Not Tonight
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Dana, Eimi
Date Posted: 3rd April 2007
Characters: B'ram, Traelyn
Description: B'ram rejects Traelyn's advances
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 3, day 1 of Turn 4
Traelyn had expected the glows to be turned down--like usual--and had to pause in the doorway to his weyr for a long moment, blinking against the light. Shards, it was brighter in here than in the corridor! Then her wince turned into a curious frown as she slid the soft slippers off of her feet. What was he doing?
Her bare feet whispered across the floor as she approached the sofa, telling herself that she had no reason to be irritated. He'd turn down the glows soon enough. They both hated the light--it was too harsh, too honest. He knew that. He knew it too well. Leaning against the back of the couch, a pale brow rose as she saw what he was doing. Oiling riding straps? At this time of the night? Wasn't he aware of the sharding time?
And hadn't he heard her come in?
Traelyn stood very still, fighting her irritation, not touching him, waiting for him to turn around.
B'ram took a deep breath. He had been very aware of when she had walked through the door. In fact, he felt his resolve waver with the draft. He didn't want to turn around. He didn't want to face her. If he did...well, he just might make another mistake. And shard it, he was through with this game. Maybe they could fool around every once in a while, he had conceded, but he would no longer be at her beck and call. His life would no longer revolve around these nights spent together! He was his own man again, and she could not take that from him again!
"Not tonight, Trae," he finally said, surprised and pleased at just how bored he had made the words sound. There, he had done it! For once, he actually was turning her away! She would just have to deal with the fact that he was not her toy to be played with anymore.
He couldn't be serious. She snorted, shifting to breathe against his ear, one hand sliding down his arm, "Playing hard to get doesn't suit you, B'ram."
The brownrider closed his eyes, both reveling and loathing her touch. It took a bit of strength to shift away from her lips. He knew exactly what they could do. That was the problem. His body knew all too well. "You heard me. I said not tonight."
She frowned down on his red head, her irritation rising another notch. Moving around to perch on the edge of the sofa's arm, she stared at him, trying to read his sharding stoic expression. "Aren't you going to give me a reason?" Her quiet voice held a dangerous edge to it.
"Do I _need_ to?" he asked calmly as he paid extra attention to a small spot he was sure was nicely oiled already, but he was not going to look at her. It would just make things that much harder. "I just don't feel like it tonight. That's all the reason you need."
"You're a liar." Her voice was just as calm as his. "You wouldn't be waiting here for me if you didn't 'feel like it.' You could've had Girifith bespeak Nyith. Or you could've slipped out of this weyr for the night and into another woman's bed. But you didn't, and now I'm here." She leaned forward, bracing her hands on her thighs, robe parting to reveal a smooth, tawny leg. "Or are you trying to test yourself?" Her tone was mocking him now. "See how long you can resist this warped temptation we've trapped ourselves in, hmm?"
Shards, she hit it right on the head. It made him wince inside, but he steeled his resolve as he turned finally to look up at her. He had to fight the urge to look down at that leg, or to run a finger along that soft skin. "Maybe I'm testing _you_. Do you even realize just how desperate you are for me? Any other girl would get the hint and find someone else. You could too. Easily. But no. You're still here, trying to wheedle your way into _my_ bed because you know you _need_ me. No other man can make you feel the way I do and you know it. You hate yourself for knowing just how bad you need me to make you feel good again."
"Don't you _dare_ twist this!" she snarled, wounded by the sharding truth of his words. But she'd be damned if she let him see just how much it hurt. Instead, she let loose her straining temper. "You need me just as much. Your sharding arrogance may not let you admit it to me, but your eyes say it all. The change in your breathing. The pulse thudding at the side of your neck. The way you're trying not to look at me...touch me." She slid off the arm to the cushion, dark eyes burning with anger. "I _know_ you, B'ram. Better than any woman here. And I know you need me too. So why fight it?"
Now B'ram was just angry. He was right to try to purge this poison from his soul. Looking at her like that, desperate, tragically twisted... To think he had actually _enjoyed_ feeling that way with her once. His look was no longer timid or confused. It was cold and disgusted. "I'm trying not to touch you because the very thought of it makes me sick. I don't want you, Traelyn. I don't _need_ you. Not anymore."
She couldn't breathe. It felt like something cold was tearing into her chest, gripping her heart. It was painful, nearly unbearable. But then, rejection always was. **So this is it,** she thought, lifting her chin and standing, her smooth, haughty movements at odds with the whirlwind of emotions thundering inside of her. "Then I won't subject you to my sickening presence any longer." Her movements were slow and purposeful as she walked towards the door--she would not run from him with her tail between her legs. She wouldn't give him that satisfaction. "Goodbye, B'ram."
Last updated on the April 3rd 2007