I traced small circles along Guinevere's wrist; I was pleasantly surprised to find her skin exquisitely tender as she squirmed from my touch. My young wife attempted to snatch her hand away from mine. My hand enclosed gently around her cool hand to steady her movements. I hardened my heart against a delicate helpless look in her doe brown eyes. Never again would I fall for her false innocent charm, I learned a great lesson last night. Guinevere needed to be instructed in the ways of a wife and queen. Every morning she would wake to a detailed list with specific instructions. Before I left for the Council room, her maid will select her clothing for my approval. Never again would she wander around Camelot without an escort. She broke my heart last night with Lancelot, and destroyed my faith and trust in her. I valued her above all others. It amazed me that I still love her after finding her in the arms of other man, my first knight… my brother in arms.

Guinevere stared at me from underneath her long lashes with a lingering sadness in her eyes. It hurt that she viewed with fear because I behaved like a savage last night towards her. I regret deeply grabbing her wrist last evening. I will never know what dark emotions controlled my actions. Her cry of pain and fear tore at my soul. The sound of pain and fear cleared my mind of murky thoughts of violence and rage. Didn't she realize the depths of my devotion and love to her? I could have shamed her before Camelot. I didn't. I protected Guinevere from herself… shielded her with my undying love.

My smiles at her when she walked down the aisle clutching Elyan's arms were genuine. Guinevere never looked more beautiful than today. She surpassed that day in her house when I kissed her for the first time. Or when we had our secret picnic in the woods. Nothing could ever dim my memory of Guinevere gliding towards me as she walked away from her life as a young maiden. White and purple flowers twisted in her hair. Her gown was the color of deep amethyst with silver thread embroidered in various flower patterns to resemble wildflowers along the bodice, sleeves and hem. She wore my mother's earring in her ears. Yet, my bride didn't smile at me in return. She wrapped her hands around Elyan's arm like she wanted to run away. It hurt me more than any wound that I sustained in battle.

During our marriage ceremony, she appeared not to understand the difference in my kiss. I didn't have to hold back with her any longer. She was a wanton temptress, not a sweet young girl. Today after our wedding, I kissed her like a man full of desire for his wife. She stepped away from my embrace with confusion in her eyes. During our feast, she constantly inched away from sensual swipes of my hand, or when I rested my hand on her knee. I could barely contain my desire for her after tonight my touch will be burnt into her skin, heart, and soul.

I flicked my hand at her maid Mary as signal that it was time for Guinevere to prepare for our wedding night. Guinevere backed away in her chair; her lips almost formed the word no when I shot her a blistering look. Gwen pasted a smile on her face, and departed the feast without looking back at me.

I swore she flinched when Gwaine shouted to make an heir for Camelot tonight. That was her job to secure my family line for the future.

I sipped a bit of red wine to calm my nerves when I spotted Merlin maneuvering his away around conversing Nobles.

"Why did you marry Gwen? Did you forgive her?"

I took a sip of wine to ponder a proper response. "I'll never forgive her. I love Guinevere with all of my heart. I've waited a long time for her to become my wife. She has a servant mentality, and she doesn't understand the ways of being a queen. She needs to understand the rules of the nobility. I'm the only one to touch her like a man. She'll learn to please me. We will be happy after she learns, Merlin."

"Or else what? You want to punish her?"

What did Merlin think that I'm planned to beat Guinevere? My blows could kill her quickly. I didn't wish any harm to Guinevere. My heart belonged to her, even though she doesn't deserve it.

"Stay out of this. She's my wife, not yours."

Merlin shook his head. "I should have left her run off when she waited in your chamber."

"I would hunt her like a doe, and return her to Camelot."

Merlin recoiled from me, disgust marring his features. "Just remember that you love her. Don't hurt her tonight."

Hurt filled my eyes and heart after everything; did Merlin believe that I was capable of violent behavior toward Guinevere? I would abused Gwen like Cenred or hurt her like my father? "I'm not a monster. I would never force myself upon my wife."

"Words can hurt too."

"Where's Lancelot," I demanded. "Make sure he understands to stay away from my wife."

"Locked in his chamber."

"Free him in the morning. He's banished upon pain of death, if he ever returns to Camelot."

"How are you going to explain that?"

"He's going to the Northern Borders."

"Anything else," Merlin snapped

"Don't walk into my chamber in the morning," I commanded. "Make sure you hang the sheets on the ramparts. Hopefully, Guinevere is still a virgin."

"Is that all that matters to you? Your pride is more important than Gwen? Trust me, Gwen is chaste. Don't hurt her," Merlin ordered.

Rolling my eyes, I rose from my chair to mingle with my subjects. I swallowed a wave of jealousy at Merlin's words. Merlin's devotion to Guinevere was a bit annoying and inappropriate. She didn't need a protector from me. I'm her husband and protector. I married her after she kissed Lancelot last night before our wedding. I could have ordered her death, but I didn't. I could have sent her way from Camelot, but I didn't. Life outside of Camelot would be too harsh for her. Yet, Merlin makes me feel like a monster. No, he made me feel like less than a monster, something worse to harm people.

Gwaine sauntered over to slap my back as his wine splashed on my boots. A deep smile formed on his handsome face as he raised his goblet in praise of my marriage.

"She's wonderful, Arthur. I hope that she brings you great joy and happiness over your lifetime and beyond," Gwaine said. "She keeps your passions high and satisfied in bed.

"Yes, Guinevere is lovely," I mumbled. "Don't speak about Guinevere keeping me satisfied in bed

"Are you nervous about your wedding night?"

What's wrong with these people? Is this the right to ask questions about my intentions toward my wife in bed?

"Not at all. I'm capable of making love to my wife …more than capable of giving her pleasure."

"Be gentle in your passion, yet firm with her. Virgins are like young does. If you hunt one, and your arrow does not find your target; they will never venture back into your woods. "

"I'm not hunting a doe. I'm consummating my marriage," I spat.

"I'm saying be patient and kind. You know gentle with her body and mind. You don't want to lose her heart."

"Thanks, Gwaine," I muttered sarcastically

"I'm serious. If you scare her, you will need a mistress. Slowly, introduced her to the secret delights of her body. Show her how to give and receive pleasure. She's scared and nervous. You need to make her relax. "

"I don't need your help."

"No, Gwen does!" Gwaine clapped my back hard. "Make sure you take her a few times throughout the night."

What in the world is my wayward knight rambling about? I placed him charge of Camelot's army. He trains my army! He's a blazing drunk.

"We tell them that it's only painful on the wedding night. If you only do it once, it will be uncomfortable in later sessions. So, multiple times, Princess."

"Go drink more wine, Gwaine."

I've grown weary of my wedding banquet. I'm going to sit back in my throne, and watch everyone gobbled down my food and guzzle my wine. Then, after enough time, I'm going to leave to spend the remainder of the evening with my wife.