The Demon King's Bride

Before the Wedding

Xanathal

For the first time in a long time, the halls of the manor were full to bursting. Not that it was something Xanathal preferred, but when an incident like this one happened, it was a reminder of how quiet the palace normally was. Today, there was an overabundance of family, friends, acquaintances and subject of the kingdom. Along side them, were visiting dignitaries and royals, even the elders that served as council for the leaders of the supernatural world.

Briefly, he had considered that his bride's request could make him seem, surly or resentful of the council interference. After a brief discussion with his father, he knew he needed some kind of plausible excuse in order to make her request a reality. Why it was he felt an urgency to follow through with her request, he was unsure, but the haunted look in those violet eyes had spurred him into action.

Witnessing her wounds, hearing her speak, watching her posture to see how withdrawn she was from the world - Xanathal had needed to take action. He wanted his bride out of her shell, he wanted to know her past, the pains she had endured, the life she had led. More than that, he wanted to make her future better.

There would be much for them to figure out. When his marriage to Phoenyx had been announced it had been his plan to go through with the ceremony and then forget he had a bride. Fulfill his duty to the council and ease their demands while continuing on his normal course. One look at his bride and that had all gone out the window. Xanathal knew that began, by granting her first request.

Others would have found it strange for a bride to ask that the celebrants of their marriage be asked to leave. However, the ceremony had to be witnessed by all, so there was that small problem. He had been surprised when she had asked that even her father and his followers were to be asked to vacate afterwards, but he hoped she would explain when the time was right.

It had also given Xanathal the opportunity to change his own arrangements before seeing to his new bride's request. As soon as he left the parlour where Phoenyx was, he had found the head of his staff, and ordered that all of her things be moved to his personal suite. His intention to leave her in the far wing of the house and forget her presence was long forgotten. Instead, he was beginning his campaign of bonding with the woman that the council had chosen as his bride. The fact that she was his mate, or believed her to be, had changed many of his immediate plans where his bride was concerned.

After relaying his request to the head of his staff, Xanathal had made his way into the main hall, where he had started adressing the elders and dignitaries that were waiting for the mating ceremony to begin. While there had been some who had seen the request with amusement, he had been more surprised by the Shifter King's reaction. For a brief moment, he had appeared almost enraged by the request. Following a brief silence, Jaicen had asked that they be allowed to remain at least through the dinner that was to be served after the ceremony. Considering the request, Xan had approved that part of the request and told teh Shifter King that time could be spent with their contigent packing their things for the trip after the dinner was over.

He had watched as Jaicen immediately approached a tall, dark haired man across the room to relay the request. From the look on the male's face, it had not been a welcome change to the plan. Something about the interaction did not sit well with Xanathal. It was too tight lipped, and there was a dark aura exuding from the second man that was disproportionate to the inconveinience that such an order would create. Almost immediately, the idea that this man was in fact his bride's father dawned on Xanathal. Which meant that he would be at the center of a lot of the bride's issues. The urge to turn on his heel and return to the parlour to question Phoneyx rode him hard, but he kn ew he needed to bide his time. Give his bride the necessary space to make her decision about him, as much as it rankled.

Moving towards the front of the room, Xanathal did his best to keep himself in check, yet the mind link he got from his father, brought him up short.

Xan...I think we have a small...issue. Duranthal's voice sounded stilted, almost scared.

What now? I really want to get this ceremony started.

I understand that, but your bride...she has made a request I do not know if I can fulfill.

What request? Xanathal was brought up short. A part of him feared that she was asking for a change in p*****t, some kind of mercenary request to avoid the ceremony and him. Knowing now that his mate existed, there was no chance he would be allowing her to leave, not until they at least gave this a shot.

She has asked that I walk her up the aisle. Apparently, she had read of our customs, but she says that she does not wish to demean her father by having him perform a ritual outside of their ways. That said, I should not deny him his right to give his daughter to her intended husband. Duranthal's voice was enough to set Xan on edge.

Grant her request. I appreciate her looking into our culture, but if her caveat is having her father opt out of something that we prefer, I believe we should grant it. Afterall, she is showing our people respect in acknowledging the tradition. Again, his intended bride surprised him. Her request was simple, and easily handled. More than that, it showed an innate amount of care and caution. Instead of riches, or gain, she had asked for something so simple it could be granted by a simple response.

Xanathal cut his eyes over to the Shifter King and his companion across the room. With each passing moment, he had only more questions he had to find answers to. Answer he would only be able to acquire once he had his bride at his side and in his presence without the interference of others.