Chapter 7: Chapter 7

WHERE ARE WE?

Arin was pleased to give the dagger to Elain. She was like a different person. As if she had a completely different picture of him now.

Almost reverently she took the hilt in her hand and looked at the blade. "For me?" she breathed. "Oh my lord..."

Arming his wife was important to Arin. You never knew when it would be necessary. Besides, he felt he had to show her somehow that he cared about her. Since he still didn't share a bed with her.

That, after all, was missing in their marriage. Arin was getting tired of riding together, but he wasn't a stupid boy anymore. He had to be patient a little longer. Was he a complete stranger to the girl.

Until recently, he even thought Elain was shy. However, he wasn't so sure anymore. There's far more to this lady than meets the eye, Arin thought.

"My Lord, it must have been very expensive..." Elain looked a little embarrassed. "I can't handle it either, I'm afraid."

He didn't believe her. After all, you didn't have to learn to stab with a dagger. She was probably just insecure or too modest.

"My lady, you just taught me that you never lie."

Elain was about to say something when he just kept talking. "I understand if you're unsure. But as long as I'm around you don't have to never use it."

Elain's features softened. She grinned and looked down at her dagger again like it was a treasure.

It pleased Arin that she appreciated this little thing so much. He didn't know enough about jewelry or better clothes. He was relieved that he could make her happy with such simple things.

"Are you tired now, Elain?" he asked cautiously. Today he would try to use this little familiarity to get closer to her.

So far they have lain next to each other almost every night, but mostly there was something between them. A bag, a backpack, anything. But now he was slowly longing for her closeness and warmth.

Arin leaned forward a little and lowered his voice. "Shall I turn down our bed?"

Elain understood immediately and held her breath. She didn't look at his eyes, more at his chin, but Arin noticed that Elain didn't want to. But this distance from his wife drove him crazy.

The reason for the marriage was not only pity, he also found her beautiful. And recently he thought her innocent too, and kind. But then that brief moment earlier was enough to show him that Still Waters were damndeep.

Anyway, he took her to wife. And he would never shame her so much and just take her to her parents and then divorce her. What a disaster that would be for them. For their parents. He himself was used to the talk. But it was never a pleasant thing.

So he would try to get used to the idea of having her with him forever. But first the distance between them had to give way. Finally.

So he ignored her reaction and gently put his hand on her back.

This was stock-stiff and unnaturally hard.

He knew many ladies and knew what that was. A corset.

"You've been through a lot today, Elain. It would be understandable if you were finished." He murmured, looking at her delicate neck. Her blond mane lay on one shoulder so that he only saw one side of the nape of her neck. But this side delighted him enough.

Elain kept trying to examine her dagger as if it didn't affect Arin's efforts. But Arin had made up his mind.

"For example, you bought our supply for the next time."

Again she tried to cover up her discomfort as Arin gently pushed her hair back from her shoulders to her back. They were velvety soft. He studied her beautiful profile.

"Started a fight with her husband..."

She laughed sarcastically. So he cracked it.

"You yelled at me, my lady!" he laughed softly.

"I still think it's justified." Her voice sounded determined, but much more reconciled than before.

"I didn't mean to upset you."

Arin paused and waited. She at the slight curl of her snub nose and the flicker of firelight in her blue eyes. But she didn't look at him.

He would go insane.

Da took his cloak and spread it out behind them.

I couldn't let go of my last glimmer of hope. That was my only ticket home. If I gave him what he wanted, the marriage would be consummated and irrevocable.

Arin put a hand on my back again. Unfortunately I could hardly feel him because of the corset.

Very softly he whispered; "Elain, lie down. Please."

Arin's face looked honest and serious. Not like he would just take what he wanted.

He pointed to my dagger. "Take him with you if you want." Dimples appeared in his cheeks again as he smiled. Arin should smile a lot more often.

I had to return that smile and haphazardly.

"At least I'll open the corset for you. You can hardly sleep like that."

But I didn't want him to do that! That would inevitably lead to the consummation of the marriage. And I just didn't want to give him that. So I declined. But Arin just sighed and knelt behind me.

"That you're always so stubborn..."

I wanted to get up and gently pull away, but he was already grabbing the laces of my dress and pulling me back into position.

"My Lord! I don't want that!"

"Why not?"

"Because I think I can sleep better that way!"

Suddenly Arin yanked at the laces, pushing me against his chest. I felt strangely comfortable leaning against him like this.

"For never lying, I catch you pretty often." he whispered hotter.

Just as I was about to say something, he placed his lips on my neck. His warm breath on my collarbone.

His voice was little more than a whisper.

"Let me take the corset off. I promise I won't do anything you don't want me to."

His soft lips pressed against my skin. It felt better than what I wanted to admit to myself. His breath brushed the skin of my throat. I was like in another world. Alone with Arin.

As he began untying the laces and pushing the fabric further down, I grew to like the idea of getting rid of the tight corset. I really couldn't wait. For many reasons.

"Your skin is so soft, Elain." His nose rubbed against my jaw. "Do you have any idea how many times I've been fascinated by your neck? Every time you crane your neck to watch birds while riding a horse..."

I knew I should at least try to move away. But I didn't want to... Arin was such a handsome man, with such a pleasant voice.

Should I just lose my head now?

Arin had no trouble with the corset's tightly-laced cords. With a few tugs, he managed to loosen them. Finally the feeling of tightness on my ribs disappeared and I could breathe again.

Then Arin slipped a hand between the fabric and ran it to my stomach and one to my back. He drove up and down slowly.

"Is it better now?" Again his face came up next to mine and kissed my earlobe. He slowly pulled the crap thing out of my dress and carelessly dropped it next to us.

Contrary to expectations, Arin leisurely buttoned my dress. But didn't retreat.

"My lord?" Arin answered with a deep growl. "Thank you."