CHAPTER 32 - THE TEST - AVERLY'S POV
1503 Words
I was so happy. Beyond happy. One month ago my sister was broken, and she hated our mate, but now things were working out, and they were bonding again. At first, things were tense, and it too Casey a while to get back to normal, though from time to time, I'd notice a sad expression on her face as she looked at our mate, before hiding it again when he turned to her. I'd asked her about it, but she said I was imagining things.
I was a little worried about them, but as today was the day of the examination, I had other things to be concerned with.
My twin sister, and I stood side-by-side, dressed in our slips, that were rustling with every nervous breath. We were in the council room waiting behind a divider with Nanny, while Aiden spoke with the council.
''This is ridiculous!'' Casey snarled and turned towards me, and I hugged her for comfort.
''I don't want to do this.'' I whispered, in fear.
''It'll be over soon, don't worry,'' She said as she pressed her face into my hair, ''And I'm with you.''
After a few more minute, Aiden came behind the divider, ''Are you ready?''
''No,'' Casey and I snapped angrily, in unison, and Aiden gave us a sympathic look.
''I'm sorry. If I could stop this, I would,'' He touched our faces.
''This is what you should have used that stupid blood debt for,'' I snapped and hit Casey's arm, but she just smiled and rubbed the spot I'd struck her.
''Girls come put your robes on, and be quick,'' Nanny ordered and passed them to us, with a troubled expression.
Once we were more covered, we walked out and saw a large hospital bed in the center of the room, with a half divider down one end where one of our female doctors, Jara, waited, dressed in a simple black dress and coat.
''I'll go first,'' Casey touched my face, and I nodded nervously.
Aiden lifted Casey onto the bed, ''I want all the men to turn around!'' He ordered, and they quickly turned their backs.
Casey slid into place on the bed, and Jara moved the divider to give her privacy.
''I'll begin now, Luna,'' Jara told her, and I held Casey's hand, while Aiden leaned over the bed, touching her face, and keeping eye contact.
When Casey jumped, Aiden placed his hands on her shoulders and held her down.
''I'm sorry Luna, I know it's uncomfortable,'' Jara said sympathically, ''All done,'' She said after a few seconds, ''Luna Casidy is intact.''
Aiden smiled and kissed Casey, ''Thank you for going through with this.''
''Your owe me!'' She snarled.
Aiden kissed her again, before helping her down, and turning to me, ''You're up.''
''It's not so bad,'' Casey told me, ''Just a slight stinging, it's more uncomfortable than anything.''
''Okay,'' I said, nervously.
I moved forward, and Aiden gently lifted me up, and placed me on the table. My brow furrowed as Jara moved my legs apart, and Casey quickly took my hand as Aiden leaned over me as he had done wiht Casey, and stroked my cheek.
When I felt the doctor move her fingers inside me, I groaned angrily, and smoke came out of my nose.
''Ava, stop that.'' Aiden panicked, ''Don't lower your core temperature, it'll be over soon, my sunlight.'' He pressed his forehead against mine as I closed my eyes.
''Luna Averly is in tact,'' The Doctor declared as she withdrew her fingers, and I exhaled in relief.
''Let it be announced that the Luna's are virgins,'' Beta Ryker called out, as Aiden helped me down.
''Nanny, take them to get dressed,'' Aiden smiled and touched our cheeks.
While Nanny helped us re-dress, we listened to Aiden speaking with the council, who were all in agreement that the wedding was allowed to proceed tomorrow as planned, but ordered that Casey and I remain under confinement in our wing until tomorrow. Aiden agreed, and Casey pouted angrily. She hated being locked away.
''It's the price you have to pay to be Queen,'' Nanny whispered, knowing why Casey was upset.
''What price does Aiden have to pay?'' She snapped back.
''He has to put up with the two of you unruly girls,'' Nanny teased us, and I giggled.
Once we were dressed, we walked out again, to find the bed and Doctor were gone, and Aiden was reading over a piece of paper.
''My loves, please come over and sign the wedding certificate.'' He reached out his hands.
''Shouldn't we do that tomorrow?'' Casey asked.
''There will be so much going on tomorrow, we won't have time.''
''So... If I sign this, we're technically married, right?'' I asked innocently, ''Does that mean you can spend the night with us?''
The men in the room smiled and quickly lowered their heads.
''No,'' Nanny answered, looking cross, ''You need to be officially married in the temple in front of the Thunder.''
I pouted, and signed my name, but Casey read the parchment first before she decided it was safe to sign, and did so.
''I will walk you back, but we won't be allowed alone together under the wedding is over.'' Aiden told us, and I groaned in announce.
''What's the point of being King if you can't even be alone with your own mates.''
''Just move it,'' Nanny scolded me and pointed to the door.
''Ryker, make sure this scroll is put into the vault.'' Aiden ordered.
''Yes, your majesty.'' He bowed his head.
After Aiden dropped us off in our wing, and gave us one lingering kiss each, he departed and Nanny ushered into a hot back, claiming it would help us relax after such a traumatic day.
I paced around the room, while Casey sat by the window, staring at the closed garden gates with a grumpy expression. We both felt trapped, but I knew Casey was feeling it worse than I was.
Nanny tried to distract us, by showing us our jewelry for the wedding that Aiden had gifted us, but only I was interested.
''Casey, come sit over here, and let me braid your hair.''
''Why?''
''Because I'm bored.''
She got up and we both sat down on the sofa, where I braided her hair. We talked about silly things, and Nanny explained things we'd need to know about being intimate with a man, making sure we were prepared for our wedding night, but then there was a knock startled us. Our food had already been prepared and delivered, so we didn't know who that could be.
Nanny stood up and opened the door. ''Hello, ladies,'' She greeted some people, before turning back to us.
A small group of women walked in holding gifts, balloons, fruit tarts and cakes, sweet wine and candies.
''Surprise!'' Nanming shouted. "The King sends his regards. He said he knows how dull confinement can be, so he arranged a small diversion for you both. He said we could come and have a bridal shower."
Our eyes widened. A celebration. For us? Aiden was so sweet.
''Well, this is far to much stimulation for me,'' Nanny smiled, ''I will retire for the evening, I will return in a few hours to make sure you go to bed early.''
''Thank you, Nanny.'' I said as she left.
We started playing music, and eating snacks while some of the women started dancing. Another sang. Anya, always the first to let loose, and she pulled me up to dance with her, while Casey quickly began a card game, probably to get out of dancing.
The air felt lighter. This was not what we expected for our last night as maidens, but I was not complaining.
''Are you nervous about tomorrow night?'' One of the girls, Kendal, asked, as the party started to die down.
''Are you mad?'' I laughed, slightly tipsy from the wine, ''I can't wait. Have you seen Aiden? That man is gorgeous and strong and powerful, and when he kisses you. AHHH!!!''
The girls giggled excitedly too, but Casey just shook her head at me with a smirk on her face.
''Have you seen your nesting area's yet?'' Ravi asked, and Casey blushed.
Once you met your mate, you'd go to the nesting area where you'd lay your eggs after falling pregnant, and reamin in your Dragon form, blowing fire onto it.
''Not yet,'' Casey answered, as the door opened again, and Nanny came in looking tired.
''Okay, girls, off you go. The twins need their rest for tomorrow.''
The girls all groaned and pouted, but Nanny ushered them towards the door, while we waved them goodbye.
''Would you look at this mess?'' Nanny gave an annoyed tutting sound, ''Come on, into your bedroom and straight to bed. I'll be in early to start getting you ready.''
''AHH!!'' I squealed excitedly, and jumped around Nanny, ''I'm getting married tomorrow!''
''Just go, crazy,'' Casey gently pushed me down the hallway towards our bedroom.
- Writer
