Title:Banshee 4/?
Author:Tapestry
Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Teahouse/5879
Standard Disclaimer Apply
* denotes thought
WAFF vs TAFF 2001
11/10/01
"Woman was created from the ribs of man
Not from his head to top him
Nor from his feet to be walked upon
She was made from his side to be his equal
From beneath his arms to be protected
From very near his heart to be loved."
--Anonymous--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Darien smiled into the kiss, this effectively silenced her. Her lips were
warm and pliant. She really was a delectable, passionate little creature.
Serena felt herself go warm. The arrogant cur!! She pushed at his chest
but he stayed like a brick wall. Serena's temper was starting to flare.
Viciously, she raised a tiny fist and beat his shoulder and arms.
Darien broke the kiss and cursed. He gritted his teeth, and rubbed the
sore spot. The bratling packed quite a wallop.
"Sweet Mother o' God, you're a vicious little harpy." snapped Darien as
he rubbed his arm, fixing an accusing glare on her.
Serena glared at him.
"Ye dinnae need to swear, ye blackguard and ye dinnae need to kiss me!!"
Darien eyed here with amusement.
"And why not, bratling?? Ye're such a delightful wee one. Ye will be my
wife and ye will belong t' me. Mayhap you find my kissing lacking??"
"I wouldnae know!! I never kissed anybody before!!" exploded Serena.
Realizing her words, her face flamed beet red.
"Ah, a real maiden." grinned Darien wolfishly.
"We're nae married yet, and I'll nae be the one that will be recievin'
yuir attentions!!." snapped Serena.
She saw his ocean eyes light up with a mischievious idea.
"AND, if ye try anything, I'll - I'll set Sersi on ye!" threathened
Serena as she leapt off the bed. "Ye must be hungry, I'll send one of the
maids up with food." said Serena as she scurried to the door.
Darien watched as the door closed. His lips curled into a smile, and then,
he burst into a gusty laugh.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Teresa sighed loudly. Here she was outside picking flowers while her
older sisters were all busy. Serena had her wounded betrothed to care for.
Moira was in the Great Hall flirting with some of the O'Connor clansmen.
And Abigail was in the Great Hall watching Moira flirt.
She often wondered why Moira was always so vicious towards Serena.
Serena after all was their elder sister. Abigail however was such a follower
of Moira. Perhaps it was because being the third daughter and fifth child,
she was closer to Moira whereas for Teresa, Serena had always looked out
for her being the youngest.
"Why such a sad face, lass?" came a voice.
"Eamon!" exclaimed Teresa in a shock.
"Aye, Eamon is me name." he chuckled.
"'Tis nothing." murmured Teresa, a blush staining her cheeks rosy as she
turned away from him.
"Ach Dhia, ye cannae hide yuir expression from me, Teresa." said Eamon as
his hand cupped her chin and turned her face back towards him, tilting it
up slightly so he could look into her eyes.
"Now, what's wrong?? Ye have such a sad expression on yuir face. Ye'll
get older that way, ye know."
Teresa smiled. "Aye?"
"Aye, lassie. So, what be botherin' ye??"
"'Tis nothin'. I just feel sad that Serena will be goin' away once she
marries yuir brother." sighed Teresa.
"Oh?"
"Aye, ye see...I'm th' youngest o' me papa's brood. Me sisters don't
bother aboot me much. They like t'tease me. 'Twas Rena who always stood
up for me. Me brothers, Sean and Rory are too busy with training to look
after me. Besides, I'm nae very close to them. Rena was the closest as she
liked t'practice with swords. I guess, I'll just be missin' her."
"I see." said Eamon nodding.
Teresa smiled slightly.
"Well, ye could always find someone and marry them real quick. T'would
get ye away from yuir sisters." joked Eamon.
"I would nae'er do that!! O'Monaghan Keep, 'tis me home!! If I ever marry,
'twill be for love and nae to get away from me sisters." sighed Teresa as
her eyes glazed over with longing.
"Ye dream of some strange things, wee one." laughed Eamon.
Teresa merely smiled.
"Come lass, I shall escort ye to wherever ye need t'go." smiled Eamon
gallantly as he stood up and bowed.
"Thank ye, 'tis hard t'believe our clans were once feudin'." commented
Teresa.
"Oh aye. I agree, lass." grinned Eamon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena sighed as she sat in front of her mirror, brushing her long hair.
Tying it into a braid, she gave a satisfactory nod and made her way to
visit Darien and to check up on his condition, his wound was healing fast as
he'd been up and about in only a day.
"Are ye awake??" called Serena through the door.
"Aye."
With that, Serena breezed into the room only to come to a halt 5 paces
into the room. Her face turned red at the sight before her.
Darien was up and about and wasn't wearing a shirt to cover his chest! The
only thing that impeded the full view of his chest was the bandage across
one shoulder.
Serena's hands shot up to her face, covering her eyes in maidenly modesty.
"Darien!!" shouted Serena accusingly. "Why didn't ye say ye werenae
decent!!"
"I am decent. Dinnae tell me you've never seen a man bare chested before
when they are training, wee one." Darien's deep laugh came to tease her.
"Nae!! Papa dinnae let the young women watch the men training. Even though
I liked sword-fighting. When I was aboot, Papa insisted the men wear
gherkins."
Darien laughed. "I see, bratling." He moved closer to Serena, whose palms
still covered her eyes. She was frozen at that position and didn't dare
move an inch.
"Come now lass, ye're so brave when it comes t'fighting, and such a
spitfire when it comes t'arguing with me. Dinnae tell me ye're afraid o'
this little thing." chuckled Darien as he lifted his good hand to stroke her
cheek.
Serena shivered at his teasing tone. She shut her eyes tighter, trying to
block out his teasing voice as well. Trying to ignore the teasing touches
on her cheek. Sword-wielding enemies, nasty sisters and arrogant men she
could handle. But she couldn't handle this blatant display of unashamed
physical sexuality. She felt a hand tug at her wrist, trying to pull one of
her hands away from her eyes.
"Darien!"
"Aye?"
"Please...just leave it be and dress." whispered Serena with a little
quiver.
"Only if ye put yuir hands down. I'm nae gonna eat ye. And I'm yuir
betrothed. I hardly see the problem in seein' what ye'll be seein' sooner
or later." teased Darien.
Darien resumed tugging at her hand but still, Serena resisted mightily.
"Nae!! Darien! Nae!!" screeched Serena as Darien managed to free one of
her hands from her face.
"Open yuir eyes, little one." coaxed Darien trying to get her to brave her
silly little phobia. Serena shook her head.
"If you dinnae open yuir eyes, how are ye t'tend me wounds in th' future?"
asked Darien teasingly.
The blue eye popped open and stared in front, finding Darien's face in
front of hers.
"See?? 'Tis nae so bad, is it?" chuckled Darien.
"Ach Dhia, dinnae tell me ye're afraid t'look at a man's naked chest,
Serena. Ye always followed papa's orders on that, like a simpering maid
destined for the nunnery. A coward." sneered a voice.
Serena turned to face the voice. It was Moira, a sneer on her face.
"Moira, just because ye're a wanton, doesnae mean everyone else is."
hissed Serena.
Moira gave an unladylike sniff and tossed her head high walking past the
door.
Serena felt her temper flare. She was NOT a simpering maid and she wasn't
a coward! Anger and a certain sad regret welled up in her being towards
her sister. She couldn't understand why Moira had always been mean to her.
Even when they were childen, she had tried so hard to get along with her
sister, but always, her attempts were rebuffed by Moira.
A warm large hand came down to rest on her shoulder. Serena gave a
startled glance behind her shoulder.
Darien's face was warm and smiling. "Ye're nae a coward. Ye're the
bravest most stubborn woman I've ever met. That's hardly what ye would
call a simpering maid now, would ye?" laughed Darien pulling her backwards
into his large frame. His hand slid down to her waist as he held her locked
to him. His head nuzzled her curls.
"Darien..." choked Serena.
"Hmmm?" acknowledged Darien absent mindedly, taking the smell of
wildflowers that clung to her into his lungs.
"Ye'd better get dressed. Lunch is in an hour." replied Serena pulling
away and rushing out of the room, leaving Darien to smile after her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After lunch, Darien was in the stables absent-mindedly brushing his
horse with his good hand.
"What are ye doin' out here??" came a voice.
"Oh, Eamon, Brian, 'tis ye two." said Darien, his head snapping up.
"Aye, who'd ye expect?? A bloody Scots? Hows yuir arm?" asked his brother
concerned.
"Better. Still a bit sore though." winced Darien as he tried to move it.
"Thinkin' aboot the weddin', O'Connor??" grinned Brian winking slightly.
"Dinnae ken how ye'll be able t'live with a hellcat. Me cousin will be
givin' ye a headache. Even when she was a wee one, she prefered t'get int'
mud brawls than learn 'ow t'manage a household. Her mama was always
horrified when she came home head to toe in mud with a triumphant grin on
her face." laughed Brian, a thoughtful look on his face.
"Triumphant?" echoed Eamon.
"Oh aye, when she was young, she managed t'beat me and Rory in mud
brawls." whispered Brian conspiratorially.
Eamon snickered. "When she was a wee thing?? Are ye sure ye're talkin'
aboot the same person? Serena is still tiny as anything."
"Aye."
"Ye must have been a scrawny thing then, if Serena as a babe managed
t'best ye." chuckled Eamon.
"Scrawny!? I'll have ye know O'Monaghan men are never scrawny." protested
Brian heatedly, his chest puffing out in indignation.
Eamon replied in a laughing tone.
Darien turned back to his horse to hide his smile. He sighed as he
listened to his brother bicker good-naturely with Brian.
Darien turned to add his comment when he saw a pale blonde head moving
about behind a haystack.
"Who's there??!" called Darien.
Brian and Eamon stopped and turned their attention to the direction of
Darien's stare.
"Abby??" called Brian.
Abigail O'Monaghan with her pale blonde hair and green eyes stepped out
from behind the haystack.
"What are ye doin' here??" asked Brian in confusion.
"Nothing. I was just wonderin' why the two o' ye came in here. I thought
maybe ye were goin out."
"Ah, nae. We just came t'find Darien. Serena's been lookin' for him."
laughed Brian jokingly.
Darien thought he saw a small frown cross her face, before it returned to
it's usual blank and soulless look. It was so quick, maybe he had imagined
it...
"Ah, doubt she'll miss him for long, Dougal went t'keep her company."
grinned Eamon.
Darien's head turned to Eamon, his blood starting to simmer. Dougal was
with Serena????!!
Abigail shrugged. "I guess I'll go find Moira." said Abigail backing out
and walking off.
Darien turned back to his brother. "Where's Serena??" asked Darien in a
deep menacing voice.
"At th' back near th' woods. She's sittin' on th' swing." answered Eamon
blinking at his brother's tone of voice.
As the three moved towards the back of the Keep, Eamon turned to look at
his brother.
"So, what were ye thinkin' back there in the stables??" asked Eamon.
"Serena and I came t' the conclusion that someone is tryin' t' kill us.
I was tryin' t' think o' any motive for that." answered Darien thoughtful.
Brian's face hardened. "Wait 'till I get me hands on the bastard.
Spineless coward that he is."
Eamon frowned. "Perhaps someone doesnae want our clans t' unite?" he
suggested.
Darien frowned. "Maybe.."
Without realising they had reached the back grounds, Darien merely kept
walking, staring at the ground with a frown on his face. He stopped when
he saw a pair of shapely legs encased in leather breeches.
His eyes shot up and came face to face with Serena staring curiously at
him. A flush came to his face.
"What??" asked Darien.
"Is something botherin' ye?? Ye have that nasty frown on yuir face."
commented Serena brushing back his bangs.
Darien jumped at the sudden contact, surprised at her action. What was
she playing at??
Serena smiled secretly to herself, sure she had unnerved him with her
tender little display. At least baffled him. This was her revenge on him
for forcing her to open her eyes in the room this morning when he was
bare-chested. But she had to admit, he really DID have a nice chest. All
sinewy and well-muscled. Serena chastised herself at her wanton thoughts.
"Darien??"
"What are ye doin' Serena?" asked Darien, frowning, trying to discern her
strange action. Behind Serena, Dougal was chuckling.
"Nothing, Darien. Is it so wrong for a betrothed to show affection?"
Darien's eyebrows snapped together. "Have ye gotten ill over the short
period of time between this morning and now??" asked Darien scrutinizing
her, even going so far as to check her temperature.
"Well, ye're nae burning up. Are ye sure ye're alright lass??"
Dougal burst out laughing.
"This is how I always act, just I never show this disposition to you."
smiled Serena fluttering her lashes in an exaggerated move. Brian snorted.
Serena glared at her cousin.
Dougal chortled and stood by Serena, lifting her hand to his lips.
"Oh aye, Mistress Serena can be fair of disposition, almost as fair as her
face when it suits her." he chortled, placing a kiss on her hand.
Darien gave a little growl in his throat, caught hold of Serena's wrist
with his good hand and pulled her back towards the castle's insides leaving
a confused Dougal who stared after them and a laughing Eamon and Brian.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena couldn't understand what was coming over her. She was beginning to
feel lightheaded and playful at Darien's reaction. She didn't understand
this, so she opted for safety by retreating to familiar ground.
"O'Connor, what are ye doin'??!" exclaimed Serena.
Silence...
"O'Connor!! Stop right now!" ordered Serena.
Darien slid a glance at her before tugging her up to the chambers. He
pulled her into his chamber. Serena felt a cold feeling of nervousness
settle in her stomach. Darien had never looked like this. She frowned.
What was she doing??? She was acting like a frightened babe. The arrogant
cur had no right to make her feel like a child caught doing something
naughty. She was Serena O'Monaghan, daughter of the laird of O'Monaghan
Keep. She was not going to run and hide like some coward. Steeling herself
against whatever was to come, Serena stared at Darien defiantly.
Darien kicked the door shut and pinned the damn aggravating woman against
the door. She was going to make him old before his time. Her eyes were
burning like fire with defiance, the stubborn thrust of her jaw, as she
stared coolly at him, waiting for him to say something. Damn siren.
The enchantress didn't even know what she was doing to him. HE didn't
know what was happening to him, everything was so strange. Only three days
ago, the two of them had been bickering and teasing each other like there
was no tomorrow, and now here he was with these strange feelings. The heat
coursing through his blood. She was like a fever in him.
"Damn witch."
Serena's eyes narrowed at the words. "What??"
He didn't understand what these strange feelings were. The mad insanity
when she smiled at his brother and the strange warmth in his chest when she
smiled at him. From the start, she'd captured his attention and right from
the beginning he'd known this strange warmth in him, and had denied it.
"I said ye're a damn witch. Enchanting every damn kin o' mine." whispered
Darien under his breath as his lips brushed hers. A feathering touch.
Serena felt dizzy and warm. She stared into his eyes, filled with a
strange warmth that turned his midnight eyes almost black. She felt her
staunch defiance slip away, leaving her in this man's arms like putty.
"Why are ye doin' this?? Moira's the beauty, not me." breathed Serena.
She heard a low growl emit from his throat. "Ye're a siren. Moira's
beauty is only skin deep. Yuirs penetrates yuir every pore to yuir soul,
and ye enchanted me, ye damn witch. Right from the beginning." he growled,
speaking against her lips.
Serena blinked at him. The beginning?? "Darien?"
"That morning by the stream, ye looked like a druid priestess. Beautiful
and immortal."
Serena's lips turned up in a smile. "A druid priestess?? If I was one,
I wouldnae be able t' marry."
Darien leaned back to look at her. "Thank God, ye're nae." he laughed.
"Why'd ye bring me up here, Darien?" asked Serena with a sigh of defeat,
letting his eyes sweep away the last vestiges of the stubborn pride she had
tried to hold onto.
"The truth, lass?" asked Darien sheepishly.
Serena nodded.
"T'get ye away from Dougal."
"From Dougal???!"
"Aye, me brother is besotted with ye." said Darien in a frown.
Serena shook her head. "He isnae."
"He is. Ye can see it in his eyes."
Serena almost laughed in disbelief. Darien was jealous?? Or was he merely
possessive?? She should have been flattered, but she thought it irrational.
"Ye're being idiotic. Like the arrogant boor ye are."
Darien snorted. "But I'll be yuir arrogant boor soon. And cur, and lecher,
and degenerate rogue, as well as your womanizing debaucher." grinned Darien
teasingly.
Serena's face turned red.
Darien laughed.
"'Tis nae funny, ye insensitive knave." snapped Serena as she thumped his
good shoulder.
"Ah, I'm insensitive now too. I shall try unduly to improve on me black
reputation then, wee one." chuckled Darien as he pressed a kiss to her
forehead and released her from the door.
Stepping away, Darien tugged her away from the door and opened it,
stepping out.
Serena could only stare at it in a daze as his head popped back in,
wearing a wolfish smile.
"Remember, don't encourage me brother's attentions." grinned Darien as
he closed the door, when Serena threw a pillow at him, hitting the door with
a thump.
"Arrogant ass."
"Ye'll make me ears bleed, lass." came a singsong voice behind the door,
before she heard laughter and footsteps echoing down the stone corridor.
"Damn pig stickin' arse."
She didn't know why, but Darien O'Connor's words had made her heart turn
over leaving her with a melting sensation.
Darien leaned back against the stone wall, a few feet away from his room.
Slowly, he released his breath. He didn't know what had come over him.
Dragging Serena off like that to his room and saying all those words to her.
She, perhaps brought out the childishness in him that he'd never experienced
around anyone else. She was dangerous.
And he'd come damn close to ravishing her then and there. Damn siren.
"O'Connor, ye're goin' daft."
In the shadows, lips curled into a sneer of disgust.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was two weeks later when the lairds of the O'Connor and the
O'Monaghan clan returned.
O'Connor hadn't been happy to hear about the recent attack on Darien. He
had delivered a severe scolding towards his three sons on responsibility
and their duty to report the incident to him, which they had failed to do.
"And Darien, I thought ye'd have more common sense. These attacks on ye
and the O'Monaghan's lass, 'tis a serious matter, nothin' t'joke aboot.
Certainly nae a matter t'simply brush aside and pretend it dinnae happen."
chastised Cormac O'Connor. "I willnae be around for very much more lad, but
how can I die in peace if ye cannae tell between somethin' important and
important??" sighed Cormac rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"Da, it wasnae as if I was at death's door. I dinnae want ye t'half kill
yeself tryin' t'get back here. I'm a grown man, Da." sighed Darien.
"What I say we should do now, is get the weddin' underway as quick as
possible." suggested Donnell O'Monaghan.
"Papa..." hissed Serena.
"I agree." came Darien's calm voice.
Serena's head swung to meet Darien's unblinking gaze. He was staring at
her like a predator, waiting to pounce. A shiver went down her spine. His
gaze could have rivalled any Irish wolf.
"'Tis settled then, ye and Serena will be wed in a week's time." said
Serena's father clapping Darien on the shoulder. "She'll be a handful lad,
bear with her. Or I'll make sure ye regret it."
"PAPA!!" choked Serena in outrage.
Darien merely grinned. "O' course."
Serena left with Darien, she glared at him. "Why'd ye agree with me Da?
'Tis already quick enough as it is." snapped Serena.
"I would rather have us married before one of us gets killed and I have
t'wed yuir sister, Moira." said Darien in a teasing tone.
"Ye're implyin' I could be th' one t'die first!! And what's wrong with
Moira?? She's beautiful enough and plenty o'men have tried t'win her hand."
exclaimed Serena, feeling obliged to stand up for her sister, even if they
weren't very close to each other.
Darien's hand caught hold of hers and his thumb pad began slow feathering
strokes on the pulse of her wrist, soothing her ruffled feathers and
irritation at him. He smiled charmingly.
"Enough, ye doonae need t'hiss and spit at me like an angry kitten, lass.
I am merely teasing you." explained Darien in such a soothing tone, her
heart did a queer somersault.
Serena tugged at her hand, and freed it from his grasp, lifting her nose
into the air and sweeping past him. Darien kept to her pace easily, his
frame just behind hers in a possessive gesture. Serena tried not to feel
loved and protected. She didn't need protection!! She was capable at
defending herself. She didn't need any man to cower and simper behind.
She was a warrior! She wasn't going to faint with the vapours.
Darien grinned at her straight errect frame, she was so tense, like a
bow string. She didn't like his protective streak.
*Well, tough! I'm goin' t'be like this, whether ye like it or nae, lass.*
thought Darien to himself. The strange feelings had been growing. The
curious affection like a warmth in his soul. He didn't want to give a name
to the feeling yet. It was just too overwhelming and dangerous.
The two walked until they reached a grove of trees where they stopped.
Both froze as they heard a noise coming from beyond the trees.
"Darien?" whispered Serena.
"Shh, aye little one. I heard it too." replied Darien in an equally low
tone.
Moving closer to the bushes, the pair strained to hear whatever the noise
was. They heard two voices. A man and a woman's. Familiar, but Serena could
not place them.
Creeping closer, Darien parted leaves to catch a glimpse of whoever the
pair were. As they got closer, they heard the conversation taking place...
"Doonae turn from me, lass..."
"Why did ye ask me out here?" asked the woman.
"'Tis strange how much two weeks can change something."
"Aye. If ye have somethin' t'say, speak it now or allow me t'leave."
pleaded the woman softly.
"I love ye, lass..."
There was silence for a moment. Then, the feminine voice spoke
tentatively. Afraid.
"Sweet Saints, I love ye too. I dinnae think ye'd feel the same." sobbed
the woman.
"I'm the one with eveythin' t'fear, love." groaned the man.
Serena glimpsed two shadows, the man was holding onto the woman's hand.
Slowly, the woman moved closer to the man and lay her head on his chest.
The man's head bent down in a tender gesture.
Darien sighed and pulled Serena quietly away.
"'Twas merely two lovers." he sighed when they were a good distance away.
"Aye, but I cannae help thinkin' their voices sounded familiar." frowned
Serena trying to place them.
Darien frowned. "Now that ye mention it, I too found them familiar. Mayhap
'tis someone close t'us??" suggested Darien.
Serena looked up at Darien. "Mayhap. But I know of none close to me who
are in love."
"Neither do I." replied Darien with a shrug.
Serena turned and headed back towards the castle.
"Where are ye going?" called Darien retracing his steps and following her.
"I decided I wanted to go for a ride." snapped Serena irritated. "Ye're
nae me keeper, Darien. I doonae need t'tell ye everythin'.'
"Ah, but I'm yuir future husband." pointed out Darien almost gleefully
with a hint of amusement in his voice. "Also, I'd hardly be a man if I were
to let ye go out for a night ride without protection."
"Shut up. Go get yeself sotted." hissed Serena.
"Oh, I will at me wedding day." replied Darien smoothly.
"And ye can go sleep in the pigsty like a drunk ass." snapped Serena.
"Oh, I willnae be drunk. I'll be sotted on ye." grinned Darien
shamelessly. Serena's face flushed.
"Leave me alone, ye..ye..ye nightmare from hell."
"Ye have such a foul language, lady. But curiously, your lips are as
sweet as the nectar on flowers."
Serena increased her pace as she heard his deep laughter that turned her
insides to jelly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena changed into a pair of her breeches, took up her sword and went
down to the stables. Darien was already waiting for her, their horses
saddled.
"Who invited ye??" asked Serena, her eyes glaring at him.
"Why, if ye go down, I'll go down with ye. I wouldnae want t'marry Moira,
lass. She may have beauty, but she hasn't yuir wit."
Serena felt proud suddenly. Wanted to preen. But that was more Moira and
Abigail's forte. Not hers. She pushed the flattered part of herself down
and swung herself up onto her horse.
"Alright, ye may come. But keep that beast, ye call a horse away from my
mare." snapped Serena noticing the skittishness of her horse.
"He's a stallion, little one. Ye cannae blame him when 'tis his instinct.
That wouldnae be fair." smiled Darien silkily.
Serena glared at him. "Stop it."
As she walked past, Darien smiled inwardly as he heard her mutter.
"Men are all babies." muttered Serena under her breath.
Darien merely grinned and mounted his horse as Serena sped off on hers.
For the first time in his life, he felt a curious sense of belonging and
overwhelming childish amusement at his actions towards Serena.
It was a comfortable and warm feeling pooling in the pit of his belly.
He felt....complete and alive.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued...
Email me!! And those on FF.net I thank you for your patience in this
story!! Give me some incentive to continue this story. :p Sorry I take
so long to come out with my chapters. :p
Cause I'm feeling kind of lonely right now. Lazy too. *Just wanna watch
anime. :P *
20/4/02
Author:Tapestry
Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Teahouse/5879
Standard Disclaimer Apply
* denotes thought
WAFF vs TAFF 2001
11/10/01
"Woman was created from the ribs of man
Not from his head to top him
Nor from his feet to be walked upon
She was made from his side to be his equal
From beneath his arms to be protected
From very near his heart to be loved."
--Anonymous--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Darien smiled into the kiss, this effectively silenced her. Her lips were
warm and pliant. She really was a delectable, passionate little creature.
Serena felt herself go warm. The arrogant cur!! She pushed at his chest
but he stayed like a brick wall. Serena's temper was starting to flare.
Viciously, she raised a tiny fist and beat his shoulder and arms.
Darien broke the kiss and cursed. He gritted his teeth, and rubbed the
sore spot. The bratling packed quite a wallop.
"Sweet Mother o' God, you're a vicious little harpy." snapped Darien as
he rubbed his arm, fixing an accusing glare on her.
Serena glared at him.
"Ye dinnae need to swear, ye blackguard and ye dinnae need to kiss me!!"
Darien eyed here with amusement.
"And why not, bratling?? Ye're such a delightful wee one. Ye will be my
wife and ye will belong t' me. Mayhap you find my kissing lacking??"
"I wouldnae know!! I never kissed anybody before!!" exploded Serena.
Realizing her words, her face flamed beet red.
"Ah, a real maiden." grinned Darien wolfishly.
"We're nae married yet, and I'll nae be the one that will be recievin'
yuir attentions!!." snapped Serena.
She saw his ocean eyes light up with a mischievious idea.
"AND, if ye try anything, I'll - I'll set Sersi on ye!" threathened
Serena as she leapt off the bed. "Ye must be hungry, I'll send one of the
maids up with food." said Serena as she scurried to the door.
Darien watched as the door closed. His lips curled into a smile, and then,
he burst into a gusty laugh.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Teresa sighed loudly. Here she was outside picking flowers while her
older sisters were all busy. Serena had her wounded betrothed to care for.
Moira was in the Great Hall flirting with some of the O'Connor clansmen.
And Abigail was in the Great Hall watching Moira flirt.
She often wondered why Moira was always so vicious towards Serena.
Serena after all was their elder sister. Abigail however was such a follower
of Moira. Perhaps it was because being the third daughter and fifth child,
she was closer to Moira whereas for Teresa, Serena had always looked out
for her being the youngest.
"Why such a sad face, lass?" came a voice.
"Eamon!" exclaimed Teresa in a shock.
"Aye, Eamon is me name." he chuckled.
"'Tis nothing." murmured Teresa, a blush staining her cheeks rosy as she
turned away from him.
"Ach Dhia, ye cannae hide yuir expression from me, Teresa." said Eamon as
his hand cupped her chin and turned her face back towards him, tilting it
up slightly so he could look into her eyes.
"Now, what's wrong?? Ye have such a sad expression on yuir face. Ye'll
get older that way, ye know."
Teresa smiled. "Aye?"
"Aye, lassie. So, what be botherin' ye??"
"'Tis nothin'. I just feel sad that Serena will be goin' away once she
marries yuir brother." sighed Teresa.
"Oh?"
"Aye, ye see...I'm th' youngest o' me papa's brood. Me sisters don't
bother aboot me much. They like t'tease me. 'Twas Rena who always stood
up for me. Me brothers, Sean and Rory are too busy with training to look
after me. Besides, I'm nae very close to them. Rena was the closest as she
liked t'practice with swords. I guess, I'll just be missin' her."
"I see." said Eamon nodding.
Teresa smiled slightly.
"Well, ye could always find someone and marry them real quick. T'would
get ye away from yuir sisters." joked Eamon.
"I would nae'er do that!! O'Monaghan Keep, 'tis me home!! If I ever marry,
'twill be for love and nae to get away from me sisters." sighed Teresa as
her eyes glazed over with longing.
"Ye dream of some strange things, wee one." laughed Eamon.
Teresa merely smiled.
"Come lass, I shall escort ye to wherever ye need t'go." smiled Eamon
gallantly as he stood up and bowed.
"Thank ye, 'tis hard t'believe our clans were once feudin'." commented
Teresa.
"Oh aye. I agree, lass." grinned Eamon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena sighed as she sat in front of her mirror, brushing her long hair.
Tying it into a braid, she gave a satisfactory nod and made her way to
visit Darien and to check up on his condition, his wound was healing fast as
he'd been up and about in only a day.
"Are ye awake??" called Serena through the door.
"Aye."
With that, Serena breezed into the room only to come to a halt 5 paces
into the room. Her face turned red at the sight before her.
Darien was up and about and wasn't wearing a shirt to cover his chest! The
only thing that impeded the full view of his chest was the bandage across
one shoulder.
Serena's hands shot up to her face, covering her eyes in maidenly modesty.
"Darien!!" shouted Serena accusingly. "Why didn't ye say ye werenae
decent!!"
"I am decent. Dinnae tell me you've never seen a man bare chested before
when they are training, wee one." Darien's deep laugh came to tease her.
"Nae!! Papa dinnae let the young women watch the men training. Even though
I liked sword-fighting. When I was aboot, Papa insisted the men wear
gherkins."
Darien laughed. "I see, bratling." He moved closer to Serena, whose palms
still covered her eyes. She was frozen at that position and didn't dare
move an inch.
"Come now lass, ye're so brave when it comes t'fighting, and such a
spitfire when it comes t'arguing with me. Dinnae tell me ye're afraid o'
this little thing." chuckled Darien as he lifted his good hand to stroke her
cheek.
Serena shivered at his teasing tone. She shut her eyes tighter, trying to
block out his teasing voice as well. Trying to ignore the teasing touches
on her cheek. Sword-wielding enemies, nasty sisters and arrogant men she
could handle. But she couldn't handle this blatant display of unashamed
physical sexuality. She felt a hand tug at her wrist, trying to pull one of
her hands away from her eyes.
"Darien!"
"Aye?"
"Please...just leave it be and dress." whispered Serena with a little
quiver.
"Only if ye put yuir hands down. I'm nae gonna eat ye. And I'm yuir
betrothed. I hardly see the problem in seein' what ye'll be seein' sooner
or later." teased Darien.
Darien resumed tugging at her hand but still, Serena resisted mightily.
"Nae!! Darien! Nae!!" screeched Serena as Darien managed to free one of
her hands from her face.
"Open yuir eyes, little one." coaxed Darien trying to get her to brave her
silly little phobia. Serena shook her head.
"If you dinnae open yuir eyes, how are ye t'tend me wounds in th' future?"
asked Darien teasingly.
The blue eye popped open and stared in front, finding Darien's face in
front of hers.
"See?? 'Tis nae so bad, is it?" chuckled Darien.
"Ach Dhia, dinnae tell me ye're afraid t'look at a man's naked chest,
Serena. Ye always followed papa's orders on that, like a simpering maid
destined for the nunnery. A coward." sneered a voice.
Serena turned to face the voice. It was Moira, a sneer on her face.
"Moira, just because ye're a wanton, doesnae mean everyone else is."
hissed Serena.
Moira gave an unladylike sniff and tossed her head high walking past the
door.
Serena felt her temper flare. She was NOT a simpering maid and she wasn't
a coward! Anger and a certain sad regret welled up in her being towards
her sister. She couldn't understand why Moira had always been mean to her.
Even when they were childen, she had tried so hard to get along with her
sister, but always, her attempts were rebuffed by Moira.
A warm large hand came down to rest on her shoulder. Serena gave a
startled glance behind her shoulder.
Darien's face was warm and smiling. "Ye're nae a coward. Ye're the
bravest most stubborn woman I've ever met. That's hardly what ye would
call a simpering maid now, would ye?" laughed Darien pulling her backwards
into his large frame. His hand slid down to her waist as he held her locked
to him. His head nuzzled her curls.
"Darien..." choked Serena.
"Hmmm?" acknowledged Darien absent mindedly, taking the smell of
wildflowers that clung to her into his lungs.
"Ye'd better get dressed. Lunch is in an hour." replied Serena pulling
away and rushing out of the room, leaving Darien to smile after her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After lunch, Darien was in the stables absent-mindedly brushing his
horse with his good hand.
"What are ye doin' out here??" came a voice.
"Oh, Eamon, Brian, 'tis ye two." said Darien, his head snapping up.
"Aye, who'd ye expect?? A bloody Scots? Hows yuir arm?" asked his brother
concerned.
"Better. Still a bit sore though." winced Darien as he tried to move it.
"Thinkin' aboot the weddin', O'Connor??" grinned Brian winking slightly.
"Dinnae ken how ye'll be able t'live with a hellcat. Me cousin will be
givin' ye a headache. Even when she was a wee one, she prefered t'get int'
mud brawls than learn 'ow t'manage a household. Her mama was always
horrified when she came home head to toe in mud with a triumphant grin on
her face." laughed Brian, a thoughtful look on his face.
"Triumphant?" echoed Eamon.
"Oh aye, when she was young, she managed t'beat me and Rory in mud
brawls." whispered Brian conspiratorially.
Eamon snickered. "When she was a wee thing?? Are ye sure ye're talkin'
aboot the same person? Serena is still tiny as anything."
"Aye."
"Ye must have been a scrawny thing then, if Serena as a babe managed
t'best ye." chuckled Eamon.
"Scrawny!? I'll have ye know O'Monaghan men are never scrawny." protested
Brian heatedly, his chest puffing out in indignation.
Eamon replied in a laughing tone.
Darien turned back to his horse to hide his smile. He sighed as he
listened to his brother bicker good-naturely with Brian.
Darien turned to add his comment when he saw a pale blonde head moving
about behind a haystack.
"Who's there??!" called Darien.
Brian and Eamon stopped and turned their attention to the direction of
Darien's stare.
"Abby??" called Brian.
Abigail O'Monaghan with her pale blonde hair and green eyes stepped out
from behind the haystack.
"What are ye doin' here??" asked Brian in confusion.
"Nothing. I was just wonderin' why the two o' ye came in here. I thought
maybe ye were goin out."
"Ah, nae. We just came t'find Darien. Serena's been lookin' for him."
laughed Brian jokingly.
Darien thought he saw a small frown cross her face, before it returned to
it's usual blank and soulless look. It was so quick, maybe he had imagined
it...
"Ah, doubt she'll miss him for long, Dougal went t'keep her company."
grinned Eamon.
Darien's head turned to Eamon, his blood starting to simmer. Dougal was
with Serena????!!
Abigail shrugged. "I guess I'll go find Moira." said Abigail backing out
and walking off.
Darien turned back to his brother. "Where's Serena??" asked Darien in a
deep menacing voice.
"At th' back near th' woods. She's sittin' on th' swing." answered Eamon
blinking at his brother's tone of voice.
As the three moved towards the back of the Keep, Eamon turned to look at
his brother.
"So, what were ye thinkin' back there in the stables??" asked Eamon.
"Serena and I came t' the conclusion that someone is tryin' t' kill us.
I was tryin' t' think o' any motive for that." answered Darien thoughtful.
Brian's face hardened. "Wait 'till I get me hands on the bastard.
Spineless coward that he is."
Eamon frowned. "Perhaps someone doesnae want our clans t' unite?" he
suggested.
Darien frowned. "Maybe.."
Without realising they had reached the back grounds, Darien merely kept
walking, staring at the ground with a frown on his face. He stopped when
he saw a pair of shapely legs encased in leather breeches.
His eyes shot up and came face to face with Serena staring curiously at
him. A flush came to his face.
"What??" asked Darien.
"Is something botherin' ye?? Ye have that nasty frown on yuir face."
commented Serena brushing back his bangs.
Darien jumped at the sudden contact, surprised at her action. What was
she playing at??
Serena smiled secretly to herself, sure she had unnerved him with her
tender little display. At least baffled him. This was her revenge on him
for forcing her to open her eyes in the room this morning when he was
bare-chested. But she had to admit, he really DID have a nice chest. All
sinewy and well-muscled. Serena chastised herself at her wanton thoughts.
"Darien??"
"What are ye doin' Serena?" asked Darien, frowning, trying to discern her
strange action. Behind Serena, Dougal was chuckling.
"Nothing, Darien. Is it so wrong for a betrothed to show affection?"
Darien's eyebrows snapped together. "Have ye gotten ill over the short
period of time between this morning and now??" asked Darien scrutinizing
her, even going so far as to check her temperature.
"Well, ye're nae burning up. Are ye sure ye're alright lass??"
Dougal burst out laughing.
"This is how I always act, just I never show this disposition to you."
smiled Serena fluttering her lashes in an exaggerated move. Brian snorted.
Serena glared at her cousin.
Dougal chortled and stood by Serena, lifting her hand to his lips.
"Oh aye, Mistress Serena can be fair of disposition, almost as fair as her
face when it suits her." he chortled, placing a kiss on her hand.
Darien gave a little growl in his throat, caught hold of Serena's wrist
with his good hand and pulled her back towards the castle's insides leaving
a confused Dougal who stared after them and a laughing Eamon and Brian.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena couldn't understand what was coming over her. She was beginning to
feel lightheaded and playful at Darien's reaction. She didn't understand
this, so she opted for safety by retreating to familiar ground.
"O'Connor, what are ye doin'??!" exclaimed Serena.
Silence...
"O'Connor!! Stop right now!" ordered Serena.
Darien slid a glance at her before tugging her up to the chambers. He
pulled her into his chamber. Serena felt a cold feeling of nervousness
settle in her stomach. Darien had never looked like this. She frowned.
What was she doing??? She was acting like a frightened babe. The arrogant
cur had no right to make her feel like a child caught doing something
naughty. She was Serena O'Monaghan, daughter of the laird of O'Monaghan
Keep. She was not going to run and hide like some coward. Steeling herself
against whatever was to come, Serena stared at Darien defiantly.
Darien kicked the door shut and pinned the damn aggravating woman against
the door. She was going to make him old before his time. Her eyes were
burning like fire with defiance, the stubborn thrust of her jaw, as she
stared coolly at him, waiting for him to say something. Damn siren.
The enchantress didn't even know what she was doing to him. HE didn't
know what was happening to him, everything was so strange. Only three days
ago, the two of them had been bickering and teasing each other like there
was no tomorrow, and now here he was with these strange feelings. The heat
coursing through his blood. She was like a fever in him.
"Damn witch."
Serena's eyes narrowed at the words. "What??"
He didn't understand what these strange feelings were. The mad insanity
when she smiled at his brother and the strange warmth in his chest when she
smiled at him. From the start, she'd captured his attention and right from
the beginning he'd known this strange warmth in him, and had denied it.
"I said ye're a damn witch. Enchanting every damn kin o' mine." whispered
Darien under his breath as his lips brushed hers. A feathering touch.
Serena felt dizzy and warm. She stared into his eyes, filled with a
strange warmth that turned his midnight eyes almost black. She felt her
staunch defiance slip away, leaving her in this man's arms like putty.
"Why are ye doin' this?? Moira's the beauty, not me." breathed Serena.
She heard a low growl emit from his throat. "Ye're a siren. Moira's
beauty is only skin deep. Yuirs penetrates yuir every pore to yuir soul,
and ye enchanted me, ye damn witch. Right from the beginning." he growled,
speaking against her lips.
Serena blinked at him. The beginning?? "Darien?"
"That morning by the stream, ye looked like a druid priestess. Beautiful
and immortal."
Serena's lips turned up in a smile. "A druid priestess?? If I was one,
I wouldnae be able t' marry."
Darien leaned back to look at her. "Thank God, ye're nae." he laughed.
"Why'd ye bring me up here, Darien?" asked Serena with a sigh of defeat,
letting his eyes sweep away the last vestiges of the stubborn pride she had
tried to hold onto.
"The truth, lass?" asked Darien sheepishly.
Serena nodded.
"T'get ye away from Dougal."
"From Dougal???!"
"Aye, me brother is besotted with ye." said Darien in a frown.
Serena shook her head. "He isnae."
"He is. Ye can see it in his eyes."
Serena almost laughed in disbelief. Darien was jealous?? Or was he merely
possessive?? She should have been flattered, but she thought it irrational.
"Ye're being idiotic. Like the arrogant boor ye are."
Darien snorted. "But I'll be yuir arrogant boor soon. And cur, and lecher,
and degenerate rogue, as well as your womanizing debaucher." grinned Darien
teasingly.
Serena's face turned red.
Darien laughed.
"'Tis nae funny, ye insensitive knave." snapped Serena as she thumped his
good shoulder.
"Ah, I'm insensitive now too. I shall try unduly to improve on me black
reputation then, wee one." chuckled Darien as he pressed a kiss to her
forehead and released her from the door.
Stepping away, Darien tugged her away from the door and opened it,
stepping out.
Serena could only stare at it in a daze as his head popped back in,
wearing a wolfish smile.
"Remember, don't encourage me brother's attentions." grinned Darien as
he closed the door, when Serena threw a pillow at him, hitting the door with
a thump.
"Arrogant ass."
"Ye'll make me ears bleed, lass." came a singsong voice behind the door,
before she heard laughter and footsteps echoing down the stone corridor.
"Damn pig stickin' arse."
She didn't know why, but Darien O'Connor's words had made her heart turn
over leaving her with a melting sensation.
Darien leaned back against the stone wall, a few feet away from his room.
Slowly, he released his breath. He didn't know what had come over him.
Dragging Serena off like that to his room and saying all those words to her.
She, perhaps brought out the childishness in him that he'd never experienced
around anyone else. She was dangerous.
And he'd come damn close to ravishing her then and there. Damn siren.
"O'Connor, ye're goin' daft."
In the shadows, lips curled into a sneer of disgust.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was two weeks later when the lairds of the O'Connor and the
O'Monaghan clan returned.
O'Connor hadn't been happy to hear about the recent attack on Darien. He
had delivered a severe scolding towards his three sons on responsibility
and their duty to report the incident to him, which they had failed to do.
"And Darien, I thought ye'd have more common sense. These attacks on ye
and the O'Monaghan's lass, 'tis a serious matter, nothin' t'joke aboot.
Certainly nae a matter t'simply brush aside and pretend it dinnae happen."
chastised Cormac O'Connor. "I willnae be around for very much more lad, but
how can I die in peace if ye cannae tell between somethin' important and
important??" sighed Cormac rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"Da, it wasnae as if I was at death's door. I dinnae want ye t'half kill
yeself tryin' t'get back here. I'm a grown man, Da." sighed Darien.
"What I say we should do now, is get the weddin' underway as quick as
possible." suggested Donnell O'Monaghan.
"Papa..." hissed Serena.
"I agree." came Darien's calm voice.
Serena's head swung to meet Darien's unblinking gaze. He was staring at
her like a predator, waiting to pounce. A shiver went down her spine. His
gaze could have rivalled any Irish wolf.
"'Tis settled then, ye and Serena will be wed in a week's time." said
Serena's father clapping Darien on the shoulder. "She'll be a handful lad,
bear with her. Or I'll make sure ye regret it."
"PAPA!!" choked Serena in outrage.
Darien merely grinned. "O' course."
Serena left with Darien, she glared at him. "Why'd ye agree with me Da?
'Tis already quick enough as it is." snapped Serena.
"I would rather have us married before one of us gets killed and I have
t'wed yuir sister, Moira." said Darien in a teasing tone.
"Ye're implyin' I could be th' one t'die first!! And what's wrong with
Moira?? She's beautiful enough and plenty o'men have tried t'win her hand."
exclaimed Serena, feeling obliged to stand up for her sister, even if they
weren't very close to each other.
Darien's hand caught hold of hers and his thumb pad began slow feathering
strokes on the pulse of her wrist, soothing her ruffled feathers and
irritation at him. He smiled charmingly.
"Enough, ye doonae need t'hiss and spit at me like an angry kitten, lass.
I am merely teasing you." explained Darien in such a soothing tone, her
heart did a queer somersault.
Serena tugged at her hand, and freed it from his grasp, lifting her nose
into the air and sweeping past him. Darien kept to her pace easily, his
frame just behind hers in a possessive gesture. Serena tried not to feel
loved and protected. She didn't need protection!! She was capable at
defending herself. She didn't need any man to cower and simper behind.
She was a warrior! She wasn't going to faint with the vapours.
Darien grinned at her straight errect frame, she was so tense, like a
bow string. She didn't like his protective streak.
*Well, tough! I'm goin' t'be like this, whether ye like it or nae, lass.*
thought Darien to himself. The strange feelings had been growing. The
curious affection like a warmth in his soul. He didn't want to give a name
to the feeling yet. It was just too overwhelming and dangerous.
The two walked until they reached a grove of trees where they stopped.
Both froze as they heard a noise coming from beyond the trees.
"Darien?" whispered Serena.
"Shh, aye little one. I heard it too." replied Darien in an equally low
tone.
Moving closer to the bushes, the pair strained to hear whatever the noise
was. They heard two voices. A man and a woman's. Familiar, but Serena could
not place them.
Creeping closer, Darien parted leaves to catch a glimpse of whoever the
pair were. As they got closer, they heard the conversation taking place...
"Doonae turn from me, lass..."
"Why did ye ask me out here?" asked the woman.
"'Tis strange how much two weeks can change something."
"Aye. If ye have somethin' t'say, speak it now or allow me t'leave."
pleaded the woman softly.
"I love ye, lass..."
There was silence for a moment. Then, the feminine voice spoke
tentatively. Afraid.
"Sweet Saints, I love ye too. I dinnae think ye'd feel the same." sobbed
the woman.
"I'm the one with eveythin' t'fear, love." groaned the man.
Serena glimpsed two shadows, the man was holding onto the woman's hand.
Slowly, the woman moved closer to the man and lay her head on his chest.
The man's head bent down in a tender gesture.
Darien sighed and pulled Serena quietly away.
"'Twas merely two lovers." he sighed when they were a good distance away.
"Aye, but I cannae help thinkin' their voices sounded familiar." frowned
Serena trying to place them.
Darien frowned. "Now that ye mention it, I too found them familiar. Mayhap
'tis someone close t'us??" suggested Darien.
Serena looked up at Darien. "Mayhap. But I know of none close to me who
are in love."
"Neither do I." replied Darien with a shrug.
Serena turned and headed back towards the castle.
"Where are ye going?" called Darien retracing his steps and following her.
"I decided I wanted to go for a ride." snapped Serena irritated. "Ye're
nae me keeper, Darien. I doonae need t'tell ye everythin'.'
"Ah, but I'm yuir future husband." pointed out Darien almost gleefully
with a hint of amusement in his voice. "Also, I'd hardly be a man if I were
to let ye go out for a night ride without protection."
"Shut up. Go get yeself sotted." hissed Serena.
"Oh, I will at me wedding day." replied Darien smoothly.
"And ye can go sleep in the pigsty like a drunk ass." snapped Serena.
"Oh, I willnae be drunk. I'll be sotted on ye." grinned Darien
shamelessly. Serena's face flushed.
"Leave me alone, ye..ye..ye nightmare from hell."
"Ye have such a foul language, lady. But curiously, your lips are as
sweet as the nectar on flowers."
Serena increased her pace as she heard his deep laughter that turned her
insides to jelly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena changed into a pair of her breeches, took up her sword and went
down to the stables. Darien was already waiting for her, their horses
saddled.
"Who invited ye??" asked Serena, her eyes glaring at him.
"Why, if ye go down, I'll go down with ye. I wouldnae want t'marry Moira,
lass. She may have beauty, but she hasn't yuir wit."
Serena felt proud suddenly. Wanted to preen. But that was more Moira and
Abigail's forte. Not hers. She pushed the flattered part of herself down
and swung herself up onto her horse.
"Alright, ye may come. But keep that beast, ye call a horse away from my
mare." snapped Serena noticing the skittishness of her horse.
"He's a stallion, little one. Ye cannae blame him when 'tis his instinct.
That wouldnae be fair." smiled Darien silkily.
Serena glared at him. "Stop it."
As she walked past, Darien smiled inwardly as he heard her mutter.
"Men are all babies." muttered Serena under her breath.
Darien merely grinned and mounted his horse as Serena sped off on hers.
For the first time in his life, he felt a curious sense of belonging and
overwhelming childish amusement at his actions towards Serena.
It was a comfortable and warm feeling pooling in the pit of his belly.
He felt....complete and alive.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued...
Email me!! And those on FF.net I thank you for your patience in this
story!! Give me some incentive to continue this story. :p Sorry I take
so long to come out with my chapters. :p
Cause I'm feeling kind of lonely right now. Lazy too. *Just wanna watch
anime. :P *
20/4/02