She woke with a start. A tiny noise of fright escaped her. A large figure was looming in the shadows of her bed chamber. Then she saw a familiar crest in the dim light on a silver cloak pin.”Rowland??”
He had turned at her squeak and stepped over to her. He was holding her favorite warm, caramel brown coverlet and approaching her calmly.
She pressed her hand to her heart. “You gave me a fright.”
He lowered the coverlet onto her shoulders like a shawl. “Apologies, My Lady. You were shivering as you slept.”
“Thank you,” she pulled the soft fabric closer to her. It soothed her immediately. She covered her mouth as she struggled to hide her yawn. “Is everything alright?…Gods… It is dark out. What is the hour?”
He stood a few feet away respectfully, half in shadow from where he stood, where light from the moonlit window and the dim embers from the fireplace could not reach. “Apologies again, My Lady. I wanted to wish you many happy returns before leaving, as I would not be here when you woke.”
She gaped at him. “W-w-what? What do you mean “not be here”?
He allowed her the grace of a moment to compose herself before answering. “Your father has asked me to investigate rumors from the far westerlands. He bade me to set out at my earliest opportunity.”
“What rumors? Why now? Can it not… Can it not wait until after?…” she trailed off looking at him with obvious worry.
“How long will you be gone??”
“I do not know how long I shall be gone, but I assure you I will return as soon as I can. I regret I will not be able to attend your celebration,” he told her gently. ” But, know that I could not be more proud of you,” he continued with an encouraging smile.
She stood, abruptly, the coverlet dropped to the floor. She forgot herself completely, forgot just how intimate the setting of her dimly lit bed chambers were. Forgot that she was in her chemise, a chemise that hugged her young woman’s figure.
She forgot her promise to herself that she would always compose herself with Rowland, after the last time he left, only to return in such an awful state that she had had nightmares for weeks after. It was then he had gotten the scar on his face that started atop his right brow and continued down into his cheek on a cruel curve. She had fretted for weeks after, finally had snuck away in the night to watch over him while he slept until Will caught her. There after she had to wait for what felt like centuries until he had recovered enough she could return to mop his brow during the day and read passages from books to him after evening meal.
The idea of her great oak tree of a protector that had seemed invincible could possibly be vulnerable in mortality had set her the realization that she well and truly loved him. The idea that he could cease to be was… unimaginable. Horrific.
“Can not Duncan or Will or Rob-?” She began listing the names of other loyal knights of the court of whom she was certain could take on this task. Anyone else who could take on this task.
He sighed. “Your Highness. Your Lord Father did request me in specfic. Duncan must stay to attend training on the squires, he will guard you in my absence if it is needed. Will is not yet ready for such a, well, it could be a dangerous assignment. And Robert is -”
She gave him a wide eyed look, her chin raised. “Dangerous? Then you really must not go. I’ll go to father. He won’t deny me.” Rowland may be a knight, but she would do anything, anything, to keep him from harm. She would not let him be injured again. He was too precious to her!
To her surprise, he unexpectedly reached out and pulled her by her wrist closer to him and pressed a finger to her lips to silence her. A thousand butterflies came to life in her belly. He was looming over her, and all she could think was that she felt him to be somewhat frightening, but in a way that appealed to her for what reason she did not know or understand. She felt so small next to him.
“I understand that you are upset, but you know well that I have duties that sometimes supersede even your own protection, Princess. Your father trusts me.” He lowered his finger away from her lips.
“You do not understand-” she began in a soft protest.
His brows furrowed, “Do not understand what?”
“I…I have been waiting for my celebration to-to tell you,” she realized her words were low and breathy whispers. “I- I -” She touched his wrist lightly, tentatively. “Care for you…” she emphasised the word, desperately hoping that he could interpret her meaning.
Then, wondering where her own boldness came from, she leaned forward, pressing herself against his cold chestplate armor.
She kept her eyes down cast, feeling greatly nervous at the intimate admission to him. She had wanted to tell him at her celebration.
Her imagination that he could possibly feel for her in return what she had felt for him since she was ten and two years of age had originally lit when she was helping to nurse him after he had returned from battle months ago with injuries. He had grasped her hands one night after she had mopped his brow, his thumb grazing her skin lightly. He had looked at her with such appreciation and love that it had sent a thrill of sensation through her that she could not forget.
She had day-dreamed the moment for months. She imagined telling him and him being so pleased that he immediately dropped to his knee and took her hand to kiss. She even imagined him asking for her favor, which she already knew she would give him immediately. She would give him her favorite ribbon, tying it to his arm above the elbow. Then he would kiss her gently and…
He couldn’t possibly leave now. She had been waiting so long to confess her feelings.
“You… care … for me?” His voice was strange. Was it surprise or disbelief? She wasn’t sure.
Hope lit in her, however, because he had not moved back or away from her. Fingers trembling, she reached up and brushed her fingers to his jaw and the dark and salt color of his temples which felt as soft and as a fluffy kitten.
His eyes closed, and he clasped her fingers to his cheek. He then turned his face into her palm. The tingle of his beard as it grazed her skin made a delicious swoop in her lower belly. After a long pause, she felt his lips press against her palm.
He felt something for her!
An impulse of recklessness washed over her. She wound her arms around his neck and pulled him down, finally seeing his caramel brown irises. They were practically golden now, glinting in the ember lit fire behind them.
They stared into each other’s eyes for several seconds. “You have not been kissed before now, have you, My Lady?”
She moistened lips just barely with the tip of her tongue. “I have not…” She closed her eyes and shook her head, tilting her face up. Her eyebrows furrowed hopefully. Please kiss me! Please grant me my first kiss! I truly would have no other to give me this. Only you, Rowe!
She prayed fast that he would not reject her. She was well aware he had his choice of beautiful women and she was not entirely sure if her own looks were enough to catch his interest. She was small and her hair in this moment was assuredly horrible, full of dark tangles of curls and waves.
In spite of her silent fears, he leaned forward, smoothing a kiss on her lips. She was so happy she could have wept. His lips were pleasantly lush, without being overly wet. They felt tender, and she had the strangest desire to grasp the lower one gently between her teeth, but she held back the urge.
When his arms encircled her waist, the swooping feeling in her belly made her flush with heat. Despite how very cold his armor was, his arms around her made her feel like she was wrapped in her coverlet. His scent was like a dense dark wood that she could lose herself in.
“Princess,” he murmured as their kiss finally ended, low voice making her heart flutter, “It is time for me to go.” His voice sounded stiff.
“Don’t!” She felt a desperation in her heart. No, no. Don’t leave. I want more of your kisses!
He pulled back, looking tenderly at her, “Princess…” Then he lifted a hand to brush his gloved thumb along her lips.
She looked at him pleadingly. “Stay, Rowland, I want to feel your kiss for days…” She truly meant it. She would happily and willingly forgo food, drink, or anything that was required for living to have his lips touch hers again.
He finally met her eyes and lifted her chin between his gloved thumb and crooked forefinger. His free hand slid down her waist and onto her bottom. She gasped in surprise as his palm cupped her bottom, but he did not do anything else. He seemed to be waiting, expecting her to be shocked at his forwardness, to tell him to stop. It was as though he thought doing something so daring would cause her to falter.
She closed her eyes, getting swept away in the heated moment, biting her lower lip, and hope blossoming on her face again. She tilted her head acquiescently for him.
He did not delay. As if he had read her mind earlier, he was now the one nibbling her bottom lip. Then his mouth landed on her cheek and chin. Suddenly, his bristle beard was on her neck. It tickled but she delighted in the sensation, exhaling a giggle of happy and nervous energy. The hand that had brushed her face now grasped her upper arm gently, holding her in place. “My beard tickles?” He guessed. Oooh, his voice…! It was deep and slow and vibrational. When she giggled in heady excitement again, he held her more tightly. “Mmm…no giggling….” he murmured, between little kisses.
Her giggling ceased instantly but not for his command. Her eyes snapped open in surprise, and she shivered letting out an excited, “Oh!” His tongue was brushing the curve where her neck and shoulder met. It felt sinful and indecent but Gods she wanted more.
“Shall I cease?” He murmured, after a pause. His voice was rich and low with the question, his warm breath on her neck.
“Nay,” she responded instantly, her eyes fluttered rapidly before closing. “Nay, do not sto-”
She was interrupted by the sound of him groaning so lightly she almost missed it. He nibbled then sucked the tiny little section of flesh on her neck.
Her heart pounded wildly as she felt his hand squeeze her bottom. She blindly pulled at his wavy ponytail with a gasp. She definitely had not expected that. “Oh… more, please!”
Suddenly, he was lifting her, carrying her to her bed. There were soft clinks of sound as he walked in his armor. As he leaned over and put her into her nest of pillows and covers, kisses fell on her shoulder which was bare for the skewed movement of her chemise. The kisses were lighting little fires of desire on her skin.
His breathing was truly irregular now. Was he… would he take her maidenhead this night?…
“Oh…Rowe…” she murmured.
He paused just as his hip leaned on her bed. He looked up at her and grazed his gloved fingers on the strands of her hair that fell near her bare shoulder.
“I..I am… I am sorry…I just felt so wondrous…” she mumbled, cheeks heating up, realizing he had stopped.
He looked at her, eyebrows lifted, then, he knelt unexpectedly beside the bed on one knee,”Princess.” He seemed to be coming to a thought because his expression was suddenly all the more serious. He exhaled sharply, closing his eyes.
She blinked, “.. Yes?” Why on earth was he kneeling? Why was he not sitting beside her, touching her shoulder, posting those little fires on her again?
“I have well and truly crossed boundaries I should not have.” She heard something infect his voice, something she had never heard before. Guilt. “I truly must leave now, for both our sakes, before …,” he broke off as he started to stand.
She felt as though an ice cold wind had slapped her. “Stop!”
He froze in place, knelt again, and his chin dropped. In spite of everything in the moment, he was still a knight. He still obeyed the command of the crown. But what was she to do with the command she had?
“You are not dismissed!” She whispered and shook her head vehemently.
His head jerked up. “I am not… dismissed? Your highness?” The loose strands of his shoulder length hair that did not quite reach his pony tail swung away from his face, revealing a stunned expression. She had never issued him a command.
“I have- I have not dismissed you.” She felt the heat rise up her cheeks again. “You are not dismissed.”
His mouth opened then closed. She stared at him. He looked at her expectantly, only a single eyebrow lifted lightly. He waited. The only thing that betrayed his mild manner was the intense gaze of his eyes.
She looked down at her hands and folded them across her lap. In the corner of her eye she saw he demurred, and waited for her command as was expected by court tradition. No, that wasn’t quite true, whether he realized it or not, his gaze lingered on her bare shoulder. She finally gulped, feeling small in his presence. “I feel cold, Rowland.”
“You are cold? Would you care for another cover, My Lady?” His voice was warm and gentle. His eyes lifted from her shoulder.
“…No.”
“Then, another log on the fire?”
“..No.”
“Perhaps some hot tea?”
“No.”
He looked up. “My Lady…” he was starting to straighten.
She looked at him, chewing her lower lip. “Rowland…I want you…your kiss again.” She pleaded softly. “That is what warms me…” She desperately wanted him to understand. It wasn’t just warmth. It was tingling, dizzying, and made her want to curl into the safety of his arms and never leave.
He looked at her, expression softening.”As does your kiss, My Lady,” his voice sincere and soft after a pause so long that felt like it stretched on for centuries.”I assure you- It does.”
She looked at him, hope apparent. “Again?… Please?”
He looked at her hands, closed his eyes as though deciding. His jaw twitched but then he nodded. He stood, then came to the bed. He sat on it’s edge, pulling his gauntlets and gloves off. He sat them to one side of her hips then leaned forward and kissed her fully, slowly.
She felt as though the world suddenly righted itself with each second that passed. She implored in a murmur, “Hold me again?”
He did so, pulling her close, his left hand steadily holding her. She felt very much like she was melting into his chest. He smoothed kisses on her lips and chin. He exhaled very lightly. “Princess….truly, you know not how you affect me. It would be wise to cease.” His voice was low, smooth, but cautious.
She closed her eyes, moving her head, and was delighted that his lips were on her neck again. She tilted her head more and felt the delicious swoop in her belly when he nipped her soft skin gently. She whispered in protest.”But it feels so good.”
There was another long pause, the sound of his kisses on her neck the only indicator that there was any movement in the ember lit room. He lifted his right hand and ran his fingers lightly on her wrist.
“I know…” His words agreed but he couldn’t hide the concern in his tone.
She breathed out happily, “Do not stop, I beg you, Rowe…” She loved the little tingles of heat that skittered across her skin with each stroke of his fingers. Everything he did was perfection.
There was a pause when he cupped the back of her head with his left hand and tucked her chin between his right hand thumb and forefinger. He smoothed a kiss on her lips and nudged her lips with his tongue slightly. She was shocked and she opened her mouth automatically. When she felt his tongue touch hers, she moaned heavily. His action was so bold and unexpected that a thrill shot through her.
His hand dropped from her chin and she felt a warmth on the front of her gown. She opened her eyes and looked down to see he was cupping one of her gown covered breasts gently. She gasped in surprise when he gave her a gentle squeeze.
He captured her mouth again, tongue touching hers. She was so wrapped up in how she was feeling that she barely registered her gown front was lowered, exposing her smooth pale skin to the chilly air.
She saw him pause, staring at her now bare breast. She felt wholly embarrassed that he saw her nakedness and started to think he was not pleased with her look for all he did was stare. “I am sorry, am I not…to your liking?” She finally whispered nervously.
He looked up and kissed her lips as though he were her liege lord, commanding her full and utter attention. “Forgive me for my silence. You misunderstand. I have never seen such perfection.” She looked at him, realizing his voice had lowered several octaves, rough with passion.
He eased her gently further into her pillows. Then he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her smooth breast at her heart. She gasped and her eyes fluttered, feeling his dark beard cause tingles across her breast. “Again…!”
He did so planting three kisses to reach her pink pert tip.
She arched her back, lifting her aching breasts closer to his lips. Her eyes were closed and her mouth was a tiny silent “o” of anticipation. She felt him breathe warm air on her, then his hot mouth was taking her in with a moan of satisfaction. She opened her eyes to see him suckling her.
She felt as his tongue twitched over her firm nipple, and with each subtle movement, she was sure she was rising into the heavens. He suckled, gently pulling her tip between his lips up until it made a little pop sound and fell away from his lips. Then he lowered his mouth to her again, and suckled more. She whimpered and writhed in his hold in utter deliciousness.
After a moment, she felt him lifting the hem of her gown and sliding his hand on her legs, then on her inner thighs. Each sensation made her shiver eagerly. Then she felt his fingers near her soft mound. Her mound was aching in a way she’d never felt before. It was practically twitching. She whispered, “My body is aching, Rowe…”
He paused suckling her breast only long enough to make a soothing noise. He moved his fingers on her body as though he were a pilgrim supplicating. His fingers were sliding through her tiny intimate curls now, making her hyper aware of her body and causing her eyes to snap open. The tiny hairs were moving, tickling, teasing and making her feel like she was to away shyly but all she wanted was to feel more of the tingling sensations.
“Close your eyes, Princess,” his low voice calmed her. “I will soothe the ache you feel.”
Feeling as she had the night she had celebrated the winter festival and drunk too much wine, she closed her eyes as he bid her.
Kisses landed on her mouth, then to her breasts. He was suckling her nipple again when a sensation unlike any other warmed her to her core. He was touching… something on her. Some part of her body in its most sacred location, over and over, gently, lovingly. She made such a keen of good feeling it was barely audible.
She stuttered incomprehensible words frantically now, wanting desperately to tell him she wanted more but she didn’t know what more was! She wanted only that he should not stop. As though he had read her mind, he made the sensation happen again. And again. And again. He worked the little spot and continued ravishing her breasts until she was sure she was going to go mad.
“Shhh….It is alright…” his encouraging murmur sent a shock of emotion in her. “Let it happen…I’m here with you…”
Let what happen? Let herself go mad? Each motion he made every stroke, kiss and suckle, she felt tension through her whole body. She felt like a rope being stretched. She had a thrill of anticipation and dread that she did not know what would happen if the rope snapped.
“There’s a good girl…Come for me,” his deep voice invaded her hazy cloud.
She abruptly clapped her hand on his finger, to still his movement, just as she felt like she were falling from a great height, arching her back. He leaned up to capture her mouth in a kiss just as she cried out his name. Finally, she huffed an exhale of exhaustion, feeling utterly spent.
After a long moment, she began breathing easier. Her heart still pounded, however. In the silence he pressed slow, loving kisses to the top of her hair, as he held her. She buried her face into the crook of his arm, staying there for she did not know how long.
He finally said softly, “Princess?” He was gently stroking her back.
“Mm?” She mumbled sleepily, eyes refusing to stay open.
“You are tired, you should rest.” His low voice a gentle directive.
She mumbled,”Yes…”
“Would you care for another cover, My Lady?”
“Mmm.”
The bed shifted, there was a gentle clink of his armor as he eased her into the bed and stood up. After a moment the bed was much cozier with warmth, as another coverlet was draped over her. A gentle stroke of his thumb on her lips made her smile lightly, eyes still closed.
“Many happy returns, My Lady. Sleep well.”
She was already dreaming of him.
Source: reddit.com/r/Erotica/comments/m1hj3i/mf_medievalfantasy_gentle_honorable_protector
omg so hot!!!! i loved it