Page 34

I thought after the introduction I would have a moment to breath but that wasn't the case.

The wedding planning started immediately.

The castle was busier than ever, Alara and Eve interrogated me relentlessly wanting to know what earth traditions to add.

Apparently Cain wanted the wedding to be as much my culture as his.

"Nova, my dear. What is it?" Eve asks gently.

"What? Sorry I zoned out" I reply. "We are planning the wedding of the century and you do not seem to be a happy bride" she replies.

"Oh, sorry I was just thinking about Cain" which was true.

"What about him?" Alara asks. "I haven't really seen him since the introduction and at first I thought it was because he felt weird Luna Astrid ask me for a grandchild but now I don't know" I sigh.

"Explain" Eve says softly. "I go to bed and he isn't there, I know he has been because he holds me during the night.

Then in the morning I wake up and he is gone.

I feel like he is avoiding me." I feel tears in my eyes.

Why did I feel like crying this wasn't a big deal.

"Awh my sweet girl, Cain would never avoid you, you are his everything" Eve pulls me into a hug.

"Now which cake do you want?" she pulls aways handing me two cakes to try.

"We need to talk about your dress Nova" Alara smiles.

"Ugh do we have to? I just wanna eat cake in peace" I tell her.

"Yes! Wedding of the century didn't you hear Eve?

!" she says. "Okay fine hand me a paper and something to write with.

Alara disappears and sets the paper in front of me.

As she checks the potential flower arrangements I mindlessly sketch a dress.

"I'm done" I yell. Alara rushes over to see.

"This says Alara's maid of honor dress" she stares at me.

"On earth the dearest person to our heart is maid of honor and they stand next to the bride at the alter" I tell her.

"Nova, I'm honred and the dress is beautiful!

" she hugs me tight. "Now draw your wedding dress" she orders and walks away.

"This is torture! I'm going to get some air" I tell her.

"You have 30 minutes" she says firmly. "Ares!

" she yells. "I was summoned?" he peaks his head into the room.

"Nova needs a break, she has to be back her in 30 minutes" she tells him.

"Got it!" he nods. "Sooo" he rocks on his heels.

"So what?" I ask. "Actually, I'm tired can you carry me?

" I say. "Of course beautiful" Ares scoops me up. "Uh where are we going?" he asks.

"The garden I guess" I lean into his chest. Ares walks into the maze and sets me on the bench.

"Thanks" I mumble. "Aren't you supposed to be excited planning a wedding?

" he asks. "And why am I supposed to be excited?

" I stare at him. "I don't know marrying the love of your life and all that?

" he shrugs. "Cain has been avoiding me" I say.

"I sleep outside your bedroom door, that is not true" he states.

"He isn't there when I go to sleep or wake up" I respond.

"I mean, you need your rest and we can go days without sleeping so maybe he just wants to let you rest" Ares says.

"What are you two best friends now?" I glare at him.

"No, I'm just saying Cain loves you. I also hear him whispering Good night my Nova and Good morning my Nova and I love you my Nova every day" he sighs. "Well I didn't know that" I reply.

"I can't believe your mother asked me to give her a grandchild" I turn to look at him.

Ares looks embarassed and annoyed "I apologize for that she crossed a line".

"You didn't put her up to it, did you?" I tease.

"God Nova, I'm not an idiot. I know my place, I'm your protector nothing more" he snaps.

"Um woah, I was joking don't get snippy with me" I frown.

The tears fall before I can stop them. I usaully cried when I was frustrated and I was.

"Hey no, come on look I..this is just hard".

"Oh, I'm sorry you are having a hard time.

I am in a foreign land, with expectations from everyone.

Plus I have to fix whatever my ancestors fucked up.

" I snap. "What do you mean fix what your.

." Ares starts. "Nothing, look I get its hard.

None of this is easy for me either" I reply.

Sighing I lean my head on his shoulder and close my eyes.

I squint and scan my surrounding, I jolt up bumping heads with Ares.

"Ow what the fuck!" I rub my head. "You are cute when you sleep" he smiles.

"You were watching me sleep?" I move away from him.

"Wait I fell asleep?" I try to get up but he pulls me toward him.

"Relax you have 10 more minutes left" he rests his nose in my neck.

"Ares, you are actively making things harder for yourself" I inform him.

"You smell nice" he pulls away. "Let's go before Alara gets mad" he says.

"Yea my wedding planner is bossy" I laugh.

"Well so are you, I think that's why you get along" he teases.

I smack his arm and walk out "You are going the wrong way" he calls out.

Before I can answer he scoops me up and runs into the castle, "I can walk" I protest. "Yea but we would be late" he laughs.

"I don't like you" I mumble. "keep telling yourself that" he sits with me in his lap.

"Ares what are you doing?" Alara asks. "Protecting Nova" he replies.

"From what?" she asks. Ares looks around before saying "This table, she could get a splinter".

How he said that with a straight face, I have no idea.

"Just don't get in the way" Alara rolls her eyes.

"You got it boss" he laughs and kisses the back of my neck.

"You, draw your dress" Alara hands me another piece of paper.

"Okay, okay" I tap the table trying to think of an idea.

"How is it going?" Ares asks. "Don't rush perfection" I say finally starting to draw.

After about and hour I am finally done. "Can I see?

" Ares asks. "No" I reply. "I am not the groom" he says.

"Eve and Alara's eyes only" I say. Eve and Alara gravitate toward the table "Orson's pup, why is the Queen. ." she stops when she sees the drawing.

Alara gasps and they both wander off barking orders about fabric or something.

"Seems like you two got this" I yell and climb off Ares lap heading for the door.

"Where are we going?" Ares asks me. "I am going to Cain's office" I tell him.

"Do you want me to come in with you?" he asks as we turn the corner.

"No, but I might need a hug after" Ares nods with understanding.

I take a deep breath and swing the door open closing it behind me.

"Bower out!" I command. Bower seemed to fall in line since the night I found the tone of a Queen as Eve called it.

Cain sat hunched over looking at the papers on his desk.

"Where have you been?" I whisper. Cain proceeds to ignore me and look at the papers on his desk.

"Hello? I'm talking to you" I say louder.

He lets out a long sigh "Nova I'm busy".

"Yea not shit, I haven't seen you in forever" I reply.

"Did you need something?" He asks. "Yes my husband to be" I say dryly.

"Like I said, I'm busy" he looks away from me.

"Are you avoiding me?" I ask. "Yes" he says.

"And why is that?" I try not to sound hurt.

"I have a lot on my mind" he stares at the ceiling.

"That's what I'm here for to be your rock" I tell him.

"I don't know what that means" he says. "It means you should be able to talk to me about things" I say softly.

"You smell like Ares" he states. "What's your point?

"I was now getting annoyed. "Why?" he ignores my question.

"Because you weren't there" Cain lets out a low growl.

"Do not growl at me,I want you in bed the same time as me" I say as firmly as I can.

"Nova.." he sighs. "Is this how it is going to be?

You in your office, me planning events. Us not spending time together?

" the tears ran down my face without my permission.

If I would have known that would have caught his attention I would have come in crying.

Cain scoops me up, wrapping his arms around me and rubbing my back as I cry.

"It's alright my love" he whispers gently.

"No, it will not be like this. This is temporary, we will go on plenty of dates and cuddle and I will be more present" he says.

I look up at him "Promise?" I sniffle. "Yes" he kisses my forehead.

I hold my pinky out to him, "What are you doing? " he asks.

"Its called a pinky promise, you wrap your pinky around mine and say I pinky promise" I explain.

Cain lets out an amused laugh "And Hue-mans do this?

". "Only the ones serious about keeping their promises" I say seriously.

"Well then my Nova, I pinky promise" I hug Cain tight and snuggle into him.

"As much as I am enjoying this, I need to work my love".

"I will sit quietly" I offer. "I would love that but I need to focus so I can be all yours" he sighs.

"Cain" I groan, he places a gentle kiss on my lips. "Ares, take Nova to Alara" he calls out. Ares comes in and Cain reluctantly hands me over "I pinky promise" he mouths as I wave bye.