Chapter 118 - The Morning After

The next morning Vincent slept late, exhausted from the night before. Delaney was tired but she still made herself get up and dress. Ms. Bird was quiet as she helped her mistress but Delaney saw her glance sadly over at the sleeping man in her bed several times.

Once Delaney was ready she and the maid moved to leave the room together. At the door, Delaney paused and looked back at her bed where her handsome husband was sleeping on his chest. His hands were up under his pillow and his head was turned away from her.

Sleeping like this, his scars were completely covered and he looked like any other man. He had smooth, unmarred skin on his muscular back and arms. He was deadly handsome. No one would imagine he was living with dragon poison in his blood and that storms caused his mind to torment him.

Delaney sighed and closed the door quietly behind her. Her heart ached for her husband but she took a deep breath and put it aside for now. She was the mistress of this house and after a storm like last night, she knew there would be a lot of damage. Normally Vincent would handle it but she wanted to let him sleep.

Outside the skies were clear and bright blue with a gentle warm breeze. It was as if the weather had thrown a tantrum in the night but now had calmed itself. You would have never known there had been a storm if not for the destruction left in its wake.

Many branches had been ripped off the fruit trees and many more were hanging broken but still attached. One of the younger trees had been completely blown over, snapping it at its base. Delaney told the men to clear the dead branches and cut off the ones broken on the trees.

The side of the manor that faced the cliff had been badly battered by the winds and rain. She was relieved to see there were already men working on repairs. A few men lived here year-round and they were used to storms blowing in from the sea and the havoc they brought. Delaney left them in charge of making the repairs.

The maids were already opening the shutters and when Delaney, at last, went back inside she was happy to have the sun shining in again. She found Ian in the dining room with his arms crossed over his chest, staring out the windows at the destruction from the storm.

"Good morning," she said brightly, feeling oddly happy despite the events from the night. The bright blue sky and the nice warm breeze lifted her spirits.

Ian studied her as she walked around the table and took her seat. "So I'm guessing things are alright this morning then? Nothing bad happened after we went to bed?"

"Everything was fine after. He fell asleep and he was still asleep when I left our room this morning."

"I imagine that's a lot to recover from," Ian said before shifting and moving to head for the door.

"Wait!" Delaney called after him, "Why don't you sit and have breakfast with me? I don't know when Vincent will wake up and there's no point in us all eating alone."

Ian paused, looking back at the table. The server had heard his mistress's words though and was already setting another seat at the table for him across from her. He walked back over and took his seat.

"Thank you for your help last night," Delaney said sincerely, "I don't know what I would have done without you."

"I'm sure he would have let you in eventually."

"I don't think so," Delaney sighed, "He gets very confused and then he's scared to hurt anyone."

"Well I'll get some medicine from my father's doctor and neither of you will have to be concerned next time."

"Yes," Delaney smiled again, "Thank you for that as well."

Ian was never one for conversation so they ate in comfortable silence after that. They were almost finished with their meal when the door opened again.

Delaney looked up and beamed when she saw her husband walk in. He still looked tired but not nearly as bad as the night before. She got up from her seat and hurried to him. Vincent pulled her in for a hug and kissed her deeply.

When they came apart from their kiss he didn't move to release her from his arms and Delaney didn't mind. She reached up and brushed his black hair back from his scarred face. He smiled warmly down at her.

"Are you feeling alright this morning?" she asked.

"I am," he murmured, "And you?"

"I am fine now that I know you are."

Ian cleared his throat, getting up from his seat, "I will leave you both to your breakfast."

"Nonsense," Vincent said as he led his wife back to her seat and took his own, "Finish your breakfast. It's the least I can do for you after your helping Delaney and I last night."

"You don't need to thank me," the young pirate replied, "My father ordered me to keep her safe."

"Yes, and she wasn't in any danger locked outside of the room I was in. You still helped her get in to me which was not part of your father's orders. So I am grateful to you for that."

Ian looked down at his plate bashfully and didn't reply. Vincent looked from him to Delaney with a little smirk. She smiled and bit her lip to keep from giggling. The man didn't seem to know what to do with thanks.

They ate together and Vincent was in a much better mood as well. Once they were finished he took Delaney and went outside with her to look over the damage that hadn't been cleared away yet. He was proud of her for the orders she'd given and complimented her on making wise choices.

They walked together to the cliff and looked out at the ocean. Big, white-capped waves crashed against the shore, still stirred up from the storm. Birds were happily swooping down and feasting on the fish and sea creatures that had been stranded on the sand.

"I should go into the village since we're here," Vincent said, "See the shape our fishing boats are in after last night."

"Must you go now?" Delaney asked, "You're still so tired I don't want you to overexert yourself."

He smirked down at her, "It's not far but I will make a deal with you."

"Oh?" she giggled at his mischievous grin.

"I will go to our bed to rest for a while before I go... but only if you will come with me."

"Rest?" she laughed, "So you intend to go to our bed with me and simply go to sleep?"

He chuckled and pulled her in against his chest, kissing her deeply. His hands moved over her waist to her hips where he drew her even closer. When he let her go her head was spinning and her knees felt weak.

Vincent grinned down at his wife, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest. Delaney caught her breath before smiling up at him.

"Alright," she answered with a grin, "I will take your deal but you must catch me first."

She lifted her skirts and took off towards their home. Vincent laughed but raced off to chase after her. His bad leg wouldn't quite let him run but neither would the layers of skirts Delaney was wearing.

They burst in through the front door, startling the butler and a maid that was dusting. Delaney gasped and squeaked as Vincent reached out and nearly caught her skirt. He laughed as he took the rail and hurried up the stairs after his beautiful wife.

Delaney threw open the door to their bedroom and rushed inside before closing it behind her. Laughing and out of breath, she squealed when he came in the door a moment later, making sure it was locked before he turned back to Delaney.

She ran to put the bed between them. Vincent pulled off his boots and shirt as he walked towards her. The bed did not stop him as he stepped up on it and crossed quickly before dropping to the floor again in front of his wife who'd managed to get herself cornered.

Delaney giggled as Vincent caught her now and scooped her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him as he walked her to their bed and put her down. Delaney didn't release him though, instead pulling him down with her.

The couple laughed as they undressed each other, stopping often to kiss again. When they were finally bare, Vincent pulled the sheets over them and made love to his wife. Afterward, they both curled up together and drifted back to sleep.

They were still asleep around midday when word quickly spread amongst the servants that carriages could be seen far off down the road headed their way. A few of them rushed upstairs to look out a window.

There were three heavily guarded carriages headed their way. One of which belonged to a royal.