NOTE: Chapters 1 and 2 (of 5) of this story were posted under the reluctance category. Despite that, it's a true romance/love story between good people, just with a rocky start. Enjoy. :)
Chapter 3:...because you just might get it
* * *
Kalus finished removing Tornado's tack and gave the powerful warhorse a gentle pat on the neck. The horse gave him a reproachful look in response, as if he was doing him some great personal wrong by not riding him into battle at this very moment.
"Not all battles are fought with swords and armor." Kalus replied as he stroked the horse's mane.
He glanced back to where Katia and Lyra were similarly unsaddling their horses, though his new bride was already done. Despite her young age, she was probably similar in horsemanship skill to many of his knights. His wives had ridden closely together on the way back to the camp and far enough from him that he only caught hints of their conversation. He was glad they were getting along so well and he couldn't help but smile as he thought about how that alone would frustrate King Tyso.
He gazed at Katia, wondering if perhaps she would ever come around. He hoped she would, but she was his wife and so he would do right by her even if she didn't. Katia glanced at him, and she seemed startled that he was looking at her. He gave her a small smile, which she didn't return. Instead, she pointedly looked back at Lyra
He sighed.
They all walked to the door of his tent, where he stopped. "Lyra, please go inside and make yourself comfortable for a few minutes; I need to speak to Katia."
"Yes husband, but please don't be too long." She grinned, and that grin turned into a coy smile that -- if he didn't know better -- would've looked like she was anxious for her wedding night to start.
Hmm.
Curious.
Once she was inside, he spoke to Katia in a low voice so they wouldn't be overheard by his war council, which was sitting not far away.
"I want you to explain why you started to dislike me so much." He stated plainly. "I would understand if it had begun after we were forced to wed and what happened in that field. However, it began before that, specifically on that first morning you woke in my tent. Do you deny it?"
She shook her head.
"I had thought it began when I surprised you with the knife that first morning, but that isn't it, is it?"
She hesitated and then shook her head again.
"Then you need to tell me."
"I would prefer not to." She replied simply.
"That is your right and I won't make you speak." He admitted. "However, I am your husband and I think you know how much I've protected you from and continue to protect you from. Now, you can maintain this stony silence for the next several decades and I won't compel an answer from you, but is that really how you want to spend your entire married life?"
She frowned slightly and seemed to consider that.
"I would see my wife -- excuse me, my wives -- happy, and that includes you. I cannot correct what vexes you if I don't know what it is."
Katia took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She made a thoughtful sound and gave him a piercing gaze for several long moments, which was followed by a thoughtful frown.
"You're the enemy." She finally replied in a tone that was cool, but not quite disrespectful. "You are forcing me to literally sleep with the enemy, with the man who is most responsible for my country's defeats in battle. You're forcing me to bear the enemy's child. You're forcing me to commit treason against my father and my country every day, and you don't understand why I hate you?"
"Ah." He nodded, the unfortunate truth dawning on him, especially as he remembered their conversation on that first night about how much she loved her country. "Alas, that is not something I can easily correct. I would've kept you a virgin and had our marriage annulled later had the king left me that option."
She stared at him, disbelief in her eyes.
"Katia, you have the most magnificent body of any woman I've ever bedded, plus a personality that -- when you don't hate someone -- is marvelous to be around. I absolutely would've had our marriage annulled, but then I would have asked your father for your hand properly after courting you."
Her mouth fell open slightly.
"Even after--" She started to say, but then apparently realized that she was speaking to him and closed her mouth.
"Yes, even after how you've treated me." He replied. "I remember the first night Katia, and I remember how pleasant you were once you realized I wasn't going to rape you. That is the vision of you that is fixed in my mind. I suspect it is more the real you than the cold woman in front of me. Am I wrong?"
She started to shake her head, then stopped.
"I'm glad to hear it."
She made a thoughtful sound, then glanced back at the tent. "Your new wife is waiting."
"And so she is." He nodded. He started forward but she touched his arm to stop him.
"I can't stand when we..." She closed her eyes as if remembering a painful memory and then shook her head. "...but she is looking forward to this. If you aren't good to her tonight I'll... I'll..." She seemed to cast about for an appropriate threat, and finally did land on one that had some force. "...I'll never forgive you."
"On my honor, I shall use all my skill; little and rusty though it is." He nodded, then cocked his head to one side. "You care so little for our coupling?"
"That would imply that I cared at all." She said coolly, then hastily added in a more respectful tone. "Sir."
He nodded heavily. "That is your right."
* * *
Shara nodded her head towards the inside of the tent, hoping that he would get the hint and go take care of Lyra.
He did.
The moment he was out of sight, she let herself feel all the emotions that she'd been bottling up the entire conversation. How could he possibly care about her like that? It didn't make sense. After how she'd treated him for the few days they'd known each other, she would've thought that he would be aching to get rid of her. But apparently he wasn't. If he was telling the truth -- and she didn't think he'd lie -- he actually
wanted
her to be married to him.
It didn't make any sense.
None at all.
Putting it out of her mind, she shook her head and went into the tent.
Kalus was standing in the middle of the tent with his back to her. She could see two slender feminine arms around his neck and two feminine legs wrapped around his waist with the ankles locked somewhere around his butt. The other woman wasn't touching the ground at all. They weren't being loud about it, but Lyra was kissing him for all she was worth... which was a lot. Apparently, she had literally jumped on him the moment he'd entered the tent and their lips probably hadn't parted since.
That reminded Shara of the first time that those two had kissed. And for some reason, that reminded her of the sensation she'd experienced for the first time while they had. She had never touched herself between the legs as Lyra had suggested, and the sensation had been delightful.
Lyra started speaking haltingly in between kissing him passionately. "I'm sorry--" Kiss "--If I'm--" Kiss "--being forward--" Kiss "--but--" Kiss "--I'm just-- " Kiss "So fu--" She paused. "--freakin' horny." She leaned back slightly. "I didn't get a chance to use my fingers yet today and I hope I'm not being, um..."
"You're going to be quite the handful, aren't you?" Kalus said, and Shara could almost hear the smile in his voice.
"Yes sir." She nodded. "And speaking of hands full..." She glanced down and said quietly with a sly grin. "Your king might be the most comprehensive and unmitigated ass I've ever met, but he wasn't wrong about one thing."
