The Beginning of Everything by Kristen Ashley Page 0,144
him, the power of him, all of it bowed to me and did it again thinking I might weep.
But once he had my feet shod, he did just as he said he would, straightening, tucking my hand against his chest and starting us across the room.
“Basil?” I forced out.
“Yes. He only takes men.”
“I know, but he’s your lieutenant.”
“Yes, and they have all had each other. It’s part of the ceremony to become a Trusted. The bonds formed through such intimacy and knowing of the other, it’s crucial to that brotherhood. All my warriors engage this way. Freely. And it’s encouraged they do. But I would not want one of my men to look on you with desire. This would not promote bonding. And Basil would not do that.”
They have all had each other.
And Mars would have Basil with me there, if I desired it.
And he would have other women, if he desired it.
Other women, not me.
Other women he’d put his mouth between their legs giving them what he just gave me.
Women who were not me.
And put other things between their legs.
Legs that were not mine.
“Silence?” he called, and when he did, I realized we were well down the hall.
I looked up at him.
His expression grew gentle, and with us still walking, he bent and kissed the top of my head.
When he straightened, he murmured, “My bride has had a full night. I must get her to bed so she will be ready for her next.”
It was true.
I’d had a full night.
But right then, I had a full head.
I was in Firenze.
I would be their queen.
Which was their king’s wife.
This was what they did.
I’d heard this whispered about and I remembered my mother saying they were not faithful to their spouses.
But I had forgotten.
And at the piercing ceremony, it was spoken of the intimacy of listening to, thinking of, being honest with your husband.
Nothing, however, was mentioned about the body. These intimacies were solely of the heart and mind.
That was all.
I hadn’t thought about it then.
I was thinking about it now.
At my door, Mars took me in his arms and kissed me deeply, and for a glorious moment, I forgot what I’d just remembered.
I remembered again when he broke away and said, “I’ll see you at breakfast, amore.”
“Yes,” I replied.
“Goodnight, my Silence.”
“Goodnight, Mars.” Oh dear. What was etiquette? There had to be some etiquette after someone gave you a climax. “And thank you too,” I tried.
That got another big smile and dancing eyes before he replied, “Anytime,” his lips again came to mine, and he growled, “As often as you like, mio ardente.”
He brushed our lips, lifted away, opened my door, and scooted me through himself with a hand at my behind.
Like the night before, he was gazing down at me indulgently as I closed the door on him.
When I had it closed, I rested my forehead against it.
I felt Tril coming toward me.
“Silence, are you all right? Did things go well with your groom?”
“I would…like to prepare for bed on my own tonight, Tril,” I said quietly to the door.
I felt her hand light on my back.
“Oh no, my girl,” she whispered, sounding distraught. “Did he hurt you?”
“No, it was beautiful.”
“Your hair is disheveled. Did he—?”
“Please, Tril,” I begged.
“I don’t—”
I turned my head to her. “Can you unbutton me? And then I need to be at my thoughts.”
Her face screwed up. “Did he scare you?”
“No.”
“Silence, love, talk to me.”
I shook my head. “I just really need to think. Tonight was quite a bit. This country is not a’tall like our own, Tril. And tonight, that was made very clear to me.”
She examined my face, fortunately found what she needed to find, then nodded.
“I shall help you with your buttons. Come to the dressing room. Let’s get you sorted. And then, if you should need me, as ever, I am right next door.”
I loved my Tril.
She took my hand and we walked together to the dressing room.
And just like Tril, she gave me what I needed, unbuttoning my gown and leaving me.
I saw to my toilette, donned a nightgown, and entered my room, seeing that Tril had left only the lamps by my bed to blow out.
I did this one by one, then stretched out under the silks, staring at the dark ceiling.
I had nothing to give.
I came with a dowry Mars did not need for he had gold and silver and jewels and hides laid at his feet.