My parents left and Lady Mairead went up to her room to bed.

We sat for a bit longer, enjoying another beer and more conversation with Hayley, Micheal, Zach, and Emma. Then Hayley came up with an idea to stage photos of us in our wedding clothes, sprawled back on chairs, surrounded by plates of half-eaten food and half-empty drinks. Zach and Emma had done some cleaning already, so they dragged out dirty dishes and set the table again to look post-feast. Hayley told me to lean in against Magnus's chest, holding a big slice of cake in my fist, his hand around a whole bottle of wine. Part of a roasted lamb in front of us. It looked like some kind of neo-rococo last supper, ornate and beautiful, a little decadent and very funny. We laughed a lot and all agreed that those photos of our wedding were our favorites. Then, before I knew it, Hayley and Michael were up grabbing their things, saying goodbye, and leaving through the front door.

Zach and Emma cleared plates from the table and poured us each another drink. I was stuffed. Our chairs were very close to each other, yet we still weren't touching. I leaned back in my chair and tried to get a deep breath but my bodice had grown tight with the food, I tugged at the base of it. Magnus shifted his hand to trail a finger along the bottom edge of my bodice, so close to my hip, back and forth, slowly, mesmerizing, then his finger went up under the edge of it, and gently pulled, barely, slowly, drawing me closer, promising more. My breath caught.

“Would ye like tae go tae our chamber, Kaitlyn?” He asked quietly.

I shook my head.

“Why nae?”

“I'm scared.” His finger continued to travel back and forth along the lower edge of my bodice.

“You are scared of me?”

“No, it's just, I think I'm scared of the moment, you know?”

He nodded. “Aye, I know. I feel it too.”

His fingers trailed up my side and across my shoulder and faintly, lightly, down my arm, giving me shivers.

“I think twill be all right,” he said quietly, seriously.

“How do you know?”

He smiled softly. “We canna stay here, there is cleaning that must be done, and our bed is much more comfortable.”

I nodded and stood. He held my hand and led me to the bedroom, just off the main living area.

“You sleep here now?”

“Aye, since ye slept here. It smelled of ye for a time.”

“Really? You're going to give me a complex.”

“A complex?”

I stood in the middle of the room while he adjusted the window screens and turned on a table lamp, throwing the room into a dim light.

“Make me insecure — because you keep talking about how I smell.”

“You smell like nothing and everything at once, I canna describe it.” He opened a top drawer, showing me my underwear in small stacks. I hoped Emma had done the folding instead of Michael and Zach. But also, whoa, someone put my clothes away.

Magnus sat on the bed. “You look verra beautiful.”

I blushed. “Thank you.”

I was still wearing my pearled headpiece so I went down the small hallway, through the frosted glass sliding door, past the closets that I would need to explore tomorrow, to the gigantic master bathroom. I paused for a moment, my toothbrush was there, beside another strange toothbrush in a strange bathroom, my husband's, forever more. I took a deep breath, pulled the crown off, yanked out the bobby-pins and hair-bands, and ran a brush through my hair.

When I returned, the room was darker. Three cylinder candles burned on the bedside table. He stood. “Come here, Kaitlyn.”

“I like it when you say my name. I mean, I like that it doesn't have 'mistress' in front of it anymore.” I stood in front of him. His eyes were intense on my face; I felt awkward. “You lit candles.”

“Aye, Emma assured me ye would like them.”

“I do, they smell good.” He slowly trailed his fingertips down my sides to my waist and gently turned me so he could untie my bodice. His fingers shook as he worked at the lacing.

“Do you know what the scent is?”

He was quiet, working on the laces. “She said tis called Hot Amber.”

“Yum, I love — is it going okay back there?”

He sighed. “I am tryin' tae concentrate.”

“Ah, sorry.” It took him a long time because it was complicated and tight, but then slowly he worked his fingers into the tight laces, the fabric folds, and taking his time spread open the back of my dress. He looped a finger under the capped sleeves and with excruciating slowness pulled them off my shoulders and down. The entire dress fell in a giant puff of white around my knees.

He offered me a hand for balance while I stepped over the pile, and he shoved it away with his foot. I was facing him, mostly unclothed. He sat down on the bed. Then he reached out and ever so slowly bit by bit, pulled my panties down to the ground. “Can ye stand there for a moment?”

It was hard to know what to do as his eyes traveled around and over my naked body. I wanted his touch so desperately. I was arching forward with my breaths, doing this thing I did where I couldn't be still. He was as still as a rock, concentration and focus, but I was struggling against my need to climb in his lap, bringing force and energy and movement.

He grinned. “You art a breeze riding wisp. You daena wiggle so much when ye were clothed.”

I pretend whined, “I can't help it, this is too long without you touching me.”

“Tis now?” He grasped my hips and pulled me forward to stand between his legs. “Ah, much better.” He ran his hand down my back, my ass, my legs. Until I couldn't bear it anymore. I pulled him to standing and began working on the buttons of his tuxedo shirt. My fingers brushing the shirt linen stretched across his firm chest. I yanked it down his arms, and tossed it to the side. And ran my hands up and down the ridges along his abdomen.

The kilt was more complicated. It wrapped. I found the latch and it dropped to the ground. He sat and removed his boots which took a second and he was flustered and apologetic during it. Then he asked, “Kaitlyn, will ye come tae bed now?”

I nodded and joked, “Aye.”

He shoveled under the covers, giving me my first glimpse of my husband's full form, in motion, muscles taut, holding my hand, pulling me along. We arrived in the middle of our luxurious bed, under a cloud of a comforter, surrounded by too many, too high pillows. And we snuggled close, wrapped, front to front.

And

oh

my

god

I was touching the length of him, my chest pressed to his. He wanted me; he was pressed on my stomach, and he was holding me, so strong and sure, his breath warm on my cheek. His hand traveling slowly down my back and around my buttocks and then up slowly along my side. He pulled a breadth away and watched his hand as it moved up my stomach. The caress so light and electric that I arched toward his fingers. His hand paused at my breast. His voice rolled from somewhere in his chest, vibrating against my skin. “May I touch ye here?”

I breathed out, “Anywhere.”

“Och, aye.” His hand drifted along my curves, checking to see if I was telling the truth. His hand followed along the curve of my bottom, caressing up the back of my thigh, raising it to his waist, around and into the folds between my legs, and down my thighs and back up again. He closed his eyes. His brow drawn in intense concentration. He placed his mouth against the edge of my neck, hot, lips, wet, whispering — “I want ye, Kaitlyn. But I daena want tae scare ye.”

I wrapped my hands around the back of his head, arched forward and with my leg wrapped around his waist I brought his hips closer to mine. “I want you too. I'm not scared.”

He looked into my eyes. his were wild, his brow hot, his hair tousled. “I dinna think ye would want—”

“That I would want you?” I ran my hands down his back inching him closer, myself wanting him more and more. My lips were close to his ear. “I do, I want you.”

“I daena want tae hurt ye...”

I ran my fingers down his jawline. “You won't.” His hand dove between my legs, and I was losing the ability to think or speak.

I ran my hand across his wide shoulder, slowly massaged down his side to his buttocks and staring into his eyes pulled him inside me. He moaned, closed his eyes, and rolled on top of me, intense and hard and full of force and power; we shoved and pushed against each other, faster and faster, until he climaxed with a groan and relaxed down onto my body.

He lay there, heavy on me, soft within me, for a long time, his breathing fast, then growing slower and slower. His mouth on my shoulder, his voice vibrating on my skin. “Tis the way it goes then?”

My eyes wide, I asked, “Magnus, was that your first time?”

“Nae.” He gave me a sheepish grin. “Twas the first time in a bed. Changes the operation of it.” He put his mouth back on my shoulder. “Twas my first time with you. It changed the meanin' of it.” He pulled a hair breadths away. “Am I crushin' ye?”

I wrapped my arms and legs around him tighter. “No, I like you here.”

He leaned his cheek to mine and then rested his mouth on my neck, just under my jaw, at the edge of my throat, my heartbeat against his breath. And then slowly he rubbed his cheek along mine, his lips up to my lips, and kissed me, for the very first time, soft and sweet. I wrapped my fingers through the back of his hair, pulling him closer. The kiss was lingering and awesome, tastes and moans, licks and nibbles, the scent of amber floated around us, and when it was done, I looked up to find him staring down at me. And we stayed there for a moment, looking deep into each other's eyes.

“Aye Kaitlyn, ye have married me.”

I sighed. “Aye Magnus, I did.” I had to look away the feeling was so intense, deep. I concentrated on pushing a bit of his hair behind his ear.

He shimmied down my body. With a hand firmly holding my breast, he kissed me on the bottom edge of my ribs and then nuzzled his forehead into my chest. With his other hand he firmly gripped my buttock. “Tis all mine?” His voice sounded muffled, pressed to my diaphragm.

“Technically speaking.”

“Good, I plan tae live here now.”

“In my breasts?” I giggled.

“I could eat my meals here.” He kissed my breast causing me to arch toward his mouth. “And tis a pillow so I can sleep here too.” He snuggled his cheek into my skin.

“It might get boring after a while to live in bed sleeping and eating, but I'm game to try.”

He chuckled, held in my arms, but holding me too. “I canna believe I would get bored with ye.” The room was peacefully dark. The candle flickers casting dancing shadows. Our voices low and deep. Meant only for each other.

I entwined my fingers in his hair, wrapping and twisting a curl around my finger, brushing hair from his sweaty brow.

We laid there like that for a long time. The amber scent wafting around us. I was thinking about all the firsts — we had just made love, undressed each other, seen each other naked for the first time, then we kissed. And—

“Did you do this with James Cook?”

I startled, “What? Why do you ask that?”

His cheek pressed to my chest, his voice a rumble. “I feel I need tae know. And I need ye tae be the one tae tell me.”

“Oh.” That's why he had been so quiet. “I don't think we should talk about it. I—”

“Usually when I ask ye something, you answer.”

“But this is not the same as 'how does the light switch work.' This is —”

“If I dinna ken this about ye, but you do, and James Cook ken this about ye, and I dinna, then I am made a fool.”

“Oh. Yeah, I guess I can see that.” His arms tightened around my back, holding me tight and still.

I spoke it into the air between us. “I have done this with James Cook. I also did these things with my fiancé, and... But that was my past, and we shouldn't dwell on it, because there's no going back. Honestly, I didn't know you were coming.”

“Aye.” He sat quietly for a moment, his heartbeat in a constant rhythm on my stomach “And ye dinna marry these men, Kaitlyn?”

“No, only you.”

He raised his head and shoulders above me to look at my face. Candle light flickered across his pained expression. “So you dinna vow tae them that ye would never bed another man?”

“I didn't make any vows, but when I loved Braden I wasn't with anyone else. When I loved James I wasn't with anyone else. I stopped loving them when they chose other people. It's complicated, I guess. But it's more like an agreement than a vow.” I stroked my fingers down his wide shoulder. “Are you worried I might break my vow to you?”

“I daena wish tae be made a fool.”

“We are new to each other, and until we have spent more time together we won't have proof of our truthfulness, but I won't lie to you Magnus. And I meant my vow today. I will not be with another man.” My voice caught. “Just please don't break my heart.”

He pressed his lips to my breast, just at my heart. “Mo chroí, a chuisle mo chroí.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means you are the beat of my heart.” He rolled to his side and I snuggled into his arms. “I hae made a vow before God, that I am yours. And you are mine. But more, I hae made a vow here,” he took my hand and placed it on his chest.

I nodded.

“And now I hae made a vow here.” He brought my hand down to the space between us. “And here.” I giggled when his hand dove between my legs. “I will remind ye of my vow many times a day, mo reul-iuiel.”

I ran my fingers down the side of his cheek. “I am super glad about your enthusiasm for your vows. This bodes well for a very happy wife.”

“I hae one more question and I will be done of Master Cook and other cock-full half-men.” He raised up on one elbow and hovered his strong hand over my stomach. “How is it ye haena borne them children?”

“I'm on birth control.” When he looked at me blankly I explained, “I take a pill, it makes it so I can't get pregnant.”

“You daena want children?”

“I do, someday, but we can talk about it, and when we want to I can stop taking the pill. But until then, we can do more of this.” I rubbed my hands down his back and his hand relaxed, the weight of it on my stomach was a comfortable pressing.

“That would be good. No bairns, until I figure out this trouble with Lady Mairead's husband.”

“Are we done with the questions?”

“Aye, you will soon tire of telling me about the world. I will need tae shew ye something, tae ride, or I will train ye tae fight with a dirk or a sword.”

I grinned at him. “I actually think I'm already in training with your sword.”

He chuckled. “Mo reul-iuiel, your wit is marvelous.”

Our bedding was shoved off the bed in all directions. The sheets twisted under us. Pillows tossed about. I loved that we were so new, languishing in bed together, getting to know each other in the darkness of our room.

He propped his head up on his elbow. And then, because I was curious, I asked, “Did you mean you've only ever had sex up against walls?”

“When you are young at court without much standing, ye must take what is offered ye.”

I giggled. “It sounds like you had a great deal of standing.”

His chuckle vibrated along my side.

“And I know you're joking, the queen is not going to stand for all that fornicating in the halls.” I raised my brows. “See what I did there, 'stand for it'?”

“I did. Tis verra funny.”

“But if you haven't much experience with beds, then you probably haven't really been fully naked with someone?”

“Nae. Tis much too cold for it in drafty stairwells.”

I huffed. “I'm totally irritated that James took you to that strip bar.”

“Why?”

“Because now in your head you're comparing me to strippers.”

He shook his head slowly, solemnly. “Put your arms up.”

I stretched long, raising my arms above my head. Shoving a pillow away.

He ran his hand all along my body. His fingers trailing up and down and around, lingering on my stomach, traveling to my breasts, tickling and caressing, as if he was memorizing me. Investigating me, exploring, causing me to wriggle and dance under his fingertips.

It was so electric and slow and thoughtful that I thought I might internally combust.

Finally he murmured, “Tha thu breagha, mo chroi.”

My voice was much like a gasp when I asked, “What does that mean?”

“You are beautiful, luminous. I try tae get my eyes used tae looking at ye, but I fear ye blind me tae everythin' else.”

“Really?”

He paused his hand in mid-glide down my body. “Aye, Kaitlyn, tis true. I hae never touched anyone like this. Nae body has ever allowed me tae. I daena think there would be a way tae compare ye.”

“Oh.” I was losing my ability to think again. His fingers caressed the soft side of my breast, then trailed to the peak and gently pulled, causing me to arch toward his mouth. He nibbled and sucked and then his hand plunged between my legs. He pulled me closer with a triumphant smile. “I want ye again.”

I giggled. “So soon?”

“When I touch ye wriggle and move, corrachag-cagail. How can I help myself?” He made to roll on me, but I pushed him to his back and climbed on him, astride, pulled him inside me, and sat down deeply. I rocked and shifted and moved on him. His hands curled around my bottom, lifting me, pushing me closer and pulling me away.

I pressed my palms to his wide firm chest, and it was long and delicious and slow, I arched back and felt him so deliciously deep, and finally so desperate and intense, looking down at him, with power and control, and then filling with him. I lost my breath, then my mind and my heart, and with a rush I loved him. The feeling raced from my heart and roared down my stomach and warmed me, hot and sweaty, and when I collapsed on him it was a full collapse, leaving me vulnerable and breathless.

He rolled me over, climbed on, and finished, his mouth on my shoulder, his breathing heavy in my ear, my moans in his, there was no going back, to Kaitlyn alone — I was his.

He rose up, shook his hair, elbows beside my head. His full body on mine, the delicious weight of him holding me still and down. In my past I always had trouble with my want — wanting closer, more, touch me please, but he was there, here, everywhere, always. “You art a braw wife, mo real-iuiel. I like ye verra much.”

I wrapped my hands around his, over my head. “I like you too.” He pressed the side of his cheek down to my mouth and I tasted him, salty on my lips. “Maybe later we can add licking to our fun bed romp?”

He smiled. “I think I would much like that.”

“Me too, definitely, but alas we'll have to wait for another rest.” I wiggled my hips against his softness.

“Give me just a wee moment,” he joked.

He rolled off and offered his arm so I could curl along his body.

I asked, “When did you know you liked me?”

He was quiet for a moment. “The first night I saw ye. I will never forget it, twas a full moon and...” He raised his face to look at me with a grin.

It took me a second to get his meaning. “Oh my god Magnus, did you see me naked?”

“A fine bonnie lass, in the streaming moonlight, racing, with her buttocks out for the whole world to see.”

I groaned. “I'm so embarrassed. What did Lady Mairead think?”

“Ah, she assumed ye were a prostitute, but me, I said tae me'self, there is the sweet, modest girl I am going tae marry.”

“I'm so embarrassed, and also, what the hell — you married me.” I sat up and held his hand in both of mine, opened his fingers and spread them wide, his palm flat. I brought it to my lips and kissed the warm center. Thick pads, hard callouses, strength and work. When I traced the back of his fingers they folded forward, less curling, more bunching, muscles and sinews, grip and power. I massaged my hands up his arm, measuring and assessing, veins and taut and firm and curved, across his chest, down his stomach, admiring and exploring. “This is all mine? All of you?”

“Och aye.” The corner of his mouth pulled into a smile. “Though I think I may hae the better of the deal, ye hae better parts.” He reached between my legs causing me to giggle and squirm. “And we can do this anytime we want tae?”

I nodded. “Oh yeah.”

His brow drew together. “I had been told twas nae of interest tae most women.”

I scoffed. “Whoever told you that did not know how to do it right.”

He chuckled. “Twas my brother.”

“Probably don't ask him for advice going forward.”

“I winna. Did I do it a'right?”

I laid back down beside him, curled on his chest. “Definitely, that writhing and squirming was me wanting you again, all of you. More. And soon as you've rested for a bit. We have all night to practice together at this sport, we can go slow.”

His chuckle vibrated against my chest. “Much like in the caber toss, I must begin with the smaller trunk first?”

I giggled. “No, in this sport you should always start with a nice big trunk.”

He laughed outright. “I hae tae introduce ye tae my Uncle Baldie some day.”

“Will you take me to Scotland?”

“I would wish tae, but it may nae be possible. And this first time I must go alone.”

“When would you?”

“Soon, I must away afore Lady Mairead.” He kissed me on the neck then swept the blanket away. “And I'm hungry.” He climbed from the bed, found a pair of flannel pajama bottoms in a drawer, tugged them on, and tied the drawstring. “I'll ask Chef Zach tae serve us some cake.”

“He'll be up in the kitchen?”

“Nae, but he will be a listenin' for me and up as soon as my door opens.”

“I'm going to stay here, in bed, with all these awesome pillows.” I stretched out luxuriously. “Will you open the screens a bit so I can see the dunes from bed?”

He adjusted the screens for me, opened our bedroom door and walked halfway across the living room toward the kitchen, when Zach's voice called from the top of the stairs. “Magnus, did you need something?”

“Aye, Kaitlyn and I wanted cake.”

“Sure, give me just a moment.”

“I'll check with the night watch.” Magnus slid the living room sliding door open and stepped outside to murmur with his security man. Our security man, I supposed. Though why on earth did we have a man on watch all the time? The truth was though, they made the house seem like the safest place on earth.

Soft sounds came from the kitchen as Zach cut slices of cake, opened the refrigerator, poured something into glasses, and offered to carry them for Magnus, who refused, opting instead for carrying it himself. While I snuggled into our nest bed. The AC was cranking. The comforter was perfectly warm. The pillows were perfect. And I had gotten married, just hours ago, had made love twice, and really, deeply fallen for my husband, and hadn't slept at all last night, so all of this night-time-ness was lulling me to sleep. My eyes grew heavy and my mind drifted away.

Magnus placed the tray, with a giant slice of cake, two forks, and some champagne, on the nightstand. He whispered, “Kaitlyn, are ye hungry?”

I whispered back, “Sleepy.”

“I will see ye in the morn.”

The last thing I remembered as I fell asleep was Magnus sliding into bed beside me, fluffing a pillow to prop himself, and bringing the plate to his lap.