^The stairs leading up to the ballroom along with the song that I wrote this chapter to~ the song is Maybe by Yiruma^

"For all the things my hands have held the best by far is you."

(Almost 5000 words. You're welcome xD)

Chapter 54
River's POV

The stone room filled with the sweet scents of vanilla and lavender as I laid amidst a tub filled to the brim with heated water. Maids sat beside the bath, leaving no part of me untouched and soaked with expensive perfumes. My face had become permanently stained a bright pink as no part of my body remained unseen by the smiling maids around me.

Everyone seemed to glow in happiness, whispering back and forth among one another while sending me not so subtle looks with brightened smiles.

I stood slowly from the tub, water flowing over the edges of the bath and pouring against the hard, tiled floor with my sudden movement. The cold had barely hit my skin when I was immediately wrapped in a plush towel and led out of the bathing room back into Alastair and I's shared room.

A set of two maids stood by the bed, one holding a white bundle in her crossed arms while the other held a sparkling headpiece. They immediately turned from beside the bed upon my entrance. The maid holding the white bundle hurried ahead of the other.

"Your Grace," she curtsied. She lifted the bundle from her arms, carefully untangling it as she handed it to me. I was surprised as it hit the floor with a soft thump. It appeared like a dress of a sort. Lined patterns ran down the scope of the dress along with embroidery along the neckline, encircling my neck in a delicate sphere.

I reached for a silk undergarment, placing it on before dropped the soft towel around me to carefully pull the garment over my head. I shivered slightly in the sleeveless, thin material as it wrapped tightly around my slim figure.

The maids continued to give me a once over, making sure the garment fit perfectly before handing me a fur-lined cape to place over my shoulders, its soft form following the same embroidered design as the dress itself.

My fingers ran down the embroidered lines and diamonds with awed eyes. The maids had put so much thought into my mating garment and to that, I couldn't help but feel a rush of appreciation for all their handiwork.

"Thank you," I breathed as I peered up at the pair of maids. They nodded with a smile as the other handed me my headpiece.

I peered a bit quizzically at it as I raised it to my head, tightening it around the back so it wouldn't fall down my forehead.

I gasped as I saw my own reflection in the mirror. It looked just like the engagement necklace I had worn during our first mating ceremony, except this one had a swirl of silver wrapping around the silver vines in a way my engagement necklace hadn't.

Silver vines wrapped around my head in a skilled encasing. Tiny diamond rosebuds sprouted from the shining vines in a dainty awakening, each sparkling brightly beneath the candlelight. A large diamond hung low between my brows with the royal symbol carved within the center of it.

"I melted your original engagement necklace and recreated it into a headpiece," said the maid who had been holding the headpiece. "I thought you might want something different than last time. Like a new experience and all that...," the maid trailed off as she fiddled with her thumbs.

"I love it," I said softly, "thank you so much."

She blinked, momentarily stunned, before smiling brightly, "I'm so happy you like it, Your Grace"

And that was the end of any talk as the maids got to work braiding my hair while simultaneously struggling with me to at least put some gloss on my lips. I shook my head to which a series of complaints and frowns came my way until I agreed to only a slight gloss.

It wasn't that I didn't want to look good on the night of my mating ceremony but that I didn't want to look like a woman. Though in the gown-like garment thrown over my shoulders, it was bound to happen in any case. With that thought in mind, I succumbed to the maids requests.

With widened smiles and hushed cheers, a thin plate of colors was pulled from my night table- an existence I wasn't aware of till that moment- as my lips were immediately painted. A gentle hand reached for my eyes and my head turned with a sudden gasp.

"Your Grace," a maid sighed in exasperation.

"Just the lips. Please," I added with a small dose of nerves.

The maids let out a unionized sigh, stepping slightly away from me so they could give me a meticulous one over.

"Perfect," one breathed out.

The rest nodded in approval as they soaked in their hard work.

It wasn't before long that I was led from the room and down a flight of stairs. My eyes widened and breath hitched as we reached the stairs leading up to the ballroom. A soft array of pink roses lined the banisters up the stairs, small petals laid plentily against the white-stoned stairs alongside bright lit candles.

The area was dimmed, only brightened by the small creamed-colored candles. I lifted the soft material trailing beside and behind me as to not trip. The smell of cherry blossoms and vanilla wafted past my nose, filling my very pores as the stairway grew lighter and lighter as I grew closer and closer to the entrance of the open-doored ballroom.

My cheeks lifted, a fine layer of pink filling my cheeks as my eyes landed on my handsome prince standing idly by the door, hand outstretched in my direction. I placed my silk covered hand in his, allowing him to lead me into the brightly lit room.

Chandeliers dangled above us, their diamond encasings bouncing off the mirrored stone beneath our feet and dancing the walls in sparkling diamonds as men and women alike danced across the shimmering flooring. Golden designs lined the room, dragging across the ceilings and walls with tales luxury and refinement. Painted angels circulated around sparkling chandeliers with vivid tales of whispered love and hushed secrets lining their saintly forms.

Gowns of all colors filled the room, swirling and sweeping across the ballroom floors as their partners led them with charming smiles.

My eyes went to Alastair by my side, only to find his eyes on me as well. His hazel eyes glistened beneath the chandelier light, hand squeezing gently against my silk-covered pair.

"You're breathtaking, my love," his soft voice breezed across my flushed face as he gently brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.

My eyes ran down his equally as white attire. White silk ran down his arms and legs, ending between his thigh followed by a loose-fitting silk around his legs. A familiar band of gold wrapped around his bicep, a large sapphire hugged in the center.

My eyes ran back up to his face where a bright smile lined his face. My breath stuck in my throat, struggling to escape as his eyes melted into me. He was more than breathtaking. He was perfect. And with that thought in my mind, my gloved fingers rose to sweep gently across his defined cheekbones. His eyes closed as a soft breath escaped his mouth.

"Your Majesty," a voice resounded from beside us, startling me and causing my fingers to swiftly drop from Alastair's face.

We turned our heads to a short, plump fellow with a young maiden on arm. Alastair's forehead creased as he took in the man.

"Sir Charles of Sukkold, Your Majesty," sweat sheened the man's forehead as he outstretched his hand to Alastair. Alastair returned the act, shaking his hand with a tightened gaze. "Congratulations," the man's mouth pulled into a lengthy smile, "I wish you and your mate eternal wellness."

"Thank you," Alastair returned.

It was then, as Alastair and the man exchanged small talk that I saw His Highness lock eyes with me across the room. A slight shiver ran down my spine as his eyes narrowed and stance tightened. A man with a glass of wine in hand spoke animatedly to him though his eyes peered over the man's shoulder, taking in my frozen form across the room. It was when I began to turn my head away that I saw him begin to move in our direction, discarding the man he was speaking to and tilting his head back to finish his rum in hand.

I only had moments to prepare myself before he arrived as I took a deep breath. Alastair tilted his head slightly, peering down at me quizzically as I tensed beside him. He barely had time to open his mouth before a deep voice rumbled behind the small man standing before Alastair.

"Alastair," His Highness spoke.

The man before Alastair turned hastily from the voice, nearly falling on his arse if not for the maiden on his arm holding him up. The man immediately parted from Alastair, bowing his head before making his way back to the center of the ballroom.

"Father," Alastair acknowledged with a slight tilt of his head.

His Highness peered downwards at me with a visible scowl, "River." He briefly noted before gazing back towards Alastair.

Alastair's hand tightened around mine.

"The union will begin in a few minutes," His Highness rumbled. "Now would be a good time to make your way to the platform."

Alastair answered with a nod, tugging me gently by our adjoined hands toward the white marble platform on the far end of the ballroom. A pathway of golden trees led our way past large wooden chairs, each containing at least six smiling men and women. Gems and crystals molded inside the golden vines wrapping up around the trees in bright pots, giving an aluminous litted feel to them as they lit our way to the white platform.

I hadn't realized when everyone had left the center of the ballroom to the wooden benches lining our way to the platform. Perhaps it was as His Highness had spoken to us but suddenly everyone was around us, watching us as we slowly made our way to the platform.

Alastair's hand loosened in mine as he stood before me, hand helping to guide me carefully up the stairs without tripping over the train of material flowing from my long wear. A man in a golden robe met us on the top, bowing his head in our direction before a boy emerged from his side with a pair of platinum rings. The golden-robed man began to mutter blessings from the large book in his hand. A large window stood before us, the light of the moon flowing around us in a circle blessed by the Goddess. I closed my eyes, soaking in the light that our ancestors had long since used as a way of power.

The golden-robed man handed his book to another boy by his side as he rose his hands up, fingers enwrapping in the bright ray of the moonlight.

He took deep breaths through his mouth, before opening them suddenly and reaching his fingers down to our faces, one hand on each of our cheeks as more words of prayer fell from his tongue.

We were then turned to each other and the man's hands fell from our faces and he turned to the boy with the thick metal rings. The boy stood forward, holding the dark purple cushion between us. Alastair reached first, taking the thinner of the two and slipping it on my ring finger with a careful hand. Then it was my turn. I reached to the cushion and took the thicker of the two, the two dark stones wrapped amidst the platinum curves bounced against the moonlight and shone against Alastair finger as I slipped it on slowly.

Our fingers were raised, side by side, his dark stones against my two white diamonds. Opposites. Yet, two sides to a single whole.

I peered up from our rings to his face. His eyes remained on our rings. Seemingly as fascinated as I was but moments ago as ancient words flowed vocally behind us.

I hadn't realized when the words ended. The only sound I could hear was Alastair's soft breathing in front of me as his eyes lifted from our rings to my face. His eyes shone, hazel orbs catching on the moonlight as his fingers stretched to wrap around mine. My cheeks lifted as he led me back down the stairs to where our friends and family stood, waiting.

Isaiah's face shone brightly as he stood between Hyde and Derek. My brow rose, but before I could question the situation, Isaiah's arms were around me, hugging me tightly to his chest.

"I'm so happy for you," he choked.

My lips pulled to a smile as my fingers latched onto the back of his shirt. I had to stand on my tippy toes so that I could reach his shoulder.

"Thank you, Izzy."

Isaiah pulled away slightly as he cupped my face, "your love for one another was practically radiating off that platform, you know." He let out a brief, soft laughter. "You're perfect for each other."

I nodded, sniffing slightly as my eyes teared up.

Isaiah let go of me, stepping back slightly so Michael could pull me into his arms next as Keith patted Alastair on the shoulder with a cheeky grin.

"Good for you, cutie," Michael breathed out in excitement, a bright smirk pulled over his face. "Got yourself a good looking prince, huh?" He winked as Alastair choked beside us.

Keith laughed, patting Alastair harder on the shoulder.

"Well, of course," Keith declared, "lucky for him, he took after me."

Michael laughed, "the younger you. Much younger you."

Keith pouted, crossing his arms around Michael's waist and resting his head on Michael's shoulder.

"I'm not that old," Keith mumbled beneath his breath.

Michael continued to laugh as he patted Keith on the head, resting on his shoulder. Keith seemed to immediately brighten up when Michael's fingers brushed through his hair.

Derek gave Alastair a half hug with a pat on the shoulder as he smiled brightly at his long-time friend. He whispered something in Alastair's ear that caused a bright smile to raise on Alastair's lips.

Derek then turned to me, arms wrapping around my shoulders in a gentle hug to which I returned with a high-toed hug of my own.

"Congrats, gorgeous boy," Derek whispered jokingly in my ear.

My eyes widened. He hadn't called me that in what felt like forever. That silly, little nickname him and Isaiah had called me in our run-in in the local market and again in the carriage ride back from my near-enslavement. Memories of the past swept through my mind and I couldn't help as a light laugher escaped my mouth.

Such different times. Now look at us. I looked between Derek, Isaiah, Alastair, Michael, Keith, and our new addition Hyde. Derek and Isaiah's playful relationship had morphed along with Alastair and I's. Only time could tell where each of our relationships were to go.

Alastair laid four large cushions on the bed as he held me gently in his arms. My hands shook, latching onto his broad arms as my body was slowly descended onto the soft cushions.

My hands wouldn't let go. I couldn't let go.

His lips brushed lightly against my forehead as he crawled on top of me, arms spread out on either side of my body. My fingers unlatched from his arms only to find haven, digging into the fabric covering his chest.

"We don't have to do this tonight," Alastair breathed as his fingers wrapped around my shaking pair, his thumbs rubbing soothingly against my knuckles.

We didn't have to complete the ceremony tonight. I knew that. Yet, with the glare of the moonlight peeking through our window and the goddess' blessings still ringing through the air, everything felt right.

"You are so frightened by the prospect of sex that you're shaking, love," Alastair tried to reason with me.

"It's not the intimacy that frightens me, Alastair," I released a shaking breath, "it's the pain that comes with it. The pain that comes with a first time."

The wheels turned in Alastair's head as he descended enough that his lips pressed, feather-like against my heated skin, brushing past my cheek and to my lips where it danced briefly before pulled away.

"I will be gentle," his voice soothed me as his fingers returned to my shaking pair. "Your pain is my pain," he brought a single, shaking hand of mine to his lips as his passionate eyes locked on mine. "I will prepare you slowly so you will feel the least amount of pain possible."

"Okay," I breathed out a shaking breath as his lips fell to mine in a familiar, soft peck.

My fingers fell from his chest to the soft fleece beneath me as his lips traveled down my face to my throat. Small butterfly kisses rained against my skin as his lips and teeth played oh so gently, leaving blushing pink blemishes in their wake.

My garments were immediately pulled from my form along with his as they were discarded off the bed in a heat of passion. His eyes roamed my naked form silently, composing himself before a single hand wrapped around my calf and lifted my leg up. A frightened squeak escaped my throat before his lips brushed gently against my ankle. A soft glow radiated from his hazel eyes as he lightly nuzzled it.

"I will take care of you," he breathed against the small bone, "you will feel nothing but pleasure."

No words escaped my mouth as I watched his lips descend slowly downwards. A shiver ran down my spine as his lips grazed lightly against my inner thigh and breathed in, soaking in my scent as I did his.

My fingers reached up to comb through his hair as he nipped dangerously close to my filling erection. It laid flushed against my stomach as he kissed everywhere but where my desire was most potent.

"A-alstair." His lips lightly grazed against my groin as my fingers dug into his scalp with a whimpered moan.

A moment, a brief moment of heavy breathing filled the air as his lips barely brushed against me before I was engulfed in a sudden heat. A barely contained scream pulled from my throat as an overwhelming amount of pleasure overtook me. The world grew hazy, liquid white filling my eyes as I allowed the pleasure to take reign.

The hushed sound of an opened bottle filled the room. Though amidst the white it was easily forgotten.

A single finger circled my hole, pulling a slight squeak from me.

His lips pulled from me as he crawled up my frail form. His lips ran up my neck to my ear as he brushed his fingers lightly through my hair.

"This will feel a little uncomfortable at first," his breath fanned my face as his eyes pulled downwards.

My breath hitched as he poured a clear liquid from a small vial against my hole, spreading some against his finger as well as he raised himself up on his knees.

He looked down at my hole as he pulled his lip between his teeth. His finger slowly circled the hole as light kissed ran against my inner thighs again. My breath pulled as a slight pressure pressed against me but before I could make any sound his lips wrapped around my groin and pleasure filled my very pores. I felt a slight sting as his finger pushed into me but amidst the heavy wave of white the feeling was merely just that. A sting.

It was only when I felt two more fingers add to the mix that the pain became strong enough to bypass the pleasure.

"H-hurts," I hissed just as his fingers stilled within me.

His lips pulled from me as the vial reemerged and more liquid was poured against my aching hole.

His fingers began to move again, but this time more slowly as his lips brushed against my shaking thighs.

"Does that feel any better?" He asked as he slowly rose up my chest to meet my eyes.

"A little," I managed through clenched teeth.

He descended slowly against me, his groin brushing slowly against mine in a movement that caused sparks to fly as my breath hitched. His lips remained permanently glued to my neck as he kissed and sucked the same area over and over again. The pain slowly diminished as our chests pressed against each other, moving along with our grinding erections.

Time seemed to stand still as I got lost within the heated white. His lips nipped against my neck as his fingers slowly pulled from inside me. His lips pulled from my neck as his eyes roamed his handiwork.

"You seem well stretched now," his eyes raised to meet mine, a silent question playing behind his hazel orbs.

I nodded, a sign that seemed to be all he needed as he reached for the vial once again and poured some into his hand. He took his erection in hand and rubbed the liquid slowly against the tight flesh as he came closer. His thumbs lightly pressed against my knees as he spread me open and pulled my legs on either side of his waist. My ankles locked around his as he laid a light kiss against my shoulder before slowly pushing inside.

My eyes squeezed shut as he slowly sank into me. He was barely in more than his head when I let out a choked whimper.

His movement stopped as his finger brushed against my cheek.

"Tell me how you're feeling," his voice came out soft and slightly hoarse, "don't shut me out."

My eyes slowly fluttered open and he bent down to kissed my nose.

"There you are," he breathed jokingly.

A small smile played on my lips though with the amount of pain I was in it fell only moments later.

"Do you want me to pull out?"

I shook my head, only to hiss from the movement.

"I'm pulling out," his brows pinched as he watched my face pull with pain.

My hands pulled from their tight hold on the sheets around me, raising to dig into his shoulders as he began pulling out.

"D-don't." I managed through locked teeth.

He stopped to look down at me, "you're in pain, River."

"Which I will feel whether we do this today or another day. Either way it's going to be my first time," I struggled through a choked breath.

His eyes searched mine momentarily before a released breath fanned against my face and a light kiss pressed against my forehead.

"Slowly."

He nodded, slowly pressing forward. I bit into my lip, struggling to contain my whimpers. His movements were careful, timed to expect anything as he peered down at me, waiting for when the pain would become too much and he'd have to pull out.

Though the moment never came and before long he completely filled me. He remained still, allowing me time to adjust as his fingers combed through my hair and lips kissed along my jawline.

A few minutes went by as his forehead pressed against mine, soft breath brushing against my nose. I pressed upward, nose lightly brushing against his to get his attention. His eyes opened, half-lidded.

"You can move now."

He nodded, slowly moving out only to push forward moments later, a repeated movement that pulled the air right out of me. A shaking breath pushed past my lips as he pressed against something inside me, an area that painted my vision white and shook my very core with the type of pleasure I hadn't known existed till that very moment.

A bright smile painted his lips as I lifted my hips for him to move again. To touch that little area that caused stars to dance through my vision. He moved slightly, hitting it once again as a whimpered cry broke past the barriers of my throat.

"Here?" His lips brushed against my sensitive lobe. I groaned, seemingly answer enough, as his groin pressed against the magical area again. And again. And again.

My fingers clung to his biceps as his girth stretched me open with each movement. The soft sounds of our unified moans filled the air as his mouth moved against mine in a careful movement as old as time itself.

A familiar tingling sensation ran up my groin as I bit my lip. I didn't want it to end. I wanted this, this feeling of absolute passion to consume me forever. To see Alastair above me, skin glistening beneath the candlelight as sounds of pleasure escaped his mouth as he moved within me, sliding oh so gently as our shared passione consumed him as much as it did me.

His body moved along with mine, like two waves mingling, merging into one. A thick layer of damp breaths mingled between us as my hips jerked along with his gentle thrusts. Our bodies pulled tightly, each so close to cumming yet none wanting it to end.

"I-I l-love y-you," I stammered out, eyes glistening as his eyes locked with mine, eyes so filled with love that it knocked the very breath out of me.

"As I love you," his voice came out hoarsely, just affected as mine as a single tear fell down my face.

His finger rose, thumb sweeping the tear away as his lips fell to mine, prying them open as his tongue claimed mine.

With his lips passionately moving against mine, tongue encircling mine, I fell. Sparks of pleasure danced down my spine, down my chest, as they exploded in a thin sheen of white against Alastair raising chest. A choked sob escaped my mouth, screaming as the pleasure became too much. And like that, my chest fell, breathes chipped little sounds as heat ran down my spine and legs.

A hoarse whisper fell against my ears as my name repeatedly fell from Alastair's lips. His tempo sped up as he lost himself. His movements struck a cord of pleasure within me but in my tired state my groin remained just as worn as the rest of me.

His teeth scraped against my shoulder as a choked moan escaped his throat and a sudden heat filled within me. A slight shiver ran down me as my body welcomed his liquid heat with a tingle of its own. I gasped lightly, head turning to the side as his lips brushed against my throat, body shaking as he emptied within me.

Holy water anyone?

I was planning on saving the love scene for the last chapter but River was just like "Haha! -__- You don't get to decide when I have sex" and then bam! This happened. The little minx. Anyways, this was my first sex scene ever so hopefully it wasn't too horrible and unrealistic >.< Oh! And just because Alastair didn't use a condom doesn't mean you guys shouldn't! He's a bad influence -__- Have safe sex! And with that note, I hope you guys all had a fabulous Friday!! Love you guys tunzzz!! *blows kisses* <3