I just love this outfit from OUAT. This show is amazing and even if it wasn't I would watch it just for the costumes.

Happy Reading.

Love
NJ Kuhr
XOXO

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The next couple weeks were like a dream. If Emory and I weren't tending to our duties we were tearing each other's clothes off. He still had his rounds in the mornings and evenings and I still had my chores that I was responsible for. He would come find me so we could have stolen moments during the day. We didn't hide our relationship. We kept the extent of our physical urgencies well concealed though.

We owned the nights. Those were ours completely. If I was in my rooms tending to the charts or some other chore we would stay there. If not after supper Emory would escort me to his room. We didn't make it to his bed half the time.

Though, not always.

We nearly got caught in the stable of Emory's horse. I was in a particularly rebellious mood before supper and had snuck into Dante's stall. Emory was washing his large paint down after a long ride.

Men were going back and forth mucking out the stalls or attending other horses. I kneeled at Emory's feet, his phallus in my mouth feet away from where people were working. We could hear them talk and their steps as they passed his stall where I hid behind the thin wooden boards. All anyone would have to do was step up to the stall and look down at us.

The top of Emory's head was the only thing exposed but he almost gave us away when he came gasping. I had rolled my lips and pressed the tip into the back of my mouth, using my throat to massage an orgasm out of him. He bit down on his fist to stop himself from calling out.

I left him there in the stall without having spoken a single word the entire time. A smile on my face and a sway in my hips while he braced his hands on his knees bent over to catch his breath. He watched me go, breathing hard with a combination of disbelief, satisfaction and retaliation.

I watched him enter the Great Hall ten minutes later as if nothing had happened.

He asked me how my day had been. I said something along the lines of it being alright. It rewarded me with a flash of feigned offense from Emory.

Then I asked him, "How is Dante? Didn't you say there was some service that needed attending in the stables?" I added a slight timbre to the word service but other than that it sounded like simple small talk.

He choked on his ale. The hand that was resting on my thigh squeezed.

He cleared his throat. "Mm. Yes. I did. It was more rewarding than I had anticipated."

That's how it was between us. For all the world to see we were a refined, dignified couple in love. How wrong they were.

Sitting there in the Great Hall hinting at what I had done in the stables Emory and I began a new game of teasing. It was sexual chess and we were good at it. I would make a move and he would counter. He would say something to drive me wild and I would find a way of returning the favor. Whoever came first lost. Sometimes it got so intense we would call it a draw and let go together, spiraling into oblivion.

We sat through dinner behaving appropriate. I wanted Emory to touch me but he made sure we didn't have a single sliver of connection between us. He would lean in close to talk to me or reach behind my chair to rest his arm on the backboard. He never once touched me.

I was ready to crawl into his lap right at the table for some form of physical contact.

Emory bid everyone goodnight. Theodrid and Emmeline were already up and heading towards their rooms. Emory got up as Warin left. He was heading towards one of the far tables where his group of friends and guards usually sat and ate.

Emory pulled my seat back so I could get up but made sure his hands didn't so much as graze me. I glared at him.

He walked beside me with his hands behind his back and held the door open so we could step outside. Careful to pull my cloak closed he pulled it away from my skin so I couldn't feel his fingers. I huffed in annoyance. His lip twitched.

He walked with me back to the Keep and held the door open there as well. He made sure to step to my right as we walked around. I thought we were heading towards the stairs he angled himself so I would have to turn left down the hall past the ship.

I glanced up at him but he continued walking beside me with his hands behind him. He took an extra step to get ahead of me and then angled himself to force me to either walk into him or turn into a room.

I was half tempted to walk into him just for the contact but I was stubborn and wouldn't give into his game. He smiled knowing exactly what I had considered doing and why I chose not to. I raised an eyebrow at him and walked into the room.

It was the gaming room. There was a large fireplace to our right with a seating arrangement placed in front. In the center of the room was a wide round table with chairs designed for gambling or dicing. Someone had closed the windows, the shutters pulled tight. There was a massive bulk elk mounted in the center of the wall facing the doorway. The shoulders of its intimidating form coming out of the wall as the Elk turned to watch the activities.

There were other mounts as well, birds, bucks, even a mountain cat was stalking prey up high in the corner on my left.

I looked around at all the animals feeling uncomfortable. Emory brought me here. To... I knew why he brought me here and he wanted to... With all these trophies watching us. I knew they weren't actually real but they were so lifelike. I was at first disturbed by the notion but there was also a small thrill that laced through my body. I felt a familiar tingling between my legs. I was a bit mortified by my reaction but soon got over it.

Emory was standing behind me, so close I could feel my skirt pull against him though he still didn't touch me. "My men in the stables could have received an unexpected show today. If you wanted an audience all you had to do was ask?" His tone was challenging and seductive.

This was his counter move. This is what Emory wanted. He wanted me so I wanted this too. I stepped forward and turned so I could lean against the table. I removed my cloak and let it drop to the floor. I looked at him through my eyelashes and watched him. I lifted up on my toes so I could slide onto the table and push myself back.

Emory's mouth parted, I could see his tongue trace a line along his teeth then he was on me. He charged forward pulling my mouth to his as he reached around me to push his hips against me so I could feel him. I reached down to unlace his trousers. I was close to getting them undone before he pushed me back and had me laid out on the table below him. He held me there with one hand while he finished pulling his trousers down off his hips. He shifted my waist and pushed my skirts up before he drove himself into me.

"God, Colette you're so wet." I bowed off the table with a gasp as he filled me, my hips reaching up to meet him.

It was fast, rough and desperate as we pushed each other into higher peaks. Frenzied and maddening somehow we found ourselves in the center of the table. Emory had crawled onto it at some point though I didn't remember him doing so.

We curled up in a tangled mess of limbs. Breathing hard and gasping as we both returned from wherever it was our erotic bliss took us. I rolled my neck a little when my vision refocused and I had some semblance of function. Emory turned to look at me.

I giggled and he grinned and then we were lost. We were laughing like maniacs and the more we laughed the harder it was to stop. My head thrown back, laughing up at the ceiling. Emory rolled over to lie next to me on the table, his deep timbre mixing in with my own rich tone.

We smiled at each other as our laughter began to subside. He reached up and set the back of his hand against the back of mine. Our fingers intertwined, twisting and knotting above us. We laid there on that table neither one of us wanted to burst this bubble. We didn't, not for a long time. Sooner than we would have liked the table started getting uncomfortable and it had grown late.

Before we left I turned back to the hunting trophies and gave them a theatrical bow. Emory snorted. He reached around my neck to pull me against his side. Kissing my hair he mumbled, "I love you."

He was still grinning about my mock performance. We walked to bed holding hands. Catching the other smiling, bumping into each other's shoulders and snickering.

That was how it was between us. It never dulled or became boring. The weeks that followed were a constant balance of duties, family and all-consuming carnal lust. I didn't think I could get any happier.

I finally got my wish and Warin was teaching me to ride. He made sure I knew the difference between the saddles. He taught me the parts of the bridles and how to adjust the stirrups. I had to be able to saddle my own horse and have the strength to unsaddle it. All before Warin and Eric felt confident I had the endurance to ride.

I rolled my eyes thinking to myself that my endurance was not in question and all they needed to do was ask Emory. Emory was familiar with how improved my physical stamina was. I had demonstrated my ability to ride him just that morning. I grinned at my own indecent thoughts and waited for Warin.

I had riding gear made. It was a beautiful gown. I had black leather ridding britches and a black silk skirt that pilled in ruffled layers on my hips. It wrapped forward flowing down my sides and left the front open to show the softened leather britches. With the design open so I could ride without the skirt getting in my way. It had a matching black bodice that had black on black embroidery that was stunning. Leaving my shoulders bare it accented my slender curves.

I stood there with my hands on my hips waiting. Warin and Eric discussed if they should wait another week or not. Warin was trying to get a rise out of me but Eric didn't seem to notice.

Finally, they consented. I almost ran over to Lotus, a pretty palomino that was the rich color of churned butter with dark socks and a dark nose. There was almost a rose tint to her coloring. Her training was extensive and she had a sweet temperament.

I made sure not to spook her in my excitement as I rushed to her. Saddled her up, scratching along her jaw where she liked it.

Warin came over to lock his fingers together. I placed my booted foot in his hands and he lifted me up into the saddle. Lotus was tall so I wouldn't be able to reach the stirrups without a stool.

I settled my weight deep into the saddle and placed the arch of my foot in the stirrups. My black skirt flowing behind me, draped across Lotus's rump.

Warin checked the length making sure it was correct. He pulled down on the saddle to see that it wouldn't shift or slide. I had been practicing so I was confident it would pass his inspection.

He nodded his head and gave me his full smile before he leaped into the saddle of his own horse.

"Are you comfortable?" He asked me.

"Yes, very."

"Remember, horses are sensitive creatures. Lotus will pick up on your emotions without knowing the meaning behind them. If you get nervous, she'll get nervous and then it will be harder to keep control and she'll spook." He explained to me even though he had told me this already.

Warin's own dark chestnut stood at attention, not the least bit bored or skittish. The horses of the Royal Family were well trained. The family was easy to laugh and content which could give the impression of soft rulers. They weren't. They were efficient and had a high standard of expectations in everything.

Warin led me out into the training field where a few of the guards were doing some early morning drills. I got used to Lotus's gait and then Warin took me through the commands. The way I should hold the reigns, how to get her to turn left or right was my first lesson. I learned how to get her to turn in tight circles forward and backward. I used my knees to guide her around the training field. Warin was a good teacher and I caught onto the movements and paces rather fast. Warin would smile and laugh with me as Lotus listened to my every command.

I led Lotus into a trot. Using my knees to get her to prance, she pulled her front knees high up to her chest, alternating them. It was a pretty walk but it made me bounce more than I liked especially considering I was wearing a corset. It was tight enough I was sure I wouldn't expose myself but decided I should avoid prancing just in case.

I signaled her to dance sideways and laughed when she obeyed.

"There you go, Colette." Warin hollered. "You're a natural."

Lotus was a bit of a show off and she was enjoying the attention. Some of the guards had come to watch and Lotus put on a beautiful performance.

I could not contain my wide smile as I sent her galloping. We danced around the outside of the field, the open skirt fluttering behind us as the small crowd cheered us on. Then eased her into a simple canter while Warin watched, pleased with how easily I was picking it up.

I was loving it. I felt giddy and natural in the saddle. I leaned across her neck and scratched her below her chin. Placing a kiss on her hea she turned to nibble at the end of my braid.

Clory had swept my hair back into an elaborate braid the thick rope hanging over my shoulder.

When I leaned up to look at Warin pleased with myself I noticed Emmeline, Theodrid and Emory watching me. They looked as if they had been there for a while without me noticing.

I smiled even more. I sent Lotus into a cadence. Her front hooves stomped back and forth while her back legs bounced together. She did an elegant horizontal side step dance before I signaled her to bow. She bent one of her fore legs down to the ground. Keeping the other stretched forward away from her, her beautiful head bowed down. I gave a sitting curtsy in the saddle to the Royal Family and pulled on the reigns so Lotus would stand back up.

"Stunning." Cried Theodrid. We got a round of applause for our display.

I patted Lotus on the neck for a job well done. "Lotus did all the work, your Highness." I had trotted closer to them so I didn't have to yell. "I cannot take credit for her excellent training."

Emory was grinning at me. "You ride well." He didn't sound surprised but then again he had firsthand experience. Riding in a saddle was not helping the sudden desire that flared through my blood.

I laughed, my eyes sparkling at his double meaning. "The saddle does seem familiar. I must have had experience with horses growing up."

My lack of memory had not pained me for a long time and today was no different. I was too excited to be on a horse and loved the feel of it too much for anything to bother me.

Just then one of the stable hands came out leading a few horses.

"Would you mind if we joined you for a ride?" Emmeline asked though it wasn't necessary.

"Could we?" I returned my voice high with excitement. I was hoping Warin would let us ride out of the gate today but I hadn't been sure since it was my first time.

I heard a bunch of people laugh at my enthusiasm.

"Well, of course." She had just settled into her own saddle on a beautiful grey palfrey, sitting side saddle. She reached for my hand. I leaned over to oblige her. She squeezed my fingers as we waited for Emory and Theodrid.

Captain Draden, my Captain of the Guard, came riding out to meet us, Robert just behind him. Edwin, Anne's husband and a few other guards I didn't know were coming with us. In all there were five of us and twelve retainers that were going riding. This may be Bryndury but the King and his family do not go tromping around the country without an armed escort.

I smiled at Draden. He was a nice man and seemed proud to be in my services. I was at first concerned that the position was unfavorable. He was a man who had spent his life working up the ranks to the Royal Service. I didn't think he would find my Guard worthy of his efforts. I felt a bit guilty at first, feeling the position as one of my guards to be a formality. The guards might feel as if it was a penalty or even under appreciated because of it.

He must have deduced my feelings. I hadn't said anything about it but Draden made an effort one day to discuss the Guard with me. I suspected he had approach Emory first and they had discussed my insecurities.

Draden was a tall man. Roughly Emory's height but he didn't have the bulk that Theodrid and his son's carried. Draden was strong, there was no denying that but he was lean with it. Strong shoulders with a slim waist. He had honey brown eyes and dark hair that he also kept short as many of the guards do but his hair was straight. He had thinner brows but they were dark too and a weak chin.

He had called upon me one morning after their rounds. Asked to go over my preferences and exactly what his duties were. It had put my self-consciousness at ease. He reminded me the Royal Family had adopted me. It was unofficial but everyone felt otherwise. As such my wellbeing and safety were as important as Emmeline's or Warin's.

I may not agree or feel that way but Draden impressed upon me that the guards in my service believed as much. It was an honor to guard the safe keeping of someone so valuable. The term had made me blush but I wasn't going to disrespect their service and argue with him.

He fought well. Emory wouldn't allow him in my Guard if he didn't but I had heard stories of the training and had gone to watch a few times. The King's Garrison operated with discipline and structure. They trained every afternoon for long hours. It may be winter and there was peace across the land but the Royal Guard would not slip into a false sense of security. They kept themselves prepared and alert at all times.

I wasn't surprised to see him riding up to our group prepared to escort me on our outing. Emory nodded once at him please that Draden had been staying on guard during my lesson. I had known he was there. There were a lot of guards doing exercises and disciplines around the yard as Warin coached me. I wondered the reason Draden was there was because I was. Prepared to come to my aid if something had gone wrong.

Maybe, there were other times Draden was nearby for my benefit. Times I hadn't realized that's why he was there. I wondered again at the conversations he and Emory had had regarding my service. The expectations, the standard and the additional ones I'm sure Emory had included. He may come across as carefree and light hearted but Emory was anything but when it came to my safety and wellbeing.

Even before the blizzard he was overprotective. After, Emory was worse. He insisted on adding a different form to his training. He had spent his life learning the art of battle, learning how to defend himself.

Due to his excessive vigilance Emory had requested a specialist come to Bryndury. He came even though the roads weren't travel ready.  Emory wanted to teach himself and my entire Guard how to defend another person. It was a unique and difficult form of swordplay. Emory would not hear any objections against it. He trained daily to learn how to protect a ward.

Draden's had his horse saddled before I even started training. I hadn't considered before that it because I was going to be on horseback today. They had every precaution accounted for.

I turned my head studying Draden but he didn't give anything away. They would not falter in their duties and responsibilities.  I was safe and it still allowing me to enjoy my freedoms and space. It was odd how comforting that was. They wouldn't sacrifice my safety for my comforts. They had taken those into consideration as well.

I leaned far out away from my saddle so I could grab Emory by the front of his shirt. Pulling on the fabric I gave him a heated kiss of appreciation. Our horses circled each other bridging the gap between us. I released Emory both of us a little short of breath.

He looked surprised at me, "And what, pray tell, was that for?" He knew the meaning behind my kisses even if he didn't know the cause.

"Just for being you." I told him then turned Lotus so I could follow Theodrid and Emmeline out the gate. Their own discreet guards a few paces behind them. Warin rode up beside Emory and our convoy of retainers followed behind us.

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Sorry it took me so long to update but I misplaced my laptop and I didn't have this story stored anywhere else. Whoops. Funny enough and I don't think I should be admitting this to you guys but oh well, I found it in the fridge underneath a box of takeout. Hopefully the cold hasn't done anything to my computer. EEk.

I hope you liked it.

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Love, me.