Chapter 35
Terrified, I sat staring at my reflection in the vanity mirror shortly after April and the girls left. Once they’d finished prepping me—insisting that although there is the bathing ritual—I should bathe now, infusing the water with rose petals and lavender so my skin smelt lovely.
I had been pampered, plucked, and pruned in places I didn’t even know I had. I looked at myself with my hair flowing in waves over my shoulders and down my back. Since arriving here, my hair seemed to grow faster than normal, and I wasn’t altogether sure why.
Eventually, a maid would come and get me and escort me down to Nicholas’s wing where the royal bathing room could be found. I wasn’t sure what would happen after the rituals were done. April suggested that if the evening air was warm, we should take a walk round the gardens or even sit on the balcony and watch the stars.
Both of which sounded wonderful, but my nerves were already a wreck just by the idea of seeing Nic without a shirt on again.
“Your highness, his majesty is ready for you now.”
The maid”s reflection appeared in the mirror and her smile seemed brighter than before. My knee length camisole didn’t do much to cover up every improper part of me. I had requested a matching dress robe. A beautiful sheer white fabric with little sparkles of gold stars ran along the waterfall sleeves and the small train.
April commissioned the outfit specifically for the marriage rites. Morg made a point in asking about this evening”s outfits. I had no clue about them, until April turned up with them stating how important they are to insight lust and passion.
Following the maid towards his rooms, while four guards trailed behind, clearly Nicholas decided I needed more guards now, since I easily slipped away from just one last time. I rubbed my sweaty palms down the sides of my camisole and could feel more beads running down my back.
All that prepping and now I was sure I now smelt like a tavern, which wouldn’t make me seem at all appealing. Nerves shot down my spine as I tried to relax my shoulders, now standing in front of the royal bed chambers, which lead to the bathroom.
“This is where we leave you, your highness.”
The maid curtsied and the guards bowed before leaving me alone. I wasn’t sure if I should knock or just walk straight in. He may not even be ready for me. Perhaps he was still preparing or getting changed.
I couldn’t just hang round outside his bedroom door while his own guards stood across the hall watching my every move. Taking a deep breath, I replayed the personal things I thought about along the way—things he may ask me and knocked on the door.
When there came no answer from the other side, with a shaking hand, I turned the doorknob and pushed the door open. It made a slight squeak as I stepped inside the room.
The room was large enough to house an entire large family. I stood there shocked at how beautifully decorated the entire place was. At the far end was a large bed, decorated in black and gold, with sheer privacy curtains hanging from the ceiling around the bed.
Along the wall were tapestries and paintings, mostly landscapes and one of animals. Beautiful watercolours lit up the room with a splash of cream and silver. The fireplace roared gently, heating my exposed skin as I shut the door behind me. Besides the paintings, there were gas lamps lit softly. Candles were placed on a sideboard and small table near the fireplace.
There sat a large black chaise with fur blankets draped over the top. It was big enough for two people to lay together. A small table sat in front of it with two full glasses of red wine atop of it. Beside the glasses was a decanter, filled to the brim with more red wine.
I didn’t think twice before clearing the space and drinking both of the glasses. I needed it to help calm my nerves. Feeling the bittersweet taste on my tongue, I was finally able to breathe a little easier.Nicholas nowhere in sight.
Pouring myself another glass, this time I sat drinking it gingerly and filled up the other glass, not wanting to be rude and leave his glass empty. I sat down and attempted to wait patiently for him to arrive. I could feel my anxiety fluttering as I fidgeted.
Maybe he wasn’t here yet, and instead wanted to make me wait for him. Which wouldn’t surprise me, he was the king after all.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting, my Annwyl, I was suddenly called away to help Percy with something.”
The sound of his voice startled me. I turned towards him, watching him breeze into the room without a care in the world. I had been waiting for nearly half an hour and managed to polish off four glasses of wine.
He wore loose fitting black trousers, which appeared to be silk. They sat low on his hips. He wore a matching robe, decorated with gold leaf and long sleeves. He seemed to have undone on his way in through the door, exposing his bare chiselled chest and muscular torso, only a few black curls decorated his muscles. April must have chosen his outfit, as it complimented mine perfectly.
My mouth watered as I watched him closely. My mind was already running away with itself as my eyes went from his face all the way down to his toes. Reminding me of that dream I had with him.
“I see you started without me.” He nodded to the decanter, now half full and took a sip of his drink. A little smile pulled at the corner of his lips.
“Apologies, you did keep me waiting longer than I expected.”
“I am sorry about that—something came up that needed my attention right away, but I am here now, and we are not to be disturbed.”
He finished his glass, but I didn’t rush to drink my fifth one, realising I should slow down. This was important after all, and I didn’t want to make a fool of myself.
“When do you wish to begin?” I asked, my voice breaking a little.
“There is no rush, we have all night. Although, I do think we shouldn’t stay up too late. We will have a busy day tomorrow.” He winked at me.
The wedding ceremony was planned for the following evening. Obsidian Fae celebrated their weddings at twilight, whereas Crystal Fae celebrated during the time the sun hit the highest point and lit up the sky. April assured me however, there would be plenty of symbols of my bloodline within the ceremony, which I wasn’t too sure if I wanted.
I was always taught when you married into another family, you adopted their traditions, their ways and quite frankly, I was happy to learn Nicholas’s way.
“Are you nervous?” I had to ask, it worried me that maybe it was just me.
“I am always nervous around you, Annwyl.”
A blush rushed to my cheeks as he placed a warm hand on my bare knee. To my surprise, I didn’t move away. After everything Dorian put me through, the thought of another man’s touch scared me near to death. I didn’t feel that worry or fear with Nicholas, with him I knew I was perfectly safe, and he would wait for my say and command.
“Maybe we can begin with the question part of the rites? If we don’t have to do them in order?” I asked.
“Ah, yes, that should be fine I believe. April did however inform me there are some things the books mention that aren’t up to date.”
My eyes went a little wide as I thought what else could possibly happen, we were already exposing ourselves in one way or another. Be it through confessions or by skin.
“Once the candle and our promises to one another have been burnt completely, we are then to share a bed together. But please, don’t think that means we are required to indulge in each other’s pleasures.”
He removed his hand and entwined his fingers with my free hand, as the other held my drink. I wasn’t too sure if I could do any of this as it was, and now we were required to spend the total night together.
“Why is that?” I asked the question before I thought about it fully. “I mean, why must we share a bed together the night before our wedding? Surely that seems a bit scandalous.”
He laughed and I huffed in response. Surely it wasn’t a silly question. I grew up believing you shouldn’t share a bed with anyone until you were married to that person. But I guess it was a bit redundant, seeing as though I’d already been forced to do that.
“There’s no need to laugh at me!” I scoffed, standing up and walking to the fire. Despite being already warm to the touch, I needed to feel the extra heat.
“I’m not laughing at you. I am just laughing at the fact any woman would kill to share a bed with me, and as always—in Ornella fashion—you keep me on my toes.”
I heard the seat shift and his warmth appeared behind me as his pine scent wrapped around me. I kept my arms crossed, staring into the fire, unsure if I should move aside or stay firmly still. He placed his hands on my shoulders and then ran them down my arms. His fingers were light to the touch, almost as if he were caressing me with his shadows. I still felt his touch linger as I dropped my arms to my sides and he took hold of my hands.
Leaning into him with my back against his chest, I could hear his heart beating. His breath caught on my skin as he dropped his head down to my neck, kissing it lightly, and sending shivers down my spine.
“May I embrace you like this?” he asked, his voice raspy.
I simply nodded and hummed, closing my eyes. We stood there quietly listening to the crackle of the wood as it burnt in the fire. The rain lightly tapped against the windowpane and the flicker of candlelight gave the room a warm glow.
One minute he was telling me he didn’t want me or want companionship. Then the next he was pressed against me, making me crave him more.
We weren’t those children in the woods anymore. We were adults locked into a deal, which I still wasn’t sure if it was a mistake or the Goddess’s doing. Bringing us back together after many years, it all made me question everything in my life.
“It’s hard to breathe sometimes, when you are this close,” I admitted and tried to take a deep breath.
“I know what you mean,” he said lazily.
Letting go of me, he took one of my hands and led me towards the other side of the room. His face seemed sure of what he was doing and what he wanted. I was sure mine was giving away my nerves and apprehension. We stopped in front of a large mahogany door, and he then grasped both my hands once again, smiling down at me.
“Ornella, we will go at your pace. But I do believe we should start with the bath. If we get that out of the way, I’m sure we will both relax soon afterwards.”
Nodding in agreement, as it seemed like a reasonable request as that was where most of my nerves were. With another smile, he let go of one of my hands and pushed open the door with his free hand, allowing me to step into the room first.
My breath caught as my eyes widened. It wasn’t a room with a simple bath like the one I had been using. This bath was almost as large as the bedroom itself. Surrounded by stained glass windows—decorated with moons, ravens and stars—the moonlight shone brightly in.
Along the edge of the bath were carefully placed candles and gas lamps lighting the room, giving it an ambient, sedative glow. The bath was filled to the very brim of hot steaming water with bubbles galore. Placed at either side of the room were changing screens with large fluffy white towels hanging over the top.
“When I thought we needed to bathe together, I thought of a small bath, not something like this,” I said.
He followed me inside and another chuckle escaped his lips. I turned towards him, seeing the delight dance in his eyes.
“Nicholas, you could bathe an entire village in here,” I proclaimed in awe.
“Yes, well, my mother loved her baths and had this commissioned just after she became queen,” he paused to step around me and headed towards one of the screens.
“There is a change of clothes behind your screen, ones you can wear in the water should you wish for it. I will meet you in the bath. Please take your time, I am not going anywhere.”
He gave my hand a soft reassuring squeeze before he let go of my hand and headed towards the left screen. I stared at the right, wishing my legs to move forward. Once I finally did, I found two tie-able pieces of white fabric sitting neatly on a stool and as I decided what I was going to do, I heard the splash of water as Nicholas entered the bath, waiting for me.