Chapter 69: At Long Last

Fiona set the letter that contained the false prophet’s story down on the end table next to her in the castle’s nursery, a frown on her face as she did so. She picked it back up, scanned through it to re-read a few sections, then set it down again.

Her frown deepened.

She tapped a finger on the armrest of the couch she was sitting on, then looked at the letter again. She took a deep breath and then stood up and started pacing, glancing at the letter occasionally as she turned its contents over in her mind. At this point, she’d lost count of the number of times she’d read it and it still ... She shook her head.

She walked to the large south-facing window that overlooked the massive river that separated Narlotten from Ivernia. The false prophet had spent a lot of time in Ivernia lately, was he there now? Was Sarah?

Behind her, Conner made a happy baby noise and Fiona glanced behind her at her son. She also put a hand over her womb where another baby was growing. It was strange; she had spent so much time learning magic lately that she could actually feel the difference between herself and the baby in her womb. In a very real sense, she could sense her second son in the womb, whereas she hadn’t been able to do that with Conner.

Nearby, Tabitha was standing silent and still, like a stone statue.

“Tabby, I’m really not minding if you want to be playing with Conner.” Fiona reminded her bodyguard for the ... dozenth? time.

“Thank you my lady.” She replied, but didn’t move.

Fiona sighed; her bodyguard seemed to resist all attempts to get her engaged with Conner, despite her former employer -- the wife of the crown prince himself -- saying that Tabby loved babies. Fiona herself had seen evidence of it, and yet Tabby steadfastly refused to engage with Conner much at all.

Oh well.

Fiona looked at the letter on the table again, a frown returning to her face as she did so. But then, an idea struck her. “Tabby, I don’t suppose you can be reading the letter and giving me your opinion?”

“I am able.” Tabitha replied, but didn’t move.

“Will you?” Fiona asked.

“Yes my lady.” She walked to the letter, picked it up, and began to read.

Fiona looked out the window again towards Ivernia, wondering where Sarah was and what she was doing. And more than anything else, hoping that perhaps, just perhaps, the false prophet wouldn’t hurt her friend. Then again, Fiona found herself in the strange position of even considering that Ethan Ejder might not be a false prophet. She still didn’t know what to think of that.

Sarah smiled as she admired Selene in the wedding dress. It was white for now, though Alana had enchanted it so that it would fade to its true color by the next morning. Selene was beyond gorgeous. That was normal, but the radiant smile on her face and the glow about her seemed to amplify her already incredible beauty to dizzying new heights.

For the first time, Sarah slightly understood the comments that Hailey and Melinda had made the previous night about Selene being gorgeous enough that she might tempt them to try ‘playing for the other team’ under the right circumstances, and if they weren’t engaged to Jason. Those comments had made Sarah blush the night before, which of course led to some good-natured ribbing that she had enjoyed, if only because they were treating her exactly like anyone else. She loved that.

“Are you okay?” Selene asked. “You look a little red.”

“I’m okay.” Sarah assured her while trying to make her tone as normal as possible. She was only mostly successful.

“What do you think?” Selene asked as she modeled her dress.

Like Kendra’s dress, the bottom half of the dress was full-length, but when activated would turn into loose pants to protect the legs. The top was form-fitting and had wide-ish straps, though oddly, it looked like they would almost look better off the shoulder than on, though they were on her shoulders now. While Selene had mentioned before that she always dressed to blend in, this dress wouldn’t allow that. It was entirely modest, but cut to emphasize everything about her that was spectacular, and there was a lot to emphasize.

The neckline had what Selene had called a “sweetheart” shape and it emphasized the full roundness of her perfect breasts without revealing much of them. Her arms and neck were practically works of art, and her face was so gorgeous that Sarah was sure that any man who saw her would instantly fall in love with her.

Frankly, Selene’s body was everything that Sarah wished hers was, and she had to remind herself that she had been assured that Ethan wouldn’t lose interest in her when he saw her next to this goddess of beauty.

“You’re so beautiful.” Sarah replied wistfully.

“Thank you.” Selene beamed, then fixed Sarah with a piercing expression. “You know, I’m a little jealous of you.”

Sarah blinked. “What?”

Selene nodded. “You should’ve seen how enamored of you Ethan was, and instantly so.” She made a thoughtful noise. “He brought you up constantly and even when he didn’t, everyone could see that he was thinking about you.”

“Really?” Sarah realized her mouth was open and closed it.

“Really.” Selene nodded with a smile. “I’m not saying that Ethan doesn’t notice what women look like, but it’s not what he falls in love with.”

“You’re still so nice.” Sarah said after a moment, her heart feeling lighter. “You’re getting married in just a minute, but you’re taking time to make me feel better.”

“Always.” Selene grinned, then lowered her voice slightly. “And I’m pretty sure that at some point after you marry Ethan, he’ll have me make you feel a lot better.”

Sarah went bright red.

A moment later, Selene cocked her head to one side and then chuckled.

“What?” Sarah asked, guessing that someone had thought something to the group chat.

“Apparently, Ethan arranged for Colonel Forsythe to come to the wedding at the last minute.” Selene chuckled. “Kendra just picked him up and the hope is that he and Victoria will kiss and make up.”

“Kiss?” Sarah frowned. “But they can’t get betrothed without her father’s permission and why would anyone kiss someone before they’re betrothed?”

Selene chuckled again. “So, so many reasons ... but not in the Ten Kingdoms apparently.”

Sarah decided to let that pass without comment because she knew that Ethan and Selene’s world was different than the Ten Kingdoms.

A minute later, Kendra popped into the room on the lower deck under the captain’s cabin where Selene and Sarah were. “Okay, everyone is ready, are you?”

Selene took a deep breath and then nodded. “Let’s do this.”

Ethan was standing near the bow of the Argo with his father to his left and Falkaan beyond that. Luminar Kossel had agreed to perform the wedding since Anthiel would be playing the music. In front of him, the entire crew of the Argo and the Midnight Sun were there, plus Colonel Forsythe.

^∗Alana, that was a good idea to invite the colonel.^∗ Ethan thought privately to her.

^∗Thank you.^∗ The wood elf grinned impishly back at him. They had pulled all the chairs up from the lower decks and there were just barely enough for everyone to sit down, though at only 16 feet wide, the deck of the Argo was a bit narrower than was ideal for this sort of thing.

Ethan nodded just as Anthiel began to play a lovely melody that sounded quite familiar. It sounded like ... like ... Oh. He whipped his head around to look at her as he recognized Pachelbel’s Canon. Without missing a beat, the high elf nodded her head toward Ruth, whose eyes twinkled.

Moments later, Sarah exited the starboard doorway to the lower decks while Richard exited the port side. They walked toward each other and then his father offered his betrothed his arm and they walked toward the front, obviously sidestepping the Argo’s mast. Normally, the best man would escort the matron of honor, but they’d fudged it slightly because, for some reason, it fit better in his mind to have Kendra with Falkaan and Sarah with Richard.

Kendra and Falkaan were next, and when they had arrived at the bow and taken their places, Anthiel slipped seamlessly into ‘Here Comes the Bride’. Ethan looked at his mother, who again just smiled with her eyes twinkling. Everyone stood up, and then Selene exited the starboard doorway to the lower decks on her father’s arm.

She was radiant.

Resplendent.

Sublime.

There was a collective intake of breath from everyone, even those who had seen Selene every single day for weeks. Such was the radiance of her beauty. It was entirely incomparable and Ethan couldn’t even think of anything to compare it to, except perhaps Myla at her wedding. However, the difference was that Selene was his. The glimpse of her he’d gotten when they’d bonded -- broken though the bond was -- combined with the awe-inspiring vision of feminine perfection before him just about took his breath away.

Then she smiled at him.

Time seemed to stand still for a moment as their eyes met.

Selene’s eyes were shining in happiness, and he imagined his own must be as well. He was vaguely aware of a massive smile on his face, but really, his bride walking up the aisle had the entirety of his attention. It seemed like years and also mere moments before she had reached the rest of the bridal party.

Thor had followed Selene up the aisle and had walked up between the two of them and sat down, looking up at the both of them while he softly purred. Selene smiled at her little kitty before returning her attention to Ethan.

“Who gives this woman to be married?” Luminar Kossel asked.

“Apparently I do.” André said, then while holding Selene’s hand, extended it to Ethan’s hand, who took his beloved Selene’s hand. It was so smooth, soft, and warm.

He grinned.

She grinned back.

He escorted her forward a few steps until they were in front of Luminar Kossel, Thor following right behind them.

“Dearly beloved.” The luminar began. “We are gathered here today in the sight of God and these witnesses to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”

Luminar Kossel’s voice faded into the background for Ethan, who was too preoccupied with staring at his bride. He couldn’t believe that they were finally here, now at long last after what felt like years, they were finally here. She was his bride; Selene Dawson was his bride! The thought made him smile wider.

“Ethan.” Selene nudged him and then flicked her eyes toward Luminar Kossel.

“Um, I do?” He said.

Everyone laughed.

“Sorry.” He said while grinning at Selene. “I was distracted. Can you repeat the question?”

Selene beamed.

Selene felt like if she got any happier, her heart would burst. She couldn’t stop smiling, and the smile muscles in her cheeks were almost starting to hurt. Ethan was grinning at her and the look in his eyes was just ... just ... there were no words.

“I asked if it was your intent to marry Selene.” Luminar Kossel repeated for the distractible groom. Selene had always been annoyed that men tended to get distracted while staring at her, but here and now, it made her smile wider.

“Yes, I absolutely intend to marry Selene.” He grinned, and then thought privately to her. ^∗I’m going to marry you so hard that you won’t be able to walk straight in the morning.^∗

^∗Your Precious is looking forward to it.^∗ She beamed back.

It took enormous presence of mind for Selene to not tune out what Luminar Kossel said for the rest of the service. This would be her one and only wedding, so she didn’t want to miss it because she was staring into the eyes of the man she adored.

Luminar Kossel cleared his throat.

Dang, she’d gotten distracted anyway. Judging by the way her groom looked at the luminar, he’d gotten distracted as well.

Adrian chuckled as he spoke. “Do you Ethan, with full knowledge and consent, take this woman, Selene, to be your wife in the covenant of marriage? Do you swear to keep and provide for her all of your days, committing to treat her with honor, love, and respect in all circumstances to the best of your ability, and allow only death to separate you?”

“I absolutely do.” He grinned.

Luminar Kossel turned to Selene. “Do you Selene, with full knowledge and consent, give yourself to this man Ethan, to be his wife in the covenant of marriage? Do you swear to follow and obey him for all of your days, committing to give yourself only to him and to treat him with honor, love, and respect in all circumstances to the best of your ability, and allow only death to separate you?”

“I do.” She said without hesitation.

Luminar Kossel looked up and addressed everyone. “Now, since apparently Ethan and Selene decided to take the long way here--” he paused as everyone laughed. “--they’ll need to exchange deep mana again to re-bond.” He looked at each in turn with a mock-serious expression. “And this one’s for keeps; no take-backs.” He winked.

Everyone laughed.

Ethen tightened his grip on her slender hand as they both faced each other. “Ready?”

She nodded. “So ready.”

^∗And remember, no jumping me when the surge of arousal hits.^∗ He thought to her privately.

^∗Yes--^∗ She stopped. ^∗Your Precious needs something to call you like the others have.^∗

He grinned, his eyes twinkling. ^∗How about: Wonderfully perfectly magnanimous awesome dude?^∗

^∗Your Precious thinks it’s too long.^∗ She rolled her eyes, not adding how her new nickname made her heart sing. It was such a small thing, but damn if Ethan hadn’t nailed it.

^∗Oh, I think it’s perfect.^∗ He winked at her.

She rolled her eyes. ^∗Yes sir-ee captain bossy pants.^∗

^∗Oh? You don’t think ‘Captain Bossy Pants’ is too long?^∗ His eyes twinkled.

^∗Of course not boss.^∗ She replied, making sure her tone was dripping with sass.

^∗My Precious seems to need an attitude adjustment.^∗ He replied in a mock-serious tone while obviously suppressing a chuckle.

^∗Yes Boss.^∗ Selene said with just as much sass. ^∗Of course Boss, whatever you say Boss.^∗

^∗Yup, you definitely need some correcting.^∗ His eyes twinkled, but underneath the twinkle, she knew that bit of sass would ‘cost’ her; she couldn’t wait.

^∗Your Precious will submit to whatever punishment her boss deems appropriate.^∗ She added, not removing the hint of sass.

^∗Bond.^∗ He said.

^∗Yes Boss.^∗ She grinned, then pushed a bit of her deep mana towards him at the same time she felt a bit of his being pushed towards her.

She accepted it instantly and without reservation.

Fiona finished changing Conner’s diaper, thanking Illuminar for the miracle of self-cleaning cloth. She truly didn’t know how she would manage without that.

“There you go little guy.” She grinned at him as she re-buttoned his clothes while he made happy baby noises and smiled at her. She felt herself slip into baby talk. “Are you feeling much better then? I know, I know you’re feeling better.”

Conner made a sound that was almost a laugh; he was growing up so fast.

She picked him up and glanced at where Tabitha had been reading the letter that contained the false prophet’s story. Her bodyguard was clearly finished since the letter was now sitting on the table where Fiona had set it down before asking Tabby to read it. Curiously, it appeared to have been put back in the exact position Fiona had left it, not even a hairsbreadth of difference in location.

“And? What are you thinking?” Fiona asked.

“That it is unwise to base such assessments on a single account.” Tabitha replied entirely without emotion.

Fiona sighed. “But comparing that to what my husband has been saying, what are you thinking?”

“That it is unwise to base such assessments on a single account.” Tabitha repeated.

“Tabby, please be working with me here?” Fiona asked with a sigh. “Obviously you don’t have to be saying, but if you aren’t going to be saying, then please just let me know and I won’t be asking anymore.”

The bodyguard looked at her for a moment. “Comparatively speaking, Narlotten’s account requires a level of additional complication to accept, whereas the letter’s version does not.”

“Anything else?” Fiona asked when Tabitha hadn’t elaborated.

“The writer of the letter believes what she wrote to be true.” Tabitha replied, again without emotion.

“How can you be knowing that?”

“Analysis.”

Fiona sighed. “Analysis of what?”

“The handwriting.” Tabitha replied. “It is a topic we study; the letter writer believes what she has written is the truth.” Tabitha paused. “Or it was written by someone trained to falsify such things; either is possible.”

“You really aren’t trusting anyone, are you?” Fiona asked.

“No.” Tabitha replied simply.

“I’m not sure what to be making of this.” Fiona said after a moment. She looked at Tabby. “Could you be taking Conner and just be listening as I’m thinking this out?”

“Of course my lady.” Tabitha rose and took Conner, after which Fiona started pacing.

“Here’s what I’m thinking.” She began. “I’m not liking how Narlotten’s version of events is requiring me to be trusting Lady Ekthros. She’s not caring enough about people or the truth for me to be trusting her.” She looked at Tabitha. “You can be rocking him in your arms; he’s liking that.”

The bodyguard did, though the motion seemed mechanical rather than natural on her. Of course, she might be doing that on purpose; you could never tell with Tabby.

“It’s just that me saying that Lady Ekthros’s version of events is wrong would be like me saying that my husband is wrong.” Fiona frowned. “Now, I’m sure he’d be saying that he makes mistakes too, but I’m thinking this is a very big thing to be making a mistake on.”

Tabitha didn’t respond, but she did continue the rocking of Conner, the motion slowly starting to look more natural.

“And I don’t think I should be taking the word of a murderer over my own husband, you know?” Fiona mused. “But then, if the letter is correct, the false prophet--” She stopped. “Well, maybe he isn’t a false prophet and maybe he wasn’t murdering people, and I’m not knowing who to believe.” She frowned again as she glanced at the letter. “It’s saying that he was killing my Sean in self-defense, and if he was telling the truth, even I can’t be thinking he was evil for that.” Her frown deepened. “But then, I’m not knowing if he’s telling the truth.”

Tabitha didn’t reply.

Fiona took a deep breath and pursed her lips. “But then, Sarah is really liking him and she’s loving Illuminar, and I don’t think Sarah could be falling in love with anyone who was as bad as I’ve been led to believe.” She cocked her head to one side. “But then, maybe she’s being deceived or compelled and I’m not knowing what to think.

Fiona sighed, then made a frustrated noise. “How about you Tabby, what are you thinking?”

“That it is unwise to base--” Tabitha began to say.

“--to base such assessments on a single account.” Fiona finished, then sighed again. “I’m hating that you’re right about this.”

Tabitha didn’t reply and instead continued rocking Conner in her arms despite the bodyguard not looking at him. Something seemed just slightly different about her at the moment. Fiona couldn’t put her finger on what, but something.

“I suppose me even considering that the false proph--” She stopped again. “That ‘Ethan’ might not have done it is ... well, Mage Weston would be calling it progress.”

As usual, Tabitha didn’t reply.

Selene opened her eyes after the re-bonding finished. Like before, she had seen everything about him for an instant. Every part of him was laid bare to her; both his darkest parts and his brightest parts, plus everything in between. The previous time, the sight and the vague recollection she was left with had only left her with a slight itch in her nether regions.

This time, it left behind a full-blown inferno.

Her entire body and mind were screaming at her that she was wearing too much clothing and that if he wasn’t inside of her in the next two seconds, it would be a travesty. It would be cause for a second round of the Nuremberg Trials at the very least.

^∗Not yet Precious.^∗ Ethan’s mental voice came to her, and his tone brooked no argument. Completely, totally, and utterly unrelated, and with no connection to that in any way whatsoever, the inferno between her legs blazed even hotter for a moment.

She nearly moaned out loud.

It looked like Luminar Kossel was suppressing a smile as he continued. “Since you have exchanged deep mana and vows, then by the power vested in me by the Great God Illuminar -- Blessed be He -- and also the government of the United States of America--” He winked at them. “--I now pronounce you husband and wife. Ethan, you may kiss your bride.”

The blazing inferno in her loins didn’t die down, but it faded into the background as Selene realized something, something that almost didn’t seem real.

She was married.

Her name was no longer ‘Selene Dawson”, but was now ‘Selene Ejder’. She had a husband. She was a wife. Of all the things she thought she would be in life, a wife would never have been one of them until very recently. She was a wife, she had a husband, and they would have each other for the rest of their lives, not to mention his other wives.

Wow.

That was amazing.

Ethan stepped closer to her and put his hand around the small of her back. Oddly, the one-inch difference in their height really struck her at the moment and it felt weird to be slightly taller than he was. It didn’t seem to matter to him though because he moved like an expert and dipped her so she was completely supported by his arms.

“I’m going to kiss you.” He said firmly, like it was a fact so established that denying it would be as useless as trying to prevent the sun from rising or the tide from coming in.

“I’ve never been kissed.” She whispered.

“I know, let’s fix that.” He whispered back softly, smiled, then leaned down and gently pressed his lips to hers.

Selene felt herself make the softest possible sigh as their lips met. It felt amazing, but somehow so very different than what she had been expecting. His lips were soft but smooth and she could feel how much he cared for her in the kiss.

That was the best part.

She enjoyed the physical sensation, rather a lot actually, but that paled in comparison to the emotional aspect. Without consciously meaning to, she raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck as she kissed him back. She sighed softly and pressed her lips harder against his, that blazing inferno in her loins surging back to full strength.

^∗Not yet.^∗ He thought privately to her as he pulled back slightly and gazed into her eyes. ^∗Later.^∗

^∗Your Precious is looking forward to that ... Boss.^∗ She winked at him.

Ethan -- her husband -- didn’t reply, but his eyes were filled with good-natured malice. Selene had no idea what he had in store for her on the wedding night, but she was pretty sure that her love for it would outweigh her frustration with it by a large margin.

Ethan -- her husband -- was good that way.

Sarah was standing on the quarterdeck, leaning on the railing and watching everyone at the wedding reception on the weather deck below her, mostly just enjoying the fact that it was so incredibly normal. Weddings and wedding receptions were something that she’d missed far too many of while growing up because of her problem. Below her, everyone was talking and laughing or smiling and joking like they’d known each other forever. The lantern light bathed the deck in a warm glow and the smell of good food -- if she did say so herself -- added to the air of camaraderie.

Even Colonel Forsythe seemed to get along reasonably well with everyone, though Victoria was avoiding him. Sarah couldn’t tell if the platinum blonde was still annoyed at him or simply avoiding him for some other reason. She did glance in his direction regularly though.

“Hey.”

Sarah looked to her left to see Thea joining her at the railing and also leaning on it. “Hi.”

“What are you doing?” The gorgeous elf asked.

“Just enjoying something normal.” Sarah said, indicating the reception below her just as a whole group of people burst out laughing at something that someone had said.

“It’s not normal to have food that good, at least not outside a lord’s house.” Thea smiled at her.

“Thank you.” Sarah beamed. “Why are you up here and not down there?”

“I could ask you the same thing.” The elf replied pensively.

“You already did.”

Thea chuckled. “I suppose I’m up here trying not to panic.”

“Panic?” Sarah’s head snapped towards her. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing dangerous.” Thea said quickly. “You and I even talked about it recently, it’s just, well...” She sighed. “Myla met her future husband within minutes of telling Ethan that she didn’t want to marry him. Victoria might’ve met her future husband within hours judging by what I’ve seen of their interactions; I think Victoria and the good colonel are perfect for each other.”

Sarah gave her a sympathetic look. “You’re more worried now because it’s been two full days since you knew that Ethan would marry Selene and you still haven’t met anyone?”

“I am, and I suppose that ‘panic’ is a bit too strong of a word.” She admitted. “Maybe Illuminar doesn’t have someone out there for me, and I would be okay with that since I don’t see why I should get any special treatment.”

“But you would like to meet someone who’s perfect for you?” Sarah prompted.

Thea nodded. “Doesn’t everyone?”

Sarah nodded and then looked across the weather deck to where Ethan and Selene were talking. Sarah wasn’t sure what, but something had definitely changed between them; there was a tension in the air between them in the best possible way. They kept glancing at each other with knowing smiles and Sarah had learned to recognize that look soon after coming to live on the Argo; it usually preceded a long session in the bedroom.

“Look at Ethan and Selene, or Myla and Falkaan.” Thea said, a subtle smile on her face. “I have the luxury of being an elf and knowing that even if I don’t love my future husband when we get married, I know we’ll be in love after bonding.”

“But?” Sarah prompted. “It sounds like there’s a ‘but’ coming.”

“But...” Thea smiled. “ ... but it would be nice to have that from the beginning.” Thea gestured at Ethan and Selene, and then Falkaan and Myla.

“Why not? It’s happened before.” Sarah gestured to Falkaan and Myla.

Thea got a small smile on her face and a yearning look in her eye. “I hope so.”

Sarah scooted over slightly, put her arm around the elf, and gave her a side hug. “Me too.”

Thea returned the side hug and then they both returned to watching the party in companionable silence.

Several minutes later, Ruth beckoned them down. “Come on, they’re about to cut the cake.”

They made their way down to watch. It was rather amusing to see them cut the pieces, and then apparently Earth had this strange tradition where they ‘fed’ each other the pieces of chocolate cake, but apparently ‘fed’ meant ‘smear all over each other’s faces’ on Earth.

Pretty much everyone burst out laughing at the sight.

“Lick it off!” Victoria hollered, causing even more laughs.

By coincidence, Sarah had ended up standing near Colonel Forsythe as Victoria had hollered, and Sarah didn’t miss his eyebrows rising slightly at the platinum blonde’s remark. That was followed by a thoughtful expression.

“Problem?” Sarah asked, thankful for an excuse to avoid watching the blush-inducing scene happening by the cake as the newlyweds followed Victoria’s advice.

“When not surrounded by Ivernian soldiers -- for whom she appears to harbor a particular disdain -- your blonde companion seems to be relatively down-to-earth and fun-loving, if slightly indecorous.” He replied.

“You sound surprised.” Sarah pointed out.

“I am.” He replied, but didn’t say anything else. He did make a thoughtful sound though.

Thea caught Sarah’s eye and grinned.

Sarah herself chuckled.

After that, Sarah noticed that the colonel glanced in Victoria’s direction on a semi-regular basis. He was subtle about it, and it seemed like he was trying to determine which version of Victoria was accurate.

After the cake was cut, Ethan and Selene had their first dance together as husband and wife. Neither was a particularly good dancer, but judging by the way they were looking deep into each other’s eyes, neither was bothered.