A Price for a Princess

by R. E. Butler

  "Before you see your groom, Daeton, I wanted to tell you what the council has decided."

  "What is this council you keep referring to?"

  He chuckled, "Apologies. Our herd doesn't have a ruler like your den would have, we turn to the elders to guide and rule, and we call them our council."

  "My father is king bear." I said, nodding at his explanation.

  His brows rose in surprise. "Then we're even more honored to have you join our family, princess."

  "No," I shook my head, "I'm not a princess anywhere but in the den and even then it's not a title that's used. Daeton is fine, I promise."

  He nodded and continued, "Perseus will accompany you when you continue your journey to the palace. We've spoken to your guards and they understand that you are unable to be separated, not only because of your nature but because of ours. When a Centaur finds his mate, only death separates them. Two of our warriors will join you on the journey, Perseus has his reservations about the palace being a place of safety for you, and I don't disagree. Whatever this wizard's threat is, Prince Aedan has a reputation of being a ruthless ruler and we consider it good advice to err on the side of caution when it comes to him, always. Especially considering that your guards seem to think you will be his mate."

  "Have you met the prince?" I fiddled with a gold braid.

  "Once. We traveled to the palace to ask for assistance from the royal army to deal with the Vehsi. He said he had no desire to waste his time with trivial matters of those below his station."

  I shuddered. First the slavery in Dran and now this. Just what the hell kind of man was Aedan?

  I'd grown up in a world where the king bear made the decisions for the den based on his experience and knowledge. I was floundering, trusting strangers to look out for my welfare. I would have given anything at that moment for a cell phone or a laptop, to seek advice from my family. Since I had neither of those things, I went with my gut. From my dreams, I knew that Perseus was meant to be mine. A male wouldn't harm his mate, or lead her foolishly into danger. The tentative feelings I had for him would grow into love in time, and although I only knew him for bare minutes, I felt like I'd known him for much, much longer because of the dreams. No, Perseus wasn't a man to fear that he would lead me astray. He was my mate and our future lay together with whoever the mysterious Leonemen was who was also meant to be mine.

  Cosmo left the bathroom and Elektra straightened my gown, touching my crown gently once more. She gave me a light hug, pressing her cheek to mine. "You are so lovely, Daeton. A finer bride for my son I could not have hoped for. I wish you much happiness."

  With a soft kiss to my cheek, she took my hand and we walked out of the bathroom together and then out of the house. Perseus' brothers stood outside the home, wearing finely embroidered vests, their hair long to their shoulders with braids down each side. Casper offered his arm to his mother and Abrax offered me his. I placed the sole of my shoe on his upturned hoof as a step and he pulled me up easily until I was sitting sideways on his back. He told me to place a hand on his shoulder to steady myself for the ride and that he would be walking slowly.

  It was a tradition for the family of the groom to escort the bride to her new husband, because in most situations, the bride's family was not present. Because of the need for secrecy, any human females that came from my realm would say goodbye to their old life and remain in the Medes realm for the rest of their lives. Because Medes was a supernatural realm, when mortal women joined with a Centaur they took on the long-life that the Centaurs and other supernatural beings had, through a blood sharing ceremony. I was glad that Perseus would age as slowly as I did, one body year for every twelve years that passed.

  While Abrax moved slowly through the throng of Centaur homes, he told me that their herd had sixty-three adult Centaurs, but only twenty-seven were mated. Because their kind only believed in truemates, they did not marry for love alone but waited for the dreams to lead them to their bride. Neither he nor his brother had mate-dreams yet, but they were considered quite young, just entering their true age of 20. I marveled to know that they were already more than twenty years older than me even though they didn't look like it. Perseus was 20 plus 7.

  When I asked about children, Elektra said that there were only 8 children in the herd under the age of 18. Only boys were born, which was why the Centaur men had to choose brides from other supernatural groups. Mostly, Elektra told me, the brides were human and the mate-dreams would lead the men to the Centaur city in Canada where they would search for them. I couldn't help but think how romantic that sounded, and that I was actually living it myself. I'd had a dream, many of them, about a man and we'd found each other across a crowded street in a world that was alien to me. All things considered, it was pretty damn cool.

  The homes ended in a lush meadow at the base of the hills and it looked as if the entire Centaur herd had come out to watch us get married. Women stood by their Centaurs and children watched quietly as Abrax carried me straight down an aisle strewn with white flower petals to the edge of a large lake with clutches of tall trees and fed by a waterfall flowing over the edge of the hills.

  Perseus stood by his father and another Centaur, all wearing decorated vests. Perseus' hooves stamped nervously and his tail swished, but his eyes were not nervous at all, just excited. Perseus held his hand out to me and I took it, sliding from Abrax's back onto a round wooden step that put me at Perseus' height.

  His hand was warm in my cold one as his eyes passed over me with heated delight. Elektra slid from Casper's back with Cosmo's help and joined their family in the first row.

  The Centaur standing in front of us had a silver coat that matched his hair. I wondered how old he was.

  "There is little that cheers the Centaur spirits then when a bride comes home. Where before there was loneliness and longing, there will now be love and hope." Unwinding a length of leaves from his shoulder, he had Perseus and I face each other and hold hands. He wound the rope of leaves around our hands.

  "The olive leaves and ivy vines celebrate the heritage of our people. Centaurs originated in Greece, where olive trees grow, and the leaves remind us to look back as much as look forward. The ivy is a hardy plant, surviving where others cannot, finding root against brick and stone. The ivy reminds us to be strong and grow, despite hard circumstances. The tie between husband and wife is as ancient as time itself, and like the olive tree that puts out strong roots and bears fruit for millennia, your marriage will be as unbreakable as the bonds of time itself. As hot as the sun. As comforting as the summer breeze."

  He broke the rope signifying us leaving our families and joining together, similar to the human candle lighting ceremony. He handed Perseus a ring and he picked up my finger and slid the dark metal band on my ring finger, and I was given one to put on his finger.

  "It is with great honor that I present to the herd Perseus and his bride, Daeton. May the sun always shine upon you. Kiss your bride, Perseus," he grinned and Perseus, his eyes swirling with dark blue, slid his arms around me and drew me close.

  The world slowed as his mouth drew down and I closed my eyes as his warm, soft lips slid against mine for a bare moment before the herd erupted with applause and stamping hooves.

  I felt him smile against my mouth and a giggle flitted through me as the kiss ended and he gave me his arm so I could sit on his back. I'd just kissed my husband! Holy crap. I was married!

  The herd cheered as Perseus trotted down the flower laden aisle. He carried me towards the homes and my heart began to pound in my chest that we might already be heading to bed. Nervous with excitement at what lay ahead, I felt slightly miffed when he stopped just around the corner of one home. With surprising quickness, he pulled me around until I was cradled in his arms, my legs on either side of his waist with my feet resting on his back.

  I laughed at the abrupt change of position and he captured my laugh in his mouth, sliding his hot tongue past my lips and silencing my laughter. A small moan
caught in my throat as I hugged myself tighter to him with my legs, feeling the chiseled expanse of his stomach against the apex of my thighs.

  He nipped at the corner of my mouth, kissing across my cheek as his arms tightened around me. "We have our celebration meal first before we can go back to the home for the night, I just wanted to take a little time to kiss you. How are you? Is this all too fast for you?"

  Suddenly under the microscope of my new husband's attentions, embarrassment reared its head again. I looked away, unable to hold his piercing electric blue gaze. He tipped my chin back until I was forced to look at him. "Whatever troubles you, just tell me. We're married now, we shouldn't have any secrets."

  "I'm, uh, I've never," I stumbled on the words. The last time I'd broached the subject of my virginity, the bear in question had not taken me up on the offer because I was supposed to remain a virgin for the wizard. I didn't know what it meant that I was going to lose my virginity tonight and made a mental note to ask Rysk and Tyrant, who had been absent for the ceremony.

  Perseus silenced my stumbling with a press of his lips. "Then it's my honor to be your first, sweetheart. Push the worry from your mind, Daeton."

  That was easy enough to do when he held me even closer, even tighter, and kissed me. My brain spun from lack of oxygen as we kissed and I tangled my fingers in his thick dark hair and held him close.

  "We should go, uh, back to the celebration." He said, breathing hard and resting his forehead against mine.

  "If you insist." I smiled, brushing his cheek with the back of my hand.

  He smirked and shifted me back until I was sitting behind him again. "There are many things I would insist on this day, sweetheart, but not one of them is eating dinner."

  I laughed and hugged my arms around him as he trotted back around to where tables and chairs had been set up underneath a flowered arbor in the midst of a grove of fruit laden trees. The tables were high enough for the Centaurs to eat at them without bending over, and the women sat on tall chairs. After more cheers and applause, we joined his family at the head table where his father toasted our marriage. For the meal, large platters of food were brought to the table with meats and vegetables, casseroles stuffed with delicious smelling concoctions, and bowls of cut fruit.

  Suddenly starving, I let Perseus pile my plate high as he explained about the various items. Everything sounded good to my growling stomach. Conversation flowed around us as we ate. Perseus and his family asked me about my life in the mortal realm and I learned a great deal about them and their community. The Centaurs had lived in Cholas for many centuries, hoping for a community where everyone was welcome and no one went without. The Vehsi seemed to be the only creatures standing in the way of that bliss they sought. Although they mostly tolerated each other, instances where they injured or attacked such as they'd done earlier in the market, were commonplace and no one went anywhere alone in the market. The Vehsi camp was on the other side of town, closer to Dran.

  We finished eating and two women brought out a round glass plate that contained a stack of small balls of cake that were sugared and dripping with dark gold honey. The stack was larger at the base and ended on the top with just one. "It's tradition to feed each other the honeycakes." Perseus said as he pulled a glazed sticky round from near the top. "It represents a sweet and full life."

  He held it at my mouth, a hand underneath it to protect my dress from the drips and I took a bite of it, trying hard to tamp down the groan of delight as the sweetness enveloped my tongue. I hadn't ever tasted anything as fantastic as a honeycake in my life.

  When he fed me the entire bun, about the size of a large donut hole, I fed one to him, laughing when he nipped at my fingers and licked the honey from the tips. The herd cheered again, raising their glasses in our honor and toasting the hope for a sweet life.

  As the sun began to set, coloring the sky with splashes of amber, pink, and purple, I climbed onto Perseus' back and we left the party that he said would go long into the night and headed towards the home he shared with his parents.

  "Do you like it here?" He asked as we moved further away from the noise of the party.

  "It's so different from what I'm used to, but yes, I do. I'll like living here, I'm sure."

  "When we are able to return here, I'll build a home for us and once we're settled, I'll speak to the council about taking you to see your family."

  My heart leapt for joy. "Oh, you will?"

  He chuckled as he entered into the house, turning around to shut the doors before lowering me to the ground.

  "Of course, sweetheart. You understand why we can't stay with them, though? Why this has to be our home?"

  I nodded. "Just knowing I can see them, even for just a short time, will be wonderful."

  "I would go to any lengths to see you smile, Daeton." He cupped my cheek with his warm hand and shivers ran down my body from the look in his eyes.

  We walked back towards a bedroom hand in hand. When he opened the door, the room was entirely dark. A match was struck and he moved around the room lighting candles and oil lamps until the large room was bathed in soft, flickering light. A bed sat in the corner, covered with a dark quilt.

  Perseus picked me up and kissed me, moving me through the room and setting me down on the bed.

  He undid the buttons of his vest slowly, our eyes locked together until I couldn't help but look to see what he revealed. As the vest opened, he shrugged it off his broad shoulders, and I smiled at the muscular chest I'd felt under my hands earlier. He undid the cuffs on his arms and tossed them aside.

  "I'll spend each night for the rest of our lives in my human form, and anytime that you'd like me to remain in this form you only have to ask and I'll gladly shift for you. It doesn't hurt me, and there are certainly times when it's good to blend in and be human."

  I wasn't sure what it would look like to watch his horse body shift down into his human body, but it was incredible. He gave no indication that it hurt him at all as his body shifted and reformed until he was standing tall in front of me on two tan legs, with a very hard cock jutting out from a patch of dark curls. He chuckled as he followed my gaze, "What can I say? You're my wife and you're gorgeous." He stepped closer, towering over me and cupped my face. "Eyes like dark chocolate, beautiful coppery skin that's soft like silk, and the most enchanting smile I've ever laid eyes on. I cannot wait to see what treasures lay underneath your clothes."

  His hands trailed lightly down the front of my body until he reached down and lifted one of my feet and began to unlace the sandals one by one. Goosebumps erupted on my skin as he lowered my bare feet and pulled me gently from the bed so I was standing on the floor. He was taller than me by a half foot and when he tilted my face up for a kiss, our lips met just moments before he untied the bindings on the shoulders that held the dress up.

  I resisted the urge to grab the dress to my bare breasts as it stopped at my hips, the braided belt at the waist holding it in place. Perseus continued to distract me with kisses, his mouth moving over mine as his tongue stroked the sensitive places inside my mouth until I forgot that he was naked and I was nearly naked myself. The belt landed on the floor with a light thud and I shivered as the dress slithered down my body and pooled at my feet.

  His fingers trailed lightly across my shoulders and down my arms as he lifted from my mouth and looked down at me. "Gorgeous," he breathed, more a prayer than a statement. I followed his movements and explored the firm flesh of his upper body while his fingers caressed my breasts, my stomach, my arms. Everything that he touched felt electrified, the path he wove around my body like a fiery trail.

  Without a word, he lifted me in his arms and climbed onto the bed with me, laying me down on my back as he stretched out on his side next to me. Our hands met on my stomach and he squeezed gently, our fingers entwined. Words weren't necessary at this moment. I knew that he wouldn't hurt me or rush me, and I pulled my fingers from his grasp and slid them into his hair, pulling his lips to mine an
d initiating the kiss that would begin everything.

  My breasts were heavy, the nipples tight, as he trailed slow open mouthed kisses down the column of my throat, down my chest, and down further to the large mounds. He first traced his finger along the upper swells, the valley between, and the smooth underside before his fingers brushed against the hardened tips. I felt his eyes on me, his gaze shifting between his inquisitive fingers and my face, and he smiled slightly when I met his eyes before he dipped his head down and snagged a nipple between his lips. My eyes closed as he sucked gently, the sensation sending little nips of pleasure through me. My fingers flexed on his shoulder and I felt my body heat with each gentle tug and lash of his tongue.

  I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding when his hand slid down my side in a smooth caress and rounded over my hip, grazing my mound. He moved his mouth to my other breast, his hand resting just above where I suddenly wanted him to touch me most, and I realized he was waiting for me to let him know I was ready. I let my tense legs fall open and he moved his fingers up and down my slit, his fingers brushing the barest edge and creating friction that made me tingle.

  The teasing motions continued until I moaned, "Oh, Pers, please."

  He lifted his mouth from my breast with a wet pop and our eyes met again as he slid his finger through the lips of my pussy, following the seam up to my clit. His finger circled my clit and then moved down, pushing very slowly inside me.

  He groaned softly, lowering his head to press his cheek against mine as his finger moved out of me before sliding back in slowly. "You are so wet, sweetheart, so perfectly mine."

  My body unconsciously followed his movements when he added a second finger to his slow stroking. It ached in a pleasurable way as his mouth returned to mine and our tongues matched the stroking of his fingers inside me. When his third finger stretched me further, I moaned at the invasion.