Feeling his chest next to her cheek did nothing for her insomnia. She had slept very little, harsh words still crossing her mind from the previous day's events. Clarisse had not moved in his arms, though turmoil tossed and turned in her head. The only peace she knew was resting on him. Even as he slept, Joseph gave her the security and affection she so desperately needed from him. Clinging to him was all she ever needed.

Without even thinking, her body took over. Her lips touched his chest, slowly, softly, and warmly. First once, and then again. Again and again, until she marked a trail to his neck. Burying her face, Clarisse tugged at his skin, nipping away until he stirred beneath her.

Waking to a warm sensation such as this must be illegal. Hell, it was. Yet it was the best of everything, the only true feelings he had ever had came to him from her. She gave them to him openly, and here she was the law. Clarisse Renaldi made him above the law.

Holding her tightly, he gave in to his passion, to her passion. He met her wet lips, cradling them between his own. All thoughts to the outside world vanished as they came alive, digging deeper into each other's soul. Joseph feasted on her mouth, diving deeper and deeper, claiming her treasures for him alone. The warm, slick flesh inside her tickled him, and raised his passion once again, to another level he thought not possible. Yet, it was. Joseph was here, yearning for even more from her once again.

The slightest movement of her hips sent shock waves through him. Joseph pulled her up, resting her directly on top of him. He knew not how long he could stand this, but the sensations she gave him were much too strong to abandon. Feeling her hips, his strong hands began moving them as he tightened his grip. He closed his eyes and settled into her, drowning out everything but Clarisse. She was moaning his name in between the short, quick breaths she drew. Her chest rose and fell unevenly on his, and her stomach even more so with the deepening of her breathing. Her hands had tightened also, from gentle touches to painful squeezes and pinches. Even the rubbing of their legs together made the most beautiful music. Overwhelmingly so, they all travelled the same route inside him; to his head, and from there straight to eternity.

Outside the snow began a massive assault on the ground. From inside the night looked dark and still, and very quiet. Almost in an eerie sort of way. Inside, however, the fire still burned brightly, shading and warming the entire room. The logs would crackle under the heat, while low murmurs and soft moans echoed from the opposite end of the room. The large brass bed, accented with a beautiful lace canopy, softly shook, almost rocking with the rhythm of its' inhabitants.

"Only Snow White has skin so fair.." he whispered into her ear, lazily nuzzling into the side of her neck. He smiled as she shook with laughter. "You think that's funny? It's true, you know. You were born to be a Queen."

"Oh?" was all she managed to say.

"Um hum. I know what you think of the circumstances, what we both think of them, but you were made to be Queen, Clarisse. Not just because you're beautiful, but because you possess the most valuable of qualities inside. You are intelligent, patient, loving, compassionate, and very strong willed." In the dim light of the fire, he found her lips once more, gently placing a soft kiss upon them.

"It sounds so much like a dream coming from you."

"Oh this is no dream love, a fairy tale maybe, but no dream." Joseph squeezed her in his arms. "Now, get some sleep."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

During the night the snow had accumulated, massing around the outside of the windows and doors. Joseph stared out the window in the nook of the kitchen, sipping his coffee. It had been only one day ago when he had laid her on that white blanket, and as good as it felt, it gave him a mixture of emotions now. Taking another sip, he warmed his hands on the cup, thinking how cold his King was to them. They had yet to really discuss the issue at hand. True, they had talked, but the words said amounted to their desires, not what, in reality, they would get.

Joseph was use to being in control; in control of his life, his surroundings, his emotions. In one day he was sure he had lost all that. So he left her sleeping soundly earlier, and made himself a pot of coffee. Coffee helped him think, or so he had always branded it to. It warmed him this morning, and that was enough, for after leaving her side he felt cold. Though he was sure the chill came from someplace other than the winter outside.

He couldn't ask her to leave. He was right last night when he told her she was meant to be Queen. She was. That was not an option, as much as his heart longed for it to be. Joseph couldn't be sure if he would ever see her again, although he had suspicion she would make sure he still held his position once they returned. Where did the boys fit in, if at all, in this?

The steam from the coffee filled his nostrils. Sipping once more, he managed a small smile at the sound of her footsteps behind him. "Good morning."

"Good morning," she said, kissing his cheek from behind. "You're up early." The worry in her voice was evident. She slid in the chair next to him, reaching her hand out to meet with his. "I can, you know." He looked at her, silently questioning her meaning. "Rupert. I can keep him out of my bed." Her tone was full of confidence, yet it lacked in her eyes.

"Yes, you can. But Clarisse, at what cost?"

"I...I don't know. You know I have no idea how Rupert will take to this once we return." She hung her head, watching him fiddle with her fingers. "He isn't really a bad person, you know that."

"I know how he took it when he saw us together, and I know he meant every word he said Clarisse. I've been thinking about it all morning. It's the only time in my life I have ever been out of control."

"Joseph, I'm sorry." Her apology hit him hard. She had, or would never, assume it to be her fault.

"Clarisse, like you said, I chose to be here. I just have to figure out where 'here' is."

"What do you mean?" She looked to him, knowing his thoughts were deep.

"I came out here early this morning hoping to come up with some sort of a solution...something, anything...that would secure our future together."

"And?"

"You're not going to like what I have to say." Clarisse nodded her head, either in agreement or for him to continue, which she wasn't sure.

"Out there in the snow...Clarisse I've never wanted to kill anyone before...not until he spoke to you like that; not until he threatened to take you away from me." Joseph finished the last sip, sat the cup down heavily, and exhaled as if in pure exhaustion.

Clarisse didn't, or couldn't, look at him. Giving herself time to answer, she excused herself, needing her morning tea. She wasn't accustomed to waiting on herself, but this morning was grateful to. She watched him still sitting, not moving, just staring out the ice-encrusted windows. As she poured, her hands began shaking. He had been serious. Without a doubt, Joseph would kill for her. It scared her. Whether because of who he wanted to kill, or because of the powerful love he had for her, she didn't know. After wiping the mess, she took a deep breath and walked back over to him. She pulled her chair closer to his, and sat with her tea in hand.

"I was angry yesterday with him, as angry as I've ever been, Joseph. I'm still angry." She stopped to inhale the aroma meandering in the air. "Joseph, after I speak, I want to hear of this no more." He didn't look at her, he was still transfixed on the ice crystals frozen on the windows. "I love you wholeheartedly, and I hope you understand what I am about to say." This time he lifted his face to hers. She cupped his cheeks with her hands, warmed from her teacup. "Joseph, I know you are serious, and it touches me deeply that you are honest with me. I am his wife, Joseph, and I am his Queen. If something were to happen, I cannot know. I don't want to know..." She hung her head, feeling suddenly heavy with her words. "We may not love each other, but we do have a life together. I cannot just pretend it doesn't exist. I do not wish him dead, nor would I wish death upon anyone. Joseph, if something were to ever happen...please do not let me find out..." She could not finish, but knew she had gotten her point across. Her hands fell from his face. He watched her get up, taking her tea with her. Her words had hit him, where he didn't exactly know.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Since their morning conversation Joseph had been quiet, tip-toeing around her whenever she was near. It's not that he was afraid to speak with her, he just wasn't sure at what to say. The words he spoke earlier had been heavy ones, and although their sounds had long passed, they still weighed the air above them heavy. So Joseph had busied himself about the winter resort, shovelling snow for the most part of the morning. It made him feel better, giving an outlet to most of his frustrations. When finally he allowed himself to re-enter, it had been well past noon and he was literally frozen.

Clarisse had watched him work, chiding herself for not making him come in sooner. When she heard the back door shut, she made for the kitchen, preparing to scold him for staying out so long in the freezing mountain winter wind.

"Joseph, really! You are acting like..." she cut herself off, seeing the ice that had froze to his face. He was white, almost a bluish tint, behind his facial hair which done little to keep his face warm. He didn't move, and she wasn't altogether certain he could. Quickly thinking, she fired the range on high to heat the water in the kettle. Touching his cheek, she realized she had been right. His body was in shock from the cold, and she wondered just how he managed to even come inside. Tugging at his outer winter wear, Clarisse let it fall to the floor, not caring that it would puddle water once it thawed. Right now the material was stiff and hard to move, and had to come off.

"For the love of...I really don't know why you let yourself get like this." She had to say something, hoping it would bring him around, give her some idea as to how badly the hypothermia was. When he didn't answer, she kept speaking to him, not really angry, but more in a motherly way.

"You are so cold, Joseph. I'm heating water for coffee, and as soon as I get you out of these cold clothes, we are going to get you by the fire." This time he managed a slight nod to her, though his body trembled. She stripped him down, knowing he had sweat so much while working that it had eventually turned to ice next to his skin. She had been right. Standing completely naked in the kitchen before her now, she slipped off her jacket, covering his shoulders. It wasn't much at all, but it was all she had until she got him to the sofa.

It had taken several minutes for him to walk through to the large den. Clarisse had guided him in, then took what strength she didn't know she had, and pushed the large sofa ever closer to the fire. "When I get you thawed, Joseph, I'm going to really let you have it," sounding angry now. She let him fall on the soft satin cushions, covering his body with the afghan she kept there for herself. "I'm going upstairs to get more blankets, and then I'll fix you some coffee." His eyes closed, and he still trembled uncontrollably under the cover.

"The water's warm, come in with me." The smile on her face was brighter than the summer sun. Joseph slipped off his clothes, dropping them on the sand beside hers. Indeed, the water was warm, and he felt a rush of heat as she slid her arms around his neck.

"I love you, Joseph. I've never been happier than I am now, here with you. We were right to leave, and I'll never regret it. No one will ever find us here." Looking deep into his eyes, she swept her lips across his, and allowed him to catch her. Soft, warm, and oh, so sensual were his touches. His hands ran along her naked body, floating in the warm current off the eastwardly coast of Australia.

"Joseph, tell me about forever." Clarisse loved the words he spoke to her, and they were heavenly coming from his lips.

"Again?" He already knew the answer even before she nodded. He drew her body closer to his before he spoke. "Forever. We will be together forever, whether here on Earth, or in heaven. Forever I will love you. I will love you with all that I am, with all that I have, and with all that is given me. Forever will be like today, like now. You and I together. There is no force great enough to rip us apart or to destroy our love. It is a love so binding, for it grows so deep within our souls only God himself could have planted it. Sometimes I feel it to be so heavy, and yet I know that I cannot carry it alone, nor you. We must be together. You and I. Clarisse and Joseph. Forever." He rested his head on her shoulder, barely covered with water as the waves washed over her. "I love you, Clarisse. I love you Clarisse. I love you Clarisse..."

"Joseph, Joseph," she said, shaking him gently, relieved that he was talking now, even if in his dreams. "Sweetheart, I have coffee, you need to drink it."

He heard her words, though still slightly in a daze. Flickering his eyes open, falling upon the flames, Joseph thought to himself how real it had been. His vision coming clear now, he looked to her, sitting on the edge of the sofa, next to him. She held a cup, offering it to him. He nodded, sliding himself up to a half-sitting position, while noticing the pile of blankets she must have wrapped him in earlier.

"Can you hold it yourself now?" Her words were soft, and still full of concern.

"Yeah, I believe so." He nodded to her, accepting the steaming cup.

"Careful, it's scolding." Clarisse felt more at ease at hearing him finally speak. She watched him sip the coffee, holding her hand close to it, afraid of it spilling. "I was worried. I still am a little," watching his hands shake a little.

"I'll be fine, but thank you, for...for everything." Joseph sipped again, feeling the coffee heat his insides.

"I'm not going to say anything, I think you know how stupid that little trick was. Besides, I understand." She took her hand now, cupping his cheek, noting the warmth that had come back in it. "I love you."

"I love you too." Looking much better, and feeling relatively back to normal, he smiled at her. All the tension from earlier now gone, vanished with the ice that clung to him not so long ago.

Their naked bodies lay together, crowded on the sofa, but in complete harmony. He had loved her there, needing her warmth, but most of all her affection. It was quiet, the only sounds were the crackling of the logs under the immense heat of the fire before them. Joseph lay behind her, holding her close, together watching the flames as his head rested on hers.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

The antique grandfather chimed seven long tolls. They had awoke an hour ago to the minute now. Clarisse and Joseph sat cuddled together, sharing a large bowl of soup, wrapped up once again in front of the fire.

"Joseph?"

"Hmm?" He let her slip the spoon past his lips.

"You said you loved me?"

"Yes. I do."

"No, I mean earlier when you were still frozen, here on the sofa, dreaming I believe." She tried to explain to him her question.

"I was dreaming." He remembered it so well. "We ran away together."

"You think that was sensible?"

"No, no I don't. It was a dream," he stated, stressing it. "It's something I will remember though, and I hope to dream about more often." Joseph kissed the side of her head, knowing she understood. "Clarisse, can I ask you something?" She looked to him, sipping the soup from the spoon.
"Of course."

"I've been at the palace awhile now, and I'm probably closer to you than any other. I know you don't like to talk about your family, I mean the family you grew up with. I know you have sisters, but they never visit." Clarisse was nodding now, knowing exactly what he was getting at. She closed her eyes for a second or two, willing the right words to come to her.

"Well, you know my mother past away then," looking to him for acknowledgment. When he nodded, she continued. "I was 12 at the time, the youngest of three, all girls. I remember some of her, I remember life was different then. It was good, we were happy. My father was in Parliament, he changed after she died. I'm not sure why or how, but he did. He was always so full of anger. I think he took allot of it out on us." She stopped, staring into the fire as Joseph took her hand for support. "Did you know that I was not suppose to marry Rupert? It was suppose to be my oldest sister. It was she that my father arranged to marry the prince."

"What happened?" Joseph was intrigued.

"Well, in a nutshell, Rupert refused to marry her because he said she was ugly."

"Ugly? How could anyone related to you be ugly?"

"Ha. I don't think it was so much that as the fact that Rupert didn't like her, or my other sister for that matter. They were spoiled brats, to say the least." Joseph nodded his head in understanding.

"So he chose to marry you?"

"It wasn't that easy. My father had other plans for me, what I'm still not sure of to this day. All I know is that he didn't want me marrying into the royal family for some reason. He was insistent that the Prince marry one of my sisters. Well, the whole thing was kept quiet, although most of the country knew that they were looking for a princess for Rupert. It was during a ball one night that things really started to change." She looked to Joseph before continuing. "Father had made an agreement with the King, and my oldest sister was to marry Rupert. It would be announced in the months to follow. However that night, she did something terrible. Apparently they were made to get to know each other because they were going to be married. They started arguing. Rupert said they were arguing over me. He told Victoria that she would never be as beautiful as I was, and the words became heated and my sister ended up slapping Rupert right there in the ballroom."

"She hit him?" Joseph questioned, knowing the consequences for such an action.

"Yes. However since they were practically engaged, my father somehow managed to talk the King out of any real punishment, well from them anyway. It ended the future engagement, and later that night, or early morning it was when my father finally came home, he whipped her. It was the first time he ever hit any of us. I remember lying awake in bed, hearing him yelling as he came in. His footsteps pounded on the stairs, and the next thing I heard were the strapping sounds coming from across the hall, followed by my sister's screams." Clarisse stopped, taking a deep breath, leaning against him as he finished with their dinner.

"So then you became the Prince's...?"

"No, there's more."

"Please, go on," Joseph gave her a soft look, supporting her in her efforts to unleash her past.

"The next morning at breakfast I wasn't surprised to hear my father announce that my other sister, Rosa, was to marry Rupert. She was all excited about becoming royalty. I remember her bragging about it for days after that. I didn't care, well not much. I mean, I had met Rupert, and he and I had become friends. I liked being at the palace and having the best of everything handed to you. What girl wouldn't? I was more anxious to know what my father had planned for me. I had asked, and all he ever replied was 'In due time, Clarisse.'"

"Must have been hard, not knowing.."

"Yes, it was. I guess I had got into the habit of asking him too many times, because the next, and last, time I asked, it was then that he lost his patience with me. I was the one letting out screams that night as he whipped me." Joseph pulled her closer, holding her tightly against him.

"He whipped you too?" Joseph managed to choke out through the anger boiling inside him.

"Oh yes, that was the first of many. I'll never forget it though. He used one of my grandfather's canes. Well, back to the story. My father sent Victoria away, to England, to a boarding school. She was lucky. She hated me, and I always envied her for getting away from father."

"And Rosa?"

"My other sister was, well, popular with the boys, so to speak. My father never knew this, and had put everything into having Rosa wed to Rupert. One day while at the palace, I was spending time walking the grounds while father was in a meeting. Rupert and I began walking and talking together, and I let it slip; about Rosa being with other boys. I really didn't mean to, it just came out. Rupert and I had became good friends, we talked about everything. It was natural to tell him what was on my mind. That day, Rosa was. Needless to say, Rupert used it, hoping to get out of marrying her."

"He wanted you?"

"No, he had another on his mind. I can't say how he really felt about her, but I knew from the way he spoke about her that he wanted her very much. Yet, Rupert's parents refused because she was not a "proper" girl."

"Hmm." Joseph mumbled, surely knowing what she meant.

"When my father was confronted about Rosa, well, of course he denied it. Then it was ordered that a doctor must examine her."

"Of course."

"So the royal physician was called, and in less than a few minutes my father's plans and dignity blew out with the wind. My father spent two days in his office. When he finally did come out, it was to whip us, both of us. Rosa for being "loose" as he termed it, and me for spilling it to Rupert in the first place."

"Did he send Rosa away too?"

"No, well yes. He sent her to a school for wayward girls, it use to be not far from here. So she was close to home, close enough for father to reach when he became angry again. Needless to say I ruined another relationship with a sister."

"You shouldn't blame yourself, not everything was your fault, the way I see it." Joseph kissed her again, making sure he touched her lips this time. "Tell me the rest?" She nodded.

"Several months later my father and I were called before the royal family. I had never been 'called' upon, and was quite nervous, but almost knew what it meant. I was right. My father was informed that if he accepted the proposal and if for any reason I became "unsuitable" to marry Rupert, then he would lose his position in Parliament, his wealth, and be imprisoned."

"Imprisoned?" Joseph questioned.

"Yes. However, if I did marry Rupert, he would be 'rewarded greatly'. That's how it was termed, but what exactly it meant I never knew. So my father once more agreed. When we got home, he sat me in his office, closing the doors and locking them, making sure none of the staff were looming about. His words were harsh and cold. I remember. He was threatening me. I can't quite remember the words he used, or even some of what he said, but I can still hear the tone he used. From then on I was hardly ever alone. I was forced to...well whatever I did I was forced into. From ballet to speech classes, tea with the Queen. I was even forced to keep quiet most of the time. Needless to say, I rebelled, but that got me nothing but that damn cane again. He always found reasons to use it anyway. My father was set on having me marry Rupert now. I was the last chance for him...and it happened." Clarisse felt lighter, having opened up to him. She had never told anyone, and it had buried itself in her heart. Now it was free.

"Where did that question come from?" Clarisse wondered aloud.

"I just wanted to know how it all came about. The staff talk, you know, and your life before you came to the palace is really unknown to them. Some talk, gossip mostly, the stories changing like the phases of the moon. Someone once asked you about your family, I remember, it was at a formal dinner. You said very little, and what you did say was vague. Then you politely excused yourself. That's when I knew it had to be painful for you." Joseph watched her expression change.

"Yes, I've hid it all these years, only Rupert knew the truth. I believe the only reason he kept quiet about it was because it embarrassed him as well."

"Where's your father now, Clarisse?"

"Dead. I know I shouldn't sound like that, not about my own father, but I do. I'm glad he is. He lived to see my wedding, and a few weeks later died of a stroke. I was happy he didn't live long enough to enjoy his 'reward'." She looked to him for assurance that it was okay to feel that way.

Sure enough, he gave it to her.

"You've never heard from your sisters?"

"No. I have no idea where either of them are, if they are even still alive. If I did, it wouldn't matter. It would be too awkward. I'd like to know them, don't get me wrong, but a lot has passed between us, too much I'm sure for a relationship to be possible." Clarisse shifted her position, making herself more comfortable in his arms. He had warmed completely, and now felt rather hot against her.

"It's your turn." Clarisse looked to him.

"My turn?" Joseph nuzzled her neck.

"Mmm, as good as that feels, it's not getting you off the hook." She sighed at the feelings he aroused in her.

"My turn for what?"

"Tell me a story, about you. Something you've hid from everyone." Her words were soft and they floated through him.

"How do you know there's something?"

"Everyone has something..." She was right. He nodded, taking in a deep breath, and began.

We hoped you liked it, leave a little review please.

Yours,

The Authors