Timeless

24

Ari is nearly asleep in Grey's arms when he speaks, "Would you like to go to the market tomorrow? It's sure to be a busy one since the enemy will be close. Everyone will be coming to the castle for safety." Grey thinks they'd do better hiding in the country, but shrugs to himself.

Ari lifts herself onto an elbow. "You'd take me to the market? But wouldn't it be too dangerous?" She's more worried about him needing to use his sword for their protection than any other danger.

"I'll take Jeshua along and we should take Alexis for propriety. Although after the show you gave the servants it probably isn't necessary." Grey didn't care. He caught part of that show and loved every second of it.

He runs his hands along her body. "You know I know that there aren't any scars, but at times I swear that I feel them."

"That's because at times you do. Those are my scars from the torture sessions the Aelven put me through. I don't know why sometimes they are there and sometimes they aren't." Ari says enjoying the feel of his calloused hands running over her skin.

Then there weren't any more words. And when they finished they both fell into an exhausted sleep.

Jeshua sends a wave through the shield again, he definitely doesn't want a repeat of last night. He'd barely caught a part of it and it was enough. If Grey thought for even a second that he wanted more Grey would kill him, he had no doubts on that. He's never seen Grey so protective of anyone, not even Lady Anna.

Grey lowers the shield and Jeshua walks in. "Breakfast will be here soon. Did you want to let Lady Ariele sleep or did you want to eat?" Jeshua asks softly not wishing to wake Ariele. He guessed that they didn't get much sleep last night. Although he wasn't sure because he hadn't wanted to know.

"Eat. I promised to take her to the market. You and Alexis will be joining us so make sure you eat well, we might just miss the midday meal." Grey smiles. "But if we do I'm sure that there will be food at the market." Grey says even as he starts waking Ari up.

Jeshua leaves in a hurry. He doesn't begrudge the two of them this time, but it's making it very hard for him to keep his hands off of Alexis. And although Ariele is dying he has no doubt that she'd skin him alive and put his skin back on him backwards if she thought he was doing anything to Alexis. Just like he'd do if he thought anyone was bothering her.

He did smile at the memory of the kiss she'd given him yesterday while they were alone. But he wasn't sure if that was a kiss of thanks or one of invitation. He didn't want to misread the kiss. He's hoping that there will be time to figure it out today. He smiles. There are lots of nooks and crannies to steal away for some privacy and kissing in the market place.

"That's lovely, Alexis. You do beautiful work." Ari says after breakfast is over and Alexis sits embroidering the dress Grey gave her.

Grey comes over and inspects it. "That's fine work indeed. Why didn't you join the guild? You'd be in high demand here at court."

"I tried when I first came, but they wouldn't even look at my work. They said that I was a lady's maid and should stick to my chosen profession." Alexis says setting her embroidery aside as she sees they are ready to depart.

"Would you mind terribly Ma'am if I get more thread for my embroidery? It's been some time since I've bought any and I'm nearly out of most of my colors."

"Not a problem at all." Ari gasps. "I haven't paid you." She makes a few lights and gives them to Alexis. "I don't have any money, I'm sorry. But will you take these? I know that it's not the same as money..."