Chapter 48
“My lady, this was as many as I could gather from the chamberlain,” Nella heard Kameron huff while wiping his temple on his sleeve as he trudged over the threshold into her chambers.
“Which chamberlain?”
“All.”
“Brillant, lad, place them about the chamber.”
Kameron looked puzzled. “Where?”
“Any place a wee bit of space presents,” Nella advised and stole ten lanterns from his grasp.
Two there.Nella laid the pair of lanterns onto the table beside the bed. “Callum is still walking through the bailey on a final check for the eve?”
“Aye,” Kameron replied, setting three lanterns along near the hearth, “he ordered me to remain at your side with Sir Brayden who is…”
“Just here.” Brayden popped his head inside the doorway. “Congratulations on the betrothal, my lady.”
“Aye, my lady.” Kameron paused while setting the first lantern alight. “Sir Callum kept grinning the whole while when he entered the bailey.”
“Aye,” Brayden concurred, “scared the shite from a few of the guards who thought your knight never possessed teeth.”
Nella giggled. “Thank you both.” Nella kept smiling while illuminating dozens of lanterns from a rush lit by the hearth’s flame.
“Uh, my lady, is there a personal Beltane festival present this evenin’ in your chambers?” Brayden quipped at the blinding glow taking root.
“A festival of sorts,” she said.Made only for two, she added silently. “Thank you for your help.”
***
A short time later, a slight knock sounded at the door while she checked the tie on her robe.
“Nella?”
Her steps that of a sparrow, she reached the threshold, releasing the latch. Callum’s lashes became wide at the sight of the entire chamber appearing part bonfire by brightness. “This is rather grand.” He grinned.
Scents from tallow with grassy peat floated the air while he stepped inside before he secured the door behind him after setting down his bow and quiver.
She leaned up on her toes, brushing her lips over his. The kiss meant to be soft in greeting turned firm soon as their flesh met, igniting heat which rivaled the flames surrounding. Salt and wine and her knight. Delicious. A growl from him rumbled against her torso as his hands cupped her backside, dragging her close.
“Grandest greeting ever.” Callum grinned against her lips as they finally broke for breath.
“Oh, there is more,” she promised.
His palms tightened, pressing her harder against his arousal already pulsating against her loins through their clothing. “I certainly hope so, my lady. The lanterns are charming. The occasion?” He cocked a brow at her and she set into motion at his wonderment.
“First,” she began, reaching for the strap on his scabbard.Clank. The blade hit the floor with her fingers seeking his chainmail tunic next. He helped her when his height and the woven metals weight after it became too great for her to pull it over his skull. Briskly it fell beside the blade. They made short order of his woolen tunic, chausse, boots, till only his braise tight over his arousal remained.
Her fingers skimmed over his jaw then lowered to the linen straining against the front of his braise. He groaned, leaning his brow against hers. “Lay upon the bed, my knight, all will be revealed,” she vowed.
Reluctantly he left her touch, settling himself on the bed after shedding the braise. She went for a lit candle; there were still four more on the table across the chamber needing flames. Pausing at the candle, she met his eyes.Don’t look at his eager loins or the words will never air.
“The first time you sought me, I extinguished every candle in the bedchamber before you entered at Lady Alaina’s.” Nella lit the wick. “Times from the past haunted me. I felt ashamed about how I appeared, with a fear you would turn away in disgust.”
His brows furrowed by intensity. “Never, Nella.”
“This I knownowbut in the moment, I bore such concern! Then hidden at the inn, I was mortified you almost completely undressed me after the lightning nearly cast me unawares.” She lit the second wick. “Each turn your adoration and desire for me gave a hope and passion I never thought possible.” A third wick turned into light. “However, when you saved me by the river you wished to see me in the sunlight. My uncertainty swallowed me once again and I ordered your eyes shuttered.” The final candle brightened.
