Chapter 5 #2
Her head fell back against the damp stone wall, the coolness of it seeping past her veil and braids, yet it did nothing to stop the simmering heat in her body, starting at William’s kisses between her legs.
She released the grip on his head and grasped the thick fabric of her gown, the world spinning out of control at the electric sensation of his lips on her flesh.
“But our family – our guests –” She made one final attempt at protest that neither her body nor brain wanted. What she wanted was William.
“Dinna tell me nay, mo ruaidh,” he said, his voice muffled under her skirts. “I beg of ye. I’m on my knees, begging ye. Let me have my feast, then we can join the others for food.”
She needed no further convincing. Her thighs parted in invitation, and she could hear him groan under her skirts. He licked one thigh, then the other, moving up to her woman’s mound. She moaned.
“Sweeter than honey. Ye are finer than wine,” he rasped as he parted her lower lips with his wickedly skillful tongue. “I am drunk on your sweetness. I need no food or wine. Ye are my sole sustenance.”
Her mind spun, drunk on his words, the feel of his lips on her most intimate folds, and then his mouth covered her clit, the love button of nerves, and he sucked on it gently. Her free hand grabbed at the shelves to her right as her knees gave way.
“Aye, William!” she keened. “Oh my God!”
It was as if every part of her was electrified, even her brain, an electric pleasure that touched every cell in her body.
Then he sucked again. This time, she screeched and covered her mouth with her palm as she came. Her sheath was sopping wet and dripping down her thighs as she shuddered. William held her hips tightly, else she would have collapsed there.
As she quivered, he covered her thighs with small kisses, holding her tight, until she stopped shuddering.
Only then did his head pop out from under her skirt, his smiling mouth shiny with her wetness, his blue eye sparkling even in the dim light.
His hair was wild, the beeswax having worn off and making it stand on end.
He looked like he’d just been under her skirts.
William rose and pressed his lips to hers, so she tasted her own salty sweetness.
“I’ve eaten,” he commented in a wry voice, “but now we must find sustenance for ye. ‘Twill be a long night between us, and I would have ye fed.”
Ailith was panting as she shifted to stand on her shaky feet.
A long night? What else did he have planned? She was barely able to stand after this.
He kissed her again and helped her brush her skirts down. Ailith reached up and smoothed his unruly hair.
Everyone might guess what they were doing, but she wasn’t about to have him look like it.
Most of the church guests had found their seats around the hall when Ailith and William entered.
If she had thought the previous night’s feast was busy, this was a gathering to rival even the king’s.
The hall decor from the night before had been added to – more table runners, more candles, and now flowers and ivy boughs draped on the tables, on the hearth, from the sconces.
Caitir had a powerful hand on her castle, and Ailith was fortunate to be a recipient of her skill and ability.
The head table, where she and William would be featured again, was decorated with thistle, roses, and heather, and the heady scents made her already light head spin.
But not enough that she missed hearing words dropped like coins on glass – Morays, overstepping, the king–even her wedding reception was not safe from such tense discussions. And if she heard those rumblings, then William heard them.
No’ today. No’ on our wedding day.
From the slight tightening in William’s jaw, he agreed with her sentiments and lightly brushed off a few of the grumbling men who tried to pull him near.
William’s bright smile, however, never faltered as they reached their seats.
Before she sat, Cormag reached between her and William and clasped his hand over their bound ones.
“This union represents the unity of the clans, of the Highlands, of all of Alba!” he shouted and gained the attention of the crowd.
Then he raised his chalice. “Let us raise our cups and celebrate this union, one of clans, of houses, and of two people!” Cormag waggled his eyebrows as he made his toast, and a roar of laughter accompanied his call of Slainte!
“Slainte!” the men and women shouted back.
Ailith sighed to herself. Of course, this marriage was one of politics as much as it was for love. Ailith glanced at William, who shrugged one shoulder nearly imperceptibly. Just as he had brushed off the other men, he let Cormag’s political talk roll off him without comment.
From the burning light in his eyes, William’s focus was on Ailith and Ailith alone. That look sent a thrill through her chest.
With that, the pipers started up again, and the guests fell quiet as eating and drinking ensued.
Soon the tempo increased – the pipes had been joined by a drummer and a flute – and William stood.
Their hands were still bound, so she had no choice but to follow him off the dais and to the door where a small space remained for dancing.
The musicians were on the landing right outside the door, and everyone turned in their seats to watch them.
Ailith wracked her mind. What were some common medieval dances? This was not like knowing the layout of a castle or how medieval kitchens worked – she gave tours on those. Never on a single tour did she or her father cover dancing!
Raising their bound hands, William led her around in a circle, a basic move. He didn’t seem to expect anything else, but she was surprised and got caught in her draping green skirt when he spun her to change directions.
The music called to her, and her mind drifted away.
She imagined that her father was there, and that she would dance a father-daughter dance with her to their favorite song, the Hawai’ian version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
In her mind’s eye, she could see her father’s strong face, wide smile, and pride shining from him like a beacon.
Then he would hug her and give her hand to her husband …
Oh, that ye were here, Da.
Clapping drew her from her reverie. William had stopped, and she was in the moment, in the early Middle Ages, with her actual husband. She blinked hard to ensure she didn’t start crying in front of everyone.
They started to make their way past the tables when William’s friend rose. Eoghan Grant, it was, and he wrapped William in a huge embrace, then politely bowed to Ailith and kissed her on both cheeks.
Keeping his hand on William’s shoulder, he raised his cup high above his head.
“I would offer congratulations as well. What God hath joined, let no man put asunder. To the man who has been like a brother, I wish ye all the best of wedded bliss.” Then he grinned wider. “And from the looks of it, he is already enjoying that!”
“Huzzah!” the clansmen and women cheered as they drank and laughed at his ribald jest. Ailith blushed to her roots at his bawdy comments.
William drank with him, then handed the cup to Ailith. Over the rim, she noticed Betris, sitting and not drinking, not cheering. In fact, she looked angry as she eyed Ailith. Irritated at her brother’s poor licentious joke? Or angry at Ailith for some reason?
Ailith drank and turned to William. It was her wedding day. She didn’t have time for such unpleasantries. Let the woman wallow in whatever misery she imagined. Ailith wasn't going to let it bother her special day.
When they reached the head table, Ailith noticed that, unlike Betris, at least Mairi was smiling, but it didn't seem genuine. She had bags under her eyes, and her smile was tight. She looked weary, and Ailith realized that, mayhap, Mairi’s hawkish gaze was a motherly instinct to protect her wee bairn, and she was so tired from doing so.
If that were the case, maybe now that Ailith was at Drumoak, the woman would not have to add Ailith to her worries.
Lifting her cup from the table, Ailith gave Mairi the warmest smile she could muster and bowed her head at her sister-in-law. Mairi lifted her chalice in return. Her smile widened but did not quite reach her eyes.
Ailith and William finally were able to sit and rest for a bit, surveying the guests, until William turned and placed his hand on her thigh. Her eyes widened at his bold gesture in front of everyone.
“Ye rival a goddess in that gown,” he said as he leaned into her, his breath full of wine and desire. “The green makes your eyes shine, and your hair is so bright, I canna wait to wrap it in my hands as I ride ye.”
A hot flush coursed over her, and despite herself, she moved closer to him. “William, our guests . . .”
“I’m done with them. I’ve only just started with ye,” he said, kissing her cheek, a heated kiss that scorched her skin. Why was it so hot in this hall? So hot near William?
Her lips curled to the side, and she pressed her palm against his warm cheek. He had shaved, so his cheek was smooth to her touch, the sharp edge of his jaw cupped in her hand.
His skin burned as hot as hers.
“And I with ye. Let us depart.”
She didn’t have to ask twice. Without a second breath, he stood and helped her rise. Then he bowed slightly to Cormag and Seocan.
“Pardon us. ‘Tis time for us to take our leave.”
Cormag’s mouth dropped open. “William! ‘Tis early! We have guests!”
Bernard placed his hand on Cormag’s arm. “Let them go. Do ye no’ recall your wedding night? And these guests will be here for several days, I promise. As long as ye keep the uisge-beatha flowing.” Bernard drank from his cup to prove his point.
Cormag shook his head, but a light chuckle shook his chest. He didn’t answer but waved his hand to William.
Again, with no hesitation, William swept Ailith past the head table to the hallway, followed by the table pounding and ribald cheers.
Then they were alone.
***