I nod and moan louder. Vamen chuckles against my lips and pushes his finger deeper. "I want to hear you say it."

"Sex," I whine. "Sex. Please. Vamen." I cling to his strong arm and roll my hips.

He removes his finger and brings it to his lips. He licks then sighs. "It tastes sweet."

My cheeks burn with embarrassment. Vamen smirks and kisses me more. "Don't be shy. It's a good thing." He lays me back and opens my thighs wide. "I want to see all of you." He rubs my folds then touches the bud at the top. "What is this?"

"Ah-" I gasp and Vamen covers my mouth.

"Shh, Iris," he whispers to me. "We can't wake everyone." He removes his palm and pets the inside of my thigh. "Tell me what that is."

I bite my lip and tremble. "That is the source of pleasure."

Vamen smirks and leans down, kissing it and dragging his long tongue over it. I bite down on my knuckles to keep from screaming. Vamen kisses and nibbles. He uses his finger to open me while his tongue laps me up. My thighs begin to kick and Vamen pins them down.

"Iris, shh," he moans. "Keep still." He sits up, chin dripping and lips shiny. "You taste so sweet." He licks his chops then rubs his fingers against my vulva. "This whole area feels good, right?"

I'm shivering and shaking, feeling as if I was hit by a strong bolt of magic. Vamen slips his finger inside again and I whimper. "Yes. Yes-" my voice cracks.

Vamen chuckles and lies on top of me, his weight heavy and warm. "Iris, I've never felt a woman before."

"Me either." I wrap my arms around him.

Vamen kisses me, rubbing his shaft against my slit. "Is it ok to put it in?"

I swallow and nod. "Please."

Vamen kisses me more as he guides his shaft inside. He grunts and snarls, slipping himself deep then stilling for a moment. "Does it hurt?" He gasps.

"A little," I whimper. "But it feels good too."

Vamen starts to move and my mind begins to go blank. I hold onto him, kissing him and moaning into his ear. Vamen's snarls and growls become low and powerful. He drives into me, making me melt into the blankets below.

Vamen bites my neck and digs his fingers into my hips. He snarls and howls, trembling then suddenly stopping. He releases inside me, his thick seed stuffing me full. Vamen he heaves and empties.

"Iris," he moans. "Did that feel good?"

I nod weakly. "You felt wonderful."

Vamen kisses me, going back inside and moving slowly. "It feels better this time." He huffs. "Iris, this is so amazing."

I giggle and kiss him. "It is." I pet down his back and lift my hips. Vamen then stills again and releases inside once more.

In the amazing aftermath of our lovemaking, I fall asleep curled up beside him, the blankets keeping us warm as the clouds blow the frigid air. For a honeymoon night, he certainly knew how to please me.

“I promise to learn to love you and treat you how you want. I don’t want to disappoint you.”

I snuggle into his embrace. “You won’t.” For that, I’m sure. Our first time brought a smile to my face and such satisfaction to my body, I can’t help up have hope.

He bids me good rest and releases me so I can use the facility. After changing into a soft nightshift I slide beneath silken sheets beside him. My body melts into the downy mattress after so many nights on hard ground. For a brief moment I feel like a pampered guest. But the howling wind beyond the walls soon reminds me otherwise. Despite the warmth, I shiver.

This is my life now, bound to a strange lord in a strange land. I curl on my side, my back touching his, watching snowflakes swirl beyond the glass. Somewhere out there, the world of my childhood still turns. But I cannot go back.

My hand finds the rose gold band on my finger, still alien yet also a part of me now. Vamen’s ring. Vamen’s world.

As sleep slowly drags me under, my thoughts stray to kinder moments from the journey here. The firm clasp of Vamen's arm supporting me in the saddle. His cloak wrapped around my shoulders by the campfire. Small but sincere kindnesses.

Perhaps in time, more common ground will emerge between us, if we can learn to nurture it. I cling to this spark of hope as I drift to sleep in my new home.