Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Happy she could use the fan to cover her red cheeks, she held on to his arm tightly as he escorted her.
She felt as if her heart was as heavy as her kimono as they walked toward the reception room. On the tables were origami cranes, each folded differently and of various colors. Dozens of low tables with pillows surrounding them were placed around the room. Unlike for the ceremony, the whole island had been invited.
When she spotted Kage as they took their places for dinner, she found no hint of malice, making her wonder if the falling sun had played a trick of light on his face. That must be it.
As she let any worry about Ryu’s friend and sensei leave her, guests already began approaching to congratulate the couple. One in particular brought a smile to each of their faces as they watched the old lady shuffle closer to them.
“I was honored to be one of the few to see you wed.” Itako bowed. “But I have to tell you, Eira, that you looked absolutely regal. Kana would have been proud to see you wearing her dress.”
“Thank you, Itako.” Eira bowed, not knowing how the supposed blind seeress could see her wearing it, but nonetheless, she was glad for her to have witnessed it. The lady had come to mean a lot to Ryu’s and her love story.
“Yes, we can’t thank you enough for coming,” Ryu agreed with his own respectful bow.
“Well, I couldn’t miss not only a fated mate wedding but a soulmate one, nonetheless.”
A stunned Eira was clearly so confused that even the blind seeress could pick it up.
“What?”
“I better take my seat.” Itako smiled, sensing Ryu’s frustration at her bomb-dropping words. “There are other guests waiting to give you their best wishes of health and happiness. You two have quite a long night ahead of you.” And with a wink, she left.
“Ryu …” Eira had missed the innuendo, still stuck on Itako’s previous words. “What does she mean by soulmate?”
“Pay that old witch no mind.” Ryu shrugged, clearly regretting her special invite. “She’s crazy.”
30
I Can’t Promise Not to Eat You
The water fell from the ceiling like raindrops. Lifting her face toward it, she tried to forget Ryu was waiting for her. She had lead weight in her stomach, which she couldn’t blame on the amount of food she had eaten at their wedding celebration. As she had sat next to Ryu, she had been aware of the low whispers from the tables.
She was not one of them.
She felt every islander’s sights on her, each of their gazes flickering over her like a flame on her skin, burning away what confidence she had until each dish she tried tasted like ash in her mouth. She much preferred their ceremony over the dinner, and it wasn’t until the end that she started to understand the importance of Ryu’s people to be included.
The mother and father of Jun had stood up, not only to wish happiness to the newlyweds in their new lives together, but they thanked them for their actions in saving their daughter’s life. Each islander had stood after their words and bowed lowly before them in not only respect but adoration.
That was when she finally relaxed enough to hear the whisperings were not about the scars that marred her but of how beautiful their future queen looked and how proud they were to welcome her to their island. And as the rest of the celebration continued, Eira’s confidence grew more and more …
Well, until they reached the confines of their bedroom, alone. Then all confidence shot out of her as she ran to the bathroom for a few moments of deep breathing that turned into a much-needed shower.
Toweling off, she pulled on a white silken nightgown that was so exquisite she was afraid to put it on. As she brushed her fiery hair, she listened to what Ryu was doing in the other room. Had she taken so many moments that he had gone to sleep?
After straightening the bathroom, she took another five minutes and was about to step out of the bathroom when she remembered the perfume.
There was an assortment of scents to choose from on the vanity that she had never thought to use before. She would never get used to having all her needs taken care of by Ryu and his staff. Each of the bottles looked so pretty that it was hard to decide which one to choose.
Her hand hovered over the see-through, red-colored bottle of perfume that Yuri had given her as a present. When Yuri had hugged her earlier, she had noticed the scent was missing, and when Eira had told her that she had forgotten it and wanted to go back to get it but couldn’t as the ceremony was about to begin, Yuri had simply smiled at her friend before whispering, only to her ears, that it was actually better that she waited to use it on her wedding night, as it would increase Ryu’s desire for her.