Royce saw her approach him and then stop abruptly, seemingly keeping her distance. Under the waterfall it was slightly darker than out in the open and although he thought maybe she was embarrassed by her nearly transparent slip, Royce hadn't noticed anything. Her fiery red hair is what attracted him to her and even now it was darker when wet and framed her face perfectly.
Royce closed the distance between them and held her close to him. "Have I told you how beautiful you look right now, the way your hair hangs down on your shoulders when it is wet." Royce trailed off smiling. Still holding her close to him he bent his head low and kissed her softly on her lips. The feeling of Bridget's lips against his sent him reeling. He closed his eyes and uttered a small pleasurable moan.
After the kiss had ended even though he didn't want it to end at all, Royce swam away from Bridget a little and returned to the open part of the lake. He looked up and saw that darkness was approaching very fast and he had nothing left to eat. He returned to the enclave under the waterfall. "Bridget?" he said, "It is becoming dark quite fast. I'll stay here under the waterfall to allow you to discretely leave the water first, just shout when you are dressed and I'll get out then."
Rosewood (Royce's Sanctuary)
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Re: Rosewood (Royce's Sanctuary)
Bridget felt her body melt against his as he pulled her close. She closed her eyes when his lips once again touched hers, but the feeling of self-consciousness still remained. Although she'd grown very fond of Royce, she still felt a sense of relief when he swam away so she could get out of the water.
She swam back to the shallow area of the stream and quickly got out. The air had gotten quite cool and she shivered as she took off her slip and changed back into her clothes. Then she called to Royce, "You can come out now! I saw the hammock and fire pit earlier.... I'll meet you over there once you're dressed."
Bridget made her way back to the clearing and bent over the fire pit. Her hands were shaking quite a bit and she wasn't entirely sure it was from the cold. Thankfully Royce had prepared the fire sometime earlier in the day so all she needed do was light it. Once the fire was going, she spread out the blanket she'd brought and began setting out the food: chicken pie, sliced oranges, and wine. She sat close to the fire and warmed her hands over the flames while she awaited Royce's return.
She swam back to the shallow area of the stream and quickly got out. The air had gotten quite cool and she shivered as she took off her slip and changed back into her clothes. Then she called to Royce, "You can come out now! I saw the hammock and fire pit earlier.... I'll meet you over there once you're dressed."
Bridget made her way back to the clearing and bent over the fire pit. Her hands were shaking quite a bit and she wasn't entirely sure it was from the cold. Thankfully Royce had prepared the fire sometime earlier in the day so all she needed do was light it. Once the fire was going, she spread out the blanket she'd brought and began setting out the food: chicken pie, sliced oranges, and wine. She sat close to the fire and warmed her hands over the flames while she awaited Royce's return.
Thank you, Aishe!
Re: Rosewood (Royce's Sanctuary)
Royce heard Bridget sing out that she was decent and he made his way to the shoreline. Once he got out he walked over to his pile of clothes, stripped down and put the dry clothes on. He slowly made his way back to his humble little home. He heard the crackling of the fire first then saw Bridget and the blanket she had spread out on the ground. "Wow, this all looks amazing. You didn't need to go to so much trouble." Royce sat down cross-legged beside Bridget near the fire. He looked over the food but opted for a glass of wine. He poured the first one and offered it to Bridget while he poured a second one for himself.
Re: Rosewood (Royce's Sanctuary)
Bridget took the glass of wine from Royce and sipped it as she watched him pour himself a glass. She was starting to feel warmer already; whether the cause was the fire, the wine, or the company, she wasn't sure. She looked around the property. The trees to the west had a golden glow as the sun dipped behind them, making it looks as though they were on fire. It really was a beautiful piece of land.
“So now that your home is in place, what plans do you have for the rest of the land?” She hoped he planned to keep most of the property as it was – she loved how it was lined with large, old trees, making it feel as though they were completely isolated deep in the woods - though she could envision a nice vegetable garden, perhaps a few animals roaming about. She could see many evenings spent outside around the fire, and afternoons lazing about in the hammock. She felt herself smile as she thought about her future and how it now seemed entwined with his.
She turned back to Royce and watched him for a moment. “Please eat. You must be starving after all the work you've done today.” She motioned to the food that she’d laid out on the blanket. “The pie isn't warm anymore, but it should still be tasty.” Bridget grabbed a slice of orange and brought it to her lips, biting down on the juicy pulp. She wasn't overly hungry but she suddenly felt a little nervous again.
“So now that your home is in place, what plans do you have for the rest of the land?” She hoped he planned to keep most of the property as it was – she loved how it was lined with large, old trees, making it feel as though they were completely isolated deep in the woods - though she could envision a nice vegetable garden, perhaps a few animals roaming about. She could see many evenings spent outside around the fire, and afternoons lazing about in the hammock. She felt herself smile as she thought about her future and how it now seemed entwined with his.
She turned back to Royce and watched him for a moment. “Please eat. You must be starving after all the work you've done today.” She motioned to the food that she’d laid out on the blanket. “The pie isn't warm anymore, but it should still be tasty.” Bridget grabbed a slice of orange and brought it to her lips, biting down on the juicy pulp. She wasn't overly hungry but she suddenly felt a little nervous again.
Thank you, Aishe!
Re: Rosewood (Royce's Sanctuary)
Royce stopped mid sip. "I really hadn't given much thought as to what I will do with my property. I will get some chickens as fresh eggs always taste the best." Royce's thoughts turned to breakfast already. "I have this technique of lightly cooking bread over a fire. Cooked bread with freshly cooked egg on it leaving the yolk just runny enough to not make you sick but tasty when smooshed in the cooked bread and the yolk escapes a little."
Royce watched as Bridget seemingly fiddled with a piece of orange. He got to his knees and scooted closer to Bridget. Even though her red hair was still slightly damp it still smelled wonderful. Royce never understood why her scent drove him mad with desire, but he hoped that one day he would find out. The chicken pie began to call to him as he sat there so he grabbed the warm dish and using a spoon scooped some of it out onto a plate and slowly nibbled on it.
The silence was finally broken. "What are you thinking about my dear," Royce asked as Bridget seemed to be a little quiet. Royce continued nibbling bits of chicken pie sips of wine.
Royce watched as Bridget seemingly fiddled with a piece of orange. He got to his knees and scooted closer to Bridget. Even though her red hair was still slightly damp it still smelled wonderful. Royce never understood why her scent drove him mad with desire, but he hoped that one day he would find out. The chicken pie began to call to him as he sat there so he grabbed the warm dish and using a spoon scooped some of it out onto a plate and slowly nibbled on it.
The silence was finally broken. "What are you thinking about my dear," Royce asked as Bridget seemed to be a little quiet. Royce continued nibbling bits of chicken pie sips of wine.
Re: Rosewood (Royce's Sanctuary)
Bridget was startled when Royce broke the silence and questioned what was on her mind. She chuckled and looked him in the eye for a moment, “I’m surprised you don’t know by now how busy my mind is.” She tapped her temple with her finger and laughed softly. She continued looking at him, searching for the words, before her gazed dropped to the glass of wine in her hand. “There has been a lot on my mind lately. More than usual, in fact.” She ran her finger around the top of her glass. “I don’t want to be presumptuous... There are some new things happening in my life. Something that I’ve been wanting for sometime. Something that... I didn’t even realize how much I wanted until... And now I’m rambling. I’m sorry.” Bridget sighed and looked back up at him. She smiled and took his hand. “I promise, I’ll explain better when I can. The words aren’t coming to me right now, and I, as I said, really don’t wish to be presumptuous.”
Bridget looked up at the darkening sky. The first stars were starting to appear and the air was getting chilly, despite the fire. She took the last sip of her wine and put the glass down on the blanket. “I should probably get going before it’s too dark. You must be exhausted from all the work you’ve done today - I wouldn’t want to keep you up late. Thank you for taking me to the waterfall. It was beautiful - the company and the scenery - the whole evening.” Bridget watched Royce for a moment. She felt like she was disappointing him, but she wasn’t certain. She tried to read his face, but it was mostly shadowed in the dark. She knew he wanted more from her and she sincerely hoped he’d not give up on her before she was able give him all he desired. She hesitated a moment before standing. “You keep this,” she motioned toward the food and blanket. “I’m pretty certain I’ll be back soon. And someday, I’ll be expecting you to make me those eggs you’re tempting me with.”
Bridget looked up at the darkening sky. The first stars were starting to appear and the air was getting chilly, despite the fire. She took the last sip of her wine and put the glass down on the blanket. “I should probably get going before it’s too dark. You must be exhausted from all the work you’ve done today - I wouldn’t want to keep you up late. Thank you for taking me to the waterfall. It was beautiful - the company and the scenery - the whole evening.” Bridget watched Royce for a moment. She felt like she was disappointing him, but she wasn’t certain. She tried to read his face, but it was mostly shadowed in the dark. She knew he wanted more from her and she sincerely hoped he’d not give up on her before she was able give him all he desired. She hesitated a moment before standing. “You keep this,” she motioned toward the food and blanket. “I’m pretty certain I’ll be back soon. And someday, I’ll be expecting you to make me those eggs you’re tempting me with.”
Thank you, Aishe!
Re: Rosewood (Royce's Sanctuary)
The evening was amazing. Royce thoroughly enjoyed Bridget's company and he kinda thought that she enjoyed his as well, as she was there with him relaxing under a slightly star-lit sky. A slight chill went through his bones as the evening finally gave into the dark. Royce remembered that Bridget did not prefer walking anywhere in the dark.
Royce stood up to stand beside Bridget. Deep inside he knew that his involvement in her life was on her mind, he also knew that her future role as Queen was a big part of what was on her mind. He glanced casually down at the blanket and leftover wine and various other meal items and smiled when she made mention of returning to retrieve her items.
Royce walked over to his cart and grabbed his sword. Royce strapped it on and offered his arm to Bridget. "Allow me to escort you home Bridget, I'd hate to see anything bad happen to you."
Royce stood up to stand beside Bridget. Deep inside he knew that his involvement in her life was on her mind, he also knew that her future role as Queen was a big part of what was on her mind. He glanced casually down at the blanket and leftover wine and various other meal items and smiled when she made mention of returning to retrieve her items.
Royce walked over to his cart and grabbed his sword. Royce strapped it on and offered his arm to Bridget. "Allow me to escort you home Bridget, I'd hate to see anything bad happen to you."
Re: Rosewood (Royce's Sanctuary)
Bridget watched as Royce stood and grabbed his sword. She took his arm when he offered it. “You really needn’t, you know. It’s not a long walk, but I will be happy for the company.” Truthfully, she didn’t want the evening to end so any additional time she could steal with Royce would be most welcomed.
They walked quietly, arm in arm, the short distance to Bridget’s home. When they arrived at her front steps, Bridget released her arm from his and stood on the first step. She turned to face him. “Thank you for a fun evening. Though next time you wish to go for a swim I think I’d like a little advance warning.” She felt her cheeks burn again as she recalled the events of the early evening. She was thankful for the dark now so Royce wouldn’t notice her embarrassment.
Bridget reached forward and pushed a strand of hair from his brow. She cupped his face in her hands and looked into his eyes for a moment before smiling at him, “Sweetest of dreams, Royce. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Bridget leaned in and kissed him tenderly on the lips.
They walked quietly, arm in arm, the short distance to Bridget’s home. When they arrived at her front steps, Bridget released her arm from his and stood on the first step. She turned to face him. “Thank you for a fun evening. Though next time you wish to go for a swim I think I’d like a little advance warning.” She felt her cheeks burn again as she recalled the events of the early evening. She was thankful for the dark now so Royce wouldn’t notice her embarrassment.
Bridget reached forward and pushed a strand of hair from his brow. She cupped his face in her hands and looked into his eyes for a moment before smiling at him, “Sweetest of dreams, Royce. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Bridget leaned in and kissed him tenderly on the lips.
Thank you, Aishe!
Re: Rosewood (Royce's Sanctuary)
Royce walked along with Bridget down the path to her house. he chuckled lightly as she requested advance time on going for a swim. He agreed but knew she had as much fun as he did.
The journey to Bridget's house went by entirely too fast. Royce soon found himself standing before Bridget saying their good-byes although Royce didn't want to say those words just yet. He just stared at her, getting lost in her bright blue eyes. She cupped his face and kissed him softly. Royce lingered in the kiss for as long as he could without overstepping any lines. "Goodnight my fair Bridget, sleep well and peacefully" Royce turned in place and slowly walked away
As he walked along alone his hand went to his pocket and he slid it inside and toyed with a small object he had there. Royce then remembered that he left his talisman on the cart bed where most of his stuff was temporarily until he found time to move them inside his dwelling. Royce was quite pleased with the way his relationship with Bridget was turning out.
Royce was so caught up in thinking about his growing relationship with Bridget that he didn't notice the footfalls of something lurking in the underbrush just to his right. The creature had been tracking his for a short distance now and finally found a chance to lunge. The loud growl startled Royce and while he groped at the hilt of his sword he wasn't quick enough to release his blade and get to a defensive stance. With deadly accuracy the beast swiped at Royce with razor sharp claws, cutting his open across his chest but not critically. Royce was able to pierce the should of the creature and made it bound away leaving him lying there, bleeding and fading into darkness.
The journey to Bridget's house went by entirely too fast. Royce soon found himself standing before Bridget saying their good-byes although Royce didn't want to say those words just yet. He just stared at her, getting lost in her bright blue eyes. She cupped his face and kissed him softly. Royce lingered in the kiss for as long as he could without overstepping any lines. "Goodnight my fair Bridget, sleep well and peacefully" Royce turned in place and slowly walked away
As he walked along alone his hand went to his pocket and he slid it inside and toyed with a small object he had there. Royce then remembered that he left his talisman on the cart bed where most of his stuff was temporarily until he found time to move them inside his dwelling. Royce was quite pleased with the way his relationship with Bridget was turning out.
Royce was so caught up in thinking about his growing relationship with Bridget that he didn't notice the footfalls of something lurking in the underbrush just to his right. The creature had been tracking his for a short distance now and finally found a chance to lunge. The loud growl startled Royce and while he groped at the hilt of his sword he wasn't quick enough to release his blade and get to a defensive stance. With deadly accuracy the beast swiped at Royce with razor sharp claws, cutting his open across his chest but not critically. Royce was able to pierce the should of the creature and made it bound away leaving him lying there, bleeding and fading into darkness.