Eulia And The Butterfly Dragon

Chapter 26 Declare Away

Eulia was literally bouncing with excitement as she stood on Mable's porch. Rebecca, Amanda and the other two couples were standing with her. "You're the first, you and Agnes, we want to declare to you!"

"Declare away!" Mable said.

"May I introduce Eulia Mae Iansdottor, my new wife," Jacob said firmly. The other couples repeated their declaration, each formally announcing their marriage before witnesses.

"What are you plans now," Mable asked. "I see your using the old patronymic naming, its very formal, I like it. I know Ian would be proud you kept his name.

"In my heart he will always be my Dad and Mari my Mom." Eulia then smiled deviously, "It will be fun signing into the inn tonight with each of us using a different last name," Eulia said then giggled. "It feels so naughty."

"That is how we do it in the republic," Agnes said, "perhaps it will catch on here. The empire never gave girls surnames."

"We're flying to Novi to formally announce with Jo's family then to Beaconsfield to do the same there with Jacob's and David and my family," Jeremy said.

"Then we're coming back here to party in Dexter," Phoebe said. "Amelia is organizing everything...please come! It will be at the Royal Imperial Inn not the Dexter Inn."

"Well you got started early," Agnes teased, "the sun is barely up."

"We couldn't sleep!" Eulia added.

"We talked all night," Phoebe said, "it was our last night rooming together. Amanda was zonked out early."

"What did you all talk about?" Jacob asked.

"Not sayin'," Eulia said and then laughed, "strawberries!" now all three were giggling.

"I suspect you wont sleep tonight either," Agnes teased. "We'll take Rebecca and Amanda back here tonight after your party."

"Just stay at the inn," Eulia said, "I'll pay for your rooms and we can use the baths in the morning. The Royal's baths I hear are fabulous."

"Euly said she was going to sneak me in the girl's area," Jacob teased.

"I wouldn't put it past her!" Jo said laughing.

******

The morning sun was illuminating the room when Jacob awoke. He reached for Eulia and found her missing and the bedding cold to the touch. The sound of rain hitting the roof and windows and the darkened sky did little to make Jacob desire to begin the morning. He slowly opened his eyes and found Eulia standing at the window watching the rain fall. The room was cast in shadows but the little sunlight entering the room silhouetted Eulia as she stood in the window. Jacob just lay quietly admiring her gentle curves, her round bottom and exquisite feminine beauty. The sunlight made her red hair glow where it illuminated her. Jacob's eyes feasted on her as he continued to watch her wordlessly enjoying the sight of her. "You're giving the neighbors quite a show standing in the window."

"Only the barnyard and a few horses out there to ogle me," Eulia teased. "I'll use the other window when I plan to flaunt myself. I love the rain. I forgot how much it rains here. I'm freezing cold!"

"Well your totally bare and standing at the open window. What did you expect? I simply have no pity for you, none at all. Come back to bed." Eulia crossed the room. Jacob folded back the covers and she slid in next to him.

"Meany!" she teased.

"You ARE freezing cold half-pint! How long were you standing there?" Eulia allowed Jacob to spoon her as he wrapped her in his arms. "It rains nearly everyday, you forgot that?"

"Yuppers," she replied with a laugh and turned slightly to deliver a kiss, "I'm much warmer now. Let's just snuggle all day. All this rain is why I seldom ever wore shoes."

"I remember you always running around with dirty little feet."

"Admit it, you liked seeing my dirty feet." She bent her legs and slid her very cold feet up until she was able to place them against his thighs separating them slightly and sliding in her feet warming them against his skin. Jacob jumped in reaction to her cold feet.

"I don't know what to do with you woman, you are simply bad."

"Do you really have to go back to Dexter today, Jake. This is supposed to be our honeymoon," Eulia had turned to face him. She had her arms around his neck and was pouting.

"Yes, Agnes, Amanda and Rebecca are arriving today. The three of you dragon riders have a lot planned. I still have a roll to play in initiating the new civil authority. Then I will resign my commission and begin my life of domestic tranquility here in Beaconsfield."

"Do you think Becky will like the dog?"

"That huge thing! Where did you find it?"

"Jo's mom, it's a very gentle dog. She called it a bear dog, so I named her Bear. I like the changes the former governor made to Ian's home. This room is perfect for us and we have two more bedrooms. I love the huge bath tub and having hot water."

"What are you planning to do with your old room?"

"Thinking of keeping it for late night clandestine rendezvous with my boyfriend."

"What boyfriend?"

"You, my only boyfriend with a capital 'B'."

"How do your friends feel about occupying the other houses?"

"It worked out perfect. The other sisters in Novi all live next to each other too and we have the covered walkways to keep the rain off us as we travel between the houses. We plan on running the farm together. We already converted part of the barn to a tack-room for our dragon riding stuff."

"You amaze me half-pint."

"I do?" Eulia whispered looking into his eyes with a bright smile.

"Very much so."

"Jake, I don't want to get up!"

"You don't?" Eulia rolled on top of Jacob shaking her head to indicate no.

"Are you going to kiss me?" she whispered as she kissed his nose gently and bit his neck.