Chapter 195 - Into The Woods

At their lunch and then again at dinner, Delnay, Vincent, and Ian were quiet. They were all thinking about what the next day would hold as well as the future in general. They were all worried about the threat to Vincent and pushed around the food on their plates with suspicion despite the cooks' promises to Delaney. They had to eat though so in the end, they would take cautious bites.

After dinner, the Duke and Duchess said good night to Ian before going to their bedroom. Upon entering though, Delaney was surprised to find Ms. Bird and Harris not waiting. Instead, laying over their bed was a pair of thick, dark, winter cloaks and pairs of boots. She turned to Vincent in confusion but found him smiling.

"I promised you a visit with the fairies before I left didn't I?"

Delaney grinned and hurried to sit on the edge of the bed, reaching under her skirts to pull off her house shoes and take the boots in hand. She studied the smooth, buttery soft hide they were made from and the way they would lace high up her calves.

"I had them made for you," Vincent came, slowly, painfully, kneeled down in front of her, and took them in his hands, "I'll admit I had Ilona draw out the design from her own. They looked more substantial than any boots I had ever seen made for women so I thought they would be good for you."

As he spoke, Vincent gently lifted her fair foot and slid the boots on first one, and then the other.

Delaney sat very still and watched her strong, handsome husband's long, graceful fingers lace up the boots for her. It felt strangely intimate and caring and her love grew for him. No matter how often she thought she couldn't love him more, something would happen and he would prove her wrong.

When he was finished he slid a hand under her skirt to hold her thigh as he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her knee. His gaze stayed there as his thumb rubbed lazy circles against her skin. He was there in the room with her but Delaney knew his thoughts were far away.

"What's wrong my love?" she asked quietly.

He blinked and dropped his gaze.

"Nothing my lady," he said but his voice was rough, "I'm sorry. Let's finish getting ready. The fairies will be out soon."

-

They hadn't told Ian where they were going but Delaney didn't worry about that. This was her time with her husband and it felt even more special knowing it was a secret.

Thankfully the rain had stopped and they crossed the grass towards the woods but the air was crisp and when the wind blew it was actually cold. Guards saw them and moved to approach them but Vincent waved them off and continued with his wife on his arm. Delaney felt her heart race with her excitement.

This time, entering the woods it was lighter than the first time they had gone. The moon was full and the sky was clear. The trees were all bare, ready for winter, so the light shone down through their branches undisturbed. Because of the coming cold, it was also much quieter in the woods this time. Almost eerily so.

Vincent took her cool hand in his very warm one as they began through the forest but soon had to let it go so he could navigate the path for them. Delaney felt her heart skip a beat as she watched this man in front of her. Tall and strong, he wore his sword on his hip but that was the only protection he'd brought. Having seen him fight with his sword many times now, Delaney was confident that would be all the protection they would need.

He moved through the woods as silent as any powerful beast that belonged there. His green eyes never stopped in their searching of the trees around them for movement or signs of danger. She knew he was probably listening hard as well.

Her husband was so perfect here, a wild, powerful thing himself he could have easily survived in the dangerous forest against anything that threatened him. His scars and marks wouldn't matter here. His limp would only have mattered if he needed to run but he was more than capable with his sword. She couldn't imagine Vincent ever running from anything. He had fought and killed dragons after all.

They came to the familiar stream and it was high from the recent rain but not as high as last time. Delaney worried about Vincent pushing himself too hard. He smirked at her, stepping quickly forward and sweeping her up into his strong arms before she had a chance to object. She gasped and laughed as she pulled his cloak up so it wouldn't drag in the stream, then clung to him as he walked through the cold water. He carried her up the other side and when he finally put her down again she was hardly wet at all but his breeches were soaked.

She giggled but shook her head, "You're going to catch a cold."

Vincent chuckled, "Not with how hot my body stays. If anything it was sort of refreshing."

Delaney knew he was teasing about the last part but remembering he was always unnaturally warm made her feel better. He was likely right and wouldn't catch a cold from the water as she would have. She laughed with him and he took her hand in his as they continued on.

The forest was denser here but the lack of leaves made it bright so unlike last time, this time Delaney could see where they were going without having to depend so much on Vincent. He still moved in his catlike fashion though and she wished she was as quiet as he was. Instead, she felt like every step she made sounded like someone stomping through brush.

They came to the spot where he had left her alone last time but this time he just turned and moved very close to her until she could feel his breath against her cheek.

"Be as quiet as you can," he whispered against her ear so quietly she still strained to hear, "But look for Mabon. He will be close by but if we make too much noise he will be gone before we ever see him."

Delaney nodded eagerly and began forward with him. Her own blue-green eyes now scanned the forest in front of her as her husband had done. She focused hard on her steps, paying attention to where her feet would land. She was proud to hear herself grow quieter. If only she could do it as easily as her husband though.

At some point, Vincent had lost the tie that kept his hair back so now his long black locks fell down around his face. He paused in a spot of moonlight and the sight made Delaney come to an abrupt halt. Standing tall with his black hair and black cloak, sword on his hip, and scarred handsome face, Vincent was breathtaking. He was a beautiful deadly thing and it made her heart leap to know he was hers.

Not able to stop herself, she stepped to him and looked up into his gemstone eyes. He looked confused for a moment but her smile made him smile back. She reached up and slid her arms around his neck, pressing herself to him and ignoring the dampness of his clothes. His own hands moved to take hold of her hips and the other to rest in the small of her back.

Delaney's soft rosy lips met his hot ones and the kiss was delicious. She felt herself ache for him, in all his powerful splendor. She wanted to pull his clothes away and watch his muscles work as he stalked through the forest in search of prey, her fierce husband.

A noise like a growl came from the back of his throat and his hands slid down to lift her up so their hips could meet. He turned and pinned her back against a tree. She bit lightly at his lip and his breath caught for a moment before his kissing began again with a renewed passion.

Delaney gasped as his mouth moved to her jaw to kiss along it, taking a moment to pause at her ear and nip her earlobe. A quiet, breathy, moan escaped her and his searing lips moved down her long, delicate, neck. She felt the heat of his body through her dress and wished they weren't out in the chilly woods so she could have her bare skin against his.

Her eyes fluttered open for a moment as he moved to her collarbone and she gasped, her eyes shooting wide open.

"Vincent," she hissed, pushing against him now until he jerked back from her.

"What's wrong?" he whispered in confusion.

"Look!" she pointed to the woods behind him as her heart began to race, "There!"