Torgan Wine Ch. 10

"It uhhmm I uhhmm..." She shook her head and took a half step toward the doorway.

"Sit with your Daga. He says you may speak any language you please and he will speak to me while you collect yourself. Please." He gestured toward the sarg.

Her nervousness didn't begin to ease until she climbed onto the sarg. Lying on the warm stone and closing her eyes felt like she was being embraced. Isonei took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"That would be a picture worth painting." He sounded amused. "Daughter of Liadith asleep on the sarg."

Opening her eyes, she saw him smiling at her and did her best to return it.

"Move over, sweet girl. My father wants to sit with us both for a moment." The Daga settled onto the sarg on his back, shifting uncomfortably.

Inching closer, she pressed her forehead to his upper arm. He lifted his arm, wiggling closer to put it around her, and to let her press her face into the side of his chest. It felt odd, but comfortable, until he began to fidget.

"You never sit still, my Daga."

He laughed quietly and sighed. "My father does love me, so much that he let me be as I needed to be without smothering me in his love. It was difficult for him, but you soaked it up like a white cloth takes dye." Daga Liadith was quiet for a moment. "He thinks you're concerned about your duties as Keran. What concerns you so greatly, daughter of Liadith?"

Taking another deep breath, she decided to confess. "I think I did something wrong. When we were walking in the garden, we chanced across Draeseth. We spoke, and I kissed him before we parted." Isonei hesitated as the Daga shifted around again, when he stilled she continued tentatively, "After that she-she asked if I would give her a demonstration on how to kiss that way. I shouldn't have kissed him in front of her, and I know Daga Gildith said no demonstrations but she seemed very determined that I should teach her."

"What did you say?"

"That I would consider her wishes." Isonei nibbled the inside of her lip. "Am I-have I behaved terribly? I felt like I understood what was expected and then I-I..."

"Shhhh, sweet girl. Your Daga is not disappointed in you."

The juddering breath escaped her before she realized it and she pressed her face more firmly into his side.

"You don't flinch from anger, but disappointing someone you love makes you want to weep." He pressed her into his side. "Kissing in front of her is inappropriate, but I did kiss her in front of you. You can be forgiven your confusion."

She breathed in the way he smelled, it reminded her of his father very strongly, a woody, smoky sweet smell. It was soothing and very different from the way she remembered him smelling when they were younger.

"Was there anything else?"

"After she asked if my sisters had taught me how to do that, and I told her a lot of it was simply practice, she asked if I'd practiced with you."

"And you told her?"

"I was honest. It seemed like she really wanted to know so I told her we used to practice for hours and that you enjoyed it. That was when she got very determined."

The sound of him sucking his lips against his teeth was very loud. "Was she angry?"

"No, I don't think so. I think she just wants to be sure she can do it well." Isonei smiled as he fidgeted again. "She likes you. And she's always tried her best to excel in everything she did with her sisters."

Long moments passed. "You are Aran. Father says it's no more right of Daga Gildith to expect you to be perfectly Lerian than it is your Draeseth to expect you to be Torgan. If you feel comfortable teaching her as your sisters taught you, and she wishes it, it would not be inappropriate."

Isonei took a deep breath, relaxing. She hadn't realized how tense she was about the matter. "Yes, my Daga."

"You are loved as you are."

"So are you." The sarg and the silence they sat in were almost comfortable enough to put her to sleep.

"Come, we have guests to see for breakfast. And I think you'll like what's been decided." He got up carefully and helped her down, letting her turn to kiss the name before he led her out.

In the dining room the Torgans were already waiting. Draeseth was back in his black Torgan tunics but he still wore the scarlet sash. Burgath was dressed in another, less formal, Lerian jerkin and shirt with a zaffre sash. They bowed and then bowed again as Daga Gildith and his daughter arrived in the dining room.

"Thank you for joining us." Daga Liadith led Isonei to the table and seated her where she had been the night before. "My father would like to have his visits after breakfast instead of before. He wants more time to spend with her, and she isn't cheerful when she's woken early."

Draeseth made an amused sound in his throat.

"Is something amusing?" Daga Gildith asked coolly.

"My wife whines when she's woken. The way she tries to burrow into my side as she does it makes my mornings more pleasant." The desire in his dark eyes and the warmth of his smile made her wish she could be sitting next to him.

"The Keran should not be gazing so adoringly at someone who speaks inappropriately at the breakfast table." Daga Gildith seemed to be in a particularly sour mood.

"It's hardly inappropriate for a matched pair to speak of something as innocent as waking together." Daga Liadith made a gesture for the food to be brought.

"You are too lenient." The vivid green of his eyes was a warning and Isonei shivered.

"I will refrain." Draeseth spoke clearly, "I will do all required to help my wife in her task. I want to show her I am proud to be at her side, as I hope she will be at mine in Torga."

"You hope that when in Torga she will behave as a Torgan woman if you are more thoughtful here in her Daga's house?"

"No. I hope she will stand proudly at my side and help me with my duties. My wife is Aran; I will not require her to be more Torgan."

Daga Gildith struck the table, "You dress her in Torgan gowns; you expect her to-"

Draeseth stood defiantly returning the Daga's displeasure with his own, "You dress her in Lerian gowns and expect her to behave appropriately for the circumstances! She will be required to navigate the court as she does here. I will do all I can to make it easy for her but, as there are here, some proprieties must be observed."

"Sit down, Prince Draeseth. Daga Gildith, contain yourself." Daga Liadith spoke with cool confidence. "Both of you have had expectations of the daughter of Liadith that suggested you had forgotten she is Aran."

"In what way?" His icy green gaze turned back on her Daga and Isonei winced. "Child..."

"Is it only the Torgan's anger you don't flinch from?" Daga Liadith took her hand and squeezed it comfortingly. "He's concerned for you, there's nothing you have to be afraid of."

"Yes, my Daga."

"Displeasure has always made her uncomfortable. My concerns for her wellbeing should not be directed toward you as anger." Daga Gildith inclined his head slightly. "You seem too willing to let her go with him; I have my doubts on the wisdom of that choice."

"She is well loved, you've given no offense. My father has looked after her since she entered the house. I'm taking his observations and advice into account, my friend. He seems to think the Torgan loves her dearly, but doesn't have a gentle nature."

"Observations?" Draeseth's disquiet was hushed with a whispered word from his brother.

"I think my explain lacked." Isonei offered quietly.

"Your explanation lacked slightly, yes. But I think they found it comforting." He gave a meaningful look to Daga Gildith. "A Daga knows what goes on in his house."

"I have no qualms about leaving my daughter here. Your father's watchful eye and your Keran's good advice eased any concerns I had."

"Good." With a gesture breakfast was brought.

Over the meal the Dagas discussed the arrangements. When Isonei was visiting the elder Daga in the morning, Arissa would be in the garden with a few of the maids. Afterward, Isonei, the Daga, and Draeseth would join her to lounge and get to know one another. The rest of the time Isonei and Arissa would be together and left to their own devices.

The end of breakfast brought farewells. Daga Gildith and Prince Burgath were seen off, Daga Gildith more fondly than Prince Burgath with kisses from both Isonei and Arissa. Walking back to their chambers after the carriage left, Isonei and Arissa walked hand in hand and Draeseth trailed behind them with his hands clasped behind his back.

"I think he's hoping for another kiss." Arissa leaned in and murmured as they walked.

"It's inappropriate." Isonei whispered back. "I was told."

"Was he told?"

"I was told." Draeseth offered quietly. "I want to speak with my wife. We are not permitted to be alone together."

Arissa released her hand and fell back to try and take Draeseth's. The way the Torgan looked at her as if appalled and stepped away from her made Isonei laugh. "She won't bite you."

"She is Daga Liadith's intended, touching her would be inappropriate."

"He acts as though I'm trying to seduce him." Arissa looked as amused as she did annoyed. "I was going to allow you to walk between us, Isonei on one side and me on the other."

"He's not fond of holding hands, even with me. He prefers..." Isonei gave him a smile as she reached for his arm.

He returned it, presenting his arm for her to hold. "I enjoy the way you clasp my hand, but having you hold my arm this way I can walk proudly with you, my perfect jewel."

"And I must walk alone?" Arissa held out her hand imperiously. Grudgingly, Draeseth offered his other arm instead of his hand. "What did you want to talk about?" She tried to find a comfortable way to hold his arm.

Grunting and rolling his shoulders back he looked to Isonei, "Did you sleep well?"

"Not as well as I sleep next to you, my flower wine. How did you sleep?"

"I dreamt of you all night. Waking to find my bed empty was enough to make me as sullen on waking as you usually are." He teased, squeezing the arm she held closer to his body.

"You seem to be in a better mood now." Isonei smiled up at him.

"Knowing my wife wants to be by my side has improved my mood considerably." He frowned at their door as they approached it. "Knowing it will be some time before I can have you back where you belong threatens to sour it again."

"You could come in and dance with us. Isonei has promised to teach me the Seivenis Jara." Arissa moved to the door and held her hand out for Isonei.

"I don't dance." Draeseth kept his arm held against his side as if trying to keep Isonei in place.

"Not even privately and only with me?" Isonei leaned against him and tried to pull his arm up wanting to kiss his fingers, to her amusement his arm stayed put.

"You would have me be more Aran?" He gave her a stern look.

"Never. I just wanted to dance with you." She pressed her cheek to his arm before disentangling her arm from his. "I adore you as you are."

"Wife, if you asked me to cut a swath from here to Torga I would put the knife you gave me to such use..." He leaned close as if he were going to kiss her. "But I don't dance."

"I wouldn't ask you to do that, and I won't ask you to dance with me again, my Draeseth." It was so difficult not to kiss him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her face to his.

"Watching the two of you together can't be appropriate." Arissa's teasing reminded Isonei of her presence.

"I struggle with propriety when my wife is close." Even though her arms had loosened he kept his face pressed to hers. "I need to feel her skin against mine."

"Because she kisses you the way she does?" Arissa stepped closer.

"Because she looks at me the way she does. Because she does not ask me to be other than what I am." Draeseth spoke softly.

"You are magnificent, husband, but we have to be better behaved. I can't bear to disappoint my Daga."

He straightened slowly, clasping his hands behind his back. "When can we discuss our arrangement?"

"When we're all together," Arissa took hold of Isonei's hand and pulled her gently.

Draeseth stood stiffly and gave Arissa a searching look, "Why was Daga Gildith so angry this morning at breakfast?"

Arissa glanced at Isonei nervously. "When Isonei was unhappy with you she wrote how she felt out on paper. She meant to burn it..."

"No!" Isonei darted into the rooms and to the desk in the study. Yanking open the drawer, she saw the letter was gone. She frantically began to search the desk.

"He took it, Isonei. I was going to tell you when we came back to the room."

"No one else was meant to read that!" Isonei covered her face and sank into the chair.

"May I enter?" Draeseth called from outside the doorway.

"No." Arissa called back to him.

Isonei rose with a sigh and headed back to the door where Draeseth waited. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have..."

"Wife, writing your displeasure is nothing to apologize for. You could have turned your sharp tongue on me and I would not have complained. I would ask, in the future, if you write what I have done and how you feel on paper, give it to me." He smiled faintly, the way his eyes moved over her face she knew he wanted to touch her.

"I can do that, my Draeseth." She wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed him as tightly as she could. In response, he purred something in Torgan at her.

"Why wouldn't you say that in a language she can understand?" Arissa inquired from just behind her.

"She enjoys my language, and hers is at times forced and ungainly when I speak it. I would have her hear my pleasure with her even with she does not understand the words."

"I need to learn Torgan; I love to hear you speak it."

His soft throaty laughter made her wish she could invite him in and curl with him on the sofa. "My loving wife, I will teach you."

"Another day, perhaps?" Arissa sounded as if she were growing annoyed.

Pressing a kiss into his chest, Isonei reluctantly released him and stepped back. "Will you be joining us for lunch?"

"If the Daga will allow it, I will be joining you at every opportunity." Draeseth stepped back with a doting smile to bow before leaving.

"The two of you... show me how to do that to Daga Liadith." Arissa gave her a mischievous smile.

Shaking her head, Isonei tried not to laugh, "I can teach you what I know but I don't know if I can show you that. I don't think I know why he and I are so fond of each other."

Arissa beamed and dragged her to the sofa, "So you will teach me? Where do we start? What was the first thing your sisters taught you?"

"We start by getting comfortable. Being comfortable is important." She smiled warmly and settled onto the sofa patting the space beside her. "Try sitting comfortably so that part of you touches me just slightly. Close enough to reach out and touch me while we talk."

Arissa sat next to her as she'd asked. "Why?"

"You want to have a willing partner and so do they." She smiled warmly and stroked Arissa's arm. "Men like to be touched as much as we do. The more I stroke my Draeseth the more he tries to be close, not all men are like that but the ones I prefer are."

She adjusted herself leaning toward Arissa. "A man should put you at your ease the same way you do for him. The anticipation increases the enjoyment and to do it right he has to make you ready first." The first kiss was soft and gentle with only her lips on Arissa's, not trying to go beyond them.

Isonei kept her voice low and sweet, "Kissing is my favorite way to begin. I like to start softly and let the man deepen the kiss, but sometimes they like it when I do."

Arissa was leaning in for the second before she had finished speaking. Isonei kept it slow and tender, unhurriedly letting her tongue lightly brush Arissa's lips asking for entrance. As her lips parted, Isonei let her tongue dart with languid playfulness back and forth, before swirling the tip of her tongue around Arissa's and encouraging her to respond.

Her hand caressed the woman's cheek and pale golden hair, and as Arissa darted her own tongue into Isonei's mouth, Isonei sucked gently for a brief moment, eliciting a gasp and a soft moan.

Breathily, she whispered against Arissa's lips, "Slow, soft, and sweet. Touching heightens pleasure. Lips and hands are far more important than any other part. The right touch of the lips can make your skin burn and ache to be touched." She breathed on Arissa's skin as she kissed from the corner of her mouth along her jaw to below her ear and teasingly gave a light version of one of Draeseth's biting kisses. Lips, tongue and then the touch of teeth.

"If... if Daga Liadith can do this I will be happily matched. I understand now why your Torgan is so jealous." Arissa was flushed and staring at Isonei's lips as she pulled back.

"He and I used to kiss for hours. My sisters used to talk about the things they liked and the things they didn't, we went through all of them. But I've had a lot more practice since." They dissolved into giggles and Arissa put her head on Isonei's shoulder.

"Did I do it right?"

"Absolutely. As long as you go slowly and pay attention to your partner you'll find there isn't much you can do wrong." Isonei rested her cheek on Arissa's hair. "It's the same in bed, you touch and taste, find out what they like and what they don't. Listen to the sounds and to what they say, and don't be afraid to tell him how you want to be touched. Once I showed Draeseth, what to do with his hands while he was inside me, you'd have thought I showed him how to turn steel into gold." She laughed as Arissa covered her face and shook her head.

"There's so much I want to know!" Arissa laughed, "What if he's too small? Or too big? Have you ever had that happen?" She wrapped her arms around Isonei's waist getting comfortable.

"Never!" Isonei grinned, enjoying herself. "There are so many positions that can make up for any issues with size."

"What size is Daga Liadith?"

"I don't know. We kissed but we never went further than that, we weren't old enough to be ready." Isonei felt the Lerian woman relax slightly. "I can tell you all about the men I have gone to bed with, my Draeseth is by far the largest." They both giggled and she began to tell her about men of different sizes and shapes until the time came for lunch.

°°°°°°°°°°

At lunch, Isonei noticed immediately that Arissa was trying to apply her lessons. Sitting on the other side of the Daga, she tried not to giggle as Arissa touched his arm repeatedly and stroked his hand as he rested it on the table. She certainly had his attention. Isonei began putting food on her own plate, giving Draeseth a smile.

"That is considered appropriate?" Draeseth inquired curiously, startling the Daga who had been conversing quietly and intently with Arissa over the meal.

"They aren't doing anything untoward, not that I can see." Isonei teased giving the Daga mischievous smile. "Why do you ask?"

"Sitting so close, stroking his arm that way, that's not permissible for a courting pair in Torga."

"In Torga, do husbands look at their wives the way you look at Isonei?" Arissa asked before selecting a stuffed date from her plate and eating it.