The Black Dagger Brotherhood_ An Insider's Guide - J. R. Ward [122]
Tohrment stands before Wrath. What is the name of your shellan? She is called Elizabeth, Wrath says. Tohrment unsheathes his dagger and bends over Wrath’s bare back. Beth gasps and lunges forward but Wellsie holds her in place. You’re marrying a warrior, Wellsie whispers. This is how they do things. But it’s wrong, Beth exclaims. I don’t want him to- Wellsie cuts her off. Let him have his honor in front of his brothers, she says urgently. He’s giving his body to you. It’s yours now. Beth struggles, repeating that he doesn’t need to do this to prove himself to her. But this is who he is, Wellsie says. Do you love him? Yes, Beth says, closing her eyes. Then you have to accept his ways, Wellsie replies.
One by one, Wrath’s men step forward and ask him the same question before unsheathing their dagger and bending over his back. When they are finished, Tohrment takes the bowl of salt and pours it into the pitcher. He rinses Wrath’s back off and then dries his skin with a pristine white cloth. Tohrment takes the cloth, rolls it up, and puts it into an ornate box. He stands over Wrath. Rise, my lord, he commands. Wrath stands up and Beth sees a pattern on his back, running across his shoulders. Tohrment gives Wrath the box and says, take this to your shellan as a symbol of your strength and your bravery, so she will know that you are worthy of her and that your body is now hers to command.
Wrath turns and crosses the room. Beth anxiously scans his face. He seems perfectly fine. In fact, he’s positively glowing with love, his pale, blind eyes sparkling. He drops to his knees, bows his head, and holds up the box. Will you take me as your own, he asks. Hands shaking, she accepts the box and is relieved when he stands up and puts his arms around her. She holds onto him tightly as the others break into cheers and applause. Can we not do that again, she whispers. He laughs and says she better brace herself if they have children.
The celebrations last throughout the night and Butch and Marissa spend time talking. As dawn approaches, they are upstairs in the house, looking around. Marissa turns and says she must go. She’s grown more relaxed with the human and she thinks he is very attractive. Butch approaches her slowly. He seems terribly serious. All night long she’s had the sense that he’s working hard to make her feel comfortable. The shift in him intrigues her. What’s the matter, she asks. I want to kiss you, he says in a low voice. She senses both his desire and his restraint. Anxious but not scared, she steps forward and feels his hands land softly on her shoulders. His lips are soft and gentle as they brush against hers. She closes her eyes and leans into him. A sound, something like a growl of satisfaction, rumbles through his chest. He deepens the kiss, his tongue sliding inside her mouth and stroking hers. His hands are warm on her waist, his heart a steady, surging beat against hers, his body stirring wildly but held firmly in check. He pulls back, eyes scanning her face as if he’s afraid he’s come on too strong. Was that alright, he asks softly. She smiles. It was beautiful, she says. A female couldn’t ask for a better first kiss. Butch’s eyes flare in surprise. Marissa puts her hands on his face. Let’s do it again, she says, drawing him down to her.
Beth and Wrath spending the following day sleeping after their furniture is put back in order. After the sun goes down that evening, Wrath and the brothers talk with Butch who tells them what he knows about the martial arts academy which isn’t much. The decision is made that the brothers will go out in a group, infiltrate the place, and go on the offensive. At Wrath’s request, Butch agrees to stay home with Beth and guard her. Wrath tells Beth that he’s just going out to take care of some business. He doesn’t want to worry her but she’s no fool. As the men arm themselves, she tries to keep Wrath home. What can be so important, she