Keller shook his head as if shaking off bad memories of the potent drink. “I think we should give it to every enemy of Nether,” he said. “That will take care of them quickly enough.”
Chrystobel laughed softly, sobering as she met his glimmering gaze. “I am very sorry I became angry with you,” she said quietly. “It was unkind of me.”
Keller’s gaze lingered on her a moment before reaching over for his saddlebags. “You should not have apologized so quickly,” he said. “I have brought you gifts and now you have taken away my reason to give them to you. I was going to buy your forgiveness.”
Chrystobel laughed but she was also very interested. “Gifts?” she repeated, quickly playing his game. “Very well, then. I have not forgiven you, you abominable man. Now, may I have my gifts?”
He grinned, enjoying her sense of humor. “Do you have a mirror?”
Chrystobel nodded, moving for her dressing table and producing a polished bronze mirror. “It belonged to my mother,” she said. “Why do you need it?”
His gaze was intense upon her. “I do not need it at all,” he said softly. “But you will. Close your eyes.”
Chrystobel wanted to question him further but did as she was told. Dutifully closing her eyes, she stood still, ears attuned, as she listened to Keller move about. She could hear him rummaging through something, his big boots moving softly over the wooden floor. She heard him as he moved closer to her and then there was something against her neck, cold and hard, and she was very eager to open her eyes and look at it. She was so eager than she started bouncing around and she heard Keller sigh.
“If you do not hold still, I will never close this hook and you will never get to see it,” he scolded gently.
Chrystobel came to a halt but it was difficult for her. She was grinning with excitement. Behind her, Keller finished the clasp and grinned.
“Open your eyes,” he whispered.
Chrystobel did. Looking into the mirror, the first thing she saw was the magnificent pearl and emerald necklace, and her eyes widened as a hand flew up to touch the magnificent piece. The smile vanished from her face.
“God’s Bones,” she exclaimed softly. “For me? Truly?”
He came around so he could see her from the front. The emerald necklace coupled with the dark green surcoat she wore was absolutely stunning. He smiled with satisfaction.
“Truly,” he said quietly. “Do you like it?”
Chrystobel was still staring at it in the mirror, her fingers moving gently along the pearls. “It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” she breathed with great sincerity. “Oh, Keller… for me? Truly?”
He laughed softly. “Indeed, it is for you.”
Chrystobel simply stared at it, the exquisite workmanship and beauty of it. She was clearly overwhelmed. “To thank you seems so inadequate,” she said after a moment. “I wish there was a greater word for my gratitude.”
He turned away and went back to his saddle bags, pulling out all of the things he had brought for her. Scarves and jewelry spilled forth along with a corked gourd and an alabaster phial.
“There is more,” he said, holding aloft the garnet necklace and the great three-strand necklace. “I purchased these, also. I thought mayhap to give the garnets to Izlyn. Do you think she will like them?”
Chrystobel looked at him in awe. “You… you would give it to her?”
He nodded. “Aye,” he said. “Unless you think she will not like it. If that is the case, then I will have to look elsewhere for a present for her.”
Chrystobel just stared at him a moment. Then, she looked at the necklaces and her eyes filled with tears. Keller was immediately concerned.
“What is the matter?” he demanded gently, like a man who is fearful of a social misstep. “Did I say something? Why are you…?”
Chrystobel cut him off, shaking her head. Before he could press her, she threw herself at him, arms around his neck, smacking him in the throat even through his hauberk. Off-guard but quite thrilled by the unexpected gesture, he did the only thing he could do. He put his arms around her and held her next to his rain-dampened body. She was soft and sweet and alluring.
“Thank you,” she whispered tightly, squeezing his neck so tightly that she would have strangled him were it not for the hauberk creating a barrier. “You are so kind to bring me gifts, but to bring gifts for Izlyn as well… what a generous man you are. Izzie will be thrilled.”
Keller was sorely wishing at that moment that he was not wearing his armor. He wanted to feel his wife against him in the worst way. His wife. It still didn’t seem real because it was in name only. He’d had yet to progress beyond the social stage and he very much wanted to. As the storm pounded outside, lighting up the sky every so often, he thought that now would be a good time for them to become husband and wife in every sense of the word. Releasing Chrystobel enough so that he could look her in the eye, he cupped her face with his enormous hands and gently slanted his mouth over hers.
Chrystobel didn’t resist Keller’s kiss. In fact, she had anticipated it, hoped for it, and now that he was upon her, she collapsed against him, her tender lips suckling his. It was warm and wonderful, and being swallowed by his big arms was nothing short of delightful. When he moved to kiss her more deeply, she didn’t resist. She responded readily.
When his tongue snaked into her mouth, timidly, she simply allowed herself to experience it. She’d never been kissed like this, not ever, and there was something very naughty and decadent about it. His kisses grew more forceful and she let him have his way, experiencing every sensation with the greatest of pleasure. Her arms went around his neck to hold him fast, hold him against her, and she was startled when he suddenly bent over and swept her into his arms. Big, strong, powerful arms cradled her without effort as he carried her over to the bed and deposited her gently on the mattress.