Untamed Light

Chapter Four

     So I was to wed a man cursed to become the king of shifters. What a befitting fate, seeing as how my best friend was one. The thought of marrying a man who was beast-cursed should of terrified me, but instead it made me feel....more secure. Normal. Excited even, which made me blush redder than a hot tomato and look to the floor, giggling up a storm. 

   "I'm sorry, I don't mean to laugh, I do that sometimes when I'm nervous," I apologize, dropping any sense of dignity I had left to turn around and hide. Gah! I never lost it like this! 

     "No I am sorry, I shouldn't of been so forward about things. Perhaps my father is right in my inability to keep some truths to myself. I didnt mean to make you afraid of me," he croaked, his voice filled with a cold sadness that was far different from the jolly and husky tones he had used before.

     I grabbed my cheeks as they flamed hotter, feeling worse because I had now given him the wrong idea by turning my back. "I am not afraid, honest! It's just the thought of what you might look like in other forms, well it sent my imagination a little too far. My best friend Sarah, Broly's sister, she's shown me a time or two what shifter males look like and I always thought I was strange for thinking they were beautiful where others would only see monsters."

     There was a tension building in the air, like before, when I felt his words slide over my skin with a strange warmth, "So do you mean you find me attractive in all my forms, beast and man?" His tone had changed again, the cold replaced to a seductive edge. I swallowed hard at the heat stirring within my belly, spreading to the southern parts I didn't need to be thinking of. 

    Never one to hold my tongue I responded with the only intelligent thing I could think of,"Most definitely."

     He moved closer to me, his hand reaching out to take mine and turn me around to face him. Yep I was in definite trouble, saying too much and not keeping my distance of physical contact. My pulse quickened, a gasp escaping me as electricity shot through me from where his hand was clasped over mine. He let go swiftly, his eyes widening with surprise. I looked down between us at my hand, wondering what had just happened. Glancing back up to him, I opened my mouth when father's voice echoed down the hall calling our names. 

    "We better hurry before the boys descend upon us," I gulped, running my hands nervously down my corset to wipe off my sweaty palms. 

   Nodding he moved to pass me but stopped long enough to whisper into my ear," This conversation is far from over future wife," before walking out of the stall and heading towards father's voice.

     Challenger looked over at me, nickering as if mocking me for the blush that still stained my cheeks. I patted his shoulder and stuck my tongue out at him before following Quinn out of the stall, making sure to close the door behind me. Taking my bun down, I did my best to hide my face from scrutiny as the others looked towards my arrival.  

     Quinn had taken place next to a lady I assumed to be his mother, her deep blue eyes sparkling like sapphires as she laughed at something he was saying. Her ebony hair fell like a veil over her shoulders, straight and neat. I took in another deep breath as she turned her attention on me, my eyebrows raised in question at the shimmery tone in her skin. It reminded me of a yard spool Tyrrine had once spun, the material shining as if touched by a thousand stars. 

     She gave me a warm smile, "Hello dearest Carrie, I'm afraid you don't remember me too well. We met when you were only a year old when your mother came to visit us at the Lunar Solstice." Chuckling, she winked at her husband before adding," My son was just telling us how much he admired your firm hand. You'll need that iron grip if you're going to stand up to his foolishness, men always get themselves into trouble." 

      I choked on my spit, not expecting such brash talk from a stranger. My eyes bulged as I grabbed my stomach and tried to regain my composure. Alarmed, mother rushed to my side as I fell into a coughing fit. My face reddened in embarassement as she clapped my back, the thought of how my boobs were straining against my corset with each cough making me wish I could melt into a puddle and disappear into a crack on the floor. "Mom, I can manage....on...my own...no need to...," I hacked, relieved as I felt the tickling sensation ease and my throat opened up again. 

     "Sorry dear, I didn't know if you were really choking," mother replied while returning to father's side. 

     Dad sighed and gave me his 'behave yourself' look before wrapping an arm around mother's waist. Groaning internally, I cleared my throat and laughed nervously," I apologize, sometimes I get a little too excited when I talk." Raising my head a little, I gave her a warm smile and continued, "It's wonderful to meet you Lady