A Gift

Writers: Ames, Suzee
Date Posted: 9th April 2015

Characters: Danrina, Bryvin
Description: Remembering an evening and a gift
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 12, day 9 of Turn 7

Danrina

Bryvin

He stood once again on his balcony watching the sun set across the
bay. Treek sat on his shoulder and he scratched thoughtfully at a tiny
dark eyeridge. He hadn't spent any time with Danrina since his return
from his wedding. He'd neglected her and knew it. Feeling just a bit
guilty he remembered a similar sunset.

~~~Flashback~~~

Bryvin had his personal quarters set up just like he liked them now.
His private sitting room was well furnished with comfortable
furniture. A large fireplace dominated one wall and on its hearth sat
a basket with its precious cargo.

He closed his bedroom doors and opened the ones that lead onto the
balcony where the sky was lit with salmon and lavender as the sun
neared the horizon.

Tonight he expected Danrina to have dinner with him and he'd arranged
everything perfectly.

Drudges came in with the food and set his table with the evening meal
and a good bottle of wine. He poured himself a glass and went out onto
the balcony to watch the sun dip toward the hills by the lighthouse.

There were no chaperones. Not this time. It would just be the two of
them. A thrill of anticipation raced down her spine as her heels
clinked on the way to his quarters. He was to wed another, yes, but he
still wanted her company. She'd asked herself over and over again why,
and one answer came to mind. He cared about her. Where it would lead,
she wasn't certain, but the temptation pulled her in. She desired him
as well. He was the only man since she'd arrived at Sunstone whom
she'd connected with, she didn't want to lose that.

Knocking, she was let in by one of the drudges who pointed her towards
the balcony. Her sapphire skirts swishing as she walked, she peeked
her head out the little doorway. "Hello?"

"Danrina," he turned with a warm smile. "Here," he said handing her
his glass pressing her hand warmly against it before letting it go.
"I'll get another. Isn't the sunset lovely this evening," he asked as
he went back toward the table and shooed the servers out.

She raked her teeth across her lower lip, glancing around. She _knew_
she really shouldn't be here like this, but Bryvin was so tempting to
her. It was hard to _not_ want to be with him. When the servers left,
she felt a moment of anxiety, but quickly tramped it down with a nice
swig from her glass to settle her nerves.

"It is lovely," she replied as the warm liquid ran down her throat.

Bryvin poured his glass of wine and then headed back out on the
terrace. He was careful not to attempt to touch her but simply walked
up to the balustrade and set his goblet down. Leaning on the railing
he looked over the edge and down toward the port. "It's busy down
there, even at night. That's good for the Hold."

Danrina followed him, her gaze shifted down to the port. There was
certainly activity everywhere.

"Business is good for the Hold for sure," she responded. **I wonder if
I could sneak away on one of those boats if I had to,** she mused.

He turned toward her but didn't reach out. "I'm very sorry things
didn't work out for us Danrina," he said earnestly. "Very sorry." He
took a deep breath. "But I have a gift for you."

She felt that tug of sadness at his words, but then his last comment,
brought an inquisitive look to her eyes. "A gift? For me?" She
couldn't hide her surprise and the hint of excitement that small
statement brought to her.

"Yes," he smiled easily down at her upturned face. "Over here," he
swept his hand toward the small container by the fireplace.

Her eyes drifted after his arm. She hadn't even noticed the container
when she'd arrived.

"Is that what I think it is?" She turned surprised eyes to him. She
hadn't really ever _seen_ a firelizard egg up close. Danrina took a
step closer. Then paused. "Can I...touch it?" She felt like a young
child, full of happiness, excitement and anticipation.

"It is," he smiled at the look on her face. "One for you and one for me."

At his encouragement, Danrina reached out a hand and placed it on one
of the eggs. She could feel the warmth seeping from the egg and pulled
her hand back. With a happy smile and a slight girlish giggle of
excitement, she reached out yet again to feel the smooth shell of the
egg.

"This is marvelous!" She exclaimed, pulling back her hand, she pushed
up and threw her arms around Bryvin's neck. "Thank you!"

Bryvin laughed surprised and then hugged her back. "Of course," he
replied and impulsively kissed her.

Danrina stiffened for a moment at his kiss, but then found the
sensation rather appealing and relaxed into it. Her first true kiss
from a man she cared about. Sure, he couldn't be hers, but why
couldn't she savor this moment just a bit longer?

He kept the kiss light and didn't let his hands wander. This conquest
would be a long slow one. All the more satisfying when she finally
came willing to his bed as it if were her own ideal. So finally when
their lips parted he appeared contrite. "I'm sorry," he said. "I
shouldn't have done that." One finger raised to trace her bottom lip. "It
was nice though," he smiled into her eyes.

She had melted into his kiss, allowing herself to imagine what it
would have been like to be his wife.

She gave him a slight smile as they pulled away.

"Don't apologize. I've wanted to know what that would be like. It
might be my only chance now," she held up her hand to stop him from
speaking. "It was nice and I will remember it always."

"So will I," he said with a long slow breath. This time he raised her
hand to his lips though he never took his eyes from hers.

~~~end flashback~~~

He watched the last of the light fade from the sky and then turned on
the balcony to look up at the windows above him. They were dark but he
thought he saw the curtain twitch closed.

"I need a glass of wine," he told himself as he re-entered his room
with a small smile. It was time to renew his conquest.

Last updated on the May 5th 2015

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A Gift