Later that night after the evening meal Ardeth left Basel's home to make his rounds, taking Peter and Jonathan with him. He would return for Ali afterward and they would then retire to his home.

As the women finished clearing away the meal, Basel made an announcement. "I have something for you ladies"

Ali looked up from wiping the table "Basel, you didn't need to get us anything"

Basel waved her hand to dismiss Ali "Child, I wanted to get you, Elizabeth and Caroline something to welcome you home"

She turned and presented each with a bundle. Elizabeth was the first to open hers. It was a tunic of the most beautiful shade of dark blue and it was embroidered with fine silver threads.

Elizabeth gasped as she unrolled it. "Oh, Basel! It is truly the most beautiful thing I have ever seen". She turned to show her Mother and Aunt. Caroline gasped at its beauty and said "It matches your eyes!"

Caroline then unrolled hers to display another beautiful tunic. It was maroon and golden threads. She said quietly "It's stunning"

Ali was a bit confused though and Basel seemed to sense that. "Ali I know you understand Elizabeth's tunic being bright and very detailed but you are a bit confused by Caroline's, correct?"

"Well, yes a bit. Caroline is married therefore her tunic should be well dark and boring" Ali said laughing at her summary.

Basel laughed too "Yes my dear in the past that would be correct. But there have been many changes to our village and culture over the last 20 years. It was actually Ardeth that made the change after you left. He knew of your love of color and knew other women would feel the same way so changes were made. Married women should still wear darker colors than eligible young ladies but it doesn't have to be black and it can have threading etc.

"Oh" Ali said as she realized she was still holding hers. So Ardeth had made the change because of her. Before she could go any further with that thought Elizabeth touched her arm bringing her from her thoughts.

"Mother, open yours"

"Oh, of course" Ali unrolled hers. The tunic in front of her was stunning. It was a very dark green, with silver threading.

"Oh Mother it's beautiful. Basel, can we try them on?"

Basel nodded and the ladies made their way back to try on the creations.

Elizabeth and Caroline were just coming out when Ardeth, Jonathan and Peter arrived back.

They were met with "Those are beautiful and you two look beautiful".

Ardeth looked and realized Ali was not with them. After admiring both lady's dresses he asked "Grandmother where is Ali"

"I'm right here" Ali said as she stepped out into the living area of Basel's home.

"Oh, Mother you look stunning" Elizabeth said as she turned to look at her mother.

Ali smiled "Thank you dear. Basel, you did a wonderful job. These are just so beautiful." Ali spoke to both but never took her eyes off Ardeth. She watched as several emotions played across his face. She could tell he approved.

As if no one else was near them, Ardeth took several long strides across the room. He stopped in front of Ali and pulled her hard to his body. Leaning down he whispered in her ear "My love, you in that dress could make me forget there are others here. You look stunning".

Ali blushed. It might have been 20 years since she truly spoke their language but she understood every word.

Realizing there were indeed others in the room, Ardeth regretfully released Ali. Standing back he spoke in English "You look wonderful"

Jonathan spoke up "Yes, Mother you do, as do Caroline and Elizabeth." He stood there watching Ardeth watch his mother. He wasn't sure he liked what he just saw. He felt as though Ardeth was treating her as bit of a…. what was the word… an object perhaps. Like he would have thought Ardeth's culture would treat women.

Ali didn't notice the look on Jonathan's face but Ardeth did. But Ali speaking brought him back. "Ardeth, give me a moment to change?"

"Of course"

The women made their way back and Ardeth spoke to Basel "Grandmother, you did a wonderful job. The ladies look wonderful"

Basel smiled "I thought you would approve"

Just then Ali came out.

Ardeth and Ali said their good nights and made their way to Ardeth's home.

They had barely stepped inside and shut the door when Ardeth pulled Ali into his arms. He leaned down and kissed her hard on the lips. Only moving back a few inches so he could speak he growled "What you do to me"

This time Ali didn't blush. She rose back to her tiptoes and kissed Ardeth with the passion he had just kissed her with. "And what is it I do to you?" She smiled a seductive grin as she lowered back down into Ardeth's arms.

Ardeth spoke no words but swept Ali into his arms and carried her to his bed. He stopped and put her down beside it. But before he could take off her tunics, she reached out and untied the belt around his robe. She pushed his robe off his shoulders and it fell to the ground. She again tiptoed and leaned up against him. She kissed his lips but then quickly moved across his face following his jawline down to his goatee and then down his neck to his tattooed chest.

Ardeth let out a throaty growl as she placed butterfly kisses down his neck to his chest.

Suddenly, he could stand no more. He put his hands on Ali's shoulders and she moved back to look at him. He swiftly pulled her tunics over her head, pushed off his pants and then laid Ali down on the bed.

He lay down beside her and ran his hand down her side, gliding over the curves of her still tiny waist to her hips.

He then moved his hand between her legs and she moved toward him "Ardeth" she cried. She needed him. He quickly moved and entered her swiftly.

It wasn't that he just wanted her, though he did. His body ached for her. But he needed her too. He needed to see what he did to her. That he affected her as much as she affected him.

Much later Ali lay in his arms. She was moving in and out of sleep. Ardeth watched her not being able to fall asleep. He felt as though if he did, he might wake and she would be gone.

Ali awoke with the feeling she was being watched. Opening her eyes she looked to see Ardeth watching her. She reached out and touched his face. He smiled as she smiled at him. "You need to sleep ", she said as she snuggled to him again. Wrapping her tightly in his arms, he too fell into a deep sleep.