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So many unsolved mysteries are all found in this cave. Bernadette thought to herself. She peeked into the unlit cave with great curiosity. She sensed it all the down at the village, that powerful sense of long forgotten artifacts.
Bernadette slowly made her way into the cave. She could feel that sense of wanted release. Her fingers trailed along the edge of the cave in peer wonderment.
Koza, she knew it instantly. Koza is an ancient society who whose government was based upon all art techniques. Most people made pots for a living and sold them to get money. Those pots are now worth over millions of pounds. Most men who served the king studied the martial art of Koza.
The martial arts of Koza were based upon quick movements and the hitting of pressure points repeatedly until the opponent falls down in agony. Some die, others are either knocked out or end up paralyzed. It is quite affective actually and has been made out to be the most effective way of fighting.
Koza is also known for its role in supernatural forces. Some people were born with strange gifts, such as sensing things, seeing auras, hearing things that are so far away even the keenest animal would have trouble hearing. Pretty much anything that deals with enhancing your normal senses.
Bernadette did a small circle, looking around the small one room cave, which is most unusual. When these caverns were used more than one room was built for storage, or to confuse enemies.
Bernadette froze, her body tensed, she sensed another presence in the cavern behind her.
It came towards her, slowly, but with large steps. It was most defiantly a man, a very large man who had some Koza ability. He was behind her now; she swung her arm quickly but not quickly enough. He caught her small wrist in his large hand, inches from his nose.
“I don’t think that is wise Bernadette. “A familiar voice said. It was rich and velvety smooth, and all too familiar.
“What are you doing here Lord Alister. “Bernadette said through gritted teeth. “And would you so kindly release my wrist. “
“Now why would I do that it is so pretty” Lord Alister grinned.
“Oh” She pulled her wrist free of his hand. Bernadette stepped back and studied him. He wore no coat, but his long sleeve undershirt, opened at the top.
He was still as handsome has ever, and still attracted to him, though she won’t admit it.
“Why are you up here Lord Alister” She stared at him in confusion. His eyes a sparkling green with specks of gold. His face tanned from all the time spent out in the sun. Muscular from his time spent in the war. His hair was dark brown close to black. He was all out extremely attractive, to almost every female out there. He could have anyone but he chose to bother her, which is just my luck she thought.
“If you must know, I saw you come up here and saw some men wondering up here after you and wanted to make sure you were safe.”
He was serious Bernadette thought. Alister actually cared about her safety.
Outside the sky started to grow dark. Thunder rumbled quietly in the distance. Neither one paid any attention.
“So, why is with all of the kindness all of a sudden. “Bernadette looked up into his green eyes. Which was a mistake, they looked back down at her with much intensity it took her by surprise.
Thunder rumbled outside, this time louder making Bernadette jump into Alister’s hard chest.
Alister instinctively wrapped his arms around her petite body holding her close. She shivered slightly.
“Are you cold?” Alister asked and she quickly nodded her head
Alister held her closer, hoping to give off some of his body heat. She shivered again.
“You should not have come up here without a wrap.” Lord Alister growled.
“It did not look like it was going to rain, and it was warm out. I did not think I need one. And besides it is not yet raining out I should be able to go down to the village before it does.”
Outside the rain starts to splatter the walls of the cave.
“No I don’t think you will.” Alister picked her up carefully and headed over to the back of the cave. He set her back on her feet then sat down on the hard floor. “I don’t think so. “He sat down and pulled her onto his lap. “If we are going to be stuck in here we may as well be warm.”
Bernadette rested her head in the crook of her arm.
“You are relaxed.” Alister said between a yawn.
“Mmmmm” She gave a half smile.
Lord Alister sat there, thinking to himself. How had this ever happened? From what he knew, she hated his guts. She hated him for the past four years since the night at the yearly masquerade at Lord and lady Giardinelli.
He could remember it clearly. She was the jewel of the ball, dressed in a low cut gown that showed just the right amount of cleavage that left a man take a double look. Her hair was part of the way up; you could never get that much naturally curly hair up all at once. She had bright blonde hair that blinded the average eye. It was so light, but here and there you had steaks of darker blonde coloring, her eyes a vivid crystal blue. She held a smile that entranced many young men, some older.
She was slender, with a large bosom; no help needed for the low cut dress; her hair was at least down to her butt. It was so long, gorgeously long. No wonder she attracted him in one glance.
He followed her out into the gardens. He overheard her tell her aunt that she was hot and wanted to take a walk in the gardens. Her aunt did not want to go though she begged her, but her aunt only cared about herself and dismissed her to go into the gardens alone.
I followed her, curious. She stopped at the fountain found in the middle of the garden. The moonlight made her glow. She was like an angel lost from heaven, trying to find her way again. She looked up at the moon and closed her eyes. I moved behind her and wrapped my arms around her. It startled her, she stiffened.
Many times that night I told myself, why did I do it, how could I have been so stupid. I came so close to seducing her that it scared even me. I never felt that strong of attraction to anyone before in all my life. Why it even happened is beyond me. But I was so stupid. I never even proposed to her like I should of. She was so kind and pretty. But I plan on making it up to her. She will be my wife.


Bernadette fell asleep on James Alister’s shoulder, while sitting in his lap. And woke about an hour later, stiff form sitting on the floor. James was still here, looking out at the night. It was still raining, harder now than before the wind was stronger and thunder and lightning was bright. It frightened Bernadette. She stiffened again. Alister faced her, concern in his eyes. Bernadette closed hers.
Bernadette gave another violent shudder. She was cold. Incredibly so.
“I am trying to keep you warm. You are so much smaller then I am. I thought my large body would cover you. “He squeezed her gently. “I also thought that you hated me. “
“I don’t hate you, I ….Just …..Did not like…..What you did….or tried to do to me…Bernadette said through chattering teeth.
“So you forgive me.”
“Only …if you …don’t take advantage …of the… time we have…. Alone… right now.”
Well there went that idea. He thought to himself. He wanted to kiss those perfect pink, lushes lips. But he would fallow her wishes. So instead he moved his hand up and down her back. Trying to comfort her. He could not decide if it was the storm that bothered her or if she was cold. Maybe it was a little of both.
Thunder roared through the night sky. Bernadette held her breath. It was most definitely the storm.
“It does not look like the storm is going to let up. We should probably be better off if we had a little bit of sleep. “
James shifted Bernadette over on to her side so she was facing the cave wall. James cradled her against him.
“Now lay down” he demanded. She did as she was told shivering the entire time. “Now sleep. You will need it. “And she did in about two minutes.

Bernadette woke and found herself wrapped up in her bed with multiple blankets around her. She turned to her side and saw James. He was asleep in the chair beside her. His face pale and there was a hint of some dark circles under his eyes, like he had not slept in a few days.
“James” She whispered almost too soft to hear. James stirred and opened his eyes.
“Bernadette!” He was shocked. He bent down at her bedside, grabbed her hand and kissed it. She stiffened. She hates it when men get close like this. She hated it since the night he tried to seduce her in the garden. She never did trust men after that. She always thought that they were after her beauty, her body and money. She is one of the wealthiest heiresses in the ton.
“What are you doing in my room?” Her voice was weak and almost inaudible.
“Bernadette…You have been ill…for several days in fact. This would be day four. You never woke up from the time in the cave. My body could not keep us both warm. And you started to freeze to death. I even took off my shirt and wrapped it around you and then held you trying to keep you warm but it was still not enough. We did not know If you would wake up or not. Your fever broke two nights ago but you still had the chills they wanted me to stay so that I could watch you for any sign of improvement. “He smiled meekly
Bernadette just stared at him, confused, wondering what he was going on about. She said in a weak voice “What are you talking about.”
“ You are were sick.” He repeated.
“Are you sure, that sounds absolutely ridiculous” She sat up slowly with the help of James’ arms. She was dizzy. “Okay maybe not as ridiculous as I though. “
James held her hand and patted it. He kissed the tips of her fingers, then the palm of her hand.
“ Lord Alister it would be great if you quit it.” Bernadette smiled sweetly.
“Well why would I do that. You taste amazing. ‘ He smiled back.
Bernadette tried to free her hand but Lord Alister’s grip was much stronger.
“Lord Alister please”
Lord Alister suddenly let go. Bernadette’s face showed signs of panic.
“I am so sorry I don’t know what happened.” Lord Alister apologized. “ I should be going to get the doctor. He wanted to know when you awoke. He wants to make sure you are all right.
James got up and headed towards the door. He looked over his shoulder at Bernadette. She looked so pale and fragile as if he touched her she break into a million pieces. He shuddered at the thought. He wont lose her. Even if it is the last thing he would do.

A week later Bernadette sat in her parlor, an afghan covered her lap, and Purty sat at her feet.
Purty was her 5 year old Black English cocker spaniel. She was the runt of the litter and the owner was going to put her down. Not if Bernadette had anything to say about that. She took the dog in under her care and now she has the worlds best watch dog.

Lord Alister has not been here since the time when she woke up. He sent her a bouquet of flowers that read get well soon. But he never actually stopped by. She did not know if she was glad or disappointed.

A knock sounded at the door. She looked away from the window.
“Come in”
Mrs. Albert peeped into the room. “You have a visitor ma’am. “
“Please show him in.” Bernadette smiled to her house keeper then turned toward her window. She never heard him enter.
“Hmmm” a voice said behind her.
Bernadette turned. James stood in the doorway, looking as handsome as ever in black polished Hessians. A blue overcoat fit his shoulders put tampered at his narrow waist. He had a light blue vest on under his darker blue overcoat. His neck cloth was tied in the most difficult of styles. His green eyes were bright as ever. He had a piece of his deep chocolate hair fell in front of his left eye. And he was out of breath.
“Sir would you like to sit down to catch your breath.”
“Yes…thank you.” Lord Alister sat down in the chair opposite of Bernadette. He looked really worn out. His breeches were had mud on them and were slightly wrinkled. She looked closer and saw tiny splatters of mud on his dark over coat.
“What happened to you my lord?” Bernadette reached over to the side table and poured Lord Alister a cup of tea. She handed him the cup.
“Thank you.” He reached for the cup and sipped it gently. “ There is a problem that I think you should like to know about.” He continued to sip the tea.
“And that would be…”
“ That the cave that we were in about two weeks ago, a body was found there dead. I identified him as one of the men that I saw fallow you up the mountain. But what I don’t know is what you were doing up in the cave in the first place.” Lord Alister’s voice suddenly grew louder.
“ Well you don’t need to yell at me for being up in the cave. “
“Sorry I was just worried that was all.” his face softened. “ But could you tell me what you were doing up in the cave.”
Bernadette tilted her head to the side. “ Why do you want to know.” She was curious.
“Because you have a Koza power but I don’t know what it is. I can usually tell if someone as an ability and what that ability is but for some reason I could only tell if you had one. But I cant figure out what it is.” He stood up. He was truly frustrated. James paced the length of the parlor.