Valknut

CHAPTER|29 a Gift and a Revelation

Just as he predicted, Catriona was in the longhall. Today, she wore a sensual gown. Gone were her tunics and breeks. He took a minute to appreciate how she looked. Perhaps there was a message for him in the gown she had chosen. It had a soft white outer skirt, matching bodice and sleeves. The inner skirt was a deep velvet green and midnight purple with white lace and intricate floral patterns. Her red hair with sun kissed golden streaks fell softly around her face and down her neck – their beauty accentuated by the striking shade of purple that extended to the center of the bodice. The sleeves that stretched beyond her delicate wrists were a deep shade of black, green and purple. Looking at her reminded him of the colors of the evening sky from the night before. He smiled. 

Aware of his presence, Catriona looked up. Her eyes were even more perfect today. It took a minute for it to sink in. She had applied kohl. The dark black contrasting against her emerald green eyes. She smiled. He beckoned to her and she excused herself from the table. He found he couldn’t stop staring as she walked towards him. Today, that boyish half-skip half-stride was gone, replaced by a gentle swaying of her hips that added just a hint of bounce to her breasts. His eyes weren’t the only ones watching her. Suddenly, he found himself very jealous… very jealous indeed.  Perhaps… again, she was taking the lead here. If she intended to sweep him off his feet, she had succeeded! 

As she neared him, he spoke softly “How do you propose to ride a horse with that gown?” He knew she would be irritated with such a statement, but he enjoyed teasing her. 

“If I had known you were taking me riding, perhaps I would have stuck to the breeks”. She replied simply, not taking the bait. 

He laughed as he slid one hand behind her. Placing it possessively on the small of her back, he led her out of the hall. 

“Ye should bur those breeks. Ye look devastatingly beautiful in that gown” he whispered in her ear, the warmth of his words and his breath sending delicious shivers down her spine. 

“Now to hide you from the lusty glares of other men” he continued with a growl. And she basked in his attention and possessiveness. 

They walked slowly behind the castle. Standing before them was the large garden designed by Lady MacShane. At the entrance stood a grand ivy-covered pergola with patches of the tiny yet beautiful yellow celandine gracing its feet. Inside, stretched a huge meadow. The entire garden was fenced in with trees of all shapes and sizes, each in a different shade of green – from mellow to bright to dark green. Some were shedding their leaves while others were sprouting new ones, welcoming the spring. Stretched before the tree line was a huge thrift boundary – some sported red, some pink and some almost a brilliant white flower. 

In the center stood a circle of trees, each laden heavy with a variety of indigenous orchid. Some circled around the tree trunks in a spiral of colors, while others grew from pits in the trunks. Others competed with the tree’s own branches for sunlight - the brilliant blue and purple flowers peeking out from a maze of green. A large statue stood in the center of the tree circle. Stones shaped into flower petals formed a lazy walk all around the tree circle. The white of the grass-of-Parnassus, in full bloom, littered the sleepy meadow. Benches were scattered around, each graced by its own ivy-covered pergola. 

Olaf and Catriona walked slowly hand-in-hand towards the statue. Once there, he turned her around and embraced her. Their lips finally meeting. After a slow kiss, he sat her down on a bench and presented her with the pouch. He held both her hands in his as she clutched the pouch. Looking deeply into her eyes he spoke. 

“It is Norse tradition that every maiden wear a kransen - handed down from mother to daughter. I had this made especially for you. I do hope that you accept my gift.”