A Forbidden Act

Part 10 - What About Us?

The first thing that hit Sharon was the scent. That familiar, sweet scent that made her feel secure, at home. Sharon smiled softly and drowsily opened her eyes. Facing her was Tarja, asleep, her face just a few centimetres away from Sharon's. Butterflies fluttered in Sharon's stomach, and she couldn't help staring happily at Tarja's features, so peaceful, so relaxed. For one flash of a second, the memory of the night's events mortified her. But the pleasure was stronger. Sharon could recall every second, every word spoken, every sigh, and every scar on her lover's body. She had traced these scars countless times with her fingers, with her lips. It had been so intimate. So beautiful. So pleasurable.

Slowly, Tarja's eyes opened, and Sharon peered into those deep pools of emerald.

"Goodmorning, love." Sharon susurrated, a smile on her lips.

The woman didn't respond, she simply smiled. They lay there, staring into eachother's eyes, thoughts going round in their heads. Thoughts of love, of tenderness. But also thoughts of a barrier they had crossed. And they couldn't look back.

Suddenly, a tear rolled down Tarja's cheek.

"What have we done...?" she whispered.

Sharon's heart skipped a beat. Her eyes bore into Tarja's, as if she was looking into her soul.

"We did what we felt was right. Right for us. We did what our love made us accomplish. We united eachother. We loved eachother, Tarja. And we love eachother now. Now and always." Sharon smiled softly. "Don't worry, my darling. This will remain a secret. Our secret."

The Dutch young woman lifted up her hand and softly stroked her cheek, wiping her lover's tear away.

"It will be alright. We will be alright. Don't you worry. Love always triumphs. And I love you." She whispered as she made their lips touch tenderly.

After a few moments, Tarja finally returned the kiss, and they were once more united in love. Their kiss grew deeper, more passionate. Soon they were panting and giggling, out of breath. Suddenly Sharon sat up, eyes wide.

"Oh no!..." she gasped. Tarja also sat up, alert.

"What is it? What's wrong?" the woman exclaimed.

"The sun has risen! Sophie will be at my room at any moment, but she won't find me there! I need to get out of here and get back into my room right now!"

Not even giving Sharon the time to think, Tarja leaped out of bed, still undressed, grabbed hold of all her partner's clothes and belongings and threw them to her.

"Quick! Get changed and run to your room!"

Sharon did as she said. As fast as she could she put on her clothes, not even taking the time to wear the corset. To avoid suspicion, she quickly hid it under her skirts, hoping it would stay there until she got to her chambers. It was only after she was finished that she noticed that Tarja who was sitting on the bed, her body exposed, had been staring at her all along.

"You're so beautiful, you know that?" Tarja whispered.

Sharon felt her cheeks reddening. She bent over, took Tarja's hand and caressed the scars on her wrist.

"So are you, my love." She placed a kiss on her forehead then hurriedly rushed out, with a last glance behind her to see Tarja smiling and waving at her to leave.

This was going to be complicated. Sharon had to get back to her chambers in a matter of a few minutes, and judging by the height of the sun, some people could already be out and about the castle. Carefully, the woman tiptoed along the sunlit coridoors. She was about to turn around a corner when she heard voices. Three of them. She tried discerning and identifying those voices. They belonged to... Her father... Timo... And... The last one was a voice she knew a little less, but after a certain intonation it was clear. The voices were her father's, Timo's and Timo's father's. She clenched her teeth as she realised what their conversation was about; the marriage. However right now there was a more important matter: getting to her chambers unseen, which seemed like a difficult task, as the three men were on her path. She thought and thought, but she couldn't find any way of geeting past them unseen. Should she wait? Should she just go past them as if nothing was happening? Damnit, she hadn't much time! Then she saw the men walking towards her, and her heart sank. She made herself as small as possible and pushed herself against the wall. They didn't even see her as they walked past her, concentrated on their conversation. Sharon let out a relieved sigh and hurried to her room. Once inside she quickly undressed, put away all her clothes, got into her nightgown and leaped into bed. Barely a few seconds later she heard a knock on the door.