Word Count: 2178

~Aesira

I wake to a hand on my arm.

Blinking my eyes open slowly, I take in Everin's form looming in front of me. Sitting up, it takes a few moments to remember we're in a carriage, on our way to an unknown location where Everin insists I'll be safe.

"Aesira, we've arrived," he murmurs.

I rub the heel of my palm over my eye. "Hmm?"

"We're here." He pulls the curtain over the window back, letting in a sharp ray of sunlight.

"Oh..." Leaning forward, I peer out, taking in the sight. "It's a cottage."

Earlier, when I fell asleep, I wasn't certain there would be a location. I thought we would travel endlessly in one direction until Everin deemed it safe enough to return.

Instead, we've arrived at a quaint location, nestled in the woods. A two story cottage, draped in purple wisteria and green ivy takes up a grand amount of space, encased in a white fence and a vivid garden.

Everin watches my face as I gape at its beauty.

"My mothers cottage. She used to retreat here whenever her and my father fought," he explains gently.

Startled, I glance at him, but he's already stepping from the transport. He barely speaks of his mother. This might be the only glimpse of her memory that I ever truly get.

The air is balmy as I step outside, pausing to stretch.

The woods sing with the sounds of life. Birds flittering, wind weaving through leaves and ancient boughs creaking. I can see why Everin's mother came here for calm.

The inside of the home is as beautiful as the outside. Despite not being lived in, it is wondrously cozy and warm. It's cluttered with hand selected furnishings and decorations, yet still breathable. The rooms are not gaping, even with all the doors and windows open to welcome the freshness of the day.

Everin is quiet as he leads me down a hallway. The walls are painted a buttery yellow, and hung on them are paintings of various flowers and vegetation in differing sizes.

It's clear his mother was an artist, and a brilliant one, with a fascination for nature.

Whatever happened to such a talented female? Could my father really have had something to do with her disappearance?

"It's a beautiful place," I note.

"Most importantly, it is solitary. No one will know we are here," he says. "It will be just you and I for this evening. Tomorrow, a servant and two guards will arrive for your help and protection. I figured it would be safer if they left after us, to avoid being followed."

I nod distractedly. "That is true, I suppose."

The hallway gives way to a small set of stairs leading upward.

"Upstairs are the bedrooms. I'm sure you want to rest." Everin rests his hand on the banister, looking over my knotted hair and clothing in disarray.

"Desperately..." I stifle a yawn behind my hand. Despite sleeping in the carriage, I don't feel well rested.

He leads me upstairs, where there are two doors. He presses the furthest one open, gesturing inside.

"You may sleep in here."

The room is as beautiful and well-kept as the rest of the house. The walls are painted a powdery light blue and the furniture is creamy white. The bed in the centre looks delightfully enticing — it takes everything in me not to rush toward it excitedly.

"Was this your mothers room?" I look to Everin, who is assessing the space with a deeply furrowed brow.

"No." He leans his shoulder against the bed frame. "No one goes in...no one sleeps in there."

"Why not?"

He swallows thickly. "I would rather keep the space preserved."

I can't help but wonder if he won't speak to me about his mother because he blames my father for her disappearance. Does he still lump me in with his acts?

"Where will you sleep?" I ask.

Still, he doesn't look at me. "Downstairs on couch will do just fine."

I would offer him the bed, but I already know he wouldn't agree to take it. And despite my warming feelings toward him, I doubt it would be a very good idea to share a bed after what almost transpired between us when we did last.

Venturing into the room, I take in the scent of clean laundry and lavender. I find an adjoining bathroom to the side, which offers a welcome sight.

"Ah, a bath. What a relief," I breathe.

Hours of travel stick to me like a second skin. A long bath and perhaps a longer sleep sound like a dream.

"This place is serviced regularly by folk in the area. You'll find everything you need in here." Everin sets my bag down just inside the room.

"Thanks..." I turn as he retreats back into the hallway. "Everin?"

He pauses. "Yes?"

"Have you been back here in recent times?" I ask curiously.

He shakes his head grimly, something stirring in the depths of his eyes. "Not since she disappeared."

I frown, wanting to say more, but he ducks his head under the doorframe as he exits, disappearing downstairs.

It's probably for the best we limited conversation. We are, after all, alone out here, and I'm not sure I want to tempt fate.

With Everin gone, I press the bedroom door shut and run the bath. While it fills, I brush out my hair and undress before slipping into the waters silken embrace.

Sighing contently, I lean my head back against the baths edge.

It feels good to be away from the manor, for a time. The isolation out here, surrounded by nature, is pleasant. I feel genuinely safe and relaxed, which is odd, because myself from a few months ago would never have believed she would feel this way in a house alone with Everin.

For a while, I just lay in the warm bath, trying to keep my mind clear.

But every thought finds a way to creep back to Everin.

Being out here alone with him like this is dangerous. We haven't had this kind of privacy before, and his words still hang heavy in my mind.

'I would deny you, make you cry, all while you begged for more. Do you understand?'

My eyes flutter open, a gasp pooling at my lips. I can recall the heaviness of his stare, the ache of his voice as he uttered those words.

How long will it be until he snaps? How long will it be until I allow this to happen?

Denying him will be much easier if I'm not so worked up. Perhaps I can allow myself a single moment of indulgence, and the rest of this time will go easier.

Slowly, I dip my hand beneath the surface of the water and lower, between my legs. My fatigue has entirely melted away, replaced by a fierce need for release...

For Everin.

It's his hand I imagine delving between my legs, his fingers I imagine sinking into me. Just one and first, and then two, pressing deep inside me.

With my eyes closed, I can envisage him on the other end of the bath to me, watching me pleasure myself. I can imagine begging for his touch, wanting him to draw near so I can feel the hardness of his body and the sincerity of his affection.

I can practically hear him praising me as my pleasure climbs upward, rearing toward a beautiful peak.

The sound of a door clicking open has my eyes flying open.

Through the small gap I left in the bathroom door, I can see Everin entering the bedroom. His arms are heaped with folded towels, which he sets down on the end of the bed for me.

The sight of him, no longer in my imagination, but mere feet away, is startling. He removed the coat he was travelling with, wearing now on his upper half only a tunic that closely hugs the strong planes of his body.

Even with his back to me, him appearing in front of me is enough to send me hurtling over the edge.

My hand claps over my mouth as, unbidden, pleasure surges through me. I didn't even intend it, but the sight of him alone is enough to undo me.

Even with my moans stifled beneath my hand, I know I'm not silent enough to escape notice. As I come down from my climax, I see Everin's shoulders stiffen.

He doesn't turn around, seemingly aware there is a gap in the bathroom door.

"Aesira, is everything alright in there?" He asks tensely.

"Uh, yeah I'm fine," I say hastily, grimacing.

He sweeps a hand through his hair, sending the inky lengths scattered about his head. "Are you certain? You sounded..."

"I'm just getting out." Bracing my hands on either side of the bath, I raise myself up, water cascading down my skin. I make to step out, but my foot slips on the bottom of the tub. I don't fall, but the force of saving myself from a tumble sends a jolt of pain up my thigh.

"Ow!" I collapse back into the tub unceremoniously, water sloshing over the edge and onto the tiled floor.

"What is going on in there?" Everin demands.

I attempt to stand again, but my leg protests, the pain vivid.

"My leg injury is flaring up...fuck that hurts," I groan, kneading the traitorous flesh. Of all times it decides to forsake me, it chooses now.

Everin has disappeared from view. He must be behind the bathroom door.

"I'm coming in to help you—"

"No! Don't!"

"Your naked form doesn't offend me, Aesira," he mutters, his voice tense.

"I can get out fine on my own," I retort, however, I'm promptly proven wrong as I attempt to sweep my legs under me to pull myself out, only to fall back again.

I sigh, defeated. "Never mind."

"Let me come in. Please," he insists, the strain in his voice palpable.

I've all but lost my dignity — not that I deserve it after this nightmare of an affair. I cannot lay about this bath forever, and without a servant to help me, my only hope is the frustrating male behind the door.

"Okay, fine," I relent, tucking my knees up to my chest in an attempt to conceal as much as my naked skin as possible.

He hesitates. "Is that a yes?"

"Yes Everin, get in here and get me out of this retched bath," I snap.

He pulls the door back, revealing himself. His gaze is lowered, and there's a towel in his hand.

"Cover yourself best you can," he murmurs, edging across the water soaked bathroom floor to hand me the towel. He doesn't risk a single glance at me.

I take it, wrapping it around myself. The bottom half immediately soaks in the water, but I don't care. All that matters is protecting my naked form from his eyes, which I doubt he has much interest in seeing right now either.

"You better watch your hands," I grumble as he leans closer, finally braving a look at me now that I'm covered.

He swiftly hoists me from the bath with little effort, soaking his clothing in the process. The moment my feet touch the tile, and my weight is braced back on my leg, I wince.

"Ouch," I groan, leaning my weight against Everin's sturdy form.

He half carries me back into the bedroom, setting me down on a chair in the corner of the room. I lay my leg out in front of me, glaring at it frustratingly. When will this torment end? When will I heal from this pain?

"Is this okay?" He asks.

"Mm, it's fine." I gesture to the bed. "Pass me a dry towel, please."

Taking the towel he offers me, I switch move to switch it out for the soaking wet one still wrapped around my body.

I raise a warning look at him. "Don't look."

"I'm not looking." He stares out the window, a smile playing on his lips. It's the first bit of humour I've seen on him since we arrived here. "I didn't have to fish you out of the bath, you know."

"Whatever." I roll my eyes.

I hastily switch towels, and not once does Everin look at me. He takes the wet towel and puts it back into the bathroom before he approaches me again.

"Is it ever going to get better?" I ask, waving in exasperation at my injured leg.

He studies it grimly for a moment, as uncertain as I am. "I'm not sure. But I may be able to do something to help."

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