Blood For Gold Chapter 23
Wooo! The wedding. And yes I am lowkey obsessed with Indian weddings because they are just gorgeous and to me, mouras in general have a more Middle East/Indian aestetic choices in clothes and food. Oh and the song that Audra walks down the aisle to that I was listening to repeat while writing it is this. Elila Farh
@punkhorse96 Thank you so much for your feedback and reviews. I hope you’ll enjoy this.
Blood For Gold
Chapter 23
You slept in, to a gloriously extravagant hour on your wedding day. Your wedding wouldn’t be until the evening and you had all day to prepare. Sure there were traditions to uphold, things to do. But you woke up to a house full of women as they feasted like the queens they were as all the women in your family, but Myra’s, Yalin’s and the Voyambis as they all cheered when you appeared in the dining room in nothing but a silk robe as you were shown the head of the table and immediately given a tray of figs along with generous helpings of other foods that your mother and grandmother had urged your cooks to make and had been sent from Masai Temple as you gasped at the thoughtfulness and oohed at the delicious flavors blooming in your mouth from all the dishes that the temple sent for your breakfast. When Demsey had said for everyone at Masai Temple to make this extra special for you, this was it, you felt special alright.
You missed a lot of these dishes from the different quarters of Dorierra.
After what was essentially brunch, your mother and your grandmother both explained and performed the different traditions throughout the day before everyone met up at the Temple and got ready for the procession.
The temple provided the canopy’s frame but you already had your own Lari - a sheer fabric that had been heavily embroidered and had many aplicays and special components sewn into it so that it dazzled in any light and put over the frame so that you and both of your parents were “boxed in” by the Lari on the frame.
“You still sure about this?” You father asked.
“As sure as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.” You answered happily and confidently as everyone got into position.
Demsey stood in the main auditorium and felt like this place should be bursting at the seams with people, all of England should be here to see this, to hopefully see you in all your Dorierran glory but at the same time, he was grateful that there was only his family and yours and Myra and her family and of course the Raymonds, all of them sitting on the “bride’s side” as they traded compliments on their beautiful clothes as they waited for the auspicious time to approach. He was relived because this was a precious moment and you had spent almost all your life being judged. This one day, you shouldn’t have to feel that way. If anything, you should feel free from anyone’s judgement or criticisms. You had wanted only friends and family here, and thats who was here. Close friends and family.
Everything was just so beautiful. There were so many flowers, so many bright colors in all the inlay in the walls, in the ceiling, in everything, even the benches for the pews had gorgeous inlay in them covered in soft cushions. His family sat on what they were told was the groom’s side as Javyn stood next to him and then his brothers forming a row after him because that’s what the director told them to do as the priest, dressed in wonderful splendor themselves simply held his extraordinary copy of the tomb of all the holy books sewn together on gilded pages.
Then the moment came and your grandmother started things off with a really high pitched yell like call that was soon echoed by all the women in your party including yourself, your voices harmonizing and echoing the large dome and filling the whole place with song as Yalin beamed excitedly and nearly was bouncing out of her seat as she started making the same sound and clapping excitedly to the beat of the music that the band that was off the side instantly started to play as Demsey couldn’t help it, he laughed as his family took Yalin’s cue as did her own family all clapped with her along with Myra and her family started clapping in the same rhythm that Yalin was clapping in as Demsey’s family did the same as the procession came down the aisle all dancing to the beat in the same synchronized dance to the song as all the guys in your family were chanting away in answer to all the girls doing the same high pitched yell that even Yalin couldn’t help but call out which your bridal party all beamed happily at her and did the same as Demsey and the rest of them just clapped along too and watched on happily as Demsey tried looking around the bridal party to see this large golden canopy being held by the attendants from the temple that was being was being bounced with the music, so that the whole thing shimmered and danced with the beat too as he could almost make out three figures inside of it.
You stood in between your parents, all three of you dancing inside of it as all three of you seemed to move as one.
Even though you were wearing the whole bridal dress set and what felt like 30 pounds of gold and jewels, your spirit felt weightless and your whole body practically glowed with happiness as your moura marks on your skin went off like fireworks constantly as your parents watched them and smiled to each other because only when a moura was truly in love and purely happy, did their marks light up like yours were doing in this moment which made their own marks light up happily.
The closer Demsey tried to look, the harder it was to see inside the canopy, all he could make out was outlines but he still recognized the lights from the moura marks and recalled that only when you were really happy and in a state of euphoria had he seen them “go off” like this which made him happy that you were so happy.
He was practically overwhelmed already, the music was like an explosion of excitement and happiness and everyone’s bright smiles as even the other moura’s marks were lighting up, like it was almost contagious as he realized- it was like a wave, a pulse, like heartbeats that were the frequency of the way they were lighting up before the whole procession came and he was put face to face with the canopy before the song ended and then your father untied one of the corners and exited the canopy dressed in his own splendor and pulled out a sword and simply let the blade rest on Demsey’s shoulder but the edge of the blade still gently touched Demsey’s neck as your father proceeded to carry on “the questioning” in marinai which was the traditional way as the priest acted as a translator and translated the words your father was saying as it was basically a request to make an oath, to love, honor, dignify, protect and provide as a husband to you- his wife, his most beloved in all of the universe. It sounded gorgeous in marinai and it even rhymed.
In English however it didn’t rhyme so much as some of the words the priest had to translate and explain some of the terms so that Demsey could completely understand them and that at any point, he had the choice to either back out of the wedding and leave with his head on his shoulders, or if there any doubt that he could not hold up these terms, to move his body into the blade or else a curse worse than death would befall him and all his relation as his parents looked at each other meaningfully, because when Jodhaa and the others had told them about this part, they made it sound like it was no big deal but in reality, this was life or death, either spend your life loving the other person as wholly and completely as you could, or die.
Demsey however wasn’t intimidated or put off or affronted by any of this, in fact he was all too happy to swear and pledge his life and agreed to the vows and live up to it every day for the rest of his life as your father simply smiled happily and nodded but kept his sword there before it was your mother’s turn to leave the canopy and have her own oath to make Demsey swear by as your mother actually pulled out a list and unfolded which made everyone else in your family snicker a laugh because she was very, very thorough as she took a dagger and quickly put it under Demsey’s chin and all she would have to do is move her other hand in an upward motion to actually decapitate him as your father’s sword was on the other side of his neck.
Your mother’s vows were not only just a repeat of what your father had said but actually included much, much more, and not just Demsey, but his whole family and household so that you almost asked for a stool so you could sit down for the duration as your mother went through every conceivable scenario where a man might become upset with his wife or inlaws might be upset with a daughter in law as Demsey could only smile appreciatively at your mother, who he could tell was doing her best to make sure that your past, would never, ever repeat itself and was more than happy and ready and willing to agree to every tiny stipulation she was giving him before she finally reached the end of her list as everyone seemed to finally breathe a sigh of relief when your mother removed the dagger from his neck and your father, his sword and put them away before they both came back over to the canopy and lifted the front to reveal you before Demsey came forward and lifted your golden veil up to reveal your face as Demsey audibly gasped which got everyone to softly laugh at his reaction.
“You have never been more beautiful, than you are right now.” Demsey readily professed which nearly got you to cry but you were just so happy that he felt that way, almost fearing that he would look at all of this and not recognize you in it or think this was too extravagant or unnecessary.
“And you have never looked more handsome.” You professed as you readily took the veil and put it into position over the borla of the tikka to keep the veil in place as the band then played the more traditional hymns for the ceremony.
But just the look in his eyes told you that all he saw, was you, the whole, real you- in this moment before he offered his hand out to you as you reached out and held it as the priest invited you up onto the platform as Demsey helped you sit down first before he sat next to you in the center set of seats as your parents sat on one side while his parents were invited up to sit in the other as the priest then went through the very lavish ceremony as flower garlands were put over your neck and his that were united together as you just could not let go of Demsey’s hand. You wanted to pinch yourself. This was all you had ever dreamed of as a little girl. Granted it wasn’t in the temple in the Hanging Garden Quarter but Masai Temple was the next best thing and you were still getting married with Calla, Lody and Jenni as your bridesmaids. And your parents blessing and of course Demsey’s parent’s blessing too as you could see Sierge and Javyn being torn between looking at you and Demsey and looking at Lody and Jenni respectively as Jenni and Lody were all bright, eager and happy smiles.
After the ceremony and after everyone signed the marriage certificate, you and Demsey were then walked back to the canopy as the attendants lifted the veil and you both stood in it as the band started up again as you both were escorted to the banquet hall to the head table before the canopy was put over the large sitting booth and the front was lifted and pulled over the back so that it was now open to everyone before everyone got their seats a massive feast was brought out as you walked Demsey through how to eat it and how to feed each other as you went through each dish and excitedly told him about each component of each dish as your family did the same for everyone else in Demsey’s family since the feast, didn’t need to be separated by sides but everyone could mingle together along the long lines around the center that was reserved for the dancing later on where the band followed and set up on a little platform for them to continue to play the lighthearted and happy music.
“Thank you,” you thanked Demsey after you chewed and swallowed the bite he had so delicately and affectionately put into your mouth.
“You’re welcome. This is really awesome, I had no idea Dorierran weddings were so beautiful. It makes English weddings feel like funerals.” Demsey confessed as you couldn’t help but laugh at the comparison and nodded your agreement.
“Oh just wait, when the sun goes down and the cloud lights come on, then the real fun begins.” You hinted with an excited giggle.
And sure enough, the moment it was dark, the cloud lights were shown in before the black light cloud was turned on and soon everyone glowed which caused a chorus of cheers and laughter as the music changed too as Demsey and yourself danced the night away. Javyn and Jenni were dancing awfully close and wouldn’t dance with anyone else other than each other as Sierge was acting the same way with Lody.
“I want to court you.” Sierge confessed to Lody as they swayed to the music as Sierge used Lody’s own rhythm to set his own as his body felt glued to hers as most of the guests by this point and started to remove the veils leaving the women in their little tops that showed off their upper chests, arms and bellies while the men were free to take their shirts off to showcase the designs painted on them as now under the black light the true beauty of all the designs could be appreciated.
“Then you must do something for me.” Lody began as she turned and pressed her front to his so she could reach his ear as she pulled him towards her as he happily let his arms loop around her and hold her close as he was dying to kiss her.
“I want you to realize that right now, you’re under the influence of the henna and you’re probably feeling like you’re half in love with me and really deep into a love drunk haze, right?” Lody questioned as she looked up into his eyes firmly but she wasn’t smiling. If anything she looked upset which made him frown to see her react that way.
“Right?” She repeated as she held his face in her hands as he nodded and all she could do was give him an apologetic smile.
“Sierge, I need you to know that what you’re feeling, it’s not real and tomorrow, you’re going to wake up and feel different. You’ve only known me for a few days, not even a whole week and we are barely aquaintances, I’m just a friend of your now sister in law and barely friends with you. And while there is an attraction between us, right now, that’s all it is. Give yourself a month maybe even two months, after all of this henna fades, and all the hair I removed from you grows back full force. If your attraction to me is still with you at that point, then reach out to the stables and we’ll see where that leads. But if your attraction and affection for me fades with the henna, do not begrudge yourself or me. Jenni enhanced the henna you’re wearing, she added extra aphrodisiac to the mix so that her own attraction to Javyn and his attraction to her would be enhanced as well. And she has her own reasons for doing so and she will get to deal with the consequences of that, good or bad. I tried refilling the henna tubes from the mix on the outside of the bowl, the bits that weren’t so enhanced so that you wouldn’t fall prey to it but you still are. You need to be done being the victim, either intentionally or unintentionally. The quick fix doesn’t always solve your problems but usually causes two new ones. Don’t do anything too quickly unless you’ve thought it through and weighed and measured all the variables, including your own true feelings without anyone or anything manipulating you. We are at a wedding and we’re both wearing wedding henna, so of course we feel this way about each other right now. But tonight, after the wedding. I’m not going home with you. I’m not sleeping with you and I’m definetely not going to have any kind of sex with you either. If you really want me, you’re going to have to work for me and earn me the old fashioned way. And I need you to know, that I’m similar to Benny in a lot of ways, but nothing like her in a lot of others. And the last thing I want is for my mate- whoever he is, to look at me and think of her. It’s not fair to either of us. So after this dance, dance with anyone else, other than me. Please. For your own good.” Lody pleaded with Sierge who both had to respect but secretly resent her choice becuase it was the opposite of his wants.
“Please Sierge, if you like me at all, respect me and my stance on this and don’t turn a deaf ear to this.” Lody pressed and while her words broke his heart all over again, he could find nothing to argue with and instead took her hands off his face and instead kissed her knuckles.
“OK, I submit.” Sierge professed.
“Your future self, thanks you, as does mine.” Lody offered before she kissed his cheek sweetly before she left and put as much space and distance between them as she could because she was this close to saying ‘to hell with it’ and throwing propriety and her own self control out and fucking him against the closest private wall. She had never felt that drawn to anyone that strongly before and she felt like she was fighting for her life.
“Lody, it’s just the henna, it’s just the henna.” She insisted to herself as she drank down a full glass of wine and got a second as Siege had gone to the other end of the place and was doing the same as he was inwardly cursing himself and Benny for fucking up a perfectly good romance with a wonderful young woman who had so much wisdom beyond her years and he was already seeing her face every time he closed his eyes but his soul was still stining and aching from the damage Benny had done as Sierge simply sat down and didn’t sulk persay, but he definitely sat down in a spot that gave him a clear view of Lody who was also seated and eating more of the sultan cake that made up the wedding cake. It was completely different than anything any of the Voyambis or the Bellafonts had ever had. Yalin hadn’t even gotten a chance to have it since her youth as even she and Gregori had chipped in for the wedding, wanting to add something even more special to the celebration of your wedding.
Javyn and Jenni were practically in their own little world on the dance floor, dancing chest to chest and literally nose to nose when they weren’t cheek to cheek as she wrapped her arms around his neck and he had his arms wrapped around her back as they swayed in place as all the other couples were in a similar state, including yourself, except for your grandmothers who were now seated on either side of Lody, keeping her company.
“You did the best thing you could have done.” Your grandmother Anavia encouraged Lody.
“Then why does it feel like a kick in the chest?” Lody asked as she ate what was left on her plate before getting thirds of her favorites.
“Because your pride is wounded too. Every other victim that has come to Dorierra angry, hurt and upset, you were removed from them and strangers to them. This time it feels personal because of your own attraction to him which he is obviously returning because even now he is refusing to dance with anyone but you, which is a good sign actually. Sierge strikes me as someone who has always had things handed to him and now, he must actually put forth effort and work. If he succeeds, a good, stable match can be made.” Loreiris predicted as she stared Sierge down from across the room, studying him.
“How long did you say you gave him?” Anavia asked.
“A month after the henna fades and his hair grows back.” Lody answered.
“So three months, that should be more than enough time for him to heal and learn his lessons.” Anavia grinned.
“Well, that’s if he doesn’t scrub his skin raw trying to scrape it off this week.” Lody murmured as her eyes moved back to Jenni and Javyn.
“How long do you give them?” Lody asked Anavia.
“Before intimacy? Tonight. For marriage? Weeks. She’ll fly back and start preparations the moment she lands. It will be rushed, but happy but because they are not taking time now, they will have their fair share of misunderstandings and differences. But if Sierge follows your advice and you follow your own, you’ll have far less, which will be good. The Voyambis won’t know what to do with themselves, because they’ll practically have all moura inlaws and all sweethearts.” Anavia reassured her.
“But what if Benny’s own damage is too far for any of us to understand and he goes English?” Lody murmured worriedly.
“Once anyone gets a taste of what a good moura woman is, no other can compare. English ladies, from what I’ve seen are white blanks of paper, you and all other moura women are masterpieces. It is true that the reason English ladies are bred to be that way is so that their male counterparts may draw on them and arrange them to how they want them to be and what they want to see. But moura women already come fully colored and fully realized pieces of art and therefore don’t need anything else from a mate, plus most men are shit artists.” Loreiris appraised which got Lody to snort a laugh.
“That’s true.” Lody had to agree.
“But Sierge has realized he’s made a mess of a work of art that was already fraying at the edges. The next work of art, he will be much more careful with.” Anavia ventured.
“Let’s hope so.” Lody sighed.
“Time for the finale! We have arranged a firework show for you!” Yalin announced as people started to stop dancing and wear themselves out before you all happily left the room and made your way to the roof where a series of beds were laid out as you and Demsey reclined on the most lavish one since they were the bride and groom as others took on the others as Sierge requested for Lody to join him on one in particular and Lody could not refuse him as they laid down, the soft cushy pillows and mattresses a great comfort as the blankets set out were unfolded and put over them to keep them from the chill in the air before they were given the signal to light them as everyone happily laid back comfortably and watched the show that practically all of London got to see.
You cuddled into Demsey’s side, the blanket covering up to your chin as he happily laid with you into his side as you both watched in amazement as the most beautiful fireworks started to light up the sky as you felt your love for Demsey do the same in your heart. Exploding in size and color as Demsey put his other hand protectively over your belly.
“Protecting them from the booms of the fireworks are you?” You murmured to Demsey between all the explosions.
“Perhaps.” Demsey smiled.
“Moura’s have been bred to have extra strong wombs, if the baby has survived mourkatili. Surely it’s strong enough to survive the booms from fireworks. But you’re free to try to protect them anyway.” You gently reassured him.
“I swear on my life, to do everything in my power to protect them and you, for you are all that I hold dear.” Demsey swore before he kissed you sweetly before the next explosion lit up the sky and pulled your attention back.
“Are you happy with your wedding?” Demsey asked.
“Very, but I’m most happy with my groom.” You reassured him.
“And I, with my bride.” Demsey mirrored.
Meanwhile Javyn and Jenni were in a similar state while Sierge laid down and gradually scooted closer and closer to Lody before their arms were touching before he oh so carefully reached down and over to her, letting his forefinger gently graze the outside of her hand before she turned her head to look over at him and gave him a peculiar look before she gave in and intertwined her fingers with his, holding his hand over the blanket as they watched the fireworks.
“When will you go?” Sierge asked Lody.
“Probably the day after tomorrow. My mother informed me that my price got settled on but won’t tell me what it is. But don’t worry, it’s not like grooms are lining up for me, waiting on me to come home. The process to even get to see potential grooms is exhausting for both parties. It could be a year or two before I ever got to be introduced to any potential grooms. So you have plenty of time to think it over and weigh and measure to see if it’s really worth the trouble and the hassle. Audra’s grandmother made the point that English ladies are a bit like blank canvases. Built to be durable and blameless, but blank. So that their male counterparts may paint them up and build onto them whatever they want and whatever they need. Moura ladies are all together different. We are no blank canvas or a sculpture made of pure white marble. We are masterpieces of our own. Some of us like to use color to impress and intrigue the eye and with some, the paint is not yet dry and the final coat of lacquer isn’t applied yet and are ever changing to suit the eye of the beholder. Others are so strict about technique that they don’t bother to notice that the artwork is rather boring, even if the techniques are flawless. Others like big bold messy and sloppy strokes but so much color it’s almost overwhelming. Some are big and grand and take up a whole room. Others barely take up a pocket in coat. I want you to heal, and then think long and hard about what you really want and what you really need before you try to appraise any more art.” Lody insisted.
“Even when a priceless masterpiece such as yourself is before me?” Sierge returned.
“Yes. Clean the paint off of you from the last artwork you appraised before you look at any other, some paints stain harder than others and paint from one painting may stain another if you go from one to another too quickly and I would hate to see you feel you had a hand in ruining any other artwork or to feel that an artwork has ruined you either.” Lody advised.
“Make sure you’re clean, hands, body, clothes and all. And do your research and homework to make sure that what you’re looking at and dealing with is an actual masterpiece, not just smears of paint on a canvas by a toddler fingerpainting, or even the work of a con, trying to sell a fake and sketching that looks more like scribbles as if it were a masterpiece and trying to pass off the work of a degenerate as the work of a true artisan and genius.” Lody continued as they stayed side by side, staring up the fireworks lighting up the sky.
“Not all the works in a gallery are priceless treasures. And not all masterpieces are big or have fancy frames with loud bright colors. A proper masterpiece has balance between light and shadow, shape, form and composition. And sometimes the more subdued coloring helps you focus on the focal point, instead of overwhelming you with chaos. The eye grows tired and fatigued quickly when faced with such works. But the truly pleasant artwork, with subtle intricacies. The kind that you can spend hours looking at and still feel like you could spend hours more and still have another new detail to appreciate, and the kind of painting you’re happy to own that brings you peace in not just your mind, but in your heart and your soul too? That is truly priceless.” Lody insisted.
“Because no matter how pretty the picture, or how well the execution of techniques may be or how bright the colors are, no work of art is worth your dignity, integrity or honor and do not put a price on things that should never have had a price to begin with. The truth is what matters, as does faithfulness. Because colors fade, paint cracks with age and time, and dim lighting can’t help you see it or remember it as it once was and poor care can deteriorate it to the point that you no longer want it in your house and so it loses value over time. When you put a price on the priceless all you do is cheapen yourself, and your house. And while it doesn’t make sense that a priceless work of art would be found in a dilapidated shed by the sea. That isn’t to say the painter who lives in the shed can’t paint it either. Just as a painter will let their work speak for them and itself, don’t think that because one work of art by an artist is one way, that all the works by them will be that way too. Everyone starts somewhere. No one is born a master, it takes time and patience and perseverance and practice. And I’m still young, I’m still learning to master even the basics, my masterpiece is not yet done and who knows, in a month or two, three or even six, or even a year or two or five, who knows what I’ll be then and you may not like what you see then.” Lody advised.
“How old are you again?” Sierge asked.
“Twenty,” Lody answered.
“You speak as if you’re five times that age.” Sierge praised.
“Well, my grandmother tells me that there is a fine line to be walked. There is a balance between wanting to be the smartest person in the room and needing to see others as they are and deciphering their intentions and thinking and to correctly predict their moves so that you can counter successfully instead of just reacting to others reactions, like playing chess. And there is always a need to surround yourself with people wiser than yourself, because if you’re the smartest person in the room, you need to get into another room. And if you surround yourself with people more stupid than yourself for the purpose of feeling like the smartest in the room, then you’ve made a mistake because stupid has a tendancy to rub off on others and even a wiseman arguing with an idiot, to the passerby’s, you can’t easily distinguish between the two.” Lody paraphrased from all the wise principles she had been taught by her elders.
“And a truly wise person will have the humility to know that they don’t have all the answers. Nor do they have all the knowledge or the wisdom but they will be hungry for it just like food or water.” Lody recounted, grateful she had been listening and paying attention to such wisdom from her grandmother just as the finale of the fireworks show lit up the sky as Lody gave Sierge’s hand a good squeeze before she let go of his hand only to roll over to her side to kiss him on the cheek sweetly only to be surprised when Sierge did the same and met her lips with his own and kissed her earnestly and was delighted when she kissed back and just as the kiss deepened and it was very evident that both of them wanted this to progress, Lody put on the breaks and pulled away and gave him an apologetic smile as she pulled herself away from him, leaving him scrambling to get up with her as she quickly picked up the blanket and put it between them as she folded it.
“Good night Sierge Voyambi, it was a pleasure to spend the evening with you. Please remember my advice.” Lody requested before she curtsied respectfully and put the now folded blanket back down on the bed and quickly left, leaving Sierge rather bewildered and aching from her loss as he tried to give chase but she was swifter and almost vanished as attendants came and escorted you and Demsey to the honeymoon suite that was in the inn just next door while the others said their goodbyes and began to depart while Jenni and Javyn discretely got a room at the inn themselves.
Once your family returned to your home they found Lody packing up and already wearing her riding leathers.
“Why are you leaving so soon? Is everything ok?” Loreiris asked.
“Did you ever meet someone that made you question everything and make you want to throw out all the principles and everything you stand for and you knew if you stayed, you were going to lose all your self control and make the same mistake others did and turn into the biggest hypocrite?” Lody asked as she carried her now packed bag out to the stables and started to saddle her own griffin who was excited to get out of the stable and stretch their wings out.
“Yes, I see it scares you as much as it did me the first time I felt it.” Loreiris noted as Lody laughed mirthlessly, almost mockingly at herself.
“All he did was kiss me and somehow it was as if it was my first real kiss all over again and it was like he set me on fire and even now my heart and soul are still ablaze and it’s as torturous as it is pleasurable. Now I can no longer find fault with Benny taking advantage of him because right now I want the same thing, and that makes me no better than her and my own pride and dignity is incensed by that and there is war going on within me and if I stay I’m going to make the same mistakes she did and I can’t do that to Sierge, he just had his heart and soul ripped from his body and mauled and ripped apart and as much as I can sympothize with that and want to fix it, I know it’s not my job to clean up my cousin’s messes, and it’s not my place to do so either and as much as I want to blame my feelings and my instincts on this stupid henna, I know it has nothing to do with it and it’s a sad, cheap scape goat. I spent all night practically quoting every principle from every holy book I’ve read and as much as I wanted to tell myself that I did it for Sierge’s benefit, I also did it for my own, to remind myself that I’m just as raw as he is and it’s not Sierge’s place to fix me either and not his job to fix Finn’s messes in me. My mother told me this morning that my price got settled just this morning and I know she is already hard at work trying to orchestrate potentials for me and I know Sierge won’t pass her tests just based on Benny’s past with him. I tried to tell him that he had plenty of time to work on himself and to heal but...I don’t know if that will be true when I get home.” Lody confessed as she tried to keep her composure and not cry but she was failing as tears escaped her eyes and ran her eye makeup.
“So now you think flying a thousand miles will put out the flames?” Loreiris posed.
“No, but it will hopefully die them down to embers because if I stay I’ll be consumed as will he and I can’t imagine the damage this blaze will inflict, and then he really will swear off mouras forever and make things difficult for Audra and Calla and I can’t do that to them, I love them too much to even chance that their soon to be home life will be endangered, especially on my account.” Lody confessed.
“So tomorrow, when Sierge comes looking for you, what do you want me to tell him?” Loreiris asked as she handed Lody her bridal.
“Tell him the truth. He has been lied to enough. The truth is all I can offer him and if he can’t be satisfied with that, then there is nothing that can be done.” Lody answered.
“Good. Do yourself the favor by writing down all that you told him and live by your own advice.” Loreiris advised.
“Will do.” Lody nodded as she wiped her eyes before she hugged Loreiris tightly.
“I’ll see you soon, fly safe Lody.” Loreiris offered.
“Thank you.” Lody whispered.
“And of course give my apologies to Audra for leaving without saying goodbye.” Lody requested.
“Of course.” Loreiris readily agreed as Lody pulled away and then hoisted herself up into the saddle and took off into the night, using the stars to orientate her as she flew home.
Meanwhile Demsey had finally taken off all the jewelry and clothes from your body and had taken several long moments appreciate every inch of skin and it’s decoration, with his mouth and his hands before me made love you slowly and sensually. Almost overwhelming you with pleasure as he practically worshiped your body with his own as he murmured the sweetest most wonderful things to you as you did the same.
Meanwhile only a few rooms down Jenniverre and Javyn were giving into the effects of the extra strong and potent henna and throwing all caution to the wind as Javyn was having the single greatest sexual encounter of his life because Jenni was practically a fantasy brought to life.
She was sexy and sultry without being vulgar. She was innocent without being too prudish, she was clever without being cold, warm and affectionate without being too forward, she was the perfect balance of everything. She was so much more than he had ever dreamed of wanting. She was a vision, a complete and flawless work of art and all his. He had no idea that such an exquisite woman existed, much less would be interested in him, much less would return his attentions and affections and suddenly it was like she was the only woman in the world and the only other being in the universe that mattered.
And Javyn swore that he would make her his wife come hell or high water. He would be traveling to Dorrierra as soon as he could liquidate as many assets as he had because her current price was more than he had but by the gods, he would take out a loan or do payments with the stables if he had to. She needed to be his. Because he needed her like air in his lungs. She was his missing puzzle piece. She was his world. When at first he had thought that Demsey had been rather reckless to move so quickly but now, with his very own moura, he understood. Time was a factor that didn’t necessarily matter in such a case as this. Only two weeks ago he would laughed such a thing off as ridiculous but now, it made so much sense. Just like knowing when was a good moment to buy something valuable before it would be lost forever or go to another buyer. Like getting a preview of the goods before an auction. But he would aghast to have any other having Jenni. He knew an excellent thing when he saw it and he was going to claim it before it could be claimed by another.
Meanwhile Sierge sat at his desk at his London home and tried to write down every little thing that happened, every word Lody spoke to him as his memory was only too happy to replay it all for him. He had never been more determined in his life. He was going to prove himself worthy of such a wonder. Kissing Lody was like feeling fireworks in his soul and not just seeing them with his eyes. She had tasted addictively good and while he wished he could be proving the validity and earnestness of his affections, he was so impressed that she had so much self control to withdraw before things progressed any farther.
It only spoke to her exquisite character. And he was adamant that he was going to earn every inch of respect and admiration from her. He was going to take her words to heart and live by them from now on and his instincts were screaming at him that he would only benefit by living by them. His heart and soul were on fire but instead of the disastrous forrest fire that Benny seemed to ignite, this was altogether different. It was like she set off a firework inside of him and he was going to light up her life with delight. He was going to do everything she asked him to, he was going to make her proud of him. He needed to prove that he was more than what Benny made him out to be as he even wrote down what her last words to him were because if that was the benchmark, he could surpass it. He had to, if it was the last thing he ever did.