Chapter Nine #3
The door to the room opened, and the king was relieved to see them dressed. “Himera said you had finished your chat.”
Riimal nodded. “We are heading to Daycross early.”
“Right. Will you be visiting Thorassen?”
“We aren’t sure. She has a complicated history there. We are going to take a few days to visit family, and then we are going to revisit the idea later. We will be in communication with Suuro if we decide to go.”
His brother nodded. “I think I understand.”
“We are going to grab a few gowns and then snag a shuttle. I will let Riithan know we are heading to Daycross.”
The king nodded. “Good.” He tapped his com. “The royal shuttle is at your disposal.”
Riimal grinned and picked Ival up. “See you in a few days.”
He walked right past Suuro and into the hall toward their quarters. The guards were grinning again, and they opened the doors. They tended to smile when he carried her in.
They packed up in five minutes and were on the way to the shuttle pad, where the transport was waiting. She had her work tablet with her, and he grinned as they lifted off to fly to Daycross.
“This feels like running away.”
“We are running toward. There is a purpose to this visit.”
Ival looked at him with her brows raised. “There is?”
“There is.”
“What’s the purpose?”
He smiled. “I will tell you later.”
She snorted. He held a secret like an excited toddler. He would tell her later. She knew just how to get it out of him.
Two days later, Ival was standing and facing a very tall wolf-man in an expensive suit. Ylara was her bridesmaid, Himera was her matron of honour, and Hemma was the third bridesmaid. Ival was wearing a soft gold dress with black trim. Riimal looked like he was going to explode; he was so happy.
His brother was the best man, and another Sethir, who had midnight blue hair and a soft fade of green on his skin, was one of the groomsmen with Riithan filling the row.
The vows were succinct but heartfelt, and the ring he put on her hand weighed it down. Before she could stare at it, Riimal had bent her back and kissed her in front of the fifty witnesses.
By the time he straightened, she was wrapped around him, her arms around his neck, and one leg around his waist.
Etgar was laughing and said, “Not going to wait. Now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Riimal spun with her, and the crowd laughed.
The Sethir outside of the royal family looked astonished.
Riimal slowly lowered her, and she brushed her lipstick from his mouth.
“Hello, wife. Now, if you like, we can go to Thorassen.”
She looked down at the ring on her finger and staggered. “I am going to have to work out to get used to wearing this.”
He grinned. “I found it in the lost city right after I got home eight years ago. I knew I needed to save it for you.”
“Well, it was either that, or you used it to weigh down a shuttle.”
He hugged her. “Riithan and Ylara arranged quite the dinner. Should we keep our strength up?”
“Absolutely. I have plans for you, and you need to keep your strength up.” She patted his butt.
His grin lit the space.
They eventually walked slowly to the pavilion that had been set up for the meal. “I am impressed that you could keep this secret, Riimal.”
He smirked. “I just had to keep my mouth busy so that I wouldn’t tell you.”
She blushed. “I applaud your means of distraction. Keep more secrets.”
He lifted her left hand and kissed the ring. “I will think of something, Princess. Maybe I will get your grandmother to tell me family recipes.”
She looked over to where her grandparents were talking with the elder Lady Daycross. “I am so happy that they were here for this. I know that Sethir don’t get married, but this was really nice.”
“Riithan and Ylara got married, and they set a precedent. It gives the omega legal protections she would not otherwise have. I travel a lot for the royal house, and it would be nice if you could travel with me.”
“And this makes it safer.” She lifted the hand with the ring.
“Correct. Plus, I found it for you, so it is right that you should have it, but I come with it.”
“So, me tonight wearing just the ring?”
“And the tiara. You look very sexy in the tiara.” He smiled. “Nothing else.”
She chuckled. “Fair trade for the ring?”
“Maybe a few more instalments.” He took her palm and drew a light design. “Ival, do you ever think you would be interested in riding the sand dragon into the desert for a day?”
“I didn’t know it was an option.”
“It definitely is. I will get you a comfortable outfit, and you can rig a strap behind my head.”
She looked at him, and the bright gold eyes were firmly in control.
“I come back the same day, right? I am not built for desert survival.”
“I will take care of you, but only one day out in the desert.”
“Good, and I am not fucking the sand dragon. That is way too much for me.”
He grinned. “I would never ask you to.”
Hemma was standing and speaking to the Sethir with a blue and green tint.
Ival said, “Is that Javen?”
“It is. He’s a captain and an excellent warrior. He guards our coastline.”
“Well, she’s a tracker and a heavy-hitter, so it’s a solid physical match.”
They walked over to the gardens, side by side, and talking softly.
“They are so cute.”
Riimal grinned. “You are cuter. Let’s eat. I plan on making you burn a lot of calories.”
“Only if I don’t jump you first. Dragon riding is my favourite hobby.”
He shivered and put his hand on his mark, massaging her with his fingers. “His too.”
It was a very long night before they returned to the stronghold. Everyone had taken their turn on top, and the household had been flushed and smirking at breakfast.
They had also been loud.