Chapter 7 - Alone Together

Notes: Sorry about the delay in updating! Between writer's block, distractions (cough, Andromeda cough) and waiting on artwork, it took awhile to get this chapter ready. If you want to see the art, bump over to this chapter on AO3 or find it on my Tumblr. :) Thanks again as always to Ms Sticha for beta reading - you're a life saver. Also, PS: this chapter has a fair amount of NSFW content. Enjoy!

"I never could manipulate you, Nathaniel Howe."

Those weren't the words he thought he was going to hear. No, he had been certain she was going to repeat his own back to him. Emilia's unexpected response was undoubtedly part of her game.

"Sorry to disappoint," he teased back.

Her hand landed on his thigh, groping it slightly, sending a shiver up his spine. "On the contrary," she lilted. "It's something I appreciate about you. I may even find it...alluring." Emilia slid her hand up his leg, wondering what it felt like without clothes in the way. Curiously and confidently, she allowed it to settle on the hard bulge in his breeches, longing to free it.

Nathaniel's barely suppressed desire was stoked by the electrifying feel of her delicate fingers on his cock, but he wouldn't let her win. "You're doing it again," he hissed. Nathaniel grabbed her hand in his, but didn't move it away.

Pouty lips and a falsely wounded expression covered Emilia's face. "How do you know I'm not being sincere?"

"I don't doubt your sincerity," Nathaniel clarified. "But it's well within your skills to be both sincere and manipulative at once."

Emilia elicited a soft husky groan from Nathaniel as Her palm rubbed back and forth on his bulge. "I sincerely want to learn how to please you, Nate," she enticed him, blinking her beautiful emerald eyes coquettishly.

Her admission lit a fire within him; he couldn't resist her now. He released her hand, allowing her fingers to move to the ties on his breeches. For a second, room was perfectly quiet and still, everything frozen in anticipation. Her fingers made contact with his breeches' laces, his breath hitched - and a rumble came from the next room.

"Shit," they seethed simultaneously, recoiling from the intimate position. Their hearts pounded, adrenaline rushing through their veins. Nathaniel knew he couldn't be caught in Emilia's room, especially not by her father. Without any form of goodbye, he rushed out of the room - not forgetting to grab his shirt out on the way.

Moments later, there was a knock at Emilia's door.

"Reading?"

Nathaniel paused his arrow making as Emilia explained what happened after he left her quarters the night before. In order to do so without risk of being overheard, she had joined him the armory while Bryce and Rodolphe were busy discussing business elsewhere. The stone-walled room was significantly smaller than the one at castle Cousland, but appropriately sized for this estate. The lofted ceilings made the room feel larger, though there were some large beams crossing above them that weren't too far above Nathaniel's head. To be fair, he was a bit taller than the average man. He stood and leaned slightly over a work table as he fastened heads on to arrows.

"And he believed you?" Nathaniel inquired, incredulous.

Emilia stood arrogantly with her hand propped on her hip. She had chosen to wear a dress today - a grey linen dress that was modest yet form-fitting, with a perfectly tailored A-line waist. Between the dress and her posture, the curve of Emilia's hips was quite pleasantly accented. "Why wouldn't he? I had a book in my hand by the time he knocked on the door. The candles were still lit. I was dressed properly." She grinned, taking pride in her skills at covering up the truth. "When he asked about a voice, I told him I reacted verbally to what I was reading. It wouldn't be the first time."

Nathaniel sighed. "Remind me to never give you cause to hide something from me."

Just then, a servant cleared his throat, announcing his entrance to the armory. "Pardon the interruption, but you're being summoned to the dining hall for lunch."

Respectfully, Nathaniel looked to the servant, his hands still attached to his work. "We'll be just behind you, Ben. Let me finish this last arrow."

The servant nodded back politely. "Certainly, Messere."

Emilia admired Nathaniel's skillful fingers as he fixed the head onto the arrow. Skillful fingers indeed. After last night, just the sight of them caused heat to pool beneath her legs. "Impressive," she purred.

"I'll gladly teach you, if you like," Nathaniel noted as he finished it up.

"Add it to the list," Emilia teased as he approached her.

Nathaniel's tall frame stopped just before her petite one, and he let out a lustful chuckle. "The things you say - so secretly scandalous." He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers, full and warm - but he did not linger. "Come, let us get to lunch before we give your father cause to suspect why you were really up so late last night."

The rest of the day had been enjoyable despite the lack of private time for the betrothed pair. Bryce had insisted on getting some quality time in with Nathaniel, and it warmed Emilia's heart to see her father and future husband spending time together - they got along quite well. Nathaniel had showed them around all of the estate's grounds, and also took the time to point out the surrounding areas outside. There was a small forest to the north, a tributary of the Minanter River to the west, and plains to the east. Ser Rodophe's land was certainly in a desireable place to have such varied surroundings, and all at a close distance to the city of Starkhaven.

As they walked, Bryce inquired as to how Nathaniel felt his skills were developing. Nathaniel noted he felt that his weakest area was the sword a shield, and so Bryce decided to evaluate Nathaniel himself, challenging him to a duel. Nathaniel could hardly say no, and Emilia began voicing her predictions as to how the duel would go. Nathaniel feigned insult when she stated proudly that her father would certainly win, the rogue asserting that he could indeed best an old man. The servants caught wind of it and must have told Ser Rodolphe, who was in the back of the small crowd glowering at Nathaniel when the time came to begin.

Bryce was pleased with Nathaniel's strength and skill with the blade, but pointed out a few ways in which he could improve with the shield as they sparred. Just when it appeared Bryce was to win the match, Nathaniel discarded his shield. Using only his blade and athleticism, the rogue managed to get behind the teryn, placing the sword to his back.

A chuckle came from Bryce. "Leave it to a Howe to change the rules in the middle of the duel." The teryn sheathed his sword and turned to face the rogue, offering his hand for a shake.

Nathaniel shook the teryn's hand and grinned. "If it means getting the upper hand when you're down, why not?"

"Honor, serrah," Bryce patted Nathaniel on the back. "In a friendly duel, you ought to respect the rules. And while you could argue that your outlook is more practical to real life, you will learn when you become arl that there are times when it is not."

Nathaniel paused and nodded, absorbing the teryn's wise words. They were quite unlike anything his father had ever taught him. "Of course, your Lordship. My apologies on breaking the rules. Had I not, you would have won this duel."

"Now there is a sense of humility I have never once seen from a Howe."

Nathaniel looked to his master, hoping to find an approving visage on the man's face. Ser Rodolphe had a curious expression, though not unsatisfactory. Emilia quickly caught his attention, her pale fingers nearly disappearing in the curly white hair of the knight's arm. She said something to him with a smile, and Ser Rodolphe returned her sentiment with a grin and light chuckle. His pale blue eyes watched her, almost with hint of melancholy in them. Nathaniel hadn't the faintest idea why that would be.

A thick line of orange and yellow ombré painted the sky along the horizon. Emilia's boots crunched in the grass as she walked into the first light of the day, headed towards the stables to wish her father a safe trip. This would be the first time she was left anywhere without either of her parents. She felt exhilarated, though was a little unsure of if her elevated heart rate could have anything to do with nervousness. No. Not given who I'm staying with, Emilia reflected. Had she been left alone with anyone else she might have cause to acknowledge the slightly anxious side of her, but not staying with Nathaniel.

Odd that a girl like her, so strong and sure of herself would have a hidden paranoid tendency, but Emilia did. She had read far too many books to know that even the safest homes and places were sometimes destroyed, and felt it best to always be prepared for the worst and aware of her surroundings. While Emilia had never told anyone about that side of her, she suspected Delilah figured it out. They were the best of friends, almost like sisters, and Delilah had been in Emilia's room enough times to know she kept emergency supplies in the bottom of her chest of drawers.

But with Nathaniel, she could let her guard down a little. She knew he would make sure nothing horrible ever happened to her. Granted, that didn't mean she wanted him to ever see her as a damsel in distress, so she still made sure to stay aware and prepared. Just, less worried.

And so Emilia dismissed any feelings of anxiety, attributing her elevated heart rate to just being excited. After all, she would be spending the next few days with Nathaniel. And he had mentioned a surprise for her today. Hopefully that meant some alone time. Even if not, in a few years it would always be just her and Nathaniel - she would leave Highever and marry him. This was just a preview.

While embracing her father, Emilia moved up to her toes and kissed him on the cheek. "Farewell, Pa. Take care, and may the Maker bless your journey."

She took just a few steps back, not taking her gaze from her father before he replied. "Thank you, Pup." His eyes flickered just past her, almost imperceptibly - but Emilia never missed a detail. "Take good care of her while I'm gone."

"I will," Nathaniel's leathery voice proclaimed. Until that moment, she hadn't realized his presence. Nathaniel always had been the only one who could sneak up on her.

His strong hand reached around from behind Emilia and rested on her arm, tugging her slightly closer to him. She could feel the warmth of his body, so close, but not quite touching hers.

She wished it was.

Bryce mounted his horse and looked back, his eyes watering slightly as he gave the pair a smile. Emilia sensed leaving her behind was difficult for him, too. "I love you, Pa!" She gave him a bright smile.

"And I you, Pup." There was a slight crack in the teryn's voice. Without delay, Bryce turned and gave his horse a kick, urging it to move forward.

Emilia was certain that he didn't want her to see him cry. She leaned into Nathaniel, her heart racing, her mind wondering what he could possibly have planned for the week.

His soft lips met her temple, and then his warm breath moved to her ear, his husky timbre sending a shiver down her spine. "Breakfast first, surprise after."

Few words were exchanged at breakfast - the pair was too eager to get to the rest of the day to bother making conversation. Thus, the morning was still very young when they finished.

Darkness still tinted the western sky as Nathaniel led Emilia back outside, frustrating her with his lack of words. She was impatient, and he was drawing this surprise out as long as possible.

"First you have me put on my leathers, and now we're headed back to the stables - are we going somewhere?" She tapped her fingers against her arm as they walked out of the estate.

The adventurous woman focused her vision ahead. Two horses were outfitted with gear and ready to go. She was just about to infer what was happening when Nathaniel finally spoke up.

"I do hope that you still enjoy camping." Though his choice of words was diplomatic, his tone was confident that he knew it to be true.

Emilia grinned wider than the horizon. "Something truly horrendous would have to happen for me to stop enjoying roughing it in the wild."

"Good," he snickered, taking her arm in his.

The rest of the day was pure bliss. A small adventure, just the two of them.

Wind tore through Emilia's braided hair as they raced their horses. Nathaniel could barely keep his eyes in front of him.

Emilia was simply thrilled to be out spear fishing. Nathaniel struggled not to chuckle at her use of stealth against the fish. Both were proud of her ability to catch her own lunch.

They laughed, talked, shared their favorite stories as they followed the western side of the stream up towards where it met with the Minanter River. A thin forest surrounded them, the branches shading them from the heat of the sun. Upon reaching the thickest part of the forest, the pair stopped talking and began their hunt. Emilia admired Nathaniel's skills in stealth and archery, and he was impressed at how hers had improved since their last time hunting together - which had been nearly a decade ago. So much was different now - they were equals. She wasn't a child playing at hunting. She was an adult, perfectly capable on her own. Not wanting to encumber their horses much further, they hunted smaller prey. Each caught their own rabbit, which would be more than enough for the night.

A few hours more and the pair reached the banks of the Minanter River, plenty far west of Starkhaven. The sun was still high and warm in the sky, giving them time for a swim. Emilia was used to sandy coastlines, but appreciated the change of having a grassy approach to fresh running water. They were far enough away from the city that people were not likely to stumble upon them, though the occasional boat did pass them in the river. Having a simultaneous moment of indecency and modesty, Emilia stripped out of her leathers, discarded her small clothes, and subsequently stepped into the light wetsuit in her pack. Nathaniel watched, enthralled by the spectacle of her stripping wordlessly in the wild. He was willing to bet she would have swam naked if not for the sailors in the river. Nathaniel cursed himself for choosing this spot, wishing now they had a bit more privacy. But that would come once the sun set.

He loved that she loved the outdoors. The pair of them always up for an adventure. Emilia still had a playful side of her, her light-hearted nature bringing out a bit of whimsical tendencies in Nathaniel he thought to be long lost. But with Emilia splashing and taunting him in the river, he couldn't help but play along. He fought his way through the storm of roughed-up waters, sputtering and clamping his eyes shut as the splashes accosted him. The source continuously backed away, keeping at a distance, and so he increased his speed with determination. Finally, he caught the hands that caused the water's trouble, grabbing the slender wrists and holding them firmly in his strong, calloused hands. The pair giggled, and as the splashes ceased, their eyes met, light dancing in them. They both felt pure bliss - this afternoon couldn't be more perfect.

Nathaniel pulled Emilia into his chest. Cold wet bodies pressed against each other and she gasped, feeling his considerable length against her center. Her heart pounded and suddenly his mouth collided with hers, kissing her passionately. He never did bother to give her warning. His mouth ravaged hers, and she melted into him.

A whistle broke their sanctuary, and so Nathaniel withdrew. Damned boaters. He glared at them even though they were too far away to possibly see his expression. Emilia waved. Her playful nature taunted him. Amused, Nathaniel shook his head while smiling. He swiftly and playfully grabbed Emilia and dunked her under the water, resuming their silly water war.

The horizon was peach and blue in the late afternoon sun, its rays breaking through some clouds. Nathaniel and Emilia had hung their bathing clothes on a long, sturdy branch of the large oak next to their camp, and were drying off and getting dressed again.

"This day has been almost perfect," Emilia mused.

"Almost?" Nathaniel questioned, wondering she felt was missing. He knew what he was waiting for, but wasn't completely sure she was talking about the same thing.

"It's just missing one thing," Emilia teased, scaling him with her eyes.

Those emerald eyes did things to him, made him feel things he felt for no other. Hunger and desire, but not simply for his own pleasure. No, he wanted to please her. To make love to her. To see and feel and appreciate every inch of her.

"A duel," she interrupted his lustful thoughts with such an innocent suggestion.

He chuckled, not the least bit surprised. "Of course, my love."

After drying, they put her leathers back on. Nathaniel approached Emilia and moved his hands to help with the buckles, but she stopped him.

"I prefer to do it myself," she insisted.

He recoiled, feeling scorned. It was unlike her to fend off his advance. She never had before.

"It's not you at all, Nate," she clarified, feeling guilty for the wounded expression on his face. "It's just that...what if someday there's no one to help me get it on? I ought to be able to do it myself. It's useless to have it otherwise."

He didn't understand her reasoning. How could he? Soon enough, he would always be there to help and protect her. "I -"

"And don't say you'll always be there." She anticipated his argument. "You can't know that. You'll be arl. You'll have duties to attend to, and sometimes one of us may have to leave Amaranthine because of our status. I need to be able to take care of myself."

He nodded, his face softening. "You're right."

"How often do you say that?" Emilia teased, her eyebrow raised as she finished fastening her last buckle.

"Not very," Nathaniel laughed, still clad only in his breeches.

Emilia approached him, his top in hand. "May I?"

"Certainly," he chuckled. "I've had more than enough practice dressing myself. In fact, I could use the practice of another putting my armor on for me." Nathaniel joked, and rather wished she was taking it off instead. If he was lucky, she would later. His silver eyes followed her tiny gloved hands as they laced up his armor and fastened the buckles. She stood on her toes and gave him a kiss on his cheek once she was finished. "I'll grab our weapons while you get your gloves and boots on."

The last time they had sparred, she had won. Or he had let her. Emilia never had quite figured out what the truth was there. She was determined to win for sure this time, and not because he let her.

She handed Nathaniel his weapons, noting he no longer used an axe when he dual wielded, but rather a full-length sword and a dagger. Not as fond of his father as he used to be, I'll bet, the Cousland mused, readying her own two daggers.

As was in the past, their sparring began without word, warning, or any establishment of rules. Nathaniel made the first move, a smirk adorning his face, amused that he caught Emilia off-guard, but impressed that she still stayed in the fight.

"Good instincts," he noted.

"Something like that," she grunted, striking back.

His footwork had greatly improved since their last fight - but so had hers. And she had the advantage of having watched him fight against her father yesterday; it gave her a chance to find his weakness: for as gruff as he could be, he used caution against her father - and he would certainly exercise it against her as well.

Emilia came at him tough, determined, relentless. Her approach controlled his retreat, his feet moving backwards to maintain a reasonable - careful - fighting distance that would ensure no accidents happened. Shade fell on his face as he stepped under a single large oak, and Emilia smirked. Things were going exactly according to her plan.

Nathaniel's heel caught on a loose root, sending him backwards. A harsh thud sounded in the air upon his sinewy form's impact with the ground, causing him to lose his focus and breath for a moment. He groaned as he came to, unsurprised by the presence of the tip of Emilia's dagger aimed at his chest.

"It appears that I won again," she gloated. A grin stretched across her face and she sheathed her weapon.

Nathaniel's response was reflexive and instantaneous. No word or sound, or even facial expression gave her a chance to realize what he was doing. Leather clad boots kicked the back of her legs, pulling her towards him and off the ground. Emilia fell directly on top of Nathaniel, the collision of their bodies temporarily winding them both.

Nathaniel recovered first, his hands finding her waist, gripping her firmly yet tenderly. His breath was hot on her face as he whispered. "Is that so?"

Soft, full lips hovered just under hers, barely brushing against hers as he spoke. She couldn't resist them, and pressed hers against his with fervor.

Lost in the decadent kiss, Emilia hardly noticed Nathaniel wrap his legs around her and roll them over. Hard weight pressed against her, trapping her beneath his powerful body and the unsettled dirt beneath her. Nathaniel withdrew his lips, and her circumstance became evident - his knife hovered next to her neck. With a defeated groan, she collapsed her back and head completely on the ground.

"You win," she admitted, defeated.

He sheathed his dagger and sat up, his center straddling hers. Silver eyes leered over her body, vulnerable beneath him. He leaned closer to her, hot lips meeting the soft flesh of her neck, just below her ear. "Is that so?" His husky voice breathed the same words as before, though this time they were laced with a completely different tone. The question no longer a challenge, but an order for her to say it again.

"It is. You win, Nate." Emilia's words were sent up to the sky. Nathaniel moved his gaze to her face, just in time to see her eyes lock into his for her final sentiment.

"I surrender."

Desire flared, uncontrollable, and Nathaniel quickly grew uncomfortably hard in his leathers. He couldn't stand it anymore - he had to have her.

Emilia smirked, recognizing the effect her words had on him. It was exactly has she had intended; she desired him as well. His hard center pressed firmly against her, sending a shiver up her spine. Mouths collided and limbs became a tangled mess, kicking up dirt as they shifted on the ground. Gloves were quickly discarded and hands flew to buckles, working deftly and desperately to undo the fastenings. Fingers made quick loosening of laces, and soon enough, their tops were on the ground beside him.

A breeze from the river carried voices towards their ears, reminding them that even though they were in the middle of nowhere, they could still have an audience. Nathaniel rose, taking Emilia's hand and pulling her up with him. Not removing his firm grip on her delicate hands, he led her into their tent.

Adventurous and ready, the young woman promptly laid down on the bedroll. The thick pad felt much better against her spine than the dirty ground outside had, but it still was no soft bed. Though that didn't matter to Emilia - she didn't need the comfort of a mattress and pillows to enjoy every second of this experience.

One side of Nathaniel's lips curved up into a smirk, watching her emerald eyes surveying him - awaiting his next move. He savored the sight of this strong woman, so free-willed, lying and waiting for him.

But Emilia was also an impatient woman. Whilst he gazed at her, she leaned up, reached behind her, and removed her breast band, freeing her moderately sized perky breasts. Nathaniel growled, moved to his knees and took one breast in each hand. With his pleasantly calloused thumbs he teased her nipples, causing them to harden. Her breath hitched at the pleasure and she moaned - and this time, he didn't shush her. He chuckled, loving the sounds she made, and able to appreciate them now. They had nothing to hide; there was no one around to keep their passion for each other a secret from.

Any nervousness Emilia may have felt for being intimate with Nathaniel was gone, as if it had never existed. With confidence her fingers moved to his breeches, eager and curious to see what was beneath. A husky groan fell from his mouth, motivating her further to finish removing his breeches.

With the laces finally loosened, Nathaniel's cock sprung free, his hard length long, thick, and proud. Emilia wondered how she could possibly fit all of that inside of her, touching him with wonder in her eyes, her fingers exploring his hard, yet velvety flesh.

"Em," he moaned, her caress invigorating. He had been touched before, but not by someone he cherished. And that same someone cared for him - not just his money or his body, but him. All those other times had meant nothing to him, but this meant everything.

Unable to bear it any longer, he swiftly removed her breeches and small clothes, tugging both down all at once. Leather and cloth pooled at her boots, making it difficult for her to spread her legs. The two paused in their caresses and exploration, taking the time to properly remove their boots and breeches, each helping the other along.

And then, just for a moment, everything was still. There Emilia laid, completely bare before Nathaniel, her chest heaving slightly with her breath. Her eyes traced across his toned body as he lowered his chest towards hers, hovering over her. His cock brushed against her entrance, and her heart skipped a beat. Her breath hitched, her center wet and hot and wanting to feel more of him. His calloused palm rested on her cheek, lovingly, his fingers intertwining with her soft brown locks.

"Please," she begged, moving her hips up to feel him again.

His steel stare met her emerald eyes, his hand moved down to position his throbbing, needing cock at her entrance. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

With that simple word, he slowly inched inside of her, gently stretching and filling her a little at a time. She moaned her approval, grasping his hair and pulling tightly.

Concerned, he paused. "It doesn't hurt, does it?"

"Maker, no, Nate," Emilia reassured him.

She was so incredibly tight that he couldn't enter her all at once. With each thrust, Nathaniel explored a little deeper inside of her, cautious and listening to her body and the sounds she made to make sure the experience was pleasurable - it certainly was for him. He used precise control in his lovemaking, a complete contrast to the heated chaos before he was inside her. Both sides of Nathaniel's intimate tendencies were as remarkably passionate as the other, and the change and diversity only added to the pleasure of it all.

Once he was completely sheathed in her velvet core, Emilia arched her back towards him, reveling in the feeling of him joined with her. "More," she pleaded. "Give me more."

Her words stoked his carnal desire, causing Nathaniel to increase the pace of his thrusts. Still calculated, he allowed a little of his rough tendencies in to his lovemaking. Emilia must have enjoyed it, because she gasped in pleasure and moved her hips with him, as though she knew precisely what she was doing.

Before long, she was moaning his name uncontrollably as he took her at a moderate speed, his thrusts powerful and decadent.

"Fuck, Nate."

"Maker's breath, that feels amazing, Nate."

"Ohh, Nate."

He committed each of the sweet sounds to memory, along with each movement that elicited them.

His deep, leathery voice chuckled at her vocalisations, heightening her pleasure. She grew tighter and tighter, and the anticipation of coming undone helped her to get there. A moment later she climaxed, uncontrollably and against her will, screaming his name. This was the only aspect of Emilia's life she hadn't mastered control over yet, and if she was honest with herself, it was exhilarating not to.

Nathaniel smirked and shuddered, feeling her get even more tight around him than he thought imaginable with her orgasm. The sensation sent him over the edge, and just before he was to come, he withdrew from inside of her and finished himself off in hand, his seed spilling onto her stomach as he groaned her name.

Emilia's soft lips met his forehead, and their gaze met again. Both wore grins and breathed hard, their speechlessness a form of adoration and appreciation. Nathaniel looked down at his love. "That..." he caught his breath, "was amazing." She smiled back at him, and a yawn escaped her as she opened her mouth to speak. Amused with her exhaustion and the mess he made, Nathaniel chuckled. "Let me get something to clean you up with."

The pair dressed in light, comfortable clothing and headed out of the tent, into the beginning of dusk. Nathaniel wrapped an arm around Emilia as she leaned back against his chest. Her dainty fingers curled around his sinewy arm, and she sighed. "That was incredible."

"Mmm," Nathaniel hummed his agreement.

Emilia giggled, a mechanism she sometimes used to break internal tension before voicing something that wasn't easy to say. "I'm guessing that wasn't the first time you've done that," she observed.

"No," Nathaniel paused, holding her tighter against him. "But it was the first time that mattered. That meant anything," he clarified.

Strong hands wrapped around both of Emilia's upper arms and urged her to turn to face him. Silver eyes sparkled in the low light of dusk, their campfire adding an extra twinkle. One warm palm reclaimed its place upon her cheek, encouraging her eyes to stay locked with his.

"Because I love you, Emilia Cousland."

She found herself breathless. Speechless. Emilia smiled, blinked, tried to find the words she knew, had always known, had always anticipated saying.

"I love you, too, Nathaniel Howe."

Bodies melded into towards each other, arms embracing each other, lips locking together. Their hearts beat fast against each other's chest, quickly, but in time with each other. They loved each other, and nothing could come between them.