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Maria stormed further into the forest angrily. All day she had been cooped up in the manor with business and only now that the sun was nearly setting had her family finally relented and let her go.
She would not have time to go here a lot after, because tomorrow was her 18th birthday and she was of legal age. Sir Benjamin had told her that she might receive a flurry of suitors to ask for her hand, now that she could legally be married. He had scolded her and said that she could not just run of as she wished anymore, lest someone was visiting her. Maria scowled, stomping angrily through the leaves. Suitors? She did not want to marry and she certainly had no intention of leaving Moonacre. Not when she had just gotten back.
These last years she had already seen too little of it, after saving the valley from the curse, her Uncle had promptly sent her away to be educated in London. She understood why it needed to be done, but she had grown to love the Manor and the forest so. London felt more foreign than ever and despite (finally) getting some friends, she could not help but miss her home every single minute for four long years.
Her steps slowed, once the anger dissipated a bit. The forest always calmed her. The chirping birds, the rustling of the leaves. Somehow it was never silent, but just silent enough. Maria sighed and sat down on a fallen log, her hands catching her head.
She blinked her frustrated tears away. It seemed that all that happened to her was decided for her and she was scared. If a fine suitor came along, would she be forced to marry him? Her uncle’s wish was command.
It wasn’t so much the marrying that bothered Maria, no she would be whisked away from Moonacre and all her days would be spent civilized and proper and her adventuring would be over. A fresh wave of frustration entered her at those thoughts and she stood up, angrily pacing up and down.
‘’I thought I told you before, Princess.’’ A voice piped up behind her. Maria startled, turning around towards the sound, but relaxed when she noticed who it was. She raised her head proudly, hoping he would not see the unshed tears in her eyes. ‘’You should not come here alone.’’
Robin appeared from the treeline, an attractive smirk on his face, but his dark eyes looked intense. Maria shuffled oddly. No, she supposed that marrying Robin was anything but a problem, especially since she could remain in Moonacre with him. The thought made her flush, but she tried to still her pounding heart.
All these years they spend together, Robin had not once hinted into being interested in her. When they saved the valley, he had been a bit older and though Maria had hopelessly and very obviously crushed hard on him, he had merely viewed her as a little sister, someone to protect.
When she was sent away to London, she was actually happy to be away from him, hoping that the feeling would disappear, but it only matured. Every time she came home from school breaks, it was Robin whom she wanted to see more than anyone.
All the years, she had schooled her feelings, while they roamed the forest and he taught her what he knew. It did not help, that every time she saw him, he grew more into a mature man. He grew broad and muscled and his face got sharper. His confidence grew, even higher than what she had previously thought he could achieve and Maria was mesmerized, because it all suited him so well.
He began taking parts of business over, but yet he always made time for her. He showed her the forest and its animals, taught her how to swim and humored every question she might have, no matter how stupid.
How could she not fall more in love every single time she saw him?
The heart was a foolish thing, it always wanted something it could not get.
‘’I am hardly alone, aren’t I?’’ Maria shot back with a roll of her eyes, thankful that her tears had not been shed before he saw her.
Robin shrugged, his grin still on his face and Maria tried to ignore it with all her might, focusing instead on the coloring of the leaves. ‘’You know,’’ Robin began, plopping on the log that she had occupied before. ‘’I do have other duties than keeping the Moon Princess save.’’
‘’And yet you’re here.’’ Maria fired back, trying to keep in her smile.
‘’Well,’’ Robin shrugged again. ‘’You would get in all sorts of trouble without me.’’
Maria chuckled, but left it at that. For all of his banter, Robin did actually manage to lighten the mood. She sat down beside him, pulling the hem of her dress in a frustrated manner. Robin raised his brows at her.
God, why did he have to be here? Why did he have to look so roguish and handsome, as if he could just sweep her of her feet and kiss her senseless. He was no gentleman, he would not care about courting and propriety. The fact that anything could happen always made her heart rush, but he would not do anything, respectful of her status.
He must have plenty of willing girls around him that would do his bidding, not tied down to status of a Lady. He could kiss them without committing to marriage and – wrong thoughts. Maria frowned heavily, looking at Robin from the corner of his eyes. His leather, coal-lined eyes, even the stupid bowler hat. He had grown so strong and broad and just – Also wrong thoughts. Maria reprimanded herself in her mind.
She did not know where to look, feeling her heart pounding in her chest and her flushed face.
‘’Why are you not back at the Manor? Surely everyone is preparing the party for your birthday tomorrow.’’ Robin asked lightly, rubbing some dirt of his boots.
Wrong conversation. Suddenly, Maria remembered why she had come her in the first place and promptly groaned very unladylike into her hands.
Robin raised his brows at her reaction and snorted. ‘’That bad?’’ He asked.
‘’Well… No – I mean yes.’’
‘’What is it, Princess? Yes or no?’’
Maria peaked at him through her fingers. He seemed like he was listening, his eyes very interested. Maria could not handle the stare any longer and jumped up again, pacing restlessly. She bit the nail of her thumb and decided to tell him.
‘’I mean the party isn’t bad. All of my favorite people in one place and champagne and…’’
‘’and?’’ Robin spurred her on. Maria could not look at him, so she turned to look at the sky instead and noticed the setting sun. She had been here longer than she wished for. It would probably be dark before she got home, but she did not worry. Her Bird Boy would probably insist on walking her back himself and around him, she always felt safe.
‘’They are preparing the study for suitors.’’ Maria relented at last.
‘’Suitors?’’ Robin sounded perplexed by this idea, nearly disgusted. Maria smiled, she understood entirely how he felt.
‘’Yes, Robin. Suitors.’’ She teased patiently. ‘’I’ll turn 18 tomorrow, remember?’’
‘’So?’’ Robin questioned back, as if it should make no difference what age she would turn. Maria rolled her eyes. Of course, the De Noirs would not participate in the rules of society. To him it actually made no difference.
‘’It means I can officially marry.’’ Maria answered dutifully.
‘’Wait,’’ Robin jumped up and came to stand next to her. He was impossibly close, his hand brushing against her cold knuckles. ‘’Are you saying that you’re being married of?’’
His eyes were smoldering, they were dark and mesmerizing and demanded an answer. Maria felt her heart quicken its pace and a shiver course through her. She nodded meekly and then anger sparked in her heart again. A frustrated sigh left her lips.
‘’I haven’t exactly been married of to anyone, but my Uncle seems to think there will be plenty of suitors. This might be the last time I can freely enjoy the forest for a while.’’ She explained herself. She did not dare to look at him. Robin made a strangled noise in his throat, as if he’d been punched. Maria winced.
He took a step closer and Maria nearly forgot how to breathe. Her eyes startled into his. He was nearly a head taller than her and she had to crane her neck. ‘’Are you considering accepting?’’ Robin asked, his voice low. Maria swallowed thickly, words failing her.
She hastily took a step back, wrapping her arms around herself to preserve his body heat. The chill of the setting sun was slowly creeping in and she had stormed off without thinking to bring anything warm.
‘’I might not have a choice.’’ Maria answered sullenly, suddenly very interested in the fallen leaves on the ground. Robin followed her step, his hands dropped on her shoulder, grounding her.
He seemed like he wanted to speak, but no words came out. He gave a shallow laugh and shook his head. The smirk was back on his face, but it did not feel the same. ‘’Maria Merryweather, married of to some proper gentleman, don’t make me laugh.’’ His jest sounded hollow, even to her ears.
‘’I’ll have you know that I am perfectly capable of being a proper wife!’’ She replied haughtily. Her face burned with anger and shame. Was he insinuating that she could not become a perfect wife? She nearly wanted to marry some proper gentleman, just to prove him wrong. God, Robin could be so stupid sometimes.
‘’Yet whenever I see you, you never behave like that proper lady.’’ Robin laughed, his eyes alight. ‘’Maria,’’ he quickly sobered up, sensing her seriousness about this topic. ‘’You would be bored.’’
That was just it wasn’t it.
That was her biggest fear.
Living a dull and meaningless life, no more fun, always on her best behavior, doing whatever someone else of her pleased. She wanted to do things that seemed fun, she wanted her life to remain an adventure.
‘’I know.’’ She answered quietly and the tears once again burned in her eyes. She refused to let them fall, not here, not in front of Robin.
‘’You do not want that life.’’ Robin spoke quietly, with certainty. He took another step forward and he was so impossibly close that she took another step backward. And then another and another until her back hit the bark of a wide tree. ''You do not want to leave Moonacre.''
Her wide eyes darted up. He had cornered her. Robin looked immensely pleased by this. She felt like the prey he hunted. His hands let go of her shoulder and one grabbed her wrist. Her pulse quickened and she hoped he could not feel her pounding heart.
He came even closer, his lips and face hovering near her. One of his curls brushed past some bare skin and she shuddered, breathing out a breath she did not even know she was holding. He pushed a copper curl behind her ear, staring deeply in her eyes. His eyes unreadable. If he was teasing her now, she would not be pleased, but she could not push him away.
‘’You crave excitement.’’ He whispered near her ear. His breath left goosebumps in its wake. Maria flushed, but could not look away. Robin looked so confident, leaning against her and pining her body between him and the tree. He did not look flustered or ashamed, Maria envied that. ‘’You crave freedom and someone who can give that to you. You do not want to be told what to do.’’
One of his hands hovered near her, brushing silkily against her pale neck. Her breathing quickened, her eyes unsure if she should follow his movement or his eyes. She decided on the latter. They were sparkling, his gaze so intense she wanted to look away, but she could not.
‘’Robin?’’ Maria whispered, caught between fear and excitement. She did not want this moment to ever end, yet she wanted to pull away and laugh it off. It was everything she wished for, but it was so intense and she did not recognize her best friend.
Robin ignored her and his other hand settled on her hip. It seemed to burn through her skirt into her skin. Maria felt as if she were on fire. The hotness spread from the pit of her stomach up her neck and she was mortified to feel it settle on her face. She must have looked crimson.
‘’You want to be with someone like me, don’t you Princess?’’ He spoke in a breathy whisper in her ear. Maria’s eyes widened. She clenched her jaw, afraid of the rejection. This was all a game to him. ‘’I bet,’’ Robin whispered hotly and his hand on her hip lowered dangerously. ‘’I bet that you think of me at night.’’
Maria pushed him off wildly, raising her hand to slap him. She felt entirely disheveled in her appearance and she burned with shame and desire. Robin’s eyes were wide as he caught her hand meant for his face. He sobered up quickly, his eyes losing that darkness that had been there a mere moment before.
Maria tried to get her hand back, struggling in his grasp. ‘’Let me go.’’ She hissed angrily and Robin did immediately, the force knocked her of her feet and into the leaves. Robin tried to help her up, but she struggled away from him. She rose by herself and crossed her arms, feeling entirely taken advantage of.
He straightened his bowler hat grimly on top of his head. ‘’I’m sorry Maria.’’ He apologized quickly, finally looking a bit ashamed.
Her tears were back behind her unshed eyes and she felt so much shame. ‘’Is this all a game to you?’’ Maria demanded. Robin quickly shook his head.
‘’I went too far, Maria. Please excuse me.’’ Robin made for the trees, but Maria would not let him go that easily. She was still hot and bothered and entirely disheveled and it was nearly dark and she would not walk home alone.
She caught his hand. Tingles spread across her fingers and butterflies flitted around happily in her stomach.
‘’You, insufferable oaf!’’ She beat his chest with her free hand, needing an outlet for her anger. Robin let her be. ‘’Is this a game to you? Because it isn’t to me!’’ She yelled at him, the forest stilling around her as she disturbed the peace.
‘’Princess?’’
‘’No!’’ Tears began spilling out now. ‘’Have you truly been so blind and not noticed? Well, you must be stupid then! I think the entire valley knew except you.’’
‘’Wait, what are you -.’’
‘’Must I spell it out for you? Is it not so very obvious? Well I guess for the great Robin de Noir it must come a surprise.’’
‘’Maria?’’
‘’I have felt all of those things!’’ Maria yelled and Robin stayed in stunned silence. She beat his chest with her fist once more. ‘’I am not considering any suitors, not unless they’re you.’’ Her chest heaved, her corset contracting painfully around her midriff, making it hard to breathe. Tears spilled out of her eyes and she lowered them to the ground.
She stepped away from him, her arms falling limply to her side. The words that she had said caught up to her and she panicked, afraid of their friendship, of what Robin might think, but the relief felt greater. Maybe now that her feelings were finally out there, she could move on her with life. Maybe hearing the rejection from him, would finally free her heart.
Maria’s eyes blazed as she looked at him and Robin swallowed thickly.
‘’Are you saying -?’’
‘’God,’’ Maria groaned angrily and rolled her eyes. ‘’I must really spell it out for you then? Fine, you win. I am in love with you, Robin.’’
Robin’s sharp intake of breath was a surprise and Maria whipped her eyes to him. Robin’s face seemed to glow, as if Christmas had come early. His eyes were bright and his smile was genuine and for a second, Maria’s heart squeezed painfully. She did not know if it was this look on Robin or if her heart had regained a bit of hope that it would not get rejected.
Maria’s breath hitched in her throat, unsure what to say or do as she waited for Robin to deliver the final blow.
His arms came around her once more, very carefully as if afraid she might break. She looked up at Robin and he was leaning down, his forehead coming to rest against hers. He was so impossibly close, she could count the few freckles in his face.
‘’I was yours, before you were mine.’’ Robin answered softly, his hand coming to rest against her cheek. ‘’I have been in love with you from the moment you moved here and saved the valley with your wittiness and charm.’’
Maria gasped, her eyes digging into his brown ones, demanding the truth.
‘’Why did you never say anything?’’
‘’Well, why did you never say anything?’’
Maria’s mouth curved into a smile, shaking her head softly as she tutted. ‘’It’s a gentleman’s job to confess to a lady.’’ She whispered back to him.
‘’I am no gentleman.’’ Robin whispered back softly, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. Maria licked her lips and felt satisfaction that he was looking at them. Then his hand came around her cheek once more and his thumb brushed over her lips.
She saw Robin swallow, his eyes darting from her lips to her eyes and smiled cheekily. If she waited on him, he would make her wait an eternity, like with his confession. Closing her eyes, she leaned in and he met her halfway. His lips were chapped and rough, but they were warm and she relaxed into them. His arms wrapped around her and he pressed her into him. Maria felt aware of her arms lying limply by her side and she immediately went up his back into the bottom of his curls and gave a gentle tug.
That seemed to do the trick. Robin groaned a little, the sound low and husky and so sexy that Maria had to shudder a breath. He walked her backwards, back into the tree as he pressed against her, more desperate. She responded in earnest. His scent enveloped her, pinewood and leather. His weight was so familiar against her and his tongue slid into her mouth, exploring each other with vigor. Maria shivered as his thumb went to run circles on her pulse in her neck.
Breathlessly she broke away, Robin panted against her neck. She pecked his nose and he stilled with wide eyes. Maria giggled, loosening her hold on his curls. The bowler hat had toppled to the ground during their kiss.
‘’So, no other suitors?’’ Maria asked daringly, knowing exactly the reaction she would receive in return. Robin grumbled, stepped back and glared at her. She smiled sweetly.
‘’I thought the kiss was clear enough. You’re mine, Princess.’’ Robin answered anyway, saying exactly what she wanted him to. That satisfied Maria. She wanted them both to swallow some pride, instead of only her.
Besides, Robin knew as well as she did that she did not really belong to anyone. Her spirit was way too free to hold captive, but Robin would be there every step of the way and that made her so immensely happy.
‘’I know,’’ Maria shrugged carelessly, but there was a satisfied glint her eyes. ‘’But it does not hurt to get some confirmation.’’
Robin laughed heartily at that. The moon shone brightly around them and Maria shivered now that the heat of the moment had passed. Robin quickly gathered his hat from the ground and wrapped an arm around her. ‘’Come on, Princess. It has gotten quite late, back to Moonacre with you.’’
He deftly led her back to the household. They laughed and joked, pushing and pulling on each other, stealing glances and kisses when the other was not looking. Maria had not felt such happiness, since the peace had come upon the valley. They did not talk of marriage, but Maria knew it would come, until then, she would fend off any suitor asking for her hand. For her heart was already given to someone else.
Then the fence of Moonacre came into view and she felt saddened for a moment. Maria was not sure how much they could meet each other in the forest after this, but luckily Robin was never gone from the Manor too long.
She could see the candles of the dining room lit and her stomach grumbled. They broke apart.
‘’Stay?’’ She whispered. ‘’For dinner, I mean.’’ She flushed.
Robin shook his head with a smile.
‘’I’ll see you tomorrow for your birthday, Maria.’’ He said as he leaned forward and kissed her on the lips. She breathed him in and had half a mind to pull him closer and deepen their kiss, but he pulled back already with a cocky smirk on his face. Maria scowled, crossing her arms.
‘’I’ve already had the best present I could ask for.’’ Maria whispered back hotly, a confident smile on her face. Robin’s eyes widened and she smiled cockily as she turned around and ran the last part back to the Manor. She looked back to see the clearing behind her empty and she smiled giddily, but kept in her cheer. Robin might be out of sight, but he would most likely be in earshot until she was safely inside and she did not want him to tease her tomorrow. Well, not more than usual anyway.
With fascination she touched her swollen lips, blushing as she went and entered the house. The warmth was welcoming and she rushed towards the dinner room, where her family greeted her, but not without prying questions. One lie after another left her mouth, but she could not feel guilty.
For now, it was their little secret.