A Wonderland Wedding

Chapter Six: Parties, Presents, and Passions

Michael and Arianna gawped in delight and wonder at the huge feast that Thackery and his cooks had prepared. There were six tables set up in the main Dining Hall, and every one of them was piled high with every sort of delicacy imaginable. There were meats both hot and cold, pies of every flavor from apple to zimbleberry (a striped blue and red berry that was extremely tart and sweet at the same time) stews, soups, puddings, cakes, fish and fowl. There were also drinks of every type and flavor, and dominating it all was a large crystal bowl filled with Victoria's Wedding Cordial.

There was a seventh table in the far corner of the room piled high with presents of every shape and size.

Mirana grinned at Thackery. "Good hare, you and your staff have outdone yourselves. Bravo." Everyone applauded, and Thackery grinned, hiding behind his ladle.

"It was my 'onor, Mirana. Now, let's do full justice to this meal!"

Mirana laughed. "Patience. First we must have the Wedding Toasts. Michael, Arianna, since this was your wedding you get to toast first."

They came forward, and Mirana handed them two delicate crystal goblets. They dipped the goblets into the Cordial, and then Michael raised his glass towards his wife.

"Here's to Arianna, my best friend, the love of my life, and now my one and only wife."

Arianna smiled at him, and then raised her own glass. "Here's to Michael, my best friend, my husband, and the love of my life."

They drained their goblets at the same time, and then grinned. Michael looked over at Victoria, who had been watching in nervous anticipation, and gave her a wide grin. Victoria let out a long sigh of relief. Her Cordial was a success.

Michael and Arianna dipped into the Cordial once more, and then spoke in unison.

"Here's to all that are here, both family and friends,

And here's to a Bond that we hope never ends!"

Loud cheers and applause followed the toast. Michael grinned. "And now-On with the Wedding Feast!"

He sat next to Arianna, giving her a goofy grin, and she chuckled. "You are being quite silly, Michael Stayne."

He leaned in and spoke in a voice that made her shiver. "Am I, Arianna Stayne?"

"Yes. Our wedding night will be soon. Right now, I want to enjoy the wonderful feast!"

Michael gave his wife a mock pout. "Very well. What do you want to try first?"

Alannah watched as Michael and Arianna conversed, their heads together, and smiled softly. "They both look so happy."

Stayne nodded. "They do. Michael has the same look on his face that I had at our wedding feast."

Alannah giggled. "I remember. You kept looking over at the clock. When the feast finally ended you practically dragged me to the honeymoon rooms."

Stayne grinned. "I made sure to thank everyone for the Feast. I was just eager for us to be together as man and wife and not just as lovers." He chuckled quietly. "Course, we couldn't do too much since you were eight months pregnant."

Alannah faced him. "Ilosovic, that night is one I will never forget. You just held me, stroking my hair, kissing me and whispering that you loved me over and over. Falling asleep in my new husband's arms was the most wonderful feeling I've ever had. It's still the most wonderful feeling."

Alice, who had overheard the last bit, looked over at Alannah. "What is?"

"Falling asleep in Ilosovic's arms."

Alice smiled. "I know exactly what you mean. Every time Tarrant pulls me close to him in his sleep, I'm reminded of just why I fell in love with him." She giggled. "Do you remember our Wedding Feast?"

Alannah laughed, nodding. "I don't think I'll ever forget."

Helen spoke up, curious. "Why, what happened?"

Stayne chuckled. "Well, the feast itself was pretty memorable, but it's what happened after that I'll never forget. It's an Underland custom that the husband gives a parting speech to the guests before him and his new wife leave for the night. Tarrant stood up, said 'Thank you all for coming goodbye!' threw Alice over his shoulder and ran out of the room."

Helen laughed. "That sounds eerily similar to how Charles behaved at our Reception. He kept giving me moon eyes the entire time, and when it was over we grabbed each others' hands and ran as fast as we could towards our carriage." She looked over at Richard. "You don't mind hearing this, do you?"

Richard smiled and gently kissed her knuckles. "Not one bit, my dear. I was the same way with my Sylvia. We were both quite eager for the feast and speeches to end."

Mirana laughed. "Some things are the same no matter where one lives."

"Or when," replied Lydia. "My mum and dad were pretty eager to start their honeymoon too. They went to Brighton on the train. Mum told me later that she and Dad had their wedding night in their compartment. Luckily, it was a private one."

Tarrant giggled. "Yes, lucky."

Michael spoke up. "Enough about wedding nights. When do Ari and I get to open our presents?"

Everyone laughed, and Bierce spoke up. "Now you're talking, lad! I agree, when do they get to open their presents?"

Alannah laughed. "Right now, if they so wish." Michael and Arianna nodded, and Alannah walked over to the table, pulling a present off. "This one's from Mirana."

Michael and Arianna tore it open, gasping in delight. Mirana had given them the deed to a small cottage. Michael turned to her. "Majesty, thank you."

Mirana smiled. "You're most welcome. It's not too far from your parents' cottages."

Alannah grinned, and then pulled out a second present. "Michael, this one's from your father. Seems a bit flimsy."

Ilosovic gave her a mock glare. "I put a lot of effort into it, I'll have you know."

Michael opened it, and gawped in shock. "Dad…this is…"

Stayne nodded. "It is."

Arianna blinked in confusion. "What is it?"

Michael handed her the paper. "My commission. I'm a Second Lieutenant."

Arianna whooped in joy. "That's wonderful!" She beamed at her father in law. "Ilosovic, thank you so much!"

Stayne smiled at her. "Well, he's earned it. Besides, this means that he'll be able to better provide for you."

Tarrant grinned. "Could you open my present next? It's that large one with the green paper."

Arianna chuckled. "Of course, Dad." She tore it open, giggling. "A tea set. How very appropriate."

Tarrant laughed. "Isn't it, though? I had the finest silversmiths and crafters in Underland work on that, I'll have you know."

Arianna leaned over and kissed him. "And it's absolutely beautiful. Thank you."

Alannah grinned. "This one's from Lydia."

Arianna opened the small present, gasping. "Oh, what a beautiful necklace!" The necklace was a heart shaped ruby pendant on a thin gold chain. A small hat made of emeralds sat on top of the heart. "And very fitting, as well."

Lydia smiled. "It's actually a locket. I found it in a jewelry store. The hinge is on the left side."

Arianna opened the locket and smiled over at Michael. "I'll have to put our portraits in it."

Katarina grinned. "I'd be happy to draw them for you."

Michael smiled. "Thanks. Mum, where's your present?"

Alannah smirked. "Well, one of them is in the honeymoon room. But here's the other." She handed Michael a package, and he tore it open.

"A book?"

Alannah shook her head. "No, a journal. You've got the potential to be a great writer, Michael."

Michael grinned. "Thanks. So what's the other present?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Now, we've got many more presents to get through."

When all the presents had been opened and all the guests had left for their homes or their rooms in the palace, Michael and Arianna were escorted to a room at the far end of the palace.

Michael shut the door, and then pulled Arianna into a deep, passionate kiss. "At last, we're alone."

Arianna shivered in delicious anticipation. "I love you, Michael." Michael grinned at her, then swept her off her feet and carried her over to the large bed. Arianna giggled. "Aren't you the romantic one?"

Michael laid her gently on the bed, climbing next to her, and they kissed for several long moments. "My beautiful wife."

"My handsome husband." Arianna spotted a small vial on the bedside table and picked it up, grinning. "This must be the present from Alannah." She uncorked the vial. "It smells like roses."

Michael grinned wickedly. "Only potion I know of Mum's that smells like that is her Passion Potion."

Arianna giggled. "There's a note attached. It says 'Drink Me.'" She took a sip of the potion, and then gave Michael a wicked grin and yanked him down into a passionate kiss. "I think it's working."

Michael grinned. "I would agree." He wrapped his arms around her, stroking her spine, and then began to carefully loosen the ties on her dress, stroking her exposed flesh. He kissed her lips, then her jaw, then made his way down to the valley in between her breasts, all the while tugging and pulling down her dress until she was left in nothing but her shift. "Gods Arianna, you are beautiful." He placed his hand on her right breast, and she moaned happily and leaned up into his touch. Michael grew bolder, stroking her through her shift, and she whimpered his name, reaching up to unbutton his shirt, running her hands over his smooth and muscular chest. He shrugged out of his shirt, tossing it aside, and Arianna gulped, shivering.

"Michael, you…you are so very handsome. I want to be yours, my love-completely."

Michael kissed her, and they slowly undressed each other, their hands and mouths stroking, kissing and exploring. Michael kissed her breasts, and Arianna moaned in joy and whispered his name, then gasped as she felt him stroking her center, his fingers soft and gentle. Arianna whimpered as she felt herself grow wet. "Michael…please…"

Michael parted her legs, then began to slowly slide into her. Arianna gripped his shoulders, tears forming in her eyes at the sharp pain she felt. He was quite large, and as he entered her maidenhead she whimpered in pain. Michael kissed her, whispering. "It's alright, love. The pain will be over soon. I love you, my gorgeous wife, my Arianna."

Arianna whimpered, and then began to move in time to Michael's slow, steady thrusts, and the pain she had been feeling quickly receded to be replaced by sheer pleasure. She shut her eyes in ecstasy as stars exploded in her vision, and she felt as though she was flying. Nothing she had ever experienced in her life was as wonderful as this. She was sure she had died and gone to Heaven, and she was vaguely aware that she was saying Michael's name over and over. She felt her body trembling, and cried out his name in joy as she felt her climax race through her, leaving her breathless and trembling like a leaf. Michael followed moments later with his own climax, shouting her name to the heavens.

Michael moved so he was lying beside her, and then pulled her into his arms, kissing her softly on the lips. "You were magnificent, my darling."

"So were you."

Arianna snuggled up to him, and they fell asleep wrapped in each others' arms.