Chapter Nineteen

"D-Don't overdue it." I say as he takes a big swig.

"I could drink this whole bottle and still fight off a handful of men." He says confidently.

"I-I meant with ordering me things."

"You don't like them?" Aidan asked.

"I-I do I just don't want you to spend too much on me. T-there is a nation to rebuild."

"Thinking like a Queen already."

"N-no."

"Don't worry, you'll be great."

"What if I'm not good enough?" I ask as I bring my legs up to my chest, wrap my arms around my legs and rest my chin on my knees. "I don't know anything about all that."

"Don't worry," he said and set the bottle down, "that's what advisors are for."

He surprised me by pulling me up into his lap and planting a kiss on my forehead.

"Ai-Aidan." I said.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to start anything. I'll save the rest for our wedding night."

I rested my head on his chest and nestled in. After the picnic we got back up on the horses and went back to the castle.

It was a busy day of finalizing everything for the wedding. It was mostly Aidan's men and a few nobles who recognized him as the Royalty that were in attendance.

I was very nervous on the day. It was like déjà vu having gone through all this just a month ago. It didn't matter – I was still a nervous wreck, barely keeping it together.

And when I started walking down the aisle and saw Aidan, I nearly froze - I had never seen him look so formal or so good.

My mouth was dry, my legs numb, my mind hot but I did my best to make it down the aisle, stand before my fiancé, and pay attention.

It felt like I was standing there forever but also only the blink of an eye. I was so nervous as we made our way back down the aisle and inside the castle.

"N-now do we…go upstairs?" I asked, embarrassed.

"Oh I wish. First, we feast then we consummate." Aidan said with a smirk on his face.

"O-oh." I said.

"Don't be sad."

"I-I'm not."

He smiled. "How I wish we could skip the pleasantries and go straight to devouring you." He said as he pulled me close.

"Ai-Aidan." I stuttered.

"But I must show gratitude to those who would support me first."

I just looked up at him as he looked down at me, full of lust.

"But…we can have a little fun first." He pulled me closer and kissed me. His tongue ventured inside my mouth as his hand struggled to pull up all the material and go under.

"Damn dress." He muttered. His hand pushed past my undergarments and into my private place.

"Ai-Aidan." I said as I tried to push him away.

"Relax, you're mine now and I'm yours." He whispered as his two fingers moved around inside me.

"I-it's…"

"You're wet." He said and nibbled on my ear.

"Someone could see." I say as I continue to struggle.

"Let them. I'll pluck their eyes from their heads."

"N-no."

"You like it."

"Ngh." I moaned as I clung to him.

"God I want you."

"I…me too."

He smirked as he took his fingers out. He wiped them on his pants and gave me a kiss as I fixed my dress.

"Let's go. We've kept our guests waiting long enough." Aidan said as he grabbed my hand and guided me to the dining hall.

They introduced us before we entered a room full of applause.

I tried to smile but I was embarrassed because of what had just transpired.

We sat down in the two large, plush seats at the head of the table. I gulped down a glass of wine just during the toasts and asked Louise, my maid servant, to keep my glass full.

I tried to engage in the conversation but they were talking about boring political matters. As they drank more their manners started slipping, they began tearing at their food, ripping flesh from bones. It was a horrifying scene that made me lose my appetite.

"Aidan…" I said as I turned to him.

He grabbed my hand and stood up.

"Gentlemen." He said.

"Oh we know!" The noble sitting closest to Aidan blurted out enthusiastically.

"Go enjoy your bride." Another noble said.

My face lit up when he said that.

"Ah if only my bride still blushed like that."

"You better go Your Majesty or Ramses here will break her in-"

"Patrick! Excuse him Your Majesty."

"Blame it on the spirits…" Aidan said in an unenthusiastic tone. "Now if you'll excuse us."

He held my hand tight and pulled me after him. He moved fast, faster than I could go.

"Aidan! Slow down." I said.

"This damn dress." He stopped once we were alone. He spun me around and started pulling at the ribbon that held my dress together.

"It-it's more intricate. We might need Louise." I say.

"Damn." He growled. He went to the door and shouted for Louise to come.

She ran in a few moments later and made quick work of the ribbon before gracefully leaving.

I was holding up the top so it wouldn't fall down but Aidan moved my arms after Louise had left and the dress just fell to the floor.

"Come on Mrs. Shaffer." He said with a sly smile.