Message from Fluffball:
We’ll be right there. Karen is with me. Hopefully the ceremony doesn’t start until we get there, seeing a wedding in this world will be interesting. Save us a seat next to you.
Message from Marysue:
Gerald isn’t on right now, but should be in an hour or so. I’ll talk to him about showing up for the reception. Who’s getting married?
Deciding not to ruin the surprise, he put his Mindstone away. He started getting nervous as he sat there sipping the fruit flavored wine. Taking a few deep breaths, he calmed himself. He wanted this. Stacia was as close to the perfect woman as he could have imagined. He wondered if she would be okay with monogamy, though, as she was pretty wild. Something that could be discussed later, he thought as the door opened. Alistern stood there, looking at Alburet with an unreadable expression.
“It be time. Be ya still sure of this?” Alistern asked.
Standing up, Alburet met Alistern’s eyes, “Yes. I just hope to be worthy of her.”
A brief nod was Alistern’s reply, “Then follow me.”
Alistern led them out to the main room, where the doors were being closed. Grimgar and Stewart took up stations standing just inside them. Alistern led Alburet to the altar before taking the empty seat next to Lilith, who was smiling broadly. Scanning the room, he caught sight of Fluffball and Karen staring at him with shocked expressions from a pew near the back. His lips twitched up as they stared. Karen pulled a stone from her bag but Fluffball grabbed her hand and started whispering to her. He hoped they wouldn’t cause a scene while Fluffball tried to talk Karen out of messaging him. He spotted the inquisitive faces of Ioaniss, Roberto and Vladimir, all eager to see the ceremony.
After a couple of minutes, just as he was starting to get nervous again, a soft gong echoed through the hall. The door to the right side of the altar opened, admitting a person dressed in all red and holding a black metal gong. They gently struck it with each measured step into the room. Behind the covered acolyte came a person in a full suit of plate mail, of black metal with red highlights. An axe was strapped to their waist and the top of a shield poked up over their back. Behind the paladin came Stacia, in a bright red dress with tendrils of black that accentuated her figure. The dress came to mid-calf, allowing her toned legs to be seen.
Alburet felt his breath catch in his throat as Stacia’s eyes met his. The sheer joy in her was palpable. Swallowing hard, Alburet felt his lips stretch in a broad smile as he felt his heart respond to her. Behind Stacia came the high priest of the temple, carrying a book reverently in his hands. The crowd murmured audibly as Stacia came into their line of sight. All eyes were focused on the woman who was going to join her life to another.
Behind the priest came Stacia’s sisters in black dresses with red lines that accented their figures as Stacia’s dress did for her. Emily was the last in line, her dress thankfully much more conservatively cut. The acolyte led the group to the altar before splitting off to go behind it. The Paladin stepped forward until they were two feet from Alburet.
“Do you come before the altar of the Dark Lord to take one of his followers as your wife?” Almira’s voice was clear and loud enough to carry easily with the great acoustics of the room.
Lips twitching slightly at learning that Almira was a Paladin of the Dark Lord, Alburet replied to her in a clear voice. “I have. I seek the hand of Stacia Crowley.”
“Be the one you seek amongst those that follow me?”
“She is,” Alburet’s eyes flickered to Stacia.
“Followers of the Dark Lord, come forward so this seeker may select his bride,” Almira said, stepping back. The daughters of the Crowley family stepped forward, forming a line shoulder to shoulder. “Which of these do you seek as a bride?”
Alburet paused briefly, not sure what he should do. Was he supposed to point, take her hand or something else? Not knowing what was expected, he decided to go slightly old school. He took a single step forward and went to one knee before Stacia. “Stacia Crowley, I ask you before the altar of the Dark Lord to become my wife.”
Stacia’s eyes went wide as her smile became even wider, “If it pleases ya, Alburet.”
“The groom has made his selection. The other maids will sit and watch what one day they may obtain.” Almira intoned as she turned to the other sisters and pointed them to the seats in the front row, then taking the seat next to Lilith.
“Followers of the Dark Lord and guests of this ceremony, I welcome you into the temple,” The priest intoned in an orator’s voice. “Today, we have a two-souled known as Alburet seeking to take a follower of the Dark Lord as his wife. Stacia Crowley has agreed to become his wife, and so we gather here today to witness their union. Alburet, do you swear upon your soul that you will protect, guide and love Stacia Crowley in sickness and in health, for as long as both your souls reside upon this world?”
“I do, sir,” Alburet said, his eyes locked on Stacia’s.
“Stacia Crowley, daughter of Alistern and Lilith, do you swear upon your soul to aid, shield and love Alburet the two-souled, in sickness and in health, for as long as both your souls reside upon this world?”
“I do, sir,” Stacia said in a slightly breathless tone.
“Do you have anything to say to the woman you wish to take as your wife this day?”
“Stacia, we have known each other only a very short time. In that time though, I have felt a happiness I never would have thought possible. A happiness I am sure I do not deserve and fear will be taken from me. Even with that fear though, I would watch the world burn if it meant being with you.”
Stacia wiped a tear from her eye as the priest turned and asked her the same question. “Alburet, master of me heart and soul. Ya have given me the dream tha’ I always wanted. Nothin’ else in this world will give me more happiness and joy then bein’ forever by ya side.”
The priest held up one hand, the book clutched in it, “I have heard the truth of the words spoken by the two before me. I will pronounce them to be husband and wife unless someone offers an objection.” Silence fell over the room for a long moment as the priest seemingly made eye contact with each person in the room. “As no one objects, this marriage is consecrated in the name of the Dark Lord. You may claim your bride.”
Alburet stepped forward, taking Stacia into his arms, dipping her while kissing her deeply. As he did the room erupted into cheers with many coming to their feet to applaud the passion that was on display. A minute later a bit of laughter ran through the room as the kiss lingered. After another moment Alburet brought Stacia back to her feet, taking her arm in his to face the crowd. Both of them were smiling broadly, with Stacia a touch short of breath as they walked down the aisle.
Stewart and Grimgar opened the doors wide, allowing the couple followed by the crowd to exit the temple. Alburet helped Stacia into the carriage that was waiting for them, before climbing in himself. He glanced out the window where the rest of the crowd was lining up for their own carriages or walking to get back to the inn.
“Thank ya, master,” Stacia said as she leaned her head on his shoulder. “Me entire body tingles in joy tha’ ya really did wish me to be ya wife.”
Putting his arm around her, he grinned, “I still think I got the better end of this deal, Kitten. Now tell me what happens next.”
“We be given a small break to relax before we go down to the reception. You have a duty as the groom to find a man to pair with each of the other maids. Just do ya best as to who ya pair with whom, hopefully there will be a youn’un about for ya to pair with Emily. Other than that, there is the food, the toast by me Da’, then the giving of gifts to us. Finally the dancing, which starts with a formal dance by ourselves, then the money dances.” She snuggled into his side during her explanation.
Alburet shook his head at how similar and different the traditions here were compared to what he was used to. “What’s the point of finding someone to pair with your sisters?”
�
��It goes back to helpin’ spread the Dark Lord’s followers. It was the easiest way to try matching up people to see if a match could be made. It was nay unknown years in the past for the groom to go to a temple and asked to be married without havin’ someone lined up. Hence the selection of possible brides and then the groom then tryin’ to pair up the others with matches.”
“Different from my world, but I can’t fault another’s religion. So, how long exactly do we have alone before we have to get to the reception?” Alburet asked, his voice growing heated as his hand gently slid along one of Stacia’s thighs.
“Nay tha’ long, sadly,” Stacia said breathlessly.
Recalling a point he had wanted to address, Alburet was about to speak when the carriage came to a stop before the inn. He got out, helping Stacia down then looking around. The graveyard beside the inn was bedecked in red and black, with tables scattered amongst the tombstones. He took her arm, leading her into the inn to the cheers of those who were already there, leading her up to their room where a bottle and two glasses waited for them.
“Why is the reception in the graveyard?” Alburet asked as poured her a drink then himself one.
“It be tradition, though I never thought to ask why,” Stacia said as she sipped her wine. “Mayhap it comes from the time when the Summoners and Necromancers were hunted for their classes.”
“Could be,” Alburet said as he pulled Stacia into his lap. “There was something I wanted to speak with you about, Kitten.”
Stacia set her glass down as she shifted in his lap to get comfortable, even as that caused Alburet to shudder. “Oh, sorry, master, am I bein’ distractin’?” Her voice was contrite but also hinted that she knew what she was doing.
“Naughty little Kitten. Hold still for a moment, please,” he replied, clearing his throat. “I wanted to address the fact we’ve had extra people join us in bed before now. I’m not saying it will never happen again, but now that we are married it is a lot less likely to happen. Are you okay with that?”
Stacia tilted her head so their foreheads touched, her eyes filling his vision. “The only thin’ tha’ matters to me, master, is ya happiness. Iffin ya want no other, tha’ makes me happy. Iffin ya want to have a great orgy filled with others, tha’ will also make me happy. I look to ya to guide me in all thin’s, show me what ya want and I will do me best to follow. Others might call this weak or shallow, but me heart knows tha’ ya are the only thin’ in th world tha’ will make me happy. I ask, though, tha’ ya do nay coddle me, or try to keep me safe from harm by lockin’ me away. All I be wantin’ is to stay by ya side.”
Alburet closed his eyes as emotion washed through him. He couldn’t be this blessed, it shouldn’t be possible. Stacia was submissive to her core it seemed, which fit him like a glove. He knew she could hold her own, having seen her wield her blades before, as well as her abilities now that she was a succubus. “I will do so then, Kitten, but you must also speak to me. If anything bothers you, tell me right away. If there’s something you want or desire, tell me so we can work on making it happen. You being happy will make me happy, and that means we must both communicate.”
“As ya wish it, master,” Stacia replied softly before she leaned into him. “A kiss?”
Alburet kissed her at her request, deep and passionate, trying to help her feel the depth of his feelings. They kissed for minutes, breaking here or there for a breath before kissing again, therefore it came as a surprise when a knock came at the door.
“Sis, it be time,” Erin’s voice came through the door after the knock.
“We’ll be right out,” Alburet replied as he set Stacia on her feet. “Shall we, my darling wife?”
“As me husband wishes,” Stacia answered, taking his offered arm with a broad smile.
“We do need you to find another way to address me besides master, though, when just out in public,” Alburet softly told her as he opened the door.
“As ya wish it, asthore,” Stacia replied without hesitation.
Raising a brow, he looked at her as she closed the door, her other arm still through his. “Asthore?”
“Treasure, be another way of saying it. It was a way of speaking of a valued loved one. It has fallen out of use over time, but me family remembers it still.” Stacia said as they went down the steps.
“Ah, so I am your treasured loved one,” his smile broadened as he understood.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, there was a clear path to the door in the otherwise standing room only bar. Smiling and nodding to those who congratulated them, the pair walked through the room and out the door to find a very large crowd gathered in the graveyard. A cheer went up as they appeared, filled with applause and whistles as Alburet led Stacia to the obvious spot for them at the large ornate table where her family stood. Alburet did note the empty chairs next to each of Stacia’s sisters, obviously waiting for him to find someone to fill them.
Chapter Fourteen
As the couple reached the table Alistern spoke up, his voice carrying easily. “Family, friends, and complete strangers who wanted free food and drink,” he had to pause as people laughed. “Thank ya for comin’ to the reception for me eldest daughter, Stacia, and her husband Alburet. The toast will come after the food, so let me nay delay us. The food will be brought out to each table in just a moment. Take this time to grab a seat and enjoy our hospitality.”
People began to claim chairs, those that weren’t already seated. Alburet pulled out Stacia’s chair to seat her, then he went down the table seating each of the sisters, leaning in just a touch to speak softly to each of them in turn. “I will do my best to find someone suitable for you, please be patient with me as I do.” Each of the sisters gave him a nod but otherwise stayed silent until he got to Emily.
“Eww, boys. I don’t want one,” Emily said to him softly, her nose wrinkling.
Chuckling, Alburet crouched down next to her, “I will do my best to find a friend for you, then, okay?”
Emily considered, then nodded, “A friend would be okay.”
He went back to his seat as the food began to come out of the inn, being carried out by a small horde of very pretty women. Alburet wondered where these helpers had all come from when Stacia leaned over to tell him. “Da’ has a friend who runs a few of the comfort houses in the city. These be some of the workers from the houses.”
Blinking, Alburet shook his head as he figured out the waitresses were all prostitutes. “Ah. Well, that explains how he found so many moderately attractive women.”
The food turned out to be a variety of different dishes, some of which Alburet had no name for, but all of them were delicious. After clearing his second plate Alburet spotted Karen and Fluffball at a table. He excused himself to head over to them, a smile creeping onto his lips. “Karen, Fluff, I’m glad you could make it.”
“You ass, why didn’t you tell us sooner?” Karen said, her voice slightly peeved.
“I didn’t know there was going to be a big public ceremony. As soon as they told me I messaged you.”
“Could have told us it was in the works at least,” Karen shot back.
“We barely made it to the temple before they closed the doors as it was,” Fluff interjected softly.
“I am very sorry to you both. Please forgive me,” Alburet said with sincerity.
“I do,” Fluff replied, followed a second later by Karen.
“Fine, if Fluff will I guess I will as well,” Karen said, still obviously a little peeved.
“On a related note, I am to find someone to match up with each of Stacia’s sisters. I happen to know that Marian would love it if you would be her chaperon tonight, Karen,” Alburet watched her carefully.
Karen glanced at Marian, a small smile flitting across her lips and vanishing, “I can’t leave Fluff by herself.”
“You should go,” Fluffball told her. “I’ll be okay…”
“There you are,” Marysue exclaimed upon spotting them. “I was wondering where in th
is madhouse you were. Who do we know that’s involved in this wedding?”
“Marysue, would you keep Fluff company?” Alburet interjected. “I need to take Karen with me for something, which means her seat will be free.”
“Okay, but I still want an answer,” Marysue replied.
Alburet took Karen’s hand, “Come on you, help a fellow out. Fluff, will you fill Marysue in please?”
Fluff nodded. As she watched Alburet lead Karen away she frowned for just a second. She turned to Marysue with a smile to fill her in on who was involved and how. As she did that, Alburet led Karen over to the seat beside Marian.
“Marian, I present your chaperon for the evening. This is Karen, a two-souled friend of mine, who you might have seen a few times before.”
Marian’s face lit up like she had won the lottery, “Oh, now, tha’ be the perfect match for me, Alburet. How could ya know tha’?”
Forming the Company (Alpha World Book 2) Page 19