Chapter Twenty Summary - Sam gives Martouf and Lantash her answer and learns that by teasing the dragon, she will get everything she is asking for.

Aima Coeurawyn: Blood of My Heart; a term of endearment and the formal statement of the Soulmate. Coeurawyn can be used alone, but Aima Coeurawyn should be used for the Soulmate.

Igisadonis Animawyn: Beloved of My Soul, a term of endearment and the formal statement of the Soulmate. Igisadonis; beloved, should be used for the Soulmate.

Igisadonis: Beloved, should be used for the Soulmate.

Coeurawyn - My Heart

Amat wyn - My Love

"Italics" – Symbiote–Host or Telepathic communication

Blood of My Heart, Beloved of My Soul

Chapter Twenty

Teasing the Dragon

Sam hoped she could find the words to convey how very passionately she loved them and how profoundly and intensely their declarations had affected her. Because they had. Their words closed her throat, made her legs weak, and put an ache in her heart from the beauty of every syllable he uttered and the intensity, and steadfast, sincere, conviction in their voice. There was no doubt in her mind, whatsoever.

As Samantha offered her left hand to Lantash for him to place the ring on her finger, she answered in a voice that trembled with the depth of her emotions, "Yes, I will be honored to be your mate, your wife. I will be very proud to wear your ring and be your Soulmate, Lantash, you and Martouf."

As Lantash slipped the ring onto her finger, Sam held her breath. It was a magnificently beautiful ring; she smiled and exhaled in relief, as she realized that it could not have fit her any better. She looked up into his face again, and whispered, "This is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen, and it fits perfectly. I will cherish it always, I promise you."

Knowing that if she kissed him now, she would never say the things she needed to say, she refused to give in to the urge to do so. She clasped his hands tightly in hers, and holding them close to her, as he had held hers, she started to speak in a soft low voice charged with the ardent emotions roiling through her, "I cannot begin to tell you what the words you said mean to me. Nothing on this Earth has ever meant more to me than the extraordinarily beautiful words you used to tell me of your love for me. I feel as if you gathered all of the stars in the universe and gave them to me. I have never heard, or felt, the amount of love you have just entrusted to me. They were beyond breathtaking. I promise that I will love you, and honor you, always."

Tears threatened as she continued searching for the words to convey to these beings what they meant to her. Now she understood how inadequate Lantash had thought the words to express what he had to say, for she was having the same difficulty. Several times, she opened her lips as if to speak, except no words came forth and eventually she shook her head and smiled somewhat ruefully up at him. Finally, she managed to begin, her voice husky with emotion, "Just as you did, I find myself searching for words to describe what I feel for you. I find one and begin to tell you, only to discard it before speaking, when it proves to be too shallow, or insipid, or trite, or colorless. Lantash, Martouf, I wish there was some way you could feel what is in my heart, for the words to express what I feel in my heart and soul for you do not exist. I am going to try to use what words we have, even though they are so inordinately inadequate."

Taking a deep breath, she stared at their clasped hands, as she struggled to find adequate words. At last, she found something, perhaps a way that might express at least a few of her feeling for them. This was something they would understand. Once more looking up into his eyes, she said softly, "I told you once, that I did not think that I could even comprehend the feelings you had for Jolinar or hers for you. I was wrong, Lantash, Martouf; I was unbelievably, spectacularly wrong. Because not only do I completely understand and comprehend them, but the feelings, the love that I feel within my heart and soul for you surpasses those emotions in both intensity and depth. The love I feel for you is so deep, so fathomless that it stretches into infinity, never-ending."

Holding tightly to his hands, she looked into his eyes, and told him, "I want to follow the vows you made to me and I will do the best I can, but please understand if I do not get them exactly right that everything I say will come from my heart." That said, she asked him, almost hesitantly, "Am I correct in thinking that when you say Blood of My Heart and Beloved of My Soul, that it is part of a Furling entwining or joining ceremony? I believe you use it, because it is the most profound experience you have ever had, and when you say those words, they have a very deep and intense meaning for you, don't they?"

She searched his eyes, and saw the brief darkening that indicated the deep emotion those words brought forth in him. He nodded, saying, "Yes, that is true. Those are the words spoken from one mate to the other when he requests that she become his eternal mate. As you realized, they engender a very profound response, one that resonates to the very depth of the heart. It is how we feel about you, our Samantha."

Sam reached up and cupped his cheek briefly, before caressing his cheek, as she told him, "When we are joined in the ceremony, I will have a better understanding as to why they are so profound. For now, I can tell you that they strike a very deep cord within me every time you say them and every time I speak them in return. I do not understand why, but it is the truth. I feel that someday, we will join in this way." Sam did not know how or why, but she knew that when they joined, it would be in a Furling ceremony, as well as the Tok'Ra and Tau'ri ceremonies. She also knew, without a doubt, that it would have a deep and intense meaning for them both. She did not understand it, but she accepted that it was so.

Without even realizing it, she began her response to Lantash with the correct words, "You are the Beloved of my Soul, Lantash, Martouf, and the Blood of my Heart. The feelings I have for you are inexpressible in words, and yet, that is almost all we have to try to show the other how we feel within our heart. I can never hope to be as eloquent as you are. I wish I could be, but I am a scientist, not a wordsmith. The words are from my heart, though, so perhaps they will give you a brief insight into what I feel for the two of you."

She smiled briefly at them before beginning once more, "You are my Beloved in all the ways that word can be defined: much loved, dearly loved, adored, cherished, treasured, dearest; they all attempt to state what the word means, and yet, they all fail. Lantash, my Beloved. Martouf, my Beloved. Just saying the words expands my soul until I feel as if the universe is not vast enough to contain the love I have for you. You are now, and you will remain through all of eternity, my Beloved Ones, the Beloved of my Soul."

Blinking back the tears the emotions were bringing, her voice was barely above a whisper now, yet it was strong with conviction, "You are the Blood of my Heart; you are my heartbeat and the essence that I feel flowing through my veins. The very core of my being, my heart, needs you to live and survive. You are the rain that nourishes it, and the sunlight that warms it. You are a fire in my heart and in my blood; you are a passion that will live within me forever. Nothing in this universe, nothing, will ever take that from me, for you are a part of me now, and you shall be into all of eternity. Our hearts will beat as one, my love, always."

Her voice tender, she continued, "When I look at you, I see so much to love and admire. Your spirit, your kindness, your courage, your determination, all speaks to me. When I look at the two of you, I see a wonderful being, and a handsome man, but I see beyond the outward into two beautiful souls and hearts that are true. You are my stars, my moon, and my sun. You are the meaning in my days and the promise of my future. You are, indeed, my universe."

"My loves; you are the Beloved of my Soul. You are the other half of my soul and my heart. You are the man, the mates. It is my wish that you become mine for eternity. I, too, ardently desire that we entwine our hearts and souls, and that I join you as your eternal mate. I, too, have such love for thee, Beloved of my Soul. I will come to you, join you, and walk with you into eternity."

Speaking gently, softly and lovingly, she pledged her heart to him, "You are my life, my love, my heart, and my soul. Now and forever, I promise you." With those words, she released the hands she had been holding so tightly, and stepped forward into his arms, which enfolded her, to hold her firmly pressed to his heart.

Sam stood in that embrace for quite some time, none of them speaking, simply absorbing the warmth there. As time drew out, she realized that she was aware of a subtle change that slowly came over the hold he had on her and she on him. It was no longer the almost reverent touch of the heart and soul. It was becoming the aching and passionate hold of the body, the body's interpretation of the words given by the heart and soul. His hands began a sensual exploration of the body enfolded in his arms, the satin feeling sleek and sensuous to his touch. He rested his forehead against hers, and drawing a shaking breath, he brought himself back under control.

"Samantha, Amat Wyn, we must stop. I must finish the ritual," Lantash moaned aloud, while Martouf echoed the sentiment within him by moaning even more loudly and berating him soundly.

"Why did you not stop sooner, Lantash? I forgot the other ring, now we are extremely uncomfortable, and that is putting it mildly. This is pure torture," Martouf complained, feeling highly disgruntled that once again, they were forced to retreat from where they so wanted to be.

I am sorry, dear one, I did not mean to do so, but I also forgot the remainder of the ritual. We must hope that it will take little time, and I will attempt to, ah, dampen our needs," He assured his host soothingly.

She heard him and forced herself to step back. She looked at him curiously. What did he mean finish the ritual? Deciding that she would have to ask for clarification, she said, "I do not understand. The rest of the ritual? What else did my dad tell you?"

"He said that there were to be two rings, Samantha, which should fit together to become one whole. In addition, he told me that later there would be a ring for me from you. He showed me the gold band his mate, your mother, presented to him." He leaned over and took the matching band from the velvet where it still lay.

Samantha looked at the wedding band in his hand and explained, "The ring you just gave me is the engagement or betrothal ring. You give it at the time the couple agrees to marry, to become mates. This band," she gently caressed the ring in his palm, "is part of the set, and it is given during the actual marriage ceremony. I will not wear it until then. At that time, I will give you a ring as a token of my love for you, as yours is a token of your love for me."

"When do we perform this ceremony, Samantha? Are there things we need to learn for it?" He asked, curious.

"Normally, it is performed by a judge or a religious minister or priest. However, for us, I believe we will have General Hammond perform the ceremony, if that is acceptable to you. There is nothing specific that you need to learn for the ceremony. General Hammond will ask you questions and you will answer," she told him serenely. "The questions really are very simple with a very simple response."

"What type of questions?" He asked. He wanted to know what they would be facing, and if it was truly as simple a ceremony, as Samantha told him that it was.

"Well, let's see if I can remember any of them," Sam frowned as she gave his question some thought and tried to remember some pertinent part of the wedding service. It did not take much cogitation for her to recollect a couple of lines from the ceremony. She gave him a triumphant look and answered his question, "At some point, he will say something similar to; 'Do you Lantash, take Samantha to be your lawful wedded wife?' To which you will respond with yes or I will. Then he will say something like; 'Will you love her, honor her, and cherish her as long as you both shall live?' Again, you will answer yes. As I said, it is just simple stuff, nothing to get worried about."

He nodded his understanding, and then asked, "We will do it twice, will we not, so that both of us may participate fully?"

She smiled at this man who was truly two complex personalities. It was so important to them that she realize they were both taking her as their mate. She would see to it that she met their needs. She leaned in and kissed him swiftly but softly, before assuring him, "We can do it whenever and however you wish, love, but I need to get a ring for you. We will go look for one over the weekend if we can. I suppose that will depend on what is going on with our situation on the base. In the meantime, I think we will take this back on base and leave it in a safe. I do not want anything to happen to it; it is very beautiful. Thank you, for both the pendant and the rings. I will take it and put it with our things to take with us tomorrow, so that we do not forget it, all right?" She sent him another smile before turning toward the bedroom.

He nodded his agreement, but followed her as she went toward the bedroom, since he and Martouf both wanted to be there anyway. He watched her quietly, doing nothing to startle her, in case she did not realize they had followed her. Before Sam wrapped the beautiful band in the velvet cloth, he saw her look at it once more, and he suddenly remembered some other instructions that Jacob had given him. He cleared his throat to alert her to his presence, and then, in two long strides, he was at her side. Taking the ring from her hand, and holding her left hand in his, he studied both rings pensively, before shifting his gaze up into her lovely blue eyes, as he told her, "The blue stones reminded me, us, of your eyes. Since we had them made with that in mind, Jacob said, I should tell you so. He seemed to think it might make a difference," Lantash told her candidly, as he lowered his eyes once more to the rings in her hands. He rapidly returned his focus to her when she gave a startled croak, as she drew her breath in sharply.

Sam then choked on a laugh and shook her head. "My Father," she gasped, and then she laid her head on Lantash's shoulder. "So, what you are telling me is that my father had a hand in my seduction, and that he approves of this relationship?" She asked, her voice muffled by his shoulder.

Fortunately, Lantash's hearing was exceptionally sharp, and he had no trouble deciphering what she asked him. He nodded, and then answered promptly, "Yes. He told me that for what it was worth, he hoped you said yes. Which, it appears, you have. I think he will be pleased eventually, although I know he is confused at the moment, and I cannot blame him for that." Lantash's eyes darkened as the events of earlier in the day resurfaced. He determinedly pushed them out of his mind and gave all of his attention to their Samantha. "I hope that at some point in the future, he will be able to understand and forgive me for the pain that I am causing you. I am fully sensible of the problems that I am causing with my intransigence and pertinacity, Coeurawyn. I can only hope that Jacob can begin to understand what is happening to all of us and the complications that have arisen because of this unfortunate circumstance."

Sam smiled to herself at Lantash's choice of words. To call this situation an unfortunate circumstance was like calling an eight-point earthquake a little tremor. Clearing her voice and forcing herself to keep her sense of the ridiculous under control, she responded to him tranquilly, saying, "Actually, Daniel and I talked to him this afternoon, Lantash, and I think he understands a little better. At least, he seemed calmer, and he and Selmak have made up their argument." She smiled as she remembered how he had finally comprehended that Sam and Daniel both understood, and accepted, what was happening, and were ready to do whatever they had to do to help their respective mates. He shook his head in disbelief at their calm acceptance of the situation, but he realized that, if the recent events were not causing them to be upset or angry, he was missing something that they could see and understand. He decided to do as Selmak asked and leave it alone for the time being hard as that would be. Recognizing that Lantash was wondering what she was contemplating for so long, she turned her smile on him, explaining, "I was just remembering how Dad finally threw up his hands and agreed to let Daniel, and I work it out with you and Kataya. He does not surrender well. Of course, that is a good trait in a soldier, but something of a curse for the father of a grown daughter."

Lantash smiled back while watching her, as she again prepared to wrap the ring in the velvet, but once more, she stopped and looked at it. "Does it really remind you of my eyes, and that is why you got it?" She asked him quietly as she looked at him as if trying to see within his head to read what was there.

"I picked out the stones myself, and I had it made as I envisioned it. I would not tell you that if it were not so, Samantha. Yes, I chose them because they reminded me of your eyes. Well," he backpedaled hurriedly, "we, Martouf and I, chose them. It is difficult to remember that you may not know when we are speaking for both of us. It was a joint mission for us, to find those stones. It took us many weeks in fact to find the exact shade of stones that we wanted. The blue of your eyes is quite beautiful, Amat Wyn, and we wanted to match them as exactly as we could," He stopped speaking abruptly and cleared his throat, looking slightly uncomfortable.

Listening and watching him, Sam suddenly became conscious of the fact that the two of them were still not totally convinced of her love of them. Consciously they believed her, but in the very farthest corner of their minds, a small sprout of doubt still clung stubbornly. Occasionally, it sent out a tendril that wafted upwards where it kept itself hidden until the opportunity to surface came along and it rode the thoughts out before either of them recognized it for what it was. Sam saw it though, even hidden as it was, and knowing it would have to be rooted out, she kissed them softly, and replied, "I understand. They will be doubly precious to me. That you and Martouf went to such lengths to match my eyes, well, that is one of the most romantic, loving gestures anyone has ever made for me and I will never forget it. It will always mean the world to me and so will my rings." She touched the ring once more, before wrapping it reverently in the little swathe of velvet, tucking it safely away, and then turning to him. Holding out her hand to him, she murmured, softly, "Come to me, Igisadonis."

He took her hand but, instead of going to her, he drew her to him and slowly lowered his lips to hers. They opened to him, drinking in his essence, and sharing hers with him. As he traced her lips with his tongue, he felt the tremor race through her. He felt exultant. She was his. She would be his forever, and he was about to take her as one took one's mate. As she would take him, and they would both know the joy of joining.

He was aware of her hands on him, roaming over his chest and back, down over his buttocks, which she cupped, squeezed gently, and then patted. It was an unusual gesture, but one he was already becoming familiar with as something unique to his Samantha.

Sam realized that Martouf had taken control and was again amazed at how easily she could tell them apart. She could feel his passion stretching those glorious suede pants. She brought her hands around the waist of them, teasing him with her fingertips. As he moaned low in his throat, the passions banked during the exchange of vows burst into flame in a fire that burned higher, brighter, and hotter than any either had ever known.

As their lips met, they each wanted to devour the other. To literally be able to share the same body and know all there was to know of each other. As that was impossible, they would do what couples had done for millennia. They would mate their bodies and know for a brief space of time that unity known as the little death.

As the kiss ended, Sam brought her lips to his throat and tasted him with her tongue and lips. Her hands found the fastening on the soft suede pants, but she stopped short of opening it. Resisting the urge to remove his clothes, she kissed him in the open vee of the shirt. She breathed in his scent as she explored the opening, using her lips and her teeth to entice and excite. She used her hands to explore his chest through the fine material of the shirt. He was wonderful to touch.

As his hands reached out to explore her, she took them and placed them on his own hips, indicating that she wished them to remain there. He moaned deeply, but complied. Samantha knew what she wanted to do. He had given her beautiful words and opened his heart and soul to her. She was going to make serious love to him in return. Her words might have been inadequate, but there would be no mistaking how she felt about them by the time she had finished. She would spend this night teasing the dragon and loving both of them until there could never be any doubt of her feelings for the two of them.

She spent time learning his chest, shoulders, and throat with her fingertips and her lips. Her mouth soon followed her hands and she teased his skin through the light material of his shirt. Her hand still caressed him, but still only on the outside of his clothing. There was something extremely erotic about making love to him in this way.

Varying her tactics, she straightened and walked behind him. She pressed herself to his back, then reached around to resume her pleasuring of him as she placed kisses on the back of his neck, and began to use her other hand to caress and explore his ribs, his buttocks, and finally his spine. She knew where to touch him now to elicit the most profound responses, and she began to make love to both of them. The hand she was using in front of him never stopped changing its rhythm, keeping one rhythm only long enough to build his desire and then switching to a different one. Her lips explored his back, and the material of the shirt was so fine, she could feel the heat of his body as if he had nothing on. Her other hand began the slow exploration of Lantash, and she realized she could feel him quiver slightly. She heard a deep groan and then one word, "Samantha," ground out in an almost desperate tone.

She found the fastening on the pants, opened it enough to allow her to begin to caress him skin to skin. Still standing behind him, she allowed her other hand to release his shirt from the waist of the pants and then to glide over the smoothness of his skin. As she continued the various ways she knew that would excite both Lantash and Martouf, she kissed and nipped the back and side of his neck and throat. Finally deciding on a circular motion and a pressing and releasing type of rhythm, Sam knew she would soon bring her lover to an almost painfully exquisite tension. It would not be enough to put him over the edge.

She realized that Martouf was breathing heavily and gripping his hands into fists on his hips. As he stood there, legs spread wide, fists resting on his hips and his head thrown back, it occurred to her that the only things needed for a glorious pirate to emerge was long hair and a cutlass. She had a feeling he could act like one even without those things, and if she went too far she was liable to be presented with him. But, that was for some other time. This was not about fantasies. It was about giving and receiving love in the most elemental way. Realizing that, and knowing that if she just marked her place, she could come here anytime she wanted, she stopped the erotic torture she was submitting the two beings to and moved back to stand in front of them.

Looking up at him, she caught her breath. She was already seriously aroused. Her need of him had grown with each new kiss she had placed, and each new stroke she had given him. Her moans had been silent, but she knew it would not be long before they were as obvious as his. She might look calm and in control of herself, but the truth was that at his touch she would lose all control. That was what he did to her.

In truth, he looked magnificent. The mental imagery of the pirate was indeed a good one she realized, as she began to massage the calves of his legs. Even as the thought drifted through her mind, another vision came to her. His stance was that of a conqueror surveying his domain, which she supposed, was an apt simile. He had conquered her, hadn't he? Heart and soul, she belonged to him as surely as if she was some piece of booty taken in a pirate raid, or a woman stolen as this warrior conquered some new territory. A territory and a woman he did not intend to give up. He would keep her captive forever. The image did not distress her, as she would have expected it to. She had conquered his heart and soul, and he was as much her captive as she was his.

She continued to move slowly up his calves to his thighs. As she began to massage those wonderful muscles, she was aware of a slight tremor of anticipation in herself. Something had changed, but she wasn't yet sure what. As she kneaded his thighs and felt the corded muscles, she realized that her lover was indeed exerting a great deal of control on himself. She came up off her heels to kneel straight in front of him. She looked up at him in time to see one of his hands reaching for her shoulder. Before she had time to realize his intention, he had untied her gown and it lay in a puddle around her on the floor. It was extremely erotic to be totally naked in front of him as he stood above her completely clothed. She gasped at the intense stab of desire that she felt and was almost nervous when she saw the small smile playing around his mouth. She realized that he knew how his gesture had affected her. She had prolonged the painfully exquisite tension too long. The pirate was emerging and the conqueror she had glimpsed earlier was about to claim his droit du seigneur.

Suddenly, he bent down, picked her up, and strode to the bed. Putting her down gently in the center of it, he quickly finished undoing his breeches and removing them. There would be nothing between them now his look told her. Opening her arms to him, she welcomed her lover to their bed for the first time. The thought made her catch her breath. Their bed. He pulled the coverings down and lifted her onto the sheets before joining her there. His mouth found hers in a soft exploring kiss, but it could not remain that way. The fire was burning too hotly in them both to be satisfied with a soft kiss. It turned into the devouring kiss of a passion burning almost out of control.

It was his turn to explore her body. He began at her lips and moved to her throat, setting her skin aflame with desire. She loved, wanted, and needed this man, these beings. Both of them. When she became aware of the hold his mouth had on her neck, she was thankful it was almost on her shoulder. The bruise he left was going to be magnificent, she could tell. She felt the bites and the kisses, the nibbles of his lips and the flicking of his tongue as he worked his way down her throat and then up the other side to nuzzle her ear. How had he known her throat was so intensely sensitive to stimulation? It was one of the most sensitive areas on her body, and each kiss, each bite, each little bruise sent a tug of pleasure through her. Martouf was back in control for now, and he could tell that each time he touched her neck she shivered in delight. He had learned something important about his mate, he knew. However, he would explore the knowledge later, now there were other areas of her delicious body that were calling to him.

"Samantha, Aima Coeurawyn, Blood of my Heart, Igisadonis Animawyn, Beloved of my Soul, you will come to me now, and we will join with the universe and the stars."

"Martouf, Lantash, Igisadonis Animowyn, Beloved of My Soul, Aima Coeurawyn, Blood of my Heart, I will come with you now, and we will join with the universe and the stars."

With those words, they began the final steps in this, the mating dance; the dance of love and desire. Sam began once again to caress his back in the one place that could drive him wild. Samantha was more abandoned and ardently passionate than he could ever have imagined, he reveled in his ability to bring this woman to such heights. She was not alone. As her hands worked their magic on him, he lost all control. Their skin was wet with the sweat of their passion. He heard her calling their names, as he had moments before called hers. Both of them were spiraling into the abyss of unity where for a moment in time, they did indeed join with the universe and the stars.

Martouf and Lantash collapsed onto Samantha. It was many long minutes before they were aware of anything around them. They had indeed tasted the little death, and it was truly magnificent. Their breathing eventually quieted, and their heartbeats returned to something resembling normal.

Martouf managed to roll to one side, and then, laughing softly, he commented, "Samantha, I believe, if this continues, you will kill me with pleasure. I have never experienced anything even remotely as truly wonderful and exhausting. Lantash is in torpor, and I am feeling quite lethargic myself. He says not to forget to tell you how very much we love you." He listened quietly, for moment, and then shook his head.

Lantash came forward to explain, "I wished for Martouf to tell you that as a lover we find you extremely exciting and sensuous, certainly everything we could possibly have dreamed of having in a mate. You are passionate and sybaritic, daring and audacious, exquisite and incomparable. And my darling, I am now aware that you are not afraid to tease the dragon."

Recognizing what he was referring to, Sam blushed a deep red, but looked at him courageously. "One day soon, "she promised, "I'll tell you one of my fantasies. I found your actions as erotic as you obviously found mine." She lifted her chin, as she said the last of the sentence. He laughed suddenly, and then kissed her lightly on the lips.

"I will look forward to this fantasy of yours, I believe, Aima Coeurawyn. You are a very lusty woman in many ways, Samantha, and yet, you can be very recherché. You are precious in our eyes, Coeurawyn; always remember that. Now, Martouf is loudly and acerbically calling me names, so I will return you to him, so that he will stop being so annoying. Not, however, before I, too, taste the honey that is you lips one more time," So saying, he proceeded to kiss her, deeply and thoroughly, and he didn't stop until she moaned into his mouth and reached for him, wanting him yet again.

She knew immediately when he stepped back, and Martouf replaced him. It still fascinated her that they were so very distinct from one another. It awed and amazed her that she could feel so much love and passion for both of them. Then Martouf was reaching for her once more and as they pledged themselves to one another, the world and all of the problems facing them faded away; this night was theirs alone and they reveled in it. Tomorrow would wait. It was going to be a long and glorious night.

TBC