“This contract is legal both in America, as well as my country,” I told Hayley. “Though I doubt either of us will be forced to sue one another.”
She smiled. “Now that I’ve seen your nice side, I’m not worried about you becoming another Brad.”
“If at any time Alaric isn’t nice to you, Hayley,” Willow said with a warning glance in my direction, “you tell me. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“I promise my nice side will always be prevalent,” I said dryly. “Now, may we discuss the ceremony?”
Hayley glanced between us. “Doesn’t that take time? You know, arrange for a justice of the peace or a minister?”
“In our land, Willow is a high priestess of our deity, the goddess Lanokota. She can perform the rituals. If that’s all right with you.”
“Well, sure,” Hayley answered doubtfully. “But what about rings?”
“We don’t exchange rings in our wedding ceremonies,” I said. “But I can buy one for you, if you wish.”
“Uh, no.” Hayley laughed lightly. “I think you’ve spent enough money on this deal.”
“Then, how about this evening?” I eyed Hayley with humor. “Is tonight a good time for you to marry me?”
“Sure. Why not?”
Willow stood up. “Then I have things I must see to, including transferring funds to Hayley’s account. Both of you, back to work.”
***
Just at sunset, on the private beach near my house, I stood hand in hand with Hayley as Willow spoke the ritualistic phrases that bound Hayley and I together. Willow wore the traditional loose-fitting gown of silver and gold, the colors of Lanokota. Both Hayley and I were crowned with flowers as a part of the mating ritual.
“Under the Sky Goddess’s holy light,” Willow intoned, “in Lanokota’s presence and favor, I bind you, Alaric, and you, Hayley, together in sacred marriage.”
Willow held up a slender silver rope toward the setting sun. “By Lanokota’s decree, you shall have your hands bound until after you have consolidated your oaths in holy consummation.”
I held our hands out for Willow to lightly tie my wrist to Hayley’s. Hayley watched, bemused, as Willow tied the knot.
Stepping back, Willow bowed to the last of the sunlight. “Great goddess Lanokota, bless these two, Alaric and Hayley, with happiness, health, and many children.”
She turned to us, smiling. “Go on, my children. Blessings be upon you.”
My hand still in Hayley’s, I led my wife toward the staircase that would take us up from the beach to the house. At the bluff’s top, I glanced back and down.
Willow was gone.
“Where’d she go?” Hayley asked.
“I don’t know,” I answered, though I suspected I did indeed know.
As we crossed the vast yard, I glanced at Hayley. “Are you ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Smiling, she lifted our bound hands. “You people are literal when you say marriage is tying the knot.”
“I’m afraid we’re something of a literal people.”
Hayley displayed no signs of worry or unease as I took her upstairs to my massive master bedchamber. I turned on only a single small light near the bed in the hopes of creating a romantic ambience. In the faint illumination, her hair gleamed like silver moonlight.
Without speaking, Hayley stepped close to me, sliding her free arm around my neck. Her small breasts pressed against my chest while she turned her face up to mine to kiss.
Holding her firm waist, our bound hands at our sides, I slipped my tongue into her mouth. As before, erotic sensations, emotions, flooded me at such a simple connection. My cock filled, engorged, throbbing in perfect time to my pounding heart. I pulled her tighter against me, making her feel my erection, my desire for her.
My need for Hayley rose far beyond just sex. Beyond my inheritance.
