24. Allarick
Chapter 24
Allarick
E rin is a vision in her dress. She stands out like the goddess she is. I’ve only ever heard stories of the ceremonial dress, once worn by my mother and many queens before her. To think that Erin is now part of that history fills me with fierce pride.
The white skirts swish around her, giving the dress a more ethereal look. She wears a crown similar to mine, looking like the queen she was always meant to be. The carnal desire to see her in nothing but that crown as she writhes in pleasure underneath me hardens my body. Ever since our kiss from last night, I can’t get the thought of her body against mine out of my mind.
This woman has wrapped herself around my heart and consumes all my waking thoughts.
The kiss wasn’t enough. I want more. Need more. But I also don’t want to push her until she’s ready. I will wait for Erin for centuries if I have to.
Erin looks around, scanning the faces of our people. After she recovered from her panic attack, I brought her out to the balcony. A crowd has formed, which I expected, but my guards create a barricade. I can tell that Erin is still uncomfortable with so many eyes on her, so I squeeze her hand to try and provide some comfort.
“Tetria! We are gathered here today to celebrate the union between our faithful king, King Allarick, and his human bride, Queen Erin!” the spiritual advisor booms, getting the attention of the crowd.
Erin fidgets with a piece of her hair, eyes darting everywhere but to me. Her body is stiff, and she looks like she wants to bolt. She probably would if I wasn’t holding her hand. Not exactly how I pictured my wife would react to me on our wedding day, but I know Erin’s reaction isn’t because of me. It’s being the center of attention. In time, she will learn to love it.
“Hey, sweet girl,” I whisper just low enough for her to hear. The spiritual advisor drones on about commitment and expectation. It is all part of the ceremony and easy enough to tune out.
Erin turns her attention to me, biting her lip. Her chest rises and falls faster than normal, and I need to calm her.
“It’s just me and you,” I say. “Look at me. It’s just us.”
“Just us?” she whispers softly.
“Just us. Allarick and Erin. Husband and wife.”
At the mention of “husband,” a red tint colors her cheeks. My sweet girl likes that title, and it feels like an accomplishment. Three words play at the tip of my tongue, but Erin doesn’t need to hear those words yet. She needs to see them in my actions. She needs to know that, no matter what, it’s her and I, and I’m not giving up on us.
“…the sacred oath. The goddess-bound promise that connects you in this life and the next,” the spiritual advisor continues. This is an extremely condensed version of the ceremony, but I don’t want Erin to stand here any longer than she has to. No matter how beautiful she looks in her wedding dress.
She’ll look even more beautiful with it off.
The thought crosses my mind and travels straight to my cock. I’m thankful I’m in kraken form so Erin and the others won’t notice my raging hard-on. I pride myself on being a gentleman, but Erin is my ultimate test.
The spiritual advisor produces a golden rope and begins to wind it around our clasped hands. This part of the ceremony is symbolic as much as it’s necessary. “The rope, blessed by the sea goddess herself and used since the start of our people, connects kraken and human. Let the blessing of our goddess tie these souls together.”
It is said that the golden rope forms a bond of the souls. Many married mates have attested to feeling a connection snap into place, but I have always been skeptical. It was simply the words of two lovers who have experienced heightened emotions.
The spiritual advisor waves his hands over our bound hands, muttering words in ancient Tetrian. My chest grows tight as a jolt sparks through my body. Erin lets out a low gasp, eyes growing wide.
She felt it too.
Invisible threads form between us, knotting so nothing can sever the new connection. Emotions not my own assault my brain. I feel and sense Erin better than I have ever felt anyone before. The feeling is all-consuming and fills me completely.
“To bind you in eternity in this life and the next, we will end this ceremony with a kiss,” the spiritual advisor booms. I gauge Erin carefully, using our newly formed connection for signs of uncertainty or discomfort.
I find neither.
Instead, with her free hand, she tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear almost shyly. “Well, you heard the man. You gotta kiss?—”
I don’t let her finish. In an instant, I wrap my tentacles around her and pull her forward until our bodies collide. My lips find hers in a moment of pure need and passion. This isn’t like the sweet kiss we shared the other night, alone at Atina’s house. No, this is a kiss of true need.
Erin moans softly, arching her body against me. I feel every soft curve and dip of her body. My hands are desperate to touch her, but I keep them firmly on her hips. There’ll be time for that later—hopefully.
Loud cheers from the crowd remind me that I’m not alone with my new wife, and I reluctantly pull away from her. Erin lets out a cute whine as she tries to pull me back. A weaker man would have given in to her demand, and I wanted nothing else than to be a weak man at that moment. But I fear if I start kissing her again, I won’t be able to stop.
Instead, I place a gentle, lingering kiss on her forehead. “My queen.”
At last .
“People of Tetria, I present King Allarick and his wife, Queen Erin!” The spiritual advisor’s words are met by a chorus of cheers. Erin giggles, and my heart swells to see the happiness on her face.
“We will spend the day celebrating our king and queen. Let the festivities begin!” he says and unbinds our hands. He places the golden rope back into his robes.
“Festivities? What festivities?” Erin asks as the crowd of people starts to disperse, eager to celebrate.
“Drinking, mostly,” I joke. “It’s a day of celebrations. A feast, games, and dancing.” And a lot of drunken sex, but I wisely keep that part of the tradition to myself.
“Oh. That sounds…like a lot.” Erin’s giggle gives way to her nerves. “When was the last royal wedding?”
“My parents. That was long ago, but I was told it was beautiful. My mom wore that very same dress.”
Erin smooths down the skirt of her dress. “I bet she was a stunning bride.”
“You, sweet girl, are a stunning bride.” And she’s mine. Ender brought us together because he knows something we don’t. The Guardian is mysterious in many ways, but I can’t bring myself to distrust him completely. Not when he brought me Erin.
“You don’t look too bad yourself, Husband.” Erin purrs the word “husband.” It goes straight to my cock, and I’m once again tempted to sweep her away to find privacy. The carnal need to fuck out every last memory of James is strong. I want her to come with my name on her lips, loved as a woman like her should be loved and cherished.
Erin brings her hand to my chest, tracing the bioluminescent markings covering half of my body. “What are these?”
“Ceremonial markings. They tell a story of our past and the hope for our future. It also signifies that I’ve reached the highest honors of soul-binding to my mate. That my purpose is to serve my wife.”
“Serve your wife, you say? Hmm, I think I can get used to that.” Erin smiles, her hand lingering on my chest. Electricity sparks between us, sending jolts through my body.
“I will serve you well, Erin. Whenever you want. In every way you want.”
Erin bites her lip, and I desperately wish I could catch a glimpse of her thoughts. I feel her lust and need, but what is she thinking?
A moment passes between us, and then Erin clears her throat, pulling her hand away. I try not to convey my disappointment. “Should we celebrate with our people? Maybe get something to drink, and then we could dance?” she suggests.
“Yes, but first I want to show you something.” I take her hand. “I think you’re going to like this.”
“Well,” she laughs. “Color me curious.”