Rygar carriesme across the street, past a brightly lit sign forBig Daddy Tats,to the entrance of theKnights of Camelothotel.A beaming serving wench with even more cleavage than me smiles brightly when I wave the neon coupons at her.
“Just got married?”
I can’t stop smiling.I just can’t.My cheeks are aching and my face feels like it’s going to freeze in place, but happiness is bubbling up and plastering itself on my face.“Yes.”I hand her the coupons.
“You can put me down now.”I need to dig out my money and being cradled like a baby is fun, but not practical if one wants to move.
“No.I cannot.”
Okay.That was a weird thing to say.
“The Astral Euphoria is affecting me as well, much more than I previously realized.I will feed you, because BILL has analyzed your biometric data, and your body is not functioning at optimal levels.”
“BILL sent you what?”
B.I.L.L.:The commander’s suit scanned your system.Your blood glucose level is abnormally low and your body is entering a state of ketosis.You are also processing the poison consumed prior to our meeting.To remain functional, you need both food and water immediately.
Wow.“That still doesn’t explain why you can’t put me down.”
“I cannot bear to lose contact with you.Our bond is not yet complete, and my mating instincts are very demanding.”
The possessive way he clutches me against his chest makes me sigh.I feel his protection and his adoration.The feelings are mutual because I’m just as obsessed with my new husband.
The serving wench, her nametag indicates her name is Pamela, is grinning like we’re the funniest thing she’s ever seen.Maybe we are.I must admit, me in this wedding gown and him in a sci-fi convention spacesuit?We do look rather odd.
Then again, this is Reno, and we were just married by Sasquatch, so I’m beginning to think odd is par for the course around here.
Pamela leads us inside to a table next to a dirt floor arena.The sign outside said the place has nightly sword fights, spear throwing competitions, and jousting, with real horses and everything.Cool.This is going to be fun, albeit a different type of wedding feast than the plated dinner I planned.
I’ll take my new hubby and fake knights battling one another over the plated affair with a man who never really loved me any day of the week.
Rygar settles me into a seat, then takes the one beside me, and we make dinner selections from the available menu, our legs tangled under the table.The private connection makes me warm and tingly.Apparently, he was serious.He literally needs to be touching me right now.Adorable or stalkerish?I’m not sure yet.
“What did you mean our bond is not complete?We just got married.”
“I have yet to claim your body, mate.Once we complete the ritual of my people, we will both feel much more in control.”The look he gives me makes me tremble.His gaze lingers on every part of me, from my eyes to lips, cleavage and back up again like he wants to shove me onto the table and ravish me in front of everyone.
Control is over-rated.I want the heat I see in his eyes unleashed.On me.
I shift in my seat at the need pulsing through me.The only thing that stops me from climbing onto his lap and seeing where things lead is that I’m not an exhibitionist in the slightest.
The tension is broken as two steaming plates of vegetables and chicken arrive and my stomach growls so loudly an elderly couple at the table behind me laughs.Time to feed the beast.
The show begins with a parade of ‘nobles’ who take a seat on their thrones at one end of the arena.They announce a tournament between six brave knights, in honor of the princess seated on stage.The obvious hero of the evening is handsome, but boring when compared to my husband.A false argument ensues between two knights, one dressed in black—of course—and one in bright blue.Their squires rush to their sides with broadswords and the battle is on.
Metal clangs on metal as I stuff broccoli into my mouth and chew with utter bliss.Butter and salt are the two best ingredients on Earth.Best.Ever.The chicken is dry and over-cooked.Typical.I’m so hungry I eat every bite.
By the time dessert rolls around, they deliver a small slice of strawberry cheesecake.The knights have thrown spears at hay bales dressed up as wild boars.The princess has screamed with despair as one of the knights was ‘murdered’ by the bad guy.The ‘hero’ of the evening challenges the bad guy to a duel to the death.The king decrees they shall joust.The audience cheers, each section of tables is marked with the colors of the knight they are meant to support.
We’re on the bad guy’s side and the audience is really getting into it.I love it.I boo as loudly as possible when the hero offers his favor, a silk handkerchief, to the princess.“Booooo!Boooooo!”
Rygar crosses his arms and scowls.“Lord Umbridge is not honorable.I will not raise my voice in support of such evil.”
I laugh.He is dead serious.Winding my arm around his, I lean in and look up at him.“It’s just an act.It’s for fun.”
“I have spent years of my life fighting to protect the universe from evil.I will not make light of it.There is nothing amusing about this.Had Lord Umbridge murdered one of my people in such a manner, I would have executed him.”
Is he truly such a standup, honorable man that a group of actors upset him this much?I want to kiss him, so I do.
