Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Aknock on the door shattered the moment, and we jerked apart. Frustration scorched across Vane’s face, and he called out in a pained voice. Sir Roger answered, instructing us to attend the feast without delay, adding that now he could no longer hear fighting, he trusted we were both still alive.
“We’ll be there directly.” Vane spoke through gritted teeth, and a low laugh came from the other side of the door.
“God damn the man!” Vane swore.
“’Tis but an interruption.”
“Aye,” he said crossly, “but my body has been in need of you these past months. I’m in agony with it and now I am to be prevented from seeking the release inside you that I crave.”
He stood up as if in pain before pulling me up against him. The source of his agony pulsed hotly against my thigh.
“Come, let us dine, husband.” I said, smiling. “I promise I’ll ease your pain later should you still need it.”
Sir Roger and Lady Adelia waited for us at the entrance to the dining hall. Together we filed in amid murmurs from the assembled company. Oliver sat at one of the tables. As I passed him he stood and bowed.
“’Tis good to see you restored to full health, my lady.”
Before I could thank him, a firm hand pressed against the base of my spine in a gesture of possession. With a low growl, Vane ordered Oliver to sit, then he propelled me forward. I glanced back at Oliver to see his eyes widening, but a sharp tug on my arm kept me moving.
We sat down and the hall fell silent. After a moment, Sir Roger stood and cleared his throat.
“Friends,” he said, his deep voice resonating about the hall, “we are gathered here tonight to celebrate our victory over those who would destroy England’s stability and Henry’s reign.”
A thundering noise reverberated around the hall as the company thumped the tables with their fists in approval. Sir Roger held up his hands until silence fell once more.
“We’re also here to welcome a young woman into our household, reunited with her husband. Until now we have been unable to celebrate their marriage, but tonight we do so. Company, I give you Sir Valentine and Lady Sawford!”
Adelia nodded to me, and I stood, together with Vane, who took my hand and raised it in salute. The company cheered in response. My gaze wandered about the company and settled on Oliver, who raised his goblet, a shy smile on his face.
Sir Roger nodded toward the door, and a line of servants entered, carrying huge platters of food which they distributed among the tables, serving the high table first. Vane ladled potage onto the trencher we shared—a large hunk of stale bread which would be given to the poor of the village once the meal was finished.
He fed me morsel after morsel, alternating between holding a piece to my lips and taking a bite himself. His face was stern, body tense. Ignoring him, I sipped my wine and spoke to Adelia who sat on my left.
“What is that young man to you?” A gruff voice made me turn back to him.
“Who?” I said. “Oliver?”
“A mere boy, I know not his name.”
His dismissive tone could not completely disguise his jealousy, and I smiled to myself.
“Oliver first visited me in the guise of a priest and heard my confession,” I said. “He was inquiring after my health tonight, nothing more.”
“Nothing more!” Vane grumbled as he continued to chew, his eyes staring at a fixed point in front of him.
“He heard my full and frank confession,” I said, “an account of my sins and of my heart. I told him who I loved above all others. Given that, do you think him foolish enough to speak to me on any terms other than a casual acquaintance? Unless, of course, he lacks all wit and is unaware that you are Vane Sawford.”
His jaw showed a slight tic, but he continued to stare straight ahead.
I let out a sigh. “Husband, why should the company of a mere boy interest me over that of a man?”
He continued eating, his expression dark.
“Lord have mercy on you, you fool!” I hissed. “Do you wish me to speak plainer and say that I love none but you? Please tell me how often I need to repeat it, or are you only convinced when you skulk in the dark and eavesdrop on private conversations?”
Not answering, he lifted his wine goblet and took a sip.
“Have a care, husband, or I will forget my promise to ease your pain—the agony you spoke of that can only be soothed by…”
“Be silent, woman!” He slammed the goblet onto the table, spilling the contents.
A servant hurried over, thinking it a request for more wine.
“Thank you,” I said brightly, “my husband is somewhat thirsty tonight.”
Adelia made a small sound, not unlike a suppressed giggle. Vane’s jaw was set hard, but the corners of his mouth were beginning to curl into a smile.
“Witch! You torment me.”
“Is that a request, husband?”
I was surprising myself by my boldness, but Adelia smiled encouragement. For the first time in my life I felt relaxed and happy.
Before the servants cleared away the meat dishes, Vane asked if we could be excused. Adelia nodded, a wicked smile on her lips, before suggesting he escort me to my chamber.
“But the meal is not finished,” I protested. “I have no wish to dishonor Sir Roger by taking my leave so early.”
“My dear child,” Adelia laughed, “did you not hear my husband? We celebrate your marriage tonight and thus you are expected to take your leave and consummate your union.”
Vane pulled me to my feet and a cheer rose. I blushed at the bawdy remarks and gestures the men aimed at Vane as we crossed the floor. Approaching Oliver’s seat, Vane glared and curled an arm round my waist, challenging Oliver to speak. The young man blushed and lowered his gaze.
“Lovesick colt,” Vane growled under his breath, “I’ve a good mind to geld him.”
“Jealous, love?” I laughed.
The breath was forced from my lungs as Vane squeezed my body and tipped me back.
He fondled my buttocks, tightening his hold, before sending a trail of kisses along my neck, until he reached my ear.
He drew my earlobe into his mouth and nipped it, and a bolt of need pulsed in my center at the sharp sting.
His message was clear though the words remained unspoken.
Mine.
“I believe only one stallion can satisfy this mare!” he declared before swinging me up over his shoulder.
A rowdy cheer erupted.
“Husband, let me down!”
I struggled in his grip, but a sharp slap on my buttocks told me he had no intention of doing so. The cheering increased, and I surrendered, letting him carry me out amid the joyous cacophony of thumping and laughter.
Vane kicked my chamber door open, letting it crash against the wall before setting me back on my feet and slamming the door behind us.
I backed away, glancing about the chamber.
A platter had been placed on the table and a pile of honeyed figs glistened in the candlelight, together with a flagon and two goblets. Instinctively I reached for a fig.
“Do not touch them,” Vane growled.
He advanced toward me, his powerful frame dominating the room, the suppressed strength in his muscles rippling underneath his tunic. His eyes were dark, almost black, their expression ravenous.
“Wife, remove your clothes.”
A shiver of fear rose inside me until his mouth lifted into a broad smile, his eyes sparkling with merriment.
“As my husband wishes.”
Moving toward the bed, I unlaced my gown and stepped out of my slippers before pulling off the surcoat and undergown. Then, I lifted my thin chemise over my head to reveal my naked body.
A low growl made me look up. Vane stood before me in all his naked glory.
His shoulders sloped downward, and I followed a line with my gaze down his throat, drinking in the sight of him; the hard planes of his chest covered with a light dusting of black hair, the muscles of his stomach, which dipped into a v shape above his groin.
Nestling amid a mass of black curls, his beautiful manhood jutted out, thick and firm, beckoning to me.
My skin tightened with need, and my breasts ached, the nipples puckering from the heat of Vane’s smoldering gaze. A fire radiated from my center, which began to pulse faintly. Ashamed, I lifted my hands to cover myself, but he shook his head, his voice a low rumble.
“Lie back on the bed.”
I reached behind me until I felt the edge of the bed. Keeping my gaze on him I lay back and waited.
“Close your eyes,” he said.
“Vane…”
“Do as you are bid.”
Closing my eyes heightened my other senses and my heart throbbed with anticipation. I heard movement, but not knowing what he was doing only increased my need for him.
I sensed, rather than knew, he was close, when something brushed against my lips.
“Open your mouth.”
I parted my lips, and a rush of sweetness burst on my tongue.
Something grazed against my teeth. I took a bite, moaning with pleasure at the soft, rich flesh of the fig and the sweet, lush taste as the smooth liquid ran into my mouth.
I leaned forward to finish it but was rewarded with a devilish chuckle.
“You must learn to share, wife.”
He brushed his lips against mine. A moment later I felt another fig against my lips, and I opened my mouth to take it, but he moved it away, running it lightly across my chin and down my throat, leaving a trail of sticky honey.
He kissed me again before following the line of honey with his lips.
His hot tongue lapped up the sweetness, sending bursts of flame through my senses.
Though lying on the bed, I felt as if I was falling, and I clutched the bed furs to steady myself.
A light swirling sensation caressed my skin.
Vane brushed another fig across my throat, circling lower until it dipped into the valley between my breasts.
He circled one breast, spiraling in until he reached the center.
The cold sensation of honey was replaced by burning heat as he took my breast into his mouth.
I cried out as he suckled, nipping it with his teeth before drawing his tongue across to soothe the sensitive little bud.
He kissed me again, and I drew his tongue into my mouth, tasting honey. Fisting my hands in his hair, I pulled him to me and drank from him, plundering his mouth, wanting to devour him as he devoured me.
The bed moved with his weight, and he nudged my thighs apart. I could bear it no longer and opened my eyes. Two sapphires, darkened with passion, stared back into me, penetrating my soul. A glorious agony burned from within, and my body ached with a hunger which only he could satisfy.
“Vane…”
“Not yet, my love.”
“Please, Vane. I need you.”
He pushed my thighs farther apart and settled himself on top of me.
His rigid manhood pulsed against my leg, and he kissed me again, pillaging my mouth as the tip of him begged entrance to my body.
I stiffened with an involuntary surge of fear and squeezed my eyes shut, whimpering at the memory of the last man to take me.
“Hush, sweetling, he is gone forever. Let me purge his memory from you and then we shall look only forward, to our future. Tonight I claim you as mine.”
With these words, he sheathed himself into me with a single thrust, silencing my cry with his mouth.
I opened my eyes in a brief moment of panic but saw nothing but intense blue—the blue that had comforted me in my darkest moments; which now radiated strength and love.
He stilled his body and ran his lips over my face, kissing away the tears until I relaxed, letting my body stretch to accommodate him.
Vane pressed his forehead against mine and moved, easing himself out of me, before entering me again with a deep sigh as our bodies molded together.
With each movement he increased the pace and a low sound rumbled in his throat, morphing into a moan of anguish.
“Is all well, my love?” I whispered.
He closed his eyes and leaned forward, burying his head in my shoulder. I reached up, holding him close, caressing his thick dark locks and gripping his hair as I lifted my hips to meet each thrust.
A sweet ache began to build where our bodies met, igniting into a scorching agony, soaring and intensifying until I clawed at Vane, pleading for release.
He placed his hands on the bed and lifted himself up, his muscles bulging and trembling with the strain.
He threw his head back as if to face the stars, groaning as he continued to pound into me.
The ache within me peaked until my body burst as if on fire, rippling with wave after wave, splintering my soul.
He entered me with a final punishing thrust, and I screamed out his name while he roared into the night until his voice broke.
He collapsed on top of me and rolled onto his side, still inside me.
Holding me close, he whispered my name over and over.
We lay with our bodies fused together, unable to move or speak.
His chest rose and fell against mine, sticky with sweat.
I opened my eyes to see the love I bore him mirrored in the deep blue.
His eyes crinkled into a smile and a single tear spilled over the brim.
I lifted my hand to brush the tear away and stroked his forehead with my fingertips.
“Tonight I claim you as mine, my love,” I whispered, smiling before I nestled into his embrace, where I belonged.
He smiled back, our hearts slowing to a soft rhythm in unison, until I drifted into sleep, safe in his arms, knowing that I would never again be plagued by nightmares.