“Kiss me and I’ll forgive you.” Rafael
The day was an endless stream of tribulations, and Rafael was entirely aware that he was, at best, stumbling through it all. A storm over the city made every walk a trudge through mud that made it take twice as long to get anywhere, the horse he had been sent to try and purchase had thrown a shoe, the farrier had turned out to be the brother of someone Rafael had punched in the tavern the night before, the fence had been in the process of being arrested as Rafael turned down the lane to speak with him...
And to top it off all, as he dismounted in front of the inn they were staying off, he caught his boot in the stirrup, losing his balance as he tried to get his footing. He stumbled to the side, sending a spray of mud that splattered across a woman’s dress as his shoulder slammed into the building’s wall. He looked at the spread of mud across the finely decorated skirt, sighing in frustration at himself. “A thousand apologies to you, my lady, I was inexcusably clumsy, please allow me to-”
He looked up and realized the dress was worn by no one other than his Avalonian companion who watched his apology with an eager expression on her face. “Please, Rafael, don’t let me interrupt. You were about to offer some recompense?” A wicked smile curled her lips as she leaned forward. “Or I’ll make it simple. Kiss me and I’ll forgive you.”
Rafael watched her, warring emotions in the back of his mind. Talking to her was like taking on a knife fight, but one where he wasn’t entirely sure of the weapons involved. Even being raised in Montaigne didn’t quite prepare him for her.
(Not to mention that something about her made him wary in ways he couldn’t quite phrase, but reminded him of the whispers he heard when his porte master had taken him on a jaunt through the other world...)
Then again, it had been quite a while since he’d kissed anyone. And she was beyond lovely.
The cold rain falling against his face broke his reverie, and he offered her a smile. “I will keep such an option in mind, Lady. Barring that, allow me to buy you some wine...”
