“Lia,” Sigmund grinned, his voice back to normal.
“We need to use the private dining room,” Doc said, “which I now realize was a flaw in my blueprints for the remodel.”
Lia smiled. “I asked for two modifications to the plan you had. It would give you a room and an office. You might not stay long, but it would be good to have, and it can be repurposed later, if needed.”
“Thank you,” Doc replied. “Okay, Sigmund, this way,” Doc said as he opened the door into the back.
~*~*~
Doc sat in the private dining room as dinner approached, wondering what Fiala had up her sleeve. Not that I can talk— I have my own surprise for her. Still, she asked me to wait in the back, which is a bit suspicious.
The door opening got Doc’s full attention. Fiala poked her head in and gave him a smile before she entered the room. She was wearing a blue dress that brought her blue eyes out more. Right behind her came Sonya, wearing a maroon dress that emphasized her brown eyes.
“Ladies,” Doc smiled as he rose to his feet, “you both look lovely.”
“I had this made when we went shopping. Do you really like it?” Fiala asked, coming to a stop a few feet away.
The dress wasn’t a dress, now that Doc got a good look at it. It was a short-sleeved button top and skirt combo that blended together perfectly. “It brings out the color of your eyes,” Doc said. “I like it.”
“Thank you,” Fiala said, giving him a small curtsy.
Doc looked at Sonya, who was watching them with a hopeful expression. “Yours is beautiful, as well, Sonya. I would never have guessed that maroon would bring out your lovely chocolate eyes so vividly.”
Sonya’s smile blossomed, and she gave him a small curtsy in return. “Thank you, Doc. I haven’t had a chance to wear it before tonight.”
“When Sonya and I talked the other day, I thought it would be good for us to have dinner together,” Fiala said. “I wanted to make sure she understood what she’s getting into.”
“That’s fine, though I’m pretty sure I already told her that during the rite,” Doc said.
“You did, but Fiala wants to make sure I understand.”
“Okay,” Doc replied, going over to seat both women. “We can save the talk for after dinner. No reason to let the food grow cold.”
“As you wish, Doc,” Fiala said.
Posy served the three of them, giving Sonya curious glances as she did. The food was thick slabs of steak, baked potatoes, and steamed vegetables. All three of them cleaned their plates and sighed happily. Posy collected the dishes and made sure they were topped off for wine before she left, giving one last, long look at Sonya.
“She looked intent,” Sonya said.
“Posy sees Doc as a surrogate father,” Fiala said.
“She does?” Doc asked.
“I’ve talked with her and Daf,” Fiala smiled. “She does, and it’s no surprise as to why.”
“She’s a cute child,” Sonya said. “The hat is adorable on her.”
“Sigmund gave it to her today,” Doc grinned.
“The milliner?” Sonya asked.
“I’ve been helping him,” Doc said. “The mercury is what kills most hatters.”
“Ah yes, your healing. That explains it.”
“To bring the conversation to topic,” Fiala said, “Sonya, Doc will be fighting people— and even the church— here and after we leave here. Danger and hardships will follow us every step of the way.”
“I know,” Sonya said. “He’d be best served to have those who will support him no matter what beside him. I can help ease the way with any dwarf clans he needs to interact with.”
Fiala conceded the point. “That’s good, but are you willing to leave behind ev—?”
“Yes,” Sonya said, cutting her off. “I was dead, Fiala. I would’ve died if not for Doc. His magic... it entered me, healed me, soothed me. I’ve never felt more whole than in that moment. If it comes to it, I would lay down my life for him.”
Fiala blinked slowly, her tail thrashing side to side. “You know of Rosa?”
“The dryad? Yes. I am fine with them coupling as he needs or wishes,” Sonya said. “You, Rosa, or any other he deems worthy of his attention— it’s fine with me. I only hope to have him give me some, a small portion even, of that same attention.”
“He might have a harem into the hundreds,” Fiala said flatly. “He might never sleep with us again.”
Sonya met Fiala’s eyes and nodded. “That’ll hurt, but if that’s what he needs, I will not stop him.”
“Why?”
“Doc and my family might feel like my blood debt was given, but I do not. If any of the clan heard me say this, I would be banished, but I will speak my truth: my life is his. I don’t want it back. I want only to repay him by being beside him and helping as he requires of me. He can sleep with whomever he wishes and I will accept it. I might cry into my pillow, but I will accept it.”
Doc felt a little out of place at the table as they spoke about him.
Fiala was clearly not happy, but Sonya didn’t stop talking, “Fiala, I know what my place will be. Doc has made it clear that you are the one who will be at his side. I begrudge you that, but I will never challenge you for your place. He wants those with him to live in harmony, and I will do everything I can to achieve that desire. You’ll be his first wife, the one who controls the home, and the rest of us will have to bow our heads to you.”
Fiala’s tail stilled and she blinked slowly. “You will? Without a fight?”
“Doc doesn’t want us to fight,” Sonya said, her eyes flickering to him before going back to Fiala. “I wish only to help him, ease his troubles, and maybe gain some of his affection.”
“But I’m not his first wife,” Fiala said tightly.
“We can fix that,” Doc said, breaking into the conversation. Both women turned to look at him, and Doc gave Fiala a knowing smile. Pulling the box from his jacket, he placed it in front of him. “I stopped on the way back today and picked this up. Not sure what marriage means in this world, but for mine, we gave rings to the person we wanted to marry.” Opening the box, he pulled out a ring. The diamond on it was bright in the lamplight, and the gold band glittered. “Fiala Fulton, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Fiala’s eyes were wide as she stared at him, her tail still. “Am I dreaming?”
Doc smiled softly as he took her hand in his and held the ring an inch from her ring finger. “No, dear, this is not a dream. Will you?”
“Yes...” The word was a whisper as she stared at the ring.
Doc slid it smoothly onto her finger, glad it wasn’t too tight or loose. “I guess we need to see a preacher or sign some papers to make it official, but you’ve made me the happiest man in the world.”
Fiala’s hand left his, shaking as she brought it closer to her eyes. With a small hiccupping cry, she launched herself at him.
Doc grabbed her and the two of them went over backward, chair and all. Fiala was kissing him fiercely the entire time.
There was sadness in Sonya’s eyes as she watched them, but her sadness dimmed and a stubborn resolve filled them as she sat in her seat and waited for them to remember her.
Chapter Sixteen
Doc stroked Fiala’s hair as they lay together in bed. Fiala murmured and snuggled closer to him, still asleep. Smile widening slightly, Doc kissed the tip of her ear.
“No... Sleep...” Fiala murmured, trying to snuggle closer still but not having any luck, as she was already mostly draped over Doc.
“But if you don’t wake up, we can’t go to the courthouse,” Doc whispered to her.
Brow furrowing, Fiala grumbled as his words slowly penetrated the haze of sleep. “Courthouse? Why?”
“Something about the ring on your finger and getting married.”
Fiala’s eyes snapped open, her blue eyes meeting his. “Oh! Yes.” The second word was happy as she kissed his chest. “Don’t want to d
elay that.”
“Then you should—”
The knock on the door and Posy announcing that she had brought their water cut him off.
“Get up and get ready,” Doc chuckled. Raising his voice, he called back to Posy, “Thank you, Posy.”
“What to wear?” Fiala asked idly as she got out of bed, the blanket left on Doc.
Doc watched her with an amused expression when she opened the door and got the pitcher of hot water.
“Morning, Posy,” Fiala said absently, giving the child a smile before closing the door.
“Fiala, I can clean up first, if you’d like, so you can take your time getting ready,” Doc offered, as Fiala seemed to be moving on autopilot.
“Hmm? Oh, yes, please.”
Doc shook his head and gave himself a quick rinse, dressing in his best clothes. He knew he should see about acquiring more clothing soon, but wasn’t sure he wanted to trust the tailor in town. Putting the thought aside, he made his way downstairs.
“Morning, Doc,” Jasmine greeted him with a grin. “Did you wear her out again? Should’ve taken it easy, knowing what you have to do today.”
“I didn’t get much choice in that matter,” Doc said wryly.
“I expect you had a choice, but chose the easier path,” Lia said, coming out the door behind the bar. “You need two witnesses for the signing. Who are you taking?”
Doc’s lips pursed, as he hadn’t thought about needing witnesses. “Maybe you and Daf?”
“Good options,” Lia nodded. “Lotus wants to go, as well, and I adjusted the schedule so she could. Truth be told, all my girls wanted to go, but someone has to stay and run the place.”
“Need more, too,” Doc added.
“I’ve been extending offers to some people I know,” Lia said. “I have to trust them, after all.”
“Fair,” Doc said, holding up his hands. “I will never tell you how to run this place. I’m a mostly silent partner.”
Lia laughed. “Silent? That’ll never happen.”
Doc snorted and shrugged. “I’m fine with any or all of the ladies coming to see us sign papers. We’ll have to arrange a party in the near future, as well.”
“Doc, I need to speak with you,” Ayla said, coming into the Lily.
“Sure, come on back,” Doc said, hitching a thumb at the door into the back hall.
Ayla followed Doc into the private dining room, glancing at Lia when she sat down with them. “Doc, you’re getting married?”
“Going to sign the papers this morning,” Doc grinned.
“What about a prenuptial contract?”
“What about it?” Doc asked.
“Don’t you want one? To protect you and the business?”
“Are you implying I shouldn’t trust Fiala?” Doc asked, his voice growing cold.
“What? No! Because it’s the best business move to make when marrying,” Ayla said, looking affronted. “It isn’t about trust or anything else— it’s about protecting the business. They can even be set up to protect her rights if you die.”
Doc leaned back, the coldness thawing some. “Explain, please?”
“You want to grow Luck’s Holdings, and you have me drawing up documents for partners. That can lead to a lot of fighting if you die. With the right prenup, there will be no standing for anyone who tries to wrest control of the company from Fiala.”
“Or your other wives,” Lia added.
“Other wives?” Ayla asked, shock crossing her face.
“Doc is going to have himself an old-fashioned harem,” Lia grinned. “At least with Fiala and Sonya. Rosa, too, but the law won’t recognize her as a legitimate wife.”
“Why?” Doc asked Lia.
“Dryads are dangerous and can only enter a town or city if they are kept as pets by someone with power. Even then, there’s a lot of legal paperwork that has to be done for that to be allowed.”
“A lot of paperwork,” Ayla nodded, “and the cost to apply for such an allowance is costly, too.”
“Table it for now, but start looking into it, Ayla?”
Ayla paused for a long moment, then nodded. “Yes, sir.”
“The prenup,” Doc sighed. “Can you have one done in an hour?”
Ayla gave him a tired smile, and Doc saw the dark lines under her hazel eyes. “I was working on it all night.” She pushed a small stack of papers to him. “Read it and see if you need anything changed.”
Posy entered the room and served them coffee. She was wearing a bright yellow dress, and had changed out the ribbons on her hat to match. Doc gave her a thank you and a smile when she served him.
He pushed the paperwork back to Ayla when he finished. “I’m sorry that I questioned your intent, Ayla. You need it to reflect wives, not wife, though.”
Ayla nodded, having been writing the entire time he was reading. “I’m already working on it. I figured you needed it when you didn’t correct Lia. Are you leaving the total number of wives open currently?”
“I am sure of two,” Doc replied. “It’d be three if Rosa could marry. I’m not closing the door on more, though. They’ll need to be able to get along with my other wives, and honestly, they’ll need to bring something to the table to be given a chance.”
Ayla’s hand had slowed, but when he finished talking, she nodded and she picked up speed again. “I’ll make sure the language reflects that eventuality. You will hold— at the worst— sixty percent of the business, which will be split amongst your wives at your passing. At the moment, it’s a hundred percent, but as you add in partners, you can sell them percentages, though never exceeding forty percent in total.”
“Sounds like a deal,” Doc nodded. “How’re they going to be paid?”
“Yearly dividend, based on net earnings,” Ayla replied, “which means I will be stopping you from wild expenditures, and I need to speak with Rangvald about expenses for the mine.”
Doc chuckled. “This is why I hired you, Ayla. I trust you to take care of things. I’ll be getting a monthly salary, right?”
“Yes,” Ayla replied. “I have it set at a salary for an owner of a major company. Generous, but not nearly as lavish as you had when the mine brought the first load in.”
“Okay. Let me know what I have to work with when the next load comes in,” Doc frowned. “Should be today.”
“We have the weekly tournament starting as normal today, too,” Lia nodded. “We might need to delay your trip to the courthouse until after, depending on when Fiala finishes getting ready.”
The door opened and Doc looked up, expecting Fiala, but saw Daf and Posy standing there with food, instead.
Daf, seeing his expression, laughed as she brought the plates in. “I’m not your blushing bride, Doc. Sorry.”
“I’m happy to see you, too,” Doc coughed.
“Or the food, at least,” Daf corrected him gently. “I understand. I know how my husband was when we were to sign the papers. I hope you enjoy it. I have Fiala’s breakfast on standby for when she’s ready.”
“Maybe I should go check on her,” Doc said.
“No!” Daf said firmly before looking down. “Sorry. I mean, please don’t do that. Lotus was going up to help her get ready, and you should wait for her to be ready. It’s tradition.”
Doc held up his hands in surrender. “I took no offense, Daf. Thank you for explaining it to me, and for the food.”
“Momma said I can be a flower girl. Can I?”
Doc gave Posy a soft smile. “If we can get some flowers in time, yes.”
“After breakfast, I’ll have one of the girls go with Posy to get flowers,” Lia said.
Ayla didn’t add anything— she was focused on her task— but she did break up writing with bites of food.
~*~*~
Doc was starting to get worried. Midday was fast approaching, but Fiala still hadn’t come downstairs. Is she having second thoughts? I didn’t think she would, not with the way she attacked me last night...
“You�
��re overthinking, aren’t you?” Ayla asked as she sipped at more coffee.
“Huh?”
“Your forehead was all wrinkled, and you looked vaguely panicked. Worried she changed her mind?”
“Yeah,” Doc admitted.
“She’d be a fool if she did,” Ayla said. “You’re one of a kind, Doc.”
Cashing In (Luck's Voice Book 2) Page 13
