Notes: More raciness ahead. Which actually seems kind of weird to me now, considering how squeaky-clean the rest of the story is. All I can figure is that I wrote this between posting chapters of my Mutant League trilogy so my mind was kind of in the gutter...
Chapter 16: Two Hearts, One Love
With my family here now, there was little reason to prolong the wedding date, so as soon as the preparations were complete, the ceremony was held the following morning. My family was given seats in the front row, right in front of the raised platform, which was strewn with rose petals. Wendy happily tossed more petals up and down the aisles, and by the time everyone sat down, the aroma in the air was heady and sweet.
My family had the front seat to one side, while the koopalings and Junior sat in the front seat on the other side. Junior had a special job; holding the pillow that carried our wedding tokens. Only as I made my way up to the platform, with Clarabelle helping my train along, I saw only the token I had made for Bowser.
It was a jeweled band, since he couldn't comfortably wear a ring. It would have to replace one of his black bands, but I didn't think he would mind. It was made from black gold and dotted with white gems, with smaller red gems in between them. I didn't see any token meant for me.
When I reached the platform, I had to hitch up my skirt a little with one hand while clutching my bouquet in the other to safely mount the steps. Clarabelle scurried to her seat, and I faced the koopa who was about to become my husband.
He looked beyond gorgeous. His glossy black clothes fit him perfectly, and his eyes and face shone with love as he took my hand. I thought I felt a slight tremor run through him as we stood before the old koopa, Kamek, who was performing the ceremony.
In place of the usual vows, we recited our own, which we had written separately. I didn't know what Bowser planned to say any more than he knew what I had written, but what puzzled me was that he insisted on altering the ceremony. The groom ordinarily said his 'I dos' first, followed by the bride, but Bowser had been firm that I go first.
I didn't know why he requested this change, but I cleared my throat and began. "All my life I felt out of place, like I had no real purpose. But I realize something now; all my seemingly pointless wanderings had a point after all. Though I didn't know it, the entire time I was actually searching for you."
I smiled then, and Bowser lowered his gaze from mine as he smiled in return. "I know I have a place now," I said softly. "It's right here with you. This is where I belong."
I discreetly looked out from the platform at the sea of faces watching us, smiles bright and eyes shining. A few were dabbing at their eyes with handkerchiefs. I smiled and looked up at Bowser again. He kept his gaze lowered as Junior ran up long enough for me lift the black band from the pillow, and he waited until I had fastened it to his wrist before he lifted his eyes. "I've been lonely for a long, long time," he began, placing his hand over mine. "I've been hurt, betrayed, I've made a lot of mistakes, I've been laughed at and called a failure..."
Out in the audience, I thought I heard some koopas blow their noses. My own eyes were starting to moisten.
"After all these years, I thought my loneliness would never end. I never thought I would truly feel happy again. Or loved."
He smiled softly and held my hand tighter. "Then I met you. Having you in my life has helped me rethink some things. Sort out my priorities, as they say. I haven't felt all that great with my life or where it was going lately, but..."
He paused to kiss my gloved hand. "Knowing that you love me has made everything a whole lot better. I used to think I could do anything. Now I know I can do anything, because I have someone like you at my side."
I swallowed and blinked back tears, while someone else - I'm pretty sure it was my mother - blew their nose. Bowser cleared his throat.
"Now, I know this is supposed to be the part where I give you a ring," he began, a touch slyly, "but you're marrying into a pretty special family, so we thought we'd do something that showed it."
As he spoke, I heard a patter of footsteps. I looked and saw the koopalings getting up from their seats. They trooped up the steps one by one, with Ludwig in front. Bowser displayed my hand, and Ludwig, looking a touch shy, slid a brightly-colored ring onto my finger.
It was a little oddly shaped, I thought, but I didn't get a close look at it before Morton took his place and slid another ring next to the first, the two locking together. Next came Roy with his own ring, followed by Wendy. Then Lemmy, Larry, and Iggy, until I had seven curved rings on my finger.
They were each extremely slender, so grouped together like that they were about the size of a regular ring. And together, their unusual curve formed a normal ring shape, their colors swirling like a spiral. Seven koopas, seven colors; a beautiful rainbow ring.
Then came Junior, and Bowser, still holding my hand, nudged me to bend over a little so Junior could reach me. He stretched up and placed one final treasure on my finger; a glistening white gemstone that settled neatly onto the intricate band. He then took a step back and stood with his siblings, who were lined up in front of us.
In unison they gave small bows amidst shouts of 'welcome to the family!' and 'we're glad you're our new mom!'
"I love you, Mama!" said Junior as he bounced up and down.
My eyes flooded and I all but burst into tears. I couldn't help it. Amidst my tears I heard the words 'you may now kiss the bride', and then Bowser was cupping my face and kissing me tenderly. I absently dropped my bouquet and wrapped my arms around him, and I didn't let go until I felt good and ready to. Around us, there was a thunderous sound of applause and cheers.
"Keep him happy!" I heard someone shout.
"Yeah! He's less rough on us when he's in a good mood!"
I let out a laugh and tightened my arms around my new husband's neck. "I love you, King B," I said near his ear.
He stroked my hair for a moment, and then we parted and started down the steps, the first steps we took as husband and wife.
"It really is a wonderful opportunity," said my mother later that day. "This kingdom has so many untapped resources, plus they could benefit from us in turn."
"I know," I said with a smile as we sat down to have cake. "Don't worry, I'll do all I can to keep our relations beneficial for all."
My mother looked relieved to hear it. "I hope so, dear. Your new husband has a habit of trying to take over the world."
"I'll make sure he behaves," I promised.
When the time came, I would be happy just being queen of Darkland. I wasn't interested in being queen of the whole world. Or the galaxy. Or the universe.
My husband had some very large goals.
But I was confident that now that he had me, he would be in a better mood and less likely to go stomping where he didn't belong. And if he ever did, I would do my best to keep him from getting too carried away. Not that I was interested in taming him, mind you. I could relate to being untamable.
When the wedding party finally ended, my family said their goodbyes, though I invited them to stay. "That's all right," said my mother as we hugged goodbye. "I know how newlyweds need to be alone."
I blushed, but I didn't argue. Across the room, my father was shaking Bowser's hand. "Take good care of my little girl, now," he said, sounding sad and wistful.
I blushed again. "Dad..."
"I will," said Bowser solemnly. "So long as I'm around she'll never come to harm."
I hugged my father, then my brothers, who looked reluctant to go. Morton and Roy looked sorry to see them leave, and Wendy practically bawled when Clarabelle left. She promised to visit again soon.
Out in the kingdom itself, the wedding celebration continued, but I was worn out from the day's events and didn't think I could muster so much as another wave. Bowser came up behind me and massaged my shoulders; I all but melted into his touch. "You should rest," he told me softly. "Go on to your room and lay down for a while. You look exhausted."
"But..."
But tonight was our wedding night. And now that we were married, wasn't my old room unnecessary?
"Don't you want me to, um, sleep in your room now?" I asked shyly.
He kissed the top of my head and let go of my shoulders; I almost wobbled on my feet. "There'll be time for that later. Go on, now; get some sleep."
I understood now. He was looking forward to our wedding night, too, but tired as I was, I probably wouldn't be up to it. It was still early evening; I could nap for a few hours, then freshen up. Plenty of time later for...other things.
I coaxed him to lean down so I could kiss his cheek, then went to my room and changed into one of my regular nightgowns and climbed into bed. I was asleep in moments, and when I woke up later I felt much better.
Heart thumping a little, I got up and washed up in the bathroom, then changed into one of my new robes. Not that it was really a whole robe, mind you. It was made entirely of transparent black lace, the sleeves loose and flowing and the bodice snug. The only closure was right at my breasts, leaving the rest hanging open, exposing my torso and lean legs. The bottom part was, well...nothing but a snug slip of red lace.
As I surveyed myself in the mirror, my cheeks were flushed, and my hair looked soft and full. No curls for me, thanks. Not after the fiasco that was the last time I tried them.
Maybe someday I would tell my new husband about what I tried to do that night, just for a laugh...when I could honestly laugh at the memory. Then my darling King B would take me in his arms and make it all better.
Feeling giddy, I giggled as I added just a touch of perfume to my hair. I didn't put any on the rest of me; my skin still smelled faintly of roses. Taking one last look at myself, I left my room and headed to my husband's room - the room that would now be my own.
He told me not to bother knocking, but I did anyway, just to be playful. When no one answered, I knocked again, louder. When I still got no response, I nudged the door open and peeked inside; my husband was no where to be seen.
I was a little disappointed, but then I had an idea. I would lounge on the luxurious velvet of the bed, sultry and seductive, as I waited for the one I loved to appear. The velvet whispered with sound as I tried out different positions, trying to decide which would be the most alluring for him to see when he walked in.
I tried lying on one side, head propped on my palm, then rolled over and lay on my stomach. With my hands folded beneath my head, I would smile coyly. But that would ruin the sight of my exposed legs, so I rolled back onto my side. I tried propping myself up on my arms, but that got uncomfortable after a while.
What was keeping him, anyway? I must have gone through dozens of positions while I lay there, waiting. I rested my head on my arm and let out a yawn. I would close my eyes for just a moment, and then...
A clunking sound suddenly made me bolt up in surprise, heart pounding. Bowser was standing by the door, a look of surprise on his face. My own face started to heat; all that worry over looking sultry, and I had fallen asleep. I started to pull my legs up, but something flashed in my new husband's eyes and made me pause.
I stayed where I was, leaning back on one elbow with my other arm draped across my middle. My legs curved in front of me, and my hair lay in front of my shoulder. Bowser stared at me in silence for a long moment, then slowly, deliberately turned, and locked both doors.
When he turned around again, he rubbed his hands together and grinned, a bit wickedly. "Is all that for me?" he asked slyly.
I laughed nervously. "I suppose so."
He let out a low growl and vaulted onto the bed. I gave a yelp of surprise, both from the speed of his movement and how high I bounced off the bed after he landed on it. I cautiously scooted away as he crawled over to me.
I knew he wouldn't intentionally hurt me, but it was the unintentional things that might happen that had me worried. I felt I should remind the king who had had so much fun making his eight kids that I was new to all this.
"Um...do you think, just this once, you could take off your shell?" I asked timidly.
Bowser stopped crawling and sat up with a look of surprise. "How come?" he wanted to know.
"Because..." I wet my lips. "Because you're awfully heavy with it, and I'm hoping you're a little lighter without it. Maybe."
He studied me for a long moment, and I fidgeted nervously with the lace edge of my robe. Then, chuckling softly, he cupped my chin in his hand and tilted my face up. "Don't be scared, my sweet little Rose," he purred. "I promise I'll be as gentle as I know how."
I took that as a polite no, but then he slid off the bed. "Just this once, now," he said, sounding embarrassed.
He wiggled out of his shell, which I was last acquainted with when Junior pitched it at me, and put it aside. I sat up straighter and hoped I wasn't staring. Too much.
He was a bit more slender under his shell, which I suppose was what he was embarrassed about, but his body was still toned and defined. His torso rippled with muscle as he...
I let out a squawk and nearly fell backward off the bed. Bowser, drawers in hand, looked at me curiously. "What?"
I was torn between staring harder and hiding my face, but I wasn't sure if he would be insulted if I did either, so I tried to casually look down at the bedding. "Your, um, physique is impressive," I managed to say.
"You think so?"
Out of the corner of my eye I saw him flex a muscle. I smiled in spite of myself. "Don't be embarrassed. I think you're gorgeous from head to toe, with or without the shell. But thank you for humoring me."
"Hey, anything for my sweet princess," he said, hopping back onto the bed.
I let out a small gasp as he crawled over me, putting a hand to my shoulder and pressing me to the mattress as he dipped his head to kiss me. His mouth was hot and moist, his breath smoky. A shiver ran through me as his tongue slipped past my lips. He moaned, the vibration of it reverberating through me; I felt lightheaded and gripped his arms for support.
His mouth continued to move over mine, forceful yet not demanding. He was excited, but he was patient, and as his lips caressed mine his hands drifted up and down my bare torso, teasing and tickling my bare skin. I shivered again and shifted one leg as I squirmed; that same heat I felt that other night was pooling inside me again.
As I moved my leg, it brushed against his. Bowser let out another low moan, deeper this time, and then it was his turn to shiver in delight. I shifted my leg again, drawing out another moan from him - and then it hit me that my foot was rubbing between his legs.
My face burned with embarrassment, even though this was the sort of thing we were supposed to be doing. I didn't want to do anything so forward without permission, though. But Bowser didn't seem to mind; he moaned again, his hands sliding down to grip my waist.
Suddenly, he flipped me over. I found myself on my hands and knees, and his clawed fingers ran up my torso to caress my breasts through the lace. I let out a shuddery gasp of pleasure, but at the same time I was a little scared.
"W-what are you doing?" I faltered as he rubbed his cheek against mine.
I felt so horribly small and fragile underneath him like this. His weight above me, though he only rested a little of it on me, felt crushing. His hands on my breasts stilled.
"Sorry," he murmured, pulling away. "I got carried away and started acting on instinct. This way is normal for koopas."
I flushed as I sat up. Well. I flushed more. "Oh," I said, not knowing what else to say.
Smiling softly, Bowser reached over and caressed my face tenderly. "So...I'm really your first time, huh?"
I flushed harder, but I nodded. "Uh huh."
His smile grew even softer as he gently gripped me by the waist and lay back against the pillows, bringing me with him. "It's all right," he said, casually unbuttoning my robe and pushing it back from my shoulders. "We've got all night. I'll show you everything. Oh, and you get to be on top."