AN: Sorry it's been so long since I updated. It's been a rocky last few months. My grandfather, who practially rasied me, finally passed away after battling a rare form of bone and blood cancer for amost 4 years. Its been hard to find inspiration. I'm back on track though, I know he be proud of what I've accomplished with my writing, so thats enough to keep me going. I got a desk finally so, now I have a writing station with my computer and notebooks, and the other side is my art station with my sketchpads, and supplies. So maybe I can get a bit more done more often now. (I havent had my computer set up for months due to lack of space for it.) I'm really happy with how this one turned out and am looking forward to the next chapter as well, its partically typed already as well, just needs a tune up.

Chapter title is from one of my fav Phil Collins songs. I felt it was fitting.

So as always thanks for sticking with me. Love you all. Thanks for your support and your reviews give me life! Thanks so much, best fan base ever!

CHAPTER 21: Rain Down On Me

Cedric followed Sofia silently, in a daze. They walked across the cobblestones past the lush gardens; the rain creating small puddles of water along the pathway that splashed upward and outward as they hurried along towards his tower. He felt momentarily empty inside; the events that had just occurred had yet to truly process in his mind. He wanted something to grasp onto; something to ground himself to the moment. He gazed down at the hand clasping his; the small porcelain-like hand wrapped so tenderly around his own. His eyes trailed up her slender arm and rested on her hourglass frame. She grounded him. She filled his soul to the brim. She was all he needed for life to have meaning.

Sofia led him up the stone staircase, the tapping of their shoes echoed off the walls as they winded their way up to his chambers; it made Cedric feel claustrophobic. He felt like the world was closing in on him. The sounds of their feet seemed multiplied a hundredfold, the thunderous booms from the raging storm sounded like gunfire. Deep within his heart he feared that Roland had sent the guards after him, that if he only turned around he would be face to face with them.

Cedric's thoughts continued to plagued him as Sofia escorted him down into his chambers. He was despondent; totally disconnected from the world around him. Slowly, as not to startle him, Sofia began to undress him from his wet clothes. She started with his ruined shirt, unfastening the buttons one by one with the tiny tips of her fingers, before letting it fall to the floor as she slipped it off his muscular frame. Cedric gazed into the fire, a hard look on his face. It pained her to see him in such a state. She bit her lip as her heart felt like breaking for him.

She took in a deep breath before moving her hands to the buttons on his trousers. She expected to have him reprimand her for her actions, but he still said nothing; allowing her to unbutton the fall (fly) of his pants completely. Her heart beat faster, her cheeks flushed, the sight of him had a profound effect on her. Her fingers grazed over the bulge in his briefs as she let the pants fall into a puddle at his feet. It was enough to snap Cedric from his stupor. He blinked a few times before making eye contact with Sofia. His breath stilled in his chest, as he realized he was almost fully nude in front of the princess. He cleared his throat.

"T-turn." He stated, motioning for her to turn her back to him. She did as she was told, clasping her hands in front of her as she turned. He kicked his pants to the side and dropped his briefs as he wrapped a towel around his hips. He turned his attention to Sofia. She was drenched as well; her hair plastered to her back and her dress dripping water into a puddle at her feet. He waved his hand and at the fire, bringing it roaring to life again.

"Your turn, Dear." He sighed coming up behind her and beginning to unlace her dress. Her heart skipped a beat at how close he was; his warm breath sent chills down her spine. She allowed Cedric to unlace her and let the mass of wet fabric drop to the floor. She stood with her back to him, in nothing but a sheer slip and lacey underwear. Cedric swallowed hard and forced himself to look away. Sofia watched from over her shoulder as he summoned a spare robe from across the room. She eased the slip from her shoulders one after the other and let the material fall from her body. Cedric held the robe open behind her allowing her to slide into it without revealing her front to him. She tied it loosely around her waist, the material clung to her semi-wet body, but she didn't mind because it smelled of Cedric.

Silently he snaked his arms around her waist and held her tightly to him; her back pressed against his bare chest. He buried his face into the crook of her neck. "When you said you understood..." He breathed against her skin. His words trailed off as Sofia silently slipped his gloves form his hands. She ran her fingers tips, tenderly, over the tattoos on his palms. She felt his body shudder against her as he took in a ragged breath.

"I put it together while you and Dad were..." Her words trailed off as she recalled Cedric and her father throwing punches at one another.

"I'm so sorry Sofia." He whispered, tears rolling freely down his cheeks. She turned to him and wiped his tears away softly with her thumbs, before kissing him gently. He let her kiss him for a moment before kissing her back fervently, pressing himself against her. Her hands roamed over his skin; over his shoulders then his back, pulling him closer to her.

Cedric wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her more passionately. His hands slip down to cup her buttocks, giving them a light squeeze before slipping down her thighs and hoisting her up onto his hips. Sofia let out a startled cry, as Cedric wrapped her legs around his hips and moved his lips down her neck with tender kisses. Sofia moaned lightly as Cedric's hands roamed her body. He scraped his teeth over her neck before biting down softly. She squirmed against him, prompting a groan of pleasure from the man. He moved with ease as he carried her across the room and eased her down onto his bed.

Cedric lowered himself down on top of Sofia, she could feel him growing harder as he pressed down on her. He kissed her forehead, her cheek, and her neck. A soft moan escaped her lips as he ran his hand up her leg, his thumb pressing into her inner thigh as he did so. He pulled back to look at her. He studied her face for a moment before his eyes drifted down her body; the robe was surprisingly still tied but hung semi-open allowing him to see the curve of her breast, the light pink of her areola peeking out under the satin trim.

Cedric swallowed hard tearing his eyes away from her pristine body and pushing himself up to sit on the edge of the bed. He rewrapped his towel before running his hands over his face and through his hair. Sofia slowly sat up and readjusted the robe.

"Cedric..."

The sorcerer groaned and hung his head between his hands. Sofia leaned against his back and wrapped her arms around his slender waist.

"I'm here to listen, if you're ready." She said, kissing his shoulder.

"Where would I even start?" He muttered.

"Okay... How about you let me talk and you fill in the blanks for me?" She said sliding to sit beside him. He stared down at the palms of his hands, and nodded his head. Sofia slipped to the floor before him and took his hands in her own.

"You and Dad used to be best friends." She stated gazing up at him with soulful eyes. She bit her lip before continuing. "And when... Amber and James' mom got sick... Dad asked you for help. And you did." the corners of her mouth upturned slightly as she recounted his good deed. "But when medicine and even your magic and potions couldn't keep her alive... He asked his best friend to do the unthinkable; to commit the ultimate taboo." she frowned. Cedric's eyes closed tight and a single tear ran down his cheek. "Your best friend was wrought with grief over his lost wife and you made the ultimate sacrifice for him; to help end his pain. But black magic comes with a price." Cedric bit his lip and looked up at Sofia with pain in his eyes. "And when your magic couldn't bring her back to him, he began to blame you. All his anger and pain were redirected to you... All these years..." she ran her thumbs over the palms of his hands, over his marks. "You kept his secret, you took on the burden of it all. All the misdeeds of your past... Were because you opened the door to the darkness when you tried to bring her back." Cedric looked away from Sofia. "It tainted you. You knew it would but you did it anyway. It was all for him. Everything you've been through or done, it's always been for him."

"Everything." He sighed, flinging himself back onto the bed. Sofia climbed onto the bed and leaned down over him. He stared back up at her and took in a deep breath. "I can't imagine what you must think of me now." He muttered facing away from her. "I understand if you don't want anything to do with me now. Or if you, of all people, could forgive me."

Sofia grunted and moved to straddle his lap. "I don't know how to feel about your past, but it doesn't mean I think any less of you. I'm hurt you think it would change our relationship. Because it won't." She said leaning down to kiss him tenderly. She pulled away from him when he didn't return the kiss, hurt that he might not want her after all they had been though, all he had been through. Cedric slipped his hands up her back and pulled her back down, meeting her with passionate lips.

He kissed her hungerly, running his hands through her hair, and down her back. Sofia dug her fingers into his shoulders and pushed her hips down into him, grinding against his groin. Cedric moaned and rolled Sofia underneath him. He kissed her neckline, skirting down between her breasts. Sofia's heart fluttered as Cedric pushed aside the robe and left a trail of kisses down her belly, stopping at the top of her panties. He lifted his lips to look up at Sofia's face; she longed from him as much as he did her. He groaned and flipped onto his back, arm draped over his face, a knee raised as a buffer between them.

"What's wrong?" She asked disappointed, needing more of him.

"You have no idea how tantalizing you are." He groaned from under his arm. A smirk crossed Sofia's face as she blushed.

"I could say the same for you." She said running her fingers over his bare chest prompting him to drop his arm from his face. Cedric raised an eyebrow at her before the corners of his mouth upturned into a crooked smile. His eyes lingered over her exposed form. Slowly he tore his gaze away and closed his eyes as he inhaled deeply.

"Thank you Dearest. For everything." he said capturing her hand in his, giving it a tender kiss. "I should have known you'd figure it out after seeing my marks. You never cease to amaze me."

"I just hope you realize that you don't have to keep stuff from me. No matter what it might be." She stated as she readjusted the robe to cover her breast.

Cedric nodded and smiled softly. "Obviously there will be no keeping of secrets from you." He winked. "Honestly, though, Sofia, I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. Because of you, after all these years I... I think the darkness that invaded my soul has been cast out. … I just hope your father feels the same. Sofia... I'd never make you choose between us. I have a feeling that if your father can't forgive me, then it might come to that."

"I think Dad sees he's been wrong all these years. I might have to explain some things to him about dark magic... but I think this is something both of you needed to get off your chests."

"You have no idea." He sighed. "I was so afraid that if I told you... That you'd never forgive me."

"It's understandable though, he was your best friend, and your king. If anything, Cedric, I think it's made me love you more." He arched an eyebrow at her. "Your loyalty and your acceptance of your actions... To me its shows how strong your character really is."

"Well, atleast one good thing has come of it; one very good thing." He smiled pulling her down into another kiss. "Stay with me tonight..." He asked caressing her lips with his thumb as her face hovered above his.

"I planned on it." She smirked kissing his forehead.

Cedric smiled and sighed softly. "As much as I'd like to lay here with you in my arms all night, I think I should bathe. I did stop bleeding right?" He said turning his face to the side for her to see. "Your Dad can still throw a good punch." he said with a smirk.

"If I didn't know any better I'd say that you rather enjoyed that."

"It's how we used to settle everything." He laughed, sitting upright. "It was kind of fun..." He smirked.

"What a lovely way to commence our engagement; the two most important men in my life duking it out. You'd better not make it a habit." She warned with a crooked smile.

"Of course not, Dear." Cedric promised, leaning over to peck her cheek with a kiss. He made his way across the room into his bathroom, gave his hand a wave over the tub and filled it with hot water. "Would you be a dear and bring me some ingredients for a salt soak? Mmm, maybe some pink sea salt, comfrey petals, a bit of lavender and some magnesium sulfate?" He asked poking his head out the door. "I think that should help..." he muttered under his breath as he turned and strolled back into the lavatory. Sofia did ask he asked, gathering the ingredients into a leather pouch. She returned to Cedric's chambers to find it void of him. She took in a deep breath before slowly entering the bathroom, her eyes downcast as she passed the threshold. She glanced up shyly to find him at the washbasin and mirror washing blood from his eyebrow.

"Thank you Love."

"Mhmm." She nodded dropping the contents into the tub, giving the water a stir with her hand and wiping it dry with a nearby towel. She walked up behind him, running her hands over his back as he continued to clean his wounds. "You know, I didn't know you knew how to fight so well, or knew any form of self-defense."

"Well, there's still a few things you have to learn about me. As I'm sure I have things to learn about you."

"Really?" she said playfully running her fingertips over his back.

"What? You surprise me everyday." He said turning to face her. "I'm sure I'll find plenty of surprising things about you once were married." He said looking her up and down. Sofia blushed and looked away.

"The thought makes you nervous, doesn't it?" He more or less stated.

"Getting married?" She asked turning her eyes back to him.

He nodded his brow furrowed in deep thought.

"Not exactly, no." She said shaking her head softly. He raised an eyebrow at her cryptic response. "I'm excited about marrying you, Silly. I'm nervous about... the things that it entails, though."

"Ah, I see." Cedric cleared his throat. "Turn if you would." Sofia did as he asked and heard the water stirring. She was tempted to steal a peek of her future husband, but knew from his actions that looking would be frowned upon. "Ahh- shit! That stings." He muttered as he splashed water on his face. Sofia shifted uncomfortably, wanting to face Cedric. "So... You're uneasy about... Taking our relationship to the next level?" He asked posing the question delicately. Sofia turned her head slightly and nodded. "Oh, you can turn back around now Love, sorry."

Slowly, she turned herself to face him, keeping her eyes downcast before finding the courage to look at him. His head rested back on the tub and his arms rested across the rim of each side, the water cloudy from his salt soak.

"I wouldn't have thought you nervous based on previous instances." He muttered as he closed his eyes and relaxed in the warm water.

"Just because I want something doesn't mean that I'm not nervous about it." She said hands behind her back, twiddling her fingers nervously.

"That's fair. I'd be worried if you weren't anxious a bit." He stated sinking further into the soak with a sigh.

"I... I just want...Want to do things correctly, and make you happy, the way a wife should." She sighed moving to sit on the window seat across from the tub. Cedric opened his eyes to watch her.

"Sofia, I'll be the happies man on Earth just to finally have you as mine."

"I know, I just hope I can... Fulfill my duties as a wife... You've some experience, I assume, and I've none at all. I-I-"

"Sofia." Cedric said sternly sitting upright, water sloshing out of the tub. He motioned for her to come to him. She approached him slowly, her heart felt as if it would burst form her chest. He took her hands in his and pulled her down to meet his lips. "I repeat, you have nothing to worry about. And sure, I admit, I've bedded women before... but that's why I want to wait with you. Do things right. You're not some one night stand, Sofia, I want your first time to be something special. I want... I want it to be everything you imagine and more... I could bed you tonight, I want to, more than anything in the world, but I also know I want to wait for our wedding night, when you'll be completely and officially mine... And it's not just that." He continued holding her hands rubbing his thumbs in small circles on the soft skin. "When two magic wielders say their vows, they become linked to one another... Your awareness of the other is heightened, so to say... It's supposed to be an enlightening and erotic experience upon consummating the nuptials; you would be able to feel my emotions and sensations to a degree and vice versa. I want to give you the utmost pleasure I can, Love. That's why I want to wait." He finished kissing her again. "You're already making it very hard to wait. There's been a few times I've almost said to hell with it and taken you then and there. But, if I've waited this long I can wait a little longer..." he rolled his eyes. "I think." he added, causing her to blush.

"I didn't know that... I understand now. It doesn't mean I don't want you any less though." She smiled at him.

"Yes, well I can't blame you there." He winked. "Now go put some clothes on before I change my mind and pull you in here with me." He teased.

"Oh, I see. So, you like it when I wear nothing but your robe..." She said coquettishly turning away from him letting the shoulder slip down to expose her skin.

"You little minx." He said reclining back into the water.

"What?" She said crossing the room pausing in the doorway. "You said to change my clothes." She finished dropping the robe to the floor in a puddle at her feet, pausing a moment to glance over her shoulder at his reaction, before walking out his field of vision into his bedchambers. Cedric groaned and rolled his eyes into the back of his head.

"I've learned something new about you already." He said loud enough for his voice to carry into the neighboring room. "You're a tease. Just wait until I get out of here, Princess."

"And you'll do what exactly?" she said slipping on one of Cedric's shirts over her head, it stopped midthigh.

"I-…" he pursed his lips. "That's a good question." He laughed as he got out of the tub and wrapped his towel around his waist again.

"This better?" She asked presenting herself in the doorway, leaning against the frame. Cedric turned to face her and swallowed hard.

"You're doing this to me on purpose aren't you?" He sighed.

"Doing what?"

"Tempting me."

"Me? This coming from a man wearing nothing but a flimsy towel..." She said giving the corner of the towel a flick, almost causing it to fall off. Cedric grasped at the material and held it closed and cleared his throat.

"Valid point, Dear." He said sliding past her to the wardrobe. Sofia already knowing the drill turned her back and allowed him time to dress and adjust. He slipped into a pair of plum colored underwear and decided that was all he needed. Cedric stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her waist, and gave her neck a soft nuzzle. "I know it's relatively early, but I'm exhausted Love. I'm ready for bed." Sofia nodded and led him to the bed. She slipped under the covers and was followed by Cedric who held her form to his before she would get comfortable. He pressed her back to his chest and sighed. He left a trail of kisses down her neck and shoulder, while his hands roamed her body, feeling every curve. He dipped his hand beneath the shirt she wore and let the palm of his hand roam over her flat belly and up to her bare breasts. Her breath stilled in her chest, she bit her lip and arched her back pressing herself against Cedric more.

"Mushrooms, this is going to be torturous now; waiting and wanting something so badly." He said rolling to his back, running a hand though his messy hair.

"We just have to keep ourselves busy until then."

"It's not just waiting for your birthday, Dearest. If your father approves we have to abide by royal standards, won't we? Have an officially ordained wedding with all the neighboring kingdoms in attendance... And your sister is sure to throw in all the bells and whistles... You know, I never asked you what kind of wedding you want, Love." He stated rolling his head to gaze at her.

"Nothing as grandiose as Amber will insist. I just want our families and friends."

"You have many, many friends, Dear." He laughed.

"Best friends then. What about you?" She asked rolling onto her side to face him.

"I want you to have your dream wedding." He said caressing her cheek.

"That's not what I asked."

He sighed and smiled at her. "I guess I'd like a small ceremony that includes some traditional magic rituals."

"So we can be bonded to one another?"

"Yes. Nothing special; just the lighting of candles and the vows are binding spells. Most magic wielders are familiar with the concept. I don't expect your family to understand though since they didn't grow up in a magic household." He said as he rolled onto his side and slipped a hand over her hip.

"I like the sound of that though. Magic is what brought us together. It's only fitting."

"I'm glad you agree." He smiled. "Enough talk though, I'm sure tomorrow will be a rough day. We need all the rest we can get. Hopefully your father will give us his consent then we can discuss matters further. For now, though, I just want to enjoy laying here with you in my arms." He smiled pulling her to him and nuzzling into her damp hair.

Sofia smiled and molded her body to his before drifting off to sleep in his muscular arms.