The Offering
The cheering of drunken men mixed with the rhythmic string music, dancing in the swirling air with the smells of smoking meat. The echos sang and bounced lightly along the rolling mountains that have guided me so wisely before. I saw the flickering lights of torches and fires feeding the smoke plumes over their encampment, and as we approached, I could make out their notorious eagle symbol branded across their sea of grid-planned tents. The sun had long set and their celebrations had begun days before, there was only the full moon to give light to the sky as the rest of the world was pulled into the darkness. I paused a moment, taking in the sight, wanting to memorize and study as much as I had the chance to, but my stopping seemed to worry my company, who reassured me of any fears I was assumed to have.
I did not.
The air was still as we grew closer, and I felt the uneasiness in my escort party grow as we came upon the enemy territory. I kept my head high, preparing for the jeers and stares of the onlookers to come, but was surprised to be led towards a more private area of larger tents. The noises of the bustling party faded more as we climbed the torch-lit path, and I couldn’t help but feel relief, for a moment.
My pride and determination returned as we closed in on one of the tents. There were lit torches near the entrance, shining proudly behind two guards in military armor. They noticed our presence as we approached, and I steadied my stride with a stiffened jaw.
We stopped. There was a moment of study, staring, judging, hating, before one of our own voices broke the tense silence. My arrival was announced, and my comrades emphasized my status in the clan in my introduction as if it would comfort their smothered rage. Perhaps they were trying to comfort me? It felt more like a eulogy, as my Celtic role would no longer be relevant to my new, subservient life. Still, their words I did find sweet as a parting farewell, reminder to who I was and warning to who this new husband will be.
Husband.
Something I’ve never had the chance to concern myself with before, has now been negotiated on behalf of the safety of our village. As a druid in training, it should be my honor to be responsible for such peace, and glad to protect my brethren. Our unstable untrustworthy new allies have assured us that these 10 women, noble and pious representatives of our great people, will be honored and treated with the utmost respect as is deserving as a wife. We have been reassured that this is the benefit of both sides, and will pave the way to peace and regrowth. The implied warning here is that peace is only in tact if the 10 marriages are as well. I’m sure this was supposed to reassure us that these Roman brutes who have slaughtered our fathers and brothers, will somehow make doting and noble husbands.
It did not.
I took a purposeful, long stride forward, and this got the attention of the envoy here to meet us. I thought of saying something, to speak my peace while I have my final chance to do so, but one of the guards speaks before I can think of something.
“He asks that you go in alone, you will leave your things here to be collected later.” His voice was even, but deep. There were grunts of protest from behind me, but I strengthened my gaze at this man, narrowing my eyes.
“That’s how I’d prefer to receive him as well” I agreed. I gestured for my belongings to be dropped from the men in my party, which made the romans raise and eyebrow at my authority over these comrades, and I turned to face them forming a semi-circle around me. I had already received a tearful, and very grand farewell from my family, master, chief, and the rest of the village before departing, though I couldn’t help but feel my heart sting at this final goodbye. I felt the wind tickling my skin with my hair, like the spirits were also here to see me off safely, and this truly did comfort me. I gave the village men a parting blessing and thanked them for their duty as my last druid-right, and they gave me a warriors embrace and clapping on the back before pulling away again.
I turned back towards the tent again, the wind still dancing around me and no longer silent, it seemed to be pulling me towards the very opening of the dwelling. My white robes and dyed cape fluttered carelessly, and I adjusted my proud antlers to sit steadier on my head before taking a deep breath that I hoped wasn’t too audible with the breeze. I glanced at the two guards a moment, before letting the wind guide me to my destiny.
Gently, and almost timidly, I reached for the dark cloth of the opening, and stepped inside so that the curtain closed out the world behind me.
“Three older brothers?” I asked in astonishment, tracing the lines of metalwork on the hanging shield. “Does that make you the baby?” I asked with a smile, turning over my shoulder to look at him as my hair seemed to fan out across the straps of my dress. I took another sip as I brought my attention back to the treasures he’s collected.
“I have a cousin.” I said after thinking the question over for a few moments. “He lives up north, deep in the highlands…” I answered methodically, looking at my reflection on the breastplate hanging on the wall. “I guess you could say he’s a bit of a soldier too, in a way.” I continued, remembering the last time I saw the madman.
“I moved in with my master about a year or two after my training began, so I spent a lot of my childhood only visiting my parents for village festivals and special occasions.” I brought both hands to my cup now, looking down into my reflection in the liquid as well.
“My duty extended to all of the village you see, so-” I trailed off as I thought of the sacrifices that are now in vain. “s-so there could be no ‘special treatment’ for anyone…” I thumbed the cup’s rim with both hands, staring into everything and nothing all at once. Is this what the spirits have always had in store for me, or did something somewhere go horribly wrong?
I closed my eyes, trying to will myself back in control, and let out a sigh louder than I would have liked. I took another deep sip of the drink and held the cup close to my chest as I brought my eyes back up to the shining metal before me. After a few moments of silence, I found the words to return to the subject.
“So your brothers must have all served the military too, right? Do they also help make pottery for the family business, or do they enjoy killing more?”
I watched her movements from my seat as she stepped cautiously across the expanse of my dwelling - watched as her touch lifted from the tabletop unto the metal face of my well-worn armor. They rested upon my breastplate; I saw the terse look in her eyes in the reflection as she spoke, and I thought about the way that my armor was only clean when I wasn’t wearing it. Where the reflection of her solemn eyes shone back, I imagined the coats of enemy blood that were spattered across it not but yesterday.
“I am the youngest, it is true.” I replied, after a moment of thought, and listened intently as she spoke about her family, nestled deep in what I could only understand as the unknown. Simply a cousin, and two parents … I hummed, finding it difficult to envision a family in such small numbers. I imagined that it must be peaceful, but lonesome. “I have one cousin. But, she is just a girl, so we have little in common.” I shrugged, and gave a fond smile in her memory; I hoped that she would be well again by the time I returned home. “I do have an aunt that is close to me in age, so we are almost like cousins. One of my mother’s three sisters.” My sentence was punctuated by the strings I could hear being plucked and strummed amongst the celebration in the far distance. I didn’t need to wonder where she was.
I stood slowly to my feet as well to follow behind in her footsteps, standing just a foot or so behind her. I peered over the top of her head as I took a breath to speak again, staring into Ciara’s reflection in the armor. My expression shifted to surprise at the mention of the already-scarce opportunities she had to spend time with her family before all of this. No special attention permitted, even for the ones who brought you into the world? I racked my brain to think of what level of kicking and screaming it would take for something like that to become the common consensus in Rome.
“Well … It is … not the killing that they enjoy.” Not my brothers, at least. How else could I explain? “But.. there are other members of our family that help with the business, including my brothers and I.” I paused for a moment. “When we get home, I will show you. You can meet everyone.”
“Ah I see.” I mused, listening about the tales of his family. My mind wandered as I listened, taking in the information yet everything around me felt distant and hazy. Perhaps the alcohol was catching up with me, but despite myself I didn’t mind the feeling. It was nice to get lost in something.
I heard him stand up from his chair but didn’t realize where he was heading, until I noticed his silhouette behind my reflection on his armor. Swirling the last of the fruit around in my cup, I took a big swig and ate the cherry all in one go, thinking about what the man behind me had just said.
Of course, we would be returning to Rome. My mind already knew this yet hearing him confirm his plans of taking me away himself made my mouth feel dry again, so I took the opportunity for another sip. I closed my eyes for a moment, tearing my gaze from the impressive metalwork, and let my mind swim with the vinum before gathering myself.
“Everyone?” I gently inquired, trying to bring a smile back to my face to hide the anxiety. As I opened my eyes once more, I turned around to face the man behind me before continuing.
My gaze landed on his chest, and I instantly realized I was way too close. Timidly, I slowly raised my line of view until I was looking up at his face, into those deep eyes again… and my voice caught in my throat. Being so close to him, I could feel the heat coming off of his body, and I could feel my own cheeks warming up again at the near contact. The words in my mind trailed off as his eyes pulled me in again, and I felt as if I was floating down a stream.
My eyes scanned his body, taking the opportunity for a closer look at the specimen. He’s beautifully sculpted, it has to be said. But my lips quiver instead of proclaim, and my eyes wander to his muscular arms and exposed flesh for further study. I swallow, harder than I’d like, and I finally bring the neglected drink to my lips once more and try to look away, hiding my embarrassment. Surely, he noticed the stare was too long…
“I-I I’m sure I’d be… honored to meet them!” I finally got out, feeling my face go hot the more I tried to speak. I cupped my drink with both hands and gave him a sheepish smile. This man had the uncanny ability to plague me with nervousness.
I bit my lip while taking a small step back to try and put a bit more distance between us, but suddenly felt a hard, cold sensation shoot down my back. My eyes widened and I flinched as I let out a sharp gasp, almost dropping my drink. I took too big of a step back, and the exposed skin above my dress must have pressed against the chest armor itself.
It felt like ice.
It had not been my intention to unsettle her so, but I followed her frantic vision - up, down, away. For having appeared so collected when she entered my tent, I was amused to see her grasp for a response, to see her face reddening, nearly to the level of the liquid that we had been freely enjoying tonight; I especially took notice of her wandering eye. A tough nut to crack, perhaps, but crackable nonetheless, I mused to myself.
Though traces of her intriguing personality seemed to surface and her protective walls crumbled just slightly before me with some gentle prodding, I could understand the uncertainty in her tone.
I parted my lips to speak, or to reassure her, somehow - but wound up cutting off my own words as I found that my body was lurching forward before I could register why.
The sharp intake of breath that sounded from Ciara’s lips rung in my ears; I watched as her eyes widened in surprise, nearly fumbling the cup that she held in her hands, but expertly saving the drink inside without spilling a drop.
In the same moment that her body jolted, my hands moved on their own - I held her forearms gently, but firmly enough to steady her, instinctively tugging her a few inches away from the cold metal’s bite, taking a step back myself to offer her a bit more room. I felt a bit bad; maybe I was standing a bit too close..
… Well, I would be lying if I said I did not also jump a bit in surprise at the sound. But, I was trying to protect her. Really.
Maybe the vinum is talking a bit too loudly …
“Good catch.” Carefully, I rested my palm against the upper curve of her back for just a moment, in hopes of banishing the icy sting from her exposed skin. “Are you .. all right?”
My stomach leapt at the contact, and the blood rushing to my cheeks and chest pounded from my heart. Heat filled my entire body, spreading from where my arms were held, and for a moment I thought he had set me ablaze. Those deep eyes, now full of worry, were closer than ever, and I looked up into them like a trance.
Butterflies danced about in my tightening abdomen. I tried to find my words, but they evaded me, perhaps also getting pulled into those eyes like a dangerous current. I blinked for a moment, noticing how tall he was up close, and gave him a slow nod in response, staring into the captivating abyss. My senses slowly came back to me from the excitement, and I let out a silly chuckle as I lifted my glass in gentle triumph.
“Well my master says I’ve always been lucky~” I giggled shyly while bringing the wine back to my lips. Part of me wanted to give him more room, but I was worried that moving too much would make my skin touch the metal again…
In this spot that is… completely warm now…
In that moment I realized that Yo’el was still resting his hand on my back, and this delayed information sent another wave of nerves up my spine. My heart raced. I did not know what I should or am supposed to feel, but it is a combination of nervousness and excitement. His hand was so warm, and his grip was gentle but strong.
Skilled, careful pottery-crafting hands…
I kept my lips hidden behind my cup as I took another sip. I felt as if I was sweating again despite shedding my heavy robes, and my mouth became dry from the swirling feelings this man evoked from me. I tightened my grip on the drink, afraid I might lose it again.
I opened my mouth to say something, then suddenly realized it was gone from my mind. Damn vinum. My eyes wandered around his face more, and I felt a nervous chuckle escape from my open lips again. He really was handsome. And so warm… Somehow, I felt excitement as my body registered how large his hands felt against my back. It gave me goosebumps.
I finally realized in my drunken daze that I hadn’t answered his question. Or couldn’t remember that I did. My eyes lit up at the realization, and I smiled in embarrassment. I tore my eyes away from him, thankful to be free of his spell for a moment.
“Yeah, I’m okay…” I found myself swirling my cup. “Sorry for startling you.” I added, bringing my drink to my lips. I looked up at him again with a sheepish grin before gulping more alcohol down. I hoped, in vain, that it would steady me somehow.
Her skin felt so soft under my hands that I feared I may bruise her arms by mistake if I was not careful. Letting up my grip slightly, but decidedly not letting her go, I rested them again on her forearms, gentler this time, checking her over to ensure she was all right, free from the cold snap of the well-worn set of armor behind her. The connection of our skin, however subtle at the moment, made my hands tingle, and my heart leap. A fire coiled in my stomach; a singe that ignited upward into my chest and lowered back to my core as I attempted to control it, though the vinum was quickly overtaking my tenacity for self-discipline.
I took in the way she continued to search my eyes, looking determinedly for something – or perhaps, someone – within. Each time she gazed, I felt more intrigued - and more honored, even - than the last, and this time, I met her with a sheepish smile of my own, raising my eyebrows as if to say, ‘like what you see?’.
With a nod and a light huff of laughter in affirmation to her sense of natural good fortune, I curiously took in her features, hanging my head slightly to match her craning neck. “We must both be lucky, then.” I mused.
Carefully, as though handling a bird’s egg that may crack, my hand seemed to lift on its own, crooking a forefinger and thumb to lift her chin for a better look. Immediately, my eyes flitted just for a breath to her lips, rosy and soft-looking and slightly parted in surprise from before. My other hand remained, in an attempt to help in steadying her balance. I knew well how much the vinum could cause one to wobble.
“You are looking again.” I cocked my head slightly to the side, and enjoyed silently the visual of my thumb resting just slightly, teasingly, under her bottom lip. She seemed so out of breath; I noticed the elevated warmth of her skin once again, especially in the rosiness of her face, cascading all the way down her neck and blooming across her chest, painting overtop the sun spots that danced across her skin, obvious against the fairness of it. “What do you seek?”
His warmth pressed closer to me, and it made electricity surge through my body. The lull in speech made the music from the distance whisper over us again, and his soft, steady grip seemed like the only thing keeping me grounded on Earth. I brought my cup back to my lips to fill the silence, trying to focus on anything but how close he is, but not a moment later I felt large fingers rest on my chin.
He slowly guides my eyes back to his. I feel the soft pad of his thumb brush my lips, and it makes me shiver before I can stop myself. I was instantly pulled back in, and our eyes locked as my soul explored deeper and deeper. The way he held me, the look in his eyes - I was only pulled from my trance when he spoke once more.
Again? So, it was obvious then… curses. I had hoped that I could be aloof and discreet, but I’ve already gone and humiliated myself, he’ll surely think I’m foolish now.
“S-seek?” I stumbled over my words, caught off guard at the direct question. Face burning ever brighter, I desperately tried to scramble up some words that wouldn’t give away how overwhelmed I felt at his attention. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to stare-” I added, looking away in embarrassment. “I just… I don’t think I’ve seen eyes as dark and clear as yours.” I admitted, voice going softer than I wanted. I gathered the courage to bring my eyes back to his again, feeling his arm and hand resting on me.
“They captivate me…” I explained sheepishly “And I wish to see more of what’s behind them.” I tried to leave it at that, suddenly worried I was saying too much. My mind wandered back to the thumb resting below my lip, and I felt another wave of anxiety as I remembered my earlier boldness in kissing his finger. Yes, this Roman has very peculiar abilities as well it seems… but the tight feeling in my chest, was somehow hungry for more.
I didn’t know how long it was there, but my hand had found it’s way to his chest while he pulled me closer into an embrace. I could feel the soft rise and fall of his breathing, and the gentle pulse of his heart under my fingertips. I realized I was touching him in the same spot where my hand had explored the armor, mirrored right behind me. I was suddenly reminded of a hermit crab and it’s shell, but my mind wandered quickly back to the coy smile on his lips, and it made my heart leap.
I brought the cup back to my lips for another drink, and realized that I started biting my lip at some point… as if it craved contact again.
The tips of her fingers set my chest ablaze underneath the modest, somewhat dingy cloth of my tunic, well-worn from many nights away campaigning. Something within me yearned, nearly wanting to lurch forward as the simplest touch of her fingertips seemed to accelerate the once-dull thrum of my heart. I noted fondly her tendency to absorb new information with her hands; she was so delicate, but so deliberate, in her searchings. Such must be the elusive ability of a high priestess such as Ciara.
I indulged, watching with intrigue as her guarded façade began to unravel one single thread at a time, cheeks flushing deeper still as she apologized so sweetly for something so simple as onlooking for too long … … For onlooking her very own husband, at that. I grappled against the alcohol in my system for a moment to comprehend her words as my eyes settled on the timid movement of her lips; the way she seemed to bite down shyly, in thought; or maybe it was something else. I watched them as she spoke and tumbled over her words, taking in each and every soft bevel and curve and the way it moved - remembering the gentle kiss to my fingertip I had been blessed with just earlier. I swallowed, recalling the urge I fought to part her lips with my thumb when I felt the soft pink skin against my finger; to feel the warmth around it.
Unable to keep the smile from settling across my face, I decided to stop fighting it; she was captivated? I blinked in surprise at the thought of such a thing being a rare commodity amongst people - many people in my family, and many others that I knew back at home, shared such features, though I could not recall the last – or any – encounter with someone who looked anything like the otherworldly beauty who stood before me.
“Do not apologize,” I responded–perhaps with a few seconds of delay. Absentmindedly, the pad of my thumb crept, and caressed gently across the soft pink hue of her bottom lip. She wanted – no, wished to see what was ‘behind them’? “…For I am yours to examine.”
With an almost impish look, I drew my face just a few inches closer, hanging my head a bit to match her eye level, which had been heightened by my tilting of her chin. “Do you see?” I smiled, lightheartedly batting my eyelashes a few times for emphasis as I looked into her eyes, figuratively granting her request for a deeper look. “They are not much to look at… not like yours, Ciara.” My thumb traveled absently across the soft warmth of her cheek as I continued; I drew her closer still with the slightest of movements, pulling her in another inch with the hand that found itself resting upon the small of her back. Closer. Before long, my hand had found purchase at her back and made its home there, holding her protectively in place - I saw no reason to fix what was not broken.
“Some scholars say that the eyes mirror the mind.” I mused halfheartedly. “Are you sure you want to enter such darkness?” A jest – but I quickly found myself backpedaling a bit. Don’t want to be scaring her off now. “… I joke, of course.”
The invitation of examination set my heart aflutter, and it pulled at the corners of my lips into a sheepish smile. I felt it grow when he brought his face close, his expression making my body warm another 20 degrees. His deep eyes, caramelized skin, his impressive height… and build- and now this smile made the heat in between my hips swirl and grow. His coy flirting, mysteriously handsome face, eyelashes batting for me, I couldn’t help the giggle that bubbled out from me at his cute behavior.
I swallowed hard when I caught the compliment he tucked in at the end about my own eyes, and I felt my fingers relax against his chest into a pressing palm. Alcohol buzzed in my brain, and the heat in my abdomen only grew at his hand wandered across my cheek and onward. Bringing the cup to my lips for another drink, I felt a rare moment of disappointment amidst all of the courting bliss when the vinum was empty. I instead settled on resting the cup near my lip in attempt to steady my racing heart.
I looked deeper into his eyes, agreeing wholeheartedly that it would reveal more if I could only study them, and laughed louder than I meant to at the joke. How sweet of him to reassure me, it made me feel at ease around him. Though I’m sure the drink has helped with that, if only I could get some more.
“As dark as I’m sure they are,” I leaned in now, letting the smile spread along my red face, “I assure you I am well-versed in darkness and all its arts.” I flirted back, bringing the cup to my lip for only a moment before remembering it’s emptiness. Another laugh escaped my lips, and I looked into those eyes again.
“I’m looking forward to what they will reveal… that your lips will not.” I boldly teased, letting my eyes wander downward in my continued study.
My gaze flickered up and down with each attempt that Ciara made to sip from her now-empty cup of vinum; under normal circumstances, I would perhaps have motioned to fill our cups again in that very instant, had it not been for the fact that I had just been distracted by the most beautiful sound in the world. I drank in the sweet melody of her laughter, unrestrained and free, dripping devilishly with vinum. I swallowed, unable to stop myself from chewing helplessly on my bottom lip the longer her stunning blue eyes bored into mine with her trademark curiosity. My imagination bounced off the walls; soon enough, I could imagine that serene voice echoing sweetly out in … a number of different situations. Mmm.
“You are thirsty.” I had finally heard myself state. Reaching for the hand that she was so delicately pressing into my chest, I encircled my fingers around it, raising her hand deftly to my lips. I settled my eyes upon hers once again as I pressed a kiss into her knuckles, pulling her then a few steps back toward where we had previously been settled; where the now half-full amphorae of vinum awaited us. “Please. There is plenty.” I gestured toward the wooden table and chairs, and reached down for the amphora’s handle, hefting it with a grunt and tilting a healthy waterfall of the dark red liquid into Ciara’s cup, and then into mine.
I raised an eyebrow. “So, a master of the ‘dark arts’ then, too, it seems. Is there nothing you cannot do, Ciara?” I asked almost breathlessly – impressedly – as I sipped heartily from my newly replenished cup, closing with a refreshed ‘ahh’. I sat, reclining myself comfortably, my knees considerably parted. My muscles felt loose from the vinum, and I hungrily indulged in the feeling of my body tingling and sparking all over.
I see you looking, said my eyes. And I like it.
As I spoke, I let my eyes move around the room while my body relaxed under gentle, firm hands. When I glanced back at him in my ramblings, I noticed he had taken part of his lip into his teeth so gingerly I barely caught it in my intoxicated state. Our eyes locked again like magnets, and I took the few seconds to peer deeper. He pulled me back out of it, or perhaps deeper in, bringing my hand to rest under his soft wine-stained lips. My heart fluttered as the little peck, and it felt as if I was floating from the chivalrous touch, feet numb like I was hovering in the air.
I heard him point out my insatiable thirst and felt strong arms softly guide me back to my seat, my gaze still looking into his eyes as he speaks so sweetly. I heard myself mutter out a thank you in my native tongue, then shook my head clear once I realized my mistake. Cursing then correcting myself in Latin, I watched the tall Roman lift the amphora with practiced precision. How could such brute strength be balanced with such calm finesse? The way my name sounded on his tongue gave me a shiver of pleasure with his deep exotic accent, and I couldn’t help but feel excited at the soft grunt that escaped his lips at the labor. My eyes lingered on the muscles that moved and flexed at the different actions of serving me, and I was glad to have a new drink from my mouth going dry.
I lifted up the drink, watching it swirl at the movement and admiring its color, before bringing it to my lips again. Delicious. I felt myself smile at the taste and growing familiarity of the spirit as the warmth in my body continued to spread pleasantly before going straight to the coiling sensation in my abdomen. Before pulling the cup away, my eyes were pulled back towards my new Husband as my thoughts returned to conversation now that my cup has been refilled.
“I supposed you’ll find out what I can do, won’t you?” I teased, bringing the back of my knuckle to catch a stray drop that escaped my lips. “After all, it’s a long trip back to your beloved Rome, isn’t it?” I added, tucking some hair behind my ear with my free hand.
My eyes wandered across his features again, taking in as much detail as I could of this man that I’m meant to belong to now. A life I was never trained for yet have been prepared for in other ways. I briefly wondered how relevant my dark skills would be in the future, for gain or for ruin, I supposed I didn’t know yet. I brought my drink to my lips again while pondering, but these thoughts of future allegiance and deviation ceased in the moment when my eyes caught the commotion in between his widening thighs…
Reflexively my throat gulped in surprise, and I struggled for a moment at the accidental intake of the large amount of vinum. I stared while swallowing, regaining control of my esophagus while trying to register the sight in front of me. It seemed as if he had sat on something, or that something was wrong with his tunic to cause the fabric to tent so much, but the wisdom of my mind new this to be naive. Clearing my throat, I tore my gaze away from the man’s lap and crossed my own legs subconsciously, covering my mouth to regain myself. The movement sent shivers up my spine at the growingly sensitive area, but in this realm I too was ill equipped, for my master had always trained me avoid such situations. I suddenly felt overwhelmed by everything, and I was frightened to feel like it made me want more. Yet it excited me, as did learning of our deeply secret traditions during my training. I wrestled with my conflicting emotions and tried not to let my eyes wander back to the beautiful sight, so I made my mouth move instead.
“So about Rome…” I stuttered, clearing my throat again to gain control. “Your brothers- are any of them married? Or are you the first of the lot to become a groom?” My eyes caught a glance of the tent again- did it look bigger than last time? Stop it. It’s just the fabric playing tricks on me. I brought the cup back to my lips and drank deeply, feeling so flushed my body felt like it was buzzing. I fidgeted in my chair and scratched at my chest, eyes darting more than I wished and glancing into the gaze of Yo'el briefly before tearing them away. I felt like a spell was washing over me, and it was being cast by those abysmal eyes.
She truly was like a doe, frozen in the face of the unknown, eyes algeam with curiosity and trepidation, the proud and noble Ciara's hesitance had yet to melt away from her completely. I could see the tight grip she held upon herself loosening before my very eyes; see the way her eyes darted, the way she writhed in her seat--the desperation for a change in direction despite the air of longing which crawled across every inch of her. The squirm of her thighs--pressed together as if to withhold a beast in a cage--was not lost on me. I wanted to draw it out - wanted her to allow herself to release it.
I studied her for a moment as I allowed room for her to speak, noting the breaks in that dignified Celtic air she had held all this time. As she did so, I sipped again, allowing the sweetened liquid to coat my throat again, peering at her over the rim of the cup - I dared not let my eyes yet fall upon the redness of her neck and chest, deepened by the clawing of her nails as the words tumbled from her pinkened lips.
Would I find out what she would do? This was for certain, and by all means necessary, I would receive a taste of this offer before we reached the faraway destination of my -- soon to be our -- Rome. Beloved, indeed. Her comment made me chuckle lowly into the cup before I set it down once more, licking my lips once to lap the droplets before resting my elbows on the arm rest of my seat, once again leaning back and making myself comfortable.
"The trip will be long," I hummed, nodding in affirmation, "But, I would hope to see even a fraction of what you can do before we arrive... if you would be so kind as to show me a demonstration some time."
It sounded unseeming enough - or it might, to a innocent ear. I could not help the triumphant smile tugging at the corner of my lips as her guard fell to pieces bit by bit. I did not need to glance anywhere to understand what had begun her series of writhes and wiggles - not only could I see in my peripherals, but the pulsation of the wine moving through my body mixed itself with the blood rushing to my quickly hardening cock, halfway at attention merely at the thoughts swirling in the back of my mind. The touch of her skin, her lips upon my fingers, the frame of her body underneath those ceremonial robes; her sweet, lilting voice like a hummingbird moving toward its precious, sweet nectar. The look of her, especially at this moment, did me in like a wayfarer to a siren's song. I watched her chest heave, the breathless words fluttering out and away, and remained as calm as I could on the surface. I would let her come to me; let the doe take from my hand.
Snapping out of my thoughts only slightly, as to answer her question, I made a thoughtful noise, as if I were not slipping her under-robes off of her shoulders in my mind. Innocent. "My brothers?" I echoed, my eyebrows raising slightly in fascination to her choice of question. I refrained from making a sour face at the thought, however; surely, there was a respect I held for my brothers, although seeing the ways which they interacted with their wives often caused me to turn my head away in embarrassment. "Yes, they are all married--I am the last to take a wife." A lighthearted shrug, and I took another sip, as if we were discussing the weather and I were not burning for her right this instant. "You will like them - they are smart, well-read women, much like you." Too smart to be with those brutes, I had thought at times, but I had supposed they could be worse. "They get along with each other well; they will welcome you kindly, I am sure." I attempted not to sound exasperated by my brothers. But ... "I sometimes wonder what they have seen in my brothers. I could not say I would marry them if I were a woman." My eyebrows raised and then fell humorously, quickly; just to see if I could catch a laugh, as I took another sip. "You may be the lucky one." I winked playfully.