Tanith of Gold 08
“And,” Frederick walked around the table where the others were seated until he was facing Tanith and Michael. He seated himself in front of them, took their hands in his own and looked at them very intently. Tanith met the King's bright blue eyes and felt herself dissolve then she became aware of the calm and steady presence of Michael. They turned their heads to look at each other. For the first time that evening, Michael allowed himself to look directly at Tanith and he knew her as if she were part of himself and he had just recognised her for the first time. They were speechless and the King's voice softly said, “It is as I thought. Tanith, you are a light bearer as I have already recognised. Michaell you are a chosen messenger and you have great hidden power.”
The Marriage
And,” Frederick walked around the table where the others were seated until he was facing Tanith and Michael. He seated himself in front of them, took their hands in his own and looked at them very intently. Tanith met the King's bright blue eyes and felt herself dissolve then she became aware of the calm and steady presence of Michael. They turned their heads to look at each other. For the first time that evening, Michael allowed himself to look directly at Tanith and he knew her as if she were part of himself and he had just recognised her for the first time. They were speechless and the King's voice softly said, “It is as I thought. Tanith, you are a light bearer as I have already recognised. Michael you are a chosen messenger and you have great hidden power.”
Frederick rose and pulled them up with him. Still holding their hands he said, with a slightly roguish air. “You have loved each other since you met. I have to marry you now.” It was a simple idea and they simply nodded, still hungrily locked in each other's gaze.
Frederick gave a great shout of laughter and joy, “Portia, send for my best wine. We are having a wedding tonight!” Squeals from the kitchen testified that she had heard and there was much bustling and laughter as more servants hustled in and under Portia's direction the furniture was rearranged and additional drapes and carpets were brought.
Almost unnoticed now, Michael and Tanith drew away into an alcove. They were still holding hands. Rowan pulled her closer to him and said, “Do you want to marry me?” Tanith looked up at him and kissed him softly on his lips. “I do want to marry you. I have loved you since I first saw you.”
“And I have loved you since ...since you threw me against the wall.” They smiled at the small lie and he kissed her back very gently. She relaxed against him and lifted her head to breathe in his air.
Tanith's grandfather arrived. He immediately embraced Tanith, his eyes filled with tears, and there were no words necessary between them. He clasped Michael's hands and then embraced him.
They assembled in the transformed room. Frederick placed the couple on either side of him. He bowed his head and there was silence. With dignity and poise, as if he were in the highest court of his kingdom, he intoned the Latin marriage ceremony. When it had ended he bowed his head and said in Arabic, “Live in light.” Tanith and Michael responded and they spontaneously embraced.
The celebratory dinner was filled with laughter and at times ribald jokes as Portia excelled herself as hostess. A cask of the best wine was drained, mostly by Frederick and old Robert, who unashamedly wept every few minutes, interspersing the weeping fits with ribald army songs, sung in a rich baritone. The King joined in lustily, seeming to know all the words. Michael, never a heavy drinker, did not feel like losing the bliss in which he was swimming. He was sitting next to his wife, their thighs and shoulders touching, and he felt as if they were surrounded by swirling galvanic currents. She sipped one goblet of wine and did not seem to favour it. He moved his arm round her waist and she swayed towards him.
Frederick, in the midst of a roaring joke with old Robert instantly noticed the couple's preoccupation. “We have an early morning and we will all need some sleep tonight! Michael ... Tanith ....you go to bed and I will have one more glass with Portia and Robert.”
Suddenly blushing, the bride and groom made their farewells. Tanith made as if to help her grandfather to bed but Frederick waved her away and they were able to escape to Michael's bedroom.
The heavy door closed and they were alone. Tanith suddenly moved away from him, her eyes downcast. He could not speak with fright, thinking that she having second thoughts. Then she looked up with the brave and challenging look that he was to know so well.
“I do not know what to do next. You will have to tell me ... how to please you.” Before he could even think of a reply she loosened her robe and stepped out of it - standing naked in front of him. “Do you like my body? It is so hard and muscular and I have so many scars.” She stood bravely in front of him, without any guile or hint of seduction. Portia had placed many candles and a few lanterns in the room. The light gleamed on Tanith's large firm breasts, her muscular torso and glistening pubic hair. Michael was going to say something practiced and reassuring when he saw two small tears sliding down her cheeks. An overwhelming tenderness flooded through him. He had been occupied as they entered the room in choosing one of the many seduction techniques he had perfected. He knew from that moment that only unflinching honesty would be correct with Tanith.
He loosened all his clothes and stood naked before her. “I only have what you see and I will worship you with this body until I die.” He walked towards her in a trance of intent and placed his arms on her shoulders. He felt her arms on his sides and he drew her closer. “We have nothing to do but to love each other.” He led her towards the bed and for a long time they lay in each other's arms, content to lie close and breathe in the other's breath, gazing into depths of eyes and losing all sense of self. There was no conscious progression and no sense of technique and no sense of time. When he finally entered her body with his there was a little constriction and a gasp from her and they were moving slowly as one body. When she arched in ecstasy of climax he poured into her. When this was happening she grasped his head and compelled him to look at her eyes. “I have to stay with you,” she gasped as she spasmed around him. They lay together, locked, as she was gripping him so tightly that he felt as hard as adamantine. Gradually her spasms subsided and he could only wonder at her boundless ecstasy. Then they lay side by side and she told him in whispers of her training by the Persian priestesses. Tenderly he stroked and explored her body with his fingertips and they made love again. Once more she urgently grasped his head and stared into his eyes even when passion convulsed their bodies. They drifted into a dreamless sleep, closely tucked together, their limbs entwined.
