Rowans Choice

Chapter Thirty Five- Final formalities

The Great hall was back to the loud and cheerful atmosphere we had left it in when Rowan and I returned.

Four hours was nothing when it came to a celebratory Fae feast, it went on for half a day or a whole night depending when you hosted it. The wine flowed from waterfalls and the food came out in a succession of small dishes that were most luxurious, especially to the Fae who were not royalty.

Rowan and I enter and a fresh wave of cheers go up, our cheeks both pinked slightly and dewy, evidence of exactly what we had been doing. They went a further cherry red with embarrassment, realising that our absence had not only been noted, but they knew exactly what we had been doing.

Elm had made up an excuse for the energy outage and had candles lit on mass by fire fairies. An entertainment show was put on for the kingdoms by our royal theatre group, to keep them occupied. It was clear though as we looked to Elm who walked toward us with Bell and Sycamore, that he was a little pissed to have to take over once again, and so soon.

"Rowan I expect this of you" he says shaking his head "I just wish sometimes you would surprise me and do what is expected of you and not what Rowan wants to do... you aren't the defiant child anymore, you are the Queen... and a Queen who disappears for a dalliance isn't going to sit well on day one"

Rowan looks around at the Fae all enjoying their afternoon of celebration, and back to Elm with her usual look of confidence "it looks like a couple thousand Fae are sitting quite well with my day one to me... not one frown amongst them"

"Fine... well I'm going to go dance with my wife now... I'm officially leaving the responsibility of this kingdom in your incapable hands" he says with a hint of a challenge. He struts off and throws back a goblet of wine.

Rowan looks to me most amused "looks like we need to get back to our thrones and look pretty for the people"

"Please do" Sycamore adds, as he also turns and heads back to his table with a walk of an annoyed little penguin.

Bell looks merry though as she steps forward and reaches out to check us over, her little hands pawing at us and checking all flesh on display with intrigue.

"What are you doing" Rowan asks with a confused look on her face that matched mine.

Bell has her tongue caught under her teeth in deep concentration "I'm trying to figure out how you are both... okay" she replies.

"We used the Suppressant like you explained" Rowan offered as she took Bells hands and pushed them away from herself.

Bell places a finger to her lips as she looks between us "you merged though right" she asks.

We both nod "holy heck did we" Rowan answers "and I don't want to be an alarmist dear Bluebell, but will we almost destroy our entire branch every time we make love? Because if so... I think we need a reinforced cottage out in the forest and away from all civilisation"

"Agreed" I add "Rowans chambers are destroyed... and despite how fun it was.... I don't want to have to do a rebuild each night of our married life"

"See" Bell muses "you shouldn't even be able to walk... let alone come back and attend this feast... you should have merged and then become unconscious for a period of time together... a first merging ... it isn't usually hours of fun... followed by a party. Its usually so intense it knocks you both out. I'm lost... I cant understand this"

"Fated I guess" I whisper. I lean into Rowans arm and lift her hand to kiss.

"I guess so" Bell muses once again. "Come on then" she says smiling once again "let's feast"