A Raging Storm by M. Jade Glock (good books to read for women .txt) 📖

threshold where he turned her onto her side so that the front of her was turned away from him and towards the blaze. He couldn't have her looking at him. With unsteady fingers he found the hem of her top, stopping only for a moment before hurriedly slipping it over her head, giving out a short sigh of relief to see her modesty bandages tightly wrapped around her torso. Once the deed was done Nealan lay next to her, wrapping his arms around her stomach, pulling her back to his chest, covering both of their bodies with the cloak that he found on her earlier. Their body heat was suppose to intermingle and warm the other more quickly than any blanket or blaze. The wind howled, moaning and groaning as time passed in silence.

He lay there and began to notice how perfectly Aracane was nestled against him, as if laying here like this was specifically what her body was created to do. Catching what he was just thinking about he mentally slapped himself almost immediately for making such notations in his mind.
“If you weren't so stubborn, we wouldn't be in this situation right now.” He closed his eyes, hoping that by talking he could forget his current predicament. “I came to save you and all you seem to be able to do is argue with me.” He tried to roil his dark emotions that often created his downfall in every past situation, but it failed him. His anger and rage couldn't rise, instead there was a dull ache in his heart and feelings that he had been trying his hardest to diminish.
“Why do you do this to me?” His voice was soft and kind, almost involuntarily. Without thinking, he buried his face into her hair, his breath caressing the back of her neck.
“You confuse me with these feelings.”
Minutes passed by as they lay there, he taking in the scent of her, his mind reeling and his control crumbling down around his ears, but Nealan froze when he felt her body move beneath him. Realizing what he had been doing, his muscles went ridged.
What kind of sick man am I?

He began to hate himself and the thoughts that went through his mind not moments ago. For all she meant to him, it made him want to vomit at the way he had been treating her. While lost in his thoughts, his mind was brought back to the present when he felt a hand rest itself atop his. Faster than his mind was able to process, Aracane rolled onto her side, facing him. Nealan didn't know what to do; Aracane looked him up and down, mind muddled.
“Nealan?”
“Yes.” He said with a shaky tone. He didn't have anything else that he could say.
It only took a couple of moments before Aracane registered what was going on around her, her head clearing as understanding grew more apparent in her expression. After taking it all in her face turned a bright red.
“What are you doing?” She screamed. She writhed and squirmed, desperate to be released from his grip. But Nealan held steadfast.
“Let go of me!” She demanded. Though her body was weak in its current state it didn't deter her from her efforts.
“Keep still woman!” Nealan grunted as he tried to keep her under control. “You are still weak; give your body time to rest.”
She continued with flailing her limbs but Nealan managed to squeeze her tightly enough that she could barely move, or breath for that matter.
“Why are you doing this?” She tried speaking, tears forming in her eyes.
“I found you unconscious. I searched for you for hours, now be still, if you don't, we both may die,” His words were firm, almost harsh.
“I would rather die than lay like this in your arms!” She screamed, a lone tear making a wet trail down her cheek. He felt like the wind had been knocked out of him and his tight embrace slowly lessened around her.
“Let go of me!” She began to beat on his chest.
“You want me to let go? Fine!” He released her, not only that but he also left her for the door to the alcove. Upon reaching it he swung it wide, letting the wind and rain pour in. It was more vicious than any storm either of them had ever seen.
“Nealan?”
“This is what you want, isn't it?” His eyes flashed at her. “I'm giving you my life, if I pain you so much then I'll end it here.”
“Are you mad?” Her voice held the note of shock.
“In more ways than one,” though he made his comment sarcastic, he was half serious.
“Nealan, think about what you're doing,” a twinge of worry laced her words.
“I have been thinking, I've been thinking for too long and I can't deal with it any longer,”
“Do you even know what you're saying?”
“Not in the slightest.”
“Close that door.”
“Aracane, you torture me.”
A silence commenced between them. Aracane's face had contorted into confusion, it was too much to be taking in at once that at first, his words didn't make any sense.
“Torture you?” Her whisper was almost inaudible.
Pride forgotten in the height of his confession, Nealan made a spur of the moment decision.
“It's complete and utter torture to see you, Aracane. You make me feel things that I've never experienced before.” It became increasingly hard to describe into words, they felt heavy and unable to become spoken.
“I don't understand,” Aracane said. She lied, she knew exactly what he was saying, but she didn't trust him with her own confession.
“Maybe you'll understand this.” Nealan crossed the room to Aracane, and knelt, keeping himself level with her. In one quick motion he cupped the back of her head and pulled her towards him until their faces were dangerously close. Nealan waited for an opposition from her. He could see in her eyes that she didn't know what to think. But receiving no objection Nealan continued on his quest, letting his lips hover above hers, his breath warming her mouth as he held his position for only a few moments, his own heart ringing in his ears, before closing the distance between them completely. He started softly and gently, letting his affection control his actions, though he was almost hesitant, as if afraid that anything could break this single moment. She didn't move beneath his lips, surprised by his forwardness she didn't know what to do, or even if she was to do anything. He gained no response from his action. It didn't take Nealan long to pull away, not wanting to force her any further. A hurt expression was painfully visible in his eyes. A fire would have normally built up in his chest, every muscle in his jaw clenching, but not this time, this time he was dealing with someone he cared about, and he would no longer be bonded with his unreasonable rage. He wasn't going to hurt her any more than he already had.
“Now you know,” He said, dejectedly. He arose, leaving Aracane stunned beyond words as he made for the door, hesitating in the archway. Here he lingered, hoping that she would stop him, but his mood grew even darker when she hadn't. He couldn't look into her face again and not see his feelings reciprocated in her dark eyes. He stepped out into the rain, giving himself completely over to the monstrous weather.
Recovering from her dazed state she ran out into the storm, despite the rain, despite the wind, and despite her weak condition, she wrapped her arms as firmly as what strength she had would allow, around his waist.
“You utter fool,” She held him closer. “Did you really think that I could go on living without you?”
He couldn't speak. At a loss for words he took hold of the hands that so delicately grasped him. He intertwined their fingers, feeling her soft skin underneath his palms. Content with her nearness he couldn't have asked for anything else. Aracane, on the other hand, needed to inquire something of him.
“Nealan?”
“Hmm?”
“Kiss me again.” She wanted a chance to redeem herself and she hoped that he would grant her this request.
He turned around in her hold on him and looked into her face, searching for what may lay there. Her eyes were warm and held another element that Nealan could barely recognize but knew it to be the same emotions she evoked in him. He bent his head, slowly brushing his lips against hers. They closed their eyes, giving themselves over to the full feeling of the moment. He pulled her closer to him, her arms instinctively wrapping themselves around his neck. She pulled him closer, and they connected more fully and lost themselves in each others touch. Only a minute passed before Nealan pulled away, completely intoxicated by the events that just transpired between him and Aracane. She too couldn't believe what had just happened, but she wouldn't have traded it for anything. Both were unable to even describe their sudden happiness. Nealan rested his forehead against hers, his lips spreading in a wide smile while she looked into his brilliant eyes and the adoration that lay there.
“Stay with me.” He breathed, unable to use his full voice
“Forever.” Was her only response.

Imprint

Text: M. Jade Glock
Images: Vyrhelle-Vyrl
Editing: M. Jade Glock
Publication Date: 07-12-2012

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