Freyja's Fire - Chapter 41 - A'mara Books

41

(Muranaday, cont.)

Castel Velantia

.
Gemina felt the nerves keenly as they ate the appetizer, some garlic prawns with a buttery sauce. Despite the fact it was the best food she’d eaten since they left on their trip, she could barely taste it. How would the King take to Kolt?

“The Princess Royal tells me that the two of you ladies have finally found the men you desire to marry,” the King said forthrightly.

“Yes, Father,” Aurelia replied.

“Yes, Uncle,” Gemina followed.

“I have also heard that there was a shipwreck. These are common sailors off that ship?” the King asked.

“They were, indeed, sailors,” Stella replied. “But their behavior since has proven they are anything but common, Your Majesty.”

“I was asking the young ladies,” he replied irritably. “However, I think you’re going to give me your version of the story anyway, so I’m all ears.”

“You have heard about the shipwreck – and the disease that caused it,” Stella confirmed as the King nodded. She then went into the rest of the story, talking about the disease, the fact that Doctor Rodney had tried to contact her without success and that they had sent most of the family with the children up to the convent.

The King nodded as she spoke.

“They couldn’t figure out how to contact me without their radio, so Gemina and Kolt volunteered to ride out to find me,” Stella said.

At this, the King turned his head to regard Gemina and Kolt more severely. “They chose to ride into the Fire Swamps?! No guard? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard!”

“There was no one else, Uncle!” Gemina interjected. “I couldn’t just sit there while people died. We had to do something! So we did.”

“It’s a good thing she did because by the time she got to me, Gemina was terribly ill herself,” Stella continued. She continued about the visit with the goddesses, looking at the Queen and Princess Royal as she did.

Gemina watched the King become less interested in the talk about goddesses. She would ask Stella later about whether her uncle didn’t believe or didn’t like the goddesses. It seemed strange.

“The reality is,” Stella concluded, “if it wasn’t for their brave trek into the Fire Swamps, Gemina would certainly have died. For this reason alone, I wish to request that you approve the marriage between Gemina and Kolt Rain.”

“He comes to the table like he’s come fresh out of the jungle,” the King complained.

“He has!” Gemina answered. “He raised himself in the rainforest, was found by the ship captain who employed him – and adopted him as a son.”

At this the King nodded, a smile seemed to tease the corners of his mouth.

Encouraged, Gemina plodded onward. “He was the last one standing on his ship when they wrecked. He was also the first to recover from the disease. He is loved by the men he worked with.”

“I have heard about his virtues,” the King replied. “I was questioning his lack of clothing.”

Gemina drew a deep breath. “Uncle, in the rainforest, he wore no clothing. When he was on the ship, he wore no clothing – except when he was forced to wear a loincloth on shore.”

“So, he wears a loincloth now?” the King asked, the smile tugging harder at his mouth.

“No, Uncle. He would ask that as he joins our family that he may be accepted as he is – naked. He hides nothing from us.”

At this, the King lost it and belted a loud laugh. “Stand, young man,” he requested. “Show me that you hide nothing.”

Kolt stood as instructed.

The King straightened in his chair and resumed a more serious composure. “I am afraid that I thought you were teasing me my dear niece. But what you said was exactly what I got. Thank you for being so straightforward – both of you. It’s going to take me awhile to get used to this fact of life. Kolt was your name?”

Kolt nodded. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Call me Uncle Liam,” he replied.

“Thank you!”

Gemina pulled him down again and kissed his cheek. Noticing the tears in his eyes, she hugged him as well. “You’re wonderful! I love you very much!”

She turned back to the King. “Thank you, Uncle Liam. It means a great deal to both of us!”

He grunted. Then he turned to Aurelia. “At least your young man has clothes on. What have you to say for him?”

“He didn’t save my life, but I did save his,” Aurelia started. “He was very unwell and I helped nurse him back to health.”

“I beat her at Wolff though,” Garrick said.

The King laughed. “I have heard about Aurelia and her penchant for swindling sailors out of their money! Rachel even found a way to make sure their losses count towards their taxes just so I don’t have to keep a tighter leash on Aurelia!”

“Dad!” Aurelia complained.

“I heard that Adrick needed to leash her more than once while in Erion!” Garrick added, joining in with the King’s laughter.

“Garrick! You’re supposed to be on my side!” Aurelia complained again.

“She did threaten me with beheading if I didn’t behave myself.”

Aurelia punched him. He grabbed her arm and wrapped it behind her, kissing her.

“I’ve seen enough!” the King said with a laugh. “I think you will save me a lot of worry, Garrick. Welcome to the family! When are the others going to be back?”

“A few days, Your Majesty,” Stella replied.

“Quit the formality, Stella. We’re all family here.”

“Liam then. They all started back today, so the rest will be another few days before they get here. Lady Rachel has had her baby boy, Herne, so they may be slower in travel.”

“Thank you, Stella. Can you help make the arrangements for the wedding? When do you think it should happen?”

“As soon as possible, I would think, Liam. I can have everything ready within the week.”

“Then, see that it happens. Our family have always been in good hands with you!”

Gemina felt much better. She was elated at how well her uncle had accepted Kolt as her Naked Prince and pleased that he had also accepted Garrick. Now, she just had to wait until after dessert when she could take her beloved to see their new bedroom.