In the woods

It was yet another tiring day on a such harsh expedition that won't even guarantee the state of your life at the end.

Kian and his army have been riding endlessly in scorching heat without rest. The weather was in their favor for the past week right after they departed for the journey but for some days it has taken such a huge turn. The sun was at its highest point, smoldering everyone making them grow tired and crave shade.

After five days of traveling under the scorching sun, there was not a puddle in sight, let alone a creek. There were occasional trees and thorny bushes scattered sparsely, but it was extremely difficult to find water. Most of the barrels of water that had been piled up like a mountain in the carts rapidly ran out. Naturally, washing their bodies was out of the question. They were all covered in sweat and dust.

This journey was to finally put the beast in the west to its end that has been terrorizing the villages and towns there. Hundreds of people have already lost their lives and many are on the brink of life and death, the children are shaken to the core, and the beast is still petrifying everyone without end. The place where they live is infested by Dragons, Basilisk, Griffin, Ogre, Goblins, Kelpies, and other monsters and beasts that prey on humans to sustain life.

Kian Galahad was the supreme commander of The Warrior Knights who worked on the orders of King Alaric and no other lousy nobles who only got their shameless work done under the name of Chivalry.

While the whole west was terrorized by those nasty human eater monster, The Warrior Knights were called to exterminate the beast and free the land.

Kian Galahad was used to such mission but this time his beautiful yet stubborn wife who was also the head medic of The Warrior Knights tagged along forcefully. Kian was very much in opposition of this idea of hers but she was adamant to help. He knew the hardships she will have to face of this journey and didn't her to risk her life yet she was very much stubborn. She stood her ground and fought to join the expedition. Kian was still very much against this idea And wasn't talking to her

Now looking at her sweating profusely under the scorching sun, her snow-white face a bit tanned, in pants rather than her usual beautiful flowy dresses, tunic sticking to her body...... He can say with hesitation that this has been his most arduous mission. And he hated every second of it. He couldn't touch her to his will. Couldn't even punish her for her stubbornness with his companions around.

After riding for another yet long day they finally saw a glimpse of trees in unison.

"We can find at least a puddle of water there"

Kian commanded his army to hold and rest for a while and take a breather before setting out again on the long journey.

While the knights were setting up the tents it started drizzling from the sky that eventually turned to heavy downpour. All the knights started cheering and washing themselves in the rain.

Marcelene was also delighted because of the rain. It was her very first expedition like such so she wasn't very used to it. She had been a prim and proper Duke's daughter who never lacked anything so a sudden change was foreign for her yet she didn't complained.

She didn't like the feeling of her clothes sticking to her body and was in dire need of bath.

Despite being resentful, Kian went to her, to help her refresh. Because she was the only lady among the knights' she couldn't take a bath in the open.

"Come with me" Kian said directing her to a much secluded area that was covered with giant rocks and dense bushes. He tied a cloth to create a private place so that she can bathe easily in privacy.

"You can bathe her, nobody will come here...I'll keep an eye"

"Okay" Marcelene replied timidly. She really needed a bath right now.

"I won't look so wash to your hearts content"

Marcelene peeked at Kian's face over the makeshift shelter, then he retreated to guard. She quickly took off her clothes. The raindrops striking her bare skin sent shivers down her spine, an unfamiliar sensation. She hung her clothes on a nearby branch and scrubbed her skin thoroughly, removing the accumulated sweat and dirt.

Worries flickered in her mind. What if someone unexpected emerged from the bushes, a wild animal, or some kind of danger? Despite her anxieties, Marcelene lathered soap over her body, cleaning herself meticulously and washing her hair as best she could. Thankfully, the rain continued to fall, gradually intensifying. It poured down so heavily that the surroundings became a blurry white. The thick curtain of rain obscured her vision, and her anxieties gradually faded as a strange smile spread across her lips: never in her life had she imagined bathing under the pouring rain in a forest.

Marcelene laughed and threw her head back, letting the water rinse the soap from her hair and face. Feeling clean, she turned to grab her soaked clothes when she noticed the barrier between her and Kian was gone. Marcelene stepped back, confusion clouding her expression. The ropes that held up the tarp seemed to have given way under the downpour and become loose. The tarp now lay uselessly on the ground, dangling from a single branch.

Kian stood rigidly on the other side, unmoving like a statue. Marcelene froze under the intensity of his gaze. His eyes scanned her wet shoulders, her hair clinging to them, then lingered on her chest. His neck muscles tightened and bulged. Marcelene felt a heat rise in her throat as his gaze traveled down her body, taking in her flat stomach, her pale legs, then her bare feet with their blue veins, before returning to meet her eyes. A wave of vulnerability washed over her. He was staring at her with a look of such fascination, as if he had never seen her before, and his reaction only intensified her self-consciousness.

Marcelene felt a blush creep up her neck and quickly grabbed her clothes to cover her chest. However, Kian took a large step towards her and grasped her hand. His rough fingers, chilled by the rain, intertwined with hers.

"Please," his voice was a ragged whisper barely audible over the drumming rain. "Let me look a little longer. Do you have any idea how much I've..."

He couldn't even form a complete sentence. Marcelene looked up at him. He was trembling like a cornered animal, yearning for something. A muffled groan escaped Kian's lips, and his body shook as if his control was hanging by a thread. He reached out and hesitantly brushed his hand against her body, unable to resist the temptation before him.

Marcelene stumbled back, the rough bark of a tree catching her spine. Kian rushed towards her, his grip firm on her shoulders. Their gazes locked, and with a surge of urgency, he leaned in. The kiss was desperate, filled with a raw emotion that mirrored the downpour soaking them to the bone.

Leaves brushed their faces as the storm raged around them. Kian pulled away, his touch lingering on her cheeks and eyelids. Marcelene gasped for breath, the scent of rain and damp earth filling her lungs.

Kian trailed kisses down her neck, then focused on a tender exploration. The intensity of it was like being caught in the throes of a tempest. Marcelene clung to him, her heart pounding.

He removed his rain-soaked shirt, revealing a bare chest that glistened in the downpour. Marcelene shivered, a thrill coursing through her. With a desperate urgency, she entangled her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer.

A guttural sound escaped Kian's throat. "I can't wait any longer," he rasped, his voice raw with desire. Marcelene mirrored his desperation, her breath catching in her throat.

His fingers slipped inside her depths and began his gentle ministrations. She crashed her lips against his shoulders, letting out intermittent moans. Her arms and legs seemed to melt, her nerves were so tight that her whole body jerked at his slightest stimulations. As if having had all his patience burned by her sensitive response, Kian pulled down his trousers and sheathed himself straight into her.

Their movements became frantic, fueled by a shared yearning. She surrendered to the touch that sent shivers down her spine, a helpless moan escaping her lips. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the frantic beat of their hearts and the relentless drumming of the rain.

Marcelene overcome with passion, wrapped her arms tightly around him. His strong legs pressed against hers, and the sculpted planes of his stomach met her softness. Kian unable to resist any longer, held her close and moved with urgency. She responded with a surge of feeling, clinging to him for support.

Soon, Kian held onto her waist and began to move rapidly. She bobbed up and down, clutching to him for support. Every time he dug into her, her body shuddered, and her lungs swelled like it was about to burst. Her vision was blurry as the rainwater seeped through her eyelashes and ran down her cheeks. Perhaps it wasn't just rainwater, but tears flowed out as well from the intense passion. Marcelene shook her head as if she was about to go crazy.

"Ki...Kiaann..."

Kian leaned her against the tree trunk, digging deeper and ramming faster into her depths. Her body was thrown to the edge and convulsed, unable to handle his movements. She clung desperately to him, then he grabbed her hand and intertwined his fingers tightly against hers. Not long after, his body turned rigid, and she felt something tepid spread inside her. Marcelene shuddered at the sensational experience, the sharp orgasm mincing her whole body.

"Damn it..."

Kian held her in his arms as they gasped heavily for their breaths. She rested her cheeks against his shoulder, drooping from all the energy that was drawn out. Her thighs still shuddered from the feeling and there was no strength left in her legs. He carefully pulled himself out of her and hugged her to soothe her sobbing state. Then, he pulled up his pants with one of his rough hands and draped his tunic over her to cover her body.

The rain washed over them, mingling with the tears that streamed down Marcelene's face. It was a whirlwind of emotions - the raw passion of the moment, the sheer intensity that left her breathless, and a strange vulnerability that made her cling to Kian for support.

As their movements subsided, Kian held her close, their breaths echoing in the quiet aftermath. Leaning against him, Marcelene felt a pleasant weakness in her limbs, a testament to the power of their connection.

"Did I hurt you?" Kian's voice was rough with concern.

Marcelene shook her head, finding her voice in a whisper. "No, it doesn't hurt. Just... a little hard to move."

A moment of silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken thoughts. Finally, Kian spoke again, his voice laced with a hint of self-reproach.

"I've been holding back for a while now. I didn't mean to take you by surprise."

Marcelene's brow furrowed. "Holding back? But... I didn't think..."

Shame tinged her cheeks as she realized how her own exhaustion and disheveled state might have colored her perception. Here she was, covered in dirt and sweat, and somehow, Kian had still desired her.

"You were radiant," Kian said, his voice a low rumble. "Your face flushed, your eyes sparkling, your hair unbound by the wind... this has been the most challenging expedition of my life, not because of the journey, but because of you."

Marcelene stared up at him, a warmth spreading through her chest. "I had no idea you felt that way," she admitted softly.

They had spoken little throughout the demanding journey, and Marcelene had assumed Kian was unaffected. Now, she understood the reason for his distance, the unspoken struggle he'd endured.

Kian pulled the blanket over them, his gaze tender. "I planned to wait," he confessed. "I know you've been overwhelmed. But seeing you like that... I lost my composure."

A shy smile touched Marcelene's lips. "Well," she murmured, "I didn't dislike it. It was... surprising, but wonderful."

Heat rose to her cheeks, but this time, it wasn't shame. It was a delightful awareness, a newfound confidence sparked by Kian's unexpected words. As they settled into the quiet embrace, Marcelene knew this moment, this raw vulnerability shared under the rain, would forever hold a special place in their love story.

Kian laid down next to her and embraced her tightly. "Don't say things like that. Do you really want to make me lose my mind?"

"Now close your eyes and good to sleep...we still have a long journey awaiting us"

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