"Is this another inuyoukai tradition?" she asked, trying not to move.
"No." Locks of dark hair were pulled back, some twisted, others braided, though most were left hanging over one shoulder, revealing the slope of her neck.
"Just you?"
"Just me."
Kagome struggled not to lean into the touch, his usual scent mixed with the rosebuds playing havoc on her senses. "You know," she said, meeting his gaze in the mirror, "human tradition dictates the bride is supposed to remain hidden until the ceremony."
He snorted. "I would like to meet the individual capable of keeping me from your side." Each rosebud was woven into her hair, lush petals brushing the curve of her ear.
Lingering.
Loving.
"Can I do yours to match?" she asked once he was finished. "Or are princes not allowed to have flowers in their hair?"
"Mother would see that anyone who said otherwise lose their tongue." He helped her off the stool, then sat down, placing a kiss on her palm as she stood in front of him.
His hair was like spun silk, and Kagome had never been able to get enough of it, running her hands through the silver strands whenever possible. But styling it took concentration, especially since he let out a heated rumble each time her fingers grazed his scalp.
"You are doing that on purpose," he accused, the stripes on his cheeks darkening with each pass.
"Am not! You just have a lot of hair! It's hard to keep track of it," she argued, which was the truth.
Most of it, anyway.
"Such a temptress I have for a mate."
She tugged on the final braid, forcing him to tilt his head up, tucking in the last bud before kissing the mark on his forehead. "Would you have me any other way?"
His arm snaked around her waist, anchoring their bodies together. "I would have you every way possible," he growled. "But mostly, I would have you forever."
She draped her arms over his shoulders, unable to tell where one ended, and the other began with all the violet silk. "I guess we better let everyone else know that, then."
Sesshoumaru sighed and got to his feet, but not before stealing a kiss, her lips tingling with the promise of later as he led her out of his—their—quarters and towards the banquet hall.
The queen's voice held her audience captive, spinning tales of her son's triumph over those who would bring their kingdom harm, a roar of cheers drowning her out when she announced he had not only returned but brought a mate with him.
She should've been nervous, but it didn't matter how many approved their union—they would fight any adversity together, never doubting for a moment whom they belonged to.
They had earned their happy ending.
A/N: And so ends another daily drabble!
This actually marks the 500th day of writing daily, so I'm going to take a break from it for a bit. My other stories will still get updated regularly, and there are a few events coming up that I'm super excited for. Thank you to everyone who comments and bookmarks and leaves kudos! I'm so glad you find me entertaining enough to tune-in daily.