Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

He was weeping over a dead woman. Julia felt as if she’d been punched square in the belly when she realized that her strong, warrior husband was crying over the memory of his dead wife. He had loved and cared for her and he missed his daughter…it was all more then he’d ever shown towards her. Whatever notions she’d had as a little girl to have a husband that loved and cherished her were gone in an instant. He was haunted by a memory and because of that, Julia knew that Brogan would never truly be hers.

“You loved her.” She said softly. “And you pity me. I can see clearly that I will never compare to the memory of a ghost.”

Julia wasn’t really sure where those words were coming from. It didn’t make sense to her as to why she needed her marriage to be so special and loving. She was lucky to have a husband that didn’t beat her and took the time to listen. Still, her heart was being torn to shreds and she didn’t even understand why. His words from before were coming back to haunt her, the taunting that he had only taken her in because her father would have put her out on the streets. The truth had hurt her more than he would ever know.

Taking off the circle from her brow, she threw it at Brogan and ran from the room sobbing. She didn’t bring her cloak and the moment that she hurried outside, she bitterly regretted it. Still, she didn’t stop as she ran through the snow towards a destination that she didn’t even know. It wasn’t until she found herself at the stables that she finally stopped to take refuge from the chilling evening.

Hunkering down in one of the stalls, she sobbed out the pain of her broken heart and she shivered in the cold, wishing that she could just die out there rather than face the pain that awaited her inside of the keep.

 

[KieranSoares]

It wasn't Brogan who came after her, nor Valentina nor any of the others. Instead, it was Ciaran, who'd seen her run, and he came after her, with her cloak on his arm. Hearing her sobbing and her pain, he regretted that he'd ever breathed a word of Cassie and Annie, and he felt it was his fault entirely. It would have been better to never have spoke of it... But still, he would not let Julia be left in the cold, he cared too much about her do allow that. So, quietly, he entered, his boots making the slightest crunch on the crisp hay. He came to kneel at her side, and he wrapped the fur cloak around her shoulders with the utmost care, and he remained by her side on his knees, a silent defender and a column of support should she decide to lean upon his strong shoulder to pick herself back up again. If she couldn't emotionally regain her feet alone, Ciaran swore in silence that he'd pick her up himself. So, he stayed there, not saying a word, letting her cry out at least a bit of her pain, as tears always seemed to help heal hurts, if only a little.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia knew the moment that Ciaran was there. Through the veil of tears, she watched as he wrapped her in her cloak and wrapped his arm around her. She pressed her cheek against his strong shoulder as she wept like a child against the injustices of her marriage. It wasn’t until her tears were replaced with sharp hiccups that she finally felt strong enough to speak.

“I feel like such a fool.” She mumbled, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hands. “I thought after yesterday that he might truly feel something for me…but I can see that’s not true.”

She sniffled and stared up into Ciaran’s handsome face. “He weeps for a ghost and tells me that the only reason he agreed to this marriage was because he pitied me. He kept a child from me. He crowned me in front of his people knowing that they would all still know the wife that he had lost.”

“What a fool I’ve been. And I gave him something so precious to me…” She wasn’t talking just about her lost virginity but also the heart that he had slowly been winning.

 

[KieranSoares]

"'E does care, though, love..." Ciaran told her in a gentle tone. "I ain' ne'er seen 'im so gentle with a lass since Annie. 'E's jus'... complicated." He sighed, looking down, and then hugged her close. "I'm sorry... I ain' much 'elp... I'm tryin', though..."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia sniffed again and listened to Ciaran try to reassure her that Brogan truly did care. He was gentle because of the clause in their marriage contract. No one but he and her family knew that if he hurt her in any way, the entire force of the English had the right to wage war against Inverness. Of course, she couldn’t tell Ciaran that.

“I know you’re trying.” She said softly. “And I thank you for that.”

She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his cheek in a simple thank you. She was taken off guard as he moved his cheek and she was suddenly kissing him square on the mouth, something she had only done with Brogan until then. She jerked her head back, staring at Ciaran with a blush staining her cheeks.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ciaran froze as if the winter had struck him full-force, meeting her eyes. He was about to tell her it was okay, it was an accident, that she didn't have to worry about it... But a part of him didn't want to admit it was an accident. He lifted a gentle hand to her cheek. As calloused as it was like Brogan's, there was far more softness behind it. And he returned the accidental kiss quite on purpose.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia was incredibly surprised when Ciaran lifted his hand and gently cupped her cheek, his eyes softening as he leaned in and gave her a kiss in return. She let out a soft sigh, her tense body relaxing as she accepted the gentle kiss to soothe her aching heart. Her own hand found their way to his cheeks, caressing his face in a familiar touch as the kiss deepened until Julia was whimpering softly from the heat behind it.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ciaran slowly pulled back to draw breath, and as he did, he met her eyes as they opened. He whispered ever so gently, but with determination, "If y'can't find th' love yer lookin' for in Brogan... Y'can find it in me, Julia..." It was the first time he had called her by name alone, without 'my lady' or any honorific in front.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia blushed as Ciaran declared that she could find the love she was looking for with him. He even called her by her name, something even Brogan had yet to do. She felt tears prick her eyes again and she gave him a small nod before leaning forward and kissing him again, taking comfort in the simple offer. Brogan didn’t have to know, she thought to herself. Just as he’d kept such hurtful secrets from her, so she would from him.

 

[KieranSoares]

After indulging her in another kiss, Ciaran took her hands and he spoke softly: "We've got t'be careful though, love..." Of course, no one would expect that the Inverness King's most loyal man would steal the heart of the newly-crowned queen, so they were safe for the time being. But Ciaran warned her that they both had to continue about their lives as if she were still Brogan's, that they could only dare to show their love in absolute secrecy. "But..." He added with a grin, "When there ain' anyone 'round... I'm all yours, Julia."

 

[heartofcourage]

“This secret is safe with me.” Julia whispered softly, one last soft kiss pressed to his lips before she stood from the hay and brushed out her skirts. “Tomorrow you must make time to show me more of the town, Ciaran. While Brogan is helping with the wood cutting.”

What she was talking about was definitely treasonous but her wounded heart so badly wanted a man that would love her fiercely and without reservation. Ciaran was that man, it seemed. She would seize this moment and see where it led.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I will, lovely, I promise." He took her arm in his own and escorted her back to the Keep. In her bedroom lay a note from Brogan, saying he would be staying in the lumber camp that night and possibly longer. So she was left alone, and the next day was free of Brogan entirely. Ciaran showed her around the rest of the town with great excitement, then showed her to a nearby loch where they found themselves alone.
.
"Y'know, Inverness made 'er way through some bloody tough times with this 'ere loch. Failed crops, trade cut off, this bonny beauty's kept us lads 'n' lasses alive though 't'all."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia looked down into the frozen waters of the loch, listening to Ciaran as he described how it had saved Inverness in its own way. It was most definitely beautiful, she decided, especially with the thick layer of ice that covered its surface. Turning to him, she smiled and glanced back at the surface of the loch.

“Do you ever skate on it? Back home we would sharpen bits of bone and tie them to our feet and skate in the winter when the ice was thick enough. It’s very fun.” She said, her voice light and truly happy as she spent time with Ciaran.

 

[KieranSoares]

"The li'l lasses 'round 'ere do with their mothers, most of us lads're either too busy 'r too scared t'do it," he chuckled. "An' we ain' never 'ad skates." He set his huge boot on the ice and it held firm, so he took a few steps out. "Seems thick 'nough... C'mon out, love."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia laughed with joy as she reached out and took Ciaran’s hand, allowing him to pull her onto the frozen lake. She gripped his hand tightly and followed behind him as he shuffled them further out onto the ice.

“I can’t tell you how much you make me smile, Ciaran.” She said softly, leaning forward to kiss her beau as they slowly drifted along the ice.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ya don' 'ave t'tell me, jus' show me," he chuckled, returning her kiss. But just as he pulled back from said kiss, his boot caught a small ripple in the ice and he overbalanced, falling on his back. After a loud grunt from impact, he laughed heartily and slowly, carefully picked himself back up again. "Damn, I'm clumsy," he gave her another of his handsome smiles.

 

[heartofcourage]

The laughter she had on her lips burst forth and she couldn’t help but laugh as Ciaran stumbled backwards and fell onto his bottom. “A clumsy, lovely, handsome man.” She said, returning the smile that he had upon his own face.

She watched as he picked himself up from the ice and she giggled as he tried to catch her up in his arms. She dodged out of the way and she felt free out there in the frozen wilderness with Ciaran. This was the joyful life that she had always dreamed about with her husband.

“Catch me if you can.” She challenged as she started off across the ice as fast as she could.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Oi, now!" Ciaran tried to give chase, but only succeeded in tripping twice before he could gain any momentum, and when he did, he ended up going too fast and he suddenly slid right past her and fell again. Laughing in pure joy at the chase, he finally managed to catch her when he got up again, but he slipped and fell once more, though he twisted himself round quickly so that Julia, who fell with him, landed on top of him safely.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia let out a shriek as he pulled her to the ice, twisting so that she landed on his chest and out of harm. She was laughing, her emerald green eyes sparkling with merriment. The moment was perfect after the sorrow of the day before. She showed him that as she leaned down and kissed with him with a passion that surprised her.

Cupping his cheeks in her hands, she kissed him at a leisurely pace, whimpering softly as she parted her lips to allow his tongue entrance into her mouth. It was heavenly and she knew that she wanted so much more from him.

 

[KieranSoares]

As his tongue danced against hers, she caught the faint sweet edge of ale and cider in his breath and the distant taste of cider alone. Holding her in tight with a hand on her lower back, his other gloved hand caressed her thigh slowly. In such heat and such a moment, Ciaran lost himself in her kisses for several minutes til he finally pulled his lips from hers with a breathy chuckle. "Yer gonna melt th' ice, darlin'..." Not that he really would've minded if it were her. "Let me show ya one more thing," he whispered in her ear, before picking himself up once more. Sweeping her up in his arms, he carried her off the frozen loch and into the forest at the edge of town, the opposite side from lumber camp and most of the people in Inverness. Therein, they found a quaint little cabin, inside of which was a very warm and homey atmosphere with its wooden floors, fur rugs, handmade furniture, and an all-around air of welcome. Even the dying embers in the fireplace seemed to welcome her in. Ciaran set her down just inside the heavy door after nudging it shut with his heel, and he spoke with pride but in the same gentle and loving voice he held just for her, "Welcome t'my li'l 'ome, love. Door's always open t'ya."

 

[heartofcourage]

A soft moan escaped her lips as Ciaran’s strong arms swept her off the ice. Julia grinned at him, her arms looping around his neck as he carried her from the iced loch and into the snow covered forest. Ciaran had an easy way about him that made it so easy to laugh and enjoy her time with him. She couldn’t help peppering his cheek with soft kisses as he came upon a small cabin, carrying her inside the homey interior and depositing her upon her feet.

“It’s lovely, Ciaran.” She said softly, looking around his little home and soaking in the warmth and hominess. “I like the sound of that.”

She turned towards him, looping her arms back around his neck as she pressed her body close to his. Looking up into his honest and loving gaze, she smiled softly and nuzzled against his throat. She took in his warm, inviting scent and let out a sigh of contentment.

“I don’t want to hurt Brogan, but this feels too right to be wrong.” She murmured, tilting her chin towards him for another passionate kiss like what they’d shared on the loch.

 

[KieranSoares]

"What 'e don' know won' 'urt 'im," Ciaran muttered before indulging her in another kiss and looping his arms about her waist. In between kisses, me whispered, "Damn, yer beautiful... Jus' perfect..."

The handsome Scotsman ushered her further into his home, but he was so incredibly distracted by her lips and her touch that they really didn't make it that far. Julia soon found herself lightly pressed up against a wall, but by no means trapped, as Ciaran's fingers and lips caressed her neck.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia let out a whimper of hot need, gasping as she felt herself pressed against the wall, his warm body pressing against her. She tilted her head back against the hard surface as Ciaran’s fingers and lips caressed her neck, making her shiver with hot anticipation.

“Oh, Ciaran…” She whimpered, her fingers pressing against his chest as he started a slow seduction of her body.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brushing her cloak from her shoulders, Ciaran tossed aside his own alongside his gloves. His hands slid round behind her and found the laces of her dress, but he took his time about it, more intent on loving her than just bedding her. The difference between he and Brogan became greater and greater the more time Julia spent with Ciaran. Brogan was complex in the mind, secretive, and very basic in his needs. Ciaran had a simpler mindset (though he was just as intelligent) and he was very open, and his needs were not just food, work, bedding a woman, and sleep in that order. He gave off an air to Julia that he could skip out on the rest if he could just be by her side, but elsewise, he was much more intriguing a man, not so basic, and he proved this by catering to her pleasure and happiness before his own.

After her dress pooled at her feet, Ciaran took her hands with one more kiss before he asked softly, "Are y'sure, love...?" He didn't want her to do something she'd regret or feel guilty for.

 

[heartofcourage]

As Julia stood before Ciaran in nothing but her undergarments, she felt a little bit of fear that Brogan would discover what she was about to do. Ciaran was being sweet, offering a way out for the both of them that she wasn’t sure her heart could take. She needed his gentle touch. She needed his love and praise. She needed what he was about to give her.

Brogan had bedded her without an option on their wedding night. Now, Ciaran was waiting for her to say yes or no. She sucked in a deep breath and looked down at their joined hands. Her wedding band was shining in the low firelight and she felt her heart thudding painfully in her chest.

“I’m sure.” She finally said, pulling her hands from his and pulling her wedding band from her finger and placing it upon his hearth. “Take me to bed, Ciaran.”