39. Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Lucy
It was still dark out when I felt a tug on my big toe. I groaned and pulled it back and slung it over Simon’s hip. He nuzzled deeper into my hair. A sudden cramp hit me in my stomach. I groaned, nestling myself further into the warmth of Simon’s embrace.
Oh, yes, let me soak up all of your warmth.
There was another tug at my ankle. I jerked my head up in surprise and stared up at the bright, blue-eyed Calliope with three French braids on one side of her head.
She was like a warrior Pinkie Pie from My Little Ponies.
“Wakey, wakey! Time to get up!” She whispered and put her finger to her lips to silence herself rather than me. “We’re late, let’s get going.”
Simon’s grip tightened, his lips latched onto my neck and suckled. I groaned and laid my head back onto the pillows, ignoring Calliope promptly.
What was that woman thinking, waking me up in the middle of the night?
I felt myself drifting back off to sleep when I felt something tickle my arm. I went to grab it and flick it away because I thought it was a stray leaf, but I pulled Calliope’s hair instead. She yelped, fell on my back and jostled me.
Simon grunted, his hands roaming hastily because I had moved. His mouth moved down my body and latched onto my naked breast.
Well, kitty tits.
“Calliope!” I hissed. “What the heck are you doing?”
Calliope stood up and brushed herself off. She put her hands on her hips and stared down at me like I was the one who caused the fuss. “Come on, you need to get out of here before Simon sees you. It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.”
I stared at her like she’d lost her mind.
What was she talking about?
“We are bonded, there doesn’t need to be a wedding, Calliope. Do they even do weddings here?”
Calliope’s eyes rolled in the darkness so far back, I swore I saw the whiteness of her eyes. “Your father demanded he wanted to walk his daughter down the aisle. I made it happen.” She stomped her foot on the mattress. “Queen Clara even brought the fabric, and your father number two,” she held up two fingers, “said he was going to be the officiator. So up you get!” She leaned over and put her finger between my nipple and Simon’s mouth, breaking the suction from his lips to detach him from my breast without ripping my nipple off.
At first, I was stunned. It was a much better option than what I was going to have to deal with, by ripping my suctioned tit out of his mouth.
“That’s cute. He’s a teat sucker. I’ll teach you more tricks about that later. Now come on!”
There was no privacy in this place, was there?
She manhandled my boob, and I just let her.
I sighed and gave Simon a pillow. I saturated the pillow with my scent so he wouldn’t move for at least an hour.
Calliope led me outside, which was completely different than how we left it yesterday. It was bright, nearly noon, when I stepped out. My eyes were blinded as I put my arm up to block the light sources. She grabbed my arm to lead me through the clearing that was now set up full of hanging flowers, chairs, tables, and a massive tent.
My father and his mate stood outside the beautifully decorated tent, adorned with vibrant flowers and winding vines. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blossoms, as colorful petals danced in the gentle breeze.
The sound of cheerful laughter and lively music emanated from somewhere to my right. Calliope waved, and I saw several orcs who were banging drums, playing string instruments and slapping each other when one decided not to pay attention.
The atmosphere was festive, a huge difference from what it was just the night before.
The intricate floral arrangements on tables created a sense of a romantic party that was really happening. My heart felt like it was going to explode the closer I came to my father and really took in the sight of him and Rune.
Father looked absolutely giddy, wearing a tan suit, with dark swirls to meet the same aesthetic of his mate. Seeing me, he ran, wrapped his arms around my shoulders, swung me around until my feet left the ground, and then set me firmly down.
“I’ve waited for this day, Lucy.”
I tilted my head and raised my eyebrow. “You sure about that? I thought you wanted me single forever?”
Father slapped my shoulder. “Of course not. Just needed the right man. The goddess chooses right, so now I can rest in peace and do what I have always wanted to do. Walk my daughter down the aisle.” His eyes became misty, and I pulled him in for a hug.
“I didn’t know it meant that much to you.” I rubbed my hand up and down his back affectionately. “I’ve never thought that much about having a wedding.” Mainly because I never thought I’d ever find someone to care about so much.
Father sniffed. “I’ve always dreamed of it. Giving you away is such an honor. I know someone else has claimed you, but I still cherish the opportunity to participate in this tradition.”
Rune stepped closer and handed Father a handkerchief. “I hope you are alright with this, Lucy. If you don’t want a ceremony, we don’t have to do it at all.”
Father nodded. “Of course, of course. We don’t have to do anything. This is your day, or not your day. I should have asked.” Father’s face turned a pretty pink, and Rune bit his lip as he admired his mate.
“But what about you two?” I swung my finger back at the both of them. “You both are mated. Don’t you want a ceremony?”
They both shook their heads. “We want our daughter to have a day,” Rune said as it was his turn for his face to turn red. “I want to be a part of it. It is more human tradition and with you both being human before...”
My lip curled into a smile. While I’ve thought little about having a wedding, it was really sweet, even sweeter that Father wanted one so badly.
Calliope danced on her tiptoes. “Please, please!” she begged. “I wanna have a party. I’ve never seen a wedding!”
Valpar stomped from behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. “I already put up the fucking flowers, and she doesn’t want it anymore?”
I snorted and shook my head. “We are having the wedding.” Not in the least bit worried about Valpar’s outburst. Calliope screamed and jumped up and down like it was her party and quickly pulled me into the tent.
A sudden cramp hit me again as we entered. I found the closest chair, and I sat down, rubbing my stomach. Luckily, it was with a table full of sweets laid before me, so I grabbed the first block of chocolate I saw and stuffed it into my mouth.
That’s the good stuff.
I grabbed another and another, filling myself with sweet chocolate, and another cramp hit. I stopped chewing, groaned, leaned my head back on the decorative chair, and pushed my legs together.
The realization of what was happening hit me. The wedding was going to be a disaster at the end of it.
Especially after what Simon said what would happen after the party.
“What is it?” My father rushed to my side. He was on the other side of the tent as he spoke to Rune about what sort of dress he thought I might like. Rune had been flipping through pages of an old sorcery book, holding up the white material on a nearby table and running his fingers through it.
“I think I might be starting something.” I groaned and ran my hand over my stomach.
Of course! I would have my period.
Father and I were always open about my menstruation cycles. We were scientists, and he was not the least bit scared to talk about it. He told me about the birds and the bees, how women menstruated and how it was perfectly natural.
Calliope’s head perked up, and horror struck her face the moment I said “menstruation.”
At least she knew that word.
“No, no, no!” Calliope ran over and slapped her hands on the treat table.
“This cannot happen. You cannot have your period right now! Tonight is the ceremony where we all get to see you consummate your union. We can’t have your blood scent around; it might, bring out the ogres,” she hissed.
Father stood up to his full height, which wasn’t very tall, and stared down Calliope. “Excuse me? Everyone gets to see her do what?”
I didn’t see Father angry often. Just the time when Dutton hit on me and the few times when I got sick on Earth and he didn’t think the doctors did enough to speed up my recovery.
Father’s anger was rising at an alarming rate.
At least I didn’t have to worry about his blood pressure anymore.
“Father, it’s fine—” I went to reach for his hand, but he pulled it away.
“No, it isn’t!” he snapped. “There will be no consummating in front of anyone. My daughter will do no such thing!”
Calliope tilted her head and pouted. Valpar, who stood outside of the tent, stormed in. “Who is yelling? Are you speaking to my female?” Valpar stood in front of Calliope, who was oblivious to being yelled at.
“It’s behind a tent, silly. We just see the silhouette of them doing the deed,” she said it like it was no big deal. She placed her middle finger and thumb together to create a hole with one hand and stuck her index finger through it with the other.
I snorted and threw my head back in laughter, only to have my father dart his head back at me as he narrowed his eyes.
I groaned and wrapped my arms around my stomach, then snatched another piece of chocolate. My head started to hurt, and my body was just generally feeling weak.
I couldn’t handle this, not right now.
Rune, being the peacemaker, stepped forward and put a hand on Father’s shoulder. “Just remember that customs here differ from your world.” Rune turned his attention to Calliope. “Thank you for wanting to include Lucy. Right now, we have other things to attend to. Will you arrange to have some feminine products brought to the tent?” Calliope nodded eagerly, and Valpar’s normally deep green face went very lime green.
Valpar rushed out and left us all with just our tiny family, and I leaned on the table.
A woman on her period, during her wedding day, in a white dress.
Could it get worse?
“Yes, it can get worse.” Rune chuckled and kneeled down before me.
“It’s creepy when you do that,” I said, laying my hand on top of his, which was caressing my knee.
“I have a way to rid you of your mensuration, but it will be one hour of absolute torture, and it will dislodge the IUD you have in place. Not that it will help you any longer now that you are part faun.”
Did I want to know how he knew I had an IUD in place?
Internally, I shook my head. Nope, no, I didn’t.
“What will I do for contraception after?”
Father poked his head in front of Rune. “You don’t want to give me grandbaby fauns yet?”
Goats in pajamas!