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#14 The Key
The next morning broke clear and lovely and Kirra lay in bed listening to the birds singing in the trees outside her window. It was going to be a good day. She got up and made her bed, humming and dancing a little as she did so but stopped when she felt an unfamiliar weight at her neck. Looking down she saw a silver key hanging on a delicate silver chain that hadn't been there when she went to sleep.
Silently, she padded across the hall to Gawain's room thinking that he would know why it was there. She tapped on the door and entered without waiting for a response. It was so early she was not surprised to find him still asleep and sprawled facedown across his bed -- clad in only a pair of jeans.
She fiddled with the charm as she debated whether to wake him or just enjoy the sight of his half naked body lying in such relaxed ease. Finally curiosity won out and Kirra crossed the room.
She perched herself gingerly at the edge of the bed and touched his shoulder lightly, "Gawain."
When the man didn't move and only mumbled incoherently, Kirra took a breath and tried again, "Gawain, wake up."
She was about to give up and leave to wait until later when he suddenly grabbed her and pulled her under him. Her squeak of surprise was cut short by his lips on hers. After a thorough plundering; hot, wet kisses stole her breath as his lips trailed along her jaw and down her throat.
Gawain was brought to full consciousness at Kirra's sharp gasp when one roaming hand brushed her breast. He pulled back so quickly and with such surprise that he lost his balance and tumbled to the floor with a thud. Kirra sat up wide-eyed and flushed. She was having trouble catching her breath and her cheeks were the most becoming shade of red.
"Kirra, what are you doing here?" He asked rubbing his shoulder and rising only enough to kneel at the bedside.
Kirra cleared her dry throat and leaned forward to touch a matching gold chain and key that had hung unnoticed around Gawain's neck. The muscle in his jaw rippled at her light touch and he had to suppress a groan. He avoided looking at her, realizing that she was still in the little she wore to sleep. It was maddening.
"This."
He swallowed and attempted to ignore the relentless fire in his blood. He needed a dunk in a cold lake. Now!
"What is it?" He asked trying to focus on what had brought her to his bed, without much luck. Her scent was everywhere, her taste was still in his mouth and he could still feel her silky skin under his hands. He clenched his hands into tight fists.
"I don't know, but I have one too." She fingered the silver chain at her neck and Gawain unwittingly followed its flow to the charm that hung between her breasts. His eyes jerked desperately back to hers as she continued speaking, "I thought that maybe you had put it there while I was sleeping, that's why I woke you." She apologized by way of explanation.
He shook his head stiffly, "I did not go to your room last night."
It would not have been the wisest thing to have entered the girl's room after the way she left him feeling. Indeed, after his pacing he had hardly slept and when he did his sleep was full of dreams of Kirra. Up until her small gasp had woken him, he had thought her just another of those dreams.
"May I see yours?" She asked interrupting his memory of waking up with her soft body pinned under his.
"My what?" His voice was less then steady and his eyes widened wildly.
Kirra seemed to really look at him for the first time since waking him, she narrowed her eyes and eased back off the bed, "I am going to go and let you get dressed. Meet me downstairs when you are ready."
Gawain nodded and she left, his eyes devouring her until she walked through the door and pulled it quietly closed. When she was gone his head slumped to the mattress and he groaned in frustration. Then he pulled himself to his feet and headed for the bathroom.
Kirra, thankfully, was dressed in a long sleeved shirt and baggy trousers when he finally came down stairs, slightly blue-lipped and still shivering from the shower. He was certain that he had used all the cold water the house had to provide. But it was no where near enough; heat still flooded through him as soon as he saw her. She was standing at the kitchen window staring out as she was apt to do and playing with the small charm. There was food on the table, so he sat, but did not tuck in.
She turned, impassive, "We need to see Niara."
"I agree."
She sat across from him, slipped her necklace off and held it out to him, "If I am not wrong, the two should fit together somehow." Her face broke into a grin that lightened her eyes. "It's pretty cheesy that they would actually use real keys to symbolize what we found."
"Cheesy?" Gawain echoed and avoided touching her skin as he took the proffered bauble.
"Yeah, it means something like silly," She explained as she filled her plate with French toast and drowned it in syrup.
She watched the knight as she ate noticing his less then normal coloring. It was apparent that he was extremely uncomfortable and Kirra found herself feeling slightly guilty at her enjoyment of his discomfort. At last the tables were turned, he had always seemed so confident and Kirra had been the one so unsure.
He pulled his own chain off and compared his gold key to Kirra's. She was right. The two fit together back to back to form one thicker key. They were simple pieces, not ornate, meant to be used not worn as an accessory.
"That's it," She said pointing to the fused keys with her fork her voice getting excited. "That is our way back. I forgot, I dreamed about it last night." Her voice became soft and distant as she revisited the dream, "'the two become one,'" it returned to normal. "It's the only way. I'm not sure where the door is, that's why we need Niara."
Gawain looked up from the keys. His blue eyes darkened and it was clear he was startled, the implications of such an undertaking whirled through his mind at an alarming rate. "You are certain?"
"I think," She thought, chewing slowly, then nodded in assurance, "Yes. Think back to what Niara said. The key to the whole undertaking was something that will save the world. The only thing that will do that," she paused and looked Gawain in the eyes, "is love. I can't heal without it and we can't go back without it. We will be stronger together then separate."
"Well then," His gaze dropped and he cleared his throat.
He had no idea how this was going to go over when he returned. What would his brothers say? Not only that, but his life was no life for a beautiful young woman. His world was so different from the one Kirra had been raised in; every day would pose a different threat. It was possible that she would be stripped of all her light and innocence.
And he was furious. Furious at the goddess for putting him in such a position, but there was nothing he could do to prevent this, he felt it in his heart and found, even with his feelings of fear concerning Kirra that he did not want to stop it.
She had been right, he loved her, had loved her since the first moment he'd seen her. She was all that he had hoped he would find in a woman -- just a little earlier then he expected. Something had been leading them to this point almost from the very beginning. He knew Kirra was right. He took a deep breath knowing instinctively what had to come next if they were to return.
"I guess you have to marry me."
Kirra pursed her lips, "Don't sound so excited or anything." she commented dryly as she folded her arms across her chest and leaned back in her chair. "I wouldn't have chosen to do it this way either. I always thought I would have a huge wedding in a beautiful church, with flowers, and candles, and my father walking me down the isle – and I was always older then twenty. But," She paused and waited for Gawain to look at her, "I did get one wish."
Gawain was miserable, "And that was?"
She smiled her mischievous smile, "I got my knight. You do have shining armor, though don't you, and a white horse? 'Cause if not, deal's off."
Gawain surprised himself by chuckling at her remark as suddenly the fear he had been feeling lifted and the tension left his back and shoulders. "Armor, yes, white horse, no. Drea is grey."
Kirra sighed melodramatically, "Well, one out of two isn't bad. I guess I'll get used to it." She took a hero sized bite of French toast, "You know you really blew that proposal," She said after swallowing. "And I fully intend to make you make up for it."
Looking across the table at the young woman sitting opposite him, Gawain knew he didn't deserve her. "I'll hold you to it." he said with a grin, finally feeling his appetite return.
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"I have absolutely no idea what to take," Kirra said staring at her closet in frustration. "I am afraid to take anything because who knows what will happen if I take something back that hasn't been invented and it totally rearranges the future."
Gawain was lounging on her bed, "Don't take anything. Niara provided for me, I'm sure she'll be prepared for you."
Kirra turned and looked around her room, her life. Everything she was, was in this room, in this place. She wondered if she would change when she didn't have anything of her own.
"What if they think I am crazy? Or a witch -- don't they burn witches?"
Gawain looked up, "Only the bad ones."
Kirra lost all color, "It was a hypothetical question, I didn't mean it. You think they might try to burn me?"
He shrugged unconcerned, "Not at first, but give them time."
She threw a shoe at him which he easily caught and tossed back. "I was being serious. I am sure even a caveman like you can see how that might not be such a good thing."
Gawain sat up and reached out to grasp her waist, dragging her to him. He settled her in his lap and chafed her arm with his big, warm hand, "Love," he chided gently, "No one is going to burn you. I would never let that happen.
Kirra nodded into his neck. It was easier not to let such thoughts bother her when she was safe in his strong arms, in this time, when it was okay if one chose to be a witch, but Gawain couldn't be there all the time. What would happen if he was gone and someone got it into their head that Kirra needed to be gotten rid of. She shuddered.
Gawain pushed her back, "Kirra, it will be fine. I promise you." He narrowed his eyes in thought, "Now what can we do to take your mind off such unpleasant thoughts?" a very pregnant pause filled the room, "I have an idea."
Kirra cocked her head suspiciously, she didn't like the way his eyes darkened as he eyed her. She eased back and suddenly sprinted for the door, laughing at his growl when she slammed the door in his face. She was quicker then he was but he had a longer stride and was able to take the stairs three at a time. She didn't get further then the living room, when he tackled her onto the couch, his hard weight pressing her down making sure she couldn't escape.
Kirra tossed her head – the only part of her she could freely move, "No, none of your ideas."
He gazed down at her in pretend hurt, "But you haven't even heard any."
Kirra struggled futilely, "I don't need to. You have me pinned; nothing good can come of that."
He cocked an eyebrow, "I disagree. A lot of good things can come from that." His eyes sparkled as he lowered his head.
"Gawain," Kirra's breath came in a little gasp, her heart pounded in sudden anticipation and she fell still. She squealed when he suddenly dropped his head lower and rubbed his bearded face into her soft neck. "Stop, stop." She begged between bouts of shrieking laughter.
Finn came in to investigate the noise and plopped himself down to watch with a bemused expression. Kirra saw him as she struggled to get away from tickling hands and a scratchy face.
"Get him, Finn!" she exclaimed. The big dog's tail wagged when he heard his name, but he just sat where he was. "Fi-inn, get him!"
Not understanding Kirra's command, but caught up in sudden excitement Finn jumped to his feet, barking loudly and raced out of the room, only to reappear and run out again. The sound of dog claws scrabbling for purchase on a wooden floor followed by the crash of something heavy caused Gawain to abruptly stop in his assault and Kirra to stop her shrieking.
Finn entered the room, quietly this time, with his tail tucked between his legs. Gawain laughed at his expression and Kirra used the knight's momentary distraction to heave him onto the floor. It would have worked had he not involuntarily grabbed her as he fell and pulled her on top of him. Once again Kirra found herself struggling in vain.
"Whoa wild one," he gasped, "Careful where you're kicking."
Kirra's eyes grew round and she stopped fighting, "I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?"
Gawain suddenly grinned, "No." he brought his hands around and pulled her face to his kissing her as he rolled to his side.
Kirra was breathless and gasping when he finally let her up for air. Her lips were swollen, face was flushed and her neck was red from beard burn, but her eyes sparkled.
"I told you I had a good idea." Gawain murmured to her as he brushed her wild hair from her face. "Should we go see what the dog destroyed?"
"Shoot," Kirra said sitting up. "I forgot about that."
Gawain propped himself up on his elbow, "I told you I could help you forget unpleasant things."
She smacked him, "Yeah, and cause Finn to break stuff."
"That was you. You told him to get me – what if he had listened? He could have hurt me." Gawain's voice was full of self-righteous indignation.
"Only your pride."
He rolled his eyes as he had seen Kirra do and shook his head, "It's all the same."
Kirra laughed and got to her feet. Turns out Finn had only slid into the sofa table in the family room, knocking it over and scattering the picture frames that adorned it.
"Why the frown, Kirra?" Gawain asked later as they were eating lunch.
Kirra had hardly touched her food. Each bite turned to ash in her mouth and stuck in her throat. She looked up, eyes dark.
"I have to call my mom and I don't know what to say or even if I can."
Gawain frowned and swallowed a large bite of his hamburger, "Do you think that is a good idea?"
Kirra shrugged and refocused on her lunch – well, painting little pictures in her ketchup with her fries, "Probably not, but they would never get here in time and by the time they did get back, it would be too late. But I have to hear her voice one last time and tell her I love her." She looked up, "I have to."
Gawain reached across the table and took a handful of Kirra's fries, "Well, if it will make you feel better, then do it and get it over with. I'll be right here if you need a shoulder to cry on – or a body."
Kirra forced a weak smile. She sighed and shifted in her seat, drawing her knees up and hugging them to her chest. She wasn't sure she had it in her to talk to Lil again. No doubt the 'mom sense' would go off and Lil would know that something wasn't right.
"Kirra,"
She looked up. Gawain was staring at her, his eyes deep blue and very serious. He put his forearms on the table and leaned towards her.
"We all have things that we have to do in this life. Things that we may have no desire to do, but find ourselves in a position that we must. That is when we take a deep breath, force back our emotion, and jump into the fray leaving what comes after to fate. It's not neat, it's not pleasant, but if it has to be done, then do it and move forward."
Kirra blinked, squared her shoulders and left the room without another word. She found Gawain in the family room watching TV an hour later and burst into noisy, shivering sobs.
He pulled her into his arms and sat letting her tears soak his clothing, until she finally cried herself to sleep. Then he held her close and whispered of good things, hoping they would find their way into her dreams and warm her sleep.