The Treasure of Gwenlais, page 137
part #1 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
He then touched her sensitively were she had not yet experienced him.
She looked at him with surprise at first, remembering this encounter from her last visit to Heathwin, as it had been during a stressful moment. At this time however, Caleb was very relaxed and continued to be gentle and loving with his touch, then after sighing deeply, Laurel closed her eyes and moaned softly. Caleb touched her slowly and tenderly, wanting her to experience this amorous display of affection, with joy and elation.
“How does this feel, mo ghra? Does it bring you pleasure?” asking her softly.
She placed her head back against the pillows, her breath catching at his touch. She moved her hands to his hair, and then griped his shoulders.
“Oh yes Caleb. It feels so wonderful,” Laurel answered him, in a breathless whisper.
Caleb looked at her lovingly as he watched her reaction to his gentle introduction. As he tenderly touched her, he began speaking to her soothingly. Patiently waiting for her body to be able to fully receive him.
“Yes, mo stor. There is now nothing between us, feel how much I adore you. How much I want you,” he spoke in an ardent whisper, as he softly kissed her face.
Caleb’s heart was filled with love at her response to him. He felt her hands gripping his shoulders even tighter with her rising passion, her head pushed back further against the pillows, her eyes closed and her mouth slightly opened in response to him.
“Laurel, Ta ghra agam ort mo stor. I am so happy you are with me. Ba mhaith liom gra a dheanamh duit,” Caleb whispered passionately, as he softly and gently kissed her face. “Do you remember when I first said this to you dearest?” Caleb asked her softly.
“Yes. Yes I do,” Laurel answered in a whispery voice, her body still trembling from his passionate demonstration of his love.
Caleb stopped his attentions for a moment, listening to her breath coming in and out in rapid succession. He kissed her once more and stepped out of the bed to finish undressing. She opened her eyes to look at him, and then shyly looked away. He slowly moved back into the bed, moving his body just above her. He kissed her face tenderly once more.
“It means, I wish to make love to you, I wish to join with you my sweet Laurel. I promise I will not hurt you. Remember how much I love you,” Caleb said softly.
As their bodies found and joined each other in love, they were both overcome by the mutual joy and ecstasy they gave to each other. After they were both spent and consumed by their passion, they lay quietly wrapped in each other’s arms, under the warm covers.
“How are you mo shiorghra?” Caleb asked, with mild concern.
“I am very well Caleb. I never knew it would be so wonderful,” Laurel stated with complete innocence, her voice soft and drowsy.
Caleb laughed quietly at her, kissing her face gently.
“I knew it would be with you mo ghra. I had no doubt,” he said holding her closer in his arms. They both succumbed to blissful slumber.
Laurel awoke sometime later, for a brief instant, she could not remember where she was, or why she was sleeping undressed. Then feeling Caleb against her, it all flooded back, and she smiled to herself at remembering. She looked about the tent, the only light being from the two moons, bathing the tent in a silver glow. She felt Caleb’s arms still around her. She quietly moved to sit up, only to have him pull her closer. She began to giggle quietly, and turned over to face him, his eyes still closed.
“Caleb are you awake?” she asked quietly.
“I am now,” he murmured sleepily still keeping his eyes closed.
“I need to get up for a moment,” Laurel quietly insisted.
“Really? Why? It is chilly and dark outside. I am perfectly comfortable with you staying right here,” Caleb stated in a relaxed tone, as he pulled her closer, tightening his embrace.
“But Caleb,” Laurel paused for a moment, “I really do have to get up for a moment,” she said, with a bit of urgency.
Caleb opened his eyes and smiled at her gently.
“What is it that you need dearest?” Caleb asked her, in soft deep voice.
“Well I um… I need to take care of some personal things,” she spoke, in a shy quiet tone.
Caleb laughed quietly at her bashfulness, moving her hair away from her face, and gently kissing her forehead.
“Everything that you require is in the small changing room. I am afraid the water will no longer be warm though,” he said, with complete understanding of her needs.
She smiled at him lovingly as he relaxed his embrace. She sat up and began to look around, Caleb watching her curiously with an amused expression.
“What are you looking for Laurel?” he asked her grinning.
“I cannot find my nightgown or anything to put on,” she replied, continuing to look about moving the bedding as she spoke.
Caleb laughed lightly at her need for modesty, after they had just enjoyed intimacy together.
“Do you really feel the need for a covering mo ghra, to just walk a few steps away?” he asked her, tracing his finger down her back.
She looked at him, her expression bemused and slightly surprised by his question.
“Well... yes. I am not accustomed to walking about without clothing. Perhaps after some time, it will not feel so strange to do so,” she answered shyly, as she felt her cheeks blushing yet again.
“I am sorry dearest. I did not mean to make you uncomfortable,” Caleb said reassuringly, sitting up and kissing her lips softly.
He reached over on his side of the bed and handed her his shirt to put on. She held it for a moment looking down at it.
“This is your shirt,” she said rather blankly.
“Yes it is,” Caleb said with a laugh. “It will more than cover you Laurel, it will most assuredly serve its purpose,” he said, tucking her hair behind her ear.
She smiled at him sheepishly, pulling the shirt over her head. Getting up from the bed she realized he was right, as the shirt lightly skimmed her knees. She entered the small room once again, finding it too dark to find what she needed. She hesitated for a moment before she called to Caleb.
“Caleb,” she spoke out timidly.
“Yes,” he replied, in a tone knowing what she would be asking of him.
“It is too dark and I cannot see or find what I need,” Laurel replied, feeling embarrassed to be needing his help.
She could hear him laugh quietly and get up from the bed. Within a few moments she was able to see the soft glow of candle light. Then a moment longer heard him make his way over towards her, holding a short round pillar candle. Moving the fabric aside he handed the candle to her smiling at her roguishly, noticing he had gotten half dressed.
“Do you require anymore assistance your Highness?” Caleb asked, with a glint in his eyes.
“No,” Laurel answered, lowering her eyes self-consciously.
“Are you sure? I have this suspicion you will need something else as soon as I walk away,” Caleb replied, as he continued to smile at her with that same smile.
“I only require the candle please,” she answered him, with mock annoyance.
“Well I require a kiss for my services,” Caleb spoke, his deep voice caressing her ears.
He moved closer to her, lowering his face to hers, as she closed her eyes feeling his breath against her face. His kiss was soft and gentle but soon became more insistent as he held her waist through the thin fabric of the shirt. Laurel became more distracted by his attention and found she almost dropped the candle she was holding. Caleb noticed this and began laughing again.
“I will leave you, to take care of your needs mo stor,” he said grinning at her.
After she found herself alone in the small area, she was now able to see what she required to refresh herself. Caleb had not overlooked anything.
There was a wide deep basin on a short small table, various soaps and scented lotions, as well as soft fresh bath linens, and two large pitchers of water, that were now indeed cold. Removing the large shirt she then poured the water in the basin, and began to bathe quickly, letting out small gasp at the shock of the cool water touching her skin. After drying she still felt herself shivering, then noticed folded neatly on a short stool was a pale rose colored robe. She put it on hurriedly to ward off the chill, finding it fit her perfectly. She smirked at the idea that he did not think to tell her he had a robe waiting for her to use. She picked up Caleb’s shirt and the candle and walked out into the main room of the tent. She found Caleb had lit another candle and was standing at the small table arranging food and pouring them a glass of wine.
“Feeling better now?” Caleb asked, smiling at her.
“Yes, I am thank you,” Laurel said putting the candle down on the table, and wrapping her arms around his waist.
She leaned her head into his back, feeling his warm skin against her still cool forehead. Caleb smiled at her display of affection, as she was usually too shy to make the first gesture. She had always been receptive and warm to his affections but he found himself almost always being the one to have to initiate them.
“What are you doing?” Laurel asked quietly, her arms still around his waist, as she pressed her face into his side.
“I noticed you barely ate anything at the wedding feast. So I thought you might be a bit hungry. Especially after our interlude,” Caleb said in a teasing manner, knowing the effect it would have on her.
He smiled at his correct assumption as he felt Laurel bury her face into his side smiling. Moving her in front of him, he sat down on a chair he brought over next to the table, and pulled her onto his lap.
“Have something to eat my love. You need to have something. I do not want you passing out from hunger. As I recall you barely ate anything the day before the wedding as well,” Caleb said, with some concern.
“I will. I will not pass out from hunger. You are already worrying too much again,” Laurel said teasing him, as she took a bite of her favourite cake.
“You may recall that each time I did, it was always for a good reason. You were always doing something to cause me to worry about you. I fear that you are going to be a bit of a handful,” he looked at her smiling sardonically, reaching up to put a stray tendril of hair behind her ear.
“That is completely unfair of you to say,” Laurel said, pretending to be insulted.
“Unfair you say? How so?” Caleb asked her, his smile growing wider.
“Right now for example. You wanted me to eat something and I am complying with your wishes,” she said in cheeky tone, taking another bite of cake.
“Complying with my wishes are you? I would like to point out that I put fresh fruit, nuts, and cheese on your plate as well. And what do you eat first? The cake! So how is that complying with my wishes to have you eat actual food?” he asked her, in a scolding manner, though still smiling at her.
She looked at him trying to think of a proper response and not able to come up with one, simply put the last piece of cake into her mouth and ate it quickly, smiling at him mischievously. Caleb raised his eyebrows in a surprised expression, laughing at her bold behavior.
“You my dear you are not moving from this spot unless I see at least half of what I have put on that plate gone. I cannot believe you just did that,” still laughing at her boldness.
“I had every intention of eating what you prepared for me. I just could not help myself from teasing you. You tend to take yourself far too seriously sometimes,” Laurel said smiling at him, as she took a bite of sliced apple.
“Perhaps I do. I am beginning to feel though, that it is something you are not going to let happen very often,” Caleb said, as he placed a piece of cheese into her mouth.
She smiled at him sweetly and then began to eat with relish as she found herself quite hungry after all. Caleb reached over and took the glass of wine and taking a drink then offered it to Laurel. She looked at it hesitantly swallowing the food in her mouth. Caleb smiled at her hesitation.
“You do not like the wine dearest?” he asked her gently.
“No, I do. I just am not used to drinking it without feeling I am doing something wrong,” she said blushing, as she took a small sip and then another, before handing the glass back to Caleb.
Caleb lightly kissed her cheek, shaking his head.
“You are doing nothing wrong in any way mo ghra. Your father has no qualms whatsoever about enjoying his ale. Why did he not allow you an occasional glass of wine?” Caleb asked slightly irritated.
“I did have wine a few times, but then Father would not allow it after. He said it made me look like a tavern wench,” Laurel stated casually, taking another bite of apple.
Caleb looked at her in disbelief.
“He actually said you looked like a tavern wench?” Caleb asked incredulously.
Laurel, taking another bite food, smiled at him nodding her head.
“You look nothing like a tavern wench Laurel. Not even when wearing nothing but a robe,” Caleb said playfully, as he began to nibble her ear.
“How many tavern wenches have you known from your travels?’’ Laurel asked, with a mischievous grin he could not see.
Caleb stopped his affectionate playfulness, surprised at her question. He shifted her on his lap so he could look directly at her.
“Are you asking me an honest question or are you just sassing me?” he asked, his voice becoming serious.
Laurel was unsure of how to respond, not knowing if he was annoyed by her question.
“An honest question,” she replied softly, after a brief pause.
Caleb smiled at her slightly, noting her hesitation.
“So my Patrol missions then were nothing more than excuses to go and make the acquaintances of various bar maids throughout the realms?” Caleb enquired of her.
Laurel looked at him with sad eyes, realizing she took her teasing too far this time. Well knowing how serious he took his responsibilities as a Sentinel.
“I did not mean that Caleb. I was just teasing you about your comment,” she said quietly, as she reached over to touch his face.
He looked at her intently, seeing how she regretted asking him that question, made him love her more. Realizing her youth made her still speak before she fully thought about the affects her words might have.
“Are you wondering perhaps if I have enjoyed intimacies with these women? You can be honest with me,” Caleb asked her, in a softer voice.
Laurel bit her bottom lip as she always did when she was nervous or upset about something. Caleb saw this, and lightly touched her lip with his finger causing her to release her grip from it. Her eyes becoming moist with emotion. He smiled at her and taking her face in his hands kissed her lips tenderly and softly.
“I have never been with a tavern wench dearest. I was just upset your father would compare you to one, just to keep you from having a glass of wine,” Caleb said to her softly.
“I did not mean to sound so disrespectful of your responsibilities,” Laurel said, with the same quiet sad tone.
“I know that my love. You just enjoy teasing me. I cannot blame you for that, as I tease you quite often. And you are quite right, I do take myself a bit too seriously at times. Perhaps you can help me with that problem,” Caleb said, as he smiled at her warmly.
Laurel smiled back at him, putting her arms around his neck, laying her face against his.
“I will do my best Sire,” then lifting her head to look at him, she then replied, “I shall work very hard to be a good wife to you Caleb,” her grey eyes large and bright.
She spoke with such conviction and honesty, Caleb thought his heart would burst with love for her.
“I have no doubt you will mo stor, and I shall do my best to earn your respect and love. I am so very happy you are with me. I never dared hoped I could ever feel this way,” Caleb spoke, his voice filled with love.
He brought his lips to hers again and kissed her slowly, until he felt her completely relax in his embrace. He pulled away for just a moment to smile at her, and then tightened his arms about her and began to kiss her passionately and deeply, listening to her softly moaning as his kisses became more demanding and ardent. He brought her back to the bed as he carefully removed her robe, laying her down gently against the pillows. He began to kiss and caress her body with a passion and fervor he had not yet expressed to her. She was surprised by his sheer physical intensity and strength, as he was able to move and direct her body easily. She willingly complied with his ardent wishes, as he was passionate, but still gentle and patient with her. She felt her body react in ways she could not have imagined as wave after wave of ecstasy washed over her, causing her to cry out in joy from the emotions, and sensual gratification he was causing her to experience. Caleb was filled with happiness in knowing he had caused her to feel pleasure she had never known. In the blissful quiet moment that followed the union of their passion, they held each other lovingly, feeling no need to speak. Caleb lightly kissed her face, watching her fall asleep smiling at him, as she closed her eyes. He covered them both, as the chill from the approaching dawn, began to make its presence known. He smiled at her as she lay sleeping, looking so blissfully peaceful, as he gently outlined the contours of her face with his finger. She had been so responsive to him and his ardent attentions, that it left him pleasantly surprised. He thought her shyness and inexperience might make her find him intimidating and overwhelming, though he consciously made the effort not to frighten her. He was grateful he had waited and not pressured her to give herself to him until she was ready. He realized that this was the reason she trusted him completely and was so compliant and passionate in returning her feelings of love to him. He found her utterly charming, especially when she was needing his help or teasing him. Though the moment he realized she truly loved and wanted to be with him was when in the height of her passion, she had just come to know, she called out his name. Hearing that from her for the first time was something he knew he would keep in his heart for the rest of his life. In a month he would have to leave her for a fortnight, as he would need to go once again on Patrol duty, this time on the eastern borders. For the very first time he regretted having to do this, as he always viewed it as his sworn duty as the Prince of Heathwin. He felt sleep slowly easing into his mind and body. He reached over and pulled Laurel closer to him, as she whimpered softly in her sleep. He gently kissed the top of her head and allowed sleep to finally overtake him.
