Till Death Do Us Part [M] / Zero

[SanctifiedSavage]

For as long as Lariena could remember, her entire life had revolved preparing her for this day. The ceremony, the wedding, and finally getting married to Dimitri. It'd been a plan in the words for years. Something she'd been saved for. Honestly, she had started to get impatient in the months leading up to it all. All the 'friends' she'd grown up with were long married and most had already had their first child.

Lariena was an outlier. She hated sticking out for all the wrong reasons.

But the day had come, the ceremony had kicked off without any problems, and she was officially married to Dimitri Orlov, of Moonspear. She was important, this was important. Not just for Lariena, but for the entire Alvarez family. This was it. There was no messing this up. There were no second chances. Everything she'd been preparing for had led to this moment, this life.

She'd be the perfect wife.

While the ceremony, which had started early in the day and progressed through the afternoon and well into the evening, past dinner after it was all said and done, was everything she'd hoped it would be... Lariena was happy it was over. She could only force a smile for so long, respond to the same praise and congratulations so many times, before even she was starting to feel like the hours stretched on torturously long. It'd have been different if she could've actually participated in anything that was going on besides being glued next to Dimitri, on display so everyone could march up and say what they had to say.

No one was very original. Lariena much preferred social functions when she could move, dance, and partake in the gossip of the crowds. Today, she was the source of conversation and likely the topic of tomorrow's gossip. She hated to think she'd missed out on so much because she'd been held apart, intentionally, as the bride.

Ah well. She'd gotten to dress up, have others fawn over her, with more than one look of jealousy. For that, Lariena would listen to thousands of the same thing said over and over. That was just part of being important. Being noble.

All of her words spoken to Dimitri had been either scripted, for the ceremony itself, or exchanged pleasantries. She'd never actually had a real conversation with the man, neither had she even been alone with him. Now that the party was over, and they were finally excused from their social obligations, she wandered down the hall of her new home toward their shared bedroom.

Shared.

Another woman might have been nervous or anxious, but Lariena was not. She was twenty three. Not a young woman, innocent to the ways of the world. While she was certainly untouched, and virgin as required by the rules of their engagement, that didn't mean she was ignorant as to what transpired between a man and a woman. She had brothers aplenty, and married younger sisters, who were all too happy to fill her in. Vividly.

Lariena was nothing if not confident that her dedication to the task at hand would more than make up for her inexperience, if nothing else.

While she had grown up in a beautiful, large home, the Orlov estate was far more beautiful. She supposed that was to be expected. It made her smile, just a little, to think that it was now her home as well. She would need to spend time learning the lay out, memorizing the floor plan, and learning the staff. It was quite important to her that she intimately knew her surroundings. Lariena might be displaced, now that she was no longer living in Selevea, but she would acclimate quickly. Show that she would become Lady of this place quickly, and efficiently.

Reaching the bedroom was an uneventful, and quiet, affair. She let Dimitri open the door before she brushed past him. Her wedding gown was a sparkling, complicated affair but she could easily undress herself. No need to ask for anyone else to bother them for the night. After briefly taking stock of the large room, her sharp gaze lingering on the vast bed, she made her way to the mirrored vanity so she could start taking out the various pins and combs that had been used to hold up her long, blonde hair. Now that they were actually alone, she occasionally glanced at him in the mirror, before she said, "I hope you enjoyed the day as much as I did." Something sweet and neutral to break the silence.

OOC

>_> I'm sorry I rambled so much...

[close]

[Zero]

A wedding among the high society was quite the major event. It was excessively grand, expensive, and just extra in every way possible. Every noble or merchant of any repute had been invited, and since not attending would have been rude and insulting, they all came to celebrate with the High Lord of Moonspear, and his new High Lady, of course..

It felt like a political circus, and he was the fool.

Dimitri had fought and clawed to restore his family's high prestige from the time he had come of age all the way until recently when he'd finally obtained his ultimate goal. The temporary decline in his family's position after his father's death had been a blemish on his noble house, but that travesty was made right at last. Despite this being what he had wanted so badly, the truth was that he hated this side of being the ruler of his providence.

As a scholar and mage he had always been far happier with his books, his studies, and his paperwork than with people. Dimitri found the logistical side of running everything to be engaging and rewarding, although most bemoaned that was the tedious side of things. They all wanted the pomp and ceremony side of things, the finery, the luxury, the ability to have things at their beck and call.

Those were the fools. How had they expected to rise higher, or stay higher, than him when they were inefficient and incompetent leaders? Dimitri wanted to be High Lord because he wanted the power, the authority, the respect, and the ability to shape his slice of the world how he saw fit.

For those reasons alone, he put up with this extravagant show. This was more for them than it was for him. Finally his criticizers would be silenced on his lack of wife, and with luck soon they would not be able to barb him for the lack of heir. Dimitri had always known a wife and children were part of the package of becoming High Lord. Maintaining a stable line of succession was very important, and as the last Orlov he knew he had to produce children if he did not want his house and his line to die out. This was just another obligation, another price to pay, another sacrifice to be made.

At least his bride seemed acceptable. She smiled when she should smile, said the exact right words when they were expected, and he likewise played his part. They did not speak to each other much, but there was hardly time with so many guests to consider. He must have shaken a thousand hands throughout the day and accepted even more well wishes for his union to the Alvarez woman.

At long last the day came to an end. They had fulfilled their social obligations and were able to finally excuse themselves to the bedchamber. That brought another irritating round of dialog that he could have done without. He certainly didn't need them telling him what to do with his wife tonight.

Dimitri had been dreading the wedding night, but not nearly as much as having to endure the rest of the day. All he had to do was sleep with the blasted woman. How hard could that be?

He wished again that Derrick were with him, but his advisor couldn't exactly follow them to their wedding bed and help him through the monumental task. The man had looked quite fetching at all the gatherings, but it had been much too busy a day to even speak with him. It was very rare a day passed without Derrick by his side from dawn to dusk; and sometimes beyond that.

Lariena swept past him into their rooms, and he followed more slowly, dismissing any trailing servants and quietly closing the doors. He felt exhausted, completely drained, but he had a final job to do on this most special of days. At least his new wife seemed to make herself right at home, moving to the vanity and working on taking down her hair. For a moment he simply watched her removed the pins and combs that had kept all those wavy blonde locks in place during the day's festivities. He knew she was pretty, anyone with eyes could see that, but he knew nothing else about his bride except that she had been waiting years to marry him.

She spoke first.

"I am told that a woman's wedding day is supposed to be a very happy occasion, so I'm glad you enjoyed it." Dimitri didn't lie, he was glad she enjoyed it. At least one of them did. Weren't weddings truly for the brides anyway?

Silence now broken, he stopped watching her and started working on undoing the buttons of his coat, which was black with golden hems and accents. The colors of his house, he supposed it was their house now. It felt strange to have someone in his rooms with him, but he knew that was something he was just going to have to get used to. He shrugged out of his coat and hung it over a chair. The servants would put it where it belonged tomorrow when they cleaned.

"Will you need any help with your dress?" Women's dresses could be complicated affairs needing more than one person to put on and remove. Most husbands would be eager to remove their new bride's dress.

[SanctifiedSavage]

For as much of her hair had been left down, so much of it had been pinned in place so it didn't move throughout the day. Couldn't have the wind blowing it about and into her face. So there were a lot of pins being put on the vanity. Her fingers were quick and deft. Lariena didn't usually do up her hair like this, but she was still competent and capable on her own.

Her eyes tracked him in the mirror as he took off his coat and she turned when her hair was finally free of the combed and pinned prison. "It's one of the things we talk about, growing up. What the ceremony will be like. The dress. It was more elaborate than I could have imagined." At least that much was true. When Lariena had been a little girl, she'd thought of herself as a princess.

This was likely to be as close to such a thing as one could really come, and it'd met all of her expectations and more.

That he offered to help her out of her dress was nice, and she considered letting him. She didn't need it, but wasn't that the sort of thing they should do? Undress one another? So, with a carefully crafted smile that was sweet and welcoming, she nodded a little and took a couple of steps to close the distance between them without crowding him. "If you would like. It's not too terribly complicated, but your help would be appreciated." An innocuous answer. Not saying she couldn't do it herself and accepting his offer in kind.

To that affect, Lariena partially turned and lifted her hair to expose the back of her glittering, pristine gown. It likely cost more than most businesses in the city proper. Down the middle of her back was a row of delicate hook-clasps. She could manage. She'd had plenty of practice taking off such things on her own just so she wouldn't be stuck in a dress, but it would be nice to have the extra hands. Lariena wouldn't summon outside help for it, though, and have any more people encroach on what was now their time. The clasps trailed down the middle of her back, artfully hidden by the expensive fabric, until they stopped just above the swell of her behind. Once undone, the dress could be slid off of her and she could step out of it, leaving her in the corset and lace undergarments. Not exactly exposed, but certainly the most undressed she'd been in front of someone that was neither family nor servant.

[Zero]

"I'm glad the day could exceed your expectations." Given how much everything had cost it better have met her standards. Still, it wasn't exactly wasted resources. The ceremony and reception had been a great display of wealth and status.

Although the dress itself seemed kind of pointless, spending a fortune on a gown that would only be worn once! It was the only thing he was thinking about as approached and turned slightly to expose the small fasteners of her wedding dress. What was a man supposed to be thinking about right now? Dimitri could make quite a lot of guesses as he stepped to his wife and started to undo each tiny clasp.

"As your husband I think I'm supposed to like this part, and to always be willing to help you." It might have sounded like he meant always willing to help her undress, but Dimitri really just meant to help her in general. If there was something in his power to improve her experience, he would do it.

Most men would probably be practically salivating at the thought of soon having their new wife exposed to their lecherous gazes and hands. Maybe they would have been thinking of what they wanted to do with their bride first now that they had her alone and all to themselves. He arched a brow as his hands ran over her hips, pushing the dress down once it was undone. The lacy undergarments and corset were undoubtedly for his benefit, something to tempt and tease him, to make him want Lariena even more than a normal husband already would.

Dimitri just thought of how tired he was and how fake this all felt. He didn't desire this woman, and he highly doubted she was interested in him either beyond his rank and wealth. Tonight was about duty and the beginning of producing an heir, nothing more and nothing less. The thought of a child was his primary source of resolve.

"You're a gorgeous woman, Lariena." She was a very fetching woman. Many men would have been quite happy to have claimed such a beauty for their own. It simply didn't matter to him that much.

[SanctifiedSavage]

She still felt like they were in a semi-formal occasion. Their words carefully spoken and polite. Not that Lariena expected different. To be overly familiar when she didn't know him anyway would've been out of place. Awkward. All she knew of him was what the public knew of him.

Suffice it to say, very little.

Lariena stood in place, holding her hair, while he took the time to undo the small clasps. What he had to say was rather odd. Supposed to like this part? Implying he didn't? While she turned his words over in her mind, her expression was carefully and politely neutral so he'd not see anything on her face were he to look in the mirror. He likely wasn't too thrilled to lose his freedom, being married now. Such meant different things to each of them, she suspected. For Lariena, this was a step in her life in the right direction.

For him, this was likely a hurdle. That's how her brothers had always seen it. Something to do and a person they had to tolerate. While Lariena would never think of herself as someone to tolerate, she was intelligent enough to know that not everyone would like her. Dimitri certainly didn't have to. She was also selfish enough not to particularly care.

Her thoughts were muffled and her attention brought to the present when her dress loosened on her body. With a soft, muted sigh she caught the fabric before it could crumble entirely to the floor and carefully stepped out of it. His hands on her hips helped. The foreign, warm contact was almost a distraction because it was so... Well, no one had ever touched her before. No stranger, certainly. And he was a stranger.

Without looking at him, she carefully folded the expensive gown over the plush chair of her vanity. It'd get tended to later on, likely in the morning. Her fingers lingered on it before she turned to regard him, just as he paid her a compliment. It tasted of the compliments she'd heard so many times that day. She was told a hundred times over that she was beautiful, gorgeous, pretty. That he was lucky to have her. Lariena agreed, but not because of how she looked. Any woman could be pretty.

With a smile, a mirror of the polite ones she'd painted across her carefully constructed mask, she approached him and began to help him undress. That was what was appropriate, after all. Proper, yes? "I'm lucky to be married to such a handsome man," she murmured softly, paying him a compliment in kind. He was pleasing to look at. At least their children would likely be attractive.

[Zero]

It made perfect sense that they would be guarded with their words to each other and that Dimitri would have only very generic compliments to offer. They did not know or trust one another. If anything, he felt wary of his new bride. The High Lord knew next to nothing of his new wife, save that she was apparently very social, that she was beautiful, and her family had assured him she was untouched and well trained to fulfill her duties as a High Lady.

By this time tomorrow Lariena could be one of his greatest assets or one of his worse enemies. For now Dimitri had no way to know which one she might be. Proceeding cautiously just seemed pragmatic to him. He had no doubt she would be sizing him up just as intently as he was focused on observing her.

Dimitri felt himself tense a little as she approached him and began helping to undress him. It was not unexpected, exactly, but he still felt a great deal of apprehension. Every button, clasp, or tie undone meant they were one step closer to falling into bed with each other, and he felt ill prepared for the moment to come where he would be expected to consummate this union.

What was she expecting?

The lord let out a soft breath he didn't realize he'd been holding when her compliment reached his ears; he supposed on generic, meaningless compliment deserved another.

"I am sure the fact that I am such a powerful man carries more weight to how lucky you feel than how pretty my face is." Perhaps the most truthful statement he'd actually uttered to her so far, something honest and unfiltered coming from his thoughts for the first time in her presence. It was mostly for him to test the waters. He raised one hand up to rest against her cheek, brushing his thumb lightly over her lips. "You really are very pretty, Lariena. I'm glad you enjoyed your day, but if I'm being honest I found the whole thing rather tedious."

[SanctifiedSavage]

Just as Lariena knew how to undress herself, should the situation call for it, she was no stranger to how a nobleman's clothes worked. Not because she'd frolicked about taking off stranger's clothes, but because she'd practiced such a thing so her fingers wouldn't fumble on buttons and fabric when she undressed her husband. Such minute things mattered to Lariena. It would be awkward enough being in a room, exposing herself to a stranger. She did not need the added embarrassment of being unable to figure out his clothes, or her own.

As with her own, she took the care not to toss the fine fabric to the floor. She respected and appreciated the fine things of her new life. These things were hers now and Lariena was anything if not mindful of the things that were hers. Husband included. Her dark blue eyes remained fastened on what she was doing until he spoke. His words made her pause as she glanced at him, weighing what he said and what she would in response.

"You would think me daft if I didn't admit to finding myself lucky, given your place," she said at length, the pause brief however noticeable. When it came time for his pants and shoes, Lariena gracefully knelt. "I only hope that, with time, you find I was worth waiting for." She knew he'd been the reason she'd waited for so long. Had married as late as she had now. Whatever his reason, whatever the hesitancy, Lariena would not prove herself unworthy of her new station.

His shoes came off first, then socks, before her hands lifted to the buttons on his pants. "And it was a pleasing tedium, if I am being honest," she murmured quietly, unbuttoning his pants slowly. "A suitable and respectful tribute to our House. If nothing else, I enjoyed it for that."

[Zero]

There was definitely something to note about how very meticulous his bride was folding each removed piece of clothing neatly and setting it aside. Nothing was discarded carelessly on the floor. Surely that wasn't because of any care for the servants that would later have to attend to any needed cleaning? He did not think that had much to do with anything. Lariena didn't seem like she would try to make the job of maids easier for their sake. He assumed it had to do with the clothing themselves – all very fine and expensive pieces, as befitting people of their station.

Dimitri really didn't care about his new wife's motivations, he was just trying to distract himself from the fact that her hands were working at removing his clothing. It felt odd having someone undress him, but knowing that he was expected to then make love to this woman. The lord honestly felt as if his nerves were stretched to their limits regardless of how cooperative he was as she removed his shoes and socks.

"When you give me my heirs it will be well worth the wait." It wasn't that he was particularly fond of children, but they were necessary to keep his house alive. There was no one else that could pass down the Orlov name in his stead, so it was up to him to produce a new legacy and heirs to continue it.

Feeling her hands moving to his pants he gently seized and stilled them, purple eyes slightly wide as he realized they were so close to being exposed to each other. There would still be the small clothes, of course, but this was rapidly progressing towards the time where they would have to move to the bed and he was woefully not ready. There wasn't any passion or stirring in his groin. He expected it would be so, but he didn't want Lariena to see just how unenthused his body really was. Who knew how she would react?

"I am pleased you enjoyed the show of our position. Forgive me, but I think I need a drink." Dimitri pulled away from his wife quickly and headed for a liquor cart that had been left for the newlyweds. It was left for the "blushing bride" if she needed some liquid courage to steel her nerves for the wedding night and her deflowering.

Dimitri poured a shot of bourbon and discreetly added a tiny vial to it; the potion had been left under a cloth napkin, should he need it. Clearly he required it, much to his annoyance. He quickly downed his drink, only tasting the burn of the alcohol. The potion was as tasteless as he had been assured. Also as assured, he immediately felt warmth and tingling generating from his lips to his stomach – and quickly spreading.

Good, he would be able to perform very shortly.

"Would you like something, dear?" Dimitri asked, turning to Lariena with a raised brow. He didn't care if she thought that he had needed the drink to settle his own nerves. They were alone and both held the same pressure of sleeping with a complete stranger tonight.

[SanctifiedSavage]

Her attention remained on the task at hand, literally, and didn't stray to what would happen once he was fully undressed. No matter how confident and determined Lariena might be – and she was – there was still an annoying sense of trepidation and apprehension. Not because she thought this was a mistake, or she was afraid, but because... Well, she was going to be having sex for the first time in her life.

For whatever reason, Lariena didn't want to disappoint. There was no way she could know what he would want, and while she didn't think Dimitri was expecting anything over the top, neither did she want to embarrass herself either. It always annoyed her to be in situation that left her... off kilter and awkward. Which was exactly this night.

There was no sense of thrill or excitement, only a feverish sense of duty and iron determination. When he made mention of heirs, that only served to ground her. That's what this was about. Not the sex so much. Her mother had already couched Lariena in so much that sex, for her, would be a means to an end. If it became anything more, great.

Lariena got her excitement elsewhere, anyway.

She was so caught up in her own determination that she actually tensed in annoyance when he stopped her. Her carefully constructed mask prevented her expression from revealing as much. Instead, she smiled politely and stood as he moved away from her. Rather quickly. Her deep blue eyes tracked his movements, considering, but she shook her head at the offer of a drink.

Lariena would do this on her own, as she had any hurdle in her life. Instead, she clasped her hands behind her back so he wouldn't see how she clenched her fists to bring warmth to her fingers. "No, no. But take your time. We have all night, after all." At that, she turned from where she'd helped him undress and moved to sit on the edge of the bed to wait.

[Zero]

"Suit yourself." Dimitri poured another shot for himself, without the potion this time, and downed it quickly. He wasn't sure if he should feel embarrassed that his bride seemed better prepared and calmer about tonight than he did. As he turned back to the bed he decided he really didn't care. Between the alcohol and the potion a pleasant heat had settled in his gut and that was all he cared about just then.

His purple eyes raked over Lariena, seated so patiently on the bed as she waited for him to join her so they could continue. He wondered at the very lacy undergarments once more. They were likely for his benefit, meant to show off her body to him. Or maybe his wife liked such things for her own reasons. He couldn't think of a reason to complain. She was very beautiful. Dimitri's sexual tastes lay elsewhere, but he did appreciate the beauty of a feminine form.

"You are very good at holding your composure. Are you nervous at all?" It was an honest question as he made his way towards the bed and carefully sat himself beside her. Dimitri wasn't sure that she would give him an honest answer. She may only tell him what she thought he would want to hear. He did not wait for her to think over how to answer him.

"I am. They told me a woman's first time can hurt and I don't really want to make you feel pain. You're my wife and I want you to bear my children. I'd rather you not dread sharing my bed." The warmth was building in him and he sighed softly as a familiar ache and need throbbed gently between his legs.

[SanctifiedSavage]

In truth, she was glad for the moment to sit by herself and gather her composure. Lariena prided herself fiercely on maintaining a good appearance, even now, and she didn't want him to think her afraid, or anxious. She wasn't afraid. Though not knowing, really, what to expect was probably the worst of it. She would've almost preferred a practice night with someone else so she wouldn't be so damned flustered at the idea of it all.

Her attention was settled on him, but her thoughts flittered about such things – how ill prepared she might be, how she might make a fool out of herself regardless, did it even matter? A lot of those nagging fears that pestered Lariena, that became hard to quell now that she was confronting such things head on. Without practice.

When he asked her if she was nervous, Lariena's heartbeat kicked up and icy dread shot down her spine. Had her carefully constructed mask slipped? That brief moment of panic might've darted across her face, if he was looking for it, before she watched him with a polite, small smile. A private smile, really, and one that she didn't share with many. When he answered, rather than wait for her own, she was relieved. Not only because he was also nervous, but he was asking for that reason.

After a moment, her eyes catching his, she nodded a little. "Being poised and composed is important. I've had a lot of practice." An honest answer. "Though I am nervous, so it is easiest to fall into something familiar. I do not dread sharing your bed, though I know it may hurt. I suppose not any more than giving birth." She reached for one of his hands, still watching him. "My greatest desire is to be the best wife I can be to you." Which she meant, whole heartedly. He might not know just how committed, or why, but Lariena would show that with time. This life was hers and she would not shame her family, nor her new name, by doing anything untoward. "I do hope, if nothing else, you will come to trust me in that capacity."

[Zero]

An eyebrow quirked up and his lips twitched when she made mention that she imagined sex would hurt no more than childbirth. Dimitri was no woman and far from an expert in such matters, but he was fairly certain no matter how rough the sex, that childbirth would hurt quite a good deal more! Thank Fyarion that was not something that he would ever personally have to endure. Although perhaps he should be a little more sympathetic to his wife, who most certainly would be going through it – likely more than once.

His fingers twined with hers when she reached for his hand. They were strangers to each other, but also were now forever bound to one another. This was not a union founded on love, but Dimitri was willing to put in the effort to build towards something more than convenience. If nothing else an amicable partnership would be agreeable.

"I have no doubt that you do wish to be the finest wife that you can be. You and your family would not have agreed to wait so long otherwise. My own reservations are heavily focused simply on the unknown." He let the pad of his thumb glide over the back of her hand in gentle circles, eyes focused on their joined hands. "I dreaded this day for years. A wife, yet another obligation, the pressure of duty...there are layers upon layers of commitments and expectations laid upon on my shoulders and the burden is monumental, some days it feels insurmountable even..."

Dimitri had wanted and asked for this, whatever the cost to gain his position. "You handled yourself very well today. I already have seen you under intense social pressure and scrutiny and you didn't flounder once. My faith in your ability as High Lady is already started. As a wife...Well I suppose that is what tonight is about, isn't it?"

He was talking a great deal more than he expected to, but Dimitri felt warm, and well not relaxed, as he shifted to face her more fully, his free hand moving to the back ok of her neck and pulling her gently into a somewhat light and brief kiss. "You don't need to worry about tonight. I assure you that men are not terribly complex creatures to please sexually, and as long as you are capable of bearing healthy children you'll never disappoint me on that front."

Not exactly true. He was sure he could take his pleasure with her, but she would never be exactly what he wanted in bed, would she? It was highly doubtful, but it didn't really matter that much.

[SanctifiedSavage]

The unknown would always be just that – unknown. Lariena had both been told, and made to understand, that she should well guard herself against whatever she might. Worry about the things she knew about and deal with it, but she wouldn't imagine problems when she had enough to deal with. Unknowns were things she just hadn't figured out yet.

It did not shock her to hear he'd dreaded this day. As suspected, and much like her brothers. More obligation, more duty. Things he'd not wanted but were a requirement of the position he was in. Lariena didn't feel like additional weight – no reason she'd feel that way about herself – but she was smart enough to understand why he did and not take it personally. She'd never expected him to be pleased with the day, or the arrangement, and she'd never particularly cared so long as it didn't interfere with who she became – his wife.

Sabotaging their relationship wouldn't be tolerated.

That didn't seem to be the case, though. As much as he'd not wanted it, Dimitri seemed to have accepted it and wouldn't be holding it against her. All the better.

Lariena was easily guided into a kiss, however brief, and set a hand on his thigh to keep herself balanced when she leaned toward him. To hear, though, that all he expected from her were children was quite a relief. Lariena had heard of stories, from her 'friends', who had been expected to do a great deal more than that or it became widely known they disappointed or couldn't please their husband.

Some tension eased out of her back and shoulders before she nodded a little, trusting he was being as honest in that as he had with everything else. Lariena took that, too, as a sort of cue and started to scoot back on the bed. She didn't release his hand, though, and instead gently pulled him after her.

[Zero]

 All of his words were met with silence. Lariena said not a word, but Dimitri could sense his wife relax slightly, as if he had somehow managed to put some errant worry at ease with his rambling. She scooted back on the bed and he followed at her gentle coaxing.

There was no reason to put this off any longer, and the low ache in his pants had only intensified as he spoke. Perhaps the potion was too effective? It was too late to worry about it now. The next time he could request something slightly more diluted, or maybe it would be completely fine as it was, since they were unlikely to hesitate so long the next time they got into bed.

Fyarion, but he was still thinking way too much.

Dimitri crawled over her body, carefully settling between her legs as he leaned down to kiss her again, more deeply this time. Lariena was still in her lazy undergarments and he still in his pants, but it hardly mattered. As his wife had mentioned, they did have all night, and there was no need to rush. He knew that she was unused to being touched intimately by another, probably best to ease her into it slightly.

His mouth opened and he flickered his tongue along her bottom lip, seeing if she would open for him as he ran one hand down her body, allowing his fingertips to brush delicately over the curve of her throat, then what of her chest was exposed, before picking open the ties of her corset.

[SanctifiedSavage]

While the night couldn't be put off forever, she was rather thankful that Dimitri didn't just... start pawing at her. No matter how many times she might tell herself that this was her husband, and thus it was fine, she had never been so close to, nor touched by, a stranger.

It was... frighteningly new. There wasn't a decorous way for her to compose herself, it was just about... responding and hoping that it wasn't going to ruin the night.

When he settled over her, she let out a long, soft breath. Dimitri was warm, but not uncomfortably so. The kiss helped distract her further, giving her something a little less intense to focus on. At the prompting, her lips reflexively parted for him while her hands lightly gripped his sides. Lariena was only half aware he was messing with her corset until it became loose enough for her to take a real, proper breath.

She made a small sound of relief against his mouth. Lariena might not be used to being touched by someone else, but it was... nice. There wasn't a sense of shame or guilt, and while her heart was racing and her skin flushed, she found she enjoyed the heat of him near her, the idea of his hands close to, or on her. It was a new sort of intimacy for her.

[Zero]

Unlike his wife, Dimitri was very accustomed to being touched by someone else. Admittedly the hands that gripped his sides were much softer, and truthfully gentler, than his lover's rougher, more demanding hands. Touching her was definitely different. Everything about her was softer. When her lips parted his tongue pressed inside with a soft groan. She was warm. He was on fire. Everything tingled and he knew it was because the potion had worked as a powerful aphrodisiac.

Dimitri didn't care if it was a man or woman with him, he just felt a desperate need for release and relief, but he was still keeping his touch and kiss slow. He didn't want to overwhelm Lariena, no matter how composed she pretended to be. She seemed so concerned with appearing perfect at all times that he actually worried that he would overdo it and she would be too stubborn to speak up.

When he heard and felt her take a deeper, easier breath he broke the kiss, looking down at her with a soft smile. "That's better, isn't it? I don't know why you women insist on wearing things that make it hard to breathe. Although it does look very nice, I will give you that..."

He leaned back up so he could work the corset completely loose. His hands moved to gently stroke over her knees, up the outside of her thighs, brushing over her hips and stomach, then slowly up her sides, purposely avoiding more sensitive areas, such as the breasts, for the moment. Dimitri was admiring her as he stared down at her, despite preferring men, well, she was beautiful – and the future mother of his children.

She was suddenly such a very important part of his life and that was terrifying.

"Take off the rest, love. I want to see my sweet bride. All of you." Dimitri's voice was a husky murmur as he slid his hands back down her body, rubbing encouraging circles just above her knees before moving to undo his dress pants. He was painfully hard and when Lariena was ready to take him there was no way he would be able to stand having clothes in the way.

[SanctifiedSavage]

Her face and chest were flushed a pretty pink. Looking up at him, she felt a little embarrassed. Feeling so out of sorts, uncomposed. But she didn't try to hide herself or look away from him. At his remark about her corset, though, she laughed softly. "It's all about looking nice," she murmured softly.

Lariena watches his fingers on her corset. For whatever reason, it's quite a sight just to see him do that. She'd been undressed before, but it's infinitely different now that it's Dimitri. On their bed. She shivers a little at the touches and watches his hands on her – it's safer for her to watch him than to look up at him.

At his words, though, she nods some and sits up to do just that. Discarding her corset. The first item of hers to hit the floor. Her skin prickles from being exposed to the chill air, but that doesn't stop her from drawing her legs up so she can slide her panties off, likewise tossing them aside. Only then, settling her legs to either side of him once more, does she look back to Dimitri. Gaze intentionally avoiding what he's doing with his pants and feeling quite exposed with absolutely nothing, now, and her legs already spread.

While she is certainly nervous, and anxious, there isn't anything by the way of hesitation. Lariena isn't afraid to be bare to him and in that, there's a certain amount of trust already there. He's her husband now, even if it's their first night together, and she's committed to that fully. Trusting in their new marriage, if nothing else.

[Zero]

His wife had taken such painstaking care with all of their other articles of clothing that Dimitri almost felt bad as they carelessly discarded those last few pieces. He doubted being tossed on the floor would do much to the corset or panties, but his dress pants would undoubtedly need extra care to become suitably pressed again.

That was a problem for the servants to deal with, though.

"You really are beautiful." The words came out on a breath that he'd been unaware that he had been holding as his gaze had slowly moved over her, taking her in. Lariena should have been his bride at least a few years already, if they had married at a more typical age, but he had put it off as long as he could.

Did she resent him for that?

Dimitri felt those bothersome nerves spike again, causing a fluttering in his stomach as he gazed down at Lariena laid bare before him, her legs spread on either side of his legs as he knelt between them. He had sought advice for this moment. The fundamental mechanics of bedding his wife were exceedingly simple, any idiot could do it, but he had wanted to know how best to go about deflowering his bride with as little discomfort as he could manage.

He still did not feel entirely confident, but it wasn't as if his untouched wife would know how good or bad the experience truly was. She probably didn't have high expectations for tonight. That was only mildly comforting, because he had never done this with a woman before.

"I'm going to start touching you more intimately now, love. You need to be relaxed and ready before I make love to you or it will hurt more. If at any point you need me to stop so you can adjust or if you just need a moment to recompose yourself please tell me." Dimitri leaned down and cupped her face with one hand, eyes looking into hers. "I mean it. I want our first night together to be built on trust and respect. Trust me enough to tell me if you need me to change what I'm doing and trust that I will respect you enough to do it."

[SanctifiedSavage]

Lariena knew she was classically pretty. It'd been a point of pride, and work, for her family. She'd been sculpted by the corsets she wore, kept soft and away from hard work, and chased away from consuming too much of anything so her curves would always be just so. Appeasing but not excessive. Her life had been structured to be pleasing. That he thought she was beautiful meant a great deal to Lariena.

It'd all been for him, after all. There'd been quiet doubt that the entire reason he'd been putting it off was because of her... Though no one had ever put words to it.

Even so, if the rest of the night ended up falling apart in some odd way... At least he approved of what she'd done to get there. To be with him and look worthy standing next to him.

It was sweet of Dimitri to warn her, and let her know she could tell him to stop. Lariena wouldn't, of course. Not unless he was really hurting her. She was stubborn, in that way. Since she had no idea what to expect, she'd already resolved that she wouldn't tell him to stop unless something that shouldn't break, broke.

Even so, she smiled a little and nodded for him. Trust and respect. Those words meant different things to both of them.

[Zero]

Dimitri simply looked down at her for a few moments more, trying to decide if her smile and nod actually meant anything. Would she really tell him if it hurt? Lariena seemed to him to be a strong-willed woman, and she had been made to wait years longer for this day than she should have. It seemed unlikely she would let much of anything interfere with this union, and consummating it was a vital part of that, as was becoming with child.

Finally he simply nodded in return and leaned down so that he could kiss her again. He allowed some of his weight to rest on her, but most of it he supported on his left arm. His tongue moved to tangle with hers again as he closed his eyes. At least with the kissing he didn't even have to think about the fact that it was a woman and not his lover. Dimitri let his right hand move over her body, which was harder to ignore the feminine shape and features. It didn't really matter; this was all just a necessary business exercise, at least that's what he told himself as he rubbed his thumb over her nipple, circling it slowly before breaking the kiss.

He didn't linger his attention to her breast for long, he was sure they were lovely, but they were of little interest. Dimitri didn't even know how much of what he was doing she would even enjoy. Would she fake enjoyment? He didn't know, but he guessed that didn't really matter either. His hand glided down her stomach until he was cupping her mound, rubbing her gently with his fingers. At least he had gotten advice on how to go about this from Derrick. It wasn't all that different from what they did, insofar as lubrication was essential.

"You know, I have never been with another woman. I know many noblemen will take sport with maids or whores, but you'll be the only woman I ever sleep with." It wasn't at all a lie, he didn't say he had never slept with anyone and she would be the only woman he would ever take to bed. Dimitri wasn't sure why he was still talking, but he suspected it had a lot to do with nerves.