FULL NOVELXO Chapter RAESE - Will You Come With Me?
WhiteHall, Harridan Hamlet, Paladines (Lost for nineteen years)
RAESE
Raese felt as though he’d been asleep for hours but only now relaxed enough to go to that soft place of wakeful, conscious sleep and utter comfort.
He entered Dread Country and discovered more memories from centuries ago. Like tugging strings with tiny bits of treasure on the end. He followed this thread.
It was nearly a month since the day Calisto helped him tend Snowman. Early into a fresh year by the time Raese caught wind of another ball. Hopefully she hasn’t forgotten me.
What new suitor could she have, living alone in those woods? He told himself. She can’t possibly meet people out there. He hoped.
It was a New Year’s Ball to commemorate the end of one twelve-month and hopes for the next.
A perfect opportunity to take her out. Swallowing his pride and fears, he approached the run-down shack. Eying again all the work needing done. It’s in shambles.
The stone face was constructed of loose rock, packed with old, crumbling mud. Thigh high weeds framed the entirety of the house. Dried branches had tumbled from the surrounding trees and were perilously close to the cottage. Some thorned and likely filled with serpents. The thatched roof was no match for the heavy rains and the snow that’d come this winter. Already he could tell it wasn’t steeped enough to keep water from seeping through.
She built it. With no idea how. It made his heart suddenly jerk at her astounding strength.
How much does it leak?
Is she cold in the winter or on rainy days? How does she live out here alone? He imagined her struggling to start a fire. Huddled under a fur. Cold and hungry. The image was excruciating.
I can’t stop thinking about her. I’m drawn to her. He glanced at a dull, gray, sky and hoped it wouldn’t rain before he got her to the celebration.
He held the reins of his dappled gray gelding. Drawing a deep breath, he shared a look with the horse.
“Come on Strongman.”
As Raese lifted a closed fist to knock on the door Strongman loudly pawed it. Making Raese wince.
“Well played, Old Friend.” He glowered at the mount.
She threw open the door. Purple eyes alert. The hint of a smile teasing her lips. Her brows shot up in momentary pleasure at the sight of him. Making his body ease at her briefly welcoming expression.
“Raese?” She greeted. Soft voice far more pleasing to his ears then his current mistress’s. Even deep in slumber he recognized that small preference.
“There’s a ball tonight. Are you free?”
“I will be. Will you wait for me?”
For far longer than you’d think.
“Yes mum.” He bowed his head.
She looked him over. He knew his overcoat looked sharp in dark brown with knotted silver buttons. And a wide ruffled cravat with a green undershirt peering between his overcoat lapels. Dragon Eye pendant carefully tucked beneath.
She lifted an approving brow. “I think I’ve a suitable gown.”
“You’re beautiful as you are.”
I am not lying.
Her pretty black hair was woven with brown highlights. Densely lashed blue eyes watching him assiduously. An oversized tunic of simple wool draped her figure shapelessly to her knees. Revealing a peek of slender ankles. The sleeves flowed to her wrists.
Her brows arched delicately. She’d a long slim nose shortened at the tip. Suiting her face. High cheekbones arrowed to her lush, kissable lips. Drawing his attention to them.
“I dearly hope you aren’t so forward as to be staring where I think you are…” But the hint of a beckoning smile turned up one corner of her mouth. Her eyes alight.
“I am. I cannot resist. But please don’t feign things we don’t mean. I thought we’d agreed to be brutally honest with each other?”
Her chin lifted slightly. “You’re right. Fine then. I don’t mind you staring hungrily at my mouth.”
“Good. Because I’m not certain I can stop.”
“Well you must if we’re to go to a ball together.”
“I don’t feel like I must.”
She shrugged. “Perhaps you can look some more when I come back out.” She pushed the door further open and walked across the creaking floor. Letting her hips sway under the heavy tunic.
Raese was hypnotized by the motion. Though it offered him not even the merest hint of the shape beneath, the rolling movements did. He took the seat she proffered next to a round wooden table. He watched her turn into a smaller room off the back. He picked up a wood carving sitting there and noted the tiny knife.
An intricate shape was starting to evolve in the soft wood. A human shape.
“You carve?” He called to her.
“Some.” Her reply was muffled as she was likely adjusting clothing. “I sell it in town when I venture there on occasion.”
“Do we need to take some with us tonight?”
“The booths will not be open so late.”
Of course not. He realized.
It was awhile that he waited. Staring at the piece of wood and wondering what she imagined it to be when she was done.
And trying hard not to think about her working that honed body into a gown.
When finally she emerged, he realized she was worth the wait. She wore a lovely pink gown trimmed in gold embroidery. A scooped neckline dipped low to expose delicate shoulders. Billowing around her forearms clad in winding gray undersleeves. A gold circlet flattened hair back from her forehead.
She’s breathtaking. Pink suited her. He was sure she only wore it on rare occasions.
As she stepped the skirt swished around legs but hugged the curve of her hips.
Certainly, more alluring then the wool tunic.
They opened the door and he gestured to Strongman. “You’re steed, My Lady.”