Dear everyone,

I’ve written a second part to the William and Raven outtake I wrote for Trilogia Gabriel. You can read the first part here. The second part (in English) is below and was penned for a chat with O Inferno De Gabriel (Brasil) Facebook group. You can read the Spanish translation here, thanks to Noches en Florencia. You can read the Portuguese translation here, thanks to Andarta of Noites em Florença. 

 

Raven kissed the frown that had overtaken his mouth. 

“Thank you for seeing me.” She pressed her lips to his once again.

William brought his arms around her and pulled her to his chest. His lips sought hers and he began to explore her mouth hungrily.

His fingers sought the ribbon she’d used to tie back her hair and he tugged it loose, allowing her long, dark tresses to spill over her shoulders. He continued kissing her, stroking her hair from root to tip.

“William,” she murmured, when his lips dropped to her neck, fluttering over her skin until they came to rest below her left ear.

“I ache for you.” His words were a whisper, but heavy with meaning. He pressed his hips against hers.

“I don’t have anything to give you.” She pressed her hand to his cheek, staring deeply into his eyes.

“You are all I have ever wanted.”

“There must be something.” She searched his eyes. “Something I can do for you?”

He gave her a wolfish grin, his gray eyes twinkling.

“Your wish is my command.” She slid her hands down his front, moving toward his belt.

“Wait.” He touched her hair, winding a lock around his finger. He gazed at it thoughtfully. “In my time, lovers exchanged tokens. A lady would offer her beloved a handkerchief or a lock of hair.” His gray eyes moved to hers.

Raven unwrapped his finger. “I give this gladly.”

William crossed over to an ornate dressing table and opened a drawer. He removed a box and lifted the lid, sifting through the contents. At length he returned to Raven’s side.

In his hand he held a small, round brooch made of gold. “I acquired this during the Renaissance.”

“It’s beautiful.” Raven examined it, marvelling at the carvings on the brooch’s face, which depicted the city of Florence.

William placed his thumb against the edge of the brooch and pressed. The top of the brooch opened to reveal a small, empty space.

“With your permission … “ He gestured to the lock of hair she was holding.

She looked around. “I don’t have scissors.”

William feigned distress. “That’s a pity. We need something sharp.”

Absentmindedly, he touched one of his canine teeth. “This may be sharp enough.”

She grinned. “If you think so.”

“I know so. But I’ll be gentle, Cassita.” He took the lock of hair, measuring a couple of inches from the end. He lifted the hair to his teeth and in one quick, motion, passed the lock against his canine.

The hair separated easily.

“Could you plait it? It will fit more easily.” He handed Raven the lock of her hair and watched as she deftly braided it.

“It’s in want of a ribbon.” He gestured to a yellow bow that was affixed to the top of her sundress.

She undid the bow and severed the ribbon from the dress. She tied the ribbon around the end of the braid.

“Thank you.” William smiled as he fitted the braid into the brooch, looping it in a series of concentric circles. He closed the lid and fastened the brooch to his lapel.

“Now we each have something of the other with us always.” He took Raven’s hand, thumbing the green stone of her ring.

She lifted up to kiss him, sliding her hand to the back of his head.

He suffered her kiss for a moment, then with a growl, lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed…

Fin.

 

Thank you for reading and thank you for your support of The Florentine Series and especially its first volume, The Raven.

All the best,

SR

www.sylvainreynard.com