13th Floor Elevators- Never Another-(original vocals)
'This song"Never Another" was on the last album Bull of the Woods released by The 13th Floor Elevators in 1969, this track isn't the version that was on the album , it has no horn arrangements and more guitar and vocals by the late Stacy Sutherland. It's a great song and version.'
Warning This includes: SFW (Read Tags Before Continuing)
Tags: sfw, fluff, romance, romantic fluff, small gestures, falling in love, love at first sight, duke, lady in waiting, proposal, dancing, engagement, maid, support, care, declarations
You were so surprised when the carriage pulled up Noah himself was right there to greet you. Lady Clairfurth glared you down as you walked towards him. She was still upset he didn't want her however its good she doesn't know the reason he doesn't want her is because he was in love with you. You were sure that if she knew she would have never let you be hired by his household, and probably would have costed you everything you do. However she made sure you had very minimal in things to take with you since most the household paid for her to use. Noah smiled at you as you walked towards him, and he had a playful look in his eyes. He held his hand out for you helping you up into the carriage, the feeling of your hand in his as you stepped up inside was so nice. He had captured your heart so fast there was no way you were about to give him up. He bowed to the Clairfurth family and then climbed in across from you in the carriage. As the horses neigh, and you start to move you knew life was changing for you with every sound of the rocks crunching under you as you head towards your new home.
After you were out of sight from the Clairfurth household he moved over beside you gripping your hand in his. You look down and see his long fingers intertwining with yours as he pulls it to his lips kissing the top of your hand. "Y/N I'm so happy we have a long ride back, I want you in my arms as much as I can have." You felt him pulling you into his arms while he never lets go of your hand. Your head laying against his chest, you can hear his heart beat as you close your eyes. You get up the nerve you softly whisper as your head is still laying against him. "I love you Noah, with all my heart." You hear him chuckle as he tilts your head up towards his face, you see a soft smile come across his face. Then your world stopped when his words were so full of love "You had my heart the night I met you." you got lost in his eyes the moment he said those words you crashed your lips into his. You and Noah shared the most passionate kiss yet, with every ounce of your hearts poured into this moment.
When you finally broke away there were tears in your eyes, he gently reached up wiping them from your face. "You 're too beautiful to cry, my love." You giggled at his words although those words warm your heart. In this moment you wish it would be easy to run away together however with him being the duke there was no way of skipping out on that. However you plan to stay by him through everything and support him no matter what comes your way. There was no way you could let him go now, he was everything you could have ever wanted in a partner and the way he makes you feel you were sure you would never find that with anyone else. He pulled you back into his arms and you fell asleep right there, he softly rubbed your head running his fingers through your hair. As you fall into a deep slumber he leans down kissing your forehead.
When you get to his families home you woke up in his arms, as he is carrying you out of the carriage towards the house. You couldn't believe he was taking the chance of people thinking something is there between you two. You continued to pretend you were asleep however every so often you had to peek and see him as he walked strong into his home and no one questioned once why he was carrying you. He had so much authority no one dare insinuated it being more than a simple servant that fell asleep from the long ride. He took you to your room you would be staying in, as he carried you over to the bed and laid you down on it, you opened your eyes. Your gaze met his and his eyes sparkled with so much love and endearment in them. As he had already gone to pull away when he had stood back up instead you put your hand on his pulling him back into you. Your lips collided again as you both closed your eyes taking in that moment like many other secret moments you two will have and already have had. "Get some rest, I will see you later on. I promise to come see you before bed every night even if we don't always see each other through the day." Those tender words he spoke made it easy to close your eyes back and fall into slumber.
Days turned into weeks. Your nights were filled with him coming to your chambers and covering you and kisses. He would tell you about his day and you would tell him you support him along the way. This may be the only way you can be together for now but at least you have each other. He tells you about his brother and how difficult he can be, as you tell him how tough it is being a maid. The list goes on all the things you two have come to talk about in your nightly talks. The night always ends with his sweet kisses and he holds you in his arms until you fall asleep. Most night he skips out and heads back to his room however some nights you're more clingy and he gets stuck staying in arms reach til almost morning light. It is always hard to let him go, you wish you could lay in his bed with him without worrying about who sees you two, however its not that easy. Maybe one day you two will have that kind of love but for now every moment with him means the world to you.
After weeks of these nights together and when you two pass each other in the hallways you both always find ways to make small gestures touching each others fingers, or bumping in to one another. No matter what it is these little moments let you know he thinks about you all the time as he knows its the same for you. You see him around during the day and the hardest part is not being able to kiss him and be in his arms as much as you would like. His brother was starting to get suspicious at how much attention that Noah showed to only you. One day you came back to your room and there sat a person sitting at the window at first you thought it was Noah. You ran to his side "My love, I didn't exp....." As your words stopped when his brother turned around and you realized its not Noah. You felt like you messed things up in that moment because you had just called who you thought was Noah, my love, when you were just supposed to be a simple maid. He started to laugh and with a somewhat evil glint in his eyes he looked at you and laughed harder. "I knew it, my brother is screwing the help." His words sounded so cold and heartless and then you started thinking what if this is all it ever would be, even though you two had not been intimate in that way his brother was claiming.
He bowed his head at you "Y/N, Let me introduce myself to you. I'm Noah's brother Siathrich Nurial Chamers you will call me your highness, the current king, and this is my home." As you are having your little talk with the current king word got around to Noah that he was visiting you, he rushes to your side to support you and what you both might face against his half brother. As Noah walks in the room he doesn't hesitate he walks over to you standing in front of his brother and grips you hand in his like this was normal. His brother grins "So this is what my big brother is up to, instead of choosing a wife your playing with the maid. Shame on you." His voice sounded incredibly sinister in away like he was all about destroying everything you two had built. Noah stepped in front of you between his brother staring back at you. "You will no longer address her, anything you have to say it goes through me." His words were so valiant and you could feel the love in his words as they rolled off his tongue.
You put your hand on Noah's arm "Please don't turn against your family because of me. I will leave if I am causing issues." He turned back to you putting his hand to your cheek in such a tender way you gasped. " I will die before I let you go, before I give you up." His words were truly a dedication of how much he loved you, as tears well up in your eyes you realize this is nothing what his brother thought. This was love and both of you were absolutely in love with each other with every breath you take as does he. You know your heart will choose him over and over again, as does his heart only beats for you. He set his brother straight that king or not he refused to stand by him if he can't make the woman he wants his wife. His brother seemed to find it funny however he was just playing a game. He even admitted as we supported each other that he grew bored and needed to go find himself a new play toy. You watch his brother walk out and hope this is the last time that you two have to worry about him trying to come between you.
As the door shuts behind his brother Noah grabs you pulling into you engulfing your soft lip within his own. He held you much tighter than usual he honestly was afraid he was going to lose you, and you could see the fear in his eyes. As you looked up at him you were sure you saw it and then the light caught the tears streaming down his face. He looked like he was afraid of shattering without you. This was the first time you had seen a man look at you like this, that would declare dying before losing you, and that would shed tears over the possible loss of not having you in his life. You reached up wiping his tears as you softly kiss his lips. As you pull away from the kiss you lean your forehead against his, no words are needed in that moment. Your hearts were speaking for the both of you with out another thing said. For the rest of the day Noah didn't leave your side, he held you while he read a book to you until you fell asleep in his arms. This night he didn't go back to his room he stayed with you all night falling asleep together.
As the next morning the sun shined in the window, you yawned as you heard the door creek open looking up realizing it was the head of the maids. She had come to find you since you didn't show up like the rest did. The moment she noticed Noah in your bed, she apologized profusely and excused herself pretty fast. That was when you looked back noticing he was still snuggled up against you and asleep without a shirt on. You looked away your cheeks flushed rosy pink and grew hot. This was the first time you had seen any skin under his clothing and although you wanted to look you didn't feel it was appropriate. His look as he was asleep and half dressed with drool down the side of his face this was a memory you would never forget. He may be a duke but he is just like any other man who falls in love, he isn't perfect but he is perfect for you. You pushed the hair back off his face to look at him as he slept so peaceful. You decide to lay back against him, this time you slide you night dress off your shoulders so some of your skin is bare. You make sure it makes contact with his skin as you close your eyes and breathe softly taking it in. This is the first time you have been skin to skin but you wanted to be close in every way with this man. You fell back asleep in such a vulnerable state.
After a few hours later you woke up to him kissing the bare skin of your arm, the one you exposed earlier. You gasped and his reaction made you quieten down. "Shhhh, just take the moment in, let me keep being close to you." You closed your eyes as he kissed your lips so tenderly as he moved down to the corners of your mouth. His lips moved their way down your ears and neck before working down to your collarbone. His declaration he started saying as he kissed across your collarbone up to your bare shoulder. "I never want to be parted from you again. I want to become one with you." Soon as those words rang in your ears they hit your heart just as fast. You realized what he wanted and you would not deny this man that intimacy when you never want to deny him anything. You have wanted that closeness that obviously even after kissing isn't enough. He spent the next hour kissing every inch of you, tasting your sweetness. He made love to you and this took your love for one another to a new level of happiness and love. There was no going back from this, you belonged to him and he to you.
After a long love making session you both got up knowing things needed to change today, and Noah confessed there was a ball that night and he wanted to stop hiding. He declared he wanted to tell the world, his brother and more. He was done hiding with the woman he loved, and his own words no one would come between you two. He made sure the servants brought you the most loveliest dress because tonight you weren't going as help but as the duke's lover and heart. Come that evening you hadn't seen Noah since earlier in the day and you missed him like crazy. He had sent some maids to come help you get ready when it was time for the ball. You were amazed how lovely they had made you and couldn't wait to show off to Noah. You were escorted to the ball room and as you got to the stair way Noah walked out to take your hand and escort you the rest of the way.
The moment he saw you though he couldn't stop smiling as he walked over taking your hand. He leaned in whispering in your ear "You look stunning my love, I love you." You couldn't help but smile as his breath tickles your bare neck. Your words were just as soft. "I love you very much darling, and you are the most handsome man here." He chuckles as you walk out onto the dance floor with him, no one would even know you were a maid in this moment. You looked as noble as the rest of the women there. So many looked upon you envious of your love, it wasn't hard to look at Noah and realize he was crazy in love with you and sees no other woman in the room but you. He bowed before you and took you in his arms as he led you across the dance floor with him. He couldn't take his eyes off of you and before you knew it you realized everyone disappeared besides you two. You were so caught up in the moment when the music stopped you weren't ready for it. Then Noah looked to everyone and made an announcement that you weren't expecting. He said with so much confidence. "I will not let title, birth right, woman, man, or even the king tell me I can't be with the woman I love. To prove this today I make a declaration of love."
The whole room was captivated by him and even you were curious what he was going to do. Then right in the middle of the dance floor he gets down on one knee. You gasped at the sight then looked all around the room then your eyes settled back on his face. He continued his speech. "I love you darling, Y/N you have had my heart the moment I first met you. I know now my life was not complete until you became the love of my life. Do me the pleasure of leaving the world behind you know, and stand by myside forever. Will you marry me?" Tears started to stream down your face as you looked down he was holding the most beautiful ring ready to place it on your finger. You giggled a bit then put your hand out to him "Yes, my love I want nothing more than to be your lover, friend, and wife. I love you and I will support, care, and love you til my last breath." He picked you up in his arms as your lips softly collided as if a way to say your life is going to be a challenge but as long as you both stand by love, and support each other the world can never come between you two.
You were sitting out on a bench because the parties were just never your thing and you were only there as a lady in waiting anyways. Then this man walked up to you and he spoke. His raspier deep voice gave you chills and when you looked back at him he was the most beautiful man you had ever seen before. His dark hair blowing in the soft wind and he had a mischievous look on his face but there was no way you thought your life would be the same after meeting him. You had known about Duke Wynknight but had never seen him so it was easy still being yourself. He sat down beside you and you both talked for awhile about how you both hated being around fake people. He smiled at you and you felt like your heart was going to stop. You couldn't believe a man so attractive would be interested in you especially since you were really a nobody. You wondered if he had any noble blood in him but after chatting and looking at the moon together you get that out of your mind. After some time you heard someone running out calling for the duke and when Noah turned around your heart sank. This man that you took a liking to was so untouchable to your status you found yourself looking down at the ground as he goes and talks to the person.
He comes back after sitting back down next to you. "I want to see you again, is that ok? If so what is your name and what household are you from?" He was asking to see you again and that made you happy however when he asked you your name of your household this is where he was sure to lose interest in you. You stand up and bow before him "Your grace, I would love that but I am nothing and no one to your nobility, just a lady in waiting." He chuckled as he took you by the hand standing up beside you as he pulled you closer "Maybe that is why your different but also why I want to see you again, please. You know my name is Noah so please your name?" You know your not supposed to down talk to nobility you should have never denied him your name this could get back to the house you live in and cost you to be kicked out. You bow "I'm sorry your grace, I should have never denied you. My name is Y/N I am the lady in waiting for Lady Clairfurth family." He took your hand and kissed it then excused himself to head back to the party. He left you with the parting words "I will be in touch Y/N, thank you for a lovely chat this evening." You felt your cheeks grow warm and your heart beat fast, there was something about him you really wanted to know more. What had Duke Wynknight done to you already.
You headed back inside of course you got reprimanded for being away too long. You had to take care of every one of Lady Clairfurth's needs the rest of the night and every so often your eyes darted across the room to Noah. At one point your eyes met and he mouthed "You Look Beautiful" he made you blush. Every time you caught him looking your way you felt yourself get flustered yet again. You walked over to get the lady a drink and he met you at the table. He said in a low voice "I can't stop thinking about you" your heart was beating so fast hearing his words. He let his hand fall down beside him and grazes your hand the tips of your fingers as he looks back over at you and smiles. You had no idea how to respond to him and you were afraid someone might see. "Will you meet me outside for a dance before the night is over?" He smiled after asking what was a simple request and you wanted to so much but you looked over at Lady Clairfurth and knew there was no way after being reprimanded last time. You bow before him "I wish your grace but I will be punished if I disappear again." You pull your hand back and get the drink and walk back to the lady. The small gestures he makes warms your heart and you know if he keeps treating you like this there will never be room in your heart for no one but him.
That night came to a end, you were sure you would never be that close to the duke ever again after that. You spent your days taking care of the lady but after a few days you heard there was a guest at the house. You looked out the window and saw him, he looked more dashing as ever and he had a bouquet of flowers with him. Your cheeks burned hot they were surely flushed red but you made sure to sort what you were wearing to look your best then headed out the door down stairs. You got to the room that the guests are sent to and you grabbed some tea and walked into the room to give you a reason to talk to him. Soon as you walked in you saw Lady Clairfurth leaning into him like she was going to kiss him when you saw this you dropped the tea set shattering it across the floor. His eyes met yours as he could see you misinterpreted what was happening. Lady Clairfurth started yelling at you for breaking it screaming to clean it all up. The tears you were fighting back as you picked up the pieces as he went to walk over to help you, pulling back from him is what you did but not before you looked up into his face and he saw the tears trailing down your face as you excused yourself and walked out of the room.
You were so sure the small gestures meant something to him but then again who would want you when they could have Lady Clairfurth, she was practically breathtaking with her lovely blonde locks and porcelain skin no one tells her no. She has 5 marriage proposals now and yet she wants the duke too it seems, its not good enough for you to have one for yourself but then you remind yourself as the tears fall on your way back to the kitchen, you are a no one and he is a duke. It really just never could be. You put the dishes in the trash wiped your tears sorted your clothes then went back to go see if she was in need of anything else even though you didn't want to see them snuggled up on the couch. Soon as you step foot back into the hallway he is pulling away from her telling her he is not interested in marrying her. Your heart fluttered at the idea that he was someone who really didn't want her when no one turns her down.
She threw a tantrum which she was known to do when she didn't get her way. She stomped off and he turned and only you were standing there. You wanted to hug him but you knew you couldn't but like any other time he found away. He looks at you and asked you to show him out so you got his coat and as you helped him put it on he reached through the coat touching your hand underneath the sleeve. You knew you weren't making up this connection between you two even though it shouldn't be these gestures make you happy. He kept his hand in the second sleeve a little longer so he can rub his fingers over yours before you met him with a smile. His caress was making your heart feel like it was going to burst. You felt like your heart needed more, like your heart wanted more of Noah Wynknight. You bow to him as he leaves as he gives you that mischievous smirk.
After you go check on the lady like you are supposed to do. You find you can't get Noah's gestures and smile out of your mind. When night came and you closed your eyes he was all you could think about. You couldn't believe you were falling for him when your worlds were so far apart, who would let a lady in waiting be with a duke. Was this a lost route to take to end up heart broken in the end but yet you just can't stop yourself. Any moment you feel like you should pull away he makes these little gestures that captures another part of your heart. You tossed and turned in bed that night you finally got up and got yourself dressed and walked out to the gardens. You slowly walked through looking up at the moon daydreaming about him, he was all that was on your mind. Then your dream came through, you heard someone walk up behind you. "Y/N, I had to see you wasn't sure how but I was about to leave thinking I was crazy when I saw you out here." It melted your heart as he said these words that you both were having sleepless nights over wanting to see one another. He put out his hand and you took hold of it as he pulled you into him under the pale moonlight.
His arms wrapped around you, it wasn't hard to feel like you were home in them. Every second that you feel his heart beat you know that you would take anything you could get because you knew there was no way there would be never another besides this man to hold your heart. You looked up at him and you were captivated by him as he captured your lips in his while he held you tighter. He kissed you deep and passionate until you both had to come up for air. His smile met yours as he pulled away he cleared his throat. "I'm going to purchase you as a worker for a maid in my home a personal one. You won't be a lady in waiting but we can sneak more nights like this and see each other more. You would like that right?" You couldn't help but smile you wanted to be close to him even if it meant you were going to have to clean and do more labor than you do as a lady in waiting. This buys you two time until you figure out how to be together and society leave you both to be happy.
You look at him and hug him tightly "I want that, I want to be closer to you as much as I can, Noah." This is when you knew you two became something more you had always called him your grace and the first moment you called him Noah and he smiled widely he was happy you called him by name. He had a flirty personality which is why you were sure why he constantly wanted to touch you or hold you and you were ok with that. He loved that you weren't like all the noble women that made him sick and you wanted to be loved by like you were enough for some one to never want another. There was no doubt he wanted you as you did him and you were sure your heart was completely his. The night had to end with him leaving and you breaking from his arms which you hated but it had to happen. You went to sleep with the taste of his lips on yours, but lost in the happiness feeling. The next morning you woke up to a knock on your door. They had set everything up and Noah had already got things in motion so they were getting you very minimal of stuff that was yours but they had called for a carriage from the Wynknight's household to pick you up. Starting today your life was going to be different.
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