It had been two weeks since Fenris had attacked her and life had returned the way it was before….well, not exactly. Things between her and Noel had improved, not a miracle by any means, but he had kept his promise to be gentle with her and they had spoken more than one word once a day. It was still a bit awkward and uncertain, but after seeing he was capable of feelings and affection she had not looked at him like a monster anymore or avoided him like a plague. She slept closer to him at night and instead of pretending to sleep until he left in the morning she would wake up and cook for him before touching his arm or chest with a smile before he left for the day. She still treaded lightly, but she didn’t feel the same paralyzing fear as before. He had proven he was not a mindless savage, and she was learning to like her stoic husband.

They had also not been intimate, much to her relief and curiosity. He had not attempted to put his hands on her, and wondered why it was, because he was trying to be gentler or because she had accused him of being like Fenris? She wasn’t sure, but she had appreciated the break. The swelling on her face had gone down, but remnants of her bruise remained. Her relationship with the Rivenese people had not approved either, though she had happily shared with Israel the improvements in her alien marriage. Three days ago he had left with the other men on the monthly hunt to gather food for the village and so very strangely she…almost missed him it seemed. She had gotten used to the sound of his deep breathing at night and the way he would stare at her when they quietly ate in the evening. His absence she thought would make her feel elated, but oddly enough the home seemed so empty and quiet, even if he did not speak much.

It was the day once a month that the market came alive. People brought tables out from their huts and infront of their homes to sell things they did not want or had made, then at night there was food and festivities, hence why there had been a hunt. Really Rivenese had no money, everything was done by trade or by promise. The first few she had never attended, but this time Israel had encouraged her so she had stepped out. She just wanted to look out of curiosity, try to bond with the people, though no one seemed very pleased to see her out among them. She walked quietly, keeping her gaze down to avoid the staring and glares. One woman’s table caught her attention and she came near it, admiring a necklace on blue leather strung with shells. It reminded her of home and she smiled, touching it gently. The woman watched her “You like it, lady?” She asked and Lorelei looked up to her then back down “It is beautiful” She commented, but withdrew her hand and sighed wistfully before turning away from it.

Things had been better. Noel had felt a sense of peace, though something in him was still tight. Even at council meetings he had been on edge and quick to serve out a harsh sentence, so his council members had pushed for the hunt to come sooner. He didn’t argue. He needed some sort of release to take his lingering frustration with Fenris out on.

The hunt had lasted longer than usual. There was plenty of meat to be hunted and plenty of creatures to track, so the men had taken their time to take a larger fill. They marched behind their leader, some on horses and some on foot to carry the harvest. Noel was normally a man to parade into market and drink to his delight, but in the pit of his stomach all he wanted was to go home and see his beautiful bride. As the men neared the hunters on horseback began to gallop into the market, hearing the cheers of the Rivenese as they returned home with food.

Throughout all the cheers Noel kept a stoic face, searching the sea of people’s faces dully until he saw the silver haired beauty. To the surprise of his people a smile came to Noel’s face as he rode to her, then dismounted quickly and went to her. “Lorelei.” He said as he moved to her and the people parted to make way for him. With one swift movement he swept her up, taking her by the hips and lifting her up to embrace her. It surprised the women in the market to see their leader so enraptured by someone and they began to look at the little silver haired Nanite differently. He gently set her back down for her feet to meet the earth and he kissed her cheek. “I have a gift for you.” He hadn’t expected to see her in the market, but so be it. The tall hunter went back to his horse and from a large pouch he pulled a little grey ball who whimpered and grunted. As he went back to Lorelei he offered her the wolf pup, a smile lighting his normally stoic eyes but his mouth didn’t match. “To keep you safe.”

When she heard the cheers she stopped and turned, seeing the horses and men coming into the village. Two weeks ago she would have scurried away home to hide from seeing her husband, but surprisingly this time she found herself searching through the arriving men to spot him. She spotted him only a moment before he spotted her, gazing at him with a gentle smile when he looked to her. She would have expected him to greet the people first, to wind down from the days of hunting before bothering to go to her, but when he dismounted and cut straight through everyone to go to her she was surprised. Her head tilted slightly then she gasped when he lifted her up, finding herself smiling and laughing at the exuberant way he greeted her. She put her arms around his neck and smiled down at him, letting her hands slide down to his upper arms as he put her down. “I am glad to see you have returned safely” She touched his face, the words genuine when only so little ago they would have been forced lies.

“A gift?” When he went to his horse she expected something gruesome. An animal head or pelt was the first thought to come to her, some creature he was proud he had killed in the jungle. She stepped closer to his horse, her face furrowing as she saw him pull out something grey. Just like she thought…a fur. She was a lover of animals, she did not like the idea of him killing a creature just to take the fur but it was the way of Riven. However the fur suddenly moved and made sound and her eyes widened until he handed it to her and she saw what it truly was. Her jaw dropped and she gasped outward, her eyes lighting up “Noel!” She breathed in surprise, taking the pup from him and it squirmed and whimpered in her arms. A giant smile lit her face, the biggest smile she had had since she came to Riven and she brought the pup close up under her neck as she cuddled it.

“He is…wonderful!” She adjusted the wolf pup in her arms, petting the top of his head, feeling so much happiness in her she had forgotten what it felt like. “I adore him!” She looked to Noel and laughed in excitement. It was amazing to see the difference in him…the man she once thought was a cruel, emotionless brute was now a man who had feelings and warmth, and who seemed to be working very hard to do as he promised, to make her happy. She could feel all the eyes of their village on them but she ignored it, putting a hand over his heart and gazed up to him warmly “Thank you. He is a perfect gift”

A month ago Noel would have brought her home the head of the biggest stag he could kill, bit after asking Israel for advice she suggested against it. She said women from other ages liked more feminine gifts and not something that would start to stink. So he had brought her a wolf pup after finding the mother dead for trying to kill one of the horses. Strangely enough the pup was the only one in its litter. it jade been a dry year and Noel assumed th others had not survived. He was alone, just as Lorelei felt but now they had each other.

"I am pleased that you like it. Come, let us drink celebration before we go home." At the suggestion of drinking the people around them cheered. Noel touched Lorelei's arm and turned to head to the nearest merchant with wine. The man gladly began pouring for the rivenese and all around the men began to drink, Noel included. He took his glass and went to Lorelei to kiss her cheek again, his body swimming with masculine energy from the hunt.

She could not believe he got her such a gift. She would have been shocked enough if he had given her jewelry or clothing, but a pet? For him to have seen a wolf pup and thought to give it to her meant he thought of her, even when hunting. She didn’t think she would care if Noel thought of her, but it warmed her heart and it showed on her expression. The little creature squirmed and whimpered, obviously frightened and confused and Lorelei murmured to it and let it cuddle in the crook of her neck so it would feel comfort. She enjoyed Israel’s company, but this wolf meant something different now. She could care for it and fuss over it, something to break up the monotony of village life.

She looked to Noel when he touched her arm and watched him go to get wine, staying where she was and could feel the little wolf’s heart racing against her skin. She laughed sadly at its fear “Oh, you poor sweet thing” She murmured, hoping it would become accustom to her. To her further surprise many of the village women swarmed around her to admire her new pet, obviously in awe (and even a bit jealous) to see Noel had brought her such a gift. She wasn’t used too so much attention but she smiled at the women as they crowded her, finding it amusing that a moment ago they were giving her looks and now they were chattering in excitement and wanting to be close to her. They backed away however when Noel returned to her and soon flurries of activity were all around them as people built a fire to cook the meat and music began to play and people danced.

She watched all of it, it reminding her of the festivals in J’nanin. However she stayed close to Noel’s side, uncertain of all the movement. Women in J’nanin loved to dance…but women here? It was far more provocative and it always made Lorelei blush. “The hunt went well?” She asked, looking up to her husband “I hope you were not too harsh on the young men new to it” She joked. Men in Riven who wanted to be hunters never had it easy, she knew they were treated harshly and much was expected from them. She then turned her head into the soft fur of the pup who stayed frozen near her neck “It...was very quiet without your presence”

Noel paid little mind to how the women of Riven treated Lorelei before, but now his eyes secretly observed how they were to her. He wanted her to feel welcome. He wanted her to feel like this was her home, because it truly was. He watched the women coo over her new gift as his wine was poured and he drank it slowly, enjoying the taste as it eased his sore muscles. He handed Lorelei her own cup to help him celebrate. He nodded to her question, glancing back at all the meat they had brought back. It would bring a great feast to Riven.

A quiet laugh escaped him when she teased about the younger men. “There are ways we welcome them to the hunt that would make you faint.” He smirked at her but soon the expression faded as he looked out to the people. A few nearing him to congratulate him on the hunt and welcome him home, others were glad to have him safe and back home. It was clear the people of Riven admired Noel, he was a strong but level headed leader. Why else would they continue to keep him as the head of their village?

When Lorelei said it had been quiet he looked down to her with softness in his eyes for no one to see but her. “It was cold without my sun.” He spoke the words in Narayan, kindness only for her own ears to hear.

She thanked him as he gave her a cup, slowly acquiring a taste for wine now since so many drank it here. She took a sip as she carefully balanced the pup, shaking her head “Such a brute” But she said it with affection and a smile. She certainly did not want to know the torturous ways they picked on the young men to teach them the vigorous ways of the hunt, she sure it was not pretty but she knew it helped harden them. The smell of meat cooking reached her and she scrunched her nose, for still her body was used to fish and the meat of animals made her sick if she ate too much, so she was slowly eating little by little to adjust to the heaviness of it. She could feel the pup’s nose moving quickly as he smelled the meat and she giggled.

She looked to him and saw the softness in his eyes and she smiled gently in return to hear him say that. He thought her as his sun? She didn’t know why that made some pink touch her cheeks and look down shyly. That she could appear to be so important to him made her nervous but happy. No man had ever spoken to her like Noel had, even with the few words he did give she had never heard anything like them before. Her heart beat picked up and she swore it matched the pup’s rapid heart. Why did she feel this way when before she only wanted to cry? “Lady, come dance!” Two of the younger women came up to her and tried to encourage her but she looked embarrassed and shook her head. She did not know how to dance the way Rivenese women did, she felt she’d make a fool of herself “Oh…oh, no..no…” She said quietly.

As the aroma of food cooking lifted in the air Noel grew hungry (though hunger had not left him since yesterday – hunts were exhausting), so he drank more to subdue his hunger. Drinking lightened his already fine mood and he even allowed himself to smile more at Lorelei. Had he been looking at anyone else he would have remained stoic, but a smile touched his serious face.

When the two younger girls came to Lorelei Noel watched with curiosity. He laughed into his cup and stepped closer to her. “Go. Dance.” Dancing with a wolf pup was impossible so Noel slid his fingers under the wolf to take him from Lorelei, then offered her his cup. “Drink this and dance. I will hold him.” With that he tucked the pup under one arm and swatted her butt playfully to get her moving. The food still wasn’t ready, she might as well pass the time with dance and entertain her increasingly pleased husband.

When Noel encouraged her to dance she looked at him as if he was trying to sacrifice her into the fire pit. She gave him a look and tried to shake her head subtly at him, surprised he would even suggest her too dance with the others. But hunting put him in a good mood, like it seemed to make many men village happy to go out and kill things and be away from there nagging wives. The little pup whimpering when it was taken for the comfort of Lorelei and it tugged at her mothering heart strings, but she sighed and knew saying no to Noel was easier said than done. The two women looked happy to have Lorelei come join then, but Lorelei wondered if they truly liked her or were playing the game of friends in front of Noel for the sake of appearing to be kind to his wife.

She took his cup and took in a deep breath, gulping down the wine and making a face at the taste before handing him back the cup and letting the women pull her over to the others dancing, jumping when he swatted her and glancing over her shoulder to give him a playful glare. Dancing in J’nanin was free and almost silly, people related there dancing to fairies or drunk gypsies. The women here moved like seductress’s, it was slow and precise. The two women began to dance, swaying their hips provocatively and swirling their hands above their head. Lorelei just stood there at first, smiling and blushing and feeling like a spotlight was on her. One of the women put their hands on her hips and tried to show her what to do and slowly Lorelei began to move, though kept laughing out of embarrassment and glancing at Noel. But after a few moments, maybe the wine, she started to relax and enjoy the dancing and she got more into it, putting her hands up like the women showed her and swaying her hips, her head back slightly and her eyes closed.

Israel had tried to tell Noel the way that the women of Riven treated Lorelei, but she had very much downplayed it. She had also been busy trying to tell Lorelei that it was all in her head, that the women were simply unsure of her because she was a stranger. Still, Noel kept a close eye on his people when they were around Lorelei. They would grow to love her, he knew it, but it would take time. So when the girls invited her to dance with him it warmed him, but outwardly he would play it off as the wine taking hold of him.

The large brute clutched the tiny wolf pup close against his chest as more wine was poured into his cup. He stayed stoic as Lorelei seemed so frightened and timid compared to the seducing women, but soon his face grew ever more curious. When her hips began to sway he found himself shifting his weight and moving his fingers, little things to release the tension that slowly increased in his already tense body. The man was so entranced by her that when a woman brought him some food to eat, though he was starved, he ignored her and continued to gaze upon Lorelei.

Oh if only her family could see her now…they’d have a heart attack to see Lorelei dancing the way she was among all of, what they would call, chaos. Things that used to appall her before or freak her out now did not make her bat an eye. The people here were different, just like if they were to observe J’nanin they’d probably think they were strange and crazy as well. She wanted to fit in, she wanted the village to like her and kept trying to do everything she could to achieve that. She was the wife of a highly respected leader, and for her to not be seen on the same level as him not only affected her situation but feared his as well. So perhaps dancing with them wasn’t so bad or embarrassing as she thought it might. She was making a effort…she was trying to be like them.

The women nodded and smiled encouragingly to show her she was doing well and soon she just listened to the sound of drums and enjoyed her time as she let her body move in the seducing manner of the Rivenese. She opened her eyes and looked over to her husband, expecting to see humor in his eyes as his wife’s silly attempts of dancing like his people, but paused when she saw something different, something that made her insides stir. She also glanced around to see other men stealing glances to stare at her and realized perhaps she wasn’t as disgusting as she thought she was. She was fuller figured than the other women, she had far more hips to sway. Feeling shy again to have so many eyes on her she thanked the women, but told them she really wished to return to her pup. They nodded and she walked back to Noel, smiling to him and gently took the small bundle back, a blush on her cheeks “Do you…not dance?” She asked, to try and divert attention from herself.

The way her hips swayed and the freedom that flowed through Lorelei’s normally well-to-do self warmed Noel’s body. He watched her, feeling entranced by the movement of her hips until he was able to glance aside and look to a man next to him. The man was older than Noel, but not by much, and very much transfixed on Lorelei as well. This transfixion was ruined by the glare that heated through Noel’s gaze to him and the older man would swear he could feel a burn to his flesh and quickly looked away to find something to eat.

The stoic brute handed Lorelei her pup back and touched her shoulder, trailing his hand down her arm slowly. He took the time to feel her soft skin until his hand made way to her waist and he pulled her closer to give her a kiss on the cheek. “No. I enjoy watching.” He gave her a quick smile. “When did you learn to dance?” After the question, with his hand still on her waist, he led her away to go find something to eat. Starvation felt alive in his bones, but a hunger for something else now lurked within him and urged him to hurry home. Why did they need a festival after a hunt? Normally Noel enjoyed them, but he had never had a wife to enjoy them with.

The pup crawled back to where it had been before, whimpering and grunting until it once again found its comfort and went still. When Noel touched her, her eyes watched his face and she shivered as his hand trailed down to her hip. It was clear he had found her dancing to not be the awkward, funny display that she had thought it would be. One hand slid up his chest as he pulled her closer and she blushed when he kissed her cheek. Before his attention was unwanted, but now that she knew she truly meant something to him it made her feel shy for him to care and want her so much. She shrugged lightly “All people know how to dance in J’nanin” She murmured and glanced back at the people still dancing then him “But I have never danced like that before” She laughed softly, feeling quite a bit exhilarated.

She followed beside him “I am surprised you have not eaten a whole boar by yourself yet” She joked, liking to tease him now that she knew it would not upset him. People smiled and nodded to them as they passed and she could feel the heat of the fire as they grew closer “I have grown closer to Ocean” She said, always trying to find something to talk to him with. She had named her mare Ocean, to remind her of home “I, was thinking I would like to learn how to ride. I think I am ready. So that I may ride with you”

All the women of J’nanin may have danced, but he could only imagine they did not dance as Lorelei had or there would be many, many more Nanites. The thought made a light playful expression come to his eyes though his mouth stayed straight. “You have talent, my sunlight.” The last two words were said in her own language, yet another phrase only for her ears.

It made Noel smile and give a soft laugh when she teased him. It seemed there was nothing that she could do to upset the fierce leader and the people of Riven knew that. They knew that Lorelei had him wrapped around her finger, but they kept that to themselves. He may have been even tempered but he was not one to question when it came to how strong or fierce he could be. He gestured and told a man to bring Lorelei some of the smaller deer since the meat would be more tender than that of the largest, muscular stag. “I am pleased to hear you care for her.” He said to her and reached out to pet the tiny wolf on the nape of her neck. “I will teach you to ride tomorrow.” From the wolf his fingers traveled into Lorelei’s hair, then traveled down to the ends of her strands gently. “You will take to it easily, I am sure.” He really didn’t care about horses at the moment. His thoughts were still muddled with the image of her hips and the homesick feeling he had in his gut from being gone.

She blushed more when he said she was talented, shyly looking at his face and some the playfulness in his eyes. She wondered what he was thinking of to get such a rare light “You are in a very good mood husband” She said with amusement in her voice. He had gone on hunts before but she had never seen him return with such mirth. But then again she had never smiled so much since being here either but today she was so, perhaps it was just a good day. As the Riven said, ‘the sun rose well today,’ it meant it just happened to be a good day from the start and she felt today was one of those days. “Did the hunt raise your spirits?”

When he asked for the tender meat for her she found herself smiling again. There he did it again, looking out for her needs. Did he always do this from the start and she never bothered to notice? Or did just begin to be so caring? She couldn’t recall, but she did wonder about it. She liked that he looked out for her, women in J’nanin always were taught to look out and take care of themselves. Oh goodness…if a man brought food to a woman when she could get it herself? She’d probably yell at him for insinuating she was weak. She never had that mentality though, which was why she had been such a black sheep. “I am eager to learn” She worried for a moment if he would be tough when he taught her, like men were taught things, but then that worry was gone and she knew he wouldn’t. How she knew she wasn’t sure, but she knew Noel would teach her kindly. “If take to easily you mean I will not break my head when I fall over and over again, then I am happy for you confidence in me” She laughed softly, watching him as he touched her hair. She grew closer to him, running a hand down his chest then back up and down his arm, wanting to show affection to him in return.

The sun rose well every time there was a good hunt, and every time he was able to return home to his beautiful wife. Noel looked to her with a smile and touched her arm. “Yes, but I am happier to have come home to you.” Not to mention the huge celebration that they threw to see their leader return with so many beasts to feed them.

More wine disappeared from within Noel’s cup and soon he had another in his hand and was handing it to Lorelei just as the tender meat was brought to her. Just as Noel’s food was being brought to him a younger hunter rushed in front, nearly out of breath and said that a traitor that had been on the run had finally been captured. Prior to Lorelei Noel would have been all over opening the traitor like a deer to gut during the festivel, but as he paused to think about the man he glanced to his wife. Her delicate nature was wearing off on the normally brute of a man and he took a moment before passing judgement. “Hold the traitor for the night,” He started, the crowd around him holding their breath. “We must not spoil our good fortune with an unfit sacrifice. Justice will be served tomorrow and let him not ruin the occasion of this evening.” The crowd continued to hold their breath and steady their hearts until Noel was finished, then began cheering, dancing, and drinking all around while their leader looked back to his wife. “I want to go home.”

The time was going by so smoothly and festive, so she shouldn’t have been too surprised when the young hunter rushed up t Noel, because it seemed complete fun and free spirit in Riven never did last long, there always seemed to be trouble somewhere lurking ready to strike. She frowned at the news the young man brought and looked up to her husband, feeling a bit of disappointment and a gnawing in her stomach. Noel had just came home and now he was going to have to leave to attend to the matter, and also knew that the traitor’s punishment would be a harsh one and she did not like the idea of it. Lorelei was ever the gentle soul and even people in J’nanin who had treated her with mean spirit she never wished any harm upon them. Punishment in her home Age was nothing like in Riven, and it made her sick, especially how Riven liked public punishment. She preferred to hide at home when anything like it was done.

When he didn’t rush off to punish the man that moment she tilted her head curiously, not expecting that from him. She smiled and looked relieved, glad that no cruelty would be done tonight. However when he suddenly wished to go home she looked surprised, thinking he’d want to stay and revel in the excitement but she merely nodded “Then let us depart home” She had no problem going home, she wanted to tend to the small pup anyway. She walked with him back to their hut and once inside she immediately set herself upon making her small bundle comfortable. She had read once wolves liked to make dens for their pups, so she went to her chest that held her clothing and kneeled down before it. She removed her clothing and set it aside before filling it with blankets and set the little pup inside. He cried and whined as he paced around, but Lorelei petted him “Sshhh, it’s alright. You do not need to be afraid. I am here and you are safe” She whispered soothingly. It took a few moments but the stress and exhaustion of the day finally caught up in his little body and curled up among the blankets and settled down.

She smiled lovingly “I think I will call him Canyon. It is a strong name. A warriors name” She said, slowly standing up after she felt he was alright then walked around the hut to begin lighting candles as the sun set and glanced to Noel “Are you muscles sore? Do you wish some salve to ease them?”

Punishment in Riven was harsh bit ever since he had met Orelei (especially after the traitor fiasco) he had sought to be more gentle. So fo now the punishment was put off or another day or at least when Lorelei wasn't looking anymore. At her agreement to walk home he set the cup down and went after her, touching her hand as they walked and guided his tired horse behind them.

Once they were home he settled the great stallion and set him out to pasture with the mare. After the creatures were settled he went inside and began to remove the armor and heavy burden clothes from hunting. He watched Lorelei with a stoic face but a smile in his dark eyes. "You will make a good mother to him." And would she make a good mother once the time came? The tired leader sat on the bed and watched her light candles with a calm but enticed expression in his eyes. "Yes." He responded and reached out to touch her arm, pulling her in closer to kiss her shoulder and neck.

She looked to him when he commented she would be a good mother, touched for him to say that “Thank you. I hope someday I will be a good mother to your sons” Though the idea scared her. She had never thought of being a mother, especially not so young. She never imagined shed start thinking of children till much older, but she knew now she would be a mother sometime soon, it was only a matter of time. She had the instinct however, she didn’t see it as clearly as Noel did but it was certainly there, coming out in the way she babied the tiny pup and spoke to Ocean like she was a child. It would be hard to see her children raised to be warriors, to hunt and to be harsh and strong, but she knew Noel would treat any children they had well.

When he said yes she nodded and went to pass him to grab the salve, only to stop when he grabbed her hand and brought her close to him. She gazed at him, sliding her hands over his shoulders and shivered as he kissed her skin. Nerves hit her stomach hard, coiled and ugly as the familiar panic hit her when he had touched her like this before. It had been a while and her body felt jittery and tense, expecting the horrible experience she was used too. But no…no they had come too far in the past couple weeks for her to revert in fearing him again. She touched his face and leaned down to kiss his forehead “You have not touched me in so long” She murmured, wanting to question him why but she knew he did not like speaking about anything that had to do with emotions. Slowly she straddled his lap, pressing her hands against his chest and her heart began to wildly race “I….” She took in a deep breath “I want to lay with you”

“They will be blessed to have you as a mother.” She was far more gentle than most women in Riven. She had a good spirit and a tender heart. Warriors were made from hard and cold fathers, but leaders were made from strong forces in their lives that kept them even tempered. A strong leader would have a good spirit to hold him back even in the hardest of times. It was how Noel had been raised, and why he had lasted as the leader of Riven for so long.

He had not been raised to show emotion, but tried so hard with Lorelei. When she returned his touch and kissed his forehead he closed his eyes momentarily, tilting his head up towards her before his dark eyes reopened. It had been so long since he touched her, the man had nearly counted down to the hour. His hands slid down to her mesmerizing hips and he felt surprised when she straddled his lap. The words that left her mouth made a jolt run through his body and he gazed upon her face for a few moments, studying her expression before one hand touched her face gently and he kissed her. Kissing her skin was not so uncommon, but kissing her mouth was a rarity up until lately; but as surprising as it was Noel was not a bad kisser. His mouth was soft and warm against the pouty pink lips that he thought about while he was away. His hands cupped her face and he kissed her more passionately, only to pull away slowly to leave her wanting more and his mouth trailed down her shoulder. He could feel her heart racing as his hands moved, one on her back and one ran over her chest. “Do not be frightened.” Was she still afraid of him? The fearless leader took a moment to lean back just enough to gaze at her again, then his eyes traveled down her body as he touched her sides and breasts. At first his touch was soft and fleeting, but soon he began to run his hands in circles around her breast and ran his thumb over her nipple to entice her. There was a part of him that wanted to bend her over the bed, but an even greater part of him knew now that he had to take the time for her.

A part of her was afraid, it was petrified. All she could think about was the roughness and discomfort he had given her so far, and the warning bells in her body was telling her to not encourage him. She took in another deep breath when he told her to not be frightened, for she truly didn’t want to be. Bedding him was not something she’d ever be able to escape, so she had to learn to make the best of it with him. He had told her he would be gentler, but she knew from listening to the other women in the village that men could get carried away. But their husbands were not Noel, Noel had kept his promises till now and she had no reason to accuse him of breaking this promise before they even started but that didn’t ease her racing heart. Israel had told her once she should take charge in the bedroom, that no matter the man deep down they all liked it. He had married her, a J’nanin woman, he knew how the women were like. But she was so nervous in trying, she felt like a fumbling fool.

When he kissed her it made her eyes widen in surprise. The only time she could remember his lips on hers was when they were married and it had been her first kiss. At first she had no idea what to do as his lips moved against hers, but slowly she began to move her lips against his in return, gasping softly against this mouth as it became more passionate. It made her feel light headed and when he slowly broke the kiss her lips tingled and she closed her eyes as her mouth trailed down to her shoulder, her breathing quickening. Even though he had bedded her plenty times before she still was a virgin in spirit, she didn’t know where to put her hands or where to look, especially when his fingers brushed her nipples and her body reacted so effortlessly, it made a light red touch her cheeks. Biting her lip nervously she buried her face in his neck, nuzzling and kissing his skin for a few moments before sliding her hands over his chest, trying to calm the jitteriness she felt. She then lowered the straps on her dress and let her chest be exposed, her gaze staring at his chest as she started to roll her hips and rub against him.

The things he had heard about women from J’nanin had not been held up to Lorelei as of yet. She was not bossy and empowered, she was shy and gentle. Noel liked that about her. Women of Riven were crude and brutal. Noel had liked Lorelei’s delicate nature but he had no idea what he was in for if she took charge.

When she removed her straps he inhaled a long breath and his eyes were glued to her body like a man who had been without a woman for eternity. He felt like a drooling dog the way he stared at her, and the expression on his face was not stoic for once. The leader looked enticed and entranced by her, and looked down once her hips began to rub against him. It immediately stirred something in him and his body reacted, blood loss from one head to another made all the sweet things he had planned to say turn to gibberish so he just kept quiet. His hands moved down her sides to her thighs to push her dress up, then bunched it up so it was easy to move up and off of her. The beautiful fabric was tossed to the ground as if it was nothing to him, and his hands trailed slowly back down her body. His rough hands felt the curve of her back, then trailed around front to circle her breasts and tease her nipples once again. Soon after he was unable to resist and kissed her shoulder, then his mouth slowly traveled down her skin until he could kiss and admire each breast. From there his hands went around her body to grab her butt, restraining himself from being too rough, and one hand slipped in front to touch and tease her soft lips. Once his hand began to rub her oh so gently he looked to her face to gauge how much she liked it. He wanted to take his time making her wet rather than spitting on his hand as he once had.

Why did she like so much the way he was looking at her? She couldn’t explain it but it just made her feel…empowered. He looked at her like he might fall on his knees to have her, and she wondered if this was the feeling women in J’nanin felt and why they loved to be in charge so much, to see men so helpless against them. It gave her a feeling of pride, a feeling that she liked so much she wondered how far she could push it. Maybe Israel had truly been right, deep down men didn’t mind losing control in the bedroom. She just thought it was simply Nanite man who were the rare males to be the submissive one’s, but maybe it was just J’nanin women had learned the secrets to controlling men that Riven and Uru women had no idea of yet. But still she had some doubts and uncertainties…could she really be the leader in bed of a man who led a whole village?

She raised her hands up so he could remove the dress, pressing close to him as his hands roamed her body. Her hands rested on his upper arms, leaning back as his mouth kissed her chest, feeling her body shiver in reaction. She moved one of her hands up to slide into his hair, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the sensation of his mouth. Actual enjoyment…she did not think she’d ever feel such enjoyment with him in bed but she was. How had it not been like this before? Why had he not done it this way from the beginning? But perhaps it wouldn’t have mattered, she still would have feared him before and not wanted his advances regardless which surprised her to think that way, did it mean now she wanted it, not solely just to please Noel? She jumped when he grabbed her butt and her hips went still as he rubbed her, the feeling odd and took her a few moments to become accustomed to it before she felt the pleasure warm her. She had never been wet with him before, she had been as dry as a desert, but now she could feel it and it made the blush remain on her cheeks that she was trying to get rid of. Her gaze rose from staring at his chest to looking into his eyes, touching his face with one of her hands as she leaned in to kiss his cheek, moving her mouth carefully closer to his until they were kissing again “Lie back” She whispered as she looked into his eyes, curious what he would do.

It was a strange difference to see Lorelei so comfortable with him. It roused a creature in him that he did not know existed, but now would not rest as he felt eager to obey her commands. He was supposed to be this ruthless, fearless leader, but he was melting with the way she took control. She may not have been a dominatrix, but this was still entirely new for Lorelei and Noel would revel in every moment of it.

His hand moved in small circles, just enough to tease her and wake her body to be ready for his. He wanted to have her begging for it, just as any man did, but now found himself striving for her pleasure. The expression on her face made his stomach clench and he grew harder when she took even more control and told him to lay back. Still he gave a soft laugh, then kissed her once and laid back far enough so he could prop himself up on his elbows. If she was going to take charge then he wanted to watch. He reached down with one hand and untied his pants, feeling desperate to get them off but found his hand straying from it’s path to reach up to her and touch her inner thighs, then tease her entrance, then go back to pushing his pants down. Had she ever really looked at him before? He swallowed hard as his manhood was exposed, harder than usual from her boldness, and he shifted his legs to get his pants the rest of the way off.

She thought maybe he’d resist, maybe he’d refuse to listen to her command and instead lie her on the bed and be the one to take charge like he was used too in his everyday life. But when he did lie back she took a moment to stare in subtle surprise before shifting on him to adjust better upon his hips. Her heart was pounding so hard she felt she was drowning in the sound. What was she doing? She didn’t know how to seduce a man and be forward, yet for some reason she kept going forward with it and was someone accomplishing in doing what she had never been truly taught. She didn’t want sex with him with be frightening, she could not handle that anymore and things needed to change. This…this felt good and excited her. She felt this was how it was supposed to be.

She leaned down and kissed along his chest as he untied his pants, shuddering when his hand strayed between her legs. She was breathing so hard she had to let the air enter and escape through her mouth, feeling her insides shaking from nerves but managed to keep her hands and legs from trembling too badly. She had never looked at him, not there certainly, she had never wanted too. But now she was curious suddenly and she scooted back to look, the curious expression of a virgin clearly on her face as she admired him and continuing to force herself to be bold she brushed her fingertips over him, blushing a harsher red as she did. She glanced up to him before very carefully grasping him and placing him inside her, her body tightening as it expected the usual roughness before she slowly began rolling her hips. Her boldness faltered though and she grew shy, looking at his chest instead of his face, afraid to suddenly see displeasure in his face if she did something wrong.