Disclaimer: I don't own anything KoH related; movie rights belong to 20th Century Fox and the great Sir Ridley Scott. Although I wish I owned Balian!
Author's note: Notice I upped the rating to M. This chapter has more than mild sexual content, but I kept it tasteful. At least I hoped I did. The next few chapters will be more dramatic, with more plot development – I promise!
Queen Esther: You are too kind! I'm glad you haven't lost interest. I'll try and update as soon as I can.
Sumomo: Thanks! You are awesome too.
DocM: Thanks for the historical background info, I thought she could hold some power and you just proved it.
EverVengeful: I was talking mostly about the husband/wife relationship in regards to power. Balian sees her as a woman of intelligence, and he loves her – he won't take advantage of the fact that many women could be made subservient to their husbands. Sure, he's a little a head of his time, but come on, he's Balian!
Jellemegg: Yeah, I did slave away on this. And on vacation too! Thanks for your always honest reviews.
RedCloudPhoenix: Hi internet buddy! It was fun writing the wedding; I'm glad you liked it. Yeah, I wished they'd had a scene like that in the movie; that would've been pretty cool.
Smithy: Yes naughty thoughts about Balian/Orlando are good. Very good. In fact I know you'll just love this next chapter! ;)
Ch. 8: The Honeymoon!
(Sibylla PoV)
The next morning, my new husband and I left for Ibelin on my swiftest stallion. Balian wanted us to travel alone, but after the awful snake incident, I wasn't about to take any chances. A company of knights accompanied us to Balian's lands, where we would spend our honeymoon. While we were there, my love wanted to transfer his estate over to competent and trustworthy hands. We both agreed that was the wisest choice, as he couldn't personally oversee Ibelin when he became king of Jerusalem.
Slowing our horse to a walk, Balian released the reigns and began to massage my shoulders. I leaned back into his gentle, soothing touch, craving the physical contact. Remembering how those talented fingers had brought me boundless pleasure the night before, I trembled slightly. Turning to face Balian, he flashed me a satisfied grin, and I felt my cheeks burn. The horse stopped automatically when we approached the watering hole. My knight easily swung off the tired animal and offered his hand to me. I accepted gratefully and he led me toward the inviting shade of several palm trees. After we drank our fill, one of the knights informed us that we should reach Ibelin just before nightfall.
"Excellent," Balian whispered, leaning close to me, his warm breath tickling my ear. "That means we'll have time to…" he raised his eyebrows and smirked at me.
"Shh! They'll hear you!" I whispered back, mortified.
"I don't care," he softly told me. "I want the whole world to know how I feel about my lovely wife." And then he passionately kissed me right there on the spot. I was quite shocked to say the least, but I did not deny him. When we finished, all the knights hooted and cheered. Balian grinned unabashedly and of course I blushed as he put his arm around my waist. After that mind-blowing kiss, his gesture of 'ownership' had been quite unnecessary, but it made me feel loved nonetheless.
We climbed on our mounts and galloped the rest of the way to Ibelin, hoping to beat the dark clouds that were growing in the distance. Servants met us when we arrived and hurriedly carried our personal things into the palace. Balian and I were ushered inside just before the rain cascaded down on the parched lands. Everyone greeted us with kindness and respect; all of them loved Balian and his just rule.
Once we had finished eating a hot and rather delicious meal, we retired to our quarters for the night. Shedding our unwanted clothes, we surrendered to our primal desires by uniting our bodies once more. He held me afterwards, as our breathing slowed and we basked in the post-coital afterglow. After whispering our goodnights, he fell asleep almost immediately. I also slept well that night. Balian's soft snores gave me a calming sense of security. Knowing my love and protector slept beside me allowed me to slip to an unusual carefree slumber.
All too soon, I was awakened by the sun's early rays seeping through the drapes. Balian yawned, disentangled himself from the quilts, and slid out of bed.
"Mmph, don't go," I moaned as I felt his warm presence leave.
"Sibylla, I'm supposed to meet with Kareem and Nathaniel about the estate," he patiently explained. "Believe me, I'd rather stay here with you, but this must be taken care of."
"Alright," I sighed, slightly disappointed. "Do what you must." He patted my hand and promised to return as soon as his business was sorted out. Dragging myself out of bed, I walked into the bathroom to freshen up. After dressing, I took my breakfast in my room so I could watch Balian's meeting going on outside. My love walked among the tenants in his casual garb, inspecting the fields and crops that had flourished since our last visit. Two men joined them, one with olive skin – he was obviously a Muslim. The three men engaged in deep discussion under the palm trees, shaded from the scorching desert sun.
It was not long before a barefoot Balian trudged into our room.
"Someone needs a bath," I commented wryly, wrinkling my nose. Indeed he was filthy – his legs were caked in mud from the rainstorm; his face and arms were covered in sand and sweat.
"Dearest, come give me a hug." Balian stepped towards me with his arms held open.
"Ew, no!" I shrieked, laughing as I backed away. My handsome knight reeked of that distinct 'outdoor man' smell.
"You know you want me," he teased.
"Not until you are clean I don't," I said, shaking my head with amusement. "Into the bath with you." He followed me into the bathroom and saw the steamy bath that I'd already drawn for him.
"Thank you," he told me warmly. Then, without warning, he stripped off his soiled robe and underwear and entered the water. "Ah, this feels wonderful," he sighed, submerging his lower half and stretching out his long legs. I stared, mesmerized, as he reached for the soap and washcloth. While he washed his face and hair, I relished the sight of tiny water droplets glistening on his pectorals, the flexing of his toned biceps, and the contours of his rock hard abdominals.
"If you insist on staying in here, would you mind helping me?" I jumped, clearly startled.
"Huh?" Balian smirked. Not so subtly, he stretched, giving me an even better look at his bronzed body.
"As much as I enjoy having you admire my body, could you wash my back for me?" I exhaled slowly, gaining control of my senses once more.
"I would love to." He chuckled, encouraged by my enthusiastic response.
"I thought you would. You wouldn't resist a chance to touch and explore my bare skin." Damn him. We'd only been married a day and a half, and already he seemed to read my thoughts.
"Such arrogance, my lord," I responded as I soaped the washcloth. That stopped his teasing right away. He absolutely hates it when I imply that he is becoming as conceited as the other barons of Jerusalem.
Sitting on the tile floor, I rubbed his smooth back in slow circles, effectively removing the grime. Yes, touching my Balian was heavenly, I thought. Declaring his back clean, I kneaded his taut shoulders and back muscles, hoping to relax him. Except for a faded scar down that middle, his back was flawless. I loved everything about this beautiful man – did he have any faults? If he did, I had yet to witness them. Soon my fingers grew tired and I had to end the massage.
"Sweet Sibylla, don't stop," my husband pleaded.
"Sorry, but my fingers can only last so long," I told him truthfully.
"Fine," he mumbled. "But next time I get to return the favor."
"I look forward to it." Smiling, we gazed at each other with mutual affection, still very much in the throes of newly wedded bliss. I reminded myself how fortunate I was to have found Balian. How many other women could say they had a caring, good-hearted husband who loved only them?
We spent the rest of the day cuddling in bed and lazily feeding each other. While caressing my cheek, he asked,
"Sibylla, won't it be amazing when we eventually have children of our own?"
"Truly, it will be," I agreed. "I know you will be a great father. Would you want a boy or a girl?" He thought for a moment.
"It doesn't matter, as long as the baby is healthy." I scooted even closer to him, entwining my fingers with his.
"I hope we have at least one of each, although I hear boys are harder to raise when they're young." He sighed.
"If we do have a son, I want to form a strong bond with him. I want to teach him to respect the knights' code, and to help him learn to fight properly. But most of all, I want him to know that I love him. And the same goes if we have a daughter." Balian gave me an intense look. "Promise me that when I become king, you'll never let me become one of those men who never have any time to spend with his family." I assured him that I'd never allow that to happen, and that I didn't foresee him choosing that path. Then a thought struck me.
"Was it difficult as a child for you to grow without a father?" He nodded.
"The village children knew that I was born a bastard, and I was often mocked because of it." My eyes widened at hearing this news.
"I'm so sorry," I said quietly. "It wasn't your fault that you were born as the result of your parents' coupling. You didn't deserve to be mocked." He smiled wryly.
"I've gotten over it. I now admire my father for being the righteous knight that he was – but I can't help wondering why he left us." I offered what I hoped were words of comfort.
"You cannot agonize over the past, my love. At least you were able to spend a few precious days with Godfrey before he died. Remember, he loved you enough to find you and offer a chance to journey to Jerusalem. And if he hadn't, we never would've met."
"And I owe him everything for that," he realized. "I hope I never have to make the choice that he did. I don't think I could choose between duty and the ones that I love."
Wanting to distract him from dwelling on his memories, I suggested we take a stroll through the palace. He eagerly agreed and pointed out some of his family heirlooms while we continued making plans for our future. The day was through before I knew it.
Apparently, Balian felt guilty having to leave for his meeting the day before. Fortunately for me, he made up for it, in the sweetest way I could imagine. When I awoke the following morning, I was greeted by the sight of him leaning over my face.
"Hi," I said softly.
"Hi." He planted a chaste kiss on my lips. "Do you trust me?"
"You know I do, what's this all about?" I questioned. He smiled, mysteriously.
"You'll see. Close your eyes." Obediently, I did so. Without warning, he yanked the covers off of me, leaving my nude form vulnerable to the chilling breeze. What new devilry has he thought up now? I trembled in anticipation, knowing he had complete control over me. Soon I felt soft, warm lips press against my eyelids. "Such beautiful eyes; they will forever captivate me."
"Oh Balian…" I gave a small sigh.
"Shhh," he softly demanded, putting a finger to my lips. "Don't speak, just feel."
His lips grazed over my nose, then moved on to leisurely suck my lower lip. Then he traveled to my right ear, nibbling on my lobe.
"What do you wish me to say to you, my goddess? That your touch will always be my undoing? Or that no matter how many times I bury myself inside you, I'm never completely sated?" His hot mouth sought my other ear. "What is this power you have over me, oh beautiful creature of mine?" Craving more skin, his wet tongue licked my cheek all the way down to my tummy button, where it lazily rolled in circles. I whimpered, wanting him to get on with it. "Impatient are we?" he growled. Almost instantly his hot mouth enveloped a nipple, and expertly twirled it into hardness. Cupping my breast with his hands, his tongue lavished its twin. "Such perfect breasts," he admired. Try as I might, I couldn't stifle a moan.
"Mmm, feels so good," I gasped out. Balian moved away from my chest, and trailed breathy kisses down my arms. He sucked on each of my fingers, reminding me of the time I teased him at breakfast. Switching to my toes, he licked each one as well as the sensitive underside which made me squirm. Then he slowly and deliberately kissed his way up the inside of my calf, to my thigh, nearing my womanly region. He had painstakingly activated the now familiar tingling sensation and I felt myself grow wet. I held my breath, hoping he'd touch my source of pleasure. Just short of reaching it, he removed his lips.
"Don't stop!" I mercilessly begged. Why must he frustrate me so! He began his sweet kisses at the bottom of my other leg. Soon he had found the valley between my legs. Just when I thought I couldn't last any longer, his lips closed on my throbbing nub. He started sucking at an agonizingly slow pace, but gradually quickened his oral ministrations. I wantonly bucked my hips as his talented tongue entered my folds, stroking the insides.
"Uuuuungh! Oh God!" I cried in ecstasy. Balian continued his pleasurable assault on my center as I rode the waves of bliss.
"Let it out, love," he encouraged me, his voice muffled. "I've got you; just let it come." I was too far gone to answer, so I continued to thrust into his mouth, needing more delicious friction. His teeth grazed over my sweet spot, finally sending me over the edge.
"Balian!" I screamed as I arched into him, reaching my apex at last.
We spent the rest of the week practically holed up in our room, doing what newlyweds enjoy best. Those precious days became the best of my life. But all good things never seem to last. Our perfect world was shattered on the morning of our seventh day at Ibelin.
"My lord Balian, I have a message from Jerusalem. It's very urgent!" A servant loudly knocked on our bedroom doors. Stumbling out of bed, Balian cursed, irritated that our rest had been interrupted.
"The sun has barely risen; couldn't this wait…" My husband fell silent as the servant read him the letter.
"I'm sorry to have disturbed you, my lord," the servant apologized.
"No, you were right to wake me," Balian gravely said. "Please, ready my horse, and wake the other knights." The servant bowed and scurried out of sight. My husband exhaled deeply. "Sibylla, I'm afraid I have some bad news."
End Ch. 8
Don't make me spell it out for you. Go R-E-V-I-E-W!