She cried out but then soon relaxed as he pulled her in closer to him, and settled his mouth on hers. He pryed her lips open and found her tongue. Moments later he seized an opportunity when he grasped the ribbons on her chemise, loosened them, and touched her breast. She pressed her body in closer to his hand. Her skin was cool and damp from just being in the rain, and silky soft. He was aching with need. He picked her up and carried her through the doors leading into his private chambers.
After softly settling her on the bed he went back to lock the door. She settled herself on the red satin linens and down feather pillows raising her arms above her head. The Sheriff turned to face her and slowly came toward her. He straddled her and looked down upon her.
"My lady Rhiannon… You're the most desirable lady I've ever met. However we don't need to pursue this."
She raised herself slowly up to meet him and placed her fingers on his lips.
"Shhh. I'm here by choice. You're right. The look I cast upon you was intentional. I chose you. There's no place else I'd rather be than when I am at this moment." And with that she opened her gown in a swift fluid motion, sliding it slowly past her shoulders, and revealed a perfectly curved, firm, naked body. He caught his breath. She reached up and teased his tunic open, running her fingers feather light along his chest and abdomen. Teasing them down stroking him. He was so hard. He leaned in and kissed her hungrily. She touched his face and ran her hand through his still damp silky waves. In moments their bodies were entwined, exploring each others in a hunger to please and to taste in the sweet forbidden temptation of unrestrained sex.
"You're so beautiful" he whispered in her ear, the heat of his breath fueling her.
"You're wearing too many clothes…." was her response as she reached for his trousers. He gave a soft moan as she slid them down and took him in her hand. Stroking him, softly at first, then with a gradual increase in pressure. She started breathing hard as she felt his response.
"Sheriff" she sighed.
He climbed on top of her and entered her.
They spent the rest evening and all through the night like this. He touched her the way no man ever had, but she didn't care. It felt so right, so true. She knew she would never regret this. It was like a dream realized. From the moment she first caught sight of her dark prince, a dream come true.
The Sheriff discovered he finally met the lady of his dreams. He knew that there could never exist another woman such as she. She was so responsive, so open. He ran his fingers through her silky tresses as he breathed into her by the glow of the fire. He played with the strands then ran his fingers lightly down her back, into the curve of her spine. She moaned a response. He knew then, that no other lady would ever do, but Lady Rhiannon.
Outside the rain fell hard though the night. In a moonless sky the scent of newly energized earth charged the atmosphere with promise. New beginnings. A metaphor for the story unfolding in the glow of the master's private chambers in Nottingham Castle. By the glow of the fire, the heat of his breath, and in the joy of the moment; she listened to the soft trickle of rain outside the window as she focused her attention on her man. She knew that no man would ever afford her this security the way he did. Her dark prince. She was safe, protected. And outside in the cold of the dead bare autumn, the rain washed her pain away…..
…..In the silence of the menacing dark…outside the barred windows, the rain fell. Inking her memories in dreams. She opened her eyes. They glistened. Not moistened by the desire of that night with her Sheriff. This time they were tainted in regret, and longing. By this time, there was no more fear. Only resignation. She didn't care if she lived or died. She only cared that she would never see her lover again.
She didn't know her captor. She'd never seen his face. He always kept it hidden in a hood. It was clear he had no intention of releasing her. It was as if he somehow regarded her as a spouse. She tried to reason with him in the beginning. When she awoke with a headache in a dingy and cold dark room. Bereft of furnishings save a small bed, and a wash stand it was chill. Her breath was visible as she pleaded in a futile attempt for her release at once. It was pointless. She learned there was no such thing as a conversation of reason, or any kind of negotiation with him. She didn't know his name. Only the sinister tone of his voice. Days turned into nights, and weeks passed. Eventually she found it best to remain silent, and endure his torture until he would bore of her. Until the next time the heavy creaking doors announced his next loathsome intrusion.
She groaned. She felt dizzy, even just lying there. Perhaps from the heavy burden she endured, the lack of food, lack of sleep; she often felt faint. Her belly had thickened over time despite that. She rolled on her side and stared at the rain falling through the slats between the bars closing her eyes. She tried very hard to to imagine that amazing night. Her own piece of heaven that not even her captor could take from her. She replayed it in dreams in the dead of night. The only time she would allow her mind to wander in recall. Otherwise she had to be on guard. She smiled, despite the cold bed and the chill of the air. The last night when she saw her lover. Just like all brief happy moments, alas, it couldn't be. Holding onto it notwithstanding, kept her alive. Fueling her desire to get stronger and meet the challenge of an escape so that maybe she could possibly find her dark prince. Even though she held onto that thought for hope, she knew that it wouldn't turn out the way she dreamed it would be.
