Ethereal Burn

Fire and Ice

I tossed and turned on the edge of forcing myself to sleep and waiting for the Duke to arrive. It felt like hours had passed when realistically It had only been at most an hour.

The soft click of the door had me sitting straight up in bed with a startled gasp. The Duke stood full in the same armor as before, but instead he was now covered in blue blood of monsters, sprayed along his body, some smeared along the side of his face and down his neck. He was covered in it.

A man just returning from battle, it was an unnerving sight as we just stared at one another silently.

I felt his eyes as they gazed down my body that was revealed to him, the thin silk nightgown hiding nothing that lay beneath. I felt bare and naked before him, but what could I do about it, even if I was uncomfortable, this was now my new life. I was expected to give my body over to this man willingly without complaints. It was my duty, as his wife.

A few silent moments passed before he looked away clearing his throat, he began to undo his straps, removing his many pieces of armor, shaking his boots off.

It was then, my lessons of being a good wife invaded my mind. You should always tend to your husband without being asked.... 'Don't assume, just do!'..

I rushed out of bed without another thought, not wanting to fail on the first day of being his wife. I began to pick up his pieces of armor and boots he had lazily thrown on the ground without care. I tried my best to avoid touching any monster blood since I had already bathed. I rushed finding places off the floor to put everything, it wasn't until I was passing him with the last piece of armor that his rough calloused hands gently grabbed my elbow.

***

The moment he stepped into the room and saw Isabella, his blood boiled with desire, a need. She was breathtakingly beautiful. After battling monsters, coming home to a beautiful woman was every man's dream.

Her hair cascaded down her body in elegant waves, the silk gown did nothing to hide the sight of her breasts, it was almost transparent as he could make out her hardened nipples demanding his attention. He began to throb beneath his pants, he wanted her.

But did she want him?

The moment Isabella left their bed his eyes stayed on her as his hands slowed but continued to shed off his heavy armor. Not caring where they landed on the floor, he was exhausted. But nothing would stop him from making love to her if she would allow him the chance.

However, he stared at her confused as to why she was frantically picking up after him. As if she was his maid.

No, he realized quickly he did not like the idea of that one bit.

***

I was startled by his sudden touch that I nearly dropped the piece of his armor I held within my hands.

Emerald green eyes stared down at me with such an intense gaze it was impossible not to squirm beneath it. He released my elbow, gently taking the armor within my grasp, dropping it once again on the floor without care.

I frowned, not understanding.

"Isabella you are not my slave, you are my wife".. His tone was serious, borderline angry, not that I knew the difference, he always sounded so serious when he spoke.

Was there truly a difference between slave and wife? I did not know if I believed that, we were merely strangers bound to one another.

I began to tremble where I stood as I nervously fidgeted with my fingers. I've made a mistake haven't I?...

***

The Duke stared at her and quickly noticed her trembling in fear before him.

She was afraid of him, he realized.

This would not do, he didn't want this, to see her trembling as if she was scared he'd hurt her. He knew he would never harm her, but she didn't know him. She didn't trust him yet. Maybe in time she would.

For now, he needed to give her space, give her time to adjust. He sighed heavily, turning around to leave their chambers. He had to remind himself he needed to do this for her sake, he can't be a selfish prick.

***

At the sight of his retreating back I panicked... "Wait!..We..we have too-"... the words left me, leaving me speechless, as I looked between him and the bed implying the obvious. My face and body burned as I unconsciously admired the way his tight black shirt clung to his torso, his arms. It hid nothing yet covered everything from his lower neck to his waist. His black pants were snug but not nearly as tight as his shirt, even his socks were all black.

He stopped at the door, not bothering to turn all the way around to face me, he simply peered over his shoulder to look at me from the corner of his eye.

"I refuse to take a woman beneath me who trembles in fear"... His words were like ice water being poured over my burning body.

"But"... I shivered as his voice cut me off.

"Get some rest Isabella, we are already married. No one would dare ridicule you here over marriage traditions. I will sleep in the guest room next door, if you need me"..

He left the room without another word, without another glance.

With a shaky breath I made my way back to the bed, I went over his words in my mind. I rubbed my chest as they bothered me, for reasons I didn't understand why. On one hand I felt relieved that I wasn't going to be forced underneath a man I didn't love tonight, but a part of me also felt immense guilt and dread.

This marriage wasn't based on love, so having childish thoughts was ridiculous. Eventually I was going to have to fulfill my duty as his wife and sleep with him. If the Duke had wanted us to consummate our marriage tonight, I'd have done what was expected of me and endure it. However I wasn't sure I would have been able to without crying. Would anything bad come from us not consummating our marriage tonight?

As I turned on my side sleepily gazing out the large window, looking at nothing in particular. My thoughts drifted to the man whose bed I was lying in, alone.

Duke Killian Blackwood.

His words confirmed one thing, he was not a forceful man. The Duke was in every right to claim me tonight whether I wanted to or not. Whether I was willing or crying. Yet he refused me because he could tell I was afraid? Or perhaps the more logical reason was a weak woman like myself disgusts him.

That's probably more accurate.

But his subtle touches this far have been gentle have they not? not at all rough or one who is disgusted. I was conflicted in what was and what my fear decided to believe.

A hopeful part of me prayed the Duke is a kind man on the inside, despite his outward appearance, his face that had a permanent scowl it seemed and his intimidating voice that made me tremble in his presence.

But despite all of this, I was grateful for the fact I was fed, given a warm bed, and above all I was alive.

Eventually the sweet whispers of dreams took over my mind as I said one final prayer.

Goddess, thank you for this new life, tell mama, I'll be ok...