"Ruby, I've made this for you!" Maggie sprinted toward me with and leapt into my arms. She reached around my neck and fastened a cord before leaning back to examine it. I looked down as well; it was a black feather tied on either end to the cord with a simple white bead on each end. "Do you like it?"
"I love it. I'll never take it off." I promised her, hugging her tightly and put her down. I had been bringing the villagers food for a week now and they already looked healthier and more lively. It was worth the nightly visits I received from Rumpel. At the moment, Rumpelstiltskin had traveled to a different kingdom. I assumed that he was harrassing some innocent but he wasn't expected back until the end of the week, which meant I had four more days free from him. I motioned for the men to unload the wagon full of food I was able to bring. Today's haul included two pigs and three chickens. I'd pay for that later but I didn't care.
"Diaval!" Maggie giggled gleefully as he came up behind her and picked her up. He had joined me on a visit to the village almost a week ago and made quick friends with Maggie. Diaval tickled Maggie and she squealed as she tried to escape.
"I need her help," I reminded him, chuckling at the sound of Maggie's laughter. I picked up a small bundle of white fur that meowed softly. "This poor kitten needs a home."
Maggie's eyes widened and she took the kitten from me, cuddling it carefully. "Thank you, Ruby."
"She can help keep your cottage free of mice." I stroked the kitten's head, scratching behind its ear and it purred. "You'll take care of her, right?"
"Of course." Maggie bolted to show her mother the new pet.
"Not that I don't enjoy your company, but aren't Maleficent and Aurora missing you by now?" I raised an eyebrow at Diaval, who shrugged. "You come every day."
"They know where my heart lies." Diaval smiled at me and my heart pounded. I could feel my cheeks flush and I turned my head so he couldn't see. It didn't do any good though, because I heard him chuckle before he placed a gentle kiss to my cheek and picked up a bundle of food, taking it to the communal pantry. I watched him walk away, biting my lower lip in an attempt to keep a smile from spreading but it failed. Diaval turned to glance my way and caught me smiling at him, winking discreetly at me.
My dad had always said that love was something strange and wonderful, it was something that could build you up or break you down and your fate was dependant on how you approached it. Growing up, I could barely wait to crawl into bed and listen as he told me fairy tales, eagerly devouring the stories of brave knights and the conquering power of true love's kiss. When he had his accident, I begged my mother to wake him up with true love's kiss but she looked at me with the vacant expression I was used to and my father died the next day. After that, I lost all faith in the mythical true love's kiss and gave up the fantasies of meeting my one true love. If true love couldn't save my father, a man who truly deserved to be saved, then I wanted nothing to do with it. But the more time I spent with Diaval, a selfless and caring man—or raven—I found myself drawn to him.
"Are you ready to go?" Diaval's words brought me out of my thoughts. He was holding a wicker picnic basket and looking expectantly at me.
"Hmm?" I shook my head to clear my thoughts.
"Our hike." He smiled widely at me, tucking a stray hair back into my braid. "What goes on in that head of yours?"
"Nothing interesting." I shrugged off his comment and we made easy conversation as we walked to our lake. The basket had been packed by the housekeeper, who wasn't thrilled assisting me in feeding the villagers. She was responsible for taking care of me so she packed my lunch, pretending not to know that I would be spending at least part of the day with Diaval. Her name was unpronouncable so I took to calling her Dobby, my favorite Harry Potter character. Dobby had made my favorite desert, some sort of pastry that was filled with a cream cheese and fruit filling, topped with some purple syrup. She must have forgotten to pack silverware so I ate it with my fingers. I tore a piece off for Diaval and extended the pastry to him. "Here. Try this."
"What is it?" He asked cautiously, eyeing the desert like it was a snake that would bite him.
"Just trust me. It's delicious." I smiled encouragingly at him and he leaned forward, his lips curling around my fingers as he accepted the food. His tongue flicked out to lick the syrup from my fingers before he leaned back, chewing thoughtfully.
"You're right. It's-" His words were cut off by my lips brushing against his, a soft and trembling touch that made my heart pound and my stomach tighten as I sat back on my heels, waiting for his reaction. After several long heartbeats, he spoke. "You have some syrup on your face."
I wiped where he gestured but he shook his head. Still mortified at my actions, I stammered, "Where is it?"
Diaval leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the hollow of my throat. I was sure he could feel my pounding pulse under his lips as he whispered, "There was a bit here." His lips fluttered across my neck before he kissed my right cheek then my left. "And some here." His kisses weren't overly sexual but I was still breathing hard, shivering when he placed a gently hand on my waist to steady me. He kissed each corner of my mouth, the tip of his tongue venturing out to lick away whatever imaginary syrup was moved, resting his forehead against mine, allowing our noses to bump and our breath to mingle.
"Did—did you get it all?" I asked, still attempting to catch my breath. My eyes had closed of their own accord and I left them closed, breathing in his scent of trees and rainwater. He moved slightly, causing me to open my eyes in time to see him bring his thumb to my lips, rubbing something sweet and sticky over them. His thumb lingered as he made me look up at him and my tongue licked away the syrup on his finger. I didn't miss the way his eyes fluttered before he pulled me against his chest and pressing his lips against mine, his tongue cleaning away the syrup he had placed there. We were both panting when we pulled away this time. It felt like I was burning alive after kissing him and I was glad that the lake was nearby. "I think I'm going for a swim. Do you want to join me?"
"A swim sounds nice." He nodded and we shimmied out of our clothes, leaving on enough to cover anything interesting. In my case, it meant a bikini but for Diaval it meant his underclothes and I made a mental note to find something suitable for him to swim in. The water was cold, almost cold enough to drive away the fever Diaval had spread under my skin but it blazed back to life when I caught him watching me as I leaned back to wet my hair. I couldn't fall under his spell now, not when I was stuck here with Rumpel, so I splashed a wave of water at Diaval, effectively soaking him and breaking his gaze. He wiped the water from his face and smirked before disappearing under the water and I felt something brush against my leg. He emerged a moment later, inches from me and laughing at my startled look. I splashed him again, gently this time and laughed with him, pushing his damp hair out of his eyes. My fingers lingered in his dark colored strands and his arms were wrapped around my waist, holding us close to each other.
"Diaval," I said softly as he leaned in, placing a slow, agonizing kiss on my lips. "Diaval..."
"Yes?" He murmured before his tongue darted out to brush against mine, causing me to moan softly. He kissed me again.
"This is a bad idea." I sounded more like I was trying to convince myself than him as he nipped at my lower lip, causing me to tighten my fingers in his hair.
"Then stop." His lips were at my ear and feeling his breath made me shiver, then I threw caution to the wind and claimed his lips, returning the tempting kiss. Diaval moaned into my mouth when our tongues tangled together, squeezing me tighter against him until I was sure every drop of water had been forced from between us. When I moved to kiss his neck, I heard him murmur, "I love you, Ruby."
A loud throat clearing made us look up and I stared in horror as Dobby stood on the shore and glared at us. I released my hold on Diaval and moved away from him.
"The Master has returned and requests your presence, Mistress." Dobby snapped.
"Thank you," I stuttered, making my way to the shore and dressing quickly. Dobby grabbed my arm and dragged me through the woods, barely allowing me time to say good bye to Diaval. The second time I stumbled over a log, I yanked my arm free of her iron grasp.
"I can walk by myself, you know." I snapped, brushing dirt off my knees. The castle came into view and my stomach dropped at the thought of what Rumpel would do now.
"He's in his study." Dobby shoved me toward the door and I knocked, entering when Rumpel permitted me to. He had a piece of parchment in each hand and glanced at several more sitting on the desk. I stood in front of his desk for several long minutes. "I wasn't expecting you back for several days. Is there something wrong?"
"No, not at all. There were some matters that required my attention here." Rumpel gestured for me to join him on his side of the desk. "Which of these invitations do you like best?"
"What?" I stared at the inviations like they were spiders.
"Which of these do you like best?" Rumpel repeated.
"Um, that one." I said, pointing to one with a fancy scrawl without really looking at it.
"I rather fancied that one myself." Rumpel grinned at me before shuffling the other papers under my pick. He surprised me even more when he gave me a kiss on my cheek. "Thank you."
"What are they for?"
"We are going to have a ball in a few weeks." Rumpel said. "It will be a celebration worthy of our station and you will be fitted for a dress soon, so please cooperate with the seamstress."
"What about the villagers?" I asked, testing his good mood.
"If it pleases you, then they shall be rationed food until the fields decide to cooperate." Rumpel promised and picked up a book, flipping open to a page and picked up a quill pen. He was writing in his book, glancing up when he realized I was still there. "Did you need something else?"
"No."
"It is a pleasant day outside. You enjoy the sun, correct?"
"Yes."
"Then go enjoy yourself." Rumpel dismissed me without another word, going back to the book.
I closed the study door behind me softly and escaped to my room, surprised when I found Diaval waiting for me. He stroked the feather of my necklace and smiled, saying, "I knew this would suit you."
"You shouldn't be here. If Rumpel finds out..."
He cut me off with a kiss, placing one hand behind my head so he could deepen it. When he pulled away, I was breathing hard. Diaval said, "I've only just won your heart. Do you think I'll relinquish it so easily?"
"I never said that you won my heart." I said with a teasing tone.
"But I have." Diaval kissed me again. "Would you like to go back to the lake?"
But Rumpel's behavior worried me. He was never this nice, especially if Dobby told him what she saw at the lake. He knew. That was the only explanation. He knew that Diaval and I were...whatever we were and he was waiting for me to come clean.
"Come on. Let's go back." Diaval tugged on my hand and we escaped the castle.