Edrahil chuckled a bit. “Not as uncommon as you would think my boy. It just isn’t talked about. It is a tactic that most families do when marrying their daughters off when they need a male heir. They often don’t speak of the life the boy had before and treat them as one of them own. It’s uncommon though and rarely used but I think the others will accept it. Maybe it’s because of the type of town Jayou is at its core. Anyone can become big here Ryker. Those who have an established family are lucky but a lot of them forget the hard work that got them here in the first place. I’m counting on you to be our eyes here.”

When the thought of Lora finding out about it came to pass he sighed. “I was actually hoping we could tell her together. Honestly, what I really don’t want is her to have a marriage like my own. Any children you would have would be loved by both of you.” That was important to Edrahil. Family.

“Come on then. Might as well drop the news on her… She might need time to process it.” He got up and beckoned Ryker to come with him.

Today Loralei was in a courtyard garden. She was hiding in some bushes with some flowers as she weaved them into a crown. “They won’t find me here~” Which was a lie. Ryker could track her down by scent.

“Who won’t find you?” Her father easily parted the bush and looked down at his daughter. Her bicolored eyes looked up innocently at him.

“You.” She was at least honest.

Edrahil laughed hard. “You are an enigma.” He pulled his daughter out of the bush and helped her dust herself off. “I have some news for you… Do you want to hear it now or when your head is out of the clouds.”

Even now Lora was looking around and looking at the flowers. “I’m always listening. My head isn’t in the clouds.” Her eyes turned to her father and he seemed off put by what she said. It was something he hadn’t expected from her.

“I see… Well I have some good news for you. I found you a husband.”

Lora’s face went red. “That isn’t fair. You aren’t going to as–”

Edrahil cut her off and pushed Ryker into her. “Ryker is going to marry you.”

Loralei began to stutter as she pulled back from Ryker who had hit her and probably caught her to keep her up. Her face was blushing now and she was oddly quiet compared to how combative she had been. “And… Ryker is okay with this? I mean… he could get a more useful wife. Let's be honest here.”

Edrahil rolled his eyes. Both of them had said the same thing at this point. “I’ll leave you two to talk.” He waved and left them there in the courtyard.

“You are mean.” Loralei looked up at Ryker. “This is a joke you are playing on me right?”

He couldn’t let them down, not after practically raising him like one of their own. No, he had to reassure himself- he was one of their own. He had worked from the bottom up, paid his dues and stood where he was supposed to be. His life was in the hands of the Desdemonas and it was foolish of him to even consider refusing the offer. But a part of him didn’t feel like all would go well with this plan, and much of it had to do with Loralei. Heavens knew what was to come when she learned of this. She hardly wanted the fortune and everything that came with it to be thrust onto her; what would happen when she learned of this arranged marriage?

“Ch…chi…children?” If Ryker’s face had been just red a bit, then it was as bright as a tomato. He hadn’t thought of her in such a way and wasn’t about to, especially in front of her father of all people. “I see, my lord.” He couldn’t voice his opinion completely, but he wanted to agree that Lora deserved better than the marriage her parents had. There was a severe lack of love and respect and he dared not to give her the very same when the time arrived. Quickly rising to his feet, he followed Edrahil out of the office to look for his daughter. With his nose, it wasn’t a long task at all and he stood beside her father. Aside from the sudden racing heart, he looked outwardly fine up until the cat was out of the bag. At first, she seemed angry but when it was mentioned who she was being wedded to, well he wasn’t able to see her reaction. He was busy not trying to crash into her by the sudden push by her father.

“Yeah, I’m fine with it”, he replied. He was going to have to be for all of their sake. But he wasn’t expecting for her to claim that she wouldn’t be good enough to be his wife, which was preposterous.

Before much more could be said, they were alone in the gardens and he stepped back, opening up some breathing room for Lora. “It’s no joke. Your father decided that we are to be wedded. The time hasn’t been established quite yet, but I reckon it will be sooner rather than later. He figured that it was the only way that you don’t get trapped in a marriage that could harm you and I could still keep my word towards protecting you.” He scratched his head, wondering if this was going to end well still though. “I have accepted this, but…I’m worried about how you feel about this. I didn't accept this out of the fortune or anything- I did it so that your family will continue to thrive and you are safe.”

Edahril looked at Ryker for a moment. He had a mischievous smile on his face. “Yes, you know what you will be expected to produced when you marry my daughter. With all the brothels around here Boy I thought you would have at least some knowledge of sex.” There was laughter from him but higher beings be damned if it made him choke thinking about his Lora like that. It wasn’t hard to see that Loralei was way too innocent.

Once they had spilled the beans to Loralei it seemed like it was heading south fast. That was until they were left alone. Lora had her hands on her hips. “You know he dipped out because he didn’t want to deal with if I was mad right?” A smart man like Edahril knew how to stay alive.

“You are fine with it?” Her hand reached up and she rubbed her neck. “You would be stuck with me more than you already are Ryker…” It had to be damning just a little bit to him. “I don’t know if I would make a good wife. I suck at practically everything a wife is supposed to do.” She shook her head and her bi-colored eyes watched him. “If you get sick I might just because to break your fever just a little but I can’t sew very well at all. And… cooking isn’t my forte either.” She reminded him. “I am working on it though.”

It seemed like she was trying to talk him out of it. “And this curse thing… Are you sure you want a walking disaster like me?” She was really, really trying hard to talk him out of it but when it appeared like she couldn’t she gave him but a small smile. “I guess it wouldn’t be so bad being married to you… We could stay here with Father in the mansion instead of having to go to some grubby old hermit’s house like Jae.” It appeared like she knew who had put an offer in on her. She was smarter than she appeared.

“But only if you are okay with it…” She double checked again. “I don’t want you to be stuck with me. I want to see you happy.” Lora was shy but she reached up and kissed his cheek. It was the first type of affection she had ever given him and it made her blush as her arms went behind her back and she held her hands. “So… You are taking the Desdemona name?”

“It’s not that, my lord!”, his voice was filled with surprise at talking about this subject with him. “I’ve made…a few visits every blue moon, but I find it odd speaking of me being…intimidate with your daughter with you. But I am aware that we will have to produce an heir.” Gods this was beyond awkward. Nonetheless, the ball had to get moving and the two that were to spend their future together were left to discuss things. “Yes, I’m aware of his antics. Very aware”, he sighed, being in many situations where his boss would let him deal with a lot of the issues when it didn’t suit him. Normally Ryker didn’t mind getting his hands dirty for his lord, but in this case, this was a pain.

He looked at her with some confusion but he nodded humbly, “Yes, I am. I am willing to do anything for your family. You all have saved me at my lowest time and this is but another way that I can repay you.” His courage about this was starting to build up, but hers was wavering still. He frowned a bit as she put herself down and shook his head before taking her arm gently. “I think you will be fine. It will be an adjustment and besides, I have faith that you will at least give it your all.”

He wouldn’t let her confidence be shaken all too easily unless she didn’t want to be married to him. Ryker could understand that; he wasn’t sure that he should be the one marrying her and taking that glorious name but there was little choice in the manner.

“I’m not afraid of some curse, you know that. I will protect you no matter what, Loralei.” The werepanther wasn’t going to be scared off that easily, especially with that curse and she knew it. It also didn’t shock him a lot to hear that she knew about Jae. “Aye, I wouldn’t let Jae pull anything even if he was able to marry you. He’d have a hard time with a couple of black eyes. Besides, it’s not like anything would change between us. We’d still be underneath this roof, you’d have your name and be able to play in the gardens and such.” Then he was reminded of one of the things that would be different, which was what he and his father were discussing up in his office. And again his face went red all over. He tried his best to keep his cool but was failing badly. “I’d be more worried for you, Lora. I just wished you had someone that could be worthy of you around here. Anyone would be a lucky bastard to have you.” His words were very true as far as he was concerned. “Don’t worry too much about me, it’s my honor.” While it was hard for him to not be awkward about this, the slight kiss on his cheek didn’t help matters but he was able to calm himself down. He threw her an awkward smile, seeing that normally she wouldn’t have done something like that. They had been friends for such a long time and now their relationship would change in the most unpredictable of ways. “Yes, I will be taking on your name. That too is something that I don’t deserve, but it must be this way.” He reached down and picked a flower between his fingers, which were twirling it around by the stem. “I’m unsure when this all came to your father’s mind, but it might have been down because of the fight yesterday.” After messing around with it a bit, he placed into her hair carefully. “I know that he doesn’t want you to be unhappy, nor do I.”

The man watched Ryker. “It’s a thing that needs to happen for this family to survive. It kills me to think about it but its normal… Not as weird or as far as some of the noble families take it though. I’ve heard stories of fathers staying in the room to make sure it was done right.” He was rather grim about and disgusted.

Loralei looked up at him with her big mismatched eyes and smiled. “Promise me that you will tell me if you are unhappy so we can help fix it.” She was serious and shy about it. “I want you to be happy too. I’m easily pleased and not that hard to make happy… but you have always been a mystery… So make sure you tell me… Okay?”

He took her arm and she smiled up at him. It was the first movement he did towards her. “I always try my best for most things.” Except her lessons but that was why she said most things. Lora watched his face go red while they talked and she tilted her head. It was weird seeing Ryker be so shy about it. She got a stubborn look on her face. “You are good enough! You stupid cat person!” She yelled at him and balled her fists. “Stop looking down on yourself cause of how you were born. Stupid.”

She blushed and shyly looked away from him. “I’ve never liked it when you said things like that. You’ve always been better at me towards the things I should be good at. I’ve always looked up to you… Literally.” She made a joke. “I think you are perfect.” She took his arms now and smiled. “Okay?”

He put the flower in her hair and she smiled up at him. “I don’t want you unhappy either…”

The time came and went and they were whisked away by her father for a private ceremony. The plan was to make sure that they could be married in peace. Which meant her mother didn’t even know. She was dressed in the finest of wedding dresses with her hair done up nice. Her father was actually choked up looking at her. A Jayou beauty like no other, he had uttered.

The man marrying them was a pastor from up top and he had been hushed to secrecy until the day they were wed. She was there alongside Ryker. Who looked nothing like his usual self. Today he would become a Desdemona. “Anything either of you would like to say before we begin?”

Loralei shied away for a moment. “That whatever happens… happens for the best.” She affirmed towards Ryker as she smiled. “We’ll do it together okay?”

Ryker was grateful that his future father-in-law wasn’t like the ones he had just mentioned. Performing such a thing with Loralei would be nerve-wracking enough, but to imagine her father there during that particular part of the ceremony… It was enough to make the werepanther all the more squeamish but aside from that, he kept his face right up until it was just him and Loralei by themselves.

“Don’t be silly. I see no reason why you won’t…make me happy.” Like him, she was worried about not being good enough for him, but there was a difference. She was born into this life of luxury, good or bad, and he wasn’t. Had her father not saved him, Ryker would have likely been dead somewhere so long ago, just another body floating down the rivers.

When she spoke up so bluntly at him, he had to look at her twice. “Lora…” He had never seen her behave like this before. She seemed rather serious about this and didn’t want to hear anything about him putting him down. She was one of the few people to talk to him like that without fear of consequences. Not that there would be anything for her save for a small smile and a few chuckles. It never really bothered him that he was riffraff, he just wanted better for her. “Far from perfect, and I can help you as best as I can.”

While they have been friends for a long time, this was something of a different closeness that he wasn’t used to having with her, but it would have to be the norm for the both of them soon…

The time had arrived far sooner than he had anticipated, but he was properly prepared. Donning a fine crimson buttoned shirt with a waistcoat over and fancy trousers, he stood at the front of the altar. Among him were a few notable and selected individuals which fortunately didn’t include Lora’s mother. That would have been a nightmare and she would have tried to make it about herself somehow. Ryker wouldn’t put it past her and spoil her only child’s special day. When Lora arrived, he shared Edrahil’s shock and awe at how beautiful she was. Had she always been like that though? Perhaps, and maybe it was just that he hadn’t seen her in any other way than he had for years. Either way, he smiled at her and turned to the pastor as he begun.

“Right. I will be sure to be faithful and loyal to you for as long as I live. My sole mission will be to make sure you are happy and respected, Loralei. We are partners through and through.” He held onto her hand gently and the pastor continued onward up until the big question arrived for each of them.


“Do you, Ryker D’Angelo, take Loralei Desdemona as your lawfully wedded wife? To have and hold until death does you part?”

His hand grew a bit tighter around hers, and answered truthfully, “I do.”

“Do you, Loralei Desdemona, take Ryker D’Angelo as your lawfully wedded husband? To have and hold until death does you part?”

Lora watched Ryker with an interest. She had never seen him so well put together before. Even his hair was finely done and it surprised the young woman. Her bi-colored eyes softened and as they joined hands. She listened to his words and blushed a bit more. It was weird to see him in such a light but it felt good in a way.

The small woman took his hands tightly in her hands as she nodded. “I do.” It would be a long time for them both seeing as they were from long-lived races. They exchanged their rings and it was simple plain gold bands for each of them. Not that Lora minded at all. It was simple a lot like they were and she liked that.

Then the pastor told them to kiss and Loralei blushed even more so. However, she was stubborn as she pushed herself up and met his lips for the very first time. It was short but it gave him enough time to react to her.

That was when the doors crashed in and Edahril was on the move. “NO!” He roared but her mother was already in.

“How dare you marry filth.” Gods, she was ruining everything but Loralei puffed her face up in the most intimidating way any one had ever seen. “You rotten… Spoil–”

Loralei hauled herself over and slapped her mother hard across the face. “ENOUGH. I have had it with you and disrespecting not only this family but also the choices my father, head of this house makes. YOU WILL LEAVE THIS ROOM. Or I will order the guards to make you leave.” Her eyes were angry as she stared at her now terrified mother. For the first time, Mother and daughter were looking into each other’s eyes. “You will not ruin this day for me like you have ruined every other day for me. You selfish ungrateful EVIL woman.” Loralei’s normally calm voice was actually rather pissed. It made Edahril pulled Loralei away who looked like she was ready for a brawl.

“Ryker… Why don’t you take Loralei to your suite?” He was pleased… Probably too pleased by his daughter standing up to her mother finally. “Pick her up bridal style, hold her tight, and make sure to make it to that room. She looks like she would actually kill her this time.” Edahril whispered to Ryker and tossed him Lora rather easily. “Upstairs… Down the left corridor and 4 doors to the right. Your new martial bedroom.” Edahril handed him the key and escorted his wife out.

“She hit me…” His wife was trembling.

“Can’t say you didn’t deserve it dear.”

The ceremony was going down with a hitch, something Ryker was grateful for. The fact that they were more so friends than anything going into this was awkward, but he hadn’t wished for a bump on the road or two. When Lora said “I do” and they exchanged rings, that’s when it hit him at once. They were officially married and he was a part of the family. Ryker was grateful enough for all they had done for him so far, he never needed anything else from them, including money. He would have gladly given his life up for both Edahril or Loralei without a second thought, but here he is. He was to make sure the legacy continued on with her and that’s what he would do.

Then the kiss…he had hesitated where she had not and once he felt her lips pressed against his, the werepanther responded, matching her force with his. It was an odd feeling but he also felt satisfied. Lora was a pretty little number, but he only saw her as the little girl that bugged him way back when. Now, he would have to see her as so much more.

But the peace would not last and the bitch had to show up.

Ryker felt that things were getting too good to be true and despite her father’s best efforts, Syviis came and once again tried to make everything about her. It wasn’t hard to see that the facade he kept whenever she was around, the passive look on his face, was melting into pure anger. He had stomached every single word, every single action this woman had produced and it took every fiber in him over the years as to not do anything. He cared little of what she had to say about him, but Lora? She didn’t deserve this on her greatest day. But then she shocked possibly everyone when she finally had enough. That slap across her mother’s face brought a full-blown smile across his face. Even a bit of a chuckle as he was proud of her for shutting her up.

Not wanting things to get thrown into a frenzy, he nodded at his new father in law and went over to picked Lora up from the ground and cradle her in his arms. She was fairly light enough to escort with ease and he took the kets for the instructed room.

“Get used to it, mother.”, he called out, his eyes sharp like daggers as they watched her get removed from their sights. And good riddance.

He turned around with his bride in tow and headed off for the stairs, carefully taking them up step by step. “That was splendid. No, really it was.” He looked to her for a moment before continuing upstairs. “Never saw you look that way before, but then again, I don’t blame ya. It was only a matter of time before her putrid mouth would cross someone other than your father. I would have thought it would have been me, to be honest.” Of course, he would also have expected for her to try (and fail) to persuade her husband to cast him out onto the streets from which he came if he had. “Good for you.”

Reaching the top, it was only a matter of recalling what Edahril had said before they reached the room they were supposed to be in. Shifting her a bit in his arms, he managed to get the key and unlock the door for them. Once inside, he closed and locked it, just in case her mad mother got any bright ideas and also…because of the fact that they were to consummate their marriage. It was something that just dawned on him as he placed her down onto the edge of the bed and sat right beside her.

“Well…suppose we should go ahead and…” He took a quick breath, “well, you know… “ Gods, if there was ever a time he needed a drink, this would be the time. Fortunately, there was a wine bottle resting in a bucket of ice, complimented with a pair of fancy glasses which he took the liberty of filling with the beautiful and aged drink. Handing one of the glasses over to Loralei, Ryker gave it a few sips of his own before placing down the glass onto the nightstand nearby and started to undo his waistcoat and then shirt, exposing his torso. Gods, the next few bits were going to get seriously awkward for him.

The best, however, was yet to come for him.

Lora was picked up and her arms immediately went around Ryker’s neck. Her face was blushing now as her anger seemingly melted away. Good, it hadn’t ruined the night as much as she thought it had. It was so weird hearing him call Syviis Mother that it startled Lora but she knew it was because they were all family now in some way. Ryker was now her husband and a Desdemona.

“I didn’t like the way she spoke to you.” She whimpered softly. “I can take her doing it to me but not to you.” Lora shook her head of pale blonde hair and smiled at him. “Th-” she stuttered a bit and blushed as she shyly looked away. “Thank you.” It was hard to stand up for herself but she really didn’t like the way her mother viewed Ryker. He had always been there with her after all… Her earliest memories were of them together. They were friends first.

The bedroom was huge as she looked around. There was a fancy vanity with many pretty things on it for her. Armoires for clothes… The bed was absolutely huge with soft blues decorating it and white curtains that were hung from the golden rods that circled the top of the four-poster bed. They were sheer and provided a look of elegance. There was even a fireplace to keep them warm at night.

Bedclothes were laid out on a bench near the door. It made her blush a soft tone. He set her down on the overly plush bed and she folded her hands into her lap. She took the glass from him and sniffed at it. “Is wine good?” She looked at Ryker and tilted her head. She had never had any interest in it before but she took a sip and let the taste savor on her tongue.

“Huh,” she jolted the cup and managed to catch the wine before it split on her. She put the wine glass down. “WH-” Her face completely blushed as she grabbed a pillow and hide her face as he started to take his clothes off. “What are you doing?”

It dawned on her… “Are… we gonna make babies now?” She for the life of her couldn’t remember the world as she lowered the pillow to look at him. Her face was bright red. "I'm not so sure you want to see me undressed." She averted her eyes.

“I wouldn’t worry about her. I never cared for what she had ever said about me.” Ryker had held his tongue when it came to Loralei’s mother, mainly out of respect for his boss. If it wasn’t for him, then the werepanther would have made sure to let her know just how he really felt about her. She was nothing but a waste of space and an unfit mother. “She shouldn’t be speaking to you like that at all. Some mother.” He attempted to control himself from saying anything else negative- this was Lorelei’s day still and he wouldn’t waste another moment thinking about Syviis. Instead, they had this luxurious room her father obviously had spared no expense. Gods, Ryker had never dealt with these sort of things before and he was starstruck.

Recovering, he took to his glass and wine and nodded at her question. “It's good. Figured that now you are married, its time to show you some of the things you haven’t had before.” It was obvious that she hadn’t dealt with having it before as she nearly dropped it, making him chuckle.

But things got crazy as he prepared both physically and mentally for the consummation. Loralei’s reaction wasn’t all too unexpected and by the time he completely removed the shirt and let it drop onto the floor, Ryker sighed and looked awkwardly at her. “Well, we have to consummate the marr…”

His new wife caught on, but her answer…it was enough to draw the color away from his face and for minutes, he was left speechless and had to leave the room. Once the door closed, he needed a breather as he tried to recollect himself. How in the world did her father expect this to play out? She was so pure and innocent in this sort of stuff. Could he really go through with this? Well, it was too late to go back now and after a minute, Ryker returned and turned his back to her. “If it helps…I won’t look while you undress until afterward. Don’t fret, Lora, you are a very pretty girl.” Still, never in a thousand years did he think of seeing her naked, let alone “making babies” with her.

“You have a point, we have to consummate the marriage as husband and wife. And that does happen sometimes, the…uh…baby thing.” She couldn’t see it but his own face was getting a bit red as he could only imagine what she would look like when he turned around.