Torgan Wine Ch. 19

"Wife..." He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her hard against his side. "I have changed my mind; I demand you try to kiss me out of my moods."

A small laugh escaped her as he pressed his face to hers. "And you say I'm difficult."

"Kiss your husband until he is less sour, woman." Draeseth lifted her into his lap, sliding to give Krouth more space.

Playfully, she pressed little kisses to his lips and along his jaw until he captured her mouth and kissed her voraciously, as if he were trying to devour her. Isonei caressed his face and hair as she invited him in, gently and teasingly sucking his tongue when he grew too demanding. It made him groan in his throat and when he broke the kiss he was as breathless as she was. He kept her held close moving his hands over her back as she pressed gentle, soothing kisses into the base of his throat.

"I think I've decided to find an Aran wife." Burgath murmured after a few long moments. "Do you have any sisters, Lady Isonei?"

"I do," She glanced at him with amusement. "I have five but only two are blood related to me and I haven't seen them since my mother died. The other three belong to my other two mothers."

"Those three taught you about men?" Draeseth asked carefully.

"Oh yes. Quite a few of the things you like I learned from them." She smiled as he looked viciously smug.

"Your sisters..." Burgath stared at her.

"Aran sisters teach each other things. She spent a great deal of time discussing things with Arissa and giving the woman ideas." Draeseth adjusted her in his lap getting comfortable.

Burgath covered his face and muttered in Torgan before taking a breath, looking enviously at his brother, "Whether I take an Aran bride or not I'll send the woman to stay with you and learn from your wife."

"If it doesn't interfere with her marital duties."

The smaller Prince snorted. "You'll have to let her out of bed eventually."

"Both of you are horrible and wicked!" Isonei poked Draeseth in the chest.

He grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers before rubbing them against his smooth cheek. "My wickedness is all you need concern yourself with." The carriage came to a stop before she could reply to him and he said something quietly in Torgan that made both Krouth and Taugh nod sharply.

The door opened and the two servants stepped out assisting the Princes and Lady Isonei from the carriage.

"This way." The Commander was nowhere to be seen but two of the men he'd been with escorted them to a small door set in a much larger one.

She and the Princes walked into the large stone hall with impressive carvings along one wall which revealed another room on the other side through the cleverly cut out flowers. There was a mural painted on the other of a massive gate and proud looking men in hip sashes of Lothlaerith blue-green, the color of blood. Isonei was marveling at it all delightedly while the two Princes looked at her as if she were mad.

"Wife, this gate house is a killing room. Bowmen fire from behind that wall you're admiring and boiling oil is poured from the holes above us." Draeseth pointed upward at the high ceiling and the openings in it. "Our two exits," he pointed at the massive door they had come through that looked from this side as if only the small part would ever open, and then at the other end at the narrow door that looked scored and burned but solid. "If they don't wish us to leave alive, we won't."

"The Dagas Lothlaerith are known to be very capable men, quick and viciously clever. I think the Commander wanted to make a point by putting me in this beautiful room."

"Have a care." Burgath spoke wryly as if she were slow coming to an obvious conclusion.

Shaking her head with a smile she stifled a laugh, "Perhaps, but it feels more like... There is safety behind these walls. I don't feel threatened here."

"Nor should you, daughter of Liadith. Your travelling companions, however, attempted to take you through my gate without my knowledge. They were clever, knowing I would refuse to meet with Torgans of any rank and that I have no interest in meeting with Arans either. Had you not visited the baths and been drawn into conversation..." The old Daga smiled faintly at her from behind the carved stone wall. "And you require me to meet with them if I wish to see you."

"They think they are clever but no harm was done. Prince Draeseth has the respect of Daga Liadith and Daga Gildith. Prince Burgath uhhmm he is as my brothers of House Ernelis proud and uhhmm..." Lacking the word she gave the Aran gesture for arrogant placing her finger on the tip of her nose before jerking her head up and to the side as if looking away from something in exaggerated annoyance.

"Arrogant? I would argue that Lady Isonei." Burgath looked at her with a peeved expression.

"As do my brothers when I say it. You are not bad but uhhmm you have uhhmm knots."

The Torgan looked baffled.

"Flaws. He has flaws, as do we all."

"Yes!" Isonei nodded and smiled at the Daga gratefully.

"Surely not the daughter of Liadith?" The older man's voice had just a hint of teasing in it.

"All. My Daga says I am difficult." She made a face and the Daga laughed softly.

"Liadith would know best, difficult one." He paused and then said more seriously. "Enter my home, daughter of Liadith. I will allow these two to enter it as well. They will be the first Torgans to be invited since the Desecration. I would have you make clear to them that this is a great honor. If they give any offense I will hang them from my gate."

"I understand Daga Lothlaerith, it will be clear." The man moved out of sight and Isonei turned to the Torgans. "If you have any doubts about whether you can refrain from giving offense I will give him your apologies and you would be allowed to-"

"You expect him to provoke us?" Draeseth frowned beckoning her closer.

"No, I don't. But he said 'any offense'. You saw how quick my Daga was to react when Ivorith-"

Draeseth stopped her with a thumb over her lips. "We saw. And I can see the worry in your eyes my sweet wife. He will not have a reason to hang me." He glanced to Burgath.

"Nor me. I learned a great deal during my stay with Daga Gildith. I advise you not to touch your wife, brother. Liadith was lax, he allowed you to flirt and even kiss her without repercussions. Gildith threatened to castrate me for smiling too long at his daughters."

Stepping back to remove Draeseth's thumb from her lips she advised earnestly, "You also need to be aware of the immensity of the honor you're being granted." The Torgan Princes looked at her with some amusement and she frowned at them. "I advise you to be as grateful and gracious as you would expect a peasant who had been invited to sit with your father to be. You don't have to be obsequious but you must be appreciative."

"We understand the honor and opportunity we are being given, Lady Isonei. We will be as appreciative as our pride allows us to be." Burgath spoke with a careful coolness as he gave her a sharp smile.

"I don't want to see either of you hang." Isonei clasped her hands and looked at him with worry.

His face softened slightly. "That is deeply appreciated." Burgath glanced to Draeseth, "Your Duchess' concern is bewitching."

"So long as you do not forget, she is my Duchess."

The sound of the narrow door being opened ended their conversation. A man dressed as one of the men in the market stepped out and the Commander stood slightly sideways in the doorway, the narrowness preventing him from facing them entirely as he remained behind the frame.

Giving them a look of frosty displeasure the Commander spoke coolly, "My father bids you enter. Do not forget the warning you were given."

Isonei looked at him carefully and inclined her head, "You are Onsh-Lothlaerith."

The expression on his face didn't change as he turned and preceded them wordlessly down the low narrow corridor. Both Torgans had to stoop and turn sideways to follow.

Inside, the house seemed dim. There were no windows in the entryway and few lamps but the ceilings were not so low that the Torgans had to continue stooping and the corridors not so narrow that they had to walk sideways. The house itself was baffling. Instead of sprawling out like the homes she was accustomed to this one seemed to climb and had few windows that she could see.

She considered asking about the house but the retreating back of Onsh-Lothlaerith didn't seem as though it would be a pleasure to talk to. Finally the man opened a door in one of the corridors and they were ushered into a comfortably appointed room. It wasn't as lavish as what she was accustomed to at her Daga's house but it was warm and welcoming. Two fireplaces were burning cheerfully and heavy looking drapes had been pulled back to reveal impressively large windows that allowed the daylight to spill in. The Daga was already seated, half lounging, on one of the wide sofas.

"Be welcome." He made a gesture at the other sofas, one of which now held a displeased looking Onsh. "Will you sit with me, daughter of Liadith?"

"I will be glad Daga Lothlaerith."

"To sit with a daughter of Liadith by my side is a pleasure I never expected to have." Daga Lothlaerith smiled and his green eyes shone like polished gems.

"The pleasure is mine." Returning his smile, Isonei settled in front of him as she would with her own Daga, lounging in a half sitting position against the raised arm as he was.

The Torgans managed to lounge gracefully together on opposite ends of their sofa and she gave them an approving look.

"How is Liadith? It's been some time since I've spoken with him." The Daga asked as he tucked a stray strand of hair back into her braid.

"He is well, happy when I left."

"He was happy you left?" Daga Lothlaerith laid a hand on her arm.

"No! Uhhmm, I left after the festivities, after the ceremony. He and Arissa are matched." She turned her head slightly to give him an amused look, to her surprise he wasn't smiling. "Is something wrong?"

He looked pointedly at Onsh-Lothlaerith. "We will need to send a gift."

"There was nothing here she liked."

"Liadith is a friend, as is Gildith."

Isonei laid her head on her arm. It seemed Arissa had made as poor an impression on them as Onsh-Lothlaerith had made on her.

"Send whatever you wish, father." Onsh met her gaze and scowled at her. She sank back slightly against the Daga.

The older man behind her sighed and when she glanced up at him again he was rubbing his temple. Isonei turned a frown on Onsh-Lothlaerith.

"You are not so nice to your father. If it is too much you ask to help. My Daga paints he pleases uhhmm bright. Arissa pleases pretty things. In uhhmm in your market," she turned away from the offended looking Onsh to look up at the Daga, "there are bright flowers. Send seeds and some of your lovely words, Daga Lothlaerith. It is done." Isonei smiled at him encouragingly before sending another frown to Onsh, "It is not difficult to be nice."

"The flowers here don't please her, they don't smell as nice as the ones her father grows." Onsh narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Her idea is a good one. Liadith would enjoy painting them even if she doesn't like the smell. We will send seeds and lovely words, daughter of Liadith." The Daga stroked her arm and laid his cheek against her hair. "Who served as Keran? We had to borrow Varenia."

"I served as Keran. Varenia and Arissa slept in the same room?" She rolled to look up at the Daga, "They quarrel! Like uhhmm like..." the word escaped her completely, "the little birds that bite and scream."

Daga Lothlaerith touched her face with a faint smile. "She is matched to your Daga."

"And I love her even when she is not so nice."

His smile widened, "She lacks your charm. I would find some substitute for a Keran if you would agree to stay. Your Daga should be seeking a match for you. Nothing less than an Onsh or a Daga."

"The eldest said that." She watched his face split into a grin. "But uhhmm the youngest understands I am uhhmm..."

"Bound to me." Draeseth spoke quietly.

The polished green stone of the Daga's eyes cracked with darker shades as his face lost its amusement. The look he leveled at Draeseth was dangerous.

"Uhhmm... No. Yes and no. A match is long, yes? And that is only one." Isonei met the Daga's baffled gaze. "In Ara, I can have uhhmm," she mimed choosing things from an imaginary selection in front of her, "this one, and this one, and if I want maybe this one. Yes? I have fear of only one."

"You are difficult." Daga Lothlaerith's eyes seemed to smooth and the dark cracks that had shot through the green faded.

Isonei nodded emphatically with a wry smile. "I am."

"Perhaps if you looked for a man who suited you better?" Onsh muttered while scowling at his hands.

"I am the only one to make her want to consider it. I would be more content if she were not a daughter of Liadith. Every man in Leria wishes to take her from me or protect her from me."

"Were she not a daughter of Liadith she would not be who she is." The Daga's cool words were a warning.

"After barely a day and a night with her my brother fought for months to have her by his side as is the Aran tradition. She was not a daughter of Liadith until he returned her to her Daga." Burgath spoke almost pleasantly but Isonei could hear the cool edge to his words.

"She was always a daughter of Liadith." Daga Lothlaerith leveled a menacing green glare at Burgath. "She was born a daughter of Liadith. It is the soul within the body that is and has always belonged to Liadith. That he did not claim her immediately upon finding her is baffling."

"My family." Isonei offered as an explanation, catching herself as she began to worry the inside of her lip. "And uhhmm I am a daughter of Liadith, but I am not," She shook her head trying to find the words, "I am not as when I was born uhhmm..."

"The things we endure shape us." The Daga smiled faintly.

"I would not be," she touched her fingers to her breast bone and looked intently into his green eyes, "this Isonei."

"I am pleased to meet this Isonei." He placed his hand over hers letting his fingertips touch just above her own. The sensation of warmth made her smile up at him.

"And I am pleased to meet you, Daga Lothlaerith."