A Fairy-Tail Marriage

Everyone chuckled, and the tension was eased. “Come on, lovely ladies,” Braxton said as they continued down the hall and up a set of stairs. “Let’s get you two situated. I’ll have your things brought up as soon as they arrive. Until then, I’ve had some clothes placed in your closets so you don’t have to run around naked.”

“Thank you,” Althea said as she looked around. “This place is massive. I hope I don’t get lost.”

“Just yell,” Blake kidded. “Someone will come find you.”

They rounded a corner, and Braxton indicated this was their hallway. As he led them to their rooms, a young man hurried up behind them, completely naked. Althea gasped and looked away, while Cala stifled a laugh.

“King Braxton, the chef requests a list of foods your bride and her friend like,” the young man said.

“Thank you, Jeff. I’ll have Althea and Cala make a list.” He gestured to the ladies, aware of their discomfort, but this was too funny. “Queen Althea, Cala, this is Jeff. He’s one of the kitchen boys. He runs errands for our chef.”

Althea shook his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jeff.” Her voice was strained with repressed laughter. Cala smiled only.

“It is my pleasure. If you should need anything from the kitchens, please don’t hesitate to ask for Jeff.” He bowed and turned to leave.

Althea stared after him, her eyes on his muscular behind, until Braxton cleared his throat. She glanced at him; he wore a grin so big his face looked like it hurt.

“So I probably should have warned you. Most werewolves are incredibly comfortable in the nude. Some don’t wear clothes at all.”

Althea narrowed her eyes at him. “You did that on purpose,” she said with a giggle.

“The look on your face was priceless,” he guffawed. The trio with him joined his laughter.

“He was just naked,” Cala gasped as she laughed so hard tears slipped down her cheeks.

Althea clutched her sides. “Good gods! That was just too funny! Women too?”

“More often it’s men, but some of the ladies too,” Blake told them.

“Wow,” Althea mused.

“Cala, this is your room. We’ll leave you in Blake’s capable hands so I can show Althea hers,” Braxton said. He took her hand and led her another ten yards down the hall. He looked at her, a smile on his face. “Before we go in, let me tell you that if there’s anything you don’t like, you can have it redecorated.”

“I’m sure I’ll love it, Braxton. I’m not that picky,” she told him with a small smile. Her fear of entering the bedroom was almost palpable. What if he wants to have s*x? I’m not ready, she thought.

Braxton smiled at her. He was aware of her tension and had assumed correctly it was because she was nervous. He opened the door and gestured her inside. She smiled and preceded him. Her gasp was audible as she looked at the living area of her new home.

The furniture was feminine and lovely, pieces she would have chosen for herself had she been asked to do so. To the left were the matching couch and chairs along with two end tables with lovely lamps atop. To the right, a desk with everything she could possible need to conduct business, should she have any, organized on top and waiting for her to put it away. The chair was large and cushioned. Spacious and well-lit, Althea fell in love with the room and couldn’t wait to see the bedroom.

“It’s beautiful, Braxton,” Althea complimented. “Did you do this?”

“I helped, but I can’t take credit completely,” he told her. “Several of the ladies who work in the castle helped me.”

“Well, they have lovely taste,” Althea said as she ran her hands across the top of the couch. She looked at him and asked, “Can I see the bedroom and bathroom?”

“Of course,” he said and gestured to a door straight across from the entrance. He followed her so he could see her face when she saw her room. The bed would be her favorite, he was sure.

Althea nearly squealed when she saw the bed. A four-post style bed with a canopy of flowing tulle the color of a pearl. The bedding was in iridescent blue with white pillows. It will be like sleeping in the sky, she thought with a sigh. She turned to look at Braxton, her smile brighter than he’d seen since their wedding.

“You like it?” She nodded, speechless. “Wait ‘til you see your bathroom,” he said with an eyebrow wiggle.

She hurried to the door on her right and pushed it open. The tub was huge, deep enough to completely submerge her body, even in human size. Her bathtub at home was for fairies; she’d felt scrunched in it.

“Braxton, this is wonderful,” she gushed. “I love it.”

“I’m glad you like it,” he replied with a smile. “Let me show you one more thing.” He took her hand and led her out of the bathroom to a door in the wall to the left. He looked at her. “This is the door that leads to my room. My mother built this suite of rooms specifically for when I married. She said that way my wife and I could discretely meet for, as she put it, relations.”

Althea swallowed nervously. S*x. He meant s*x. She smiled weakly at him. He watched the return of her nerves.

“Althea, I’m not going to force myself on you. I would never do that,” Braxton told her. He closed the door that led to his room. “I think we should get to know each other. Let’s have dinner tonight.”

“I’m a virgin,” Althea blurted unexpectedly. She slapped her hands over her mouth and giggled, her eyes wide in embarrassment.

Braxton stared at her, trying not to laugh at her announcement. “Okay. Um, I’m not sure what to say to that.”

Althea giggled again. “Oh my God, I’m sorry. That just shot out of my mouth.”

“No, it’s better that I know. That way, when we do, uh . . .” he faltered and looked at her helplessly.

“Become intimate,” she finished.

“Yes!” He clapped his hands as if she’d given him the answer to the most important question. He was nervous too. “Have your bath and relax. I’ll have a dinner brought up to us in two hours, and we’ll enjoy each other’s company.”

“Sounds nice. Thank you for being patient with me,” Althea said, touching his arm. She hadn’t touched him of her own accord until that moment. He liked it.

“And don’t put on fancy clothes. Be comfortable. I’ll probably show up in sweats,” he told her.

“Better than naked!” she joked. They laughed together as he headed out the door.

*****

Exactly two hours later, a knock sounded on her door. She opened it and found three servants laden with trays of food and drink. Jeff, dressed now, though scantily in a pair of tiny shorts, greeted her with a huge smile.