《The Hunchback's Reluctant Bride》16 | Dressed
Advertisement
Vadde inched forward in line. It was the first time in nearly three weeks that she felt confident. But it was the first time in nearly six months that she checked her nails.
They were a far cry from that of a Princess’s soft hands. For a moment, she worried that Wyrn would mind.
“Concerned about your looks again, I see,” Shaza teased. In the time Vadde’d known her, she’d discovered several things about the woman. One was that she was in constant need of Aggu’s approval, going through great lengths to even cause a problem to solve in order to get it. Vadde supposed that was what happened with her and the business with the bitters. And the other thing was that Bonn merely tolerated her.
Now, as they moved in line, carrying various weapons, Vadde with hers close to her chest, picked her nose up and walked on.
She felt sorry for Shaza because even Vadde knew of Bonn’s wife’s grave, and that was because the man visited it so often, crying.
Vadde wondered if anyone would ever love her that much—ever should. Thoughts of Wyrn calmed her because at least his affection had conditions and did not come from a lovesickness. He was fair-minded, though. She couldn’t think of any other reason he’d allow her to stay.
And despite his previous words, there was no signs of Prince Orm. That was why today mattered. Her month was almost up and she was far from perfect.
The Jaffo were a strange breed of people. And they were pagan. All great acts required a ceremony. So, too, did the hunts.
Hence the line of women offering their husbands weapons and protections for good luck.
Vadde had never seen anything like it, but she was thrilled all the same. Her only regret was her outburst about him rejecting her naked form.
Shaza walked close and leaned in to whisper, “Have you tried touching the hump yet? Had a cousin, worked in pleasing men. That’s what she’d do.”
The rude line of questioning wasn’t one Vadde appreciated. “Thank you. I’ll bear it in mind.”
“You can try rubbing oil on it. That way it’ll probably feel less lumpy.”
She wore a fat grin and Vadde came to a stop and turned to her, fed up. “You know, I’m starting to believe there is no ‘cousin.’”
That shut her right up and Vadde, more than satisfied, waited for her turn to offer up her husband’s weapons.
Wyrn had his hair pulled out of his face for once. Instead of forward, it rested back in one braid atop his head, the sides shaved. The war paint on his cheek and brow made him look sweet rather than fierce. And despite the tepid fall air, he wore fur—even a fur loin cloth. He was the most adorable looking savage.
She hurried to him, handing over the bow and arrows. “Here. I got the best one.”
His hesitation was what worried her.
“What’s wrong? It’s the best one, isn’t it?”
Once Wyrn took the bow and tested it, he nodded.
Bonn, standing beside him, leaned over, surprised. “You’re going to kill a bear with a bow and arrow?”
Vadde nearly dropped the leather armor. “A bear!” she asked.
Advertisement
Wyrn cursed under his breath.
They were hunting a bear? And he wasn’t planning to tell her?
She wanted to scream at him about being smaller than everyone else. About being physically limited. About not being able to outrun a bear. About not being able to climb or escape like others could. About…about not telling her something so important.
All that, she meant to say and more, but instead, she asked, “Should I get a sword?”
He considered her words and said, “No. This way I don’t have to go close.” When their eyes met, he smiled. “Do you want to show him?”
In this, Vadde took a step back. “Surely, you were just being polite.”
Bonn looked between them. “Show me what?”
Wyrn beamed as he handed the bow and arrow to her. Bonn’s breath caught but he wasn’t the only one interested.
Vadde didn’t have the best of track records in most things. She’d only recently managed to make a half-decent basket and that had taken ages.
Still, the bow held out to her had a proud smile behind it.
She took a deep breath and snatched it from him and asked, “What should I shoot?”
“Anything but an in-law.” Bonn laughed.
The chorus of laughter stole Vadde’s confidence, but Wyrn gave her a friendly pat on the cheek. He pointed without looking. It was a great talent of his—finding a target fast without having to focus on it long.
“Aim for the apple tree. Hit the red one.”
There was only one red one visible from this side.
Shaza didn’t miss a beat. “Oh, I get it. She aims there, that way she’ll hit her proper target, the fence.”
Said fence was a few meters away. The laughter that time had Vadde raising the bow and arrow. She sucked in a deep breath. Wyrn’s hand on the small of her back calmed her and she let the arrow fly.
All fell silent after that and she yanked her hands down, fearing she’d done something wrong.
Bonn was the first to say, “Perfect.” He gave Wyrn a nod. “Does Father know?”
“Father’d been the one to suggest teaching her.” Vadde felt relieved until Wyrn said, “Said he didn’t trust her with a blade.” The laughter that time didn’t sting as much, especially when Wyrn gave her a nudge. “We’ll make a Jaffo out of you yet.”
Today was the first time Vadde believed that were possible. She boasted, “And I’ll dress whatever you bring back.”
Doubtful, he asked, “Yeah? You know how?”
Vadde scoffed. “If I know how…. Of course I do.”
Initially, she’d asked Shaza for help but now decided to do it by herself.
All wives kissed their husbands on the mouth as a goodbye so Vadde closed her eyes and pursed her lips. She received a hand patting her forehead for her trouble.
It was better than nothing at all.
Bonn was the first to turn and meet the others and that was when Vadde saw the strangest thing, a thin sheet of metal hung from is shoulders down his back. And not just him. His entire upper body was bare save for that nearly black metal. And everyone had it on their back but not the front.
Advertisement
Wyrn was the only one who wore a light coat, hiding himself.
“What is that?” she asked, nodding at Bonn.
“What?” Wyrn looked up from the quiver of arrows he looped over his shoulder. It fit awkward but held true. “What? The seal?”
“Seal?” Vadde met his gaze, pleading with him to not let her reveal her ignorance with so many people around.
“Iron is the only thing that works against magic. It keeps things from sneaking up on us. Everyone has it. We hardly ever take it off. You just never see it below the shirt. Don’t worry, it’s not too heavy.”
She longed to ask about it—maybe inquire if he had something similar. But how could she? So instead, she stepped aside and allowed him to join the other men. Some came from the village, bringing the numbers to a good fifty.
Soon they were gone. For the entire day, Vadde couldn’t think straight until the horns sounded, signaling the men’s return. Fear ripped through her with each body that emerged from the woods. She expected to find Wyrn injured, or…or worse due to what she understood from the horns.
But it was Bonn, however, not Wyrn who was carried out. The moment Wyrn emerged, unharmed, Vadde was the only one and she didn’t care how it looked, she gathered up her skirt and raced toward him.
He held an animal carcass with his left but caught her around the waist with the right. As was her habit, instead of holding his neck, she pressed her arms against his chest and buried her face in his throat.
The fact that he held her was why she noticed she was shivering.
“You don’t have to be scared. I’m with family.”
“I wasn’t,” she lied. Once she caught sight of the dead rabbit, she took it from him and hurried away.
She’d prove herself. No matter what. This was the last thing she needed to learn—dressing the animal carcass.
But she worked hard, and by dinner time, she was more than ready.
Wyrn was taking his hair out when she found him heading to his front door. She grabbed his hands to still his action.
“What?” he asked.
“Leave it in.” She stood bold and confident when she said, “I think I’d rather like it if you wore it like that for our first time.”
His brows narrowed. He said nothing for so long that she cleared her throat instead.
“So, you’ve finished with the rabbit?” he asked.
“Oh, yes. And now that I’ve done all the wifely things expected….” Her face warmed, her entire body warmed, but she was ready, more than ready now. “Then I’d like to consummate…tonight.”
He opened his mouth as he twisted free, but she was ready for that and leapt before him.
“Why are you so reluctant? I’ve checked. And now everyone thinks me strange because when the women bathed together, I stared at literally everyone. They’re all uneven!” she shouted, “even your mother’s.”
Jaw dropped, Wyrn scowled. “Please, stop.”
Vadde put her hands on her hips and challenged, “Will you consider my request in earnest?”
During the hunt, a lot of the war paint had fallen off. It still fit him well. A part of her didn’t want to wait or give him the chance to change his mind. Maybe she was an inadequate wife in all sense. And she certainly was a cursed princess. But she was also determined.
His pained expression broke her resolve.
“Do you really hate the thought of me so much?”
“No.” It came out in a whisper. Finally, he stared at her chest and said, “You’re required to stay with me for one year. But you can leave if we don’t consummate. You need only set one foot before the other and walk down this hill.”
Each word past his lips came with a sense of panic welling up inside her. He was serious. He was more than serious.
Doubt crept into her mind, but she forced it back.
“Very well, if I’ve failed, then I’ll leave tomorrow. And never look back.”
The fact that sorrow shaped his expression next did little to take her worry away. At least he was showing some regret for dismissing her.
“You won’t need to leave, Princess. I’ll deliver you right to your prince’s doorstep by the afternoon.” His words cut her in two but at least he sounded gentler when he said, “Fine. You clean up and I’ll clean up. And I’ll redo my hair and after you’ve shown me your brilliant efforts, I’ll…I’ll do my best.”
She didn’t meet his gaze. It was an awful way to say it and it wasn’t all that romantic, but she nearly forgave him when he held her face and kissed her on the forehead.
When he went to wash, she let out a held breath and hurried back into the house to double check her dressed rabbit. She couldn’t fail in this.
It was set on the table, and she brushed its fur one last time. The ribbons she’d used to tie both ears came courtesy of her favorite dress but it was worth it. The animal still bled but she’d managed to hide the kill wound very well with some flowers, too.
All in all, it was a beautifully ‘dressed’ thing.
And at least it wasn’t cut up. With it being still intact, the prettying of it was rather simple.
She moved from right to left, making sure none of the blood still spilled out. And it smelled but so long as he saw it quickly, she supposed that’d be enough.
“Why in the world would they dress their animal up like this after killing it though?”
No matter, she patted the fur one last time, then pulled her hand back and made a mental reminder to wash extra thoroughly before coming to see the pleased look on Wyrn’s face when he saw how pretty she’d made his catch.
For a moment, she debated making a few more bows, or maybe shoes, and perhaps a few flowers by the mouth but that would be too extreme, she decided. No. She needed nothing else.
It was perfect.
Advertisement
- In Serial34 Chapters
Solitude
Oaklee is a loner; a hermit; a recluse; someone who takes being an introvert like an extreme sport. She enjoys living in solitude, with writing her third novel and taking her Cocker Spaniel, Loki, for walks along the canals and the field next to it, she's happy in her own world away from people. Alexander King is a workaholic, the CEO of King industries. He hates people and their stupidity and has people to do everything in his life. He is alone, forcing anyone close to him away because that's what CEOs do, right? They push people away.Dogs bring the hermit and the workaholic together, literally. But can the dogs keep them together?
8 101 - In Serial18 Chapters
The Fighter
When Quinn is dragged to a boxing match by her best friend she meets the mysterious Titus King. She is automatically entranced by him. He was tall handsome and he was completely mysterious. When she goes with her best friend's boyfriend to a gym and runs into him there, she can't help it as she is sucked into his life forever. Content/Trigger Warning: There are some scenes including assault and harsh language!
8 73 - In Serial18 Chapters
L O S E R
Alex was the fat and nerdy girl that nobody liked. After years of bullying, she runs away from home to New York City, leaving her older brother's heartbroken. She leaves her life as Alexandra behind and starts fresh as Alex, a happy outgoing girl that seems to have it all. After Alex is involved in an accident, she is forced to go back to where it all started and face the people that made her life a living hell. On top of that, she now has to deal with her dark past whilst returning to her old school as the new mystery girl. Who is the hot boy that has moved into the guest room? and most importantly will Alex finally find happiness in the place that ruined Alexandra?Or Ones a loser...Always a loser
8 209 - In Serial28 Chapters
RED: A Love Story [Featured List]
Two lovers. One fate. One twist. It will all hang on the roll of a die. Marco is a seductive literature teacher embracing a life of unconventional pleasures to escape his past. His student Marisa hides behind a cheerful façade while struggling with the loss of her father and the estrangement of her mother. Their mutual fondness of literature brings Marco and Marisa closer, and the two find in each other a soulmate. When their secret relationship comes to light, they are torn apart. An unexpected encounter amidst mayhem brings them together again - two changed beings sharing unchanged feelings for each other. To be reunited, however, Marco and Marisa must take a risk that can jeopardize their love forever. RED is a tale of forbidden love that has received over two million hits on Wattpad. It was endorsed by journalist Debra Picket, a former columnist of The Chicago Sun-Times and contributor to CNN, as "an intriguing first novel - a thinking woman's 50 Shades of Grey." Set in Brazil and the US, RED is an unusual romance with references to philosophy, psychology, music and literature. -------------------------------------------- NOTE: "RED: A Love Story" is available for purchase on Amazon. Due to contractual obligations with my publisher, I can no longer have it integrally on Wattpad. The novel consists of 3 parts. I left the first 2 parts here for you to enjoy. Give it a go: if you like the first chapter, you'll be on for a great ride :) And after that, you can read the complete RED 2 here on Wattpad. Warning: This story contains some scenes for mature audiences. Português: http://www.wattpad.com/story/5782197-vermelho N. A. C. © 2013. All rights reserved. The characters and events in this story are fictional, and any similarity with true characters and events is mere coincidence. No reproduction of this story, total or partial, by any means, is allowed without the author's express permission.
8 84 - In Serial18 Chapters
First Season
Lady Lavinia Bradley has now turned seventeen and is expected to act like a lady and attend her first season. Her two over-protective brothers do what they can to keep her out of danger but somehow it always manages to find her. Lord Caleb Alder is her brother's friend, a flirt and far too cocky for her liking, but when he helps her she cannot help but begin to like him. Will they ever be allowed together when her brothers find out?
8 112 - In Serial51 Chapters
Joker in the Pack (Romantic Suspense, Completed, Watty Winner)
WATTY WINNER!Life has dealt city girl Olivia Porter a series of bad hands, but just as she's about to fold, fate intervenes and leaves her with a full house. Out of other options, she takes a gamble and moves to the countryside, hoping Lady Luck will follow along.Olivia's decision to embrace the single life is soon challenged by the arrival of local ace, Tate, and wild card, Warren, but little villages can hide big secrets and somebody thinks Olivia is holding the key to theirs.As her opponent ups his game, Olivia gets one last roll of the dice with the arrival of a leather-clad stranger. Will she hit the jackpot or go bust?Joker in the Pack is a standalone romantic suspense novel from the Blackwood UK series - no cliffhanger!FEATURED by Wattpad.Highest ranking: Mystery/Thriller #2
8 75