“Where to first, little one?”
Kasia looked over and was stunned to see how beautifully handsome her companion was. She knew that he was good looking, but having the sun shining directly on his defined muscles was magic. And he looked bigger too, standing straight while walking. She took it all in before replying.
“The sea, of course.”
Gdansk was a port village, the sea visible from the moment they exited the inn.
They traveled along the road towards the ocean. But only for a few minutes. The stranger pulled strongly on her hand as they cut into the woods that bordered the village, separating Gdansk from the Knight Hunter’s Castle and grounds.
“Roads are boring.” He murmured softly. “The wilds are far more interesting.”
Kasia’s eyes lit with excitement. In the woods, she wouldn’t have to deal with prying eyes and nosy observers reporting back to her father. She could…just be Kasia. “Yes- I would like that very much.” And instead of waiting, she gripped his hand tighter and practically dragged him to the cover of trees.
“So… you won’t tell me your name. Will you tell me your trade?” Kasia studied him. He carried himself with such confidence. He must be a soldier or mercenary; she was certain of it. Well, she supposed, he could also be a member of the clergy- they were also very sure of themselves…but they weren’t the type to court young women alone in the woods.
“I suppose that is fair, huntress.” He alluded to knowing her trade. “It’s nothing as interesting as ridding the world of terrible monsters. I am a woodsman. I’ve been providing wood to the tavern and selling some to other villagers.”
He smiled as she began pulling him deeper into the woods. “Eager girl. Would you like to take me somewhere instead?”
Kasia laughed with delight, “Nope! Just into the wilds, as you requested. I’ve gone on walks and hunts in these forests since I was a child. There’s a boulder shaped like farmer Igor’s ass. And a tree that was split in two by lightning three summers ago that has started to grow shoots on both sides. Umm, down that way is a glenn with lots of mushrooms… and trees.” Kasia smiled sheepishly, wishing she had something more entertaining to show him.
“A rock shaped like… do you and Farmer Igor spend a lot of time together?” The stranger teased her. He had just sold the man several logs yesterday. His wife had invited him in for dinner.
Kasia chortled and blushed, “No, nothing like that. He just this old man… whenever he’s weeding his garden… it’s just, you know, out there for everyone to see.”
The stranger laughed heartily. “Noted: you like asses.”
Kasia’s eyes widened with a mixture of horror and delight. She supposed she did like asses. As long as they were well muscled and toned. “I prefer backs, actually. Coupled with some chiseled shoulders and biceps?” she kissed the tips of her fingers, “Mwa! Perfection.” She thought she’d try her hand at teasing him back with inappropriate comments.
The stranger’s lips spread wide as his eyes glistened with glee. “Hmm… coming out of your shell. I love it.”
She rewarded him with a dazzling smile of her own.
”There’s a spot that I came across recently that I think that you’d like. This way… I think.” He winked at her.
“Mmm, well, if we get lost- at least I can protect you.” she bumped him with her shoulder.
“I’ll make sure to yell when I see Harold coming.” The stranger squeezed her hand as he pulled her along. It was a much longer walk zigzagging through the trees instead of following the road. But the company was pleasant. And the trees were a lush green.
“I know you slay monsters, but what about animals? Do you hunt?”
“Oh yes. Until initiates pass their rites- that is, fight their first monster under the supervision of senior knights, the only thing we can hunt is animals. I quite enjoy it. Do you hunt?”
The stranger hummed---no–growled pleasantly. Kasia wasn’t sure. His smile had taken a predatory edge to it; his eyes were locked on the horizon. “I do. I adore hunting. There’s nothing that I enjoy more. Tell me, huntress, what’s your biggest kill?”
Kasia considered, threading her fingers through his as they walked, “Well, I was with my father and brothers so I don’t know if it counts- but a bull bison. That fucker was huge and vicious…We had to run it down until it was too exhausted to charge us. It took the entire day. But I prefer deer. Those I can do by myself. I like that moment when you line up that perfect shot– and you release the arrow and your heart pounds because what if you were wrong? What if the animal moves? What if a breeze hits and knocks your arrow off course? But then it hits— That—That feeling.” Kasia sighed, her entire body relaxing as if she had just hit her target in truth.
His eyes widened. “A bull bison?! That’s incredible. Your family must be amazing hunters!”
“What about you, Sir? What is your biggest kill?”
“My largest kill is only deer. One stag in particular was massive. And a bitch to track down. The paranoid creature didn’t stop wandering all day. By the time that I caught up to it, it was midnight.”
Kasia tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, working up her courage, “Um… tomorrow is my rest day. I like hunting…and you like hunting. Maybe you would enjoy going hunting together? W-with my friends as well, of course.” Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. What if he said no? Would everything become really awkward after that? Kasia couldn’t look at him. She stared straight ahead, her heart pounding like a rabbit’s.
“Aww, you're red as a tomato!” The stranger struggled to keep his laugh in. “Look me in the eyes and invite me, huntress.” He softly but strongly commanded her.
Kasia let out a shuddering breath. He wouldn’t have said that if he was planning to say ‘no’, right?
She pulled them to a stop, squeezing his hand before turning to face him. She stared him hard in the eyes. “Sir, Would you like to join my friends and I on a hunt tomorrow?”
The stranger’s face lit with warmth as he reached up to brush her hair back from her cheek, “I would love to, my Lady.”
Kasia, cheeks hot, smiled stupidly at him. She rocked back and forth on her heels. Her eyes darted to his lips. To that crooked smile that made her go weak in the knees. She wanted to kiss him. This seemed like the perfect time to do so. But this was only her second time meeting him! She didn’t even know his name! No, she thought to herself, not yet. It’s too soon.
She bobbed her head in agreement and pulled him forward again, “So, where is this place you wanted to show me?”
“It’s wonderful. It’s the second best view I’ve ever seen in my life. And with the storm approaching, I imagine the gray clouds will make the view even more spectacular,” He kissed the tips of his fingers, mimicking Kasia, “Mwa, perfection.”
Kasia laughed, “And what’s the first best view?”
“I can’t tell you all my secrets in one meeting. You’ll just have to wait, or earn it. It’s not far. We’d be there by now, but traveling through the woods is far more pleasant. It almost gave you the courage to do what you wanted.” He winked with a sly smile as his thumb caressed her hand.
Kasia coughed in embarrassment, “I have no idea what you are talking about.” But her eyes darted to his lips again. She looked away guiltily.
“You’ll get there, beautiful girl.” He smirked.
“Maybe I know it’ll be good…but if I rush it, it won’t be as good as it could be.”
“I see. Come, it’s this way.” The sound of crashing waves could be heard ahead of them.
Kasia followed, enjoying the warmth of his hand around hers. She might have even moved closer so their shoulders brushed together as they walked. It was comfortable, but also very exciting because every moment held a wealth of possibilities. She didn’t want the feeling to end.
When they came out of the trees they were high above the water. They were at the top of the cliffs. “I’m sure that this place is no secret to you. But I found the view to be quite something.”
They could see the ocean for miles. They could see the waves slowly roll in and the beach as it stretched out to either side asking the coast.
"I've been here before, but I haven't come this way in a very long time." Once Kasia and her friends had discovered their not-so-secret cave hideout, they never saw the reason to view the ocean from the tops of the cliffs.
Kasia looked over at the mountain of a man beside her. Something had been bothering her for a while now. "The Lord Commander of the hunter knights is the largest man I have ever seen. All the initiates theorize that he's part giant. Honestly, I have never found anything to disprove that particular rumor and am inclined to believe it." Kasia smiled secretively, amused at her own private joke.
"You are the second largest man I have ever met." She continued, "Are you from around here? Any relation– to the Lord Commander or, perhaps, giants?"
"Giants? Ha! What a ridiculous notion. I doubt any exist anymore.”
"That's what they say about every monster until it shows up and eats them." Kasia scoffed. The second part of the joke was how on earth a half giant sired Kasia– who was particularly small and petite, even for a woman. A great frustration of hers.
“I’ve no relation to the Lord Commander, either, though I would enjoy meeting him. What kind of man is he?" The stranger began to clear out an area to give them a clean spot to sit on.
Kasia sighed in relief. It was good the stranger was not related. It meant she wasn't on a date with some distant cousin. She sat down beside the stranger in the area he had cleared for them, helping herself to the food in the basket. She began to slice bread and cheese for them both.
"The Lord Commander…" Kasia mused as the crust of the bread crunched beneath her knife. She loved the sound. It always meant delicious bread and good feelings would follow, "He is stern, but fair. I don't think there's a single knight who wouldn't follow that man into the Abyss itself. He's one of the three legendary brothers, have you heard of them?"
"The Wolverine, Bear, and Eagle? Who hasn't heard of the bane of all monsters? I've dreamed of meeting them for years. I admit, they are why I traveled this far North."
"Really?! You picked up your whole life and moved to this small village just to meet them?" Kasia's eyebrows shot up with surprise. "Why? How far did you travel?"
"From very far away. I was curious. They are legends. Are they really that strong? I need to know." His eyes stared off into the distance as he spoke.
"Wow. I… I guess that makes sense. I want to travel and see the world, myself. Meeting legendary hunters seems like as good a reason as any to choose a place."
His eyes returned to her. "Where are you from originally?"
"Oh," Kasia flushed, "I was born here. I've never been outside of Gdansk, except to a town a few days away to visit my Wujek and Wujenka (Uncle and Aunt). But all of that is going to change as soon as I pass my rites." Her heart filled with determination and longing, "This year. I think I'll be ready. And next year? The whole world awaits!" Kasia had difficulty staying still, she was so excited. She handed the stranger a slice of bread and cheese, and took a bite out of another one.
"Mmm. Gregosz might be a bit surly, but he makes delicious bread." Kasia closed her eyes as she chewed, her body relaxing. “So how long will you be in Gdansk?”
"I’m not sure. Probably some time after I meet those hunters. You know, I don't think that I've met your family in the village. At least no one came to duel me after our lovely kiss."
Kasia's eyes cracked open at him and she leveled a glare his way. "Yeah… don't think I didn't get raked over the coals for kissing a man and not knowing his name. And you wouldn't have met them in town. My father is a knight. All the knight's families have their homes inside the castle grounds. It’s like its own little village, though we still rely a lot on Gdansk for food and other goods." If he was going to be withholding, then so would she. Plus…she just wasn't ready to put on the mantle of "The Lord Commander's Daughter" just yet.
Kasia raised an eyebrow, “Let me get this straight: you traveled all this way to meet some people you’ve heard about, then you're just going to leave?" This disappointed her greatly. That meant there could be no future with this man. Not that she’d been expecting one, but she had been hoping for more than a few days. Her heart felt heavy. She liked this stranger. He was the first man to interest her since Louis– and the Creators knew that had ended horribly…
On the other hand, this man was at least twenty years her senior, maybe it was for the best? A good thing, then, that she hadn't given in and kissed him. Kasia didn't feel like it was, though.
She did her best to hide her melancholy and plastered what she hoped was a carefree smile on her face. "So where do you call home? Or do you just wander around looking for work?"
“I no longer consider myself from anywhere. I’ve traveled to see so many new places, met so many new people, hunted new game, and discovered new challenges... I’ve all but forgotten my home.” He reached out a hand and placed it gently on hers. “I’m sorry if I have upset you.”
“I’m not upset,” Kasia’s smile turned more gentle, “There just hasn’t been anyone new to the village, other than sailors and traders, since… well, I honestly can’t remember.
“So when there was a handsome new stranger who wanted to buy me breakfast and steal kisses from me? Well obviously my imagination ran away with me. You have nothing to apologize for, Sir. Thank you for your honesty. Your life sounds just like most of our hunters– and the life I want for myself. Tell me, what has been your favorite place to have visited?”
The stranger smiled kindly. He locked eyes with Kasia, holding her gaze. His hand brushed her cheek and he leaned in to steal another kiss. “This one.”
Kasia turned her face so his lips met her cheek instead of her lips. She would not be making it that easy! “Oh now that’s a line if I’ve ever heard one!” she laughed, “I’m serious. I’m planning my travels and I want to know if there’s a place I should add to my list.”
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“Maybe so. But it has been my favorite place to visit. Even if only the once.” He turned and stared out to the sea. The clouds were beginning to roll in.
Kasia frowned, “Really? You’ve been here for a week or two and it’s your favorite? I mean, I get that the ocean is pretty and the castle is quite impressive, but I have a hard time imagining it being at the top of your list.”
The stranger chuckled, seeming to be amused by her response. “Not here. Meeting you. Being with you. Your lips. Kissing you.”
Kasia couldn’t help herself and reached out to run her fingers through his hair. It was longer than her own, which stopped at her chin. “That is terribly romantic for someone who’s planning to breeze through town like a summer storm.”
Her lips quirked in amusement, “And I’m sure you use the same line on every girl you meet. Look, Sir, you are terribly handsome. I like you. But I have only kissed three men in my life– and that last kiss was stolen,” Her emerald eyes narrowed in playful chastisement. “Kissing, for me, is special. I don’t want to turn it into something mundane. Right now I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been kissed. I doubt that you can, which,” she quickly added, “Is fine, I don’t judge you for it. I just want you to understand that it’s something a lot more significant to me.”
“You insult me, my lady!” The man said in mock offense, “I have never used that as a line. And if I were a summer breeze, I would have blown past you and found someone else. Someone easier. There is something about you that intrigues me, and I want to discover what that is.” He did not take his eyes off of hers while he spoke. “But we can sit in silence instead, if you don’t trust the words of my mouth.” He sat down on the cliff overlooking the beach and leaned himself back against a rock. His arms were wide, keeping his chest open, inviting.
“Tell me about your precious rare kisses then, huntress.” The stranger purred, eyes demanding.
Kasia tilted her head, considering, and sat beside him, leaning against his side. “My first kiss was with my best friend when we were ten. Neither of us had ever kissed someone and we were scared and we wanted to know what it was like,” Kasia’s face lit with affection as she thought of her best friend, Andrew. He and Janine were very dear to her.
“My second kiss… There was this new initiate; He was handsome and from another country– all the way from France. He told me I was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen, and how none of the girls in France were like me. That I was special,” her face darkened, “so of course I kissed him. I was completely infatuated. We snuck out of the barracks at night to see each other; to kiss. And touch. And then, one night, he started to undo his breeches. When I realized what he was doing, I told him I wasn’t ready– that I wanted to wait for marriage. He hugged me and told me that it was all right, that he didn’t mind waiting.
“The next night, I snuck out to surprise him even though we hadn’t planned to meet. I found him in the place we usually met with a girl from the village saying the same things to her that he had said to me. That she was special. That there weren’t any girls in France like her. That she was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen…” Kasia shook her head. “Not long after that, I heard him bragging to the male initiates about how sweet her cunt was, and how easily she’d fallen into bed with him.”
Kasia looked up at the stranger, “I want to believe you. And maybe I do. But… I don’t want to feel the way I did that night.” Kasia’s face was bleak.
“That is upsetting. Thank you for telling me.” He gently caressed her arm. ”In light of that, I promise that your fourth kiss will be something special.”
Lightning flashed on the horizon.
“Tell me about your first kiss.” Kasia murmured, resting her head on his shoulder.
“My first kiss... Oh wow, it was so long ago…” He drifted off into silence.
Goosebumps pricked on Kasia’s arms as the storm drew closer. Making a decision, she grabbed the stranger’s arm, “I have a better place to watch the storm from.”
Unbeknownst to her, a monster was watching her.
The sun hit Kasia’ hair, setting the black alight in a glowing halo of blue around her fair features. Her emerald green eyes were luminous, full of the potential of youth and all the possibilities of life. Her cupid’s bow mouth curved into a sensual smile and she winked, “Follow me.” she said to the stranger.
She led him on a winding, weaving path through the rocks and down the side of the cliff.
The monster was taken by surprise. This woman’s beauty surpassed his expectations. It took him a minute to remember to breathe. I will keep her. He thought, his eyes flashing with desire and greed.
Kasia had not been planning to show the stranger the cave where she had spent so many days hiding away with her friends, wanting to keep the place just for them, but something about him made her want to share the secret with him.
The salty air hit her face once they passed the protective shielding of the rocks and began to climb the open cliff face. The spray blew her hair back and made her squint for a moment, but she breathed it in greedily. The icy water splashed and nipped at their feet, while the wind tore at their clothes, until they reached a large outcrop of rocks that barred their progress. Kasia, however, simply began to climb atop the rocks, showing the woodsman where to step and where the handholds were. They climbed around the outcrop– the hungry sea crashing against it, reaching for them with icy fingers, but they made it around, and Kasia began to scale a large cliff face, seemingly undisturbed by the great height they had now reached. Finally, they climbed onto a natural ledge in the cliff face, though the cliff still continued upward. It formed a sort of natural cavern, protected from the elements, and he could see that a fire pit had been built here, and there were some bedrolls along with stones that had been pushed close to the fire to create makeshift seats. Lanterns were stored in natural shelves along the cavern wall, in case they stayed after dark and needed help seeing the way back, along with other helpful sundries.
“Andrew, Janine, and I found this place when we were kids. We come here to get away. It’s one of my favorite places.” Kasia said, proudly showing off her ‘clubhouse’. She hoped Andrew and Janine would forgive her for sharing this with someone new.
“I like to sit by the fire and listen to the sea. We can watch the storm from here and not get soaked. My friends and I like to do this on our rest days.”
She picked some wood that she and her friends had stored there and began making a fire. “Now, tell me about your first kiss, Sir.”
The stranger was quiet for a time, seemingly lost in thought. Or perhaps memory. “I was about your age. It was the first time that we had met. She was presented to me by her family, from another village, and we went for a walk through the woods. The trees were blooming before growing their fruits. I remember the sun hitting her hair and turning it golden in the light.”
Kasia swooned a little at the description, “That sounds beautiful.” The first of the sparks of fire had finally caught and she was carefully breathing life into it. She then went and sat at the entrance to the cave, dangling her legs over the edge. This time it was her who held her arm out, inviting him to sit beside her. “I’d say it’s about time to open that wine.”
The stranger grabbed the bottle and followed her to the edge of the cliff. He sat beside her, wrapped an arm around her, and pulled her to lay her head onto his chest. “This is a wonderful place. Almost as good as the company.”
Kasia hummed, enjoying being held. This felt way too good. She could get addicted to this gentle sort of intimacy.
He popped the cork off of the bottle and took a deep swig, then passed it to Kasia. It lacked the bite of the earlier vodka, but it was passable as far as wine went.
“This is our secret hideout, my friends and I–only most people know about it. But no one comes here but us because, as you might have noticed, it isn’t exactly easy to get to. We’ve filled it with stuff to make it more comfortable over the years.” She gestured to the bedrolls, cushions, plates and cutlery and various other sundries stashed around. Jugs were placed carefully between rocks near the entrance to catch rainwater to slake their thirst.
She took another drink from the bottle before passing it back. They watched the storm in silence together. It wasn’t long before he pulled them both to the side of the cave mouth and was leaning back against the wall while she nestled between his legs with his arms around her, her head on his chest.
As the sky darkened, the lightning flashes grew brighter. Kasia looked up at the Stranger’s beautiful face. She stared at his lips. “You promised me my fourth kiss would be special,” her smile turned coy, “You seem quite certain that it already belongs to you.” To be fair, she was pretty certain it did, too. But she wanted to tease him.
He gave her a cocky smile. “Of course it does. Do you not know why?”
Kasia laughed with delight. She had not expected such a response, “I do not. Pray tell.”
“Because you have a wild spirit, one seeking adventure. And you want to know why you find me so intriguing. That is why you will kiss me.” His hand traced the line of her jaw, sending sparks of heat down her neck and spine. “It will be special because you are the most beautiful creature that I have ever seen. And I would be struck by the oncoming lightning before allowing you to be disappointed.” His voice was velvet soft and full of self assurance.
Kasia gasped, her face splitting into a grin. “Yes. I think kissing you would be a grand adventure…” She bit her lip, then cupped his face with her hands, pressing her lips to his. The taste of him, she’d thought she remembered it from her first kiss with him- but the memory paled in comparison to the reality. She wanted to drink down every last drop of him.
A small moan escaped her mouth as she pressed herself harder against the stranger’s body, deepening the kiss.
The stranger pulled her close in his arms. A moan escaped his own lips. If only time would stop. His tongue tentatively caressed her lips.
“I told you that I’d take your breath away before the night was up.” He let out a soft, confident growl. “But now you’ve gone and taken mine.”
Kasia’s heart fluttered in her chest, “Yes. And I don’t plan to give it back.” she purred, gripping his hair and pulling him back in to steal breath once more.
They kissed as the rain drummed and the lightning flashed bright against the cerulean sea. The wind howled and it was the best kiss Kasia had ever had in her entire life.
“Tell me, what’s the most exotic place you’ve ever traveled, since this is your favorite?”
“What is exotic? Is it how far I have been from here? Is it the strangest people that I have found? The most beautiful women that I’ve seen? Or the most breathtaking views that I’ve witnessed?” The stranger moved to sit behind Kasia once more, and pulled her back to lean into him.
Kasia let out a small, pleased hum at the feeling of her back against the warmth of his chest, placing her own hands atop his where they rested on her stomach.
“Well, I think I’ll pass on hearing about your past women, no offense. I’m sure you have excellent taste, given your current company.” she teased, “I think the strangest people would interest me the most.”
“Believe it or not, I found a village of cultists who worshiped the creatures of the night. They prayed to them, they made sacrifices to them, and they claimed to fuck them.” On these last words the stranger slid his hands powerfully down Kasia’ sides for emphasis, before returning them up to wrap around her.
Kasia felt her core clench at the way he murmured such dark acts, the way he stroked her body. She bit her lip, “That-that sounds dangerous. Do they not fear the creature would sooner eat them than copulate with them? Does this mean their children are monsters?”
“They did not fear the monsters. They were convinced that their worship would save them. I don’t know about the children, I don’t think any were sired from such a union– or surely it would have been in the stories. I wouldn’t be surprised if they actually did manage to fuck the creature. But the creature grew bored or angry, I’m unsure which, and razed the village. So nothing to worry you hunters.” The woodsman spoke completely nonchalantly.
“But that’s so sad!” Kasia exclaimed, turning around to stare up into Isaak’s eyes. “I suppose it’s a bit like the parable of the scorpion and the frog…Still, you’d think even a monster could recognize a good deal like that. Even dangerous animals can learn to tolerate humans who feed them… I can never decide if the monsters we hunt are more like humans or animals…” She went quiet, lost in her own thoughts.
“Oh animals, Surely animals. A dog will still eat you if it gets too hungry. Let’s continue talking about strange people. Tell me of the most eccentric knights that you’ve met.”
“Well,” Kasia leaned her head back against his chest and began playing with their intertwined fingers while she thought, “There was this really superstitious knight once. People love to tell stories about Torvald the Touched. He believed that he was touched by the gods, and thought that was why everyone called him ‘The touched’. It was actually because everyone was pretty sure he was touched in the head– but he was a good fighter, so, they let him do his thing.” she shrugged, “Anyway, he believed as long as he never shaved his hair, he would have the strength to overcome evil. He would have to wrap his hair and beard up in this ridiculous weave and wrap it around himself under his armor. Only some would always stick out of the weirdest places– it was quite the sight– a knight sprouting hair from their knee. Plenty of knights give into weird superstitions– usually bring them over from wherever their homeland is. It’s a pretty normal thing, you know, when fighting supernatural creatures whose existence doesn't seem to make any sort of logical sense… You look for hope where you can find it, I guess.”
“Hahaha! That must have been a sight. I bet it worked too. Maybe not with more strength, but I bet the monsters didn’t want to eat him.” The stranger grabbed some grapes from the basket, rose up, lifting Kasia with him. He waved his hand for her to follow and went to sit with his legs dangling off the ledge toward the sea, now that the rain had stopped. “How’d you find this place? It seems like such a dangerous climb for children.”
Kasia kicked her feet out back and forth as she sat, almost like she was remembering what it was like to be a child, “I know you’re an old man,” Kasia bumped her shoulder against his playfully, “But don’t you remember what it was like to be a child and believe that death was such a far away thing that it couldn’t touch you? Death is for old people. Grown ups. Children never die.” Kasia’ face grew somber, as if that was a lesson she had learned the truth of far too soon, “So I don’t think it really occurred to us that death was even a possibility. Plus we are all quite competent swimmers, so we rationalized that falling into water wouldn’t be a big deal. We didn’t learn about how dangerous the rocks hiding beneath the waves were until much later, and by then, this climb had become so familiar to us, there was no fear. The only time I will not come out here is during a storm. Or after dark. I don’t like being unable able to see where I need to step.”
Kasia took a deep drink of the wine. She found herself leaning her head against his shoulder. Then the realization that she was out here, alone, with a man she had just met hit her and she sat up once more. He could literally push me off the ledge and kill me right now, if he wanted… Am I being stupid? Too trusting? She stared down into the waves below, wondering what it would be like to have them crashing over her, drowning her. Fuck, this is getting morbid.
“What makes you happy?” She asked him softly.
“Ah-ah,” The stranger chided her playfully. “Too deep. Question for another day, my lady.”
"I've had your tongue down my throat, but asking what makes you happy is too intimate for you?" Kasia scowled irritably. Her tone was gruff, her posture stiff. She went quiet, trying to think of a new question, one that would be 'casual' enough for him. Dick. I was just trying to get to know you. Is that such a crime? Kasia didn't understand why his refusal upset her so much. Something about his view that sex was casual, but happiness was intimate…
“This morning was happy. I enjoyed myself. Right now is nice as well,” he attempted to placate her, “I really enjoy the fire. The snaps of the wood echo nicely off the cliff walls. And the mix of smell between the salt of the ocean and the smoke of the wood is wonderful. I’m going to eat more of Sondra’s delicious pies. Are you still hungry? Shall I bring you the other one?”
Kasia shook her head, but she looked markedly softened by his offering. It had not gone unnoticed.
She moved away from the cliff to go sit on one of the bedrolls, grabbing a blanket and wrapping it around herself. “I’m sorry, I know you’re enjoying the view, but I can only be near the edge for so long before l'appel du vide gets too loud. Do you ever get that way? Stand at the edge of a cliff and just feel the urge to jump?”
“I have. And a few times I did. Granted that there weren’t rocks at the bottom. In fact I feel it now, like staring death in the face. The way that your heart starts to race, the impression that you can feel all the blood inside your body rushing around. It’s not that your body is trying to die knowing that the fall is lethal. It wants the hit of excitement. Your mind isn’t thinking about the after.” He stood to return to Kasia and she saw him slip.
Kasia cried out and lurched forward, even though she was much too far away to do anything.
“Just kidding.” The fucker had a smile the size of a claymore.
Kasia giggled, slightly nervous, but also relieved. He had given her the high he had just mentioned.
“Well that’s a lot better than thinking I subconsciously have a death wish.” she smiled, looking much happier. “I like small risks. Like… I know I could get really hurt– but I probably won’t. If it’s a coin toss on whether I’ll live or die, I pass. You are—you don’t act your age, you know? It’s really interesting. Everyone I know who looks about your age is always so serious. Always full of warnings and caution. But you act like a man half your age.”
“Probably. I’ve survived enough encounters that I don’t really care anymore. I do what I want. And maybe if I can convince myself that I am half my age, then I will not struggle to keep up with your vivacious youth.”
He grabbed the blanket wrapped around her, holding her tight inside it and pulled her in to kiss him.
She returned the kiss eagerly, relaxing into him. He was so attractive to her–and not just in appearance. He knew so much about life and sex. He seemed rather like playing with fire. You knew it probably wasn’t a good idea, but couldn’t stop yourself from doing it anyway.
She didn’t know how long they kissed for, but by the time she finally broke from him, the sun had set.
She pressed her forehead to his, “That was… I don’t have words. I need to go. My wujek asked me to come see him tonight. He will be worried if I do not arrive soon… walk me back?”
“A lady shouldn’t walk home alone through the woods.” He kissed her hand gently.
“Thank you, kind Sir.” They climbed down the cliffs– the storm had finally broken. The Stranger walked her back home through the woods and near the gates of the castle (but still out of sight of the front guards).
Kasia leaned up on her tiptoes (he still had to bend down for her to reach) and kissed him goodnight, her heart dancing in her chest. She liked him. Oh how she liked him. Her heart warred with herself. He was leaving. But she hadn’t felt like this in years.
“What is your name, My Lady?”
Kasia bit her lip, looking up at him coyly, “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.”
“Ladies first.” He grinned crookedly.
Kasia took his hands in hers and began to play with their entertained fingers. When she looked up to tell him her name, she lost her breath for a moment at the sight of him. He was just so handsome. Blue-Green eyes, shoulder length brown hair, and stubble covering a well defined jaw.
"Kasia," she said, far more breathlessly than she had intended. Clearing her throat she tried again, "Please call me Kasia."
“Beautiful and appropriate. Good night, Kasia." The stranger gave her another sweet kiss and quickly sank back into the growing darkness. “I’ll see you soon.”
Kasia laughed deeply. Of course he wouldn't tell her his name. That would ruin the game. "Goodnight, handsome stranger."
She watched the stranger leave, heading back toward the town. When she turned to return to the castle, her heart stopped in her chest. Wojciech was standing behind her, his eyes blazing with fury.
Was the brief POV of the monster intrusive or welcome?
