Hades yawned and stretched as he woke the following morning as he stretched he felt joints crack back into place, as a shudder cut through him as his body extended past being comfortable, before he rolled onto his side to look at his wife to be. The air was oddly light the tension that had hung over them for the last year now all but gone.
Hades said nothing merely lay watching Jade for that moment with a soft smile curling his lips.
Indeed, Jade was at his side, resting peacefully. That scent he had learned to love and recognize tantalizing his senses with the soft breath of cherry blossom in a spring breeze. Her expression calm with the play of the beautiful freckles that dance across her cheeks and over the bridge of her nose, the rose petal lips parted to display her even deep breathing. Yet, her hair was not bound as usual upon her head and the dark veil of her hair splayed about her upon the pillow like a halo. She appeared to be breathing more readily, nearly panting while her eyes moved beneath her lids in a dream. That bruise still whispering upon the skin of her throat, from which his darker moment took control. She was stunning even amidst this, steady and Hades’ completely, through and through.
As Hades’ eyes caught sight of the bruise his smile curled deeper, that dark side always hidden just beneath the surface always ready to take control. As he watched her sleep for a moment longer the idea formed just as wicked as ever.
He slid down under the duvet his hands easing her thighs apart as he crawled up between them before placing kisses over each thigh, each slow and deliberate before moving to press his lips against her petals, his tongue easing against her tender bud his hands now pressed against her waist to prevent her moving from him.
When he travelled beneath the duvet he discovered that she was without garments, Hades was drowned by the essence of his fiancé and her succulent scent from between those thick thighs. At first his taste buds were graced with her taste, that exotic spice sweetness of her flower, yet, the more he focused on her hidden pearl and longer, he began to hear that sound of her breathing quickening and subtle moans. That was as he heard the moans growing louder and her body awaken at the buck of her hips that began to grind down against him.
He didn’t shift his focus but kept his tongue in its assault against that tender bud, his fingers now easing into her as she woke, as she ground into him his fingers penetrated her deeper. Between the scent and her awakening Hades wanted to push her higher in each moment.
As he continued the administration, the more her hips writhed in accent to his digit that sunk deeper into her molten passage. Her sounds only increased in sheer bliss, a slender hand lowered to curl within his hair to push him more firmly against the appreciation of her pearl. That is when he felt it with his fingers, the squeeze of her silken folds and the beginning of a blooming flower, that is when the lubrication was added just before her nectar rushed forth with the ambrosial flood, crying out his name.
Hades remained in his motions until the last remnants of her release passed before he crawled out and up beside her kissing her deeply “Good morning you beautifully amazing beloved of mine”
When he resurfaced, Hades found her panting and quivering, though to his kiss her eyes opened and she rolled her head to look at him. A slender hand lifted to caress his cheek with a rest at his jawline. “Mmm, good morning it is waking like that with you, my beloved.”
“Fun isn’t it,” He grinned “Just the first step in this new life of ours, now get yourself dressed we have a long couple of days ahead getting ready to move,” his hand caressed her throat gently there was a new lease in Hades a sparkle non had seen in a very long time as the pressure of keeping everyone alive was now lifted, giving way to him focusing only upon Jade and their new life together.
“But dress slowly so I can watch,” He added before kissing her once more.
His touch upon her neck brought a soft quiver from her and ripples of gooseflesh skittered about upon her skin. But, at his words a small secretive smirk appeared upon her plush lips, though, she nodded to him, rising from the bed to expose her beautiful body to him, turning and displaying the intricate tattoo that covered the entire back of Jade. She then gathered her clothing and placed them on the edge of the bed, each layer was placed upon her with a magnetic and ritualistic demeanour, beautiful, almost as though it was a dance itself for her to dress every morning. In the end, her skin was covered and the kimono and obi was fixed upon her, then her hands began to work with her hair, in order to pile up into a bun, but this began to remove the exquisite and free length that added to her exotic attraction.
“You’re beautiful, you know that. I would note that I have always preferred your hair down, for me at least, not that anything changes no matter how you wear your hair,” Hades remarked gently watching her. He smiled as she dressed taking every detail in as she did so.
She hesitated now, at his mention of his preference of her hair, instead of finishing sweeping it up, let the stands fall down. A soft blush lifting to her cheeks with his compliment. “Then, if you prefer it as such. I will let it down…”
She smiled in that special way that Hades knew was saved especially for him. “Oh, stop. I’ll keep it down, even if you insist it’s a personal preference. Do I not need to take that into account?” Jade moved forward to extend her slender hand to him, in order to guide him to rise. Then went to gather his clothing in order to dress him much the same as she had undressed him the night before.
Hades allowed her to dress him with the same wonder he had for her in every other moment. He watched her carefully, as she finished dressing him he flexed his wrists and then drew her close to him kissing her cheek gently.
“So what do you fancy doing today, we’ll be here a day or two more then headed for our own home,” He stated softly.
She responded by resting her cheek against his chest, a hand upon his shoulder. “We should see, Elsa. She is going to be the one for our wedding clothing.”
“And I’m sure she will make me drool the moment I see you,” Hades replied with a wicked smiled taking her hand and kissing it gently “Our wedding should be on the beach, so tired of grand garden weddings, it just isn’t me,”
“The beach? You mean near our home-to-be?” Jade leaned back, while he saw that beautiful flush upon her cheeks again.
“Beech, Tiki torches, moonlight everything that makes it different but just as grand,” He smiled in reply.
She smiled to him with a nod. “I like that idea. Very much, even an evening wedding. It all sounds so magical.”
“Good, because if you haven’t learnt by now, everything I do isn’t normal, then you may get quite a shock,” Hades chuckled softly, as he slid blades to the back of his hips he took her hand and lead her out of their room and through the upper levels of the mansion.
“Oh, no, I know that, my beloved. That is why, life with you is going to be an adventure. Dark or light. Just so long as I am with you, nothing much matters.” She curled her hand within his and easily followed along with him, her bare feet lightly padding against the floor while they made their way through the mansion.
“And I’ll be sure to keep it that way,” Hades replied with a grind as they headed down the stairs and down into the main hall.
Elsa was already in the main hall happily working away on new clothes, determined to get her own life back to normal and her shop back up and running.
She moved into the main hall with Hades, though looked to him then to Elsa, clearing her throat to not startle the realms dressmaker. “Ahem….uh, Elsa?”
She smiled softly as she looked up, pale eyes sparkled with mischief beneath that blonde hair “Hello my dear, may I say you look particularly delectable today, those Elcarus boys know how to pick their women,” she never lost a stitch in her work as she spoke.
She looked up to Hades, then to Elsa, as the flush lifted to her cheeks with the light dusting of freckles. “Thank you, Elsa…I was wondering, that is, if you are not too busy. I’d like to discuss a dress…for the wedding.”
“You’re going to let her dress? I thought you’d get wed naked,” Elsa chuckled softly
“And share her with half the realm, oh not a chance,” Hades replied with a sly smile, as he slid his arms around Jade gently.
“Well then I will just have to blow them away with her dress, and make her as she rightly should be the prettiest girl in all the realm,” Elsa winked with a smile.
“She already is,” Hades stated softly “I’m going to see the weapon smith, so look after my girl,”
“Ah but of course, we’ll have fun while you go be all serious,” Elsa stated patting the seat beside her “Now then what do you have in mind?”
She looked between the two, as they spoke, though, looked down with a smile. As Hades spoke of leaving, she held his hand and reluctantly allowed for each finger to slip off in his departure, watching him until he disappeared from the hall. But, Jade returned her exotic almond slanted eyes to Elsa and moved over to take the seat next to her, lightly touching the current fabric. “I’ve been thinking about this ever since I have become engaged…I want a dress that is inspired by my culture, kimono. We are going to have it on the beach and at night…torches…all that.”
“Ah that boy did always have a flair for the different, been a long time since he’s been happy you know. Such a different man to the one spoke of in the stories and histories of this realm. Did you ever wonder if they were true or if perhaps you’d be the next one in his path of destruction? Of course I know he loves you, and would die for you before he hurt you. You bring out the best in him and it shows in everything he does now,” Elsa smiled as her words tumbled from her mouth absently in thought, she placed her current project aside and taking a pad began to draw, the magicks she weaved flowed from her onto the page beginning to draw up an idea.
“So…I’ve heard. True or not, or doesn’t matter to me. Everyone has a darkness within them. Some just refuse to accept it. Together such forms a balance, not only in the world but each other. There can not be darkness without light.” Jade started bit curiously leaned over to watch Elsa work on the price of paper. “I don’t want white.”
“Perhaps reds and blacks? The colours of fire, much like the fire that burns within you both. He was misguided, even as dark as he was he always had his moral code, he was a strange one to say the least,” Elsa replied “He has always been good to me, it is now my turn to be good to him and make his bride the most incredible vision in the Everlands on your wedding day,”
“Yes, fire…reds and blacks would be perfect.” She looked to Elsa then down to the artwork, pointing out a few things that needed to be adjusted then nodded slowly. “I bet you say that to all the brides-to-be.”
Elsa chuckled as Jade pointed the adjustments the design shifted and changed on the page before her. “Just the ones I like,” she smiled softly “But since Aishani and Kane, there have been far too few causes to celebrate in this realm, and this is just such an occasion, the whole realm will want to turn out to,”
“The…whole realm?” She seemed surprised, possibly frightened in her voice. “I have no one to walk me down the isle. I assume Kane will be busy as best groomsman…”
“The whole realm,” Elsa repeated with a smile “Elcarus weddings are rare because they are so cautious, and so careful,” Elsa handed her the drawing to check over one last time “You only need to ask and anyone in the realm will be at your side, a sister perhaps? Even perhaps Aishani or Virra or Aerian, though they seem less the dresses and pony tail kind don’t they but certainly Aishani will be happy to?”
“No, that is not what I meant…I meant to walk me down the isle. By tradition it should be my father, though, he was killed in the raid at my old home. He can not be there, so, I meant to find another to walk me down the isle. I would not dream of forcing those two to dress up. I haven’t yet, asked, Aishani. Though, I agree, she would be at my side. I wonder, what she would look like in a kimono…can you make the colours and style in a strict kimono for the bridesmaids? I think that would accent that side.” She said, appearing less and less nervous when it came to details.
“If you can dream it, I can make it that my dear is the beauty of my job,” Elsa replied with a wicked grin that reflected the passion for her work “And all at a moderate price, unlike some of the other hacks in this realm,” there was an oddness to her words in that statement and just as quickly as it was there it was gone “Not that you need worry on price, the Elcarus family have used me for all manor of occasions we have an agreement that works and their credit is always good, perhaps the new blood who seems to have wound himself in with the girls? If they trust him perhaps this will bring him into your family a little more?”
She considered Elsa a moment in silence then spoke. “You mean, ask Domi to walk me down the isle?”
Elsa smiled “We are limited with men we can ask, but the girls seem to enjoy having him around, and he fought at their side without question.” She paused for a moment “He is quite the tasty morsel of a man, still it would not hurt to ask? Aerian and Virra along with Aishani are to be your bridesmaids?”
She thought for a moment, while slowly nodding. “Yes. If like Virra and Aerian, even if they don’t get dressed up much…Aerian did for Aishani. Well, I better get to asking those three before they leave.” Jade said rising. “But definitely count on Aishani. I want her to be my maid of honour.” She placed a hand on Elsa’s shoulder before leaving to head to the cottage of Aerian and Virra, now including Domi.
She lifted her hand to knock on the door, it took a few moments before it was answered and Jade almost lost her nerve. But Domi answered the door, his hair ruffled up and without a shirt in just his trousers. Initially he looked stunned as Jade stood alone, then glanced over his shoulder. “Angels! Jade is here. Put your pants back on!”
Virra laughed now. “We have them on, pervert. Let her in.”
Domi winked to Jade and stepped aside for her to enter. Upon waking through the door, Jade found Aerian sitting on Virra’s lap at the kitchen table. Before the fireplace was a messy blanket laid out and some pillows.
Aerian glanced up her hair was wild, or wilder than was normal for her, having slept on the floor with Virra and Domi “Hey Jade, is everything OK?” Aerian was admittedly curious as to why she was here without Hades, which raised the question of when the last time she had seen Jade without her Uncle, but she also like the confidence Jade was beginning to show, taking her place among the family.
Virra offered a wave to Jade, wrapping her arms around Aerian with a kiss to her neck. “Domi is making breakfast, you’re more then welcome to stay.”
“No, thank you.” Jade said but settled on one chair at the table. “I’ve come for two things, well to ask…Virra and Aerian, I know you don’t care to dress up…but I was wondering if you would be my bridesmaids?”
“He’s a great cook, you’re missing out,” Aerian replied before considering her answer a moment “You’re right we don’t like to dress up, but we will for family so of course we will be,” she paused before adding to her statement “Of course that means you’ll have to be a bridesmaid for our wedding?”
Virra nodded to Aerian’s words, confirming that it was in agreement, kissing her neck. “Of course we will, Jade. Wonder what Hades had up his sleeve…”
Jade beamed at Aerian and Virra’s response, though looked at Domi. “I don’t have a father, I was wondering…would you be willing to walk me down the isle?”
Domi was amidst drinking as she asked and was so surprised that he spit out the drink, this caused Virra to laugh.
Aerian couldn’t help but giggle at the surprise Domi clearly displayed to Jades words and yet she said nothing as she simply watched him, curling tighter against Virra, and her arms wrapped around her gently.
“Me? Seriously?” He lifted a hand to rub awkwardly at the back of his neck. Virra glanced to Aerian with a kiss on her neck.
“Seems your place in our family hasn’t gone unnoticed, Dad will be busy making sure Uncle Hades doesn’t run off, Aishani will be watching over Jade, we’ll be looking all pretty and cute so the honour is going to you, you’ve earned it Domi,” Aerian stated softly a purr to the kiss before she shifted awkwardly, as sudden as the feeling came it went and she returned her glance to Domi “It’ll be a grand occasion and you’ll be playing an important part, also was totally kidding about Uncle Hades he wouldn’t leave you Jade, pretty sure I’ve never seen him happier than when he is with you,” she smiled.
Domi looked to Aerian, then to Jade as a sadness crept upon her features at the mention of Hades running off. But then she chuckled, looking to Domi.
Out of the corner of her eye, Aerian caught the strange glance cast to her from Virra but it went unmentioned.
“I mean…uh…yeah, of course, Jade. I’d be honored, never done that before. I’ve had more firsts with this family. Always keeping me on my toes.” He chuckled, while Jade beamed to him and stood.
“Good that settles it. I’ll let Elsa know to begin the kimonos.” She said, moving to the door and leaving.
“What the hell is a kimono?” Virra asked with asked inclined brow.
Domi sat down now. “Damn, that is different. Why do I get the feeling that this is thing to be no normal wedding…?”
“Its an Elcarus wedding, they are always full of surprises” Aerian smiled softly in reply “Not sure I should have implied Uncle Hades would run away, I should learn to keep my mouth shut,” again she shifted awkwardly “And kimono? I’m as lost as you on that one, but I have a feeling we’ll find out soon enough, but I’m also sure you’ll look hot as hell in it,” she grinned now.
Virra pinched her bottom with a smirk, “So will you!” She then whispered in her ear. “Why do you keep shifting weird? It’s like I know something is awkward…”
Aerian leant back so her voice was low enough for Virra to hear but not at this point for Domi to hear “I feel really off, queasy almost, it’s … hard to say to the woman I love,” Aerian finished her voice held an odd slight of panic now.
Virra considered her silently, though, lifted a hand to caress her brow and felt her forehead to check for a temperature. Her words were soft, barely above a whisper. “Well, let’s get something to eat. Perhaps, you’re just hungry or hung over. But if you are still feeling like this after, we are going to see, Stacy.”
Two plates were set down before them, toast, eggs, bacon and some potato hash. “See Stacy about what?” Domi asked kissing each female before taking place across from them and begin eating. “Are my beautiful angels conspiring?”
At the smell of food Aerian felt her stomach growl as she felt the panic rise she rolled off Virras lap and bolted for the bathroom.
Ten minutes later and she returned wiping her face “I um … you guys eat then we should go see Stacy, call me cause until then I’m just gonna lay down”, she wiped her face and smiled before making her way to their bedroom crawling onto the bed now.
Elcarus Mansion 