One Hundred refusals (23)

A serialised romantic fantasy.

Previously…Chapter 22

What a glorious day it was! Though the summer came to its end, and the foggy mornings were cold and gloomy, the wedding day rose as a wonder of nature - the first frost of the early autumn dressed each leaf and twig in diamond shine. The flowers died, yet it could not lessen Gema’s joy. She had arranged a huge flower delivery from the Southern Kingdoms, and it was barely dawn when the whole castle drowned in luscious sea of white, pink, and red roses. Gema hovered around dancing to the tune her own heart sang. Each heartbeat moved her closer to her wedding night with Ash.

Oh finally, finally… and to think - I could’ve had him three years ago! What a fool I was.

Gema enjoyed every minute of her wedding day; she was pampered like a true princess should, on a special day like this, for not only was it her wedding but also the coronation!

She endured the long hours of her hair being made into a majestic work of art, and her body dressed into layers of silk; a petticoat dress, and skirts, pantaloons, and stockings, and the finest pearl-embroidered shoes. The elderly brothel ladies cried happy tears at the sight of Gema fully dressed, ready for her big day. Lord Trouser was summoned to her chamber.

“Oh, Gema, dear… I mean, my Lady! You are the most beautiful bride ever seen,” Lord Trouser bowed to her, only to wipe his teary eyes with a lace-trimmed handkerchief afterward.

“Call me Gema, please,” she replied, holding on to the arm he offered.

“Are you ready, Gema dear?”

“Yes! I am,” Gema said with the warmest smile. Her love, and her kingdom (not to mention the wedding night!) awaited.

***

The three grooms entered the hall accompanied by the Ceremony master, for it was a triple wedding indeed. The formal royal wedding ceremony for Princess Pearl and Lord Valeur, the honourable wedding ceremony for Prince Sturnus of Avem and Cinnia, and the wedding and coronation of Princess Geminaris and Lord Ashier.

The hall was overflooded with noble guests. The fresh roses, the candles, beauty and joy rained over the castle. Nobody cared about the early snowstorm outside; the cold winds of autumn could not kill the heat of love burning in the hearts of the three young grooms.

Every single Lady in the hall sighed with longing at the sight of Lord Valeur. He was shamelessly handsome in his wedding clothes. Although the Ladies agreed; Lord Valeur would’ve looked dashing in any clothes, even more so with no clothes at all! The youngest maidens blushed and giggled at the thought.

But Prince Sturnus wasn’t worse. He possessed a different kind of beauty – the one of a melancholic poet, with his dark eyes and sand coloured hair, it was the beauty of autumn in the land of Avem, where the birds sang endlessly, and the Birdlings chanted poetry under the gigantic black oaks. After Sturnus had overthrown his tyrant father, his stately frame radiated confidence, and that the Ladies found extremely handsome, for confidence turns an insignificant man into a noble warrior.

But the biggest surprise was Lord Ashier. The same Lord Ashier who served as the late king Ulrich’s councillor, the same who spent three years in this court before he was banished. A man of no importance or beauty, a man of wisdom, delving into books and scrolls, hardly ever taking part in the court’s festivities. This man now walked through the crowd with his head raised high. His long, black, silky hair falling onto his back majestically. He wore Snakeling wedding clothes – an unusual outfit for this court, all white and grey made of soft wool-like fabric. Some of the court knew that the young Lord had received a package early in the morning. A secret delivery from Snakeling island. What they didn’t know, it contained not only the peculiar wedding clothes, but also a fine silver crown of a Snakeling prince, and a letter from Lord Ashier’s father. It said that despite the cruel verdict of the Elders, Ash would always remain his father’s son, and a prince of Snakelings. Therefore, he should wed in proper clothes.

Lord Ashier walked beaming with happiness hidden by the most serious expression; he was to be crowned the king of Hebeny alongside his queen. Though the Nobles of Hebeny did not share his joy, they accepted their queen’s choice of a husband. Anything was better than a power-hungry Birdling tyrant planning to take over their kingdom.

A band of Birdling musicians played a soothing melody on their golden harps, their blackwood violins, and gentle silver bells. Then the brides came causing many oohs and aaahs to hum across the hall.

First came Princess Pearl, the queens lost sister. Her cream-coloured silk gown was embroidered with pearls, and tiny lilies of the valley, it was a subtle, yet tasteful dress, fitting the Princess’ quiet nature. She did not yearn for power, that princess Pearl had made clear after giving the throne to her sister voluntarily. Lord Valeur shed a tear of joy seeing her, and the Ladies of the court grieved quietly for the loss of a true ladies’ man.

Next came Cinnia. Cinnia! Princess’ Gema’s loyal maid and companion ever since their adolescence. Cinnia was to receive the title of a Hebenian Noble, and although the Birdlings had their own wedding rituals, Sturnus and Cinnia wished to make their union legitimate as soon as possible after their shameful night together (not to mention they had not shared bed during the two weeks before this wedding, and were truly overtaken by desire).

The surprised court stared at Cinnia; how had they never noticed her beauty? Her auburn hair trimmed with flowers, and diamonds, her mint-green silk gown embroidered with tiny spring-green leaves, and tiny blue tit birds.

But the court went silent with admiration at the sight of princess Geminaris entering the hall. She was led by Lord Trouser. By now the court had already gotten to know him. Did they despise the elderly brothel owner? Quite the contrary! They adored him, for the old Lord had an abundance of spicy stories to share with the frivolous court, stories of love and passion, secret dates, and forbidden romances. A lifetime of stories!

Gema radiated beauty and happiness, her snow-white silk dress shimmering in a chorus of thousand diamonds sewn onto its surface. It wasn’t the usual dress of a Hebenian princess, it was a queen’s dress. And for the great amusement of all the men present, but especially Ash, Gema had ordered her new seamstresses to make the cleavage of the dress as seductive as possible, without revealing her treasures completely. Lord Ashier blushed in a sunset-red hue, and a wide, dreamy smile rose on his surprised face. Lord Trouser led Gema to him, both joined hands, and Gema was pleased to feel Ash’s palm sweating wet.

Gema was crowned the Queen of Hebeny, and Ash - her King. He had to exchange his silver Snakeling prince’s crown for the golden and emerald crown of the King of Hebeny.

The Ceremony went smoothly, the three couples waved to the crowd gathering underneath the castle’s balcony despite the dreadful weather; a very strange snowstorm swept the streets of Citadel, much too early for this time of the year.

But it didn’t matter. All Gema saw was Ash, so majestic in the golden crown of her father, and the emeralds suited Ash’s green eyes. All Gema could think of was Ash’s cool, muscled body soothing her burning-hot desire.

Gema used every chance to whisper her lustful wishes in his ear while they danced, or sat at the table, or listened to the well-meant toasts.

“I cannot wait to feel you completely, my love…” she whispered.

“Soon, Gema, soon,” Ash teased back, holding her waist tighter as they danced.

Finally, the sweet torture of waiting was over. The newlyweds were escorted to their chambers to freshen up, only to be reunited in the richly decorated newlywed chamber.

Gema was there first, she had chosen the sheerest silk for her nightdress, which left little room for imagination but plenty of room for a night filled with pleasure. She lay down on the perfect cushions of the wedding bed, inhaling the fresh roses, and playing with her wedding ring impatiently.

Where is he?! She pondered annoyed.

Meanwhile “he” was in his own chamber, wearing a lovely, light linen shirt, and trousers, marching nervously back and forth.

“Will you stop?!” his cousin, Lord Valeur barked at him, “why in the bloody horsedung did you summon me here, ON MY WEDDING NIGHT?!”

“It’s my wedding night as well, cousin, and that’s the reason…”

“Oh, would you bloody stop stomping around, Ash? Why did you call me? The servant said it was a matter of life and death!”

“But it is! Indeed, it is the matter of life and death of my marriage!” Ash snapped.

“What are you blubbering on about?”

“You have no trouble at all, with all your…experience. While…I have…no experience at all,” Ash stuttered very much unlike his cool snake-self.

“So?”

“So, what if I cannot please Gema the way she…expects me to? She’s a passionate woman, and …”

Ash was rudely interrupted by Val’s roaring laughter.

“You have been trying to seduce her for three years and now you’re worried you aren’t good enough in bed?!”

“I should’ve known there’s no point in calling you,” Ash murmured. “You may leave. Go to your lovely wife, I will not bother you any longer.”

Val shook his golden-haired head with a smile.

“Ash, Gema wants you. You want her. There’s nothing to worry about. But if you want some friendly tips, I can share,” Val winked.

“It is beneath my dignity, but…please, do share,” Ash rolled his eyes. Nevertheless, he devoured every word of advice Val shared with him, for that was exactly the reason why he summoned his experienced cousin.

Gema had grown so furiously impatient, she nearly marched into the hallway to find and claim her man, when he finally entered the room. Ash stood for some minutes taking in the sight.

“Gema, you are breath-taking,” he said hoarsely, observing the candlelight caressing Gema’s feminine curves, her long, wavy chestnut hair, and smiling eyes.

Gema couldn’t wait any longer, she got out of bed, ran and jumped onto him, while Ash had no other choice but to grab her thighs firmly. Their kisses were fire, Ash carried her to bed, but they hadn’t yet laid down, before a blinding-bright light illuminated the night outside their window. A stream of icy-blue flames poured into the castle’s garden, the guards screamed.

“Gema, we’re being under attack!” Ash yelled, letting her go.

“No! You said nothing would stop us tonight! Not even a fire-breathing…”

“DRAGON!” Ash yawped, shielding Gema, as the window of their chamber got smashed into bits. Glass shards, and blue flames poured into the room, while Ash grabbed Gema, and carried her away from their wedding bed, and out the chamber.