Something Old, Something New
One morning, a month or so later Bom was waiting for Zalen by the main entrance.
"So it's ready then?"
The architect tapped the huge door frame, then nodded.
"Yep. The boys are still checking the pipes to make sure there's still running water everywhere but other than that we're done."
"Pretty impressive considering it's only been - what? Four months?"
"Yep. Most people would have called building a temple this big this fast impossible. But most temples don't have a few giants, a handful of mages and a small army of workers building them."
"Or a great architect like you managing the whole thing," Sindara added, having joined them mid conversation.
"Bah, it's nothing," the dwarf said, waving his hand dismissively.
"Nothing? Not only did you build a beautiful temple but designed this whole gorgeous section that will be open for all visitors and will be used for all the festivals! And you've also made this temple the biggest House of Veils yet!"
The dwarf made another dismissive sound but his wide smile revealed his satisfaction.
"What about all those empty rooms?"
The last question had come from Mirada who had just joined them.
"Well, I'm an architect, furniture isn't really down my mineshaft. I was handed a detailed list on how to do your rooms but a lot of the rest you will have to take care yourselves."
Zalen nodded. "So our rooms are ready?"
Mirada's wide smile was pretty much an answer on its own.
"Oh, they certainly are! And they look gorgeous!"
"Great to hear," the dwarf replied. "Now I'll go check if the guys are done and then I'm finally heading back to the city to get a beer. So if you'll excuse me..."
"Ok. Have fun!"
With the dwarf gone there was a brief silence as they all admired the main hall.
"So this is really going to be our new home," Sindara said with a smile on her face.
"Yes. Based on what Vivariel told me the last time I saw her we can all live here from now on, even if only you Mirada and Sumi are Veils. I will probably need to travel from time to time and you can of course always come with me but afterwards we'll always return here."
"That's great to hear," Sindara said, giving Zalen a kiss on the cheek. "But there's still one more thing that needs to be taken care of."
"Which is?"
"Come with us."
The duo led Zalen to the shared space between their personal rooms. Not only were all his other wives present but also Dimianne, D'Sheyn, Mimin and Xudaal.
"Sit there," Sindara instructed, pointing towards the floor pillow in the middle.
Zalen did so, looking around at the women around him.
"Was there something you wanted to talk about?"
"Yes," Sindara replied, "but before that: Yes, we all agree so you don't need to ask us. Ok, now."
Before Zalen had time to decipher Sindara's cryptic comment he noticed Mimin moving towards him, followed by Xudaal and D'Sheyn. All three sat in front of him placing their hands on his knees.
D'Sheyn was the first to speak up, grabbing his hands.
"I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?"
Before he had time to say anything she had moved his hands to Mimin who grabbed them.
"I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?"
And again his hands were passed on to Xudaal.
"I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?"
The moon dragon released his hands, waiting for his answer.
Zalen however was just staring at the three women in front of him. He quickly looked around only to see everyone else smiling and nodding at him.
Ah, so that's what Sindara had meant.
Zalen let out a long breath.
"I'm not sure if this is really happening or this is just one long, amazing dream, but yes. My answer is yes to all three of you. I love you." He looked around the room. "Just like I love each and every one of you. You are all free to enjoy life with others as well, but I do know I love being with you and will do my best to keep you happy."
He didn't have time to say anything more before the three had hopped up and bowled him over, hugging and kissing him.
"Well, congratulations!"
The kisses paused as the three turned to look at the new voice. Vivariel's apparition was sitting at the table near the wall, once again wearing very little.
"Looks like the first official event at my temple isn't going to be my own after all but a triple wedding!"
The goddess turned to look at Dimianne.
"Want to make it a quadruple one?"
The succubus laughed. "Oh I still don't really see enough significance in marriage to do that. But if it's your marriage ritual they'll be doing then I'm more than willing to be there as a guest!"
The goddess winked at her. "Great!"
She turned towards Zalen and the trio on him.
"Once you have made your preparations just come to the altar!"
*
The preparations took quite a bit longer than he would have thought but it was still the same day before Sindara poked her head through the doorway and dropped a pile of clothes on the table by the door.
"Put these on. Vivariel's instructions! And once you're done, come to the altar room!"
With that she was gone.
She had also been careful to keep her body behind the door, probably to keep her own outfit a surprise. Maybe his current wives were also wearing something special?
Zalen's own outfit turned out to be a dark vest, a colorful band of flowers around his head and dark pants that were quite skintight.
Then again, given that this was Vivariel's ceremony he was wearing a lot more than he'd have suspected.
Making his way to the main altar room he found everyone already waiting for him.
Vivariel was standing at the front and this time she didn't look translucent like before.
By the altar stood his three future wives. Each one was wearing a white, long veil in her hair, a flowery band supporting her breasts like two cupped hands and another translucent veil around her hips. The curves of the veil left the area between their thighs quite bare.
There was probably some particular significance to why his clothes were a lot less revealing than theirs but right now he didn't really care.
Around them in a wide half circle sat the rest of his wives. They all wore colorful short skirts that definitely looked similar to the flower bands both he and the trio were wearing.
The three brides were all smiling radiantly and they waved him over.
They weren't the only ones smiling though. As Zalen walked forward he could see similar happy expressions on pretty much every face. Mirada looked positively giddy and was having a hard time sitting still.
Sindara looked every bit like a happy mother - even if she was her wife.
