Warning: High T chapter--fairly sexually explicit...

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The evening of the ball at Eldorne had begun just like all the other horrid evenings on the Progress. He had tried to convince Jon he'd pulled a muscle and couldn't attend the ball, but been flatly told that he had to go. He grumbled and showed up as late as was still polite and then he greeted Jon and the hosts, before looking for a hiding place. He was pleased to note that Eldorne had several alcoves where he could stand unnoticed for most of the night. Once he took up his station in the nearest alcove, he scanned the room for Jai and found her standing with Maggie, looking happy for a change. She and her friend were talking as animatedly and quickly as ever, and Raoul noticed that almost every man in the room paused to look at the two. Jai looked particularly beautiful that evening, in a crimson dress with gold detailing cut as low in the front and the back as it was possible to be and still be deemed fit for public. Her hair was curled and put up elaborately, rubies glinting off the gold pins that held the curls in place. Raoul's thoughts were interrupted by the rather unpleasant sound of Vinson's voice.

"Mithros, Garvey this is dull," the boy said. "All these women and all we can do is pour their wine."

"I don't know why you're complaining. The most beautiful girl here is yours already," Garvey responded.

"Not yet," Vinson responded. "She's insisting we wait till marriage, and her father agrees of course, though he doesn't care what else I do. I can't wait till I get to ride her. I'll put her in her place fast enough."

"What do you mean put her in her place?"

"She doesn't understand that her job as a wife is to do what I please. When I bed her, I'll force her to understand that the rest of her life is about my pleasure not hers. I can't wait to rip into that. I love the way virgins squirm."

Raoul's fists clenched at Vinson's words. The only way he stopped himself from beating down Vinson right there was by picturing the lash marks Jai had received the last time he had tried to intervene. When the boys moved on, Raoul stalked out of the alcove and past Jai and Maggie, brushing against Jai's arm and moving over to stand at the wall behind them. Jai took Maggie's hand and moved them near to Raoul, stationing herself in a little to the side of Raoul and Maggie in front of him, so no one but Maggie could tell they were speaking.

"I need to talk to you. Now," Raoul said. "Can you find a away to duck out of here and go to your rooms alone? I'll come meet you there."

Jai nodded, looking at Maggie, but Raoul knew she was signaling to him. He moved off to go talk to Gary, hiding his anger as well as he could. A few minutes later, Jai was sitting in a chair while Maggie fanned her. Maggie turned and got Vinson's attention, beckoning him over. Vinson spoke to Jai for a few minutes, tapping his foot and looking impatient before Lady Justine of Stone Mountain appeared. She too talked to Jai, then looked around annoyed. Jai said something else, and a look of alarm crossed Lady Justine's face. Finally, she motioned with her hand, and Maggie helped Jai up. The two girls left the room, Jai leaning heavily on Maggie's arm. Raoul waited a little while longer, talking to some of his friends before ducking out a side door. Walking quickly through the halls, he opened up the door to Jai's room without knocking.

Jai turned to look at him. "Raoul, what—"

Raoul walked over and pulled her to him, kissing her hard on the mouth. He picked her up and swept the books and needlepoint off her desk, laying her down on it. Making short work of her laces, he had her out of her gown within minutes. He caressed and kissed her all over, claiming ownership over every inch of skin on her body with his hands and mouth. Only once she was gasping from the pleasure and he was sure that Vinson would never touch any part of her first did Raoul remove his own clothes and the rest of hers. Then, he picked her up and carried her over bed. He slid on top of her kissing up her stomach, over her breasts and up her neck. When reached her mouth, he kissed her gently, and asked, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes," Jai murmured, slipping her arms around him and arching her back. "Please."

Raoul slid into her slowly and gently, kissing her through the initial pain. Raoul watched her face as the pleasurable sensations replaced the pain, adjusting his movements to give her the most pleasure possible before at last he gave into his own.

Afterwards, he lay on his side next to her, caressing her gently on the stomach.

Turning her head to look at him, Jai smiled. "What was that for?"

Raoul shrugged. "I just realized how much we both needed this. That's all."

"And you had to do it in the middle of the ball?"

Raoul shrugged again. "Sometimes a man's got to do what a man's got to do. Besides, it seemed like a good time. You were given an actual room to yourself, so no one will hear us through the tents and everyone staying around here is at the ball. How did you manage to leave?"

"I told Justine that I was going to lose my stomach all over the ballroom floor. She has no maternal instincts, at least not towards me, so I knew she'd send me away alone," Jai said, running her fingers along the tendons in his forearm. "I wish you could stay the night."

Raoul kissed her gently. "I wish I could too, Jai, but there is no way I can sneak out of here in the morning without getting caught. I better get out before the ball is over. I'll stay until you fall asleep though."

Jai smiled and snuggled into him, closing her eyes and kissing his chest. Within minutes she was in a deep slumber. Despite the absolute peace he felt, Raoul forced himself to get up. He slid the blankets out from under her and covered her with them, pulling off the top blanket to disguise what they'd done. He quickly put his clothes on and cleaned up the room, putting her dress and shoes away and returning the items on the floor to her desk. He even took a nightdress out of her trunk and slipped her into it. She woke slightly as he did so, but didn't protest, obediently holding out her hands and lifting her head so he could remove her jewelry. He checked the room one last time, then leaned down and kissed her forehead before returning to the ball.

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Little change occurred between them after that night, except that Raoul no longer exercised self-control. He also had to admit to himself that he had fallen completely in love with this girl, and tried constantly to figure out how to stop her from marrying Vinson, but she refused to discuss her "obligations" and insisted the marriage would go forward. It wasn't until the court made their way back to the castle for midwinter that it occurred to Raoul that Vinson had to go through the Chamber of the Ordeal. He began to pin all his hopes on the Chamber taking care of the problem for him.

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The last romance chapter!!!! I already have the next chapter written, and at last the action is beginning--the romance doesn't disappear obviously, but the story begins picking up a little.

Did you catch that? I already have the next chapter written. If you really want to read it, just hit the review button and ask me for it!