RPOV

I couldn't sleep. It was a waste of a good bed, but I couldn't sleep. Too many things on my mind and too many flailing limbs for me to sleep. Viktoria didn't even quiet down when she was deep in slumber. Granted she wasn't talking but she sounded like she was sawing logs, and her body was flopping around as if she was cutting the damn trees. She was now in starfish formation on the bed. There was a small piece of the bed occupied by me. I suppose I was adopting the Armadillo formation, but still, she wanted my space.

After a few hours of trying to sleep, I gave up. I picked up one of the furs and walked to the library. I saw a bundle of furs on the chair and assumed Dimitri was buried underneath them. He also seemed to favor the Armadillo formation. I couldn't see him at all.

Now I could have put some furs next to the fire in the living room. I could have even made a small bed for me on the bench or on the table, but my body let me in search for a warmer more comfy place to sleep tonight. I just hoped he was staying here tonight.

I walked into the dome and was relieved to see the Dragon sleeping there peacefully. I took my furs and snuggled in his side as I wrapped the furs around me.

He seemed to awaken upon my touch, but I was already drifting off to sleep. The warmth of his body, together with the warmth of the furs and the exhaustion of the day and night putting me right to sleep.

"What are you doing here Roza?"

"Viktoria is a starfish," I mumbled as I fell to sleep next to the obviously confused but chuckling Dragon.

That had been the best sleep of my life. I did have a bit of déjà vu. When I woke up, I smelled that particular scent I had picked up the first time I had woken up in this cave. The manly scent of smoky pine logs. I wondered why I would smell it the cave and in Dimitri's bed. I hadn't yet sniffed Dimitri, but I assumed if the smell had permeated his bed that he would be the source. But now I was wondering what the source was because I smelled it here. I thought it simply was the fireplace smoldering ember giving off the smell, but I remembered the logs were oak, not pine. And it was definitely a pine smell.

"Roza?"

"Hmm?"

I was trying very hard to ignore the start of the day and stay in my very comfortable bed.

"Wake up."

I didn't comply. I should have complied, but I didn't. And I regretted it very soon when Dimka decided to move away and let me fall on my ass on the hard rock.

I got up and started to rub my ass. I glared a little, but he had an amused expression on his face that was a little annoying and a little contagious.

"I thought you were joking yesterday when you said you would use me as a bed."

I grinned widely.

"I didn't use you as a bed; I used you more as a warm blanket, or a hot water bottle."

He sighed deeply and rubbed the scales above his brow with his talon.

"You better get back in your actual bed. It is still early, but if Viktoria finds you gone and learns you slept here half the night she will be intolerable. And what was this about her being a fish?"

I flung my arms up and one leg out.

"That is how she sleeps, like a starfish."

He seemed to be thinking about it for a bit and then started to laugh. A full belly laugh, which sounded much louder from a Dragon than it did a human.

"Well, let's hope she has adopted more of an eel formation now."

He stretched his wings out, and with one push of his wings on the surrounding air he was lifted off the ground, and he flew out of the cave. I vowed I would ride upon his back one day and take to the skies with him.

I took my furs and made my way back to the bed. She was now lying sideways across the bed. It was like her body calculated which position would result in the least efficient use of space and adapted itself to that position.

I decided if you can't beat them join them, and adopted a similar perpendicular position to the bed. The pillows were rearranged all over the place, and I picked up a wayward one, shoved it over her foot and laid my head on top of it. I thought I heard some stirring in the library but was already drifting off to sleep for the second time tonight.

I woke up to a curious Dimitri standing over us watching our peculiar position. I heard him chuckle as he walked away towards the living room.

"Come on. I'll start some breakfast. It looks like you deserve it."

I was quick to dress at the mention of food. I arrived at the table, and he handed me a plate with bread and cold meat to start with.

"Viktoria brought some more dresses for you to try."

I nodded and looked down at what I was wearing, and had been wearing for the last two days. My blouse was filthy with sweat and grass stains. The trousers weren't looking any better.

"I could give these a wash."

I resumed my meal and for good measure spilled some gravy from the meat on the white shirt. Dimitri just chuckled.

"I slept like a baby."

A yawning and stretching Viktoria walked into the living space. She must have woken up from the smell of food. I rolled my eyes at her comment, and I saw a ghost of a smile on Dimitri's face.

"So what is the plan for today?"

"Your brother said you brought some dresses. I thought we could try some of them on, while I get these washed. After that, we can train."

She squealed at such a high pitch I thought the cave might collapse under the resonance of the sound.

"I would love to dress you up. Oh, with your skin tone you would look amazing in gold. Or dark blue or even red. You can totally wear a nice crimson red."

"Wait, what? No fancy dresses. I am a handmaiden. A servant. I only need something to cover me up. Something I can move around in easily."

Preferably where I can hide a lot of weapons.

"Oh, well I am sure I have one of those too if you want to be boring."

So I spent the morning playing dress up doll for Viktoria while my clothes were drying in the sun after I washed them. She had brought a few plain dresses that would easily do, but when I said fine to the first two and claimed to be done, she had practically dragged me back into the alcove. Even if she knew I wouldn't wear them, she still wanted me to try on the colored dresses. I vetoed the pink before she had even put it on and she pouted but obeyed. The gold dress actually looked nice. And if Dimitri's reaction of walking in and dropping the jug of water was any indication, he thought so too.

He had been staring at me for some time before he found his voice.

"You look beautiful."

The gold dress had a bodice cinching in my waist. My shoulders were bare because the sleeves started at the very edge of my shoulder and the V-neck dipped low, showing a good amount of cleavage. The sleeves were long, and the skirt was loose and flowed like liquid gold, but somehow the top made me feel rather exposed.

I blushed at his words and felt a tingle run down my spine. People have told me I was beautiful my whole life. The word always had an underlying meaning, lust, jealousy or distain. But the way Dimitri said it was new. It reached a spot in my heart I didn't know I had.

I held his gaze for a while before I regained the ability to use my vocal cords.

"Thanks, but I doubt I have any occasion to wear it. It would just be a shame to use it while scrubbing the floors."

Dimitri's gaze never left my body. He didn't seem hungry or lusty. Well, he did look those things too, but there was a look of admiration and wonder in his eyes. For the first time in my life, I felt beautiful.

"Take it anyway."

He almost sounded breathless.

Viktoria was done after a few more dresses, and I could finally put on my clothes, that were now dry, and eat some lunch. I ate in silence as I was still a little overwhelmed by my reaction to Dimitri. Why did he affect me so? I kept looking at him but quickly looked down at my plate when he caught my eye, openly ogling him.

I knew I found Dimitri attractive, I mean, how could you not! But at one point in time, I had thought Jesse was attractive too, and I certainly didn't have the reaction I had had this morning for Jesse. So what was it about Dimitri that made those words so powerful? They had resonated in me and unlocked something I didn't even know was there. I wasn't just pleased with the compliment. Somehow being beautiful to him was important to me.

Now that the thought had crossed my mind it was like trying to put a cat back into its cage. It wouldn't go down easy. I realized I didn't just think the man in front of me was attractive, but I also liked him. I like the way he gently smiled my way or the way he would explain a technique in his sage way, or how he stood mesmerized by flames. I felt like I could be myself with him. I felt safe with him.

An image of the Dragon came to mind. I also felt safe with him. Of course, this was logical since he was the one to save me. But it was more than that. I always slept with one eye open in the handmaiden's room. I always told myself it was so I could hear anyone approaching Lissa, but it was more than that. I was always wary of other people. I didn't trust easily. But I trusted the Dragon. I had fallen asleep almost instantly when nestled against his side, not once, but twice. I liked the way he was easy to talk to, and how such a powerful beast could be so gentle. I had loved his laugh even though other people probably found it frightening.

I shifted my gaze back to Dimitri. His hair was out of its leather binding and hung loosely around his face. He had one side tucked behind his ear, but the other side was free. I subconsciously placed one side of my hair behind my ear in an attempt to mirror him. He looked younger like this. I was always amazed that he was only twenty-four years old. Sure his body reflected his young age, and he certainly looked to be in his prime. But there was something in his eyes that told me he wasn't just your average twenty-four year old. He seemed older. Like he had seen so much of this world, had been through so much. Sometimes when I looked into his eyes, he looked ancient.

I wondered what would happen to us when I would go back to the village. Would I ever see him again? Would he want to see me? I shook my head of the thought. I didn't have time to focus on a silly crush. I was here to learn how to better protect Lissa. I wasn't anybody. I was only her protector. Splitting my focus between Lissa and somebody else could be dangerous.

But I did wonder if Dimitri ever thought about something beyond this. I suppose in a few days we would find out.

The training in the afternoon was awkward. Every time Dimitri and I touched, I felt a zing of electricity run down my body. Every touch seemed to mean something more. I was getting paranoid. Sometimes I thought he would let his touch linger a little too long, or stroke me a little bit gentler than the combat situation usually allowed. And when he had pinned me to the ground I must have imagined the longing in his eyes to just stay there with me and never let me go. I needed to get this under control because it was not productive.

After a few hours of punches and kicks loaded with sexual tension, at least from my side, I was ready to call it a day. Dimitri seemed to have the same idea.

"How about we wrap it up for today? Viktoria, you still need to get back home. I am sure Mamma is starting to miss you."

She groaned but complied.

"Fine, I'll gather my things and go. But if you need any help again, Rose, please don't hesitate to call. I would be more than happy to help."

I nodded, although I was not sure if I wanted to do that anytime soon. I liked her, but she was a lot to take in. I think small dosages of Viktoria was better. I saw Dimitri holding in his laughter behind her. He seemed to have guessed the reason for my non-committal answer.

"Will you be okay by yourself for a bit Rose? I'll escort Viktoria over the mountain; she can travel the rest of the way herself."

"Of course, if you are comfortable leaving me alone in your cave unsupervised that is."

I grinned widely, and I saw Dimitri gulp a little.

"Why? Why wouldn't I trust you?" His tone of voice was hesitant and suspicious.

I simply shrugged.

"I could go wandering and uncover all sort of things while you are away you might not want me to find."

The edges of his lips pulled in a small smile.

"If you want to go snooping, Rose, go right ahead. My mother raised me well. I have nothing to hide."

Viktoria seemed to choke on something as she tried to catch her breath. Dimitri turned around to glare at his sister.

Okay, snooping it was.

After Dimitri and Viktoria left, I went in search of goodies and dirt on the knight. There wasn't much in the kitchen except food, and after a quick snack, I headed towards the bedroom. I imagined if he had something to hide he would hide it here. But then again, maybe not. I mean, his sister slept here last night, and I have been sleeping here for the past few days.

The library. He would probably hide embarrassing things in the library. I wondered what I would find embarrassing where Dimitri was concerned. Maybe finding a harp or some women's clothes not in my size? I chuckled at the thought, but didn't actually think I would find anything.

I walked into the library and started to run my finger along some books. I had always heard the knight series were good, so I picked up one of the first ones in the series and flipped it to a random page.

Bla bla… knight fighting bad guys…. Bla bla… knight saving damsel in distress. So far the story had been boring. I flipped over a few more pages and started to read the passage.

He traced her velvet skin with his rough, callused hands. His hands traveled from the innocent spot on her foot all the way up to the more forbidden place at her inner thigh. She sighed in approval and grabbed the hand of the knight and moved it closer to her most intimate place. The knight was used to handling cold steel in his hands, but the warm and supple skin of his damsel in distress required more finesse and gentleness than he was used to. But everything with her felt natural. The way her lips molded into his and the way her body formed to his as she pressed hard against him. His throbbing member alerted him to how much this woman was affecting him and if the wetness on the inside of her thigh was any indication she was as ready for him as he was for her. He positioned himself between her thighs and maneuvered the dripping tip at the precipice of her warm and needy folds. The moment he entered her he knew that no battle could ever live up to the feeling of euphoria as he filled her completely. He moved in and out of her, rocking his hips and thrusting deep inside of her. Her hips were meeting him thrust for thrust creating a cacophony of moans, groans, slapping skin and flowing juices. When he neared his peak, his movements increased in speed and desperation. His feverish attempts to prolong her pleasure so she could too climax paid off and they threw their heads back at the same time and lost themselves in euphoria. After he had composed himself, he pulled out, and the evidence of their lovemaking trailed behind his semi-erect member.

Oh, my God. These books had sex scenes. I had heard enough from the other handmaidens to know the mechanics of sex, but reading a detailed account was very different. Quite inspiring, actually. It had left me a little flustered. And Dimitri had a library full of the books.

I picked up another one and skimmed over the pages.

His cock was as hard as the steel he could wield so easily as a knight.

Her moans echoed through the castle as their coupling became more frantic.

And on and on it went. Sure there were an annoying amount of passages about the knight fighting the bad guys and justice prevailing, but there were some very hot scenes interspersed between these acts of heroism.

Dimitri was quite the pervert. I giggled at the thought. Was he getting turned on when he read these books? Did he imagine he was the knight in these stories? Had he been reading these books when he was sleeping in here? Did he imagine me to be the damsel in distress?

I kept reading, and this time I imagined what it would be like if Dimitri was the knight and I was the damsel. The images the book summoned in my head become much more vivid, and I was starting to get aroused to the point it became painful, but I couldn't put the book down.

I didn't realize how much time had passed as Dimitri came walking in the library. I practically dropped the book when I finally noticed him. I could only imagine what I looked like. My face was flustered, and my breathing had become somewhat erratic. I noticed he was about to ask me something when he took in my heated state, and his words died on his lips.

I decided to cover up my own embarrassment with some Rose bravado. I put the book down, took a deep breath and plastered a sly smile on my face.

"Oh, naughty, naughty Comrade. I guess you did have something to hide. I thought you said your mother raised you well,"I said waving the book in the air.

He looked confused.

"The book is about a knight that deals out justice, I don't understand how that is wrong."

I narrowed my eyes and stared him down. I saw the slight tinge of red in his neck and the twitch in his eyebrow, but other than that his face remained completely passive. If I didn't know what to look for, I wouldn't have thought he was at all embarrassed or knew what I was talking about.

I gave him a defiant look and opened the book and started to read.

"Her moans of pleasure urged him on to move faster, to plunge deeper and to stroke her more rapidly. Her soft moans soon turned into desperate cries, desperate for the release only he could provide. Her body convulsed as he brought her to what she could only assume was heaven. He emptied inside of her as he joined her there and together they rode the waves of pleasure until they landed back on earth…" I slapped the book closed, looking at him defiantly.

"Okay, so there are some descriptions in there of other aspects of a knight's life as well. I heard the stories are based on a real life character, so it is only natural to tell the whole story," He said sounding more and more embarrassed.

I giggled.

"Sure. Sure."

"I only read these books for the adventures he went through. I am not interested in the other stuff."

"Of course not," I said in a tone that clearly contradicted that.

"I don't. Really!"

"I believe you." I patted his shoulder but couldn't hide the devious smile as I clearly thought he would have enjoyed the passages as much as I did. I walked around him to start work on dinner.

"Just wait until I have fallen asleep to read these stories, I don't want to hear your self-induced pleasures while I am in the next room."

"It is not like that,"he practically screamed when I walked away laughing. It was fun pushing his buttons. Who would have thought a strong, virile man like himself was such a prude?

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.

Normal uploading schedule would be Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday because those are my days off, I might be able to squeeze in an extra update in on Wednesday, because of the holidays.