by S. E. Smith
Chapter Nine
The sound of the doors opening cut short Orion’s discussion with Kapian and Coralus on how to handle Ashure. Orion turned and locked eyes with Jenny. Swallowing, he didn’t realize that he was holding his breath until Kapian slapped his shoulder, and he heard Coralus chuckle.
“Breathe, my friend,” Kapian said. “If you don’t, I’ll have to stand in for you.”
“Not in this lifetime,” Orion automatically retorted.
“I wonder if Dolph could find out if she has a sister or a distant cousin,” Kapian remarked.
Orion ignored Kapian and stepped forward. The ceremony would be short. He would ask Jenny once again if she would be his bride, his Queen, and stand by his side to help rule the Isle of the Sea Serpent. If she answered yes to each question, they would be bound together, and the balance to the kingdom would be restored.
“Relax, Your Majesty,” Coralus suggested.
It took Orion a moment to realize he was standing there with his fists clenched. He drew in a deep breath and held it for several long seconds, slowly releasing it to focus on relaxing his body. His gaze swept over Jenny as she approached the throne. Workers and visitors, the people who made up his kingdom followed her in a show of support and approval of his choice.
Orion’s gaze proudly took in the presence of Dolph on Jenny’s left and Juno on her right. Both boys walked with their shoulders straight and their heads high. When they were within a few feet of the steps, the boys slowed so that Jenny could ascend the platform steps ahead of them.
Desire hit him hard when she reached down and lifted her skirt high enough to avoid tripping. Delicate jade slippers covered her feet. He didn’t miss the glimpse of her pale ankle. His gaze swept to her face when she paused on the first step. A flush of heat made him want to pull on the collar of his shirt when he saw the amusement in her eyes. She had caught him staring.
A slow, crooked smile suddenly appeared on his face. He knew she could see the amusement and appreciation in his gaze. From the slight flush to her cheeks, she also saw the desire he didn’t try to hide. A wicked grin curved her lips.
“You, my friend, are in big trouble,” Kapian chuckled under his breath.
“Tell me something I don’t already know,” Orion retorted with a soft groan. “I hope she doesn’t mind a fast courtship.”
Kapian and Coralus just grinned. Orion wished he could adjust more than his collar. The heat had moved downward and was now settled firmly in his groin. He was thankful the long coat he wore hid the evidence of his discomfort.
He reached out his hand to her when she stepped up on the last step. She released her gown and took his hand. Her fingers felt chilled against his and Orion brought them to his lips to press a warm kiss against them.
“Are you sure you wish to do this?” he asked, gazing intently into her eyes.
Jenny looked up at him. His stomach clenched when she didn’t immediately reply. Instead, she continued to stare up into his eyes.
“Yes,” she finally replied with a radiant smile. “I’m sure.”
“I want to kiss you again,” Orion warned her.
“I wouldn’t stop you,” Jenny quipped.
A pleased smile lit her features when he groaned and tightened his fingers around her hand. He had never known a woman who didn’t think twice about teasing him. He had met her only a few hours ago, but he felt like he had known her all his life. A sense of peace settled in his soul as she stepped close to him.
“Do you, Jenny Ackerly, agree to be my bride?” Orion asked in a loud voice that reverberated through the suddenly silent room.
Jenny’s hand trembled in his, but she didn’t look away. “Yes, I do,” she said in a voice that rang loud and clear.
“Do you, Jenny Ackerly, agree to be my Queen, stand by my side as my equal, and restore balance to the Isle of the Sea Serpent and the Seven Kingdoms?” Orion asked.
“Yes, I do,” Jenny replied.
“Do you, Jenny Ackerly, agree to help me guide our people, rule above and below the seas, and protect the Isle of the Sea Serpent?” he asked in a softer voice.
“Yes, I do. I will help you,” Jenny said.
“I declare…,” Orion started to say before he stopped at the sudden tug on his coat. “What is it Juno?” he asked with a frown.
“You forgot to ask her if she will be our mother,” Juno said.
“I… That is not…,” Orion started to say before he felt Jenny squeeze his hand. Glancing at her, his lips twitched when she raised an eyebrow and nodded her head. “Will you take Dolph and Juno as your sons and be a mother to them?” he asked ruefully, ignoring the sounds of smothered laughter from their observers.
“Yes, I do. I would love to take Dolph and Juno as my sons and be their mom,” Jenny replied.
“I declare…,” Orion started to say again when he felt another tug on his coat. Glancing back down at Juno, he released an exasperated breath. “Yes, Juno?”
“Will she play games with us?” Juno asked anxiously.
Orion glanced back at Jenny. “Will you play games with them?” he asked in a dry voice.
“Lots of games,” Jenny promised.
Orion turned to look at his youngest son with a raised eyebrow. “Anything else?” he asked.
“Just one more,” Juno said with a happy smile. “How long before we get a fire-haired baby sister?”
Laughter erupted throughout the room. Even Orion couldn’t prevent the chuckle that escaped him. His gaze turned back to Jenny. Her cheeks were a vivid red, but her eyes twinkled with mirth.
“I’ll see what I can do about that—starting very soon, hopefully,” Orion murmured.
“In accordance with the laws of the Isle of the Sea Serpent, I declare our union sealed, our lives bound together, and the balance to the kingdom restored,” Orion declared, turning to look out at the people watching them. He looked down at Jenny with a smile that faltered after he saw her bite her bottom lip. “What is it?”
She glanced up at him with a look of uncertainty. “Well, where I come from the ceremony usually ends with the saying ‘You may now kiss the bride’,” she said with a sigh.
“I don’t mind if I do,” Orion said with a wicked smile.
His lips covered Jenny’s, capturing her gasp of surprise when he suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against his body. He took advantage of her parted lips to deepen the kiss. Her body stiffened for a moment before her arms swept up around his neck, and she kissed him back with an intensity that made his toes curl.
“I’ve never seen a ceremony end like this,” Kapian muttered to Coralus.
“Maybe they are starting a new tradition,” Coralus replied.
“I’m half expecting Juno’s wish for a sister to be granted in front of us all,” Kapian chuckled before he clamped his lips together.
Orion felt Jenny start to pull away and knew she had heard the two men. After he broke the kiss, Orion glared at the men when Jenny bowed her head and rested her forehead against his chest. He could feel her body trembling.
“Enough! I won’t have you embarrassing your Queen,” Orion growled.
“I sincerely apologize, Your Majesty. I meant no disrespect,” Coralus said.
“I did—ouch! I mean, I didn’t… mean any disrespect, that is,” Kapian hastily said, after Coralus elbowed him in the ribs.
“I should have both of you…,” Orion started to threaten before he felt Jenny’s slender fingers against his lips.
Lifting her head, Jenny laughed. “That was good, guys. You should start your own comedy tour,” she teased, before turning to look up at Orion. She tenderly rubbed the corner of Orion’s mouth with her thumb. “I’d never have survived being a teacher if I couldn’t take a little teasing and make a little fun of life. I’m good.”
Orion nipped her thumb. “They are lucky to have you. I would have hung them in irons, otherwise,” he replied.
Doubt clouded Jenny’s eyes, and she turne
d to look at the two men. Coralus was shaking his head and Kapian was trying not to laugh. Orion grunted and groaned.
“Irons?” Jenny asked with a doubtful expression.
“Nothing to worry about, Jenny. After a few centuries the iron would corrode and they would be free again,” Orion promised.
“Oh, you!”
“Behold your new Queen!” Kapian called out.
Orion turned Jenny in his arms and wrapped them around her waist. The roar of the crowd grew when Jenny motioned for the boys to come stand in front of her. Juno smiled when Jenny handed him the bouquet of flowers to hold so she could lay her hands on their shoulders.
Orion bent his head when he heard Dolph call to him. Glancing down, he saw that his oldest son had pulled back the sleeve of his coat. The mark of the blood oath he’d made with Magna faded before their eyes. The spell was broken, and Dolph was safe. Bending his head to Jenny, Orion pressed a kiss behind her left ear.
“Thank you, Jenny,” he murmured in her ear.
She tilted her head back and looked up at him with a puzzled expression. He hugged her to his body, unable to express his gratitude for the selfless gift she had given him. He pressed another kiss to her lips before turning to look out at the still cheering crowd.
“What do we do now?” Jenny asked in a breathless voice.
“Celebrate!” Kapian laughed.
“Would you like me to take care of her?” Kelia asked.
Orion’s expression softened and he shook his head. Kelia could barely stand up. In fact, he was pretty sure Coralus was supporting his exhausted wife. It was well past midnight, and the festivities inside and outside of the castle continued. News of his marriage had quickly spread throughout the kingdom. Lifting his gaze to the clear dome, he could see the fireworks exploding overhead as the isle above celebrated as well.
“No, I will see to my wife,” Orion stated.
“Congratulations again, Your Majesty. Queen Jenny is a beautiful and very much needed Queen for the people of the sea,” Kelia replied with a tired smile.
“Thank you, Kelia. You are truly a wonderful help to my family. Get some rest. I’m sure that Queen Jenny will need your assistance in the coming weeks as she adjusts to our world,” Orion said.
“It will be a great honor to continue to be of assistance,” Kelia said.
“I must get her to bed or she will be fretting over what she needs to do. Good night, Your Majesty,” Coralus said.
“Good night, Coralus,” Orion said.
Orion turned to look down at Jenny. A twinge of guilt pierced him when he saw her eyelashes flutter before she leaned against him and fell asleep. He had been chatting with Kapian and Coralus and lost track of time. Karin, Kelia’s granddaughter, had spirited Dolph and Juno away hours ago.
With a sigh, Orion bent over and picked Jenny up in his arms. Several of the golden flowers had fallen from her braid. They lay against the red velvet of the couch they were sitting on. He nodded his thanks when Kapian silently rose from his seat and cleared a path to a recessed door.
“I’m awake,” Jenny mumbled before turning her face into his chest and emitted a soft snore.
Kapian chuckled. “Even in sleep she is defiant,” he teased.
“I will have to remember that,” Orion said, passing through the door and into a deserted hallway.
“I will see you safely to your quarters, then bid you good night. I will also arrange for Her Majesty’s private guards first thing in the morning,” Kapian said.
Orion nodded. There were matters that would require his attention, but Kapian and Coralus could attend to most of them in his absence. He wanted to spend as much time with Jenny as he could.
Kapian paused several feet from the entrance to Orion’s chamber. Orion’s arms tightened around Jenny when he saw his friend’s expression soften. Once again, the strange flash of emotion hit him.
“You are one very lucky man, my friend. I hope you know that—first Shamill, then your sons, and now Jenny. I don’t know of any other man who could be so fortunate, or so worthy,” Kapian said.
“You had too much wine tonight, Kapian. Go get some rest,” Orion ordered.
“And you are very wise and observant, Your Majesty. I should have stopped two bottles before I did,” Kapian chuckled, lifting his hand to touch his brow, he bowed his head. “Good night. May the morning come with great joy for you.”
“Good night, Kapian,” Orion replied with a shake of his head.
Orion didn’t wait to watch his friend stagger off. He continued down the hallway. The two guards immediately opened the doors for him. Once he passed through, they were closed behind him, leaving the two of them alone for the second time since he had met her yesterday.
Crossing the living area, he headed down the hallway. He passed by several doors leading to the boys’ bedrooms and the guest room until he came to his room at the end of the hallway. The door was still partially open from when he and Kapian had exited earlier. Pushing the door open, he entered and walked to the large bed centered against the far wall.
Orion carefully lowered Jenny onto the bed. He smiled when he saw the row of nearly one hundred buttons. He deeply sighed and set to work removing the bulky gown. He started with her feet, removing the jade slippers and sheer thigh-high stockings. Her legs were long and smooth.
He did his best to keep his touch impersonal, focusing on removing the clothing that would make it difficult for Jenny to get a good rest. Of course, that didn’t mean his mind was staying impersonal. It had been a long time since he’d been with a woman. His focus had been on his sons and the kingdom. His reaction to Jenny confused him. He’d never felt such a primitive desire before. His relationship with Shamill had been based on mutual respect, duty, and physical release. He’d never felt any desire to stay with Shamill afterward and neither had she. With Jenny it was different, he wanted to hold her in his arms and feel the warmth of her body next to his even if that was all that was involved.
He deftly unbuttoned her gown. Underneath, she wore a thin, white silk under-slip. He swallowed when he saw her plump breasts straining against the material.
He drew in a deep breath and carefully slid an arm under her shoulders to lift her up far enough to pull the gown free. Her hips lifted off the bed when he tugged it down. She softly murmured, but he couldn’t understand the words. Once free of the constricting material, she rolled over onto her side and folded her hands under her cheek.
“I must give thanks that you’re either sleeping deeply or so exhausted you know not how tempting you are,” Orion softly said with a shake of his head. “Goddess, but I want to feel your legs wrapped around me.”
A shaft of painful desire shot through him. He pulled back the covers on the bed and lifted her up far enough to tuck her under the covers. Once she was settled, he picked up her gown and stockings and carried them over to the couch. He laid them down before removing his coat and vest and unbuttoning his shirt. Pulling off his boots, he set them to the side.
A quick glance toward the bed showed that Jenny had settled into an even deeper sleep. A wave of longing washed through him. He had a feeling it was going to take him a bit longer to fall into a restful sleep.
Turning, he walked into the attached bathroom. He took care of his personal needs before removing his shirt and trousers. With a sigh of regret, he pulled on a pair of loose fitting sleeping pants he wore in case the boys needed him at night.
He extinguished the light in the bathroom and returned to the bedroom. Jenny was lying with her back toward him, her arms around the pillow. Pulling the covers back, he slid in beside her. He reached over and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close against his body.
“Carly, I had such an amazing dream,” Jenny murmured in her sleep.
Orion froze. He debated on whether he should see if she would say anything else. When she didn’t, he couldn’t help but see if she would speak again.
“What was it about?” he softly asked.<
br />
A deep sigh escaped Jenny before she mumbled again. “Mermaids… I always wanted to be a mermaid,” she replied.
Jenny released another deep sigh before her breathing slowed. He knew he wouldn’t get anything else from her. His arm tightened around her and he pressed a kiss against her exposed shoulder.
Mermaids, he thought. Dolph had explained what a mermaid was to him. I have found my own mermaid.
Tomorrow he would begin learning about his new bride. Tonight—or what was left of it—he would just hold her. He finally relaxed as his tired mind slowed. The feel of Jenny’s warm body against his, the relief from the stress of the day, and the rhythmic sound of the water from the garden falls pulled him into a deep, exhausted sleep.
On the edge of his dream, a dark shadow danced through his mind. He could see his cousin reaching out to him—her pale, trembling hands begging him for help. Her gaunt features were twisted in anguish.
Orion…. You have angered him. He seeks to destroy the other kingdoms. There is only one way to stop him. You must destroy us. Destroy me—He…. Orion!
A shudder ran through Orion’s body as the nightmare of Magna calling to him dissolved. His last vision was of black tentacles reaching out to wrap around Magna’s struggling figure. His breathing quickened and he started to wake until he felt the clasp of a warm hand and slender fingers. Magna’s image faded and was replaced by a woman with a mischievous smile, dancing eyes the color of sea glass, and hair the color of fire coral. This time, he slipped into a deep sleep with a more pleasant dream.
Chapter Ten
The shimmering shaft of light streaming through the windows and the sound of laughter woke Orion the next morning. He immediately reached for Jenny. He snapped up into a sitting position when he realized she was gone. He fell back against the pillows when he heard Juno’s voice calling out in excitement.
“Run, Jenny!” Juno shouted.
“Safe!” Jenny called out, followed by a whoop of delight.