Prose

Her skin tinged with black and blue, Amethyst Rayne awakens, finding herself lying beside a large granite stone. Looking over her shoulder, she sees the moon sparkling on the deep black waters of Ancient Lake. Grabbing onto the stone, as she tries to rise, she hears a message drifting on the wind, as if spirits are warning her.

The stone. It talked?!?

“Oh chill Am, stones don’t talk,” she thought to herself.

“Hello? Is someone there? Hello?” She anxiously asks, half afraid of receiving an answer, half anticipating one.

“Young lady, please tell me, from where do you travel?,” a mysterious voice says from the shadows of the forest.

“Who said that?!?” Amethyst screeched as she scanned the surrounding forest.

Out of the shadows stepped a mountain of a man. A spark in the dark, then the warm glow of a lantern highlighted the stark features of the most handsome man Amethyst had ever lain eyes on. As he walked closer, kneeling by her side, his cloak slid aside to reveal all white clothes tightly fitted to his physique.

“My lady, I’m Damien Kiel,” he quickly mutters before running his hands along her body, checking for injuries.

His hands smoothed over Amethyst’s blue robe, his palms curving in sync with her body. Heat flushed into Am’s cheeks as he continued his quest for injuries.

“How long have you been out here like this?” Weary concern, cleary chiseled on his features, shown in the dim light.

His question broke through the cloud of fuzziness in Am’s mind.

Stammering Amethyst replied, “Uh, well…actually umm… I’m not sure.”

Helping her to her feet, Damien helps her dust off, his hand passing over her rear, sending a wave of heat throughout her blood.

“Oh my,” Amethyst thinks, “never has anyone been so brave with me.”

“Did you touch this stone?”

“I…uh.. I don’t remember.”

“I’ll get you to the nearest town, Faith, we’ll part ways there,” he scoured as he wandered back into the darkness to retrieve his horse.

***

“Damn women,” images of the waif on the lake crept into his thoughts. He’d never, in all of his life, seen a woman so beaten and torn to pieces. “I have a sworn duty to protect those weaker than me.” His protective nature rises at the thought of her being hurt any further. “I’ll protect her.” A twinge of sadness catches him off guard, as he realizes he hopes to get to know more about her. “I don’t even know her name.”

***

Averting her eyes, as Damien emerged with an enormous black steed, Amethyst continues to think of the feelings his touch inspired. Not only lust, there was more. Compassion, trust, a feeling of total safety.

“My name is Amethyst. Amethyst Rayne.”

“Amethyst, a fitting name for a woman with such a beautiful soul,” once again thrown off guard by his train of thoughts.

Damien held the lantern closer and examined an open cut above Amethyst’s left eye. Pulling a rag from his pocket he walks down the shore, dipping the cloth in the cool water. He returns and gently cups Am’s cheek as he dabs at the sore.

Hissing lightly at the sting of the rag touching her cut, Amethyst rises.

“I’m ready to travel, sir. I’m afraid I didn’t have a horse of my o--,” her speech cut off by Damien lifting her onto his steed, her rear nestled against him.

“Man, oh man, was he quick?” She hadn’t even noticed him mount.

Off they go, riding into the midnight.

“I notice you don’t carry a sword or bow, pray sir, what do you use in battle?”

“I’m a Druid, I use magic to defeat my enemies.”

Suddenly the horse was rammed sideways, sending them toppling off. Damien struggled to land beneath Amethyst, cushioning her fall. He jumped up quickly and soon after, Amethyst saw lightning streak through the sky, lighting up huge oxen. They exploded into dust, vaporized by the heat of the rod.

“Oh my lord,” Amethyst thought, "this isn’t a man, he’s a warrior.” She had heard tell of stories of the brave and noble men who protected Akarra, and was exhilarated about the idea of being in one’s care.

***

“We’re here, my lady. You need to visit Mezmear. He can help you heal,” He casually says, dismounting then helping her down too.

Mezmear offers a health potion. Instantly after drinking it, Am feels much better. Leaving his shop she sees the light from Damien’s lantern disappearing as he rides off into the distance. He had snuck out while she was doing business with the shop-keep. Disappointment flickered in Amethyst’s eyes as a single lonely tear slid down her cheek.

“Wishful thinking, always wishful thinking,” her thoughts are dim as she slightly limps her way through town.

Hearing the loud thundering of hooves on cobblestone, Amethyst turns to her left just in time to see Damien on his gallant steed, riding like hell into town.

“Amethyst, you must come with me. Armies upon armies of Menits are swarming down on the city. We must leave now!” He doesn’t give her a choice as she’s lifted and dropped into place right in his lap again.

“Why must I torture myself with her lush little body nestled snug against my jewels?” Damien’s thoughts turned to those of lusty moans filling the air as he became lost in the vanilla scent of her hair. “Damn, such torture.”

Distracted by his thoughts, his senses less alert than usual. Attackers ambush from the sides, pulling a now sleeping Amethyst from the steed.

Shocked into awakening, Amethyst screams, “Damien, please save me!!!”

Heroically, Damien slaughters the onslaught of attacks thrown at him. Dusting the creatures with his spells, he rushes to Amethyst.

“My Dear, are you ok? Did they hurt you?” he frantically asks, worried sick about her condition.

Lying a hand on his jaw, feeling the stubble there, crisp against her palm, Amethyst reassures him, “No, I’m ok,” and gives a little half-smile at his worrying.

Damien cups Amethyst’s cheeks, his head dipping low.
“Amethyst, there’s something magical about you. I’ve been thinking of you since we met,” his voice hoarse from desire.

Their lips touch, Damien’s hand sliding through her hair, holding her close. Stars explode in Am’s mind, sending waves of pleasure throughout her body like a shockwave.

“My precious Gem, I’ll always protect you,” Damien rasps breathless from the steamy kiss.

All Amethyst could do was smile in return, as tears of joy ran down her face.

“And I’ll always love and admire you, my powerful Druid,” she softly said as they both sealed the deal with another lingering kiss.