Warning - Galahad/Maia fluff! Galahad fans, you have all been warned ;)
Dusting off her hands Amaya smiled over to Maia as the woman cantered around the small arena, confidently riding Aquila as if she had been doing so all her life. Stepping away from the hay Amaya had just shifted she approached the fence and leaned against it, placing her head on her arms to watch as Maia pulled Aquila's head gently around then trotted up to her, the horse breathing deeply. "Galahad is a good teacher, is he not?" Amaya mused aloud, reaching out and stroking Aquila's nose. Maia blushed then nodded.
"I am so grateful to you both, I don't know how I shall ever repay you." Amaya shook her head.
"Your happiness is reward enough. You are our ward, Maia, and we will always provide for you. Do not worry for repayments." Maia blushed again, stroking Aquila's neck.
"But still, I have done nothing to earn…"
"Don't fret, Maia." Amaya soothed her gently. "All you need to do is focus on enjoying your freedom and all the blessings it reaps." Coyly Amaya pursed her lips with a smirk, still stroking Aquila's face. "My brother is very handsome, isn't he?" Again Maia blushed, a lump rising to her throat as she gulped.
"Yes. Very handsome indeed." Looking around Amaya hid her grin.
"And speaking of the devil…" Maia gasped as Galahad approached, turning her head away to hide the blush.
"Sister, my lady." Galahad greeted as he got near. "Are you both well?"
"Very well, brother." Amaya said, placing her hands on her hips. "But I have to see to some chores. Those floors won't scrub themselves, you know." With that she turned and walked merrily away, leaving Maia alone with her brother.
Galahad looked to Maia who slowly lifted her eyes to meet his. "You look well in the saddle, Maia, you are a fine horsewoman." He complimented and she smiled.
"Only thanks to your excellent tuition." She replied softly, lowering her eyes slightly to gaze at him through her long lashes. Turning her head she guided Aquila into a trot then sat in her seat for a canter, working Aquila around in circles to keep her in shape.
With a soft sigh Galahad watched as she rode, her long hair flowing behind her like a rich golden banner. He was so content to watch her that he was not even aware that he was staring. Maia blushed under the watchful knight's gaze, feeling a nervous knot in her stomach tighten.
Without warning a bird flew across Aquila's face, causing the mare to squeal and rear up suddenly, the force throwing Maia from the saddle with a cry of alarm. "Maia!" Galahad called and leaped over the fence as the horse bolted away, kicking up her hooves before stopping at the other end of the school, twitching nervously and shaking her head.
Falling to Maia's side he lifted her up, brushing her hair back from her face as she groaned softly then turned her head to look at Galahad. He sighed with relief. "You're alright." He assured her gently. "You don't look injured."
"No, no I'm fine." She promised him, her hands going to his shoulders as he lifted her up onto her feet but when they looked into one another's eyes again, they both went perfectly still. Galahad's hands rested around her tiny waist as hers remained on his shoulders. She was so beautiful, slightly breathless from the shock but the flush to her face only enhanced her fine features, casting them in the rosy glow of innocence. Galahad knew he should pull away, that it was not gentlemanly like to keep such an intimate hold on a lady but he did not want to draw back. She smelled so sweet and the curve of her waist was simply too tempting to let go of.
Maia stared up into his crystalline blue eyes, completely enchanted by their lightness. She didn't realise it but she was leaning closer, stretching her neck and rising onto her toes slowly to reach his face. Her eyes dropped to his mouth and Galahad instantly knew that she wanted the same that he desired. He too had been inching forwards, inhaling her scent quietly but at the small signal, he closed the distance between them and pressed his mouth to hers.
Maia whimpered at the contact, trembling as the feeling of desire rose in her chest, her mouth remaining perfectly still against Galahad's as he slowly moved his lips against hers, guiding her inexperienced mouth until she had tilted her head to the side and deepened the kiss, growing in confidence as Galahad's heart hammered in his chest.
Maia's own heart fluttered madly like a butterfly's wings, brushing against her chest as she kissed Galahad, feeling utterly at ease now that she had adjusted to the strange sensation. All too soon their light kiss ended and their eyes rested upon another, both slightly breathless from the intimacy they had just shared. "Galahad…" Maia whispered and the winsome tone drove the spark in his chest wild with want.
"Maia, I am sorry, I didn't mean to…"
"No, no I wanted it. I wanted it Galahad." One hand reached out and touched his face, gently stroking his cheek as she leaned against his chest. "Please, do not say it was a mistake. Do not push me away."
"I would never push you away, Maia." Galahad murmured softly to her, placing a tender kiss on her lips and then her brow as she sighed contently and rested her head against him. A loud whinny caught their attention and Aquila snorted indignantly, shaking her mane and stomping her hoof.
"Oh! Aquila, are you alright my sweet?" Maia asked, looking to Galahad who smiled then wound an arm around her waist and led her over to the horse who stepped up to her mistress as she reached out and held the bridle, gently stroking her nose as the mare stepped closer again, nuzzling her face before allowing herself to be led away.
The two walked together back to the stables, neither quite knowing what to say until finally, Maia spoke up. "Where does this leave us now?"
"Well my fair maiden." Galahad said as he stooped down and plucked a single daisy from the ground, presenting it to Maia who smiled at the gesture then let him tuck it into her hair. "I would very much like to court you, if you would grant me the honour."
"I would like nothing more, Galahad." She murmured, lifting herself up onto her toes to kiss his cheek. "You make me happier than I have ever felt in my entire life." Galahad rested a hand against her face, his thumb brushing against her cheek as she smiled.
"I want to make you smile every day for the rest of our lives." He whispered to her, leaning down to rest his brow against hers. "And fill every passing moment with happiness."
"As I want for you." She replied softly, taking his hand. They stayed there like that, wrapped in one another's presence until Aquila impatiently nudged Maia, making her topple forwards slightly into Galahad who chuckled.
"Come, I think she wants to rest in her stall." Maia nodded her head and they walked to the stables together, Galahad's hand at her waist. She was giddy with joy as she began to untack and brush down Aquila, Galahad joining in. When he was certain no one was watching Galahad grabbed Maia's waist and spun her around, kissing her quickly then smirked, tucking his head to her cheek and planted his lips there as she giggled, curling her arms around him.
Aquila snorted, turning her head away from the new couple as they frolicked behind her frame. Completely transfixed with Galahad's features Maia began to kiss tiny trails over his face, mapping out his face to memory so that she could carry that smile of his everywhere she went.
Entrapped by her beauty Galahad reached forwards and sealed their lips together passionately, gradually escalating until Maia was pressed into the wall, moaning quietly as Galahad kneaded her waist, their lips locked in a fiery dance that Maia did not know she could dance.