Chapter 20 Newfound Happiness

Rath was the first who woke up that morning. Ok to be exactly he was woken up, because given the opportunity he would have slept a little longer. But something was shining in his face and it was a tad bit annoying. Slowly he opened his eyes to look what was disturbing his sleep. At first he had slight problems to keep his eyes open, because one of the suns was blinding him, but after his eyes got accustomed to the light he could finally regnorize his surroundings. The sky was clear with no cloud in sight at this morning. There was a slight breeze blowing, a few vogly (birds) were happily singing their songs and and the unmistakably smell of nature was waving through the air. Rath never noticed how beautiful a morning could be or he didn´t want to acknowledge it, because he didn´t have the time for it. But that would change from now on. A smile broke out on his face at that thought. Damn he was turning into Zan. Soon he would pick up blum (flowers) for his lover and recite poetry for her. A few weeks ago he would have slapped everyone who would have told him that he was turning to mush because of a girl. But now he everything was different. He didn´t know at that time that there was someone who could evoke feelings inside him he didn´t know existed. No wonder his sister was always smiling and floating through the halls in the palace. Now he understood Zan and Ava better, why they were always so damn happy and in high spirits. Because he felt just like that right at this moment. Rath turned his head to his left, where the head of Marianna lay. She was still sleeping peacefully with her face turned in his direction and a hand under her cheek.

And I'd give up forever to touch you
Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now


Rath touched her flawless face tenderly with his fingertips, not to strong to wake her, but enough that he felt her skin. She was so damn beautiful that it took his breath away everytime she was near him.

And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
Cause sooner or later it's over
I just don't want to miss you tonight

He would never understand how she could go undetected through his walls and straight into his heart. He didn´t even know when he fell in love with her or the reason for it, just that it happened.

And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

And after last night the emotion ran deeper than he could have ever imagined. She was now part of him like he was a part of her.

And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything seems like the movies
Yeah you bleed just to know your alive

They were bound to each other and nothing could break or destroy that bond. And the strange thing was that he wasn´t even scared or terrified. Just this feeling that this was like it should be.

And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

"Why are you smiling?".

Rath was startled out of his thoughts. He didn´t notice Marianna waking up or that he still was smiling like an idiot. He let his gaze wander to her eyes, which were looking at him right how. He never noticed how the suns were reflecting the green in there. " Am I smiling? I didn´t notice that".

" It is my hair, isn´t it?", Marianna touched the top of her head. Just like she imagined, her hair was in total disorder. Great she must be looking like a freak right now.

Rath stopped caressing her cheek and stroked her hair instead. Why was she suddenly worried about her appearance? It wasn´t like he saw her in that condition for the first time. " No. I like that out of bed look on you. It´s a turn on".

" You´re just saying that, because I let you in my pants", Marianna enjoyed Rath´s caress. It felt great and it gave her the feeling that it wasn´t just a one time deal. Now she knew that she made the right decission.

" Actually you were in my pants", and he didn´t have anything against it. In fact he wouldn´t mind something like that right now. He was ready for the the next round. But that was nothing new since Marianna came into his life.

Marianna rolled her eyes. He was such a guy sometimes. " Technicalities". She made a devaluing gesture with her left hand. " And I didn´t hear you complain last night".

" How could I? You didn´t let me", Rath teased her. Althrough when he thought about it, she really gave him no room to say something. She was all over him and touched him in places that let all his blood pool in another region.

" Poor baby. What can I do to make it up to you?", ok she knew that she was a little wild and admittedly violent. But he was not that different. He could dish out more than he took in.

" How about a good morning kiss?".

Marianna smiled at him. That was a new side of Rath she really liked. Althrough she liked it more when he was stubborn, pissed off and on the brink to strangle her. Hopefully he didn´t start to recite poems to her. That would probably scare her for life. " I think I can do that". Marianna bend slightly forward with her torso and pressed her lips on Rath´s.

Immediately the connection they both shared now sprung to life again. They both could feel what the other felt. The kiss was much more intense than every other they shared so far. What started as a innocent kiss was fast becoming a need for more. It was like a hunger that needed to be sated or a spark that evolved fast in a wildfire. Marianna and Rath could feel their souls melt together. It was one of the most beautiful emotions on the planet. Neither of them wanted to let go in that moment. Suddenly a noise to their right startled them and broke the connection instantly. Rath was the first who came out of his trancelike state. For a few seconds he was confused what just happened and why. Then he watched as Marianna opened her eyes. She seemed to be equally confused.

" What was that?", oh boy if every kiss would be like that she didn´t want to do anything else anymore. She had slight problems to bring her breathing under control and her heart seemed to want out of her chest. But it was the most intense feeling she ever received.

" I don´t know", and he didn´t really care about that. Althrough he felt like he just run a hundred miles it was the best feeling ever.

Marianna just wanted to ask if that would always happen when they kissed, when the noise, that broke the connection between them, came again. Rath was turning his head in all direction and tried to find the reason for it. But he couldn´t detect anything, they were absolutely alone right now. When he faced Marianna again he saw her smiling at him.

" What?", did he miss something here? Why was she smiling like she knew something he didn´t?

" I found the cause for the noise", Marianna pointed behind him. There was a big tree standing and in the crown there was a tiny, brown, furry thing crawling. At a closer look Marianna regnorized it as a crissle ( squirrel).

Rath flipped his body to the other side and then he saw it too. That little thing disturbed his good work for a second round? Just a crissle? Couldn´t it have taken another tree? " Hey furball stop the noise and look for another place".

Marianna had to laugh when the crissle looked at Rath and started to make strange noises. It sounded like the little thing was raving at him and tried to tell him that he should find another place. Mariannas laughter got even worse when Rath turned around and looked at her with a perplexed expression. " Is this thing mocking me?"

" I think so", she just brought out through her laughter. It was just too funny how Rath got agitated because of a tiny animal.

" I´ll show him what it means to piss me off", Rath was in the process to stand up. He didn´t care that he was nude. Nobody mocked him and got away with it. Animal or not.

Marianna gripped his arm and tried to keep him under the covers. " What are you trying to do? It´s just an animal".

" I don´t care. I have to defend my dignity".

" I think your dignity can bear to lose this fight", Marianna had pity with the crissle. It just did what the nature provided. Besides it didn´t bother her at all.

Rath seemed to think about it. Then he shrugged his shoulders and ignored the crissle, which was already gone anyway. He started smiling and leant closer to Marianna. " So. Where were we just now?".

" I think you wanted to make breakfast, while I go to the lake to make myself presentable again", and before Rath could protest or say anything Marianna kissed him quickly, climbed out of the sleepingbag, took her clothes and went down to the lake.

Rath looked after her naked butt for a while, before he leant back with his hands under his head and a silly grin on his face. No life couldn´t get better than that. Nothing could destroy his good mood ever. Even if a meteor should smash the planet, he would die as a happy man. Pleased with himself he closed his eyes and enjoyed the nice weather.

When Marianna came back a few minutes later, fully clothed and her hair bound to a messy bun, Rath was still laying on his back and let the suns shine on his naked chest. Marianna shook her head and wondered why she was so surprised. After all she knew him rather well by now and he had never done something she told him to do. " Hey lazybone. You have to get up".

" Don´t wanna", Rath had no intention to move for awhile. He was quite content with his position. Just one thing was missing in the picture. Marianna at his side, preferable naked and ready for action.

" You have to. It´s still a long way we have to go and I don´t want to walk in the heat again".

The only response Marianna got from Rath was a grunt. She didn´t know if it was a yes grunt, a no grunt or shut up grunt. Sometimes it was hard to understand what he wanted. But she wouldn´t give up now. Slowly she kneeled beside him on the ground and bent her face until she was near his. " If you get up now I have a surprise for you tonight".

Rath opened his eyes at that. " Really? And what?".

" If I tell you than it´s not a surprise anymore", Marianna knew she had won. She could see it in his eyes.

But before she could congratulate herself, Rath jumped to his feet and almost run her down. Then he took his clothes and whizzed away. Marianna watched his naked form run out of her sight, before she broke out in laughter. He was such a guy. With that thought in mind she prepared the breakfast, which they would eat during her walk back. If they wouldn´t have wasted so much time they could eat extensively. After she made two groggles with shami (sausage) and Rath wasn´t back again she decided to clean the campside. She was just in the process to tuck away the sleepingbags, when she discovered the book. She almost forgot it. Slowly she bent down to pick it up and put in it her backpack, when she notized that something was different about it. Carefully she took it in her hands and opened the first page. To her surprise this time there were no blank pages, instead they were full of strange words. Words Marianna couldn´t read nor understand. She turned to the next page and found five pictures staring back at her, five really well known photos. The first ones where of Rath, Zan, Vilandra and Ava. And the last one under them was of hers. How could that be? Why wasn´t it in there when they checked it yesterday? How could suddenly stand something in this book when it was blank the last time? And most important, why couldn´t she read the words?

" Hey I´m back and ready to go".

Marianna was startled out of her thoughts. She turned around and shoved the books in his hands. " What does that mean?".

Rath, who was confused about the behaviour towards him, took the book and eyed the page. Surprised about the thing he saw he took a closer look. How did that happen? It was blank last night. And why couldn´t he understand a thing that was written in there? " How is this possible? I mean it was blank, or did I dream this?

" No, it was blank. But what I want to know is, why is there something now and not yesterday? What triggered it? And why are there pictures of us?", Marianna had the feeling that it was important. For what she didn´t know, but it seemed to be important nontheless.

Rath looked at Marianna. Why was she asking him that? He was as clueless as her, if not more. " How should I know that? I´m seeing this for the first time, too".

" I know", Marianna rubbed her face. She didn´t know why she reacted so strongly about this book. Maybe it was the fact that her picture was in there or that her feelings told her that it was needed in the future. " I´m sorry".

" It´s alright", Rath closed the book and put it in his backpack, which was lying at his feet. Then he watched Marianna closely. Why was she so overreacting over something trivial like a book? It didn´t make sense. Slowly he stepped to her and laid his arms on her shoulders. Immediately she embraced him tightly and pressed her face on his chest. " We´ll get on the bottom of this. Maybe the scientist know more about it"

Marianna breathed deeply in and smelled the unmistakable scent of Rath. It was really calming and cleared her head a little. " You´re probably right".

" Then we should finally get going. It´s still a long way", Rath released Marianna. After that he packed the remaining things in their backpacks, smeared their tracks and shouldered his backpack. He wanted to be quick. The sooner they made a move the sooner he got his surprise.

Marianna tried to help him, but he was too fast for her. So the only thing she could do was to strap her backpack on her shoulder and wait. A few minutes later they both continued their trek through the forest towards home. The path they walked back seemed to be a another one, because the trees and the bushes were looking kinda different. And Marianna should know that, because she watched her surroundings when they came by the last time. Rath didn´t seem to notice it or else he would have said something. But he just marched beside her with a small smile on his face. Marianna shook her head, he was probably wondering what the surprise was and if it included her. Preferable naked or barely clothed. She had to admit that she was a little scared when she woke up that morning. She didn´t know how she should act after last night. If it was just for one night and then he would do like nothing happened. But when she opened her eyes and saw the awe on his face, which was directed at her, she had no doubt that it wasn´t the end of their friendship, but rather the beginning of something more. Something so beautiful that there were no words to describe it and even if she had all the time in the world she couldn´t put in words what she felt. The strange this was, she had loved Lykus also, but now she noticed that it was more a love you feel towards your best friend than a lover. Still to an extent she still loved him and Marius and she missed them both. Maybe someday when everything calmed down she could contact them and explain what really happened. At that thought she noticed that something was grasping her hand. Surprised she looked at it and saw that Rath was holding her hand firmly in his. Then she turned her face to him and smiled. He returned it shortly and then looked straight ahead again. This time they didn´t talk much on their way. They didn´t need to, they were linked and could communicate with each other without speaking. It was a really comfortable silence. When the suns were in the process to go down, Marianna and Rath arrived at the boiling spring near the castle. They both were really happy to see something familiar. Althrough they thought it would take longer to get there. Marianna wanted to start running towards the castle, where her comfy bed and real food was. But Rath gripped her arm and stopped her.

" What are you doing? We´re almost home", Marianna could already smell the dinner and the scent of her pillow.

" They´re expecting us not before tomorrow", Rath didn´t want to go back yet. He wanted to enjoy their last night alone, without anybody who could disturb them.

" Yeah so. Then we´re just a little earlier. What´s the big deal?", Marianna couldn´t understand what Rath was doing. Didn´t he want to finally sleep in his own bed? Take a real shower? Or eat something someone else cooked for them?

" It´s our last night alone", Rath pulled Marianna closer to his body. Then he put his arms around her middle and kissed her thoat tenderly.

Marianna had to do everything in her power not to moan too loudly. Rath knew really what he was doing and where he had to do it. Damn him! One kiss and she was jello in his hands. " I like where your mind is going".

" I know", Rath pushed Mariannas backpack off of her shoulders and let it fall down on the ground, while he still worked on her throat. Marianna in contrast did the same to him.

" I have an idea", Marianna breathed in his ear. She had to say it now, because she didn´t know if she could utter a word if Rath didn´t stop what he was doing. " Let´s do it in the boiling spring".

Rath stopped instantly with the kissing and faced her. His eyes were sparkling mischievously and his whole face seemed to glow at the mention of the boiling spring. He licked his lips in anticipation. " Watersport? I like that". Rath started immediately to shred his clothes from his body. First his shirt and his tank top fell to the floor, then his shoes and lastly his pants. After that he made a show for Marianna and flounced all manly into the boiling spring.

Marianna laughed about his antics. What did she get herself into? She must be braindead to get involved with him. What was she thinking the night before? Oh right, she didn´t think at all. Besides he was absolutely hot without clothes. And boy was he endowed. Nobody would have said no to that. Marianna shook her head to get rid of her thoughts. She was turning into a male, just thinking with her abdomen.

" What are you waiting for? The water is really warm", Rath called to her. His ellbows were lying on the edge of the spring to hold himself up and the rest of his body was hidden under the water. If Marianna wouldn´t be already turned on by his earlier action, she would be now.

Slowly she kicked her shoes from her feet. Then she started to move her body to a rhythm only she could hear. She would give Rath a show he never forgot. Seductively she let her hands wander over her throat down her breast until she stopped at the hem of her tank top. Teasingly she lifted it a bit and showed Rath a piece of her belly before she pulled it down again. She wouldn´t pull it off all the way yet. She wanted him to wait a little longer, just until he begged her to take it off already. And after Rath heating gaze it wouldn´t take long before that happened. Encouraged through the response she got from him she took her time to open her belt and pull it out of her pants. Before it landed on the ground with a thud she was already working on her zipper. The whole time Marianna never took her eyes off of Rath, who was intensely watching her. After the smirk on his face he liked the show and the smirk grew bigger when the pants fell on the bottom. Now all Marianna was wearing were her panties, her tank top and a smile on her face. And it would be still awhile before she would lose one of the things. Besides she wanted to know how long Rath could endure the torture. With a wicked glimmer in her eyes she toyed with the straps of her top. She pulled them over her shoulder and back again.

" Marianna!", finally a reaction from Rath. He was obviously very frustrated. Neato! Just what she wanted. One more push and he would break.

" What? Don´t you enjoy the show?". Marianna put on her innocent face. Althrough she knew that Rath didn´t fall for that. He knew her better than that.

" Hell yeah! But if you don´t stop it I can´t guarantee for anything".

" In that case", Marianna ripped her tank top off of her body along with her panties. Then she joined Rath in the boiling spring. She couldn´t let him suffer that much.

Immediately Rath pulled her close to his hard body and started kissing her furiously. Marianna didn´t know what hit her, but she liked it. A lot. No wonder that she couldn´t enjoy the sex with Lykus, because he didn´t have any passion. It was just a in and out. Nothing more and nothing less. But here with Rath she could act out her wildest phantasies without being afraid to step over a boundary. Strange that she didn´t notice that she didn´t like nice that much. In that moment Rath found that sensitive spot right under her ear again and Marianna stopped thinking for the next hour.

After they both were spent and satisfied they decided to go out of the water. After all they didn´t set up their camp and they hadn´t eaten since this morning. So when they pulled their clothes on, both worked on their duties. That meant Rath would take care of the wood while Marianna did the same with their sleeping arrangement. Sometime later everything was set and Rath brought enough branches so that they didn´t had to freeze. Together they snuggled in front of the fire and enjoyed the last meal they would eat alone. From tomorrow on everything would be different again. No kissing, no touching and definitely no sex anymore.

" You know I could get used to this", Rath was stuffed, he had ingredible sex and the woman he loved at his side. What more could he want?

" Yeah, me too", Marianna wished that everything was different. That Rath wouldn´t have to marry another woman or that she wouldn´t have learned what it felt to be loved so unconditionally.

Rath heard the saddened tone in her voice. Why was she so sad all of the sudden? " What´s the matter?".

Marianna hadn´t notice that her frustration was hearing in her voice. " It´s just that tomorrow everything will change between us".

" How do you mean? Nothing will change", where did that thought coming from? And what did she mean by that? Rath slipped closer to Marianna and pulled her in front of his body so that her back was at his chest. Slowly he laid his chin on her shoulder and entwined his arms around her.

" We both know that´s not true. You have your obligation towards your family and I don´t want to destroy that". Marianna put her hands on his. She would love to continue what they had, but she was realist and knew that they couldn´t do that. Even if she was certain that Vilandra had nothing against it. Someone would get hurt and she didn´t want it to be her.

Rath couldn´t believe what he heard. Was she for real? " Then tell me why you started something in the first place when you knew that?".

Marianna breathed deeply in. How could she say him that she wanted to stop her attraction to him. She thought if she would finally bring it over her and sleep with him that her feelings for him would disappear. Too bad that her plan backfired and her feelings were only increasing after that. Now she didn´t know what she should do. " I just wanted to know how it would feel to be really loved by someone".

" Great and how does it feel?", Rath pushed Marianna away and jumped to his feet. He couldn´t be near her anymore without doing something stupid. Angrily he started to pace.

Marianna watched his movement. She knew that she hurt him and she couldn´t blame him. Not really. She would probably react the same way if the roles were revearsed. But she had to think about the consequences. " Rath. Don´t be mad".

" Who´s saying I´m mad. I´m not mad. Because mad doesn´t describe what I´m feeling right now", Rath´s eyes were twinkling with fury at Marianna. He didn´t scream but the ice in his voice spoke for itself.

Marianna had to do something or she could bury the progress they were making on this trip. She never wanted to hurt him or make him feel that she didn´t share the same feelings he had for her. " Listen. I didn´t say that it this was just a short fling. It meant a lot to me. You mean a lot to me. But we have to think about the others and not just us!".

Rath laughed at that. Yeah he meant a lot to her, but she didn´t love him like he loved her. He was so stupid to even think she could feel something for him. Usually he used this line to get rid of his conquers the next morning. He didn´t know how hurting it could be or that something like that would happen to him. " I have to give you credit. You played the woman in love pretty good. I really believed you".

" How can you say that? I didn´t fake anything", Marianna finally jumped to her feet and stormed to Rath. You could say anything about her, but she wasn´t someone who would simulate something she didn´t feel. If he thought so about her, then he really didn´t know her at all.

" Yeah. Just like you didn´t fake that you lost your memory", he should have known that he couldn´t trust her. His mind was telling him to play it save, but no he jackass had to listen to his heart. He should remember to never do that again. Ever.

Marianna was close to scream. Why couldn´t he stop with that? It was something complete different at that time. She didn´t know him or his family and she just survived the attack of her father. How would he have handled it? " Fine. Believe what you want. I´m through with this shit"

" Ha, I was right!", he just won his first verbal fight with her. And she unintentionally admitted that everything she said and did was a lie. But why didn´t he feel better? Why did it hurt so much?

Marianna didn´t bother to reply something at that. She could say the same thing a thousand times, but he still wouldn´t listen to her. So without a word she went to her sleeping bag and hit the sack. Maybe she had more luck to talk with him more mature tomorrow.

Rath watched her lying down. He didn´t expect her to give up so simply. Maybe he was too hard on her? Ok he knew that he was a bit out of line. But what she said had really hurt his feelings and he reacted the only way he knew. Old habits die hard. Rath rubbed his face with his hand. Why was life so damn complicated? With that thought he followed Marianna and went to sleep. Maybe tomorrow everything would look different.

Undetected from Marianna and Rath, a dark figure, who witnessed everything they both did in the time they arrived at the boiling spring, creeped quietly away. With a scrowl on its face and a plan to destroy that happiness. Forever.