Chapter 20: Ceremony 20- Decisions Made
My mind was spinning from the excitement of today. The nervousness I felt in trying to explain the night's arrangements to come. I felt shy for what was next of the wedding processions. More so confused on who I would choose to be my first.
My heart, I felt wanted to be with Fraren, with him I felt comfortable, safe, at home. My body wanted to be with Asmodeus, he made me feel alive, ignited, and powerful. My mind wanted to be with Sabasmus, I felt like he needed the most assurance in his standing with me. Then there was Asterion and Jiao-long who both still had yet to form a really romantic and physical level to our relationship. With both of them, I felt strong in our mutual understanding of what we wanted in life. I knew that after a night with them, it would only strengthen those mutual desires and bring our relationship to the next level. Ultimately, I had to do what I knew was right.
Sylvia helped me dress in my night garments. She unbraided my hair and combed it out leaving soft waves. After she was done, I dismissed her for the night. I got up the courage before making my way to my husband's door. I tapped lightly before making my entrance. Upon entering I saw a shirtless Asterion. It was only fair to give our relationship a chance at moving forward in a more romantic way.
And goodness, how his abs instantly drew my attention. His pecks were so large making me want to poke them. I had to blink several times to bring my attention back to his face.
"I'm sorry," I said blushing, "I knocked but didn't hear an answer." I said quickly. I turned to shut the door taking my time to cool down before turning to face him again.
"There's no need to apologize Fanariel," he said, "we are after all married now." He finished with a grin. His thick dark beard, pointed mustache, and nose ring gave him an unruly look. But deep down I knew he was kindhearted and sincere. A big softy in other words. This large man was mine for all time to come. As he said, we were married now.
I swallowed my saliva and took a few steps forward.
"Umm, I'm here to spend the night with you." I managed to say awkwardly while clutching myself. For some reason I felt nervous all of a sudden.
"I see. It brings me great joy that you did Fanariel." He said as he killed the space between us. I kept my eyes adjusted to the floor not daring to fall into a trance again. His muscles were unreal.
"Fanariel," he said grabbing my attention. "We can take things slowly. Don't feel like you have to do anything you don't want too tonight. Just because tradition tells you to do something doesn't make it right. Tonight, we will do what's right for us. Do you understand?" He asked patiently.
I looked up at him with understanding. "Thank you," I managed to say.
"Would you like to lay down? I can hold you." He said with reassurance that nothing I didn't want would happen. I trusted him and took his lead over to the bed. He laid down first and I crawled over beside him. I laid there unmoving with my arms by my sides. He chuckled before saying, "May I?" Gesturing to put his arm around me.
I nodded lightly before I felt his warm arms around me. He turned me over where my face was against his chest and my leg fell over his. I cuddled into him more comfortably feeling his chin relax on my head. His breaths were strong and steady. They calmed my nerves, and he made me feel at ease. He gently stroked my hair letting us lie there in silence for several minutes. I decided to break the silence, "Asterion," I asked, "can you tell me what you hope for our future?"
"I hope for us many children. I hope the girls all look like you and even the boys that they will have your blue eyes. I want to show you my homeland with our architecture, holidays, sports, everything. I know you will find it all fascinating and new. My sisters will be happy to call you sister. They were sad they couldn't make it to our wedding on such short notice but promised they would make it up to us soon. I'm sure they will visit and bring many special gifts from back home. Our candies are delicious, something I know you will also enjoy."
Asterion went on for an hour, talking nonstop about his family which was now my family. About our future family together. Things he wanted to show me, places he wanted to take me. He described some in such detail I felt as if I had already gone there. I then tried to explain that to him. Only making him insist that if I thought they were amazing through his words then in real life they would only be even better.
I found it amusing to go back and forth with him. We laughed and talked comfortably while holding each other in a caring embrace. Asterion and I were finally getting to know each other on a more intimate level. He took my feelings as a priority putting what I wanted first. Even when tradition said I should do otherwise. His every action made me love him even more.
"Asterion," I said interrupting him, "may I... kiss you?" I asked shyly.
Asterion paused mid-sentence, his hold on me changing ever so slightly.
"You need not ask, I am yours Fanariel, your desire is my own."
I looked up slowly sucking in my bottom lip in anticipation. I wondered what kissing a bearded man might feel like.
"It's not as tough as it looks." He said seeing my gaze on his beard. "I promise it won't cut you," he finished with a chuckle as he stroked his own face as an example.
Fear of getting scratched put aside I reached up to close the space between our lips. His facial hair only tickled slightly. But my mind was drawn to something more pressing than that. Asterion shifted my body on top of his. My hands cupped either side of his face while his hands stayed glued to my sides. I could tell he was holding back to be respectful to my wishes.
I kissed him more fiercely letting him know I was more comfortable now. As if breaking a spell his grip broke, freeing his hands to wonder around my body. His hands moved up my back then back down. Finding my bottom half, he squeezed lightly. I squealed in shock breaking the kiss. I looked down at him as he displayed a face full of amusement at my reaction.
"You!" I spouted out. He was messing with me. I guess it was time I mess back then! I stuck my tongue out at him playfully before pinching his nipple between my fingers. This only had a reverse effect of the one intended. His hold on my bottom tightened and I felt something grow harder beneath me. I gulped in anticipation.
"Fanariel, you truly test me tonight." He said playfully. I could see a small battle being fought in his gaze though. I bent my head down to kiss him again seeing how much testing I could do before he broke. I parted his lips with my tongue exploring his mouth. His tongue met with mine as we collided into a passionate kiss. I could hear his earlier calm breath get chaotic.
Before I regretted something I froze in my movements. Our faces only an inch apart I said, "Maybe we should get some rest, it has been a busy day today. I know you must be tired." I finished trying to calm my breathing as well.
Asterion closed his eyes trying to regain what little composure he had left. "As you wish," he finally let out.
I slid back to his side wrapping my arm and leg around him once more. My ear pressed at his side allowed me to hear his still pounding heart. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry at what I had done to this poor tough man. I decided to close my eyes as well in an attempt to fall asleep. I hadn't realized how the day's events had taken a toll on my body for I fell into a deep sleep in only seconds. Once my breathing fell into a quiet and normal rhythm, only then was Asterion allowed to truly relax. His heart calmed as he kissed my sleeping head goodnight. He thought to himself how lucky he was to have the girl of his dreams laying in his arms. His wife. With those final thoughts he too fell fast asleep while holding me.
The next morning, I awoke feeling extra warm. I snuggled into my pillow not wanting to wake up. As I grabbed onto my pillow it moved back making my eyes open wide. I looked around my surroundings quickly realizing I was no longer in my own room. Everything came crashing back to me causing me to blush. Had I really been so bold last night?
"Good morning," a deep and masculine voice called out.
"Good morning," I responded hiding my face into his chest.
My shyness made him chuckle vibrating against my cheek.
"Fanariel, now you decide to behave like this? Where has my temptress disappeared to all of a sudden?" He asked playfully.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly ashamed of my actions last night.
"There is no need for apologizes, like I said before, we are married after all. You may play with me however you wish to." He said before saying, "just don't be shocked when I play back." He smirked tickling my sides.
I screamed out with laughter begging him to stop. He climbed on top of me holding my arms above my head smiling down at me. "Fanariel, we best get ready for our day," he said with a sigh, "else you may never leave my bed." he finished making me blush red again from head to toe. He leaned down pecking my lips before removing himself from me. He found his shirt that was long forgotten and put it on.
"I will prepare a bath for you," he said before disappearing into the other room. I took this moment to pull myself together before climbing out of bed. Asterion allowed me to relax in the bath by myself and sent for Sylvia to retrieve a fresh set of clothes for me. After I finished, I stood while he looked away holding a towel out for me to wrap around my body. I patted myself down before putting my undergarments on asking for help from Asterion to slip my final layer on over top my head so I would not have a repeat of getting stuck. I finally came to the conclusion that I was helpless when it came to getting dressed alone.
I sat in front of the mirror in Asterion's bedroom while he expertly combed my wet hair out.
"Your quite good at this," I said in astonishment.
"With as many sisters as I have, I learned the hard way not to start at the top but bottom of the hair. This way it gets all the knots out with minimal pain both for the one getting their hair brushed and for me. When my sisters felt a tug, they wouldn't hesitate to smack me with whatever object was closest to them. I guess you could say they trained me well for this moment." He said smiling looking pleased as he combed through my long hair without any difficulty.
"I will have to thank them in the future for sure." I said returning his smile.
Once my hair was completely combed through without any knots remaining Asterion continued to amaze me. He braided my hair into a design I had yet to see.
"This is my sister, Anotnella's, favorite style." He said confidently.
I felt honored that he was allowing me to wear his sister's favorite hairstyle. He proved again and again to me why I chose him to be my husband. Well one of them anyway...
With my hair completed and a fresh outfit on we made our way together to eat breakfast with the others. My heart skipped a beat in anticipation to their reactions.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone