She kept his hand in hers and smiled at the people while they gathered around. ‘I invite all of you to share in our wedding feast and celebration. Know that you are welcome here, and it is our promise to protect this clan. In time, Clonagh will be yours once more.’
At that, she saw tentative smiles among the people. Many raised their knees as a gesture of respect, and several cheered.
Alarr brought her a horn of ale and gave her the first drink before he drank from the same place her lips had touched. He covered the horn and then kissed her in front of everyone. It was a kiss of promise, and it kindled her desire.
Over the next few hours, there was feasting and dancing. She lost track of all the people, and there were so many names she would have to learn. But her happiness soared until she could scarcely contain her joy.
The air had turned cooler, and Alarr drew his cloak around her after he saw her shiver. She turned to him, pressing her hand against his heart. His arms tightened around her. ‘Are you afraid, søtnos?’
She shook her head. Afraid wasn’t the right word. She felt the deep pull of anticipation, and she drew her fingers lightly over his face. Alarr’s skin was darker from the sun, and his cheeks were rough with his beard. He took her hand in his and led her to the dwelling that would be theirs. She ducked her head beneath the doorway as she went inside. The air was warmer here, heated by the hot stones around the room. There was a bed of furs in one corner, and someone had laid out food and drink for them to share.
‘Is it right to leave the people alone at the feast?’ she wondered aloud.
‘I care not,’ Alarr answered. ‘I intend to spend the remainder of this day with you, my bride.’ He drew a low table nearby and bade her to sit down. He chose a selection of roasted fowl, boiled goose eggs, honeyed cakes, and almonds for her. He broke off a piece of meat and drew it to her lips. She ate and did the same for him, bringing her fingers to his mouth. He sucked one finger inside, and she felt the answering pull of desire.
‘Alarr,’ she murmured. ‘I find that I’m not very hungry right now.’ She drew her arms around his neck, hoping he would understand her meaning.
‘That’s too bad,’ he responded. ‘For I am starving.’ He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the furs.
After he lowered her to standing, he unlaced her gown, sliding it from her shoulders until it pooled at her feet. He kissed her hard, his callused hands moving to her bare skin beneath her shift. She gasped when he cupped one breast, his thumb caressing the erect nipple.
Alarr leaned in and kissed her, sliding his tongue over the rosy tip while he stripped away the rest of her clothing.
He laid her back against the furs, and she could hardly breathe as he feasted upon her, tonguing one breast and then the other. His mouth was hot and hungry upon her skin, tasting every inch. His warm breath brushed over her navel, and he lifted her knees, spreading her open.
She was trembling at that, feeling utterly vulnerable to him. He cupped her bottom, lifting her until he drew his mouth to her inner thigh. She was already aroused, but the tension of his mouth so close to her womanhood was driving her wild. He slid his tongue so close, and then moved to the opposite thigh, kissing her gently.
She was desperate to have his mouth upon her, and her fingers gripped the furs tightly. ‘Alarr,’ she moaned. ‘I need you so badly.’
In the darkness, she could see his head bent between her legs, and his hands gripped her hips, lifting her to him. With his tongue, he tasted her intimately, and she could not stifle her cry. His mouth tormented her sweetly, and she felt herself rising higher. He invaded her with his tongue, nibbling against her hooded flesh while a white-hot fire of need claimed her. She could barely gather her thoughts while he suckled against her most sensitive place.
When he used his thumb to caress her, she could bear it no longer. Her body was alive, the release gathering tightly inside, and when he slid two fingers inside, she lost control. A thousand shudders broke over her, and she arched hard, gasping as the pleasure flooded through her skin. Alarr entered and withdrew with his fingers, and she reached for him, guiding his hard flesh inside. He invaded her in one swift penetration, and she gloried in the feeling of his body joined with hers. She met him, thrust for thrust, wrapping her legs around him.
He deepened the sensations when he suckled at her breast once more, and she squeezed him within her depths. No longer was he gentle, and she revelled in his claiming.
‘Take me,’ she whispered. ‘I am yours.’
He pinned her wrists to the furs, and she released her grip around his waist. Instead, she bent her knees to allow him a deeper angle. This time, his slick shaft rubbed against her, and she could not stop the release that erupted within her. There was only joy in making love to the man she adored, and she gave herself over completely. In his blue eyes she saw love, and when his face contorted, she watched as he took his pleasure, filling her with his seed. He entered and withdrew a few more times until he drew her legs to tangle with his.
She smiled, feeling the heat of their joined bodies. When she touched his chest, she could feel his heart racing. ‘I am glad you captured me that day in the slave market,’ she
