Author's Note- Yes, I am still alive, and, yes, I still do love Robin Hood. After a long sojourn into real life, I suddenly found inspiration to take up the quill for another chapter of Robin Hood. As awkward as it was to return, I hope you enjoy the short chapter I was able to produce. And, given the ending, there will be more :)
I take you to Canterbury Cathedral...
The solemn chant of Latin prayers floated from somewhere unseen. The gentle rise and fall of the music fascinated Marian, her ever-vigilant eyes darting around the cathedral's stonewalled nave. She craned her neck back, her breath loudly catching in awe. Massive stone columns seemed to reach endlessly into the candlelit heavens, and toweringly vaulted ceilings arched impossibly high above her. Even during the broad daylight, sun barely pierced through the windows, shedding a splatter of colored light across the floor before her. Marian pushed her way through the dense crowd of pilgrims and nobles towards the closest wall. She slowed her walk down the aisle, smiling at the stained glass window. The light-flooded, shining face of the Madonna and Child permanently smiled a blessing in return.
Sensing someone behind, Marian turned slowly around, unable to keep herself from admiring every stoic inch of the cathedral. Taking a deep breath of sweet, incense-laden air, she sighed to the vague presence behind her. "It's so beautiful."
"It's only a church, Marian," a low voice grumbled, and a thick hand encircled her wrist, gently but firm. The muscles of Guy's hand clenched, intending to sweep her behind him through the crowd of gathering nobles. All his attention should be focused on their lies, on their crafted, fictitious plot to dupe the Archbishop. In a matter of moments, the ceremony would begin, and all he would have to do is utter a few more lies to get the one thousand pounds for the Sheriff. But, his thoughts were never so clear with Marian before him; that pale yellow dress clinging to the curves of her form forced a shudder through his masculine frame. Memories of the last time he stood in a church scratched their way to the surface of his mind, images of Locksley, of celebration, and of marriage.
Guy sniffed, not even attempting to hide the bitter scowl from his chiseled face. "Just remain silent and smile, my dear, and you may at last prove your loyalty to the Sheriff and to me." She scowled in return at his coercion, struggling against his grip about her wrist. Guy's sneer broadened. "And unlike the last time we stood together in a church, Marian, there is no where for you to run from me."
For an instant, Guy thought he witnessed a flicker of guilt in her bright green eyes. Marian inhaled deeply, her shoulders drawing back, her face lifting towards his smoldering stare, as if she prepared to reply.
A reply he was sure he would not like to hear.
Guy shook his head, tightened his grip around her arm, and began dragging her back through the heavy wooden doors of the atrium. Ignoring the judgmental glances of other nobles with their daughters, he pulled her along the corridor and into a secluded corner of the nave. He let go her hand, allowing her to steady against the nearest column. Indignation and bewilderment shone from her face despite the deep shadows all around them. "What was the point of all this, Guy?" her clear, controlled voice demanded.
The intensity of the passion that hid subtly in her gaze startled him as it always had before. "I... I don't really know," he mumbled, daring to close the distance between them. His words dried up on his tongue, and he wet his lips. All that remained was a heat in his core and a swirl of desires. With no more thoughts, his feet stopped before her, but his mouth continued to travel.
Until his lips pressed against the smooth flesh of her own.