“Hell and damnation!” Losing his balance, he collapsed to the floor, taking her with him in a tangled mess of entwined limbs and searching mouths. “No wonder women are forbidden from wearing men’s clothing. They are vexingly difficult to remove.”
Eloise shook with laughter. “Oh, is that the reason?” Her bared bottom pressed against his groin, causing his throbbing member to twitch in dismay. He had thought to be inside her already, not sprawled in a heap on the rug.
“Well, it should be.” He eyed her ruefully. “Although it is probably to prevent us weak-minded fellows from being driven mad with desire at the sight of delectable female derrieres.”
Eloise’s wriggling ceased. “Are you saying you would be similarly affected by viewing any woman’s backside?”
“No!” His eyes widened in alarm. “Just yours!” She arched an eyebrow, and he rushed to add, “I have no interest, whatsoever, in any other woman, regardless of how she is dressed.”
Seemingly mollified, Eloise rewarded him with a sultry smile and began wrestling with her boots. The ties to her tunic had come undone, allowing it to slide down and reveal the creamy curve of her breast and one perfect, pink nipple. Momentarily distracted, Destrian stared, saliva pooling in his mouth as he longed for a taste.
First things first, he reminded himself.
Giving his head a shake, he put his undivided attention into helping her pull her boots free. Once they were off, he focused on removing her breeches, a wave of relief surging through him when she was rid of the dratted things. Finally, able to stand to his feet, he lifted her back up into his arms.
“Do you still want me to take you against the door?” he asked, groaning as she stroked his aching length from swollen base to moistened tip.
“Oh, yes.” She positioned him against her slick folds, her head falling back as he thrust inside her in one, smooth stroke. “Oh, yes!” she cried again, and he began to move, sliding in and out of her velvet heat.
Groaning, he rode her as hard as he dared, desperate for them both to find release but not wanting to bang her against the rough surface of the door. Eloise had other ideas, urging him on with her hands at his back and the pressure of her legs wrapped around his waist. But he refused to take her too fiercely. He would never forgive himself if she were to be scratched or bruised, her tunic offering only scant protection for her delicate skin.
“Destrian, harder!” she demanded, and his resolve wavered. Settling on a compromise, he spun Around so that he was leaning against the door. She grabbed hold of his shoulders, lifting and lowering herself on his shaft as he bore her weight with his hands. In no time, her panted breaths became moans which turned into cries, his name torn from her lips when she came. She collapsed in his arms, and he spun back Around, pressing her against the door. Thrusting deep, once, twice, three times, he pumped into her as he found his own, blissful release.
“Well, that was exciting,” she said with a satisfied sigh when they’d both recaptured their breaths. “I’ll have to dress like a boy more often.”
Destrian chuckled, too relaxed in the aftermath of their coupling to take offence. With the edge taken off their desire, they disrobed entirely, falling naked upon their bed. They rested for a while, cuddled in each other’s arms. Then nuzzling cheeks, softly stroking fingers, and restless, entwined limbs lead to an equally passionate but gentler encounter. Holding his weight up on one elbow while his free hand stroked Eloise’s hip and along her thigh, Destrian looked down upon his wife and smiled.
In the four weeks since they had wed, he’d all but memorised her lovely curves, but he would never grow tired of exploring her body. As they rocked together, the feel of her smooth, silky skin sliding against his own saw him moaning with pleasure once more.
“You like that?” she whispered, between taking nibbling bites of his earlobe.
“I like everything you do.” He groaned and pushed deeper.
“You want more?” She angled her hips to receive him more fully.
Destrian would always want more, his desire for her a thirst that couldn’t be quenched. Not that he wouldn’t cry out in triumph when she pulsed around him, her release leading to his own shuddering climax. But no matter how enervated he was left by the encounter, how blissfully replete, his hunger for Eloise always returned. If sleep overwhelmed him, he invariably reached for her upon waking, even before consciousness had taken hold.
And why wouldn’t he, when such delight was to be found in her arms?
Groaning at the thought of the bone deep satiation to come, Destrian resisted the urge to move faster, reminding himself he had set a slow and languorous pace for a reason, wanting her to feel cherished.
For cherish her he did.
Heart swelling, Destrian gazed down at his beautiful wife. He had loosened her long, dark hair from its braid, and the crinkled locks spread out on the pillow Around her head. It was a sight he would never grow tired of. Nor would he ever get enough of seeing her lashes resting against her flushed cheeks or her lips, pink and swollen from his kisses. He savoured the sound of her breathy cries, the soft whimpers that assured him she received pleasure from being filled by him, from being kissed and caressed and adored by him.
A deep moan rumbled in his chest, and her eyelids fluttered open revealing warm brown eyes glazed with passion. Her hands stroked his back, trailing up and down his spine. Her knees hugged his hips, her lovely legs wrapping Around his thighs.
“My love.” He nuzzled her neck as he claimed her with slow, purposeful strokes.
She whimpered in response, the movement of her hips urging him to up the pace. He thrust harder, and her body pulsed Around him, letting him know she was close. Angling so as to make sure he touched the places that would bring her the most pleasure, he marvelled at how well they’d come to know one another’s bodies in such a relatively short time.
One month.
A little over four weeks.
It wasn’t very long, but it felt like a lifetime of joy, one he never wanted to end.
Another thought teased at his consciousness, but he was unable to grasp hold, having more important things on his mind . . . such as driving his wife to the peak of ecstasy and then following her as she tumbled over the other side.
“Destrian, please . . .”
Eloise writhed beneath him, seeking the release that would bring him almost as much pleasure from watching her reach it as when he experienced his own. Knowing just how to help her, he lifted up a little, making some space between them. Cupping her breast, he rolled and tweaked the nipple until she cried out. He would have liked to suckle it with his mouth, but he was too tall to do so in this position. Instead, he put his mouth to good use, kissing and licking and nipping along the curve of her neck until he reached the tender spot beneath her ear. It was one of his favourite places, sure to inspire a delicious blush to spread across her already heated skin when he sucked the soft flesh between his tongue and lips. As expected, her whimpers grew louder, more frenzied. When tremors racked her body, he abandoned his place at her neck and kissed his way along her jaw. When he reached her mouth, she opened for him immediately, drawing his tongue inside and sucking it against the roof of her mouth.
Pleasure rippled through him . . . pleasure so intense he almost lost control.
Soon, he told himself, determined not to disappoint her. To his relief, it wasn’t long before she broke away from his mouth, her breath coming in harsh pants.
“I’m nearly there,” she whimpered, her hips rising to meet his quickening thrusts.
If he held back, he could make their loving last even longer, but from Eloise’s cries and the way she urged him on with her hands and body, he knew her hunger matched his own.
They could always take it slow the third time.
She tensed, her inner muscles clamping down on him, and he grit his teeth as pleasure raced down his spine and pooled in his groin. The sound of his groan filled the air, a low reverberation that contrasted with Eloise�
��s higher pitched cry. Arching like a bow, she reached her peak, the contractions occurring deep within her body sending them both soaring skyward for long, rapturous minutes. When their hearts finally stopped racing, and their breathing slowed, they returned to awareness laying on their sides, wrapped securely in each other’s arms.
More minutes passed, interrupted only by soft sighs and gentle caresses.
“Do you think we’ll ever tire of this?” Eloise eventually broke the silence. Her teasing tone assured Destrian there was no real concern behind her question, but he answered with as much force as his sated self could muster.
“Never. I shall always want you, my love. Always.”
“Just as I shall always want you.”
She snuggled even closer into his side, but rather than succumbing to the temptation to doze, he pondered her question further.
Destrian hadn’t thought to find a wife who reciprocated his desire; in fact, he had been warned to expect the exact opposite. Eloise and he engaged in intercourse a lot more frequently and with far greater inventiveness than was typical . . . or strictly allowed. If they were to follow the edicts of the church, he wouldn’t touch her more than twice a week, thrice at the absolute most . . . certainly not that many times in a day. They would have to abstain altogether once she was with child and for however long she nursed the babe after it was born. Two to three years of abstinence was the norm.
Would Eloise want that?
Gazing down at the sleepily satisfied smile on her face, he didn’t think he had anything to fear. His lovely wife enjoyed fulfilling their marital duties as much as he did . . . thank heavens. Of course, she might not feel up to obliging him as often and certainly not as energetically once she was carrying his child, and he would be careful not to tax her body with too many confinements too close together. Losing her was not an option.
While soothingly stroking her arm with his hand, Destrian vowed to be patient. He would make sure she knew how incredibly grateful he was for whatever scraps of affection she chose to grant him. Even a chaste kiss or comforting embrace from the woman he loved would keep him happy.
Though he did hope she would continue to want more.
A chuckle shook his chest when he recalled the dread with which he had once viewed marriage. He wondered how Merek was faring, in no way envying him his bride. A shudder ran through him at the thought of dealing with Seraphina’s cool manner and short temper on a daily basis. Eloise wasn’t afraid to express her opinion, even letting Destrian know when she considered him to be in the wrong. But she didn’t feel the need to belittle him in the process, her manner kind and her temperament even.
Surprisingly so.
The smile that had an almost permanent place on Destrian’s face faded, as the thought that had teased the edges of his consciousness earlier returned fully formed.
The other warning he had received in regards to the challenges inherent in matrimony was that his wife would be subject to irascible moods on occasion, specifically around the time of her monthly courses.
“Eloise?” He kept his voice low in case she was sleeping . . . and to hide his growing concern.
“Hmmm?” She rocked against his side.
“We have been wed for a month now.”
He felt her smile against his chest, as she hummed again in agreement.
“About that . . .” Destrian faltered. His embarrassment was patently ridiculous considering the intimacies they shared, but it didn’t stop heat from flushing his cheeks.
Eloise lifted her head to meet his gaze, a frown creasing her brow when she took note of his glowing ears. “What is it?”
“Well . . .” He inhaled a breath and ‘took a hold of his manhood’ as Merek would say—not literally, but figuratively—though he imagined even his blustering brother would find this topic a challenge. “It is just that it’s been four weeks, almost four and a half, since we were married, and there has been no, er . . . impediment to our being together during that time.”
Eloise rolled her eyes. “Other than hovering servants, repeated audiences with your parents, fulfilling our royal duties, which are surprisingly time consuming. Oh, and don’t forget ignoring the pointed looks and comments from those keen to judge us based solely on the rumours that have been spread that we are excessively amorous . . . rumour based in truth,” she added sheepishly.
Destrian managed a weak chuckle. “What I was actually referring to was the, ah . . . matter of your courses, or lack thereof. Your womanly cycle is irregular?”
Eloise eyed him for a moment, a secretive smile curving her lips. “My cycle is quite regular.”
“Oh.” Destrian thought about that for a moment. “So, when are—were—you due?”
“About three weeks ago.” Her smile widened.
“Three weeks,” he repeated dumbly before his brows shot high on his forehead. Sitting up, he drew Eloise with him. “But that means you might already be with child. My child!”
“Well it certainly isn’t anyone else’s,” she muttered dryly.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I wanted to be sure. I have experienced some early signs, but it’s a little soon to know for certain.” Eloise’s smile faltered in the face of Destrian’s darkening scowl. “You are displeased? You don’t want a child?”
“Of course, I want a child! I am overjoyed at the prospect, but I am also fuming at the thought of you putting yourself at risk. Swordplay is dangerous, even a mock fight. You could have been hurt . . . or lost the baby. What were you thinking?” Releasing one of her shoulders, he ran his hand roughly through his hair. “What was I thinking? Even without the possibility of you being with child, something I was too daft to consider, I should never have promised to tutor you. But you’re just so persuasive. And when you look at me with those big brown eyes, I would agree to anything . . . anything. What if we’ve harmed the baby? I shall never forgive myself.”
“Destrian, stop!” She caught hold of the hand he had tangled in his hair and drew it between them, nestling it against her breast. “I am fine. The baby, if there is one, is fine also. I am unused to a sedentary life, as I’ve always been very active. I might have some sore muscles on the morrow, but no worse than if I had been scrubbing floors or beating rugs.”
“But this is your first confinement. You don’t know how your body will respond.”
A crease formed between Eloise’s brows. “Yes, I suppose that’s true.” Her confidence shaken, she came willingly into his embrace. “It is just that I’ve known plenty of village women to work every day of their confinements and then return to their duties within days of the delivery.”
“I have heard such tales also, but not all women fare so well.”
At Destrian’s sober words, she nodded against his chest, gripping him more tightly.
“I am not trying to frighten you, my love, but you’re very precious to me, and I couldn’t bear for anything to happen to you or our babe.” He dropped a hand to her still taut belly, his touch imbued with an extra degree of reverence.
“I am sorry,” Eloise whispered. “I shall be more cautious in future. Does this mean you won’t give me any more lessons in defending myself?”
She raised her head, and his heart fell to see her eyes were shining. The last thing he had wanted to do was upset her.
“A promise is a promise.” He gently wiped a tear from her cheek. “But we’ll stick to less strenuous methods and rest assured, you will never be required to put anything you learn into practise. Not only are you the most important person in my world, Eloise, you could be carrying our child, and he or she stands to inherit the kingdom one day.”
“You would let our daughter ascend the throne?”
“If we are only blessed with girls, I don’t see why not.” Enjoying the stunned but pleased expression on her face, he drew her head to rest against his chest. “If she is anything like you, she will be more than capable.”
Thinking about their potential
daughters and sons caused a spreading warmth in Destrian’s chest. The future stretched before them, not without obstacles, but he smiled in anticipation of the joys they were sure to experience. His confidence was not unfounded, as he had already had a taste of heaven on earth . . . all because of the beautiful, courageous, and loving woman in his arms.
Permission and Attribution for Images Used.
Ch 1 - Forest Scene - Photo by Sebastian Unrau on Unsplash
Ch 1 - River - Photo by Cameron Kirby on Unsplash
Ch 1 – Knight on Hill - Depositphotos_89402714_l-2015
Ch 2 - Cabin in Woods - Photo by Jonathan Percy on Unsplash
Ch 2 – Rustic Cabin Interior - Depositphotos_39850037_l-2015
Ch 2 – Herbal Cream - Photo by Dana Tentis from Pexels
Ch 3 - Kitchen with Kettle - Photo by Jaime Spaniol on Unsplash
Ch 4 – Rocking Chair - By Tomisti [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
Ch 4 – Herbal Medicine – https://pixabay.com/en/pharmacy-pharmacist-chemical-2066093/
Ch 5 – Wooden Bucket - the Mary Rose Trust [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Ch 6 - Fireplace - https://www.pexels.com/photo/bonfire-burning-burnt-campfire-266604/
Ch 7 – Axe wood - Photo by Christopher Burns on Unsplash
Ch 7 - Knight with Sword - Depositphotos_13489613_l-2015
Ch 8 – Forest Path - https://pixabay.com/en/forest-trees-landscape-1699079/
Ch 8 – Village - martin-bekerman-391466-unsplash.jpg
Ch 8 – Medieval Home - https://pixabay.com/en/mansion-castle-medieval-2958234/
Ch 9 – Mask - https://pixabay.com/en/carnival-mask-masquerade-venetian-3075912/
Ch 9 – Basement Window - Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash
Ch 10 – Ball The_Ball._Eglinton_Tournament..jpg
Ch 10 - Seraphina - Depositphotos_110670398_l-2015
Return of the Prince_Medieval Romance Page 25