Jasper managed to have a scroll sent to his father, inviting him and his mother to the wedding. They were in Wavebreak the very next day. The festivities were going splendidly. Food consisted of finely seasoned crystal cave monster, some of the Children were playing music. There was dancing, games, fermented drink, fights, and so much more that one could experience.

The not-so-young-anymore Jasper introduced Nadia to his parents, as well as her own parents. They all got along jovially, enjoying the revels of the wedding. Jasper did have to slip away from his father once he started trying to give "pointers" on how to "perform". Never in his life did he ever want to hear such things described in such detail. Much less from his father.

He ran into Nadia, who seemed to be escaping from a similar situation with her mother. Both of the betrothed blushed from both embarrassment and drink. Jasper let out a sigh. "Having fun I hope?"

Nadia nodded and chuckled. "Very much so, yes." She said. "If they keep wearing us out like this, I'm not sure how we'll be able to fight."

"I know what you mean." Jasper said. "Well, is there anything you wanted to do before then?"

Nadia rubbed her cheek as she thought. "One thing, yes." She leaned in and gave Jasper a sweet kiss, her eyes closed as did so. Jasper just went along with it, more than happy to kiss his wife to be.

"Hey!" A voice called. "They're trying to go at it before the fight!" Jasper and Nadia looked at the eyes that were on them now, hoots and hollers not being spared in the least bit. Quickly they were literally carried off to the makeshift arena that had been set up specifically for the occasion.

Jasper and Nadia were plopped down at either side of the ring, and the Ocean flight leader stood between them. He gave a short speech about two souls joining under the watch of The Mother of Flame, how they would live eternally together, even after death. He gave a blessing of health for the two of them, and then with a fierce and enthusiastic voice, declared the fight started!

Nadia winked at Jasper and then the two began their bout. It was as rough as any other, the goal of which being to bring the other to bleed first. A swipe of claws that scratch against scales, a trip with the tail, and finally, the fight ends as Nadia plants her sharp teeth straight into Jasper's shoulder, just below the neck. The bite was so hard in fact, that it actually sent blood flying a few feet away. Jasper of course yelped in pain. But the crowd of Children gathered round thought it was amazing!

Nadia finally lets go and Jasper grabs at his shoulder. He was pretty sure that at least a single bone was broken after that. But he hardly cared, the adrenaline running through him right now would dull it enough. The flight leader declared Nadia the winner of the fight and granted her the right to take Jasper's blood. She happily obliged, lapping up the red mess that she had made of him. "Does it hurt?" She asks, licking the red from her lips.

What a silly question. "No, I think you should have bitten harder." Jasper says sarcastically."

"Sarcasm doesn't suit you." Nadia says, going back to drinking her lover's blood from his would. Soon thereafter, Nadia dressed the injury neatly with some bandage and healing salve. They ate some more and drank some more, but by the end of it, all they wanted was to have each other to themselves.

The party wasn't even beginning to wind down in the middle of the night when Jasper and Nadia decided to retire to their own tent, set up especially for the occasion. It belonged to them now, it would likely be where they lived until such time they decided to either have a new one made, or circumstances required it. But Jasper couldn't help but notice how much it was made to be as "comfortable" as possible. Candles were already lit, there was a spacious and liberally cushioned bedroll, and the place was much more decorative than your average living area.

Nadia was the first to flop into the cushions, and made it very apparent that she wanted her stallion there with her, right now. The consummation was about as violent as the fight had been, minus the injuries of course. It was pure, animalistic, unrestrained love.

Jasper and Nadia now lay in each other's grasp beneath thick fur blankets, their marriage officially sealed. Too exhausted to speak, they simply lay there close to each other. Soon thereafter they fell asleep and dreamed of one another. A good omen, signifying that their marriage transcend life itself and they would be together throughout the afterlife.

END