Dagobert.He was not very tall, for her hand could have just barely brushed the top of his head when they had stood beside each other in the chapel, if she had wished to reach out and touch him.Thick white hair hung from his sides and chest, thinning and shortening on his squat legs, dwindling to a fuzziness above his black hooves.The hair hung heavy on his neck, making almost a mane in the back, progressing into a definite beard below his relentlessly ruminating chin.
His ears flicked now as he looked back at her, moving not unlike those of a horse, and his tail swished.A single pearly horn rose from his forehead to a height roughly the span of her outstretched fingers, though it seemed slightly closer to his left ear than his right now that she studied him more carefully.
’Twas his eyes that disturbed her the most, she realized.The yellow orbs with their dark vertical slit sent a shiver down her spine.They were what made her doubt that he might become a man.Perhaps he was a demon instead.Indeed, his reputed nightly transition was impossible to believe.
Alienor was well aware of the darkness pressing against the shutters.Dagobert’s metamorphosis must not be tied to the rising and setting of the sun as one might expect—if indeed the count was a shape-shifter.Perhaps he changed form by choice.Perhaps he did not care to be watched while he did as much.Alienor smiled, glad that she knew so little of men who might change forms.She dropped her chin to rest on her forearms, determined to watch for his change and witness it with her own eyes.
Within moments, however, she fell asleep.
The room wasdark as pitch when Alienor awakened abruptly, as if some sound had disturbed her.She listened for a moment, then began to rise to rekindle the fire in the brazier.
To her shock, a man’s strong arm closed around her waist, halting her progress.She froze and found herself urged back into the warmth of the bed.
Who invaded her chamber?
Alienor struggled belatedly, but firm lips had closed over hers.The man swallowed her attempt to scream before it started, his strong arm pinning her arms to her sides.She panicked and fought within his embrace, convinced that someone came to take advantage of her situation.The man merely rolled her beneath him, guiding her fingers to the cord encircling his neck and the rings that dangled from it.
Alienor stared into the darkness in astonishment.
The ring, the cord, the unicorn, her husband.
“Dagobert,” she whispered in shock, all the fight dissipating from her.She tried to discern his features in the darkness, but to no avail.All the same, she had no doubt that it was a man in truth who touched her.
It was true.It had happened.He had truly changed from beast to man, as incredible as it seemed.
“Alienor,” he whispered in response, his voice as deep and resonant as a caress.His fingertips slipped over her face in gentle exploration, and his thumb caressed the curve of her lips.
Alienor closed her eyes at the tenderness of his touch, a grateful teardrop squeezing out of the corner of one eye.’Twas true, she knew not how or why.Indeed, she could not care for the explanation in this moment.
Her spouse was a man, and he desired her.
Perhaps all would come aright.
She felt him bend toward her and parted her lips, sighing with satisfaction when his mouth closed over hers again.His kiss was both gentle and possessive, coaxing her to meet him halfway, hinting of his desire.His strong hands slid down the length of her, broad palms cupping her breasts, the edge of a thumb drawing a gasp from her as it slid over her nipple.Emboldened by the darkness, Alienor reached up and explored him, too.She ran her hands over the smooth warmth of her husband’s broad shoulders, discovering the corded strength of his neck.Her fingers tangled in the thick mane of his hair.It was long and wavy and clean, and she smiled as she explored his body.He was all strength and power, warm beyond belief, and as male as could be.
He was nude, she realized as she caressed the warm satin of his skin.Her heart sang that he was strong and tall,—indeed, she stretched out to run her toe down the length of his leg and barely could reach his ankle.His knee slipped between hers and he rolled to his side, gathering her up against him without breaking his glorious kiss.His tongue nudged at her teeth as his fingertips eased between her thighs.
Alienor shivered with pleasure when he found the sweet spot of her desire.His arm tightened fiercely around her waist, his lips falling to taste her jawline and tease her earlobe as he caressed her with slow, sure strokes.His hair fell across her face and Alienor breathed in the clean scent of wind and sun and masculinity.His questing lips eased aside her sheer gown, finding her tight nipple, and when he kissed it, she arched to his touch.He moved immediately to support her, lifting her against him as he tormented her with his touch.
Alienor moaned as a storm gathered within her, her hand sliding through the wiry hair on his chest and across the taut strength of his abdomen.She closed her hand around the thickness of his manhood, wanting to give him as much pleasure as he gave her, but uncertain how to do as much.Dagobert gasped against her breast and she parted her thighs even wider, wanting to feel his strength within her, wanting his possession to be complete.
Needing no other invitation, he lifted his weight between her thighs, pulling the skirt of her sheer chemise out of his way.Alienor heard the rasp of his breathing in the darkness as he fought for control.She trembled, suddenly fearing the pain that would accompany their union.Dagobert murmured something low and reassuring against her throat, then his hands were on her again, the warmth of his touch easing her concern as no words could.
He cupped the back of her neck, bracing himself on one elbow as he lowered himself atop her, tasting her eyelids, her nose, her cheek, her lips in an endless caress.The slight weight of his rings fell against her breast and Alienor closed her eyes at their smooth warmth.He was her lawful spouse.This was good and right—and would be only the first of many times they met abed.His other hand returned to stroke her softness, one finger sliding within her as his thumb teased her hidden pearl.Alienor raised her hips to accommodate his touch and he kissed her leisurely, the intoxicating movement of his tongue diverting her attention as his manhood replaced his finger.
She gasped when she first realized his size and he paused, kissing, caressing, as he made easy, incremental progress.When his length was buried within her, Alienor shivered with relief.She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck in complete surrender.Overwhelmed by sensation, she pressed her lips to his throat.
Dagobert shuddered from head to toe at her submission and held her close, his teasing fingers managing somehow to caress her yet again while he pressed kisses into her ear and along her length.Alienor felt the heat gather in her veins and arched against his weight, tightening her grip on him as if she would meld their very flesh together.Dagobert groaned and she felt the tension grow in him, his arm like a vise around her, his hand gripping a fistful of her hair as he moved within her with deliberation.
Suddenly, the universe exploded into a thousand stars, the blood rushing hotly through her veins, and Alienor cried out her husband’s name.He moved with power, his hands clasping her buttocks as he rose above her.He was a shadow against the shadows as he lifted her bodily from the bed and Alienor felt as if she were floating on a cloud of pleasure.Then he spilled his seed within her, and roared with his own release.
Then he cradled her in his embrace, drawing her close as their breathing slowed.He held her fast, his warmth curved behind her and the beat of his heart against her back.
It was done, Alienor thought as he pressed a kiss to the back of her neck.
And it was good, she concluded as sleep claimed her anew.
Alienor awokewith a smile when the morning light streamed through the shutters.She reached across the great bed for her husband, but the mattress was cold beside her.
