The year 1860
"How long will you be gone?" I asked leaning in closer toward him.
He smiled sheepishly, "Only a few weeks." Anthony mumbled under his breath. He had told me that he would be leaving but I never realized how much I wanted him to stay until now. Especially now.
I had always read stories about two people in love. A large part of me had always wanted to know what that felt like, and now that I know how it feels I wasn't sure if I was ready to let it go. Even though he assured me he would be back I had a nasty feeling in the back of my mind that once he left he would realize how much time he has wasted on someone like me. A Duke and some pauper.
The last thing I wanted him to think was that I was using him for his wealth or status. Long journeys alone can do that to a person, make them think something that isn't true.
Anthony looked at me with worried eyes, "What are you thinking about?" He asked cupping my cheeks in between his warm hands.
I shook my head, "Nothing," There's no need to plague him with my worries, "I'll just miss you is all."
He nodded, "You could come with me?" A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He had a beautiful smile, like the kind that could warm a frozen heart.
"You know I can't do that," I sighed breathlessly into the crook of his neck, he smelt of honey and mint leaves, "I have my family to take care of, and my mother, she needs me."
His smile never faded as he looked at me with kind eyes but didn't say a word. He did this a lot.
I smiled back, "What are you thinking about?"
He chuckled lightly as his hands trailed down my waist, pulling me closer so that there was no space in-between us, "I'll just miss you is all."
I could feel my cheeks begin to burn up from his words. Anthony was like no other man I had ever met and even though our village held mainly boys they were all the same in comparison to him. He was special but I couldn't exactly explain why. Maybe it was because he was a boy who liked other boys, something that I had never come across. Anthony made me feel less alone in that aspect, less strange. We had only spent a few weeks together and already I would do anything to be with him, to keep him in my arms, and spend the rest of my life with him.
His hands slowly trailed down from my waist towards my lower back as he placed his lips on my neck, pecking and sucking on my skin, "I want to be with you forever Anthony." I whispered letting out a quiet moan
"I could eat you up." He mumbled as his teeth grazed my skin. I ran my hands through his dark hair, tugging and pulling each time I felt his lips getting closer to my chest while Anthony's grip on me grew tighter I pushed my body even harder against his to the point where I could feel him against my leg. I wanted him more than anything.
The sudden toll of the church bell made us both stop simultaneously, we knew what that met and he couldn't be late. Ever since Anthony came to our village he has been having these daily meetings with the council of elders about a situation he has yet to speak to me about despite my constant questioning. I assume it's about the sickness that has plagued our village for the last month and a half, it has killed over seven people while a dozen have been declared bedridden.
Our village of Barebell was located at the forest's edge, surrounded by acres of forestry and mountains as tall as the eye could see. Surrounding our home was a large barrier made of wood that kept out anything that wasn't welcome. My mother used to tell me stories about the creatures that hid in the shadows of the forest and how they would prey on unsuspecting victims. I didn't pay any mind to her ghost stories though, I had ventured into the forest countless times and had only come across a few rabbits and a couple of deer. I figured there was no need to be scared of something you knew didn't exist.
