The Beast and The Swallow

The world was made of glitter and sunshine. Or at least Lorelei was ready to swear it was. The butterfly elation fluttering in the pit of her stomach made her step chipper as she was floating on the clouds of happiness. Every color was bolder, every smile brighter. Even the gruff expression of William De Mar, who had come to welcome them at Ildmar's gates, was a jubilant felicitation of the new chapter of her life.

It was all so strange. She didn't just feel happy. There was a certain amount of added confidence to the way she straightened her shoulders; a sense of ownership in every touch she and Noah exchanged. She no longer felt out of place. Norden was finally, truly her home.

Noah, too, had ever-so-slightly changed. The crease between his brows had smoothed. A perpetual snicker hid in the corners of his mouth. His chest puffed up in child-like pride as he walked beside her, hand protectively resting on her lower back, as if wanting to shout: "Look at me! Of all men in the world, she chose me! I know every inch of her. She is mine! Who is jealous now?! She chose me!" Lorelei found this new side of him especially adorable. It took her every ounce of self-restraint not to pinch his cheeks and shower him with kisses in front of what felt like half of Ildemar's staff.

Indeed, the welcoming of the duke and duchess after their short outing in Yalda was more jubilant than if the two had been generals returning from a month-long conquest. Even Gregor had come out to greet them, albeit still needing Saya's support to stand upright.

"You rascal! Why are you out of bed?" Noah chastised the young knight, but his voice was mellowed by relief and happiness.

"One, I've heard that fresh air is good for recovery." Gregor flung his arm around his friend's shoulder. "And two, I'm here to kidnap you."

"Took the words out of my mouth, darling." Saya giggled and hooked her arm under Lorelei's. "My dear, you are not allowed to refuse this time."

"Refuse?" Lorelei blinked and exchanged glances with the just as puzzled Noah. "What do you mean?"

"My dearly beloved," Gregor imitated the sing-song cadence the temple priests used during mass. "You have entered into a holy matrimony for half a year already, yet we were all robbed of the chance to properly celebrate your union the Norden-way thanks to some fiends I shall not be naming. But now, during the Obrek, it's the perfect time to make up for this omission."

"Which means that we are going to drink you under the table, boy!" roared Duncan, patting his lord's back with the strength of a charging bull.

"Don't worry, Lorelei." Saya winked at her and pulled her to where the grinning twins and Milly were waiting. "You'll see your dashing man tonight in more-or-less acceptable condition. But until then, you are ours!"

"The wine is on us." Rish beamed and exchanged a conspiratory look with her sister. "We found some good stuff at the fair."

"Ten-year-old from the Alkamene Marzbanat," added Rasha with a playful wink. "With just a pinch of rose petals and damiana for added benefits."

"Oh, you naughty chichiks!" Kash-baba smiled and trailed behind the giggling group of girls. "It's a good thing I'll be there to chaperon you."

"Be honest, Baba, you also want a sip!" Saya laughed, ushering the flabbergasted Lorelei inside.

"You bet I do!"

Lorelei managed to exchange a desperate yet bemused look with Noah before he was pulled away by Gregor, Duncan, Lucas, and Aiden. Even William was dragged after them by the insistent Jessup. With a pounding heart and cheeks ablaze, Lorelei allowed herself to be guided to her chambers. The moment they entered, she halted her step, almost failing to recognize the anteroom.

Stripes of red and white snow-silk hung from the ceiling and draped down the walls, creating the illusion that they were in a large tent. Marzbani lamps painted colorful stars and crescents on the cloth, and flickering lanterns gave the shadows a tender pink hue. A sea of cushions was arranged on the floor around a spread of decanters and dishes containing all of Lorelei's favorites. There was a mountain of rose water cookies, meat and custard pies, nuts, dried fruits, even candied dates, honey loaves, sweet and salty spreads, cheese, and argali jerky. Saya's lute and a pile of boxes took the little space left cushion-free.

"Welcome to your very own Norden bridal feast!" Saya ushered Lorelei into a nest of cushions. "We'll drink and sing, and gossip about our poor men to our hearts' content."

"And the presents," added Rish. "Don't forget the presents!"

"And, naturally, our lovely bride will get her presents. But don't confuse them with your trousseau. These ones are not for the new family, well, kind of, but rather for you, my dear. You understand?"

"Not really." Lorelei fidgeted, slightly overwhelmed.

"This is your personal happy stash." Rish landed on the pillows next to them but didn't bother to sit straight and just rolled on her stomach. "Every bride here gets one to make her happy times even happier."

Lorelei gave her an empty look, which prompted a bout of giggles from her friends and a wry smile from Kash-baba.

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"You first have a drink, my lady." Milly handed her a goblet of fragrant wine. "And leave the rest to us."

Completely bewildered, all Lorelei could do was sip from her cup and allow her friends to open the parcels one by one. It took a grand total of three heartbeats for her cheeks to turn deep scarlet. Kash-baba proudly handed her a chest of potions and salves that 'enhanced the senses and inflamed the hearts' as she explained with a toothless grin. Besides the wine, the twins had organized for her a box of implements, the look of which made Lorelei hide her face behind her hands with a loud yelp. It didn't make it better that Saya had arranged a special booklet for her, full of masterful and extremely detailed illustrations of the various uses of said implements.

"G-goodness!" Lorelei turned the pages and didn't know whether to shut her eyes or rip them even wider open. "One ha-has to be quite flexible. Oh my! How? No. This can't be possible!"

"Oh, it's possible, alright." Saya smacked her lips. "But I personally prefer page fifteen."

"Dear saints!"

"Wait till you get to number twenty-three."

The women chortled with delight, cheeks deep scarlet and eyes agleam. It was then Milly's turn, and she didn't disappoint. Opening her gift, layer upon layer of see-through snow-silk spilled out. Mother-of-pearl beads gleamed on the neckline of the first gown. The second one sported golden filigree embroidery all over the bodice, yet the pattern, in its richness, didn't seem to have a lot going on in matters of covering or obscuring.

"I've always liked the stories about the desert dancers from the far-southern Marzbanats, so Lady Nelini helped me with the designs," chirped Milly, delighted by the praises and cooing of the women. "Wearing them shouldn't be a problem if we stock the fireplace and the braziers well."

"So gorgeous!" Rasha looked mesmerized. "Milly, do you take orders?"

"Me too!" Saya grabbed the maid's hands. "And if Lorelei doesn't do it, I'll make sure you are given the title of national treasure and marriage saviour!"

Jolly chatter burst inside the room again. Little by little, the wine and the atmosphere washed away Lorelei's inhibitions. Soon, she was laughing and making quipping remarks about Kash-baba's presumed twenty admirers in the days of her youth. She gasped and trembled as Saya dramatically retold the story of her and Gregor's elopement, and dived into deep discussions about the contents of her new book.

Time flew by in song and merriment. Lorelei no longer knew whether it was still noon or the sun was already setting, and she honestly didn't care. All she wanted was for this warm, happy moment to last forever. Suddenly, a loud, urgent hammering on the door made her jump in her seat, her heart racing in panic. Her fear, however, lasted just for a second, as the knocks were welcomed with loud cheers by her friends.

"Who wishes to enter a damsel's abode?" shouted Saya, winking at Lorelei.

"A merchant from a faraway land!" The muffled voice behind the door was Noah's. "I've heard you have a bride to sell."

"There is no such thing!" replied Saya. "Our bride is priceless."

"I bring you a herd of the finest argali. Their wool is as soft as the clouds. Their horns are as clear as the winter sky."

"Go away!" shouted all the women around Lorelei. "Our bride is not for sale."

"I bring you the finest pelts from beasts most vicious - from bear and wolf, and mountain lion; from fox and lynx, and wolverine. I even caught a star-hound for a fair lady. Seven moons have I hunted those beasts, seven waggons full I bring for a bride."

"Go away! Our bride is not that cheap!"

"I bring you chests of riches, three of count - of moonlight silver, sunshine gold, and jewels the color of the rainbow. For your most precious bride, I'll give them all."

"Go away! Our bride is not so cheap! What bring you more?"

"I bring nothing more but a groom most wretched and broken. A useless thing. His soul is weeping. His heart is but half."

"Who has the other half?"

"He gifted it long ago to a maiden most fair."

"So what will he gift our bride?"

"The other half of his heart, so that she can have a pair."

"The groom is so poor," declared Saya and looked mischievously at Lorelei. "What do you say? Should we show mercy and let him in?"

"Let's not torment the poor man any longer." Lorelei beamed and stood up, followed by her friends. "Let him in."

At her words, the doors flung open, and a rowdy bunch of men entered. Helming them was Noah, dressed in what could only be described as the furriest pelt in existence. The women around Lorelei shrieked with excitement.

"A vicious trick!" yelled Rish. "They've brought us not a groom but a wild bear. Save the bride!"

With shouts and laughter, the women threw themselves at the approaching men, who began chasing them around the room. With huge eyes, Lorelei observed the short skirmish that ended in the total defeat of her valiant guardians. When the last woman was caught, Noah stepped forth and suddenly fell to her knees before Lorelei.

"Oh fairest lady of all!" His voice trembled slightly. "Forgive my deceit. I carry a curse most vicious. Only you can break it."

"Is that so?" Lorelei's lips quivered. "And what can I do for you, Mister Bear?"

"A kiss, my lady."

"A single one?"

"Oh, no! The curse is too strong. A kiss a day until one of us leaves the Mortal Plane."

"And what do I get in return?"

"All of my riches?"

"I don't care about those. I heard a promise of a heart."

"I can't give you something that's yours already, my lady." Noah's gray eyes gleamed like pools of starlight. "But I can give you my body and my life for as long as you will it."

"Those conditions," Lorelei bent down and cupped his face. "I accept and reciprocate."

Their lips found each other under the loud cheers and applause of their friends. With a brisk move, Noah stood up and lifted Lorelei in his arms.

"Alright, you bunch!" he bellowed. "The lady agrees. Now out with you! We have a curse to lift!"