“I could have, but our discussion was so lively.”
They entered the solar and Fergus locked the door behind them, even as Leila lit some of the candles.The chamber was chilly and Fergus lit the braziers, then drew the curtains around the bed.
“If you recall, the djinn had lifted his sword, intending to behead the unfortunate merchant,” Leila said as she sat on the edge of the bed.She slipped off her shoes and began to untie the laces of her kirtle.
Fergus shed his own garb with haste, then came nude to the bed.
She spared him a glance and a smile.“It is cold for such enthusiasm,” she said.
Fergus laughed.“Then hasten yourself, woman, and warm me.”
Leila laughed again, and Fergus helped her with her stockings.He coaxed her out of her kirtle and chemise, then tugged her beneath the coverlet and pelts.
She licked her lips, her eyes shining, and continued the tale.“Just before the djinn made his blow, the merchant cried out.He asked the djinn to delay his execution, so that he could return home and say farewell to his family.The djinn was not inclined to do as much, but the merchant noted that he had not yet made a will and that his affairs had to be left in order.He begged the djinn to let him see that his property was divided and his family provided for—and he vowed to return when all was done.The djinn was skeptical that the merchant would return, but he swore an oath that he would return in exactly a year and a day, to the very spot, to accept his fate.They agreed and the djinn disappeared.”
Fergus did not fail to note that the term was that same as that of their handfast.
“The merchant raced for home, both glad he had escaped a dire fate and fearful of his future.He knew he could not break his word, yet he was not ready to die.His family greeted him with great joy, but his wife noticed that he did not share their jubilant mood.Husband and wife were much in love and knew each other very well...”
“All the couples in your tales are much in love,” Fergus noted, even as his hand slid from Leila’s breast to her stomach.
Leila smiled.“Why should stories not mirror the most ideal of marriages?”
“I will guess that the merchant confided the truth in his wife.”He held her gaze as his fingers slid ever lower and he smiled when she flushed a little.He touched her gently and she gasped, then parted her thighs to welcome his caress.
“Of course!”she said, her voice a little more husky than was usual.“And she was much distressed, though she could not find a solution either.The merchant then began to arrange his affairs.He made his will and paid his debts.He set his slaves at liberty and divided his property amongst his children.He appointed guardians for those who were young and saw his eligible daughters married well.There was much to do, but to him, the day that he had to depart to keep his appointment with the djinn arrived all too soon.His wife wished to accompany him but he could not bear for her to see him so struck down.He embraced her and took his leave, his heart heavy with the knowledge that he would not return.”
“Let us consider for a moment as to how they might have spent that last night together,” Fergus said, then bent and kissed Leila.
She sighed, winding her hands into his hair, and arched against him, her tongue slipping between his teeth to tease him.“Like this, I would think,” she whispered when he gave her a chance, then caught his nape to pull his head down again.“Since they must have believed they would never meet again.”
Fergus gave her a long and languid kiss.“But did they?”He kissed her ear, her throat, and the hollow of her shoulder.
Leila sighed.“I cannot tell you the end of the story before the middle.”
“I come to think this story has no end,” he complained and she laughed.He caressed her slowly and any reply died on her lips.She whispered his name and Fergus liked the breathless sound very well.“Aye, she must have begged him to please her,” he said and Leila did the very same.“She must have tried to convince him to remain.”
“But no woman of merit would truly want to convince the man she loved to break his word,” Leila protested.She rolled suddenly atop Fergus, and he was content to be her captive.The covers fell away and the light from candles and braziers made her skin look even more golden than it was.“Perhaps she held him down and took her pleasure from him,” she whispered, her eyes sparkling.
“Perhaps he willingly surrendered to her,” Fergus replied.“For he wanted naught more than to see her delight.”
“Perhaps you do not truly wish to hear the tale.”
“Perhaps I would be satisfied first,” Fergus replied.Leila laughed, then knelt above him and he was surprised to realize how prepared she was to welcome him.He had intended to pleasure her first but she sat upon him, the sweet heat of her making him dizzy.She moved slowly, casting a spell of her own, and Fergus knew he never wished to be freed of this enchantment.
“I would wager they did not sleep at all that night,” he murmured and she smiled.“After all, they believed it to be their last night together.”
“Is it possible to love more than once or even twice a night?”Leila asked and Fergus grinned.
“Aye,” he said, pulling her down for a thorough kiss.“Let me show you.”
Thrice Fergus seducedher before they doused the candles to sleep.When the solar was dark, save for the burning coals in the brazier, he gave Leila a squeeze.“Do not go to sleep before you tell me the merchant’s fate,” he growled and she smiled in the darkness.
“Well, after a sweet farewell from his wife, he left his home to keep his word to the djinn.”
“Of course, he did, for he was a man of honor.”
“Of course.That was why his wife loved him so well,” Leila agreed.“The merchant arrived at the designated spot and sat down to await the arrival of the djinn.While he sat there alone, he saw an old man came into view, leading a hind.The old man halted in surprise when he noted the merchant.He warned the merchant immediately to leave the area, for he said it was infested with evil djinn and a dangerous place to rest.The merchant confessed that it was too late and told the old man his tale.The old man lamented with him and admired his honor in keeping his word.He asked if he might remain to witness the merchant’s meeting with the djinn.The merchant thought the old man might be able to take word to his family of his fate, so he agreed.”
