Extra 03

                                       Fever

Lenneth had been out walking, when she came across Lezard’s body, slumped face down on the floor. She had been startled, a gasp issuing it’s way out her mouth, for one brief moment thinking the man was dead. But then he moved, a low muffled groan of pain accompanying his attempts to sit up. The Valkyrie merely watched as he struggled, hands flat against the ground, trying to push himself upwards. They slipped, and he fell back, silent and unmoving, almost as though he was content to remain where he was.

For one brief instant Lenneth was tempted to turn and walk away, but something made her take pity on the necromancer. She cautiously stepped forward, slowly bending down over him. “Lezard?” She asked, a hand reaching to touch his back. She drew back immediately, nose wrinkling with distaste. His coat was soaking wet, slick with moisture and clinging to his back.

Her brief touch had galvanized him into action, the mage finding the strength to roll onto his back. Lenneth directed her gaze over his face, noting how his pale skin had whitened even further, saw the glassy look in his eyes as he stared upwards. She noted how his nostrils flared, trying to get much needed air into his lungs. Even his mouth showed signs of illness, his lips dry and chapped. Lenneth sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead, and her eyes widened by the heat she felt. Lezard was burning up!

“Lezard?” She repeated his name, voice urgent. “Can you hear me?” He moaned, and she thought she could make out her name between his garbled cries. She sighed again, feeling burdened by his sickness. “I should just leave you here.” Lenneth told him. But she wouldn’t, not when he was so clearly sick. She tried to reason with herself, insisting she was only doing this as a means for survival. If Lezard were to die on her, what would she do, where would she go? She had no way to escape the tower on her own, this human body of hers too frail and weak to go up against the many monsters that lay between her and freedom.

“I’m certainly not doing this out of any….compassion for you.” She told him, hands reaching for his arms. She gave a firm yank, and he seemed to respond to that commanding pull, slowly scrambling to his knees. He tried again, weakly licking his lips as he spoke. “Lenneth? Is that you my angel?”

“Yes…” She said quietly, not liking his chosen term of endearment. She shifted, bringing an arm over her shoulders, while her left arm winded about his waist. “What are you doing?” He mumbled, leaning his head so that it rested into hers. “Where are you taking me…”

“Up you go…” Lenneth ordered, and together they stood, though she stumbled as he heavily leaned into her, his body swaying in place. “I’m taking you to bed…”

“How long I’ve waited to hear you say that…” He murmured, turning so that his lips brushed against the top of her head.

“Lezard don’t!” She snapped, annoyed at him. “Can you walk?”

“With you by my side, I can do anything.” Lezard boasted.

“Great.” She groused, and began the slow, arduous task of walking the wizard to his bedroom.

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Lezard had only meant to sit down, to wait until the dizziness passed him by. Somehow he found his way to the floor, his cheek pressed against the cool marble, finding it oddly refreshing. ~Perhaps I’ll stay here…only for a few minutes…~ He thought, finding it sounded like a good idea to him.

Lezard wasn’t sure how long he had laid there, soon finding he lacked the strength to get up. What’s more he lacked the will to move, even though the floor was hard underneath him, his body aching and crying out for his bed. So he laid there some more, minutes turning into hours, darkness crowding in among his vision. He dozed off for some time, until a sound woke him up. He tried to raise up to see what it was, and his hands slick with sweat slid across the ground, causing him to hit his chin against the marble floor.

He let out a moan of pain, letting his eyes fall close. They snapped open almost immediately when an angel called his name. It was Lenneth, and she was touching him! He felt brief joy, astounded to think she would willingly lay her hands on him. He tried to get up to follow that touch, moving onto his back. Lezard frowned, not being able to see her clearly, her features blurred and swimming before his eyes.

A sigh escaped his lips as her hand pressed against his forehead, finding her skin nice and cold. He became aware of her asking him questions, and he groaned out her name, wanting to reach out to her with his hands. He shivered as she touched him, his angel of mercy’s rough yank snapping him out of what he thought was a sweet dream. She was real! And she was there, touching him, showing concern over him! It was ALMOST worth being sick, to have her show something other than contempt for him.

He knew he was probably babbling, asking her questions as he felt her put her arm around his waist. His arm gripped her shoulder, wrist trapped in her grasp. His heart nearly leapt into his throat as he heard her say she was taking him to bed. Lezard felt regret at annoying her with his quips, nuzzling his face against the top of her head. She was walking him forward, his steps hesitant, and he sadly blacked out on most of the trip, vaguely aware of her voice talking to him, trying to keep him conscious and moving.

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It was the first time she had been in his bedroom, Lenneth hoping it would be the last. She paused in the doorway, hesitating to cross the threshold into his room. The room was dark, only the barest of illumination coming from the torches in the hall. It cut a small swath of crackling orange light across the floor, and faintly she could make out the corner of the bed. She shrugged her shoulders, tightening her grip around his waist, half dragging him into the room.

It took far longer than she liked to get Lezard to the bed, the Valkyrie breathing heavily from the effort of supporting his weight. She let go of his waist, reaching upwards to take hold of his arm. Pulling it free of her shoulders, she nearly fell onto the bed with him, when he went flopped down onto it’s sturdy mattress. She caught herself at the last moment, hands pressed against the headboard, perched precariously over Lezard’s face. He didn’t notice, eyes closed behind his spectacles.

Rising, Lenneth glanced around the room, looking for a stray torch. She was forced to feel along the wall, until at last her fingers grazed a metal sconce. She took the wood out of it, and briefly stepped into the hallway, lighting it with one of the torches found there. Returning to Lezard’s room, lighting a second and a third, until the chamber was flooded with light, allowing her her first real glimpse of his private abode.

Lenneth found the room to be neat and tidy, perhaps too clean compared to the rest of the rooms she had seen in his tower. It was outfitted with the barest of furniture, besides the bed there was a large work table, and one stray bookcase next to an overstuffed armchair. An open book lay on it’s cushioned seat, and Lenneth drew nearer to see what latest thing the necromancer was researching. Her eyes widened, surprised to see it was a book of love poems!

With a rueful shake of her head, she returned to Lezard’s side, intent on seeing her charge hale and hearty. She gazed at his face, and even in sickness, he was handsome, though that was something the Valkyrie would NEVER admit to. She remained steadfast in her decision to remain indifferent to his charms, not wanting him to think she found anything pleasing about him, even something as shallow as appearances.

But now she could freely look at him, and look Lenneth did, raising a hand to his face. Again she frowned at how hot his skin was, worrying about his condition. A cold compress was needed to cool him down. And she should fetch it, but first…Her hands brushed against his bangs, the strands wet and sticking to his forehead. She touched his gold plated glasses, gently removing them, setting them aside on the work table.

Lezard’s hands moved, reaching towards his neck, the man gasping for air as he scrambled at the buttons of his shirt. “Shhh…” Lenneth soothed, touching his hand. He fell still at her touch, arms slumping weakly at his sides. Her slender fingers touched the buttons, loosening his collar, finding his shirt to be just as wet with sweat as his coat. She frowned, knowing that wouldn’t do, not at all.

A heavy sigh emitted from Lenneth’s lips. She would simply have to undress him, lest she risk him falling further ill from a chill. She reached forward, easing him to a sitting position. She propped him up against the pillows, her hands sliding the jacket off his arms. She left it on the floor, and turned back to his shirt, hands hesitating. But only for a moment, before quickly and efficiently undoing the buttons. She untucked his shirt, and began parting it down the middle, fingers sliding against his hot skin as she pulled it open.

The shirt joined the jacket on the floor, and that was as far as Lenneth was willing to go. She wasn’t about to touch his pants, her compassion extending only so far. “I’ll be right back…” She murmured, rising from the bed.

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Hands were touching him, easing back his clothes, freeing him from their cumbersome embrace. He sighed happily, finding he could breathe better now that the cloth wasn’t constricting around his throat. Lezard was vaguely aware of Lenneth leaving his side, but she was gone only for a moment. When she came back, a cold compress was touching his forehead, the wet liquid dripping down the sides of his face.

A soft towel was touching his front, mopping at his chest, gently cleaning him of his sweat. His eyelids fluttered, seeing the shape of Lenneth leaning over him, his nearsightedness being able to make out her features due to her closeness. She was rubbing him down, circling past his nipples, and trailing that towel down his stomach. It left him aching, stirring his interest up even in his illness.

He moaned, this time with desire, though Lenneth, his sweet innocent Goddess could not tell the difference. His hand was moving forward, almost of it’s own accord, snapping round her wrist. “Lezard?” He heard her say his name, sounding concerned. “Do you need something?”

“Yes you….” Lezard wasn’t sure if he spoke that or merely thought it, but he was pulling Lenneth downwards, laying her flat on top his body. His other hand came up, arm sliding around her waist, pressing her further against him. He sighed, rubbing his face against hers, the compress falling onto the pillows. She was so cold a stark contrast to his heat, and she felt delightful against his skin.

“Lezard no…” Lenneth, struggling, placing her hands against his bare chest. He writhed, enjoying the close contact of her skin on his, wishing she would rub him down with something other than that towel!

He moaned again, and with one swift movement was rolling them over, so that she lay pinned underneath him. He let go of her, so that he could embrace her around the shoulders, holding her close to his chest. His face was in the crook of her neck, lips brushing against her skin, though he soon raised his face so that his mouth was near her ear. “Lenneth…” His tongue felt heavy in his mouth, he stumbled over his words, making her beg him to repeat himself.

Instead Lezard sighed, slumping his head down, wanting to rest against her. He needed her nearness, feeling that and the coolness of her skin would be enough to heal him.

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Lenneth was calm when Lezard touched her, his fingers encircling her wrist, stopping her motion. She innocently asked if he needed anything, and was prepared to laugh it off when he announced he needed her. What she wasn’t ready for was him tightening his hold, drawing her down on top of him. She squirmed, alarmed, trying to break free, but even in sickness he held on, refusing to let go of her.

“Lezard no….!” She strived to free herself, pushing against his chest with her hands. Now it was his turn to squirm, his movements causing her hands to slide along his front, inadvertently feeling him up. His face came towards her, gently nuzzling his hot cheek against hers. He was hot, too hot and she tried to pull back, even as he moaned.

The world turned upside down, Lenneth finding herself on her back, with Lezard laying on top of her. Now he chose to let go of her, arms caressing up her body to hug her close to him. She felt a thrill of fear coursing through her veins as his lips touched her neck, and she struggled again, not liking the position he had her in. Lezard seemed not to notice, shifting slightly so that his face was by her ear. He mumbled something, and she could only make out her name.

“What was that?!” Lenneth asked, hoping he would repeat himself. “I can’t hear you!” Instead of answering he sighed, and she was surprised when he suddenly slumped down on top of her, his body heavy with sleep. Lenneth lay stunned beneath him, blinking up at his face. His eyes were closed, and his mouth opened slightly, his breath hot against her cheek. His chest rose and fell, and a light rumble erupted from his lips. He was snoring!

Relieved, Lenneth tried to wiggle out from underneath him. But he called out her name, possessively holding onto her, almost cutting off her air with his tight grip. He relaxed when she did, and Lenneth sighed. It looked like she was here for the time being.

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He was dreaming, chasing the Valkyrie through the corners of his mind, up and down the dark hallways of his tower. She was laughing and smiling, and eager for his attentions. Her gait light and slow, staying just out of reach with a teasing smile. His arms reached out to her, trying to catch at her, always she slipped out of his arms, but her giggles encouraged him onwards.

They ran and they ran until at last the chase ended up in his bedroom, and there she let him catch her, shrieking with wild laughter as he tackled her to the bed. Lezard moaned, knowing the dream would turn sweeter yet, and he tightened his arms around Lenneth, surprised at how real she felt. His hands were touching her, caressing down her waist, and her hands were on him, gently pulling. He caught at those hands, lacing his fingers with hers, nudging her hands back down towards the bed. He stretched out on top of her, positioning himself so that he lay even with her face. “Lezard….” Her sweet voice calling out his name, causing him to give her hands a reassuring squeeze.

With a sigh he lowered his face towards Lenneth, lips gently brushing hers. He heard a stifled cry, and deepened the kiss, tongue licking across her lower lip. She felt so real to him, and he sighed happily. For some reason she was struggling, making him frown. She had never put up a fight in his dreams before! He was forced to let go of one of her hands, bringing his fingers to her face. His thumb stroked her cheek, even as he took rough possession of her face, holding her in place. His lips were still pressed against hers, tongue sliding into her mouth, stifling her gasps.

Lenneth’s free arm flailed about, getting out from under him. She grabbed at his back, fingernails scratching at his bare skin. That hurt! His eyes flew open, the wizard seeing Lenneth truly for the first time since starting to awaken. He had to squint, his glasses were gone from his face, but he could see her staring up at him wide eyed in shock. Her face was flushed with embarrassment, her lips kiss swollen. He brought his fingers to her mouth, stroking tenderly over her lips.

“Lezard…” She said his name warily, and he smiled. “You’re real!” He said in awe, wondering how this had come to past. He was becoming aware of other things, like the fact he was naked from the waist up and that they were in his bed. His only regret was that he couldn’t remember how they had gotten there in the first place. It didn’t matter, Lenneth could fill him in later. For now it was time to make new memories, and he was lowering his face to hers once again. She wiggled and writhed under him, teasing him with her movements. His hands touched her shoulders, sliding down to grip her upper arms and hold her still.

“MRPGH!!” Lenneth said into his mouth, and he moved his face back enough to stare into her eyes, lips planting a kiss on her chin. He kissed along her lower jaw line, listening as she called out his name again, thinking he could hear desire in her voice. He licked down to her throat, his hands on the move again. He touched her stomach caressingly, moving up towards her breasts.

“NO!!” Lenneth, her voice loud and strong, rang out. She suddenly jerked underneath him, shoving him away from her. “Not that!”

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She had fallen asleep! Lenneth felt annoyance directed at herself. How could she have felt safe enough in Lezard’s arms to have dozed off? But she had, and for how long she did not know, though the flames of the torches were burning low so it must have been for quite some time. She sighed, a huff of air that spoke of her aggravation, looking up at the slumbering Lezard.

He looked much better, and it wasn’t just because he was smiling. She raised her hand to his forehead, finding it cool to her touch. She sighed in relief, his fever had broken. Now if he would only wake up and let her go. “Lenneth…” He suddenly murmured her name. “My sweet, my darling…” He was rubbing against her, body twitching as he dreamt.

“You naughty minx, come here!” He pleaded with a laugh, and her jaw dropped open in mild shock. Was he dreaming about her?! He let out a moan, full of lust, and her cheeks flamed, hating that he thought about her in that way. “Lezard…” Her voice came out a hiss, and she began pushing at him, wanting up off his bed. He kept his eyes closed, and grabbed at her hands, having the nerve to lace his fingers with hers as though they were lovers!

“Lezard!” She tried again, even as he was bending her arms backwards, pinning them to the bed. His body was shifting, rubbing against hers, clearly happy to be there, adding to her horror. A squeeze meant to reassure her, a sigh from his lips, as his face lowered toward hers. She started to say his name again, but his lips brushed against hers before she could form the first syllable. She cried out, and felt him lick across her mouth.

She did not want this, did not want him! She struggled, trying to turn her head to the side, and his hand came up, taking hold of her face just hard enough to hold her in place. He was once again kissing her, his tongue pushing against her lips demanding entrance. Lenneth didn’t know what came over her, but she let him have it, let his tongue travel into her mouth, brushing against hers. She gasped around him, remembering herself enough to get her free arm out and about, clawing at his back. Her nails digged in, and he opened his eyes, shocked to find her beneath him.

Wonder was in his eyes as he touched her mouth, tender touches on her lips. “You’re real!” He smiled, and kissed her again, harder this time, as though he would inhale her essence through his mouth. Lezard was seductive, and for a brief instant she let herself enjoy the feel of his lips on hers, crying into his mouth. She could feel his hands touching her, moving about her body, even as he kissed along her jaw.

It was when his fingers grazed her covered breast that the spell was broken, and she cried out, “NO!!” She brought up her hands, shoving him as far away from her as she could manage. “Not that!!”

Lezard drew back, stunned at her refusal. Both of them were breathing hard, staring into each other’s eyes. “What’s wrong my sweet?” He sounded confused.

“Get…get off of me!!” Lenneth ordered, trying to repress the tremor that was starting to build up in her body. How dare he kiss her! How dare she let him! Perhaps she had caught some of his illness, and it had clouded her judgment for one brief moment.

“But Lenneth…” Lezard was moving forward, trying to kiss her again.

“No!” She insisted, being pushed back against the pillows. He stared at her imploringly, and she shook her head no. Silence between them, then his amethyst eyes hardened, and he jerked out of her grip. “I see…I…misunderstood the situation.”

“Yes…” Lenneth agreed. “You did…” She reached up a hand to her face, brushing back hair that had strayed from her braid. “You’re feeling better.” She noted.

“Better?” He arched an eyebrow, looking at her.

“You’re fever’s broken…” Lenneth replied, sitting up.

“I….was….sick?” His brow furrowed, trying to remember.

“Yes….very sick.” She hesitated. “You were in the grip of some malady, a high fever ran it’s course through your veins. It’s small wonder you don’t remember.”

“You cared for me…” There was wonder in his voice, and she frowned. “Do not get the wrong idea. I only wanted to…”

“Wanted to what?!” Lezard interrupted her.

“I wanted to make sure you didn’t die!” She told him heatedly. That was a mistake, his lips spreading out into a broad smile. Lenneth gave a toss of her head, rising to her feet. “I can see you’re ready to make a full recovery so I’ll be on my way.” She wanted to be out of his way, before he started teasing her about her caring for him. With a haughty sniff, she went to walk past him, and was hardly surprised when he came up behind her. He pressed his chest against her back, arms coming around her front, hugging her close. “Thank you Lenneth…” he whispered into her ear.

She couldn’t help the shiver that was stirred up at his closeness. She thought about all the things she could tell him, the insults she could hurl, the nastiness she could bring down on him. Her heart just wasn’t in it to hurt him, and she reluctantly sighed, leaning back against him. “You’re welcome.” Lenneth said at last, her voice soft.