Chapter 9
The wedding was beautiful! Ella glowed with joy as she vowed to give her love and her future to Elon. Moments later, he did the same, holding her hand as he promised to protect her with his life. It was one of the most beautiful ceremonies that Luna had ever attended.
Or maybe, she was just in a really great mood! After the casino themed party, Tasim had slipped into her apartment last night and made love to her, making her body shatter with a pleasure so intense, she could still feel the tingles now, hours later.
His sultry glances whispered that he wanted to do it all over again. She did too! In fact, if she’d had her way, they would have ignored the whole wedding ceremony and thousands of international leaders and dignitaries that descended on the palace. They would have stayed in her apartment, naked, exploring each other. Every time that man touched her, she felt…incredible!
In love!
Yes, Luna accepted that she was in love with the man. As impossible as it seemed, she loved him. With her whole heart and being. After just days in his company, many of those days spent angry with him, arguing over…whatever it was that they’d argued about those first few days. But yes, she loved him.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the priest announced, beaming as he magnanimously lifted his arms. “You may kiss the bride.” Luna laughed because Elon had already taken Ella into his arms and kissed her as if there weren’t a thousand plus people looking on. The guests chuckled merrily when the kiss didn’t end. Luna glanced lingeringly at Tasim. She knew they were thinking the same thing. She wanted to get away from all of this and be alone with him!
Unfortunately, there was an elaborate reception followed by dancing. The festivities would go on all night and Luna dreaded the time that she’d have to spend smiling for people she didn’t really know and didn’t care about. Especially when she just wanted to go off and be alone with Tasim.
Finally, Elon pulled away from Ella and the guests erupted into loud applause and a standing ovation. Everyone laughed as Ella blushed beautifully, Elon pulling her against his side as they turned and waved to the guests.
Then the newly married couple walked up the aisle, waving to the crowd of well-wishers. When they were halfway up the aisle, Tasim stepped forward, taking Luna’s hand, placing it on his arm and they made their way back up the aisle as well. As Luna walked beside him, she wondered what it would be like if they were leaving as a married couple instead of simply siblings to the bride and groom.
She looked up at him, but Tasim was staring straight ahead.
Stephanie approached as they left the wedding area. “I’m so sorry to bother you, Your Highness but…”
Luna turned to Tasim. “I’ll be right back.”
He nodded, and Luna went off with Stephanie to resolve whatever the issue was.
Tasim watched her leave, wishing that she didn’t have to go. But still, he had to admire her. She took her responsibilities seriously and had invested a great deal of time and energy into ensuring that this wedding, as well as the numerous events leading up to the ceremony, came off without a hitch. Ella only had to enjoy the celebration, and for that alone, Tasim owed Luna his thanks.
But there was so much more to his feelings towards her and, over the past twelve hours, as he’d held her in his arms last night, he’d accepted that he loved her. He was going to ask her to marry him, he decided.
“Your Highness!” a gruff voice called.
Luna turned and spotted the general coming towards her. She had about a million issues to deal with, but this was Tasim’s uncle and she paused, smiling welcomingly at him.
“How are you, sir?” she asked politely, folding her hands in front of her. She wanted to hurry off to her room and change shoes. These new shoes were too tight and, after walking in them for the past several hours, her feet ached and she was sure she had several blisters.
The reception was still going strong, despite the late hour. Apparently, Stephanie might have done too good of a job! No one wanted to leave!
Elon and Ella had departed over three hours ago and Luna wanted nothing more than to head off to her own apartment. But she couldn’t leave. Not yet. It would be an insult to the guests if she left now. And there were too many important people here. She had to stay until at least the world leaders headed off to their own hotels for the night.
“Excellent!” the general replied. It took Luna a moment to understand his response. What had she asked? Oh, right! How he was doing! Goodness, she was tired. And these shoes! They really hurt!
“Good,” she smiled. “Well, I’d better–”
“I’m heading to my bed for the night, my dear. Thank you for a lovely evening.” And then, the general moved off, heading towards the guest quarters.
Luna watched him walk away. He really was a nice man, she thought.
A half hour later, Luna was ready to throw these shoes into the trash! Her feet were so sore, it was becoming difficult to walk. Stepping behind one of the tall, marble columns, she slipped her shoes off, intending to just walk around barefoot for the rest of the night. Or maybe, she’d get her assistant to go back to her room and grab her slippers! Oh, yes! That’s exactly what she’d do! Her dress was long enough to hide her feet. No one would even know that she was swearing slippers for the last half hour or so of the night. Besides, most of the guests were leaving.
She turned, then stopped, spotting the general leaning in to speak with someone she didn’t recognize. Hadn’t he just said he was off to bed? Why was he still here?
Pulling back, because she didn’t want to get into another conversation, she pressed her shoulders back against the wall, trying to stay out of sight.
“No no,” the general was saying. “You don’t need to worry about her anymore. She’s fine. Tasim has that bitch eating out of his hands! She’s completely under control. She’s a new breed. Completely predictable and won’t cause problems.”
“But what if…?” the stranger began.