A Fairy-Tail Marriage

“Hello, again, my Queen,” Jeff said brightly. He set down a tray and directed the others to begin setting up the food. He leaned close to Althea as if to tell her a big secret. “King Braxton let us know in the kitchen that you aren’t used to the nudity like we are, so I put on some clothes.”

Althea lifted an eyebrow at the questionable description of the tight shorts he wore. But she smiled. “Thank you, Jeff. I’m sure I’ll will get used to the customs around here. I just had no idea werewolves wandered around nude.”

“Well, it beats buying new clothes every time we shift,” Jeff said logically as he watched the other two servants finish setting up the food. “Will this do, my Queen?”

Althea glanced at the table and laughed. “There’s enough food for six people!”

“You’ve never seen a werewolf eat, I’ll bet,” Jeff teased.

“Not really. Everything looks amazing. Thank you,” Althea told him as Braxton walked in.

“Oh wow, perfect timing!” he called. “Jeff, it smells wonderful in here, and I’m starved.” He turned to Althea and bent at the waist, taking her hand and kissing it. “Hello, my beautiful wife.”

Althea’s cheeks reddened at his display of affection. “Hello, my husband,” she replied.

Completely charmed by the couple, Jeff beamed at them. “You two are so lovely together. I can’t tell you how thrilled everyone is over this marriage.”

“Thank you, Jeff. Please send our yummy noises to Chef,” Braxton said, politely dismissing him and the other servants. He turned to Althea. “Shall we eat?”

“Well, according to Jeff, if I don’t make a plate before you do, I might not get any,” Althea teased.

“Ah, he told you about the werewolf appetite, did he?” Braxton sauntered to the table and looked at the various dishes: pork chops and grilled chicken, three vegetables, including salad and dressing, and two choices for dessert. “There is a lot here, but you’d still better go first.”

Althea shook her head as she joined him at the table. She filled her plate and took her seat. She poured them each a glass of wine while he added food to his plate. After he’d taken his seat, she lifted her glass. “What should we toast to? You seem better with words than I am.”

Braxton gave it some thought. “How about we toast to a happy marriage?” Althea looked down, frowning. He set his wine glass down. “Althea, I know you didn’t want this, and neither did I, if we’re being honest. But you seem like the type of person I can get along with. I hope you feel the same way about me.”

“I do. You’re a nice man, I think,” Althea said. When he looked at her, she winked. “To a happy marriage.” They clinked their glasses together and sipped. “Wow, that’s really good wine. Are you trying to get me drunk?”

“Well, I hope I don’t have to,” he said with a smile. “Now, let’s eat before my rotten temper rears its ugly head.” She laughed and they dug in.

*****

Dinner passed with good conversation. They got to know each other a little better, discovering exactly how much they had in common. Althea relaxed in his presence when she discerned that this marriage, while not born of love, would at least begin with friendship.

She sat back, replete. “I can’t wait to meet your chef and compliment him on his amazing food.”

Braxton was plowing through his second plate when she finished. “The man is a genius with food. I was disappointed that he couldn’t come to the wedding and make the food for the reception.”

“Too bad indeed,” Althea sighed. “I would have been to full of good food to act like such a bi*ch.”