Merry figured that by this point in her life she would be used to boredom but alas here she was, bored out of her skull. She spun the silver hair brush on the sleek wooden surface of her vanity and stared into the large mirror. She huffed out a deep breath, disturbing some of the wayward hairs that feathered around her face.
Standing up, Merry moved around the large chamber that she shared with her husband. Husband. It was still such an odd thing for her. Ronan had been nothing but kind and even though their wedding had been weeks ago, he had yet to claim his matrimonial rights; a fact that both relieved and perturbed Merry. Growing up in a loveless household, she had not had the chance to witness passion and romance and even her mother had warned that it was done only when life was to be created. Even in that circumstance is was not okay to enjoy it.
However, Merry did enjoy when Ronan kissed and touched her. Even a slight glance her way was enough to ignite fire within her blood. The familiar feeling of shame doused that fire when she realized what she was thinking. Men were savages, especially Kree men and here she was wishing to be ravaged, or so her parents had forewarned. Sitting on the edge of their bed, Merry couldn't help but feel her parents were wrong and that Ronan wasn't a monster in disguise.
Lying down on the mattress, she looked up into the dark expanse of the ceiling. It was nearly mid-day and she hadn't seen Ronan since breakfast and she was curious to where he was. "Oooh." She whined to herself and covered her face. She was acting like a lovesick child and surely such behavior would not be tolerated, especially by the son of a powerful Kree lord. Sitting up, she decided to read a book; perhaps it would take her mind off her husband.
"You want me to do what?" Prax, Ronan's Lieutenant, gaped as he was handed a large shovel.
Sighing deeply, Ronan thrust the tool into Prax's hand. "I need you to start digging so we can begin preparations for a garden."
"A garden." His response was flat, then a twinkle sparkled in his eyes. "For the Lady?"
Ronan wanted to punch the man for looking so smug while he glanced away from his prying eyes. "Yes, for my Lady."
"Oh, excuse me!" Prax laid his hand over his heart in mock horror. "Your Lady, huh?" He playfully punched Ronan's shoulder and stuck the shovel into the ground and leaned on the wooden handle. "How is marriage treating you?"
"Fine." Ronan answered quickly and in a tone that warned the other man not to push the issue. He watched Prax as he eyed him but then began digging into the hard surface of the ground. Soon, with his own shovel, Ronan followed suit. The few times he and Merry were able to be completely alone, she had talked about her interests and hobbies. She had the usual womanly endeavors, such as reading; in which Ronan ordered a multitude of books to be delivered to their chamber.
As much as Merry loved books, she expressed her fondness for gardening, flowers, and the sun. He had to grimace at that, for now she was tied to a life inside a dark ship and she will most likely never see the sun again. He decided then to build Merry her own personal sanctuary, complete with artificial sunlight. Ronan had connections that were eager to supply him with his needs, for Kree treasure was highly coveted.
"How big is this garden going to be?" Prax asked, breathless as he wiped sweat from his brow. He looked around the wide, flat ballroom that was being used for training but now he wasn't sure that was to stay true.
"Big enough." Ronan answered, not entirely sure himself.
"Like big enough for her to lie down in?" Prax continued, and then his voice turned sheepish. "Or perhaps big enough for two bodies to lie down…"
"Oh, do shut your mouth!" Ronan growled but Prax just laughed. He kept on shoveling, bringing up the hard stone and other minerals that made up the floor. He didn't want people knowing what he and Merry did in private – or rather what they haven't been doing. They've been married for weeks and still they only kissed, with Ronan occasionally touching her sides and hips, of course always through the fabric of her gowns.
Ronan knew that being patient was the key to breaking his wife's innocent and nervous demeanor. The poor girl had been all but brainwashed into thinking that no one other than high class Xandarians mattered and his father had inkling that she was not shone affection. She admitted she enjoyed kissing him and he saw how dazed she looked when he did so. Even now, thinking about her caused Ronan's body to go taut and he grumbled his frustrations and dug at the land in a furious rhythm.
Prax stood back as he watched Ronan work furiously at the land. He knew little of the Xandarian woman, only that she was mistreated by her parents, but came from high society and power. He worried that she would make a foul wife, decreeing Ronan and his people beneath her but she has done exactly the opposite. On occasions that he had seen her, the girl's eyes shone with admiration toward her husband and she seemed interested in the close knit community they have built on the Aster; too bad the girl was too shy to actively engage with anyone. Perhaps with time she will come out of her shell.
Prax reluctantly went back to digging and he and Ronan were at it for hours and dug enough up so that Merry could have both a small pond and greenery for her garden. They stood and surveyed their handiwork, their skin covered in a fine sheen of sweat, breathing heavily.
"Please," Prax gasped out. "Please say we are finished."
Eyeing him curiously, Ronan's brow bone lifted. "You used to be able to fight for hours and then still craved more."
Chuckling, Prax scrubbed a hand down his face. "That was quite a while ago, son. I am old, now."
Ronan shook his head and chuckled along with him. "Yeah, I suppose we better stop." The smile he gave Prax was ornery, "Wouldn't want you to keel over and die on me." He was rewarded with another playful punch by Prax.
Merry was just getting to the exciting part of her book when the door to the chamber opened. She looked up and saw Ronan step through the doors and the fluttering of her heart begun. Putting the book aside, she sat up on her spot on the bed. "Hello," she paused and took a small breath. "Ronan."
Please that she said his name rather than 'my lord,' Ronan closed the door behind him and made his way over to the bed and sat down. His back was to Merry as he took off his boots and threw them against the wall. He then rid himself of his armor, leaving him shirtless, but kept his pants on. From her position, Merry saw the moisture that shone off his wide, muscular chest. She bit her lip as heat spread throughout her body.
She watched as his shoulders fell forward and his large hands cupping his head. "Ronan?" She asked quietly.
Ronan lifted his head as he felt the bed dip and turned to see her crawling toward him. He quickly shot his head forward and tried to ward off the effects of such an alluring pose. Soft silk touched his bare back as warmth radiated across the wide expanse of skin. "Merry?" he asked.
She stood up on her knees behind him and slowly placed her soft hands on his strong shoulders. "H-have you been working?" She cringed at her stupid question. Of course he had been working, he was the Commanding Officer of the Kree army and was in charge of training the warriors.
He felt breathless as he felt the soft press of her body against his, the silk gown doing nothing to shield her soft flesh, the heat of her scorched his skin. "Yes, I was digging."
"Digging?" She asked curiously while idly massaging her hands against his shoulder blades.
"Yes." He grunted. Taking a chance, he leaned his head back and settled between her full breasts, gazing up into her wide eyes. "I was digging up the training court."
"Why?" She choked out. His violet eyes were bright, almost radioactive as he stared up at her from his scandalous place between her breasts. He knew he could hear her heart beating erratically and she kept up her massage to focus her thoughts.
"I wanted to put a garden in." His eyes shifted away from hers in embarrassment. "For you. I remember you mentioning how much you loved flowers and the sun." He let out a humorless laugh. "There is no sun here so I commissioned for a machine that gives off artificial sun."
Merry's hands ceased and she stared down at Ronan in shock. No one had ever done anything so nice for her. Her heart felt close to bursting as she saw his face blur as her eyes teared up.
"Merry…" Ronan's console was cut off as she swooped down and kissed him. The angle was awkward, odd, and Merry wasn't sure if she was technically kissing his lips but she was so enamored with Ronan and for him to do something so heartfelt; it made her want to give something in return, even if it paled in comparison.
Her full lips were a shock as they half hazardously found themselves on his own lips. He let her kiss him, in her own sweet way before softly cupping the back of her head and angling her sweet mouth over his and kissing her deeply. He heard her long, beautiful sigh and then he made a similar noise when she kissed him back with fervor. They stayed liked that for a moment before Merry broke the kiss and placed her lips on his forehead while wrapping her arms around the front of his chest.
"Thank you, Ronan." Her voice was raw, emotional and was filled with gratitude.
He took her hand and brought it to his lips, "My pleasure."
The process of creating Merry's garden took two full weeks and it was a sight to behold. A small fish pond sat in the middle of her own personal wonderland. Shrubbery, cherry blossom trees, flowers of all sorts, and various green plants surrounded the small body of water and Ronan even had a small bench installed so Merry would read her books in the garden. The artificial sunlight shone warm and bright, the rays gleaming off the water that added a magical element.
"Oh, Ronan!" Merry gasped when he brought her to see it. She turned and looked up at him, out of place in his dark armor and black face paint, her smile was wide and infectious and soon he was grinning back at her. She left his side to touch the soft petals of the colorful flowers and she kneeled down by the pond and dipped her fingers in the cool water. The fish were bright and colorful; on the surface of the water there was fat, little frog napping on a lily pad.
A few of the inhabitants of the Aster stopped and looked at the garden but most just kept moving on, knowing the small space was reserved for Ronan's wife. A little girl walked slowly toward Merry, who was still kneeling by the pond. Ronan tensed slightly, not sure what would transpire between the two.
Merry looked up and saw the little girl approach her. She had to be no more than six years of age and she was tall and thin, with long black hair and the same purple Kree eyes. "Hello," Merry greeted warmly to the child, who blushed and covered her mouth.
"Do you like the garden?" Merry asked softly. The girl's eyes were wide and Merry had a feeling that she had never seen the sun nor green plants. She reached out and plucked a white flower from the ground and held it out to the girl. "My name is Merry, what is yours?"
"Ulea." She said softly and took the flower, holding to her chest as she smiled at Merry.
"What a beautiful name." Merry smiled at the child who then sat down beside her. "What to watch the fish?"
Nodding enthusiastically, Merry and Ulea watched the fish swim around the small pond while Ronan looked upon them. Seeing Merry with the Kree child was his undoing; rather than shoo the girl away, Merry welcomed her with open eyes and a warm smile. He saw the child clutch at the white flower, knowing she had never seen such a thing and saw the happiness that radiated on her face.
All because of his wife; his beautiful, gracious, lovely wife.