Private Tales The Newlywed Game

[Polina]

She weighed his words. Watched his face carefully. Watched his eyes.

She believed him.

"Okay," she breathed. Of course that didn't mean they'd never fight. Never argue. Never get angry with each other. It just meant...she could trust that he'd keep his word. Through all that. Her fingers gave him a squeeze and she leaned in to capture his lips for a kiss of her own.

Then she'd pull back, her hands dropping to the hem of her shirt.

"I think I owe you a few articles of clothing," without fanfare, she'd lift it above her head and discard it to the side. A timid purse of her lips as her hands dropped to her riding pants.

 

[Kieran Harrovian]

Kieran was still reeling from the fact that Brie had kissed him of her own volition when she took her shirt off. He growled low as his eyes took him her bare upper body. The soft, dark skin with the most beautiful curves he had ever seen. He already had an idea but that lace jumper didn't do her justice.

"You are beautiful," he said as his eyes finally stopped looking below hers and moved back up to her face. "Worth the wait..."

He noticed her hands on her pants and he gently put his hand on hers. "You don't have to do that. That game is over now. You definitely won."

His smirk was back on his face but it wasn't so much smug anymore. "I suppose we both did."

 

[Polina]

She stopped at his touch. Heart racing in her chest as his gaze devoured her. Damn those eyes of his. That jaw and that smile. Fingers moved away from her pants and to his own hands. She still stood half bare before him.

"Okay," she whispered and leaned in for another kiss.

This one slower. Longer. Deeper.

Her fingers would lift, winding their way through his hair. She had more time. Time to settle in with him. And for now? There was nothing wrong with making out with her husband.

"Just remember that I won," she teased lightly, breaking the kiss for a moment. "Old man," and then she'd go in for more.

 

[Kieran Harrovian]

"You are the Lady of this house. I am simply your servant, Brie." He said between her kisses. Kieran lifted her up by her waist, letting her legs wrap around him, and closing the space between them and the desk.

He set his wife on the top of the desk and let his hands slide up her bare back as he kissed her back. He didn't want to stop. He didn't plan on it either.

 

[Polina]

Her legs remained parted, wrapped partially around him. A quiet huff as her rear hit the desk. Pens and paper scattered. She never noticed it before but he was cooler to the touch. She’d always been hot natured, so she found it soothing.

As her lips explored his mouth, her hands explored his back. His shoulders. His chest. The muscles along his arms. Every inch of his skin that was exposed.

She was devouring him.

And if they kept this up, she didn’t know if she could stop. Pretty soon, she’d be demanding more from him.

 

[Kieran Harrovian]

Kieran loved every second that Brie touched. Her hands made short work of exploring his chest, abs, arms, and back.

He did not complain. He would never complain.

He broke from her lips to plant kisses on her jaw before moving down to her neck. He kissed her softly ensuring that his fangs didn't break her skin. He wouldn't do that until she asked.

While he continued to explore her neck, shoulders, and collarbone as one hand slid up her stomach to claim his other prizes.

"If you do not tell me to stop, I won't, my gorgeous wife..." His voice was a mixture of a purr and growl as he gave her a choice in their activities.

 

[Polina]

A non-committal groan left her lips, followed by a gasp as his hands moved. She would never admit this but his hands were pure magic. No that wasn't it. His mouth was.

"Don't stop," she breathed, palms coming to gently hold his face between them. Her eyes locked onto his own, her skin already all kinds of hot and tingly. Her eyes traveled downward and she gave a quick, silent nod. Gaze flickering back up to his own. Her tongue darting across her swollen lips. Then her hands would drift downward, fingers hooking on the waistband of his own pants.

 

[Kieran Harrovian]

And Kieran didn't stop. He didn't stop on the desk or when he carried her down the hall to their room. He only stopped once the sun was close to waking up for the day.

The two of them were snuggled up under the blankets and he kissed her shoulder gently. "I need to sleep in a little bit. I am sure you do too but if you wake before me, Seralynn will be available."

He kissed her again. "I am so glad you know the truth, Brie," he ran his fingers through her soft hair that had completely left her braid.

 

[Polina]

She was exhausted, sore, and thoroughly undone. One tired blue-eye cracked open at his voice. Then the green one followed. She kissed him again before he could completely untangle from her.

"Kier? Thank you for being honest." A small smile floated on her lips before both her eyes closed again. It didn't take long for her to drift off to sleep. Sleeping the deepest she ever had in her life. She would think about Eric often, after their nights in the barn and after he left shortly after. She hadn't thought of him once in the last twenty-four hours.

It would be hours later that her hungry stomach would wake her. She was curled against her husband, a hand flopped over his chest. Her head tucked beneath his chin. Eyes fluttered opened. Oberon was at the foot of their bed. His tail wagged lightly when he saw she was awake. She didn't want to wake Kieran so she'd try to untangle herself as quietly and slowly as possible.

 

[Kieran Harrovian]

Kieran had eventually fallen asleep after watching her for quite a while. The suns power eventually informed him that it was time to sleep and he was out. Dead to the world, really.

He didn't even stir when Brie woke up and removed herself from his arms. He wouldn't wake up for a few more hours.

Seralynn, on the other hand, had a late lunch ready for Brie. It consisted of some iced tea, a simple vegetable casserole, and some apple pie. Seralynn always made sure that Kieran had the best food. It may not do anything for hunger but he still enjoyed the tastes and smells.

"Lady Brie, I trust you had a," she paused with a smile and wink. "good night..."

 

[Polina]

“I’m famished and this smells wonderful,” she smiled at Seralynn. Then she felt her darker skin warm at the woman’s wink. She took a seat and began loading her late up. She hadn’t eaten much since arriving. Until now. She seemed to have refound her appetite.

A cough and a demure clear of her throat.

“The night went well.” Gods had the whole house heard them? She began eating, thankful to not be talking. Then curiosity got the best of her.

“So….is there anyone else here who doesn’t know about Lord Kieran. And that’s he’s…a..um..you know?” She didn’t want to say it in case someone was listening in. “And those friends of his my first night here. Were they…what he is?” She’d finished the casserole and moved onto the pie.

 

[Kieran Harrovian]

Seralynn considered Brie from the other side of the kitchen table. "Yes, the full time employees all know about him being a vampire. He pays them very well to keep his secret. He gives them a choice to stay or leave once they know. He does not have any employees here against their will."

His food was here against their wills, of course. They didn't count as employees though.

"Is he growing on you? I told you he was a good boy. He just needs someone who challenges him and can deal with who and what he is."

 

[Polina]

"Yeah, he can be a stubborn ass," she muttered beneath her breath. Just thinking of that first night together. Thinking of the shoot order on her. Even if it was 'partially' for her protection.

But he'd bent for her.

And she'd bended back.

They'd changed a little together.

She looked to Seralynn. Finding a growing fondness for the older woman. "Do you know how close I was to leaving that first day? Running away and testing his words about the shoot order? It's thanks to you for enforcing that warning that I didn't."

Even if she'd run away in a different sense and almost frozen to death.

 

[Kieran Harrovian]

"I know. I had to have a long chat with him about how a husband is supposed to act. You have to understand that he has had over four hundred years of being a bachelor and easily finding women to warm his bed." Seralynn paused and grimaced, "sorry, that sounds terrible."

She took the casserole plate and brought it over to wash up as she continued to talk to Brie.

"He will not say it, but he cares for you quite a bit. He would have killed you otherwise." Her smile said what can you do.

 

[Polina]

“He could’ve tried to kill me,” she quipped. A smug grin that almost matched Kieran’s briefly tugged her lips. “Thank you for talking to him,” she added quietly.

Finishing off the pie she stood and brought the plate over to Seralynn. “If he wakes, let him know I’ll be in the garden.” She had a lot of work to do. And it was misty and overcast today. She supposed that would help if he did wake up and want to join her outside. She frowned, realizing she didn’t know all the particulars of easy being a vampire meant.

She’d have to ask her husband.

She paused by the door as she tugged on her boots.

“Actually, let him know I’ll be by the creek on the west side. I saw some wild mint I wanted to get.” She couldn’t remember which side of the creek it was on. But now that she shoot orders were gone she imagined it wouldn’t hurt to cross it. At least not to go too far.

 

[Kieran Harrovian]

It was some hours later when Kieran finally arrived down in the kitchen to a beautiful glass of warm blood waiting for him. Seralynn and Brie were notably absent though. He took his glass and started to walk about the manor as he drank his breakfast. He found Seralynn scolding a maid and he politely waited for her to finish.

"Where is Brie?"

"She went to get some mint by the creek on the west side but that was a while ago. She may have come back to the garden."

Kieran frowned. It was getting dark out and she really had no business to be out by the creek this late. He kissed Seralynn's cheek softly, finished his glass of blood, and swept out of the room.

He had his wife to find.

The vampire checked the garden first and found nothing. He let his vampiric power flow over him as he shifted into a bat and flew towards the area she should be.

 

[Polina]

“Shit,” she muttered, very unlady like. Thankful her mother was nowhere near to hear. She’d decided to walk, enjoying the exercise. So getting out here had taken longer than usual. And she’d crossed the creek to get the mint on the opposite bank. Technically, not setting foot on the opposite shore. Technically, still within the old boundaries.

Her problem came when she’d taken a step to turn around, her foot hitting an old sunken hole in the creek, ankle twisting,and now stuck. A grimace twisted her features as she tried pulling her ankle free. It only served to agitate the injury more.

Then her hands plunged into the frigid waters around her stuck boot, trying to loosen whatever it was that had her trapped. It was getting darker by the minute. This was so…stupid. She was determined to get out of this. She had a feeling she’d never hear the end of this if Kieran found her like this.

Just behind her, a set of green eyes glowed in the growing darkness. Watching. There was a howl in the distance.

 

[Kieran Harrovian]

Kieran heard the howl and shifted into his wolf form. He knew that they had been watching the property line. He knew it and he still took the shoot order off. If they were howling this close, Brie had crossed the creek. He ran as fast as his four legs mixed with his vampire speed could carry him.

He saw Brie and he saw the eyes behind her. The slow advance through the darkness. The werewolf was waiting for him and he would have to fight. He cursed everything he could think of as he launched himself off the bank of the creek and flew over the water. Wolf Kieran collided with the hulking mass of the grey werewolf that had moved closer to the human woman.

The two animals rolled away from the creek. Jaws snapping, snarls, and yelps could be heard from the two.

 

[Polina]

She froze and ducked as a wolf shot over her head and into…

Head whipped around, curls falling across her face. She caught a glimpse of green eyes, grey fur, and snapping jaws. A scream lodged in her throat. How many wolves were here!? Fingers fumbled on her belt, tugging out one of the throwing daggers. Lunging, her other hand grabbed a washed out brunch and hefted it up.

Changing her mind, she jammed one end into the water, trying to use it as leverage to free her trapped ankle. One eye on that and the other on the tree line behind her. Knife ready if either of the wolves came back.

 

[Kieran Harrovian]

Wolf Kieran felt the werewolf bite him and he growled before snapping back. He was going to rip out this pups throat for even daring to come near his wife. He would rip the throats out of the entire pack. Their very very tentative truce be damned. Brie was still in the creek and, therefore, on their property. This werewolf was too close and they would be taught the lesson that many had already learned.

The noises and the fight went on for what seemed like forever but it was only a few minutes. Kieran did, indeed, rip the throat out of the werewolf and left the body to be found. The message clear: watch your pups, Marquis.

Kieran shifted back to his normal form as he walked back towards the creek and his wife. He was bleeding from multiple wounds and moving slowly as his body healed itself.

He was livid. Partially at Brie but mostly at himself for taking off the shoot order. He should have at least had her watched. He got to the edge of the creek and looked down at his wife with his arms crossed over his broad chest. He raised a brow that clearly said I told you.

 

[Polina]

With a final heave and squelching pop, she got her ankle free and staggered back, leaning on the stick. Now for support because her ankle pulsed and throbbed with an angry pain. She could already tell it was swelling inside her boot.

Movement caught the corner of her eyed and she released her knife, acting on instinct. Her fingers faltered in the last minute as she saw WHO it was. Not sure if it would be enough to deter the knife’s trajectory from hitting him.

“Kieran!” She breathed. Surprised. Relieved…until she saw the look he was giving her. “Hey. I never crossed fully!” She immediately defended herself. Then she saw the blood. Worry flickered across her face. She took a limping step toward him.

 

[Kieran Harrovian]

The knife did not hit him, thankfully. He was glad she realized it was him before it left her grip with more power. Kieran immediately softened when he saw her limp. All anger fled him as he pulled her into a deep kiss and then gathered her up into his arms to carry her home.

He was silent and brooding for at least five minutes before he finally spoke. "You were close enough. The stupid young werewolves think it's fun to see how close they can get before I kill them. They got very unlucky tonight."

"You are going to have to keep off that ankle for a few days, my dear. It would already be healed if you were a vampire...just saying," he teased and lifted his arms to place a kiss on her forehead. "Better be the best fucking mint of your life..."

 

[Polina]

“I didn’t realize they were so possessive about mint,” she grumbled. Fingers gently brushed over his drying blood. Worry creasing her brow.

“I could’ve handled it,” she insisted knowing that she probably couldn’t have. And that made her more angry. At herself.

“Are…you okay? I can walk. You don’t need to carry me.” True concern filtered in her tone. She was looking at one wound on his shoulder. Her arms wrapped gently around his neck. Her lips pressing a soft kiss on the edge of one of his wounds.

 

[Kieran Harrovian]

"No, you couldn't have. At least now you know that the danger is real. Especially in the dark. They come out during the day but it is rarer since they are nocturnal."

The gentle kiss on his healing wound made him smile down at her. His wife. His. Really, he was becoming hers...

"I heal quickly. I will be healed before we get to the house. You will not. I need to make sure it's just not a break. What happened?"

He hadn't see what had happened to her and she was free by the time he reemerged from his fight.

 

[Polina]

"I'm sure it's fine," she lied. She did NOT want to be cooped up and unable to move. She was already getting anxious about that. She was pretty sure it was a sprain.

Dear gods please let is just be a sprain.

"I'm not sure. My foot felt like it fell into a hole beneath the waters. The ground just...gave out." It was strange. It seemed like it had been a trap. Or perhaps something else. She'd only been focused on getting out more than anything else. He'd said fae were real. She'd heard stories of water spirits that were up to no good.

Perhaps that?

Head shook, frustration bubbling on her features.

"I just found out the world is different last night. You...other bedtimes stories we're taught aren't real ARE."

Everything was a little overwhelming.

"The wolf that jumped over me. That was you, right?"