Heaven knows that his brothers in arms allow him to get away with murder. Whether itâs flirting with the fair maid herself or another, or talking his way out of yet another situation in one of his many infamous death-defying featsâThey normally sat back and enjoyed the show, and laughed raucously in the event that he slipped a little and screwed up the whole ordeal.
âŚ.Though I definitely did more than just slip up a little, didnât I? It cost me you and Will.
It was elementary, dear MarianâThe finest of flirtations come from naught but pure honesty. Surely she should know by now that he doesnât lie when he sees a pretty face, and most certainly not when he sees a not so pretty face, and above all: He certainly wouldnât lie about her face of all things, how could he when his opinion at its core got a reaction like that?
The man inwardly pat himself on the back for having the self control not to grin like a Cheshire Cat at the sight, though he fails to fight the corner of his lips twitching once.
âAh, I see youâve come around! I knew you would.â
âIâm actually quite difficult to afford for such grueling services, but of courseâŚ.Iâm always willing to make an exception for you, Fair Maid Marian.â
Closing one eye, his expression somber and serious as the plague itself for all of thirty secondsâThe young noble fails, and he instead smiles mischievously.
âIt will cost you exactly one kiss, my lady. On the lips of course, I canât have you thinking otherwise!â
   It was absentminded but emotionally charged, her thumb lightly stroking him. Everything she could do to re-examine the man before her. The man who held her heart so tenderly within his grasp, who not once had left her to feel alone. There were times they could not be together, times he would be fleeing from the aftermath of his last daring plan, and yet none of those instances caused her to feel lonely.
   Ah, what she wouldnât do for an embrace after all this time.
   That expression of his, the way he so easily carried on as if it were all by his design, it had become difficult for her to hold back her own laughter once more. How often were those who orbited around his charisma drawn to his whims? Though that wasnât a fair assessment, just about everyone who had come to know the man both listened to and countered him.
   âAs always, I am rendered speechless by your kindness.â Playfulness always found a way to her voice with Loxley around, she wondered sometimes if he did it on purpose. If he meant to brighten her mood at all times, though she also knew it was a trait special to him.
   After a momentâs pause the young woman, in which the young woman allowed her eyes to leave her loveâs features and to instead focus on where he hand was placed, placed herself as close to the man as the situation would allow. To further their contact she slid her hand up his chest to his shoulder, the light catching her ring oh so beautifully as she moved. Once again he has managed to sway the conversation, to leave me feeling better for it.
   âHow curious, my handsome thief.â Marian felt a smile play upon her lips as the words left her mouth, unable to hide any and all pieces of happiness brought to her from little to no effort on her spouseâs part, âIt seems the payment and duty are one in the same.â
