A Perfect Union.

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

(Closed for Hells_Fury)

“To the hells with it! That is good enough! I swear if another of you tries to adjust my collar I am going to start running you through!”

The prince snarled his anger to the grooms that were continuing to hover around him as they tried to prepare him for the ceremony. He felt exhausted, the ride had been hard and they had only a few hours of sleep before he had to get up and start letting these fools dress him in livery and ceremonial armors. When his father had sprung this stupid idea on him he had been furious. Arranged marriage to a woman he had never met? They were one of the more powerful houses to be certain, but his family did not need their support. Apparently his father did not agree, so he was being sold off like a blasted horse, no doubt to a woman who looked and smelled like one. This brooding did not help his mood, or the knowledge that he was going to have to do his husbandly with some stranger in a few hours.

Light split behind his eyes, he felt the migraine settling in and he let out a soft growl. He felt someone’s hand brush a little too close to his groin and he started to reach out to knock the fool around, but it seemed that they had been smart. The hand that was adjusting the way the straps were snugged around his upper thighs was thin and delicate, and very, very female. The owner of that hand was a slim, delicate thing with soft features. The blush on her face only lent to her charm, as did the way that dress hugged her breasts. He relaxed and she allowed her hand to wander a little until she pulled her hand away with a gasp, staring at him with wide eyes. He just chuckled at her, and she bit her lip before scurrying off to take care of something else.

“Well at least her father has good taste in servants…” He grumbled as the preparations neared their completion. He started to relax however, that little girl’s surprise at what awaited his future bride had put him in better spirits. He let the final tweaks to his outfit happen without another complaint. Then he heard the trumpets blaring, and a man announce him. Well, time to put on a show!

“Prince Andrew Coldara of Winterhold!”

He softened his features, but squared his shoulders. He did quite the job of looking stately, while faking a slight hint of elation and joy. The truth was he did not know a damned thing about the woman he was about to marry except her name! What he felt was not elation, it was indigestion. Still he managed to look every bit a future king that he should. His short brown hair was cropped close to his skull, his skin had a dark cast to it from hours in the sun practicing with the sword at his hip, or one like it. This one was decked in jewels and the blade wound not stand more than a few strikes. It was a decoration. The armor that sat heavily on his shoulders was more silver than steel, the damn thing would part like a napkin if someone actually tried to stab him. A long flowing white cape followed behind him, almost dragging on the floor. All in all he was about to marry a stranger, decked out in clothing that would do more to get him killed than protect him, in a room full of people he did not know.

Many of the folk cheered as he strode down the long isle, and little girls threw flowers in front of him. The whole blasted thing left a bad taste in his mouth. He was a soldier! He paused at the stairs, knelt down to receive the anointment from the priest. The oil had been perfumed with some sort of flower extract so it did not smell so foul as the old man put his fat fingers all over Andrews face. He then stood up and turned toward the main hall. He checked the contents of his breast pocket. The ring, the bracelet, and the dagger were all there.

He offered a deep breath then let it out slowly, measured. Time to see who his father had sold him too. The trumpets blared, he barely heard the announcement of her name. All of his focus was on the door way. His deep green eyes were drawn to movement. When she finally stepped through the door way it took all of his self control not to let his jaw hit the floor. He found himself standing taller, straighter. He was taking controlled measured breath. He had not felt such a sudden case of nerves since his first skirmish.

 

[hells_fury]

Daeneris stood at the doors as they opened. She wore a white silk dress that dipped between her breasts and barely covered her torso. The silk skirt trailed down to her feet and touched the floor. She stood there thinking about everything. She was being sold like cattle so her father would have protection as he called it, to keep them safe. She hated politics hated it more than anything else, but she understood none the less.

Her long golden hair trailed to the dip of her back, her body toned and kissed from the sun. She heard the trumpets and the introduction made. ”Lady Daeneris Targeran of Valirious.” The name held pride and she smiled. She stepped through the doors as she began her descent. She didn’t wish to be here, she understood though she continued to tell herself that over and over as she walked down the aisle.

She had tried to refuse to look at the man but sure enough her eyes found him as she kneeled before the priest to be blessed. She looked at her soon to be husband and a soft shudder ran through her. His very demeanor demanded respect. She could tell he was a warrior suited for battle, even if the garments he wore now were not. She smiled inside at that. She hated the traditions held within the lands of the kingdom. Even in times like these people would find a way to drive one mad.

Finally they were to face each other. A sheer white vale covered her face as she stood there looking at her soon to be husband. Regardless if he looked different than what she had expected she would still have to sleep with a man she didn’t know tonight. To prove their union and her purity, she hated that tradition most of all. Of course were any of them any more than barbarians she had to question it. Shaking her thoughts she listened to the priest as she stood there. Her husband was a fine, finer than any she had laid eyes on before and she would take a little solace within that fact.

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

He was stunned. Many had testified of her beauty, but really how reliable was such words? Who in their right mind spoke ill of a noble? It was a quick way to find your head separated from the neck. So he had no idea what to expect, he certainly did not expect her. Gods she was like something out of a story. The way her dress hung around her was perfect. It did the job of making her look regal and beautiful, but damn if it also did not make her a feast for his eyes. He felt his slacks grow tighter as he felt his arousal stir. Well things were suddenly looking better. At least she was fine to look at.

He barely heard the priests words, his focus was completely upon Daeneris. He towered over her, but that only served to torture him through the entire ceremony. From where he stood he had a perfect view of those piercing eyes, and the lush curves of her breasts. Gods this was killing him! His hands ached to rip that dress from her slender form, to stroke and mark her skin, to claim what was soon to be his. He had to place his hand upon the hilt of his sword to keep it still.

The priest droned on and it dragged the ceremony into an eternity. He had never seen a woman dress like she did. The women in the north wore modest clothing, there was no such thing as a drooping neckline, most of the garments came up to their chins. It was as much for function as for their sense of fashion. The north lands were a frozen waste for years at a time. Seeing her in such a garment was almost offensive to him. He wanted to put out the eyes of every man who ever looked at her. Yet it tugged at something inside him, something primal. He did not completely understand it, but perhaps that was why she had chosen this dress? He was already thinking of her as his property, when before he had not even wanted to be here. Something about her spoke to the primal side of him, the side of the warrior, the hunter, the conqueror. Tonight there was only one thing he wished to conquer; and she stood beside him.

He caught enough of what the priest was saying to know that the ceremony was coming to a close but he didn’t even really think on it. His eyes were fastened to Daeneris, and he wasn’t shy about it either. Their eyes met frequently, and she caught his gaze as he drank her in. If there was any doubt in her mind before, it was now blatantly obvious that she had captured his interest.

Suddenly there was silence. He realized that the priest was looking to him. Right! His part of the ceremony was here. He pulled the three objects from his pocket and he reached out to take her slender hand in his. His hand was steady and firm, she could feel the callouses from his swordplay. He slid the ring onto her finger and spoke in a deep, clear voice that rang out in the silence.

“I take you as my wife. Let all who look upon this ring know that we are one. In the eyes of the gods I pledge to you my loyalty.”

He pulled out a long slim dagger which was jeweled similarly as his was, they looked as if they were made as a pair actually, which they were. He knelt down and began searching for a point to raise her skirt, and the train. His strong hands slid along her calf, and then up to her thigh. It took will power not to let his hands wander as he fastened the sheathed blade to the inside of her thigh. He managed to do so without exposing her to those gathered. Then he stood and intoned once more.

“With this blade I bestow upon you the might of Winterhold. Let any man who looks upon this blade know your fury.”

Finally he drew out a silver bracelet. It almost looked like a pair of regal manacles except they were unfitted. It just sort of hung upon the wrist. He put one side on and intoned the final piece.

“With flesh and steel I bind myself to you in front of men and Gods so that all will know nothing will ever separate us.”

Then he turned to look at his bride to be. For the first time in the entire ceremony he was wearing a real smile.

 

[hells_fury]

Daeneris listened to him and swallowed hard as he spoke placing the ring on her finger. Blinking a few times she held her composure as she watched him. Her breath hitched as he knelt down and fastened the dagger around her thigh. Her eyes never left him, her heart was hammering in her chest as she stood there. She smiled softly to him as he rose and continued to speak. She nodded to him as he finished with the silver bracelet half of which she would have to connect to his own wrist. Taking a deep breath she looked at the Priest who was now waiting for her.

Pulling a ring from the V in her dress across her chest she took his hand in her own. ”With this ring I pledge my loyalty to you, in the eyes of the Gods I vow myself to you and you alone.” She paused slipping the ring further on his finger. ”I vow my loyalty to you as my husband.” She finished and smiled softly.

Turning she looked upon the guards and nodded to them. The two guards carried over a piece of armor, the crest made of their two family sigils combined as one upon the chest. It wasn’t a showy piece of armor it was perfectly ready for battle and piece that would be able to be worn in a fight not worn for a party. She smiled as the guards held it up for her.

Stepping over to him she took his chest and back armor off of his body and handed it to the third guard that was standing by. Picking up the new piece she placed it across his chest and fastened it tightly to him. ”With this armor I vow to trust in you to protect my heart, my mind, and my body and soul. I vow to do my duties as your wife to serve you and meet your needs and protect you with my life should the time come.”

Once the armor was fully attached to him she smiled as she pulled a key from the inside of her dress at her hip. The key looked similar to a skeleton key but was lined with emeralds and rubies. A dragon dawned the top of it as her house sigil. ”This is the key to my chambers, I accept you as my husband wholly and completely.”

Continuing on she smiled as she stood there and swallowed hard. She took the other piece of the bracelet and attached it to his wrist, taking his hand within her own. Silence had fallen among everyone, the armor had been a sign that she accepted him entirely. It was something she had not decided on till this very moment. Holding her head high she held his gaze with her own. The key had been something no one had any knowledge of until this moment. She knew it would speak what she was thinking and feeling in the moment. She did not have to give it to him it was not a part of the ceremony but something in her had told her to do so. She smiled softly as she heard the priest announce them as husband and wife. Looking up into his eyes she smiled as the chain from their bracelets was pulled and then locked together. The Priest handing the key over to him, now she was fully his and now only time would tell what would become of her fate.

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

He looked into her eyes, and gave her a smile. He could sense her nervousness, the way she was just on the verge of trembling from his touch. That left him feeling satisfied, at least he was not the only one who was a bundle of nerves at this moment. He watched as she slipped the ring onto his finger he felt electricity pass through them. Something about her touch sent a shock through his body, he wondered if she could feel the fine hairs on his hand standing on end. No woman had ever unnerved him the way she had in the last half hour. He couldn’t help but wear a smile as she spoke her vows to him. Something sparked inside of him as he stared at her. She had not known him long, but he had changed greatly from the moment she saw him. He had been reserved, regal, all hard edges and planes. When she entered he was completely stunned and taken aback. Now he was almost glowing with pleasure, despite the Northern man he was, she had managed to soften him, at least for this moment.

When the guards were waved in he gave her a curious look, then turned his gaze to the chest. When the armor was presented he could not help but laugh warmly, shooting her a look that was full of obvious delight. When she approached him to take off the armor he could smell her. Again he felt desire race through his body. Every time she touched him the hairs on his skin stood on edge. Looking down at her as she settled the functional armor around him and tightened the breast plate his pupils were dilated, and his breathing came quickly. Perhaps she did not completely know the signs of a man being drawn to her sheer womanhood, but it was happening despite her intent. As she tightened the final strap he spoke for her, and her alone. His voice was a warm, trembling whisper.

“Barely married for a heartbeat and already you are reading my mind, Lady Wife. You do me great honor, thank you.”

When she reached into her dress to retrieve the key he caught just a flash of her well toned thigh and he could not help but feel his breath catch. She certainly had charms enough to addle any man’s brain, and it was working. Yet when she handed him the key and spoke it really honestly touched him. He has not been told of this, or the suit of armor being part of the ceremony so he only assumed that it was by her hand, and her choice she did these things. The fact that they were being almost forced into this was set aside for one moment. As she handed him the key, he claimed her hand, covering it with his large, strong, calloused one and gave it a warm squeeze.

He did not have to fake his smile when she presented her hand to be bound to his. He felt elated, which completely surprised him. After the priest announced them as husband and wife cheers went up, though as the Prince looked out upon the crowd he could see many stern faces upon both sides of the isle. Though this wedding had been done to sow peace, he realized that some wounds would take more to heal. He held up both hands, and in turn took his joined hand with hers to silence the crowd. Silence fell , and he spoke in a deep, clear, echoing tone.

“My friends, my family. Today is a joyous day. We came to this place as uneasy friends, we will leave tonight as family! There has been blood spilled upon both sides of our family and some wounds run deep, but let it be known that today we are a united people! Any further blood spilled will no longer be a feud between houses, it will be the slaying of kin! The Gods, and men both do not look kindly upon kin slayers. Let us set aside our swords, pick up our mugs, and feast to a new beginning. My wife and I will join you shortly. Oh, one more thing!”

He turned toward Daeneris with a smile upon his lips. He let his hands come down but instead of falling to his sides their joined hand came to rest comfortably between them, and his other hand came up to tenderly cup her face. He was showing a staggering amount of affection for a man of the north. It is a custom of her people for the husband and wife to kiss, but for his people, such things were rare. Looking into her eyes he spoke one last time for the crowd to hear. “Let us lead by example, my Lady.”

Leaning in he closed his lips around hers. The kiss was warm, tender, and affectionate. He let his body guide him and take control. Sliding his hand back into her hair, giving it just a hint of a tug as he pulled her closer. The kiss lingered, and as it did more and more passion flowed from his lips, he was not forceful, but he let his desire flow freely from his lips to hers. If she had any doubts about how tonight would go, if they would actually unite as one he put them to bed with this kiss.

Cheers went up among the crowd again, and they began to funnel out of the room toward the feasting hall. He continued to kiss her, breaking just long enough to take a few gasping breaths before kissing her again. Once everyone had left he released her. Staring into her eyes, his green gaze was burning hot, his voice was a deep rumble, with liquid heat. He spoke softly.

“My lady. You need to know that there are those who did not want to see this marriage happen. I have received threats on your life. Please notify your guardsmen to remain alert, but know that I will not let you come to harm, even if it takes my life to do so.”

 

[hells_fury]

As his lips pressed to hers, her back arched pressing her body closer to his. Her free hand was dropped at her side, as she let him take control. Her hand bound to his caressed his palm lightly. She could hear the cheers and know it had been enough but he continued to kiss her regardless. She wondered idly about that, why he was doing this. She could feel the passion growing between them, could feel something within herself spark to life with him. His passion was returned, with her own. She could feel the growing heat within her stomach, spreading throughout her entire body. When the kiss finished her icy blue hues found his gaze as they stood there.

Hearing his words for the first time he would see her coy smile on her lips and a twinkle in her eyes. ”Let me assure you of one thing Andrew, my guards are always on high alert at all times. However should anyone get passed them I am capable of defending myself.” She knew it was a bold statement to make, a very bold thing to say especially as a woman. Though she figured if he was going to be married to her she might as well let him see the true her and not the image everyone wanted her to be. She smiled and shrugged her shoulders.

Her breathing was still heavy from the kiss, she could still feel him on her lips, could still feel the heat from his body. She didn’t like having it now, but she wouldn’t beg for him to remain close to her. It wasn’t in her nature. She may be attracted to this man, but there was no love there, she would in time come to respect him come to know him. Right now though she didn’t know him, she had no idea who he was or if he would hold true to what he said. She supposed he could say the same thing of her, but for now she would focus on matters at hand.

She could hear the people getting antsy and wanting them to make their appearance. She gazed into his eyes with a soft smile. ”We should be going, they are not a very patient crowd tonight.” She said to him softly as she stood there. She knew again it should have been phrased as a question, but she had never been one to follow rules, she had never been one to follow the way people thought she should be. Regardless of others or her husband she would be true to herself no matter what.

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

He could still taste her lips on his tongue. His breathing was still a bit faster than normal. That kiss had been unexpected, he had not thought that it would be so damned electric. He could tell as he stared into her eyes however that it was just as groundbreaking on her end. That put a smile on his face.

Her eyes glittered with almost a mischievous light as she spoke to him. Most men might have felt slighted by a woman declaring that she is more than capable of taking care of herself, and with the prideful way she stated it. He however allowed himself a soft chuckle. Oddly enough of all things he felt a hint of pride. Smiling to his wife he spoke in a warm, playful tone. “It seems you are made of sterner stuff than most. This pleases me; you will need it. Most southerners do not have what it takes to live in the north, let alone govern it. I believe I will enjoy getting to know you, Lady Daeneris. When we find some time to ourselves, perhaps I will put you to the test myself. I am always looking for sparing partners.” His eyes glittered toward her in return.

She looked into his eyes, with that smile on her features. He felt something inside him shift. That gaze of hers was a powerful thing, he had a feeling she would use it to get her way often in the near future, and that it would work most of that time as well. When she spoke, he simply squeezed her hand warmly in reply. There was no admonishment as to if she should have differed to him or not. In reply he spoke in a playful tone, his eyes glittering with mirth. “Something I am certain you will be used to hearing for many years. You are correct, My Lady.” With a hint of soft laughter he escorted her out of the hall and toward the banquet.

They were walking down a long hall when a tall man with dark hair approached the pair of them. He raised a hand to stop them and then closed the gap to embrace Andrew like a brother. Andrew returned the gesture with the hand that was not bound to his wife and smiled. “You came after all Christoph! Please, let me introduce you to my wife. Lady Daeneris, this is one of my oldest, and dearest friends. Christoph Argent.”

Andrew turned his back to Christoph and smiled to Daeneris, then he turned back with a smile. Christoph dropped to a knee and took her hand. Kissing the back of it he spoke. “The tales of your beauty do not do you justice My Lady. That only makes this harder. I’m sorry brother.”

Realization sunk in as Christoph lunged forward with a dagger in hand. Daeneris gift to him was well thought out, and it saved both of there lives in that moment because Andrew interposed himself between Daeneris and the blade. The dagger glanced off the breastplate and fell from his hands. Christoph stood up as the guards came running, he held his hands up in surrender but the guards did not look as if they cared. One of them struck him with a gauntleted hand and the man doubled over, blood flowing from his mouth.

“Enough!”

Andrew’s voice was enough to stop the guard from beating his oldest friend to death on the spot. The guards looked questioningly to their Princess, but Andrew continued to speak.

“He has surrendered, take him to a cell. He is not to be abused further. He attempted to murder my wife, and we know the sentence for it as does he. However it will be my hand who carries the sentence out, and no one else’s.”

 

[hells_fury]

Daeneris watched the entire thing happen. She watched the guard take the man off. Looking at her new husband she held her head high. ”I respect you for what you just did, please understand though my guards, specifically the ones who protect me do not tend to show any mercy because when they have, it has cost us dearly.” She didn’t explain further. Taking a slow breath she looked at Andrew. ”I respect you for standing up though and for taking the responsibility to take care of the matter.” She said softly to him as she looked at him.

As she thought over everything that took place, her hand gripped his a little tighter as she stepped closer to him holding his gaze with her own. ”I am sorry that it was your friend though… I imagine there will be many against this union, as no one has had any time to adjust.” She spoke softer to him now as she stood there holding her herself high and making sure not to falter. She wished to show mercy to people but she knew better than that, she knew that there were times you needed to be firm and times you could show one mercy.

Her guards watched them in the hallway as they stood there. She took another deep slow breath as she looked at the man before her now, her husband. It felt foreign to her. ”There is more I think we should discuss on this matter, but that can come later. For now if we do not show our faces at the feast I am sure there will be more troubles.. One thing is I know my people well enough to know if they see no affection between us they will not respect this union. I know these are not the perfect circumstances but this is what has been given to us.”

She knew again she was being bold in speaking to him in such ways. She was not a woman to sit quietly by, or to keep to herself. She spoke her mind and held her own, she had proved herself many times and she had scars to prove such things. Her scars were all covered though, each one holding its own story and its own memory. She smiled to him as she stood there wondering what he would do.

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

He turned to the sound of her voice. She was his wife now and for some reason that foreign thought helped anchor him as he struggled with the reality that he was going to have to put his oldest, and dearest friend to death. There was anger in his eyes as he turned his gaze to her but when he looked upon her his features softened, it was clear his anger was not directed toward her. His voice was tense, but the truth was he was working very hard to keep the heat in his eyes out of his voice. “I understand, they felt the need to subdue him, but he had already surrendered. I suspected this from him, which is why he was not allowed at our ceremony. He was honor bound to try, but his heart was not in it. There are some wounds that simply do not heal. Tonight is not a night to discuss such things.” Her words struck him as strange, but then he remembered the difference in culture. He took her hand in his, giving it a firm squeeze. “There are many things that our people do differently and in the days to come we will fight, and we will struggle to find a middle ground. One of the things that is ingrained into my people is responsibility for actions and duty. He was guilty of his crime, and in my land when you sentence a man, it is your responsibility to see to the sentence. Do not send a man to the block if you are unwilling to hold the axe. This is one thing I shall not budge upon my Lady Wife unless you wish to carry out the sentence as he committed the crime against you specifically. I would yield to you only then, and as long as you carried it out. Though in this circumstance I do not believe that the best course. We may discuss it further if you wish, I will listen to your council.”

He wondered if she would be shocked. He had been told that most southern women were simply used to having a man lead them by the nose. His culture did not host such notions; for as much as they were looked upon as savages his people expected a woman to be just as bound by duty as a man. Not only that, but he could sense a strength in his bride, almost like a spike of iron driven through her spine. She was much harder than her appearance would lead most to believe. He could not help but smile at her as he thought that through. She was worthy of her new found power. When she stepped closer and squeezed his hand further he continued to smile, though there was a hint of darkness in his eyes, his voice was strong, even while soft. “There are many who will object to us being together. By the gods themselves until I met you I was one of them. It is interesting how a few moments can change everything. It does not matter who objects, we are one now. There is more to you than meets the eye, Lady Daeneris, this was a fortunate match.”

He listened to her speak and for a moment he simply stared into her eyes. Then he released a quiet chuckle. “Then let us go show those gathered how hopelessly in love we are.” The words were filled with mirth. They both knew that this was a unity of duty, but he hoped that perhaps love would come soon. He did not wait for her reply, sliding his hand beneath the back of her knees he popped his hips to literally scoop her up off of her feet. He took care to arrange the dress to cover her modesty, then he marched into the hall with the smaller woman clutched to his chest. He stopped at the door way, looking into her eyes he kissed her again. This time he kissed her firmly, it was not hard to let passion flow from his body into hers. His arms flexed, pulling her against the metal that conformed to his chest. Parting his lips just enough to flick the tip against her mouth. Part of his brain heard the cheers rising, but his focus was her, the taste of her lips, and the thundering of his pulse in his ears. He tilted his head to speak to her, for her ears, and her ears alone.

“Would you like to eat, or shall we dance?”

 

[hells_fury]

As he kissed her Daeneris could feel her own desire growing for this man. To soon the kiss ended though. Hearing his question she met his eyes with a gentle smile. ”I would like to dance first it’s custom here.” She smiled softly to him. She could hear the people around them cheering and glanced out to everyone. She could see some with disgust in their eyes, men from her home and women from his who seemed to hate each of them now. She knew it would take a lot to get them to respect this marriage and to understand it.

Her thoughts went to their future she wondered if he would take a mistress to his bed. The thought alone made her feel sick and jealous. She didn’t like feeling that way but she didn’t want to share him not in that sense. She didn’t know why now perhaps because it would only make her look like a fool. She didn’t know but she knew she would do all she could to make sure that never happened. A mistress was normal in her lands and she wondered if they were normal in his as well. Regardless if they were accepted or not she knew many men took a mistress. She herself had been asked several times to be ones mistress. Of course she never accepted such an offer.

Her attention returned to her husband as she stood there. A gentle smile graced her lips as she looked into his eyes. ”We have a long night ahead of us and much to discuss after this night. I do hope you have an open mind.” Her words were soft but held strength within them as she stood there. She waited to see what he would do; she could hear the music beginning for them, to enter and to begin their first dance as husband and wife. It still felt foreign to her and she wondered how she would feel in the morning after the nights festivities came to an end.

 

[Firmhanded_Daddy]

“Custom is a very important thing to observe. This is one I will not mind observing.” His voice was growing warmer the longer he spent in her company. She had a glimpse into the cool detachment he employed with matters of state. He had been as icy as the north he hailed from when he had sentenced his best friend to death by his own hand. Yet when his eyes turned to her, when he was within her presence she melted the ice, and made his eyes burn with fire; she had the ability to draw out a part of him that was rarely, if ever seen.

Not much was known about his personal life before this arrangement had been made. If she had made inquiries, or if they had been made by her father they would have simply turned up information regarding his family. There were no known females in his life other than his little sister. He did not seem the type to leave broken hearts in his wake, as he was often cool and distant from any except a rare few close to him.

He could tell that his wife’s thoughts were not immediately upon him. He could see her mind working as he stared into her eyes. He would have given all of his wealth to know what thoughts lingered behind those stunning and beautiful eyes of hers. He continued to watch her and he could sense determination in her gaze. She had made a decision of some sort, and she was intent on seeing it through, whatever it was. He would have to ask her about it later. For now they were supposed to be enjoying this celebration.

Her attention was his once more and her statement took him off guard. His surprise showed as he tilted his head to the side in silence. He was uncertain of how to take her words. After a moment he smiled down at her. Reaching up to brush his strong, calloused hand along the contour of her jaw; he spoke in a voice that was soft, barely above the music. His words were for her, and her alone.

“My lady wife, it is my hope that by the end of this night you will look back and not think of how long this evening was, but instead wish there had been more hours in it. We will have many hours of our life to give to worry and fret about matters of state, and merging our cultures. Tonight I humbly ask you to let me take your burdens and worries from you. Have fun, enjoy this night. Dance, feast, laugh. Tonight we are husband and wife. Tomorrow we may be lord and lady.”

The music began to play and all eyes turned to them. Some with joy, some with disdain, yet all eyes were on them none-the-less. He turned to her with a warm smile. Taking both of her hands in his he drew her to the center of the cleared space where dancing would be allowed. He brought her left hand to his lips, and kissed her fingertips, then similarly did so to the right. He pulled her close to him, staring down into those amazing eyes of hers and pressed his body to hers. He cursed the armor he was wearing, as it prevented him from feeling the curves of her body and the way they pressed against him. Pressing his forehead against hers he stared into her eyes. The room went silent, even the music stopped. He claimed her lips with his in an intimate and feather soft kiss. Slowly he began to sway with her, to music that existed only in his head. Their bodies were flush, flush enough to allow her to feel him react to her closeness. She could feel him stir beneath the thin fabric of his trousers, and the way he reacted to the kiss; to her.

 

[hells_fury]

Daeneris kissed him, he had taken her by surprise, but her body was warming up to his. She enjoyed him, liked the way he felt against her. As the dance began her eyes never left his, her people enjoyed their sexuality though they respected it none the less. They never felt the need to hide or be ashamed of it. She smiled as she looked up into his eyes. Her tongue flicked out running along her bottom lip. She knew power when she saw it, he had a raw animalistic power to him. A power she would respect.

Regardless if she was smaller than him, her body was petite but she held her own strength within herself. Power wasn’t only that of the body but also of the mind. Looking into his eyes she could feel his power flowing over her, the mere scent of him lit her on fire now. She couldn’t control it nor did she want to. Pressing herself closer to him as they continued the dance.

She could feel the stares from people; she didn’t have to look to know. She knew there were many who were unhappy about this both men and women whom were jealous about their marriage. Time would tell what would happen to them, where they would go from here. She smiled shaking her thoughts keeping herself with him and focused on him alone and no one else.