The Treasure of Gwenlais, page 143
part #1 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“Why are we back at the tent Caleb?” Laurel asked, with a giggle.
“Oh I thought we could have one more interlude here, before it is taken down, and you could also have the roses brought back to our room,” Caleb explained as he held her waist and leaned down and began kissing her face.
“You mean right now? In the middle of the day?” Laurel asked, beginning to laugh.
“Of course mo ghra. It is now officially our honeymoon. Father and Mother will be departing for Welstone within the hour. No one will be about, and it would be such a shame to waste the tent. Do you not think?” he asked her seductively, as he kissed her neck.
“I suppose it would be,” she giggled at his words.
“You are so adorable mo stor. Come over here and sit with me,” he said smiling at her warmly.
Taking her hands he walked backwards towards the bed, as he sat down he gently guided her forward, pulling her on to his lap, her legs on either side of him. Laurel’s breath caught slightly as Caleb had her sit on his lap this way.
“What is it my love?” Caleb asked her softly, moving her hair from her face.
“I just did not expect this, as I have never sat on your lap this way before,” Laurel said, smiling shyly at him.
“Well, this way is a bit more intimate than I feel would have been appropriate for us at the time. Though now, it feels quite appropriate, does it not?” Caleb asked her smiling, as he began to kiss her face and unlace the front of her dress.
“It um...does feel more personal and well, perhaps a bit more intense, than it normally does,” Laurel expressed, in a shaking soft voice.
“Intense? Really? Is it because you can feel me against you?” he asked smiling enticingly, as he caressed her cheek, tucking her hair behind her ear.
“Yes. The way it makes me feel, is a bit overwhelming,” Laurel answered shyly, with a giggle.
Even though Caleb had been very loving and patient, as they became more familiar, with each other personally and intimately, she still found any new experience, caused her to feel a bit inhibited. Caleb smiled at her as he caught the tone in her voice.
“Do not feel shy mo chailin milis. There is nothing you need to be concerned with. Here now, does this not feel nice?” Caleb asked her, in a deep soft voice, as he gently moved his hands up her dress and caressed her thighs.
“Yes...it does,” Laurel answered in a breathy whisper, she placed her arms around Caleb’s neck, as he kissed her warmly and deeply.
“Put your arms up for a moment dearest,” Caleb directed in a soft whisper, as he pulled Laurel’s dress over her head. “Now stand up and I will help you finish undressing, and then you can help me,” Caleb suggested, smiling at her, watching her expressions.
“Alright,” Laurel, answered in a soft voice, as she got up slowly.
Even though they had been wed for several days, she had not taken that intimate liberty with him as yet, though he had undressed her several times already. Caleb removed the rest of her clothing, and then directed her hands to his tunic laces and had her unlace them with trembling fingers. She pushed the tunic upward as he pulled it over his head. Caleb then reached down and kissed her neck, as he placed her hands on the front of his trousers, directing her to untie the leather lacings. Her fingers and then her body beginning to tremble, at the newness of this experience.
“It is alright mo ghra. I belong to you dearest, as you belong to me. You do not have to feel shy about doing this. I will help you finish,” Caleb said warmly, as he took her hands in his and finished removing his clothing.
Caleb then held her in his arms for a moment.
“The more we are together my Laurel, the easier certain things will be, they will not feel so unfamiliar,” Caleb said lovingly, as he gently caressed her back, kissing her neck and shoulder.
“I know Caleb. This is one of these moments, I spoke to you about, concerning feeling awkward,” Laurel looked at him, smiling shyly.
“There is nothing awkward about you my darling. I find your shyness adorable. Come, let us get into the bed, I shall hold you in my arms, and allow you to show your affections at your own pace,” Caleb said lovingly, as he took her in his arms and brought her to the bed.
He joined her in the bed and covered them both holding her closely and kissing her face softly.
“Show me mo stor. Show me what you enjoy, when we are together this way,” Caleb whispered ardently.
“Oh....um...what should I show you first?” Laurel asked, whispering back as she glided her hands through his hair.
“Whatever you wish dearest,” Caleb replied, smiling and laughing lightly.
“Well...I love the way you kiss me. Especially when you taste my mouth,” Laurel whispered, her eyes soft and warm.
“Like this?” Caleb asked, as he held her face and kissed her deeply.
His tongue, moving about her mouth slowly, caressing her own.
“Yes,” Laurel replied in a breathless whisper, when their kiss ended.
“What else pleases you, my love?” Caleb asked her, smiling adoringly, clearly enjoying this seductive questioning.
“I enjoy tracing the outline of your face,” softly touching his face, with her finger. “As well as your arms and chest,” moving her fingers lightly across his chest and up his arm, smiling as she did so.
“I enjoy that as well. Do you like when I kiss you here?” Caleb asked in a deep whisper, as he kissed her neck. Then moved his mouth slowly down her throat and to her breasts. “And here?” he asked, kissing her again.
“Oh yes Sire. I do,” Laurel whispered back, moving her hands lightly across his back and shoulders.
“What else do you enjoy mo stor?” bringing his face up, to look at her again.
Laurel did not answer him at first, only looked back at him with warm and luminous eyes. Taking his hand in hers, she then moved it slowly down her body, until she stopped, and smiled shyly, he then smiled back at her seductively.
“Is it not interesting how we seem to enjoy the same things?” Caleb asked in a soft low voice, as he touched her gently and lovingly.
Laurel closed her eyes and sighed deeply, bringing her hands up to grasp the back of his neck. They made love in the tent, one last time. Then dressing quickly, made their way back to the Lodge. Caleb had a bath readied for them, and for the first time bathed together, in the large copper tub.
“This is another thing I enjoy as well Caleb,” Laurel sighed, leaning against his chest in the warm and fragrant water.
Caleb smiled as he kissed the top of her head, and lightly caressed her face.
After bathing, donning the lacy white nightgown Queen Alana had given her, got into bed, as Caleb suggested they take a nap before dinner. There was no need to feel rushed. King Fergus had taken Queen Alana to visit Welstone, for a fine meal at the Inn. They would spend the morning shopping, then visiting the nearby village of Ardara where the family had special interest, spending the night there, before returning home. Aiden and Owain had gone with the escorts, to see the family back to Gwenlais, and would then spend two days there, before returning to Heathwin. Imagin had returned home with her mother. Caleb and Laurel had the Lodge, for the most part, to themselves. They awoke in the late afternoon, and played a game of Tablut. Caleb had dinner brought up to their room. They took a walk out to the terrace, enjoying the last blooms of the night lilies and moon roses, until Laurel felt chilled. Then returning to their room, Caleb made a fire in the spacious fireplace, getting back into bed, Caleb then read one of Laurel’s favourite poets. They made love once again, slowly but passionately. Laurel experiencing a sense of elation and joy she had never felt, as she lay peacefully in Caleb’s tender embrace. It was a day of sweet bliss, filled with the happiness of sharing new love.
The next morning Laurel woke up to hearing Caleb moving about the room, putting things on his desk then going to the wardrobe. He reached in pulling out articles of clothing and placing them in large leather saddle bags. Laurel watched him, still not sitting up, blinking her eyes sleepily.
“Maidin mhaith, my love. You need to get out of bed sleepy head. Come and show me, what you wish to bring with you to Welstone,” Caleb said, as he looked over, and smiled at her warmly.
Laurel said something indiscernible and then covered her head, pulling the covers tighter around her. Caleb looked over at her and smirked, as he put more clothing into the bag. He then walked over to the bed, and began to pull the covers away from off of Laurel. She protested grumpily as he heard her muffled complaints, about it being too early and chilly.
“It is not too early, it is well past sunrise. You will warm up as soon as you get up and have some tea. Now come out from under the covers, so we can finish packing,” Caleb spoke, beginning to sound impatient.
“Just a few moments more,” Laurel’s muffled request, came out from under the bedding.
“No, I have already given you a few more moments. I have been up for well over an hour,” Caleb said brusquely, as he pulled the covers roughly off of her.
“Oh! Caleb! Stop it, I am freezing!” Laurel protested grumpily, as she shivered in her thin nightgown.
Pulling a sheet back over her, and curling herself up into it, mumbled something in a quiet angry tone.
“Do not curse at me under your breath. You are being quite disagreeable this morning, mo ghra. I am warning you, I am not going to put up with it,” Caleb said in a threatening tone, but with a wry smile on his lips.
Laurel grumbled some other phrase under her breath, pulling the sheet tighter. Caleb’s eyebrows raised in surprise of her words. He leaned over and then gave her backside a sharp slap, the sound resonating throughout the still room. Laurel gasped in shock and sat up quickly, her face registering her surprise.
“Ouch! Damn it Caleb!” she said angrily, her eyes flashing at him.
Caleb smiled at her wickedly, and pulling the sheet away from her, grabbed her arm pulling her over to him, and picking her up roughly threw her over his shoulder. He then began to walk towards the bath, with her struggling form.
“No! Stop it! You are such a brute,” Laurel protested, trying push herself up from over his shoulder.
“I warned you I was not going to put up with you. I have heated some water for you. Now get in there and wash, so you can dress and we can actually leave. And do not take forever, or I will throw whatever I chose for you in the saddle bag, and you will be happy with it,” Caleb said putting her down, turning her around and smacking her bottom once more.
“Ah! If you continue to do that, I will not be able to ride to Welstone!” she answered back, in irritation.
“You will be able to ride just fine, it will be your own fault, if you are bit uncomfortable,” Caleb replied smiling at her. “I cannot believe how grumpy you are, when I planned on taking you for a day of shopping, and staying at a very lovely inn,” Caleb chided her, with a smile.
“I told you, I am still tired and I am freezing,” Laurel said softly, turning around to face him, with a pout Caleb found irresistible.
He walked a few steps forward and putting his hand on the side of her face, leaned down and kissed her lips warmly.
“I have some tea and sweet rolls coming up for us as we speak. When you come out of the bath they should be here waiting for you. I promise, I will make it all up to you, for having you get up so early,” Caleb said in a soft low voice, as he kissed her once again.
“You promise?” Laurel asked in a breathy whisper, as she smiled at him demurely.
“I most certainly do,” Caleb smiled whispering back, kissing her again.
Caleb began to kiss Laurel more deeply and passionately, as he caressed her back. Feeling her easily through her thin nightgown, tearing his mouth away from her, Laurel’s eyes flew open in surprise. Caleb put his arms around her waist and lifted her off the floor, as he stepped into the bath and shut the door.
“Damn it Laurel! You are going to make us late!” he said, as he kissed her passionately once more.
Laurel began to giggle as he kissed her, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Caleb began to pull roughly at the laces of her nightgown, as he attempted to push it down off her shoulders. Laurel’s breath caught slightly in surprise at Caleb’s passionate intensity.
“Caleb…you will tear my gown,” Laurel spoke in a breathless whisper, as he finished removing her gown.
“Do not worry mo chroi, I shall you get you another,” Caleb replied, his voice deep and intense with passion.
He then turned her around quickly, pulling her flush against him, as he wrapped his arms around her and kissing her neck and shoulder. Caleb began to caress her in a way he had not yet shown to her. Laurel whimpered in desire as her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
“Yes, mo chailin milis. I will make you very happy mo stor. You shall see how good your Prince will be to you,” Caleb whispered to her deeply, his lips brushing against her ear, as he continued to touch her tenderly and lovingly.
“Oh Caleb,” Laurel whispered, in a trembling voice.
Her legs shaking as she placed her arm above her head, putting it around the back of his neck as Caleb leaned down to kiss her shoulder.
“Call out to me my love. Let me hear you say my name with your pleasure,” Caleb gently directed her, as he continued his passionate affections.
There was a knock on the chamber door, and with no reply, Lucas and a young maid, brought in a tray of sweet rolls along with a full setting for tea. As they put the items on the desk, they both suddenly looked towards the bath in surprise. Hearing Laurel call out Caleb’s name passionately, and Caleb replying with amorous expressions, in old speak. Lucas smiled and shook his head as the maid blushed and giggled.
“Come along my girl, let us leave them alone,” Lucas laughed quietly, leading the maid out of the room.
A little over an hour later Laurel and Caleb showed up at the stables looking rushed and distracted, as Caleb would give Laurel an annoyed smile, while she would smirk at him coyly. The Sentinels waiting for them gave each other knowing glances as they began to get upon their horses. Laurel looked up and smiled as she noticed who one of the Sentinels that was part of their escort to Welstone was.
“Good morning gentlemen, and good morning Gawain. How is Iris since moving to Heathwin?” Laurel asked delightedly.
“Maidin mhaith, your Highness. She is doing very well, thank you for enquiring,” Gawain replied smiling charmingly, as well as the other five Sentinels.
Caleb looked over and smiled with amusement at the Sentinels. He knew they enjoyed Laurel’s friendly and open personality as she always greeted them in this manner, whoever was assigned as an escort.
“I am so happy to hear that. Please tell her I asked about her,” Laurel requested happily.
“She will be most delighted your Highness,” Gawain replied, as they headed out of the stables on the main roadway.
The ride was very enjoyable as many of Heathwin’s residents were also traveling back and forth, as the weather had remained sunny and warmer than usual. The many visitors from other towns and territories were now gone, since the wedding day, and everything was back to normal. Those who were either walking or riding on the road were very gracious and happy to greet the Prince and new Princess of Heathwin. They stopped once again at the small hamlet just before the main town, so that Laurel could visit her favourite merchants and vendors who were very happy to see her and offered her their newest wares, some that were only presented to her. The glass blower had a dazzling display of beautifully blown and delicate apothecary bottles, with very ornate stoppers. Many of the residents of the small village were eager to see Laurel once again. Some of the people were a bit too enthusiastic in their excitement to see her and had to be firmly but politely reminded by Gawain, and the four other Sentinels around her, not to touch her. As it was again ordered by Caleb to not be allowed, because of the possible threat of an assassin. Laurel herself had to be reminded not to reach back to anyone, she smiled when reminded, but still felt uncomfortable with this security measure, but did not argue the point. Caleb had walked over with a Sentinel escort to visit his Kedesh informer Buadhach, who was at his stall, happy to see the Prince approach him.
“Good afternoon my Liege. I wish to offer you, my congratulations, on your marriage to the fair Princess Laurel. You make a most handsome couple. I once again have some very lovely jeweled silk slippers and shawls to offer you, as well as some very interesting information,” the small Kedesh said with a lowered voice, looking about anxiously.
“Thank you Buadhach. Now how interesting is this information?” Caleb asked him with a wry grin, always amused by how much the Kedesh enjoyed secrets and sharing them as well.
“My brother, who has a shop in the port city of Achzib, told me that a very expensive and very exotic looking ship arrived more than a fortnight ago. It had the entire city in quite a state of foreboding and excitement. It was not a cargo ship, Sire, but rather a very large and impressive personal vessel. Obviously for someone of importance,” Buadhach explained with a low and guarded voice.
“Was your brother able to get a look at any of the passengers or crew?” Caleb asked in a concerned tone.
“Only the crew Sire. They were quite exotic looking as well. Men with skin the color of golden wheat and very large gold eyes. Some had very long hair, other had very short, but all had the same blue black color. They also had pointed long thin ears that went almost to the tops of their heads. They moved very quickly and fluidly, and were most unfriendly. My brother said they reminded him of felines Sire,” Buadhach said, with a distasteful expression.
Caleb and the Sentinel exchanged knowing and worried glances as the description of the crew on the strange vessel matched the appearance of the assassin discovered in Heathwin.
