (for she was still very tender) and pleasure, but then he was driving into her, and soon she could focus on little else but the pleasure as breathless gasps soon turned into yelping cries. She clawed at his arms and shoulders as she writhed beneath him, leaving behind red scratched, her eyes clenched shut and head tossed back. His hipbones struck her thighs on each thrust, bruising her, but she could do nothing more than toss her head and arch against him as he pinned her hands to the rug, leaving her feeling helpless, vulnerable beneath his weight and weak with bliss, unable to do much more than draw her legs up further so his hips didn't strike her quite so hard--which opened her more, let him go deeper. But it was a good kind of vulnerable; she normally didn't like feeling submissive or small, but here it excited her to feel how much bigger and stronger Ryk was, and at that point, she was happy to let him take her as he pleased. She cried out between kisses, her yelps, squeals, and shuddering sobs filling the room, raising in volume whenever he hit her at just the right angle. It all felt amazing, but sometimes he would hit her just right, and the spike in pleasure would take her off guard, make her jerk and shudder.

That, combined with the bites and caresses, had her beyond caring about anything but what he was doing to her, even as he shifted positions until she was on her side, each new position eliciting new sensations. She sucked hungrily at his fingers and made an effort not to bite him, her cries muffled, and just when she was getting into it, one hand stretched above her head to clutch the rug, the other gripping at his arm, Ryk lifted her again.

And she found herself on all fours.

Einin's face heated with surprise and momentary shame--it felt so lewd, so primal, especially with the sounds their bodies had been making--but before the feeling could grow, Ryk's fingers were on her clit, and she was arching and moaning, her legs trembling with the effort of supporting herself after such a hard pounding. He was still inside her, and she rocked her hips and squeezed him reflexively, unable to hold still with his fingers stroking her, before his hands were teasing her breasts, and her breath was coming out in frantic pants by the time he moved up her chest and wrapped a hand around her throat. Ryk could probably feel her pulse beating wildly in her neck as he pulled her hair and tilted her head back, for the gesture was dangerous yet thrilling--a safe danger, since she knew he wouldn't hurt her--and when their lips met, she kissed him back passionately, and yelped when he bit her just a bit too hard.

Yet before she could truly register the pain, he was thrusting slowly into her, keeping her trapped there, before his hands were on her hips and he was driving into her again in earnest. She found herself being filled, deeper than when she was on her back, and her legs shook with the effort of staying upright until she sank down onto her elbows, forehead pressed to the rug to muffle her cries as she lost herself in the moment and gave herself over to him completely and embraced the lack of control. He slapped her, but this time she didn't protest--her breath hitched and her body jerked, but she only rocked her hips back against him, even as he did it again, and again, harder each time, eliciting moans as he sharp pain contrasted with the pleasure in a dizzying cocktail that had her begging him for more--with her body, with her moans.

She was too far gone to care about whether or not it was degrading, and she moved easily when he shifted her yet again, pulling her backwards onto him. Her chest rose and fell with her ragged gasps, sweat making her flushed skin glisten, and her entire body trembled against him where she leaned against him. She spread her legs wide to take in as much of him as she could, and eagerly let him guide her hand where he wanted it, whimpering when she touched Ryk where they were joined, felt him as he moved, sliding up into her. Oh gods. It was just about enough to undo her, and when she massaged his balls, and he stroked her clit and breasts as he thrust into her, she was soon rocking her hips with his and grinding on the down strokes, her head thrown back against Ryk's shoulder.

"Oh gods...oh gods...oh fuck!" she cried, her voice coming out as shuddering sobs. Her other hand gripped Ryk's knee, vice-like, as he kissed her neck and shoulder, and it was so intense, this assault of sensation all over her body, inside her, outside her, pleasure and pain, that she soon found herself staggering toward the edge, her body tensing, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip, her nails digging into Ryk's skin.

She was so close, that when Ryk asked his question...well, he certainly got his answer.

Einin threw her head back against Ryk's shoulder with a shuddering scream as she came, her body shaking and her sex pulsing around his cock. For several long moments, she couldn't answer him, but when she found her words, she could only whimper, could only gasp out a, "Y-yes!"

Tears filled her eyes, for the intensity of it all surprised her, but she twisted and pressed her mouth against Ryk's. "Gods, yes!"

        Einin's kiss was sweet, and the gentle working of her hand was wonderful. The fervency of the moment was amazing, and the way her sex gripped at his cock and pulsed with spasms filled him with intense pleasure. The last person Ryk had sex with when feelings were involved had been Lanna, and he only barely remembered that passion filled night. Emotions, it seemed, enhanced the intensity of the physical pleasure, and even without being in love, his warmth toward Einin was enough. He returned her kiss with satisfaction, as he let himself go. His arms tightened around her, and his mouth pressed hard against hers. He pushed his dick up into her as far as it could go as it flexed with his climax. His warm seed once again splashed into her, spreading the heat of his passion to her. So much was already in her now, that some ran back down along the length of his member. As his orgasm abated, he slowly, and gently continued his upward thrusting, dragging the moment on as long as he could. He gently caressed Einin, with tender strokes, and kissed her much more softly than before. He was satisfied, for now. Much more of this, and the girl wouldn't be able to walk. Already he knew she'd be sore, but he could fix that.
        Ryk slowly separated from her, letting his slowly deflating cock fall free of her. The excess of their fluids, no longer blocked in by his tool, ran freely down her thighs in glistening rivulets. He turned her slowly toward him and drew her into a gentle embrace, kissing her mouth lightly. He lifted her into his strong arms, and shuffled across the rug on his knees to lay her on the settee once more. He climbed up next to her, and then pulled her half onto him. He kissed the top of her head, and caressed her back as he held her lovingly. She was a sweet girl, and she deserved to be held after her first time. No matter the path they took, he wanted her to cherish this moment as he would.
        "Rest a while my sweet," Ryk said softly, "there is much more of the festival to enjoy." He tipped Einin's head up so he could kiss her mouth. "I want to enjoy it with you as long as I can before Soot Wolf business eventually pulls me away."

Einin didn't think she'd be able to move for...a while.

She collapsed against Ryk, and let him carry her to the settee, where she curled against him as he stroked her, her head on his chest. Her entire body trembled uncontrollably in the aftermath, and she panted against his skin as she struggled to catch her breath. Dear gods. Dear gods. That had...actually happened. She'd actually done that. It felt surreal, laying here naked and shaky against Ryk, who was bare as her, her body slick with perspiration and...other things. She felt utterly exhausted, but good, and sore, and her mind reeled as she laid there, unable to muster up the energy to move.

She only moved when Ryk tipped her head up so he could kiss her, and she kissed him back, softly, tenderly, before she laid her head back on his chest and looked away shyly. It felt weird to feel shy after that, but now that she was no longer in the moment, she just felt...

Pretty embarrassed.

"That won't be difficult," she mumbled against his chest. "I don't think I could walk if I tried."

She fell silent for a long moment, her breathing slowly normalizing though her heart still thumped with excitement and nerves. She couldn't believe she'd done this. Oh gods. What if someone found out? What if her parents found out? No, no. They wouldn't. And if she was marrying Ryk, it was a moot point anyway--this would have happened after the marriage. But as the bliss began to fade, and she began to feel more of the soreness, and more of the reality, worry began to creep in--and shame.

She had done...a lot of things she hadn't planned on doing.

So easily, too.

She had thought she was stronger.

"Ryk?" she said after a long pause, shivering a little under the pleasant caress of his fingers. Her voice was low, a near whisper. "What we just...what we just did...you don't think less of me for it, do you?"

        "Why would I think less of you?" Ryk looked at Einin with real concern in his eyes. "You didn't break any sacred vow. You only just enjoyed yourself. And why shouldn't you? You're young, and beautiful, and so full of life. You should be enjoying everything you can while you still have the energy to do it properly." He placed his lips upon hers once more, kissing her ever so softly. Einin had been a wonderful partner, and he planned on having her as often as her body could handle. Potions would help with that, but it was best to save them for emergencies.
        Ryk pushed a fallen hair from Einin's face before kissing each of her eyelids, then her nose, and then her mouth. He rubbed his nose against hers, in an affectionate gesture, and gave his lover a playful grin.
        "This was truly wonderful," he said to her, "I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did."

Ryk's words relaxed her, and Einin let out a relieved sigh, eyes closing as he kissed her and a smile spreading over her lips when she felt the soft press of his lips against her eyelids and nose. Sex had been wonderful--and definitely something she wanted to do again!--but these languid caresses and affectionate gestures were almost just as good.

Her smile turned into a grin when he kissed her mouth, and then nuzzled noses with her, and she cracked her eyes open and chuckled at his comment. "I, ah...I would think my enjoyment was rather obvious," she said, flushing as she said it. She had been rather loud, and eager (something she had never envisioned for herself!), and Ryk had brought out sensations in her she hadn't even thought possible.

She buried her face against his neck and kissed him there. "It was really...intense. In a good way! I, um...I really liked it." She cleared her throat. "I guess I was just...worried. My, ah, my mother always stressed, you know...purity. I suppose I failed there, but..." She shrugged. "I don't actually regret it. I'd do it again. Erm. Just not now. I'm a little, ah, tender."

        Ryk smiled at her comment about tenderness, and pulled Einin in a bit closer. He could reach her butt now, and so caressed her there, enjoying the way she reflexively pressed her crotch into him and shuddered at his touch. Up to the small of her back his fingers went, and she arched, pressing her abdomen against him. Then her breasts pressed against him as his fingers traced a line between her shoulders. It was wonderful to be able to elicit such a response from her. The way her body quivered away from his gentle caress, pressing into him as she sighed in pleasure was amazing. He could stay like this forever, holding her, touching her, fucking her again and again. Ryk kissed her again, a bit more hungrily than before, but still gentle. His tongue slipped between her lips, tasting her mouth. Her warm breaths escaped her pretty little nose, heating his cheek.
        "I plan on giving you as much as you can take my sweet," he said, and winked at Einin. "I'm going to fill you up every time we can steal enough time to be alone." Ryk kissed her a bit more fiercely still, but then relaxed back against the settee. "A little potion will restore your energy and lift the tenderness," he told her, "but you'll want to wait a bit before using it. Unless of course you want to be a virgin again."

All that touching, indeed, was having an effect on her, and Einin's body responded in kind. Even though she felt achy and tired, those hungry kisses and gentle caresses soon had her pressing against him, her breathing growing a bit quicker as her imagination raced. Sore or not, if he kept that up much longer, she might soon be ready to go again--though she really just wanted to enjoy the closeness, and knew her body would hate her if she took him again without giving herself a chance to recover.

She kissed him hard, moaning against his mouth, and touched his face with her fingers to keep him there before her hands wandered and slid down over his shoulder and arm, short nails dragging over his skin. But at Ryk's mention of the potion and becoming a virgin again, her eyes snapped open and she lifted up a little to give him an incredulous look.

"No way!" she said, brow crinkled. "Why would anyone want that? Not that it was anywhere near as bad as I thought it'd be, but it's still not something I'd like to repeat, thank you."

        "I can think of a couple reasons why a woman might want that," Ryk said, with an odd look on his face, "but none are worth discussing now." He held Einin close to him, continuing to stroke her skin. He felt so relaxed with her there in his arms. He languidly kissed her, dozing slightly as he did so. He'd be happy to stay here all day with her. Perhaps that could be arranged for another time. Staying naked with her for an entire day would be amazing. All the sex they could accomplish, as well as just lounging together like this.
        "Tomorrow we have guests to entertain and a dinner engagement," he said to her as his fingers traced her ear, "but the day after, I was thinking we could swim, and spend the day together, alone. Would you like that?" Before Einin could answer, Ryk pressed his lips against hers again. He slipped his tongue between her lips, sliding it along the inside of her teeth, tickling the roof of her mouth. When he broke the kiss, he looked into her eyes and smiled.
        "I'll have the tailor come to your home tonight so that the bathing suit will be ready in time. Unless you prefer to swim with me in the nude?"

Even though she was laying there naked with Ryk, his words, coupled with his searing kiss, brought a fresh blush to Einin's cheeks.

"I...think you can send the tailor," she said with a laugh before hiding her face against his neck. "I'm already going to make a fool of myself, so I'd rather have a little dignity while I flail around and try not to drown!"

But even as she said it, her body flushed with heat, because the idea wasn't a bad one, and she rather liked the idea of swimming nude with him--and perhaps other things, though she was too embarrassed to admit that out loud. She was still trying to come to terms with how quickly this had escalated, how quickly her barriers had come down when before she'd been nervous of the very idea of sex, and laughed at the idea of consummating anything with him. But Ryk talked about such things so casually, so it helped make her feel a little less ashamed.

Leaning up, she kissed his jaw. "Maybe when I'm a better swimmer," she said with a wry grin.

        "As much as I will enjoy teaching you to swim," Ryk said, "I have a feeling that I won't be able to keep my hands off of you. All wet, in a sexy swimsuit, I'll be unable to resist touching you." He smiled at Einin again. It seemed a grin was almost always present on his face when he was with her. She brought him happiness. It was different, and he liked it. He snuggled her in a bit tighter, returning her kiss. She wasn't much shorter than him, but the way she was curled against him, he had to lean his head down to meet her lips.
        "I hope you're okay with that."

Einin met Ryk's eyes, a little smile on her lips. "I'm okay with that," she finally admitted as she trailed fingers up and down his back, her mind wandering away from the confusion and back to the more pleasant, immediate thoughts of what might happen that day.

"Erm. Assuming we're not...actually in the water when that happens," she added with a snort. "That seems like it could go bad fast."

        "I'm an excellent swimmer," Ryk told Einin through a laugh, "I won't let you drown. Sex in water is actually very fun. The water is the clearest you've ever seen, and the concrete basin is much nicer than the mud that lines most ponds. There are no plants or animals in the water either, so it'll just be you and me. There are shallow areas that I'll be able to ravage you in without leaving the water."
        He laughed gently into her hair and tickled the back of her neck with his fingers. He was definitely going to enjoy a day of swimming and lounging. Einin probably wouldn't stay clothed long. He was already growing stiff thinking of what they would be doing. Perhaps he should take her once more before they went back out to the fair. He kissed her tenderly, and slipped a hand down between them to put his fingers on her clit. If he could arouse her enough that she wanted more, then that would decide it. He rubbed his tongue against her tongue as his fingers worked her pleasure button.

"And, er, we'll be absolutely alone?" Einin said, an eyebrow raised skeptically. "No one will be outside--oh!"

She cut off with a sharp gasp and a jerk of her hips, because Ryk had put his fingers to work again and she was still rather sensitive from her last climax. Her short nails dug into Ryk's back and she opened her legs for him, draping one over his own legs so he had room to work. It no longer mattered that she was tender and a little bloody; his touch certainly had the desired effect, and before long, she was lightly grinding against his hand, wet from their previous joining and fresh desire.

"Oh," she gasped, her breath hot against his ear. "That...is so not--ah!--fair!"

        Ryk worked her quick and gentle, using the slickness of Einin's sex to lubricate his motions. With her leg over his, and his tool quickly stiffening, Ryk moved its tip to press against her wet slit. Rubbing just the tip against her opening, using his hand to press it against her clit as well, he made small sounds of his pleasure. Then he slid it into her and he let out a satisfied sigh. Being inside her was heavenly.
        "This is the most wonderful thing I have ever experienced," he said sincerely, "I am going to enjoy many years of fucking you." Ryk pressed his mouth against hers hungrily as he thrust into her vigorously. In and out and in, as fast and hard as he could at that angle. Einin was sliding back from each thrust forward, and he had to pull her back into him. When he laid with other women he did not go back for more like this. He was capable of it, but he usually lacked the desire. Sleeping with other women was about power, or information, or simply for the purpose of getting off. This was so much more. He cared for this young woman, she was beautiful, she made him happy. At the end of the month Ryk would propose the idea of marrying Einin to her father. It would be great for Lord Beirne's business, and though he was reportedly fond of his daughter, greed won over many a man.
        "Is it still pleasurable little bird?"

Einin was whimpering with need by the time Ryk began to rub his cock against her, and she arched harder against him to encourage him, wanting him. It hurt only a little when he finally slid into her, her body still sore from her first time, but the pain ebbed quickly as he began to move, and her initial pained gasp soon turned into a husky moan. She clung to him, eyes clenched shut to savor the sensations as he fucked her--for now she definitely knew the difference between that and love-making! She kissed him hard, her cries and yelps muffled against his lips.

Gods, at this rate, they were going to miss the faire!

And Einin couldn't be bothered to care.

Her legs tightened around Ryk as she squirmed against him, hips moving to match him and hands tangling in his thick hair. His question had her blinking up at him, watching the expressions play out on his face as he moved.

"Y-you have no idea," she gasped, and arched against him with a moan, hands clawing down his spine as she drew closer to him. She kissed at his shoulder and then bit him hard as he thrust into her.

"Gods, Ryk...don't stop..." She wasn't the begging sort, but gods, he made her want to.

        "You let me know if I hurt you little bird."
        Ryk rolled (http://youtu.be/dQw4w9WgXcQ?t=1m25s) and slid Einin so that they remained on the settee, but he was now on top of her. He spread her legs wide and held them there so she'd know where to keep them, and before he really started thrusting into her he reached under and gripped her ass firmly. He lifted her just enough that he could angle into her. In a better position to work his cock in her, Ryk began to pound into Einin with abandon. Faster and harder even than when he'd taken her from behind, their bodies slapped together, the effort sliding the settee with each thrust. He was really moaning as he fucked her, grunting with each slap of his pelvis against hers. Her wet cunt gripped at his cock, as he pulled the length of it out of her and slammed it back in.
        It felt great to drill her tight slit, and he wasn't going to hold himself back. He felt her body's tension, and spasms of pleasure. He'd wait for her to reach climax, and he'd fill her with his seed when she did. Sure, that made it harder for the herbs he'd give her to prevent pregnancy, but it always felt best tome come together. He had a feeling that with Einin, that would be especially true. The sounds of their coupling could likely be heard out on the street, his grunting, her moaning, and he didn't care one bit. Ryk plowed into her even harder, using the likelihood of a growing audience outside to fuel his passion. He liked that their rutting was likely causing others to have arousing thoughts. Even as he thrusted and moaned, he knew that he'd not subject Einin to any embarrassment though, so they'd sneak out a way that nobody would see them.
        For now he just continued to fuck the girl, letting go of her ass to grip her ankles and spread her legs far apart. In her pleasure, Einin was bringing them together, her knees now pressing into Ryk's ribs. He liked the signs that she loved his pounding, but her closing legs made it harder to thrust deep into her. As he continued to thrust, he lifted her legs then took her hands and placed them on her calves so she could hold them open herself. Then his hands went back to lifting her by her ass, so that his cock would slide in at a better angle to please her. He knew he was hitting the right spot by her reaction to his renewed fervor. She almost lost her grip on her legs after he had just begun, and a smile of satisfaction spread across his face. He watched her for cues as he thrust, and as soon as she would begin to orgasm, he'd let himself crest the peak he'd been holding at bay. His warm seed would splash inside her as they moaned together in pleasure, and Ryk anticipated it with each jarring slap of his pelvis, his cock driving deep inside her tight little pussy.

Einin did her best to keep her grip on her legs, but it was difficult when her instinct was to let go and cling to Ryk, and when the position made her feel embarrassingly exposed. But soon Ryk was slamming into her and Einin forgot her shame, for pleasure had a funny way of making her just not care. Each hard thrust had her almost losing her grip on her legs, but she held on tightly, gasping and crying out as he took her. His pace was hard, harder than she'd yet experienced, and it hurt a little, enough that she knew she'd be bruised later as his hips struck her thighs--but not enough for her to want him to slow. The pleasure far outweighed it, and with him gripping her ass and tilting her hips up, he was soon stroking a part of her that had her sobbing with bliss and squirming beneath him.

And then, finally, she had to let go and grab onto Ryk, hands clutching his shoulders tightly though she held her legs open even though she wanted to keep pressing her knees into Ryk. Feet braced against the settee, she moved back against him, rocking her hips as he slammed home, urging him on, her mouth against his ear as she whimpered wordless encouragement, because gods, already she could feel that familiar sensation building with each rough slap of his hips, with each wonderful slide of his cock into her.

"Y-you feel amazing," she moaned, eyes clenched shut and head thrown back. Her nails dug into his shoulders as she held on, her cries and breathless gasps filling the air. "A-ah! Oh...oh gods...! Stay right there..."

Her sobbing cries grew sharper, louder, and she pressed her face to his shoulder to muffle them and raked her nails down his back to grip his ass as she moved with him, pleasure building, body tensing. Gods, it was unbelievable, almost too much for her to bear, and she bit his neck and writhed until, finally, she came around him, her arms and legs squeezing him hard and her toes curling as she pressed against him, her cry of release muffled against his skin. She trembled uncontrollably, and Ryk could no doubt feel her release as her body clenched at his cock and her nails dug into his ass.

        Ryk's own pleasure had been held at bay, only by his quickly thinning will power. When Einin's release trembled through her body, drove deep and hard into her, letting it wash over him. His warm seed splashed inside her as his thrusts ceased. He ground his pelvis against her, rotating his hips to continue their pleasure and ride their orgasms as long as possible. His mouth found hers as he peaked, and he kissed her hard, moaning into her mouth. His cock flexed with each shot of his spunk it sent into her, and the tensing spasms were almost painful. He was finally spent, finally satisfied with the pleasure he'd shared with her, for today anyway. He fell upon her, his head against her neck, face turned away to catch his breath. He laid atop her with nearly his full weight, his body limp with exhaustion, breathing heavy as if he'd just run as hard as he could.
        "You are a wonderful woman," Ryk said through his gasps, "This was amazing. You are amazing. I can't wait to do this again." He turned his face into her, and kissed her neck. He tried to lift himself, only to find that his arms were not up to the task. "Could you push up on my chest little bird? It seems you've sapped my strength and I need help getting up." With Einin's minimal assistance, he lifted himself off of her and stood. His cock was slowly deflating as he watched her chest heaving with her own breaths. He could see her heart pulsing in her throat, and remembered the feeling of it thumping against him from inside her chest. Her body was glistening with the sweat from their fucking, and she looked so beautiful he didn't want to pull his eyes from her. He'd left marks on her, and he could see bruises already forming where his hips hammered against her.
        "You should drink part of a potion before you sleep tonight," he told her, "that should be enough time for your own bodies healing to prevent you being a virgin again." He bent and kissed her, his hand caressing her breasts, stroking her nipples. "Rest a moment." He turned from her then and started collecting their clothes. He set hers in a tidy pile on a table, and then began to pull his back on. He was practiced and quick, dressing with extra grace and a bit of flare with Einin watching. He straightened himself up in a gilded wall mirror, and was soon looking as if he'd not just had a marathon of sex. He was still a bit soiled from the coupling, and with both of their sexual fluids on him, in his clothing now, he would quickly grow uncomfortable. So of course he used the primper. He was as fresh as ever with a quick tap, and soon he had it in its brush form sweeping away the evidence of their sex. He straightened the table he'd lifted Einin onto, and then returned to her when the place was back in order.
        "As much as I've enjoyed this and never want it to end," he said as he knelt and kissed her again, "we should get back to the festivities."

Rest a moment, he said. As though Einin could have done any differently just then! So as Ryk dressed and cleaned the place, Einin remain sprawled on the settee where he left her, panting like she'd run for miles and feeling like she could sleep the next few days away. She didn't want to move. Didn't think she could have moved right then if she'd tried, for not only was she out of breath, thirsty, sore, and exhausted, but she couldn't seem to stop trembling.

She tilted her head back against the cushions and ran her hands through her damp hair, which was a tangled mess now. Oh Kia, how was she going to explain that? She definitely didn't know how to replicate the style her handmaiden had woven her hair into, and didn't even know where all the clips went! Maybe she could just say there had been dancing and her hair had fallen loose from that or something...

Her eyes snapped back open when she heard Ryk's voice, and then his mouth was on hers, and she moaned softly against him--until that moan turned into a groan because he mentioned the festivities.

Oh gods...

"Get back to them? Like this?" she asked, and slowly pushed herself up onto her elbows. "Er. Not literally, ah...like this. I know you have your cleany thingy, just...gods. I feel a wreck. But if I must..." And she knew she must. They couldn't just stay here forever!

With a deep breath, she sat up, wincing at the pain in her thighs and between her legs, and pushed herself to her feet. Her legs shook, muscles sore from keeping her legs in a position they weren't normally in, and then...

"Oh!"

It had happened earlier, but she had been in the moment and hadn't really noticed. Now, after having a time to rest and wind down, she did notice what happened when she stood up. Which was that what went in had to, well, go somewhere. And that somewhere was back out. She cringed, making a face, as a lovely mixture of Ryk's semen and her fluids ran down her thighs, tinted pink, and she could see now that her inner thighs were streaked with a bit of blood. The settee where she'd been laying wasn't much better; there was quite the wet spot.

Flushing red, Einin stood, frozen, with her legs apart. This was...awkward and unpleasant...

"I'm bleeding."

        "Yes my dear you are." As Einin, moved from the settee, Ryk moved in and cleaned it with the primper. The results of their fucking ran down her legs, and dripped on the floor, but he wasn't worried. He could clean it again with ease. Ryk picked up Einin's clothing and handed them to her lightly.
        "I know it seems abhorrent," Ryk said to her, "and it will surely feel you're wrapping yourself in mung. After you dress though, I will clean you and your garments. There is no stain, not even blood or sex, that the primper can't whisk away." He gave her a sharp slap on her ass as he moved to sit. "Though I will be sad to see your beautiful behind covered."

Einin jerked and squeaked when Ryk slapped her bottom and clapped a hand over the spot. Her cheeks colored and she gave Ryk a look, but...she found she wasn't actually upset, and that her face wasn't reddening with anger. Looking away in embarrassment, embarrassment because she found she kind of liked it, she began to struggle into her clothes, cringing at the way the fabric stuck to her sweaty skin.

"Don't be too upset. If today was any indication, I imagine you'll see more tomorrow."

Eventually, she had her dress back on, her stockings adjusted, and her laced tied. Then she just stood there awkwardly, feeling rumpled and gross. What they'd done had been a lot of fun in the moment, and she still felt tingly from it, but this part was definitely not very enjoyable.

Yeah. She felt disgusting.

        Einin was dressed, but she definitely looked disheveled. Ryk twisted the primper down to size and gave her a tap. She was swept clean with the magic of the device. Dress cleaned and fluffed, looking as fresh as when she just put it on. Her still rosey skin was clean, head to toe, like she'd had a thorough bathing. It was a very useful item, the primper, and Ryk was glad to have it. Her hair of course was not done up as it had been, but at least it was clean. He tucked away the primper after cleaning the last of the mess from the floor. Then he took Einin's face in his hands and gave her a soft kiss.
        "You look lovely with your hair down," he told her with a soft smile, "but here are your pins and clips." He folded the bejeweled hair accessories into her hand. "I think you can do without them."

"I love that thing," Einin breathed when it was done, though anything else she had been about to say was cut off by his lips.

Her heart fluttered as she returned the kiss, pulse racing with the memory of what they'd done--and with the fresh flood of new emotions, new confusion. No, she thought she could marry this man. And why not, at this point, after all this? He would give her freedom, as he'd promised, and neither of them would have to worry about hiding themselves from their lover. And...and maybe she could help change things. Be a good influence, encourage him to nudge the Soot Wolves in a better direction, two sides of the coin working for a middle ground and all that. He wasn't a bad person, and a lot of the things he did were good, and he'd been nothing but good to her.

Lust couldn't be his only motivator when it came to them, for Ryk Handelaar had his pick of women. He could have anyone. So why else would he pick her unless he actually cared?

She'd just have to tackle the issue of their separate identities, and how they intersected, later. For now, she was just enjoying the moment.

Drawing back from the kiss, she gave a little smile.

"You think so? It won't be too, uh, obvious?" she asked as she smoothed out her hair with her free hand.

        "To be honest dear," Ryk smiled an ever so slightly sad smile, "with the amount of time we've spent in each others company, I'm sure all of Arca is whispering that we are lovers. I am infamous after all." He stroked his hand through Einin's hair, it really was lovely. He took her hand and twirled her to get a look at her from all around. "You are like an angel." He pulled her in hard and kissed her passionately. "We should get out of this strangers home before I lose control and tear your clothing off again."
        He turned, pulling her by her hand, heading for the door, missing the expression that blossomed on her face with the realization that this was not a place he owned or had Soot Wolf control of. His destination was the door they had come through, his goal, to get back on the street without being noticed.

"W-what?! What did you say?!"

What a way to kill a mood.

Pulled along after Ryk, Einin stumbled after him. Her legs didn't want to work and shook under her weight, and it was awkward to walk since she was sore in all sorts of interesting places. Still, she managed to keep up and struggled to walk in some way that looked natural, even if her steps were ginger, careful.

"You don't know the owner?" she hissed. "This isn't a place owned by Soot Wolves? I thought this was yours! We just...we just...all over this place!" The person's rug! Their settee! Their table! Einin's eyes were wide with horror. True, it had been cleaned up by the primper, but...

It was the principal of the matter!

Einin covered her face with her free hand. "Oh my gods. What if they came home?!"

        "Not to worry little bird," Ryk said, slowing for the tender pace Einin was taking. He offered her his arm for support instead of dragging her along. "The residents are out of town and won't be back for a fortnight." He patted her hand gently as he lead her to the door. "You'll learn that the possibility of getting caught is thrilling, and adds to the fun."
        When they reached the door, Ryk opened it and stepped through to make sure it was clear. The small path was free of travelers or observation, and Ryk gestured for Einin to join him outside. Once out of the home, Ryk locked the door behind them It was as if they were never there. The only evidence of their lovemaking, the soreness that Einin carried with her. Ryk himself was feeling a bit worn and sore himself so he fetched out a potion and took the tiniest of sips. The magic flowed through him, refreshing him well enough that he did not notice any remnants of strain.
        "What next my dear? More street performers, or perhaps a game? Maybe a snack? We did use quite a bit of energy."

"Fun? That doesn't sound fun! That sounds mortifying!" Einin said, just imagining what it would be like to get walked in on during all...that, during such an intimate, private act. Nope. Not fun. Horrifying! Just the thought of it had her wanting to sink down into the ground with embarrassment.

"I'd have to invest in another mask and another identity after that, because I'm not sure I'd ever be able to show my face anywhere ever again. Not that I'm ashamed of what we did, mind you, but you saw parts of me no one else has seen, and I sort of want to keep it that way."

Cautiously, she joined Ryk outside and took hold of his arm. She looked around them, making doubly sure no one was about, and let out a relieved breath that no one saw them sneaking out of the house--that Ryk didn't own!--together. Thank Kia. True, he was probably right about that whole...rumors thing, as he did have a reputation and all, but maybe it would balance out? She had a reputation for being disinterested, after all.

...Gods, how that had changed.

She could still hardly believe what they'd done, and could hardly believe how okay with it all she was, and that it didn't feel all that weird after. She supposed she'd always had all sorts of strange ideas about what it was supposed to feel like, and that you were supposed to feel changed or something after losing your virginity, but really, the soreness was about it. Other than that, she didn't feel profoundly different--except that now she knew she liked it.

That she liked Ryk.

Looking up at him at his question, she gave a breathy laugh at his mention of energy. Ah...yeah.

Yeah, that was putting it lightly. She felt exhausted.

"A snack sounds glorious," she said. "And games sound fun, provided, uh, they aren't too strenuous."

        Ryk stole one last taste of Einin's mouth while there was nobody to see, then he offered his arm so that he could escort her back to the street. He led her back down the narrow alley they had rushed through to reach the back of the house. They slipped out to the street without notice and walked back toward the booths selling roasted nuts and baked goods.
        "What would you like little bird?"

Leaning on Ryk's arm, with the mint taste of his lips still on her tongue, Einin took a deep breath of the faire food scents wafting through the air. "Mm, good question. Gods, it all smells good! Maybe some--dear sweet Kia."

It was at that moment that she saw him, Jarrett. Or rather, she heard the commotion that directly involved him, because he was currently cradling a man and...getting reamed out by a very angry woman.

Einin's eyes widened. "Tell me that's not a corpse."

        "From here, I could not be sure," Ryk said to Einin, "but knowing our friend, it surely is." Ryk released Einin's arm and reached into his coat. He pulled out a flask, took a swig and handed it to Einin. "Very strong drink, tastes different for everyone. It'll bring forth a pleasant memory when you drink it." His eyes scanned the area, he caught sight of a couple Soot Wolves watching Jarrett. He'd get a report on whatever had happened later. For now though he could feel Einin's need to approach the assassin.
        "Well it seems our day will be cut short," he said to her, "go then, and tend to that. Take the drink, you may need it for whatever nonsense he drags you into. Someone will be close if you get into real trouble, not that Jarrett couldn't handle it." He grabbed a small purse of coins and pressed that into her hand as well. "I know you have your winnings but you never know." Last he reached for a small vial and discreetly slipped it into her cleavage with a devious grin. "Smash that and it will burst into flame. Best to throw it away from where it will get on you."
        Then Ryk brushed his lips across the back of Einin's hand in a very gentlemanly way. "When will I see you next? Should I sneak over tonight? Or would you prefer to wait?" His lips brushed her hand again. "Or should we wait until tomorrow? Oh, and don't forget that there will be a tailor waiting for you at your home this evening."

Ryk didn't have to tell her twice. Einin accepted the flask and took a long pull from it, nearly draining it dry. She was definitely going to need it--though the memory it brought forth was a recent one, and one that brought color to her cheeks. She handed the flask back and cleared her throat, though the color might easily be attributed to the alcohol working through her system and warming her blood.

Of course, it didn't help that Ryk couldn't seem to keep his hands off her--like when he boldly slipped that vial between her breasts.

She jumped and lightly swatted his hand, hissing that someone might see, and turned toward the wall so she could adjust it. Then, armed with a combustible vial, a knife at her thigh, and a good deal of coin, she was ready to go! Or, ready as she could be, considering what no doubt awaited.

"Sorry," said, a little sad their fun was cut short. "I just...well, especially after everything today, I should, you know...deal with that engagement stuff." She smiled at his kiss and let out a sigh. "Anyway, I think probably tomorrow? Uh...probably shouldn't come by my house...might get caught and everything, so...I'll see you tomorrow?"

She gave another look over at Jarrett, and cringed. "Ah, I should go! Before he...I dunno! Something!" Boy, that alcohol worked fast! But Ryk no doubt understood what she meant.

"Bye! And thanks! This was...it was something." And with a little curtsey, she turned to head Jarrett's way, still walking tenderly, and now a little wobbly from drink--and completely forgetting about the hickeys on her neck.

        Ryk watched the beautiful young Einin walk away from him. To his trained eye, he could tell her gait was altered to accommodate her sore thighs and the tenderness of her sex. He considered sneaking over to her house that night anyway, but he'd have to see how the day went. He wandered through the crowds, buying little things here and there, watching his Soot Wolves work. He stopped at a booth selling hard candies wrapped in wax paper, and bought enough to fill his pocket. He wasn't just a sucker for a pretty face, he also had a soft spot for sweets. He put his purse back in his coat, in the inside breast pocket, and continued his stroll down the road.

((You can find Ryk continuing his day here (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=14767.0). As for the lovely Einin Beirne, you can find her here (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=16943.0).))