A Princess Reborn

Rune thought it better that we all sleep in front of the fireplace, in case any danger should befall us during the night. The warmth of the fire would also keep us warm. But now the last embers of the fire have died out, and I'm wide awake and so terribly cold.

The light of the first quarter moon streams through the cabin windows, and I glance at Rune where he lies a couple of feet away. His face is almost angelic when bathed in the soft glow. He looks so peaceful, vulnerable... at times I feel like we're as close as can be, but other times... it's as if he's never really present, never really here.

To my surprise, he turns his head, and glances at me. My first reaction is to look away, ashamed that he caught me staring at him. But he holds my gaze. "Are you cold?"

"Yes, terribly."

"I could lay next to you... to keep you warm? If you want me to?" I nod, and Rune scoots over to me. He wraps his arms around me, and I snuggle my head against his chest. Slowly, I stop shivering, and an intense warmth spreads through my body. "Are you feeling better now?"

"Yes, thank you."

It fells so right to be in his arms - as if my body was made to mold into his. I hear the faint beating of his heartbeat, and feel the movement of his chest as he breathes. "I regret that Hannah was kidnapped, but I'm happy to be on this journey with you."

"Me too... that I can spend this time with you."

"It pleases me to hear that."

"Er... I'm actually freezing here too. I think I can no longer feel my limbs." Eric says. I've forgotten about Eric, and my body jerks when I hear him speak. Rune's arm tightens around me, as if to comfort me. "And my love is not here to warm me. The best chance I have is to go into the forest and find a wolf to lay next to."

Rune and I look at each other and smile at Eric's dramatic, woe is me attitude. "Or perhaps a bear. I think their fur is thicker, perhaps softer. That should warm me right up." I suppress a giggle while Eric continues speaking, not bothered whether you're listening to him or not. I lift my head and look into Rune's eyes - crinkled with suppresses laughter.

He's such an amazing person.

We smile at each other in the moonlight. Then something happens. Rune's eyes become incredibly serious, and his smile fades as he stares at me. There's a sense of expectancy, and he searches my eyes for permission - on the verge of laying his lips on mine. He gently presses his lips against mine. My mouth gives way under the touch, and I'm swept into a tender, yet passionate kiss.

Rune's hand grips my waist, and I yearn for more than just this superficial touch. I long to feel his hands upon my bare skin.

"I should probably make my rounds outside. All was clear an hour ago, but you never know."

There's no answer. Our kiss is still lingering. Rune's hand travels up to my breasts, gently feeling the soft flesh through the fabric of my clothes. I don't want this moment with Rune to stop but having Eric so close by is unsettling.

"Should I go outside and stand guard?"

Rune strokes my cheek tenderly, waiting for me to decide whether I'd like Eric to leave or not.

He could easily have told Eric to go, but he's leaving that decision up to me. Ever the gentleman. "You should go, Eric. It's better to make sure that all is well outside."

After Eric leaves the room, Rune wipes the hair from my brow. Then his lips find mine once more. This time, he kisses me with wild abandon, and I can barely keep up with his passion. His touch is exactly how I hoped it would be.

My fingers are entangled in his hair, and his hand travels down to my thigh, slowly bundling up my dress, until he touches my bare skin. He gently pulls at my underwear, and I lift my hips in an effort to ease the task.

If my first time is here, now, in this abandoned cabin with Rune, then I won't mind... I won't mind one bit.

I breath heavily when rune's fingers brush over my most sensitive part, circling and rubbing against it with the greatest of care. "Are you okay?"

"More than..."

He kisses me again, and then... his fingers enter me. I gasp out loud, and although he is gentle, my pelvis arches into the air. My hands trace down his broad shoulders, along the side of his abdomen, and I feel every defined muscle in his taut body.

"I won't take your honor from you..." He kisses me again. "... I just want to please you, my lady."

Memories of our first meeting comes flooding back to me, when he first called me his lady and mistook me for a noble." When I see myself through his eyes, I feel more elevated than I've ever felt in my entire life.

The rhythm of his fingers increases, and it raises the pleasure within me until I can't stand it any longer. A dep, thunderous sensation takes hold of me, one I've never experienced before. It feels like the lake water ushing over my head, when I'm under water and nothing else exists except me... and Rune.

"My beautiful, beautiful lady." With those words, my pleasure comes to a peak, and my body lightly convulses under this touch. He kisses me tenderly. No one has ever made me feel this way before. It's a moment I shall cherish forever.

Suddenly, our tender moment is shattered by a loud thump just outside the cabin door. We both tense up, and Rune swiftly rises to his feet. "What was that?"

Before he can answer, the cabin door slams open. Eric bursts in, stumbling over his own feet. "Run for your lives!"

Rune swiftly draws his sword, and I sit up, momentarily frozen. Eric scrambles to his feet after his tumble, rushing over to grab his neglected weapon from outside. "It's that shapeshifting man, or a bloodthirsty bear, or something like that!"

He clutches his dilapidated sword, his hands shaking as he stares at the entrance.

"Stay calm, Eric." Rune edges closer to the open front door, his face a picture of intense concentration.

If Rune is afraid, he certainly isn't showing it. Look at the confident way he's holding his sword, every muscle poised for action. His courage is truly admirable. "Stay down, Sarah. Don't get up." I'm not sure I could get up even if I wanted to. Truth be told, I hate to admit it, but I'm just as frightened as Eric.

"Shall we launch an attack, or wait for it to come in?"

"We wait."

"If you say so."

Every fiber of my being is on high alert as a shadow casts a grotesque image against the cabin walls... but in the next moment, I can't believe my eyes.

"BAAAAAA!"

"Laya? But how?!" Laya barrels into the dumbfounded Eric, knocking him off his feet and showering him with excited licks. "What in the world?!"

"You know this creature?" Rune questions me.

"It's Laya, the sweetest little thing ever." At the sound of my voice, Laya rushes to me. I cradle my woolly friend in my arms, tears shimmering in my eyes. "I can't believe it!"

"baaa!"

"How are you acquainted with this animal, maiden?"

"Laya wandered into our yard. Mother believed it was cursed, but I knew better. Hannah and I saved it before my parents could bring themselves to harm it."

"baaa!"

"Hannah was so brave. She took it to Mad Betsy's yard. I... I'm so glad you're here, Laya!" Oh, how I wish Hannah were here to witness our little friend's return.

"I can understand why your parents might have thought it was cursed. It does behave rather oddly."

"BAAAAA!"

"Cursed or not, we should get some sleep. Tomorrow's journey will be long, and we need to reach the Stone Gods to save Hannah."

"You're right, knight. I mean... Rune. Tomorrow, we rescue my love!" Laya nuzzles up to Eric, finding comfort in his presence. "It appears you've found a new companion to keep you warm tonight."

"Indeed, knight."

Eric looks a bit uncertain as the lamb snuggles against him, but he eventually gives in, patting its head. Laya responds with more affectionate licks. "This lamb seems to think it's a dog!"

How on earth did you manage to find me, Laya?

"There's no more time to waste, Ryder. Nor is there room for mistakes."

Oh no... I'm back in this nightmarish dream. Well, at least I think it's a dream.

"Yes, Keres."

It's the shapeshifting madman. The wretch who took Hannah! "Who are you?! And what have you done with my friend?!" This must be a dream. They didn't hear me.

"The prophecy foretold of the third day after the Starfall."

"It's rapidly approaching."

Third day? Prophecy? What are they talking about?

"You need not remind me, Ryder. I am acutely aware."

"I spoke out of turn. Forgive me."

"You must follow the instructions I gave you. It's of the utmost importance that you succeed. Understood?"

"You have my loyalty, Keres. Everything I do, I do for you."

"If you fail, it's your head I'll demand, not your heart."

"Of course."

Keres gazes into the flames of the same brass bowl I saw before. "She is here!"