Smiling down at her, he took her hand in his. His fingers were so much longer than hers that Allara felt like a child again for a moment. But what child plans to kill as soon as they can? She wanted to look away but she felt trapped by those golden eyes of his. Then the sound of clapping startled her into looking back at the assembled people.
Kat and Liv and Sophie and Lauren were all clapping their hands together and so were the Kindred warriors at their side. After a moment, Allara realized it was a gesture of good-will—they were clapping for her and Brand.
They wouldn’t be clapping if they knew what I have in store for him, she thought but she managed not to let it show on her face. Instead, she smiled as well as she was able and waved with her free hand—the one that wasn’t caught in the big Kindred’s grip.
“That was beautiful, doll!” Kat came up to her, followed by two large Kindred who were much taller than her. As a matter of fact, now that they were all standing, Allara could see that all the Kindred men were much taller than the Earth women. But none of them towered over their mates quite as much as Brand towered over her.
Truly, it is like walking beside a tree, Allara thought as she smiled and nodded mechanically to the Earth women and their Kindred husbands. Kat was saying that it was time for the reception and waving for them to follow her.
In less time than she would have thought possible, Allara found herself leaving the site of her Joining to the evil one and wondering what was coming next.
Six
Gods, she was beautiful! With her creamy caramel-brown skin and those big, indigo eyes… Brand reflected that he’d never imagined his new bride being half so gorgeous as she was. And she was so tiny and delicate too—like a doll, almost. He would have to be extra careful of her, he thought.
One thing he really liked about her was the fact that she had the figure of an Elite. Despite her diminutive size, at least she wasn’t stick-thin. Her full hips and breasts and ass made her seem more substantial than many petite females he had seen.
Something to hold on to, he thought and imagined filling his palms with the luscious globes of her ass or cupping her heavy breasts. But that was for later, he reminded himself. Possibly much later, depending on how long the Claiming period was drawn out.
As long as it takes to win her trust, he promised himself. He had felt her trembling when he kissed her hands and her soft lips and he didn’t want her to fear him. Getting her to be her true self around him and not shake in fear when he went in for a kiss or a hug was going to be a challenge.
He smiled down at her and tugged gently on her hand.
“Come on, baby,” he murmured. “Let’s go see what Kat has planned for our reception.”
She looked up and him and nodded hesitantly.
“All right.”
“It’s this way,” Brand told her. He wished he could pick her up and carry her—he longed to hold her close to his chest and feel her sweet, curvy body against his own.
But he reminded himself sternly that his new bride didn’t even know him yet.
Slowly, Brand, he lectured himself. Give the little female time.
And, sending a quick prayer for patience to the Goddess, he led her away from the Sacred Grove and out to their reception.
Seven
Allara wondered what could possibly be next? What was this “party” that Kat had planned for after the wedding ceremony?
She wished they could go directly back to wherever it was the big Kindred had his domicile and get things over with. He was affecting her in strange ways she didn’t like and it made her worry about her resolve.
She had expected to hate the big Kindred on first sight—had expected him to be ugly and cruel—an evil giant. Instead, though he certainly seemed like a giant to her, he had so far been kind and considerate. And though she looked for it in the fleeting glances she snatched from time to time, she could see no cruelty in his handsome features.
His golden eyes were just as often turned down to her as her gaze was turned up to his, and every time he caught her looking at him, a little smile would tug at the corner of his mouth.
When that happened, Allara looked away quickly, her heart pounding in her chest. Why did it make her feel so strange to be around him? Why couldn’t she hate him like she ought to?
You’ll hate him, all right, whispered that voice that sounded like her aunt’s in her head. Once he defiles you and forces himself inside you, then you will find the hate in your heart for him and do what must be done.
But Allara couldn’t bear to think about that. With a shiver, she looked around, noticing that they had come out of the small forest the Earth women had called “The Sacred Grove.” The big Kindred was now leading her towards another park-like area where someone had set up a large, spreading tent which was snowy white against the deep green and rich purple of the grass.
Suddenly, Kat came up alongside her.
“Bride and groom, at the front of the tent,” she said, all business and efficiency. “And I’ve got your shoes and boots, if you want to put them back on,” she added, holding up Allara’s dainty silver slippers and a pair of the most enormous black boots she had ever seen.
“Thanks, Kat,” Brand rumbled easily, taking the boots from her. “Forgot all about them.”
“I’d say that’s no surprise, since you appear to only have eyes for your new bride,” Kat remarked, smiling at Allara. “I hope you liked the ceremony, doll,” she added.
“It was…beautiful,” Allara said honestly. “Very unlike what I am used to on my planet, but still lovely.”
“Oh, good!” Kat looked relieved. “I was tearing up, myself. Those were beautiful vows, Brand,” she added.
“I meant every word,” Allara’s new mate murmured and she felt his golden eyes on her again. Lightly, he squeezed her fingers, which were still entwined with his much larger ones. Unable to help herself, she looked up at him again and found that once more she was lost in a sea of gold.
“Well, I’ll leave you two alone for now. Just have a seat at the table at the end of the tent, there,” Kat directed, giving Allara back her slippers. “We’ll do the cake and then some karaoke.”
“What is…karaoke?” Allara asked, frowning.
“It is an Earth custom,” Brand explained. “Popular songs are projected on a screen and the background music is played so that people can sing along with them.”
Allara was shocked.
“You write your songs down?” she exclaimed, looking at Kat.
“Why? Shouldn’t we?” Kat asked blankly.
Allara struggled to explain.
“Music is…sacred,” she said at last. “To…attempt to trap it, to not allow it to flow…” She shook her head, at a loss for words.
“Well, this isn’t exactly church music, doll,” Kat said comfortingly. “I promise you, there’s nothing sacred about singing karaoke. It’s just for fun.”
This seemed like a doubtful proposition to Allara, but what could she do but nod?
“I suppose your ideas of music must be different from those of the Q’ess,” she said hesitantly.
“Well, we already know our wedding traditions are way different, so I wouldn’t be surprised.” Kat smiled at her. “Just try to enjoy your reception, okay? Lauren is just about bursting to bring out the cake. She’s really hoping you like it.”