Chapter 13 Ecstasy

EMRICK

Two more thrusts and I joined her in ecstasy. My body, shaking from the force of my orgasm. She unwrapped her legs from around my waist and slumped into my arms. I wrapped my arms around her waist to keep her from falling to the floor. Hell, I'm halfway there myself.

I picked her up and carried her back to the bed, where she curled into a ball and went right to sleep. I chuckled as I pulled the covers up and covered her sweet body before I decided to climb in after her and lose myself in her sweet flesh for the rest of the day.

It wouldn’t have mattered to me if she wasn’t a virgin, but the fact that she was will save me the trouble of hunting down any man who’s ever touched her and relieving them of their heads.

With one last look at the bed, I crossed the threshold into my own room. I didn’t bother pushing the wall back into place. There would be no more walls between us.

I dressed with a song in my heart then went in search of Lars and the two intruders. I found him in the courtyard. Sarah was watching him from behind a pillar, interest shining in her eyes. I didn’t quite like it, but then I could not find a better match for her. Lars was a good man and he would treat her right or else. I pushed the thought to the back of my mind and faced the two intruders.

As I approached them, I already knew that they wouldn't be telling me anything, not because they didn't want to but because they couldn't. Their tongues have been cut out. Whether that was self-inflicted or someone else's doing remained to be seen. And how the hell I knew that was a mystery.

“They have not volunteered any information, Laird.” Lars said as I approached him.

“I should think not. Their tongues have been cut out, Lars.”

LARS

Emrick’s statement startled me. I was about to ask how he knew that when I noticed Sarah looking at me from behind one of the pillars in the yard. A warm feeling started in the pit of my stomach and spread outward until it found its way into my heart and firmly planted itself there.

“We're leaving in two days' time. Find someone to preside over the wedding. No later than twilight today.”

Emrick’s request startled me out of my reverie “Why so soon?” I asked distractedly.

“Why wait?” He answered back, shrugging.

EMRICK

I could smell fresh baked bread from the baker’s, several houses away. I could also sense several tribesmen coming back from their early morning hunt, I smelled the wild boars they were carrying. Which surprised me since they were still outside the castle gates. I could tell that as well. I found that I could even sense what some of my people were thinking.

Since the moment I woke up next to Kerrienne, no since I first met her. I could feel the magic in her. Now, I could feel it in myself as well, and for the very first time since I could remember, I was not terrified of it. I embraced it.

“There was word that the Druid Conmael was in the area the day before last.” Lars informed me.

I nodded, instructing him to get things underway. Food, drink, music, and the Druid for the ceremony. I couldn't remember a day when I've ever felt this exhilarated.

KERRIENNE

I awoke slowly, my body aching in weird places, but in a good way. I ached in places that have never ached before. I washed up and bundled up the bedsheets to take to the washing room. I seemed to instinctively know every inch of the keep.

The room was empty and I quickly dunked the sheets in a tub full of other sheets. A matronly woman came in, startling me.

“Milady, is everything alright?”

“Yes, I dropped red wine on my sheets....” I stammered

“Oh, ok well I'll send someone to replace them milady.”

“Thank you. Umh.. ?”

“Glendeis, my lady.”

“Thank you Glendeis.”

I made my way towards the courtyard in search of Emrick, looking around at what would soon become my home. I got glimpses of people's emotions as they rushed to and fro. Spotting Emrick talking to Sarah, I headed in their direction.

As if sensing me, he looked up and fixed me with a heated gaze as a wide smile graced his lips. I shyly returned his smile. He walked towards me and embraced me within full view of everyone. I gently disentangled myself from him, a little self conscious about his public display of affection, Sarah walked over and hugged me.

“I'm so excited. I can't wait. What are you gonna wear?”

“Wear for what?” I stammered, my brain replaying images of our night and morning.

“The wedding? Silly.”

“I'm not sure what I'm going to wear but you can do my hair. What does one wear for a twilight handfasting ceremony?” I asked.

Emrick let out a sigh of relief. I was sure that the entire courtyard could hear. Lars chuckled from beside him. Emrick sent him a withering look that had him clearing his throat and looking at his feet, while I chuckled under my breath.

Then he took my hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. “Let's take a walk.” He said.

He pointed out the various buildings and their uses as he showed me around the keep. The delicious scent of fresh baked bread came wafting towards us from the bakery, along with some other smells I couldn’t quite put a name to.

He took me to the stables, pointed to the horses and said, “Pick one.” I walked over to get a closer look at the horses. They were all magnificent to be sure but none called out to me. I was about to tell him I didn't want any of them, when we heard a cry from outside. Emrick hurried out to see what was going on and I quietly followed after him.

And there she was, bucking against her reins, as a young man quickly got out of her way, holding his left arm awkwardly across his chest.

“Her…” I said as I walked towards the horse.

Her midnight coat shined bright in the sunlight and every time she moved, she seemed to shimmer and I got the impression that she was much bigger than she appeared, an illusion I’m sure. I picked an apple from a barrel and walked slowly but surely towards her. I stopped a little ways from her and held out my hand.

She threw me a suspicious look, making me smile. I took a bite from the apple and held out the rest to her. She came closer and sniffed my hand. Then with one bite, she took the apple from me. I turned to walk away but she nipped my shoulder gently. I turned back to her and picked up the reins.