"Trust me, Karin. This is not the time or the place to continue this."
Karin did trust him. Though she did not fully understand. Now that the kisses were put on hold, she wanted him to hold her. She wanted to soak in the calmness and strength found only in his arms. Would it carry her through the next couple of hours?
Pavel seemed to sense her need before she spoke it. He pulled her into a firm embrace, holding her fast to himself. She felt his heartbeat, so tight were his arms around her.
Some moments later, the carriage came to a halt just outside her parents' home. Karin started to maneuver her way out of the carriage.
Pavel came around and gathered her into his arms.
Was he to carry her in? She frowned. But would she rather limp into the great hall? Or arrive in her beloved’s arms? And so, she conceded.
They led the small crowd into the house and onward toward the great hall, where the meal was being prepared.
Pavel carried Karin to the head of the table where a single bowl of soup and a loaf of bread awaited them. Two servants covered them in a large cloth, under which they would remain while they ate the soup, sharing one spoon. Displaying unity and cooperation.
After they accomplished the task, there was a great feast for all. And the celebration continued with dancing and drinking.
As the wedding feast continued, Karin removed her rosemary wreath, proof of her virginity, and placed it on the plate her mother had prepared with a white scarf.
Zdenek took the plate and, followed by a small parade of guests, brought the plate to Pavel, who accepted the wreath with a smile.
Before she knew it, Radek lifted Karin from her chair and rushed her from the room.
The last thing she saw was Pavel rising, concern upon his face. Did he not remember the traditional kidnapping of the bride? She would be hidden somewhere in the house, symbolizing her separation from her parents, and he would have to find her or pay another ransom to get her back. Find her, he would. Of this, she was certain. And this would be the last time anyone would separate them.
* * *
Karin sat while Mary took her hair down. It was not long before waves of red-blonde fell around her shoulders. Her tresses grazed the simple chemise her mother had reserved for this night, this one special night. A wave of apprehension rose within Karin. Her stomach felt a little uneasy at the thought of what this night would bring, but she trusted Pavel. Nothing unpleasant would happen to her as long as she was in his arms. That thought only served to calm the wave of uneasiness a little.
Moments later, Mary gathered the bowl of used water, which Karin had washed her face with, and walked to the window to dump it. It was only a matter of minutes before Mary would set the brushes and pitcher in their proper place and gather the dirtied cloths so she could take her leave.
Try as she might, Karin could not think of any reason to delay her. Did she truly want to? Her anxiety was at war with her growing desire to be comforted by Pavel's arms. Perhaps he could still this disquiet in her.
"Thank you, Mary," Karin said, as she was gathering the last item she would need.
Mary bowed. "Milady. Do you need anything else?"
"Could you help me to the fireplace?"
"Of course, milady."
With Mary's assistance, she hobbled to a chair near the hearth.
"Thank you," she said as Mary laid a blanket over her legs. She need not worry so; the warmth of the fire was more than sufficient to keep away any chill. But Karin accepted it all the same.
Then Karin was alone with her thoughts. Trying to keep her thoughts from running rampant, she focused on the flames, watching them dance and lick at the air. Fire could be so lovely, but also quite dangerous.
It was not long before Karin sensed she was no longer alone, moments before she heard the door close. Was it her beloved come to join her?
Her back was to the doorway, but she did not turn to greet him. Instead she let him come to her. And he did.
Pavel walked through the room almost as silently as he had entered it. He came behind her and laid his hands on her shoulders. She then felt his lips pressing to the side of her face as his hands rubbed down her upper arms. Despite the warmth of the fire, she shivered at his touch, her discomfort getting the best of her. He came around to her left side to crouch between her and the fire, clasping her left hand in his.
"Are you all right, my love?" He used his free hand to push hair from her forehead and behind her ear.
Karin nodded looking down at their clasped hands, avoiding his eyes. "Yes." She brought her right hand around to rub his.
"Truly?"
She glanced up to meet his eyes and shook her head. The movement was so slight it was almost imperceptible.
With a tenderness she only ever knew from him, he touched her face and gently pulled her into his arms. "It is all right," he soothed. "I'm not going to force anything on you.”
She nodded against his shoulder.
He pulled back to look into her eyes. "All right now?"
She nodded.
He smiled and continued to smooth back her hair and caress her face. "Let us see to our greater comfortable."
Pavel brought blankets from the bed to create a makeshift bed on the floor in front of the fire.
"There," he said, waving his hands over his work. "The only thing missing is you."
She held out her arms for him to lift her.
He obliged, pressing a soft kiss to her lips before leaning down to lay her on the floor.
Karin found that the knot in the bottom of her stomach was becoming unwound.
Once she was settled, Pavel lay down between her and the fire, half sitting, pulling her to him so she could rest upon his chest. He continued to stroke her hair as they gazed into the fire. His free hand met hers across his body.
She moved her hand to rest over his heart.
Turning his head, he shifted his gaze from the fire to his bride. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and lifted his now freed hand to caress her face.
Karin maneuvered so she could kiss him.
Pavel shifted to deepen the kiss.
Her body flushed with a familiar fire, a fire lit inside her whenever they kissed like this, a fire she had yet to find a way to douse. She clung to him as the kiss continued, the fire threatening to overtake her, spreading through her whole body.
When the kiss broke off, Pavel continued their contact with gentle kisses sprinkled around her lips, her eyes, her cheeks, before he reclaimed her lips in a kiss that was even deeper than the one before.
Karin was lost to the fire burning deep within, which had snuffed any hint of apprehension remaining. All that persisted was this blazing desire.
Their bodies changed position and she was on her back with her husband leaning over her. She moved her hands over his body, tentatively exploring as he continued to stoke the fire within her with his kisses. Karin soon discovered that his hands too could inflame her.
Giving herself completely to her husband, she hoped he could tame the powerful wildfire within her. In his strong arms, at the mercy of his sweet kisses, she found the answer to that question.
* * *
Karin was unsure if she was ready for the journey that lay ahead.
Her mother finished repinning her hair with Karin and Pavel’s most precious, but incriminating, paper hidden in her braids, a task not to be trusted to a maidservant.
"You are beautiful, my katka." Mother placed her hands on Karin's shoulders and gazed with her at their reflection in the mirror.
"Oh, mother!" Karin turned and embraced her mother. "I am sorry for any sadness or disappointment I have brought upon you."
"There is no need,” Mother admonished her, pulling back to look Karin in the face. "You have made me so proud, following your convictions, standing for what you believe. And you have made a fine match with an honorable man who loves you and wants to support you. What more could a mother want?"
Karin's face broke i
nto a smile, and she embraced her mother again. "How I am going to miss you!"
"And I you!" Mother tightened her hold. Would this be the last time Karin would embrace her mother? As Mother pulled away, she wiped at tears. "Now, we must get you to your husband, Lady Krejikova."
Another smile lit Karin's face, and she allowed her mother to lead her into the foyer where Pavel and Father waited.
Father stepped forward and enveloped Karin in his arms. He whispered in her ear, "I told Pavel you are not to stop for anything until you reach your destination. If you are stopped, let the coachman do the talking."
She nodded. "Yes, Father."
They pulled away, and she moved to stand next to Pavel.
His arm slid around Karin's waist, supporting her.
"Please take care of each other," Mother said, her voice catching.
"Of course," Pavel assured her, "I would give my life for the care of your daughter, Countess."
Mother smiled at him as if she, too, knew that was true.
Pavel turned to Karin. "It is time."
She nodded. Sharing one more long look with her mother, then her father, she moved to follow as Pavel led her toward the waiting carriage.
Once they were seated within, she peered out the window at her parents, standing just outside, watching and waiting. The carriage jerked as it began to move, and Karin waved at her parents as they grew smaller and became part of the horizon.
"Will I ever see them again?" Karin asked.
"Only God knows."
"I pray He will watch over our journey, Pavel."
Pavel wrapped his arms around his bride and hugged her to himself. "I know He will, my love. We have nothing to fear, as long as we are together."
Karin nestled herself into his chest and found comfort in her husband. She knew he spoke truth. No matter what they faced as they made their way toward Hussite territory, it would not be insurmountable as long as they were together.
This, however, was before they got stopped by a patrol. Before Petr found the true legal obstacles of breaking a marriage contract to Stepan. This was before Sigismund assumed the throne. Before any of them realized that the Hussite Wars would last fifteen years.
Karin and Pavel’s journey was only beginning. But, come what may, they would face it together.
About the Author
Sara R. Turnquist is a native of Middle Tennessee. She attended the University of Memphis where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Biology. During the next few years, Sara worked as a sleep medicine technician by night and a zoo educator by day. But her real passion lay with books. She is an avid reader, but enjoys little more than putting pen to paper (or keystroke to word processor). Sara has made several trips to the Czech Republic to teach English. It was her experiences there which inspired a novel set in the Czech Republic during the Hussite Wars. The many places she visited fascinated her and the people inspired her. She currently lives in Middle Tennessee with her wonderfully supportive husband and three small children.
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