Nimue breathed out,<br/><br/>“Layla.” As she stared with big eyes at the hilt of the sword that Maric had made for her. She reached for the sword and then whipped her hands behind her back, almost afraid to touch the beautiful creation. “There are even gemstones for her eyes. Where did you get these?” She touched each eye with worshipful fingers.<br/><br/>“For me? You made this for me? Oh, Maric,” she whispered as she reverently held the blade. Tears filled her eyes. She  noted how his shoulders sagged and even the blood on his hand where he had nicked himself with something during the process. “I knew you could work metal but I had no idea that you were a Master Craftsman.” Her voice as well as her face expressed her awe at his abilities. “Is there nothing you can’t do and do well?” she asked, feeling as if the Horned God himself was standing before her.<br/><br/>"I'm sorry I kept you waiting." Maric apologized as he wiped away grime from his brow. "I just had to finish it today. I needed something, just anything to show you how much I love you and... And this was all I could think of. It's not much, but I poured my heart into it."<br/><br/>She gently rested the scabbard on the table and came to her husband.<br/>“And now I will show you just how much I love you,” she said as she punctuated the statement with kisses.<br/><br/>Leading him to the chair by the fire, she knelt at his feet and removed his soft boots and massaged his feet. Maric leaned his head back in the chair with a groan. Nimue poured some of the hot water from the pot over the fire into a bowl and then mixed in some fresh cold water. The bowl was large enough for Maric to rest his feet in and Nimue used the fragrant soap to wash for him. After the water began to cool, she repeated the procedure with clean water on his hands and then she removed his tunic and began to apply the soap to his body<br/><br/>When she reached his sensitive areas, he pulled her into his lap and she proceeded to show him her love for him. Putting her own needs aside, Nimue wanted for Maric to know pleasure first, with no thought for anything but the building pressure in manhood. First with her hands and then, sliding back to the floor, with her mouth. At first, Maric protested, tugging at her to bring her back into his lap, but she continued her ministrations until his protests became deep gasps and his hands pressed against her bobbing head.<br/><br/>“I love you, Maric,” she said, stopping to gauge the rolled back eyes and the rigid posture of a man about to plunge into completion. ""When I say I love you I am reflecting what I see, feel, hear, touch and taste. The sweet nectar lies within you, my darling, and flows like a majestic waterfall from your heart into mine." She didn’t stop to have more conversation but finished what she had begun.<br/><br/>