If only it was true, Rhys thought.
13
Caitlin was now a married woman. She didn’t feel any differently at first, but there was a warm glow settling at the bottom of her heart. The mood was joyous and whatever nerves she had been feeling had been completely vanquished by seeing Rhys. Hearing him promise to love and protect her, to honor and be honest with her, gave her no end of joy. When she looked into his eyes she could believe it as well, wholeheartedly. The kiss they sealed the vows with was a kiss that would begin a lifetime.
They walked with their hands bound together back into the keep where a feast was waiting for them. A minstrel played a merry tune, although it could barely be heard over the cheering of the people in attendance. Many of the women wept, and Caitlin felt tears of happiness trickle down her cheeks as well. Inside the keep another set of minstrels waited for them and played a song as they stood by the door. The guests then entered, offering their congratulations and well wishes. But this wasn’t just a triumphant occasion for Caitlin and Rhys, it was something to be celebrated by them all because the treaty had been sealed and peace could now reign. The days of war were behind them.
Platters of food were spread around the table and there were copious amounts of wine and ale offered. The atmosphere was uplifting and uproarious as the hall filled, and then the happy couple took their seats; the same seats they had been sitting in when they had first met. Back then Caitlin had been an unassuming girl filled with nerves about the tall, brutish man she was sitting beside. Now she was a blushing bride and there was not anyone in the world she would rather have been with.
“I know this is rude of me,” she said in a low voice to her husband, “but I can’t wait to be out of here so we can be alone.” Arousal simmered in her eyes and she saw the same desire in his gaze. Their first kiss as man and wife had inflamed their yearning for each other, and now everything seemed like a chore until they got to their wedding night.
Bryn rose from his seat and walked up to the newlyweds. He picked up a sharp knife that was beside Rhys and then lifted up the hands that were still bound.
“Here’s tae Caitlin and Rhys!” he cried, and cut the ribbon with ease. It fluttered to the floor, but their hands remained clasped together. A great cheer went up. Bryn waited for it to die down before he addressed the crowd. “Before ye get started on enjoying the feast I just wanted tae say that I’m glad we are all here taeday tae witness this historic occasion. Rhys and Caitlin represent our two clans coming taegether. They are a hope for the future and I wish for them tae hae the same fate as the rest of us, and all the happiness in the world.”
Caitlin blushed at her father’s words and nestled into Rhys as people applauded. Then everyone was eager to get on with the feast. People tucked into their food with abandon and started dancing merrily. Ale was handed around and people were soon drowning in it. The hall was alive with so many noises and Caitlin was overwhelmed with all the people who wanted to be close to her and wish her good fortune. Her brothers were enjoying themselves as well, and she wished that she had the ability to take it all in. It was so overwhelming that she was taken aback by the noise and the cacophony. She even lost track of her own heartbeat, such was the thrumming excitement of the feast.
This marriage meant something to everyone in that hall. To everyone else, it signified a chance at peace and a reason for them not to worry about having to lose anyone else to mindless battles and a futile war. For Caitlin, it meant something different. It gave her an opportunity to think about the future, about children, and how she was going to shape the future of the clans. She looked over at Rhys and gazed at him with adoration. Her heart swelled with love and her feelings became deeper and deeper with every passing moment. She could hardly believe that she was with such a wonderful man. Even though she wanted to enjoy her wedding day, she wanted the feast to be over so she could be alone with Rhys.
Eventually, they did manage to have an opportunity. Everyone was busy dancing while the married couple was enjoying a respite. They glanced at each other. To some, the night was still young, but they had already spent enough time bristling with desire and they could wait no longer. They smiled wickedly and then both snuck out of the hall, keeping to the shadows, and they breathed deeply as they found themselves alone in the hall. They were inches apart. Caitlin looked up at Rhys and hoped that he saw the desire in her eyes. She clasped his hand tightly and stood close to him. He leaned down and placed his hand underneath her chin, tilting her head up so that he could pluck a kiss from her lips.
Then he glanced around nervously. “I think we should get away from prying eyes,” he said. Caitlin was all too eager to agree. She led him up a winding staircase to her chambers. She flung the door closed behind them and then practically leaped on him. The tall man stumbled back as he carried her and fell onto the bed, the breath being driven from his lungs. Caitlin was enthusiastic and could not quell the vibrant feelings in her body. She peppered him with kisses and enjoyed the feeling of his huge hands cradling her body.
She sat up
