1)
“Um,” the fighter muttered to the princess, “I believe this is the part where we’re supposed to kiss. Rings exchanged, everyone watching, moment for a big cheer, and all…”
“I’m aware of the custom,” his new bride said coldly.#epic fantasy— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) July 27, 2018
3)
2)
“But as royalty, I reserve the right to make changes to what is customary, and accepted, and what you’ll dare do if you want to retain your manhood any longer. See this tiny sharp blade? I have over forty of them…#epic fantasy…hidden on my person; you’ll never find them all.”
The fighter peered. “Good steel. They all like that?”
“Why, yes.”
He smiled.#epic fantasy— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) July 27, 2018
5)
And flipped open the heavy round shield of his belt buckle. “Magnet.”
There followed a swift flurry of clangings as forty-nine tiny blades raced to his magnetized metal codpiece and struck, point first.#epic fantasy His kiss was passionate, and insistent, and his breath wasn’t nearly as bad as the princess had expected. Yet she was more furious than aroused when he broke off for air.
“You TRICKED me,” she hissed, amid the loud cheering.#epic fantasy— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) July 27, 2018
7)
“For the first and LAST time.”
“Understood,” the fighter replied. “Magnets can only do so much. So, no kissing? Or other intimacy?”
“Oh, I didn’t say that. But I shall choose the time and place. And how much intimacy.”#epic fantasy The fighter nodded.
The princess was astonished. “You…accept?”
Her new husband nodded. “Your father warned me. Of your mother’s decrees to him.”
“Yet he defied her—and they had me. I’ll brook no such defiance.”#epic fantasy— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) July 27, 2018
9)
“Well, that’s progress. I’ll defy only when you make a fool’s choice that the real world will shatter. Otherwise, you decree and I’ll obey and follow. Easier for us both.”
The princess blinked. “No manly raging? No storming away?”
“No. See? Easier.”
“I…I can’t believe it.”
“And THAT’S going to be the recurring problem between us. Now, want your knives back? Or would resheathing them be a trifle embarrassing in front of everyone?”#epic fantasy— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) July 27, 2018
11)
“Keep them for now. I…I believe I chose well, after all.”
“If you can say that forty years from now, we’ll have won a victory together.” The fighter put his arm around her. “Just now, let’s please your parents and the wedding guests and follow tradition for a bit, hey? They already all KNOW you’re in charge.”#epic fantasy— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) July 27, 2018
12)
The princess sighed, and dared to relax. After plucking one of her knives into her hand.#epic fantasy— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) July 27, 2018