Chapter 11: Acceptance

As dawn rose over Cashmere, Airk kept his watch by Raina's bedside. For the past week, he had not permitted Raina to leave her bedside due to her injuries sustained by Kael. King Arn of Cashmere, and his daughter, Princess Carissima, were immensely generous in seeing to the wounded Galladoorn soldiers during this time, especially Raina. In order to make up for his mistakes, Madmartigan promised to keep watch over Raina as well. Alas, being confined to her chamber did not sit well with a feisty Raina.

"How are you this morning, my love?" Airk asked.

"I think you know very well how well I am, my love," Raina said grumpily.

"I know, I know," Airk said, "that was a dumb question. But you know why you're here. You need to recover. You need rest."

"I don't want to rest anymore. I've had enough rest being knocked out for a week. I cannot get back into shape if I'm stuck here," Raina said impatiently. "Bad enough you have that idiot Madmartigan here after what he did. Remind me what part of that is a good idea?"

"I know he screwed up and so does he," Airk said. "If he screws up one more time, I'm not going to cover for him again."

"Fair enough," Raina said. "As for me, I am sick of languishing here. I am ready in body, save for my arm. I cannot just sit here while you and Ronan prepare to fight against Bavmorda."

"Well, Madmartigan will fight, too," Airk said.

"You really believe that?" Raina asked.

"Has being stuck in here made your logic stronger?" Airk asked.

"Well, you know where he promised he would be, and guess where he is not today," Raina said.

"Darn it, Madmartigan!" Airk shouted aloud, "I'm sorry, Raina, but I have to go kill my friend."

"You don't have to apologize to me," Raina said. "I'd go, too, if you'd permit me."

"I promise next time he screws up, you get first crack at him," Airk said.

"Thank you," Raina said with a wide smile.

Airk raced from Raina's chambers, seething with rage. Madmartigan had betrayed his trust once to many times. Airk was ready to hand Madmartigan over to the wolves, just as he had to him. Before Airk could even think further of sealing Madmartigan's fate, he found him sitting alone in the hall.

"Madmartigan? What are you doing here? You promised you'd be there for Raina, you idiot!" Airk asked.

"I'm hiding from Carissima," Madmartigan said quietly.

"Okay, I'm gonna need more than that," Airk said. "You just ditched me again!"

"I can't see her again. Ever again," Madmartigan said.

"Why not? What'd you do this time?" Airk scoffed.

"Nothing!" Madmartigan said defensively. "It's what she thinks I did is why I can't see her again."

"Alright, what does she think you did?" Airk asked.

Madmartigan sighed. "She thinks I've been cheating on her. Someone has been trying to frame me for revealing court secrets. I can't see her again. I can't be seen here. If someone sees me, I'm done. "

"So you're just going to back out? Just like that?" Airk said.

"You don't understand. She's the princess. If she talks, I'm through," Madmartigan said.

"And whose fault is that?" Airk said. "You betrayed Galladoorn for her. This is your choice."

"I didn't betray Galladoorn! I never wanted to be a soldier or serve anyone. I don't serve Galladoorn. I serve one person. You're looking at him," Madmartigan said angrily.

"Well, I hope you're happy with your choice, Madmartigan. One day, you'll be in a crow's cage and you'll only have yourself to blame," Airk said coldly.

Airk quitted the room, fuming. As he stood in the hall, he lost himself in his thoughts. He thought about the battle at Cashmere, and nearly losing Raina. Although he knew Madmartigan was a fool, he did have one point: he could not back out from Raina so easily. Bavmorda's influence was spreading, and she was not going to be stopped any time soon. As Airk pondered this, he knew that there was only one resolve he had to do.

Airk raced back to Raina's chambers. By the time he arrived, he was out of breath.

"Tell me it's good news," Raina laughed. "Is Madmartigan leaving?"

"No," Airk said. "Kinda. He's in trouble with Princess Carissima. He said someone is framing him for revealing court secrets. He's just going to hide like a coward."

"Not surprised there," Raina said.

"Anyway, that got me thinking about us," Airk said.

"I don't follow how Madmartigan connects to us, but go on," Raina said.

"Almost losing you those few weeks ago made me realize something. Bavmorda is getting more powerful every day, and that's not going to change. I almost lost you twice, and I've never been that scared in my life. I never want to be scared ever again. It would make me happier than anything if you would stay with me forever," Airk said.

"To marry you," Raina finished happily.

"To marry me!" Airk replied with a joyful laugh.

Without another word, Raina jumped into his arms and kissed him with so much passion.

"Is that a 'yes?'" Airk asked.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Raina replied.

Once again, Airk and Raina kissed so fervently they would never have kissed enough.

As night fell, Airk paced outside his father's chambers as Raina spoke with Cayne. He did not know what was going on between the two. He only hoped that Cayne would accept his request to take Raina's hand. He did not care that they were young; this was war and their lives could be cut short any moment. All he cared about was having Raina as his wife. After what seemed like an eternity, Raina finally emerged from Cayne's chamber and Airk entered. Airk gave Raina a hopeful smile as a closed the oak door.

"Airk, have you lost your senses?" Cayne asked.

"No, Father. I've come to them," Airk said resolutely.

"But marriage? You're only a boy," Cayne said.

"I think war makes men out of all of us, and it is a short time to live with Bavmorda expanding her borders," Airk said soundly. "I don't want to widow Raina before she becomes my bride. I've almost lost her twice and I don't want to endure that again."

Airk broke out into helpless, tearful laughter. "I don't think you know. She and are both so darn stubborn. We both think alike. I can't tell you how much I see myself in her!"

"You really do love her, son?" Cayne asked, amused.

"With everything I am," Airk said.

"I cannot accept anyone will be good enough for my son, but it seems today I have been proved wrong," Cayne said proudly, "My son has found his match, and therefore, I happily give my blessing."

With a wide smile, Airk clapped Cayne on the back. "Thank you, Father."

"I am proud you have found your match," Cayne said.

Airk left the room and found Raina pacing outside. With his best smile, he picked her up and twirled her about in his arms.

"I'll take it that's good news," Raina said happily.

"Let's prepare for our wedding," Airk said.

"But first, follow me to my chamber," Raina beckoned.

Raina led Airk to her chambers where she and Airk collapsed on the bed. Raina untied her gown and laid bare before Airk before she sat on his lap and pulled him into her embrace. Airk's hands danced along her body, to her globes of flesh to her thighs. Raina smiled as she released the strings on Airk's tunic and pulled it over his head. Raina explored every inch of his muscular abdomen before removing his trousers. Airk lay on top of her as his mouth explored every inch of her leg from ankle to her thigh. His lips traversed her stomach to her navel, lingering there, eliciting a moan from his fiance before he journeyed on to her valley and then to her peaks of flesh, as Raina grabbed his hair and held him there and nearly screamed in her ecstasy. His lips danced with hers again. And so they continued in their exstasy long into the night their stolen night.