Disclaimer: See chappie 1.
A/N: Thanks to all that reviewed!! *Gives all her reviewers a great big hug* Y'all made me want to update and fast….my muse worked double-time to get this chappie up. Enjoy and remember…reviews are always appreciated as long as they're constructive and not mean! Laters!!
Chapter 2: An Unexpected Spy
When I finally woke up, it was to sunshine streaming through the gaps in my curtains. I sat up in bed and stretched my arms over my head. Smiling, I climbed out of bed and did a few quick stretches before crossing my room and stepping into my adjoining bathroom. Showering quickly, I wrapped myself in a terry cloth robe, dried my locks with a drying charm I had learned a long time ago, and went into my room. Changing into a black halter bikini, a pair of boot-cut jeans, black riding boots, and a light sweatshirt jacket, I raced downstairs. A swift stop at the kitchens to pick up a picnic basket of food and I was ready to go.
"Lily, we need to…" My father tried to stop me as I strode back upstairs from the basement kitchens, but I walked out the front door without a backwards glance. I went to the stables, where my stallion Damian was kept. I saddled and bridled him, tying on a rolled-up towel and my picnic basket. Then, I swung onto the tall black stallion's back and rode off. The forest around my house was expansive and thick, full of surprises. I knew it well, though, and rode through it like a master. My destination was the river that flowed through the forest, and I got there quickly. The June weather was perfect for a swim in the cool water, and it would refresh my mind and spirit. I stopped Damian at the edge of the river, swung off his back, and looped his reins over his head so that he could graze while I swam. I placed my jacket, jeans, and boots on a low branch of the large oak tree that grew near the river and jumped into the cool water. As I resurfaced pushing my wet hair back, a voice near the river caught my attention.
"Come here alone to swim? Not very smart, Lily." James was standing on the riverbank, leaning up against the oak tree. He wore a smug smile on his face and looked quite pleased with himself.
"How dare you spy on me!!" I gasped, outraged.
"It's not like you're skinny-dipping."
"Would that have stopped you from spying?" I asked, climbing out of the river and toweling off.
"What do you think?" James said. I glared at him and wrapped my body in the towel. "After all, I will see you nude at one point or another. You are going to be my wife, you know."
"In your dreams, Potter. I have no intention of marrying you." I said, retrieving my picnic basket. Sitting under the shade of the oak tree, I bewitched a blanket to me and spread my food out on it. Fried chicken, soft cinnamon apples, potato salad, cornbread, and chocolate chip cookies were all there along with a pitcher of pink lemonade.
"You may not have any intentions, but I have made a promise to your father and mine to wed you and I never go back on a promise." James had walked over to the edge of my blanket and was standing there staring down at me. I busied myself with my food to escape that annoying stare of his.
"How noble of you, James." I said sarcastically.
"Thank you, m'dear." He ignored my sarcasm.
"Listen, Potter…I don't care what backwards belief my father has about marriage, I intend to fall in love before I wed. And I'm not going to fall in love with you."
"Yes, you will! I refuse to have a wife that doesn't love me!" James' tone was laced with fury. I flew to my feet, furious myself.
"Then marry someone else! I'm not going to love you and you can't make me!" A dangerous glint lit up James' sapphire blue eyes.
"I can't make you, huh? Is that what you're saying, I can't make you love me?"
"Yep, that's what I'm saying." James started to inch dangerously closer to me. Instinct made me inch backwards.
"Well, I think I can. Want me to show you how?" I had backed up so far that I had run into the tree trunk. James placed one hand on either side of my shoulders on the rough bark of the trunk, in essence trapping me under him.
"Not really, no." My voice quivered just a teeny-tiny bit, and James chuckled and pushed some of my wet red hair back.
"I'll do this." He said, ignoring my previous comment and kissing my lips in a sweet, passionate kiss that knocked my senses for such a loop that I was forced to cling to him to keep my balance. Before I knew what I was doing, I was kissing him back just as sweet and passionately. He pulled back after a few moments of me kissing back. As I regained my senses and looked at James' teasing eyes and knowing smile, I realized what I had just done.
"See? It's that easy. A few more of those kisses and you'll be head over heels for me." I never knew someone that could have me in heaven one moment and seeing red the next, but James could.
"You SCOUNDREL!!" I yelled, pulling my hand back and slapping him hard, the sound breaking the silence in the forest and scaring some of the birds out of their nests. Then, with anger still coursing in my veins, I leapt onto Damian's back and rode off at a fast gallop.
"Lily, COME BACK!!" I could hear James' plea but I urged Damian into a faster gallop, urging him deeper into the forest. My thoughts were tumbling in a never-ending storm in my head, and I was so caught up in them I didn't notice the storm clouds rolling in overhead. A loud clap of thunder jerked me back to attention, and as another clap of thunder accompanied this time by a jagged flash of lightning sounded, Damian slowed and began to skitter.
"Whoa, whoa Damian. It's okay, boy." I tried to soothe my horse, who was now skittering wildly his brown eyes flashing with terror. I knew Damian was frightened of thunder, the only thing my brave stallion was scared of. Another slap of thunder made Damian begin to rear up on his back legs. I struggled to keep my seat, but another roar of thunder unseated me from Damian's back. The last thing I remember was hitting my head on the hard and unyielding ground before my entire world went black.