Elane's House

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"I will do all I can to keep you safe, mistress..." Brandon says. As his words trail away, he leans in and kisses her. However, he immediately pulls back, blushing, and apologizes.

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There was a warm flush in Elane's face. She had been too surprised and confused to even gasp when Ser Brandon had kissed her.

"It's all right," she said softly, casting her eyes down. "I - ser...perhaps we should retire for the night?"

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"I, uh, yes, mistress. I am so sorry." With that, Brandon rises and hurries off to his chamber.

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Elane's heart was thumping. She went up to her chamber, and saw Ser Brandon's door opposite hers. Her eyes lingered on the door for a long moment, and then she went inside her room and shut the door. She had not felt such a turmoil of emotions in her heart since...well, forever. Perhaps it was because she had never been kissed until tonight.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

A few minutes later, there is a knock at Elane's door.

[Deleted]

Elane opened it and peered into the dark corridor. "Yes?"

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Brandon stands there, silent for a moment. "Mistress, I mean to apologize again...it was wrong of me to be so forward--" Brandon says, before leaning in and kissing Elane deeply.

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Elane's heart was hammering so loudly she feared he might hear it, but she instinctively pulled Brandon against her as he pushed her against the wall, and kissed him back. She had never been so close to a man before. It was both exciting and frightening. And she had never noticed how big and powerful he was, or how he smelled. Blood was pounding in her ears and temples.

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Brandon embraces her with his long, strong arms, enveloping Lady Elane. After a long, forceful kiss, he pulls back, grips Elane's hands in his own, and gazes into her eyes. The moment of silence ends with a second, deeper kiss, with one of Brandon's hands holding Elane's chin while the second caresses her bare shoulder.

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Elane kissed him back, revelling in the sweetness of it. Some small part of her mind was panicking - this was wrong and far too passionate and dangerous. And unfamiliar. Too unfamiliar.

She turned her face away in the middle of the next kiss, and Brandon's lips grazed her cheek and neck instead. She was panting hard. "Ser - what is the meaning of this?"

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

Brandon pulls up, slightly. His face is still close to hers, however, close enough she can feel the warmth of his blood. "Um, I'm not sure mistress, I do not know." He looks flustered again. "I'm sorry," he says, starting to back away.

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"Neither do I," Elane confessed. The experience of being out of control like this was alarming and exhilarating, but more alarming. "You needn't - it was my fault too, I kissed you back. But it was most...improper." She flushed again. "Perhaps we should go to bed and speak when we are calmer and well rested."

[Lord Rhodri Arryn]

"Yes, mistress. As you wish." Brandon turns and returns to his chambers, and runs a bath. He had a lot to ponder.

[Deleted]

Elane went to bed, but she couldn't sleep. She was restless with excitement, and felt as naughty and giddy as a girl. It was most unsettling. Now she felt she had an inkling of Aranya's constant state of lust and excitement...and then felt guilty for having such a thought, now that her sister was a widow.

She buried her head in her pillow, savoring the memory of the kiss while being terrified by it.

[Deleted]

Over the next few days, it was awkward. Brandon and Elane avoided each other's eyes, and tried to act as if everything was normal. It wasn't entirely unpleasant; Elane blushed automatically whenever she saw Brandon, but kept a remarkably calm face and steady voice otherwise.

Rose happily went about her lessons, oblivious to the adults.