Forever and Always

Writers: Suzee, Miriah
Date Posted: 22nd April 2014

Characters: Crolarin, Benani
Description: Crolarin is tender and discovers something
Location: Elsewhere on Pern, Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 6, day 22 of Turn 7

Benani

Crolarin stoked the fire, sending up sparks into the dim cavern. He'd
not been able to go back to Amber Hills, but he wondered at the wisdom
of the continual trips, especially considering the past few days.
Benani running off and then getting sick made him think that as soon
as the snows cleared, he would have to start making preparations to
move them both, perhaps a small cothold outside of Sunstone. He mused
on that; he could not keep her in the cavern forever. But before that,
he would have to bind her to him even more closely. He would have to
become her entire world.

He looked over his shoulder at the sleeping woman before rising slowly
and walking to the chest he kept his own belongings in. Pursing his
lips, he opened it, rummaging through until he pulled out a small
folded bundle of cloth. He dug again, pulling out an even smaller one
and rose, shutting the chest. Walking back to the bed, he sat on the
edge and laid the back of his hand lightly over Benani's brow and then
smiled to himself. **Good. No fever.**

She'd been in and out for what seemed like days and this time when she
opened her eyes her lips curved up. She felt almost normal at least
until she saw Crolarin. "Thank you," she said and her smile broadened.
He'd been constantly at her side tending her and feeding her while she
was so sick.

He laid his hand on her cheek and stroked his thumb over the soft
skin. "How are you feeling, my sweet? Better? Would you like some
water?"

"Yes," she nodded. "I'm feeling much better. Do you think I could have
a bath too," she added hopefully.

"Of course. I'll heat the water for you. But first..." Crolarin handed
her the first small bundle. "Open this."

"Thank you," she smiled before she even began to untie the strings,
But when the wrapping came open her eyes widened. "Is this...?" She
shook it out and held it up, pleasure evident in her eyes. "Oh it's
lovely my Lord Husband."

The soft pale pink material already looked pleasant against her skin
as she held it and Crolarin was immensely satisfied by the look on her
face. "You may wear it after you bathe. It is often chill in here,
even with the fire and I would not have you sicken again." He touched
her cheek lightly with his fingers and presented the smaller bundle, a
warm pair of slippers. "Here. I will heat up your water for you."

The simple thought of warm water and clothing made her happy. Small
pleasures were all she had right now and she wanted to make the most
of them. She hesitated to touch the pretty fabric afraid to soil it
and send him into a rage. She swung her feet off the bed and stood.
One of her hands was still tied to the bed but she asked. "Can I help
you?"

"No, pet, you relax." He bent to brush his lips over hers. "You've been
ill."
It took some time, but the tiny bathing tub was quickly filled with
water heated over the open flame of their fire pit. He walked back to
her and untied her hand. "I'll get you some sweetsand and warm your
towel." He fetched the items and brought them to her as well as a
small bottle of oil that he had pilfered from her rooms long before he
had ever captured her.

She walked to the bath but stood there waiting until he gave her
permission to get in. She could see the steam rising off the top of
the water and it looked like the most heavenly pleasure. So much of
her prior life had faded in the gray and black world in which she now
lived. Only her dreams seemed to be in color these days. She looked
back at the bed and the pink fabric. Small pleasures... that was what
her life consisted of, small pleasures given to her by her Lord

Husband. She turned and smiled at Crolarin as she waited.

"Get in, my pet." He brushed his lips over her cheek and set the towel on
a stone by the fire to keep it warm. He sprinkled some of the oil into the
water
and quickly the light feminine scent filled the air.

She stepped into the water and her whole body reacted. She pulled her
other foot over the side and sank gratefully into the fragrant water.
"This is wonderful, thank you."

He settled back behind her and with a shallow bowl, began scooping
water up to poor over her shoulders and neck. "You're welcome, my
pet." He stroked her shoulders and bent to kiss the damp skin,
inhaling deeply. He moved back, picked up the sweet sand and making a
paste, began to scrub her upper back, humming softly.

His hands were gentle and his voice was wonderful to listen to. She'd
always thought so even before he'd taken her. A tear formed when she
thought about before and she quickly splashed water on her face and
began to scrub it so the redness and tears wouldn't show. "I love it
when you sing," she said.

"And one day, you will love me as much as I love you, my pet." He
stroked his hands over her breasts, kneading the soft flesh. "One day
you'll crave what I do to you."

She found that hard to believe for no matter what he told her about
Zathris she knew she still loved her first husband but to say or show
any of that would be just inviting a beating so for self preservation
she smiled and leaned into his touch. "I want to," she murmured and
turned her face for a kiss.

He nibbled her lower lip before giving in. The kiss was long and slow,
more tender than the ravenous, possessive kisses that he so often gave
her. He pulled away slowly. "You will. We were meant to be together,
Benani." His hands dipped below the water and teased. "Tell me that
you want me, pet."

She accepted and even responded to the kiss especially since it was so
tender. She couldn't help the way her body responded to him and it did
yet again. He'd trained her body and it remembered his touch. She no
longer fought the feelings that coursed through her it was a futile
battle that only ended when she gave in to it anyway. So she told him
what he wanted to hear. "I want you."

He purred softly against the skin of her neck and his hands stroked
the slick skin of her stomach as he nuzzled her. "You'll have me..."
He paused, his brow knitting as his hands continued to dance over her
abdomen as slow realization took him and he suddenly gripped her chin
to force her to look at him. "Pet...you've not had your monthly since
I've had you." His eyes sparkled with unhidden triumph. "I know you
haven't."

She hadn't really thought about it but then it struck her almost in
the same way. "No," she said softly. "I haven't." Though a sour
feeling clenched in the pit of her stomach.

He suddenly seized her mouth with his, kissed her and then threw back
his head and laughed. "You're with child! My child!" He grabbed her
face in his hands. "We'll be a family, Benani." His eyes lit with an
almost feral glee. "Together. Always."

She smiled but inside her mind chanted 'he'll never let me go.' And
she knew her fate was sealed. "Always," she agreed.

Last updated on the June 1st 2014

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Forever and Always