Embers in the Snow

Chapter 14| The Rite

There was feasting and dancing in the great hall all through the night. Aili watched from her seat of honor next to her new husband as the guests around them, both MacDonald and McLeod drank to their hearts content. Ewan tried to keep a pleasant smile on his face, but his thoughts were far away. Aili could not help but wonder if he was regretting marrying her in this very moment. The red wine seemed to calm her nerves, so she reached for her goblet once more. The warm red liquid soothed her belly. The dancing ceased and a hush fell over the room at the sound of Laird MacDonald clapping his broad hands together. "It is time for the Rite!" He bellowed. The women in attendance began to giggle and some of the men hollered excitedly. Before Aili could react she was hoisted from her seat by four large hands. They carried her away from the party and up the stairs as she struggled against them. She was taken to a chamber she had never seen before. It was dimly lit inside, the fireplace just beginning to cackle to life. Unfolding the bed were two young, timid maidservants. They bowed politely before taking their exit. Aili was plopped underneath the thick blankets while the men who had carried her stood against the bed frame and gawked at her. Ewan entered the room a few moments later much to Aili's relief. A group of men crowded the door behind him, yelling words of encouragement and lascivious jokes. Ewan looked at the men who still stood in the room and with a sideways glance noted their proximity to his new wife. "Out!" They retreated with big smiles on their faces. Cackling could be heard from the hallway as Ewan latched the door shut. At the sound of retreating footsteps, Aili relaxed her tense shoulders. She watched, nervously as Ewan began to undress. "Forgive them. It is a Macdonald custom. They mean no harm." Aili nodded her head, a flush of pink beginning to burn on her cheeks. She did not know how to respond for once. They had no such customs in Macleod castle. Once Ewan was stripped down to his shirt and socks he climbed underneath the covers next to Aili. It was hard for Aili to look at him. It didn't feel proper, all though as far as propriety he was her husband now. "Are you warm enough? I can stoke the fire for us." Aili began to smooth the blanket that rested on her lap, unsure of what to do with her hands. "I'm quite content," she whispered. "Are you?" Aili's thoughts went back to how Ewan had seemed in the great hall after their wedding ceremony. "Is there something troubling you?" Ewan released a heavy sigh. "Indeed." He finally admitted. "It is my brother's absence that is weighing heavily on me. But I do not wish to burden you on your wedding day." Aili finally found the courage to look up into his eyes. "Our wedding day." She spoke bolder, regaining her courage. "We may be married now, but we agreed to be friends before all of this unfolded. I wouldn't want that to change. So as your friend I hope that you will confide in me." Ewan offered her a crooked smile. "You remember your maid? Sofia?" Aili nodded her head. "Alistaire was in love with her. Still is. She is with child. His child. That is why he ran away. That is why he couldn't marry you. You are the only person who knows this besides my father. No one else must know or it will be an even worse scandal for our family." Ewan felt a sense of relief wash over him as he confessed all of this to Aili. "I'm sorry he did that to you, Aili. And I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. But I will not keep any more secrets from you. I promise." Aili reached for his hand. She gripped it gently. "I'm not sorry in the slightest. But no more secrets." "No more secrets," Ewan repeated. He kissed her then. It was gentle at first, but quickly turned ravenous as his blood began to boil with desire. The thickness between his taut legs began to bulge and harden. There was no denying he wanted her. Badly. He had wanted her since he first saw her, when she was his brother's intended. He had suppressed his emotions then, for the sake of his honor, but now honor demanded something else from him entirely. He had had many women in his life. He never once felt apprehensive or even timid towards the carnal act with those women. Aili was different. She was pure, virginal. He didn't want to hurt or scare her. He would have to be slow and gentle, not his usual tupping. Just then, Aili rose from the bed. "Can you help me undress?" Ewan cleared his throat, and climbed over the mattress to reach her. He unthreaded the back laces, revealing a white lace shift and pale freckled shoulders beneath. Aili let it fall to the floor. Then Ewan started on the skirt, untying the strings at the back. It dropped to Aili's ankles. She worked with trembling fingers at the laces in the front of her corset. The material of her shift was sheer enough for him to see the peaks of her nipples when she turned around. He lifted his calloused hands to her bare shoulders. Then, he kissed her. He groaned from the warmth and wetness he could feel pooling between her thighs when he pressed his hardness against her shift. "Are you hurt?!" Aili asked him, panic in her eyes. He couldn't help but release a hearty laugh at her innocence. "Not At all. It is just a wee bit hard for me to control myself with you, Lass. I desire to have you as my wife..." Aili's eyes lit up with surprise and curiosity at his words. Her belly was warm and alive with butterflies. He gave her sensations she had never experienced before. Ewan pinched at the fabric and began to raise it up, revealing inch by inch the supple, delicate curves of her body. Aili shuddered when his fingertips tenderly brushed against her skin. The shift joined the other pile of clothes on the floor, but Ewan didn't dare move yet. He stood for a breathless moment, taking every inch of her in with his eyes. "I've never..." Aili began to say, breaking the tense silence. Ewan smiled at her sweetly. "I know. I'll teach you. And I'll be gentle," he promised. She smiled back at him shyly, feeling awkward in her nakedness. She had never been naked in front of a man before. She wished her mother was still alive in this moment. She could have sought her for advice before her wedding night. All she had were the cryptic instructions of her governess when she first bled at thirteen years of age. Her vague explanations did little to enlighten Aili's curious mind about the machinations of a man and a woman. Ewan interrupted her thoughts when he grabbed her hand and thoughtfully led her back towards their bed. Then he calmly laid her down against the pillow. The rosy tips of her full breasts matched the fire beginning to burn her cheeks crimson. With as much gentleness as be could muster he rolled his thumbs over her rosy buds in a circular motion. The sensual touch elicited a soft gasp from her plump lips. He cupped both breasts in his hands and found the right one with his mouth. He began to suck and twirl his tongue around her delicious nipple. She groaned in pleasure. Ewan smiled with pride at her response. He was throbbing now, the need to fill her and claim her as his growing with every second that passed. He trailed kisses down her chest and smooth stomach, then licked his way back up to her neck. Ewan fervently kisses the spot right underneath her ear. Aili timidly placed her hands around his neck and began to arch her back from the growing need for him pooling in the pit of her stomach. He knew she was ready for him then. Ewan backed up, kneeling in front of her on his knees. He grabbed his manhood and positioned it at her entrance. When he pushed in lightly he cursed under his breath at the tightness. Aili winced at the pain. It took everything in Ewan not to thrust the rest of his length in her warm wetness. He took a trembling breath and waited for her to adjust to the sensation and the thickness of him. She squirmed underneath him, trying to get used to the feeling of him stretching and filling her. Their eyes locked on to each other. Ewan gradually slid the rest of his length in. Then he retracted. He repeated this until her felt her begin to relax. Ewan steadied his pace, his breathing deepening. Aili's clasp on his shoulders tightened, her nails beginning to dig into the skin. Ewan bent down to kiss her breasts as he thrusted into her once more. Then, tenderly kissed her mouth as he began to shake with his climax. He rolled over next to her and she curled into his side. Aili watched him as he fell asleep.