Brant curled his hands around his lips and whistled the song of a bird, three distinct high notes that repeated two times. The leaves crunched underneath his boots, the morning mist covering the forest floor in a haze. The sun inched its way over the tops of the evergreen trees. The rays shimmered through the canopy of thick branches, illuminating Brant's way.
He made the call again; a faint birdsong responded. Brant turned in its direction, letting the high pitched tones lead him through the trees. Once he climbed up the familiar incline, he looked down the side of the steep ravine. At the bottom, facing the other way was his love. His heart pounded through his chest at the sight of her. Her blonde hair, curled loosely down her back, made his pupils dilate.He wanted nothing more at that moment than to run his grime- smudged knuckles through it.
Gravity enhanced his speed as he descended down the face of the ravine. Momentum overwhelmed him about halfway down and he skidded on his side until he hit the hard ground.
Gyda turned around, her hair whipping behind her. She was shocked to see Brant on his back, his legs extended before him. Dust formed a small cloud around him where he lay. He cocked a sly grin up at her. She lurched toward him, kneeling by his side.
"Are you hurt?" She carefully combed over him, searching for any sign of injury. She rested her delicate hands on his broad shoulders and he gripped them, enveloping them whole. He placed a firm kiss on the inside of her palm.
"You think I can't handle a little dirt up my backside?"
Gyda shook her head and rolled her eyes at him. Brant raised one of his thick brown eyebrows at her.
"Did you just roll your eyes at me?"
She scoffed.
"We don't have time for this. I came here-"
"I know what you came here for," he interrupted.
Gyda withdrew her hands from his shoulders and crossed them in front of her, accentuating her ample breasts. Without a moments notice, Brant clasped onto her waist and tackled her onto the forrest floor. Gyda's breath escaped her in a surprised gasp.
Brant's hips bucked against hers, effectively pinning her where she lay, leaving his hands free to explore her tempting body. Her voice whined in protest, but he silenced her with his lips. His taste was intoxicating. Gyda pressed against his stone-like chest in vain. Brant did not relent the deluge of kisses he flooded her with. It was disorienting, causing her thoughts to shift from the imminent danger they were both in, to the flurry of feelings he awakened in her.
She moaned into his mouth, opening hers ever so slightly to allow his tongue to slip inside. He slid his hands down her legs, scrambling for the hem of her dress and pulling it up at her hips. He worked at untying the drawstrings that secured her bodice.
Once his work was complete, her breasts spilled out of her dress and he ravaged them with reckless abandon. Gyda lost herself in him, her fears, sadness, and worries momentarily dissipating. He wasted no time slipping his fingers inside her moist folds while his tongue swirled around the tip of her hardened nipple.
She could not contain herself. His touch ignited a fire in the pit of her stomach. He stroked her slowly, sensually torturing her.
"Brant," she said breathless.
He looked at her with mischief in his eyes.
"Brant," she pleaded as he rolled his thumb over her throbbing core.
She was ready. He stopped his ministrations; she lifted her head to see what had disrupted her pleasure.
Then the flames coursed through her body like a bolt of lightning, devouring her skin and heightening her senses as he plunged his manhood into her depths. The breathless gasp she uttered drove him to go faster. Everything about him was brawny and taut, his manhood no exception.
She watched with wide eyes as his sculpted muscles flexed with each penetration. Her hands couldn't get enough of him. She ran her delicate fingers over his broad shoulders and down his toned torso.
He steadied his pace, letting her ecstasy build. Time seemed to fade from existence when their bodies were intertwined. He loved watching her face as her mouth fell open and her eyes glossed over. She began to shake. Brant could feel her walls clenching around him. She released an animalistic cry as she came. Her scream sent him into a frenzy. He drove into her faster than before. He focused on her flushed face and the sounds of pleasure slipping past her lips.
She bit her lip, trying to hide the overstimulation each stroke caused. She was determined to endure her body's sensitivity. She felt she owed him that much. Finally, a low groan left his lips. He tilted his head back and drove himself into her one last time, releasing his seed.
When the moment of passion subsided they laid there for several moments, their moistened skin clinging together, heavy breathing in sync. They tried to recompose themselves, while making no effort to separate.
Gyda unclenched her hands and ran them through Brant's unruly brown curls. She kissed him gently, her swollen lips trembling. Then, burying his head in her thick tresses he whispered, "I love you, Gyda."
Tears pricked at the corners of her icy blue eyes and rolled down her rosy cheeks.
"I'm pregnant," she said.
Brant's muscles stiffened. Eyes wide he lifted himself off of her naked body and slowly rose. Gyda sat up, watching him intently as nerves coursed through her veins.
"Is it--"
"Yes, it's yours. I haven't laid with my husband in months. He has his slaves to keep him company in bed."
Brant sighed.
"I never should have let him take you away. I should have killed him before he had the chance."
"Don't say that. My marriage to Eadric was the price your father had to pay for peace between our two kingdoms. We both did our duty - me to my people and you to your family. I came here because you deserve to know the truth. I cannot risk Eadric learning of my betrayal. He would destroy us both, and the blood of innocents would be on my hands."
He turned his gaze toward her, dark eyes locking into hers. His eyebrows drew together.
"What are you planning to do," he asked, sensing from her words that she had already made up her mind.
"We have two options," she muttered. Her eyes faltered from the intensity of his stare and to the ground.
"Go on," Brant said.
"I've heard rumors of a volva, who lives as an outcast somewhere in the Northern Forrest. I plan on finding her. If the rumors I've heard are true then she can put an end to our little indiscretion. The only other alternative is that I lie with my husband soon so I can claim the child as his."
Rage surged through Brant. His head pounded; his cheeks turned red with heat. He clenched his scarred knuckles, causing his forearms and biceps to protrude. The sight of him scared her.
He stormed toward her and gripped her by her arms, yanking her upright. He towered above her. Her feet stumbled over themselves and she struggled for words.
Then his lips collided with hers. Her outburst of surprise soon melted away into a sensual moan. He strengthened the kiss, claiming her body as his.
Brant pulled back ever so slightly. The heat of his breath grazing her lips. He bent his head forward, resting his forehead against hers. Their eyes latched onto each other's.
"I will not have you risking your life over stories of some banished healer. I forbid it. And no man will ever raise my son as his own. Not while my heart beats inside this chest and my lungs draw breath. I will find a way for us, but I need you to trust me," he asserted.
Gyda nodded her head, then leaned into his chest. The warmth radiating from him gave her comfort. She closed her eyes and breathed in his musky scent. Brant could not resist the desire to stroke his broad hands through her blonde tresses.
Then Brant locked his arms around her and rested his chiseled chin on the top of her head.
"How do u know it is a boy?" she asked.
The corner of his lip turned upward into a crooked grin.
"The Gods prophesied I would have many sons. Although, I never expected it to happen so soon."
Gyda shook her head, nuzzling the side of her face in the crevice of Brant's chest.
"Me neither," she whispered.
Brant kissed the top of her head again.
"You should get back before he notices you are gone."
"He never notices me," she said as she pulled back from his embrace. She retrieved her dress that lied crumpled in the dirt. Brant followed her lead and gathered his trousers and leather vest.
They dressed themselves in silence. Then, headed in opposite directions, stealing into the cover of the forest.