Chapter 10: Pre-wedding Jitters
Datak sat quietly, waiting for his lover to calm down, as Nolan paced around his living room for more than an hour, after he'd finally stopped ranting. The Lawkeeper turned three different shades of red when Datak told him the rest of the story. The terms of the marriage bond specifically stated, that once the ceremony ended, he and Nolan would have to consummate the bond, in a public bath, with the Council of Elders watching.
Nolan stopped pacing in front of his lover, shaking his head adamantly. "I can't do it, Datak. I just can't do it. There is no way that I can make love to you in front of a bunch of people. I'm sorry, but I just can't."
Datak covered his face with his hands. Damn it, why was Nolan so stubborn? It was only one small sex act. How difficult could it be?
Nolan knelt in front of his lover and pried his hands away from his face. "Please, Datak, say something. Tell me that there's another way?"
Datak leaned forward, resting his forehead against Nolan's, and sighed in frustration. "There is no other way, Nolan. The Castithan Order wrote it into the marriage contract. If we do not agree to the ritual mating, then the contract is void, and we will be right back where we started."
"Fuck, Datak, that's not fair. Alak and Christie didn't have to do it in front of the Council of Elders, so why do we have to put on a show?"
"Alak and Christie were never married before. Divorce is unheard of in Castithan society. Stahma and I did not do the ritual mating either. It is only required when the bonding couple has had a previous marriage."
"This is my first marriage, Datak. Shouldn't that count?"
"No, Nolan, it does not count because this is my second marriage. I released my wife, in favor of you, so if we do not go through with it, the Castithan Order will consider my bond with Stahma still valid."
"Mother of an Antarctic whore," Nolan yelled. "That's just… just fucking…"
"Nolan, I am afraid cursing will not help, but if it makes you feel better, then go right ahead."
"Don't start with me, Datak. I'm not in the best of moods," Nolan growled as he got up and resumed his pacing.
"Please, stop that damn pacing, Nolan. It is getting on my nerves. We have to resolve this situation immediately."
Nolan stopped in his tracks, giving Datak the evil eye, as he grabbed his coat and headed for the door.
"Wait, where are you going?" Datak shouted after Nolan's retreating form.
"Away from you," Nolan yelled back.
Datak begged. "Please, Nolan, do not leave," but it was too late. Nolan was in his rover and halfway down the road already. Datak wasn't about to chase the stubborn Lawkeeper either. He still had his Castithan pride, and if Nolan wasn't willing to compromise, then they were through. If Datak ever felt like crying, the time was now, but he refused to let his lover get to him like that. Datak figured that after Nolan cooled down he'd see things more clearly and come back. Nolan was reasonable enough when he wasn't angry.
"Hey, I thought you were still at Datak's," Irisa said when she entered their box above the Lawkeeper's office and saw Nolan sitting at the table sucking down shots of liquor.
"I left," Nolan growled. He was still so mad that he couldn't see straight.
Irisa sat down across from her father and stared at him. Nolan was close to fucking up again. Irisa just knew it, and she couldn't let that happen. Nolan would find happiness with Datak, if he'd just stop over thinking the situation.
"Please, stop staring at me, honey. If you've got something to say, say it already."
"What happened at Datak's? You spent the night there, but now you're home drinking yourself unconscious. The Castithans approved Datak's petition. I know they did. I saw it in a vision."
Nolan looked up from his shot glass with anger burning in his eyes. "Yup, they did, but I think you left one very important part out of the tale. When you mentioned a shotgun a wedding, you should've warned me."
"Oh, sorry, but I didn't think you'd believe me. How was I supposed to tell you about that? It didn't make much sense, even to me, but the ceremony is necessary, Nolan. You always insist that I trust you, but you never trust me. Shouldn't it work both ways?"
Nolan swallowed another shot before answering. "I trust you, sweetheart, but in this situation, I really don't think that I can do it."
"Let it go, Nolan. You can do it because you have to, and I know that you love Datak. It's obvious to anyone with of set of eyes. I know he's not exactly an upstanding citizen of Defiance, but he loves you too, in his own way. It's only one evening out of your lives, and once the ritual is over, the Castithan Order will leave you and Datak alone."
"I'm not sure if Datak will forgive me because I kind of insulted him when I left. I think I told him that I needed to get away from him."
Irisa smiled. "He's waiting for you, Nolan, but if you don't go back soon, you're right, he won't forgive you. Now, put the bottle down and get out of here."
"What if I really can't do it, Irisa? What if I freeze?"
"You can do it, Nolan. Please, trust me just this once. All you have to do is close your eyes and pretend that Datak is the only person in the room."
Nolan looked at Irisa doubtfully, but he capped the bottle of liquor anyway. "Okay, I guess I'd better get back to Datak before he goes on another killing spree."
"I think Datak's just sad now. You might want to do something about that, Nolan," Irisa said with devious grin.
"Well, I'll see what I can do, but if he throws me out, I'm blaming you."
Irisa laughed. "Okay, I'll take the blame. Good luck, Nolan, you're going to need it."
"Thanks," Nolan replied, smiling at his daughter, as he left to make amends with a certain unpredictable, Castithan gangster.
Irisa smiled to herself after Nolan left. He and Datak were two of the most stubborn people she'd ever met in her life. Irisa thought they made the perfect match.
Datak was staring out the window when he saw Nolan's rover pull up out front. It was very late, and he'd almost given into despair, but something told him that if he waited long enough his obstinate lover would return. Datak smirked as the Lawkeeper staggered toward the door. Obviously, Nolan was half-drunk, but Datak didn't care, just as long as he came back.
Datak threw open the door and caught his wobbly paramour as he fell face first into his waiting arms.
"That was an elegant entrance," Datak purred as he righted Nolan.
"Ah, sorry, but I had a few shots after I left."
"I'd say more than a few. I hope you are not on duty because the Mayor would be very disappointed in you."
"No, I'm not on duty, Datak. I wouldn't be here if I was on duty."
Datak dragged Nolan bodily into the living room and dropped him on the sofa. Sitting next to him, Datak stripped Nolan of his coat and started unbuttoning his shirt.
"Did you miss me?" Nolan asked jokingly.
"Apparently, I did," Datak replied. "I am just glad you decided to come back, drunk or not."
Nolan leaned forward and nuzzled Datak's neck, nipping lightly at a succulent earlobe. "I missed you too," Nolan whispered in Datak's ear, "and I'm sorry. I was angry when I left. I didn't mean what I said."
"I know that you did not mean it and I want this to work, Nolan. Please, will you try to take part in the ritual mating?"
"I'll try any fucking thing you want," Nolan growled, pushing Datak down on the sofa, as he ripped the Castithan's shirt open. Buttons flew in all directions as Nolan leaned down and sucked one of Datak's pale nipples into his mouth.
"Nolan," Datak gasped as he rubbed his erection against his lover's answering hardness.
"God, Datak, I want you so much. I'm so hot for you that I think I could spontaneously combust."
Datak laughed. "Please do not. That might be painful for both of us."
Nolan sat up and grinned down at his lover. "All jokes aside, I need you naked… now."
"Your wish is my command," Datak drawled as he unhooked the chain around his waist and lowered his zipper.
Nolan watched, with hooded eyes, as Datak slid his pants past his hips, and pushed them off on the floor. Nolan followed suit, pulling the shirt over his head, and hastily getting rid of his jeans. Soon, both parties were deliciously naked and writhing on the sofa.
Nolan, caught off guard by his lover, suddenly found himself flipped on his back, with Datak between his legs, using his tongue to probe his sensitive hole.
The sensation electrified Nolan, setting his whole body on fire, as Datak continued to shove his tongue in and out of his ass.
Nolan's mind, clouded by whiskey, tried to compensate for the complete loss of control, but damn, the feelings that Datak was pulling from him were just too good. Nolan heard himself moan as Datak wedged a hand between his legs and squeezed his balls firmly. There wasn't anything to use for lubrication, and Datak didn't want to bother to go get anything, so he loosened Nolan up, as best he could, with nothing but his tongue.
Datak retreated, pulling his tongue out, to several loud protests from Nolan.
"Why the fuck did you stop?"
"I cannot wait, Nolan. I am going to fuck you."
Datak shoved two fingers inside Nolan's partially stretched hole with a bit of excessive force.
"Ah, fuck, Datak, ease up some," Nolan groaned.
"Sorry, I guess I am just too fucking eager."
Datak slowed his pace, stretching Nolan more gently, as he added a third finger. The slow burn gave way to intense pleasure as Datak grazed his prostate with the tips of his fingers. He licked Nolan's chest, and sucked on a pert nipple, as he shoved a fourth finger into the Lawkeeper's loosening hole.
"Fucking hell," Nolan cried. "That's good enough, Datak. Get on with it, will you? Just let me turn over first."
"Fuck no! I want to see your eyes when you come," Datak said as he held Nolan's thighs in the air and shoved his cock into his lover's ass.
"Oh… God… fuck!" Nolan shouted.
"Oh yes, you're tight, Nolan, so tight, hot, and beautiful!"
Datak began pulling almost all the way out, and then slamming back into Nolan's silky heat, as the Lawkeeper writhed beneath him. Datak released one of Nolan's thighs as he pulled his lover upright and kissed him thoroughly. Datak knew he wouldn't last very long as his balls started to tighten up. He grabbed Nolan's cock, stroking and twisting it, as he buried himself as deep as he could inside his Lawkeeper.
Nolan fell back and held on tightly to the arm of the sofa with both hands as the man above him struck his prostrate expertly. He was very close too. Datak groaned and grunted, with every thrust, and when he slid his fist up Nolan's shaft from root to tip, Nolan exploded in a haze of drunken bliss. Creamy, white spunk spewed into the air, across Datak's chest, and over his stomach as their eyes opened, locking for a moment. Datak groaned, thrusting hard one more time as he followed his lover into orgasm. Nolan felt his insides bathed with Datak's hot seed as the man collapsed on his chest.
Harsh breathing filled the room for a long time. Neither could move, as they lay spent in each other's arms. Nolan held Datak close, his lover half-unconscious on top of him, as they reveled in the afterglow of their lovemaking. Nolan's mind wandered, still a little fuzzy from too much alcohol, but clear enough to realize that he'd make love to Datak in front of the entire world if he had to. Nothing could keep him from his lover, not threats of death, or giant Hellion attacks, not even crazy Castithan rules would come between Datak and him ever again. Nolan refused to allow it because Datak Tarr was his now… and for the rest of eternity.
Nolan moaned, and clutched at his aching head, as the events of the previous evening jumbled together in a semi-coherent blur.
"Oh hell," Nolan groaned. "My head feels like it's going to explode," Nolan said, seeing his lover enter the room. "How long have you been up?"
"I got up a while ago, Nolan. I figured you might need this," Datak said as he handed the Lawkeeper a glass of something blue and fizzy.
"I don't know what hurts worse, my head, stomach, or ass," Nolan complained.
"That is what you get for downing a half a bottle of whisky in a short amount of time. I remember from experience how it feels, but this will help your stomach and head. Unfortunately, it will not do a thing for your ass," Datak replied with grin.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Indeed, I am. You deserve the pain for running out of here yesterday. I started to worry that you would not come back, Nolan. I may still be a bit annoyed with you."
Nolan drank the awful tasting blue stuff in one gulp, sitting the empty glass on the nightstand, as he looked up at his lover through glassy eyes.
"I said I was sorry, so will you sit next to me, please? It hurts my head to look up at you."
Datak smiled and sat down on the bed beside Nolan. He gently brushed his fingertips across Nolan's forehead, mentally kicking himself for showing so much sympathy to the hung-over Lawkeeper.
Nolan sighed gratefully as Datak continued to rub his pounding head.
"Why did you really leave yesterday? Datak asked. "I do not think it was because of the mating ritual, at least not all of it."
"You're right. That was only part of the reason. I guess, the truth is, I'm scared. We didn't talk about it very much. The Castithan Order didn't give us any time to make plans."
"We have time now, Nolan. What concerns you about the bonding?"
"What doesn't concern me, Datak? What are we going to do after the ceremony? Where will we live? What about Irisa, where is she going to live? I don't want to leave Irisa, above the Lawkeeper's office, all by herself. You also have to think of Alak. Is he going to stay with Rafe McCawley permanently? These are things we need to consider, Datak."
"I know, and while you were out getting drunk, I was taking these issues into consideration."
"Oh yeah," Nolan said, raising an eyebrow. "What did you come up with?"
"My house is large enough for all of us. I do not have a problem with your daughter moving in here. As for Alak, he is welcome to come home anytime he likes."
"Hmm, that's very reasonable of you," Nolan replied suspiciously."
"Please, I am not a reasonable man, as you well know, but it will look better, in the eyes of the Castithan Order, if we are living like an actual family."
Nolan laughed. "There's always an angle with you, love."
"Did you think I would change my ways? It is what it is, Nolan, so do you still want to go through with the bonding? You cannot alter your decision halfway through the ceremony. It would mean instant death for us all."
Nolan stared at his lover for a long moment, knowing that a leopard would never change its spots. He had to accept Datak, for the person he was, and take whatever mayhem followed the Castithan gangster with a grain of salt.
"I won't change my mind, Datak. In spite of everything, I love you."
Datak smiled and kissed Nolan on the cheek. "I understand that we have a few problems, and I do not think they will go away overnight, but I love you too, Nolan. I will try to behave, I promise."
Nolan laughed. "I can't picture that, but we'll see, I guess. You had just better hope that I don't throw up on you at the wedding because I'm still terrified out of my mind."
"You will be fine, Nolan. It is just pre-wedding jitters. I have confidence in your intestinal fortitude."
"Hmm, I'm glad you do because I certainly don't. Ah, can I drink heavily before the ceremony?"
"I think that you have had enough alcohol for a while, so that is a definite no."
"Fine, I'll stay sober, but only for you," Nolan acquiesced.
"Good, but I think we should rest up. Tomorrow is the big day and we will need our strength to get through the wedding."
"That's an excellent idea, but you have too many clothes on. Why don't you take them off and come back to bed?" Nolan asked with a wicked grin.
Uh, is this your idea of resting, Nolan?"
"Absolutely," Nolan replied as he pulled Datak down for a long, leisurely kiss.
The next morning, dark skies and rain clouds threatened to put a damper on the spectacle about to take place in the town square. Amanda knocked softly on the bedroom door, not waiting for an answer before entering. It still shocked her to see Kenya intertwined with the beautiful Castithan woman. It certainly was a strange turn of events, especially since not much surprised Amanda these days.
"Wake up," Amanda ordered. "We have a wedding to attend and we don't want to get there late, so move it."
"Just five more minutes," Kenya begged, rolling over and taking a quick glance at her annoying sibling.
"No, Kenya, we don't have time."
"She will be along in a minute," Stahma promised, sitting up and giving her sleepy lover a sharp poke in the shoulder.
"Ouch," Kenya complained loudly.
"Get up, dear. I am not going to miss my former husband's wedding. This is one event that I simply must see with my own eyes."
Amanda giggled from the doorway. "Me too, I wouldn't miss it for the world. You've got twenty minutes to meet me downstairs."
"We will be right there, Amanda," Stahma replied as she leaned down and kissed her lover gently on the head. "Come now, darling, get up or I will dump a bucket of cold water on you."
"All right, I'm up, but only because I want to see how nervous Nolan is, and I know you really would dump a bucket of water on me."
"Yes, I would, dear."
Kenya laughed and climbed over Stahma, making a run for the bathroom before her lover could get in there.
"Ha ha, beat you," Kenya teased.
"We could share, you know. The bathroom is large enough for both of us, miss selfish."
"Get in here, baby," Kenya replied as she crooked her finger at Stahma. "I'll show you the joys of sharing a shower."
"Oh, that does sound lovely, but we really need to hurry. Alak and Christie will arrive at any time now," Stahma said as she got up and followed Kenya into the bathroom.
"We'll be quick, I promise. I'm used to dressing on the fly. I can get dressed, curl my hair, and put on makeup, in less than ten minutes, but I'm so surprised that Alak agreed to attend the wedding. I thought he was still angry with his father. Isn't that why he and Christie moved in with Rafe McCawley?"
"Initially, Alak was furious, but he got over it. I explained to him that I left Datak because I was in love with you, so the divorce was actually a mutual decision."
"I feel bad for him," Kenya said, dragging Stahma into the hot shower.
"He will be just fine, "Stahma assured the dark-haired woman as she pulled her close for a languid kiss.
"Mm," Kenya moaned when Stahma slipped two fingers inside her, working her clitoris fast, and never breaking the kiss.
Kenya's fingers didn't stay idle either. She mirrored Stahma's actions, running her fingers back and forth inside her lover's wetness until Stahma shook uncontrollably. Water cascaded over the rocking couple, as their hunger reached a crescendo, and they cried out in unison, coming in sweet waves of ecstasy. They held each other tightly for a moment, until they could stand on their own, as the water washed away all evidence of their passion.
"Maybe we should just go back to bed," Kenya suggested hopefully.
"Oh no, we are going to this wedding. Now, please show me those quick dressing skills of yours."
"Okay, party pooper, but I guess I really do want to see if Nolan turns as pale as Datak," Kenya said laughing.
"I bet he does… probably even paler," Stahma replied, laughing along with her lover.
Datak and Nolan woke up to a loud banging on the front door. Someone outside the house, shouting angrily, wanted to get in, and by the sound of it, he was trying to break down the door. Nolan jumped out of bed, hastily throwing on a pair of pants, and grabbed his blaster from its holster. He ran down the stairs, followed closely by his lover, wielding a Castithan charge blade.
"Open up, you sorry son of Castithan whore!" Rafe McCawley shouted.
Nolan reached for the door handle, flipping the lock, as he flung it open, and pointed his blaster at Rafe.
"What the hell is going on, Rafe?" Nolan asked angrily as Rafe McCawley stepped inside and aimed a double-barreled shotgun at him.
"I'm going to kill that Casti bastard once and for all!" Rafe screamed in rage.
"Over my dead body, Rafe," Nolan yelled, taking a step closer to McCawley.
"Well, if you don't move aside, Nolan, then you'll leave me no choice," Rafe replied as he cocked the hammer back on his antique weapon.