“Good idea. A little intimidation never hurt anyone… Well relatively speaking.” There was some dark humor that slipped from Edrahil’s lips as he watched Ryker at work. “She’s always loved the rivers here… Figured it would be a good start if she thought you paid attention to her likes. Not that I’m saying you don’t know but she is quirky so,” his voice quieted as he shrugged his shoulders. “I know you do. If anyone can keep Loralei safe from danger it’s you.” Always had been.

Lora was waiting for him as he came into the room. She sunk down a little bit more as if to hide herself while he closed the door. That awkward hello got him a giggle as she relaxed and grabbed some soap and a cloth. “You look like you’ve been through the wringer even though I know that’s not your blood.”

Finally, he got in the tub after she had watched him undress. It was odd but this was something that the housekeepers had suggested. Something they did with their own spouses. Lora blushed once more. “Shouldn’t pick on me, Ryker.” There was a bit of a whine in her voice as she finally moved herself closer to him. Lifting herself out of the water a bit more she worked on getting all of the blood off of him. It was quite the chore to do and it was amazing considering it wasn’t even his.

Once he was clean she locked eyes with him for only a moment before she turned around and slid onto his lap. Her legs bent allowing her to slid down just enough so her head was resting against his shoulder. “This herbal soak is one of my favorites. It makes your skin soft and helps calm you after a stressful day. Has a whole lot of flowers from Jasumin Lake in it…” She picked up a whole daisy-like flower and slid it behind his ear even if it was soaked.

Still, the flower appeared to be at least firm enough to keep its form. There was a chuckle from her as she closed her eyes. She could hear the wind whipping through the underbelly. As unnerving as it was to some, it looked like it honestly calmed her down. “What do you do when you aren’t maiming others and showing muscle anyway?”

“Eh, it comes with the territory honestly. Should have seen me when I underwent my first interrogation.” It hadn’t been long after he was a made man that he was tested with getting some information from one of the workers of a dirty casino that had tried to rip one of her father’s most trusted men off. He gotten sick halfway through but still had to complete smashing off the man’s fingernails. Of course, he wouldn’t give that vivid image to her mind. Climbing into the waters, he pretty much forgot about that conversation and relaxed in the calming waters. Under normal conditions, he wasn’t the sort to add flora to his bath water, but it was a Lora’s thing and he was trying to do more things with her so he could live with it.

He let out a snide chuckle, “Good thing you don’t have claws like them too.” The intention was loosing on from his end and he leaned back against the rim of the tub and eyed her as she approached. It was a strange feeling to have her wash his body, strange but good. Even when he was covered with blood (albeit not his own), it didn’t phase her what so ever. He watched her body as she started to turn and instinctively he moved upwards, readying for her form to lay onto him. His hands fell onto her waist and helped direct her before one went to rest on her hip. “Not my sort of thing, but it is relaxing I’ll admit.” The werepanther did scrunch up his nose with this whole daisy bit. Ryker could only guess that it was either payback for the lobster joke or she was just having some fun.

He could have gone with either answer.

For as long as the two knew the other, they didn’t actually know about each other. He never really thought about how small she was in comparison, or how soft she felt. And while he had to track down her scent and knew it by heart, he hadn’t really noticed how much like camellia it was. It was….intriguing to him as he started to bath her arms and neck as gentle as he could muster.

“Depends. Sometimes I go on hunts around the forests, other times I could be reading”, he replied as he moved to wash her front. The latter had been especially hard for him at first, not having the formal teachings other children had. It took some of the staff members here to help teach him how to read and write which turned into an accomplishment he cherished. “I’m also keeping an eye on you, though it's hard to be discreet when you know that I’m around damn near always. Aside from that, I do go up and play cards on the riverboats and fish.”

Taking a deep breath, he could again engulf her scent and it suited her well. His chest rose beneath her and hands went to not only bathe, but massage as well. “And what do you do when you aren’t looking at flowers or daydreaming.”

It intrigued her but she didn’t press into it much. She could stomach most of what her father did but past that she was still soft to it all. Lora knew little about Ryker but she did know that floral things weren’t really his forte so she was grateful when he didn’t complain about the water. “Oh?” She began to pinch lightly. “Be careful what you insult.” She moved her hands like lobster claws and laughed before going back to washing him.

It was weird but pleasant as he met her to help her relax against him. A part of her wondered just how weird it was for him too. They had been intimate a few times since they were married but still, the awkwardness of their situation was there. Lora knew that it would remain there for some time and that eventually, it would fade away.

“If you aren’t careful your face will stick that way.” She teased him as she watched his face scrunch up. A chill went up her spine as he started to bath her arms and neck. It wasn’t that she didn’t like it, it was the complete opposite. The weird feeling and the fact she liked it was conflicting to her. The half-elf leaned her head off to the side a bit so he could get her neck a bit better while they spoke.

She listened to his hobbies and splashed water at him when he complained about her knowing where he was. “You are easy to learn when you do it all the time.” There was a chuckle as her eyes looked up into his for a moment.

“Besides hiding you said?” She contemplated it a bit before chuckling. “I’m actually quite good at cards. Not all of the card games but some. The house staff taught me quite a bit but I’m not really allowed up on the riverboats without supervision. I like to read in the gardens and I can sew pretty well too. The house staff taught me a whole bunch of the games up top but like I said I like the card games the best. When Father goes on business into the main city I go with him to look at the rivers though. I’m also quite proud of my tea collection if that isn’t weird. I’ve collected tea from a lot of places. Father normally brings me back some. I got nifty little boxes for all of it. I could show you if that’s something you would be interested in… Though most think its a weird hobby.”

Lora thought about it at first before a smirk came to her face. “I also used to pelt rocks at Jae’s manor a few streets down. Creepy old man. I know he put a bid on me to be his wife. He was always watching me even when I was younger… Which is creepier than he is. There was also the time that I cut all of Lord Ralos' horse's mane off because he hit one of our house staff. I do a lot when you aren't looking. You would be surprised."

Ryker stuck his tongue at her as she splashed him with water. “Big deal. At least you knew that I was looking after you and not anyone else. All that mattered was that I was able to conceal myself from those that wish you harm.” Rolling his eyes, he let her continue with her little banter- it wasn’t like he wasn’t used to it anyway. No matter how sneaky he tried to be, she would always find a way to notice him. Whether it was by seeing his shadow or noticing his scent, or if she heard him, he couldn’t tell what it was that she used to be aware of his position. “Go on and tell me what led you to know when I’m following you”, he asked, genuine curiosity lingering in his tone.

He knew that Lora didn’t get out much from the house and that those of the house staff cared for her so he was hardly surprised to hear that she had learned things like cards from them. “Guess I should take you on one of the boats sometime and test our luck.” He had long been done with merely washing her and was massaging her form much deeper than before without realizing it. But at this point, even if he had, Ryker wouldn’t have stopped unless she wanted him to. “Do you drink any of it, or are they still intact. Anyway, I don’t think it’s weird. You can show me when you want.”

Ryker wasn’t a fan of neither of those lords- he already had more than enough reasons to hate Jae and though he didn’t meet with Ralos, he knew of the tales behind him enough to know he was a bastard. “You know that it only means I’ll have to watch you more carefully and sleep with one eye open.” Once he finished, he decided to nip at her neck a few times in play while keeping up with the caresses.

Lora put a finger to the end of her chin as she thought. Her eyes rolled from one side to the other as she let out a ‘hmmm’ as she thought. “I guess… I just know.” It wasn’t the best answer. “I know the sound of when you move, you definitely have your own type of walk, you smell like well you… No one else smells like you… Also, your eyes have a tendency for me to notice them in a crowd. I’ve just always known when you were somewhere with me. You are one of the few things that were constant in my life and pleasant at that I guess.”

When the news of a trip up top came up her eyes got a bit brighter and she looked like she was full of excitement. “That sounds fun! I’ve always wanted to play against strangers. It’s easy to get everyone’s tells when I’ve played them hundreds of times.” It was a chance to learn more about the people on the outside and Ryker would be there with her so she knew she would be safe.

She was lulling back and forth now as he continued to his massage. Her eyes closed just a hair but she was still conscious enough to answer him. “I drink it. Normally I have it with my lunch. I have so much that if I didn’t drink it I think Father would throw a fit.” There was a chuckle as she thought about it. “Abed’s teas are the most interesting to me with the spices. Father brought me home some last year when he had gone for a business deal.” Her eyes flickered up to his and she smiled lazily. “I would love to show you.”

Lora smirked a bit at him. “Go ahead and watch me all you like. I mean what could it hurt?” She jumped a bit when he nipped at her and laughed as she turned around on his lap wrapping her arms around his neck. “You knew I was a trouble maker at least a little bit. Mischievous when no one is looking. You’ve caught me more than once doing things I shouldn’t have. I will never forget the time you got me grounded though.” She shook her head at him before going in and kissing his lips. “I didn’t speak to you for a week. Though if I recall… You said that was the best week ever because it was quiet.”

The half-elf flicked his nose softly. “With all the tormenting we’ve done to each other… It’s no wonder why the house staff is so amused by these turn of events.” She chuckled. “It was the maids’ suggestion to take a bath together. Said it is quality time alone that isn’t in bed.” There was a blush across her cheeks. “Because honestly, I don’t think I know what to do… and my parents aren’t exactly a model marriage so I thought I would ask around. I don’t want what my parents have… and I know you don’t either.”

Ryker tilted his head, unsure of what to make of what she said. “My own…walk…” He stifled a laugh, but it wasn’t held back for long before he burst out. Everything else seemed logical so he just left that be. He supposed that it didn’t really matter how she did it- it was the fact that she could do so freely that was astonishing. He had to give her her dues about that.

“Yeah, we can do that. Also heard of some boats that offer rides for couples and such. Guess that would also make for a good opportunity for the two of us”, he explained as he watched Lora swell up with excitement. It pleased him to see her so happy about this turn of events; her father had been right as always. It shouldn’t have come as a shock honestly. This family was just full of surprises.

His hands worked her body as he felt her craving his touch. His fingertips felt like they were on fire as they brushed against her soft skin. “See, how is that weird? At least you don’t collect teeth or something. Now that would be strange. Tea? Well, I would probably just drink it all, but to each their own.” He felt her react to his nips and stole a few more before she turned to face him. He went to snicker at the time where she got in major trouble because of him when she planted a kiss against him. In turn, he returned it in full earnest, finally getting used to the taste of her lips. “You do know that you deserved it, just like how I deserved that week off.”

“I didn’t torment you. I merely did my job; everything else was purely coincidence. Yeah, that’s it, coincidence.” He laughed again before kissing her once more and snuggled his arms around her. His face came down to her lovely locks and eyes closed briefly as he thought. The last thing he wanted was a loveless marriage where Loralei would be trapped in like her mother. But she wasn’t heartless and at least put forth an effort as he did. “All that matters is that we try as hard as possible. I don’t care who provides us help, I would welcome it with open arms, to be honest.” He smiled at her as he felt more of her warmth engulfing his body. It felt nice and inviting.

“You really are going to turn into a lobster, my darling wife.”

They spent the rest of the bath in utter bliss with each other. Slowly Ryker courted her and slowly they fell in love. The month of the ball came for them to announce themselves as a legitimate married couple. Loralei was frightened as the situation with Jae still hadn’t come to a head. The old man was laying low and the other families were watching to see what would happen.

Loralei stood next to Ryker as they entered the ballroom where the party was going on. She could see Edrahil mingling with other people. Her small arm was around Ryker’s muscular one. She looked spectacular with her hair done up and fancy little party dress. It was definitely the sort made to make people jealous. A particular tool that was being used to get those angry about Loralei’s marriage to come out.

They greeted many people and soon Edrahil came over. “We need something that will really get them going… I just don’t know what.” This was a way to introduce them as a couple yes but primarily it was to draw out those that were an enemy. Loralei nodded to her father and she looked up at Ryker.

“I think I might have a way.” She took a glass once everyone was seated and let the bell-like sound draw attention to her. “Thank you for coming to my husband and mine’s wedding celebration even though it was delayed. We deeply appreciate the warm welcome and gifts that you all have brought. I have one tiny announcement to make for the evening.”

She took a deep breath and smiled at Ryker. “I was told earlier this morning that Ryker and I will be having our first born in a few short months.” Her father’s mouth dropped wide open and Loralei gave him and smile. She had only just found out and had been trying to find the words to tell Ryker… But this was also the perfect idea for drawing out more ire and they could protect her if need be. There was clapping and cheering though she could feel the icy glare from her own mother.

It was something unexpected between them as the time went by; they were nothing more than friends and that of a protector and protected at first. Their marriage was simply a strategical move made by Loralei’s father as a means to keep her from getting into the sweaty hands of the unworthy, many that damn Jae. Slowly though, they began to get closer than they’ve ever had before. It was strange yet wondrous at the same time for not only her but Ryker as well. Little by little, he exposed more of himself to her and it was becoming obvious that he loved her as more than just a friend.

They were called in to attend a ball and obvious he had to squeeze into something that he’d considered a monkey suit. But he had to dress and look his best with his new position and he did so. Lora, in the meanwhile, looked stunning as she held onto his arm. Their news as a married couple was sure to get a rise out of some people, which they were counting on. Honestly, he wanted Jae to be there and say one little thing, then his face could meet with the werepanther’s fist. Such a thought made him snicker a little as he escorted her around, shaking wrists with the other party goers up to when Edrahil came up to them. “Yeah, I feel eyes on us, but there’s too many of them to look at and get a good idea of those we have to worry about.” Ryker looked to Lora before nodding in agreement. He trusted her well to have a good idea of what would do the trick. He stood beside her as she confidently gave her small speech, and didn’t mask his proudness in the way she did it. She was getting comfortable now dealing with crowds and taking control.

He was especially interested in the bit of the announcement she wanted to make; it made him think that it was her plan to get a rouse out of their enemies. And the news she shared was…jaw-dropping to say the least. Why, if it was really true, he would have fainted at the thought of becoming a father. Him? The rascal that used to terrorize the streets and was the top henchmen of a powerful lord? Either way, he smiled at her while he looked through the crowd, and noticed some unsavory looks.

Bingo.

He looked back over to his wife and kissed her cheek. Going to hug her, Rkyer nuzzled his head against her neck, listening to her soft heartbeat in its rhythm but then something else came to his ear. It was much softer but…after a little bit there was no mistaking it.

SHE REALLY WAS PREGNANT!

He quickly pulled away enough to look her in the eyes, showing that he had thought it was just a quick idea on her part. “Real…real…really? You are…having a child?” He held a mixed look of shock and happiness before he held onto her and swung her a bit before remembering that she was carrying and quickly put her down. “Are you alright? Did I hurt you or the baby?” Ryker forgot about the crowd, or her family then. All he could see was Loralei and the unborn child in her.

Oh gods, I’m gonna be a father. Our child is gonna be a hellraiser”, he cracked a joke before kissing her.

Lora blushed a bit at Ryker and her confidence slipped a bit but she squealed as he picked her up and spun her. She clung to him tightly as she laughed. “We’re having a child.” She took his hand and it to her belly. It was just a small difference but she wanted him to know it was real. “I’m fine and so is the baby.” She chuckled a bit.

“So an aloof hellraiser?” She chuckled a bit before taking his face and kissed him soundly. Their happiness was making everyone else happy… Well, most people. Her mother Syviis was throwing daggers. However, Edrahil ran over and hugged both of them. He was just as excited as they were. He kissed the top of Loralei’s head and looked back at everyone.

“Bring out the drinks! We must celebrate at once! The Desdemona Heir requires his mother to rest though.” Lora laughed at her father as he yelled and sat her down.

“Please, I’m fine… There’s no need to be delicate with me. The healer told me this morning that I am a super healthy pregnant lady. As long as I watch myself my pregnancy should go smooth and we’ll have a healthy baby six months from now.” Her eyes sought for her husband’s. “So try not to worry alright? We’ll be fine!”

Jae smashed his fist on the table and it actually startled Loralei. The elderly lord made his way out but Lora could hardly care as she heard everyone else giving them their congratulations. “So… Now I guess we have to come up with some names don’t we?” Lora just wanted to make sure they were healthy and happy… Their future looked so bright now and she was looking forward to being a better mother than she had.

Ryker never saw himself as the sort to be a father to anyone, let alone someone that would one day be an heir. Yet here they were, him and Loralei, soon to have a child months away from now. This was certainly one hell of a surprise, but he loved her and he knew that he would love their baby boy or girl as well. Perhaps because of his panther side and being protective of his mate and cub. He looked her over as to make sure that his rowdy self hadn’t harmed her at all, and after she reassured him, Ryker calmed down some more. He scoffed at the mentioning of their child being aloof; he was guessing there would have gotten it from their mother if that was the case. “Maybe. Wonder what kind of trouble he or she will cause us in the long run.”

He wished he could be shocked to learn that certain people didn’t have the reaction that the rest of the party had; Loralei’s mother never did like seeing her daughter happy and only thought of herself, and Jae was an old, pervy dumbass. But he ignored them for the most part and embraced Edrahil with open arms. The old lord would be dealt with soon enough if Ryker had his way as he stared with hungry intention lingering in his mind. But his attention went to Lora and sat down next to her. “I won’t worry so much then. I trust you.” He only had a glass of wine and even then barely touched it. His mind was busy with thoughts of how the child would come out, if and when he would teach them how to shift if possible and how he wanted them to have what he didn’t when he was a young child. He wanted them to grow up happy and loved and the thoughts made him a little teary eyed. Ryker immediately regained his composure and looked on happily as they accepted the congratulations.

“Looked like your plan worked just the same, darling”, he spoke, eying that fool Jae. “I like Amelia and Noah for starters. I could make out a list of names if you wish”, he spoke half-jokingly. But seriously, with all the excitement, he really could have spent the next few days looking for the perfect name for their child. “What about you? Have some in mind?”