Chapter 46

Sapphire winced as the needle yet again pricked her.

“Damn you to the Netherlands.” Sapphire grumbled. Try as she may, her mind would not let her forget about her bothersome husband. The infuriating brute! Sapphire recalled the nasty trick he had played on her hours before…..

“Tristan, must you be so rude to Alexander?”

Tristan stared at her incredulously. Rude? Him? What was wrong with women?! He did absolutely nothing! Damn Alexander to the pits oh hell! Nevertheless, he would get his revenge, just a different sort of revenge. His little wife was acting quite the minx.

Tristan walked until he was almost a hairsbreadth away from her, making certain they were not touching. He leaned towards her ear, his breath fanning the side of her face, and softly spoke.

“You, my lady wife, are being far too cruel. I have done nothing to that mongrel.”

Sapphire shivered from his close proximity, the man was a hazard to her health! Just as she thought he would bend and kiss her, he straightened, moving away from her completely. Of its own accord, her throat let out a frustrated groan.

“Something amiss, my dear?”

Tristan raised a cynical brow in question.

“Nothing!” Sapphire snapped.

Tristan shrugged his shoulders, completely aware of what he was doing. He raised his hand as if to caress her cheek, Sapphire unconsciously leaned towards him, her eyes slightly hooded. But just as his fingers were to brush against her, he dropped his hand.

“Very well then. I shall see you at the evening meal.”

“Why the evening meal, tis only noon?” Sapphire questioned perplexed.

“I must train with the men.” Tristan stated simply, as if that were answer enough.

“But surely you mustn’t need the entire afternoon for the purpose?”

Tristan raised a brow. “ I believe you train four hours a day, my lady wife.”

“Aye, but they train many more hours.”

“They are knights.” Tristan said as if that should be reason enough.

“I shall be on my way.”

Sapphire frowned, her husband was acting rather strange. He was making excuses to be away from her. But why would he? Furthermore, earlier he was behaving like a rut, and now he wouldn’t so much as look at her….

Sapphire had to stall him, perhaps her mind was playing tricks on her.

“Is there something you are forgetting, my lord husband?” Sapphire questioned as Tristan turned to leave. Tristan paused before nodding his head.

“Come to think of it, I did. Thank you for reminding me.” Tristan said as he walked towards the bed, deliberately brushing against Sapphire as he went. Tristan smirked as he felt her slight shiver.

Sapphire turned in his direction, waiting expectantly.

Tristan picked up a spare tunic and turned to leave.

“A tunic, husband? You forgot a tunic!” Sapphire said in exasperation.

“Yes, wife. I forgot my tunic.” Tristan answered with a solemn faux expression. If Sapphire were to take a closer glance, she would see the mischief in his eyes. He so liked to irk her.

“Did you require anything?” Tristan asked innocently.

“Nay!” Sapphires snapped.

Sapphire stared at his retreating form. He NEVER left a room without some sort of physical contact with her. She let out a breath of frustration. Either there was something horribly wrong with her, or him. She wagered it was the latter. She was perfectly fine. Mayhap he hit his head.

That unique event had occurred a little over an hour ago. Her brutish husband had made a habit of walking in and out of the great hall without his bloody tunic on! And if that were not enough, he made sure to pass in front of her, almost brushing her skirts with his legs, but not quite.

“My lord, kindly don your tunic, ye shall catch your death! Tis snowing outside.”

“Nothing shall happen to me, Sarah.” Tristan assured the maid kindly.

Tristan offered the elderly woman a warm smile before searching for Alexander, spotting him heading to the kitchens, his eyes narrowed.

“Alexander, get yer bloody hide outside!’ Tristan growled.

Alexander grumbled under his breath but complied. He didn’t fancy sparing in the snow and cook was preparing a wonderful smelling pie. He would need to gain his favors if he were to get an extra piece. Seeing Tristan flaring his way, Alexander offered a cheeky grin before running to the bailey.

Sapphire watched the exchange, not amused. She rolled her eyes heavenward. When would he learn! He had just gotten out of bed, did wish to return there? Going outside without a tunic. The man was daft enough to train in this weather.

“Something amiss, darling?” Lord Rivers asked with an amused smile pulling at his lips as he pulled a chair across Sapphire.

Sapphire watched her uncle through narrowed eyes. He was far too amused for her liking.

“Pray tell me, why would something be amiss?”

“Tis the way you’re glaring at your husband. One minute it looks as if you want to throttle him, and the next minute-“Lord Rivers paused to shudder dramatically.

“The next minute it seems you want to do indecent things, one your poor old man should not have the misfortune of witnessing.”

Sapphire scowled. It seemed she had more than one irritating man in her life. Thankfully, she did not blush at her uncle’s hidden meaning.

“Uncle John.”

“Yes, darling?” Lord Rivers questioned innocently.

“I shall go enjoy the snow.”

“I shall accompany you.”

“There is no need.” Sapphire said tartly.

“I beg to differ. You nearly killed yourself with your needlework, pricking your finger left and right. I fear the natural elements shall not be merciful.”

Sapphire’s scowl deepened.

“Since you think me incapable of simply walking, lead the way.” Sapphire snapped.

“You’re snapping like a harpy, is it your woman’s time, darling?” Lord Rivers inquired cheekily as he walked passed Sapphire.

“Close your mouth, darling. You look asinine.” Lord Rivers advised. It was very easy to irk his sweet little daughter.

Sapphire stared at her uncle abashed, her cheeks stained with color. Did he? Were her ears? He couldn’t have? Perhaps? His arrogant smirk was answer enough.

“UNCLE JOHN!” Sapphire hissed, marching over to him and delivering a strong punch to his upper arm.

“Your punches have improved.” Lord Rivers said with a grimace. He was not jesting. She did improve, although he was certain she had hurt herself in the effort.

“Let us play with snow.” Sapphire said sweetly, too sweetly.

Lord Rivers warily followed her out the doors.

Sapphire fumed inside. Her uncle was a child! Blaming her slight vexation on her woman’s time. He wanted a harpy? She would give him a damn harpy! And her beautiful snow would help her. When he’s frozen half to death then he would know what a harpy was! The nerve of the man! Sapphire resisted the urge to growl. It wasn’t even her woman’s time.

Cold, biting air hit Sapphire’s face, nipping at her exposed skin. She drew in a lungful of the frigid air, her eyes closed as she enjoyed herself. As she slowly opened her eyes she gasped. It was a blizzard out here! A beautiful blizzard. The snow blew in from all directions, looking pure. Yet with the wind it was lethal. A person had to stand there for not a moment for the chill to reach to their bones.

Sapphire stared at the blizzard, mesmerized. It was hauntingly beautiful. As if it had come for a brutal vengeance, destroying anything which crossed its path. It had only snowed for a little over an hour and already the snow reached Sapphires knees. She bend down to pick some up and throw it in the air, her head tilting back. Despite the numbness which began to seep into her hands, she felt peaceful, although still irritated with her beloved husband. Besides her, lord Rivers had a small smile playing at his lips as he watched Sapphire. The simplest of affairs brought her happiness.

“What in the devils name is wrong with you!” Alexander snapped.

The knight he was sparing with laughed. Alexander scowled. Not every man was daft enough to enjoy sparing in snow. He couldn’t feel his legs! Lord only knew how Tristan was fairing.

“Tristan, this is ridiculous. Surely we cannot train in such weather?”

“A knight must be able to wield a sword no matter the circumstances.” Tristan said quietly as his arrow found its mark. How that was possible when the targets were naught but a blur, was truly impressive. Besides him Gerald and Duncan sparred.

“Aye, but you should have donned a tunic, my lord.” Gerald said with a grunt as he narrowly missed Duncan’s sword.

“I have no need of one. Tis will toughen the skin.”

“Aye, and her ladyship shall like skin as rough as stone when ye tup’ her.” Alexander said, managing to wiggle his eyebrows suggestively.

Tristan growled, drawing his sword.

“Tsk…tsk… her ladyship said you are not to draw your sword.” Alexander reminded all too happily.

“She shan’t know.” Tristan growled as he removed the snow from his lashes. He was cold, very cold. But he had gone through worst situations and survived. He wasn’t even numb as yet.

“I dare say she would, my lord.”

Tristan looked towards Gerald before sharply glancing in the direction his first was staring.

“What in the devils name is she doing out in this God forsaken weather! She’ll catch her death!” Tristan growled, shaking with rage.

“And we shan’t?” Alexander mumbled dryly.

Tristan ignored him in favor of marching towards his errant wife.

“Wife, what the hell are you doing out here?” Tristan roared.

“Husband, what are you doing out here?” Sapphire glared.

“Training.” Tristan snapped. Did the woman want to die? Her lips were already turning blue. Add to that fact, she had nor her glofs on or her snood, a fact he mentioned to her.

Sapphire scoffed. Where was her snood and glofs? Where was his bloody tunic!

“Where is your tunic?”

“You shall catch your death!” Tristan snarled.

“And you shan’t?” Sapphire snorted.

Tristan opened his mouth to argue but abruptly shut it. She was shivering and her lips were indeed blue. Tristan grabbed her hand, noticing how cold it was.

“Inside.” The word was barely above a growl. Tristan didn’t wait for her to follow, he simply pulled her along with him until they reached the fire. Pulling a chair closer to the fire, Tristan sat down, pulling Sapphire into his lap.

“My lord, may you tell the men to come inside.”

“Certainly.” Lord Rivers said with an amused smile. He rather enjoyed their bickering. It was rather refreshing. Tristan was finally becoming true to himself. Aye, he could be a heartless bastard, but he was also soft as butter. A side he concealed rather rigidly.

“Why the hell did you go outside? You can’t stop shivering! You’ll catch your death!”

Before Sapphire could answer, Tristan brought his lips down on Sapphire’s. He kissed her hard, demanding. Not that Sapphire complained as she melted into him, her arms going around his neck. But before Sapphire could truly enjoy herself, he was pulling back.

Tristan took his sweet time kissing his wife, and only pulled back knowing he would have her tonight, regardless of what she said. He was starved for his wife and he would be damned if he was to be denied another night. He was not a wee lassie who would faint at the sight of blood.

“Your lips are blue. They are meant to be swollen from my kisses, not as if the life has been drained from them.” Tristan said softly as he nuzzled her neck.

“And what of you?” Sapphire tilted her head to the side to give him better access, signing in content.

“I am a man.”

“I am a man.” Sapphire mimicked childishly.

“Do you need evidence of my statement, love?” Tristan whispered ere biting her lobe.

“Tristan, you must prepare yourself against the weather. Tis important you don a tunic, please.” Sapphire said softly, her mind a tad bit preoccupied.

Tristan let out a sign. He supposed he could wear his tunic, nothing would happen to him. And it would make her happier…..Tristan inwardly scowled, knowing his mind was made.

“Alright.”

Sapphire pulled back, offering him a wide smile. Tristan could have sworn his heart stopped beating.

“Thank you, my lady! You are far too kind.”

Sapphire jumped in Tristan’s arms. Alexander was on his knees, holding her skirts.

“Sir Alexander….” Sapphire trailed off, not knowing how to respond. Un-doubtfully it was another ploy to vex her husband.

“This beast would have seen us dead if it were not-“ Alexander grunted in pain as Tristan’s boot-clad foot made contact with his ribs. The man talked unnecessarily.

“Alexander, get your arse here.” Lord Rivers sad in amusement. When will the lad learn?

Alexander ginned roguishly as he walked towards a pretty maid. In truth, he knew Tristan would only have them practice for another five minutes or so, nevertheless, it was amusing to get under Tristan’s skin.

The afternoon was spent with Tristan and Sapphire cuddling by the fire, Tristan whispering indecent things to Sapphire while she tried not to blush under her uncle’s knowing gaze. Alexander was eating everything in the kitchens before cook finally had enough and had him bodily removed. The rest of the men had returned to their own devices, except for the guards. They endured the harsh weather as they protected the people within. Supper time came with great delight. The smell of roast chicken, cream soup, an assortment of vegetables and apple tarts graced the table. The food was delicious, everyone eating heartily and laughing.

“Let us retire for the night?” Tristan’s husky voice murmured in her ear.

“Tis early.”

“Please.”

Sapphire smiled at the look on Tristan’s face. He looked like a lad begging for his favorite sweet. Sapphire silently took his hand as Tristan grinned boyishly. Together they both made their way above stairs to their chambers.

Once in the privacy of their room, Tristan began to trail kisses along Sapphire’s jaw, down her throat, to her collarbone.

“My lord-“

“Tristan.”

“Tristan, your injury.” Sapphire mumbled as her mind began to turn hazy.

Tristan set to work unlacing her gown, silently urging her towards the bed.

“My injury is fine, love. Making love to you won’t harm me. Not making love to you could very much kill me.” Tristan said in between kisses.

“You are ever so romantic, my lord husband.”

“I try.” Tristan said with a smile as her gowns pooled by her feet, not a stitch of cloth on her. Tristan stepped back to look his fill. The fire from the hearth gave her skin a beautiful glow. Sapphire raised her hands to cover herself.

“Don’t.” His voice was a husky command, barely above a whisper. His eyes were a silver fire as he burned her skin with his gaze.

“You’re fully covered.” Sapphire whispered.

Tristan bend down to kiss her, softly first before adding more precious, his hands working to remove his own clothing, never breaking the kiss. Once his clothes were off, he pulled her flush against him, flesh against flesh.

Sapphire trembled against him, his kisses becoming more demanding.

“Is this to your liking, my lady?”

Sapphire chuckled breathlessly. One hand snaked around her waist while the other began its caress. Sapphire moaned softly as his hand kneaded her breast, while his mouth took the other, causing all sense to flee. Tristan bend Sapphire slightly as he kissed the valley between her breasts.

“Stop…stop..”

Tristan lifted his lust filled gaze.

“Stop?”

“Yes, you should be resting, but instead you’re pleasuring me. Let me pleasure you.”

Tristan laughed at her logic.

“You talk too much, love.” Tristan said as he lifted her into his arms and lay her on the bed, his body covering hers.

“You’re very beautiful.” Tristan whispered before brushing his lips against hers.

“Tristan.” Sapphire tried to protest.

“I like pleasuring you, therefor allow me this tonight. Let me worship your body, your heart. You need to do naught but enjoy. I don’t expect you to do anything. Your pleasure is my pleasure.” Tristan whispered.