Rifiuto: Non Miriena

A/N: So this scene is... smut? Precedes the actual smut? I'm not sure. Written: 2015, Found: 2018- Licia

"Wait, so... what are the four dolls for again?" Cerise asked. Mira turned to them.

"They symbolize the four aspects of the Goddess- Love, Loyalty, Honor and Unity. The bride and groom cast them into the bonfire to symbolize that those are the aspects they will carry with them in regards to each other throughout their marriage."

"Is this where they-" Nicola blushed, not letting the words leave her lips. Mira chuckled; the guests had left the small area where the ceremony took place, and now gathered near the reception area. Not far from the reception area was a small tent, where Raven and Mika would partake in the 'spilling blood' ritual. A bonfire roared, crackled and popped not far away, and everyone watched as Raven and Mika stood before the bonfire, each holding a corn husk doll.

"That will happen after the dolls are thrown into the fire." Mira replied, turning back, watching as her best friend, slowly lowered the doll from where it had covered her face, and grinned at Mika. He chuckled, leaning down and capturing her lips in a soft kiss.

And then he took her hand, squeezing gently before watching her toss it into the fire. "Loyalty."

Mika then did the same with his, with a whispered, "Honor." Raven then turned, picking up the other two; she held one out to Mika, who took it with a kiss. He tossed it into the fire, a soft, "Unity" escaping his throat. Raven then turned to him, holding out the other doll. He took one of its arms, while she held the other one, and then they tossed it into the flames, with Raven's softly whispered,

"Love."

Mira turned back to the others. "After they cast the dolls into the fire, they're then expected to partake in spilling blood."

"How? Is it dangerous? Does it hurt?"

Mira smiled ruefully at Nicola's innocence. "It's when the bride's virginity is taken." The girls all blushed or blanched and Hunter looked embarrassed. Being from Ever After, such intimate matters were not discussed, or even mentioned, especially not after marriage. Most couples in Ever After never shared a marriage bed again, after they'd had children.

"And it's during the reception?" Ashlynn asked, the firelight making her pale skin even paler. Mira shook her head.

"Right before the reception begins." She nodded towards the pair, and the others turned, watching as Mika kissed her, taking her hands in his. "There's a purpose behind it. It's done before the reception truly begins because the spilling of the blood are offerings to the Goddess, and the offerings are given immediately after the ceremony, so that the couple will be blessed with a long and happy marriage and hopefully many, many children- it's a way for them to ensure that they understand the gift the Goddess has given them in allowing them to marry, and that they will not take it for granted. Marberly was a touch cannibalistic in her ancient times. Once that's done, then they will join the reception. Were this Palmarneae, Raven and Mikalos would perform the act before the ceremony took place. Everything has a purpose in a wedding like this, from the dress Raven wears to the rituals performed."

They watched as he kissed her softly, before taking her hand in his. With one last kiss, they parted, and quietly snuck past the guests, headed for the small tent not far away.

Once the flaps fell shut behind them, Mika and Raven turned to each other. Their gazes locked briefly, before he leaned down, capturing her lips in a deep kiss. She slid her hands up his chest before they snaked around his shoulders to caress his neck. His arms went around her waist, pulling her too him; she balanced on the balls of her feet, giggling softly as he pulled her closer. Eventually, they broke the kiss, and she met his gaze. "We officially belong to each other now."

He chuckled, knowing that while it didn't quite work like that- they were married, they weren't objects for the other to possess- the sentiment behind her statement was there, and after a moment, he nodded. "We do." And then without another word, he scooped her up, holding her against his shoulder as he carried her towards the bed, despite her squeal of surprise.

Despite the smallness of the tent, the bed was just big enough for them both, and was scented lightly in sandalwood and vanilla, to encourage intercourse. Though neither needed encouragement. He kissed her, drinking her in deeply as he slid his hands down her sides, tugging gently at her dress until it was up around her hips.a As he'd done that afternoon in her bedroom, he gently walked his fingers down her thigh and then up the inside, ducking a couple fingers between her undergarments. Gently, he tugged them down to her ankles and then slipped his fingers between her folds, after having gently rolled the small bundle of nerves between his fingers.

"Mhmm... Mika..."

He smiled softly, kissing her slow and deep before pulling away and moving to settle himself between her legs. Gently, he removed his fingers; he could smell her arousal, taste the wetness on his tongue before he even began.

The young prince didn't pretend to know about sex, not like some young men tried to. He fully admitted that he had no idea in regards to intercourse if what he would do would please her, or if she'd even want to continue having intercourse after the initial act. While he wasn't as skittish as Raven, he was wary, afraid of hurting her or traumatizing her. And Raven had assured him that, while she was worried, she knew that nothing could go wrong, because it was them, and they knew each other.

They trusted each other.

And in reality, if he thought about it, that was really what intercourse was about- trusting your partner enough to allow them physical entrance into your body, the most sacred of temples.

"... Mika..."

Her soft, breathy moan reached his ears and he slowly pulled away, the juice from her arousal strong on his tongue. He quickly wiped his mouth, and she reached up, caressing his cheek. Slowly pushing herself onto her elbows, she pulled him closer. "You've tasted me, now undress me and make me a woman."