Mare

The next three days go by as fast as I can snap. Shade and I caught up with each other, chose our House colors, and did other things.

Eve said the seamstress finished making my dress, we did the final alterations an hour ago.

I haven't seen Maven all day, since it's "bad luck" to see the bride before the wedding. I never knew him to believe in those superstitions.

Eve is with me now, deciding and doing my make-up and hair. She did the make-up already, making my face shine. Currently, she is doing my hair. She isn't explaining what she is doing, to make it a surprise for me.

In two hours, I will be walking down the aisle, and married. I'm not nervous, I'm terrified. I'm nauseous, it's hard to tell if that's because of the baby, or my nerves, or if it's both.

"You look nervous," Eve commented, I couldn't tell if it was more of a mock than anything.

I scoff. "Yeah, I'm just getting married in a couple of hours, totally calm."

Good thing Evangeline Samos speaks fluent sarcasm.

"Why are you nervous?" She asks me as she does something with my hair.

"Loads of things!" I exclaim. "Like, what if I trip going down the aisle on my skirt, or my shoe falls off, or I mess up on my vows? Loads of things can happen."

Eve chuckles before she reaches and grabs the thing on the vanity next to me. "You have nothing to freak out about, all of those nerves will go away when you see Maven."

I blush a bit before I shake my head away from those thoughts.

"Yeah, but-,"

"No buts, don't let this anxiety take over you, you are getting married, you're probably just excited." She continues. "Tell yourself that you're excited, that's what I do."

I breathe deeply, my chest inflating as I inhale, and flattening as I exhale. I'm excited. This is one of the biggest days of my life. I need to be happy.

I look down at my lap. My wedding dress is beautiful, the rose-designed fabric on the skirt adds loads of volume, while the sweetheart neckline shows some cleavage, but it's still modest.

Eve continues to play with my hair while I fiddle with my fingers, my glossed nails shining from the light in the room.

"I'm all done," Eve states. "You can look now."

I stand up from my seat, having to pull my endless layers of skirts with me. I walk up to my full-length mirror in my dressing room.

The dress goes all the way to my feet, my high-heeled shoes don't even help with that, all they do is increase my height.

My hair is curled and waved with parts and sections. The side of my hair is French braided to frame my face, both braids meet in the middle of my head.

"You look beautiful," Eve says, looking at me through the mirror.

"Thank you," I reply as I brush out my dress.

"Ready to do this?" Eve asks me with determination in her eyes. I turn away from the mirror to face her, the train of my dress dragging behind me.

***

I stand at the back of the line, with Evangeline and Cal leading the line, then Shade and Gisa, then Bree and his girlfriend in front of me. The flower girl- one of Maven's younger cousins on the Merandus side- and the ring bearer- Tramy- are already by Maven at the end of the runway with the priest. The chapel seats are filled with Silvers and my family and friends, Maven's family and friends, and the majority of the Silvers are on the left side, with mine on the right.

I hold my bouquet with red, silver, black, and white roses in my hands. A white ribbon holding them together with vines spilling out on one side.

My father is at my side, ready to give me away. He keeps on giving me pep talks.

"Once the music starts, Ms. Evangeline and Prince Tiberius are going to go first, then Shade and Gisa, then Bree-,"

"I know, Dad," I tell him with a bounce in my tone. He has told me about a thousand times.

Eve keeps on turning her head back to give me a thumbs up and check in on me. She mouths me things like: You got this, and Maven looks fine.

I can only imagine how good Maven looks.

The organ song begins to play. I suck in a breath.

Eve and Cal begin to walk down the aisle. Dad and I move forward a few steps, but not fully around the corner. We stop here until it's my turn, for a grand finale sort of effect.

Shade and Gisa walk away from the line and into the bright light.

Dad and I don't move, we stay while Bree and his girlfriend go up next, getting into position.

My mind flashes to when Maven and I picked out the tuxes and bridal dresses. The tuxes are charcoal black with a black button-up underneath and a vibrant bright red tie. The bridal dresses are the same tone of red with silver sparkles. The blazers have a red rose in the chest pocket while the bridesmaids hold bouquets of the same red flower.

Bree goes.

Dad told me multiple times that the music will stop and then we will go.

He looks over at me and smiles faintly, a faded smile of encouragement.

The music stops.

Here we go.

Dad starts walking before I do, he tugged at my arm for me to start walking. I trip a bit before I start walking, but I catch myself before a travesty happens.

I turn the corner and see the chapel.

The people on both sides of me are standing, looking at me in awe. The aisle is long and carpeted with red and shining roses.

Then I see Maven.

His silver crown atop his hair in his black tux with a silver button-up and a red tie. His jaw drops when he sees me, and I could have sworn he said "Wow" under his breath.

The walk went by quicker than I expected. I reach the dais and Dad leaves me to sit next to Mom in the front row on the right.

I step up the step and reach Maven, he stands perpendicular to me, facing me with a vibrant silver flush on his face and a grin from ear to ear.

I give the flower girl my flowers, then take Maven's hands.

His palms are sweaty, he is nervous as well.

"Shall we begin?" The priest chimes in, his white and gold robes smooth and regal.

"Yes," Maven says with a crooked smile.

"Please be seated," he says to the crowd. The sound of them sitting down rings through the room, then the shuffle calms to a whisper, then the chapel becomes silent.

"We are gathered here today to honor and celebrate the marriage of King Maven Merandus Calore the 1st, and Mare Molly Barrow."

Maven's eyes glitter as I stare into them longingly.

The priest continues to say nonsense about Norta and other things, but I drown that out while I gaze at Maven, my Maven, with curious eyes. His suit is without wrinkle, his blue oceans of ice he calls eyes are shining brightly, and his crown glimmers in the light.

"Maven, you may now tell Mare your vows," The preacher says with dignity.

"Mare Molly Barrow," He looks at me intensely, which, in other circumstances, would make me shiver. "Forgive me if this sounds cringy, but, Mare, you are the best person I have ever met in my entire life. You make my world brighter, you make my smiles wider, you make my days happier, you make everything better. I love you to the ends of the earth, and it's not because of your powers, or your body, or just one thing. It is everything combined. I love you, and I know, you're going to get sick and tired of me telling you that all the time, but I can't say it enough. I love you, Mare."

An aww from the crowd makes the room rumble back to life. A warm, red heat flushes to my face. Tears of pure joy roll down my face, I swiftly brush them away and fan my face.

"Mare, it's your turn," The priest says warmly.

I clear my throat. "Maven Merandus Calore, I know that nothing can stop what you just said, but I can try. I know life doesn't last forever, but I can guarantee you our love will. I will always be with you, even if I am not physically, I will be in your heart and your memories always. Nothing can make me stop loving you the way I do and no matter how stubborn you can get sometimes; it's going to stay that way. I will love you from beginning to end, and even past that. I love you so much that your ears are going to fall off based on the number of times I'll say that. I love you, Maven, until the end."

Maven's eyes gloss with tears at my words. I can feel the audience's smile as I can see Maven's smile reach his eyes and beyond.

"May I have the rings?"

Our ring bearer gives Maven my ring and me Maven's ring, then he leaves back to his spot in the row of groomsmen.

The priest doesn't have to say anything before Maven starts speaking.

"Mare, will you accept this ring of love and devotion, until death does us part, in sickness and in health, from dawn to dusk, to be honest, and trustworthy. Do you take this ring?"

"Yes, I do," I say with a bright smile. I hold out my hand for Maven to slide the simple, but elegant silver ring onto my finger.

I continue promptly. "Maven, will you accept this ring of love and devotion, until death does us part, in sickness and in health, from dusk to dawn, to be honest, and trustworthy. Do you take this ring?"

"Yes, I do," He copies my words as I repeat his. I slide his thick, dark silver ring on his finger.

Maven clears his throat. "I know this is super out of fashion, but can we skip to the kissing part?"

A laugh rings through the room, mine included, as well as the priests'.

"Yes, we can,"

Maven looks at me with eagerness in his eyes. His excitement makes me excited as well, giving me ants in my pants, making me bounce up and down.

The priest chuckles. "I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss."

The priest can hardly get the words out before Maven's lips meet mine. Applause shakes the room as Maven leans into me, deepening our kiss. His lips break away from mine. He looks into my eyes, tear-filled, but still stunning eyes.

"Shall I carry you down this aisle, my lovely, beautiful wife?" He says with mischief in his tone.

"Yes, you can" I respond with a giggle.

He sweeps me off my feet and carries me bridal style, then walks us down the aisle.

"You have a coronation to get to," Maven says.

Right, I forgot about that.

"Marrying me doesn't make you Queen, you have to do the fun ritual first."

***

The church hall changes settings quickly I stay at the end of the hall with Maven at the dais again. At the end of the hall, the priest has two pedestals, one with a ceremonial orb and scepter, and the other with the Queen's crown.

This ceremony is much more private, just the Houses and my family.

Maven signals for me to walk to the dais, which I do.

I want to get this over with.

Once I get to the end, the priest doesn't say anything. He grabs the pillow with the crown on it, much more feminine than Mavens.

He hands it to Maven, then he walks up to me. The priest grabs the pillow as Maven holds the crown.

I dip my head so Maven can set it atop my head. He does so with a pillow-like softness.

The priest has already grabbed the other pillow with the two silver and red objects on them. He stands in front of me now. I have gone through this before, and I know what to do.

I grab both items, the orb in my left and the scepter in my right, and turn to the audience. They all stand up and bow their heads.

Maven and the priest say a chant in some foreign language that I don't understand, some members of the crowd say it as well.

Once they are finished, the priest has one final thing to say.

"Queen Mare Calore of Norta,"

"Queen Mare Calore of Norta,"

That's it. I am now Queen of Norta and Maven's wife.

I give the pieces back to the priest before he disappears. Maven joins my side as the people leave the room.

"And now, for our next event, the ball, and celebrations." Maven says with a diplomatic exaggerated boom.

I roll my eyes at him. "I don't know if I can make it that long."

"What do you mean?" He scoffs playfully. "It's a night of food, dancing, and singing."

I think of the first useless excuse that comes to mind.

"I'm pregnant, my love. Making a new human is exhausting."

He looks at me like he isn't buying any of this.

I don't buy it for a second either.

***

After the night filled with food, singing, and dancing, Maven leads me to our room, our new official room.

Maven is a little tipsy, but I stayed away from alcohol.

I know exactly what is going to happen when Maven brings through that door.

We reach it quick enough, and as soon as the door lock clicks, Maven smashes his lips to mine.

His tongue slides into my mouth, making the moans slip out of my mouth and into his. My hands travel to his blazer, I unbutton it with impatience as it slides off his shoulders. I copy the same with his button-up. They begin the pile of dress clothes on the floor.

He fiddles with the corset of my dress, trying to figure it out. His lips never leave mine as his tongue explores my mouth with hunger.

My dress loosens around my waist as he unties the knot, then it falls to the floor, leaving most of me bare.

I fiddle with his pants, ripping off his belt, then unzipping his pants. They join the pile on the floor.

Maven begins to push me backward, a wordless signal to walk to the bed. I oblige quickly. It isn't long before he pushes me onto the bed softly. I crawl backward to reach my pillow to rest my head. Impressing, Maven's lips never leave mine.

Until they do.

They travel to my neck, making love marks and bites wherever he goes.

"Ya know," I budge in. "It's kind of weird being Queen."

"Why is that?" He says against my neck before he continues.

"I don't feel very much like a Queen,"

His head leaves the crock of my neck so he can meet my eyes. "Trust me, my love, I will make you feel like a Queen." He says as he slides off my panties.

I shiver as he lowers his head down to my womanhood.

"But- I mean- what does being a Queen feel like," I asked him frantically.

He hovers above my wetness. "I don't know, I've never been one," He responds darkly.

"But," I stop arguing at the first stroke of his tongue, being cut off by my moans slipping off my tongue.

He slides a finger into me as he licks my sensitive spot, making my moans come out all the quicker and louder. He continues like this, curling his fingers as I mindlessly, endlessly beg for him even more. He slides in another finger, then another.

I explode before him quickly, making my eyes roll back. He gets out of me and chuckles seductively.

"I don't think I gave you permission to do that," He smirks.

"But- you think I can control that?"

"Tsk tsk tsk..." He grumbles. "I think I should punish you for bad behavior."

"Maven-," His lips smash mine with force, cutting me off.

"I shouldn't be rewarding you with kisses, but alas," I hear him slide off his boxers. "I can't help myself."

He kisses me again, but gentler this time. He slides himself up and down first, to get himself ready, causing me to shiver and groan in his mouth slightly. He does that a few times before slamming himself into me in one fell swoop.

I use my legs to push him closer to me, pushing him in as deep as he can. He moans and tilts his head back before kissing my neck again as he pumps slowly, before speeding up at a speed that makes me go insane.

I moan loudly, loud enough for the whole kingdom to hear. So does Maven, he roars in the sensation he is feeling against my skin as he marks it.

I explode again, and again, and again, making me see stars.

He explodes inside of me. He slides himself out and falls on top of me, making me lose my air harshly.

"Feeling any more Queen-like?" He asks me breathily.

I chuckle as sweat rolls down my neck. "Yes, I do, thank you."

"So, how was your day, Your Majesty?" Maven asks me with a certain taunt in his voice, playful but still loving.  

"Amazing, best day ever," A blush rises to my face.  

He rolls onto the bed beside me then kisses me again. Words can't describe how much I love these moments.

"I love you," Maven says sleepily.  

"I love you too, Mavey,"

Exactly 3000 words on the dot, my longest chapter yet.  

i hope you enjoyed it