Theirs to Protect

Chapter4

The morning of the wedding, Ben was awoken by his mother. She burst into his chamber, her dress swirling around her. “Time to get up, sleepy head. Today is the big day.” She strode to the windows and threw back the drapes, exposing the entire room to the bright sunshine from outside. Ben groaned and rolled his head away from the light. He had been up late drinking with Nate. They were drowning their sorrows at being forced to marry and killed a few bottles before finally stumbling toward their separate rooms to sleep. Mother pattered around the room while Ben tried to ignore her. “Son, you have to wake up. There is much to do before King Phillip and the princess arrive. We need to get all of your things moved into your new chamber and ensure that the ceremony's tuxedo fits perfectly and gets to the laundry to be pressed. You roll over now and greet the day, while I go wake your brother.”

Ben was roused enough to sit up and look at his mother. She smiled brightly, “That’s my good son.” And then she turned to leave the room. “Mother, why are you going along with this? Why force us to marry the princess? You have always held true to the Moon Goddess. Don’t you want us to find our fated mate? You have always spoken of how a fated mate was a gift from Her that should be cherished. Now, Nate and I will never get to have what you and Father have. You are taking away our chance to find the other half of our hearts.” Mother smiled, adding to Ben’s confusion. “Son, I have always depended on the Moon Goddess. And she has always directed me to the right path. I prayed to her for many nights when your father suggested this marriage, and I believe she wants this too.” Mother took a small glance around the room. Her eyes filled with nostalgia. After a deep sigh, she looked back to Ben. “I cannot pretend to know why or how the Moon Goddess’s plans work, but they do. And after much prayer and an enlightening meeting with Her I know that this is Her plan for you and Nate.” She stopped for a moment and just stared at Ben in a motherly way. “Son, you have to trust that I am only on board with this because I believe it is what the Moon Goddess wants for you boys. And if She sees fit for you to mate the Fae Princess, then she has plans. Not just plans for you and Nate but also plans for the princess. And who am I to question the Moon Goddess’s plans?” With that she did an about-face and headed out the door. As she crossed the threshold, she called over her shoulder, “Now get out of bed. Your brother will be in a mood today and he will need you to keep him level.”

After she was gone, Ben rolled out of his bed. As he stood he grabbed a pair of pants from the floor and pulled them up and over his hips. He took a moment to just look around the room. Mother was excited to get Ben and Nate moved into the marriage chambers that they would share with the princess, but at this very moment Ben couldn’t understand the excitement. He and Nate had always had their own rooms. Now they would share one with their bride. It was going to be an adjustment that Ben didn’t have the energy for. He was too stressed about the marriage to be excited about anything. Mother said that the Moon Goddess wanted this for them but Ben still wasn’t convinced. He didn’t talk to the Moon Goddes often but he sent up a prayer. “please don’t make us marry her. We need our fated mate.” With that thought went to the connected bathroom to splash water on his face. Time to face the day. Either the Moon Goddess would answer his prayer or he would be wed to the Fae Princess tonight.