chapter thirty-

four

                After De Castro left, the party got going. The Deadman’s Party Band was roaring, playing everything that was on the pop charts from the 30’s to the new millennium. Eric loosened up quite a bit and relaxed with his monarch gone and he danced with Sky and Rachel and Pam and India and just about anyone who was female.  Bill danced with a few people but mostly saved his dances for Rachel. When the clocks chimed four, the vampires and their humans began to scatter to their suites. Eric and Sky stood at the elevators and said good night to everyone who had come and by the time she and Eric and Bill and Rachel went up, the girls were happy but tired.

                Eric walked through the suite, undressing as he went. Sky picked up his clothes and folded them up and put them in his suitcase. Then she undressed, hanging up her skirt but tossing her blouse into her suitcase. Eric sat her down and helped her off with her boots and rubbed her feet and ankles. His being naked made the act seem that much more…sweeter to Sky. Not because he was naked and beautiful but because he was on his knees in front of her, rubbing her feet, like a servant of old. He lay his head on her lap and put his arms around her waist. “You were beautiful tonight,” he said.

                “So were you,” she said, stroking his hair. He raised up.

                “Are you tired?” he asked.

                “A little,” she said.

                “I am sorry about tonight,” he said.

                “Why?” she asked.

                “The trouble,” he said.

                “Shhhh, that’s gonna work out,” she said. “Come, cuddle me before you fall out in day sleep on the floor. I have to get up at noon and go and check the monastery to make sure all the flowers I ordered are there and then I have to go with Rachel and have my hair done and then come back and get dressed.”

                “So you still want to marry me?” he asked.

                “Wild horses couldn’t keep me away from you Mr. Northman,” she said. He got up and kissed her and went around to the bed and Sky stood up and stripped off her panties and bra.

                “You are going sleep naked beside me but deny me access to you until we are married?” he said, scooting in the covers. He opened the blankets on her side and she slid in.

                “Hey, I am sure Pam and India would let me bunk down with them,” she said.

                “No,” h e said. “Pam likes you too.”

                “Of course she likes me,” said Sky getting in, arranging her pillows and getting settled.

                “No she likes you,” he said.

                “Oh…Well, like father like daughter.  Too bad so sad…I’m strictly dickly,” she said, scrunching down and laying back on her pillow, looking up at her handsome lover. He laughed aloud and scrunched down too. He was feeling the creeping of the dawn. He motioned for her to lay with her back to him and he wiggled up against her and wrapped his arms around her warm body. “I love you Eric.”

                “I love you too,” he said. He buried his face in her hair and smelled her sweetness. His hand cupped her breast gently and he kissed her shoulder. They were both dead asleep before dawn crept over the Big Easy.

                Rachel was sitting in the café drinking a hot coffee and eating beignets when Sky came down in a red hoodie that read Purgatory University in gold letters and blue jeans and black leather Converse “Chucks” high top tennis shoes. She had her hair wadded up in a hippy cap in golden yellow. Rachel smiled. “Here comes the bride,” she said.

                “Man I am starved!” she waved at a waiter and pointed to Rachel’s coffee and beignets. He nodded and went toward the kitchen noting the order on his pad. “I have so much to do today.”

                “We have to wait for Mustafa Khan,” said Rachel. “He said he was having his breakfast and his shower.”

                “I have to get my hair cut and then I need my mani pedi. You get one too,” she said. “I get everything complimentary. A day of beauty for my wedding day.”

                “Do you know where this monastery is,” said Rachel, looking in the street atlas.

                “Yeah,” said Sky. “Khan knows and he will drive us there. The florists are supposed to be there.”

                “And the reception is here,” said Rachel.

                “Yeah, I checked with the chefs. They already have my cake and the little bride and groom. Beautiful,” she said. “And they are getting ready to pop in my little crab cakes and my shrimp in bacon and my little chicken tenders and they will have a constantly warmed punch bowl of Royalty and little 8 oz. bottles of Imperial. TrueBlood is donating it to us to let everyone have a sample of it. Do you think that is gimmicky?”

                “Not at all,” said Rachel.

                “But I am also having mud bugs and oysters and all that. We actually have supper first then we go to the monastery for the service,” she said. The waiter brought Sky a plate of beignets and coffee in a cup and pot with two more cups worth in it. She poured cream and sugar in it and sipped it.  “Man this is good.” In true Sky fashion, she wolfed it down.

                “Where do you put all that?” asked Rachel.

                “I have a high metabolism. Eric says drinking my blood gives him a little burst of energy, like slugging down a Mountain Dew…at least that is the way I describe it,” she said. “I never gain weight.” She laughed. “I told Eric I would someday get to be a fluffy red haired woman and he said he didn’t care, that just meant there was more of me to keep him warm.”

                “Vampires do look at things practically,” said Rachel.

                In no time, they were ready and Mustafa Khan was there to drive them. They were driving a rented BMW. Khan had the girls sit in the back and he drove in front. They drove the crowded streets of New Orleans and finally stopped at the monastery. You could see the cracks in the walls and the fresher mortar where the walls had been rebuilt. Sky and Rachel got out and followed a florist assistant carrying huge arrangement into the church. Sky spotted the head florist. They hurried past the assistant and went up to the bossy woman.

                “Good afternoon, I am the bride, Sky Faulconer,” she said.

                “Nice to meet you,” she said. “I know you wanted something more seasonal but he called and requested the Oleander and canna lilies.  Vampires like death symbols for every occasion. “

                “Did Eric order them?” she asked.

                “Not Mr. Northman, the king of Louisiana,” she said. “He insisted.”

                “I want my red and white poinsettias and I want my scarlett carsons and my pearl beauties, like I ordered. And I want my holly and mistletoe. Mistletoe was an important part of my husband’s culture, particularly for weddings.”

                “I am sorry, when the king of Louisiana reordered the flowers, he cancelled the orders for the scarlett carsons and the pearl beauties. We can get poinsettias in the red and white, and we can get smilax and holly but there is a shortage of florist quality mistletoe,” said the woman.

                “You never thought to call me about the changes, whether I would approve?” she asked.

                “No, it was the king of Louisiana,” she said.

                “Take the oleander and the lilies back, get the poinsettias and the smilax and get me some American beauties in both white and red then. But take those noxious weeds and put them in the garbage and send De Castro the fucking bill for those flowers. I will get you some mistletoe,” she shook her head and turned on her heel. “And don’t call me and tell me you can’t find them.” An assistant was walking in. She had a whole box of black candles. “And I want white and red candles, not these black ones, it is not a funeral.”

                “We don’t have any white and red candles,” she said.

                “I will get some and I want the price of them off my bill,” said Sky.

                “Yes ma’am,” she said. She began to give her staff orders and then got on the phone and called her shop and ordered the roses and smilax and poinsettias and holly. Khan was at the door. He opened it and followed them out.

                “Where do you want to go?” he said.

                “Wal Mart,” said Sky.

                “And Genuine Magic,” said Rachel. “Mistletoe. I bought a big bunch from them for the house.”

                “Excellent,” she said.

                They went to Wal Mart and bought candles, about 30 of them in tall pillars and she bought a dozen poinsettias just in case and a big bottle of Diet Dew for herself and a diet cherry coke for Rachel. The stopped at Genuine Magic and walked in while Khan stayed in the car. Octavia Fant was at the counter. “Hello Rachel!”

                “Hey Octavia. I was wondering if you still had some mistletoe?” she said.

                “Oh yeah, you want the fresh bunches I guess,” she said.

                “A basket full if we can get it,” said Rachel.

                “I think I can manage,” she said.

                “Octavia, this is Sky Faulconer, she is marrying Eric Northman tonight,” said Rachel.

                “Hello Sky, and congratulations. Your service must be the one that is causing all the ruckus,” said the witch. “You are having trouble though. A vampire, he thinks he is able to ruin things for you, but he can’t win. “ Octavia grabbed a basket and filled it with mistletoe.  She went to a shelf and grabbed a small candle and selected a small bottle of oil. She anointed the candle. “This won’t change him permanently. Only so you will have a good service. Burn this candle somewhere in the area where the ceremony is being performed. Burn it till it is gone. You will have a peaceful service. But Sky, enjoy every moment you have with you husband, you never know when it will be the last. And keep girded, he gave you a weapon.”

                “What do I owe you?” asked Sky.

                “Five dollars for the mistletoe,” she said. “Nothing for the candle. It’s my wedding gift to you and Eric Northman.”

                “Thank you,” she said.

                “Rachel I will have your order ready next week, and you should get it after the holidays,” she said.

                “Thanks,” said Rachel. “For everything.”

                Sky reappeared at the monastery and was pleased to see the flowers she wanted being placed at the altar. She brought in the extra poinsettias and told her to just put them where she thought they were needed. “My wedding flowers are the same?” she asked.

                “Yes,” said the florist. “They should be at the hotel.”

                “Do not change anything about these flowers unless you are face to face with me and you see my mouth moving, do you understand?” she asked. “I don’t care if it is the Savior you call me and I will come down and confab. Otherwise, you will not do anything. This is mistletoe. Please use it.” She grabbed the bags from Rachel. “These are white and red candles. If there is a red candle on the altar, I want a white candle. The sconces around the sanctuary are these white pillar candles.” She handed them to the florist.  She dug around in the basket and grabbed the little candle and picked up a little glass candle dish and she lit the candle. It was burning bright and there was a sweetish smell and a tartish smell and the wax burned away quickly. The florist watched Sky. Rachel shrugged.

                “Witchcraft. Sky isn’t fucking around,” she said. Like Bill, Rachel rarely used harsh language. The florist looked a little shocked and began to pick up the poinsettias and carry them to the altar area. When the flame went out Sky sat the bowl on a little table behind the big stone altar. She gave the florist another evil look and they walked out.    

                “Wal Mart, witch shoppes and spells…yeah just like a regular Faulconer wedding. My cousin got married and that was after the bride and groom had a fist fight, there was blood all over everything,” said Sky.

                “What were they fighting about?” asked Rachel.

                “The fact her baby daddy was the best man,” said Sky. “Did I mention I come from a real white trash family?”

                “No,” said Rachel, smiling broadly.

                “Man, you are so lucky Rachel, you get to have your wedding at home,” said Sky.

                The rest of the day, they went to the hairdressers and Sky had her hair trimmed six inches and had her mani pedi. Rachel had her hair curled on the ends and had her fingernails done. She’d changed her mind about the black dress she bought and decided to wear a grey dress with a wide black belt and grey pumps so she had her nails done in a pale pearl color. When they were through, they went up to dress. Rachel helped Sky dress first, hooking her into the plain pale cream dress. It had a scoop neck bodice and a fitted waist and a long skirt and matching satin shoes. Her hair was piled on her head with trailing curls around her face and neck and her hair was secured with clear plastic combs with pearls on the edge .

                “You look real pretty,” said Rachel. Sky was brushing her eyebrows and did up her eyes and brushed on a little blush and lipstick.

                “Thank you,” she said. “You will look beautiful.” She went to the luggage. Eric was still sleep. If his more frequent moving around was any indication, he would be up soon. “Here are our cup and dagger. You will take it up and set it on the altar and then you and Bill will have these little handkerchiefs to wipe our wrists. Pam will be helping you.”

                “Not a problem,” said Rachel. She took the small case and the two handkerchiefs. Eric woke and sat up.

                “What a treat, two beautiful women in my suite,” said Eric, grinning.  Pam came in. She saw Eric sitting up and she hissed.

                “Sky get out,” she said. “Go to my suite.” Sky waved at Eric and she and Rachel left, Rachel to her suite to dress and Sky went to Pam’s. Rachel could hear Eric swearing at Pam. She smiled. There could be a fistfight yet.

               

                Rachel was dressed and ready when Bill rose. He slid out of bed and kissed his sweetheart. “How was it?”

                “Well, Sky had to tussle a little bit with the florist but it was okay, she fixed it. De Castro had ordered lilies and oleander,” said Rachel.

                “Damn it,” said Bill. “That is the old fashioned way of telling a vampire he has displeased his sovereign. Sky changed them all?”

                “She did,” said Rachel.

                “Smart girl,” said Bill. “It will not scare the other allies.”

                “Well, she wasn’t thinking about how to send that sort of message to De Castro, she was thinking she was forced to use this venue and she wanted what she wanted,” said Rachel.

                “It doesn’t matter,” he said.

                “I am so glad we are getting married at home,” said Rachel. “You need to get dressed.”

                While the human guests were being feted to a great supper, the vampires were in the main bar having glasses of Royalty and taste testing the Imperial. It was being met with a great deal of approval. De Castro was there with his minions, a handful of vampires, including one Eric was pleased to see. Bill was talking to the king with Bart and Russell. Eric was talking to Isabel and Stan Davis. The conversation was light and friendly. Bill hoped this would be calm. He was a little nervous.

                “Bill, how does your North America Vampire Registry go?” asked De Castro.

                “It goes very well, though we are about to change the name to the International Vampire Registry,” said Bill. “We have had thousands of calls into the call center to update the registry.”

                “What is your internal security like?” asked De Castro, trying to pretend to be only curious.

                “Extensive,” said Bill.

                “Interesting,” said De Castro. “You know there are vampires like myself who do not like being on your registry.”

                “That is why your profile simply lists your name and your country of origin,” said Bill.

                “Don’t you think this would be a road map to every vampire in the world for the humans to come after us?” asked De Castro.

                “That is why it is more important than ever to mainstream and cooperate with the human world,” said Eric.

                “And yet, there have been many vampires killed in Louisiana and other kingdoms,” said De Castro.

                “That is regrettable,” said Bill.

                “We must not be too circumscribed in our attempts at being cooperative with humans. We must not forget who we are. We are Vampire,” he said. “We are above them, and we must never forget our blood ties our loyalties to one another.” De Castro looked at Eric and Bill.

                “Let’s not talk shop now,” said Russell languidly. “We are here to relax and celebrate a most joyous occasion.”

                When it was time for the ceremonies, the vampires left first and then the humans. The only humans who would see Eric’s investment were Sky and Rachel. They were to watch from an upper tier balcony of the monastery. Sky was becoming nervous. She knew this would include Eric drinking the blood of his king, on his knees no less. She was not excited about this at all thought Eric had explained this was necessary. She tamped down those feelings the best she could, she did not want to make Eric agitated.  She allowed herself to be seated beside Rachel by Heidi, who stood behind them.

                The atmosphere was palatable when De Castro entered the monastery. If he noticed the differences in the flowers, he gave no sign of it. He was as cool as a cucumber but Sky knew they were not what he ordered. Rachel held the chalice and dagger in their case on her lap, pressing on the leather case in anxiety. Eric came up the aisle with Bill behind him. Eric was dressed in dark bronze suit with a vest and white shirt and dark red tie. As a wedding gift, Sky had bought him cuff links and a tiepin. His hair was back in a ponytail tied with a matching bronze colored silk ribbon. Bill was in a very dark grey suit with a white shirt and a medium grey tie. He was to be made Eric’s second in command but it would just be announced, no blood drinking. De Castro was now wearing something from the Severus Snape collection. He was wearing something like a long loose fitting black frock coat and something like an old fashioned priest’s habit. His hair was curled in an elaborate style with the sides pulled back into a ponytail. Sky clenched her fist and held her tongue.

                “Investment of a Regent is a serious undertaking,” said De Castro. He had a rich voice, and he commanded the attention of the entire room. “Eric Northman, do you accept the responsibility of Regent for the State of Louisiana?”

                “I do,” said Eric.

                “Do you accept the responsibility for the protection of our people, our Blood and our interests in Louisiana?” asked De Castro.

                “I do,” he said.

                “Do you swear by the blood of your sovereign King to do all things in the interest of the monarch who invests you?”

                “I do,” he said.

                “Eric Northman, kneel and take the blood,” said De Castro. Eric knelt before his king. Felipe uncovered his wrist and bit into it and pressed the wound to Eric’s lips. Eric leaned forward and latched onto his wrist and he sucked the vampire’s blood. When the wounds healed, he leaned back and De Castro offered him his hand. Eric took it and De Castro handed him up. “Name your second in command.”

                “William Thomas Compton will be my second,” said Eric.

                “William, do you accept your responsibility to your regent and his king and swear to serve him?”

                “I do,” said Bill. He bowed to the king and to Eric.

                “Let us all welcome Eric into the ranks of the Royal membership,” said De Castro. Everyone clapped politely and stood up.

                “Finally, that is over,” said Sky. Rachel had just placed the small chalice and dagger on the altar and come back to the sacristy. Sky was using Pam’s compact, touching up her make up.

                “I am relieved,” said Rachel. There was a polite knock on the door. Heidi opened it. De Castro stepped in. There was a flood of automatic fear. She tried to pull it back in.

                “My dear you look ravishing. I am sorry you did not like my gift of the flowers,” said the king.

                “The roses and poinsettias were a sentimental request on my part, your majesty. Your gift was lovely, but I had my heart set on the flowers I had chosen,” she said.

                “For some reason I cannot ascertain, I am unable to show you my deeper…disappointment,” said De Castro. “But, I came here to kiss the bride.”

                “I am sorry your majesty, with all respect and honor, I have pledged to kiss only Eric on this day,” said Sky.

                “But you would not be kissing me, I would be kissing you,” he raced to Sky and grabbed her wrist and bit down. About that time, Eric burst in his fangs extended. Sky looked up at him and shook her head.

                “Your majesty,” said Eric through gritted teeth, willing himself to speak calmly. “Why are you doing this?”

                “I honor her Eric, by tasting her blood,” said the king, licking his lips and letting go of her hand and arm. He continued to look at Sky. “Her blood is as fiery as her red curls. No wonder you love this human so well. Eric, if you had to choose between me and her, who would you choose?”

                “Sky is the reason I serve you my lord, to give her and all humans and vampires a great kingdom to be a part of,” said Eric.

                “Someday, beautiful Sky, Eric will have to choose between you and the kingdom he has taken my blood to swear to protect,” said De Castro. “That might be a very sad day for you.”

                “We’ll have to cross that bridge when we get to it,” said Sky. De Castro smiled at her.

                “I will see you both at the altar,” he said, still smiling, her blood on his fangs.  Eric didn’t flinch when his king walked by. When he left, he sped to her. Sky shook her head and put her finger on his lips.

                “Allow me to heal the marks of his kiss,” he said, nearly hissing. He pierced his finger and rubbed the blood on the twin bite marks. He kissed her wrist gently.

                “Go and get ready love,” she said. “It is almost time.” He searched her face and finally leaned forward and kissed her. When he left, Sky breathed a sigh of relief.

               

                Eric went to the back of the chapel and stood by Bill. “Everything is ready?” asked Bill. He looked at Eric. There was a lot of meaning in his question.

                “Yes,” said Eric. “De Castro just wanted to take a moment to kiss the bride.” Bill looked at Eric and nodded.

                “Then it is time to begin,” said Bill.

                “Yes,” said Eric. “It is time.”

                Sky had chosen a beautiful arrangement of Claire de la Lune. It was a tiny bit faster than it was usually played, but it was still the popular Debussy tune. Bill had her arm in his. “You look very lovely Sky.”

                “Thank you Bill,” she said. “Will you do me a favor?”

                “Of course, who could refuse a bride on her wedding day?” he said.

                “Take care of Eric,” she said.

                “Of course I will,” he said. They finally came to the altar. Eric was there, watching her coming to him.

                “Who brings this bride?” said De Castro.

                “Her friends bring this bride to be married,” said Bill. He kissed Sky on the cheek and handed her over to Eric. He took her hand and led to the altar.

                “We gather to witness the sacred vows of words and blood of Eric Northman and Skyller Rae Faulconer. I must ask, are there any other claims against this woman by any human or vampire?” they stood still and waited. When no one spoke, he continued, “Are there any claims on this vampire by any human or vampire?” There was no sound. “Then shall we begin. Eric Northman do you take this human Sky Faulconer, to be your wife, forsaking all other claims to any human or vampire for the length of her existence?”

                “I do,” said Eric.

                “Do you Sky Faulconer, take this vampire to be your husband, forsaking all claims to any human or vampire for the length of your existence?”

                “I do,” she said.

                “Do you have vows to exchange?” he asked.

                “We do,” said Eric. “Sky, I am your husband, your protector. You are mine and I am yours. I will keep you safe and make a home with you that will represent all the love I bear for you and this I commit my body and blood to you.”

                “Eric, I have no family but the family I create with you, I am your wife and protector. I will guard you in the light of day and I will stand by you in the shadows of the night. I will make your home your castle which represents the love I bear for you and this I commit my body and blood.”

                “Are there rings?” asked De Castro.

                “There are,” said Eric. Bill handed Eric his ring to Sky and Rachel handed Sky the large ring to Eric.

                “Sky, with this ring, I wed thee,” said Eric, sliding the ring on her finger.

                “Eric with this ring, I wed thee,” said Sky, doing the same.

                “The sharing of blood is the symbolic joining of essences.” He picked up the little dagger and chalice. Rachel and Bill reached out and picked up the linen to wipe away the blood. “Eric extend your wrist.” Eric extended his wrist, pulling up the sleeve of his coat and shirt. De Castro carefully cut his wrist and held the small chalice over the cut. Bill handed Eric the handkerchief and De Castro turned to Sky. He carefully cut her wrist and some blood dribbled into the little chalice. Rachel handed Sky the handkerchief. She put pressure on the nick on her wrist. De Castro handed Bill the little dagger and Bill wiped it off and put it on the altar.

                De Castro handed Eric the little cup and Eric drank from it. De Castro then handed the cup to Sky. She put her lips on it and she could smell the slightly salty scent of the blood and she drank it back, finishing the cup. She handed the cup to Rachel who wiped the inside with the handkerchief and sat it on the altar.

                “The vows been said and rings having been exchanged and the blood mingled and consumed I declare these two married by human law and vampire ritual. What has been brought together, may no human or vampire break asunder,” said De Castro. “Please welcome Regent and Mrs. Northman.” Everyone stood up and clapped as Eric and Sky went down the aisle together with Bill and Rachel following.

                Eric and Sky were wrapped up together tightly. He was kissing her hard, crushing her against him. “I love you,” he said. “I will make this up to you.”

                “Shhhh, “she said. “It was beautiful. I love you Eric. You made it perfect for me.”

                “I swear to you, no one will ever take you blood again,” he said.

                “It’s okay love,” she said. “We have to go babe, we have our reception to go to and our friends are waiting for us.”

                “I want you so badly right now,” he said, running his lips down her throat.

                “Wait till we are in our suite. I asked the hotel to do something for me,” said Sky.

                “I won’t see it, I will be too focused on you,” he said.

                “You will see it,” she said. “The sooner we go the sooner we can slip off for our honeymoon night.” Eric kissed her again and took her hand and led her out into the foyer and out to get into their car.

                Blood on the Quarter had gone out of their way. The cake was beautiful and there were more treats and blood and expensive wine and champagne. Eric and Sky were photographed and congratulated by the human and vampire guests alike. Eric fed Sky her traditional piece of wedding cake and he kissed her lips to taste the butter cream icing. Rachel was helpful by gathering up her serving knife and her bride and groom and other things she knew Sky would want to keep. Finally though the party relaxed and Eric and Sky began the dancing with their tango. Eric had taught her the erotic dance one of the first nights they spent at the new house. They were a beautiful pair and there were more than a few who looked at the two with open heated lust.  When they finished, Eric swept her up in his arms and carried her out of the room amid frankly vulgar suggestions from the vampires around them.

                In their suite, Eric gave the room a perfunctory glance and sat Sky on her feet. He fingered her pretty gown and leaned down to kiss her. “You are mine,” he said.

                “I think I have always been yours. I have been waiting for you,” she said. “Help me undress?”

She turned her back to him. The tiny buttons looked like an insurmountable task to him. His big fingers seemed clumsy. He took a breath and began to carefully unhook her buttons and then unzip her. She shrugged forward and he helped her step out of the pool of satin. She bent to retrieve the dress and lay it across the foot bench at the end of their bed. She had arranged for candles to be arranged all over the suite and flowers. She stood up and Eric looked at her. Her corset was nearly invisible and she had on silk stockings and lacy garters. His eyes moved over her. He came to her.

                “You are so beautiful,” he said. He kissed her. Sky began to pull off his coat and he helped her. Then she was unbuttoning his vest and he helped her by popping the buttons. She undid his tie and unbuttoned his shirt and he took it off.

                “Too bad you don’t have Velcro pants,” she snickered. He laughed and undid his belt and trousers, kicking off his shoes. He pulled his pants and underwear off with his socks.

                “You have too many clothes on,” he said. He grasped the spider web fabric and ripped it off her and he pressed her warm naked flesh against him. He moaned with his pleasure of just having her naked against him. She rubbed her leg against his leg and felt his penis pressed against her.

                “I want you Eric,” she said. “I want you. Make love to me.”

                “Your wish my wife is my command,” he said. He turned her to the bed and pushed her down and followed her. Her hair was still up. He motioned for her to turn around pulling the combs out of her hair then found the bobby pins. He gently released her curls and massaged her head and scalp with his long cool fingers. She laid her head back and he kissed her throat. His hand came up to one of her breasts and he caressed her nipple and it became hard under his fingertips. His hand smoothed down to her belly and he began to touch her there, gently cupping her tender folds and with his fingertips, he massaged her clitoris. Her breathing began to deepen and go faster and her heart rate began to increase. He watched the delicate flower like blush spread over her chest as she began to climb slowly through the layers of her arousal.  She sighed and he could smell the sweet wine and the cake and her lust on her breath. He let go of her and turned her around and pressed her gently to the bed. She held her arms out to him and made a place for him to lay between her legs. He slid between her legs and held himself above her and kissed her. She ran her hands over him. He was beautiful, the way gods and angels were always depicted. She reached up and untied the silk tie that was keeping his hair bound up and she spread his golden glory over his shoulders. He was watching her, a sweet smile on his face. He touched her face, sliding a curl away. She put her hands on each side of his hips and he took himself in hand and pressed against her and then with a gentle thrust he was inside her. He lay down on her and kissed her.

                Sky and Eric were not strangers to pleasure with one another’s bodies, but that night, maybe because they finally belonged to each other, the love they made was somehow sweeter, more romantic, more wonderful. He was gentle and slow giving her all the pleasure he knew how to give. Finally, when she was nearly exhausted he held her close and began to work toward his own spiraling orgasm. He stared into her eyes and when he came, he felt his tears slide down his cheeks. Sky kissed them, tasting his blood and tears on her lips. He put his face in her neck. “I love you Sky, I love you my wife.”

                “I love you my husband.” He slid away from her and pulled her against him.

                “Thank you lover,” he said. “For becoming my wife and for making the bond with me and accepting me and who I am.”

                “Thank you for being my husband and making the bond with me and accepting me and making me a family,” she said. She wrapped her arms around him and he pulled her on top of him. She reached down to massage him awake. “Again, I want more.”

                “Anything,” he said, pulling her down for a kiss.