The Treasure of Gwenlais, page 153
part #1 of The Rienfield Chronicles Series
“What is that?” Deaglan asked Aiden, still looking surprised.
“It is Caleb, torturing Laurel again,” Aiden replied, matter of factly, as he began to walk towards the study.
“Does this happen often?” Deaglan asked, clearly amused now.
“Constantly. Trust me, now that the wedding has taken place, and Caleb no longer has to restrain himself, it is only going to get worse,” Aiden answered, rolling his eyes, as Deaglan laughed heartily.
A short time had passed, when Caleb joined with them in the study. Aiden and Deaglan both looked up with amused expressions as he entered, and sat in one of the plush leather chairs next to Deaglan.
“Done torturing your wife, are you?” Aiden asked sardonically, as Deaglan laughed.
“I was not torturing her. Merely demonstrating an amusing concept, which she brought up,” Caleb answered, grinning drolly.
“Oh really? She did not sound very amused,” Aiden replied dryly.
“She was quite amused for a moment, but I did find the concept more so, in the end. She is fine, you will see her at dinner,” Caleb responded, smiling reticently.
“Mother will be happy you are joining us, as no one has hardly seen either one of you, for about a week,” Aiden said smiling knowingly.
“Well I really do not know what anyone expected, seeing as how it has only been that long since the wedding. We just returned from Welstone yesterday evening,” Caleb replied laughingly.
“It is interesting you should mention Welstone. Your cousin Kerrie invited me to join her tomorrow as she and her mother and several of your cousins will be going there for the day,” Deaglan announced with a wide grin.
“I am not surprised, the conniving little imp. She heard me say I was taking you there to visit the tavern and she was not happy about it. So she apparently got to you first,” Aiden said shaking his head, and laughing at his cousin’s attempts, to keep Deaglan away from the seductive tavern wenches.
“I find your cousin to be most charming. She brought me to the Gallery yesterday afternoon, and arranged a private tour for us. I was quite impressed with her work. She is a very gifted artist,” Deaglan said, with a charming smile.
“A private tour was it? Our little Kerrie is becoming most opportunistic, is she not?” Aiden asked Caleb, who just laughed at his question, Deaglan smiled back with a bemused expression. “So Caleb, did your Bride enjoy a day of making you spend too much money?” Aiden asked with amusement.
“I spent ridiculous amounts of money, on trinkets and personal furnishings, she wanted for our room. She is arranging some of those today. I say some, as we were not able to bring all of them home, I only had the four saddle bags. I had to have the rest delivered, they should all be here by tomorrow. The merchants and vendors were only too happy to show her their newest and most expensive wares,” Caleb relayed, with a smirk.
“Of course they were. They knew you would only be too happy to buy them for her,” Aiden said, with a laugh. “Did she enjoy the Inn?” Aiden asked with a smile.
“Yes she did. Oonagh, that is the innkeeper’s name,” he informed Deaglan, “was most gracious. She was quite happy that I had arranged for Laurel and I to stay there. She gave us a private suite, away from the other guests. Oonagh had a very elaborate dinner brought up to our room, as well as a hardy breakfast, the morning we were to leave. I will have to thank Father for his recommendation,” Caleb smiled, and paused thoughtfully, “She loved the family home as well,” Caleb said smiling knowingly at Aiden.
“Did she? I am very happy to hear that. Have you told Mother and Father yet? They will be thrilled,” Aiden asked, with a cheerful smile.
“I have not had the opportunity as yet. I will tell them at dinner tonight,” Caleb replied smiling back, as he picked up a piece of paper off the table, and examined closer. “I see you have hand to hand combat training scheduled today, Deaglan. With Ione? Really? There was no one else?” Caleb asked, looking over questionably at Aiden.
“She requested it,” Aiden replied, with a sardonic grin.
“Did she now? Well, I shall be there this afternoon then,” Caleb said, giving a mordant grin.
“Is there something I should be aware of?” Deaglan asked, a wary smile on his face.
“I feel Ione is not only overprotective, but a bit jealous of her sister’s attention being preoccupied by someone else. Also, do not be disarmed or fooled by Ione’s appearance. She is very beautiful, but she is an amazing fighter, and has a very volatile temper. So be aware, and do not drop your guard,” Caleb said, smiling but with a warning tone.
“Trust us Deaglan. She will engage you and try to distract you, and then will take you by surprise. That is how I received a split bottom lip, and I am not the only one,” Aiden replied, with a wry grin.
“Well, I do appreciate your warnings, but I must admit I do look forward to seeing how this training session will be,” Deaglan smiled widely, his handsome face filled with amusement.
Shortly after Aiden and Deaglan made their way to the Sentinel Headquarters, to meet the other guards from Gwenlais as well as the Sentinels, including Ione who had volunteered to help with Deaglan and his men’s training.
Caleb walked back into his room to find Laurel standing in front of their wardrobe, with it wide opened, arranging the shelves and refolding articles of clothing. He walked up in back of her wrapping his arms around her waist and nuzzling her neck. She smiled at his affectionate gesture but did not stop what she was doing.
“You must be aware mo stor, that I could have the maids come in and do this for you,” moving her hair aside and kissing her neck once again.
“I am perfectly capable of arranging our wardrobe Caleb. No it is quite alright, I wish to do this myself,” Laurel said, still continuing her task.
“Very well mo ghra. I need to head over to the Headquarters to assist with the training sessions for the guards from Gwenlais. At the very least supervise them,” Caleb mentioned, with a small sigh.
Laurel placed the clothing she was holding in the wardrobe than turned so she could face Caleb, hearing from his tone he really did not wish to leave.
“Do you not trust Aiden to supervise the training session? If you allow him to do this, then you could spend the afternoon here with me,” Laurel explained in a demure tone, as she drew her fingers softly across the open unlaced front of his tunic.
Caleb smiled at her enticingly as he drew her closer.
“As utterly, utterly tempting your offer is, I unfortunately must decline,” he said in a low deep voice between kisses to her neck, then smiling again looked at her. “I trust Aiden is quite capable of supervising. It is Ione I do not trust,” Caleb replied smirking mordantly.
“Ione!” Laurel exclaimed, with a surprised laugh. “Why would you not trust Ione?” Laurel asked in amusement.
“Well it seems that our dear Ione is more than a bit jealous of all the attention her sister is giving to Deaglan. I know she can be quite protective of Kerrie. This is also the first time that Kerrie has shown any real interest in anyone,” Caleb explained, with an amused grin.
“Perhaps I can set her mind at ease. I have known Deaglan for as long as…well for as long as I have known you and Aiden, actually. Deaglan would never do anything to hurt or upset Kerrie. In fact I saw them together at the wedding feast and they seemed to be quite taken with each other,” Laurel expressed, smiling knowingly.
“Deaglan was just talking about Kerrie in the sitting room a short time ago. It seems she has been entertaining him for several days now. Bringing him to the Gallery, inviting him to join her and her mother with several of the girls, on a visit to Welstone. I would have to agree with you dearest, it is obvious Kerrie is enamored with Deaglan, but he also seems enchanted by her as well. Which is why I really should be at the training sessions, at least for the time during Ione’s session with Deaglan,” Caleb smirked knowingly, as he played with a few loose tendrils of Laurel’s hair. “I will be going back to the Headquarters in a couple of days to start training again myself,” Caleb mentioned, as he began to kiss Laurel’s face.
“Training for what?” Laurel asked softly, as he placed her arms around Caleb’s waist.
Caleb continued to kiss her face and neck, moving her hair aside once more, laughing lightly at her question.
“For just all that I am required to know and sometimes have to do, as a Sentinel dearest. Sword work, hand to hand, all those things require constant training mo stor. I do this at least three days out of the week. Do you not remember when I would go to the Headquarters when you first moved here?” Caleb explained smiling at her in amusement, as he brushed back her hair.
“I just assumed you were having meetings,” Laurel replied without guile, as she smiled back at him.
“Now why we would we have all those meetings?” Caleb asked, with a laugh.
“Well…I do not know. To discuss what you will be doing on Patrol?” Laurel asked, with a hesitant tone.
“Yes, we all sit around drinking tea and eating biscuits, discussing what we will do should we find slavers, or raiders,” Caleb said mockingly, holding on to Laurel’s waist tighter, as she rolled her eyes and tried pushing away from him. “Pondering the notion, hmm, should we perhaps bring extra tea and biscuits with us? Then we can all just sit around and have a meeting. And discuss with them, why it really is in their best interest, not to raid villages and burn down small towns, pillaging and selling people,” Caleb continued with his teasing, and mocking of Laurel’s earlier comment, as she hit his arm and kept trying to push away from him.
“You are not funny. Go to your training session then. Stop laughing at me! No, no do not kiss me!” Laurel replied in an irritated voice, as she continued to resist his affectionate advances, as he laughed at her and tried to kiss her face and neck.
“You are so adorable. Come here mo chailin milis,” Caleb said as he picked Laurel up, and brought her over to the bed, laughing at her still resisting him.
“Stop it. I do not want you to kiss me!” Laurel told him becoming more irritated as he placed her beneath him, becoming more determined in his affections.
“Yes you do,” Caleb said as he continued to laugh lightly, and kiss and caress her boldly, ignoring her resistance.
“No! I do not. You are being mean and…..and arrogant. And…well…just an annoying ass,” Laurel replied, finding it increasingly difficult to resist Caleb’s affections.
“I know, but I cannot help it mo stor. You say the most amusing things, and I cannot help but react to it. I love how your sweet mind works. If it were up to you we would all just sit and have a meeting. If anyone becomes too irritating, then we just curse at them, and it would all be over with, problem solved,” Caleb laughed again at her.
“Do not make fun of me Caleb. I am not as simple minded as all that. I did not grow up learning anything of warriors, or fighting, or sword training. The things you would tell me when I was younger just sounded like amazing and exciting adventures. You never mentioned to me people being captured and sold, or towns being burned,” Laurel replied in a hurt tone, her eyes filling with tears.
Caleb stopped laughing, as he looked at her sad and embarrassed face. He turned over on his side, bringing her with him, so that they faced each other. Placing his hand on the side of Laurel’s face, Caleb tenderly kissed her forehead.
“I am sorry dearest. I did not mean to hurt your feelings. I do not, in any way, find you to be simple minded. I could never do the things you do Laurel, to remember all those plants and herbs, and their uses. To be patient enough to help people the way you do. I only meant if everyone thought as you did, how much easier life would be. And yes it is true, I never told you of the harsh realities of things I saw, or things that I had to do. I did not wish to take that sweet and innocent perspective away from you, or perhaps have you look at me in a way, where you would be frightened of me. I have had to do harsh and fearful things at times dearest, things I am not always proud of, but were necessary because of the kind of people we were dealing with. The way that you look at things, at people, at situations that have arisen, are so different from how I grew up, from how I knew life to be. I am utterly and completely enchanted, and captivated by you, that it is sometimes overwhelming. So, I make light of it by teasing you. It is not to make fun of you or belittle your thinking, it is to help me to feel more at ease with my own perspectives,” Caleb explained in a soft low voice, kissing her once again then holding her closely in his arms. “I love you so much my sweet girl. I cannot express the depth of how you have healed my heart and soul with your love and your compassion. Never think that I hold your talents and perceptions beneath me,” he said as he caressed her back and kissed the side of her face.
Laurel pulled away from him slightly to look at him, her face no longer sad, but smiling in a calm manner.
“I am not a child any longer Sire, that requires a fairytale existence. I have known for some time now that you are not well received by all you come in contact with. Though I do not know all of what your duties as a Sentinel encompass, I have no doubt they are not all pleasant. Raiders and slavers, I know nothing about them. Only that they are horrible people who inflict terrible pain on others, as I have had to mend the wounds of those they were inflicted on. Do not feel you cannot tell me of what you must sometimes do my husband. You do not need to protect me from yourself. As far as compassion, you are not giving yourself enough credit in that regard. Your compassion is what caused the Rabkins to wish to pursue peace with us. The compassion you showed to Chieftain McCullan to bring back Morene’s body. It was your compassion Caleb, which allowed Leland’s life to be spared. I am fully aware you did not have to agree with my entreaty. As my betrothed, you still could have demanded his execution, and no one would have argued, as he was found guilty. It was your compassion for me, my dear husband, which allowed us to be married following the agreements set out in the Marriage Alliance. There were several times my behavior towards you, would have in the eyes of many, allowed you the right to punish me. You chose not to, because of your compassion. You did not promise me at that time that you would not treat me in that manner. To be honest, I half expected it, as did Phineas and Cahir. Yes, there are times I do feel you tease me a bit much, but I still have issues with my temper and be that as it may, we are adjusting to each other. I shall try to not take your teasing quite so seriously. But I shall always look at you as my hero, even when I find you completely annoying and irritating,” Laurel stated giggling, as she ran her fingers through his hair.
“I am most happy to hear you say that dearest,” Caleb said as he stroked her hair. “So may I kiss you now?” he asked with a charming smile.
“Um…not as yet,” Laurel answered getting out of bed, and unlacing the front of her dress.
“What are you doing Laurel?” Caleb asked with an amused grin, sitting up slightly.
“I am about to make you very late for your training sessions Sire,” Laurel replied as she slipped her dress over her head. “You may kiss me now,” Laurel said smiling coyly, then giggled at Caleb’s expression as he stepped out of the bed and walked over to her.
Caleb took Laurel in his embrace and kissed her passionately, removing the rest of her clothing then placing her back in the bed, kissing her again. He stopped to smile at her, his face only inches above hers.
“Oh yes mo stor. You are indeed going to make me very late,” Caleb told her in an ardent deep voice, as Laurel returned his smile before he kissed her again.
Caleb was delighted by Laurel’s growing confidence with their intimate familiarity of each other. He found himself being able to be bolder and more passionate in how he expressed his desire for her without intimidating her, returning his affections equally as passionate, though more vocal than he was, which he found very enticing. Laying in each other’s arm for a time after, Laurel began to once again trace the outline of Caleb’s face lightly with her finger tips, as he smiled at her lovingly.
“You are making it most difficult for me to leave mo ghra,” Caleb spoke, in a soft deep voice.
“Good,” was all Laurel replied, with a charming giggle as she continued her gentle attentions, moving her fingers to his arm.
Caleb laughed as he leaned over and taking Laurel in his arms and kissed her passionately once again, then smiled at her, moving her hair back away from her face.
“I have to leave now my sweet girl. I promise you, I shall not be too long. You can finish setting up the wardrobe while I am gone. I will be back in plenty of time for dinner, as Mother and Father, wish us to join them this evening,” Caleb said smiling at her as she pouted at him.
“But I do not want you to go. You are always saying when you do not wish to share me. Maybe I do not wish to share you at this time,” Laurel replied with a grumpy pout, tracing her fingers against his chest.
Caleb raised his eyebrows in surprise at her demeanor laughing at her behavior, as he found it both unexpected and endearing.
“The only reason I am leaving is I am attempting to save Deaglan from a split lip or worse from Ione,” Caleb remarked, as he kissed her face tenderly.
“Cannot Aiden prevent that from happening, or perhaps Tolemais?” Laurel asked in a soft voice, as she kissed him back.
“No, they are both very amused with the idea of Ione beating Deaglan quite soundly,” Caleb smirked back in reply.
“Oh, very well Sire. But I would like you to take note that I am agreeing to your leaving with great reluctance and for the sake of poor Deaglan,” Laurel answered with a sad small sigh, which Caleb laughed at.
“Duly noted mo stor, as I too am leaving with great reluctance. I shall be back very soon. Why do you not take a nap? You can finish the wardrobe later,” Caleb suggested as he tucked her hair behind her ear, smiling warmly at her drowsy face.
“Hmm, yes I think I shall. I do still feel a bit tired from our trip,” she answered, trying not to yawn.
