220 Chapter 220 : Let fate take its course
Marceline noticed Gareth returning to the venue without his wife in hand and immediately, worry filled her eyes. When she had seen Edron speaking to them she had a bad feeling he was going to cause trouble, Marceline was actually surprised that he had not caused a scene, but whatever he had said had obviously affected Melissa negatively otherwise Gareth wouldnât have left her in the palace.
The nosferatu queen placed a hand on her husband drawing his attention from him cup of wine. âDarling, we may have trouble if you do not speak with your friend Edron over there, after almost half a barrel of ale his letting his feelings control him. Fix it.â
Kaiser Stefan watched his wife stand up and walk towards the table Emma Morrell was sitting at, he scoffed as he turned to look at Edron who was sulking while being scolded by his wife. Wives were a bit too expectant of their men, âfix it?â Wow, how in the world was he going to fix that?
âEmma may I speak to you?â
The look in Marcelineâs eyes made Emmaâs motherly instincts click, âdid something happen to our baby?â
âWorst case scenario is emotional distress,â Marceline spoke as the two women made their way to the palace, âbut in her state we should make sure she is okay regardless. She is almost in her third trimester, stress could be dangerous.â
On the other side of the venue, the Kaiser walked to Edron and raised his cup of wine at him. Stefan couldnât help but smile when he saw the brooding look on his friendâs face, Edron had been so high strung and hinged on the idea of his son being married to Melissa and eventually ruling the snowlands that all that was happening must have been a huge blow to his ego.
âAlpha,â Stefan called with a gleeful yet taunting smile, âold friend Iâm happy to see you here.â The Kaiser then turned to Layla and gave her a respectful bow. âI thank you both for coming to celebrate with us. This is a very important day for my daughter and my family, after all, she is marring her blood half.â
Edronâs eyes narrowed at the Kaiser in irritation, he was taking a jab at him and masking it as gratitude. Edron was really not in the mood for his friendâs sarcasm, this entire arrangement was infuriating and he was getting on his last nerves.
.....
âwhat do you want Stefan?â Edron growled, his raspy deep voice clearly indicating his high levels of alcohol toxicity.
âShall we have a talk my friend,â the Kaiser turned to Layla and gave her a warm smile. âMan to man? Itâs been a long time since weâve had a conversation.â
The woman gave Stefan a nod before leaving the two men alone. The Kaiser turned around and eyed the drunk alpha from head to toe and sighed. âWhy are you trying to ruin the only joyous occasion all the five races have ever had in a long time Edron?â
âJoyous?!â The alpha spat, âStefan you allowed your daughter to fall pregnant for a man other than her husband! And as if that wasnât enough, immediately after my son went missing, because of your daughterâs infidelity by the way, you let their marriage be nullified and had her married off to the same man that shuttered their marriage!â
Edron stepped up to Stefan and grabbed his shoulders firmly, âI thought you were on my side Stefan, you and I were supposed to be family and your daughter and my son were to put our races at the top.â
Stefan shook his head at the lycan, âand thatâs exactly the problem Edron, our aim was not to put our races at the top, our aim was to foster equality, that is exactly what king Gareth of Gavaria has done. And about Elric and Melissaâs marriage, she was never his mate Edron, and he was never her blood half, you and I both know it would have never worked. Heck, they wouldnât even have been able to sire heirs.â
Edron pulled his arms away from his friendâs shoulders and stared at him as disappointment filled his eyes. âWhat are you saying..?â
âWhat I am saying, is that what your son is experiencing is merely a heartbreak,â Stefan responded. âAnd he will get over it. Yes, it is not in our custom to nullify marriages, and I apologize for the heartache and emotional stress you and your family have gone through. But honestly, I think itâs about time we let the children live their lives without our interference for once. I was telling Tauriel the same, we have been puppeteers in these childrenâs lives since their conception and look where itâs gotten us.â
Stefan pat the alphaâs shoulder as gesture of non malice, âlet us let fate run its course.â
*
After the festivities were over and the crowds had dispersed, a very tired Gareth walked down the hallway to his quarters. After his wife had left the venue, everything that was happening felt more like a task without her around, he had to greet the guests and listen to countless congratulations and prolonged questing of how he and Melissa ended up together, some very uncomfortable.
As he dragged his leather boots towards his door all Gareth wanted to do was to jump into bed and cuddle his beautiful bride until he fell asleep. Ronda watched the handsome elf open the door and walk into his quarters from behind a pillar down the hall, when he was completely out of sight, she clenched her chest and smiled dreamily, oh how handsome Gareth had become over the past few months, she had to find a way to make him see that he deserved a beautiful elven woman like herself.
When the tired prince closed the door behind him and looked at the bed where he expected to see his wife sleeping, he was surprised to see that she was not there. Instead she was standing near the window looking at him, Gareth was almost thrown into worry until he saw what she was wearing.
The redhead was draped in a translucent white robe that left nothing to the imagination. He could clearly see the tiny white brassiere, but with how her breasts had grown and become fuller over the months, it only managed to cover her areola. The small white panties that she wore were also very visible, her hair was let down, and her skin shimmered from the scented oils and remnants of gold from the ceremony. What in the godsâ good names was this woman trying to do to him? Wasnât she already pregnant enough?
âMel..â the prince dared not take a single step forward in fear of what he might do if she was within the reach with his now shivering and perspiring hands. âWhatâs going on? Arenât you supposed to be resting?â
Melissa walked towards the man and Gareth had to stop himself from walking backwards. It was a strange scenario, it was like a gazelle prancing towards a lion in the wilderness.
âForgive me for what happened during the ceremony my husband,â Melissa mumbled while fidgeting with her fingers. The way the words âmy husbandâ rolled off her tongue made the elf gulp. âBut the wedding ceremony is not over yet..â
âIt isnât?â Gareth almost chocked when Melissa loosened the knot on her robe and exposed her glistening skin and the delicate fabrics within.
âWe...â Melissa pursed her lips before taking in a breath and looking into her husbandâs eyes. âWe have not yet consummated our marriage..â she dropped her robe to the ground and moved forward until there were mere inches separating them. âAs per the tradition my husband, you must-â
The last of Melissaâs words were muffled by Garethâs lips on hers, her eyes were wide at first but the intensity of the kiss made them droop shut. The firm grip of his hand behind her head made her knees weak when he deepened the kiss, and her hand flew to his shirt that she clenched so as not to stumble over her jelly knees.
The kiss was intense, hot and desperate, only taking a second to catch their breaths. Melissaâs fingers began to fidget with Garethâs buttons, all the shyness she had been feeling had long but melted away, she wanted this man, her husband, just as much as he wanted her if not more.
Ever since her second trimester began she had been feeling very aroused, she was sensitive everywhere, especially her breasts and her lady flower. She had been longing for Gareth for a month now, and now that he was here, she wanted nothing more than to be ravished and made love to like today was her last day on earth.
When they were both completely naked, clothes on the floor and underwear torn in pieces, Gareth hoisted Melissa up and secured both her legs around his waist before laying them both on the soft bed. He gazed into her beautiful blue eyes as she lay there beneath him looking as palatable as ever and whispered..
âI love you..â