Chapter 32
Griffith watched the puzzled look gracing Kallen’s face. In all her innocence, she did not understand what he asked.
He framed her face between his palms. “Sweetheart, consummate means to make perfect. To put the finishing touches upon something. In this case, ‘tis the marriage act itself. When a man loves a woman completely. Do you know what I am saying?”
Kallen nodded, biting her lip. “Yes.” She frowned. “I have seen both dogs and cats at their love play. Savina explained it to me.”
Her face puckered as if she were about to cry. “If ‘tis what we must do, then so be it.”
Griffith drew her close, resting his chin atop her head. “Kallen, do you remember how you felt when we kissed? I know the same turbulent emotions ran through you as through me.”
He stepped back and brushed a lock of hair from her cheek. “This will truly complete us. We will be as one, man and wife. How God intended us to be.”
“All right,” she said softly.
Griffith knew the next part would be a delicate matter, especially as skittish as Kallen now looked.
“There is but one problem. The first time we couple, you will experience some pain. ‘Tis only natural, and will not occur ever again. I simply want to warn you so you will be prepared.”
She frowned. “I thought so. The female dogs I saw whined and whimpered. They did not look very happy.”
He hugged her tightly. “I think you are worrying overmuch, Wife. Let me rub down the horses and give them a bit of hay. They need the rest, as hard as we’ve pushed them this night.” He indicated the house. “Why don’t you go inside where ‘tis warmer? As soon as I’m done here, I’ll build us a fire.”
“I can do that,” she said. She appeared relieved to have a task to accomplish. “Is there any firewood that has been cut?”
“Yes, there is always some left in the grates. This is a hunting lodge long in the de Mangeron family. They shared it with my family over the years, especially since we knew the families would be united in marriage once Deva and Crispin were of age.”
He accompanied her to the entrance. “Light the fire in the upstairs bedroom at the top of the stairs. ‘Tis the nicest room in the lodge. I’ll be up shortly.”
Kallen hesitated a moment and then stepped inside.
Griffith went to care for the horses and then drew water to wash in.
After quizzing her about the earl’s routine, he knew they had some time to spare.
He hadn’t wanted to rush things between them and was glad they had several hours’ jump on the earl.
He entered the lodge and heard no noise from upstairs.
He hoped Kallen had the fire started since the rooms were chilled.
He realized she must have done many manual labors at the convent.
Now he wanted nothing better than for her to become a lady of leisure.
He found a jug of wine in the cupboard and retrieved two cups, hoping the wine would relax her nervousness.
Griffith climbed the stairs and knocked upon the door before she called out for him to enter. He did so and closed the door to better contain the heat. A cheery fire burned in the grate. Kallen sat perched in a chair next to it, warming her hands, but she jumped to her feet as he entered.
“I hope ‘tis to your liking. I could add more wood if you wish.”
Griffith heard the worry in her voice. He set down the items in his hands and crossed to her. He placed his hands upon her shoulders.
“I don’t want you to be troubled, sweetheart. I know ‘tis something you’ve never done before. I also wish we’d had a roomful of friends and family toasting our vows and a fine feast afterward to celebrate, but that will have to come later.”
He kneaded her shoulders and neck, noticing how tense she was.
“I brought some wine. Would you like a glass to warm you?”
She nodded, and he went and poured some for them both. He brought the cup to her and as he placed it in her hand, he raised his own to her.
“To Kallen Sommersby, my wife. My life. May we live long and love well.”
Griffith saw tears form in her gray eyes.
She lifted her cup to him. “To my husband, Griffith Sommersby, the best of all men. You are my hero, for you have saved me from impossible situations not once, but twice. I pledge my love and my loyalty to you.”
They drank deeply, and Griffith savored the words his bride spoke.
When she finished, he took her cup and placed it along with his on a table. He wrapped his arms about her and held her close, relishing her very nearness. He could feel her heart beating rapidly, revealing how anxious she was. He sought to comfort her.
“Kallen, you know that I love you.”
“Yes,” she replied, her voice but a whisper.
“And I will always protect you.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve asked you before, and I shall again. Trust me, Kallen Sommersby. Trust me.”
Kallen stared into Griffith’s eyes of darkest blue. He was the most handsome man she’d ever seen, and she had given her heart to him long before this moment.
“I do have faith in you, Griffith. I always have.”
“Then let me show you how much I love you.”
His mouth came down on hers, his kiss gentle and sweet. The same thrill as before rushed through her, a feeling of excitement and anticipation. Kallen gripped his tunic front with both hands as the kiss deepened. Her heart began to pound faster and faster.
Griffith’s tongue mated with her own in a dance that teased, that drew an immense heat between them within seconds. She became lost in his kiss, in his nearness. He was her entire world.
His hands ran up and down her spine, his fingers working their magic on her tense muscles. She began to cling to him now, a fire started within her. Griffith cupped her breasts, his thumbs slowly brushing across her nipples. A deep ache surged through her.
“I know not what I need, but I need more,” she said breathlessly. “Help me, Griffith.”
Her husband gazed at her lovingly. “We shall help each other, love.” He swept her into his arms and carried her to the large bed, drawing the curtain aside.
“Remember. Trust me,” he said as he laid her down gently. Griffith eased off her slippers and then removed his own boots before lying next to her.
His hands and mouth continued their exploration of her.
Griffith slipped off her surcoat. Kallen was left in her kirtle.
He stroked her breasts until they ached then bent his mouth to them.
Nudging the kirtle downward, he used his tongue to tease first one nipple and then the other.
Griffith pushed the kirtle over her hips and tossed it onto the floor.
Then he slipped his hand against her, touching her intimately.
Kallen tried to sit up, but he calmed her.
“Let me love you, sweetheart.”
His hand cupped her and began to stroke her. Her breathing grew more rapid as a throbbing pulsated in her lower body. Griffith continued to kiss her mouth, her neck, her breasts, all while his hand brought her to a frenzy.
Kallen began to call his name over and over as he pushed a finger within her, then two, stroking her. Suddenly, a sweetness exploded inside her, and she rocked up and down.
“Yes, go with it, Kallen. That’s my girl,” he encouraged.
Kallen rode a wave of pure pleasure until she was dizzy and weak.
Then Griffith doffed his tunic and quickly undressed.
She’d never seen a man fully unclothed before, and she knew not all men could look as her husband.
His shoulders were broader than she’d realized, and his chest strong with muscle.
He hovered over her, his aura burning bright red, full of passion and love.
“You are as ready as I can make you, my sweet. Remember that it will only hurt this once. Every time after this when we make love, there’ll be no worries.”
Kallen tried to relax, not really knowing what to expect. Then Griffith began to ease into her. She felt him pushing and didn’t know where he thought to go. One quick thrust later, she gasped aloud, clinging to him.
He held her close, his body still against hers. “Just get used to me a moment. Then we shall pleasure each other.”
Already, the brief pain had subsided. Kallen knew Griffith was where his fingers had been. She began to experience the throbbing sensation again and without thinking, she pushed up toward him, eager to ride the wave of passion again.
“Yes,” he whispered as he nuzzled her neck. “’Tis exactly right.”
She reared up again and then again. Each time he met her. A wonderful tingling began with each movement.
“Keep it up,” he encouraged her, nibbling on her earlobe, his breath warm in her ear.
Kallen began a new kind of dance with her husband, one that seemed a little awkward at first, but then they found a rhythm together. He kissed her deeply, his tongue imitating his body’s actions. She found herself turning to liquid as the wave of pleasure rose again.
She clung to him then as the dance became harder and faster. She cried his name again and again as he buried himself within her. Then colors exploded around them, a rainbow of blues, greens, yellows, and oranges swirling in the air. Tears of happiness began to stream down her cheeks.
Then he shuddered and grew still. Griffith looked down at her, desire still flickering in his eyes.
“Are you all right?” he asked as he brushed the tears from her face.
Kallen sighed. “I fear all right is an inadequate term, Husband.” She beamed at him. “I feel absolutely wonderful.”
Griffith kissed her soundly. “Thank the heavens.” He rolled over, taking her with him, until she hovered above him. She leaned in and kissed him.
“’Twas not nearly as painful as I imagined,” she informed him. She laid her head upon his chest.
Griffith stroked her back. “I’m glad, love. I would never want to hurt you in any way.”
They lay together, her hand upon his heart. Kallen felt when it finally began to slow. A smile curled about her lips. She had made her husband’s heart race. He desired her. He loved her. It was the most thrilling feeling in the world.
“Kallen?”
“Mmm?”
“I would stay here with you for all eternity if we did not have a mad earl in hot pursuit.”
She flew up. “Oh, my precious Lord Jesu. I had forgotten all about that monster.”
Griffith smiled lazily at her. “Yes, ‘tis what the love of a good man can do. Put out of his wife’s mind all but the two of them.”
Kallen dropped a kiss upon his chest. “Then I am blessed to have this great love in my life.”
He sat up. “Come, we must dress. As much as I’d rather lock the door and make love to you another ten times, we must be on our way.”
She stood, a little shaky on her feet. “I fear you have worn me out, my lord.”
“Wait here a moment.” He rushed from the room, flinging his tunic over his head as he went. He returned a minute later with a basin of water and a cloth.
“Come, let me cleanse you. As a virgin, you have spilled some of your blood for me.”
Though embarrassed, Kallen let him minister to her, knowing he did so out of love. She steadied herself by wrapping an arm about his shoulder while he cared for her. Then he helped her to dress and did so himself.
“We shall return here someday, sweetheart, and I shall take my time, loving every inch of you. In fact, I plan to do that every night of our lives together.” He kissed her tenderly, and Kallen knew in that moment just how much this man treasured her.
As he stepped away from her, Griffith’s eyes grew large. His brow knitted in concentration as he looked away from her and back again. Then his gaze roamed from her head to her feet and back up again.
“Griffith, what is it?” she asked nervously.
His jaw opened and then closed, and he shook his head in wonder. Finally, he found his voice.
“Kallen, I don’t know how to tell you this, but... I see... I see…” His voice trailed off, and a smile slowly spread across his lips.
“I see an aura about you, my love. Silver hovers in a close band to you, and the yellow of the sun glows about it.”
Kallen wondered if this were a blessing or a curse.