Meadow

How her words teased at him, just as much as the sanguine movements of her body did if not more. A very rare and very real smile working it’s way across his features though it was hidden against the bands of silver and black as he explored every inch he was offered. Words were no longer needed then as she pressed into his touch and he used every facet available to him to display exactly how he felt about her in these moments. Everything so fresh and new as they discovered one another in those tender and passion-filled moments.

In the aftermath as their hearts still thundered as one, his large body moved beside her once more in a near dreamlike estate of contentment. The ease at which she nestled into the crook beneath his chin and neck caused warmth of a different kind to blossom in his chest. How much joy he found in such a simple gesture was simply profound, Sabriel making him feel more alive than he had in so very long. He was so happily lost in his serenity that he nearly missed the soft words she murmured against his neck, as he could very nearly hear the smile in her voice as it curved her dark lips. A rumble like thunder reverberated in his chest, though it quieted as her jest transformed into something deeper.

Taking advantage of his position he let the stubble of his whiskered nose trace circles from the base of her neck to her shoulder, memorizing the flow of the hair and way her skin rose and dipped in turn. He hummed thoughtfully against her skin as she fell into serene sort of quiet that didn’t require words but he found them all the same. “I might not be as good as I once was darlin’… but I’m as good once as I ever was.” His emerald eyes cut towards her through the darkness, crinkled around the edges though they turned sincere as he continued on. “And all I have ever wanted for you was the happiness you deserve. I hope I can give you even a portion of that.” He knew he would gladly die trying to ensure she was not only safe but happy.

He allowed that silence she waded in to envelop himself as well, focusing on the rise and fall of her barrel as he learned the gentle curve of her body with his attentions. So in-tune was he with her body in those moments that he noticed the intake of breath before she pulled gently at the tangled tresses of his mane and spoke again. Her words this time slow and thoughtful as she delivered each one, his mind already chewing over every possible answer he might give even as she shifted away just enough to bring the fathomless sapphire irises into direct view. Her question so short and yet how many layers he sensed buried underneath those gentle words, his gaze steady as he let her finish those thoughts that now came pouring forth.

“You assume I didn’t feel that first night what I feel now, but I did… even if I didn’t know it at the time.” The connection he had felt towards the brindled woman had been so fresh and yet in the intensity of those moment he hadn’t recognized what it was. Yet even then his head shook slightly, “I would never have forced you to stay with me, Sabriel, but I should have gone with you. I should have made sure you were safe if I had…” He trailed off, full well knowing that the clarity of hindsight rarely did him any good he could not ignore those regrets he felt at what she had to endure because he had let her go on her own. “You could never be a prison to me, you have freed me in ways I did not think imaginable and I will follow you anywhere you go for as long as you will have me. I have had so much time on this Earth and accepted every year, but I will cling to every moment I have left here with you. However you wish it, I meant what I said and both my heart and soul are freely given.” It was like the longest speech he had ever given in his life, this enigmatic woman who had him waxing so poetic was a new sensation altogether but he did not regret a single word.