The Love Nest

Eleanor and Wade's longing for each other became unbearable. Wade decided to take a chance and ride Stormfire to the woods. Hoping to find Eleanor there. The knowledge that she was far away from Daemon filled his heart with excitement.

As he arrived at the lake, he left Stormfire behind and ventured into the woods, looking up at the sky and praying to see Eleanor that day.

"People often wish upon a star, but you wish upon the sun," Eleanor said softly, revealing she had been watching him from the moment he arrived.

Wade's heart was so overwhelmed with joy that it almost stopped. He ran to her, embracing her tightly, and held her for a long time, not wanting to let her go. He breathed the scent of her hair, feeling like he was in paradise.

Eleanor finally reciprocated his hug, holding him gently, and Wade felt like he was melting into her arms. In that moment, nothing else mattered; they didn't care if anyone was watching, the only longed for each other but Eleanor masked her longing. Wade eventually pulled away, took her hand, and kissed it.

"It's been forever", he said, looking at her lovingly, his eyes almost welling with tears of joy. "I have searched for you everywhere." Eleanor apologized for not meeting him as promised, explaining she had been busy. She wanted to tell him more but she hesitated, seeking to understand his feelings for her first.

Eleanor's silence sparked Wade's curiosity.

"What are you thinking?" he asked with his voice barely above a whisper.

"You were searching for me, why? We don't know each other. We've only met once." Eleanor responded. Wade smiled softly,

"I have always known you, but you've only met me once. It's different." Eleanor wondered how long Wade had known her, and her instincts went into an overdrive. She didn't want to be exposed, didn't want anyone or anything to reveal her presence in Yarnton.

Wade's response raised her concerns, and she felt a sense of unease down her spine. She looked into his eyes searching for answers, but Wade was lost in his intimate thoughts of her. Eleanor snapped her fingers, and Wade jolted back to reality, his eyes locking onto hers with nervousness.

"Oh, I haven't been stalking you…my lady…believe me," he said with hands raised in surrender. "I saw you once at Wiltshire…the market at Wiltshire…years ago."

Eleanor's eyes narrowed slightly; her mind was filled with questions.

"You know me from Wiltshire?" she asked with voice tingling with concern. She wanted to know how much Wade knew about her, how much he had uncovered about her past. The thought of him discovering her estranged marriage with Daemon made her stomach twist with anxiety.

Wade chose his words carefully, noticing the sign of fear in Eleanor's eyes. He wanted to reassure her, earn her trust, and make her feel safe.

"My lady, I swear, that was years ago," he said with a gentle chuckle.

"I saw you from a distance but I didn't know you'd be…unforgettable," he added. Eleanor remained silent, lost in her thoughts, with her eyes fixed on the ground. Wade broke the silence by suggesting a stroll through the woods.

"Let's take a walk. Would you like that?" he asked with a warm and inviting smile. Eleanor agreed, and they began walking, their conversations flowed easily like they've always known each other.

They shared stories about their childhoods, hobbies, and families. Wade told her about his love for horses, his dreams of traveling, and how he chose Stormfire. Eleanor shared her love of writing, her fondness of nature, and her desire to just live free and happy. As they walked, they stopped under a tall tree, the shadow of the tree cast a dappled shadow on the ground.

The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers and the gentle chirping of birds. Wade struggled to find more topics to talk about, he didn't want their conversation to end. He struggled to find the right words, hesitant to reveal too much too soon. He didn't want to scare Eleanor away by revealing his feelings too soon.

But when Eleanor asked about his love life, he hesitated. The silence between them grew, filled only by rustling leaves and the sound of their footsteps as they continued to walk. She sensed he didn't want to talk about it. She didn't push. Instead, she stayed silent, hoping Wade would finally say something.

She was curious to know if there was a woman in his life. Wade stopped in his tracks and stood before Eleanor; his eyes locked onto hers with vulnerability.

"My love life is a bit of a mystery, even though I don't understand it," he said with a chuckle. His voice became low and husky.

"I met a woman, I loved her, but I couldn't be with her. I never saw her again, I had to forget about her, and since then, I couldn't love another. She's the only one I think about…every day." Eleanor's heart went out to him when she sensed the depths of his pain.

"I'm sorry about that, love can be tricky." She said with a sympathetic voice. Wade's eyes lingered on her, hoping she would reveal the truth about Daemon, and perhaps, just perhaps, give him an idea of her feelings for him.

"What about you? Are you in love with anyone?" Wade asked with much curiosity laced with humor. Eleanor's response was a chuckle, with a hint of misery in her eyes.

"It was hatred at first sight," she said with a pause, biting her lips nervously and curling them into a sly smile.

"I hated him, but then I learnt to love him, and then I resented him, and finally, I hated him again, way more than I used to. He was good to me, but then he wasn't. Everything happened so fast." 

"Do you still love him?" Wade asked with narrow eyes and heart racing with uncertainties. Eleanor's laughter was loud and evil, a sound that scared Wade a little.

"Love him? No, no, I don't. I couldn't. you can't love a monster. He's…he's a little out of the ordinary…just not the type of man that should be loved." Her response gave Wade the assurance he needed – she didn't love Daemon at all…not anymore.

Her words had a hint of bitterness, a suggestion that she wanted her past to remain buried. Wade understood, and a spark of hope ignited within him. He felt a sense of relief, knowing that Eleanor's feelings for Daemon were not an obstacle like her thought.

As they stood there, Eleanor pulled out a leather-bound book from her skirt pocket.

"I want to write a poem," she said. "I would really appreciate it if you helped me with it." Wade's heart skipped a beat – his long nights of practicing poetry were about to pay off.

"I'd be delighted to help, my lady." He said with enthusiasm. Eleanor asked Wade what he'd like to write about. Wade's glance drifted to her face.

"You!" he said with his heart racing. he quickly recovered,

"I mean…the god of love…the goddess of love. I've read a lot about them, so…" Eleanor thought for a moment but shook her head in disagreement. She didn't want to write about love; it was painful for her.

She wanted something inspiring, something that would spark her imagination. As she struggled to describe her ideas, Wade was completely lost in her eyes, smile and lips. He couldn't help but stare, he fixed his gaze on the gentle movement of her lips.

Eleanor noticed he was staring at her longer than usual, and her cheeks flushed red. She looked away, trying to compose herself, but continued speaking as if she hadn't noticed Wade's admiration.

"The trees," he said, "Let's write about the trees." Eleanor nodded in agreement, she took her pen and started writing. As her pen danced across the paper, Wade watched her, his eyes drinking in the sight of her. He noticed the flower in her hair, the gentle curve on her neck, the softness of her skin.

He couldn't resist anymore, his hand reached out to touch her shoulder, turning her face to his. Their eyes locked, the air became thick with tension.

"Can I kiss you?" he whispered. But before she could respond, he leaned in and kissed her. As Wade's lips touched hers, a spark of electricity ran through their bodies; their lips moving in perfect synch. Wade's tongue gently teased her lips, seeking permission to enter.

Their tongues danced together, exploring each other's mouths. Their lips pressed harder against each other as the kiss deepened. Wade's hand cradled her face, holding her close as he devoured her mouth. Eleanor's arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer.

Wade's lips moved down her jawline, tracing a path of passion that left Eleanor breathless. He returned to her mouth, their lips moving in a frenzy desire. As they broke apart for a moment, Wade looked into her eyes and whispered in his husky voice,

"I've always wanted to do that." They both smiled and kissed again. This time, more intense, and more passionate. As they kissed, the sky above them darkened, and the first drops of rain began to fall.

They ran to a nearby shed, laughing and kissing happily. They hid from the rain but not from each other. They made love that night.