The fall of Lorit Options

[Jac]

This is an expanson of a short story I posted awhile ago. Comments and critiques are welcomed. Thanks in advance.

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Sunlight streamed through the open shutters over Thadius’s face as he lay on the bed. He grunted and threw an arm over his eyes before turning towards the wall. A delicate finger caressed his ear as a soft voice whispered into it, “Thadius, it’s time to get up dear.”

“Bah. They can’t begrudge me a few more minutes sleep, Lorit.”

“Thadius, you need to get up now, dear. You know how the Legion is. If you’re late again…”

Thadius sighed and rolled over to face her. He opened his eyes and smiled as he looked into her brown eyes. He brushed a finger over darkened skin and through her short red hair. “I know, Lorit, I know. It’s just that-“

Lorit silenced him with a finger on his lips. “Shh. Enough of that, Thadius. It’s time for you to get dressed.”

“Yes dear.”

Groaning, he rose from the bed and slowly changed into his uniform. Lorit rose from the bed, her lithe body glowing in the sunlight as she helped buckle him into his cuirass. He turned around and embraced her, tracing a finger down her bare spine. “How did I get so lucky as to find you, Lorit?”

Lorit smiled at him and tousled his short brown hair. “Because you’re so good to me, Thadius. But if you don’t leave soon, that may change.” She poked his chest playfully before bringing his head down for a kiss. He smiled as he kissed her before reluctantly releasing her and strapping on his broadsword. He strapped his shield to his left arm and donned his helmet before opening the door and stepping outside. Lorit donned a robe and stood in the doorway watching him leave until he turned a corner. She closed the door and leaned against it for a few moments before closing the shutters, plunging the house into darkness. She lit a candle and carried it to the bed. She stepped out of her robe and lay on the bed, waiting. After what seemed like hours, she heard the door open and close softly. A figure stood by the bed, seemingly untouched by the light. A cold voice filled the room. “It is almost time, Lorit. Are you ready?”

Her breath caught as she answered, “Yes, yes I am, Reden. How much longer?”

The figure smiled as pale fingers snuffed out the light of the candle. Lorit tensed briefly as she felt the figure climb into bed, but relaxed as heat flooded through her.

[Jac]

Part II:

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He quickly approached the front door and swung it open, grateful to finally be home. He smiled as he saw Lorit tending to the fire, the light glowing against her dark skin and copper hair. She turned to him at the sound of the opening door and smiled. “How was your day, Thadius?” she asked as she set down the poker and came over to embrace him. Thadius was silent for a few moments as he kissed Lorit deeply before they parted. He stared into her eyes and replied, “Later. First I wish to drink in your beauty.” Lorit smirked and touched his nose lightly before spiriting away towards the fire. “That’s enough of that nonsense, Thadius. Something’s on your mind. Is it about work again? Take your armor off and sit down, dinner is almost ready.” Thadius sighed and unbuckled his armor, setting it neatly on the chest next to the bed. He sat at the table and put his head in his hands. Lorit spooned soup into two bowls and set them on the table before filling up a cup of ale and placing it before Thadius. She sat down and started to eat her soup, blowing on it slightly to cool it. “So, what happened?”

Thadius gazed at her for a few moments before smiling ruefully. He took a few bites of the hot soup and took a long draft of ale before setting the cup down and staring into the fire. “General Dagon tasked Byron and I with discovering what happened to some missing boys. In the past year, four have gone missing and nobody knows how or why.” He shook his head, “We visited all of the families and every one had the same story: they were awakened by a cold feeling only to discover that their child was missing. There were no shouts, no loud noises, no nothing. We spent the entire day reviewing what The Watch discovered and found…nothing. General Dagon is afraid that this could cause a panic if it continues to happen and we’re powerless to stop it.” Lorit reached over and placed her hand over his free one. She squeezed his hand and gazed into his eyes. “Thadius, I know you’ll find out what has happened to those children. Byron’s a good detective, even if a bit crass. I don’t know how this world can be so cruel, but we still have each other. Now finish your soup, I’ve missed you and I think it’s time for bed.” She smiled slyly as Thadius quickly finished his soup and gulped the rest of his ale. Standing, he took Lorit’s hand in his and led her to the bedroom. He let go of her hand and pulled back the covers as she doused the candles. They embraced in the dark, expressing their love in a way words never could. In the dead of night, Lorit lay on her back, stroking Thadius’s sleeping head resting on her breasts. She stiffened, then relaxed, smiling as she felt a familiar presence wash over her then retreat. She drifted off to sleep as she remembered Reden’s last words to her: “I will always be watching over you.”