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The fire crackled softly in its little grate. Its flickering flames lit up the room and illuminated the knight perched on the bed. She sat hunched over a breastplate, polishing it. She hummed quietly to herself as she worked. The only sounds were the noises of her rag, her humming, and the light crackle of the fire.
The knights' barracks were still: Bek’s fellow knights were sleeping soundly.
The silence was broken by a soft tap on the window.
Despite the softness of the sound Bek jolted in surprise, nearly dropping the breastplate. It hit the ground with a barely muffled clatter as Bek caught it last second.
“Farkle,” Bek swore. That surely had nearly woken her fellow knights. Bek grabbed her spear and stealthily walked to the window. What rogue dared interrupt her slumber? If they were of blue kingdom she would run them through with her spear. If of red…if it was that damned frog…she’d probably run him through anyway. Her lady would be most happy to hear of his demise.
Bek took hold of the catch on the window as silently as possible then threw it violently back.
“Who goes there- El?!”
Eloise gave a short startled scream and nearly fell from the window ledge. Bek dropped her spear, mindless of the noise and caught her beloved’s hands.
“Bek! For goodness sakes, you scared the crap out of me!” Eloise gasped.
“I’ve got you, my lady!” Bek said.
Eloise smiled at her and asked, “Can you help me up? I lost concentration on my flight spell.”
“But of course! As your very strongest knight it will be my honor,” Bek said. With a grunt of effort she pulled Eloise up and helped her to step through the window.
“Thanks,” Eloise said.
She looked heavenly as always, bek thought. Still, “Why are you knocking on my window in the middle of night?”
Eloise blushed and looked down. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“Ah,” Bek said. “Were those vile blues being too noisy? I shall run them through with my spear!”
“No, no!” Eloise hastened to reassure her. “Everyone else is asleep as far as I know. I just…couldn’t sleep.”
“Oh,” Bek said. “How can I help?”
Eloise gently reached out and placed her hand against Beck's cheek. Bek leaned into the featherlight touch, her eyes falling slightly closed.
“Your presence is more than sufficient,” Eloise said.
“My lady…” Bek whispered.
“What, you doubt yourself, Ser Bek?” Eloise said.
“What? Never!” Bek retorted.
Eloise laughed and leaned forward, gently kissing Bek. Bek sighed as she drew back.
“Why do you sigh, Ser Bek?” Eloise asked softly.
“Oh! It was not that I was wearied of you!” Bek hastened to assure her. “Your presence…it makes everything feel quiet and soft. Like a great blanket or pillow.”
Eloise caressed Bek’s face. “Are you weary, my love?”
“A little,” Bek confessed.
“Then you should sleep, Ser Bek,” Eloise said.
“I suppose,” Bek replied. She reached out, gently running her fingers through Eloise’s hair. “But…”
“But what, my love?” Eloise asked.
“You came here to me, because you could not sleep,” Bek said.
“I think I may be able to rest now,” Eloise said. She paused, chewing on her lip. “Bek…may I stay here? Sleep with you?”
Bek found herself speechless. That her love would really…want that from her.
“I-if you so wish, my lady!” She squeaked. Her face felt warm.
“Just sleep tonight, Bek,” Eloise laughed. “I think we are both too weary for that.”
“O-of course. Obviously,” Bek said. El laughed that enchanting musical laugh and kissed Bek’s cheek.
“Let’s get some rest, Ser Bek.”
Bek led her to the bed. Eloise settled into it, curling up gracefully. (Everything El did was graceful in Bek’s mind.)
“Ser Bek? Are you coming?” Eloise asked.
“Ah-! Yes of course!” Bek said. She lay down beside Eloise and pulled her blankets over them both. For a moment they lay there in silence, just the soft sounds of their breathing. Their faces were inches from each other, heads resting on the same pillow.
“You have beautiful eyes, Ser Bek,” Eloise whispered.
Bek felt like she was melting. “Oh! Er-aw- not as beautiful as yours!”
Eloise laughed gently. “You have quite a way with words, Ser Bek.”
“May I embrace you?” Bek asked.
“Please,” Eloise whispered.
Gently, barely believing she was doing it, Bek gathered her beloved mage into her arms. Eloise melted into her touch. Surely, Bek though, surely this was what heaven must feel like.
Eloise raised her hand, blowing the embers of the fire out in a small gust of wind.
Bek curled tighter around Eloise, tucking her head under El’s chin. Eloise buried her face in Bek’s curls. She pressed her lips to Bek’s hair, scattering gentle kisses like falling petals from a tree.
Bek sighed blissfully. Her head was always filled with poetry when in the presence of her lady. For a moment she almost wondered what it might be like to wield a pen (feathered by her lovely swan) rather than a spear. She chased the thought away. A foolish fantasy.
All that mattered in that moment was Eloise, her soft skin, her gentle touches, the sheer magic of her presence.
For a night they were not mage and knight, red and blue. They were only El and Bek. Loved and beloved.
Bek woke slowly. Warm sunlight was shining through the curtains, bathing her in its rays. Bek was warm. She felt better rested than she had been in years.
Something tickled her cheek. Bek’s eyes flew open.
It was a feather. A beautiful white feather, gleaming in the sun. Bek’s eyes traced it to where it nestled into the red-gold hair of her beloved Eloise.
Oh.
OH.
So last night was not a dream.
Bek stared at her love, barely daring to breathe or move. She couldn’t allow herself to break this moment.
Eloise’s eyes were closed. Bek marveled at the delicate way her eyelashes rested on her cheek. A constellation of perfect freckles dotted her cheeks, tracing down her neck and breasts.
Eloise stirred, opening her eyes to blink sleepily at the light.
“Bek?” She whispered, her voice still fuzzy from sleep.
“Hi,” Bek whispered.
“Warm,” Eloise said.
“Pretty,” Bek whispered.
Eloise laughed. “Beautiful.”
Bek leaned down and pressed a featherlight kiss to the tip of her nose.
Eloise reached up and drew Bek back in for a slow kiss. They traded kisses for a few minutes, clumsy with sleep. Time seemed to slow around them.
Bek traced the freckles on El’s shoulder. Eloise shivered and kissed Bek’s neck— right at the color of the simple green tunic she’d worn to bed.
The sound of footsteps shattered the peace of the moment.
Eloise sat up fully.
“Shit-“ she hissed. Bek’s heart skipped a beat—not from the beauty of her lady-love but from fear.
“Ser Bek!” A loud voice said.
“Mage Cam,” Bek whispered. “Quick, you must hide!”
“Where? Where?” Eloise asked, feathers ruffling in panic.
“Ser Bek, are you up yet?” Cam called
“You’re a mage! Turn invisible!” Bek hissed.
El lunged across Bek to grab her staff.
Cam knocked loudly on the door. “SER BEK!”
Magic particles gathered around Eloise as she cast the spell.
“SER BEK! ARE YOU AWAKE?” Cam yelled. The door knob began to turn.
Eloise vanished from sight.
Bek tried her best to look as if she’d just woken up. She sat up slowly and blinked at him. “What’s the matter, Mage Cam? Are we under attack?”
“No, not at the moment,” Cam said. He frowned. “Ser Bek...”
Bek glanced furtively around. No, Eloise was still invisible. “Yes?”
“Why are there feathers in your hair?”