The Spark

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Emma missed the moment in which he reached for her hand, perhaps for the best on both parts. It could have been entirely too tempting under the circumstances to accept that hand, knowing as she did that he would move mountains if he could to see her safe and happy. A quiet sigh escaped, however, along with a slow shake of her head. "I doubt I will marry, to be quite honest. Father is unlikely to seek a marriage for me after this, especially when he has Tristan to secure his alliance and Riordan has chosen wisely. There is no need for me to be wedded off now."

She shrugged a little, then looked up with a brave attempt at a smile. "I might enjoy being a spinster, actually. I have plenty I may do to keep busy, and perhaps I can persuade my father to grant me a small manor and some land. I think I'd enjoy a quiet life in the country."

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

"You would not be alone, even if you don't get married," he promised her that. "I'd... want to maintain our friendship, whatever becomes of it." This was a difficult discussion for Rupert. He had feelings violently swirling in his heart that he knew he should not allow, and yet there they were. Was his heart being cruel? Was it urging him to do something for himself at long last? He frowned suddenly, looking down.

"I was alone in my marriage," he confessed. "She gave me children, but ... I was still very much alone. It's led me to wonder if I need to be married to enjoy the companionship of a woman. Do you need the same to enjoy the companionship of a man?" The talk was still in dangerous territory, but these were ideas and feelings that needed exploring.

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

Emma's head lifted, the better to study his face. His tone took on a strange note, one she hadn't heard from him before and her interest was piqued. They'd enjoyed some surprisingly open conversations, and this seemed to be taking it one step further. "I hoped we would, Lord Rupert. I... did not think there was any reason to end our friendship, unless there is something you know that I do not?" That would hardly be a surprise, considering the man was the Lord of Shadows, with a finger in every pie, and eyes and ears everywhere.

Listening, she frowned slightly to hear how his marriage had been, wondering now if she'd been spared such a fate with Nikolai's choice. Perhaps she had, in which case Emma knew she had some small hope of finding a better match in which she might at least form a friendship with her future husband. "I'm sorry to hear that... but no, I don't think we need marriage to enjoy someone's company. If so, I doubt we'd have any friends whatsoever." Maybe she was misunderstanding him, but she wasn't taking the chance of assuming anything.

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

Oh, Rupert was playing too cautious right now and he was debating ending the conversation there. What could come of it? She wouldn't want the comforts that he could offer her. The passionate caresses, the soft kisses and the warmth of his embrace would not be welcome. Or would they? Was he assuming the worst simply because of his nature? Deep down, he knew nothing could ultimately come of it. Or could it? Would they need a piece of paper to be happy together? Carissa and Marisa would likely chide him strongly for what he was about to do.

Reaching out, he took hold of her hand and brought it up his lips. A kiss was pressed upon her knuckles, his eyes never leaving hers for a second. The hand was not released. The warm and soft skin were exactly what he imagined they would be. The man of shadows moved, closing the distance between them so that his free hand could touch her cheek. Would she pull away?

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

He was too quiet, making her wonder at the thoughts swirling in his active mind. Emma rose to her feet in time for her hand to be caught up and a languid kiss pressed to her knuckles. Her eyes locked with his, unblinking as dark met blue, unable to stop the shiver that raced down her arm and trickled along her spine. They were playing a dangerous game right now, but it was also exciting, drawing her to him like moth to a flame. The caress of his fingers to her cheek made her breath catch in her throat, eyes flaring with curiosity and awareness.

Her lips parted as if to say something, though she made no effort to pull away from him. Whether she liked to admit it or not, Emma was questioning her desirability and attractiveness in the face of Nikolai's desertion, and to know that this most aloof man considered her lovely, wanted her, was a very welcome salve to a bruised soul. Keeping her eyes on his, she spoke barely above a whisper. "Come back to Triadon with me."

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

She did not pull away. She did not rear back and slap him. If anything, she seemed to enjoy the kiss he gave her knuckles and the touch to her cheek. The look in her eyes said it all. She was of one mind with him. He never though in his lifetime that this moment would happen. Certainly, he fantasized about it. He dreamed of it. But he never thought it would happen. He had even accept such. Yet, here they were, in a forest with the light rapidly fading.

The answer did not come in the form of words, but in action. Rupert surged forward suddenly, but stopped as his face reached hers. He searched her eyes once more before claiming her lips with his own. No other answer was suitable in his mind. He would go to the ends of the earth for her, if it were asked of him.

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

He gave her the chance to say no, to turn away and refute the silent offer he made, but Emma rudely shoved any such thoughts away. It was reckless, it was daring, it could possibly prove to be a mistake, but right now, she didn't care. There had been a strange sort of bond between them, and she was curious how deeply it ran. If the look in his eyes was any sort of indication, the still waters that were Rupert de Vere ran very deep indeed.

The moment was not marred by speech, her lips softening under his as her hands rose to grip his shoulders tightly as she accepted - no, welcomed - the kiss, her eyes sliding closed while the sensations swamped her. He certainly knew how to kiss well, a fresh quiver running through her as she let the embrace draw out, a soft sigh escaping her. If this wasn't a yes, it was the most passionate no she'd ever heard.

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

The kiss was everything that he dreamed it would be. Soft, gentle and passionate. Emma may have been an innocent woman, but she was not without innate understanding of passion. Rupert's arms slid around her form to draw her closer, to let the embrace draw out for as long as they had the breath in their lungs. Rupert became lost in the moment, not even remembering that Vivianne was likely watching him. He didn't care. Why would he? This was about Emma and Rupert, the rest of the world be damned!

Eventually, the need for air over took him and he broke the kiss to do give in. The embrace was not ended, however. He gently rested his forehead against hers. "I will. I will come with you."

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

It never occurred to her that they might be spied upon, but considering who he was and the purpose he served, Emma might not be so surprised in retrospect. She was distracted, however, by the warmth found in his arms and the subdued passion of the kiss. It lingered, drew out to leave her breathless but soothed, her eyes slowly opening when his forehead touched hers and a soft, sweet smile bloomed across her face at his assent to accompany her back to Triadon. "Good," breathed quietly.

She was reluctant to leave his arms, finding them a haven against all that occurred lately, but knew she would soon be missed and that others would be looking for her. By now Riordan had likely alerted some of the Guard that she'd stormed off, and they were likely to come across them soon. Drawing in a breath, and with it the scent of him, Emma eased back to look up at him. "Will you escort me back before we are missed?"

[Lord Rupert de Vere]

Oh, Rupert knew damn well they were being spied on. Vivianne was witnessing this very moment and he did not care. Yes, she would chastise him. Yes, she would judge him. But she would not say a word of it to anyone because she knew exactly what would happen to her. Thus, he was perfectly calm and content to be holding his veritable angel in his arms. She smelled and felt wonderful. He hated that the moment had to end. Rather than answer her, he gave a solemn nod.

An arm was offered to her, preferring to make this as proper and right as possible for both of them. A small smile formed for her. "I shall with pleasure."

[Princess Emmaline Carlisle]

It never occurred to Emma that their meeting went observed, least of all by Rupert's enterprising little minx of a spy. Her focus was merely the man who held her, soothed her fragile ego and reminded her there were men in the world who weren't afraid to seize what they desired. Forgiveness for Nikolai would be slow to come, if ever, but she'd made up her mind without realizing that it was time to start picking up the pieces and moving on. She could have some stolen time in Triadon, and Emma intended to enjoy every minute.

As he held his arm for her, she touched his cheek lightly, a soft smile offered. "Thank you, my lord. For more than you know." Still wearing the smile, she gracefully accepted the arm and the escort, looking more herself despite the damage done to her appearance by her reckless flight through the woods.