Gabel stared down at the top of Elara's head.
She had smooshed her body against his and laid her head to rest on his chest.
He brought his hand around to her back and began to gently rub it.
"If you are tired you should sleep, tomorrows ride will likely be as retched as today's."
Elara didn't respond.
A minute later he felt her bob her head against his chest.
"Will you stay with me till dawn?"
He furrowed his brows as he glanced down at her beautiful face that was still flushed from their union.
Why does she have to be so beautiful.
Her soft, warm body pushed against his, still sweaty from their lovemaking. Her dark, raven like hair shined from the firelight.
Running his hand over the back of her head he whispered, "Yes I will stay."
His heart thumped heavily at hearing your request. Never before had she asked him to stay with her. A strange feeling coursed through his body.
Though she had not expressed being in love with him like he had, he was beginning to see it.
Often he would spend the night with the maidens he bedded. It was something he did more out of curtesy rather than comfort.
With Elara it felt different.
She felt like home.
Even if she had wanted him to leave her bed now, he did not think he could.
Tilting his head down, he looked once more at her beautiful face, then closed his eyes, joining her in sleep.
***
Elara's eyes suddenly opened, she blinked several times before sitting up.
She glanced over and saw Gabel still sleeping aside of her.
Like their first night together, Gabel had moved to his front and had both arms spread out on either side.
Her eyes trailed down the back of his body. The simple sheet was just barely covering his backside.
Elara took her finger and ran it down his back to the sheet barley covering his butt.
He looked so peaceful.
She watched him for a minute, then rose from the bed and walked to the window.
Dawn was near.
An anxious feeling spread through her chest. Once again, her intimate time with Gabel was fleeting.
She walked back over to his sleeping form and gently rubbed his arm.
"Gabel....wake up please."
He stirred but did not open his eyes.
She tried once more this time rubbing his arm a bit harder, "Gabel please wake up."
This time he opened his eyes, and slowly pushed up from the bed to sit. While rubbing his eyes he whispered, "What's the matter Elara?"
Without hesitation, She climbed onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"It will soon be time for us to leave."
Gently she nuzzled her face into his warm neck.
A second later his strong arms tenderly wrapped around her body.
While caressing her back he whispered,"yes."
Elara felt her body tremble.
Why did she feel like she needed more of him?
Pulling away from his neck she put her lips on his.
One of his hands reached up and grabbed hold of her face, deepening the kiss.
When his hot tongue pushed into her mouth, Elara felt her hips subconsciously grind against him.
One of his firm hands reached around and grabbed her backside.
"I need more of you," he spoke, slowly lifting her onto his erect member.
Elara cried out as he stretched her, then began to move on top of him.
"Oh fuck.." Gabel squeezed her butt while trying to bring her down on him with more force.
When she picked up her speed, his hands moved to her face.
Passionately he moaned, "Your going to make me cum."
Like always Elara began to climax from his words. She tightened around him and her movements ceased.
Gabel wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, plunging into hard several times before stilling and spewing his release.
While remaining connected, they kissed for several minutes, enjoying the afterglow of their love.
Elara broke their kisses and rested her head on his shoulder.
His soft lips pecked kisses across her forehead.
"I think your need for me is growing Elara."
Bringing her hand to a lock of his hair, she twirled it around her finger.
Gabel spoke again, "Will you not tell me."
Elara nodded her head into his neck.
"Say it," he gently mumbled bringing his lips down against hers.
When their kiss broke she softly whispered, "My need for you is growing."
A boyish smile spread across his face.
Dawn had officially come.
A minute later, Gabel rose from the bed and quickly dressed.
He walked to the door and stopped just bad his hand grabbed the handle.
"Wait a couple minutes before you come down."
Elara nodded her head and watched him exit her room. She then wiped her body off and put her crumpled, dirty cloths back on.
Standing in front of the door, she waited several minutes before opening it and leaving the room.
Once at the main level, she spotted all of the knights, sitting around a table eating food.
Since she had skipped her meal last night to bathe, an intense feeling of hunger overcame.
Hastily walked over and sat down.
While grabbing some bread from a basket on the table, she felt an intense gaze land on her.
Assuming it was Gabel she quickly looked up.
Across from her, Philip Weston's eyes were blazing.
He looked more angered than she had ever seen him before.
Not knowing what to do, she lowered her head and began to eat.
One by one the knights rose from the table and exited the inn. When the last knight left, Elara went to get up but was startled by sudden shouting.
"Did you not hear my command? I told you to tell me the next time that boy tried to toy with you! Do you think I am stupid?"
Elara nervously glanced up at her fuming commander.
He raked his silverfish blonde hair back and spoke again, "I know that you let him fuck you last night. Are you a whore?"
Elara looked away, too embarrassed to keep his gaze.
"That is what he sees you as, a whore of a woman. Do you wish to be his whore Elara?" He growled keeping his intense glare.
A second later, he turned and stomped out of the inn.
Elara brought her hands up and covered her face.
No matter how hard she tried, she could not stop the tears that began to well in her eyes.
Had they heard them last night?
This was exactly what she wanted to avoid.
She wiped her tears away and started walking towards the door.
