Spirits of the Earth

[Tags to @Draconian  ]

Folkvar. It was a long way from home.

It was easy for some to forget that the roads were no longer as safe as they once were. But even with the contingent of Bellkrath soldiers following him, Mercuxio was anxious and kept his eyes  up and alert as they traveled south into Folkvar. Another duchy, another wilderness to wander through. Another sea of madness.

The trip too longer than a few weeks, even by horse, and the weather was cold, gloomy, and wet along the way. Light drizzle pelted down on them from passing gray clouds and Mercuxio had no idea how close they were to the sea. It must have been close however, by the mere sound of ocean spray off in the distance, and the sudden ring of sunglight that poured down on him when the gray clouds passed over.

It was a foolish endeavor. And for all he knew it was going to be a complete waste of time. But it was worthy an attempt. He was in need of a wife, and they seemed eager to be rid of her. Which seemed a bit suspicious in his mind, and he tucked that thought away to be considered later. Perhaps they simply didn't want their daughter to wilt away in a castle by the sea.

Whatever the case, for now, he was here to assess this woman's potential. He was Duke now, and his people would require the certainty of lineage. Mercuxio closed his eyes and swallowed at the salty air that landed on his tongue.  And he swallowed it down with a swig from the water skin hanging from his saddle. In the quiet of the ride, he forced himself not to think of his father.

Dardanus was a sunken husk of a man in his last days, and Mercuxio wince at a pang that reverberated inside his chest. The man he'd known as an impenetrable wall of infallibility, stubbornness, a pillar of strength, had withered and when Merric knelt before him, he embraced him with whatever strength he had left, clutched him as he had done when he was a little boy.

Mercuxio's jaw clenched, and he kept his gaze steady as the manor in the cliff's began to come into view, and the banner bearer of the heraldry of House Rastonglir and the Duchy of Bellkrath ran ahead of them toward the gates. And Merric let out a steady breath, and let the cool sea air soothe him.

He was no longer clothed in priestly garb. That was an idealism that had no place in the here and now, and instead he wore a clean cloth tunic,  layered outer-robe and painted armor, the wolf crest of House Rastognlir. Titus chuffed underneath him, the black horse stalking along as he and the rest of his contingent stayed in formation in their approach.

From her perch on her pretty beast, it was apparent that her family sought to sell her.

A purse of her lips and Aveline adjusted the hood, careful to keep any pale locks of hair from spilling forth. Wouldn't do well to give away her gender immediately. It was bad enough she wore mens clothing - not even the dainty version of mens clothing that was for ladies. Pants tucked into boots. Shirt tucked into pants. Cloak to cover her hair and keep the chill at bay.

Aveline was hardly a lady - but she was rich and she could play at being one if she had the mind to.

Usually though, she had the mind to tend to her horses. A hobby of her grandfather's that she latched onto. No doubt the horses would also be part of any deal that would be going on. Aveline, being unmarried and a younger sister, obviously wasn't allowed to own anything. Though she'd fight tooth and nail for her horse.

It was an easy gait that Aveline nudged her horse along to her home, watching the bunch of strangers arrive at her home. Her parents home. This would be the third suitor, Aveline thought with a roll of her eyes. While there was wealth there was also her and while she wasn't hard on the eyes in any fashion, being a first class annoyance made the money not look so good.

The ride home was easy and once she was in the manor her mother and maids rushed her off to make her presentable. Hair done. Cheeks pinched to give them a flush that wasn't from the cold. Then she was given a book ( which she held boredly and upside down) told to sit by the fire and look pretty. No talking. No making faces. Be quiet. Keep seated, pretend to read.

Avelina grumbled while she flipped pages of the upside down book - though she honestly made attempts to read it.

The fire played off of her so that she practically glowed by the light and the manor's help let the newest suitor and his entourage into the building. To be greeted by her mother and father. Don't talk. Don't think. Don't move.

She'd ruin everything. Aveline was tempted to move. The idea of being throw out though, losing her horses and her family... She sighed and stared at the upside down words in the book. The noises her parents were making sounded like the ocean. Talk of technicalities and dowries and how soon can the wedding be.

Aveline ignored most of it, finding it boring and not at all her problem. Well, it was.

Right now it wasn't thought.

"Aveline," Her mother said, having walked over to her daughter, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I'd like you to meet Mercuxio Rastonglir," Aveline glanced up, looking unimpressed and bored, "he's the Duke of Bellkrath." Aveline stood up, holding her upside down book to her belly and gave a polite bow, glancing off to the side and looking bored.

"What a pleasure to meet you, sir," she said, face stoic and expression lax. The pleasure was plain on her face. It wasn't at all and she'd rather be playing with her horses.

Mercuxio had come all this way to find himself a wife. And come better or worse, he wasn't going to leave without one. Folkvar would not have been his first choice. The distance had been a minor inconvenience, but the people here were less than, well, polished. If he wanted to pull an apple from a rotting tree, there was a damn good chance there'd be worms inside of it.

The details of money, dowry, property and were all inconsequential in the scheme of things. He needed a wife and for the people of Bellkrath to become confident in the knowledge that their new Duke was securing his line. And that even this far into the war, Bellkrath would remain stalwart.

The manor house was pleasant looking enough and gave Merric a vague confidence that these wouldn't be as much of a country of bumpkins as he feared. She even had a book in her hand. That was promising.

As his entourage spoke with her father, Mercuxio stepped forth into the sitting room to greet the young woman addressed as Aveline. Merric blinked, squinting his eyes at her, becaue while her family seemed pretty keen on making a good show of things, he could tell there were places she'd rather be.

Oh good, then he wasn't the only one.

"A pleasure, surely, that's entirely my own," he said and reached out, to pry her hand from that book and bring it up to his lips. Merric gave her a firm kiss just on her knuckles, finding them worn beneath his own chapped lips.  He released her hand and met her gaze steadily, blue eyes catching in the firelight.

Ah Court manners.

Aveline watched him boredly, let her hand be pried away from the upside down book - and was disappointed when it didn't get some sort of dirty look. Still, formalities were important and she supposed she could suffer through him kissing her hand. An impulse to snatch it away was pushed down and she watched the Duke with honey gold eyes.

At least he had nice eyes.

"A pleasure," she echoed, glancing at his lips. His neck. At least he was handsome. So far he wasn't terribly annoying. "I understand you're here to see if I'll be a decent partner in producing children for yo---" " Aveline! " her mother's voice cut and she winced away, glancing to the side and frowning.

"I do apologize," Her mother started, moving in to take Mercuxio's hand and moving to the side before she glared at her daughter who was playing with the ends of her blonde curls, "She has a mind of her own but, sadly, no will to keep the words in her head. I assure you, she's just in a mood and usually much better behaved." Aveline looked to Mercuxio before she rolled her eyes.

A duke in a foreign province. While in support of the Grand Duke, Mercuxio knew he was still very much a stranger in a strange land. A stranger that was here to spirit away another from this land of ocean bluffs and harsh gray stone.

To somewhere even farther away, north. Across a landscape rife with violence. In the scheme of things, a marriage seemed rather unimportant. In the current political atmosphere, it couldn't have been more. Mercuxio was here for one purpose, to find a wife. And that was just what he was going to do.

So when Aveline's mother pulled her hand away, he had to blink twice. Did that just happen?  Just when the girl was starting to get interesting.  Merric wasn't grinning, and his brow drooped, just enough to express disappointment. "That is all well and good, Lady Marsters. But if I may, perhaps Aveline and I can take a walk. Talk for ourselves," he said, gauging between the two women and bowed his head respectfully.

Mercuxio stepped around her mother and offered his hand again to Aveline. "Please, I'd love to see your home if you care to show me," he offered. "Shall we talk a bit?"

This was awful.

Aveline knew how much her mother wanted this. Not only because it would get rid of her, but because of just who this was. Taking a moment to breathe she reached and took Mercuxio's hand in her own before she curled her arms around his and tucked his elbow to her side.

"Of course, Sir," she said softly, glancing over her shoulder to her mother before she guided him along. Not that she knew where he would be staying. Once they were out of ear range, Aveline guided him to a small study before she closed the door.

"I'm not good at pleasantries. I understand you have need of a wife. My parents are worried i'll soon rot off the tree and die a childless spinster," she let go of his arm and leanrd against the desk, crossing them. A movement that pushed her breasts up and she tilted her head and fixed her curls  to spill over her shoulder.

"As it is, if you decide the dowry is worth it and you chose to marry me you'll have your heir and spare as soon as possible and we can go back to whatever hobbies we've had that have kept us from marrige much sooner," she eyed Mercuxio. He wasn't unattractive, but he was old enough.

"I'm not a quiet polite lady unless I need to be -I can fake it well enough - and if we marry i would like to get along with you." Aveline pursed her lips and looked at him. Honeygold meetinf blue. "Any questions?"

Oh she was leveling with him now was she? That was a good sign. Although perhaps not everyone else would agree to that. For Mercuxio, however, that meant there would be little in the way of disguises and that suited his purposes just fine. He was not going to pretend that he was here for anything other than dragging back a wife.

And she, seemed to be in quite a similar predicament.

"That's fair enough," he admitted with a nod.  His eyes gauged hers, those honey colored orbs rather warm and inviting as they were. Odd, though. Maybe she was part mage. He hoped not, but he wouldn't put it beside her family to intermingle with such things.  For now, though, he'd give them all the benefit of the doubt.

"I ask nothing of you. I came here for a wife, and that's just what I intend to find," he said matter-of-factly.  Mercuxio's eyes flicked down for the briefest of moments, taking in the sight of her cleavage. And no small amount of it at that. Gods....

"Dowry and other technicalities aside, I have no complaints so far as to the prospective match. I understand your father has horses. A lot of them. That's good. Do you work with them quite a bit? And for the record, I appreciate your candor," he said, giving a flicker of a smile. Mercuxio eyed the view of their land through the window. "Show me the grounds. If you'd like."

The eye contact was a little unnerving.

Aveline frowned at him after a few moments before she turned her head and shifting her shoulders, glancing off to the side. The dress was designed to push things up and down. Slimmer waist. Bigger bust. Bait on the hook and Mercuxio was the fish. Or the Duke was the fish. Either way, she listened to him speak and was pleased when he wasn't irritated by her candor.

The faint hint of a smile when he said he appreciated it.

A faint blush and she looked away. Though his comment about the horses had her bristle. A glance to the window and she sighed before she pursed her lips and looked away.

"They're my horses," She said simply, still, she stood up and held out an arm, "I'll show you. Introduce you," A wiggle of her fingers and she walked towards the door, impatient to be moving along. "The sooner we're married the sooner my horses are your horses and sooner I have your children the sooner I can get back to my horses," She grinned at him, finding that cutting right to the meat of the dinner suited her just fine. Another impatient wiggle of her fingers before she pushed the door open.

He was the fish, and even Mercuxio was aware of this.This was a game after all, an angle all to be played out to one's heart contentment. He wasn't stupid when it came to power plays. And right now the cards were in her favor. He was a suitor in desperation to find a wife, and now that he found one, he would have to do whatever it took to bring her back home with him.

Because he wasn't going to leave without marrying some unlucky woman.

Mercuxio took those wiggling fingers into his own and was lead outside toward the grounds. "That sounds good enough for me. While we can agree that this is all rather a large inconvenience, getting it over with as quickly as possible would be in everyone's best interests," he said and gave a gently squeeze to her hand.

While they wandered out toward the paddock where her horses were he gazed out to those powerful animals. Their coats glistened in the morning light. "They're beautiful," he commented idly.

The warmth of his hand was nice.

Aveline felt like her hands were getting sweaty. Nerves were taking over. Her heart picked up a few thumps but by the time they got to the stables. The horses calmed her and once they were there and the beasts were in view she slipped her hand from Mercuxio's and went to her horse.

Still a little sweaty from the adventure earlier she smoothed her hand over the horses face and pressed a kiss to her nose. "Hello Beautiful Day," She said softly, scritching cheeks. "She's mine. I raised her myself," she said, smiling over her shoulder at her... Parents choice in husband. "She's called a frame paint," her hand smoothed up the white face, gazing into the blue eyes of the content beast.

"Most of my horses are," A glance to Mercuxio and she turned around, the horse leaning over her shoulder to sniff at Mercuxio, "I'd be bringing some horses with me," she stated, giving him a level look. "Tell me about your horse."

The horses, while a rather lucrative part of the deal, were not the reason why he was here. For the time being he just wanted to see her in her natural state, and his mind worked to find the easiest ways to make her feel comfortable when the time came that they had to leave. Bellkrath was a long journey, and within that time, the sickness and longing for home could make or break her.

She seemed resigned to her fate. Mercuxio's eyes flicked between her and her horse. Beautiful Day. And a beautiful animal at that.

"My beast of burden is that animal over there. Tended to by another of my entourage," he said. "His name is Titus. He's a black horse, and strong stock like the other horses of Bellkrath, perhaps a little thicker around the chest than Beautiful Day. She truly is her namesake though! Who were her sire and mare?"

Black.

Aveline smirked slightly, head tilting before she pushed a pile of ringlettes over her shoulder and tilted her head to the side. A blatant exposure of her shoulder and neck. More bait for the hook. She smoothed her fingers over her neck, down her front and she let it rest at her waist. His questions had her tilt her head at him.

"Why?" she tilted her head and looked down the stable, "Does Titus need to have an heir?" She reached forward and nudged Mercuxio's arm before she scritched Beautiful Day's chin. "Her dam is Beautiful Skies and her Sire is Bright Day. She didn't quite get her mother's colouring but she's the spitting image of her father," A smile and Aveline turned around to look at the horse. An elegant looking girl, Beautiful Day - or simply Day - had a white mask and for the most part a white body. Golden coloured mane and a stripe along her back to her flicking gold tail.

"Adding new bloodlines is always good," She smirked and smoothed her hand over her abdomen, looking up at Mercuxio through her lashes. Making lame little attempts at some form of seduction, "If Titus is looking for a wife I'm sure there's a lady for him somewhere in these stables."

Now... now it seemed like she was trying just a bit too hard. She didn't need to. Mercuxio wondered if she was perfectly aware of this? Technically speaking, she already had him on the proverbial hook. He wasn't going to make two trips and he'd be damned if he was going to waste her time as well.

"Titus...I think would be happy to breed. All too much. Poor boy has been stuck with me for more than ten years," he snorted, and giving a firm shake of his head.  Another look to Beautiful Day and Merric reached a hand to let her sniff him, as he did with all the horses in his paddock back home and reached out to touch her neck and jawline. She really was a sight to behold, and a lot less forboding than he would have imagined.

Some horses were just odd.

"Titus is a good boy. I think they'll get along just fine."  Mercuxio smiled, tilting his head to Aveline. A rare expression these days in light of recent events. She was easy company however. He didn't have to have any pretense. All of that was exhausting anyway.

"You take good care of them," he commented.  "She's round but strong. She has good build on her. I've been riding since i was a child. But...well, a duke's son rarely has other hobbies. It's only recently that I've gotten out of the priesthood."  Blue eyes cut back to hers. "But that part of my life is over now. I'm ready to move on. That's why I'm here. And, if you don't mind me saying so, i think you'd make an excellent wife. You clearly have a good heart and mind. I can see that just by looking at Beautiful Day."

Aveline let her hands drop to her waist and she watched Mercuxio while he pet Beautiful Day. Tilting her head and just... Watching. You could tell a lot about someone just by watching. She leaned against the stable door, arms crossed over her chest before she smiled ever so slightly.

Beautiful Day nuzzled into Mercuxio's hand looking for treats before she huffed and gave Aveline a nudge then she turned away and presented her butt. She was quite done with them and their pets. Aveline just studied Mercuxio while he spoke, slowly turning away.

Of course at the mention of Priesthood, Aveline's back straightened and she slowly look at him through her eyelashes. Then she frowned. "Priesthood," she repeated before giving a shake of her head, glancing away. Poor man. Wanting to be a simple priest and now he was... A Duke. Surely that wasn't where he wanted his life to end up.

"Well," Aveline started, "I could do worse than a husband that likes men," She eyed him for a long moment. Why else would the son of a duke be a priest? Holding out her hand she tilted her head, finger combing her curls with her free hand. "Well, I accept. The sooner this is over with the sooner we can go back to your home and I can get used to the rest of my life. Shall we?"

Mercuxio didn't know what she was looking at, but once she agreed to the proposition that was enough for him. It was too bad that Beautiful Day didn't want any more pets because he'd been more than willing to provide. Instead she turned away from him and presented her backside.

Well, that was rude.

Mercuxio stepped away long enough to avoid being farted at or worse, and almost missed the implication she made. He blinked at her.  "I'm sorry? I..."  He was rather taken aback. Too taken aback to really respond to it. So instead he just bowed his head to her and reached his hand out to her. "Let's go back inside then. To finalize the details. We'll be married in the morning. Then we'll be on our way to Bellkrath. Is there anything about me you'd like to ask though? Before all this is official."

Anything about him?

Aveline gave him a quizical look.

Was there?

Ex-priest. Older - but not droopy older. Liked horses. Was to the point. Seemed polite and kind. "Are you going to have mistresses?" She asked, head tilted, "mother said it would be likely, but as long as I have children, no matter how many others you may have, mine would be heirs and thats all that mattered." Aveline gave a tight littlw smile.

What was a man mistress called? Surely he'd have a man on the side. While she spoke, she guided him across the well kept lawn, passed the sad garden and finally to the doors where her family waited on the other side.

Mercuxio put that other comment behind him. It was not worth focusing on. And within that small garden he'd rather get to know the better parts of her rather than inane comments. At least she was pleasant to look at.

His blue eyes surveyed her, a little more carefully now than before and he grinned, that curvature gracing the corner of his mouth. "No, I don't I'd even have time for one," he admitted. "Mistresses tend to require a certain dedication. I'm afraid most of my duties will be directed to more important to tasks."

Like ensuring an heir, and preparing Bellkrath for war.

On the other side of that door was her parents and his own people. He smiled congenially at them and the look of apparent relief on their faces was more than evident. Merric didn't at all consider that others might not have been so eager to marry her. Mercuxio supposed he could do worse.

"She will do," he assessed, nodding to his own attendant. The man bowed his head.

"Very well. I shall draw up the necessary paperwork. It will be available come morning." He turned on his heel to disappear back behind the rest of the entourage.

"Shall we have dinner then?" Merric suggested.

Aveline shifted her top again, looking down at her bosom.  Well, that was a bust. She smirked at her silent internal pun before she adjusted her top again and fixed her hair. There were polite nods of her head while she listened to him dismiss the idea of having a mistress - though she was unsure if he knew that having a mistress that was a man still counted. Not that she wanted to have relations with a man who had relations with a man.

A sly glance to Mercuxio before she glanced away and puffed out her cheeks.

She will do.

Aveline almost scoffed at that and visibly rolled her eyes.

Her mother gave a cry of delight and her father looked proud of himself. Aveline just looked bored.  Her mother gave a pleased 'Oh, yes,' to the suggestion of dinner and her father reached forward and shook Mercuxio's hand. "Welcome to the family," He said, giving a few pumps of his hand, "Come along! We should celebrate. Cigar? A drink?" He dragged Mercuxio into the manor and looked all to pleased with himself.

Finally he'd pawned off his pain in the ass daughter. As much as he loved her- and he did  - she was old now and becoming less and less appealing for marriage. Except now. Now she was going to marry a duke. "Of course, you'll have to name the son after me," He gave a guffaw while he dragged Mercuxio along.

It was going to be a long night, Aveline sighed while her mother tugged her along. Couldn't wait to be done with all this.

A long night to be shared by the both of them, for better or for worse. Mercuxio was quickly coming to realize the enthusiasm that came with the knowledge that Aveline was going to be married off. Were her parents just excited simply because she was going to get married? As did parents mostly - except when they had to shell out a pretty coin to do so.

Or were they were they bloody ecstatic to rid be rid of a head ache?

A consideration that Mercuxio was having now when he was dragged away by her father to have a smoke and a drink. Did he smoke? God no! Did he drink?! Not heavily. But the brandy Marvin Marsters was brandishing was to be comsumed by the gallon and with gusto. Well, far be it from Mercuxio to be rude to his host. And by the end of that little meeting and dinner finally being served, he was already feeling the room spinning underneath his feet.

"Hell well, now that young lord can hold is liquor well,"Marvin guffawed. "Because he damn near drank the entire decanter. Ahhh, fresh fish! Well Duke Rastognlir, I am honored to have you join us at this table. And to share our food. And to take our daughter as your wife. And I am sure she is just as honored."

And gave Aveline a pointed look.

Aveline had snuck a drink in the kitchen from the kitchen staff's stash. The old cook gave her a look before she just grinned and then cackled. A rough handed pat on the back and Aveline gave the cook a sick worried look. She wasn't made to be  a wife. All quiet and a ... Quiet. Having children. Aveline smoothed her hand over her abdomen before she stared down at the floor and made eye contact with the cook before she snuck back another drink.

Enough to smooth the frayed nerves at least.

A puff of breath, she pinched her cheeks to give them a non-alcohol induced flush and made her way out of the kitchen to see Mercuxio and her father headed to the dining room. Slipping down a different hallway, she seated herself at the table, fixing her skirts and trying to make her coils of blonde hair sit perfectly over her plush bosom.

"the most honored," She said, looking away to roll her eyes.

Mercuxio was seated beside her and her parents were across the table. Dinner was served and Aveline pursed her lips before she looked over to her... New friend. "Are you drunk?" She whispered to him, leaning to look at him, a little concerned, "Can't stand the idea of marrying me that much?" She teased, nudging his elbow.

Oh, if he didn't think he was going to fall over, he would have asked to sit down. But then he remembered he already wsas. His ass was planted in the seat next to Aveline and when the fish was served, he blinked stupidly at the  food and then at her. Oh that's right, he was getting married.

And he was drunk.

"Not at all," he chuckled, looking her over and keeping his gaze steady on her face. A lick of his lips and he grinned warmly, flashing teeth and letting his gaze dip to her cleavage. Just a glance before moving back to his fish. It wouldn't do to gawk. He was a raised gentleman after all.

"I might be just a little drunk though. I hope that's not a problem," he whispered back.

Oh dear.

Couldn't stand the idea of being with a woman already and that was still weeks away. Well, as soon as they got to Bellkrath. As far as she knew, her parents just wanted the agreement first. Have it on paper. Ceremony could be later. For his duchy. At least the brief conversation between then and now let her know that much.

Aveline was just a pawn in this game. A Pawn to have more pawns.

"Not a problem," She reached and gave his arm a pat before she tucked in for the meal. The meal was short and sweet, or at least it tasted good. Aveline was stuck with the fact this was probably going to be one of her last meals here. "I'll make sure to stock up on father's alcohol for you so you can... Perform."

The meal was over and she pushed away her plate, back straight and looked to Mercuxio in a side glance. "Ready for bed? I'll escort you and tuck you in," she pushed her chair away and pat his shoulder, smiling at him.

The dinner was short, thank God. He didn't know if he could stand the sight or smell of sea food much longer. He supposed it wasn't entirely their fault. Fovklar....Foklvar...Fooolkvaaar.  Right the last one. He supposed Folkvar had to use it's resources wisely just like any other province in the area had to. These weren't times of great luxury and the what luxuries were available were precious and to be given only on the most special of occasions.

Like weddings.

Oh shit.  He was getting married. HOLY. Shit.  Oh....God.

Mercuxio didn't really think about it until now as he tilted his head to Aveline when she was pushing him out of the chair and to a bed room. Already? They weren't even wed yet!  "I...I don't think I'm that tired," he said...  No, he was dead fucking tired. He could sleep for days on end.

"OH, maybe sleeping would be a good idea. I don't think I'll be able to stay on my feet much longer," he sighed, using the chair for support and shifting around toward the rooms she was directing him to.  Once they were inside, he just flopped onto the bed, rolling over onto his back and not even bothering to take his boots off.

Oh goodness.

Aveline escorted her husband to be to the room he would be staying in. The sheets had been turned down and she watched - confused and entertained - when he flopped onto the bed. Apparently he didn't function well either tired or drunk.

A glance around and she made sure they were alone before she went about untying his boots. No doubt it would be quite the experience. Yup. One boot down and she turned her head away and dropped the boot off the side of the bed. Other boot.

Aveline hefted her skirts up onto the bed before she pulled off his various coats. Fingers going to the buttons. Still. She leaned over him and looked at him. Her whiteblonde ringettes brushing against his chest while she unbuttoned his shirt. Then she gave pause and placed her hands on his breast bone. "You are asleep right? Because I plan on taking full advantage of you if you are." A fib, but if he were a lech of a man at least he'd pretend.

Mercuxio felt relief on his feet and he hadn't realized how tired he was when at long last the boots were gone. He flexed his feet along the stockings and shifted himself more comfortably into the bed. She was doing something weird with his clothes. Why? He was just a guest.

They weren't married yet.

And somehow she was still on top of him. "Asleep....getting there," he breathed out with a heavy sigh and her hands planted on his chest. Mercuxio stared up at her with heavy eyelids. Before his hand reached out to grip her by the base of her hair, pulling her close. "You don't have to wait for me to sleep to do that."

The most awkward laugh left Aveline when he spoke.

"Bluff called," she said, being drawn closer to him before her hands snacked around to pry his fingers from her hair. The carfully tended ringlettes were slowly seperating into a puffy curly mess of silvery blonde.

With a bit of a grunt she pulled herself free, tumbling from the bed to her feet in the process. "I think I'd prefer you sleep," she finally whisperes before she fixed her dress pale skin bright with her embarassment.

Aveline was quick to leave the room and quick to go to bed, leaving no time for following or further questions. However, the next morning, she was in his room again. Morning sun slowly climbing through the window. Dressed in a nightgown and stockings, a house coat over, shw still managed to shot off a good chunk of thigh in the morning light.

So, she sat at a table in Mercuxios room. Two cups of coffee while she read and waited for her poor drunk husband-to-be to face the day. Aveline arranged the night gown to ahow off more thigh. Just a littlw.bit. occationally she picked up fhe second mug and tried to waft the scent over.

Mornings were terribly boring alone.

Empty promises then. Or she was just teasing and he was too drunk to notice she was waiting for him to make a move and so he just passed out, half-dressed, just like that.

When morning finally came to bear, he jerked himself awake, and the smell of burnt coffee wafted through the air. Twitching had Mercuxio rolling off the bed and he slammed hard to the ground. "Oh, fuck," he hissed and rolled up to his feet. His hand gripped his skull, throbbing as it were.

"OH...." he wasn't alone, and vaguely saw Aveline through the morning light that was piercing his fucking retinas like tiny needles. "Oh god. How much I drink last night?"  Oh, he didn't want her to answer that because the answer of course was "Too fucking much."

"Good morning... Um, darling? Is it too soon for that?" he grinned, slowly stepping to that table and maneuvering over to her side. Should he kiss her? Would that be weird?  Maybe. But nothing about this situation was normal. Mercuxio leaned against that table and pressed his lips to her cheek in a chaste quick smooch.

"Thank you. Coffee. You're a life saver," he murmured and took a seat with a decent view to her thigh. Well, hello!... Maybe now was not the best time to have...morning wood.

Aveline just watched. Golden eyes wide when he fell out of bed - ehehehehehe - and finally when he made his way over. The kiss on the cheek confirmed all her suspicions. The paperwork just needed their signatures and she got a chaste kiss on the cheek. Mercuxio was absolutely a man loving priest.

Another shift to show more thigh before she sipped her coffee and made sure that at least her tophalf was modest. Aveline wasnt sure if she was disappointed or happy about it. Here was a handsome man. Ex-priest. Probably virginal. Probably loved men. Her hand smoothed over the pale flesh of her exposed thigh and she hiked it just the little bit higher, pretending to itch a scratch.

Another sip of coffee and she stood up so she could look at him. "The paperwork has been written up. My maids are packing my trunks and a few of my horses are being readied for transport," a shift of her stance and she smoothed her night gown down her front. "It just needs your signature and we're officially married," she nudged him with her foot, "this time next year we'll have at least one child. Maybe a second one the way and then you'll never have to do that again." It was supposed to be a tempting promise.

"Come sign the paperwork and have breakfast. The sooner you do the sooner we can go."  The sooner my life can contain more disappointment, she added in her head. Then, a wiggle of her fingers as goodbye and she made her way out of the room to change into day clothes.

Something was off about her. Something even more so than yesterday because this time she seemed cold, distant? Sure, they hardly knew each other. Sure they were strangers getting married, and he was taking her away from her home, her family, and her horses and. Ohhhh.....

Was that what this was about? The abrupt crisp attitude brought about because he was taking her precious horses? Mercuxio gently sipped that coffee, quiet as she went on and on about signing the paper work that would make their Union official. He had seen how important those animals were to her, especially Beautiful Day.

Mercuxio wasn't sure how he felt about that. Sipping his coffee quietly, and only now starting at her leg, a vague thing nearly blinding in the morning light...

"I will be along shortly," he replied softly, nodding to her when she rose to leave. Merric got dressed and cleaned up his muddy boots. He wasn't a messy house guest and far be it from him to start now. So he made the bed even before the servants did and me the family out by the dinner table for breakfast.

"Oh more fish...how lovely," he said, forcing a smile. It'd be fine. He could get through this. "Good morning, Lord and Lady Marsters. How are you?" A moot question because the paperwork was there on the table there, ready to be signed.

Aveline's hair had been brushed.

It was bad news for her because the natural curl went wide and she had a poofy untamed curly mess. Luckily, dressed in a soft cream coloured dress, Aveline had managed to tame most of it and braid it into a thick rope of pale gold.

A bit of a glare was sent Mercuxio's way at his whine of fish but she resumed eating her breakfast. It would be the last with her parents if they had anything to do with it. Her parents were fawning and overly pleased with themselves while her mother subtly moved the paper and writing utensil closer.

"We're wonderful my lord!" She chirrped, beside herself with glee, "we're excited to call you family. Such a handsome kind man. Our daughter is lucky to have such a match." She smiled to Aveline who forced one of her own. "Once you sign that paper she's yours! I expect grandchildren this time next year!"

Another glare and Aveline gently put down her fork and pushed away her half plate of food. Quite done. A brood mare for a gay virginal priest.  What an experience it would be.

Mercuxio was caught between a sheet of parchment and a hot poofy untamed mess that was Aveline Marsters. His eyes momentarily flicked up to meet hers, and the cold distance there was a little unnerving. Clearly he was still half-drunk from the alcohol. He kept forgetting this was just business after all. A political alliance for the assurance and good of the Bellkrathan people.

Mercuxio sat up and dug into his meal, eating it with gusto and determination and practically licked the plate clean. It really wasn't all that bad now that he was sober. And it was nice to finally have a hot meal. Something that would in short supply on the way back and in the coming months. "I'd be more than happy to make her mine. But I hope she understands that by signing these papers, I am also hers," he said levelly, meeting her gaze once again, holding the quill in hand and crossing his signature over the line officially.

He stood up and presented the paper before the pair of them, standing and crossing the table toward Aveline. "When you are ready to leave, I'll have my men prepare the escort. We begin marching in an hour. I think that's plenty of time," he offered and once again leaned in to kiss her cheek.  He gave the paper to his own attendant and left the dining room to prepare Titus for the long journey back.

Just when he was getting used to the ocean air too.

Also hers.

Aveline frowned down at the table cloth after she'd pushed away the plate. Sure it was a union but... A brief glance to him while he finished eating. Watching him while he signed. So easily. Sure she did but... her fingers fluffed with the end of her braid and she shifted and glanced away, chewing on her lip and frowning ever so softly.

Then it was done.

Golden eyes glanced up at Mercuxio while he made his way to her and spoke. Aveline hated how her heart gave a thump when he kissed her cheek. Hated how she watched him leave and was the littlest bit sad that she knew that she'd never have anything he'd want. At least she'd live as good of a life as she could with a husband that preferred the company of men.

It was easy to get ready - her maids had packed her stuff up already. All that was needed to be done was change into riding clothes. Then go. Start a new life. When the hour was up, Aveline was ready and waiting. Hat on. Pants on that hugged her legs and hips, loose white shirt and a short coat. Her hair was a thick braid hanging down her back while she waited for her new life to start.

Still, while she breathed in and tried to calm her slowly growing nerves, she hated how her heart had thumped when he'd kissed her cheek.

Mercuxio sat erect on Titus' back and commanded the horse, who did little more than appear like a dark cryptid in that early morning fog. The sun would follow, as it always did from night into dawn, but for now, the dew and moisture form the ocean made for a rather grim day. He didn't believe in omens, not for things like this.

He did what he came here to do, and he could only hope that Aveline would find some contentment in their new home. But that was not a choice he could make for her.

In the weeks it took to return, evening was only just starting to fall. Titus was rather done with the whole cross-country travel thing. And the poor boy would be getting a well deserved break by the time Mercuxio dismounted and helped Aveline down from the saddle although that was done more out of courtesy than because he thought her incapable.

"Welcome home," he said and gestured to the towering sight of Bellgrave Castle behind him. "I can't wait for you to meet my family. Bundle up though. The nights can be chilly."  Merric undid the cloak over his shoulders and wrapped it over hers, securing it around her neck.

"We'll warm up with some good wine inside," And he gently took her hand in his, stalking through the grounds and keeping her close.

Aveline had never been so tired in her life.

Her head ached. Her back ached. Her ass ached. Her hands ached. Her cheeks hurt. Finally, she glanced up at the castle and stifled a gasp. If the gravity of what she'd gotten herself into hadn't crashed down around her head on the awful journey here it would now. The help down from the saddle had her land bowlegged and she wobbled, hands clutching Mercuxio's arms before she gained her footing.

All she wanted was to sleep.

"Going to be spending my nights alone am I?" She teased softly, looking up at Mercuxio through pale lashes while he moved his cloak from himself to her.  Aveline adjusted it slightly, letting her fingers brush his palm before she let him take her hand and lead her along. Despite how tired she was, she kept her eyes wide and took in the sights of her new... Home. Aveline pressed closed to her husbands side.  Another shiver ran through her. The coldness was different here. Not as bitter.

"When can I go to bed?" She said softly, glancing away. Keeping her mouth closed about the state of his stables. Her horses had traveled with them, no doubt they were being put in stables. Where they okay? She'd been checking on them obsessively through the journey. None of them had turned lame. None of them looked unhappy. "After wine and family?" her voice was soft and out of her element, she was demure and maybe even a little shy.

"I will show you around, and I promise the meeting will be brief. Although...if you'd rather go to sleep, I can thoroughly sympathize. So...we can do the meet and greet in the morning. I think that would be better for everyone. The horses are being cared for in the stables, don't worry. The workers here are capable and Beautiful Day is in excellent hands," he said, glancing briefly over to her.

He squeezed her hand and guided her into the door and into the doorway.  Her bags were brought along behind them, and as they entered up into the rooms, Mercuxio led the way, never once letting go of her hands in doing so.

"This is the guest wing. It'll do for now, but we'll move you into a master suite when you're more settled," he said softly, walking into the room with her, and tilting his head a little. The cold left color in her cheeks that was rather becoming. She wasn't ugly, not in the slightest, and he smiled sweetly, thanking the servant that brought her things up.  Merric pressed her hands between his.

"Is there anything I can do for you to make you feel at home? Or do you have everything you need?" he asked, titling his head the other way and reaching up flick off a stray strand of hair.

Hm.

Aveline let herself be guided. The chill of their hands together gathering warmth and she almost drew closer fo him for it. Their marriage was still contract only. Unconsumated and while they were friendly there had been no untoward movements on Mercuxios part.

He's been a perfect gentleman the whole time. Hadn't touched her. Hadn't  kissed her. Cheek kisses were a common thing and she wasn't sure if one of those had been a lip kiss before she'd turned her head to make it a cheek kiss. Aveline listened and was surprised when she felt a little bad about the guest wing.

The sweet smile wasn't for her, she knew. A glance off to the side after she watched the servant leave. A small frown while she blinked up at him. "Hmm? Oh. No. Im sure everything will be fine," she squeezed mercuxio's hand before she took a deep breath and looked around the room, "you have a lovely home. I look forward to meeting your family."

"All right then. Have a good night, dear," he said with not small amount of genuine care. She was a guest in his home for now, and although they were wed in contract only on paper, he was going to see to it that she had everything that she needed. Anything at all. So even as she assured him she would be fine, he kept their hands together and forgot about the cloak on her shoulders and quietly departed.

The night however was fraught with much tossing and turning and by the time he actually fell asleep it seemed morning was rather adamant to pour in through his curtains. Mercuxio was draped to his knees in a night shirt, and slipped into loose trousers for morning breakfast. It wasn't sea food but he hoped she had a taste for bacon and eggs.

It was better than nothing, he thought. Although...maybe Aveline would prefer something that reminded her more of home? Mercuxio didn't know and figured it might be a good idea to bring her breakfast in bed. So after a trip to the kitchens gave him all he required he jostled his way down to the room he left her in and carefully knocked on the door.

"Good morning," he murmured, gently pushing it open with his back and turning with a tray of hot food and coffee.  The family would still be there for her to meet later.

The forgotten cloak warmed her and Aveline smiled slightly at the floor. It was apparenrly going to be a temporary room so while she looked around she didn't commit it to memory over much. Aveline had tucked her mkre favoured clothing at the top of one of the trunks and despite how tired she was she still managed to change.

An old nightgown was pulled on, more for comfort than warmth. It smelled of her home and she glanced at herseld in the vanity.mirror above the dresser. So well loved it was practically see through. For modesty sake she took her second comfort. The cloak mercuxio put over her. It smelled of.outside and ... him.

Not in a bad way.

Aveline carefully brushed out her long whiteblond hair before she braided it on either side and wrapped them around her head like a platinum coronet. Stasfied with her work she wrapped Mercuxios cloak around herself and climbed onto the bed. Too tired to even turn down the sheets.

There were dreams. Strange dreams that made her uncomfortable and featured a certain mans cloak she was wearing. She hadn't even seen him topless so the first time she woke to a dark room she wondered how her mind had come up with a topless man with such clarity.

The second time she woke up it was after the scent of food and coffee had filled the room. Slowly, golden eyes opened and she stared at... "you..." she sat up, forgetting about the cloak and the fact her nightgown was little more than a sheer piece of fabric.

"You brought me breakfast," she whispered up at him before she pulled his cloak tightly over her shoulders, "what's the occasion?" She teased, reaching for the cup of coffee first.

Occasion? Oh, he didn't know he needed one. Mercuxio slowly closed the door with his foot, crossing the threshold toward the bed, and took a seat beside her.

There was only one cup of coffee, but it was hers for the taking. He smiled gently, eyes flicking down to where she'd neglected to cover herself until it was too late. OH..oh. Merric's eyes flicked to the point were her nipples were practically pointing through her shirt.

"I just thought you'd be more comfortable just the two of us. The rest of the family are still out there. They can wait though. Did you sleep well enough?" he asked.  And surreptitiously stole a strip of bacon, tearing it with his teeth.  And his eyes drifted to that cloak she was wearing.

No comment on that. Because he'd forgotten about it, and the fact that she still had it was...sweet.  "How are you feeling?"

Aveline flushed so scarlet it was probably turning her hair red. Slowly she made sure the cloak covered everything before she held the mug in both hands and took a sip. It was fine if he saw those right? Sort of?

Aveline knew two things about being man and wife. The wife had the children was one and any begetting of children was done after dark and when it was over you went to your seperate bedrooms. Or something.

A slow look to Mercuxio before she also stole a strip of bacon and chewed on it quietly, brows down while she thought with a frown. That would probably work fine for him, though she knew she wouldn't feel like a man in the dark.

After polishing off the coffee and half the eggs, she motioned to the remaing half of breakfast to... Her husband.  Was now a good time? Slowly, Aveline found his hand and pulled it to her lap. "I understand that you were a preist," she gave them a squeeze anf shuffled closer, holding his fist to her belly. "I want to get along with you so... As soon as you're comfortable we can work on an heir and then... And then you won't have to worry about it. And I dont mind if... you want us to be mostly clothed and in the dark. In fact i prefer it! The sooner... the sooner you have a male heir the sooner you won't have to... touch me like that." And she gave his hand a pat and let it go, making sure again that her assests were covered from Mercuxio's tendee gaze.

That was an odd thing to say this early in the morning. And although he was not ignorant as to what their marriage would entail, the fact that she seemed so overly focused on it was worrying. Was that all she thought she was good for? A brood mare that needed to be filled with as many babies for as long as possible until she was put out to pasture.

He kept his hand firmly held in hers until she released it...  "I...don't mind being naked if that's what you're worried about," he said, trying to reassure her.  And finding himself failing. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to to it, okay? There's no need to rush, we'll be just fine okay."  Mercuxio smiled and reached up to brush a hand to her cheek.

"Let's just try to get to know each other a little more. What is...your....favorite color?"  Okay that was a dumb question. It was too late to take it back now.

It was hard to resist leaning away from his hand. Instead, she turned her face to it, closing her eyes and letting her cheek rest against his hand while she pondered. A brief glance away before she raised her own hand and pressed her palm to the back of his hand. Aveline took a deep breath and squeezed his hand before trying to smile. "Is that a thing newly weds do?"

Aveline took Mercuxio's hand from her cheek and held it in her lap, fingers trailing over his palm while she just took a moment to look at him.  Still holding her hand in his, she look at his face while he spoke. A surprised laugh bubbled out of her when... "My favourite colour?" Aveline held his hand before she let go of it slowly, pulling the cloak tighter around her shoulders. "I... Purple."

A glance down at herself and she looked at the cloak. "Oh," she blushed and pulled it off of her shoulders, arms curling around her before she held out the fabric, "Thank you. For letting me use it. It's... Nice and warm." Licking her lips she played with the collar of her nightgown and glanced away, "What's your favourite colour?"

The cloak. That right. She'd kept it and used it to keep herself warm that night. Merric felt his belly jolt at the thought of her wrapped up in that section of cloth, bundled up by a fireplace. And wearing nothing else underneath him. His eyes drifted down to her neck, only glancing away a second from her words. She had a lovely laugh, one that sent shivers up his spine.

"My favorite color," he considered the question. "Royal blue. But the cloak...you keep it. I have lots of them. And I want you to have it. Something from me to you, I think that'll help even things out between us." 

He wished he brought more than one cup of coffee and scooted in closer so that his leg was only vaguely touching hers, although the motion hadn't been on purpose. "Have you had any other animals to care for, when you were younger? Other than horses."

Royal blue.

Aveline examined his features a little closer, pulling the cloak back over her shoulders. She didn't want to make him oveely uncomfortable with er... Womanly charms. Stifling a yawn against the back of her hand she watched him for a moment.

"I had a few house cats. A dog or two. Mostly horses. You have my best ones here. Beautiful and smart. Fast." Aveline sighed and relaxed against the pillows. The coffee did nothing to wake her up and she pushed the mostly empty platter to the foot of the bed.

Should she? Aveline was never one for hesitation. Why start now? After relaxing back into the pillow's she looked him up and down before she reached a hand to brush her fingers through his hair. Her own still in the tight braids around her head. "You look tired," she said softly, opening the cloak side as an offering, "you should have a quick nap with me."  Aveline shifted on the bed so she was at an angle and did her best to look... friendly. Though in little more than a sheer sheet, looking friendly wasn't an easy task.

A few house cats, a couple of dogs, and lots and lots of horses. Sounded about right.

A lot could be said about a person that cared for creatures that were not human, and Mercuxio liked how she was with the horses. It told him more than she let on. Merric took the tray from the edge of the bed and shoved it aside to the table next to her, resuming his seating position as it were.

Oh....OH?  Merric's eyes widened, the fingers through his hair rather startling. He shifted around though so that he could follow where she touched him. Pulling away quickly would be awkward. They didn't need any excuses to do that.

"A nap? That sounds...nice. Yeah...  It's still pretty early," he replied. He turned onto his side, laying atop the blankets while she lingered underneath and his eyes flicked to her breasts again. They were too lovely to not be appreciated.

"Are you not an early riser? That's okay with me. I tend to be an early bird. But that'll give me an excuse to bring you breakfast in the morning. I thought it would be nice," he murmured. His hand reached out to lay on her shoulder, letting his hand touch the pulse at her collarbone, and only shifted himself so that he could get closer to her. "Let's try this instead."

Merric turned himself so that that he could turn her to lay against his chest, the fabric of his own shirt, shifting so that she might feel the hardness of the muscle underneath. "Comfortable yet?" he managed to say without snorting.

Hm.

Aveline side eyed Mercuxio while he shifted and moved. He seemed surprised. Maybe a little hesitant. Then his hand was on her shoulder and her heart gave a thump, a brief glance at him and she just smiled and closed her eyes.

It was no use getting overly attached.  It was clear he liked men. They'd been technically married for... since they left her house and his hand on her shoulder was it! Still, she hated how her skin tingled and she shifted to where he guided her. "Oh, I wake with the sun," she snuggled in against him.

Aveline pressed her cheek to his shoulder and let her eyes close, "I'll sleep in if it means a handsome man brings me coffee and breakfast," a smirk and she sighed, "and seconds as a warm pillow after breakfast." Her hand sleepily caressed his chest and she sighed again, "it's too bad you like men."

Wait...what!?

What was that?  "You...think I like men?" he had to asked all of a sudden, tilting his head to get a better look at her. This time they were inside and there was no mistaking what she said. There was no outside interference to worry about.

Merric's eyes were nearly to his hairline and he shifted so that he could actually get closer to her face. "Why do you think such a silly thing?" he snorted.

Oh bother, he was moving. Aveline whined slightly, cracking an eye open to look up at him before she grumbled and closed her eyes again. Still, she lifted her head and looked at him, blinking slowly before she puffed out her cheeks and shifted where she lay. "Of course," she leaned back slightly and lifted her eyebrows.

When he got closer to her face she didn't move away. Instead she pressed her cold fingertips to his throat and just tilted her head slightly. " Well, you're a priest," she stared, voice husky from her desire to simply sleep, "we've been married for a little bit and you haven't even made a move on me. My mother gave me a talk before we set out, something about how any man worth his salt would consummate as soon as possible," then she looked at him through her eyelashes, "I figured, since you weren't interested in me at all then you were... Avoiding it. Until you had to." Aveline shrugged and closed her eyes again.

"It's okay," She pat his chest and yawned again, nuzzling against his shoulder, "I don't expect much."

Merric felt himself bold enough to rest a hand on her hip - or it would seem like a bold move for a man that was actually trying to prove that he was attracted to women in some vain attempt to make himself believe something untrue. In fact that she thought so and admitted to believing he was a homosexual was all sorts of amusing. Oh lord, what the hell did he just get himself into??

He'd only moved enough so that she was still on his shoulder and he was able to look into her eyes all the while she voiced her mothers unasked for opinion. Oh, for some reason he should have seen that one coming a mile away.

"Was a priest," he corrected gently, grinning and having a hard time hiding his amusement. Hmm, how should he approach this? There was always the option of being rather heated and...ahem, butthurt, about the whole thing. None of her assumptions were true of course, but there wasn't any reason to get upset about it. They were married now, no going back. Mercuxio snorted in his mind, so instead he decided playing along was the best method for now.

"I see. Hm, this does make things rather unusual for us. I know it's always possible for married peoples to have partners on the side. I don't know if I'll be making any such plans. I've never been married, true, but then again neither have you. This is a new experience for both of us. So why don't we experiment a little? See where it goes? I'm willing to try if you are."

He smiled sweetly at her and tilted his head to lean in a little closer. "Why don't we kiss? Just a small one?"

Was a priest. Past tense. Aveline moved her hand to cover her yawn before she tried to snuggle down again, finding herself being talked to again. A weary tired look up to her... Man... And she resisted the urge to roll her eyes and cover his mouth with her hand.  Though, it was then she felt the ache of the previous amount of traveling set in and she practically melted against him. Cheeks warm with the pleasure of it. Not him specifically but being so close to someone so warm.

Aveline opened her eyes slowly after her head was tilted, and she blinked up at him before she reached with her own chilly hand and took his chin. Then she tilted his face and pressed her lips to his cheek before she snuggled back down, tucking her forehead to his neck. "Just a small one, now let me nap. I want to look pretty for your family and I can't do that if I don't get my beauty sleep."

Haaahahahaha.  Well, if that didn't backfire so wonderfully in his face, Mercuxio might actually be inclined to frown at her. So she kissed him back and his cheek was still tingling where they touched him. That wasn't exactly what he had in mind, but nor was he going to wake her up when she finally relaxed and nestled in against him.

"Have a good nap then," he whispered and kissed her right back, although it was just at the corner of her lips rather than on her cheek and his drifted his hand up to her side, gently pressing his palm to her breast.

Merric just eyed her quietly for a while, before the comfort and warmth of the bed soon made him fall asleep as well. A few hours passed before he woke up again and his arm was numb underneath her.

The hand on her breast sent a zing through her system but Aveline was tired enough, mentally and physically to do little more than turn into before she completely passed out against her... Husband. The dreams were sweet, though perhaps a little more erotic than she was used to - it starred a topless Mercuxio again.

Aveline work slowly, arm curled around his chest, pressed tight to his side. Her head was on his chest and she lifted her head to find... "oh goodness," she whispered sitting up and wiping her mouth. "I drooled on you," she whispered before she sat up onto her knees, facing him head on. A little chew on her lip and she flushed at him before she wiped at her mouth and cheek again, making sure nothing was there.

A long look at him and she blinked and looked surprised, nervously smoothing her hands down the front of her nightgown. It was almost noon, judging by the light in the room and she just... Flushed slightly. " I thought... I thought you'd have snuck out," She looked around the room before she sat back on her heels, the cloak long forgotten in her original resting spot, "I didn't expect you to stay."

She was positively adorable at this moment, and once he caught her eye Merric was hooked. At least until she noted that she had drooled all over him. Mercuxio stirred his fingers, or tried to long enough to wake up his arm and sit up while she shifted back onto her heels. "I've stayed, yes. You're bed is the best in the whole household. I was honored to share it with you."

Oh the cheese on that one hurt.

Merric shook himself. The drool was...quite a lot. And he pulled his arms into the sleeves and pulled the shirt off of him. Because there was no way he was going to walk out of this room with his half-asleep arm and drooled on shirt. Besides the day was here and ready for them, whether they liked it or not.

He didn't really think of himself as being topless in that moment, and there was no embarrassment as he glanced across to her and smiled. He scooted off the edge of the bed, turning around and tucking a hand under her chin, pushing her face up, close to his and leaning in for a quick less chaste kiss. For what it was worth. "When you're dressed, head down stairs. I can introduce you to the rest of the family then." 

He turned around and went out the door. Yep, he'd be needed a new shirt.

Oh dear.

It really was a pity that he liked men.

Unashamed, Aveline watched when he took off his shirt and even licked her lips before she brought the back of her hand to her cheek because it was so warm with blush. Then the smile. Aveline didn't even protest when he tipped her head up for a kiss on the lips. A simple easy kiss. Still, she blinked up at him, lips parted before she blinked again.

Mostly it was the first time she'd seen a man actually topless.

Secondly it was her man. Aveline watched him go in a little daze. Right. Changing.

Aveline slid from the bed, standing slowly before she peeled the nightgown off and tossed it to her bed. It was a simple gown she pulled on, a soft pastel blue that was frilly and off the shoulder. Tight around the waist. Another one to show off her good... Bits. A loose shawl was extracted from a trunk and she pulled it around her bare shoulders before she finally went to a mirror and fixed her hair.

Unbraided, down to her waist. A beautiful mess of waves and loose curls before she finally made her way down the stairs. A pinch of the cheeks to make them rosy and a deep breath and finally... Down the stairs she went. A little nervous.  Very nervous.

So nervous her stomach was rolling at the idea and she took a deep breath before closing her eyes. Hopefully she looked pretty. A good impression. At the very least Aveline was positive their children would grow up to be gorgeous.

Mercuxio was bathed and dressed by the time he made it down stairs into the great hall, and it was there that he found his mother speaking to a guard, and his little sister looking rather unhappy about getting her hair braided on the bench she was currently occupying.

"Good afternoon, my dear," Christine Rastognlir greeting and turned to her son. Although he was now a Duke, and should be properly addressed as such - even by his mother - he didn't tolerate any nonsense regarding deference on her part. Instead he swooped in and wrapped arms around her form, hugging her to him in a quiet desperation.

"Good afternoon," he murmured, pulling away when he had enough.

"Get up late? Hm, nevermind. Where is your blushing new bride? I can't wait to meet her."

"She'll be down shortly. Lady Aveline Marsters of Folkvar...  Although I guess Aveline Rastognlir is her name now, should she choose to take mine," he sighed and turned to Dani. She tilted her head only slightly and jerked her head toward the stairs.

"I think that's her coming down now."

So much for a good morning...

Okay.

It would be fine.

Aveline fixed her outfit a few more times, plucking at imaginary fluff and making sure it looked good but not the bad kind of good. Deep breaths. Finally, a few moments and some deep breaths to calm her panic of meeting her new... Family? She finally started down the real stairs and... There they were. Of course she went to the most familiar thing - which was Mercuxio. A passing smile to the girl getting her hair braided and she moved to stand beside him.

"Hello," she said, flushed because these people hadn't been waiting for her all morning had they? "I apologize for being down so late, I don't think I've ever traveled so far in my life and it all caught up to me." Which was true. Physical activity was a common thing for her and she thought fleetingly about her horses but... They were safe in the stables and she had good impressions to make.

Aveline reached for the woman's hand, taking it between two of her own, "it's an honor to meet you, My Lady. I am... Aveline.  I'm afraid your son has told me little about you but I suppose that means we'll have more to talk about." Then again, they knew little about one another. A smile to him over his shoulder and she looked to the girl again, "Is this your sister?" she asked pleasantly, smile bright.

The one thing that was familiar for her, was rather unfamiliar for him. He wasn't accustomed to having a wife immediately swoop in to his side. He didn't cast her away as he might have been wont to do with anyone else. Mercuxio blushed when she mentioned him not having told her about his mother. Or his sister, just that they've been waiting downstairs all morning. And, while that was true, that wasn't much to go on.

"It's no matter, darling. You've come a long way. And you deserve your rest," Christine beamed in greeting. "And I know you and Merric would like an opportunity to get better acquainted."  A look to Mercuxio and his face flushed deeper. Ugh, what was he, fifteen?

"We had breakfast in bed," he answered. "And fell asleep afterward."

"I'm sure you did," she smiled. "But it's no matter, truly. Besides you have the rest of your lives to spend time with each other. Today I will be with you Aveline. To show you around the estate and properly welcome you to your new home."

Dani twitched and when her braid was at last finished, she eyed this little tart that her brother had brought home. Funny, she always thought he was a little queer himself. No man in their right mind would join the seminary and take a vow of chastity. But she only felt sorry for Aveline. the poor girl getting trapped into a marriage like this.

So she extended her hand. "Darien. I'm Mercuxio's little sister. But you can call me Dani. Please," she said. Her tone surprisingly pleasant.  "Go on. I think my mother wants to abscond you from our company. I do have one question though. How old are you?"

This woman...

Aveline blushed and glanced away, up to Mercuxio. Then his mother. Then to his sister. These people were her new family. Deep breaths. "It's a pleasure, Dani," a moments pause to look between the three of them.

Another smile, "I'm..." a glance down and away, "twenty-five. A little old, but..." an awkward chuckle and she glanced down and away before clearing her throat. And she reached for Mercuxio's hand and gave it a quick squeeze before she pulled her hand away. 

"I'd love for you to show me around. It's a lovely estate," Aveline smiled and looked to the woman, "I hope to... Live up to any expectations you have of me."

"A little old? Well, if you insist," Dani snorted out loud. She had the right look about her, she'd fit right in within this hellhole. Summers here weren't exactly as pleasant as one might expect, not quite like the warm bluffs of Folkvar. She would not be sunkissed here. With any luck, she wouldn't be wind burned either.

"Come along darling," Christine pulled Aveline away from her daughter that watched the pair of them leave and she tucked her daughter in law's arm in hers and carried her off down the hallway.  "I hope you understand that...truly, I had no expectations. I never quite expected my son to be married off. But, believe me, I think you'll fit right in, my dear. I want to welcome you."

She squeezed her hand and carted her right along, showing her the various nooks and crannies of Bellgrave Castle, from the dining rooms to the armory to the rookery at the very top.

"So what is your home like, dear? I suppose it is very different?" Christine inquired, coming back down the hall slowly, wanting to speak with her a bit longer.

Aveline wasn't sure if she liked Mercuxio's sister but the opinion was kept to herself. Instead she just smiled and nodded and tried to make sure her hair still looked nice. Mostly she just wanted to look nice for his mother. This was the woman she wanted to impress. This would be the woman that would be... Helping take care of children and... Things. The person to ask questions to when she didn't know what to do.

Never expected her son to be married off.

Well, that was good right?

How many women had he met before he finally settled on her? Aveline opened her mouth to ask but the words didn't come out. Instead she just smiled and nodded. No expectations. 

"It was... Old," She shrugged lightly, "Not as grand as this place. Mostly wind worn and... Stone." Aveline had never had to describe her home before, "I never realized how grey it looked there. I think the stable for the horses was almost as big as the house though," She chuckled, brightening at the mentioning of her beasts, "I bought a few here. They're... Officially part of my dowry but... They're mine," She glanced away before clearing her throat, "Perhaps your son's horse Titus will find a good match with one of my girls."

A slow glance to Christine and she smiled, "You have a wonderful son and... I hope to do you proud as his mother. My parents were happy to be rid of me. They're looking forward to messages of grand children," a lick of her lips and she glanced away, " Are you? Looking forward to our children?"

Mercuxio, in truth, had already decided that the Marsters family was going to be his first and only stop. Settling had factored very much as part of the deal, and somehow he figured if it didn't work out, he could always divorce her. A divorced ex-priest, now a duke, unfortunately had a tasteless ring to it. He didn't go in completely blind, however, he knew that deep down doing so would be foolish.

Advisors informed him on her family history, her tutelage, and the fact that she'd remained unmarried this long was somewhat un-ideal. But perhaps that was part of her appeal. Mercuxio didn't seem to find her desperate for a husband, and in fact, she even seemed more reluctant to do so. She made it clear that she cared for her horses and little else. He could work with that. This, after all, was a union, of state. Not of emotion.

There was little time for that in the current state of things.

"I am looking forward to my son making you very happy," Christine admitted plainly. "Children, of course, would be lovely. But I understand that all of this is very new to you, new duchy, new home, new husband, so take all the time you need to adjust. Merric is very patient. He had a good heart. And the needs of those around him come first."

Was this too good to be true?

Aveline looked away after a moment, frowning softly. Her fingers went to her hair to pull at the imaginary tangles while his mother spoke.  Patient. Good heart.

"You... You've raised a fine man," Aveline started lamely, glancing away. At least he was everything she wasn't. Patient being one of them. "Well, with the country the state it's in, heirs will be sooner than later." A glance down and away before she smiled, "that's my part of the deal. Being comfortable will come later," Aveline sighed.

"You truley have a lovely home. I hope to... Only add to it." Aveline cleared her throat and glanced away, "are there any traditions I should... Know about? Holiday things?"

Things that were too good to be true often were just that. In these terms, Christine only knew that Mercuxio had found a beautiful woman to call his own. And she seemed lovely on the inside as she was on the outside. Of course, it could be that she was simply trying to make a good first impression. So she wasn't going to put all her eggs in one basket just yet.

"I can understand that," Christine shrugged. She squeezed Aveline's hand. "As for your concern with family functions, please understand that Mercuxio's father has recently passed. The previous Duke of Bellkrath was a wonderful man, and although in our hearts we still mourn him, we try to put on a brave face every day. He has already been interred, do no worry about preparing for any funerals, dear. Just try to make the best of things.

"It will be Merric's birthday soon. He doesn't know that I've already decided to throw a small party for him. Please keep it a secret between us. Because you will be rather key in keeping him distracted for the next few weeks. Newlyweds and all that."

Aveline looked at Mercuxio's mother.

Comparing the woman to her own mother.

Apparently her mother-in-law won out. There was no nagging. No snide little undertones. Aveline reached a hand and took Christine's between her own after she spoke of her husband. A small sympathetic smile.

"How do you suppose I keep him distracted?" Aveline asked quietly, curious and confused. "I think he would want to get to work as soon as possible," she smiled slightly and looked away. Then a deep breath, "Is your son... Odd?" Aveline leaned in slightly, "We're officially married but he hasn't.... There hasn't... Did he join the priest hood because he loves Ansgar or because of... Other reasons."

"My son decided he wanted to enter the priesthood a long time ago before this awful war," Christine explained gently. "His decision put him at odds with the Duke. He was his heir, but I think Mercuxio wanted to do something else on his own. To give him purpose. But, who can truly be sure. None other than my son. That is something you will have to ask him."

She squeezed her hands again as they entered the great hall again. "Don't worry. I'm sure you'll find plenty of ways to keep him occupied. Tomorrow, we will make a small ceremony for you. I would like to be there, to see my son kiss you at an altar."

Christine looked up to Mercuxio and gently traded arms with him, handing Aveline off to Merric. "Please, don't let me steal away all her precious time."

A topic of conversation for later.

Aveline looked away while Christine spoke, giving a little flush at the mention of kissing at the altar. Would she have to dress up? Would she have a dress for that? Her hand smoothed over her side, fingers feeling the fabric while she tried to think of a tactile way to bring uo being a priest to her husband.

Still a weird word for her.

"Oh, its not that precious," she tried to insist, switching arms easily. Aveline looked at Mercuxio, lips pursed, trying to decide if she was nervous about a little ceremony or excited. "Your mother is lovely," she said plainly, smiling at him.

"What were the plans for the day?"

"She is. She's a gem," he whispered to her, turning to Aveline and smiling softly. Her eyes caught in the light momentarily and God only knew just what would happen tomorrow when they were actually married. Which they were now, but ceremonies must be kept up. "Let's go out. Walk with me."

"Good day," Dani murmured, tilting her head and snickering as her brother walked off and she went off with Christine to venture down the hallway.

"I hope you'll like it here," he murmured. "Let's uh, go hunting. You like horses. We can ride together for a while. The day is nice and we'll probably be very busy tomorrow."  The suggestion was an excuse to escape for both of them. He didn't want to be trapped in that castle any more than he had to with all the memories that he held.

It was still rather reeling to think that he was a Duke now..  The title once held by his father, a shadow of a man now gone.

A polite nod to Dani and Aveline just looked to Mercuxio before she squinted at him slightly. Trying to imagine him in priestly garb. A purse of her lips and she glanced away from him, cheeks puffed out before she hugged his arm to her side and rested her cheek on his bicep.

"Hunting?" she echo'd, looking up at him with wide golden eyes. Of course, that meant horses, so the smile bloomed onto her cheeks anyway. Nuzzling against his arm she snuggled close against him and let out a breath. "That sounds like a plan," She stated simply before pulling away. Then smirking, "Very busy?" She said, moving to stand in front of him and take both of his hands in hers while she blocked his path.

"Aside from the ceremony so your mother can see you kiss me at the altar? What else is going to happen, hmm, Husband?" she smirked at him, looking him up and down before she let go one of his hands so she could drift her index finger along his neck to his chin.

Hunting was something they could both do without feeling pressure to do anything formal. And perhaps it might not have been a Connlaothian custom to take a lord's wife out hunting, it was a nice change of pace for once. Mercuxio wanted to see her in a more natural environment. After all the signing of the papers had been fast and their departure left little more than dust in their wake.

Merric paused in the crook of the hallway when she stood in front of him. What? Wouldn't she be eager to get out?

Merric felt gooseflesh soothe up his arms and his hair on the back of his neck stand on end when the shivers came over him. He didn't know she could touch like that, and although it startled him, his expression remained somewhat stoic. "I think it'll be a surprise. A pleasant one, for both of us. Let's go outside. Get some fresh air," he breathed.

Merric leaned in and whispered those words right in her ear, before taking her hand and finding their way out to the stables where their horses were being run around a paddock. "Get them saddled," he directed, and right away, the moment he was free, the Titus came running to the side of the ring, burying his face into Merric's neck.

A pleasant surprise for them both.

Aveline just smirked at him before she glanced away. Slyly rubbing her ear to make the tingling his whispers gave her go away. A shift of her hips and she watched him while they walked. He was handsome. He seemed kind.

There were much worse choices. Of course the walk to the paddock had her mind wandering but it wasnt until she watched Titus greet Mercuxio that her heart gave a pained lurch. Would she ever have that with Mercuxio? Would he ever want that with her?

"Beautiful boy," she said simply, rubbing a hand along his neck. A quiet instuction to saddle Beautiful Day - not in the paddock for obvious stallion reasons.  Aveline just smiled at the pair, "Do you consider Titus a pet or a friend?"

"He's been my friend since he was just a foal. I've had him for more than ten years. He's about 12 or thirteen now," Mercuxio estimated. "I love him."  He grinned and watched when Beautiful Day was taken out, now saddled and brushed and with her mane combed.

Titus tilted his head to sniff at Aveline, knickering and leaning into her pets.

"He's a good boy," he murmured, and lead Titus out of the paddock. He climbed up and settled into the saddle, his gear brought to him from another servant, a bow and quiver, with a set of arrows, and another set given to Aveline.

"How old is Day?"

Aveline daintily held the bow and arrow.

A lover of most animals, her bow abilities were abysmal at best. Pursing her lips she looked to Titus and then to Day when she was brought about. Yes. If she used Titus their offspring would be lovely. A new strain. Titus could be the fresh line she needed.

Aveline, distracted, quickly turned her face to him and stared at him. Golden eyes wide. "She's five," she said, "I was going to breed her soon," she smiled and kissed Day's velvety nose before she brought Day over to the fence so she could shimmy up and climb onto the horse.

Once seated she looked up, regal. Her curls hung down her back and she grinned at Mercuxio, "Did you plan on having Titus breed? Maybe we could do that. When we have children, we'll make sure to have them breed. Make our kids beautiful horses," she laughed, taking a moment to imagine a young child on a beautiful horse. A perfect mix of all of them.

"Shall we?" She smirked before she held the bow and nudged Day along before she started on her way into the bush, "I dont actually intend on hunting."

"That is not a bad idea at all," Mercuxio smiled back at her. It was certainly a nice thought and even though it didn't seem as if he was at all interested in having children with her. They would get to that, so why rush it? He wanted to get to know her as much as possible. And yet...the fact that she thought he wasn't at all physically interested in her gave him small amount of amusement.

"That's all right," he offered. "We can just ride. Anything we hunt will be given to the village below anyway. We have food here."  Mercuxio shouldered the quiver and rode out ahead down a winding path just to the rear of the castle The forests in the nearby mountains were ripe with game still and much of the land had been untouched by war.

The large thick evergreens rose high between them and Mercuxio slowed Titus to observe Aveline on her own mount. The light caught her hair and his eyes dilated at the sight. Merric offered a smile and squeezed his legs around Titus, steering him to walk alongside her.

"I grew up wandering these trees as a boy. Not too far. Father didn't want me getting lost. They get thicker the deeper into the mountains you go."

While they rode, while she rode, Aveline imagined all the children and horses. A small smile on her face while she stared ahead, smelled the trees and forest. Her eyes closed for a moment and she turned when Mercuxio started to speak. Golden eyes popped open and she stared at him, confused for a moment.

Another smile bloomed on her face though, "The trees were always a decent ways away from me and my horses," her voice was soft. She enjoyed how it echoed through the trees. Though, Aveline tilted her head, hair whipping over her shoulder when she heard strange sounds. Sounds that weren't like a forest.

A soft...

Aveline frowned and nudged Day over through the trees.

A whimper?

It didn't take long for her to simply slip from the horse, heels digging into the soft ground. "Mercuxio," she whispered, frowning, staring a head. "Do you hear that?" Her voice was soft while she spoke and looked around. Day, being a good girl, remained standing where Aveline left her. "There's..." Another confused little shake of her head and she started towards the soft noises.

Though a misstep had her practically slide down a small hill on her knees. Mud smearing up her stockings and dress. Though.. "Oh God," She whispered. The source of the noises.

It was puppies.

Or rather. It was a puppy. "Mercuxio!" she hollered, staring in mild horror. A puppy. And a dead mother. And dead puppies. Instantly, Aveline bent down to pick up the squirming little baby. Pale gray with a pink nose. "Mercuxio!"she smoothed her hand over his little body, "Do you have a jacket?" She called, "He's cold!"

Mercuxio hadn't heard it, the whimpers nor had he realized that Aveline had gone off until he was talking to little more than thin air. There was Day. And Aveline disappeared just below a hill. He pulled Titus to a halt, sliding down from the saddle and following where she called his name.

"Aveline," he called out, cupping his hand and only then seeing her at the base of the hill with ...something squirming in her arms.

Mercuxio had been wearing little more than a doublet, and he carefully made his way down the embankment, slipping out of the jacket and holding it out like a blanket to curl it around the small dog's form. It was such a scrawny thing with awkwardly large paws and it whimpered and shook in Aveline's embrace.

"Oh, no...  Poor wee pup," Merric purred and shifted around behind her. "All of the pups are dead? Except him....  How even did you hear him? Nevermind, let's get him back up the hill."

"I just... Heard it," she whispered, cradling the puppy close. Any beast could have done it. A brief glance to the dead mother. The pup was cold so who knew how long ago she'd died. How long ago the pup went without a meal. Taking the offered cloth, Aveline wrapped the pup in it before she held him in her arms to warm him.

"I think the hunting trip should be on hold " it was more a command than a comment while she made her way back up the hill. Her dress no doubt ruined by the dirt from the hill side."can you hold him while i get onto Beautiful Day? Any... any barn dogs that could feed him or... Its okay. I know what to give him." A worried look to Mercuxio.

Well. At least she'd found something to keep him occupied.

The pup whimpered and squirmed in Aveline's arms, but the moment they were up on the hill, he calmed considerably and tried to curl up as much as possible. Another whimper and when it looked at Merric, the dog seemed to give a rather reluctant wag of his tail.

"Give him here. I'll hold him. Or her. The dog," Mercuxio offered. He shifted closer, and took the pup into his arms. The dog gave him a wild side-long glance before turning and immediately licking his face. "Hey!" He cackled, trying to keep the dog from licking him when Aveline was finally mounted.

"I know you're happy now, dog. But settled down." The dog stopped squirming and his tail wagged through the space between the sleeve arm crook. "Hey, good boy. That's a good dog."  Once she was settled he handed the dog back off to Aveline, mounted and took Day's reins into hand and steering Titus with the other.

"Ahh, well, there's always another time. Any idea what you want to call him?" Mercuxio asked, cutting a smile back to Aveline and the pup that wagged his tail again when Merric looked at him.

It didn't take long for Aveline to realize the pup wanted Mercuxio. He was bigger and warmer than her and perhaps he felt the presence of an alpha. A glance to Mercuxio and she smiled softly to him while he helped and handed the pup to him when he asked her to. The sound licking he got was only good news and she smiled softly - still saddened by the rest of the family - before she got herself onto her horse.

The ease in which he returned the pup and began to lead them away surprised her.

There wasn't any demand to get rid of the beast. No. Aveline's mouth opened slightly and she stared, "Call him?" She said softly, looking down at the pup in her arms that only had eyes for Mercuxio. "Hm," She stroked down his back, ignoring the grime and mud on her hands from the puppy. The dress was probably ruined. Maybe she could give it to the help to... Refurbish.

"Well," She said softly, "Father wanted me to name our first son after him," She smirked slightly and looked down at the pup, "Marvin Junior. But, Vin for short," she stroked his cheeks and sides before she looked down at her husband. So ready to take in a beast in need. Who knew if this pup was sick. Or when it ate. Obviously it was excited because it'd been found but...

"I look forward to raising our first child together," She teased softly, tilting her head. "I imagine the poor thing is hungry and thirsty. And then we'll have to train him. He'll be wonderful. Do you think he's still nursing?" Aveline, unfortunately, knew next to nothing about dogs.

"Our first born son...  I...can't help but think that that name suits that poor lonely pup juuust fine!" Mercuxio beamed, leading the horses back through the trees, down the path and through to the stables. The rather startled stable hands were taken aback at how early they arrived and surrounded Titus and Day to help tend to them back into their respective stalls.

Merric helped Aveline down and eyed the pup that lazily wagged his tail in her arms still. "Vin. Hi. How are you doing? We've had a couple of hunting dogs. My father was very fond of them. More for the company than the actual hunting, but they were very brave, so I've been raised around them from time to time." he murmured, reaching across to scritch at the dog's neck scruff.

"He looks like he's probably going to be weaned, but we'll try a mix of milk and meat just to be sure. The houndmaster will help look after him. Shall we set him down? See if he likes the place?" Mercuxio gestured for her to do just that and let his hand slip easily into hers, it was still warm from holding the pup.

A houndmaster.

This place seemed to have everything. At the suggestion, Aveline put the pup down. His earlier fear was still there, his tail giving unsure tick-tocks in between being tucked up under himself. Aveline chewed on her lip while she watched him sniff things and instinctively jerked away when she felt a hand in hers.

Though, a glance down and she looked at Mercuxio surprised before she gave a shy little smile and let her fingers thread through his. "He's very brave," she said softly, moving enough that she had her back pressed to his front. Switching hands so that she could hug herself with his arm. The back of his hand pressed to her abdomen.

Did she want to raise her first child - human child - with a mutt found in the forest and a horse? Oh yes. That sounded like a dream. A glance up to Mercuxio and Aveline let her head rest back against his shoulder before she gave a content sigh. Sure she was hugging herself with his arm, but it still felt nice! "You're a good man," She said softly, "To take him in so easily. I'm sure he'll be beautiful when he grows up," Though she imagined he'd be small, being so tiny as it was. "Do we leave him here? Will he be friends with the horses?"

That contact with the hands was hardly anything he was used to. But Mercuxio could manage. His threaded his fingers into hers and let her rest her head against his shoulder. It made a curious jolt spark in his belly and he sighed in deeply, walking along with her toward the house and relishing in the closeness she provided.

How long had it been since he'd been close with anyone? The years melted into one grand illusion.

"We can leave him, the houndmaster will find him and bring him in to be properly assessed for training. Vin... I like it. You found him though, so really you're the one that saved his life," Merric replied. And brought her back into the house.

He tilted his head and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "You're sweet."

Trying to pass the good deed onto her.

Aveline could laugh.

Still she held her husbands hand and let her head rest to his shoulder for a while longer before they left the pup to the person with the know-how and the will-do. The walk back to the house was brisk, the air felt different here. Not as crisp and not as bitter. There was no salt on it to chap her lips or rough her cheeks. Her hair felt different already.

The kiss on the cheek was a surprise and she blinked up at Mercuxio, mouth falling open ever so slightly before she flushed and looked away. Then looked back. Then away again.

"You're sweet, too," She replied, taking his hand and bringing it to her mouth to kiss the back of his hand. Getting up on her tiptoes to kiss him would be far too much effort and what kind of lady would she be if she did all that for a kiss?

The doors were opened for them and the pair waltzed in. Aveline looked around again, not quite believing this was going to be her home now. A Duchess. She was a Duchess. All fancy gowns and hard choices.

"Are we... Celebrating tonight or tomorrow?" She asked softly, looking down at the floor and playing with her skirts in her free hand.

Mercuxio fought hard to suppress that shiver that tingled down his arm when she grasped his hand bringing it up to his lips. What was it she was going on about again? A glance to her eyes and he stirred, having lost himself in the amber sea of her eyes. And his own blues narrowed, and there it was again, that shiver.

His fingers curled around her chin, just underneath it. Maybe a kiss wouldn't hurt. Except the doors opened and he paused long enough to only hover his lips over hers. Mercuxio instead smiled, a softer grin and his black hair dropping down almost before his eyes.

"Tomorrow night. The official ceremony I mean, and fufilling my husbandly duties. Should I practice first? Since you are quite a woman," Mercuxio made a show of swallowing hard and having his eyes widen, glancing away as if a little nervous. "I wouldn't want to you to be disappointed. Leave you dissatisfied."

If Aveline had had a drink, surely she would have spat it out.

"Excuse me?" she hissed, voice soft and barely above a whisper. Sure she'd suggested that he touch her. Sure she was worried he might like men but... That was just rude! To speak of such things. Aveline's porcelain skin flamed red and she riffled through the secret pocket in her dress for a fan. A loud thoorp and she was fanning herself, tight ringlettes of curls bouncing about in the air.

She grabbed Mercuxio's hand and tugged him along, poking her head into every which room until she found a vacant study. "You can't just suggest that. Practice... Practice?" Huffing she crossed her arms over her chest, flushing still and at a loss for words, "Fine. If that is what you wish. You are, after all my husband. Fulfilling your husbandly duties," She scoffed, fanning herself again, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation now that it was actually a vocal thing.

"More like fulfilling my wifely duties. Hurt and messes, that's what my mother said it would be and the sooner that's over and done with the better," She huffed and looked away, supporting her fanning elbow with her free hand. "Was there anything else, Husband?" She asked coldly, amber eyes narrow. It had been such a nice mid-morning-afternoon, too.

That sheer mortification - whether it was real or not - had Mercuxio nearly spitting with laughter. The Duke of Bellkrath snorted and tried very hard to maintain his composure. It made sense, wifely duties. That was what this marriage was for anyway, wasn't it? That was a cold hard fact that he could not ignore. It would be naive and uncouth to do so.

He did his best and let the smirk soften on his lips. "I promise I'll be gentle," he murmured. "But if it makes you so heated then we can wait until our wedding night, as is proper." Mercuxio dipped down and brought her fanning hand between his own hands, pressing the palm of it to his lips in a firm kiss.

"Ok, let's just have dinner then. As husband and wife. Get to know each other.  With clothes and conversation."  He felt himself flush, although the heat from his face came more from trying to hide his amusement than any real shame in the matter.

And into the hallway they went, with dinner prepared and into that quiet conversation as promised. Mercuxio continued to maintain that composure, and the rest of the evening went on without a hitch. He didn't wait to help Aveline to her room and walked with her, with her arm gently tucked in the crook of his arm. "Good night, Aveline," he murmured, flushed from drink. "How are you feeling about your new home so far? Feel free to be candid. It's such a nice color on you."

Get to know one another with clothes and conversation. What a thing.it was tempting to snatch her hand away. Not only was her husband interested in men he was now worried about having her.... I'll be gentle. Aveline flushed as they made their way away from the room.

The day went on without a hitch. The conversations were perfectly acceptable and mundane. Dinner was served and that too was perfrctly acceptable and mundane. Finally, pleasantries were done, ger face was warm from wine and she let her cheek rest on Mercuxio's bicep.

"You have a lovrly home and a lovely mother," she moved away, letting her fingers thread through his, "the sooner I can add to it the better. The sooner you can stop pretending to be interested in women. You don't fool me." A visible pout and she rested with her back against the door while she spoke, clearly put out that her husband was only interested in other men.

Don't fool me, she said.

Mercuxio made a slight gasp at the comment. Don't fool her. Oh no, whatever was he to do. The fact that it seemed to genuinely bother her, however, certainly made his eyebrows raise to his hairline. Mercuxio squeezed her hand back, letting his thumb run on the outside of her index finger's knuckle. Maybe he was having too much fun with this. Yet the temptation to tease her was much too strong. Too easy to pass up.

He tilted his head, quiet and leaned into her. A taste, a test. And if she didn't like it, she could push him away if she wanted. His head was swimming, and he couldn't think of how much pressure he was using to kiss her with. He just knew when his lips made contact he pressed them firmly to hers, and even let his free hand slip up to thread through her hair.

Merric tilted his head into it, coaxing her lips apart until he could feel her own breath. Sure, it still tasted like dinner, but aside from that it wasn't bad. He pulled away to catch his breath.

"That's what I'm good at. Fooling the unfoolable. Still fooled?"

Kissing was kind of weird.

Putting mouths against other mouths. What was the point? Still, Aveline didn't pull away until her own mouth was coaxed open and she endured the weird wet squishy thing in her own. Still, she pulled back and made a face, eyebrows drawn up and looking at him like he'd suddenly grown a fish for a head.

Aveline no so subtly wiped her mouth with her palm and glanced away, not really sure what to do with what just occurred. "Fooled?" Aveline blinked, "I wasn't fooled for a moment that you liked women. I'm not sure if you putting your tongue in my mouth was an insult or an attempt at something else" There was a pause, she wanted to ask if he did that often - put his tongue into other peoples mouths- but he was a priest. A priest that liked other men.  "I am unfoolable," she said, turning her nose up and looking at him through her eyelashes.

"You're drunk," She decided, catching his elbow, "You should go to bed."

Weirdly enough, Mercuxio couldn't tell whether she was genuinely offended or just playing with him. Maybe being drunk made him less perceptive than usual. Normally he felt he could read people pretty well. His head did a little swim. And yup...yeah, he was drunk, a little buzzed. And he only chuckled at Aveline's perfectly normal reaction.

"It can be more than an attempt at something if you're curious. My tongue is good for more than just talking and kissing, I could show you, if you'd like," he offered, voice husky, heavy, and he leaned in closer to the touch at his elbow.

"Let's go to bed, Aveline," he growled, breathing in deep reaching to hold her face, cupping a rough calloused hand against it. He could feel the twitching of her muscles underneath that skin, and his eyes flicked to the poutiness of her lips, of her expression.  A grin, and he leaned in to kiss her cheek, letting his breath linger there. It was laden with alcohol and maybe his request was more of a coaxing and his arm slid down around her waist, and he pulled her against him, hooking her waist.

"The night's cold. It wouldn't do to rest up alone."

Eugh. So drunk.

Aveline supposed this was bound to happen eventually. One man could only do so well pretending he liked women and she couldn't blame him for trying to ease the way with alcohol. "Show me?" What else were tongues for. Hardly kissing. That was just gross. Eugh. Warm slimy thing.

Mercuxio was her husband and she endured his alcohol ladened breath against her cheek and she could practically feel a buzz from what was left in his mouth! What was inportant was putting her man-loving husband to bed.

"Yes, yes. Anything you want. Show me all your tongue tricks and we can warm one another up. I'll send for a night dress from my trunks and all will be fine? Come along." Aveline escorted Mercuxio to his room, pressed against his side, one hand on his chest, "and then we can wake up bright and early and see the puppy, hmm?" Without prompting she started to undo his coat, wouldnt do well to sleep fully dressed.

He was drunk and if he'd been looking at himself from the outside, he probably would be cringing super hard. Yup, this wasn't at all normal behavior, but somehow he couldn't help himself. Time to be super charming, be super duper extra seductive. Show a little neck, give her a little squeeze, and she'd be his right? That was how you woo'd, right? Yeah sure. He had a lot of experiences with women. Not ...really, no, but the women he knew somehow had been charmed, and now that he was drunk that meant he was extra charming.

Mercuxio was glad though that she'd accepted his offer, and when she finally let him into his room, he half-stumbled after her, closing the door with a decisive click. Mercuxio grinned, unable to contain small chuckles as she pressed her hand to his chest, where his heart raced and his stomach lurched with a pleasing jolt, where his lower belly warmed.

He didn't mind the little touches, the force, even the fed-up attitude that she clearly was putting on. Well, maybe, he didn't know here that well yet. But he wanted to, and he saw no reason they shouldn't start now. With a shrug his jacket came off and pooled to the floor and he gently coaxed her backwards toward the bed.

"Chilly nights up here are probably not all that different than being on the coast," he reasoned delicately. Mercuxio nodded and pressed his hands to her hips, fingers digging into cloth and bunching it in his grip, gently coaxing it up. "All kinds of ways to warm up. Ohh, my darling, you're so cool to the touch."

Merric licked his lips and bit down on his lower one, eyes flicking from her eyes, to her lips, to her bosom and he leaned down on his knees, coaxing her dress up. "I know a poem. I'll spell it out for you," he muttered, and with a swoop her shorts fell, eased down by delicate fingers, and his took a long lapping kiss against the inside of her left thigh, kissing there until her body was as flush as his was.

He listened to her little responses, the small breaths inbetween each kiss and he soon leaned in to lick at her sex. Tongue tricks that left him a little less tied. Even drunk Mercuxio had always waxed poetic.

As she was coaxed, Aveline let herself be moved backwards, an exaggerated roll of her eyes as her knees hit the bed and there was a loud sigh. At least his coat was off. Mostly she was expecting him to flop beside her on the bed but when that didn't happen and he just held onto her skirts she listened boredly and moved her hands above her head and looked up at the ceiling.

What happened in the coming moments she wouldn't have seen from a mile away. Aveline watched from her place on the bed. Legs bent over it. Leaning back on her elbows and blinking at him curiously. "Mercu--!" she gasped, scandalized. Her eyes looked to the door and she felt a blush start at her cheeks and heat quickly rushed through her body. Embarrassment and shame were the focal points but there was something else, something she didn't really understand resting low in her belly.

This man was her husband. That meant she was his and he could do what he wanted her to and Gods forgive her but she was curious as to what he was doing - or going to do. Couldn't they have quieted the fire? Turned down a lamp? Aveline felt exposed and like she was being watched - which wasn't far from the truth, Mercuxio had his face right there. Was he trying to prove something? The swipe of tongue at her thigh had her gasp and she looked at him, cheeks hot and eyes hooded before she moved to lay flat on her back, hands moving to cover her eyes.

If she couldn't see anything then it didn't count right? Or she couldn't be blamed for it? Was this a thing people blamed someone else for? "What do you mean spell it out?" she breathed, not wanting to but shifting her legs apart anyway because clearly this was what he wanted to do. Each lap of the tongue had her tense and suck in a little breath, let it out slowly. Of course, it wasn't long after her asking that she got her answer and Aveline gasped loudly, doing her best to suck in a deep breath - though it was halted by her corset.

"Mercuxio," she gasped, sitting up slightly, flushed at the sight of her bare knees and her husbands - her man loving husband! - head between her naked thighs. "Ah Ah- Wh-what are you doing?" She moaned out, eyes fluttering closed and lower lip pulling into her mouth before she gripped her skirts in her hands and pulled it up higher, knuckles white against the fabric. This wasn't at all like what her mother explained to her! "Did you just spell?" She exclaimed, eyes popping open and another halted breath, "I don't know any poems about roses." she whined, head up and eyes squeezed shit, doing her very best not to wriggle too much because this was all sorts of strange and unusual pleasure. "You know I'm not a man right?" She gasped out, concerned for a moment that he perhaps forgot that fact.

In another time, maybe before the seminary, Mercuxio would have gotten married and inherited the noble title and position that his father had raised him birth to take over. He would have procreated with his wife to make an heir, a back up, and went about his business with running Bellkrath, securing it in preparation for the coming war.

War would have arrived anyway, regardless whether or not anyone was ready for it. The Church would have anticipated it. People would have died regardless. No one was safe, the nation would still be burning.

A morbid thought, considering what he was trying to focus on right now.  And Mercuxio felt even then it was just easier to let himself go. Just be, here in the moment, with Aveline and knowing all that he had lost, and what he could lose only made him respond to her further. Her little hitches in breath and moans. He wanted her to feel good, and every quiver she made as he rolled and lapped his tongue against her, breathing in deep.

"I know," he breathed against her, in answer to her question regarding whether or not he was aware she was a man. "Now that you told me that is. But I had to make sure that you weren't a man."  He snorted just a little, flicked eyes up at her past the ruffles of her dress, up to her flushed face. The look in his eyes conveying nothing short of mischief, tipsy impetuosity as his hands slipped around the outside of her thighs and pushed her dress further back, gripping calloused hands against her flushed flesh.

"I'll try spelling your name. Pretty sure I can do that right," he challenged and ventured back toward her heat, swiping his tongue upward then back down, starting with the A. He said something snarky, but perhaps it was better that she didn't hear him considering he'd just spelled her name wrong on purpose. Whoops.

Not something ladies did. Right?

Aveline panted, face heated and she stared up at the ceiling, dragging her skirts up in a lame attempt to hide her face. Though when she made eye contact with his face right down there she gasped quickly and sharply, letting it out in a high breathy moan. So lewd. No ladylike at all. The barest movement of her hips when he hit just the perfect place and she gave a little whine when it left. A-V-E-L-I-N-N --- Her hands clutched at her skirts and she took in another sharp breath, gasping it out and arching her back and then....

"I can't," she panted, taking in a little breath, each breath short and sharp and she cried softly, panic climbing into her gut and she pushed at her skirts and clawed at her dress," Merc--" She panted, eyes wide. Flushed, lips bitten red. Her golden curls a tumble around her head, a golden halo on the bedspread. It was an odd mix. The pure pleasure from her husbands mouth and the panic from the restricted breathing. Had it been this tight before? "Merc!" she cried, reaching down for him and clawing at her clothing.

"I can't breathe!" Aveline did her best to stay calm, rolling onto her side and squeezing her eyes shut. Pleasure still radiated from her core and she curled her legs up and held them together. Whether it was to keep it there or hoped it'd go away she didn't know, she just knew she needed out of this corset now, "take it off!" she gasped again, face still red but pale porcelain white underneath. It only took a few moments, but she felt the ties loosen and she could finally take in a lung full of air, coughing for a moment before catching her breath again.

Aveline sat up on her knees, trembling from prior activities and the breathing scare. Removing the corset and dropped it off the side of the bed, taking the rest of the colourful dress with it. That must have been it, right? Surely he was done now. The loose, shapeless white undergarment was all that she was left in and she moved to the side of the bed to remove the decorations from her hair and various bits of jewelry she'd put on.

"What..."Aveline said softly, looking over her shoulder, "What was ... That?" She nodded to the rumbled bedding where he'd... Displayed her so... Lewdly. "Why do that?" Then she paused and frowned, flushed cheeks and she chewed on her lower lip. This man was her husband right? It was just on paper. All official. Not consummated. There'd been no ceremony or anything. "Why did it..." She blushed more, felt it all the way down to her belly. Aveline threw her hair over her shoulders and smoothed her hands down her front, pausing over her hardened nipples. Well, she was chilly now, that was why.

"It... Didn't feel terrible," She admitted begrudgingly, looking down and away, "Do... Do you enjoy doing that?" Usually Aveline was no nonsense but... This was unexplored territory in every manner of the word except for bathing.

It'd been going okay. Or so he thought, and perhaps this wasn't the most ideal position to get to know his knew bride in, but if not this, then what? When? After this short respite it was back to life, back to planning, back to war, back to the possibility that it would all be for naught and that made him want to cling to her even tighter.

They were perfect strangers, didn't know each other beyond name or even assumption. And all he could think to do was start somewhere, build that connection. They didn't have to be strangers, they didn't have to let it come down to a marriage solely of convenience. They could be friends, could they not? Mercuxio, at the very least, found he could hope for that.

But soon she twitched, hitched, and moved away from him, and Mercuxio had to blink to collect his vision as he watched her pry off that suffocating clothing. She couldn't be more flushed and flustered. Beet red and the very sight of her peeling off her clothing had Mercuxio shifting over to the bed, sitting at the edge of it amidst her panic.

"Aveline. Are you ok?" he murmured, eyes wide. His hands fumbled only momentarily as he peeled her out of that corset and tugged it off, discarding it to the side. There he remained beside her and shuffled to shrug out of his own jacket. Once she calmed, he eased himself and took in a deep breath.

Was it really so odd?  She wasn't that unaware of what happened when a person was aroused was she?

"Aveline," he hissed, crawling over to her and settling behind her. "That was...me trying to pleasure you."  A flick of his brow and he tilted his head. He slipped an arm around her waist and hugged her back to his chest. "I did enjoy doing it. Did you not enjoy it? It's okay to feel pleasure. Should we try again?"

Pleasure her. Aveline chewed on her lip softly, flushed to high heaven. Face so hot she could feel it in her ears and her hair. Did he really enjoy that? She shuddered softly and looked over her shoulder after a moment, hair a soft mess tumbling over her shoulder in golden waves and curls. She'd calmed since her event with the corset and she looked at the door again, waiting for her mother to jump in and yell at her for everything that's happened. It was okay though. This was her husband. Right? Aveline let herself be pulled back into his arm, feeling his heart beat through her back. The warmth of his arm. Letting her head tip back she was silent for a moment.

It was a little internal struggle more than anything. Did she want to feel like that again? Yes she did. She felt guilty though. There wasn't supposed to be anything here. She wasn't supposed to feel anything for Mercuxio. The deal was her family got to have a daughter be the wife to a Duke and the man's family got access to a good hearty stock of horses. Feelings weren't involved. Especially feelings that made her feel shivery and awkward. Still, that didn't stop her from shifting up moving her cool hand to his warm wrist.  "I liked it," She whispered, head turning down and away making sure her hair covered her bright red face.

It was a slow drag, moving his hand, shivering how it felt against the cool fabric against her abdomen. It was okay, he said. He wanted to pleasure her, he said.  Finally, after dragging his hand down to the junction of her thighs, she sucked in a breath at the shiver that went through her at just the idea of someones hand down there.

"Merc?" she whispered, shuffling back and loosening the ties at her neck so that it fell open, slipping down to bare a pale shoulder, "Show me more?"

Her body practically felt like it was on fire the moment his arm slid around her. The thin fabric of all that remained of her clothing did nothing to abate the heat he felt from her. He'd shrugged out of his own jacket the moment they went into the room and although he hadn't been paying any real attention to it, he could feel the pressure in his pants more than a little tense for what they'd been doing only minutes earlier.

His limbs were heavy and his head felt like it could roll off his shoulders. When was the last time he drank that much? Couldn't be damned to remember, but the second she leaned back against him all depressing thoughts swam away from him. Mercuxio blinked ice blue eyes at her, heavy-lidded drooping even.

Her words sent chills up and down his spine and he leaned further against her. It was okay. It was perfectly natural to be attracted to a beautiful woman. He knew then that he'd gotten lucky, he decided. Someone else could have snatched her up, but no, he got the luck of the draw on this one.

"More.  Yeah, good idea," he breathed out licking his lips and swallowing on a dry throat. Also mainly because all the saliva presently was in his mouth, just about ready to fall from his lips.  A noise that resembled a hungered hum emerged in the back of his throat the moment she loosed the ties at her neck.

Soft supple skin, ripe enough to be tasted. So he did, dropping his head into the crook of her neck and kissing wetly at her throat.  "How does that feel?" He sucked gently on that skin, and let his hand slip into one of the loose openings of her shorts, and slid them toward the heat between her legs. It was still largely wet where his fingers slipped inside her, rolling his thumb over that point that made her shiver so.

Aveline sucked in a breath, eyes falling closed and hissing it out slowly. Her head fell back and she stared at the canopy of the bed after forcing her eyes to open. The underdress untied at the throat, it slowly worked it's way down her front, slipping off a shoulder and clinging precariously to a breast. "I don't know," she whispered, shifting her hips for Mercuxio's hand, a little mewl leaving her mouth when he pushed his fingers inside.

The mechanics - Aveline knew those - she knew she was supposed to be naked as well as her husband and that he was supposed to... Do stuff. She'd seen her horses mate, making sure to keep the mare safe or drag her away from an aggressive stallion. Her eyes popped open and she frowned. Horses were terrifying. Surely he didn't have --- Except the idle thoughts left her because his thumb moved and it felt like he'd tugged at the muscles in her gut.

Aveline clenched her thighs together in surprise, the under garment falling off her breast and exposing her to the chill of the room. "We shouldn't do this," She whispered, looking at him over her shoulder, hair a mess of ringlets and curls, half wearing her clothing, "You're not of sound mind," She could smell the alcohol on him. If he had to get drunk to touch her then... Maybe they should save any touching for after the wedding ceremony. Despite her words though, she rocked her hips against his hand where she could, eyes fluttering closed and lower lip slipping between her teeth to stifle a moaned sigh. "Merc," She whined softly before she remembered squishing his hand might hurt.

Slowly she opened her legs, pressing her back to his front and moved her hands to clutch at the white of the nightgown. "M-m-maybe you should just sleep," She sighed, eyes closed, "And we can talk in the morning. About this." Not that she wanted to. Aveline very much wanted to just let Mercuxio do whatever he damn well pleased -- that way she could blame all of it on him.

Mercuxio was far too fuzzy to make sense of what he was doing. His body was heavy and everything was languid, lagging, and his face was exceptionally warm as he tucked his head in further in the crook of her neck and kissed her deeply, hotly, lapping his tongue against her pulse.  He wanted her to feel good, and when the front of her fell, barely kept on her body save for the mounds of her breasts.

"What?"  Wait.  Her thighs closed around his hand and his breath hitched, a small sound of frustration creeping from the back of his throat. Mercuxio tenderly lapped at her shoulder, kissing her warm skin there, and he felt the jolts going through her, his own body tensing and he released a hot breath along her neck.  "Why?"  An empty question that he expected no answers to.

He sat up straighter and kissed at her cheek, trying to coax he head to angle toward him and kiss at her lips this time, wriggling his head to slip in deeper and keeping his thumb rolling over her clit, until she was shivering again. His other hand reached around to grab at her breasts, gripping and squeezing it gently, rolling his other hand over pert nipples.

"We can sleep after," he murmured, breaking that kiss, nibbling at her bottom lip. He nodded to her, and encouraged her to lean further back against him. Mercuxio didn't relent, slipping fingers in deep enough to elicit what other noises he could from her before he shifted them both back against the bed. Pulling his hand away reluctantly, his fingertips glistening with her, and he pulled his shirt off his body,

Mercuxio shifted around and tugged at his trousers, gently pushing them down from his hips and he hovered over her, placing hands on either side of her head, eyes heavy and hooded. 

"Sleep will come. I promise," he breathed and cupped her face sweetly.  "There's nothing wrong with what we're doing," he hissed, kissing at her jawline, dragging lips to her chin.

Was he doing this just because he was full of alcohol?

Aveline let out a heated breath, alternating between holding her breath and rolling her hips against his hand. It was wrong of her to enjoy the touch so much, but her hand gently reached for his wrist to encourage the touches. Right there, she mentally panted, too shy and embarrassed to say any of it out loud. Arching to his hand, she cupped her own breasts before pushing her hands above her head, tucking under the pillow.

He'd moved them. Her nightgown open to her belly, ties loose. The bottom pushed up past her hips to leave her bottom half exposed to the cold air. Aveline gave a needy whine when he pulled his fingers from her heat and she flushed to see how... "Oh," she sighed, looking up at him, drawing her knees up, pressing them together and taking in the sight of her... Husband... Shedding his shirt. A flush and she looked away, both enjoying and hating how her lower half pulsed with her heartbeat. "Merc," She whined, squeezing her eyes shut and squeezing the fabric in her hands.

This was improper. Ladies didn't do this. Aveline didn't open her eyes until Mercuxio moved to hover over her, looking up at him with bright eyes, hair a curly halo around her head. "I liked... Before." She whispered, arching her back and moving her legs to let him rest between them. Aveline finally looked down and - oh Dear Ansgar he was naked - when had he gotten naked? Was that a...? Relief flooded through her when it was tiny in comparison to a horse.

"Are we going to make love?" She whispered, eyes flickering up to his, mouth parted, "I liked how it felt," A wriggle and she smoothed her knees over his hips and Aveline blushed before smiling ever so slightly, "I really liked..." She shifted, taking one of his hands and giving him ample time to regain his balance with his other hand. Slowly, dragging his hand down her body, she placed it to her core again, moving his hand to her clit. "That. I really like that," She huffed out, eyes closed again, "Do that more. Did you know that was there?" She whispered, looking up at him, "Teach me? I don't... Know anything about this."

Mercuxio's breath hitched at her responses, the little breaths she made, where she panted and arched her back into his touch. He didn't know if it was just the alcohol talking or if the sped up heart beat in his chest was because he wanted her. He let out a low slow breath, shuddering and releasing a soft moan as he settled between her legs, her skin so soft and untouched. He was still on his hands and knees, holding himself above her with one and letting the free hand rove her body.  A thumb brushed over her nipple, feeling the bump of hardened tips, and flushed state of her pale skin.

"Did you?" Stupid. Don't parrot the questions back to her, he chided himself.  "Fucking hell.  Aveline." He panted hotly against her lips as she took his hand and pressed it down her body, down to that spot he'd favored before with a few fingers. Rubbing at her again, he focused his hand slowly letting her twitch and moan to the little motions of his fingers on her body.

"Yeah," he panted. His lips pursed to kiss at hers and he tugged on her bottom lip, pulling it with his and sliding his tongue inside her mouth again. "We can make love.  This...is supposed to feel good. If something is uncomfortable, then I can adjust so that it feels wonderful. God... Aveline...you're so hot."

He pulled his hand away with some reluctance. Fuck he watch her face and listen to her mewl forever, but the little whines would wait a bit as he settled more between her legs and brushed his tip against her entrance.

"I slip inside you. Into your heat...And our bodies become one," he explained gently, moaning against her mouth, and kissing down her neck, and pressing himself against her, so that that heat slicked him up and made entry all that much easier.

Everything was nice and good feeling, she writhed against his hand, her breath was hot against her lips and when he kissed her she moaned into his mouth. Her fingers pressing through his hair and moving down to squeeze at his shoulders, arching towards his hand between her legs, more than happy to accept more of those careful touches.

Aveline shifted her hips slightly and blinked up at Mercuxio, waiting and patient and tense and so ready.  Eager and waiting and wriggling for it. Aveline chewed on her lower lip, body shivering slightly and there was a tense feeling in her belly when she finally watched Mercuxio crawl up between her legs. It wasn't shame it was just... Unfamiliar and what if she did this wrong?

Turning her head slightly, the tingles and sweet feelings didn't go away, but they were backseat to the strange unfamiliar fullness. Aveline shifted her hips and bent her legs to rest her feet near Mercuxio's thighs, cradling him between her own.

"That's it?" She whispered, opening an eye to peek at him through her lashes. The stories were all about how much everything hurt. The shame of feeling pleasure from it and... Aveline let her eyes drift closed and she rolled her hips ever so slightly. "I was expecting this to be much worse," she said voice soft, moving her hands from his shoulders to the front, slipping her arms under his to gentle drag her fingertips down his back.

"I like you being so close," She whispered, shifting her hips again and enjoying the closeness of this strange man that was now her husband more than the tingling of pleasure just out of reach. "Can we do this every night? A nice intimate kind of hug before we sleep?" Aveline's eyes closed briefly and she smiled up at him, shifting again because she knew there was something else that was supposed to be there besides feeling content. "Is this it? This is nice."

Sure his head was swimming with want and need and lots and lots of wine. Mercuxio grumbled slightly, rubbing himself against Aveline's wet heat, feeling that slickness and how easy it would be to just slip inside her. She shifted her hips, hooking them around her thighs and he breathed in the scent just around her neck, panting softly and taking in the wifts of her essence from her hair.

She smelled sweet, wonderful, earthy. "I like being close to you too," he nodded to her, kissing along her neck and throat and rolling his hips under hers just when having her rubbing against him wasn't quite enough.

"Yeah. I'd like that a lot," he muttered. "I'd love to be close to you as often as possible."  Merric stole her lips with his once again, distracting her enough with a succulent kiss before he slipped inside, going slow and rolling his hips until he hitched his breath, feeling her envelope completely around him. He moaned softly, pressing his forehead to hers and looking into her eyes. 

"Are you ok? Does it hurt?" he asked, checking in and ready to pull out if it did.

Did it hurt?

Aveline closed her eyes before she shifted her hips and smoothed her hands down her husband's back. Finger nails dragging gently down his spine before she wriggled a bit and finally cracked an eye open to look up at Mercuxio. It wasn't some explosion of pleasure but it was nice and she shook her head no before she licked her lips and moved her hands again. "It doesn't hurt," She whispered, voice breathy before she rolled her hips up against him. Aveline had never really considered what making love was going to be like.

Probably hadn't counted on it smelling like second hand wine.

Her hand moved to cup his cheek and she chewed on her lower lip while looking up at Mercuxio. Her heart picked up when she looked at him. Here they were, naked in a bed together. Married. Though the grand wedding hadn't taken place. Swallowing thickly, she stared up at him, eyes wide before she curled her legs around his to hold him close, rocking her hips in rhythm with his. "Merc--!" she breathed, head tipping back when she finally gave in to what little pleasures she felt.

It didn't matter that he had to get drunk to finally bed his wife. They could... Bond. Snuggle. Make love. Aveline chewed her lower lip, back arching and lifting an arm up to grab at the headboard, briefly thinking about what a tangled mess her hair is going to be the next morning. It was a strange sensation to get used to, having someone writhing for their pleasure against you. Aveline relished in it though, falling into the more carnal desires easily. Hips moving up and down, eyes falling closed while she focused on the strange tingling pleasure just out of reach. "Mercuxio," She whispered, mouth falling open again before she turned her head and simply chewed on her lip. "Is there more?" She breathed, casting her bright eyes to him, cheeks flushed and lips red from biting them.

She wasn't the only one flushed from head to toe with whatever carnal lust was coursing through him. Was it the wine? Hmm, it was definitely part of it. Was it the fact that she was fairly determined he wasn't interested in her sexually but had to do his duty to spawn an heir regardless? Or was he just screwing her out of spite to her sheer sense of doubt?  Hmmm, maybe some awkward combination of all the above.

Mercuxio hadn't a reason to be spiteful toward her. And he'd be dead wrong to think of her as anything less than devastatingly beautiful.

They'd been rocking together, steadily and in time, Meruxio undulating his hips as his movements elicited responses from her. He scooped her close to him, keeping their bodies tightly wound together, legs tangled in a mess as he rocked in deeper, rubbing his face along her neck and cheek, kissing along it.

Then the tinges of her body, the muscles tensing and wanting to lock up.  Mercuxio focused the parts that made her tense more. "Usually yeah. Sometimes. If it's pretty good," he mumbled and  and ground his hips harder in hers.

He kissed her lips again, moaning into her mouth. "Are you...f-feeling anything?" he panted back against her. He got the cloudback of his own breath against her and he wrinkled his face. "Yeah, my breath does stink....I'm sorry."  A soft chuckle followed, only to be interrupted by a moan as he drew closer to climax.