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@Moonie !
THread takes place after this one: http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=17975.msg211086#msg211086
The town was small, but it was perfect- some place forgettable, but would make history all the same. It seemed news hadn't spread as Blaith's army rolled in to the small town of Blackwells at the boarder of Ahjfeld and Bellkrath. It was just like any other army to this place, and they felt it was their duty to bring in and tend to the soldiers. Though it was uncertain how long the army would make camp, it was hard to get any answers from Blaith as he made his way to the only church in the town,which sat on the hill over looking the village.
He could see from its windows how the snow blanketed everything, and it sparkled subtly in the early morning light. It was a strange site, to see peace, and slowly he turned around to peer up at the church's spire. Then he moved, grabbing the large handle and pushed the church open-
And was surprised to find candles were still lit inside.
His boot steps echoed as he moved down between the pews, pausing just before the pulpit when the voice of a priest cut through the silence.
"Welcome my child of Angsar. What brings you to the cathedral of Blackwells?" the priest asked, humble and old.
Blaith stared at him for a good long while, and after a moment, decided he must not know the man, or the man knew him- except this attire surely gave him away as the priest bowed respectfully.
"A Duke of Angsar's land is always welcome here. Feel free to come to me if you wish to pray, or need any other comforts of our Lord."
Blaith remained quiet, and as the priest turned to leave he called over to him,
"Wait."
His voice echoed, gruff as it was, and the priest obeyed and slowly turned around.
"Yes, my son?"
Blaith stared at the man for a good long while before asking, "I need you to perform a ceremony."
The priest, intrigued, thought it over before nodding.
"We could easily assemble a mass funeral-"
"Not that kind of ceremony," Blaith cut in.
"Then...?"
Blaith turned fully to the priest.
"A wedding."
Life had certainly taken an interesting turn for the unexpected a month ago, or was it longer? Lillian found it hard to keep a truly accurate schedule of the time passing since Blaith's conquest of the fort and mage camps.
She almost never left Blaith's side. Not that the White Lily wanted to. Not only was at the Duke of Turgall's side the safest place for her to be, it was where she wanted to be. It was almost surreal to think that she was her father's daughter. Things had changed. She had changed.
Vows had been broken, innocence had been lost.
Blaith hadn't taken her with him up to the church, but when she followed him a short time later no one dared to try to stop her. She had been his prisoner at first, but those closest to Blaith knew that she was far more than that. Even the lower ranking men and women whispered rumors of her relationship with their Duke.
Not so long ago such rumors would have mortified her. Lillian was the daughter of a duke herself. Not just any duke. Micah Coleridge. Just the rumors of her sleeping with Blaith were scandalous. That they were true would be viewed as far worse.
Noble women, and Knights of the White Lily, did not engage in intimate relationships outside of marriage. Lillian was both those things, but could not bring herself to care that she had "dishonored" herself and her family. Mostly. She never wanted to shame her family. She loved them dearly.
But she loved Blaith even more.
Lily slipped into the church a few minutes after Blaith, remaining quietly in the back and trying not to be noticed. Which seemed to work, as she wasn't acknowledged by either her lover or the priest.
Although when Blaith said he needed the priest to perform a wedding, well, Lillian couldn't stop the soft gasp that came from her lips involuntarily.
Both man and priest turned, and at first, Blaith's gaze was sharp. That was until....
"Lily.."
The words came out barely in a whisper. And at first he was cemented in place, uncertain how to react. But then came his easy grin, and a blush. He gestured with one hand towards her.
"It's a wedding for two people in love. For a man to take a woman as his wife."
He kept his hand out, inviting- open, for her to take.
"Because I want her. And I'd conquer hell to get it."
For a moment Lillian couldn't do more than freeze and stare at the both of them with wide, innocent eyes. Her expression was akin to perhaps a child that had been caught with their fingers in the candy dish.
Especially given that her lover's initial expression was hardly friendly. Blaith could send a chill through her at times. Better than most, she knew just how dangerous of a man he really was.
However his smile and the way he said her name melted any chill that griped the White Lily.
Yes, her lover was quite a dangerous man, but not to her. Never to her. Not only could his magic power not touch her, but there was no doubt in her young, smitten heart that he loved her.
Without further hesitation, she moved to his side, fingers curling around his inviting hand with a blush as she looked up at his face with a shy smile. They had spoken of marriage before. Lillian had known that there was an intention for him to marry her. After a month though, she'd begun to think he'd simply abandoned such a notion given the circumstances of marching an army across the kingdom.
"I was starting to worry you'd never find the time in your busy war schedule to make a wife of me." She teased him softly. There been a little gnawing worry in her gut for a several days, but the relief of this imminent marriage was immense. Blaith might be making an "honest" woman of her.
"What?" His laugh was airy, and echoed through the church. He pulled her close, dance like, and kept her beside him. Her warmth was nice, her smell- soothing. "Not find the time?" He stared down at her, admiring her face, her beauty, her blush. Then he leaned forward, as if to steal a kiss. Instead, he stole her gaze, hoping to steal her breath away, without.
"You should know I'd do anything for you," he murmured. His eyes danced. "What do you say?"
And his eyes said it all.
"Will you marry me?"
Lillian's breath hitched as Blaith leaned in, but the anticipated kiss didn't come. Instead she found herself mesmerized by his beautiful blue eyes. He was a handsome man, but she thought that his eyes were perhaps his best feature - quite a feat since he had so many very appealing physical features.
Even knowing that he had just asked the priest to perform a wedding. Even knowing that Blaith had intended to marry her from the first night they'd made love. Hearing him propose still hit her quite hard.
"God yes." Jade eyes shimmered softly with unshed tears as Lillian's heart swelled to bursting with emotion. She threw her arms around him and half-laughed, though there was a soft waver to the sound as she fought off tears of happiness.
Nobody was going to deny her what she wanted this time.
He wasted no time in capturing her into his arms and diving into a soul passioned kiss. It was a moment that lasted,but when it was over, he barely croaked out, "more specifically... Would you marry me today?" he asked, grin boyish.
The kiss was returned with equal passion, Lillian was truly swimming in a sea of bliss. When the kiss ended she was left a little breathless as she laughed softly. "I'd marry you right now if we could manage it."
His eyes twinkled.
"Then let's do it."
Lillian had butterflies in her stomach and she couldn't stop smiling. This wasn't going to look at all like a historic wedding, but it was definitely more important a moment than it might appear on the surface.
Thinking of that she blinked and frowned down at herself for a moment. She was still dressed in basically farmer's clothing that they could find. Anything to keep her warm and covered modestly on short notice. It wasn't as if she had a trunk full of fine clothing, or that they could drag it along if she did!
The White Lily didn't bemoan that lack of a white gown, but she wished that she had that beautiful green dress that Blaith had purchased her what seemed ages ago now. "I must look the oddest bride ever on her wedding day, and I really don't look like a Duchess, but yeah, let's do this. We've always done everything a bit unconventional."
Bright smile returning she gave him a soft kiss before turning to the priest. "Do we need anything else? Witnesses? If so, I'm sure there are men just outside that followed me up here. Fetch them and begin."
Blaith eyed her up.
"You don't think you look like a Duchess?" An arm went around her as he pulled her close. He kissed her, not allowing her to escape before breathing the words, "We're not even married and you're already worried about your status." Naturally, he teased her but didn't let her respond right away as he dove into another long and heated kiss.
It must've been longer than necessary, or so the priest thought as he cleared his throat.
"The witnesses needed are you two present, a holy priest- and the eyes of Ansgar."
Lillian managed to glare playfully at Blaith after the priest interrupted their kiss. She was not worried about her status! Well, maybe a little. Appearances meant a lot among royalty, and really among everyone. A Duchess was expected to look a certain way. Poor appearances could reflect badly on not only her, but her husband, and by proxy, his duchy.
Of course she was thinking like a Coleridge. Memories of her father's stern lessons about everything one could think of knowing about high society. Lillian hadn't been allowed to be less than perfect in public.
"The only status I'm worried about is that of your wife. Your proper and legal wife. You know, so my father doesn't kill you." Lillian gave a petulant sniff and turned to the priest again. "If we've everyone we need, then we're ready to begin - preferably before this oaf of mine says something to make me change my mind."
She threw him another glare for good measure, but she was teasing him, and he would know it by the glitter in her eyes.
"Oaf?" his grin was wickedly playful, almost devilish- which of course only made him all the more devilishly handsome. And it seemed the priest was saying something, but the words were left ignored, as Blaith suddenly scooped up Lily like a sack of potatoes, and threw her over his shoulders with a laugh.
"Well, let's get this man claiming his wife ceremony started!" he went on, laughing, as he jogged down the aisle with her in tow.
"Yes, oa-ff!" Lillian gasped as she was suddenly no longer on her feet, but flung over one of Blaith's shoulders. She tried very hard to be angry. Truly gave it a valiant effort. The former White Lily was much too giddy to be cross with her very-soon-to-be husband.
So instead of scolding him for treating her like a sack, or for this being an undignified walk up the aisle for a bride, she giggled happily. Although his shoulder was right in her gut, which was kind of uncomfortable, and she was feeling particularly protective of her stomach. Not that she really wanted to let Blaith know that - at least not yet.
Lillian wasn't sure, and she didn't want to give him false hope. Not to mention she worried that if she were with child and he knew that he might try to send her away - somewhere "safer".
"Blaith, put me down! I'm not marrying you while slung across your shoulder - no matter how nice a view I have."
That's when Blaith paused.
"Really?" His grin broadened, dimpling his cheeks. "Why not?"
"Well for starters it isn't exactly comfortable. You're...hard." Lillian snickered and poked Blaith's muscular back, he wasn't exactly cushioned with a fluffy layer of fat. "For another I'm not doing it. Put me down, you big brute."
"Hard?" his grin grew wider by the second. "Lily.... How could you have known? And we're in a church! What were you thinking?" he chided, gently setting her down in front of him and the pulpit. He turned to the priest. "You may want to hurry, father, this one can't wait for us to consumate!"
Lillian turned beet red. It wasn't that she had truly forgotten that they were in a church, or that the priest was there, but she sort of had...
She sputtered, grasping for something to say that wouldn't sound completely stupid, as he set her back on her feet finally. The young knight failed to come up with anything clever, biting, or witty, and simply settled for covering her face with her hands and groaning softly.
"Please, just...get this over with quickly." Because she was embarrassed...not because she couldn't wait to...oh who was she kidding?
Her body was tingling all over just thinking about all the ways Blaith might ravish her - and where. How naughty would it be to slip into a confessional? Did this church have a confessional? The large churches did, but this one was a bit small...
Blaith's laughter was loud- perhaps even ear ringing as he tossed his head back, eyes a twinkling. He turned to the priest and gave him a nod.
"I think my blushing bride is ready." Though he paused to consider something before asking-
"By the way.... do you have any sort of dress? I know, to me, clothing matters little but..." He turned to Lillian with a smile and sigh. "I take it you'd rather marry in a dress?"
"I can't say we have much in such a selection," the priest replied with a frown. He adjusted his glasses. "But Ansgar willing, this ceremony will be blessed by his will, wedding dress or not." And he bowed his head slightly to both at the idea.
Lillian slowly brought her hands down away from her face, peeking up at Blaith with both amusement and embarrassment. What the priest said served to keep the heavy blush on her cheeks. Ansgar may have already blessed their union - official or not.
"I would love to wear the dress you bought for me that day, but I don't care if I'm in a gown or rags as long as I get to marry the man I love." She turned her jade eyes back to the priest, still quite red-faced. "Please Father, begin. I don't want to wait another minute to call this man my husband."
Blaith's smile grew warm enough to heat the room. He turned to the priest, and all he could do was nod. And as the pair stood before the pulpit, he opened up the holy text of Ansgar and began to read. The verse was the one always used at weddings, to remind us all that we're here on the earth for only a few purposes of servitude- One being to our God, the other... To Man and Wife.
Such an idea made Blaith's eyes sparkle, and his heart swell beyond what he expected. And he had almost missed the prompt the priest had given him when asked, "Do you, Blaith Harmond, take this woman to be your wife? Through sickness and in health, richer or poorer- forever so long as you both shall live?"
There was a pause. Blaith felt his breath catch in his throat, his eyes threaten with tears before he was finally able to breath out, "Yes.... forever, and even through death."
Finally the young White Lily's face began to cool as the priest intoned from the holy book. Lillian had been raised to be a very devout Ansgardian, as most of Connlaoth was. She had broken vows of chastity and obedience, given herself to a man to whom she wasn't married, and a number of other very sinful things.
This was a vow taken of her own accord, and one she intended to keep. Her heart fluttered and her eyes glanced back at Blaith as he affirmed to take her as his wife. She felt like her heart might stop her chest felt so tight. Every nerve, every pulse, every throb was for him.
"Do you," the priest paused a moment, looking at her expectantly.
"Lillian Coleridge." She supplied her name without hesitation, though the priest seemed to falter for a moment before continuing in an admirably professional manner.
"Take this man to be your husband? Through sickness and health, richer or poorer - forever as long as you both shall live?"
"Yes, I do." The words fell softly from her lips, but they were spoken with conviction and without hesitation.
"Then by the power vested in my by His Most Holy Ansgar, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Lillian turned immediately and tilted her head up expectantly, more than ready to receive the first kiss from her husband.
Blaith hesitated only momentarily before suddenly pulling her close, and capturing her lips with his. It was a force enough to suffocate, but also a force enough to grow; as she'd feel all of the love and desperation, and thankfulness for him to even ever share such a moment in all of his life. And the kiss seemed to last forever, parting only briefly to whisper, "I love you," before his lips sunk into her's again, unable to let go.
What a first kiss for their marriage! It was rather all-consuming. Lillian was barely able to gasp in a breath when he paused to whisper to her before he was stealing her breath away again. She found herself clinging to him tightly, returning his kiss feverishly - as her body seemed to have caught fire if the way her nerves were tingling was any indication.
The priest had to clear his throat - rather loudly - several times before Lillian pulled her lips away from Blaith's, panting and blushing softly. "I love you too, now take me out of here before we defile the church and upset the good priest, husband."
"Why?" he growled through a purr against her lips. His hands moved to taste around her body. "Did you forget you just gave yourself all to me?"
Lillian shivered against him, although she wasn't sure if it was because of the way his hands moved over her or the possessiveness of his words. While she was a Knight of the White Lily and the daughter of a duke, a woman used to commanding others, there was something about Blaith being all authoritative with her that made her knees weak and her sex wet.
She whimpered softly against his lips, kissing him hotly as another jolt of desire went right to her core. Ansgar help her, but she couldn't get enough of him. Still, she forced herself to challenge him - hell, challenging him was half the fun!
"Because I don't want an audience to our consummation, and I am your wife, not your slave. Don't think this means I am going to meekly submit to your every whim, Blaith Harmond. Ansgar knows someone needs to keep you in check." Which was true enough!
"You know what would keep me in check?" he growled playfully through more heated kisses.
"What's that?" Oh, Lillian could make an educated guess or two, but her mind was starting to swim in a lusty haze from Blaith's attention. It was so very, very hard to resist him when she wanted him so badly.
Through a moan, he captured her lips and said, "Consumating..." He moaned again, lips unable to stop, along with his hungered hands. "The con.. confession booth... we could.."
Need he finish his thoughts?
Oh Ansgar help her! Lillian turned scarlet at the very suggestion - it was a thought she'd had herself already. She knew Blaith was a mage, but was pretty sure he wasn't a mind reader.
Mostly sure.
What did it say about her that she knew just how very wrong it would be for them to defile the confession booth and still she was so very tempted by the idea? Well, Lillian was already definitely a sinner, a little more naughty behavior couldn't really hurt, could it?
"Carry me?" She whispered playfully, though honestly she thought her knees were weak from his lips and hands.
Blaith stole only one glance to the priest's disappearing form before hefting Lillian up into his arms, bridal style. He stole her lips again and began to take her there. It was smaller than most he was used to- but all the better. And he was panting- so was she, and his hands were moving quickly, not bothering to really undress her as lips planted hot, wet kisses along her neck and shoulder, and a hand smoothed the straps of her shoulder down to expose her breasts. Andhten up went her skirts, and up she went, on the small table reserved for hands of prayer. Though one was to kneel ont he velvet pillow on the ground, Blaith was doing that of sorts, before he dropped his pants and pulled Lillian closer-
And soon he was indeed, praying to Ansgar as they began to fuck in the confessional.
It was impossible not to get swept up in the heat of the moment. Soft, whimpering moans greeted his hot kisses as they trailed down her neck. Lillian shivered softly as her breasts were exposed, nipples taunt with both cold and desire. Her hands fumbled to impatiently help pull her skirts up, already aching to feel Blaith inside her.
A small flurry of feverish shuffling later and the young bride was crying out softly with pleasure as a tiny measure of relief soothed her needy body with the first thrust of her lover's hips. She clung to Blaith as he began to fuck her, and her hips bucked against him, begging for more as her lips pressed against the hot skin of his neck, kissing and nibbling between panted moans of lust.
The confessional wasn't the sturdiest of things, for as the thrusts intensified (which didn't take long to do), the wood began to rock and groan.
"Gods.. Lillian.. Lillian, Lillian Coleridge.."
The words made him paused, he shivered and corrected himself, lips capturing her's.
"LIllian... Lillian Harmond.." His smile escalated, as did his thrusts. A hand scooped through her hair. He pulled her closer.
"Lillian.." He grunted, moaning in pleasure. "Lillian.. my wife."
Part of Lillian wanted to be alarmed at the way the confessional seemed to strain under their activities, but another part of her was even more turned on by the rocking of the wood around them.
Jade eyes fluttered closed as her name was repeated over and over again, like a sex-charged chant. It made her hot and shivery at the same time. Especially when his lips seized hers and he called her by his last name instead of her maiden one.
She was no longer a Coleridge in name.
That alone had her shudder and cry out in pleasure, but when Blaith called her is wife Lillian came completely undone. A powerful orgasm ripped through her as she screamed. She clung to him even harder and practically sobbed out in pleasure. "Oh god, Blaith, yes, yes...Don't stop. Don't ever stop."
And he didn't. He simply obeyed.
Body pistoning into her, it must've sounded like a storm as their bodies slammed and made the wood clap, clap, clap. And though she insisted for him to never stop- he just couldn't- even as her orgasm drew him over the edge, he cried over her for mercy, shooting his hot seed deep within her and whimpering for a brief second before turning her around and taking her from behind, banging into her like a dog as his powerful arms wrapped around her body and he fucked and fucked her with all his might.
The first time Blaith had made love to her, Lillian had been rather upset when she realized he'd filled her with his seed. Now it was really one of her favorite parts. There was something extremely satisfying and erotic about knowing that she'd brought him to that ecstatic level of pleasure. Not to mention it felt like such a possessive gesture. Blaith was claiming her body, her very womb, and she was happy to give him both - at least in the heat of things.
She had reservations about the whole seed planting and flourishing in her womb. Though it was much too late to worry about it now. Much, much too late.
Lillian was turned around and found herself scrambling for something, anything, to hold on to as she was reduced to a writhing, moaning mess. Blaith was definitely not a gentle lover, not in this moment, and she found she liked that too. He didn't treat her as a delicate little thing that he was afraid of breaking.
Finally her hands settled on clutching to the arms wrapped so securely around her, and within minutes she was crying out again, this time she was the one crying for mercy as another intense orgasm rocked through her.
Hearing his Lily scream had him trembling out a moan. He was so hot, he swore he gushed inside her again, but that didn't stop him from turning around, lips meeting to hers as he hefted her one leg up onto his arm and began to fuck her again.
Lillian was gasping softly for air as Blaith stole her lips in a heated kiss, really only able to cling to her husband as he re-positioned her and continued his passionate assault. He was so intense, almost overwhelming, and the White Lily was reduced to a quivering, whimpering ball of sensations.
Who knew how long their consummation lasted, but Blaith was well spent at the end of it. He was sweat soaked and draped uselessly over his wife, even though she was the one now sitting on his lap. He cradled her in his arms, face resting into her's as he breathed out a whimper, and the only words he had the energy to say.
"I love you."
By the time the feverish love-making was over, Lillian could do nothing more than rest on her husband's lap, arms wrapped around him possessively, though her entire body was trembling and sweat had plastered her golden hair to her face and neck.
"I love you too." She murmured softly, lips brushing against his in a soft, chaste kiss. All the passion had been wrung out of her for the moment.
He was breathing soft and slow as he held her,a nd eventually the breaths became less labored. And though awkwardly placed, he felt the pull of sleep beg at him- but only after a few moments of shared silence after their bliss, there was a soft knock at the door.
Blaith's eyes opened.
"Duke Harmond.... We've got news."
He lifted his head towards the door.
"Yeah?"
"It's.. best told in private." Came the voice.
Sighing, Blaith turned to his wife and stole a long, soft kiss.
"Guess the honey moon is over.." he went on, smoothing his hands down her sides.
There hadn't seemed much time to catch their breath in peace before a soft knock interrupted their quiet moment of simply holding one another in exhausted contentment. Lillian sighed with Blaith as there was apparently "private" news.
Her fingers moved to lightly run through her husband's hair as he kissed her so softly. Lillian made a soft hum of pleasure as his hands stroked her sides, jade eyes looking at him lovingly before she smiled and gave him a final soft peck on the lips. "Not over, simply on hold for now."
With that she shakily climbed out of his lap and began rearranging her clothes so that she would once more be descent. Ansgar forbid one of Blaith's men get an eyeful.
"If you're doing that I'm going to go see what comforts I can't manage to secure. If we're staying here for long I'm sure I can find a hot bath and a soft bed at least." Hopefully her husband would be able to join her before too long.
Blaith nodded and moved to get decent himself. But just as they were finishing up, he captured her in his arms again and stole a kiss.
"We'll see, my wife," he told her, thumb stroking her cheek. "If I had all of the power in the world, we'd be locked in this confessional forever."
"Forever?" Lillian asked with a playful glint in her eyes. "Seems an odd place from which to rule your kingdom, what with all that power. More importantly, seems an odd place to raise a family. Might get a bit crowded quickly."
"Hey, wife," he began, trying to scold her, but his smile could not be contained. But his words were stolen from him as he looked into her eyes and leaned forward to kiss her, soft.
"Don't destroy dreams with logic." His thumb continued to stroke her cheek. "Its ignoring those that got us here."
Lillian hummed happily as he kissed her softly, reaching up to place her arms around his neck, pressing herself close against him. Her body was exhausted, but that she still wanted nothing more than to be held in his arms.
Her stomach growled suddenly and she had to amend that wishlist slightly. Laughing softly she gave him another soft peck on the lips. "Go see what they want. I've worked up an appetite and my stomach will not be denied. Hot food, hot bath, warm bed - don't keep me waiting too long, my husband."
And that's when he scooped her up into his arms and kicked the door open, startling the men outside, and probably his wife. At least he has alotted time for both be and his wife to get decent.
Lillian was rather startled, as she hadn't been expecting to suddenly be scooped up. She let out a surprise squeak even as the door flew open courtesy of her new husband's boot. At least they were both properly covered - though she supposed 'properly' might really be a stretch considering how disheveled she undoubtedly looked.
Grumbling softly, she turned her head to press her face against Blaith's shoulder. She hoped whatever the men had to say was important, because damnit she was going to throttle them if it wasn't.
Once outside, he gestured to his men, adjusting his pants as he said, "Should we go to speak int he back." Then he gestured to Lily. "Any news can be said in front of her. My wife doesn't leave my side."
The man nodded, and gestured for them to follow, and once in a small back room without a window, they revealed, "From the south, troops are coming. They're the Grand Duke's men, and it's hard to tell if they'll know what has happened to Fort Dhagh, and if we can bypass a battle out of their ignorance. Apparently, there are rumors your sister-"
And at the mentioning, Blaith's eyes widened.
"Kella?" And he stepped forward, demanding, "Where is she!?"
The man was taken back, but hesitated not to reveal, "Towards the river west of here. It was said she was nearly captured at the village a quarter mile from this town. If we were to guess correctly, this is a band of soldiers who are hunting after her."
Blaith went cold... quiet. It didn't lost long, when he finally commanded, "Then we will stop them- slaughter them where they are."
"My lord?"
"They're the enemy, and we can't let them get to my sister. A thousand men would die first."
Lillian was happy to stay as close to Blaith as possible. Mostly. She really was hungry and would have loved a nice hot bath, especially considering how messy the time in the confessional with her new husband had been. Still, she couldn't help but grin to herself thinking about how very thoroughly they had consummated the union.
Except the news had any hint of a smile leaving her face. The Grand Duke's men here? Her heart sank as she thought of all the men that might die. Well, it was a war, but it was still troubling. Blaith hadn't managed to meet with her father yet.
The White Lily gasped softly when they mentioned Blaith's sister, and immediately put a hand on her husband's arm when he stepped forward. She wasn't sure if it was an attempt to comfort him or restrain him.
It was all grim news, but she didn't dare question his order to slaughter the men that were hunting Kella. Lillian didn't want anything to happen to her either, she had seemed a very sweet woman.
"Should we send a small hunting party to follow the rumors of your sister? If they move quickly enough maybe we can find her and bring her to safety in the camp..." It was a thought. The battle would happen no matter what, but they did still need to find Kella. For Blaith's sake. Plus she had a personal, vested interest in the man traveling with her.
That bastard had stolen her armor and would have killed her.
Blaith tuned to Lily and gave a firm nod.
"Gather a small group of men, no more than a dozen, and send them on the trail. Be sure a tracker is with them. The rest wake up and tell them we need to get moving. Can't forget this is a war now can we." And he turned to look at Lily just once before looking towards the door.
"We move out within the hour. Just see to it it's done."
"Yes, my lord." And wiht a bow, then men retreated with haste, and soon the sounds of a waking army came to life.
Well that was to be expected, it was a war. Still, Lillian couldn't help but deflate slightly. She was filthy, tired, and hungry. Why couldn't she have spent her wedding night relaxing and enjoying her new husband? Well, she'd at least gotten to thoroughly enjoy him...
"Under an hour, just my luck. No rest for the wicked?" She sighed heavily before pouting at Blaith with a vindictive glint to her jade eyes. "Well if we're riding out that soon maybe I can at least find something to eat quickly, and hopefully some lukewarm water to wipe off the stickiness with. And I was so looking forward to a hot soak. You'll have to punish the Grand Duke's men viciously for their rude interruption of my wedding day. I'm supposed to be pampered tonight."
Though he stood as a figure, tall and statuesque, upon turning to his new wife, he suddenly caught her by the arm and stole a kiss.
"Oh, you will be pamperede." he assured her, kissing her again and taking a thumb to hold up her chin. It seemed any stiffness melted in her presence as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. But he didn't stop there, and kept his arms wrapped around her in a sweet embrace, his cheek resting to hers as he sighed.
"My love... my life.... Through you, I know I can take on Hell."
With her he could take on Hell...Lillian hoped that was true, because it was very likely that Blaith would have to by the end of all this.
Pushing aside any dark or heavy thoughts, because damnit all it was her wedding day no matter how unconventional or non-traditional, she wound her arms around her husband and held him gently. "How do you propose to pamper me when our army rides out in an hour, dear husband?"
He grinned and kissed her again.
"The wedding day has gone on for just a few hours, yet you doubt your husband already?"
"It's not you I doubt. It's everything else." The war was hardly going to wait on them to enjoy a life together in peace. Lillian sighed and moved her fingers up to caress Blaith's cheeks softly before moving them back through his hair. "I love you."
A hand went to her cheek.
"Only the Gods know why."
Then he placed his other hand on her other cheek, and pulled her in for a long, deep kiss.
Lillian smirked faintly before being drawn into the kiss with a happy hum. She could debate that it wasn't just the Gods that knew, after all, didn't she know why she loved him? Sure, he was a handsome man with an appealing smile, but there was a lot more to him, once you dug beneath the insanity that seemed to grip him when away from her grounding influence.
He stole another kiss.
"Come, let's find you a private room to wipe up in?" He gave her a smirk. "Then we can ride out. And you can be at my side."
"Yeah, yeah..." Lillian stuck her tongue out at him, grabbing his hand and gently tugging him towards the door. "Just remember you owe me some pampering after the battle."
Blaith tossed his head back, and gave a full bellied laugh that it nearly hurt. Then he proceeded to scoop up his bride and carried her back to his private quarters where a bath was drawn and soaps brought in. And though it wasn't much, it was at least a small taste of the life the pair had left behind for this war. And though they had no time to spare, he took his time, though was efficient in helping her bathe.
He paused in mid stroke, the wash clothe leaving a trail of glistening waters across her flesh.
So many thoughts plagued him. But the only one itching on his tongue that he felt needed said in their shared, quiet moment was a soft kiss to her shoulder as he brushed her hair aside and confessed, "I love you, Lily."
It was a moment stolen from the war. Yes, there was so much to do, but somehow Blaith had made the time to marry her properly in a church (even if it was impromptu and guestless), he'd made the time to consummate that union - repeatedly. Now he made the time for her to bathe properly in a real, hot bath.
The moment was all the more precious because they simply didn't have time. And they both knew it.
A soft shiver went through her as his lips brushed against her shoulder. Tears welled up softly in her eyes, but she tried to keep them out of her voice. She turned so that she could kiss him sweetly, lovingly. "I love you too, Blaith."
He stole a kiss to her lips, and only realized that through it, something felt off.
He looked into her eyes, and tilting her chin up so he could get a better look at her.
"Is something wrong?"
What wasn't wrong?
Lillian didn't even know where to start, but Blaith had a war to worry about winning. She couldn't further burden him with too much of her stupid emotional female woes. God, but she really was changing, wasn't she? Hormones. Ugh.
"I'm so happy that I got to marry you, but yeah, I'm afraid. With the war I'm so scared that I will lose you, Blaith. Please don't ever leave me. Promise me." It was dumb, but she didn't care.
It might have been dumb, since it was definitely a potential consequence of the war, and it actually made him laugh. He was touched. Kissing her head softly, he moved to take her hands into his own as he peered directly into her eyes with those charming blue eyes of his own.
Blue eyes that were now all and only hers.
"Even if I die, I promise to come back to haunt you as a ghost lvoer int he night."A nd before she could protest, his fingers moved to tickle up her form, starting deep int he water by her thighs and going clean up to her arm pits.
God, but she loved the sound of his laughter. Maybe it was because she had a tiny idea of what a hell his life had been before they'd been brought together by happenstance. She could have died in that tower, but instead she found the love of her life.
Then he had to go and say a dumb thing like that! "A gh- ACK!"
Lillian was reduced to squeals in about three seconds flat, her body flailing a bit as he tickled her. "Bl-Blaith! S-s-stoooooooop!" She practically wailed between giggles and laughter.
The tickling was merciless, fingers jabbing in hard to her ribs and arm pits until she'd be positively whrithing and in doing so, he scooped up her squirming wet body and indulged in the deepest, most savage, most love filled kiss he could pour into her, uncaring as he did so, her naked body was soaking his clothes clean through.
She went from breathless with laughter to having her breath stolen for a completely different reason, but Lillian didn't hesitate to melt into the kiss, arms wrapping around him as she moaned against his lips. What she wouldn't give for this moment to never end! If only she could forget the war, the battle just waiting to be fought.
"Would it be crude of me to want to make love with you again?" He asked, voice gravily before he kissed her deeply again.
"You've always been crude." Lillian admonished him with a soft chuckle between kisses. "What about the army?"
He'd told them to be ready to march in under an hour. How long had she been in the bath?
He whimpered and buried his face against her shoulder.
"Don't remind me."
With a heavy sigh she held him close, fingers snaking through his hair as she laid her cheek next to his ear. "Someone has to remind you. I don't want to, but there you have it."
With a grin she nibbled softly at his ear. "After you crush Calent's army I promise you can make love to me as many times as you want."
He whimpered, then gasped at her words.
"You fiend!" He let her fall back into the tub.
"Do you not know who I am?" He challenged. "My victory is now." And his fingers played her like a tickling pianist until he was certain she'd turn blue.
Lillian was reduced to gasping for mercy from the assault! He was very persuasive in getting convincing her of his victory.