Page 54 of Chased By the Fairy

After returning home, Sorrel had given his attention to Greta to make up for being gone. He hadn’t had much time to spend with Cypress during the past week, so they hadn’t been able to thoroughly touch each other.

They had also wanted to wait until they were married for Sorrel’s first time, so Cypress could take his time with him.

He was both excited and nervous. He knew having Cypress’ hands on him was very different to having the prince inside him. And today they would be taking that leap, as well as the one to get married.

Spring had come, and although it was cold, the snowflakes had stopped falling.

That cheeky smile Cypress wore sent a thrill through Sorrel.

The prince’s mother, the queen, grabbed Sorrel’s attention when her much softer expression met his gaze. Her arm was threaded through Cypress’ as she led him down the aisle. Sorrel had only met her once, and though she had come across as stern and domineering, she had been lovely towards him.

She approved of whoever had captured her son’s heart because she just wanted him to be happy, as did his father. Just as Greta wanted the best for him.

Sorrel’s stomach fluttered when they made their way up the stairs of the podium, the sound of pebbles crunching under their steps.

Then Cypress was beside him, kissing his mother’s cheek before she walked away. She went to sit next to the king, where they would watch the wedding ceremony off to the side, from their thrones made of pink flower petals.

He barely registered the sweet fragrance in the air now that he could smell the hint of basil and lemongrass coming from Cypress.

A million words flitted through Cypress’ gaze as the officiant began the ceremony that Sorrel had stopped listening to. He just read Cypress’ expression and its meaning, took in all the warmth in the emotions behind it, and felt them wash over him.

He didn’t need to focus on anything else. It felt as though Cypress was doing the same thing, as his eyes never left him.

TheirI do’swere followed with a vow of loving and protecting each other for all time, then they were to seal their bond.

Before he could even feel nervous about the next part, and doing it in front of hundreds of strangers, Cypress’ hands shot forward.

Cypress gently clasped his hands over the corners of Sorrel’s jaw and drew him in to mesh their lips together. The world disappeared. Sorrel’s heart flooded with warmth, and he kissed back, drawing his lips over Cypress’ repeatedly. Sorrel clutched at the front of his prince’s coat, almost moaning into his mouth as he tried to get their tongues to tangle.

Cypress chuckled against his lips as he pulled back. “Later,” he promised, making Sorrel flush when he realised he’d been getting carried away.

His cheeks grew hotter and darker when he peeked over at the people who were cheering and throwing coloured confetti in the air.

A second later, Sorrel recoiled when a crown was placed on his head, and he attempted to dart away from it.

“What is happening?” he asked Cypress, whose grin of humour was cheekier than it should have been.

“You’re my husband.” He helped to steady Sorrel, so he’d stop fleeing as the crown was fixed to his head. “One day I will be king, and you’ll be by my side as my prince consort. I should have told you your coronation would happen at the same time.”

This was not how he’d seen it happen in movies!

Sorrel touched the cold metal on his head. He’d noticed it had sparkled silver with a reddish-orange jewel in the centre. It weighed heavily on his head, almost as though it was going to crush him beneath it.

“You’ll be fine, Sorrel.” The assurance in Cypress’ voice was soothing enough to delay his apprehension about this for the moment.

Now was a time for celebration. He could think of this worrisome part of his future later. It was far better than being Mr Toad’s dancer or Miss Mole’s husband, anyway.

“I chose you mainly for myself, but I also know you will make the kingdom just as happy.”

The king came forward, holding a glowing light which floated above his cupped hands like a hovering pebble. Sorrel looked to Cypress for answers, but his lips appeared sealed.

“Since you are not a flower fairy,” the king began, “we will give you the magic of our people so you can contribute as a royal. You will have a duty to uphold, to help the people and bring the coming changes of seasons. To bring prosperity.”

He brought the glowing, ethereal light to Sorrel’s face. A coldness came from it, and yet it felt unbelievably warm at the same time.

“In drinking this, you will be able to use magic and will officially be one of our kind.”

He dipped his hands forward and encouraged Sorrel to consume the glowing light.

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