Her Dark Knight

The Night Wedding

The large male grabbed her by the waist, grinding his hard erection on her wetness with a loud groan. His lips pressed against her ear, breathing heavily and running his tongue along her skin. Arabella moaned with delight as she wrapped her arms around his back and crushed him against her, grinding her hips onto his with a rushed fervour. He grunted as his fingers crept upwards, brushing against her quivering thighs to where she needed him the most.

“Ari…” He sighed in her ear, “I love you.”

- - -

Arabella woke suddenly, feeling her heart racing and her body wet with sweat. She began to feel embarrassed, such a promiscuous dream! She couldn't believe that had all been made up in her head - it had felt so real! She jumped as Delores bustled into the room, “Good morning my Lady! Get up, get up, today is the day!” She squealed, rushing towards the bed where the Duchess was laying rather ashamedly. Arabella had almost forgotten – tonight was her wedding, she was finally going to be marrying the love of her life, Prince Alaric. She had to sleep in until the early afternoon so that she was well rested for when her ceremony was conducted under the full moon, in the presence of their Goddess Selene.

With her heart soaring with joy, she leapt out of bed and ran into the bathroom, finally mirroring the joy of her maid. With a quick bath, Arabella was interrupted by a knock at her door. It opened, to display her mother Lady Astara walking into the room.

“Good morning, daughter. How are you feeling?” She asked sweetly, walking towards her child and gathering her into a deep embrace. “I can’t believe you’re getting married today, sweetheart. It seems to have gone so fast…” She whispered, wiping a tear away from her cheek quickly.

The older Lady cleared her throat and stepped away, “Now, the coach shall arrive to take you to the Palace at around 9pm, so you have a few hours to get ready. Your father has hired the very best to help you…” She dwindled off and waved a hand towards a large group of people flowing into the room, carrying all sorts of beauty instruments.

Arabella gulped, seeing all these people made her realise how big this whole event was. She knew that her marrying the Prince was always going to be a lavish occasion but knowing it and actually living it are two very different things.

A small sliver of dread settled into her stomach, realising how important this day was for everyone in the city – she was officially going to become the Princess of the Moon Kingdom, and that was a frightening but sobering thought.

Her mother left the room in a hurry, saying something about meeting her at the Palace, and she was left alone with her trusted maid, and a dozen other strangers who were gawking at her with unbridled energy, hoping to get started.

- - -

The off-white walls of the Palace loomed above her carriage as the horses came to a halt by the main gates. It was an impressive structure, reaching high over the rest of the city as if it were standing guard.

No matter where you were in the city, you would always be able to see it’s impressive walls, it’s magnificent structure and it’s superiority.

It served as a tangible reminder of the power of the Royal family, and as a warning for those that dared to whisper treason in dark corners.

But for now, Arabella thought with a deep breath, she would only focus on her future. A future that called to her as she sat primely in her golden carriage.

Arabella could feel herself grow nervous as she saw the large crowds that had gathered to try and catch a glimpse of the future Queen. The bride squinted her eyes shut, trying to block out the images of her people shouting and waving at her through the windows.

A gentle squeeze on her hand drew her attention to her father who was sat next to her. “My child, today will be the best day of your life, a new start that will put you in the history books! Me and your Mother are so proud of you. Just, please, let’s not try and mess this up, eh? There’s a big crowd watching.” He said, glancing back outside the carriage to the adoring crowd.

Arabella grimaced towards her father, before turning away from him and frowning in distress. Totally not the right thing to say to me in this moment, Father, but okay, she thought. The bride took a large breath in as the carriage drew to a gentle stop at the large gates leading into the Palace. They were to walk from there.

Her father exited first, waving grandly towards the now-screaming people of Epinieo, and then turned around with an extended hand to help his daughter step out of the carriage. Everyone inhaled deeply as they caught sight of the young Duchess – she looked absolutely breath-taking, in a pure white gown of entwined lace that took the form of vines and flowers twirling around her body. It had long, sweeping sleeves and an even longer train that seemed never-ending as she stepped out of the carriage. A veil had been placed over her head and face, increasing her beauty even further as it fell to her waist – which was well-defined in the figure hugging dress. She would most definitely be the talk of the town for a long time, how lucky the Prince was to take her as his wife.

Arabella inhaled deeply before looking up to the high domes of the Palace which was to be her new home. Odd shadows danced across the walls from the suspended lights, but looking up at the Moon that was high in the night sky – she was comforted at knowing that her Goddess was to be with her tonight. Arabella tightened her grip upon her father’s arm as they walked slowly towards the large golden doors, knowing that each step she took was another goodbye to her previous life. They passed the Palace soldiers, who would each salute her as she passed, with her father nodding to each of them proudly. The bride, however, could not focus on anything but her shaky breaths and her unsteady legs that wanted to collapse at that very moment.

At last they made it to the doors of the Palace, which gracefully opened before them to show a large gathering of the most noble of the city – Dukes, Duchesses and other Lords and Ladies all brought together to witness the first Royal wedding in many years. They all turned to face the incoming bride and her father, some gasping with joy as they bore witness to the beauty that was the Duchess of Angelos.

The Lady, however, only had eyes for one man. Standing, far in front of her, with his head turned to her and a face displaying an intense emotion. In her current frazzled state, Arabella had difficulty distinguishing his expression, but later she would ponder and realise he’d looked at her with utter love and devotion, at seeing his soon-to-be wife walking towards him. She continued to step closer to him in time with the slow processional music played by the musicians hired for the ceremony. Prince Alaric smiled at her as she approached, which she reciprocated with a wide grin. This moment would define them for the rest of their lives – and they were both excited to finally be together, as one, in the eyes of the Moon Goddess Selene. When she was stood next to Alaric, her father kissed her quickly on the cheek, before transferring her hand into the Prince’s awaiting one. She turned to face him and blushed as his eyes shone with joy and his smile dazzled the room. Arabella squeezed his hand quickly before the ceremony began.

“Welcome, everyone. We have gathered here today to witness the conjoining of two Were souls in the presence of the ultimate Goddess, Selene of the Moon. With the full light of the Moon shining upon these two beings, we will all bear witness to the formation of the Bond that will entwine these two souls together for the rest of their lives.” The priest began, then proceeding to recite the Binding words whilst entwining a row of pearls around the conjoined hands of the Prince and Duchess.

Whilst this was occurring, the future King could not take his eyes off his beautiful bride, who was watching and following every word that the priest was saying. He smiled, loving how devoted she was to being his wife, heart swelling with adoration at this woman standing before him. He could never let her go.

Once the priest had finished interlacing their hands with the pearls, he placed his warm hands on top of them. Smiling at both man and woman, he finally pronounced, “With Selene as witness, I now pronounce you husband and wife. May your bond last for eternity.”

Arabella turned to face Alaric as his hand quickly came up to push her veil off her face, finally uncovering a beautiful face that was wet with endless tears of joy pouring from her eyes. Alaric smiled sweetly at her, cooing as he wiped her cheeks, “My wife, I love you, now and forever.” He whispered, before capturing her lips in a dazzling kiss that caused cheers to erupt in the crowded hall. Their first kiss, one that made fireworks go off in her head. Their lips entwined majestically as both brown and green eyes fell shut at the sensations sweeping through them.

The Princess kissed him back earnestly, entangling her spare hand within his short locks of blonde hair poking from underneath his crown. They withdrew, and smiled at each other, before turning to face their audience and raising their joined hands high in the air. Arabella laughed as everyone expressed their joy, following her new husband as he led her back down the aisle – finally married after all this time.