Year 1015 month of Rose, Aroura- Capital of Deirdre
Kora was looking out over the gardens, taking a much-needed break from the planning of Ludis and Malik's wedding. There were only two weeks left, and the castle was full of activity. If she had thought the turnout for Stella and Royce's wedding was big, this was 3 times as large. They had guests from all over the world, who began their journey as soon as they received the announcement. More were on the way with every port bursting with ships. The southern port had exploded with growth in just the short year since it had been rebuilt. Poor Ludis was at her wits end with dealing with royalty, and Kora saw that it was her duty to help her future sister-in-law adjust as well as she could. Being queen wasn't easy, and marrying into royalty when you are common born even harder. Kora felt a warmth at her back and closed her emerald eyes, enjoying the feel of Ben as he slowly wrapped his arms around her and kissed her shoulder. He moved her long brunette hair away from the nape of her neck to trail kisses from shoulder to ear lobe. She turned in his arms to kiss him properly, and she cupped his handsome face in her hands. Green eyes met a steady grey, and his brown-gray hair was to his shoulders, trying to get into his eyes. He stood taller than her by 5'4, by quite a bit at 6'2. His chiseled chest could be felt through his loose shirt, a soft blue, and his black breeches revealed strong legs. Kora felt his hands begin to roam every curve of her body from her flat stomach to well rounded rear and large bosom. She admonished him, laughing, but didn't stop him. He grinned wickedly and as he began to pull her inside their bedchamber, a knock sounded on their door. He groaned, throwing himself dramatically on the couch as Kora went to answer it, trying to stifle her giggles. It was a few of the stewards, who oversaw the guests quarters. They squawked like startled hens and Kora listened to their complaints as her mind wandered to Ben. Their eyes met over the heads of the stewards, and he winked at her as he began to unbutton his shirt and walk towards their bed chamber. Kora motioned for silence from the stewards.
"So let me get this straight. This is simply about … chairs?" Kora asked, trying to stretch her patience. The stewards all looked at each other, and then nodded.
"We live in one of the most prosperous kingdoms in the world. Every trade smith and Merchant for 1500 miles is here in anticipation of the wedding. You can't find ONE person who can craft these chairs?" The stewards began to fumble over their words.
"Enough. This has gone on long enough. You each have a detailed list of things to attend to. And seating isn't even one of them! You oversee our guests. If I find a single guest lacking even a single bar of soap when they need – it will be one of you who gets to eat the soap when I find it. Now go." She ushered the speechless stewards from her room and locked the door. She was headed for her Fiancé, who had a bath running, she could hear it. She stripped as she walked down the hallway, and jumped into Bens arms, who was laughing at her handling of the staff. The water was cool since it was hot for the first week of Rose. They relaxed, cooling themselves, as Kora traced Ben's muscles. Things between them had never been better. Since the death of the leader of the Men of the grey, Kora's heart finally felt at peace. A lifelong struggle had come to an end, and she found the one who was meant for her in every way. This was the year for weddings. Stella and Royce had returned from their honeymoon about a month ago, and with the King and Ludis's wedding right around the corner, the last wedding of the year belonged to Kora and Ben, come autumn.
"What are you thinking of my beautiful wife to be?" Ben asked her, playing with the tendrils of her hair that floated around them like clouds.
"I'm thinking of that moment I realized how in love with you I really was." She smiled at him. He kissed her forehead, and then looked up at the ceiling.
"For me it was when you walked down the stairs of that in and I saw you in a dress for the first time. I knew then my heart no longer belonged to me." Ben sighed and hugged her tightly. She was surprised. They had only known each other a little less than a month at that point!
"So soon! I didn't know my future husband was such an easy man." She teased, and he splashed her playfully. One thing led to another, and they made love in the deep bathtub- pouring their souls and energy into each other. When they came together, every time felt like the first time, the sparks went flying. As the sun set, and they watched from their sitting room in nothing but robes, and the maidservant Agnes laying out their dinner- Kora knew that nothing else would ever break her happiness. For this she was grateful. After all, hadn't she suffered enough already?