Trasna na huiscí

Aine watched in amusement as Ciara looked impatient while the dressmaker helped her out of the dress. "Fernando is coming, Ciara", she said.

"Of course, I would never be late para mi novia bella", drawled Fernando as Ciara embraced him.

"Nando, I couldn't wait to get out of that dress", she huffed.

Fernando chuckled and kissed her cheek, her words giving her a mental image that he liked very much. "Si, mi corazon. But you are going to look so beautiful in your new dress for the wedding", he said.

"And you are going to look very handsome in your suit, Fernando Torres", she teased.

Fernando just laughed and led her ouside to the garden. It was a hot day but there was shade under the awning and trees as they sat on a bench facing the fountain. He put an arm around her waist and Ciara leaned against him, his fingers gently rubbing a strand of curly black hair. '"Tu eres mas bella, corazon", he whispered.

Ciara sighed and let him play with her hair, a sad smile on her face. "All this fuss over the wedding, I can't wait for it to be over. It would be nice to just run off to a country church and get it over with", she sighed.

"We can't do that, I am a Don and you are an Irish chieftain's daughter. Ours won't be as eleborate as Sergio's, I am not un comde like Don Ramos. My father and my brother's family will arrive in Sevilla by the end of next week for our wedding, it is being held in the city", said Fernando.

Ciara leaned into his embrace as his strong arms went around her, holding her close. "I do wish Da was here, we cannot get any news from Ireland", she said.

"He will be glad to hear you are safe and happy, corazon. And the English will know better than to attack Spain", he said confidently.

Ciara giggled at his boast as her green eyes danced with amusement. Fernando leaned over and gave her a soft kiss, kissing her again as his lips pressed against hers. She felt him deepen the kiss and butterflies danced in her stomach as his tongue darted in between her lips and toyed with hers.

Fernando broke the kiss and smiled at her flushed cheeks and hazy green eyes. "You have never been kissed before, Ciara? That was only the beginning", he murmured.

"I liked it, but do we have to wait until the wedding night?", she asked mischivously.

"Si, everyone expects you to be a virgin on your wedding night. It's not going to be easy, but I do not want anyone saying bad things about my wife", Fernando.

Ciara nodded in understanding. "Tell me an Irish story, Ciara", he said abruptly.

She raised an eyebrow but told him about the bard Oison, son of Finn and Saba and famous for his second sight. "What a beautiful story, but it ended so sadly. I understand why he wanted to leave the Land of Youth, but he shold have stayed on his horse. At least he did get baptized in the end, but imagine coming from such a beautiful place and comong back to everything changed for the worse", said Fernando thoughtfully.

"It's called Tir An Og, the Land of Youth. But if Oisin stayed there forever, that wouldn't make for a good story. I guess humans weren't made to stay among the gods", she mused aloud.

"Do let the priests hear you say that, Ciara. Or are you not a good Catholic girl?", he teased.

Ciara gave him a look, her green eyes flashing. "Of course, senor Torres. I am a faithful daughter of the Church", she retorted.

Fernando just laughed as he gave her a kiss. "Bueno, mi corazon", he chuckled.