The Beast and The Swallow

If any of Ildemar's guards accompanying the Lord and Lady of Norden on their outing dared leave their posts and sneak a peek at the sun-lit golden meadow, they would most likely be hard pressed not to laugh and brush away some moisture from their eyes. Oblivious to the whole world, the cold and domineering Beast of the North was laughing and chasing the giggling Duchess through the sea of flowers. Like a pair of young kestrels catching the winds for the first time, the two indulged in the race, the Duke closing in and almost catching his prey, only for his fingers to miss by a breath under the Duchess' playful taunts.

Noah's heart raced in his chest from the rush and the sweet trepidations of love. Although he had to admit that Lorelei was doing such a good job evading him, that he didn't need to hold back much. True to her name, his Lady Swallow was swift on her feet. But this was what made the hunt even more exciting, and the reward at the end most deserved.

Finally, he captured Loreli's hand. One strong pull and she tumbled laughing toward him. Their bodies collided. Whether by intention or by chance, Noah's feet tangled in her skirt, and the two landed side by side amongst the golden yarrow. The flowers cushioned their fall, and the two nestled breathless on the bed of golden petals.

"That… That was so…" Lorelei couldn't finish between panting and giggling.

"I think we earned our lunch," heaved Noah, fully aware that his smile stretched completely undignified from ear to ear, but not caring even one bit about it. "You must, however, promise to tell me the secrets of your diet."

"Secrets of my diet?" Her sparkling eyes squinted in confusion.

"Indeed. You must be eating some magical herbs to be able to run like that!" Noah brushed some stray hairs from her forehead and planted a golden yarrow stalk behind her ear.

"Or maybe old age is catching up to you, Your Highness." She stretched out her tongue and teased him.

"Heartless girl!" Noah flicked her forehead, but his smile dimmed a bit. Her maturity and unbreakable will made him forget way too often that she had just entered her twenties. He was ten years her senior. It wasn't exactly a spring-and-autumn marriage, but still, in her eyes, he might really look old.

"Oh, come now, don't feel dejected. You know it was just a joke." As if able to read his mind, Lorelei winked at him, her slender finger tracing his jaw. "Besides, you were the one proclaiming just a few days ago that you are an old wretch with hearing problems and memory loss, and making me shout out my love confessions so loudly that half the dukedom heard them."

"I have no recollection of such an occurrence." He pursed his lips mischievously, his mood jubilant again.

"You see!? The symptoms are there." Lorelei's fingers continued tracing his face with the gentlest of touches, making his whole body erupt in warm tingling. "Oh, but worry not, my dashing husband. With so much yarrow at hand, I can mix tonics and creams, poultices and extracts that can keep an army of brooding beasts young, virile, and… vigorous for decades."

At her last statement, Noah coughed, and his cheeks caught fire. He looked into Lorelei's gleaming eyes. Her gaze carried the incredible combination of shyness and defiance as she challenged him. Her soft lips were slightly parted, like she wanted to tease him more, but didn't find the words to do so, their plump redness silently inviting him to claim them. His skin, most sensitive to the touch of her fingers, flared up as they fumbled down his throat and traced to the opening of his collar in an unpracticed yet so seductive gesture. A melody to his ears, her shallow, jagged breaths entranced him, for he knew they didn't stem from their chase.

"My, my!" He muttered playfully, his thumb caressing Lorelei's lower lip. "Your heart, my dear, is surely made of ice. I gift you a sea of golden flowers, and you see them only as a source for your potions."

His mouth covered hers before she could answer. His tongue gently probed only to be let in without resistance. The kiss was deep, deeper and hungrier than they had ever kissed before. Deaf and blind to anything around them, Noah had turned into a being of singular sensation, his skin and lips savoring the sleek, warm softness they so craved. Lorelei's fingers in his hair held him tight, pulling him in and demanding his stay. Her own tongue brushed clumsily against his, but instead of breaking the moment her inexperience only made the fire in his chest burn hotter. The things they could discover and experience together for the first time; the thrill of seeing her blushing, ecstatic face as he gave her any and all pleasure she could wish for, those thoughts almost drove him insane. But even amidst his vivid fantasies, he knew he needed to be gentle and patient. Despite her eager response to his caresses, Noah could feel her frame trembling slightly.

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He released her mouth, his teeth lightly nibbling on that irresistible, succulent lower lip of hers in a parting gift. Lorelei sucked in a quaking breath, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him from under her lashes.

"Am I virile and vigorous enough, my lady?" He laughed and tickled her side. "I think I've proven myself, what do you say?"

"I… I couldn't tell," she whispered sweetly and gasped as he moved to nibble her ear. "I… need more… proof."

Noah felt the pressure in his lower body rising with each sharp breath and taunt she gave. He savoured the building anticipation, the rush of the blood through his veins, and even the almost painful pressure of restraint. She was smiling under his touch. She was trembling after every kiss and nibble he planted on her neck, but it was from pleasure, not from fear. His emboldened fingers danced on her sides and back. She was so close - just some layers of fabric held by flimsy strings and ribbons guarded her from his touch. He could rip them apart effortlessly. He could then study every inch of her body, claiming and marking her with his kisses.

Instead, he pulled away again, happy to hear Lorelei's disgruntled whimper. Oh, if she only knew the torment he was experiencing right now! But it was all worth it. For her, he was willing to suffer even more.

With a mischievous grin, Noah plucked a stem of grass and tickled Lorelei's nose with its fluffy end.

"Are you ready to testify about my virility, dear?" he teased, trying to calm the urges of his body.

"I haven't finished conducting my study," giggled Lorelei and made feeble attempts to escape the fluffy blade of grass. "My findings are inconclusive."

"Then be prepared to be tickled until complete capitulation," proclaimed Noah and wiggled the stem down her chin, accompanied by her laugh.

Somehow, the grass found its way down her neck, and soon it circled around her cleavage. Noah bit back a curse. Didn't he start all this as a means to distract himself and calm his now painful desire? Well, it wasn't working; on the contrary. His head no longer had control over his hand, as it guided the fluffy tip of the blade up and down between the cleft of her breasts.

"Give up, Lorelei," he heard himself whisper hoarsely.

"N-never!" She laughed, and laughed, gasping for air and so radiantly beautiful. "P-prepare… your defense!"

Before Noah could grasp the situation, her hands shot out, finding his own chest and sides. Noah wasn't normally ticklish, but the touch of her fingers gave him goosebumps. The two were soon rolling around the yarrow, entangled in a tickle-tumble, their merry shouts echoing over the meadow. Careful not to crush her with his weight, Noah suddenly found himself lying on his back with Lorelei perched on top of him.

"Now I got you!" she panted and shouted triumphantly. Grabbing another fluffy blade of grass, she hoovered it over his nose. "Concede or pay the price, my unruly Beast!"

Noah felt her weight pressing down on him. Her tangled hair hung down, draping around his face and brushing against his cheeks. Her heavy breaths reverberated in his chest, calling forth the darkness he had so desperately tried to suppress. Her final words rang in his ears.

Beast!

The whole world dimmed. The fragrance of the flowers hung heavy in the summer heat like incense smoke in the stale air of a church. Cold, sticky sweat drenched Noah's body. All sounds became wrapped and distant, yet those words continued their painful resound between his temples with crystal clarity.

Beast. Ugly monster. How dare you touch me?!

Noah roared and thrashed. Hoping to silence the words. Hoping to break free. The weight pressing him down was no more. Those tangled strands no longer obscured his eyes. And the words… the words had changed. He could suddenly hear his name, called by a familiar voice. A precious voice. A frightened voice!

Blinking furiously, Noah could finally see clearly. He realized he was yet again facing the golden meadow. Lying under him, Lorelei was shouting his name, her face twisted in terror. And in pain. To his horror, Noah realized that he was grabbing her wrists, pinning them over her head.

Like burned, he released her and jumped back, slipping on the trampled flowers before scrambling up.

"I'm sorry!" he whispered, looking horrified at Lorelei. "I'm sorry!"

"Noah?" She sat up, her pale, worried face so different from the jubilant expression just moments ago.

"I'm sorry…"

"What happened? Are you alright?" She motioned to stand up and follow him, but Noah took a couple of wobbly steps back.

"Stay… Stay away!" His hoarse voice broke. "Stay away from me. I… I don't want to hurt you."

"Noah!"

"No, please!" He shook his head and continued backing away. "Give… give me a few minutes. Please, stay... I'm sorry."

Saying that, he ran towards the spring.