A/N: Konnichiwa!

Thanks for all the faves and follows! And while I do love those, feedback is much appreciated! I look forward to knowing your opinion of my work. :)

A special thanks to Saint Sita and Kathryn Winterwood for being my first reviewers.

Just to clear up one thing, the story is set in ancient Persia but the customs that may be mentioned in this fic are a mix of Arabian and Indian, mostly Indian (yes, Kathryn Winterwood, I am going to be adding quite a few :D) since I'm familiar with them and I didn't want to have to depend on Wikipedia. It's quite surprising, but many things are similar in all of these cultures, so it works. :)

Disclaimer: Bleach = Not mine.

Enjoy!


Chapter – 3

.

.

The throne room, which was the venue for the event shone in the light from the candles and lanterns that provided light since the sun had set a while ago. He sat in his place and watched, captivated, as she made her way across the wide, marble floor, flanked on either side by two bridesmaids. It was remarkable that even though he had attended so many fancy weddings, he had never set eyes upon a bride as beautiful as her. As was the custom, she was clad in red, her dress embroidered with gold and set with precious stone and glittering sequins.

Her blouse was artfully crafted with an elegant neckline that exposed her cleavage slightly as it showed off her bountiful curves. It had sleeves of soft translucent chiffon that were lighter in color and it ended below her stomach, emphasizing her thin waist. Her long skirt, which was the same vibrant shade as her blouse had the same beautiful embroidery and stone work. It flowed sinuously from her hips and along her legs until it flared out at her knees. Bangles of gold clanked at her slim wrists, complementing the dark maroon hue of her mehendi and the faint jingling as she walked told of the anklets she wore. There were many precious necklaces about her throat but her face was hidden by a heavy veil.

She came to a stop before the priest and him, for besides her bridesmaids, they were the only ones present. It seemed that Aizen wasn't interested since there was still the aftermath of the attack to deal with, which meant that all the Sereiteian soldiers and officials were tied up. Of course, no one from her side really wanted to witness their only Princess being snatched away.

The Prince and the Princess sat side by side as the royal priest of Karakura chanted the prayers and vows. The two bridesmaids, Rangiku and Tatsuki were behind them and the two tried hard to be strong for their beloved friend who was a sister to them. Like the engagement, the wedding ceremony was short. The only time the two spoke was to say 'Yes.' in acceptance of the vows and of each other as husband and wife. They rose once the ritual was complete. It was then that Orihime had the chance to peruse his exceedingly handsome appearance and she could not help but stare, even as a blush rose to her cheeks.

He wore gold-embroidered robes of midnight black that cut off at the knee followed by loose black pants and traditional shoes of gold that turned up at the tips. The dark cloth that bound his impressive physique brought out the tanned, sun-bronzed hue of his skin and the deep coffee-brown of his eyes. A heavy red scarf was almost carelessly draped about his broad shoulders and it matched the red turban that sat upon his head, hiding his bright hair from view.

He blinked and she was brought back to her senses. His hands rose to her veil to uncover her face. He held the edges of the cloth and she felt like an eternity would pass as his fingers slowly lifted up the cloth, inch by inch. First, his eyes met full, cherry red lips followed by a cute nose and pink cheeks. And then clear, gray eyes collided with his own chocolate brown.

He had never seen this before. Oh he'd seen her, but yesterday, she'd been angry. She'd been upset. And she'd looked at him with eyes full of distrust, the same eyes that now only expressed open curiosity. There was a spark, a sudden jolt and an unseen force that held them both, making them unable to look away.

And so they stared . . . until someone loudly cleared their throat and the two newly-weds turned away their burning faces.

'Come.' The Prince said to her as he reached out and gently took her hand in his before leading the way out of the throne room.

.

.


.

.

They sat in the room that adjoined the one that was to be their bedroom. The floor was lined with plush carpets and soft cushions and comfortable backrests went along the walls. A small glass table laden with food and drink was placed a few feet away from where they were.

'You're quiet.' He said.

'What would Your Highness like me to say?' She wasn't being sarcastic. She was actually playing it safe. Since her life was now in the hands of this man, a person she hardly knew, she didn't want to start off on the wrong foot.

'Don't.' he said softly. 'Don't call me that. It's disrespectful to you, Princess.'

She blinked. She had not taken into account this sort of reaction from him.

'Then how shall I address you?'

'By my name. And you do not need to ask my permission to speak. Don't hesitate to speak your mind.'

'Yes . . . Ichigo.'

It felt strange. Saying his name made him seem more human, more approachable and less of an enemy. She had never thought that such a simple gesture could change things.

'Then, you can call me Orihime.'

'Thank you. Follow me, there is more to be done.'

.

.


.

.

They stood in the bedroom. Traditionally, it should have been decorated, but seeing as this was a wedding none wanted to celebrate, the room was as plain as on any other day.

She watched in wide-eyes confusion as he pulled the cover off the bed and tossed it to the floor. Then he pulled out a knife from his pocket and slashed it across his left palm.

'What are you doing?!' she questioned, horrified, as he clenched his fist and let the blood drip onto the bed.

'It is expected that we would consummate this marriage tonight.' He said and her face burned at his words.

'This stands as evidence.' He continued, 'No one can examine you to find out for sure since you are the Princess and I will not permit it. However, without any proof, rumors are sure to spread and it will not take much for Aizen to grow suspicious.'

She took in quick breaths. His argument made sense but at the moment she was more concerned about something else. She tore a scrap of cloth from a corner of the bed sheet and looked at him.

'Your hand.'

He blinked.

'Hand? It doesn't matter. I get cuts like these every day.'

This was news to her. He was crushing all her first impressions of the horrible man she had expected him to be. And now there was this new revelation – he wasn't a pampered Prince. She felt guilty for being so quick to judge.

'Please. You are hurt because of me. Let me help.'

He didn't object after that and she carefully bound the wound. She would take care of it tomorrow. She was no fighter like him but she was extremely skilled at healing.

'There is one more thing.' He said and she was yanked out of her reverie.

She looked at him questioningly but he wouldn't meet her gaze. And even in the limited light from the candles and lanterns, his face seemed red.

'I, er, have to mark you.'

She didn't understand. What was it that made him so nervous? This whole consummation business was definitely more trouble than it was worth. She knew, of course, of what went on between a man and a woman. Tatsuki had made sure to tell her of that. But no one said anything about any marking. What was he going to do? Give her some sort of trinket or something with perhaps his family colors or crest? Well, whatever it was, she had better get it over with.

'Alright.'

He took a slow step towards her and his hands came up to rest on her shoulders. He bent his head and her eyes widened. His warm breath brushed over the pale skin of her graceful neck and she gasped as she felt his soft lips, her face erupting in flames. Her head was spinning. She had never felt anything like this. His hot mouth found her pulse point and his tongue swirled around the spot, making her lightheaded. He sucked and his teeth tugged at the sensitive skin and she couldn't hold back a moan.

The next moment, her palms met the solid wall of his chest and she pushed. Hard.

He looked at her in surprise as she took in great heavy breaths with a thoroughly flabbergasted expression and crimson cheeks.

'That!' she exclaimed as her hand rubbed at her neck, 'what was that?!'

It was his turn to have his face become red.

'What do you mean? I told you!'

'All you said was something about marking! I don't know anything about whatever you did!'

No. No, this could not be. Was she really that innocent? Her bewildered face told him that yes, yes she was.

'You, er, do know what 'consummation' is, don't you?'

'Of course I do! But there was no mention of anything like this!'

The tension in the room was stifling and the two red-heads grew more embarrassed by the second. He took her shoulders again and ignoring her sudden frozen state, slowly turned her to a mirror.

'You see this?' he asked from behind her and she noted, with surprise the red, rose petal shape that had appeared on her skin.

'Oh.' She squeaked, mortified. 'And th-that is proof that w-we, er – '

'Yes.' He said quickly, trying to spare her.

There was an awkward silence. He cleared his throat.

'Now that we are done with that, why don't you tell me about yourself?'

She blinked.

'Alright.'

.

.


A/N: Tada! There it is. Hope you guys liked it. Lemme know your thoughts and Please Review!