~The Angel and the Boar~

25th of July 1484, two weeks later, Middleham....

"All is well, I shall prepare myself tonight" Constance said as she unpinned her hair from where it had been secured in braids looped around her head beneath her hennin "The hour is late and the air hot, it shall do you both well to retire early and grant yourself a cold mug of ale" The heavy, curled locks fell in a river down her back, rustling past her ears.

"Your grace is very kind" Martha said, laying her nightgown out upon the bed.
"Indeed" Alice agreed "but are you certain, Madame?" Constance smiled, looking at them in the vanity mirror before her. She placed her hairpins on the polished surface beneath her hands.

"Unlace my gown and then you may retire, thank you" She said, standing and Alice was quick to attend her, unlacing her silk gown with skill before she and her companion curtsied.
"We bid you a goodnight, your grace"
"Goodnight!" Constance called as they left.

Almost as soon as they were gone, she heard a click behind her and a grin pulled at her lips at the sight of Richard emerging from behind the tapestry that covered the servants door.

"Dickon!" She whispered, heart quickening "You know you cannot afford to be seen here at this hour! Especially when I am alone! What if you were caught? It is not simply us and the girls anymore, my brothers are here, Edward and Marie are here, countless others accompany them and swarm the castle and the surrounding lands day and night! Another Lord may arrive any moment now as they have been doing!"

They had been arriving all hours of the day, common born and high, all rallying for their one true King and she gave thanks for them every moment! They'd created quite the war camp outside the castle walls, upon the fields behind and her son spent much time there. Soon, John would return with Neville forces and John Howard had sent word he was mustering men!

"I brought something for you" He replied, moving toward her with a smile, hands clasped behind his back "A gift!"
"A gift?" She repeated "Whatever for?"
"I do not need a reason to bestow gifts upon the woman I love"

Tilting her head, her cheeks burned and a happy warmth blossomed in her chest.

He came to stand before her. She ought to chastise him, to send him away, she thought, as she'd told him it was folly to risk being seen together at that hour but she had suffered more than two weeks deprived of his company alone. Perhaps it would not be a bad thing to allow him to stay for just a moment? There were multiple ways to exit her chambers if needed, multiple places to hide.

"You are too sweet" She told him but he only quirked an eyebrow at her.
"Turn around"

Shaking her head with a warm smile, she did as he bade, returning to her mirror, watching him in the reflection "Close your eyes" Again, she obeyed, hearing the click of metal a few moments later. Her heart fluttered at the feel of Richard's calloused fingers slipping around her neck, goosebumps erupting across her skin at the cool touch of metal that followed.

A clasp was fastened and his hands rested on her shoulders "Open" He told her and she did, eyes wondering at the delicate golden chain about her throat, trailing far past her collarbones and resting just above the middle of her bodice. Upon the end hung a simple pendant of the same precious metal, a beautifully crafted letter - R.

"Richard...." She breathed, hand raising to trail delighted fingers across the gold.
"So I know you are mine and I am yours" Came his soft reply.
"Darling, if someone sees...."
"They will not"

He presented his right hand and upon the little finger was a small gold ring, newly fashioned, rather like a signet ring but instead of his sigil upon the round surface in the centre a beautiful C was engraved. Her lips parted, a small gasp escaping them.

R for Richard.
C for Constance.

What he had done could have been seen as plain stupidity, displaying their affections so readily no matter how small the pieces were! What if someone saw the ring upon his finger, she thought....

"I am not entirely foolhardy" He said with a smile, able to read her thoughts from her expression "St Cuthbert is the patron Saint of the North, sweetheart and I am Lord of the North. To others it shall merely portray my devotion to the land" Constance nodded, the sudden knot of worry clenching around her heart loosening somewhat. Of course Richard had thought this through before even considering having the tokens made!

The pulse of desire began to beat steadily in the pit of her stomach, its warmth spreading down her belly; between her thighs.

He wished for them to wear signs they belonged to one another, marks of ardent ownership over their hearts and bodies, a tie binding them together every hour of every day even when they were not in each other's company.

They would never be parted.

She was his and he was hers.

Taking his hand, she brought it to her lips, gently kissing the ring, before cradling it to her cheek, closing her eyes for a moment. By God, she had missed him being so close to her, their skin touching.

"And even if they do see your pendant" He continued softly "A simple R can mean a myriad of things for you, sweetheart. Rex for your son or for Edward, Regina for your position as Queen. For all any know, you may have possessed it for years! No one need think it is for my name" Drawing his hand gently from her grasp, it brushed gently down her neck and chest until he caught the golden R.

Lifting it upwards, he slid it smoothly down the front of her bodice, his fingers gliding along the curve of her breasts and leaving goosebumps in their wake. So that was why the chain was so long, she thought with a smile curving her mouth, so she could hide it and yet both he and she would know it was there, not far from her heart.

"Thank you, Dickon" She whispered "But now" Craning her neck, she looked around at him "I think it may be too late for you to return to your chambers" Now it was perhaps her who was foolish but she could not deny the desire that had engulfed her body; sent shivers down her spine.

Richard arched an eyebrow, lust swirling is his eyes as he looked down at her.
"Is that so?"
"We would not want you to get lost, would we?"
That could never happen, he would know his way perfectly about it the castle if he were both blind and deaf! Yet, he sighed, nodding in contemplative agreement.

"Perhaps you are right" He hummed and Constance's thighs clenched together to try and soothe the ache between them "The hour is certainly very late"
"And the day has left you weary as it has me"
Not too weary she hoped. He nodded again.
"Edward is too, I went to check upon him only an hour ago and he was fast asleep, his head on an open book of weapons. He shall rest soundly"

"As shall the girls, they ground their energy into the dirt riding today, even Isabella! They too shall not stray from their beds"

"And Marie is staying the night with the womenfolk at Bolton" He added. They nodded in unison, their intimate gaze into one another's eyes never wavering. The coast was as clear as it had ever been those past weeks, they were not likely to be disturbed....

A sultry smirk curved the corners of her mouth and she tilted her head.

"Lock the doors"

He was all too eager to obey, quickly striding through to her reception chamber - though careful his footsteps should not be heard.

Once he was out of sight, she stood, a shiver of anticipation rushing through her flesh as she shook the loosened gown from her shoulders, letting it crumple in a billowing heap at her feet. Her silken kirtle soon joined it and as she stepped out of the circle of garments, she slipped off her shoes, leaving her in only her shift and stockings.

Listening to him quietly lock her chamber doors, she decided she would bequeath to him a little surprise of her own for his return and with a grin, bent to her knees, rolling her stockings down her legs one by one. Glancing to the open doors of her bedchamber, she could hear Richard's footsteps approaching and quickly brushed her shift from her body, letting it float to the floor and leaning upon the carved bedpost behind, hands tucked just behind her back.

The necklace remained.

She no longer felt nervous at being bare to his gaze, she felt confident in her own skin, knowing that he worshipped her, that he found her beautiful as he told her every day. It did not matter to him that she bore the silvery lines of childbearing on her hips, thighs and belly, that her breasts and stomach were not as firm as they'd once been - to him, she was perfect and she basked in his adoration.

When he returned, catching sight of her he stopped dead in his tracks, staring at her in desirous awe. Once more, she was assured of his lust for her.

"Lock the doors" She told him again and this time he hesitated, unable to tear his gaze away from her body until she tilted her head, prompting him to move and quickly turn, shutting the doors to her bedchamber; bolting them. When he turned back to her, she extended her hand to him and he was more than happy to take it as he reached the bed, his free arm wrapping around her waist, fingers splayed across her back, pulling her close.

"Sweetest Con" He whispered as his lips captured hers and they pressed themselves against one another and she moaned softly when he pulled his hand from hers, feeling his heated touch trail up her body and cup her right breast, flicking his thumb over her hardened nipple.

Her head fell back, lips parting from his and resting against the bedpost as he kissed down her neck, fingers caressing her waist and breast, teeth gently grazing the juncture between her shoulder and throat. Though her eyes fluttered shut in pleasure, she reached for the ties of his doublet, yanking them open and pushing the garment from her shoulders. She whined when he straightened up for a moment, removing his hands from her body to pull his shirt over his head, uncaring of where it landed.

His breeches and boots came next and once he was as bare as she, she was returned to his hungry embrace, breath stolen as he kissed her. Feeling his hardness against her belly, his hands upon her body, a moan slipped past her lips and he lifted her into his arms, carrying her around the bed and placing her upon the soft mattress.

His body followed, their lips never once parted, her legs spreading to invite him into the cradle of her thighs where he was more than happy to settle.

"My Richard" She sighed against his lips, hand tangled in his hair, hips beginning to rock against his which elicited moans from them both.
"My Connie" He breathed against her ear, joining their hands as he kissed down her chest.

༻᯽༺

"How did I come to deserve such a woman?" He murmured into her neck.

They lay upon their sides, Constance's body tucked into Richard's, her back against his chest. One of his arms lay beneath his head, the other around her waist, hand gently stroking the underside of her right breast which bore the marks of his kisses.

She smiled against the pillow, blood still singing from pleasure. He'd had her fall apart on his fingers and tongue before seeking his own completion and a satisfied warmth had settled within her. She felt content, more than that, she felt happy.

"How did I come to deserve such a man?" She replied "So honourable, good, kind, handsome, who makes me feel as if I'm the only woman upon the Earth"
"Careful" He warned, playfully squeezing her breast which made her breath hitch, skin tingling "or you shall make me wish to have you again more than I already do and we both know that I cannot stay much longer"

She reluctantly hummed at that. He was not meant to be there in the first place but her desire had won that battle!

"I wish you were able to stay forever" She murmured "it is so warm and safe and so very very lovely here"

"I for certes would not complain" He kissed the top of her head which was nestled beneath his chin "Away from war, from strife, with you in my arms, I cannot come closer to heaven"
"That" She pointed out with a smile "is blasphemy, my sweet darling"

"Have you come to care for such things once more? If it is so then I am most glad"
"It is a steady process" She replied softly "but I feel my faith strengthening again and you have helped for you have brought me life and I shall be forever grateful"

"You owe me no debt, sweetheart" He assured her, his caresses leaving her breast to gently intertwine her closest hand with his "You know of the love I bear you and I ask for naught in return"

Constance hummed again and turned over in his arms, laying her head against his chest as he slowly rolled over onto his back to accommodate her. His arms immediately moved to hold her close. Her hair splayed across his torso, she gently drew patterns upon his collarbone and shoulder with a soft finger, feeling the small scars there beneath her skin.

She imagined what it would be like to freely wake up beside him, to not have to hide their passions beneath bed covers and the cloak of the night. How lovely it would be to awaken in his arms with sun streaming through the windows and the sweet song of the blackbird calling to them from outside.

No fear of being caught, no urgency to part before the day caught them - only peace and the embrace of true comfort in the arms of another that need not leave.

But for such a dream to materialise, they would have to be wed before God and man and that, she knew, she could not do.

And Richard would not ask it of her, not until she declared she was ready - even if she never was.

"You are so very perfect" She sighed quietly.
"Connie, I am anything but" He returned with a loving smile, eyes twinkling with pure adoration as he looked down at her.

"You are perfect to me" She murmured, continuing her gentle ministrations, voice in almost a dreamlike state "Even your imperfections are perfect" She kissed the skin beneath her lips and Richard's thumbs stroked her arm and back "You do so very well at guiding Edward" She complimented "Steering him onto the right course while refraining from condescension or diminishing his power as King. It is a fine skill"

"And one you share" He replied "I have seen the awe with which he looks at you; the trust. You shall make a great Queen Regent....and now, sweetheart, I must leave you"

"No!" She groaned, trying to cling to him as he pressed a final kiss to her head and slipped from the bed, gently removing her hands "Just a little while longer!"
"We are not fools, Connie, if you wish to continue as we have, which I certainly do, then I must go"

Groaning again, she rolled over onto her back, pulling the covers over her chest. He was right, she knew he was right! But she still yearned for him to stay, already the loss of his body was making her feel cold.
"I know, my darling" She sighed, watching as he pulled his clothes on "but it shall be hard to find sleep without you"

"Likewise" He replied with a wink that made her blush, not bothering to fasten the ties of his doublet, and he watched her for a moment before walking back over to the bed. Lying on his side, he brushed away the hair falling over her left shoulder and bent to kiss the skin, his lips trailing up the side of her neck until they met her lips.

Her hand cupped the side of his face, stroking his jaw and the rough stubble on his chin until he pulled away, a loving smile curving his lips "Tu as mon cœur, Connie" 'You have my heart, Connie' He whispered, dipping his head for one last, soft kiss before he stood from the bed.

She smiled, gazing up at him.
"Et toi mon amour" 'And you my love' She replied, almost giggling when a flush worked its way up his neck and he averted his gaze like a bashful boy "Now go, Dickon" She told him "So that we may be free to love again"

And while it pained both of them, he did so, vanishing behind the tapestry from which he'd come.

Her fingers came to wind around the pendant resting between her breasts and she sighed, closing her eyes to feel the ghost of his arms wrapped around her body.