Marcello let out a soft growl and tugged at her bodice. "Do I get to be the alpha?" he asked eagerly.

She pursed her lips. "Only until we get out of bed."

**********
THERE ARE ASTERISKS BECAUSE OTHERWISE I WILL BE TEMPTED TO USE GAMAHOUCHE IN A SENTENCE
**********
Some time later, Marcello sighed and flicked at Niabheara's hair. "Do you suppose maybe all the guests have left?"

((NIABHEARA HAS NO IDEA WHAT THAT IS AND IS SORT OF HESITANT TO ASK.))

Eyes closed, Niabheara brushed his hand away from her hair in mild irritation; she was cozy and wanted to bask. "Not all of them. Not yet. A lot of them sent regrets this morning so they are probably all making ready now." She stretched out full-length, writhing on the sheets, then opened her eyes and grinned at him. "Still have to see the Queens off," she reminded him. "You can go console Goneril."

He put his hand on her belly and cuddled up to her. "I will let someone else do that," he replied. "I don't think I'm fit for it." He kissed her at the base of her ear. "Apart from being utterly too happy for her tastes."

"And I am still formally not speaking to her. We'll make Bram do it. Bram can talk down a charging bull." She groaned and scooted closer to him, grabbing one of his arms and draping it over her shoulder. "I should clean up and get dressed again. So should you." She showed no inclination to move.

He shook his head and nudged her nose with his. "No," he said. "We should stay here forever." He kissed her cheek, and then her hair. "What do you want to do once the guests are gone?"

"We can do whate'er you like, my love. We're apt to be snowed up soon. When the guests are gone, if I do not end up murdering Duncan with my bare hands, I could always teach you how to skate." Her lips curved into a slow, sleepy smile. "What would you like to do? Other than play with my hair?"

"Play with your toes?" Marcello suggested kindly. "Teach me how to skate? You mean on ice? With my feet?" he asked, giving her an eager look.

Niabheara's toes bunched up, as if to hide from him. "Of course on ice. I'll have them save some shin-bones in the kitchen and I'll show you how to make skates of them. Or . . . I told Dierdre we were going to paint some of the old books. We still need to make candles, and soap, and probably make some new lamps. And I don't doubt once everything has settled down, Moira will start pestering me about my lessons again. Did you e'er think you'd have a bride young enough to still need lessons?"