The Nature of the Beast

Chapter 14

That evening Enid sat up in bed, feeling the boat sloshing from side to side. It wasn't as violent as the sea. The movement was forceful but slow and determined. As if it meant it. Their room smelled of cedar and beeswax. She giggled as Nikola wiggled out of his pants and fell over as the boat tipped a little to one side. He jumped up and, standing in just his shirt made to crawl in beside her.

She pulled the sheets up to her chin over her own silk undergarments and said, "Your bed is over there."

She tried and failed not to laugh at his incredulous look as he said, "move over woman."

"I never said you could share my bed," she teased, a smile on her lips.

"I never asked permission," he responded, as he climbed in beside her, he knew she wanted him there. They had shared a bed every night since they left.

He leaned over on one elbow and peeled the covers away.

"Beautiful," he murmured.

Her body was teeming, electric and hot.

He reached up and traced her jawline with his fingers.

"You have a strong jaw. Defined. Like a warrior princess." 

He kissed her below the ear, at the corner of her jawbone, then lower. She shivered and relaxed.

She trusted him to do as he pleased, but only as far as she advised. She trusted him to stop. But the wanting and the needing and the thought of stopping were disconnected. He leaned in to kiss her and she felt no fear.

The night was theirs, alone and uninterrupted. 

"I can't wait for our wedding night," Nikola murmured as he kissed her neck. 

Enid stiffened beneath him. 

Nikola pulled back to look her in the eyes. His expression was soft, yearning.  "I won't hurt you, I promise. Don't be afraid."

She wasn't afraid of the sex - but she was afraid what would happen when once he knew she was not a virgin. There was never going to be a right time to tell him. Maybe she should have told him before they ran away, before he left his father. 

"Nikola," she whispered, "There's something I need to tell you."

She pushed him away and sat up, grabbing the sheets to cover herself, feeling exposed. 

His softness turned to concern. "You will marry me, won't you?"

She half sobbed, half laughed. 

"I don't know - I'm not sure I'm wife material actually. I'm not exactly pure."

His expression changed. His eyes narrowed, his breath stopped for a moment too long and he stood up from the bed. 

"What does that mean?" 

"You know what it means, please don't make me say it." 

This was the last conversation she meant to have with him, not here and now, maybe not ever. But he was looking at her with such confusion and anger and it enraged her. Once again she would have to explain herself, excuse herself.

"You're not a virgin?" he asked, his brows furrowed as if he couldn't comprehend what she was saying. 

"No. I'm not." Her arms were crossed tight around her chest, her voice terse.

"What?! How is that possible?" he said grabbing his pants, jamming one leg into the fabric at a time, his voice roaring through the room.

"Didn't your mother tell you? She told your father, I thought he would have told you."