Meeting of the Six Kings Ch. 06

"You sure you want her conscious?" She heard one of them inquire casually to Ryan as he made his way to the door. "They are much easier to subdue when they're disoriented." He offered, helpfully.

She felt Ryan's hands tighten against her body as he struggled to tamp down his anger. Flashing them a smile he answered, "Thank you, but I'm sure I'll be just fine."

"Suit yourself," the orderly answered as he swung open the door, following them as he carried Catrine down the front steps and towards his car.

The guard whistled as he took in the sight of Ryan's new car, parked in the driveway of the building. "That sure is one beautiful SUV!" he complimented.

"That it is." Ryan agreed as he nodded towards the guard to assist him by opening the passenger door. He set Catrine gently in the seat, closing it behind him.

"Brand new?" The guard questioned, ignoring the fate of the woman in the front seat, rounding towards the hood to check out the details from another angle.

Wanting to wrap up the small talk, but still wary of ruffling feathers, Ryan managed to answer concisely, "My boss made out pretty great in a recent business deal that I negotiated. This was his way of thanking me."

Stepping into the driver's compartment, he stuck his head over the top of the car and said amiably, "Thanks for your help. Have a good one."

"You too, Sir." The guard answered jovially, "And may you thoroughly enjoy both of your new toys!"

Ryan pulled the door closed with a slam, starting the engine quickly and shifting the car into drive. He pulled away and drove as quickly as he dared intending to put as much distance between them and the capital as fast as he possibly could.

He wrapped his fingers around the steering wheel, grasping it hard, realizing that he too was trembling. The strain of the situation finally wreaking havoc on his nerves. Pulling onto the highway, he drove hard and fast, glancing back frequently in the rear-view mirror, still anxious that his plan would somehow still be thwarted.

Still shaken by the events of the morning, Catrine sat silently beside him. It was as though she was in suspended animation, frozen in place as she watched the skyscrapers and crowded streets of the Capital go by.

They continued their drive in silence for almost an hour. Each lost in their own thoughts, needing the time to calm their minds. Gradually the density of the city gave way to smaller buildings and open land, leading towards the vast mountain range they'd need to cross on their way south.

As the car began its first steep ascent up the narrowing mountain road, Ryan finally reached over and took Catrine's hand, squeezing it softly in his own. It was ice cold; the feel of it snapping him out of his own thoughts. He looked at her more closely and it dawned on him that she must be freezing.

She was dressed only in one of her tiny silk dresses, which covered almost none of her body. And, he had managed to carry her from the building without even noticing that she had no shoes. Then, on top of it all, he had managed to drive for more than an hour without even registering that she was sitting beside him shivering this whole time.

He berated himself, swearing under his breath. This was not exactly the best way to start if he intended to take better care of her; not exactly the perfect way to rebuild her trust in him. When he spotted a turn out, he pulled swiftly off the road, creating a spray of rocks beneath the car as the wheels skidded slightly.

Catrine watched, suddenly alarmed as he stopped the car, aggressively throwing it into park and mumbling something to himself. She couldn't make out the words as he got out of the car, slamming the door behind him.

She sat up suddenly, watching him out the front window as he strode with purpose towards the very edge of a cliff. He picked up a handful of stones, hurling them over the edge as he let out a long string of obscenities. Despite the soundproofing in the new car, he was loud enough that Catrine could hear most of it. He released another burst of anger as she watched his hands curl into fists and his feet kick aggressively at the stones at the edge of the turn-off.

She sat still, not sure how to respond to Ryan's uncharacteristic anger; her nerves already frayed from the stress of so much change in such a short period of time.

But, when he finally turned around and their eyes met, she saw not anger, but tears, and she knew that he shared in her pain.

He took a deep steadying breath, running his hands through his hair as he walked back to the car. Quickly opening the trunk, he grabbed two items near the top of his pile of boxes and suitcases and made his way to the passenger door.

As he opened it, he was already speaking to her as though they were in the midst of an emotional conversation.

"...They said they'd take care of you. Just a formality. Just a few days...." His voice trailed off as he pulled a sweatshirt around her back, slipping her arms through it and zipping it up to the top.

Clutching his hands tightly in the fabric against her chest he gazed at her, his expression almost crazed with concern. "Did they tell you anything at all?"

She tried to form the words but none came. Her mouth felt dry as she took in the immensity of his sadness. Her first instinct was to lie; to reassure him that she had been okay, that the days had passed quickly and easily.

But, as she finally registered that he was really there with her. That now, she was really his. She could only tell him the truth.

She tentatively put her hands over his as they still held the sweatshirt. One finger rubbed softly along his knuckles as she looked up at his beautiful pale blue eyes and shook her head 'no.'

Ryan let out a cry of frustration at the cruelty of it. He wrapped his arms around her neck and her back and pulled her into a crushing embrace.

"God, I should never have left that building without you. I should have never let you out of my sight!" He cried out to no one in particular, practically shaking with fury.

"Catrine." He said, his voice filled with sincerity as he pulled back slightly to stare at her beautiful face. "How do I begin to ask your forgiveness?"

"Ryan." She whispered. She had not dared speak his name for days. The word on her lips so filled with meaning and with hope.

"I am so thankful for you. For everything. You have only my gratitude. There is no need for forgiveness."

Ryan exhaled deeply, not realizing he had been holding his breath awaiting her reply. He could hardly believe her answer. He could hardly believe she was there with him.

Leaning forward, he kissed her lips, softly at first, but then with more insistence. She returned his kiss, sighing deeply as she relaxed her hands against his forearms, feeling the safety of his embrace.

"Here." He said, releasing her from the kiss and draping a blanket softly across her lap. "We have a long drive ahead of us." Then, with a boy like smile, he added, "I cannot wait to show you where we're headed."

—-

Over the next several days, Catrine and Ryan relaxed into the rhythm of their travels and the pleasure of each other's company. Despite the long distance of their journey, they each seemed to relish the unhurried pace and the luxury of spending time together. Sometimes they listened to music. Sometimes Ryan told her about this new place they'd call home and his vision for their future. Sometimes, they just sat together in companionable silence, taking in the breathtaking panoramas revealing themselves with each turn of road.

Catrine was certain that the scenery only became more and more beautiful. The area was ringed by striking snowcapped mountain peaks covered by mile after mile of pine forest and birch trees. The valleys were carved by pristine glacial streams fed by rushing torrents of water feeding turquoise blue lakes.

She had never seen anything like it. It was so different from the sleek metropolis of the Capital and nothing at all like the vast prairie of her childhood home. She gazed with wonder at the natural splendor surrounding her and knew in her heart that she had found her home.

At the end of their fifth day of traveling, just as the last glimpse of the sun was visible on the edge of the horizon, Ryan pulled their car off the main road and headed up a winding dirt path, stopping the car in front of a small, dilapidated house.

He couldn't help but giggle a little bit as he took in the sight of it. "Well," he began, "It really is as bad as it looked in the pictures."

Catrine gave him a questioning look, turning back to the building in front of them.

"Welcome home, baby." He said as he opened his car door and moved swiftly around to help her out. It was already late fall and as she stepped out of the car, Catrine felt the whispers of winter in the chilly afternoon air. She wrapped the jacket that he had bought for her more tightly around her as she took in their surroundings.

Ryan extended his hand to her. Taking it, she stepped forward tentatively and followed him up to the landing, noticing that the screen door was hanging loosely by a single hinge. The floorboards creaked beneath their feet as though bemoaning the weight of their occupants as they walked the length of the porch.

As they turned the corner, looking towards the back of the cabin, they both stopped, stunned by what they saw. The house was nestled against the shore of a magnificent glacial lake, the blue green water shimmering as it reflected the last rays of the setting sun. The lake was fed by an enormous glacier set high in the stark grey granite cliffs above, a trail of waterfalls winding their way to the basin below. They were surrounded on all sides by vast mountains washed in purples as the sunset turned the sky to yellow and orange.

"It will take a year or two," Ryan began as they stood together, looking at the majestic place they would call home. "But, I was thinking about building a new house for us here, eventually taking this one down. When I saw the pictures of the land, I had a good feeling about it. Do you think we can make this work in the meantime?"

Catrine gazed around at the immense open space and natural beauty. The tranquility quieting her mind and bringing with it an enormous sense of peace.

Realizing he was waiting on her for an answer, she nodded her head once in agreement with him, still taken with all that had changed so quickly and delivered her to him and to this place.

With a whoop of excitement, Ryan picked her up, spinning her around on the porch and kissing her deeply. "Go ahead and take a look inside," he said enthusiastically. "I'll get all of our things."

Catrine wasn't sure if it was the spin, the kiss, or his excitement that had left her feeling woozy. But, as she watched Ryan walk away, the sound of fallen leaves rustling under his feet as he strode towards the car, a feeling of contentedness washed over her and she couldn't hold back a smile.

— —

Although it was far from extravagant, the house seemed to have most everything they'd need to get settled. They worked together, well into the evening, unpacking their things; making up the bed and pulling dust covers from the furniture. Ryan stacked wood in the fireplace, setting a large fire. It burned brightly, warming the whole house and casting shadows around the corners of the room.

Catrine smiled as she unpacked the small set of clothing they had bought for her a few days before. So many essentials for their new life: a thick wool sweater, tall rain boots, a heavy winter coat. It was the absolute opposite of the thin gowns and soft souled slippers she'd worn exclusively for the past two years. Each item was so practical, so representative of normal, everyday life. She was crazy about them all.

He hadn't stopped there, buying her soaps, a toothbrush, a small make up set; going so far as to ask her preferences while wandering the aisles of the grocery store, making sure to stock their pantry with things that she would enjoy. In addition, he had ordered so much more that would arrive with the containers being shipped by his company: books, games, a journal, even a drawing set. He was eager to cater to her needs and wishes. She felt cared for and safe.

Pouring two large glasses of red wine, he handed one to Catrine and clanked their glasses together, settling on the rug in front of the fireplace. He thought about making a toast, but he hardly knew where to begin. He settled, instead for silence, sitting together and watching the flames, knowing somehow that conveyed more than he could say.

He watched her intently as she took a small sip of her wine. It was the most relaxed he'd seen her since they began their trip several days before.

He hadn't dared touch her beyond a few soft kisses or the occasional embrace. It was clear to him that she wasn't ready for that sort of intimacy. But each night, after they had first fallen asleep, she would seek him in their bed, tucking her head against his chest and curling herself tightly against him.

And each night, he would wrap his arms around her and whisper promises against her soft hair. He wanted to be there for her, helping to make her more comfortable; praying that this could be the start of a new life together.

A sudden pop in the fire sent a flurry of sparks out of the fireplace, landing on the floor just in front of their feet. The distraction shifted Catrine's attention towards Ryan who was still gazing at her. She looked at him and a shy smile played at the corners of her mouth.

Her hair was pulled back in a simple pony tail and she wore an oversized flannel shirt and leggings they had picked out in town, both showing evidence of the grime and dust they had been working to clear from the house all evening. But, it didn't matter. He had never found her more beautiful.

"Are you tired?" He asked, as he brought their empty glasses towards the sink.

She smiled again, nodding in response, as she trailed behind him with the empty wine bottle. She set it on the counter and then turned towards his chest, suddenly pressing herself against him and sinking into the protection of his embrace. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his back holding herself tightly against his warmth.

Ryan closed his eyes as he tightened his arms around her. He was so relieved by her gesture, to know that she had sought out the bit of comfort that he could give her.

"Do you want to get ready for bed? I'll meet you in there in a minute?" He said against her hair.

She nodded again, but lingered in his embrace enjoying the silence that surrounded them; the stillness of their new world. The sweet feel of him against her.

A few minutes later, he found her standing beside the window, clad in her favorite t-shirt, the one that had formerly been his. She was gazing up at the bright moon in the clear night sky. He could feel her hesitation as he approached. Her instincts still making her cautious and guarded.

"We could get you some pajamas you know," he said as he looked at how it hung loosely off her shoulders. "Something warmer?

She turned to face him, a blush spreading across her cheeks. "I'm partial to this one, actually. It has a very special meaning to me."

"Suit yourself." He said with a smile, his body now close enough to touch her. "I like you in my shirt." He said as he closed in. His voice barely registering above a whisper.

She could hardly breathe as she felt the nearness of him; his presence charging the room with a powerful energy.

"Feel that?" He whispered as he reached up to skim his fingertips across her cheek, stroking lightly along her earlobe and across the corner of her jaw, repeating the motion a second time as her eyes closed and her head dipped slightly to press herself against his palm.

She nodded her head in affirmation. Her expression changing as his touch traveled across her body. Lighting her up. Turning her on.

"So powerful..." he whispered as his thumb lingered at her lips. He stared at her intently.

Catrine's heart pounded fiercely in her chest as she warred with herself. Her mind still seeking to protect her from suffering at any cost. Her body recognizing the feel of that invisible current. Remembering him. How it felt with him. Suddenly desperate to feel that release that she knew he could give her.

She opened her mouth slightly, catching his thumb with her teeth and locking it in place before closing her lips and sucking it gently into her mouth. She shook her head gently back and forth, allowing the tip of her tongue to rock gently along the tip of his finger. Her action elicited a low moan from Ryan.

As she opened her eyes, she could read the myriad of thoughts in his expression: His raw hunger and need mirroring her own. But also, the tenderness and affection that he felt for her. It reassured her and made her feel more confident in her actions.

She leaned forward, pressing her lips to his and initiating a slow but demanding kiss. He tightened his hands on her cheeks, pulling her closer and deepening it, teasing her lips apart and sweeping his tongue into her mouth. Having had a taste, he was suddenly voraciously hungry to explore her.

Wrapping her hair in his hands, his lips traveled across her neck before nibbling at her ear.

"I want to kiss every part of you." He whispered against her. His voice filled with desire as he eagerly left a trail of kisses across her lashes and down her cheek.

He returned to her lips, though his were more insistent now. Tugging at her mouth, pulling at her lip and sucking on it softly; pressing his tongue deeper and intertwining it with hers.

Reaching down, he pulled at the hem of his own t-shirt, pulling it upwards, breaking his kiss only long enough to slip it over his head. Then, he duplicated the action with hers, using one hand to press against her lower back, pushing her more closely against him.

Catrine let out a quiet moan, her nerves heightened by the new contact, as she pushed herself more fully against his body. He felt so warm. So alive against her bare skin. She could feel his erection pressed against her hip as her fingers stroked lightly along his bare chest.

Their tongues danced as Ryan's hands eagerly moved down her back and across her hips. He stroked at the edges of her panties, feeling the gentle curve of her bottom and squeezing each globe softly, melding his body against hers. He could feel her flexing her hips more tightly against him, needing more from him; urging him on.

Slowly, he reached down and peeled her panties down her legs revealing her naked body to him. He couldn't help but stop to admire at her, staring at her beautiful form illuminated by the moonlight. He took her in with eager eyes.

Until this moment, he had always had a sense like someone was watching them. He had always known that someone else was in control. Their time together too often cut short. Tonight she was only his. Tonight he would take her for hours, indulging in the limitlessness of their passion.

He groaned as this realization shot through him like a sharp pain. He leaned backwards onto the bed, pulling her along with him.

The springs gave a loud, protesting, groan as their weight sank into the mattress; Each movement of their bodies causing a new squeak or clank as they moved together towards the headboard. Distracted by the racket, Ryan climbed over Catrine, resting on his hands and knees before pushing with all his energy into the bed, the springs creaking in a steady rhythm with each of his thrusts. Catrine giggled beneath him as the bed became an eager participant in their coupling.

"Oh my god. This bed must be one hundred years old." Ryan laughed as he kissed the top of her nose.

"Yes, but it's our bed." Catrine answered quietly but boldly, staring into Ryan's eyes so he would grasp her meaning. It was not lost on Ryan. And, while the riotous noise had lightened their moods momentarily, it did not lessen their passion.