The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
Children threw flower petals into the air, women dabbed at their eyes with their sleeves, and men clapped Baren on the back with congratulations. The musicians struck up a lively tune, and the real celebration began.
Tables were quickly rearranged, and the feast was brought out in earnest. Platters of meat, bread, cheese, and vegetables appeared as if by magic. Jugs of ale and wine were passed from hand to hand.
The air filled with the sounds of laughter, conversation, and music.
It was nothing short of a festival in the village.
As the sun began to set, the dancing started.
Baren and Ryanna had the first dance, spinning together under the oak tree while the whole village watched and cheered. Then others joined in, young and old alike, until the entire square was filled with whirling couples.
Jaenor found himself partnered with Rena, who threw herself at the chance. She was a good dancer, light on her feet, but as the evening wore on, she drank more and more of the strong ale until she could barely stand.
She was happy that Jaenor's eyes found her once again. She ignored the fact that he slept with his mother, not angry about it anymore.
"Easy there, girl," Jaenor said gently, catching her as she swayed dangerously. "I think you've had enough for one night."
Rena giggled and leaned against him. "But the night is still young, Jaenor. And you're so handsome when you smile."
He chuckled and helped her to a bench near the edge of the square. "You'll thank me in the morning when your head isn't pounding like a blacksmith's hammer."
As he settled Rena safely with some of the other women, Jaenor became aware that he was being watched.
He looked up to see Chieftess Valara and found another pair of eyes locked on him. It was Natina, Taeryn's mother, looking at him with interest. Both women were beautiful in their own ways—Valara with her silver hair and commanding presence, and Natina with her dark eyes and knowing smile.
The two women seemed to be competing for his attention, each trying to catch his eye.
When he finally broke free from helping Rena, both started toward him at the same time. But Natina was quicker, reaching him first with a triumphant grin.
"Would you honor me with a dance, Jaenor?" she asked, her voice soft and inviting.
He glanced over at Valara, who had stopped in her tracks and was now glaring at Natina with barely concealed irritation.
Not wanting to cause trouble, he nodded to Natina and took her hand.
"It would be my pleasure," he said.
They danced together as the music swirled around them.
Natina was an excellent dancer, graceful and confident, her body moving in perfect rhythm with his. She was also quite beautiful, with dark hair that gleamed in the firelight and curves that her dress showed to advantage.
She looked at Valara, who was watching them, her lips breaking into a wide grin.
She pressed herself into Jaenor, making it evident to Valara.
She could feel his member hardening under his pants, she turned to looked at him, and not stopped grinning.
"You are enjoying this too much," Jaenor said, noticing how Valara was giving him glances.
"And you are not. You are quite the daring for a farm boy."
As they spun and turned, she leaned close to whisper in his ear. "The night is warm, and the stars are bright. Would you like to see them better, away from all this noise and crowd?"
Jaenor knew exactly what she was inviting him for.
Her breath was warm against his ear, and her meaning was clear.
Jaenor felt his heart race as he looked into her dark eyes. He knew he shouldn't—Natina was Taeryn's mother, and his friend would not approve. Once was already too much, and to do it again…
But the ale had warmed his blood, and she was very beautiful.
"Lead the way," he whispered back, looking at Taeryn, who was too drunk to notice them.
They danced to the edge of the crowd, then slowly, carefully, slipped away between the houses. Neither Taeryn nor Valara noticed—Taeryn was too drunk and busy with his own dancing, while Valara had turned away in disgust and was drowning her disappointment in another jug of ale.
In a small gap between two houses, hidden from the revelry, Natina and Jaenor came together with all the passion of the night.
As soon as they were in the gap, Natina threw herself at Jaenor, kissing his face, moving her hand into his pants, and taking hold of his warm shaft.
Jaenor groaned when he felt her slender hands on his dick, and he pressed his lips on her and started smacking them.
They kissed hungrily, their hands exploring each other's bodies with desperate need.
The celebration continued around them, but for a few precious moments, they were alone in their own world.
Jaenor sat on a wooden beam, which was on the ground, and dropped his pants too. Natina lifted her skirt and made herself impaled by the phallus.
As soon as she sat on his thighs, taking his member wholly inside of her, she moaned loudly.
Jaenor caught hold of her hips and started moving them back and forth.
"AHHH! I missed this! Yes, darling!!" Natina moaned in pleasure, her tits pressed against Jaenor's face. Their passion ignited a fire that consumed them both, their bodies moving in perfect harmony.
The sounds of their liaison were lost in the sound of music.
Natina moved fast, her breath quickening as Jaenor's hands roamed her body. With each thrust, their connection deepened, sending waves of ecstasy through them both. As they reached the peak of their desire, they clung to each other, lost in the moment of pure bliss.
Their coupling was quick and fierce, driven by ale and desire and the magic of the wedding night. When it was over, they straightened their clothes and fixed their hair, sharing knowing smiles in the darkness.
"We should get back," Natina said softly, "before we're missed."
Jaenor nodded, though part of him wanted to stay hidden away with her. "This stays between us," he said.
"Of course," she agreed, touching his face gently. "But perhaps we'll find another chance to watch the stars together."
They slipped back into the crowd separately, blending in with the other dancers and drinkers.
The party continued well into the night, with music and laughter and toasts to the happy couple.
No one suspected what had happened in the shadows, and the celebration went on until the early hours of the morning.
It was a night that would be remembered in Frostvale for years to come—for the joy of the wedding, the excellence of the feast, and the binding of two hearts in love.
In the darkness of the forest, other things stirred, but for now, the village was safe in its happiness.