“No.” Caterine leaned into him, her heart beating ever faster. “What I just said should be enough.”
“If we are open to such a blessing?”
“That is my understanding,” she confirmed, her mouth going dry as he tightened his embrace, pulling her so close hardly a breath could slip between them.
“We are not yet unclothed,” he reminded her.
“I know.”
“You said we should be.” He lowered his head, nuzzling her neck. “It would be a shame to diminish the blessing.”
“It would.”
“Then…” He released her and stepped back, quickly removing his braies. He kicked them aside, lifted a brow. “Shall I assist you?”
“Nae.” She shook her head, amazed by her daring. Surprised even more when, almost acting on their own – or perhaps guided by powers she rarely thought of, but wouldn’t deny – she found her hands undoing the laces of her chemise, then letting it drop to pool around her ankles.
Almost certain she could feel the power of the old ways already surging into her, she stepped out of the discarded undergown and opened her arms.
“Come, then,” she said, the strong, steady voice surely not her own. “We must stand at the unshuttered window and embrace.”
“That is all?”
“I believe so,” she said, feeling much like a living flame as he followed her instructions, holding her before the windows, so close to the night’s racing wind and swirling mist.
And as they stood there, the stars seemed to speed toward them, glittering above the night-glossed sea, yet appearing near enough to touch as the night’s wonder beat through them, binding them in carnal union even as the land, sea, and sky merged, claiming them as one.
“Do you feel it?” His voice came as if from a great distance, a thrumming in the magic around them, rather than words murmured against her hair, just above her ear.
“I do,” Caterine agreed, half afraid to speak.
Her husband kissed her neck, his breath soft and warm, so welcome against her skin.
“Do the old gods require a mating?”
Caterine’s heart stopped, desire and nerves sweeping her. “I- … ah…”
“Nay, worries, sweeting,” he spoke again, his voice still low, but huskier. “There’s another way to please your pagan ancestors and ourselves.”
A tremor rippled through her, the knowledge that a mating was indeed expected.
“I do want the blessing to work.”
“It shall,” he said, again seeming to know her mind.
Then, before she could guess what he intended, he lifted her and settled her onto one of the window seats, placing her so that she perched on its edge. As he did so, the sea wind swung round and rushed in to circle the alcove, glittery mist sweeping in with the cold. The air filled with the scent of brine and wet stone, before the magic sped away again, leaving them alone in the night.
At once, a deafening calm descended as the guttered wall torches flickered back to life, and Caterine’s eyes rounded as her husband dropped to his knees before her.
* * *
“I believeyour old gods have left us, my lady,” her husband said, smiling up at her.
“I feel that, too,” she managed to admit, aware of pleasurable flutterings deep inside her. Still, if the ancient land-blessing was done, all that remained was…
“I know we must join,” she said, gripping the edge of the window seat. “But…”
“Never you mind, precious lass,” he murmured, holding her gaze. “We shall mate properly later. For now, just open your legs and relax.”
