MEREK’S POV
I left my tent and noticed the camp was clean. I looked at Kaylein and she was holding a conversation with Ulric. I walked over and gently grabbed her arm. She looked up at me and then at my hand on her arm, as I had begun to massage her skin with my thumb.
“I have a surprise for you. Wait for me in my tent please.” I tell with a sweet voice I never knew I possessed.
She nods and walks into my tent. I grab Ulric and tell him to go and gather flowers of all sorts. He nods and leaves our camp. I then tell two of the three men left to go hunting as we would need some more food; the other men wouldn’t be back from Lundene for awhile and I didn’t want to wait another minute to make Kaylein my bride.
I grabbed the bag that I filled during our raid in Bathum. I sit on the ground and pour out the jewels. I waved the last man standing over to me and ask for his help. Together we assorted the jewels to make a small ring, a crown and a necklace.
I was pleased with the handiwork and a few moments later the two men I sent to hunt return with a large boar; that would be more than enough meat. They started a fire to cook the boar just as Ulric returned with the flowers.
I then go to my tent and stand before Kaylein. She looks up at me with a puzzled expression.
“What is going on?” she asks me but I place my pointer finger on her lips to silence her.
I take her hand and pull her up from her seated position. I have my bag with me and I pull out a long white gown. I place my hands on the bottom of the pink chemise she has on and pull it over her head. My eyes dance over her naked body for a moment before I place the gown over her head.
Once I pull the gown over her body, I call for Ulric and he enters my tent. He hands me the flowers he picked and I place a few of them in Kaylein’s hair, in various spots. I then bunch the rest and tie a twig around the stems. I hand her the bouquet and then pull her out of the tent.
I see her breathing rather erratic and I stop before I lead her to the river.
“Kaylein, what troubles you?”
“This is happening. I am to be your bride.”
I smile down at her. “Yes, I am excited. Are you not?”
I see her gulp. “I am nervous.”
I face her and take her hands in mine. She looks so beautiful and I am pleased that she will be mine. Instead of saying anything I bend down to her and place a kiss on her lips. She relaxes and moves her lips against mine. I smile and push my tongue in her mouth.
After a minute or two of tongue wrestling with her, I pull away and lead Kaylein to the river. I walk in first and see a few fish swim away at my intrusion to their home. I turn to Kaylein who is standing apprehensively at the bank of the river.
I reach my hand for her and she takes it. I pull her into the water and she shrieks at the coolness of the water against her bare feet and against her legs.
“What are we doing in the water?” she asks me as I place her in front of me.
“We are beneath the Heavens and standing in the one thing that covers this Earth in its entirety. Right now Kaylein I am taking you as my bride. You will be safe with me and you will have all your needs met. Do you accept me and willingly enter into a union with me?”
KAYLEIN’S POV
Here I was standing in the cold waters of a river, standing before a barbarian with him asking me to be his. ‘This is not up for debate’ he once said to me.
