Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

S omething was bothering Alayne, something that hadn’t been troubling her that morning before he’d left their shared quarters. The problem was, Darren had no idea what it might be, save the revelation that the king’s courier would be expecting a wedding sheet as proof of their consummated marriage.

He’d told her about the demand, and given her the letter, because he wanted her to be prepared. It was something that affected her just as much as it did him, and he’d wanted to give her the day to get used to the idea. It was also why he’d made an effort to stay away from her, lest she feel he was trying to pressure her into yielding.

From the pallor of her complexion and the way she seemed to start at every movement he made, it might have been better to try and discuss it further with her. He’d considered it, but assumed she wouldn’t believe any assurances he made - assuming she even conceded the necessity of consummation in the first place.

Darren watched Alayne listlessly poke at her food, and wondered if he’d made a mistake in leaving so quickly after telling her the news. After all, he knew she despised him and, as she’d put it, ‘would rather sleep with an adder. But even with that vehement declaration, he knew that her life of relative isolation meant she was likely inexperienced. That begged the question of whether her current demeanor was because she was nervous about intimate relations in general, or because of him specifically.

Either way, it wasn’t a question he was crass enough to ask at the supper table. There would be time enough to address the issue when they retired to their quarters for the night.

Alayne remained nervous and tense all through supper. By the time they rose to leave the table, she actually appeared to be shivering slightly. Darren felt a sense of unease growing in his gut. He knew that she didn’t want to sleep with him, but even so, her reaction seemed extreme.

Surely she kens I willnae be hurting her any more than I can help? And I’d nae even press the matter, if it werenae fer the king’s ultimatum.

They reached the door to the bedroom. Darren pushed it open, and was startled to see that Alayne now looked positively ill. His concern deepened. Is she that afraid o’ me? ‘Tis nae like I’m going tae murder the lass!

Alayne shoved the door closed as soon as he stepped inside. Darren watched as she paced toward the bed, before turning to face him. “I ken I have tae sleep with ye, and I’ll tell ye now, I hate the idea. But, I willnae shirk me duty, nor disobey the king’s command, so I’ve spent this afternoon preparing fer ye.”

Darren blinked, uncertain what she meant. He was even more perplexed when she pulled out several lengths of rope, and a leather strap that looked as if she’d borrowed it from his healer. “What is this?”

“I told ye, I’ve been preparing. I dinnae ken how ye want tae go about this, so ye’ll have tae tell me that much, but I brought everything ye need.” She lifted her chin, trying to look defiant in spite of the way her hands visibly trembled. “I cannae tie all the bonds myself, but I can tie the gag, if ye’d rather nae. And…” Her hand strayed to the ties of her bodice. “I suppose I should be undressing, unless ye’d rather dae that yerself…” Her face colored. “I ken every man has his preferences.”

It dawned on him then, what was happening. Somehow, Alayne had gotten the impression that restraints were necessary for bedsport. Or, at least, that he was the sort of man who enjoyed such things. Darren stared at the ropes, then did the last thing he ever would have expected to be doing.

He sat down against the wall and laughed until his sides ached, and tears of mirth streamed down his face.

Fair Folk help me, but how am I tae explain this ?

Alayne stared at Darren, red with mortification as he laughed. She’d done her best to prepare to consummate their marriage. It hurt that he would make so light of her efforts, even going so far as to laugh at her.

It hurt even worse to think that he would find the act of sleeping with her so hilarious, as if he considered her not worth looking at, let alone bedding. She knew he’d rejected her, but she hadn’t thought he held her in such low regard.

She stood there, silently fuming, her face burning with embarrassment, as his laughter tapered off and finally stopped. It was only when he looked up at her that she spoke. “I dinnae see what ye find so funny. I’m nae experienced, but I am doing me best tae fulfill the king’s mandate.”

Darren took a deep breath, then stood. “Aye. I can see that.” She could hear the edge of laughter still in his tone, but at least he was no longer outright laughing at her. “But I’d have tae ask what gave ye the impression that this was necessary? Fer certain sure, I didnae ever mention aught o’ the sort.”

Alayne felt herself flushing an even deeper crimson, and her whole body felt tight with humiliation. Still, she gave him the honest answer. “I heard Laird and Lady MacMillan speaking. They were talking about… that is… they mentioned… he said he would tie her up and… other things.”

She wasn’t surprised when he burst into laughter again. “Och, nae wonder…” He took a deep breath, and visibly calmed himself. “I ken what the issue is now. Me apologies if ye thought I was mocking ye, but I didnae realize ye were basing yer assumptions on those two.” He tipped his head at her, the sparkle of humor in his eyes making him look far less fierce, almost boyish. “Ye wouldnae ken, but me sister-by-marriage reads a lot o’ books about that sort o’ thing. She and Daemon like tae… try new things, every so often.” His tone was wry. “’Tis something we all learned quickly after their marriage - dinnae enter a room they’ve taken over unless they’ve answered yer hail. Otherwise, there’s nae telling what ye’ll walk intae. And some things all o’ us are happier tae nae see.”

Alayne blinked, then blinked again, as the meaning of his words sank in. “Ye mean… the bindings and things…?”

“Likely as nae, some sort o’ game they’re playing with each other. They might nae even have been serious about it, just teasing each other. I cannae pretend I understand all o’ what’s between them, and I’m certain sure I dinnae want tae ken more than I dae.”

Alayne considered his words. “Then, ye mean… ye’d nae… ’tis nae…” She couldn’t seem to find the words to express what she was thinking.

Darren stared at her for a moment. Then, without warning, he pulled a dirk from his belt, and slashed a cut across the back of his hand. Alayne watched, speechless, as he leaned over the bed and dripped the blood onto the sheet. He smeared it a bit, then whisked the sheet off the bed and bundled it away. “I’ll make me own contribution later.”

“What?” She didn’t understand.

Darren looked her in the eye, and his expression was as solemn as she’d ever seen it, though not as dour as it had been the night before. “I dinnae need more than a glance tae see yer terrified o’ me touching ye, much less doing more than that. I told ye last night, I’ve never forced a woman, and I will nae ever. A bloody sheet will be enough for the king, and there is nae way fer him tae tell the truth, so long as there’s evidence enough o’ an assignation. If there’s blood, he’ll nae ask question, se we’ll nae even have tae lie tae him.”

Alayne swallowed. She’d never imagined he’d dare lie to the king. Much less go so far. “But, for the marriage tae be binding…”

“It must be held, witnessed, and consummated, aye. Well, ‘tis been held, and ‘tis witnessed. Consummation… ’twill come when ye’re ready, but nae before. And this much I’ll promise ye - when the time comes, there’ll be nae gags or ropes involved.”

He offered her a small smile and a roguish wink that made him look younger and far less cold than she’d known him to be. “That is, there’ll be nae ropes or gags unless me lady commands it.”

The blush that had been fading from her cheeks flamed to life again. “I’d never!”

“We’ll see.” Darren shrugged. “In the meantime, ‘tis late, and I’ve a sheet tae prepare, and an excuse tae make for my arm. There’s fresh linens fer yer pallet on the floor if ye wish, or… ye could be reasonable and take the bed.”

In truth, her back ached at the mere thought of sleeping again on the stone floor. Besides, he was being… kind, in spite of all she’d done to humiliate him and all her harsh words. Almost against her will, she found herself nodding slowly. “I… I think I wouldnae mind the bed taenight. But I…”

He gave her a wry look. “I’d nae intention o’ joining ye. Nae when yer so distressed. I’ll be sleepin’ in front o’ the fire again.”

“Then ye should take an extra blanket.” She moved to the chest he’d opened the night before and removed a heavy quilted coverlet.

Darren took it with a solemn nod. “Thank ye. If ye’ll hand me those tae put away…” He gestured to the ropes and the leather strap. “I’ll leave ye tae yer rest.”

Alayne bundled the items together, then watched as he folded them into the soiled sheet. A moment later, the door closed softly behind him. Alayne sank down on the bed, staring at the closed oak panel in disbelief.

She’d come up here tonight expecting to be ravished. Not this. She hadn’t expected him to be considerate, or to give up his bed two nights in a row. Much less speak to her so gently. She certainly had never dreamed that he would take the risk of lying to the king and falsifying the evidence of the fulfilled marriage contract.

Yes, his laughter had been humiliating, but he’d been kind to her afterward. And while the little he’d said had left her confused, his words made it clear that whatever was meant to happen in a marriage bed, it wasn’t what she’d thought.

But knowing that only reinforced how little she did know about such things. And now she knew that it might not be wise to hope for advice from Lyla. Clearly she and her husband enjoyed very different things from what Darren might prefer.

She was still trying to figure out how she might learn the things she needed to know about Darren, and about intimacy, when the last of her fear drained away, and sleep took its place.