Winter

I really didn’t want to feel anything but there was no way I could lie about this because the moment his lips touched mine, it felt like fireworks were going of around us. My hands went up in his hair and I actually pulled him closer and I could feel his smile against mine.

He deepened the kiss and the moment his tongue touched mine, I know I was in deep trouble. All my rational thoughts were muted and I could only feel. Niall turned us around so that I was no in his lap and he was pressed against the headboard. He had one of his hands on my bare back and the other he had in my hair. Never in a million years had I thought this could happen between two people and I was in so much trouble because he had proven his point and there was nothing stopping us from marrying.

After a while Niall was the one who had stopped the kiss but the knowing smile on his face said it all and it was quite annoying to be proven wrong like this and now I had to go along with it all and I was already dreading this. I was already playing it out in my mind and the moment we will return to our own world, there is just no way we were still married then even if we wanted to, Niall’s management would probably not allow it.

“Stop overthinking it love.” He pushed a lost string of hair from my face and made me look into his eyes. His eyes were calm and confident, it should make me feel better but it didn’t, it only made me more restless. “I can’t help it, what if we decide we don’t really like each other when we get back?” I asked him but he already shook his head in denial. “That’s impossible.” I cocked up one brow and he gently touched it with his finger.

“After what just happened I don’t think you have to worry much.” He was lifting me from his lap to put me on the bed again and I almost wondered what he was doing but I know he had to go back to his own room before anyone noticed he was gone. “I have to go back to my room but we will talk about this tomorrow and please don’t worry.” He kissed me on the forehead and disappeared from my room.

I let myself fall on my pillow and just sighed really deeply. I pulled one of the many pillows over my head and screamed in it. This was going to be a restless night that was for sure, I mean how could I sleep after what had happened and not only with Niall but all of this, how was it possible that I went back in time and now have to deal with a forced marriage, only because Niall told them I was his fiancé and even though he did it to protect me, it didn’t make the situation any better.

And to top it all, we had to find a way to get back to our own world without me dying in the process. This was a mess but I had to go with it, didn’t I, there weren’t a lot of options and, this way I did get some protection because men in the Middle Ages were known for raping women, if they see fit and this way nobody could touch me.

So I just had to go with it, which meant that I had to let it go, at least for tonight and just get some sleep.

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The next morning began with a wake up call from Elaine, which was not appreciated but apparently I had a dress fitting, as I was getting married tomorrow. I felt miserable and I just wanted to get home to my friends and even my family, how did I get myself into this and what if we couldn’t get home again, then we were stuck in this medieval castle. Elaine helped me into my navy blue dress and it was way more open than I had expected from this era but what did I know?

There was a soft knock on my door and I expected it to be Niall but when I said he could come in, I was shocked to see that it was Lord Albany. I was happy that I was properly dressed right now and that Elaine was in the same room. “Good morning Milord.” I said politely, as I made a curtsy. He waved me off and smiled at me.

“Good your dressed, I need you help lass.” He grabbed me by my hand and dragged me with him. He was a man who took big steps and even though I was wearing boots, it wasn’t easy to keep up with him. “Why do you need my help milord?” I asked out of breath but he just smiled back at me and made his way downstairs. There were already decorations for the upcoming wedding. “You know your fiancé better than I do but it’s custom to give the groom a present, so I need you to pick it out.” How strange was this, I know it’s custom to give each other presents when you get married but I didn’t think a lord would need any help with this.

Also I didn’t know Niall that well, as we had only met a few days ago and I really didn’t know what he liked, except for golf. “So what do you think?” John Stewart asked me, while waving at swords. I was stunned about this and had to remind myself that we were in a different time and that this was normal for the people. I scanned them all and decided on a simple but powerful sword. “I think he would like this one.” I told John and he nodded and took the sword from my hands.

“Thank you milady” he bowed slightly and I still thought it was strange but I had to get used to this if we couldn’t find our way back. I looked again at the sword I had picked out for Niall and I must say that I wanted it for myself as well because it was a beautiful sword. The handle was black, with silver marking on it, the blade itself was clean and sharp, just like it should be.

Elaine came back in, just to fix my hair. She put it up, which was the fashion trend over here at the moment. “The wedding preparations are fully in motion milady.” She sounded really enthusiastic about this but I didn’t share this with her. I was more nervous to the point of feeling sick to my stomach and suddenly I just wanted to lock myself up from everything and everyone even though I had talked about it with Niall last night, it just didn’t soothe me. This was wrong and we needed to go back before we were stuck here forever, there must be a way. “Elaine I want to go for a walk.” I got up and almost tripped because of all the fabric I was wearing, this was really not the easiest way to walk around.

“I have to accompany you, milady.” She told me and that didn’t really do anything for my mood because I wanted to this on my own but if this really was necessary then there was nothing I could do t stop her. “Alright Elaine.” She put a robe in my hands and I just stared at it as if she was crazy. “Oh, let me help you milady” she pulled it out of my hands and attacked it to my dress and to my horror it was fur that was keeping me warm.

“Elaine, is this real fur?” I asked her and she looked like I had lost my mind. “Of course milady, only the best for you and your fiancé.” I shuddered because I was already disgusted by the fact I had to wear this. She saw my expression and the moment I told her that I didn’t want to wear it, she intervened. “It’s a gift from our lord.” Well that shut me up.

“It looks lovely.” I faked smiled at her. I wanted to get rid of it but then I wouldn’t have anything against the cold air. I decided to just go with it. Elaine helped me with my hair before we went downstairs. The minute I walked into the grand hall, I was mesmerized by all the paintings, because some of them I recognized from several Museums. I turned around and spotted Niall, leaning against one of the walls, talking to the most beautiful women I had ever seen. She had dark long hair and she was really slim and had a beautiful dress. I felt jealous that he was talking to her. I mean she was everything I was not. I had curly auburn hair, freckles and I had curves. I sighed and walked towards Elaine who was waiting for me at he door, with a picnic basket, when I heard Niall call my name.

“Winter, wait!” I stopped and turned to see Niall walking towards me with a smile plastered on his face. I couldn’t help but look at the woman who was behind him. “What’s wrong?” I asked him and he pulled me closer towards him. He smiled at me and even kissed me softly on the lips. “I was just wondering where you off to?” he asked curiously and I couldn’t help but smile at him.

“Elaine and I are going for a walk.” He knew what I was going to do in reality but he didn’t say anything about. “Alright, have fun.” He turned around and started walking in the opposite direction, when he suddenly turned back around, it was like he had forgotten something. He grabbed me by my waist and pulled me against him and dipped me towards the ground. “Be careful love.” He whispered against my lips and that was so hot that I couldn’t help but feel aroused by this.

He kissed me passionately and put me up right again before letting go of me. I know I was wearing a goofy smile on my face when I watched him walk away.

Notes