Sonnet 1 & 154

She opened her eyes to the soft beam of light escaping through the curtains of her room. The bar of shining evil was centered on her left eye and she hid her face in the chest before her.

"From fairest creatures we desire increase, That thereby beauty's rose might never die," A broad hand slid down her shoulder over her side, gliding down the slope of her waist and up the gentle curve of her hip. She closed her eyes as goose bumps rose on her skin. "But as the riper should by time decease, His tender heir might bear his memory:" his voice sent her heart pounding.

"Shakespeare's First Sonnet," she whispered as his lips met her neck.

"I thought it appropriate," he replied, letting his mouth roam over her jaw. "But thou, contracted to thine own bright eyes, Feed'st thy light'st flame with self-substantial fuel," he purred as she slid her arms around his neck, toying with the little piece of hair on the nape of his neck.

"Xerxes," he caught her mouth with his, silencing her. "Making a famine where abundance lies, Thyself thy foe, to thy sweet self too cruel." Her breath caught in her throat as he slid a teasing finger down her spine, nudging her closer to him.

"Thou that art now the world's fresh ornament and only herald to the gaudy spring," he nibbled her ear playfully.

"Shakespeare this early in the morning is a terrible thing," she caught his kiss this time, bracing her hands against his face as he tried to deepen it.

"Because he's as potent as Lord Byron?" He stroked the side of her face with his knuckles. "Are you going to finish it or shall I?"

"Within thine own bud buriest thy content and, tender churl, makest waste in niggarding." She touched their noses together. "Pity the world, or else this glutton be, to eat the world's due, by the grave and thee." Shewhispered as he captured her lips with his.

The little Love-god lying once asleep

Laid by his side his heart-inflaming brand,

Sonnet 154, he thought to himself as he pulled up the covers over her shoulder as she slept soundly. He tucked her in lovingly as she stirred in her sleep, snuggling into the warm spot he had left. He smiled, stroking her hair back from her face as he fastened his jacket around his neck.

Whilst many nymphs that vow'd chaste life to keep

Came tripping by; but in her maiden hand

The fairest votary took up that fire

"Why are you leaving?" She asked groggily.

"Leaving, milady?" He looked over at her as he carried his shoes to the door.

"Yes, you're leaving, I'm not stupid, Break." She sat up and he watched her, pursing his lips as she watched him in return.

Which many legions of true hearts had warm'd;

And so the general of hot desire

Was sleeping by a virgin hand disarm'd.

"Well I figured that you were tired, after all, you were sleeping until a moment ago." He responded.

"Xerxes, I love you." She whispered and he nodded his head.

"I know, milady, you remind me often of the love I don't deserve." He lowered his head.

"Why can't you love me?" She asked softly, her nightdress was rumpled from sleep, and from snuggling.

"Because that would be improper, milady, you're going to be married at some point, I shan't ruin you for your husband." His eye darkened.

"But, Xerxes," there was a touch of pleading in her voice.

This brand she quenched in a cool well by,

Which from Love's fire took heat perpetual,

He shook his head. "We're not going to talk about this, the matter is settled."

"Making love to me wouldn't be so bad… would it?" His fingers itched to touch her, he knew all too well, why else didn't he refuse her advances… why else didn't he stop himself from letting his hands roam?

"Milady, you shouldn't speak like that," he could feel the testosterone in his bloodstream though, the blood pounding through his heart as she watched him with those seductress eyes.

Growing a bath and healthful remedy

For men diseased; but I, my mistress' thrall,

"I want to, I want you." She replied, her voice low.

"Lady Shalon, you don't know what want is," he did though, he knew because it was the feeling running through his veins at the very moment… the need to grant her wish, to take her for his own. "I will see you at breakfast, milady." He bowed low and turned from the room, shutting the door behind him and leaning against his heavily as he heard her break down. He closed his eye tightly.

Came there for cure, and this by that I prove,

Love's fire heats water, water cools not love.