Torgan Wine Ch. 13

"I did. I told you my father would chide me. And you said-" She stopped as the Daga held up his hand.

"What did you say?" Arissa was looking at him with concern.

"That her father would chide her no matter what she did, she might as well enjoy herself and earn it." He looked sheepish. "I knew he chided her more than he should, I didn't realize..."

"When my brothers started, I stopped coming to Leria. It was too much. But I think they felt badly for it. Ivorith made me practice my Lerian once a week, if he hadn't it would be worse than it is."

"Which of your brothers was it that I struck?" Draeseth frowned as he took a bite of his own food.

"Ialath. The one who brought me Andnaeuth's letters and not yours."

His growling grunt sounded almost vicious. "It was the other one who told me you were with Andnaeuth in the garden; he said the jester was making sure you would have a reason to return."

"I doubt he referred to him as 'the jester'." Isonei rubbed his thigh and picked up one of the halves of roll on her plate to eat.

"He said, 'Her jester is making sure she has a reason to return'. The way he said it I thought I would find you in his arms the moment I walked into the garden. Not finding you at all was worse."

"The palace gardens are like a maze. I didn't know where to hide in them when I wanted to but I easily get lost in them. Andnaeuth had to lead me to where you were when you were calling for me."

"Did he?" Draeseth looked at her in surprise.

"He did. He had a look on his face as if he thought he was a fool for doing it, but..." Isonei gave him a warm smile. "I'm glad he did. If I hadn't given you your gift before he gave me his you might have left me in Ara."

"I would have ripped the bell from your neck and shoved it into the gaping hole where his head used to be if he had kept you from me until dinner. You are mine, Isonei." There was no indication on his face that it was a jest as he leaned close to press his face against hers.

"Is that even possible? Tearing someone's head off?" Arissa's voice had a slight nervous edge.

"I've done it once." Draeseth turned back and placed an arm on the table, shrugging with one shoulder. "It took great effort. But he drew a weapon in an unarmed bout and he mocked my mother." He took another bite of his breakfast giving her a questioning look.

Daga Liadith looked at Isonei with an earnest expression. "Speak to him before my father does? I don't want it to come as a surprise to him or for him to think he's being mocked."

"Speak to me of what?" The Torgan looked at her with a frown.

"While we were enjoying ourselves last night, the Daga and Lady Arissa chose to go walking alone." She saw his disapproving glance to the Daga and turned in her chair pulling his hand to her lap. "They thought we had fallen asleep because it was so late but..."

"They peered in the window?" His face darkened and he began to scowl.

"They did, and after seeing us enjoying each other so blissfully they went to bed to do the same."

"Did you give her your silphium?"

"I did."

"They should not be sitting next to each other, and there will be no more lounging in the garden. If they cannot behave they should be kept entirely separate."

"Prince Draeseth, you-" Daga Liadith began coolly and stopped as Draeseth turned a chillingly black look on him.

"You broke your word to Daga Gildith. You were meant to behave as a Daga should and show his daughter the respect she is worthy of. If she were my daughter I would kill you, you would not be marrying her." His arm was as hard as stone as Isonei stroked it trying to calm him. "That is not even taking into consideration that you peered into my window and gazed upon my wife. Twice."

Isonei stood and squeezed herself onto Draeseth's lap, feeling the table biting into her back as she straddled his hips. "My flower wine, I love and appreciate the fervor with which you're trying to help me do my duty as Keran. But I need you to calm. They will be on their best behavior until the ceremony, and we will watch them closely."

He grunted still looking displeased. "They should be kept separate."

"They may sit next to each other at the table. But they won't be lounging together, and if I'm not with Arissa for any reason, I would ask you to be with the Daga at that time."

Nodding slowly, his displeasure began to relax somewhat.

"Please refrain from killing my Daga? Or from suggesting he be killed? They have both apologized to me already but I think they're afraid of your temper. Please give them the opportunity to make amends?" Isonei gave him a gentle, hopeful smile.

"For you wife, I will control my temper. I will allow them to beg my forgiveness." He stopped her as she tried to move from his lap. "Stay, it is easier to be calm with you close."

"The table..." She took a breath and before she could finish the sentence Draeseth was pushing the heavy table back toward the Daga and Arissa as if it were as light as a chair. "Thank you, my flower wine."

"It took four men to bring this table in, and it hasn't moved since my father had it put here."

"My husband is magnificent and impressively strong." Isonei smiled proudly at Draeseth and the Torgan couldn't keep the pleased look off of his face.

"I will move it back if only so my wife will keep looking at me that way."

She took a breath and rested her head in the crook of his neck. "I adore you."

His cheek pressed against the careful twists of her hair. "You may apologize."

°°°°°°°°°°

Isonei had almost nodded off in Draeseth's lap as the Daga and Arissa apologized at length, much more thoroughly than they had to her. He received a formal apology fit for a Prince. That she was in his lap with her skirt almost high enough to show the bands of her silvery silk stockings didn't seem to matter.

Draeseth had been amused to realize she was drowsing, two people terrified of his displeasure sat across from them and she was so certain of his control she could fall asleep. The look on his face when she smiled and said she trusted him almost made her lean in to be kissed.

Arissa seemed more than happy to take her hand and walk with her to the benches in the garden after he'd finally accepted their apologies. Once they were settled onto a bench, comfortably curled together under a light blanket in the sun, she started to tease. "Your Torgan could make a stone wall flinch, and you lounge across him as if he's soft and soothing."

"To me he is, most of the time. He's said he's my sweet beast, wicked and loving. And he makes a wonderful pillow." She giggled snuggling back against Arissa.

"Mm, I hope Daga Liadith does as well. I'm looking forward to sleeping in his room."

"I'll be sure to put notes on the positions that leave me the sleepiest in case you have trouble." The two giggled together and fell silent.

Some time later Isonei was partially roused by quiet voices, "They look so lovely."

"They do. I prefer my wife's hair down or in Torgan braids but even in those peculiar Aran twists she is perfection."

"The Lerian fashion suited her best." There was a pause, "If the match is made permanent I would ask you to come here and allow me to give her a ceremony."

"I will consider it. She would be required to grant me a Torgan wedding first."

"Of course. I would also like to ask you if you would stand with me at my ceremony."

There was a moment's silence. "I am honored, what does it entail?"

"You stand next to me as my kin, my sister's husband." He sounded as if he were explaining something confusing, "By custom she is seen as my daughter, but anyone who knows my family knows she was meant to be my sister."

"In Torga we have a similar tradition. But the one who stands next to you as a brother has responsibilities. He brings the bride to the ceremony to be certain she arrives safely and he fights any who would object to the wedding."

She heard the Daga suck his lips against his teeth and remark with amusement, "If I were concerned that she would be waylaid or that anyone would object, you would be the man I would ask, my sister's husband or not."

Draeseth snorted a laugh.

"All that is required of you is to observe. It is the most formal of occasions, only Lerian will be spoken and I will have to ask you again to dress in Lerian formal clothing."

"I understand. I dislike seeing my wife in those clothes, but I will be glad to have her back after the ceremony."

"How can you dislike them? I have never seen her look more lovely. A daughter in the color of her family is a thing of beauty."

The sound Draeseth made almost prodded her to open her eyes. "The dress shows too much. It nearly bares her breasts to the..." he made a noise and spat something in Torgan.

"Nipple. You don't find that beautiful?"

"I would have the perfect curve of her breasts kept for my eyes alone."

"I can see why she doesn't mind wearing the high necked gowns for you. You couch your jealousy with praise." The Daga offered dryly.

"She strives to please me in as many ways as she can." Draeseth stiffly countered.

"She loves you."

"My Isonei is... honest. If she loved me she would say so. That she adores me is enough for now." The soft hint of yearning she heard in his voice made her heart ache. She kept her eyes closed so that she wouldn't have to answer.

"That isn't entirely true. Ask her what her father said about those words when you're alone."

"What did your father say?" Arissa murmured behind her.

Isonei sighed, chewing on the inside of her lip and opening her eyes.

"I think they're awake." The Daga sounded pleased.

Arissa prodded her.

"My father... my father always told me that it's better to never say those words than to say them too readily. I've never..." She looked at Draeseth apologetically as he studied her, "I've never said it, not to someone who isn't family. My father says it's not something that can be taken back and to-to come to regret those words would be soul crushing."

"You give pieces of your heart but never say the words?" The faintest of smiles curved his lips.

"Yes."

"I think you misunderstood your father. That's like kissing me and never saying 'I kiss my husband.'"

Opening her mouth to argue, she quickly closed it again as she contemplated his words.

"Do you love her?" Arissa adjusted her position to rest her head on top of Isonei's arm.

"I love her with all of my heart. She is my happiness and my only desire." His dark eyes held her gaze. "I can wait."

"I'm very fortunate that the woman I love wasn't raised by Lord Eliorith." Daga Liadith smiled at Arissa adoringly. "Daga Gildith was a far better father."

"If Lord Eliorith were an easier man, my wife might fear my moods. She loves him and I will try not to think so poorly of the man."

"I will think poorly enough of him for you both," Arissa huffed. "Isonei is more sweet than sensible, I expected you to be angrier."

"I agree with his advice." Draeseth gave Arissa a measuring look. "We are taught to guard our hearts for marriage. He explained it poorly but it is good advice. I would tell my own children something similar."

Isonei smiled at his stern expression. "You have less difficulty saying the words."

"But my heart is yours alone." He returned her smile.

"My mothers taught me that a heart isn't like a loaf of bread. The more love you give the more you have." She took a deep breath, "But the look on my father's face each time he warned me..."

"It would be easy to be confused with your mothers telling you one thing and your father another. That he had more than one wife would not help his point."

"Not wives, lovers. And he loves my mothers."

"Why did they give their other lovers more children than they did your father?"

Daga Liadith scoffed and imitated Lord Eliorith, "House Ernelis does not sprawl, it towers."

Arissa began to laugh, "He dared to say that in my father's presence only once. My father looked at him in silence until he began to apologize."

"My father believes that with fewer children a House can achieve more. They can be given more opportunities. My brothers have always tried to use my father's wealth to greatest advantage, they're in no hurry to take a lover unless it will further their ambitions." Isonei smiled wryly, "Ialath has been pursuing Daeira for some time. Ivorith only cares for expanding my father's estate and interests. He tried to be friends with Andnaeuth but... you know how he can be."

"I do. I knew him in Torga he is..." Draeseth lapsed into Torgan with an expansive hand gesture and the Daga began to laugh.

"I don't know some of those words." Arissa half sat up folding her arms over Isonei's hip and leaning.

"They probably aren't nice ones." Isonei tried to give the Torgan a scolding look but she couldn't keep the amusement off of her face.

"They certainly aren't." The Daga smiled shaking his head. "You described him much differently Isonei."

"He shows me a different side. And as he pointed out, I have a fondness for horrible men." She teased Draeseth with a smile.

"What does that mean?" The Daga arched an eyebrow at her.

"It means you weren't horrible enough for Isonei but you're just horrible enough for me." Arissa laughed.

"Horrible." Isonei tried the word and Daga Liadith's green eyes sparkled.

"Be careful what you teach her, my love."

"I will have to teach her Torgan insults, I do not relish the thought." Draeseth adjusted himself on his cushions.

"I learned a great many from Onsh-Lothlaerith You will have to pass through his gate to enter Torga and he will want to be sure the daughter of Liadith is not being taken against her will. If you ask him nicely he may be willing to teach her some for you."

"You believe he will delay us." Draeseth gave the Daga a sour look.

"I know he will." Reassuringly he added, "Probably no more than a day or two."

"Daga Lothlaerith has always refused our requests to meet. My wife may be a daughter of Liadith, but she is also Aran. You believe he would be hospitable?"

"Hospitality isn't something they excel at." Arissa muttered. "I was offered first to Onsh-Lothlaerith, I couldn't leave quickly enough. That man is like ice."

"For which I will be grateful all of my life." Daga Liadith made a gesture and a servant came to whisper into his ear.

"Prince Draeseth, something has arrived for you and our lunch is ready."

"Your wedding gift and gifts for my wife." Draeseth came to his feet in a smooth motion. "After lunch I will ask you where I may put your gift until the appropriate time."

"Is it large?" Arissa asked curiously as Isonei stood and helped her from the bench. "And what have you brought for Isonei?"

"Perhaps he will let us see them after lunch?" The Daga smiled as he came to take her hand.

"It is considered poor form to show a gift and not give it. And it would bring you ill-luck if I gave it to you before your wedding." Draeseth looked at the pair with amusement. "I will be giving my wife most of her gifts if you wish to see them."

°°°°°°°°°°

Lunch passed quickly with Arissa peppering Draeseth with questions about the gifts until Isonei was almost ready to have him wait out of spite. The Torgan however seemed to be enjoying it.

"I had hoped you would be this excited, my jewel." He lifted her hand to kiss with an amused look.

"She's never been one to be enthusiastic over receiving gifts; she's usually giddy about giving them." Daga Liadith took Arissa's hand and squeezed it. "The only time I've seen her truly jubilant over a gift was when my father gave her the room. Her eyes lit up when he brought her into the family rooms and when he gave it to her she jumped up and down and embraced him."

"It's the thought behind the gift that brings joy, giving is a way of showing fondness and to receive is to accept that care from another. It's unseemly to be too excited before you receive a gift."

"If we've finished eating... The daughter of Liadith may not be giddy over your gifts but my dear Arissa is. I would rather she not have to wait." The Daga smiled wryly and Arissa was out of her chair and pulling him out of his immediately.

"If I had something to throw at him, I swear I would." She huffed sullenly and looked up at Draeseth's grin as he pulled her along to the sitting room where Krouth had been told to unpack the trunks.

"If you throw anything at me I will have you over my knees in an instant."

"Is that supposed to encourage or discourage me, my flower wi-" Isonei gasped as he turned her abruptly and landed a loud smack on her covered behind. It didn't sting with the layers between his hand and her skin but she promptly started to try to poke him, "You horrible man!"

Laughing, he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder. She heard him clear his throat, "She was misbehaving, Daga Liadith." He didn't put her down, simply marched forward as if having her slung over his shoulder was perfectly normal.

Arissa and the Daga fell in behind them looking at Isonei with a mix of curiosity and amusement. Isonei sighed and tried to look annoyed, "Sometimes a husband who can lift me as easily as a sack of potatoes isn't as much fun as you would think." She flushed as he landed another playful smack without breaking his stride.

Giggling, Arissa teased her, "You could try behaving."

Isonei made a face at her and the Daga began to laugh as well. "I should be chiding him for striking her but it's clearly playful and not punishing. But the daughter of Liadith should be a little more dignified, Isonei." He gestured at the position she was in.

"I didn't climb over his shoulder!"

"You didn't ask to be put down either." Arissa grinned and made a face back at her.

Draeseth began to laugh in his throat, gently setting her on her feet inside the sitting room. "My wife enjoys being carried as much as I enjoy carrying her."

Rising on her toes she teased him, "I enjoy your playfulness, not being slung over your shoulder like-" She squealed as he pulled her off balance and put his tongue in her ear. "Wicked, horrible man!"

"This is a different man than the one we've sat across the table from, Daga Liadith! I like this one much better." Arissa teased and came to tug Isonei away to sit on the small backless sofa.

The Torgan gave a growling grunt and found a chair next to the Daga.

"It's still the same man, my love. But perhaps you understand now why he hasn't been permitted to touch her, punishment aside. We would have been entirely without a Keran."

Wordlessly, Krouth brought a sizable wooden box to the Torgan Prince and opened it. The sight of its contents seemed to surprise the Daga who sucked his teeth against his lips in astonishment.

"My father had it made for my mother when he gave her the Torga Kroscur."

There was no way Isonei could keep Arissa from dragging her off of the sofa and over to the chairs. Inside the box was a thick golden necklace with fat, dark gems and the seal of Kroscur prominently shown in the middle. The stones were set on large, ornately carved golden flowers that looked intricately hinged together, and the disc in the middle that bore the seal was made of black stone.

"He gave her the Torga Kroscur?" The Daga sounded stunned.

"He made her a duchess. Her father was of the lower nobility and he was given stewardship of his daughter's land until her son came of age." He lifted out the heavy looking necklace. "Come here my Isonei; let me see this on your beautiful neck."