Disclaimer: I do not own A Great and Terrible Beauty.

Chapter 9

"Felicity! Fee!" I shout gleefully, waking her up. It's early in the morning. I had to get back before the school began to wake up.

"We did it! Me and Kartik, we-"

"What did you have to wake me up for?" she demands, cutting me off. "It's not anything new and it's bloody four in the morning!" she glares at me, but her grumpiness has not the slightest affect on my mood.

"I thought you wanted me to tell you when we finally did it." I say, putting on an innocent face. For some reason I can't seem to call it sex. We had sex. But the words seem so unnatural coming out of my mouth, and the impact of what we've done hasn't fully made its way to my mind yet.

Now I've got Felicity's attention. "You mean you actually had sex with him?" she shrieks. "Why didn't you tell me! This is great! I actually didn't think you have the guts to do it..." She jumps out of bed and gathers me into a hug, umping up and down and giggling uncontrollably with me.

"How was it?" she asks with a devious grin.

"Oh Fee it was wonderful. He-he loves me." I can feel the foolish grin spread across my face, but I don't try to hide my glee.

"How could you not see that before?" she says rolling her eyes. "He's always looking at you with this wistful smile and..."

But I block out the rest. I just sit there grinning stupidly, for I've never felt so happy in my life.

xxx

"You've got a letter," Brigid tells me, throwing an envelope my way. I've finally received news of my father.

Dear Gemma, Father shall be arriving tomorrow night. He, of course, will wish to see you, so I have arranged for Mr. Lucas to come for you around noon tomorrow.

Thomas

It may be short (I'm sure Tom feels himself far to important to write letters to the likes of me) but the news is wonderful! I'll be seeing my father again. And soon! I excitedly show Fee the letter, but instead of rejoicing with me, she frowns. "What about your blood tie? I know you've completed it, but in a few days time you'll get ill again."

This is something I had not considered. If I return home, Kartik will remain miles away, and if I get sick there is no way for us to meet. "I suppose I'll go meet him again tonight," I say, a smile playing at my lips. The idea of seeing Kartik is most agreeable. After last night I no longer fear our nightly excursions, but look forward to them.

"See, you rather like it don't you," says Fee, giving me a devilish grin and taunting expression.

I feel my face redden, but I force a laugh as response. She can make of it whatever she likes.

xxx

I stumble through the forest on my way to Kartik's campground. He doesn't know that I'm coming tonight, so he didn't come to meet me at the edge of the forest as usual. The night is dark, and the bitter wind nips at my ears, but I don't notice any of it. All I can think of is what I'm about to do and the small butterflies in my stomach. I was wrong if I thought I wouldn't be afraid the second time. The only difference now is my want and newfound confidence.

I reach the clearing, but keep hidden behind a tree. I can see him sitting but his campfire as usual. He is troubled by something, I can feel it, but I can't possibly imagine what it could be.

"Kartik!" I call, stepping out from behind the trees. He looks up at me and his troubled expression is replaced by a wide smile.

"I hoped you'd come," he says softly. I sit down next to him, and he leans over to kiss me. His lips are soft and warm. I want to lose myself to his smell, but he pulls away. His worried grimace replaces his comforting features.

"What's wrong Kartik?" Could it have something to do with me? Does he regret telling me he loved me?

"It's nothing," he says quickly. I don't believe it for a second.

"Oh come on, what is it?" I try to sound commanding and seductive like Felicity, but it comes out sounding almost whiny.

He hesitates for a moment and then grins saying, "Well, I saw that you've written my name all around the edges of your diary. I must admit it makes for a nice border, but I'm afraid that such an obsession is not healthy!"

I gasp, feeling my face redden. "Tell me you did not read my diary! You can't just snoop around in my stuff!"

"Well, only that page. It was lying open on your bed." He smiles sheepishly. I smack his shoulder, but I can not possibly be mad at him.

He rests his head on my shoulder, and I turn away in mock-anger. He plants a few small kisses on my neck, and I smile before kissing him full on the lips, eager to taste him. His warm, spicy smell is intoxicating, and I feel electric where his hand rests at my neck. I love how bold he is with me now, I love how comfortable I feel with him. I love Kartik, more passionately than ever before.

"So darling," he says in a husky and English mocking voice, "What were your plans for tonight?"

In answer I run my hand down his muscled chest, taking my time to take in the feel of him, and let my hand rest at his belt.

"That's what I'd hoped for." he whispers softly in my ear, making shivers of anticipation run up and down my spine.

He removes my dress and corset with ease this time. I no longer feel the urge to look away from his naked body, but instead I let my eyes wander on his body. His skin glows under the lighting of the stars, and I find myself mesmerized by his dark eyes.

His hands run up my stomach and rest on my pale breast. He hitches up my leg, wrapping it around his waist and my breath catches in my throat. I can feel his heart racing with mine as we make love under the cover of darkness. I feel him everywhere, inside me, touching me. I can sense his passion and love radiating around me.

My breathing is quick and shallow as he massages me, and I can't hold back the moan of pleasure that escapes me.

Xxx

::hugs::

Please Review! Reviews definitely give me motive to write. I know this was a short chappie, but I wanted to post it anyway.

Before you do anything (except for reviewing my story) you HAVE to look up the lyrics to "Iris" by The Goo Goo Dolls. I swear it is such a Kartik song. No joke.

Luv ya!

-This Taped Heart. (I need to think of a new user name…any suggestions?) If I change my pen name will I lose everyone on author alert?