2024 Story Collection

She Was The Star to His Sky

He had been enchanted by her since that night they spent under the stars all those years ago. He still finds himself looking at her to light his path every day and night. She shined brighter than any star he'd seen. She was wild and free, unbounded by the mundane like he was. She was something he dreamed of every night and gazed at every day, but she was not his, nor could she ever be. He knew this, yet he still couldn't help but dream that maybe in another life he would have a chance to love her, really love her the way she deserved.

For he was simply her bodyguard, that was all. She was kind to him, as she was to everyone, and no one in particular. Yet every time she so much as looked at him, smiles in his direction, he knew he'd do anything for her. He would destroy the world to protect her if it came to that.

He never thought he'd fall in love, and at first he hadn't. He'd worked for the heiress of the Sutherman estate for a few years, completely unimpressed by the wild young lady, but everything changed that night, the night he found her under the stars.

She was lying on the grass, her white nightclothes fell over her frame so scandalously, but she didn't care. She was too busy looking up at the clear summer night sky, her fingers tracing the constellations like a game of connect the dots. She whispered to herself, laughing at her own jokes and smiling like there was no better place to be in the world.

Looking at her in that moment, he had to agree.

He'd walked up to her after a while when clouds had finally filled the sky and water drops began to fall.

"You should go in." He'd offered her his hand, looking at the horizon instead of the clingy, now see through fabric of her nightclothes.

"I have a better idea," she had said, taking his hand and letting him pull her up so she was standing before him. "Dance with me," she asked, pulling him along with her down by the docks of the small island.

"That is highly inappropriate," he'd said as she took his hand, placing it on her waist, taking the other in her hand.

"Just once, John. Humor me," she pleaded. "Please?"

Looking into her eyes then, he saw something in her, a future. It scared him. "You cannot tell a soul," he conceded.

A wide smile had spread over her face in that moment as she began to sing. They danced and sung together on the docks that night, all smiles and laughter. They lost track of time and only when the sun rose the next day did they stop.

They had snuck back inside as the morning sun began to spill over the island. Still drenched from the rain, laughing and smiling as he escorted her through the mansion and back to her room.

They had both gotten a cold from their nighttime escapades and were forced to rest in their respective rooms till they recovered. By the time they saw eachother again, neither could meet each other's eyes, or maybe it was just him.

That night, as he stood guard outside her door, thoughts filled with the woman just inside the door, so close yet worlds away. He pulled out his pocket notebook and a pencil.

If she is the star, I am the sky on a stormy night, hoping that one day, I will once again be filled with her light, even if for only a moment. For I am nothing without-

He began to write but got interrupted by Lady Ella.

"John," she called to him, her face sticking out from behind the door. "I have a favor to ask."

"Anything, my lady." He says, turning his full attention to her.

She looks at him, her eyes lingering on him before glancing down at the notebook in his hand. He quickly closes the notebook before placing it back into the inside pocket of his jacket.

"I need assistance with undressing," she says, a slight blush on her cheeks. She looked heavily.

"Would you like me to call a maid?" he asks, already turning to go do exactly that.

"Oh no," she stops him. "There is no need for that. I just need help loosening my corset. The bow my maid tied seems to be knotted."

"My lady, I really shouldn't be inside-" he gets cut off by her pulling him into her chambers.

He stumbles in, surprised by her strength. Does she really need my protection?

She shuts the door behind him. He stands there, refusing to turn and face her and let her see the blush spreading over his face.

"Why won't you face me?" she asks.

He tries to come up with an excuse but can't. Then she walks around, so that she is standing before him in nothing but her chamise and corset with her underskirts. He gulps, looking up at the painted ceilings.

"John," she sighs. "Are you not attracted to me?"

He looks down at her as if she's crazy to suggest such a thing. "I cannot allow myself to feel such things."

"I wish you could," she says, finally turning away from him, to face the large window. "Do my seduction attempts not work on you?"

"What?" he dares ask in disbelief.

"Well, it must be quite obvious that I like you," she says.

He takes an unconscious step closer to her. "Say that again."

"I like you, John. I might even love you." She says, and it snaps something in him. He wraps his arms around her from behind, leaning into her.

She gasps at the sudden embrace. "John," she tries to ask.

"I've loved you since that night we spent dancing under the stars," he whispers into her ear. He feels her shiver at his words but relaxing into his touch.

She turns in his arms and kisses him. He pulls her in, deepening the kiss.

He doesn't care what he has to do to prove himself worthy of her. He will do whatever it takes.

The End.

February 11, 2024