Heirot

Tenele finished her food, even if her plate was larger than her husbands. She'd ate rather fast. She hopped up from the table, placing a kiss on her husband's cheek as she draped her arm across his shoulders. "I'm going to bathe, I'll be right back."

She rushed off towards the bathroom, stripping the dress off as she went.

Atul settled back in the chair, stretching out his legs and eyeing Vlad curiously. "Well, I see you two made up very nicely... I'm glad. I'd hate to think I hurt her, or you."

Vlad's expression rose from his half-eaten plate and met Atul's warmly. "Not hurt. Not ever. She just lost her confidence for a moment, because we were so..." Vlad's eyes twinkled with just a flash of the urgency they'd held while they were making love earlier, as a reminder of what Atul could do with him.

Atul smiled. "Ah," he said, nodding his head and folding his arms. "I'm glad you helped her get her confidence back, then."

Atul sat peacefully with Vlad, watching the sun sink below the horizon. Tenele emerged not to long after that wearing a thin pale peach colored silk gown with a cream satin robe. The robe had delicate embroidery woven on the edging of the sleeves and hem. "I couldn't decide what to wear," she said, her cheeks flushing.

"Are you ready?" Atul asked, smiling confidently at her. "I think you look beautiful."

Vlad's admired her quietly. Seeing her so beautiful made his heart swell. He rose from the table and stood in front of her, framing her face with his large hands. "You are breathtaking," he smiled, his thumbs lightly brushing her cheeks as he drew his hands away again. "I'm ready as well. There is no rush. Do things at your own pace."

Tenele took a deep breath and let it out in a soft sigh. "I guess... I guess I'll call him now." Atul stood up, giving her a gentle nod. Tenele placed a kiss on her husband's cheek. "I'll see you in the morning..."

The young Queen's Maiden swallowed the nervous flutter running through her and said confidently, "Sagra ne reion, Knight."

As soon as the words were spoken, Vlad and Atul's forms dissipated. A moment later, the space in front of Tenele lit up. Knight stepped from his portal, tall and regal with his black hair draping like obsidian around his shoulders. He was wearing black pants and a deep blue lace-up shirt that was tied loosely enough to show a good portion of his chest. He took a knee and bowed to her with his usual formal manner before raising his gaze with confident affection. One eye lit with ruby fire and the other lit with sapphire heat as he smiled handsomely up at her. "My Lady," he greeted in his midnight voice.

Tenele smiled at him, she reached down and took his hand, drawing him to his feet. "You don't have to kneel," she told him with a soft laugh. "I'm not that special. Though, we are no where near being equal in strength I like to think of you as such." He was handsome, she admired as she brushed a strands of black hair from his face before drawing her hand away.

"Ugh... do you want a glass of wine?" she asked him thoughtfully, wondering what she could do to make this an easy transition, and not make this awkward.

The guardian showed her a bright smile. Amusement glowed into his voice as he said, "If you wish. I enjoy wine."

Tenele smiled and went into the kitchen, she grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses. She poured them each a glass, setting down the bottle and lifting the glass to her lips. The wine tasted sweet on her tongue, and for some reason the calm act of drinking it eased her nerves. Why was she so nervous?

He was her husband and her lover in one. He wasn't a stranger. He was gorgeous, and clearly would know what he was doing in that area, and he knew what she liked and what she didn't. Tenele took another long sip of wine.

"Do you want to drink it in the bedroom?" she asked him softly, glancing to the bed draped in soft transparent fabric.

Knight glanced down at the uncleared table while Tenele got their drinks. His lips pulled up in amusement at the sight of Vlad's half-eaten tiny plate. He raised his attention back to Tenele and took the glass she handed to him. He scanned the cottage and the hints of romance Atul had placed subtly by the windows and darker corners, making the whole place feel warm and peaceful. "Certainly," he obliged. He reached his right hand to her side and slipped his warm fingers lightly between hers before leading to the bedroom. He took in the turned-down covers of the bed. "Not there," he said with smooth calm. "Here," he suggested, leading her to a couch that was positioned under the window. It was a good size for two people to sit comfortably without being on top of one another. He took a seat neither at the middle nor squished at the edge, just a comfortable space on the left half of the couch. "Join me?" he invited, crossing one leg over the other. He raised his glass to his lips and drew a long sip of the wine she'd poured. "This is good," he admired the liquid. Returning his eyes to her, he grinned with gentle calm. "A lot has happened," he observed. "How are you?"

Tenele smiled as she sat next to him, drinking her wine. "I'm fine," she said sweetly. "I got sick after we spoke last, and Vlad and Atul healed me. We decided that a break was nice so we ventured here. I've enjoyed the stay. It has been very peaceful until recently... And the rough-housing that's been happening lately isn't anything to complain about." She chuckled, taking another sip of wine.

She was curious why he chose the window seat and not the bed, but it made her feel a little less nervous. She thought, this was nice. This was relaxing.

Atul listened to her as if he were paying attention to a sonata. "Rough-housing," he grinned at the word. He took a long draught from his glass and set it on the table next to him. He folded his fingers behind his head and leaned back into the cushions. "It seems the three of you have grown closer. It's good to see you healed." He glanced to her arms. "All of you."

Tenele glanced down to her arm, barely visible beneath the near-shear fabric of her robe. "Yes," she agreed. "I'm healed, both body and mind. I wasn't myself after the fire, but I'm better now." She finished her wine and leaned across Knight to reach the table and set the glass down. She moved back to her seat with her cheeks turning rose. "We've grown very close, as I'm sure you can tell from their memories. I had a slight fit of jealousy today, but was quickly reminded I had no reason to be jealous... I was nervous about tonight," she admitted, glancing to the bed. "I'm not so nervous anymore." Tenele glanced to his empty glass. "Do you want more wine?"

He cast her a deep smile. "I fear if I accept, I shall make a rather disappointing lover." His unmatched eyes were bottomless as they met hers.

The butterflies in Tenele's stomach took flight. She pursed her lips together before smiling. "Are you that susceptible to alcohol?" she joked, but shifted in her seat, uncrossing and recrossing her legs. "Well... is there anything I can get you, or do for you? I'm not sure how to be a good hostess for you. Are you hungry?"