The Beast and The Swallow

After the uproar caused by her father, Lorelei felt completely drained, yet happy. True, the emotions and revelations from the past couple of days were overwhelming, and she had often felt like a drowning man, but now she had her safe harbor. The warmth of Noah's hand, gently supporting her, was all she needed to disperse the dark clouds. Seeing him, fretting and cooing around her, instructing Baba Marishka and her apprentice how to treat her bruise, and proudly telling them of her altercation with the Count, kindled a warm, bubbly sensation in her stomach. Despite all odds, they were alive, together, and finally at home.

The return to her chambers became a jubilant procession of servants, pages, and knights - all eager to learn about their lady's triumph and cunning. Only Noah's stern glare prevented them from picking up their Duchess and carrying her on their shoulders.

"Isn't this… a bit over the top?" whispered Lorelei, leaning on Noah's shoulder. "All I did was slap an impetuous-"

"Pig," Noah finished her sentence and grinned. "And you were most dashing, my dear. Your father was definitely not a likable creature."

"True. But still, just look at them! You'd say I've slayed an army of thousands."

"Well," he pecked her temple, "it might also have something to do with your valiant actions at the temple."

"What!?" Lorelei chewed on her lip, her eyes darting around. "This is bad-"

"It's not what you think." Noah rubbed her shoulder and let out an exaggerated sigh. "The fame of the Lady Shimshi - the brave healer, the bane of Death - has become a legend overnight. Many among our household have relatives and friends in Yalda. The chance that you've saved some of them is high."

"Or failed to do so." Lorelei's head hung down.

"You are not a miracle worker," consoled her Noah, but seeing her brows arch, he coughed. "Alright, not that kind of miracle worker. But you know I'm right. No one can blame you for trying your best and failing."

"But when my best is not enough…" Lorelei took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Her eyes sought Noah's, and she savored his warm, sympathetic gaze. "Then I just have to learn hard and be even better."

"That's my girl!" Noah rubbed her shoulders again, his face beaming.

Soon, they reached Lorelei's chambers, and the servants slowly dispersed. Noah ordered Milly to keep an eye on Lorelei and make sure she got ample rest. Especially his insistence to postpone visiting Rish for the next day made Lorelei pout, but a few kisses and the assurance that her friend was recovering well managed to placate her.

"Then I'll see you tomorrow morning, my love." Noah gave her hand a parting peck.

"Tomorrow?! But I thought… What about dinner?" Somehow, it felt like they were going to separate for eternity and not for a couple of hours.

"Didn't you say you were tired?"

"Y-yes. But a quick nap will suffice." Saying that, Lorelei reddened, knowing how impatient and childish she sounded.

"My dear," Noah cupped her cheeks, "I believe that you believe that it will be a short nap. And if it is indeed so, we'll dine together. But I think that the smell of the pillow will keep you hostage till dawn."

"Preposterous!"

"Wanna bet?"

"Deal!" Lorelei squinted. "What's the stake?"

"The loser follows the winner's order for a day. In the bounds of propriety and reason, of course."

"Of course." Lorelei pulled his hands off her face and held them firmly. "But why are you grinning in such a devilish way, husband? Should I suspect foul play?"

"Never!" He theatrically lifted his chin in an exaggerated appallment. "But a boy can dream since dreams are free of charge and guilt."

"Rascal! Go now, stop stalling for time."

Her words had an immediate effect. Noah scooped her up, kissed her on the lips, twirled her once, slightly unsteady, and then fled the scene like a fox slipping out of a chicken coop. Lorelei gaped after him for some time, fanning with a hand her flaming face.

"If his leg worsens, I'll…" she mumbled, but then sighed and chuckled, realizing that no measly injury from a holy artifact could stop her husband from doing exactly what he had decided to do when he had decided to do it.

Letting herself in Milly's capable hands, Lorelei continued pondering on Noah's stubbornness. That infuriating, titillating, stubbornness! That domineering nature of his - the aura of a ruler over all mere mortals - was mind-numbingly attractive on its own. Yet when one added the fact that he turned into a pleading puppy before her, it was so rousing! There was something… intoxicating in his willful yet boyish acts, she decided while soaking with a sigh in the warm tub Milly had arranged. She hardly heard the cheerful chirps of her maid, nor did she feel the sponge massaging her skin, the towel drying her, and the soft touch of her nightgown. All there was before her eyes and in her mind was a myriad of images of her beloved man, every single one bearing a different secret and charm she was eager to explore, even in her dreams. Especially in her dreams.

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***

"Alright, you won! Happy?"

Lorelei pursed her lips and avoided Noah's gaze. His laughter, however, was all-permeating and hard to ignore. The more he laughed, the redder Lorelei's ears became. Yes, she had fallen asleep. Yes, she had slept through the day and well into the next morning. No, she was never going to confess to Noah that all her dreams were about him, but somehow she had the feeling that that devil knew exactly what she had dreamed about him!

"I hope you had a recuperating slumber, dear," he gave her a wink and a toothy grin. "I was so lonely at dinner."

"Don't you lie! Milly told me you got up only two hours before I did!"

Noah threw a piercing look at the young maid who held her ground like a seasoned general and replied with a polite nod.

"But I won, nonetheless." He squared his shoulders and lifted his chin, offering Lorelei his hand. "Can I have the honor?"

"A loss is a loss, so I have no other choice," Lorelei rolled her eyes, biting her lips in an attempt not to burst into laughter. "So, my precious husband, what are your orders?"

"First, a kiss." Noah tapped his lips, and Lorelei didn't hesitate to comply. For a moment, all that mattered was the need of two eager mouths to quench an unquenchable thirst. Lorelei had thought that spending yesterday exchanging kisses would have dulled her desire and cheapened the experience, but it was the contrary. Somehow, Noah tasted even better today. The plump, wet sensation when their lips met kindled fires all throughout her body. Every touch, peck, and bite was a triumph. A way to mark him as hers. A way to give herself to him.

It was Noah who gently separated them, brushing the corner of Lorelei's mouth with his thumb.

"Slow down, my dear. We have a whole day ahead. I don't want your kisses to dry out."

"No chance!" Lorelei stretched out her tongue at him, earning herself a flick to the forehead.

"Behave yourself, wife!" Noah pretended to be stern, but his lips quivered. "Think of poor Milly's innocent mind and heart!"

"I believe," Lorelei threw a glance over her shoulder and grinned, "that Milly has been a victim of temporary blindness today, my lord."

"I have, I mean, I am, my lord!" replied the maid with sparkling eyes.

"Oh, poor Milly! Then you should take the day off." Noah wrapped an arm around Lorelei's waist. "I'll take good care of your mistress."

"Yes, my lord!" The maid curtsied enthusiastically and darted out of the room in a flurry of skirts and giggles.

"Clever girl." Noah nodded in appreciation and returned his attention to Lorelei. "Now, my love, I have prepared an exciting little outing for only the two of us to a wonderful place where we'll have our breakfast."

"And how did you conjure such wonder?" Lorelei pressed against his body and felt him tremble.

"Well, technically, a few shadows will accompany us. But I promise, they will be discreet and selectively deaf when it comes to our matters."

"It's alright." Grabbing the front of his black embroidered shirt, Lorelei gave him another passionate kiss. "I know who we are and why things are as they are. I should be grateful that, after everything, William didn't insist on a whole regiment guarding us."

"He did. But I assured him that a few shadows will suffice if Tikotse and Karusa are with them."

Hearing the names, Lorelei felt a pang in her chest. Today after getting up, she had made a quick visit to Saya. Her friend looked so much thinner and had aged a couple of years, yet despite all her worries about Gregor, she had still inquired about Lorelei and Noah's well-being. Seeing Saya so helpless, attempting to hide her plight for the sake of her friend and lord, twisted Lorelei's stomach and made her feel guilty. Therefore, all she had told Saya was about the spire accident. As for the vapir's attack, Lorelei kept it to the bare minimum, praising Rish and Rasha's abilities. No word about her being attacked by the vapir, or about Noah summoning Nerodris, and especially not a peep about her sainthood. Still, seeing Saya's pale face get even paler during her narration nurtured further the seed of guilt in Lorelei's heart.

Noah's palm patted her elbow. Lorelei saw a shadow hiding beneath his sunny expression.

"Don't worry," he said gently. "That rascal Gerash will be fine."

"I think I should be the one consoling you in this case." Lorelei poked him in the chest.

"No need. I know he'll get better." A small vein pulsated on his jaw as he clenched his teeth. He remained still for a moment before exhaling slowly. "I… swore to him that if he dares get entombed before me, I'll ask someone to summon his soul and bind it to a potato."

"Potato?" Lorelei knew it was wrong to laugh, but her lips jumped up. Noah's face mellowed too.

"He hates peeling potatoes. Yanosh punished him once to peel a whole cart with a hex, and since then…" Furrowing his brows, Noah suddenly pulled Lorelei into a hug. "He can't die. If he does, I'll personally drag him back from the Spirit Plane."

"And I'll help you any way I can," whispered Lorelei and patted his back.

"Thank you."

Noah held her for a bit longer before releasing her from his embrace. Lorelei could see that he was struggling to say something, so she patiently waited. Finally, he drove a hand through his hair and, avoiding her eyes, said:

"I know I planned for us to have a merry day today, but… can we go somewhere before our picnic?"

"Of course."

"It… I'm afraid it might be a very… despondent place. But… I want to, if I may, share it with you. After all, I promised you long ago to have no more secrets from you."

"Stop trying to scare me." Lorelei caressed the hair on his temple. "I'm going with you through thick and thin. What is our destination?"

"The place where my darkness resides."