Warmth.
Warmth and feathers. It was a beautiful day. Bright blue sky, cotton clouds. She was aware of a fresh breeze. He was crouched down in one of her pens. Fingers scratching the chin of a more than happy, strangely colored quail. When he looked up at her, she noticed his full beard again. His smile lit up her heart. In that moment she felt a dense indescribable feeling for him.
Warmth faded to cool.
Clean shaven face with a hint of concern looking at her. Smile still there. His hand slowly dropped hers.
“Good Afternoon, L'Lea.” He said, his tone was low.
To hear him say her name sent a tingling all over her skin.
“Good Afternoon, John.” She lightly replied with a smile, “Please come in.”
“Thank you.”
Just as his feet hit her entry way, a distressed series of chirps came from the wicker basket. She flinched in surprise. He let out a deep chuckle as his smile grew.
“I brought you a more, non-traditional gift.” He said as he moved the basket from under his arm.
She watched him release the latch and open the lid.
There, hopping around on a bed of cloth strips and hay, was a quail chick. It couldn't have been more than a week old. The plumage was an auburn red with tuxedo brown accents. Immediately she recognized it. The quail from her vision.
Her hands flew into the basket to pluck it up into her palms. Cupping it so it wouldn't jump, she admired it further. Her heart was swollen with excitement and amazement.
“Thank you, it is beautiful.” She breathed.
“He was the most handsome of the bunch.” He sounded pleased.
That made her smile brighter.
“Give me a moment, I must go place him with the others.”
His hand caught her wrist before she could turn.
“I'd like to see your pen.” He said when she looked at him.
Her heart skipped.
“Of course, I apologize. I should have offered.”
“Don't apologize, it's no matter.” He replied in his comforting voice.
She let out a bashful laugh.
“Follow me.”
He released her and she could hear him behind her. She gave him a grateful smile as he stepped around her to open the back door. She gave him a smile of thanks. The sound of his boots told her he'd followed her out.
“Well then.” She heard him say in awe.
“It is very…unique. I have added to it over the centuries. It is not as organized as I would like.”
“I like it. It has character.”
“I am glad you think so.”
They arrived at the chick pen.
“If you could please unlatch the lid and open it.”
“Of course.”
She watched him set down the wicker basket. He quickly had the latch figured out and the lid raised. Gently she placed the chick in. With a ruffle of it's fluffy feathers, it quickly nestled itself into the ball of feathers huddled in the far corner. That made her chest swell with attachment.
“Looks like he won't have a problem fitting in.” He commented.
“He seems to be bold.”
They both laughed together.
She helped him lower the lid and then re-latch it.
He was already holding out his elbow when she faced him. Eagerly she took it. She relieved him of the now empty wicker basket by placing it on her dining room table. After securing both doors, he lead her to his horse. She was a pretty animal. White hair with black speckles that were sparse on her round belly, but became so concentrated near her muzzle it almost made her head look black. She seemed completely disinterested as she flicked her tail.
She grabbed the pommel and slipped her foot into the stirrup. His solid grip caught her hips. He made her feel weightless. She enjoyed the feeling of being effortlessly lifted. The worn, deep brown saddle was comfortable. Without a word he lifted himself up in one swing. She bit her lip when she felt him settle in behind her and wrap an arm around her waist. He flicked the reigns. She grabbed the pommel of the saddle again as the beast picked up into a soft saunter down the dirt road.
“Have you eaten yet?” He asked.
“No. I have waited.”
“Hopefully you're not too hungry. I'm sorry I took so long.”
“Do not apologize, I understand the demands of your title. I am not desperate. My appetite has been…unnatural today.”
He hummed in thought, “Nervous?”
Tingling in her throat again.
“Yes, and anticipation as well.” She timidly replied.
“Me too.” He chuckled.
She relaxed slightly. His direct nature always seemed both surprise and sooth.
“I'm actually fairly hungry, I'm up for anything. Any suggestions?”
“Would you still like to visit the docks?”
“Of course.”
“There is a stew I am fond of that one of the resident fisherman makes with his catch of the day.”
“That sounds good. It's a little chilly. It'll warm us up.”
She smiled to herself as her heart fluttered. A lull of their conversation had the nervousness rise again. His question caught her off guard.
“I'd like to ask what you saw when I greeted you at the door.” His tone was cautious.
“You were in my pen, placing affections on the chick you just brought me, but he was full grown.”
He snorted a laugh, “Truly?”
“Truly.”
“Well then...” He sounded amazed.
That made her laugh.
“Is there pattern to what you see and what we're currently doing?”
“There seems to be no connection. It only appears to be coincidental.”
“Do you think you'll have a vision every time I greet you?”
“I do not know.”
“This might sound selfish, but I hope the visions die down. I'm afraid that when we become more affectionate, it'll interrupt the mood.” His chuckle sounded sheepish.
Heat filled her face.
“I am concerned about that as well.” She bashfully replied.
“Glad it's not just me.” He sounded relieved.
They traveled down the road for several minutes. She didn't know if she should fill it or wait for him to speak. With a breath she tried to think of something to say.
He beat her to it.
“It's completely different being with you in person, rather than seeing your letters. It's hard to think of conversation, but if I were to have a parchment in front of me, I could write you an essay.”
When she let out a laugh, he joined her.
“I feel the same. I suppose it will take practice to be as comfortable face to face as we are with writing.”
“That's a good way to look at it. We have all week, so plenty of practice to get in.” He chuckled.
“I hope you will not find it as difficult as your military training.” She tried to joke.
He laughed, “That's something else entirely.”
“I assume it is exhausting.”
“It is, but it's enjoyable.”
“You make it look natural.”
“Wait, you've seen me in practice?”
“Yes…” She timidly answered.
“When?”
“During Fall Deliberations.”
“Of course, but I didn't see you on the field.”
“I was not. The window of my guest quarters overlooked the training field.”
“Spying on me?” There was a brightness in his tone.
“Not particularly.”
“So, essentially, yes.”
A tiny laugh escaped her.
“No, I was…admiring.” She admitted.
A silence. She clenched her teeth. That was probably too honest of an answer.
“My physic or skill?” He finally asked.
“Both.” She timidly replied.
“Well, glad to know you find me attractive.” He breathed a chuckle.
She softly laughed.
“To be fair, I find you attractive as well. I should have told you how beautiful you look at the door. Seeing your eyes light up distracted me.”
A wiggling feeling of heat twisted in her belly. She felt the blush run to the tips of her ears.
“Thank you.” She forced out.
“You're welcome.”
She bit her lip when he arm pulled her just a bit tighter. The feeling of his chest against her back sent white hot chills through her ribs.
“This part is a bit uneven. Ol' Tess here found that out the hard way.”
In a bit of boldness she gripped his forearm with both her hands. She could feel his muscles flexing through the jacket. It sent tingling through her chest. He spoke again when Tess was past the troubling terrain.
“I'm dreading deliberations.”
“I am as well.”
“You have more to complain about than I do. It's not really fair what they put you through. Five days of forcing you to have visions is going to take a toll.”
“This is true, but is has been two centuries since there has been such a critical event. I have been lucky to have such a long time of rest.”
“But it's physically taxing. They should at least give you a day to recover between if you have a vision.”
She sighed, “It is not the strenuous physical requirements that I dislike…”
“It's the emotional stress you don't like.” He finished for her.
“Yes.”
“Well, I plan to make sure we enjoy ourselves every evening. It'll help counter all the negativity.”
Light happy feeling tingled up her throat.
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome.” He said, his tone sounding just as pleased.
When Tess's hooves struck the cobblestone streets of the city, she began directing him. He was familiar with some of it, but the majority revealed that he was being exposed for the first time. She quickly learned he was a quiet admirer. She let him soak in the sights in peace and answered his questions when he asked. He pulled Tess to a stop next to a small stable just before the docks of the bay.