She ducked her head.
"There's no need to be afraid, Kellen. I made a deal with your father, and I'll keep my end of the bargain, if you let me." He said, thinking that he would find a way to stop the intercourse. He didn't want to have children from that union, and as long as they didn't have children, he would live like a king in that castle.
Kellen began the arduous task of ridding herself of her clothes.
Anthony watched impatiently for a moment, but then got up, leaving the bottle on the floor, and went over to her. With nimble, experienced hands, he helped her free her clothes.
And then he realized that she wasn't as skinny as he thought, Kellen had an enviable body, and one made for pleasure. He took her to bed, and contrary to what he had planned, to have sex quickly, and turn over and go to sleep, he loved her dearly, and lost himself in her arms. He couldn't imagine a better place to be than there, in the arms of that beautiful woman. And he forgot to interrupt the intercourse, and they had sex several times that night. When he was satisfied, he tucked her into his arms and fell asleep. Without knowing that it was only the first of the decisions that he would go back on.
The next day, Anthony woke up and, still in the same position as when he had fallen asleep, he looked over and Kellen was awake, her big green eyes staring at him. He didn't understand why he saw such tenderness in those beautiful eyes, as she didn't even know him. But he thought it was a good thing.
"Good morning. Did you sleep well?" He asked, taking his arm from under her head.
"Good morning." She said smiling. "I slept well, but I think I'm still dreaming."
"You talk as if you ... I love you."
"And you make it sound abnormal."
"It is abnormal. You don't know me."
"Yes, I do. I've been dreaming about you for years."
"How... I can't believe it. How could you dream of me?"
"Our family, Merlin was a powerful sorcerer, who met a young woman, she had golden hair, but the tips were red, on the outskirts of the castle, and feeling very attracted, he had sex with her. She possessed gifts that he didn't understand, and that were unlike anything he had ever seen, so he called her Bruma, and from that, a lineage of her has come down through the centuries, through my family... We don't need you to believe. Just that you understand what you feel, too. You don't have to say it now. But one day you will..." She said thoughtfully.
"I can't say what I feel. Even I don't know." Anthony took a deep breath. "I don't believe these things, Kellen. Your story is full of gaps. Where did this young woman come from? Maybe some peasant girl, and he must have been married. Not wanting to face his wife's fury, he invented that she was supernatural, so that she would believe that he had been seduced. Actually, I had other plans for that night we had together. I still have other plans for the future and..."
"I know I'm not included in those plans." She said happily, interrupting him. "But what do you say we enjoy a bit more of what we did yesterday?"
Anthony looked at her sadly. She was so innocent and naive... She believed in things that weren't going to happen, and perhaps that night, he had added to her illusions. Even though she was beautiful, she was still a sick person. He couldn't start a family with her, and he wanted children. It could even be with her, if she were healthy. Then he remembered that he hadn't prevented himself the night before, and a wrinkle of worry appeared on his forehead. Then Kellen kissed the wrinkle and went down, kissing him all over, making him forget his purpose, and they loved each other again. They spent several more hours having sex, and when they were rested and he sought her out to get more of the pleasure he felt only when he was with her, someone knocked on the door, ending the magic.
A maid entered embarrassed, and spoke with her head down;
"The boss asks you to join him for breakfast." She said and hurried off.
Kellen got up and put a pink dress, which he hadn't even noticed was there, on a pillow next to the bed. He looked at his side of the bed, and there were clothes for him too. He got up with displeasure, not realizing that the jars with the elements had disappeared, hoping that the hours would pass quickly so that he could take her in his arms again.
They walked hand in hand into the castle and straight to the dining room. His father-in-law was accompanied by his wife and welcomed them as soon as they entered. They sat down and talked small talk.
Kellen's mother finished her coffee and stood up, inviting her daughter to see the pieces of the trousseau that had been added.
Anthony instantly sensed that something was wrong. As soon as they left, his father-in-law let his smile die and glared at him.
Anthony stopped his coffee, losing his appetite instantly.
"So, Anthony? Have you fulfilled your role as a husband?"
"Of course..."
"And was it as you thought?"
"No." Anthony replied defiantly. He didn't know what his father-in-law was getting at, but he wouldn't allow him to offend him in any way.
"Does that mean your plans have changed?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean. You didn't want to marry my daughter. You married for the dowry and to live in the comfort of this castle. I know you don't plan to have children with my daughter. I also know that you're tempted to leave right now."
"I will. Don't think I'll take any offense."
"You won't leave until I have confirmation."
"Confirmation of what? Do you think you can lock me up here? That my friends and relatives won't come looking for me?"
"I have no intention of arresting you, Anthony. I'll rephrase it. Please don't go until I have confirmation of something that is important to me and to the continuation of the species."