Gladiator Dreams

[Perplexia]

"we need to go into town and get you some clothes, and some bread. No one in the village knows who I am, they simply think its a home by a rich land owner. So as far as they know you're my husband." She said softly. "we can stay here as long as you like, unless father summons me back. You may want to start working in the forge, if you could sell some of your stuff we could probably stay longer without needed to ask for money."

 

[musicankane]

Darius smiled and nodded, he liked the idea that she would play his wife in town. Even if it was for pretend, it was a wonderful thought to have people look at her and know that her beauty belonged to him. "I'll go look at the forge first then, that way I'll know what I need to pick up."

After they ate Darius was shown the forge. It was in good working order, he only needed coal and raw metal to start making things. So he made a mental shopping list and together he and Catalina went into town. It was good to have her by his side, he felt good just being with her.

They picked out clothing for him first, Darius felt funny modeling pieces she thought would look good on him. He blushed when the tailor offered to let Catalina into the changing room to help him fit into the clothing. The tailor was an old man and Darius thought the old man wanted to watch something naughty happen with them.

 

[Perplexia]

"my husband makes his own choices" Catalina answered like a good wife and sat and waited as he came to show her. With a few pants shirts and some working clothes she sent him to get the supplies he needed giving him more then enough to cover it. She split the money and told them whatever he had left over was his to hang on to. So if he decided to get her a present she could have no qualms. He seemed to be hesitant about leaving her alone. But went anyway. She got them some things from the bakery and some items from the grocers. With her hands full she waited for him to come and retrieve her.

 

[musicankane]

Darius didn't like to leave Catalina alone, but since nobody knew who she was he supposed it would be okay for a little while. He went to the goods store and inquired about metals, and perhaps things that needed crafted around the town. He learned that horse shoes were needed by most people and if Darius could make them, the shop keeper would buy them and provide the metal he would need for free.

Darius agreed, feeling good for a change about making something that wouldn't kill people. On the way back to meet up with Catalina he saw a golden locket sitting on a display. It caught his eye so intently he knew that it was something Catalina was meant to have.

He bought it even though it was expensive sine he had gotten the metal for free. Then he went back to Catalina with the locket in his pocket and a smile on his face. "You ready to head back?"

 

[Perplexia]

"yes" she said smiling up to him handing him her packages. "Were you able to get the things you needed?" she questioned as they walked back. She liked this little town, and she was happy here with him. "I thought i'd show you some of my favorite spots, if you'd like to have a picnic" she asked with a smile.

 

[musicankane]

Darius nodded and told her about the deal he struck with the shopkeeper in town. He smiled at her mention of a picnic, "A picnic sounds like a good idea. Let's drop our things off at the house and I'll even change into something better than these guard rags." He told her.

Once they were out in the country sitting under a tree Darius dug into his pocket for the locket he had bought her. "Catalina I got you something as a thank you for helpping me out of prison and what not." He smiled and pulled out the locket for her. "And as a token of my feelings for you."

 

[Perplexia]

She had taken him to an isolated spot by a stream. One of her favorite places to think and read. It was her private spot that no one knew about. They had a nice picnic and then he reached his pocket bringing out the chain an locket. "its so beautiful" She said softly lifting her auburn locks so he could place it on her neck. I"ll treasure it always. Keep it with me always." she said as a tear of joy came down her ivory flesh and cheek.
"I didn't help you get out of prison, i just helped with your survival, the rest was all you" she said softly her hand brushing his cheek.

 

[musicankane]

Darius smiled, glad that she liked the locket. He wanted to make her happy and he was glad that it put a smile on her lips. He nuzzled his cheek into her hand as she cupped his face. Such an innocent touch and yet so warming. "I'm glad you like it." He told her.

He decided that it was time. They were alone and there was no reason not too. He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers, kissing her softly, wondering if she would jerk away or respond.

 

[Perplexia]

Heat rushed through her body as his lips touched hers, and her mouth responded kissing him back as her arms found their way around his neck. His lips were soft and gentle, yet firm and possessive. Her eyes closed as she found her self leaning into him. A soft moan came from her lips to his as she felt his tongue press between her lips opening her mouth she excepted it.

 

[musicankane]

Kissing Catalina was better than he had ever imagined. Her lips soft against his, her tongue warm, her mouth welcoming. He put his arms around her, pulling her against him as she leaned into him. Darius felt his heart race as the intensity of their kiss increased. Their bodies mashed together and Darius laid onto his back pulling her on top of him.

Darius smiled at her, and looked up into her eyes. "Best kiss of my life."

 

[Perplexia]

Catalina gasped as he pulled her on top of him. His arms holding her against him. She blushed shyly and buried her head in his chest, not pulling away. "have you kissed many?" she questioned innocently. There was something about being held to him that she absolutely enjoyed. Something about the heat that transpired between them.
She heard the thunder and lightening crackle in the distance. "we should probably get home before the storm hits" she said softly not moving to get off of him.

 

[musicankane]

Darius smiled and looked at the sky. "Don't tell me you are afraid of getting a little wet Princess." He teased. "Have you never sat out in a thunderstorm, it can be quite liberating."

He stroked fingers through her hair. "And no I haven't been kissing women. At least not since I came to Rome. There was a girl back in my hometown a few miles south of France, but she decided to leave me for some rich banker's son. That was a long time ago though, I've long since forgotten even her name."

 

[Perplexia]

She smiled. "oh i don't mind that you have a past." she said softly kissing his lips on her own. "i also don't mind the rain, but its one thing to be on your own and have your dress clinging to you, and then there's being with the man who you're getting to know on a more intimate level, allowing yourself to be emotionally available to." she grinned and got up. "that and i'm quite sure i can beat you back" she squealed taking off running.

 

[musicankane]

Darius jumped to his feet and called out for her. "Hey wait!" He bent down and grabbed his sword and started running after her. She was quick but she was also in a dress and he slowly started to catch her, which also made her squeal and giggle. She tried to run faster but Darius still gained on her.

He almost caught her as they reached the edge of the property but he started to slow a little. He though it would be nice to just let her win. He was upon her the moment her hands touched the door. Scooping her into her arms and spinning with her. "Where do you think youre running?"

 

[Perplexia]

She squealed and laughed as he swept her up. Then the rain started and she could only giggle more. Before his eyes her clothes surrounded her form. She pushed on the door so he could carry her in, her arms around his neck with a glow.
"you should set me down" she giggled laughing. "I'll get the fire started for the stove for dinner, as well as the one in the sitting room and the bedrooms."

 

[musicankane]

Darius smiled and gently set her down as if he could hold her all day if he needed to. Then he went into the pantry to grab something to eat. He gathered veggies and some beef for a stew, figuring it would be simple enough to make over the fire. He walked to the living room where the fire had already started burning the chill away and cast a wonderful glow over the room.

He sighed in contentment and set a pot of water on top of the rack in the hearth. As the water heated he cut up the veggies and put them into the pot with the beef.

 

[Perplexia]

Making her way up the stairs she made up both rooms, and got the fires going. It would probably be easier on him to sleep in his own room. Although she wished she could just spend the night in his arms.

She came back down the stairs and smiled seeing him bent over stiring the pot. "It smells good' she said sniffing the air. I hope you put salt in it" she giggled a little and smiled walking toward him. Her eyes softened as they looked into his.

 

[musicankane]

Darius glanced over at her abd smirked, "Very funny." He said with a snort. He scooped a bit of the stew onto a spoon and beckoned her over to him. "Here have a taste." He held the spoon out for her and after she tasted the stew he leaned it quick and gave her a quick kiss before she could saying anything about salt.

 

[Perplexia]

Her reaction was a gasp at the surprise of his kiss. But she did not back away. Instead she wrapped her arms around him and continued to kiss him in front of the hearth. She blushed and turned her head. Then looked up her eyes catching his. "so what you're saying is i should kiss you after every bite so i won't remember that it needs salt" she squeaked before running through the large chateau.

 

[musicankane]

Darius laughed as she sprinted away from him. "Hey i dont care that you have no sense of taste. If you get hungry enough you will eat my shitty cooking." He yelled rather than chase her. Besides he needed to stay by the stew and stir so it wouldnt burn to the bottom of the pot. He smiled the whole time though, finally he felt like he had someone to be with. Though he knew that when she was ready to be with him in that way it would be a wonderful night.

"Bring bowls when you come back." He tasted the stew and frowned. "And salt."

 

[Perplexia]

He would be able to hear a roar of laughter from the kitchen as he mentioned salt. She came back with the bowls, salt and spoons, as well as some fresh cut buttered bread.

She handed him what he needed and sat down on the floor next to him. "despite needed salt" she giggled "its rather tasty, at least we know i didn't save your for the kitchen" she giggled again turning red. She hadn't laughed like this in for as long as she could remember.

The storm blew the rain hard against the chateau and she jumped slightly as a branch hit the door. She smiled softly and continued to eat.

 

[musicankane]

They ate and even Darius added a little salt to the food. But otherwise it was good and filling. After dinnee he washed the pot and came back to sit beside the fire listening to the storm outside. "It is going to be a rough storm tonight. Ill have to stay up and make sure to keep watch. I dont want to mistake an intruder for a branch or the wind blowing." He explained not looking forward to the long night ahead of him.

 

[Perplexia]

"i'll stay up with you" she said making a statement not a question. She wasn't going to be alone. Especially with her superstitions of the place being haunted. "why don't we just sleep down here?" she questioned. That way he could rest and be right there if anything were to happen.
"really Darius she whispered. I don't want to be alone up there"

 

[musicankane]

Darius arranged some blankets by the fire so that they could sit together. Catalina leaned against him while they watched the fire. Darius took her hand in his and gently ran his fingers over her skin, just wanting to touch her in some way. In a lot of ways he felt like the fire inside, churning with heat and need but yet calm at the same time. There was so much he wanted to say and do with Catalina, but he knew she needed time to make up her mind about what she wanted to do. She had a lot to think about and their were some big consequence to any acts of passions she took with Darius.

 

[Perplexia]

She smiled leaning against him. Soft mmms came from her lips as he ran his fingers gently over her skin. There was nothing overwhelming, or intrusive about the way he touched her. It felt natural as if she belonged to him. She would one day give herself to him. There was not limit on time, nor did he push her. Although their feelings were there, their love was new, it would take time to build towards their destiny.

That's how she viewed it now. Darius was her destiny. From the moment he didn't answer her, or cower under her words she was his.

They stayed cuddled through the storm and again slept in each others arms. It ended up being a nightly thing. She found it difficult to sleep without the beating of his chest beneath her.

Two and a half weeks had passed and they enjoyed long walks and talks which only seemed to bring them closer. Each kiss only seemed to last longer as did each caress. There was no more doubts in her mind that he wasn't going to leave. He had begun his work during the day on making horseshoes. His exquisite craftsmanship was revered, and new orders for other things began coming in.
Using the education she'd been privileged with she began doing his books and keeping track of the orders. When he allowed her to help she would. But he was still quite protective of her.
With Sunday as their determined day of rest for them to spend time together, she awoke with the chirping of the birds in his arms.
"are you awake she whispered as the cool breeze flowed over them. Her hand caressed his face without hesitation or fear.
Her lips came to his kissing him with the love that she felt in her heart for him.
"Darius, she whispered in his ear softly "I'm ready for you to make me yours completely. Will you claim me as yours my love"