Ashkell's throat tightened at her whimper and his fingers twitched, touching more of her skin. Why did she have to whimper? He wanted her to stop. If she continued, he would have to make it clear to her that he didn't appreciate what she was doing and that she needed to stop. He wouldn't enjoy the conversation, because he knew how awkward things would be and how it might backfire and she work even more to have him.
Then, suddenly, she was tugging away from him, ripping herself free of the briars. When Ashkell spotted the sudden amount of skin that was exposed he whipped his head away, his face hotter than it had been yet. He kept his face away until he heard her apology. Then he looked after her, feeling miserable. He knew none of it had been his fault, but still, his attempt to repay her after what he had done had turned into a complete disaster. Her dress would need much sewing and possibly wouldn't be able to wear again. He hoped that wasn't the case.
Then he realized... She had been running toward...
With a cry he began to sprint after her. He had to find her before...!
((I'm just going to make it Birchem because I had already planned for them to meet in awkwardness. I'm thinking he'll be the ticket into getting Bianca to the castle.))
Birchem swore as the buck managed to escape his arrow and sprint away into the woods. What had made it trip anyway? Birchem moved his horse forward, then his eyesbrows shot into his messy hair and a cheeky grin appeared on his face.
He slid off his horse and walked over to the girl, taking in her beauty and torn dress slowly and with leisure. His smile grew. He crouched and brushed the back of his hand gently across her cheek. She inhaled and he nodded to himself. Good, she was still alive. Just unconscious.
He preferred her alive. Alive she could respond to his touch. His hand skimmed over his form appreciatively. Very nice.
He was just about to lift her into his arms when Ashkell burst from the trees, looking flustered and angry. His eyes went from the girl to Birchem beside her, then to Birchem's hand on her chest. His eyes grew furious.
"Keep your hands off her," he growled.
Birchem snorted. "What about Lilian? You seem to have forgotten her fairly quickly." He looked back down at the girl and flipped a flap of material over to reveal milky skin. He brushed his fingers over it. "What were you doing to this poor girl, anyway? It isn't like you to rip a girl's clothes off. That's more my thing." He smirked at his brother.
Ashkell strode forward and knocked Birchem's hand away. He quickly flipped the flap closed again and glared at his twin. "She got caught in some briars," he rumbled.
"Then why was she running?"
Ashkell sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Look, Birchem, there was a misunderstanding. She became distressed and tore herself the rest of the way free. Then she ran."
"And you followed her? Seems like you had something other than your fiance to think about."
Ashkell jerked his brother forward and spat in his face, "Look here, Birchem. You have no idea what happened and I would appreciate it if you didn't immediately condemn me for something terrible."
Birchem forced Ashkell's hand free from his collar. "Something terrible? What did you think I was thinking about when you busted through those bushes?"
"You were implying that I was forcing myself on her. I wouldn't ever. You know that."
Birchem waved his hand in the air. "Yeah, yeah. I know. Master Amazing Crown Prince Who Never Does Anything Fun."
Ashkell's eyes blazed. "Forcing yourself on a girl is not fun, Birchem. I know you seem to think you can do it every day without any consequences, but it's wrong."
Birchem falsely yawned. "I've heard it before, Ash. And for your information, I don't force myself on a girl very often. And besides, she always accepts it in the end! I have magic fingers." He twiddled his fingers in between their faces.
Ashkell made a sound of utmost disgust and shoved Birchem backward. Birchem didn't fall, but instead managed to stand. He set his hands on his hips and watched Ashkell carefully lift Bianca into his arms, making excellent efforts to not make contact with any of her skin. Birchem rolled his eyes, then cried out when Ashkell walked to his horse and put the girl on his horse and mounted his horse.
"Hey! You can't have my horse!"
"I'm taking her back to the castle. The hunt is over. You can walk."
Birchem cursed at his brother as his horse turned and sprang away through the trees. He began to walk after Ashkell. It didn't take long before he found the others of the hunting party. The buck had doubled back. Birchem took one of the fellow riders' horses and raced after Ashkell and the girl that was soon to be his.