The Dragon Prince's Bride
Chapter 176. Saying goodbye to the family.

Chapter 176: 176. Saying goodbye to the family.

"When we get to Fortia, what is the first thing you want to do?" Barak asked as they lay on the bed, lazily waiting for sleep to take over their senses.

"The first thing?" Neriah asked.

"Hm." He nodded, "Is there anything in particular you want to do when we get there? Whatever it is, I shall try to make it happen." He said, pulling her waist closer to his body, holding her back comfortably on his chest. "As long as it is not the head of another man." He added and Neriah slapped his hand that held her waist.

"You really are petty." She hissed.

"That is an established fact, my dear. So tell me... What do you want to do first?" He asked again and Neriah’s fingers casually played with his hands that rested on her belly.

She thought about it while her fingers continuously picked at his fingernails, she really didn’t want anything in particular. The fact that he was taking her with him was enough for her

She really could not think of anything that she wanted specifically, but then she suddenly remembered a book she once read and something came to mind.

"Tell me, how do they address you in the duchy of Fortia?" She asked.

"By my title, why do you ask?"

"I know it would be by your title, but which title?" She asked and he paused for a moment as though he was trying to understand her question and the reason behind it.

"His Highness, Prince, Your Highness. Neriah, why do you ask?" He seemed really puzzled.

"Because I know what the first thing I want to do in Fortia is."

"What?"

"Forego our royal titles."

"Huh?"

She turned around in his arms so she could look at him. "Well, think about it, are you going there as the prince of Trago?" She asked and shifted his head back a little so he could stare into her eyes.

"No, I guess not."

"Exactly." She said and naturally rolled onto his body, sitting herself up on his waist as she explained, "Why use our royal titles when we are not going there as royalty?" She asked.

Barak stared at her, and he could see she was waiting for a response from him, but he still had no idea where the conversation was going so he asked, "Dear Spitfire, what is it you are saying?"

She rolled her eyes and sighed as though she was talking to a child who was not too smart, "What I am saying is," She placed her hand on his shoulders and shook him gently... well she wanted to shake him gently but in truth, she was the one shaking as he was unshakable, "I want us to be addressed as duke and duchess. You are My Lord duke and I am Your Lady duchess." She said and for some reasons unknown to her, he burst into laughter and it would have been annoying on other days, but tonight it was contagious and she laughed with him.

"Why are we laughing?" She asked as she laughed.

"Because you are a very interesting character, my dear Spitfire." He said while stroking her side. "Is that all my wife requires?" He asked and she nodded with a brilliant smile. "Well then what kind of a husband would I be if I cannot grant such a small wish, my Lady duchess?" He grinned and her smile broadened too to match his own.

"Thank you." She whispered. Why she whispered, she did not know. But she was happy that night. After meeting Lyle she had been in a rather sour mood, but talking to her husband had lifted her spirits and she just hoped and prayed that everything would remain just the way it was.

"A question, Neriah. Why do you always have to climb atop me to speak?" He asked and the question came out so suddenly she had no idea what to answer. More importantly, him saying it made her extremely conscious of her position atop him. She had not realized it... When she started climbing his body to make a point. It just happened like that and she had not noticed it had become some sort of reflexive habit until he mentioned it.

"Maybe I feel like you will listen better if I am all that your eyes can see." She turned her blushing face from him as she spoke.

"Indeed... Right now, my eyes are full of you and you alone, and you are beautiful beyond words." His hands pulled her down and her lips crashed onto his own.

"Ouch," She winced but he kissed away her complaints and she equally accepted and gave as much as she could. Her arms readily wrapped around his neck and her body quivered with want as his hands slid underneath her garment, stroking her thighs and walking its way to her hips, squeezing them in his hands as he kissed her...

"Hah," They both breathed as he broke the kiss, while Neriah still nibbled on his lips. "Now, now, my dear Spitfire, Let us save the rest for Fortia." He said and Neriah blushed greatly as she understood what he was implying.

She had asked her mother-in-law ahead just as a safety measure and Rakavi’s response was...

"Of course it is fine. In any manner you wish. It does not disturb the baby one bit. So Neriah, you and Barak can go at it for as long as you both desire and in any place and position you both want." Rakavi’s words had been so embarrassing for Neriah that afternoon but thinking of those words again now that Barak was implying the things they would be doing in Fortia, Neriah really could not wait to get to Fortia and she was happy her mother-in-law had answered her that day. There was no restraint.

...

"" I see no reason why you all have to come out to watch us leave. It is not as though we are going to another kingdom. I am just going to Fortia, so why are all of you out here to watch me leave?"" Barak asked as all the members of his family gathered together to watch him leave and for some reason they all seemed rather happy about it too.

Even his father whom he didn’t know had so much time to spare was there to watch him leave. It was very weird.

""What makes you think anyone cares about your whereabouts?"" Rakavi asked as she slipped her hand out of her husband’s elbow and walked up to the woman next to Barak with the most beautiful and motherly smile in place.

""Do take care of yourself Neriah and if this buffoon son of mine mistreats you in any manner or form, do inform me."" Rakavi said and Bashan walked up next to his wife, collecting one of Neriah’s hands from his wife.

""Aye, just let me know, I shall punish him severely for causing stress to my precious daughter-in-law."" Bashan said.

Barak just watched on in awe... Precious daughter-in-law? Since when? When did Neriah become the beloved daughter-in-law? His mother he could understand, he knew they had gotten close. But his father’s behavior was a great mystery to him.

""I know you are more than capable of caring for yourself, so do just that and be certain not to do any work there. Just take some time to rest."" Barak looked at who was talking and it was hiss dear sister. Again, he was confused. Why were they being so sweet to Neriah? Even Rakima!!

"" It is our turn to talk!"" The twins rushed forward, and we’re about to start screaming some things, but a look from their mother made them zip their mouths short.

He knew that look very well. That look that their mother gave the boys... It was that silent look that she always gave to make you halt whatever you were about to spit out... What were the twins about to say and why did she shut them up?

"" S_safe journey. Like Rakima said, rest a lot. We read some books and it said you need a lot of rest. So do not stress yourself at all and—"" Again, they shut their mouth because of their mother’s scary gaze on them.

Something was going on, he just did not know what! Why was everyone telling his wife to get more rest? It was probably because she passed out after going to the dungeon.

"Brother, do not stress her at all and make sure she wears warm clothes all the time and give her all the food she wants and—"

"" That is enough, Barni. We should not keep them any longer, they have a long journey ahead of them"" Rakavi said and Barak was really getting this feeling that she was really trying to keep something from him. But what could everyone know that his mother was trying to keep from only him?

""Now, be very careful on the way, my dear."" Rakavi said again.

He looked at his wife who seemed to be the center of everyone’s love and she spoke"" Yes mother, I am certain everything is going to be fine. And thank you so much for your concern.""

He opened his mouth in a wide ohh as he watched and heard her speak Tragonian so fluently that he was amazed. He had not really heard her speak the language a lot, just little bits and short responses. But she just said an entire sentence and very fluently. "Well, look at you speaking Tragonian so smoothly now." He smiled and stole her from the grasp of his family. "No wonder you were able to fool the guards in the dungeon." He said and she eyed him.

"You really are not going to drop that?"

He smiled and shook his head, "Not anytime soon, my love. Not any time soon."