Chapter Twelve
My Precious

 

The first jewelry shop they entered for some unfathomable reason had the entire back wall covered in ticking cuckoo clocks.  The clerk behind the counter snootily asked, “Can I help you?”

 

They both drew themselves up and swept imperious looks around the showroom.  “We need something simple, but elegant.”  Sark infused the sentence with just the right amount of disdain implying that he doubted anything like that would be found here.

 

The snooty clerk’s manner thawed a little as he pulled a box from under the counter.  They moved over to peer at the odd assortment of rings within.  “No.”  Sark immediately dismissed them.  The next box had rings that seemed to be made of twigs and flowers.  Sydney instantly vetoed that box.  The next box had several rings that bounced around on the velvet, nearly inaudible cries of ‘pick me, pick me’ could be heard.  “Dwarven made.”  The clerk told them.

 

With a shrug she picked one out and tried it on, it seemed to expand to fit her finger.  She held out her hand and gave the ring a skeptical look.

 

“No.” She didn’t argue with Sark’s assessment and returned the ring to the box.  As the clerk looked for other rings to show them a light green glint caught her eye.

 

She moved down the glass counter until she was standing above the ring the glint had come from.  In a box by itself was a lime green peridot stone cut into a rounded triangle.  The peridot was cradled by antique silver scroll work that curved and swooped around and down to form the band of the ring.  The lime green colour captivated her; the stone seemingly absorbed light and reflected it back in light green and yellow tones.

 

Her eyes remained fixated on the ring as the clerk removed it from the case and set in on the counter.  “Excellent eye miss.  Dwarven made, later Cinderellan period.”  He told them with a hint of reverence.  “An exquisite find, of course, it’s quite rare and expensive.”

 

Ignoring the not so subtle hint Sark removed it from its velvet bed and slipped onto her left ring finger.  She felt a pleasant tingling sensation as it slid over the skin of her finger, the sensation spread to the rest of her as it snuggly rested on her finger.  She lifted her hand to better view the ring, the base of the triangle rested at the base of her finger, the lime green stone seemed to draw the light towards it.

 

Finally she shifted her eyes from the ring to Sark’s face. “Sark,” she whispered.

 

Holding her gaze he told the clerk, “We’ll take it.”  Without bating an eye he handed over the entire contents of his pouch.

 

Slipping the box into a pocket of her cloak she smiled softly at the ring on her hand.  Once outside the shop she smiled gratefully at Sark, “Thank you.  I know it was more than we should have spent.”

 

He dismissed her concerns, “It looks exquisite on you.”

 

Leaning up she pressed a long, soft kiss to his cheek, near his lips.  Pulling back they stared into each others eyes, the street around them took on a rosy tint as she felt the same euphoric sensations sweeping over her.  Before she quite knew what she was doing she had leaned into to him again, this time pressing her lips to his.

 

It was a long, languid kiss.  His hands came up to tangle in her hair as she raised her own arms to wrap around his neck.  Parting they breathed against each others cheeks.

 

“Sark…” she started.

 

“Julian.”  He corrected her.

 

Startled she glanced at him then pressed her lips to his once more.

 

Breaking the kiss he softly questioned. “Back to the hotel?” 

 

“Yes.”  She breathlessly agreed.

~*~*~*~

She dropped her cloak to the floor and waited until Sark had locked the door and dropped his cloak before wrapping her arms around his neck again, impatiently pressing her lips to his.  Hands on her hips pulled her closer to him and they began fumbling with each others clothes.  She had an easier time than he.  She’d managed to remove his coat, vest and was almost done with the buttons on his shirt when his frustrated growl caused her to lean against him giggling.

 

“Why does this dress have so many buttons?”  He complained as he tried to look over her shoulder and undo the tiny, round buttons there.

 

“Here.” She pushed him away and turned her back to him, sweeping up her hair with one hand.  As he quickly worked on the buttons she held out her left hand and admired her ring.

 

“Finished.” He exclaimed before sliding the dress from her shoulders.

 

Things progressed much more smoothly from there.

~*~*~*~

Later in the dark of the room, with her head on his chest, she ran her hand along his arm, watching the moonlight catch on the green of the stone.  His hand took hers and raising them to his mouth he kissed the back of her hand then turned it over and kissed the palm, then the wrist before settling both their hands on his chest.

 

She had tilted her head to watch as he kissed her hand then settled back down on his chest.  “Julian?”

 

“mhh”

 

She bit her lip, “Do you think…”

 

“hmm”  A hand stroked her hair.

 

Closing her eyes she leaned into his touch.  “Kissing Town’s supposed to be the most romantic town in all the Kingdoms.  Everyone supposed to fall in love here.”  A hand lightly trailed down her spine causing her to shiver.  “Do you think…”  She trailed off again not wanting to sound pathetic.

 

“That the evening progressed as it did because of the supposed magic of the town.”  He finished her thoughts.

 

“Something like that.”  She opened her eyes to stare at their clasped hands, the peridot stone peeking out from between his fingers.

 

“I suppose it helped.”  He tentatively started. “Not to sound conceited but I think if there wasn’t some sort of attraction to begin with all the magic in this world wouldn’t force two people together who truly hated each other.”

 

She smiled and raised herself on an elbow to look down at him, “You not wanting to sound conceited?”

 

He smirked briefly at her then became serious.  His eyes traced over her face then he raised a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.  His fingers trailed from her ear, down her jaw and over her slightly parted lips.  “Mutual attraction and admiration,” he repeated.  “Though the magic might have helped lower some barriers.”  He smiled humorlessly.

 

She thoughtfully considered him and their time together.  “No.  I’ve really enjoyed your company since we’ve been here.”

 

“Have you really?”  He seemed taken aback.

 

“Yes.”  She smiled and ran her be-ringed hand through his unruly hair.  “Really.”  Leaning down she ran her tongue over his lips before meeting him in an open mouthed kiss.

 

She pulled back to uncertainly and vaguely ask, “You don’t think that once we leave here things will change back to what they were?”

 

“Unfortunately no.”  At her frown he explained, “Considering our jobs it would be better off if it did.”  Before she could formulate a reply he slid a hand along her waist and rolled them over, firmly pressing her into the yielding mattress.

 

Chapter Eleven ~ Chapter Thirteen ~ Tell us a Tale