Page 58 of Wynter's Bite

When they left the caravan, Bethany was already waiting, dressed in a long, ruffled lavender skirt and a white blouse. Her hair was braided, tied with matching lavender ribbons. No jewels or other adornments graced her neck or wrists, unlike the other women of the tribe, but the love in her eyes made her beauty outshine them all.

The ceremony was short, with one of the patriarchs of the tribe saying some words in Romani and swinging a brazier of incense over them while they stood with their hands joined. When the people broke out in cheers, Justus took it as confirmation that they were wed.

The men offered him congratulations in both English and Romani, as well as wishes that his bride would be fertile. Justus smiled with a touch of bitterness. She likely was fertile, but he was not. He’d never contemplated children before, but now the fact that he and Bethany never could have them stung slightly. He shook off the melancholy sentiment. He was beyond lucky to have found Bethany and be joined with her at all.

The women unbraided Bethany’s hair and tied a lavender kerchief on her head. Observing the many women with similar kerchiefs and young girls with braids, Justus guessed that must be the symbol of a married woman. The sight of Bethany with one was suddenly appealing, despite his disliking of her covering her golden hair.

They were then treated to a delicious feast and music. Justus sampled all of the dishes with miniscule nibbles that his digestion would allow while Bethany ate with gusto. Justus fed on one of the people in the shadows, carefully erasing the person’s memory with an apology. They then danced to the music, laughing at their clumsiness.

Luca offered them his caravan to spend their wedding night and then day sleep. “There is a cave nearby where I go to be alone.” He smiled at both of them. “I wish you both luck, both in your marriage and on your journey. I will see you at dusk. You may hunt one more time before you leave.”

Then they were alone in the caravan, a soft bed with fresh sheets illuminated in golden light from the lanterns.

“What was it like with the women?” Justus asked, resisting the urge to toss her onto that bed at once. Instead, they both sat upon the down-filled mattress.

Bethany sighed. “They interrogated me for an eternity on my purity, making certain that I was with no other man. Then they asked if you’d offered my parents a bride price.” She chuckled. “They were so perplexed when I explained that things are done the opposite way among the Gadjos. And when they learned we both have no family, they softened, though they were merciless in washing me free of all impurities. I was afraid they’d scrub my skin clean off!” She rubbed her arms, clearly still experiencing discomfort.

Justus laughed. “I thought I’d choke on all the incense they wafted around me, and I was given a thorough cleaning as well. Luca said we could try to find another tribe to live with.” At her horrified look, he continued. “I told him we’d rather have a house and an enormous library.”

Bethany beamed, her relief apparent. “I’m pleased that we are in accord. Now enough about our Roma wedding. We do not have long before dawn.” She reached for him, eyes dilated with passion.

“If I’d known we would have our wedding night so soon,” Justus began with a touch of guilt, but Bethany placed her finger over his lips.

“Do not say something that will hurt me deeply,” she said with an enchanting half smile. “Last night was perfect. And this night will be the same.” Then she withdrew her finger and leaned forward to kiss him.

And it was indeed perfect. Like the most addicting drug, Justus couldn’t get enough of her. He yanked her onto his lap, groaning as his hardness met her softness. His tongue delved between her lips, tasting the mead she’d sipped earlier.

Slowly, he untied her blouse and reached down to caress her firm breasts. Her nipples tightened to hard little peaks beneath his thumbs, and her gasp echoed his own when she leaned forward to kiss his neck, all the while undulating against him in an erotic rhythm.

Bethany was just as eager as he was, fumbling with his shirt until he pulled it over his head and tossed it on the floor. Her hands explored him with unabashed curiosity and he was electrified by her touch.

“God, you feel so good on top of me,” he whispered, rucking up her skirts to feel more of her silken skin.

“No, you feel good.” Her hips arched against his erection and she licked her lips. “Is it possible for us to...” she trailed off with a blush.

“Oh yes,” he whispered, claiming her lips for another lingering kiss. With utmost reluctance, he lifted her off his lap to remove his trousers. When he glanced back up, his breath caught as he saw that Bethany had removed her clothing as well.

His eyes devoured her deliciously curved form, her lush breasts crowned with rosy tips, the hypnotic indent of her belly button, and the triangle of golden curls covering the treasure between her thighs.

Justus knelt before her. “First, there is one thing I must do.”

Reverently, he licked and kissed her labia and clitoris, grasping her hips to steady her when she swayed. Her arousal tasted like the nectar of the gods, her gasps and moans of pleasure a symphony to his ears.

When he’d reduced her to shudders and incoherent moans, he once more sat and lifted her on his lap. Slowly, he guided himself inside her, sucking in a breath as her tight sheath closed around his cock.

The Roma music continued to play outside, lending a primal rhythm to their movements. Bethany undulated against him like an erotic dancer as the beats of the drums set fire to their blood. Their pleasure built like a gathering storm before crashing through them like thunder and lightning. Justus buried his face in the hollow of her throat as his climax reduced him to a quivering mass.

“I love you,” he groaned, unable to say it enough. His adoration for her had become a never ending song in his heart and soul.

When at last they descended back to reality, Justus’s lust had only been slightly slaked. He made love to her twice more, the sunrise barely noted due to the blocked windows. Then he tucked her in his arms, settling the coverlet over them in the surprisingly comfortable bed.

For the first time since they set off on their arduous journey, Justus wasn’t gripped with panic as to what would happen when they made it to Cornwall. Instead, hope and joy permeated his being. Bethany was his wife at long last, and as long as they were together, all would be well.

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