The music faded away as the sunlight melted into the evening sky and a beautiful day came to a close. The loving couple was practically inseparable, wrapped tenderly in each others arms and swaying softly on the dance floor for almost the entire reception. Eventually the guests began to drift off to return to their homes of all location and grandeur, and Rhada reluctantly led Wren away to the door so they could thank their friends and well-wishers. For the sake of saving the best for last, Dominic and Kelly held back until the other guests had departed before saying their goodbyes to the newlyweds.

“True love looks good on you,” Dominic whispered in Rhada’s ear, pulling her in for a warm hug. “Don’t think you’ve seen the last of me” he said with a wink.

Kelly gave Wren a nervous hug and took his hand. “You’ll be a great King, Wren. I know it. I always knew you were meant for something special.”

“Ready to go, my dear?” Dominic asked, his charismatic smile lighting up his face. Kelly just giggled and took his arm, and with that, Rhada and Wren were finally alone.

Wren looked at his beautiful bride and couldn’t resist leaning in to capture her lips in a soft, loving kiss. Rhada sighed softly, putting her arms around his neck. Never breaking contact, Wren slid his arms around her slender waist and pulled her closer, needing to feel her, to know she was real and that he wasn’t dreaming. She deepened the kiss and moved her fingers through his hair until at last she had to part for air. Looking into his eyes, she donned a playful smile, took him by the hand, and led him inside the castle.

They were almost at their new master suite when Wren suddenly stopped. Rhada turned around and looked at him quizzically, yelping in surprise when he scooped her up in his arms.

“I’m supposed to carry you over the threshold, aren’t I?” he asked with a cheeky grin.

Rhada laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing along the side of his face as he swung the door open and carried her inside. Pushing the door shut with his foot, Wren walked over to the bed and pulled the covers away, laying her down on the lush silk sheets. Her head rested against a pile of fluffy silken pillows, and the dim light from the chandelier cast a golden glow through the sheer canopy that hung above and tied off at the bed posts. Kicking off his shoes, Wren sat down next to her on the bed and bent down to brush his lips across hers. He tried to briefly pull back, but Rhada followed him, sitting up and quickly recapturing his lips.

Wren moved his hands behind her head and unfastened the elegant, ornate clip that held her hair in place. The soft, blonde curls cascaded down and fell over her pale shoulders, framing her face and bringing out the stunning blue of her eyes. He trailed his fingertips across her cheek, simply admiring the beauty before him, unable to believe that she could really be his. Taking the lead, she leaned forward slightly to press her lips to his mouth. He eagerly responded, parting his lips to give her access. Passion raging, the kiss quickly escalated, and soon it wasn’t enough. Wren didn’t know what he was supposed to do, but he knew what he felt and what he wanted, and that would have to do.

Reluctantly pulling away from her lips, Wren trailed kisses along her jaw and slowly began to kiss down her neck, nearly shivering in delight when he heard Rhada whisper his name. She slid one hand into his hair while the other moved up and down his back. He had just reached the junction of her shoulder when she brought his head back up and kissed him urgently. His head was spinning; he had never felt like this before, and he had certainly never been kissed like this before. He barely managed to mask his surprise when he felt Rhada’s hands on the buttons of his shirt.

Rhada was surprised by her own boldness: she had thought she would be nervous, but everything just felt so natural with Wren. She had no idea what she was doing, but she barely gave that a second thought. All she could think about was Wren. She couldn’t get close enough; she wanted to disappear inside him. Before she even realized what she was doing, she had undone almost all of the buttons on his shirt. Her hands shook slightly as she did the last few, leaving his shirt wide open. Suddenly slightly tentative, she gently placed her hands on his shoulders and pushed the garment off, fully exposing his chest. A life of working had left him nicely muscular and sculpted. Rhada ran her fingers over his chest, exploring the newly revealed skin. Mimicking what he had done to her, Rhada moved her lips to his neck and dropped her head to place hot kisses along his shoulder.

Stroking her hair, Wren held her close while he gathered the courage to let a hand venture to the laces of her dress. Using both hands, Wren slowly pulled the strings from their bow and loosened the lacing down her back. Pulling away slightly, he looked into her eyes and kissed her lovingly. He took the straps of her dress in his hands and moved them down her arms so the material fell to puddle around her hips to show her camisole. Wren leaned into her and slowly lowered her back down to lie on the bed. She kissed him fervently, running her hands up and down his bare back, tracing each scar from his terrible ordeal. Gaining a little more confidence, Wren placed a hand over her breast, and she moaned into his mouth, arching her back and pressing herself against his hand. Using his other hand, he lifted the hem of her cami and swiftly pulled it over her head. She looked up at him, and he knew had never seen anything so beautiful in his life. Her face was flushed, lips swollen, hair tossed carelessly across the pillows, and she was undeniably perfect. She was the woman he loved. She was his wife.

Rhada fought her initial instinct to cover herself. She didn’t need to hide from Wren.

“You’re so beautiful” he murmured in her ear, easily erasing her self-conscious thoughts.

Her fingers tangled in his golden hair as he kissed her shoulders and gradually moved even lower, caressing her chest with his lips and lavishing attention on her breasts. She couldn’t control the quiet sighs that escaped her. Her entire body was on fire and a new wave of desire washed over her with every touch. The feelings and urges she was experiencing were unlike anything she had ever imagined. Losing control had never felt so wonderful. Hungry to feel his chest against hers, she managed to get out his name and bring his lips to hers, pulling his body as close as she could. They both gasped into their kiss when they felt their skin meet for the first time. Rhada thought she might explode. She didn’t know how much longer she could take it. She wanted more, and she wanted it now.

With trembling hands she reached between them to untie the drawstring of his pants and push them past his hips. He managed to kick them off and over the edge of the bed and slowly moved his body to rest on top of hers again. She could feel how badly he wanted her, and she felt her desire burning from the very core of her being. Lips and tongues battled furiously as all rationale melted into emotional fire. His hands grasped the material of her dress and she raised herself off the bed for him to finish pulling it off. Pressing her palm against his chest, she got him to lie on his back. Kissing down his chest and over his abdomen, she bravely sat up to remove his underwear. A brief jolt of panic ripped through Rhada as she realized what she was doing, and her inexperience clouded her mind with insecurity. She crawled back up his body and quickly felt her confidence begin to return as their lips locked in a passionate embrace.

Wren flipped her onto her back once more and summoned up the courage to remove their final barrier. Running his hands up and down her smooth legs, he hooked his fingers on her panties and slid them off. He took her into his arms and gazed deep into her eyes.

“Are you sure?” he asked softly.

At a loss for words, she simply stroked his cheek and nodded silently. He pressed his lips to hers and moved his body against her, slowly making them one. Rhada whimpered as a short flash of pain brought tears to her eyes. Wren stopped and looked down at her with concern.

“It’s ok,” she assured him, “it’s ok. Keep going.”

He resumed his movement with care, peppering her face with kisses and murmuring his love in her ear.

Soon the pain was just a distant memory and all Rhada could feel was pure bliss and love. It was so perfect, she was sure they were made for each other. They moved together in a waking dream, whispering each others’ names into the night. Soon their desires became overwhelming, and they were both rapidly spiraling towards the edge. Lips brushed together and hands trailed across skin as they both yearned for more. Calling Wren’s name, Rhada saw stars as pleasure burst through her body, bringing Wren with her.

Moving to lie beside her, Wren wrapped his arms around his wife and held her close while their breathing slowed. Reaching down, he grabbed the plush comforter and draped it over them.

“I love you” he mumbled against her forehead, stroking her hair.

“I love you too” she sighed, placing a kiss on his chest.

Locked in a loving embrace, hearts beating in time, the princess and her poet slowly drifted into a peaceful dream; hand in hand, heart to heart, walking down the road of life.