Page 16

I'm not sure what I expected from the lodge Veronica and Evie suggested I use, but it's not this.

It's larger than I expect, with an entire table spread out with more food than the two of us can possibly eat.

I'm not sure what Evie was thinking, but she seems to have gone a little overboard with the whole thing.

A fire flickers in the grate, taking away all of the chill that comes from outside, and it's a nice contrast to the snow falling outside the windows. This could be like a perfect moment captured in a painting, not something that I'm actually living.

Footsteps crunch against the stones that line the path outside and I hurry towards the door, pulling it open even as Artie arrives.

"You got my letter," I say.

"I did." He smiles and steps closer to me.

I lean in and kiss him. His lips are cold from being outside, which gives the kiss a pleasant kind of tingle I don't expect.

"You should come inside and warm up," I say once we break apart. "There's a fire, and food. Everything we might need for an entire evening without anyone to interrupt us."

He raises an eyebrow. "And precisely what do you intend to do with that time?"

"Anything we want." I step aside to let him come in, helping him with his cape as he does. I hang it on the peg next to the door with mine, and shut the door behind us, locking it and giving us a true sense of privacy. I don't think I've ever been this alone in my entire life before.

Arthur looks around the lodge, his eyes wide. "You did all this?"

"I had help," I respond. "But I wanted us to be able to have some time together, uninterrupted by anyone."

"I'm sorry about yesterday," he says, stepping closer and pulling me back into his arms. "I didn't know that my father would need me."

"It's all right, I understand that your duties are important. Maybe one day, I can help with them."

"You can help in any way you want," he promises. "I would like that."

"I would too." I lean in and kiss him. "Are you hungry? We could eat, or we could..." I trail off, gesturing to the cushions and blankets behind me.

His expression changes instantly. "I'm not hungry."

"Good." I step back, taking his hand and drawing him over to the cosy spot, excited nerves dancing within me.

"I need to talk to you about something first," Arthur says, a serious demeanour crossing over his face.

"What is it?" I ask.

"I got something. A sheath."

I raise an eyebrow. "For your sword?"

"No." He clears his throat. "It's supposed to help stop you getting pregnant.

I know we're going to be married in a couple of days, so no one would think twice about it if you did, but I wasn't sure if that was something you wanted.

I figured it was probably better to be prepared than leave it to chance. "

"I want children one day," I say. "But not today."

He nods. "Understandable. I feel the same. We need time to settle into our life together before making more."

"Something like that," I say. "Even though our parents would probably be horrified to learn that we're thinking that way."

He laughs. "I don't care what our parents think. We're living our lives for us, not for them."

I reach out and touch his face. "We are. And Veronica gave me some tea that will help stop pregnancy too."

He raises an eyebrow. "I didn't realise you'd asked my sister for help with that too."

"She offered. Apparently, Evie was drinking the tea five years ago without realising."

"Nate?" he guesses.

I nod.

"Everyone thought it at one point or another, but she swears they're nothing more than friends."

"Do you believe it?" I ask curiously.

"I believe they've never done anything, and that they think they're friends," he responds. "But I think they're both in denial about how they feel."

"Ah." That makes sense, especially considering everything I've learned about their relationship since coming here. "But you know, I didn't invite you here to talk about your sisters."

"Oh? And what did you bring me here for?" he asks.

I step closer to him and wrap my arms around his neck. "Perhaps so we can put some of the things we've learned about to good use."

He chuckles. "Is that so?"

"Mmhmm. And you'll be glad to know that I put on my simplest dress."

"I shall be the judge of that." He spins me around and finds the ties at the back, the anticipation growing within me each time his knuckles brush against my back as he undoes them. Knowing how good it feels to have his hands on my body only makes it more intense.

My bodice comes undone and I strip it off, letting it drop to the floor.

I turn in his arms and start undoing the buttons of his jacket, pleased when I discover there's only a shirt underneath.

Not having too many layers will make the undressing process a lot easier.

I push it off his shoulders, and there's a dull thud as it drops to the floor, leaving him in his loose-fitting shirt.

I lose track of exactly what's happening, until most of our clothing is on the floor except for the very last layer. I don't feel the cold in the air, there's no way that's possible with the warmth radiating off Arthur and making me want to get even closer to him.

"Lie down," he murmurs against my lips as he kisses me.

I nod and step back, pausing to pull off my shift before I do, leaving me bare to him save for my stockings. I should feel nervous, but I don't. I know I'm safe, I know he wants this, and I certainly know that I do.

I lie back on the cushions, my heart racing and warmth already pooling in my belly.

He kneels down and reaches for the top of one of my stockings, pulling it down tantalisingly slowly. He drops my first stocking to the side and turns his attention to the second, repeating the motion until I'm completely rid of them.

"What was it you said you wanted me to do in your letter?" he asks, a wicked grin on his face as he looks at me.

I swallow hard. "I wanted you to kiss me."

"Where? Here?" He leans in and kisses the inside of my ankle.

"Yes."

"Where else?" he asks, smoothing his hand up higher. "Here?"

"Mmhmm." I don't think I've ever wanted something this much before. We both know precisely what's about to happen because he's doing what I wrote. He's doing this specifically because I told him I wanted it.

His lips graze the inside of my knee and a small moan escapes me. He's not even touching me where I'm desperate to be touched yet, and I can feel the release starting to build, I think it's just the knowledge of what he's doing that is making it build for me.

"Arthur," I murmur as his tongue traces patterns on my inner thigh.

He meets my gaze, and I don't know what to do about the sight. I let out a shaky breath, knowing that whatever I'm about to feel is going to be a lot more intense than it was before.

He continues upwards until he gets to my centre, his breath brushing against the sensitive skin and only sending my need higher.

I reach down and tangle my hand in his hair, wanting to urge him on, but also not wanting to rush this.

The moment his tongue touches me, thoughts completely disappear.

I tip my head back and grip tightly on the blanket beside me.

My release tightens inside me, and it's all I can do not to give in to it straight away.

As much as I want to feel as good as I possibly can, I also don't want to rush this, I want to enjoy it for as long as possible.

My breathing is coming out laboured and there's nothing I can do to stop the release from crashing through me.

I cry out, tightening my fingers in his hair and letting the pure sensation take over my entire body.

He doesn't stop giving me attention, and teases me until I realise that a second release is quickly following the first, but is somehow even more intense.

My whole body begins to shake, but I'm not aware of anything I'm doing.

I might be making noises, I might be holding onto him too tight, I might not be, it's impossible for me to tell.

The ability to think leaves me and everything goes a bit fuzzy as the most intense pleasure I've ever felt fills me.

Slowly, my awareness of the world starts creeping back in. The crackling of the fire, the scratch of the blanket under me, and the man lying beside me, a satisfied and concerned expression on his face.

I reach out to touch his cheek.

"Are you all right?" he checks.

"Yes," I murmur. "Oh, yes."

He chuckles and leans in to kiss me, long and slow, like it's building to something. I can feel his length against my leg, making me feel far more hollow than I expect to. I want to feel him inside me, to know what it's like.

I reach for him without thinking, feeling the weight of him in my palm.

"Sola," he murmurs. "If you keep doing that, it'll be the end."

I nod and pull back. "Where is the sheath you were talking about?"

"In my pocket." He gestures to the abandoned jacket close by. I reach out for it, pulling it towards me and starting to search through the pocket. I pull out some fabric, surprised to discover it's the handkerchief I embroidered for him.

"You kept it?" My voice cracks as I ask.

"Of course I did," he responds. "You made it for me, and it's beautiful. Why would I not keep such a wonderful gift from you?"

I nod, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. I'm not sure why, but the whole thing is making me emotional.

"Sola, it's all right." He leans in and brushes my tears away from my eyes. "We don't have to do this."

"It's not about what we're doing," I promise. "You're just so much more than I expected. And I thought I knew what to expect."

He runs a thumb over my cheek and looks at me adoringly. "I hope I keep making you feel that way." He leans in and kisses me softly, full of emotion and caring. "We can stop if you want to," he says when he pulls back.

"No, I don't want to." If anything, it makes me want him more. Not just because I'm craving his touch, but because I want to feel the connection to him.

"Let me." He takes his jacket from me and finds the sheath, using it to cover himself. My mouth goes a little dry as I watch, and a small bout of nerves comes back. Not because I'm worried about what's about to happen, it's just because it's going to be the first time, and I want it to feel good.

Arthur leans in and kisses me again, his hand drifting over my arm and back between my legs. His fingers brush against my most sensitive spot, but he doesn't linger. Instead, he finds my entrance and carefully presses them inside.

I let out a gasp and arch into him. There's a slight pressure, but he's going slowly enough that it doesn't hurt. He curls his fingers up within me and I make a humming noise, not entirely sure how it's supposed to feel, but enjoying it all the same.

I let out a disappointed noise as he removes his fingers, making him laugh.

"Patience," he murmurs against my neck.

"I'm not sure I know that word right now," I respond.

He shifts so that he's between my legs and guides himself to my entrance. Anticipation fills me as he ever so slowly pushes into me. There's a moment's discomfort, and I grip hold of his arm a little too tightly.

"Give me a moment?" I ask.

"Are you all right?"

"It's just new," I respond through ragged breaths. "Now?"

He pushes further in and there's a moment of further discomfort which quickly gives way into a feeling of being fuller than I ever have been. Which isn't a huge surprise when I've never done this before, but it is when I consider how much I like it.

"More," I whisper, running my hand down his arm. "But slowly."

"Slow is good," he responds. "If I go any faster, I think it'll be over."

"Then definitely slow."

I shift my hips, making him go deeper without meaning to. He lets out a groan and leans his head against my shoulder. "I'm not going to last." His voice is barely audible.

"Then don't."

He nods, moving within me. I let out a gasp, realising that it feels good. He reaches out to touch my face and I let myself sink into the moment, feeling the connection grow between us in intensity. He pushes into me once more and his whole body tenses under my touch and he lets go.

Arthur collapses against me, and we lie there for a moment, covered in sweat and not moving.

"I'm sorry that didn't last longer," he says as he shifts off me and deals with the sheath.

"It doesn't matter," I promise. "We've got time. No one needs us until the morning, and we've got plenty of food here. And in a few days, we'll be married, then no one will disturb us at night anyway."

"So long as you don't want to run back to Someil now."

"Definitely not." I trace patterns over his bare chest. "So, you liked my letter?"

He chuckles. "I might have read it a few times. I wanted to make sure I could give you everything you wanted."

"You did. And more. That was better than I could have imagined it. Maybe I'll have to try that method again."

He laughs. "You should. It was very helpful." He trails a hand over my arm. "I want to know everything you desire."

"I think we're going to be just fine on that front," I respond, leaning in and pressing a kiss against his lips, a satisfied feeling deep within me.

Any worries I had about how this marriage would go have been left behind in Someil, because I have no doubt that marrying Arthur is going to be everything I hoped it would be, and more.