In the secluded chamber of the whimsical baths, the steam rose, making the air thick with warmth. The glow from the candles illuminated the stonework, casting flickering shadows. Petals floated atop the water, painting a mosaic of colors.
Marguerite dipped a hand in the water, letting the warmth wrap her fingers. "Lord Roxton, this is magnificent. However did you find this place?"
John replied. "Abigail, of course. Who else?"
Marguerite's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I'm beginning to think that everyone here, especially Abigail it seems, is conspiring to bring us closer together."
"And what would be wrong with that?" John asked, raising an eyebrow playfully.
Marguerite responded with a soft laugh, the sound echoing lightly in the chamber. "Absolutely nothing."
The two of them undressed and settled into the bath which was as big as a pond and enjoyed warm, petal-filled water. The gentle flicker of the candles and the aromatic scent of the petals made the experience feel otherworldly.
They shared soft whispers, punctuated with laughter and moments of comfortable silence. The cares of the outside world melted away, leaving just the two of them in a cocoon of warmth and intimacy.
John leaned closer, letting the water ripple around them, his voice a sultry murmur. "You know, Marguerite, the water is much warmer on this side."
She looked at him with a seductive smile, "Trying to give me a hint, are you?"
John feigned innocence, his eyes gleaming playfully. "A hint?"
Marguerite leaned in, her face inches from his. "That you'd like me to come a bit... closer?"
John's gaze dropped to her lips for a brief moment before meeting her eyes again. "Do I need to give hints for that? I thought it was pretty obvious."
Marguerite smirked, "Well, sometimes, Lord Roxton, it's fun to make you work for it."
John chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her flush against him. "Is this close enough?"
She tilted her head, pretending to ponder. "Almost there, but I believe there's room for more."
Their lips met in a playful, teasing kiss - the kiss that began with a light, flirtatious touch, brimming with a sense of playfulness. Gradually, it grew more intense, and John's fingers softly followed the graceful lines of Marguerite's body, adding a layer of tender intimacy to their moment.
Marguerite's hands ran through John's hair, pulling him closer. The intensity of the moment was amorous, a testament to the years of unresolved tension and the undeniable chemistry between them.
Pulling away for a moment to catch their breath, Marguerite's eyes shimmered.
"My, Lord Roxton, you always did know how to make a moment memorable," she whispered.
John's chuckle vibrated against her lips. "Only when I'm with you, Marguerite."
Soon an Avalonian girl appeared at the entrance of the bath chamber, holding a tray with a bottle of wine and two glasses. Her expression was serene, completely unfazed by the sight of the two of them nude in the water. To the Avalonians, the human body and its natural state was not something to be hidden or ashamed of; it was merely a part of life.
The girl bowed slightly, setting the tray on the edge of the bath. With a gracious nod, she turned and left the chamber.
John uncorked the bottle, pouring the wine into the glasses. "It took me a while, but I've come to appreciate the Avalonian perspective on things," he admitted, handing a glass to Marguerite.
Marguerite took a sip, her eyes thoughtful. "Well, yes, but when we first arrived, the openness of their way was a bit startling. Their relationship with sexuality, with nature, with each other. It's all so... unencumbered."
Roxton nodded, "A stark contrast to the world we know."
He raised his glass, the candlelight reflecting in his eyes. "To Avalon, to freedom, and to us."
Marguerite met his gaze, her smile radiant. "To us," she echoed, clinking her glass against his.
The warm ambiance enveloped them, and the two of them cherished the moment, savoring the wine and each other's company.
In the dimly lit corridors of the Avalon castle, two of Veronica's guards made their way to Malone's quarters. They knocked on his door with a sense of urgency.
Upon answering, Malone, slightly taken aback by the sudden summons, asked, "What's the matter?"
One guard responded, "Lady Veronica has requested your presence in her chamber."
Ned's eyebrows rose in intrigue. "At this hour? Did she mention why?"
The other guard evenly replied. "She did not."
A mix of anticipation and curiosity filled Malone as he made his way to Veronica's chamber, the guards escorting him.
Upon entering, he found Veronica lounging gracefully on a chaise, surrounded by plush cushions and draperies. She wore a playful smile, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Ah, Malone," she greeted with a fake formality "So good of you to join me."
Malone, ever the gentleman, took a moment to bow slightly, though his eyes twinkled with amusement. "My Lady, when you command, I am duty-bound to obey."
Veronica chuckled, "Well, since you're here, and clearly at my mercy, how about we make the most of this unexpected rendezvous?"
Their playful exchange continued, each enjoying the other's company and the fun diversion from the weighty matters they'd been addressing in Avalon.
With the guards gone, the atmosphere in the chamber grew more intimate. The soft glow from the candles created dancing shadows on the walls.
Veronica, still lounging on the chaise, extended her hand towards Malone. "Come, sit with me," she beckoned.
Taking her invitation, Malone approached and sat on the edge, facing her. Their proximity allowed him to take in the details of her face, her playful eyes and the curve of her lips.
"You've never summoned me in such a manner before," he remarked with a sly grin, playing along with their game.
Veronica's smile deepened, "Well, there's always a first time for everything, isn't there?"
Ned's cheerful demeanor softened, and he looked down momentarily, gathering his thoughts.
"Veronica, I must apologize," he began, lifting his gaze to meet hers. "I wanted to come and visit you on my own, but I hesitated."
She tilted her head slightly, her playful eyes now filled with curiosity. "Why?"
He exhaled slowly, "Part of me felt guilty for... the past. And I didn't want to disrupt your training. You've been working so hard, and I didn't want to be a distraction."
Veronica reached out, placing a gentle hand on his cheek, prompting him to look up. "Ned, the past is just that – the past. We're here now, together, in this moment. And as for my training, while it's essential, so are moments like these."
They shared a tender moment, their foreheads touching, grounding them in the present.
Ned's eyes widened momentarily as Veronica leaned in for a kiss. In a somewhat hasty move, he stepped back, putting a little distance between them. Veronica looked startled and slightly hurt, her eyes searching for an explanation.
"No, wait!" he blurted out, his face turning a shade of crimson. "I mean, I just wanted to... before we... I mean, I've been wanting to tell you..."
Veronica raised an eyebrow, her confusion evident, but she remained silent, giving him space to express himself.
Ned took a deep breath, "Veronica, I love you. I've been trying to find the right moment, the perfect setting to tell you, but every time I thought about it, the words just got jumbled up in my mind, and now..."
She smiled gently, her earlier hesitation replaced by warmth. "Ned, it doesn't have to be perfect. Just real."
Leaning closer she whispered, "I love you too," before sealing their confession with a tender kiss.
With their confessions lingering in the air like a sweet melody, the two of them lost track of time. In the gentle glow of the chamber, they drew closer, exploring the newfound depths of their relationship. Their expressions spoke volumes, as two souls connected in the most intimate way.
Outside, the starry sky seemed to shine a little brighter, the nocturnal melodies of Avalon singing in harmony with the beating of two synchronized hearts. The moon cast a gentle glow on the land, signaling the end of one day and the promise of another.