Chapter 23

"The last time…" Idalia echoed faintly, pulling closer into Bran and burying her lips in his again. She loved the lack of resistance she felt and gave herself to him completely. This was all she had wanted back then on the boat. All she wanted was to hold Bran like this and have him with her, even if it truly was the last time.

"Idalia," he murmured, his voice husky with restrained passion. "We cannae. Tomorrow, ye are tae wed my brother. We must nae give in tae this temptation."

"But you would stand by and watch me marry another while your heart breaks in silence?" Idalia felt genuinely sorry for him as she saw a flicker of pain pass through his eyes. "I know you mean well, Bran, but I cannot deny what my heart desires any longer. Let me have this one night, to be close to you. To feel your touch…"

Bran looked at her, and Idalia could see how torn he was. Her heart soared with hope, but her mind warned of the consequences that lay ahead. She saw Bran's resolve crumble as she stroked his cheek, her thumb gently caressing the lines of his face. It was a silent plea, a yearning for one stolen moment before the harsh reality tore them apart. Her heart ached for him, for them, and the weight of their unspoken love pressed upon her chest.

With a whispered confession, he gave in. "One night, Idalia. One night tae hold onto forever."

As if the words had unlocked a dam, desire surged between them. Bran's lips found hers in a desperate kiss, a merging of souls that erased all doubts and fears. Their bodies melded together, their movements fueled by long days of unspoken passion and longing.

The world outside ceased to exist as they succumbed to the fiery embrace. Idalia's fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, as if to ensure this night would be etched into their memories forever. Every touch, every caress, every whispered plea spoke of love denied, love unleashed, and love that would forever haunt their souls.

Idalia felt more alive than she had ever felt in her life. Bran wrapped his arms around her waist, and his fingers traced around her loose shift, feeling her soft body underneath the thin clothing. He undid the straps behind her neck, then lifted the shift up over her head.

Idalia shivered as the cold air bit into her bare skin. She blushed as Bran took a step back to regard her. His eyes worked slowly up her body, greedily drinking in every exposed bit of flesh. His gaze settled on the small tuft where her thighs met and he breathed in deeply, shuddering as he did so.

"Ye are beautiful, Idalia," he said in a tone of pure amazement. "I always knew, but this is more than I could have ever imagined. Come."

Idalia loved how he spoke about her. She stepped into his arms again as he walked towards her. He met her lips up with a sweet kiss and she savored the taste of it. She loved how his bare skin felt against hers and pressed deeper into his embrace.

Bran lifted her gently off her feet, carrying her as if she were weightless to the feather bed in the middle of the room. He set her down delicately, then lay on top of her, careful not to put all of his weight on her.

He moved his hand slowly across her body, stopping on one of her breasts. His hand felt cold to the touch, and the soft peak perked up as he rubbed his finger gently against it. A low moan escaped from her mouth, and she bit Bran's lip as shivers ravaged her from head to toe.

Bran moved gently along her body, kissing her neck, and then gliding slowly downwards. He kissed in between her breasts, his full beard itchy against her skin. He took one of her breasts in his mouth and the feeling sent a jolt of electricity through Idalia. As his warm wet mouth fastened on her, Idalia shuddered breathlessly and grabbed a lock of his hair.

Bran sucked her hungrily as he traced a hand down her inner thighs. He ran his fingers through the soft fur beneath her belly and groaned in pleasure. The sound reverberated through Idalia, lighting her senses afire. Bran moved Idalia's leg wide, then lowered his hand till it rested on the sensitive rosebud at the head of her sex.

She gasped and squirmed under his grip, but Bran moved slowly, quietly. Barely making a sound. She felt wet between her legs, and his mouth on her breasts was sucking the life out of her. He moved his hand from her nub and rubbed it gently against the cloying wetness gathering in the soft folds beneath, parting the lips as he did so.

"Sweet heavens," Idalia said shakily, squeezing her eyes shut. Bran slid two fingers gently into her and began thrusting slowly and methodically. The ball of his palm pressed against her nub, and the motion of his hand sent Idalia senseless with pleasure.

Just as she curled her toes and grabbed the sheets, Bran slid his fingers out from her and chuckled quietly. "Nae so fast, Idalia." He brought his fingers up to his mouth and tasted her.

The sight heated Idalia up like a forge and she reached out for him. He held her hand back and shook his head. "Nay." He slid down her body until she felt his breath on her most sacred place. Idalia looked down at him between her legs and bit her lip.

Her stomach heaved up and down in silent anticipation, and Bran had a look that said he was enjoying the sight. Without warning, his tongue slowly lapped at her, searching the hot folds of flesh, then rested the tip on her sensitive nub. Idalia shuddered again, and the moan that tore out of her was loud enough to wake up the castle.

She covered her face with a pillow and moaned into it as the feel of Bran's tongue against her wetness drove her to the brink of madness. She wrapped her legs around his shoulders, and he kept going, savoring her with what seemed like an insatiable hunger.

She felt her release coming and hoped he would let her finish. She pressed the pillow tightly against her face, her scream muted as she found her release against his tongue and fingers. Her mind felt blank, and her head felt light. She had no coherent thoughts and did not notice when Bran lay down beside her, watching her with a satisfied look.

Idalia leaned over and kissed him softly, then pushed him on his back. She still felt woozy from his ministrations, but she needed to taste him. She made to undo his trews, but Bran stayed her hand. "Nay."

Idalia shrugged his hand away and undid the clasp. "Yes. I want to feel you. I want this moment to serve in my memory as enough for a thousand lifetimes." She took off his trousers and boots and exclaimed softly as she regarded his large shaft.

Bran groaned softly as he watched Idalia, and she could feel the anticipation bubbling out of him. She ran her hand slowly along his length, marveling at the veiny thickness of it. It terrified her to imagine it inside her, but it filled her with desire at the same time.

Bran then rolled gently on top of her. Idalia smiled and looked down at his erect manhood hanging inches away from her burning core. She closed her eyes and waited with eager anticipation. She felt the shaft part her and stretch her, while bright stars filled her vision. She felt it when Bran slid slowly out to the tip and felt the whole length as it found its way slowly into her again.

Bran moved slowly, as if they had all the time in the world, and every time he pulled out, Idalia wanted him back inside again. "Go faster," she pleaded, but Bran ignored all her requests.

He leaned down over her, thrusting from his hips in slow, circular motions that brought tears to her eyes. He kissed her lips softly, and she took him inside her, spreading her legs to allow him to bury his whole length within her. Difficult as it was for her, she opened her eyes and saw Bran watching her, his slow thrusts singing a sweet song about a love they would never have chance to experience.

She took a mental image of Bran as he kissed the back of her hand, then her neck, and her breasts. His hands moved everywhere, and Idalia's roamed as well, clawing into his back and digging her nails into his flesh. His grunts sounded like a sweet melody to her.

Their bodies melded into one, entwined in a symphony of desire. And in the depths of the night, they found solace, if ever there was any to be had, amid Idalia's soaked, tangled sheets.