Blood & Ivy

The start of a journey

After their intimate moment, lost in each other's embrace for just a few moments, they released to continue packing their bags to depart. Josephine was filled with a mixture of anxiety and excitement. She had never had the freedom to travel outside of Virginia, let alone to the land of her ancestors. But the anxiety that slowly chilled her bones warned her of something to come. Or she couldn't admit to herself that she was nervous about what the future held between her and Keeran, especially given their intimate moment. Keeran had been nothing but a gentleman; he came into her life when the last little bit of herself was almost shredded beyond repair, and filled in voids she didn't even think was capable of happening.

When the last of her belongings were packed and she was dressed in a yellow traveling dress, Keeran returned to her room to carry everything for her. The butterflies that fluttered as that knee-weakening smile graced his face as she followed him, excitement radiated from himself as well. “I hope you're a decent rider, we have to travel by horseback unfortunately. I was unable to procure a carriage in such little time,” Keeran explained, dread in his heart that she would now change her plans. To Keeran's surprise, Josephine laughed, “I adore horseback. I rode frequently growing up, one of the few outdoor activities I was allowed to participate. I had to always hide the fact that I refused to ride side saddle though. That is as uncomfortable as sitting on a spiked cushion.” “I don't blame you my dear, my own female relatives refuse to ride side saddled as well,” Keeran joined in her laughter. The air was light, full of promise between the two of them. As they exited, the barman bowed his head towards them both, slight confusion on his features at the sight of Josephine being escorted out by Keeran. She nodded back, with a slight smile upon her rosebud lips, as she knew the rumors that would fly once she officially left with Keeran. The thought actually entertained her; Mistress Mary hated idle conversation but was always in every gossip circle within a day's ride of her estate, and Josephine knew she must already be aware of the news of her monster son, hopefully with the added gossip Josephine has created will cause her to fall with heart failure. Josephine was tickled, but also horrified by her own thoughts. She had never wished ill of anyone, but if there was ever a person who deserved it, it was Mistress Mary.

“Josephine? Love, are you alright?” Keeran's voice rocked her from her thoughts, a concerned look on his gorgeous face. Josephine smiled sweetly, “I'm sorry, darling. Yes I'm quite alright, just lost in my thoughts and excitement of this adventure.” Keeran stared at her for a few more seconds, trying to detect any falsehoods in her voice. Once sated, he asked her again, “Would you like to ride my horse, Jack or the filly I purchased this morning?” “This morning? You went out and purchased a filly? Because of me?” Josephine asked him, surprised and flattered. He just smiled softly at her, he held each pair of reigns in his hands. His horse, Jack was a beautiful Shire horse. He was large and black, with his long white coat flowed majestically around his hooves. The filly beside him was a beautiful, white Morgan horse. She pranced in place, desire to gallop free clearly in each step. Josephine walked toward her, and petted the nose of the white filly. The filly pushed her gently on the stomach, the action confirmed Josephine's thoughts of this filly being ready to go. Josephine giggled lightly, ran her hand through the long mane. “I'll ride the filly. She calls to me,” Josephine told Keeran, delight in her tone. “You have to name her, love,” Keeran cooed as he handed the reigns over. Josephine pondered, until her thought went back to one of her favorite subjects. “Epona, in honor of the Celtic Goddess of Horses,” Josephine decided, as she walked towards the saddle and hauled herself up. She was not debilitated by corsets or extra skirting today in a sense of new found freedom, and was able to situate herself upon Epona's saddle easily. Keeran laughed and stepped up his stirrup, then gracefully swung his leg over Jack's large body. “I think that's perfect, love. The Goddess will love the honor,” his baritone voice filled with approval. The pair laughed, and departed down the path towards the rest of town. Josephine noticed they were headed in the direction she had initially came from. “Are we south of Williamsburg?” she asked Keeran. He hesitated, “..yes. We have to head north, so we will have to travel through it. If it's too much we can detour by 2 days and ride up the coastal towns.” Josephine nodded enthusiastically. “I would love that! It's not that I'm afraid to face that town again, as I'm sure I'm the talk of the town already, but I've never seen the ocean. I would rather my first time not be on a boat. Please, Keeran? If it isn't too inconvenient,” Josephine asked. Keeran smiled at her again; he took in the way her auburn curls bounced with each trot of the horse, a stark contrast to the lush green that surrounded them. The green matched her eyes, and the sun rays glittered and reflected off of them and illuminated her pale skin in a way that made her look ethereal. “We are on no time constraints, love. We will head towards the ocean. Who knows? We may find a ship further down the coast traveling to Scotland,” he said. “Or Ireland,” Josephine reminded him. He laughed jovially, “Aye, or Ireland.”

They galloped down the path, going as fast or slow as they pleased, each time they took the lead from their horses. A few times they stopped to let the horses drink from a stream, or eat some wild fruit that they found. They talked and shared about themselves. Josephine learned Keeran's birthday was in the winter month of January, and she told him hers just passed. She shared her favorite flower are hydrangeas, but she loves the smell of honeysuckle more. He admitted he missed the salty scent of Ireland's coast, and the never-ending fields of wildflowers. Josephine found out he had 2 sisters and 3 brothers, countless cousins and his parents are still alive. They all remained in Ireland, minus one brother who was in Boston. “Why did you not plan on traveling out through Boston? To see your brother?” Josephine questioned while she relaxed into Epona, which allowed the sun to bathe her face. She couldn't see Keeran's face, but from his silence, she could tell there was some tension. “My brother and I have a.. difficult relationship. We have different ideals on how we should live, even though we were both raised the same, with the way I live. But he is more, ambitious, than I, and was disappointed I refused to join his lifestyle,” he explained. “What could be worth more than family?” Josephine puzzled. “That, I cannot say,” Keeran muttered. His behavior became somber, some of the light he had in those beautiful jade eyes darkened. He appeared trapped in his thoughts, much as she was that morning. She grabbed his hand understandingly, and hoped to provide some comfort. He smiled slightly at her, appreciative of her sweetness. “Keeran, please, as someone who is going to travel across the ocean to find a semblance of family after a lifetime of loneliness, don't let something trivial tear apart the relationship with your brother. I would give anything just to be able to have someone to call a brother,” Josephine pleaded, hoping her words would mean something. “I never thought something like having siblings would be such a blessing, but here you stand showing me that I take my family for granted,” Keeran said with a small shake of his head. “I will write to my brother once we arrive in the next town and seek to make amends.” He squeezed her hand that still rested in his gently, and brought it to his lips.

After a few more moments of riding, they came along a small meadow with 

After a few more moments of riding, they came along a small meadow with an abundance of wildflowers. Josephine got off her horse excitedly, and walked to pick some flowers, the beautiful aroma of the area tempted her more than she could resist. Keeran chuckled quietly at her; a beautiful innocence she radiated warmed him in a way he never thought he would feel again. “Keeran?” Josephine's soft voice traveled across the meadow, her back turned to him as she picked different flowers. “Mmm?” he hummed back. “Keeran, will my ignorance bother you?” Josephine asked, her words uttered slowly with a slight fear.

“Whatever do you mean?”

“Keeran, I have been raised to be ignorant to how the world is, reading only certain books and behaving certain ways. I was never allowed to ask impertinent questions or for explanations. I have learned only enough to interact in conversation I'm allowed to be in, so as to not be mute but still be subservient. I don't want my ignorance to test your patience to where you no longer desire me to accompany you..”

Josephine blushed, keeping her back turned towards Keeran. She had let a few tears slip out, silently they traveled down her face. She was certain her ignorance to the world would be a burden on Keeran, her youth and innocence would soon become taxing. She stood and turned when Keeran didn't respond, and a gasp escaped her lips as she came face to face with him. She never even heard him get off his horse. The bright green eyes of Keeran looked into her emerald green ones, her hand almost dropped the flowers she collected. Keeran's large hand enclosed her own, the other went to her cheek, his thumb wiped away the tears still on her face.

“My dear Josephine, your innocence is a beautiful thing. Something that has been lost from my life for a long time. Never feel yourself to be less than, and I am completely mesmerized by you,” Keeran whispered into the air between them, so close his warm breath fanned her face. Josephine's heart raced at the closeness, her knees trembled as he slid his hand from her cheek to her neck. Keeran's eyes flashed from her own eyes to her lips, indecision in his jade orbs. Josephine's face flushed with warmth, while the thoughts of his lips pressed against hers ran in her head. It wasn't proper, but the thoughts pressed to the front of her mind, heavy with desire. As if that was what Keeran waited on, his eyes looked into hers again before his lips pressed softly against hers, his hand upon her neck pulled her closer. Her hands, which still held her flowers, wrapped around Keeran's sturdy frame, and she felt the muscles beneath his clothing. His hand which held her bouquet of flowers, wrapped around her waist, gently encircling her. Keeran's lips were cool and soft, like silk in the fall. His breath like the sweet tobacco smoke from his pipe, and his tongue brushed her lips gently, which softly begged to enter her mouth. His cool hand upon her neck was like heaven, as the heat of the day shined down on them. Her heart fluttered as her first, consensual kiss was an escape she didn't know existed. His lips moved eloquently against hers, guiding them where they needed to go, as his tongue swirled against hers. He was a perfect teacher, patient and tender. Keeran took ques from Josephine, she felt as if he could read her mind. His cool hand upon her neck felt like heaven against the heat rising in her. Desire flooded Josephine's body, heat radiated from her chest down towards her thighs. She wished to feel his hands all over over, and a slight moan escaped her lips. Keeran hesitated slightly, an internal war going on with the desire to deepen the kiss, or just allow the sweet exchange to remain as it is.

After just a few sweet moments that felt like an eternity that Josphine wished would never end, Keeran's lips separated from hers. As Josephine looked into his eyes again, she swore they were glowing. But just as quick as she thought it, Keeran placed another soft kiss upon her forehead, which lingered for just a moment. When he looked at her again, the glow was gone. Josephine was hot, not just from the June sun but the reality of their intimate exchange. Keeran smiled softly, his thumb stroked her now flushed cheeks, “Please don't ever doubt yourself, or my feelings towards you again, love.” His voice was quiet and husky. Josephine simply nodded, words unable to form in the chaos of her mind. Keeran chuckled slightly, and grabbed her flower free hand as he lead her towards the horses, “Let us continue our journey.”