Sapphire woke up feeling strangely tranquil. She rested on her elbow as she stared at Tristan's sleeping form. His disheveled hair, his straight nose, his full lips which were slightly parted. Looking at said sinful lips had a strange, but welcomed feeling lay roots within her. Sapphire lightly traced his nose, then touched his small beard, it was very soft. She skimmed her fingers over his jaw, moving towards his lips. An odd expression on her face. The ends of her hair touching his bare chest which rose with each breath he took.

"You're frowning." It wasn't a question, just a simple statement.

Tristan reached out to smooth the frown lines on her forehead. The innocent touch had Sapphires breath hitching. She thought he had been asleep.

"I slept..... well." Sapphire whispered, at a loss for words.

"I take it that's a good thing?" Tristan wasn't sure what he should say, was it a good thing or bad?

A soft smile played on Sapphires lips, "a very good thing."

"Well then..."

Tristan pulled Sapphire down and crashed his lips against hers, thrusting his tongue into her mouth without permission. Her startled gasp gave him easy enough access. Their bodies pressed intimately against each other. The thin sheet around Sapphire hindering further contact. Sapphire moaned in protest as Tristan pulled away.

"Good morning." Tristan said, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

"Good morning." Sapphire breathed.

"Are you well? Are you in pain?" Tristan asked softly, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. Sapphire blushed as she stared into a sea of calm silver. She lay atop him, his arms holding her hostage.

"I'm feeling well, a bit sore, but well."

Sapphire said softly as her blush deepened.

"I love your blush." Tristan murmured as his lips began to trail down her jaw. Sapphire instinctively arched against him, unconsciously letting the sheet drop. His kisses moved lower, until they reached the base of her throat. As his hungry lips sought more, a banging on the door had Tristan growling his frustration.

"Bloody hell! That friend of yours should be damned to the pits of hell!"

"Sapphire! Tristan! Wake up! You must break your fast! Everyone is waiting!" Isabella called as she continued to bang on the door. Her banging ceased as a mumbled voice said something.

"I care not!" Isabella hissed, before promptly continuing her banging.

"You sure know how to pick your friends." Tristan said warily. His face a picture of frustration.

"I think we should get up."

Tristan rolled them over until their positions were reversed, pressing Sapphires body into the bed.

"I think we shouldn't have to leave our chambers for at least a months time."

"Isabella won't leave until we open the door." Sapphire whispered at his close proximity, not to mention how his body pressed against hers.

"I will deal with that pest of a woman. God knows what Xavier sees in her."

Tristan got up and began to move towards the door.

"Tristan!" Sapphire called.

Tristan turned with one eyebrow raised as he stared at his blushing bride.

"Yes?"

"Your clothes. Put something on, please."

Tristan looked down at his undressed state before walking in all his God- endowed-naked glory towards his wife.

"I'll put my breeches on if you kiss me." Tristan whispered in her ear before biting her lobe gently.

"I...I .. Don't know how." Sapphire murmured as she fought her lids to stay open.

"Close your eyes and do what feels right, what comes natural." He whispered silkily against her mouth.

"I do value our door." Tristan mumbled at her hesitation and Isabella's insistent knocking.

Sapphire took a steady breath before lightly brushing her lips against Tristan's. Applying more pressure as she grew more sure of her self. Tristan stood still, letting her lead, kissing her back at her set pace. Sapphire joined their tongues, closing her mind and letting instinct take over.

Tristan moved back breathing hard.

"And you claimed you don't know how to kiss. You'll be the death of me." He rasped before pressing a quick, hard kiss against her lips and quickly donning his breeches.

"If you do not open the door this instant..." Isabella trailed off as the door swung open to reveal a half naked Tristan with a cold scowl on his face.

"Go to hell." Tristan snarled.

"You arrogant-"

"Save it." Tristan snapped. "I've heard it all before. What do you want."

Isabella turned her nose up arrogantly, " papa and mamma are waiting for you two. The food is getting cold."

"By all means, begin without us." Tristan said with a cynical smile.

"We will do no such thing, do hurry." Isabella snapped while heading towards the stairs.

"Xavier, if you find your wife dead, it would be purely her fault."

Isabella turned around in time to see the door slam in her face.

"Did he just threaten me."

"No, it's a promise." Tristan said from behind the door.

"The nerve of that man!"

"It's alright darling, Tristan's jesting." Xavier soothed.

"I hate your lady friend."

"She can be ambitious."

Sapphire smiled at Tristan's frustration.

"Ambitious?" Tristan snorted.

"More like a pain in the arse. Come, let's have a bath."

Tristan held his hand out as Sapphire gently placed hers in his, her other hand clenching the sheets tightly around her body.

"Still so shy." His gaze caressing her body. With the way he looked at her, one wouldn't be able to tell whether she had her body covered or not.

Tristan lifted Sapphire in his arms as he led them both to the adjoining bathing chambers. He pulled the sheet away from Sapphires clutches, his gaze locked with her own.

Sapphire stared mesmerized as she allowed Tristan to help her in the large tub which could easily fit two comfortably. The hot water stung her sensitive flesh, but all too soon she was cocooned in its warmth. Sapphire went to grab the wash cloth but was stopped as Tristan sat in the tub opposite her.

"Allow me."

Tristan kept his gazed locked with his wife's as he put soap on the wash cloth and slowly, giving her time to protest, he brought the cloth to her sternum, rubbing softly. He watched, enchanted, as her eyes dilated. He felt more than saw her thighs pressed together as her hormones began to stir within her.

Agonizingly slowly, he brought the cloth to the valley of her breasts, moving down to her abdomen, making her muscles clench in anticipation. Her hips lifted of their own accord.

"Steady now." Tristan whispered, equally as spellbound.

"What are you doing to me.."

Sapphires eyes were clenched tight, her lips parted, this wasn't a bath, it was a bloody seduction, but she wasn't adverse to it.

"Not even one tenth of what you do to me, lady wife." Tristan whispered, his lips a breath away from hers. He slowly kissed her lips, teasing her, tasting her, his hands mimicking his tongue, moving in tantalizing, slow motions.

Tristan gently pulled away only to nip her lower lip before settling on his side of the tub. He brought the cloth down her legs, skipping her most intimate area.

"Please."

Tristan placed one leg over his shoulder before softly rubbing the wash cloth over the arch of her foot, then to her delectable toes, which wouldn't stop moving, and then to the sole of her foot.

"You have lovely legs." Tristan murmured as he washed the curve of her calf before running his tongue along the satin of her skin, stopping at her knee. The cloth went higher up her thigh, his tongue following in its wake, once again skipping the one spot which desperately craved his touch.

But before the mewls of pleasure could be turned into a moan of protest, the wash cloth grazed one protruding bud, causing her to arch into him.

"My apologies, I forgot to wash here earlier."

"You..."

"Hush now." Tristan smirked as he ran his tongue along her breast, the wash cloth long forgotten. His other hand fondled the twin orb, not letting it be neglected. Tristan let his hands stray to the the flare of her hips, to her behind, before gently lifting her up and sheathing himself in her warm heat.

"Does it hurt."

"No."

That was all the answer Tristan needed in order to move.

Sapphire groaned as she tried matching him thrust for thrust. His hands dug in her waist, while her fingers clawed at his back. Her moans of pleasure heightened his senses, increased his own pleasures. He nuzzled her neck, kissed her swollen lips, all the while letting himself be lost within her, as she lost herself in him.

"Papa, it has been past an hour, almost noon, almost time for luncheon, and still no sign of Sapphire. Papa, what if he murdered her, he's capable, he had threatened me earlier." Isabella whispered, aware of the knights who lingered in the great hall. Although she thought one of them had heard, Alexander was it? Who ever he was, we was smirking. Isabella sent a glare in his direction.

"Don't provoke him, honey. He won't make such threats then."

The knight barely held his laughter in check, Isabella knew for certain he was listening. All the men in this manor were brutes, no wonder, their leader was the worst of them all!

"Papa! He.. How! Mama!"

"Does she always act that way?" Tristan mused taking his seat at the table.

"Where's Sapphire." Isabella snapped.

"Asleep, do not disturb her. Else wise I will have you thrown in the dungeons."

"Papa!" Isabella screeched in outrage. No one had dared speak to her in such a manner before. She was the daughter of a nobleman.

"I warned you honey, don't provoke the lad." Lord Rivers shrugged, continuing to eat his food as if this was a regular occurrence. God knew, if they kept it up, it will be a regular occurrence.

Tristan's face remained impassive. The brat needed to be put in her place. The day before the wedding as well as the day of the wedding and the morning after his wedding night, she had been an annoying nuisance stuck in his hair, an annoying vermin who refused to leave.

"Honey, did you try the eggs?"

"You mean the cold eggs." Isabella said shrewdly.

"Breakfast was lovely, thank you dear." Lady Rivers spoke trying to ease the tension.

"I'm going to walk in the gardens, care to join me, darling."

"I pray the flowers are vibrant enough for you, although they only show their true colors to those who are worthy." Tristan mocked.

"You'll have to forgive her Tristan, she's just jealous." Lord Rivers said once Isabella was out of hearing.

"Jealous?"

"Yes, of you. Sapphire and Isabella have always been rather close. Anytime Isabella had a difficulty she would go to Sapphire, and Sapphire wouldn't judge her. She felt she could be herself around Sapphire. Isabella is prone to scandal.

" If it helps, she reacted the same way towards me when Sapphire first came to live with us."

"Your daughter is strange."

"I am aware." Lord Rivers said warily.

"Has she been checked by a physician?" Alexander chipped in, a smirk gracing his lips.

"Alexander." Tristan warned.

"Oh it's alright, I know precisely why he's asking the question." Lord Rivers smirked, staring behind Alexander to a very, very angry lady.

"Your men have no manners! "

Isabella hissed before stomping out the room. She was outraged. The nerve of these men!

"My apologies, my lord. I could not resist." Alexander said humbly his smile still in place.

"It's quite alright, It's hard not to irk Isabella, she makes it very easy."

Lord Rivers chuckled.

"Hmm. No! Go away! Please!" Sapphire mumbled as she felt a pull on her blanket.

"Sapphire! We don't have much time!" Isabella whispered, hissed as she tried to wake her friend. It wouldn't be long before Tristan would send his mutts out to make sure Isabella stayed away.

"Izzy!" Sapphire shrieked as the blanket was savagely ripped from her naked form.

"Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't realize you would be...um... under dressed?" Isabella finished embarrassed.

"Why are you in here? I was sleeping. Where's my husband?"

Isabella put a hand on Sapphires mouth to stop her from speaking.

"Firstly, I'm here because I want to, and it was quite a difficult feat to achieve, mind you. Secondly, wake up, I need to talk to you. And thirdly, your arrogant, holier than thou-"

"Please stop slandering my husband." Sapphire interrupted, Isabella's hand still placed uselessly against her mouth.

"Your husband is with papa and mama."

"Why are you here?"

"That brute of a man would not let me speak to you! He had the audacity to have his men watch me as if I'm I'm-"

"Shh" Sapphire gently soothed.

"Why are you still asleep?"

"I .. well.. Nothing that should concern you." Sapphire mumbled as her cheeks reddened.

"Do tell!" Isabella squeaked. All her earlier vexation gone.

Appalled, Sapphire stared at her friend before realizing she was serious.

"What? No!"

"Don't be such a prude, darling."

Isabella leaned in closer and whispered in her ear.

"Is he large? He looks like the sort."

"Is he large?" Sapphire stared dumbfounded.

"Of course he's large Izzy, do you not see his size?" He towers over me."

"God help me! I don't mean that! I meant, is his member large." Isabella said as if she were discussing the weather and not another mans private business. Not a trace of maiden modesty resided within her.

"I beg your pardon?" Sapphire squeaked, not wanting to believe what she heard.

"Fine! Don't tell me!" Isabella huffed.

"You could at least tell me how it was, what he did. Did you take him in your mouth. Did-"

Neither woman noticed the door slowly opening or closing as Tristan quietly entered. His expression one of murderous rage.

"What have I told you about ruining my wife's innocence." Tristan growled, cutting Isabella off.

"I believe you already took her innocence." Isabella snapped.

"Get out before I have you thrown out. It makes no difference to me whether your Xavier's wife or a common maid."

"How dare-"

"Save it!" Tristan snapped, once again cutting Isabella off mid sentence.

Sapphire smiled in amusement as Tristan held the door open with one hand and glared at Isabella.

"We will finish this later." Isabella said to Sapphire.

"No you will not." Tristan hissed.

Isabella sent one last glare at Tristan before having the door once again slammed in her face.

Mumbling incoherently under his breath, Tristan made his way towards Sapphire with the trencher of food he'd brought up.

"Did you get enough sleep?"

Sapphire smiled shyly as Tristan sat across from her on the bed. Her eyes not hiding the amusement she felt.

"Yes, I suppose I did."

"I really hate your friend." Tristan muttered petulantly as he placed eggs, bread and fresh fruit for Sapphire.

"It's quite alright, the feelings mutual."

"Eat." Tristan commanded softy.

"And for the love of everything holy, do not speak to her about private affairs. That girl is...." Tristan trailed off whilst shaking his head.

Sapphire choked on her bite of eggs.

"You heard what she said?" Sapphire whispered horrified,

her skin reddening yet again.

Tristan lightly stroked her cheek, his eyes soft while his tone was wary.

"I heard everything. That woman doesn't have a modest bone in her body."

"Rest assured, I didn't say anything to her." Sapphire gave herself a mental pat on the back for not stuttering, although she kept her gaze averted.

Tristan smirked in amusement.

"Eat, love. Lord Rivers is anxious to see you."

Sapphire looked around the room in silence. Red linen sheets covered the bed. An armoire as well as several chests stood against the opposite wall. Her chests were placed next to the ones that already occupied the wall.

"Those chests are yours." Tristan said as he tilted his head towards the wall.

"Nay! All those? I do not need so many things."

Tristan smiled softly at her behavior. She was such a simple creature, shock covered her features, no plot or ploy to play coy marred her character.

"I had them purchased before the wedding. Gowns, gloves, what ever a lady needs, should be in there."

"My lord husband, you shouldn't have." Sapphire frowned disapprovingly.

"But I did." Tristan shrugged. Sapphire sighed but didn't say anything. Her curious gaze found the door which lead to the bathing chambers, other than that door, as well as the one leading out of Tristan's chambers, there was no door. Where were her chambers? Surely they should be connected to his.

Seeing her troubled gaze, Tristan looked around the room. Not finding anything, he turned towards Sapphire.

"What troubles you?"

"My chambers are not joined with yours?" Sapphire whispered the question, almost afraid of the answer. She knew many couples kept separate chambers, only seeing each other when they needed to preform the marriage act for heirs, but she wanted more from her marriage. Much, much more.

Tristan's face turned into a cold, impassive mask. His voice contained enough warmth to freeze many oceans for eternity. A layer of steel covered his beautiful silver eyes.

"This is your chambers, unless you prefer else-wise."

"I'll be sharing chambers with you? No adjoining chambers?" Sapphire asked shocked, not daring to hope, and a tad bit frightened by Tristan's cold front.

"Unless that is your wish."

Sapphire felt herself relaxing. She gave a warm smile filled with relief to Tristan.

"I am quite happy with the current arrangements."

Tristan felt himself slowly relax.

"I want us to share a chamber, not only a bed, actually that as well." Tristan quickly amended before continuing.

"This chamber is yours as much as it is mine. This is not going to be a marriage of convince. I want to get to know you, to understand you."

"As do I." Sapphire whispered.

"Och, Andrew! Ye come here!"

"Andrew? We do not have an Andrew." Robbie frowned at Duncan.

"Och, lad. The lad who nae have his memory, we named him Andrew."

"I see."

Andrew stiffened at being called. He cautiously walked towards where Gerald, Duncan, Alexander, and Robert stood. He had learned the men's names very fast. But being skinned alive seemed an easier feat than gaining their trust.

"Yes."

"We da nae saw ye at the wedding feast."

"Nor before." Alexander said shrewdly, eying Andrews disheveled hair along with his dirty and ripped clothes. Dirt was encrusted in his nails with a hint of blood. They had provided him with a new wardrobe when he first arrived, he shouldn't be in his current position.

"Och, I woke up in a ditch and kept wondering around until I returned here."

"Tis been five days you have been missing."

"The ditch was verra far." Andrew nervously kept his gaze on his boots.

"Sleepwalking is not a good thing."