The Brave Human Mate

78.

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Healer Rhea's POV

It was a rather stressful transition for Rhea to get not only out of her greetings gown, but also have a full-length bath and redress in the time span of less than an hour.

Though thankfully, her team did not settle for anything less than perfect. Meaning that her hair and body needed to be dried and ready to be prepped and primed.

Though, when the personal staff had started placing out the wedding night options, Rhea's males had found themselves far too close to earshot and decided to linger out in the hallway instead.

Perhaps it was the nervous jitters coursing through her veins, but Rhea truly couldn't fathom taking them out of their departure. Especially now when she herself was getting another dose of anxiety, a newfound one that she hadn't voiced before.

"Irene, have you...been with a male before?" Rhea asked, keeping her eyes pinned to the mirror and to her own eyes in an attempt to buffer the growing rush of red to her cheeks.
"N-no, ma'am...I-I haven't—" The rush of intrusion had caused Rhea to shake her hands, diminishing the question from the conversation. Though it still trickled into the next mention on the opposite end.

"There is nothing to worry about, Rhea...The King is a gentle beast."
"Gentle. I suppose I can speak to his wolf, appease him there first." A giggle had sounded and Rhea had simply called out to them, leaving her vanity to take a glance at the choice of nightgowns.

Or lack thereof.

"Are...Are they not to your liking, ma'am?"

"Oh, no, they're gorgeous. I'm just trying to think if I want anything of this to be ripped so soon." Her smile tipped upward, and the light bit of laughter had come in waves.
"It would be an honor for them to be ripped off by his majesty!" One seamstress offered, and the chuckles continued forward.

Until it was down to the last few minutes until her reveal at the alter, and perhaps it was the nervous tick her mother always chided for, but playing and perfecting her hair and makeup on her own had managed to ease her beating heart.

Or would have, had she not caught sight of a cloud of darkness just out of the peer of her mirror.

While her body stilled in fear, her mind inhaled another bundle of fresh herbs. Taking her heart to remain at ease, otherwise, he might be tempted.

"My King, it's rather promiscuous that you've arrived at my pre-bridal chamber this evening..." She beckoned, her eyes flickering directly to his. And as he stepped out of the shadows, a cunning smirk was already plastered onto his face.

"Oh? Your invitation begs another question...Anora." Rhea frowned as her arms fell, perhaps if she hadn't been well-versed in the history surrounding the Kingdoms, then she wouldn't have taken such pity on the King who lost his Queen.

"Anora...? I'm afraid you have gotten the wrong—"
"Do I? To entertain the idea of inviting me to a wedding to a beast such as Tirean? No. You were wrong to do such, as you were before." The way he had come forward hadn't caused Rhea to so much as flinch.

If Soras believed that she was Anora, she was likely to bet that he wouldn't do anything in the realm to harm her.

And that theory had been proven correct when the back of his hand fanned her cheek, his eyes burrowing deep into her gaze. Suspicion was still well in his grasp, but Rhea smiled.

"We have met before, long ago—When my father had sought out answers on your Queen. I don't recall you being this forthcoming." It had caused him to frown, and that facilitated Rhea had smirked once more.