Page 65 of Essa

The theater in my family home wasn't used a single time when I was growing up. My parents cared very little for the arts, but they did enjoy throwing parties, though they held those in theballrooms. The reception will be held there after Niivi and Iddis are joined. The ceremony will be held here, where there are plenty of seats for everyone to witness their union.

The section reserved for Iddis's immediate family is filled with his brothers, their wives, and their concubines. I narrow my eyes on the three females and one male, all sitting up straight, their collars fastened to them, their paint in intricate designs. They were taught proper behavior, unlike my concubines.

I don't have to look at my males to know Adam is slouched in his seat, irritated that he can't cross his arms over his chest, and Seth is probably looking around, smiling at everyone who might be looking at him. I did adorn them with plenty of jewels in their hair and chains around their bodies to show they are treasured members of the family, but that doesn't detract from the fact that they are very much other.

I'm not surprised to see many looking at my males and me. It's been a long time since I've been back home, and I'm sure everyone thought there would be more drama surrounding this wedding that's been postponed for nearly ten years. Maybe they thought I'd object to the union, come back, and claim Iddis as mine. I grimace at the thought. It's exactly what I planned to do, but the latter was only because I had to, not because I truly wanted to.

"Stop fidgeting," Adam says, poking my ankle with the toe of the thin slippers I found for him and Seth to wear. They're not the ideal footwear for this occasion, but the only other footwear they had was their boots, and those definitely would've stood out more.

I'm eager for us to be back on our ship so we can return to wearing normal clothing. Dressing in Haventh fashion has me feeling like I'm one wrong twist away from everything being visible. Nudity isn't as taboo on Haven III as it is withsome other species, but still, Adam might have an aneurysm if anything slips.

"I'm not fidgeting, " I whisper back at him, apparently not quiet enough because a few close to us turn to look.

I roll my lips inward as my eyes go wide. I will just keep my mouth shut now until the ceremony is over. We'll be at the reception for a short time while I wait for the crew to message me that they're here. Then we're leaving this planet and only occasionally returning to see my sister. And never for public appearances because I want to wear pants, and I want my males to be comfortable.

Seth leans close to my side as the music begins to play and the lights dim. Haventh wedding ceremonies are generally quick affairs. Some species have weddings that take multiple days, and I'm grateful this shouldn't be even a tenth of that length.

"Give me your tail."

My whole body tenses at Seth's request, but my tail isn't listening to better reasoning. No, it unlatches from his ankle immediately and flicks itself into his lap. Our seats are near the aisle, and since he's closest to the aisle, no one on his other side can see this inappropriate behavior.

The lights are dim enough that it isn't noticeable that he's stroking me, but if anyone were to pay close enough attention, they'd see it. I can't speak to say something because if I open my mouth, the sound that comes out will be embarrassing.

"Are we allowed to make you come during the wedding, princess?" Adam asks, leaning in close. Apparently, he's done sulking about the paint now.

I shake my head, my fangs pressing hard into my lower lip until I taste the coppery tang of blood. Adam leans in closer, much too close, considering we're in public and there are specific rules concubines are meant to follow for events such as these. I want to look around to ensure no one is paying usattention. Adam reaches his arm behind me, his hand sliding down the exposed skin on my back until he's doing something so scandalous I would bite him if it wouldn't draw more attention to us.

His hand wraps around the base of my tail, jerking it hard, reminding me of last night. My nostrils flare, my pupils constrict, and I have to bite down hard to keep from making a single sound.

"Attendants of the Bylath wedding, do not be alarmed… yet." Phial's voice cuts through the roaring of my imminent orgasm like a cold bucket of water being tossed over me. Even Adam and Seth are looking around now, my tail and their determination to scandalize me at the wedding falling by the wayside as they search out where Phial's voice is coming from. "Before you all start getting your scary faces out, know that there are explosives placed in the foundations of the palace, rigged to explode on my command. Now, keep those faces neutral as my crew comes to collect Essa Bylath and her males."

"What the fuck?" Adam mutters behind me as I move to stand.

"Phial, there are no explosives here!" I shout at the ceiling toward the speaker system, earning me glares from most of the attendants at the wedding. "Tell them all now!"

"There are so many explosives. Why do you think it took so long to plan your rescue? We had to get the explosives, we had to get Holoth, we had to convince K'Vella she wouldn't be going planetside in her condition, we had to wait for K'Vella to stop trying to kill Alik for calling her pregnancy a condition, and then I had to plant all of the bombs. We would've been here for your rescue sooner if there were no explosives."

I start making my way toward the back of the theater, where I know the sound equipment room is. Thankfully, something always happens when two major families join, so this isn't even that strange for a Haventh wedding. If someone dies, it'll only bemade to feel more authentic. I'm going to make sure no one dies, though.

I don't make it to the small sound room before the three sets of double doors that allow entrance into the theater slam open at the same time to reveal three very pissed off Varons. They each hold four blasters pointed in various directions. Again, I'm grateful the people in attendance are acquainted with the dramatics of these events, because no one so much as growls.

I throw my head back and let out a pathetic little whine at how my friends have somehow made a whole scene at my sister's wedding and how much I love them for it. Why they think I require saving is beyond me. When I messaged Phial about his explosives, this wasn't what I meant, and he never even messaged me back.

"Essa, you're coming back with us," Alik says, his three eyes looking around the room at the hundreds of Havenths sitting in their seats, watching this unfold like it's their entertainment for the night.

Thankfully, most believe me when I say there are no explosives. I have no doubt there are explosives planted everywhere. Phial has so many, and I'm sure he's excited to use them.

"After the wedding. What are you all even doing?" I turn to K'Vella, dressed in furs like she came straight from Rythar without more protective clothing. A small leather skirt, a furred halter, and holsters for her blasters are not very practical. "Why are you here? Your mate should've been the one to join them."

"More hands, more blasters," K'Vella says with a half smile before dipping her eyes to the swell in her abdomen. "Plus, who's going to attack the pregnant female?"

I shake my head at how ridiculous that statement is. The argument on the ship must've been something to behold if K'Vella got her way and came planetside to rescue me. I can'timagine anyone was too pleased with her risking so much when she's not far from her babe being born.

"Okay, yes, fine. We'll come with you as soon as the wedding is over. My sister will be married soon, so please return to the ship and stop stressing out my…" I look around the room at all the Havenths around me. I remember some of them from my youth, but most are strangers. "Stop stressing everyone here."

"Wait, you're not getting married?" Jovi asks, his blasters lowering, his eyes returning to being filled with warmth instead of the icy coldness that sometimes fills them when he's upset.

"No, my sister is marrying Iddis. She loves him. It's a whole thing. I'll explain it on the ship," I tell them, hoping this conversation will end soon.

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