Xiran fondly held Aselia’s face and placed a loving kiss on her forehead, his lips lingered there, and his thumbs caressed her round cheeks.

"My lovely bride, be prepared for tonight. I am going to own every part of you," his sultry murmurs turned her entire face crimson, as heat welled up in her body and she knew there was no escaping him now.

"Let’s meet those guests now," he smirked, enjoying her embarrassment and she could only nod. Xiran held her close, snaking his arm around her perky waist.

Grandma Asfarla was the first to meet and bless them. Her slightly wrinkled face reflected her happiness and warmth. Her eyes twinkled with satisfaction and compassion, and her expressions radiated a sense of fulfilment seeing how content her grandson appeared.

"My heart swells with love and pride," she whispered, kissing the foreheads of both Xiran and Aselia and hugging them one after the other. They both beamed at her.

Others followed, giving them presents they had brought along, which included precious gems, jewellery, garbs of the finest materials, expensive drinks which were alternatives of wines, exotic animals and a lot of other stuff.

Aselia and Xiran received everything with gratitude and enjoyed meeting such high-profile guests. The kings and queens and some of the princes and princesses of The Malias and The Hawsire regions.

After concluding the ceremony and receiving all the guests they headed back to the castle for the grand banquet. Xiran and Aselia were given a grand chariot to travel in. They decided to travel by road so people could see the newly bonded couple.

The streets were lined with Malikus who carried flowers and threw them on the couple as it was the day of their flower festival as well. People cheered and some offered flowers and gifts to Aselia which she happily received and thanked them while they beamed at her. Xiran and Aselia waved back at them with hearty smiles.

"We have become royalty, Xiran. Who would have thought?" Aselia gleefully confided in him.

"Indeed, my mother never told me this, she wanted me to be humble," he held her close to his heat and couldn’t stop staring at her. She appeared so beautiful, like a floral princess.

Their chariot was laden with flowers and gifts as they reached back. The guards opened the door and helped them alight the carriage. They were guided towards the grand hall. Every nook and cranny had been lit up and decorated with flowery arrangements.

They were led to the grand hall, which glowed brightly from the shimmering chandeliers and circular lights. Xiran and Aselia in their regal attires were seated at the head of the semi-circular table alongside Queen Asfarla and Prince Sulran and the visiting kings and queens who were draped in extravagant attire. Everyone gracefully mingled as the sound of soft music filled the air.

The banquet table was loaded with delectable dishes and sparkling crystal plates and cutlery.

Platters of succulent roasted meats of several kinds, exotic fruits, and appetizing desserts had been served, each dish more exquisite than the last. Silver Wine flowed freely from ornate goblets and fruits were passed along.

Queen Asfarla announced the beginning of the feast, glasses were raised again in honour of the newly bounded. The kings and queens shared stories of their kingdoms, while respectfully posing questions to Xiran and Aselia about their world.

They comfortably answered every question, leaving everyone in awe as they hung onto every word the couple uttered, clearly fascinated.

Xiran served food to his wife with his hands and although Aselia was too nervous to eat she tried everything for her love of food could never be curbed. She wanted to enjoy her wedding feast. Xiran’s left hand rested on her thigh and he would slide it up and down on occasion. She was only thankful that her thigh was not bare or she wouldn’t be able to even focus.

The banquet was a spectacle of grandeur and elegance, a celebration of love and a merging of bonds. It was a night that gave a new path to Xiran and Aselia’s relationship, it gave it a proper name and the only aspect left was to consummate their marriage.

After the feast was over Grandma Asfarla asked Sulran to take the couple to the lodgings that had been arranged for them. There was this family tree which had been planted by Asfarla’s ancestors. It was known as their spiritual tree and it reached far and wide and rose so high that it was impossible to see the top.

A special lodging called nature’s nest had been built on it like a treehouse. It was so high in the sky that clouds seemed to float right outside the glass windows. Every facility had been provided in it and every essential the new couple would need for a week was present in it.

This lodging was reserved only for the royal family and Xiran’s great-grandfather was the one who built it. Xiran’s grandparents and his uncle and aunt both had lived in it after their ceremonies and it was Xiran’s turn now.

The guests and family members bid farewell to the loving couple as they settled into their carriage and flew away towards their sacred destination. Sulran had appointed a special guard for them who would take them there and would remain near the tree in case they would need anything.

The white and gold carriage pulled by four winged horses became airborne and left the castle behind. The soft glow of Tromalius’s moon lit up their world. Aselia’s bright eyes held an immeasurable amount of satisfaction as she leaned on Xiran and he clasped her waist tugging her to him. His lips rested on the ridges of her bronzed neck, where her tattoo shone in all its majesty. They watched the millions of stars embedded in the inky sky.

The gentle breeze had an icy touch to it now, making Aselia shiver but Xiran’s warm hands roamed all over her body, leaving traces of his warmth, owning her.

"My prince! We are here," the guard named Kalins, announced. A giant tree like an octopus with tentacles rising towards the heavens could be seen in the distance as it glowed under silvery moonlight. They watched in awe, their mouths ajar at the grandeur of the sacred tree.

The carriage rose towards the top branches where silver leaves were rustling in the cold night gale. The bulky extensions of the tree were like enormous industrial pipes, cylindrical and sturdy. Among them was perched a white dome-shaped structure with bleached wood that took over the inside and grew out of the white tree.

Its appearance was that of a dome with glass windows on one side and a balcony with an intricate fence. The moonlight gave it a glowy appearance that made one feel like they were dreaming.

The balcony side had a hammock out front.

Kalins halted the carriage near the wooden porch, so Xiran and Aselia could dismount the carriage and step on the platform. Aselia gathered her dress so she wouldn’t trip and Xiran held her hand and gently escorted her down.

Once they had exited the carriage, Kalins addressed them:

"Prince Xiran! I will be staying in the nearby lodgings on the ground at the foot of the tree. If you need me or anything else, kindly let me know," he bowed his silver head in reverence and Xiran nodded at him. Thanking him for bringing them there, he pulled the reins and flew away.

Both of them stood outside at the fenced platform and observed the bungalow with glass windows. The night was silent except for the rustling of the silver leaves and the distant coo of some night bird.

"It’s magical, Xiran. My heart is brimming with love for this place," Aselia placed her gloved hands on the fence and stared towards the inky heavens adorned with white gems.

"It’s like we have ascended to the heavens after going through hell," Xiran stood beside her, their shoulders bumping into each other, as he gently placed his hand on hers.

"And I haven’t even kissed my bride yet," he slowly turned his head to watch her half-hidden face. The soft glow of the moon illuminated half of her delicate features and a trace of a hearty smile appeared at the corner of Aselia’s ruby-hued lips as she challenged.

"What’s stopping you my dear husband?" she tilted her head and arched her eyebrows at him. Her eyes twinkled with mischief.

"The fact that I won’t be able to stop myself from claiming you once my lips will find yours," his hand slithered up her arm, clutching her forearm he tugged her towards him, drawing her in his warm embrace. His lust-filled gaze sent a slight tremor down her spine.

"Then don’t," Aselia boldly cupped his serene face, not shying away from his passionate stare. A coy grin spread on his bow-shaped lips before they descended and enveloped her delicate ones.

The zephyr ruffled their locks and the braids they had placed in each other’s hair as their heated passion deepened and their lips moved with each other’s rhythm. Succulently sucking and nipping with such fervour that was setting their bodies ablaze.

His wandering hands scoured her tender waist and slowly slid up, his hot tongue sampling her wet mouth, marking it as his territory, engulfing the leisurely moans that commenced to escape her.

"Leia!!!" he breathlessly whispered against her supple lips. His eyes hooded by the downturn lashes.

"Umm!"

"I want to peel this dress off of you. Let’s head inside," his honeyed voice tingled Aselia’s insides and she could only nod.

(The picture of the place Xiran and Aselia will be staying in the comments section and I created it using my limited imagination, so hoping you people will like it.)