Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas

Proteus-29/OC(Rosa-25)

Sinbad-28/Marina-27

Kale-34/Ayn-26(Pronounced Ann)

Crazy For Feeling

Part Two

Contentment; Found in wanting what you have, not having what you want.

The next day Proteus took her on a tour of the city. They explored the entire city together had discussed every subject from subjects about the original architecture to local cuisine, and politics. It was nearing dark, and they were on their way back to the castle, when we passed a local party gathering outside, under a large tent. They had music and dancing and were generally having a good time. Rosa excited for the first time since her arrival, stopped the carriage. Grabbing on to Proteus' hand and dragged him towards the tent, saying excitedly,

"Let's dance! I haven't gotten to in ages!" Laughing like a small child, she pulled them onto the dance floor. They danced together through several upbeat songs her good mood was infectious and soon Proteus was laughing happily right along with her.

When a slow song started, Proteus pulled her closer into a waltz without thinking. His face was flushed and his eyes were laughing merrily. Rose's stomach began to flutter with butterflies, a strange tingle starting between her legs. She was breathless, the entire dance.

When the song ended Proteus head tilted down, and his lips brushed hers gently. Her breathing hitched momentarily. He pulled away slightly, and Rosa bit her bottom lip. Proteus's arm moved around her waist, surprised, she stiffened.

Afraid he had offended her, he started to move away. She stopped him by holding him still against her.

"Its okay. You just surprised me... I don't mind." The next song started another slow, romantic melody. And hesitatingly, still amazed at her forwardness of the move. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body into his. They stood there, swaying in place not really dancing just enjoying the comfort that holding each other brought. Her fingers began to thread gently through his long hair. Proteus leaned into the touch, resting his for had against hers.

"My father says as I should cut it." The older man said quietly.

"Why? I like long hair on man." He smiled gently at her comment.

"Truly?" Rosa nodded, blushing.

"I always thought it was kind of... sexy." She turned her head away, embarrassed. Proteus's hand cupped her chin, encouraging her to look at him. They locked eyes for several long moments, those intense dark blue eyes of his boring into her.

-----o0o-----

The moment was broken when a new song started, very loud and upbeat. Proteus's larger hand slid into hers, and he led her back to the carriage. After telling the driver to take them home, he pulled Rosa into his arms her head resting on her shoulder. Unsuccessfully trying to stifle a yawn. She snuggled into his body, comfortably. Within minutes, despite the bumpy road she sound was asleep.

Proteus looked down at her amazed that she could look so child-like curled in his arms. They had discussed many things that day and Proteus now knew that they had very much in common from similar interests, to their views on political policies. Rosa was a very strong minded woman, very much set in her ideals. About how the world should work. And she had several very good ideas when it came to helping the poor, the old and mentally handicapped. She even had a sound idea for children who had been orphaned, or women whose husbands had died or left them; while pregnant, or with children to support.

And she gave these ideas to him freely without asking for credit or seemingly wanting anything in return. The subject of children had, in fact been brought up by Proteus. Most of the previous 'potentials' hadn't wanted anything to do with children. Besides the "obligatory" heir they would have to bare him. Because his mother had died when he was very young. Proteus had always wished he'd had brothers or sisters. And that longing carried over into his adult life, causing him to want a large family. So, marrying a woman who didn't like children was something he did not want to do.

When he'd brought up the subject, Rosa had looked thoughtful for several moments before smiling to herself, and saying, 'I'm not sure. I like children, I used to babysit for our neighbors a lot when I was younger. But there are times, mostly, while I was babysitting when I was absolutely sure that I didn't want any children at all. And I was sure I was never going to breed. And then...' sweetest looking smile come over her face then. And when she looked at him, and almost had taken his breath away. 'There are times you want as many children is physically possible, at least eight or nine.' She had laughed at his stunned look. Then a slightly impish look had come over her face.

"What's wrong? Not up to the job?" She then looked horrified at what she'd said and had blushed right down to the roots of her hair.

Proteus came out of his musing for a moment to watch Rosa sleep. He pushed away a few strands of hair that had fallen into her face. She whimpered slightly in her sleep but leaned into the touch.

Proteus frowned, her reactions to him puzzled him. At first, she would resist being touched, but once he had, she melted. On the one hand it seemed she hated to be touched, and on the other she needed it more than anything in the world. But whether someone had abused her physically or more Proteus was unsure.

It hadn't yet been two days and already he felt incredibly... attached to this woman. In the emotional sense of the word. Though physically as well, she made him ache, Proteus didn't think he even had wanted Marina as badly as he wanted this woman physically.

Just thinking about it got him aroused. And the fact that Rosa's warm body was now pressed against his didn't help one bit. He shifted uncomfortably trying to get some room. Unfortunately, this made Rosa not want to lose her heat source/pillow her hands grasped at his chest, trying to pull him back or pull herself closer.

Her hands pressed into his chest, moving across it with gentle ease. Panicking slightly, Proteus looked to make sure she was actually asleep. She was. This was highly unorthodox getting turned on by a sleeping woman. But his body, which hadn't had attention of the physical sort in over three years. Seemed to think it would take what it could get.

His heart rate sped up, he couldn't believe this was happening to him. Rosa was unconsciously molesting him, he wouldn't have minded had she been awake to realize what she was doing. Gently, his heart beating in his ears he pulled her into his lap and physically held her hands still. Rosa immediately buried her face in the hollow of his throat, wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing her chest to his. She made a sound that very much sounded like a moan.

The carriage pulled to a stop, and he realized that they'd reached home. He put a hand to her face, carefully trying to wake her, she barely stirred. He took several moments to try and get hold of his mutiness body. He then lifted at her and started to make his way back to the castle.

He he almost lost his footing at the stab of arousal that went through him when she purred and nuzzled his neck. His neck had always been extremely sensitive. When Proteus finally reached her quarters, he stood there, unsure of whether to wake her or put her to bed himself. In his current state, he wasn't sure he trusted himself. And so rocked her slightly until she woke.

He set her down on her own feet, when she yawned. She stretched her body slightly her back arching her eyes closed. Proteus swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat.

"Rosa, I..." She turned to look at him her hair still messy from sleep in her eyes slightly heavy-lidded. Proteus inwardly groaned. He leaned down, and caught her lips and another kiss. And this time it was not chaste.

-----o0o-----

His expression changed, suddenly, his eyes became darker, and then he leaned forward his mouth covered hers.

Quickly, but gently, his tongue slid across the Rosa's bottom lip silently asking for entrance. Never having kissed another man this way before, she hesitated before it opening her mouth for him.

Once again, she was kissing him, and the same feeling she had had the first time was back full force. His tongue explored and gently, carefully and quite thoroughly with patience.

He guided the younger woman to follow his movements. He was leaning forward so that their chests pressed together, but nothing else.

If he continued to kiss her that way, her legs wasn't not hold out. They broke apart, gasping for breath.

"Proteus?" She whispered breathlessly.

"Goodnight." Proteus said quietly, and he left.

Rosa watched as he strided it down the hall turned the corner and disappear. Confused at his actions, her fingers lifted to her lips, they were still tingling.

"Wow." Proteus was an amazing kisser. Rosa went into her room and changed into her nightclothes and climbed into bed, exhausted. She picked up the small picture she had of her brother that was on her nightstand opened her drawer and set it gently inside.

"Please," She whispered to the night.

"Please help me forget. Forget what I feel. Forget what happened. And help me forgive, both of them. Goddess help me."

-----o0o-----

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Father! Are you awake?!" King Dymus shook his head as he set the book he was reading down at his bedside table. Slowly he stood putting on a robe and made his way towards the door. Before he reached it, Proteus burst in, he began pacing the room. Dymus had not seen Proteus like this in a long time, years in fact.

"Father, I decided... to have Rosa as my wife." Dymus heaved a huge sigh of relief usually, when he stormed in like this. He wanted to get rid of them. 'Them' being a potential bride.

"This is excellent, son. Great news indeed! I will send out all the invitations first thing in the morning." Abruptly, Proteus stopped pacing turning towards his father.

"No." King Dymus was baffled.

"What? Whyever not?" Proteus shook his head again, empathically.

"I don't want to force her. I want to make sure, this is what she wishes as well. I think... I feel... I'm falling in love with her.

"Son..." King Dymus pulled Proteus into his arms.

"I am very happy for you." He smiled, space. "Not many men get a second chance at real love, if you are, don't let this one get away." He let his son go stepped away. Smiling reassuringly the whole time.

"Whenever you're ready. In the meantime, I will cancel the oncoming bride's and inform the only the Council."

"Thank you, father."