WONDER ( Twisted Forbidden Tales ) Book Three

Nothing But Nuptials Part One

HANK

Drinking the potion wasn’t a risk for me, as I knew had sent the ingredients needed to make it. Talia was always on time when it came to pressing matters such as these. I was feeling this tribal wear style of the Fuchsia people, light and airy in its casual style the white v-neck casual top paired with a tailored beige colored vest and loose-fit pants was a look that blended the old with the new, casual yet refined, and it spoke volumes about the islanders' adaptability and resilience.

As for Alissa, she looked amazing in the silk wrap-around dress with a fusion of blue and gold hues, paying homage to the island's cultural palette. I couldn’t wait to take her in my arms for a dance tonight just like the fabric draped elegantly around her body, flattering her seductive figure with its fluid silhouette.

The Mood and the night were perfect for celebrating, however, things just had to be interrupted rudely by these two ass hats Tilly and Rainbow Rose. That familiar fire was burning inside me again with a mix of something else. I couldn’t stop myself from uttering the words, ”I’ll do it” from coming out of my mouth. The trio standing beside me, Anfim, King Kai, and Alissa all looked at me like I was crazy. But no one knew what I was feeling the moment one of the Fuchsia Blooms stepped out with the totem in her hands.

It was a marriage totem, but this particular one was almost the same as that of the one my parents had. If things were what I was thinking, did it mean I held some relation to the people here? It didn’t make sense for my hitting the perfect pitch to be the spring board to a hidden marriage law, something was off and there was a secret somewhere, so thinking fast on my feet I said the first words on my mind. If anyone deserved the right to be my wife, Alissa came first, as for Tilly and Rainbow, they could keep dreaming. My thoughts were everywhere but one thing was certain, the totem came from my family.

“Well, this has turned more interesting than I thought it be.” said a voice among the Dark Fuchsia clan that stood inside the club. The totem was fully activated to exact the law, its energy pulsed in authority as the room around us began to shimmer and warp, cascading vines appeared draping from the ceiling and floral arrangements hovered about adorning every surface. The walls are alive with the shimmering glow of fireflies, their soft light weaving patterns of magic throughout the room.

“What are you doing Hank? If you have a plan let us in on it, don’t leave us flapping around like fish out of water okay.” Anfim whispered in frustration as he glared at the man who had stepped to the front of the line to look at me. I only ever saw this man once in my life, while traveling with my father in between realms in my teenage years when he first transitioned over to the new general after exposing the previous one’s corruption.

Though he still looked young, there was a trace of a hybrid mix in his features, a blend of dwarf, fuchsia flower, and human that spoke of centuries of knowledge and experience. His eyes held a keen intelligence, a hint of intrigue as he met the target he was after. I finally understood something as the air crackles with anticipation, heavy with the scent of magic and the tension of impending confrontation.

“I should've known it would be you.” I sneered looking at him, with contempt and a bit of sadness. That one time we met was enough to see that the relationship between my father and him was not one of good terms, though they interacted civilly with one another back then because of a common goal, they might as well have been strangers regardless of the family blood that flowed between them. Alissa squeezed my hand in comfort, but also felt confusion from her. I had no time to explain, what better way to hash this out than to let the truth fall as it may?

“What tipped you off kid, let me guess, the totem right? Humph, after all this time who knew you would remember me? After all your father was my greatest disappointment.” he said with a smirk.

Gasp of surprise rang out from around us among the Fuchsia People, several men and women from my grandfather's Dark Fuchsia clan began to look at me with great interest. Their physical features are a mesmerizing blend of human and fuchsia flowers, creating an otherworldly allure that is both beautiful and unsettling. Just like my grandfather standing before me their skin, a deep shade of fuchsia, seemed to pulsate with magic, and their hands, adorned with intricate tattoos, crackled with power. Despite their formidable appearance, there was always a smile playing on their lips, a mischievous glint in their eyes betraying their true nature.

Alissa squeezed my hand even tighter and I knew she had caught on to what was going on, therefore she would worry. As a man, I felt heartbroken toward Alissa always making her worry about me, but in the same boat I was seeing here and now that landing here in Wonder Kingdom had seemed to be my destiny from the beginning.

“What! What do you mean old coot? Whose father?! what remembrance here! I swear if you renege on our deal I’ll……..” Rainbow Rose's words were cut off just as she had butted in before I could speak, As fast as the eye could see, my grandfather held Rainbow Rose by the neck. His eyes turned from playful intrigue to one of full-on malice.

“Who do you think you are? to try and demand what I should do! Have you forgotten who you truly are? And how did you get to become a Queen in the first place? Do you need me to remind you since you are so hung up on remembrances? Huh!” my grandfather roared at her. Tilly stayed in hiding behind one of the Dark Fuchsia men shivering slightly in fear. The sound of Rainbow Rose’s gasping for air in his hold could be heard strikingly loud throughout the space filled with eerily silence.

“How fitting, the accomplice has turned on the perpetrator, you don’t disappoint in the face of benefits, just like Dad said. Sigh, just who truly is the disappointing one? Dare I to ask this question.” I said mockingly as I watched on with everyone else the disgusting show the two buffoons were putting on for us for the moment.

“Ha! Ha! Ha! You are your father’s son. True enough I’m here for the benefits but I never expected the target to be you. Now that, that is the case things have changed after all the third family totem has been activated now.” He said releasing Rainbow Rose from his grip, watching in disdained amusement as she fell to the floor dramatically as if she just survived sudden death.

His hold on her neck was tight but not firm enough to kill. He wanted her to shut up and now she did just that as she looked up at him in anger but dared not say a retorting word. He took out a handkerchief from the breast pocket of his vest to wipe his hands with, frowning as if he touched something dirty. He sighed in contentment before feigning his friendly smiling face again, and then his eyes landed on me as he continued speaking.

“ Indeed the blood called forth to exact the law has been chosen and that’s you, my grandson. You must abide by it or suffer the consequences if you deny it. “

“I never said I would, however, my betrothed won’t be Tilly or anyone you have planned to stab those two idiots in the back with. Totem or not, there are also rules to following marriage law.” I said. Surprisingly aroused agreeing voices throughout the crowd to step up and speak out against my grandfather’s coercion. Knowing him he would have something on him to try and tempt me, but Anfim had already let the gig loose with what it would be. The nectar was extracted from the Euphoria Orchid, but I could tell it would not be that simple, that was no longer an option for me as it would undoubtedly be tainted.

My decision was made in my mind, but wasn’t sure how Alissa would feel about it once I voiced that decision. Things between us had never been anything less than extraordinary. I knew Alissa had gained yet another reason to hate both Tilly and Rainbow Rose at this moment, but I would be damned if I let her heart turn Dark or bitter from the many sinister people and things we had encountered in Wonder Kingdom. Neither of us could catch a break yet Wonder Kingdom was our mission we were tasked with to mend the wounds that were inflicted upon it.

The totem now positioned on a raised platform, commanded attention with its imposing presence. The totem resembled a magnificent fuchsia flower but with an otherworldly twist. Its petals, crafted from shimmering obsidian, curved gracefully outward, while tendrils of iridescent energy danced around its core.

Taking Alissa’s other hand in mine as I turned to face her, those beautiful clear blue eyes looking into mine. I heaved a heavy yet nervous sigh as we looked at one another, ignoring everyone else around us. Each petal of the totem bore intricate carvings, depicting scenes of love, unity, and eternal devotion. Portraying everything that I would give and show for the one I was choosing to spend my life with forever and that was Alissa. She didn’t have the eye to see it yet, but I and my grandfather did. The red string with its gold inlaid emblem woven through it on the wrist of her right hand.

“Impossible!” my grandfather roared as soon as he saw it, he moved forward to interfere but was stopped by King Kai, Anfim, and several Fuchsia people who had disagreed with him.

“Hank, what are doing?” Alissa asked in a mere whisper. She didn’t understand just yet but she would soon. She and I were truly fated, just like my mother and father and my brother Ben and King Silas.

“Do you trust me, Issa?”

“I do,” she answered without any doubt, making me smile and my heart grow warm.

“That’s my girl, Issa will you marry me?” I asked, just as a soft hum filled the air, and a subtle glow emanated from the totem core. It pulses with energy, radiating a sense of power and enchantment that fills the room.

“No! You better not agree Issa, How dare you! He is promised to be mine!” Tilly yelled in a full-on tantrum. Neither Alissa nor I could be bothered by her tantrum-spewing words as I held my breath waiting for the woman I had fallen for to give her honest answer.