First night with him

"You look like you have a lot of thoughts for tonight," Theodore teases her when she's already cringing in the embarrassment.

"The floor is cold; why don't we get on the mattress?"

Nina nods and walks to the cot. The white bed curtains were hanging on all the sides. She pushed it aside to take a seat. One of the finest cotton lying under there, it's so comfortable to just sit.

When Nina turned to Theodore's side, her eyes widened. He's removing his clothes and he caught her peeking at him.

"Why don't you take off your gown?" he suggested.

"No," Nina retorted.

"Then are you going to sleep in that?" he asks.

"Yes," Nina gave him a stupid answer.

He came to her, half-naked.

"Don't be shy around me like I am a stranger," he says, "I am not going to do anything today,"

"That's a relief," Nina muttered, looking down.

"Only for today," he smiles. His eyes got that mischievous look.

Nina saw him and she knew he gets what he wants. There's nothing more to say to him. She got up and removed the knots but somehow it got tangled so Nina couldn't remove them.

She turned to Theodore for help, he's sitting there, watching her waiting for Nina to ask his help. Understanding what he wants, Nina asks, "Can you help me, please,"

"Sure," he came to the foot of the bed and showed her back to him.

"This is tangled,"

"Yes, I know," Nina frowns.

He carefully untangled it, watching her. Suddenly the stormy night flashed before her eyes. He held her so close to him. Her lips were hard to resist.

Feeling so awkward, Nina decided to fill this silence with a conversation, "You got a big family,"

"Yes," Theodore nods.

"And you have a lot of cousins?"

"Yes,"

If he's going to reply like this, then it's better to stay silent, Nina thought and slightly turned to see him.

"Don't move," Theodore warned. She smiles and wondered if he ever removed a gown before. It's not that difficult to do so.

"Damn," he huffs when he finally unsnarled it and her wedding gown fell onto the floor. Nina moved to remove the rest and Theodore waited for her. That time, the lightning and rain starts to pour out of nowhere.

Wearing only her white undergarment, which she wore before wearing the dress, Nina walked to the window to see the rain. Like him, she too reminded of that stormy night. It holds so many mysteries, questions, and secrets which only he could explain.

"Do you like rain?" Theodore asks.

"Yes, I do,"

Nina came to the bed and stood beside the bedpost. Her long hair covered her bare shoulders. When she looks at him, her heart starts to pound.

"Sit here,"

She nods and sat on the empty side of the bed.

"What else you like?" he asks.

"Umm, I love painting, working on my farm, then… I love my goat Rumi, she's a cute little creature," she smiles and saw Theodore. There's a smile on his face too.

"I think I know Rumi. When I when woke up in your barn, it was there beside me," he said.

"You should thank her for saving your life,"

"What?" Theodore narrows his eyebrows.

"She led me to you. That night I was trying to sleep and then saw her outside the shed. She ran to you; before the flood could wash you away I dragged you to the shed,"

"Oh," Theodore nods.

"I had a worse fever after that," Nina added.

"Sorry about that,"

"It's fine," she smiles. "I am glad that I saved an important life in this entire kingdom,"

Theodore watched her, her smooth skin, and his mind eventually wandered how she would look without this thin garment.

"Can I ask you something?" she asks. She has waited for this moment all this long.

"Yes," Theodore nods looking at her piercing blue eyes.

"What happened to you that night? You are wounded and who done that to you?" she asks.

"I have got a lot of enemies, maybe it could be one of them," Theodore carefully answered.

"God's grace, you escaped," Nina said. "You know how to protect yourself, but please be careful next time,"

"Are you afraid that I will die?" he asks.

"Yes. That's one of the reasons I don't want to marry you," Nina said.

"Are you afraid of me?"

This question was critical for Nina to answer. She can't either say no considering how prideful he is or yes as they were married. He can't delay the answer so she said what in her mind.

"Yes. Since you are the person who get to decide everything here. I am afraid I shouldn't fall on your bad side. I don't want to ruin my peace," Nina answered.

Theodore smiles, "I like that you always speak your mind,"

"No, that' not true. I used to be like that, but now I can't do it," Nina answered calmly.

Theodore went close to her, her intoxicating scent urged him to touch her yet he didn't do it, stayed in a distance.

"Why? Do you think I will punish you?" he asks. "I am not going to do it, don't worry,"

Nina left a small chuckle, "The moment you compelled me in this marriage, I think I have lost my voice,"

Nina doesn't know why she said, but looking at him, but looking at him, the truth comes out of its own.

Theodore was upset to hear that but he didn't show that on his face. Getting angry on her doesn't going to change her thoughts so he put a smile on his face.

"Good, now you are talking about what's in your mind, this is what I want. You should do every time," Theodore said.

Nina was surprised.

"Maybe I have compelled you in this, now we are married and I want you to be truthful to me,"

Nina nods, "Yes, I made you the promise,"

"Well then," Theodore kissed near her lips, "Good night,"

"Good night,"

Nina watched him sleep turning to the other side. He's not like what they say about him, he's considerate man.

Nina laid on the other side facing the window and watching the rain. Strangely, she's feeling so peaceful this night.