Rhiannon didn't see Baudwin for the entire day. According to Aurelian, he was busy meeting with the Captain of the Guard and the advisers to make sure all preparations were on track. Wanting to speak with him, she waited up in their shared sitting room, curled up in a comfortable chair with a book.

By the time she could hear the rhythmic tapping of his cane coming down the hallway, darkness had settled outside, and the room was lit by only a few flickering candles.

When he came through the doorway and caught sight of her, he stopped, his brows raised in surprise. Closing the door behind him, he took a few faltering steps into the room.

"Rhiannon?" His gaze searched her face. "Is everything all right?"

She got off the chair and before either of them knew what she was doing, she had closed the distance between them, wrapped her arms around his neck and was pulling his face down for a kiss. The moment his lips met hers, she forgot everything else. The looming threat. Her stepfather. The vow to keep her distance. There was only him. Baudwin.

To her dismay, he pulled back after only a few moments, shaking his head.

"What are we doing?" he asked, his voice sounding pained.

"Kissing." She thought it was rather obvious, really, even if it hadn't been her original plan. The intention had been to stay up to thank him, but seeing him she'd realised how much she'd missed him.

He grunted, taking a step backwards. Away from her. She frowned. Wanting to forget about the mounting risk their involvement caused and all the worries about Son of Deva, she just wanted him to touch her. Make her forget. No longer did she want to fight her attraction. Why should she? They were married. He wanted her, she knew he did, and she wanted him. Maybe staying away wasn't keeping him safer, anyway. Why not enjoy their time together before she had to flee?

There was logic in her reasoning. She was sure of it. And rather reluctant to consider otherwise.

Leaning on his cane, Baudwin regarded her thoughtfully, as if he was trying to solve a difficult puzzle. He sighed.

"You are a complicated woman, Rhiannon."

Not really. She pursed her lips. "Am I? Why?"

His mouth set in a grim line, he lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "I never know what to expect. You said you want a marriage in name only, then you kissed me on our wedding night before changing your mind. Now you're kissing me again."

"I don't think that's complicated as much as indecisive," she muttered.

He chuckled darkly. "Don't split hairs. You know what I mean."

"I'm sorry. It can't be easy having me for a wife." She awkwardly looked down at her hands, as guilt about how she'd been treating him washed over her. He deserves better than me. Annoyed, she pushed the thought aside.

"And yet, there's no one I'd rather have."

Shocked, her head snapped back up and she could only hope her mouth wasn't agape. Baudwin was looking at her, a tender smile playing on his lips.

"I... You..." Words. She needed them. Where were they? She dug her nails into the soft tissue of her palm to focus. "I heard you outlawed whipping."

He nodded slowly.

"And chopped down the whipping post?"

Another nod.

She hesitated before asking her last question, "For me?"

There was no hesitation in his answer. "Always."

With her breath hitched in her throat, she realised she had one more question for him. "Why?"

He shifted his weight and raised his eyebrows, the look in his hazel eyes earnest and somewhat amused.

"I think you know why, Rhiannon."

The dark timbre of his voice reverberated through her body, the words flying straight past her defences, leaving her vulnerable and open. A strangled sound escaped her throat, despite the heavy knot making it tight. She wouldn't cry. Swamp Witches didn't cry. As if he sensed her internal struggle, Baudwin took the step separating them and cupped her cheek in his hand, tilting her face up.

"I don't want to scare you with my confession," he said softly. "I expect nothing from you in return."

She shook her head. It wasn't that. She wanted to give him everything. Wanted to spend her life with him. But it wasn't possible. Either she would be forced to kill him, or he would find out the truth about her and his love would turn to hate. There was no version where they had a happy ending. No version where she didn't end up alone. Again.

And yet, she couldn't convince her body to pull away. Despite the heartache in her future—in both their futures—she couldn't walk away. She wanted to take what happiness she could, even if only for now.

Baudwin was so close she could feel the heat emanating from his body, his warm breath on her face. Lifting her hands, she touched the short, dark beard that now covered his face. It was soft against her fingers and a little ticklish.

"I prefer you like this," she murmured. "With the beard."

"Then I shall keep it." He smiled. That beautiful smile that made her feel like she'd found home. A small part of her hated this. It was cruel to finally find it, only to know she'd soon lose it.

Not wanting to entertain such dark thoughts any longer, Rhiannon slid her fingers into the hair at the back of Baudwin's neck. It had grown a little too long over the past few weeks, curling slightly at the collar. Pulling his head down to hers, she pressed her lips against his again, and this time he didn't pull back. His mouth was warm on hers, and his embrace a safe haven as he circled her waist.

The kiss was slow and deliberate, not like the feverish ones they had shared in the past. Almost as if he was taking his time on purpose, safe in the knowledge that this time she wasn't pulling away. That neither of them would. Not this time. And she was ready. Ready to share herself with him, body and soul. Secrets and deceit forgotten, if only for tonight.

Wanting more, she pushed herself closer to him, her curves against the hard planes of his chest. He groaned against her mouth and his grip on her hips tightened as their kisses grew deeper and more urgent. Frustrated by the amount of fabric between them, Rhiannon pulled on his doublet and he quickly assisted her in getting it off, his shirt following shortly after. Pleased, she splayed her hands on his chest, the hair tickling her fingers. She revelled in the sensation of muscles tightening under her palms as she caressed the smooth skin.

Baudwin abandoned her mouth and placed his hands on her upper arms. Before she could ask what he was doing, he gently turned her around and pushed her hair over one shoulder, placing a soft kiss on the bare one. She tilted her head to the side to allow him better access, and he took immediate advantage, nibbling and kissing at the sensitive spot below her ear.

Warmth flooded her, and she never wanted him to leave her, wanted his touch to remain forever. It was as if she'd been out in the cold for years, and suddenly she was by a warm hearth, safe and warm. With him.

It took a moment for her hazy brain to realise he was unbuttoning her dress, and a brief flash of panic shot through her at the thought of him seeing her back, until she remembered that he already had. He'd seen it and had not been horrified.

Still, it was difficult to rid herself of the tension the memory brought back, and she waited with bated breath as he slid the dress down her arms, letting it pool at her feet. Her corset followed shortly after, leaving her in only the sheer white chemise. Without his arms around her, a chill found its way inside, and she shivered slightly as he lifted the last piece of fabric over her head.

Naked as the day she was born, she felt goosebumps travelling along her skin. When Baudwin didn't immediately move or say anything, she turned her head to look at him over her shoulder, uncertainty marring her usually detached facade. He was watching her, but the look on his face wasn't one of disgust, rather the opposite. When he noticed her gaze, he smiled.

"You take my breath away, Rhiannon. You're so beautiful."

She looked forward again, not wanting him to see the tears pooling in her eyes. His mouth returned to her shoulder, his hands caressing her softly, long gentle strokes down her back, each one bringing warmth back to her body. Stepping closer, he slid his arms around her chest while his lips kissed a trail up her neck, nibbling on her ear, his hot breath sending shivers through her.

With her back pressed snugly against his warm, firm chest and his muscular arms around her, she felt warm and cherished in a way she never had before. When his hands palmed her breasts and kneaded gently, the warmth turned to heat, her body feeling hot and languid in his embrace.

Leaning her head against his shoulder, she enjoyed the feeling of his touch, allowing herself to relax. Before long, she found that the touch wasn't enough, and she turned around in his arms to kiss him hungrily. He returned the kiss with equal fervour, his hands sliding down to cup her bottom, pushing her against him. Not that she'd ever doubted, but there was no hiding the effect she had on him with the hard length pressing against her abdomen. Greedily, she unbuttoned his breeches and slid her hand inside, grasping the evidence of his desire.

Baudwin groaned against her lips, his fingers gripping a little harder, and she stroked him, loving the power she had over him. He might be bigger and stronger, but in this, he was at her mercy. In her hand, it almost felt as if he grew even harder and his kisses grew more demanding, his hands coming up to cup her face.

"Rhiannon," he mumbled against her lips. "Let's move to the bed."

She nodded, liking this idea.

"I would have picked you up and carried you." He gave her a lopsided smile. "But, alas..."

"If you did, I might have punched you," she admitted with a smile as she bent down and picked up the cane he'd dropped on the floor and handed it to him.

He chuckled, the low sound sending a piercing longing through her. She wanted to hear that chuckle for the rest of her life. Pushing the thought away as there was nothing she could do to change their lack of a future, she walked over to the big four-poster bed and climbed in, presuming that Baudwin was watching her every move. Turning around, the dark look in his eyes confirmed her suspicion.

"Take your breeches off," she commanded, and he immediately complied before limping over to the bed, leaving his cane against the side and climbing in next to her.

His mouth was on hers again, warm and urgent, kissing her deeply and thoroughly. When his body covered hers, she put a hand against his shoulder and pushed as the tightness in her chest returned. He pulled away slightly and raised his eyebrows in question.

"I'm sorry." She looked away, feeling foolish for her reaction. "But I struggle to have someone over me. Overpowering me. I need to be in control."

He nodded slowly as he pondered her words.

"Anything you need," he promised with a kiss before he sat up against the pillows, pulling her along to straddle his hips. "Is this all right?"

She wiggled a little, feeling his hard length pressing against the junction of her thighs, making him groan from the friction. She nodded. "It's perfect."

The comment made him grin, and the wicked glint in his eyes sent a jolt of pleasure through her. When a moment later he captured her nipple between his teeth for a gentle nip, she gasped and arched her back to allow him better access. As he alternated between sucking, licking and biting she closed her eyes to fully enjoy the touch. His hands palmed her bottom and pushed her against him, his hardness rubbing against her, stoking her need.

Grabbing fistfuls of his hair, she moaned when he rubbed against the sensitive part of her, and not wanting to wait any longer she lifted her hips, adjusting herself until she could slide down on his hard length. As he entered her, Baudwin moaned against her chest, and she bent her head to kiss him as she moved up and down, taking him fully. Her mind went blank as she focused on the pleasure of his touch, the building pressure inside and his intoxicating smell of pine trees and open skies. The smell of home.

The orgasm crashed over her like a heatwave, leaving her limbs tingling with spent energy. Baudwin finished a moment later, burying himself deep within her with a groan. She stayed where she was for some time, leaning heavily against him, chest against chest, her head on his shoulder. His head had lolled back and his eyes were closed. She might have thought he was sleeping, had his hand not been gently caressing her back.

With a yawn, she lay down on the bed, smiling as Baudwin lay down behind her and took her in his arms, her back pressed against his warm chest. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of being safe. Being home.

Baudwin pressed a kiss on the top of her head. "I love you, Rhiannon," he mumbled sleepily.

Staring straight ahead into the darkness of the room, she fought back the tears that threatened to spill. She wanted to say the words back, but she hoped that her eventual betrayal would hurt him less if she didn't. So she remained silent. Even while her heart was breaking.

~~~~~~