Hope Falls

“You did not come here to look after your younger sister? You would risk leaving her in the belly of the snake for a night with no watchful eyes to galavant with a soldier bending all the rules so far backward he is about to break?”

"I am here for a couple of weeks at the very least, and my sister is probably more wrapped up with her Stockholm syndrome abuser. I can make bad decisions with a solider, and make sure she is well in that time too. Would you like to make bad decisions with a Princess?"

“I am alone with you in your room, I’ve been making bad choices since I stepped off my horse this morning.” Ruairi chuckled.

"Marble skin and hair of flames is a irresistable combination." Avani whispered, allowing the tips of their noses to touch once more.

“You talk of flames as if we are not playing with fire right now, Avani.”

"Say my name again," She dared, voice a low purr.

“As you command, Avani.” Ruairi dragged her name out slowly, moving his thumb over her cheek.

Avani's hair fell across her shoulder as her head tilted, her lips brushing against his. Hips pushing against him.

“Is this - “ Ruairi’s breath caught in his throat as he shifted, eyes closing with restraint; “ - a test?” His voice tight, though an arm made its way around her waist to pull her in closer.

"Lock the door, these doors lock don't they?" She answered breathily, leaning back from him enough to move. "If someone tries to come in, it'll give you time to hide under the floorboards."

“And when Hawk comes banging on the door demanding to know why you are locked inside and I am nowhere to be found? Or if he bursts in before I can hide and he sees me whilst I am - It marks premeditation… it means I should have had enough time to come to my senses and not want to rip your clothes from you and - “ Ruairi swallowed, shaking his head and pushing to his feet with a groan of frustration. “I should stay outside, Princess…”

She strode across the room, grabbing one of the wooden chairs from the side and jamming it beneath the handle so the door wouldn't easily budge. "Maybe you didn't have a choice,"

“Gods help me…” Ruairi whispered with small laugh as he watched her, hands moving to his side to unclip the straps of his breastplate

"Gods, your ancestors, the ultimate creator herself. There is no saving you, Koel Vegter." Avani chuckled, appointing the pet name Ember Warrior in Balduurian. Studying the movement of his hands, and the material that was revealed beneath the armour. Angling her shoulder to delicately catch the lace at the back of her dress, loosening the built-in corset.

Ruairi threw the armour to the couch to avoid the clattering, quickly moving to grab Avani’s hands and shake his head. “I have enough honour to not allow a lady to undress herself…”

Avani's breathing caught, a small noise of surprise escaping her lips as she was grabbed. Looking up at him through her lashes, "As you wish."

“There are many things I am wishing right now…” Ruairi freed her hands as he turned her around, moving her hair over her shoulder so he could pull at the strings and loosen them, pressing a kiss to her neck before removing her clothing entirely.

"You may take whatever you want," She answered breathily, body leaning into him ascher head went the other way to give him more space.

“What if I don’t want to take, I just want to observe?”

"Observe?" She questioned, genuine surprise coating her tone

“Take you in…”

"Oh. I - Why?" Avani whispered, shifting her shoulder as she felt her dress slip down to her waist. Remaining with her back towards him, clean, smooth lines of paler skin ran between her shoulder blades vertically to the small of her back.

“I mean - “ Ruairi whispered, kissing both her shoulder blades before moving his way down her spine with his lips, slowly lowering himself to his knees. “You are a work of art, Avani… and works of art are to be observed before they are enjoyed.” He rested his hands on the curves of her hips, turning her gently to face him as he gazed up at her face.

Avani's hands moved forward, taking his face in her palm as she looked down at him. Eyebrows furrowed in thoughtful expression, "You're.. different to what I am used to."

“I hope that is in a good way…” Ruari whispered, pressing a kiss to her stomach before continuing to make his way down, holding her hips and pulling her closer.